Ensar Yekeler

Frequency of Sternal Variations and Anomalies Evaluated by MDCT

OBJECTIVE Our objective was to reveal the frequency and MDCT appearances of sternal variations and anomalies in subjects without sternal deformities. SUBJECTS AND METHODS One thousand consecutive patients who underwent thoracic MDCT examination were enrolled in the study. All MDCT data, including multiplanar and curved-planar reconstructed images, were evaluated for detection of sternal variations and anomalies. Various kinds of sternal variations and anomalies, such as suprasternal bones and tubercles, manubriosternal and sternoxiphoidal fusions, sternal clefts and foramina, and sternal sclerotic bands were documented. RESULTS In 1,000 subjects, the frequencies of main sternal variations and anomalies were as follows: suprasternal bone in 4.1%, suprasternal tubercle in 4%, complete manubriosternal fusion in 19.6%, complete sternoxiphoidal fusion in 30.3%, sternal foramen in 4.5%, and sternal sclerotic band in 37.1%. Xiphoidal foramen was seen in 27.4%, and the most common type was single foramen. Xiphoid process mostly ended as a single process (71%). Double-ended xiphoid process was also frequent (27.2%). Pseudocleft and pseudoforamen at the sternoxiphoidal junction were detected in 3.3% and in 3.6% of subjects, respectively. CONCLUSION MDCT exhibited various sternal variations and anomalies. Sternal foramen is a frequent minor anomaly and generally associated with sternal sclerotic bands. Early manubriosternal and sternoxiphoidal fusions can be seen in early adulthood without osteodegeneration. Double-ended xiphoid process and single xiphoidal foramen are frequent sternal variations. Awareness of MDCT appearances of sternal variations and anomalies provides a better differential diagnosis with pathologic conditions.

MR imaging features of ventricular noncompaction: Emphasis on distribution and pattern of fibrosis

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to describe morphologic features and delayed contrast-enhancement pattern of the noncompaction of the left ventricle in cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed morphological cardiac MR imaging findings of ventricular noncompaction in 15 patients (eight men, seven women, and ages 6 months to 73 years old, mean 22 year). In 10 patients delayed contrast enhanced images were obtained after the morphological examination. RESULTS In all patients, noncompaction was seen in the apical and midventricular-lateral segment. Basal-septal segment involvement was not determined in any patients. Noncompacted/compacted ratio was 2-4.5 (mean 3). In nine patients, right ventricular involvement was observed in addition to left ventricular noncompaction. Delayed contrast-enhancement was seen in eight out of 10 patients not only involved segments but also normal segments of the heart. CONCLUSION Cardiac MR imaging is a valuable imaging method in patients with suspected ventricular noncompaction by showing increased trabeculations, deep intertrabecular recesses and fibrosis. Fibrosis is a common finding in ventricular noncompaction.

Crohn Disease Activity Evaluated by Doppler Ultrasonography of the Superior Mesenteric Artery and the Affected Small-Bowel Segments

To reveal the disease activity in Crohn disease by gray scale and Doppler ultrasonography of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and the affected bowel segments.

Analysis of the Thymus in 151 Healthy Infants From 0 to 2 Years of Age

Objective. A prospective sonographic study of the normal thymus was performed to determine the size changes with age and to compare the results according to some clinical conditions, such as sex, breast versus formula feeding, and term or preterm status. Methods. One hundred fifty‐one healthy infants underwent thymic sonography. Maximal transverse and longitudinal dimensions and anteroposterior dimensions of the right and left lobes were measured, and thymic indices were calculated. Mean values of thymic measurements for each group (sex, age, breast or formula feeding, and term or preterm status) were determined. The results were statistically evaluated. Results. Thymic dimensions showed the maximal values at about 4 to 6 months and gradually decreased after 6 to 8 months. No significant differences were found between mean values of thymic dimensions according to the sex and formula‐ versus breast‐fed groups. As expected, the term group had greater thymic size values than the preterm group, probably because of positive correlations between thymus size, birth weight, and height. Conclusions. The thymus is clearly and easily visualized on sonography in the 0‐ to 2‐year age period. This may be useful for evaluating qualitative and quantitative properties of the thymus and determining size changes according to age in various clinical conditions.

Cyclic sciatica caused by infiltrative endometriosis: MRI findings

Endometriosis, an important gynecological disorder of reproductive women, affects most commonly the ovaries and less frequently the gastrointestinal tract, chest, urinary tract, and soft tissues. Endometriosis classically appears on MRI as a mass with a large cystic component and variable signal intensities on T1- and T2-weighted images due to the presence of variable degradation of hemorrhagic products. Endometriosis in an atypical location, an infiltrative appearance and without cystic-hemorrhagic components has rarely been described. We report on a 33-year-old woman with cyclic sciatica due to histologically documented infiltrative endometriosis involving the area of the left sciatic notch.

Prevalence and MDCT characteristics of asymptomatic Bochdalek hernia in adult population.

PURPOSE To determine the frequency of asymptomatic incidental Bochdalek hernias in adults, using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT), and to ascertain any possible relationship between Bochdalek hernia and age, gender, or body mass index (BMI). MATERIALS AND METHODS Seven hundred and forty-eight abdominal, and 602 chest MDCT scans, which had been performed for a variety of reasons on 1350 adults, were investigated retrospectively. Location and size of Bochdalek hernias seen on these scans were correlated with age, gender, and BMI. On the basis of BMI, patients with Bochdalek hernia were classified as group A (BMI < 25) and group B (BMI > or =25). RESULTS A total of 171 Bochdalek hernias were identified in 142 of 1350 patients, ranging in age from 25 to 90 years (median age, 57.2), representing a prevalence of 10.5%. Sixty leftsided unilateral Bochdalek hernias (42.2%), 53 (37.4%) rightsided unilateral Bochdalek hernias, and 29 (20.4%) bilateral Bochdalek hernias were detected. Forty-five (31.6%) were categorized as small, 82 (57.8%) were medium-sized, and 15 (10.5%) were large. BMI was < 25 in 62 patients (43.7%), and > or =25 in 80 patients (56.3%). Fourteen patients (9.9%) were young adults, while 86 (60.6%) were middle aged, and 42 (29.6%) were elderly. No statistically significant relationship was found between dimensions or hernia locations and age, gender, or BMI of patients with Bochdalek hernia. CONCLUSION In view of the high prevalence of Bochdalek hernia in our study (10.5%), the multiplanar and reconstruction features of MDCT seem to facilitate the diagnosis of asymptomatic incidental Bochdalek hernia. No relationship was found between asymptomatic incidental Bochdalek hernia and age, gender, or BMI in adults.

Dynamic Contrast Enhancement Patterns of Solitary Pulmonary Nodules on 3D Gradient-Recalled Echo MRI

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to determine whether contrast enhancement features on 3D volumetric gradient-recalled echoMR images allow differentiation of benign from malignant solitary pulmonary nodules. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty patients with solitary pulmonary nodules (range of greatest diameter, 7-40 mm) detected on CT underwent unenhanced MRI and contrast-enhanced MRI performed in 10 consecutive dynamic 3D volumetric gradient-recalled echo sequences every 30 seconds. Contrast enhancement patterns (homogeneous, heterogeneous, rim, peripheral, and central) of the lesions were visually evaluated, and time-intensity curves of the lesions were drawn. RESULTS Twenty patients had benign lesions (nine, tuberculoma; one, aspergilloma; nine, round atelectasis; one, postinflammatory nodule). The other 20 patients had malignant lesions (18, primary lung cancer; two, metastasis). At visual analysis, all 20 malignant lesions displayed peripheral enhancement with progressive heterogeneous fill-in on the late images. All nine tuberculomas and the aspergilloma had rim enhancement, and all nine round atelectasis lesions and the postinflammatory nodule had early intense homogeneous enhancement. Regarding the time-intensity curves, all malignant lesions except one lung cancer lesion had early peak enhancement with rapid washout. All benign lesions displayed early increasing enhancement with an early plateau in the second minute after contrast administration (nine tuberculomas and one aspergilloma) or a late plateau in the fourth minute (nine round atelectasis lesions and one postinflammatory nodule). CONCLUSION Rim contrast enhancement is highly valuable in the diagnosis of tuberculoma. Time-intensity curve types can be taken into consideration for noninvasive differentiation of lung cancer, tuberculoma, and round atelectasis.

Sialoblastoma: MRI findings.

Sialoblastoma is a rare, aggressive and potentially malignant salivary gland tumour diagnosed in the neonatal period. A total of 28 cases have been reported in the literature, but reports of the imaging findings are limited. We describe a neonate with a right parotid sialoblastoma. MRI showed a large facial mass, which was mostly hypointense to the brain on T1-weighted images and mildly hyperintense on T2-weighted images. There were foci of haemorrhage and necrosis. Heterogeneous and weak contrast enhancement was detected on contrast-enhanced images. The tumour invaded the maxilla and adjacent muscles.

Prevalence of Testicular Microlithiasis in Males with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia and Its Association with Testicular Adrenal Rest Tumors

Background: Testicular microlithiasis (TM) is characterized by calcium deposits within the seminiferous tubules and is associated with benign and malign conditions. Aim: To determine TM prevalence in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and its association with testicular adrenal rest tumors (TART). Patients and Methods: Scrotal ultrasound using a high-frequency linear transducer (12 MHz) was performed in 41 patients aged 12.1 ± 4.7 (range 3.5–23.3) years and 49 healthy similarly aged controls. TM was classified with respect to the number of microliths per ultrasound field as limited (LTM, <5 microliths) and classic (CTM, ≧ 5 microliths). CTM was graded as grade 1 (5–10 microliths), grade 2 (11–20 microliths), and grade 3 (>20 microliths). Results: TM was detected bilaterally in 9 (21.9%) patients and 2 (4.1%) control cases (1 bilateral, 1 unilateral). Four patients had LTM, one evaluated as grade 1, one as grade 2, and three as grade 3. There were 9 patients with TART. Four patients had TM and TART concomitantly. Conclusion: Because TM is frequently found in patients with CAH and may also exist concomitantly with TART, we recommend that these patients be followed annually by testicular ultrasound.

Hepatic pseudolesion around the falciform ligament: prevalence, aberrant venous supply, and fatty infiltration evaluated by multidetector computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and aberrant venous supply (inferior veins of Sappey) of hypoattenuating hepatic pseudolesions seen around the falciform ligament on portal-dominant phase multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and the frequency of fatty infiltration of these pseudolesions on chemical-shift magnetic resonance imaging. Materials and Methods: Portal-dominant phase abdominal MDCT examinations of 728 patients were evaluated for the presence of a pseudolesion around the falciform ligament, and those with a presumed pseudolesion underwent chemical-shift magnetic resonance imaging to detect the fatty infiltration. Reconstructed MDCT images were investigated for the presence of an inferior vein of Sappey, and 30 patients without a pseudolesion were evaluated as a control group. Results: A total of 160 pseudolesions were detected around the falciform ligament in 146 (20%) patients. The longest diameter of the pseudolesions was in the craniocaudal direction in most patients (61%). An inferior vein of Sappey supplying these pseudolesions was depicted in 40 (27%) patients, and it was highly significant (P = 0.001) compared with the controls for the presence of a pseudolesion around the falciform ligament. Fatty infiltration was found in 47 (29%) patients. Conclusions: Hepatic pseudolesions around the falciform ligament are frequently encountered on portal-dominant phase MDCT images. Detection of craniocaudal extension, inferior veins of Sappey, and fatty infiltration of these pseudolesions, which were firstly described in this article, with the largest subject group based on cross-sectional imaging, might be valuable in excluding true tumors.