Davide Bova

Mesenchymal tumors of the pancreas: CT findings.

This article reviews the CT imaging features of the most frequent mesenchymal tumors of the pancreas and stresses important distinctive patterns that may help distinguish specific entities. Various neoplasms (lymphangioma, lipoma, teratoma, pancreatoblastoma, schwannoma, neurofibroma, lymphoma, and sarcoma) are reviewed, with key differential points (structure, fatty and water densities, calcification, pattern of contrast enhancement, vascularization, and necrotic or regressive changes) emphasized. In addition, epithelial tumors are considered in the differential diagnosis.

Non-Hodgkin lymphomas of the ovaries: MR findings.

PURPOSE The goal of this work was to describe MR findings (morphology, structure, signal intensity) of ovarian non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). METHOD We reviewed the MR images of five female patients aged 13-70 years (mean 46 years) with histologically proven NHL of the ovaries. We evaluated morphological and signal intensity findings of the lesions. MR features were correlated with pathologic parameters. RESULTS All the patients were affected by B-cell NHL; one patient showed a primary involvement of the ovaries; in one patient, ovarian disease was diagnosed 30 months after surgical resection of a primary uterine lymphoma; the remaining three had a systemic lymphoma. In three cases, the ovarian involvement was bilateral. The mean size of the lesions was 7.9 cm. All the lesions showed homogeneous low signal intensity on T1-weighted images and intermediate to high intensity on T2-weighted images. The postgadolinium images showed mild to moderate heterogeneous enhancement. The peripheral enhancement was better demonstrated in fat-suppressed images. CONCLUSION The diagnosis of primary ovarian lymphoma should be considered in the presence of large bilateral solid ovarian masses with homogeneous appearance (low signal on T1 and mildly high on T2) without infiltrative pattern of growth or regressive changes (necrosis, hemorrhage, calcifications) and with little contrast enhancement.

Lipomatous tumors of the stomach: CT findings and differential diagnosis.

This article reviews the computed tomography imaging features of a variety of gastric tumors containing fatty tissue. Lipoma, angiolipoma, liposarcoma, and teratoma are described. Differential diagnosis includes primary and reactive lipomatosis, carcinoma engulfing the perivisceral fat thus mimicking differentiated liposarcoma, and mesenchymal gastric and peritoneal neoplasms.

Primary liver leiomyosarcoma: CT appearance

Abstract. Primary hepatic leiomyosarcomas are exceedingly rare tumors. To the best of our knowledge, only 17 cases have been reported in literature. We report the computed tomographic findings of two cases of primary location in the liver. We also discuss the differential diagnosis of such lesions.

Gastric liposarcoma: CT appearance

Two cases of liposarcoma of the stomach are described. At computed tomography (CT) the neoplasms showed features of an aggressive malignant tumor, with no fatty values within. We discuss the differential diagnosis of such lesions and conclude that, although rare, liposarcoma should be considered as a possible diagnosis when a large exophytic gastric mass is detected at CT.

Pseudotumoral bilateral involvement of the breast in Erdheim-Chester disease: CT appearance.

We report a case of pseudotumoral involvement of the breast in Erdheim-Chester disease. CT shows an enlargement of both breasts with inhomogeneous structure, microcalcifications, and foci of fatty density.

Computed tomography of renal metastases

Since the advent of CT, secondary neoplastic lesions of the kidneys have been detected with increasing frequency. After reviewing a large series of cases of renal metastases, we have been able to classify the CT findings into seven major categories that are discussed and illustrated in this article. The differential diagnoses between metastatic disease of the kidneys and other lesions such as renal infarctions, renal lymphoma, and primary malignancies are also considered.

Hemangioendothelioma of the spleen: imaging findings at color Doppler, US, and CT.

The ultrasonographic, color Doppler, and computed tomography findings of an unusual vascular primary tumor of the spleen are reported. A brief clinical and histopathological analysis of this entity is discussed and the differential diagnosis of other primary lesions of the spleen is attempted.

CT of renal metastatic disease. A pictorial essay.

The routine use of computed tomography (CT) for the staging and follow-up of malignant neoplasm has improved the detection of secondary spread to the kidneys. This essay illustrates the gamut of the CT aspects of such secondary lesions. Seven main patterns of metastatic features are identified. Some of these patterns appear to reproduce the same radiological features seen in the corresponding primary lesions. Where feasible, differential diagnostic criteria are offered.

Adrenal carcinomas in AIDS report of three cases

With the recent advances in treatment of AIDS, we have seen an increase in detection of malignant neoplasms in our patients. While some malignancies have an undoubted relationship with the HIV infection, others represent nothing more than sporadic reports and their relationship with the underlying immunological deficit is all but clear. We report the imaging findings in three patients with AIDS and an adrenal adenocarcinoma. We also discuss the peculiar imaging aspects of these pathological entities and report some pathogenetic theories on the relationship between AIDS and neoplasms.