Jeffrey Dee Olpin

Imaging of Müllerian duct anomalies.

Müllerian duct anomalies (MDAs) are relatively common disorders that are particularly relevant in patients with infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss, or a history of preterm labor. Accurate characterization of MDAs is crucial to the implementation of appropriate treatment. Various imaging modalities have been used in the evaluation of MDAs, including hysterosalpingography, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Although hysterosalpingography and ultrasound may suggest a Müllerian duct anomaly, further evaluation by MRI is often required. MRI is the best imaging method available because of its superior ability to reliably visualize complex uterovaginal anatomy.

Gestational trophoblastic disease: Clinical and imaging features

Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) is a spectrum of both benign and malignant gestational tumors, including hydatidiform mole (complete and partial), invasive mole, choriocarcinoma, placental site trophoblastic tumor, and epithelioid trophoblastic tumor. The latter four entities are referred to as gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN). These conditions are aggressive with a propensity to widely metastasize. GTN can result in significant morbidity and mortality if left untreated. Early diagnosis of GTD is essential for prompt and successful management while preserving fertility. Initial diagnosis of GTD is based on a multifactorial approach consisting of clinical features, serial quantitative human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) titers, and imaging findings. Ultrasonography (US) is the modality of choice for initial diagnosis of complete hydatidiform mole and can provide an invaluable means of local surveillance after treatment. The performance of US in diagnosing all molar pregnancies is surprisingly poor, predominantly due to the difficulty in differentiating partial hydatidiform mole from nonmolar abortion and retained products of conception. While GTN after a molar pregnancy is usually diagnosed with serial β-hCG titers, imaging plays an important role in evaluation of local extent of disease and systemic surveillance. Imaging also plays a crucial role in detection and management of complications, such as uterine and pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas. Familiarity with the pathogenesis, classification, imaging features, and treatment of these tumors can aid in radiologic diagnosis and guide appropriate management. ©RSNA, 2017.

Heterotopic Pancreas: Histopathologic Features, Imaging Findings, and Complications.

Heterotopic pancreas is a congenital anomaly in which pancreatic tissue is anatomically separate from the main gland. The most common locations of this displacement include the upper gastrointestinal tract-specifically, the stomach, duodenum, and proximal jejunum. Less common sites are the esophagus, ileum, Meckel diverticulum, biliary tree, mesentery, and spleen. Uncomplicated heterotopic pancreas is typically asymptomatic, with the lesion being discovered incidentally during an unrelated surgery, during an imaging examination, or at autopsy. The most common computed tomographic appearance of heterotopic pancreas is that of a small oval intramural mass with microlobulated margins and an endoluminal growth pattern. The attenuation and enhancement characteristics of these lesions parallel their histologic composition. Acinus-dominant lesions demonstrate avid homogeneous enhancement after intravenous contrast material administration, whereas duct-dominant lesions are hypovascular and heterogeneous. At magnetic resonance imaging, the heterotopic pancreas is isointense to the orthotopic pancreas, with characteristic T1 hyperintensity and early avid enhancement after intravenous gadolinium-based contrast material administration. Heterotopic pancreatic tissue has a rudimentary ductal system in which an orifice is sometimes visible at imaging as a central umbilication of the lesion. Complications of heterotopic pancreas include pancreatitis, pseudocyst formation, malignant degeneration, gastrointestinal bleeding, bowel obstruction, and intussusception. Certain complications may be erroneously diagnosed as malignancy. Paraduodenal pancreatitis is thought to be due to cystic degeneration of heterotopic pancreatic tissue in the medial wall of the duodenum. Recognizing the characteristic imaging features of heterotopic pancreas aids in differentiating it from cancer and thus in avoiding unnecessary surgery.

Beyond the Bowel: Extraintestinal Manifestations of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, relapsing immune-mediated inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. IBD includes two major disease entities: Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis. Imaging plays an important role in the diagnosis and surveillance of these complex disorders. Computed tomographic and magnetic resonance enterographic techniques have been refined in recent years to provide a superb means of evaluating the gastrointestinal tract for suspected IBD. Although the intestinal imaging manifestations of IBD have been extensively discussed in the radiology literature, extraintestinal imaging manifestations of IBD have received less attention. Multiple extraintestinal manifestations may be seen in IBD, including those of gastrointestinal (hepatobiliary and pancreatic), genitourinary, musculoskeletal, pulmonary, cardiac, ocular, and dermatologic disorders. Although many associations between IBD and extraintestinal organ systems have been well established, other associations have not been fully elucidated. Some extraintestinal disorders may share a common pathogenesis with IBD. Other extraintestinal disorders may occur as a result of unintended treatment-related complications of IBD. Although extraintestinal disorders within the abdomen and pelvis may be well depicted with cross-sectional enterography, other musculoskeletal and thoracic disorders may be less evident with such examinations and may warrant further investigation with additional imaging examinations or may be readily apparent from the findings at physical examination. Radiologists involved in the interpretation of IBD imaging examinations must be aware of potential extraintestinal manifestations, to provide referring clinicians with an accurate and comprehensive profile of patients with these complex disorders.

Testicular Adrenal Rest Tumors in a Patient with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia refers to a group of autosomal recessive disorders caused by a deficiency of an enzyme involved in the synthesis of glucocorticoids. The enzyme deficiency generally leads to a deficiency of cortisol and/or aldosterone production within the adrenal cortex. The lack of glucocorticoids generally leads to elevated levels of plasma corticotropin (ACTH), which often results in adrenal hyperplasia. Testicular adrenal rest tumors may develop in males with congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to overstimulation of aberrant adrenal cells within the testes. Recognition of this disease entity is essential when evaluating young males with testicular masses.

MR Imaging of Müllerian Fusion Anomalies

Müllerian duct anomalies, also called congenital uterine anomalies, are developmental structural disorders of the female genital tract. These anomalies are clinically relevant in patients with a history of infertility and pregnancy-related complications. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine classification system is the most well known, although newer systems, such as from the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology/European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy, are becoming more widely accepted. MR imaging remains the optimal imaging modality due to its superior multiplanar capability and spatial resolution. This review article describes the typical MR appearance of congenital uterine anomalies.

Secondary infertility in women: radiologic evaluation

Correspondence: Jeffrey Olpin University of Utah Health Sciences Center, 30 N. 1900 e. #1A71, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA Tel +1 801 581 7553 Fax +1 801 581 2414 email jeffrey.olpin@hsc.utah.edu Abstract: Female infertility is a commonly encountered problem that presently accounts for a significant percentage of women seeking gynecologic services. While primary infertility is defined as the inability to conceive or carry a pregnancy successfully to full term, secondary infertility is defined as difficulty in conceiving after already having previously conceived (either carrying a pregnancy to term or a miscarriage). The causes of both primary and secondary female infertility are varied, and include various disorders involving the fallopian tubes, ovaries, uterus, cervix, and peritoneum. Imaging has become an essential tool in the workup of female infertility. Various imaging modalities are commonly employed to evaluate the female reproductive tract. Hysterosalpingography is typically performed as a baseline imaging study in the workup of female infertility. Ultrasound and pelvic magnetic resonance imaging studies are likewise routinely utilized to aid in the diagnosis of female infertility. The appropriate selection of imaging modalities is essential in establishing the etiology of female infertility in a timely, efficient, and cost-effective manner.

Imaging of Gynecologic Malignancies

Gynecologic neoplasms are a major contributor to female mortality and morbidity worldwide. Diagnostic imaging has become an essential tool in the staging of gynecologic malignancies. State of the art imaging techniques provide valuable information that allows clinicians to employ the most appropriate treatment regimen for patients with gynecologic neoplasms. Ultrasound has been traditionally employed as a first-line imaging modality in a suspected gynecologic malignancy. CT and FDG PET-CT provides an indispensable means of staging gynecologic malignancies. However, MR has emerged in recent years as the gold standard in the staging, pretreatment planning and therapeutic monitoring of gynecologic malignancies.

Advanced Imaging Techniques Used in the Infertile Female

Radiologic imaging is a crucial part of the evaluation of women presenting with infertility. Imaging techniques that provide insight into causes and factors contributing to infertility include ultrasound, hysterosalpingography, hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography, and magnetic resonance imaging. In this chapter, we discuss imaging technologies for disorders of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries which may impact fertility and pregnancy outcomes, with consideration of test sensitivity and specificity, cost, discomfort, utilization of contrast media, and ionizing radiation. Hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography is an efficient modality for multiple aspects of female reproductive anatomy and is advocated as a first-line test for most infertile women. The specific questions and concerns for each patient should be considered to select the most appropriate test or sequence of tests.

Nongynecologic Findings Seen at Pelvic US

Ultrasonography (US) is frequently the first imaging modality used to examine women with symptoms involving the pelvis. It is widely available and involves no exposure to ionizing radiation. Images can be acquired with a transabdominal, endovaginal, or translabial approach, and the use of video clips and three-dimensional reconstructions can be helpful. US is excellent for assessment of the uterus, ovaries, and adnexa. Occasionally, nongynecologic pelvic diseases arising from the gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and musculoskeletal systems and the pelvic peritoneal and extraperitoneal spaces may be detected and can be a source of diagnostic dilemma. US can be helpful not only in the detection but also occasionally in the characterization of such entities. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are useful in complicated cases. In this article, the normal US appearance of the bowel and US signs of bowel disease and specific entities, including appendicitis, diverticular disease, bowel obstruction, appendiceal mucocele, and intestinal tumors, are reviewed. The lower urinary tract is included in the field of view in every pelvic US examination; commonly encountered entities related to the urinary bladder, distal ureter, and urethra are illustrated. In addition to arising in the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts, pathologic conditions in the pelvis can arise in the peritoneal or extraperitoneal space. Although conditions of the pelvic peritoneal and extraperitoneal spaces are rare, it is important to recognize these entities and distinguish them from the more common gynecologic diseases. Owing to the implications for diagnosis and management, radiologists and other physicians who perform pelvic US should be aware of the spectrum of nongynecologic pathologic entities that can be detected. ©RSNA, 2017.