F. Lombardo

MDCT of blunt renal trauma: imaging findings and therapeutic implications

ObjectivesTo show the wide spectrum of computed tomography (CT) findings in blunt renal trauma and to correlate them with consequent therapeutic implications.MethodsThis article is the result of a literature review and our personal experience in a level II trauma centre. Here we describe, discuss and illustrate the possible CT findings in blunt renal trauma, and we correlate them with the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) classification and their therapeutic implications.ResultsCT findings following blunt renal trauma can be grouped into 15 main categories, 12 of them directly correlated with the AAST classification and 3 of them not mentioned in it. Non-operative management, which includes the “watchful waiting” approach, endourological treatments and endovascular treatments, is nowadays widely adopted in blunt renal trauma, and surgery is limited to haemodynamically unstable patients and a minority of haemodynamically stable patients.ConclusionsThe interpretation of CT findings in blunt renal trauma may be improved and made faster by the knowledge of their therapeutic consequences.Teaching Points• The majority of blunt renal injuries do not require surgical treatment.• CT findings in blunt renal injury must be evaluated considering their therapeutic consequences.• Some CT findings in blunt renal trauma are not included in the AAST classification.

Gallbladder adenomyomatosis: imaging findings, tricks and pitfalls

Gallbladder adenomyomatosis (GA) is a benign alteration of the gallbladder wall that can be found in up to 9% of patients. GA is characterized by a gallbladder wall thickening containing small bile-filled cystic spaces (i.e., the Rokitansky–Aschoff sinuses, RAS). The bile contained in RAS may undergo a progressive concentration process leading to crystal precipitation and calcification development. A correct characterization of GA is fundamental in order to avoid unnecessary cholecystectomies. Ultrasound (US) is the imaging modality of choice for diagnosing GA; the use of high-frequency probes and a precise focal depth adjustment enable correct identification and characterization of GA in the majority of cases. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) can be performed if RAS cannot be clearly identified at baseline US: RAS appear avascular at CEUS, independently from their content. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) should be reserved for cases that are unclear on US and CEUS. At MRI, RAS can be identified with extremely high sensitivity, but their signal intensity varies widely according to their content. Positron emission tomography (PET) may be helpful for excluding malignancy in selected cases. Computed tomography (CT) and cholangiography are not routinely indicated in the suspicion of GA.Teaching points1. Gallbladder adenomyomatosis is a common benign lesion (1–9% of the patients).2. Identification of Rokitansky–Aschoff sinuses is crucial for diagnosing gallbladder adenomyomatosis.3. Sonography is the imaging modality of choice for diagnosing gallbladder adenomyomatosis.4. Intravenous contrast material administration increases ultrasound accuracy in diagnosing gallbladder adenomyomatosis.5. Magnetic resonance is a problem-solving technique for unclear cases.

Dual-energy CT of the brain: Comparison between DECT angiography-derived virtual unenhanced images and true unenhanced images in the detection of intracranial haemorrhage.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the diagnostic performance of virtual non-contrast (VNC) images in detecting intracranial haemorrhages (ICHs).MethodsSixty-seven consecutive patients with and 67 without ICH who underwent unenhanced brain CT and DECT angiography were included. Two radiologists independently evaluated VNC and true non-contrast (TNC) images for ICH presence and type. Inter-observer agreement for VNC and TNC image evaluation was calculated. Sensitivity and specificity of VNC images for ICH detection were calculated using Fisher’s exact test. VNC and TNC images were compared for ICH extent (qualitatively and quantitatively) and conspicuity assessment.ResultsOn TNC images 116 different haemorrhages were detected in 67 patients. Inter-observer agreement ranged from 0.98–1.00 for TNC images and from 0.86–1.00 for VNC images. VNC sensitivity ranged from 0.90–1, according to the different ICH types, and specificity from 0.97–1. Qualitatively, ICH extent was underestimated on VNC images in 11.9% of cases. Haemorrhage volume did not show statistically significant differences between VNC and TNC images. Mean haemorrhage conspicuity was significantly lower on VNC images than on TNC images for both readers (p < 0.001).ConclusionVNC images are accurate for ICH detection. Haemorrhages are less conspicuous on VNC images and their extent may be underestimated.Key points• VNC images represent a reproducible tool for detecting ICH.• ICH can be identified on VNC images with high sensitivity and specificity.• Intracranial haemorrhages are less conspicuous on VNC images than on TNC images.• Intracranial haemorrhages extent may be underestimated on VNC images.

Iodine Extravasation Quantification on Dual-Energy CT of the Brain Performed after Mechanical Thrombectomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke Can Predict Hemorrhagic Complications

Eighty-five consecutive patients who underwent brain dual-energy CT immediately after mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke between August 2013 and January 2017 were included. Two radiologists independently evaluated dual-energy CT images for the presence of parenchymal hyperdensity, iodine extravasation, and hemorrhage. Thirteen of 85 patients developed hemorrhage. On postoperative dual-energy CT, parenchymal hyperdensities and iodine extravasation were present in 100% of the patients who developed intracerebral hemorrhage and in 56.3% of the patients who did not. Median maximum iodine concentration was 2.63 mg/mL in the patients who developed intracerebral hemorrhage and 1.4 mg/mL in the patients who did not. The authors conclude that the presence of parenchymal hyperdensity with a maximum iodine concentration of greater than 1.35 mg/mL may identify patients developing intracerebral hemorrhage with 100% sensitivity and 67.6% specificity. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Intracerebral hemorrhage represents a potentially severe complication of revascularization of acute ischemic stroke. The aim of our study was to assess the capability of iodine extravasation quantification on dual-energy CT performed immediately after mechanical thrombectomy to predict hemorrhagic complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Because this was a retrospective study, the need for informed consent was waived. Eighty-five consecutive patients who underwent brain dual-energy CT immediately after mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke between August 2013 and January 2017 were included. Two radiologists independently evaluated dual-energy CT images for the presence of parenchymal hyperdensity, iodine extravasation, and hemorrhage. Maximum iodine concentration was measured. Follow-up CT examinations performed until patient discharge were reviewed for intracerebral hemorrhage development. The correlation between dual-energy CT parameters and intracerebral hemorrhage development was analyzed by the Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher exact test. Receiver operating characteristic curves were generated for continuous variables. RESULTS: Thirteen of 85 patients (15.3%) developed hemorrhage. On postoperative dual-energy CT, parenchymal hyperdensities and iodine extravasation were present in 100% of the patients who developed intracerebral hemorrhage and in 56.3% of the patients who did not (P = .002 for both). Signs of bleeding were present in 35.7% of the patients who developed intracerebral hemorrhage and in none of the patients who did not (P < .001). Median maximum iodine concentration was 2.63 mg/mL in the patients who developed intracerebral hemorrhage and 1.4 mg/mL in the patients who did not (P < .001). Maximum iodine concentration showed an area under the curve of 0.89 for identifying patients developing intracerebral hemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of parenchymal hyperdensity with a maximum iodine concentration of >1.35 mg/mL may identify patients developing intracerebral hemorrhage with 100% sensitivity and 67.6% specificity.

Blunt diaphragmatic lesions: Imaging findings and pitfalls

Blunt diaphragmatic lesions (BDL) are uncommon in trauma patients, but they should be promptly recognized as a delayed diagnosis increases morbidity and mortality. It is well known that BDL are often overlooked at initial imaging, mainly because of distracting injuries to other organs. Sonography may directly depict BDL only in a minor number of cases. Chest X-ray has low sensitivity in detecting BDL and lesions can be reliably suspected only in case of intra-thoracic herniation of abdominal viscera. Thanks to its wide availability, time-effectiveness and spatial resolution, multi-detector computed tomography (CT) is the imaging modality of choice for diagnosing BDL; several direct and indirect CT signs are associated with BDL. Given its high tissue contrast resolution, magnetic resonance imaging can accurately depict BDL, but its use in an emergency setting is limited because of longer acquisition times and need for patient’s collaboration.

Solid non-functioning endocrine tumors of the pancreas: correlating computed tomography and pathology

BACKGROUND Since prognosis and treatment of pancreatic endocrine tumors (pNET) are based on tumor grade, contrast-enhanced multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) features of solid non-functioning pNETs were studied and correlated with pathology tumor grading. METHODS MDCTs of diagnosed pNETs were reviewed retrospectively. Each tumor was analyzed for location, size, homogeneity, margins, arterial and venous phase enhancement, main pancreatic duct diameter, calcifications, vascular invasion, lymph-nodes enlargement, and liver metastases. RESULTS Of 154 pNETs presenting between January 2000 and May 2016 with available histology from resected specimen or biopsy, there were 65 G1, 72 G2 and 17 G3 pNETs. Tumor diameter varied significantly between the three groups. Tumors >20 mm were more frequently malignant and non-homogeneous than smaller tumors. G1 tumors were more commonly hypervascular and G3 tumors more often non-hypervascular in the arterial phase. Arterial phase non-hyperdensity and tumor non-homogeneity had a higher rate of metastatic lesions. Vascular invasion correlated with presence of metastases and histological grade. G3 tumors were all >20 mm (p = 0.007), more often non-hypervascular in the arterial phase (p = 0.0025), and non-hyperdense in the venous phase (p = 0.009), and showed more often vascular invasion (p = 0.0198). CONCLUSION CT correlated with tumor grade; differentiating low-grade and high-grade pNETs through routine CT imaging might improve patient management.

Correlation between appearance of the retroportal fat plane at preoperative CT and pathology findings in resected adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head

Purpose: To gather opinions of radiographers regarding the use of humour among students and professionals, and to apprehend possible positive and/or negative impacts of its use on the care relationship. Methods: Sample. Six hundred forty-one senior radiographers and 411 first, second or third year undergraduate radiographers, for a total sample of 1052 subjects from all over France. Material. Within a quantitative phase, both professionals radiographers and radiographers-in-training were assessed on several Likert-type scales involving concepts such as the functions of humour, and a second, qualitative phase based on open survey questions further focused on investigating the most salient concepts, notably within the senior radiographer sample. Results: Although radiographer apprentices saw the major benefits of humour in their relationships with patients (i.e. building a trust relationship, distraction technique), the senior radiographers put forward benefits especially regarding their colleagues or their own person (pleasant working environment, coping strategy during stressful events). Positive aspects of humour do prevail over the negative ones in both radiographer groups, but professionals emphasize the contextualized aspects of humour and warn that it may infringe on patients and their dignity. Conclusion: Considering humour as a personal and a professional value among the samples studied opens new perspectives on use of humour and its training within both institutional and educational contexts, preventing any possible harmful use.