Carly S. Gardner

The Incarcerated Uterus: A Review of MRI and Ultrasound Imaging Appearances

OBJECTIVE The objective of this article is to review the MRI and ultrasound appearances of incarcerated uterus. CONCLUSION Incarcerated uterus is a rare but serious complication of pregnancy in which the gravid uterus becomes trapped in the posterior pelvis. Characteristic MRI and ultrasound imaging features enable definitive diagnosis of incarcerated uterus, which reduces risks of complications that can lead to maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality.

Primary vaginal cancer: role of MRI in diagnosis, staging and treatment

Primary carcinoma of the vagina is rare, accounting for 1-3% of all gynaecological malignancies. MRI has an increasing role in diagnosis, staging, treatment and assessment of complications in gynaecologic malignancy. In this review, we illustrate the utility of MRI in patients with primary vaginal cancer and highlight key aspects of staging, treatment, recurrence and complications.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Diagnosis, Staging, and Surveillance of Cervical Carcinoma

Cervical carcinoma remains a common gynecologic malignancy. Magnetic resonance imaging is a useful and accurate tool in the diagnosis, staging, and follow-up of cervical carcinoma. This article describes the optimal techniques for magnetic resonance evaluation of the cervix, illustrates the role of magnetic resonance imaging in patients with known or indicated cervical carcinoma, and describes key aspects of staging and management of cervical carcinoma.

CT of Gastrointestinal Vasoocclusive Crisis Complicating Sickle Cell Disease

OBJECTIVE The purposes of this article are to illustrate the CT appearance of gastrointestinal vasoocclusive crisis in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD), highlight potential complications, and review other conditions that may have similar findings. CONCLUSION The gastrointestinal vasoocclusive crisis in SCD is rare but can result in potentially life-threatening ischemia and death. Knowledge of the spectrum of CT features of the gastrointestinal vasoocclusive crisis is important in making the diagnosis and potentially preventing complications.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Benign and Malignant Uterine Neoplasms

Benign and malignant uterine masses can be seen in the women. Some of these are asymptomatic and incidentally discovered, whereas others can be symptomatic. With the soft tissue contrast resolution magnetic resonance imaging can render a definitive diagnosis, which can further help streamline patient management. In this article we show magnetic resonance imaging examples of benign and malignant masses of the uterus and their treatment strategies.

Mandated Radiologist-Performed Electronic Order Entry: Effect on CT Oral Contrast Administration

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to determine whether radiologist-performed electronic order entry affects use of oral contrast material for CT. Contrast media have been classified as medications by The Joint Commission, which necessitates a physician order for their administration. MATERIALS AND METHODS In a retrospective study, rates of use of oral and IV contrast material for inpatient abdominopelvic CT examinations performed 6 months before and 6 months after the date of implementation of computerized physician order entry were calculated. Radiologist perception of order entry time was assessed by survey; order entry time was measured for 10 blinded radiologists. Descriptive, chi-square, and Student t test statistics were used. RESULTS A protocol that normally includes oral or IV contrast administration was used for 1693 CT examinations (784 before and 909 after May 25, 2010). No significant change (p > 0.05) was found in ratios of indications for CT, rates of use of IV contrast material, or rates of use of oral contrast material after computerized physician order entry was implemented. The mean perceived order entry time was 3 minutes 3 seconds (weighted average); the actual time was 1 minute 47 seconds (range, 1:19-2:25 minutes). The extrapolated cumulative order entry time was 26 hours 38 minutes of physician time in the 6-month period after computerized physician order entry was started. Most of the survey respondents (98%, 41/42) did not think radiologist order entry improved patient safety, and 43% (18/42) believed it to be very or extremely disruptive. CONCLUSION Mandatory radiologist-performed electronic order entry does not negatively affect the rate of use of oral contrast for inpatient abdominopelvic CT, but it is potentially time-consuming and disliked by participating radiologists.

Cryoablation of Bone Metastases from Renal Cell Carcinoma for Local Tumor Control

Background: Patients with bone metastases from renal cell carcinoma often are not surgical candidates and have a poor prognosis. There are limited data on the use of cryoablation as a locoregional therapy for bone metastases. Our objective was to assess the local tumor-control rate following cryoablation of bone metastases in the setting of renal cell carcinoma. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma who underwent cryoablation for bone metastases between 2007 and 2014. We excluded patients if the intent of treatment was for pain palliation only, if cryoablation was performed without an attempt for complete tumor control (cytoreduction), or if the patient had no further follow-up beyond the cryoablation procedure. We recorded patient demographics, procedural variables, and complications. Cross-sectional imaging and clinical follow-up were reviewed to determine disease recurrence. The median overall survival and recurrence-free survival were determined using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Forty patients (30 male and 10 female) with 50 bone metastases were included for analysis. The mean patient age was 62 years (range, 47 to 82 years). The median follow-up was 35 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 22.7 to 74.4 months). Twenty-five (62.5%) of the 40 patients had oligometastatic disease, defined as ⩽5 metastases at the time of ablation. The mean tumor size was 3.4 ± 1.5 cm. Metastases in the pelvic region represented 68% of the treated tumors (34 of 50). The overall local tumor-control rate per lesion was 82% (41 of 50). Patients with oligometastatic disease experienced better local tumor control (96% [24 of 25]) compared with patients who had >5 metastases (53.3% [8 of 15]) (p = 0.001). The local tumor-control rate was better for lesions for which a larger mean difference between maximum ice-ball diameter and maximum lesion diameter was achieved (2.2 ± 0.9 cm for those without recurrence versus 1.35 ± 1.2 cm for those with recurrence; p = 0.005). There were 3 grade-3 complications and 1 grade-4 complication. Conclusions: Cryoablation can be effective for achieving local oncologic control in bone metastases from renal cell carcinoma and may represent a valuable alternative to surgical metastasectomy in select patients. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

CT abdominal imaging findings in patients with sickle cell disease: acute vaso-occlusive crisis, complications, and chronic sequelae.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most prevalent hemoglobinopathy. Survival in patients with SCD has improved over the past few decades. These patients experience a lifetime of repeated acute pain crises, which are thought to result from sickling and microvascular occlusions; acute abdominal pain is common. Moreover, repeated crises often lead to organ dysfunction, such as asplenia, hepatic failure, and renal failure. The spleen, liver, biliary system, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract can all be affected. Patients may undergo CT to further direct clinical management. We review the spectrum of CT imaging findings of abdominal manifestations in patients with SCD, from the acute microvascular occlusive pain crisis to the potential complications and chronic sequelae.

Cancer in pregnancy: cross-sectional oncologic imaging utilization at a tertiary care center with an algorithmic approach to imaging

PURPOSE To review utilization of imaging in pregnant patients with malignancies and define an imaging algorithm in this patient population. METHODS Pregnant patients with concurrent diagnoses of malignancy from January 2002 to January 2011 were identified using an institutional electronic medical record system. Patients with history of malignancy concurrent with pregnancy who had documented cross-sectional imaging studies were included. Clinical charts were reviewed, and patient demographics, diagnoses, indication for imaging, imaging findings, and oncologic stage were recorded. Descriptive statistics were performed. RESULTS Thirty-eight women were identified with malignancy concurrent with pregnancy. Twenty-seven patients had cross-sectional imaging studies during their pregnancy. There were 20 new diagnoses of malignancy and 7 with recurrent tumor. The most common new malignancies were lymphoma (5/27, 19%) and breast cancer (4/27, 15%). Two thirds (18/27, 66%) of the patients underwent at least one imaging study associated with ionizing radiation. CT imaging was utilized in 13 (48%) of 27 patients and MRI was used in 14 (52%) of 27 patients. Fifteen (75%) of the 20 patients with new diagnoses underwent oncologic staging with imaging that meets the standard of care based on National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. An imaging algorithm was created as a guideline for the most common malignancies in pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS Cross-sectional oncologic imaging in the pregnant patient involves a variety of imaging modalities including those with ionizing radiation. This imaging largely follows standard of care for the nonpregnant patient and is tailored to specific patient complaints. A generalized algorithm is offered here for imaging pregnant oncology patients.