Elif Karadeli

Evaluation of malignant and benign renal lesions using diffusion-weighted MRI with multiple b values.

Background Limited data are available regarding the use of diffusion-weighted (DW) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with multiple b values for characterization of renal lesions. Purpose To demonstrate and compare the diagnostic performance of DW-MRI with multiple b values for renal lesion characterization. Material and Methods Sixty-three lesions (36 malignant, 27 benign) in 60 consecutive patients (48 men, 12 women; age 60 ± 12.5 years) with solid/cystic renal lesion diagnosed after MRI were included prospectively. Single-shot echo-planar DW abdominal MRI (1.5T) was obtained using seven b values with eight apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps. Contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs), signal intensities, lesion ADCs, and lesion/normal parenchyma ADC ratios were analyzed. Receiver-operating characteristic analysis was performed. Results The mean signal intensities of malignant lesions (at b0, 50, and 200s/mm2) were significantly lower than those of benign lesions (P < 0.05). The mean ADC values at all b value combinations of malignant lesions were significantly lower than those of benign lesions (P < 0.000), excluding the ADC value at b50 s/mm2. ADC with all b values could better distinguish between benign and malignant lesions. A 1.35 × 10−3 mm2/s threshold ADC value permitted this distinction with 85.2% sensitivity and 65.6% specificity. The lesion/normal parenchyma ADC ratio was more effective than the lesion ADC. Conclusion In addition to the ADC value, the signal intensity curve on DW images using multiple b values could be helpful for differentiation of malignant and benign renal lesions.

Chest radiography and CT findings in patients with the 2009 pandemic (H1N1) influenza.

PURPOSE To present chest radiography and thoracic computed tomography (CT) findings for patients with pandemic influenza A (H1N1) from November-December 2009 and to explore any differences compared to previously reported imaging findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty-two hospitalized patients with pandemic influenza (H1N1) were included in the study. All of the patients underwent chest radiography, and 28 patients were also evaluated by thoracic CT. Group 1 comprised 24 (46%) patients with no identified risk factors for H1N1 influenza infection. Group 2 comprised the remaining 28 (54%) patients with identified risk factors. The distribution of lung involvement, consolidation, ground-glass opacity (GGO), lymph nodes, and pleural effusion were evaluated. RESULTS Abnormal findings were observed in 85% of the patients. Bilateral lung involvement was present in 80% of the patients. The most common finding was a mixture of GGO and air-space consolidation. Lower zone predominance occurred in 89% of group 1 and 85% of group 2 patients. The involvement was observed most frequently in the peripheral and central perihilar areas of the lung in 80% of the patients. The extent of disease was greater in group 2 patients with the involvement of three or more lung zones in 62% of the patients. CONCLUSION The most common imaging finding for lung involvement was a mixture of air-space consolidation and GGO with a patchy pattern and lower/middle zone predominance. Pulmonary involvement of the disease was more extensive than that described in previous reports.

A case of brucellosis with abscess of the iliacus muscle, olecranon bursitis, and sacroiliitis

Brucellosis is a systemic infection involving many organs and tissues. The musculoskeletal system is one of the most commonly affected. The disease can present with sacroiliitis, peripheral arthritis, spondylitis, paraspinal abscess, bursitis, and osteomyelitis. A 25-year-old male patient was admitted with fever of 20-day duration, right-sided hip pain, and night sweating. A Brucella standard tube agglutination test was positive at a titer of 1/160. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the hip joint showed right sacroiliitis and a hyperintense, nodular, lobulated mass within the right iliacus muscle, consistent with abscess. The patient was started on intramuscular streptomycin at a dose of 1 g/day, oral rifampin 600 mg/day, and doxycycline 200 mg/day. On day 20 of treatment, the patient was admitted with swelling and pain over the left elbow for the past week. MRI of the left elbow was performed, which showed fluid edema suggestive of olecranon bursitis. Taking the patients complaints into consideration, rifampin and doxycycline treatment were maintained for a year. Pain at the hip joint and elbow resolved and MRI findings disappeared. Abscess of the iliacus muscle, which has not been reported before, and the olecranon bursitis that developed during treatment make this case worth presenting.

Six months post-operative clinical and 24 hour post-operative MRI examinations after nucleoplasty with radiofrequency energy

SummaryBackground. Minimally invasive techniques are gaining popularity for the treatment of discogenic low-back pain. Nucleoplasty is a relatively new procedure that uses radiofrequency energy to disintegrate and evacuate the disc material. The purpose of this study is to examine the early post-operative radiological changes after lumbar nucleoplasty and to assess the short-term effects of this procedure on discogenic lower back pain and leg pain. Methods. Twenty nine patients between the ages of 32 and 59 years (mean 44.14, SD 7.11 years) were included in the study. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores of the patients were recorded in the pre-operative period and 24 hours, 3 months and 6 months after the procedure. Additionally, pre-operative and post-operative lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations of these patients were compared. Findings. The mean pre-operative VAS score was 6.95 (range 3.0–10.0, SD 1.87) and the mean post-operative VAS scores at 24 hours, 3 months and 6 months were 2.46 (range 0–8.0, SD 2.07), 4.0 (range 0–10.0, SD 3.09) and 4.53 (range 0–10.0, SD 3.6), respectively. There were statistically significant reductions (p < 0.001) in VAS scores for all post-operative time points when compared to pre-operative values. Nucleoplasty did not produce obvious changes at least on the early post-operative MRI examination. Conclusions. Although, nucleoplasty appeared to be a safe minimally invasive procedure, the value of this new technique for the treatment of discogenic low-back pain remains as yet unproven. Further randomised placebo-controlled studies with longer follow-up are needed to elucidate the effects of nucleoplasty on discogenic low back and leg pain.

Sclerosing stromal tumor of the ovary with torsion: MRI features

Sclerosing stromal tumors are rare benign ovarian neoplasms that are usually diagnosed in the second or third decade of life. Most patients with these tumors present with menstrual irregularities and pelvic pain. We present the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of a left ovarian sclerosing stromal tumor with torsion that was located in the right parauterine area, and discuss the differential diagnosis for this entity based on MRI findings. In this case, MRI demonstrated a well-defined, predominantly solid mass with a pseudolobular pattern, and showed a shift of the uterus to the left. The surgical and histopathologic aspects of the case are also described.

Predicting tumor recurrence in patients with cervical carcinoma treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy: value of quantitative histogram analysis on diffusion-weighted MR images:

Background Further research is required for evaluating the use of ADC histogram analysis in more advanced stages of cervical cancer treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Purpose To investigate the utility of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) histogram derived from diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance images in cervical cancer patients treated with definitive CRT. Material and Methods The clinical and radiological data of 50 patients with histologically proven cervical squamous cell carcinoma treated with definitive CRT were retrospectively analyzed. The impact of clinicopathological factors and ADC histogram parameters on prognostic factors and treatment outcomes was assessed. Results The mean and median ADC values for the cohort were 1.043 ± 0.135 × 10−3 mm2/s and 1.018 × 10−3 mm2/s (range, 0.787–1.443 × 10−3 mm2/s). The mean ADC was significantly lower for patients with advanced stage (≥IIB) or lymph node metastasis compared with patients with stage <IIB or no lymph node metastasis. The mean ADC, 75th percentile ADC (ADC75), 90th percentile ADC (ADC90), and 95th percentile ADC (ADC95) were significantly lower in patients with tumor recurrence compared with patients without recurrence. In multivariate analysis, tumor size, ADC75 and ADC95 were independent prognostic factors for both overall survival and disease-free survival. Conclusion ADC histogram parameters could be markers for disease recurrence and for predicting survival outcomes. ADC75, ADC90, and ADC95 of the primary tumor were significant predictors of disease recurrence in cervical cancer patients treated with definitive CRT.

Diffusion-weighted MRI of the kidneys in patients with familial Mediterranean fever: initial experience.

PURPOSE To evaluate the feasibility of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) in the assessment of renal function in patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty healthy volunteers who had no history of renal disease, hypertension or vascular disease and 60 patients with FMF were included in the study. Transverse diffusion-weighted multisection echo-planar MRI was performed with the following diffusion gradient b values: 0, 111, 222, 333, 444, 556, 667, 778, 889 and 1000 s/mm(2). The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values, urine protein and serum creatinine levels, and glomerular filtration rates of the healthy volunteers, patients with renal involvement, and patients without were compared by using ANOVA test. ADCs of the kidneys were calculated separately for low (ADC(low); b = 0, 111, 222, 333 s/mm(2)), average (ADC(avg); of all b values), and high (ADC(high); b = 778, 889, 1000 s/mm(2)) b values to enable the differentiation of the relative influence of perfusion fraction and true diffusion. ADC(high) reflects almost only diffusion, whereas ADC(low) is composed of both diffusion and perfusion. RESULTS There was statistically significant difference between ADC(low) values of the FMF patients with renal involvement and the control group (P < 0.05). Negative correlation was found between the duration of disease and ADC(low) values of the kidneys (r = -0.223, P = 0.087). CONCLUSION DW-MRI of the kidneys might allow early detection of the renal changes in patients with FMF. This might prevent the progression of disease by giving proper medical treatment. Further studies with larger numbers of FMF patients and more experience on MRI technique are required to help define more conclusively the precise role of DW imaging in detection of renal changes.

Acute sarcoid myositis with unusual radiologic findings.

A 59-year-old man presented with bilateral calf pain and swelling for two weeks. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging examination showed multiple bilateral, nodular, and spindle- shaped lesions in the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. On physical examination, hyperpigmented, papular lesions were noticed; biopsy of the skin of his right elbow showed granulomatous inflammation. His angiotensin converting enzyme level was markedly elevated. Computed tomography showed diffuse interstitial thickening, miliary nodules, and traction bronchiectases throughout the lung parenchyma. Ophthalmologic examination showed uveitis in his left eye. Based on the lung, eye, and skin findings, a clinical diagnosis of sarcoidosis was made. After two months of corticosteroid treatment, his muscle lesions largely resolved.

Extraperitoneal pelvic myolipoma

Myolipoma is a very rare adipocytic tumor occurring most frequently in adults, and usually is located in the retroperitoneum or abdomen. It has been described in the retroperitoneum, spinal cord, orbita, breast, round ligament, subcutaneous tissue, pericardium, rectus sheath of the abdominal wall, and abdominal cavity with attachment to the abdominal wall. Most of these tumors are discovered incidentally and are large when discovered. Radiological findings are nonspecific due to the nonlipomatous component of the tumor. We present radiological findings of a large extraperitoneal pelvic myolipoma adjacent to the anterior abdominal wall, detected incidentally in an elderly woman with a presenting complaint of intractable hiccups.

Inner ear lipoma.

Intracranial lipomas are uncommon congenital malformations that are often asymptomatic. They are very rarely seen in the inner ear. There are a few case reports in the literature related to intravestibular lipoma. It was also defined in the internal auditory canal and the cerebellopontine angle. We present here a case of an inner ear lipoma that diffusely infiltrated the cochlea, vestibule and the semicircular canals. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case in the literature.