Jong Chul Kim

CT and US Findings of Multilocular Cystic Renal Cell Carcinoma

Objective Multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma (MCRCC) is a recently described variety of renal cell carcinoma with characteristic pathologic and clinical features. The purpose of this study was to analyze the imaging findings of MCRCCs. Materials and Methods Ten adult patients with pathologically proven unilateral MCRCC who underwent renal US and CT were included in this study. The radiologic findings were retrospectively evaluated for cystic content, wall, septum, nodularity, calcification and solid portion by three radiologists who established a consensus. Imaging and postnephrectomy pathologic findings were compared. Results All patients were adults (six males and four females) and their ages ranged from 33 to 68 years (mean, 46). On US and CT images, all tumors appeared as well-defined multilocular cystic masses composed of serous or complicated fluid. In all patients, unenhanced CT scans revealed hypodense cystic portions, and in four tumors, due to the presence of hemorrhage or gelatinous fluid, some hyperdense areas were also noted. In no tumor was an expansile solid nodule seen in the thin septa, and in only one was there dystrophic calcification in a septum. Small areas of solid portion constituting less than 10% of the entire lesion were found in six of the ten tumors, and these areas were slightly enhanced on enhanced CT scans. In all patients, imaging and pathologic findings correlated closely. Conclusion On US and CT images, MCRCC appeared as a well-defined multilocular cystic mass with serous, proteinaceous or hemorrhagic fluid, with no expansile solid nodules in the thin septa, and sometimes with small slightly enhanced solid areas. Where radiologic examinations demonstrate a cystic renal mass of this kind in adult males, MCRCC should be included in the differential diagnosis.

Small Cell Carcinoma of the Urinary Bladder: CT and MR Imaging Findings

Objective Primary small cell carcinoma (SCC) is a rare aggressive malignancy of the urinary bladder, with identical histopathology to that of the lung. The treatment and prognosis of bladder SCC are somewhat different from those of more frequent transitional cell carcinoma. The purpose of this study was to analyze the CT and MR imaging findings of bladder SCC. Materials and Methods Six adult patients (five males and one female) with pathologically proven SCC of the urinary bladder who had undergone pelvic CT and/or MR imaging were included in this study. The radiologic findings were retrospectively evaluated in terms of tumor location, texture, calcification, depth of invasion, perivesical extension, lymph node involvement, and local or distant metastasis, by two radiologists, who established a consensus. Results CT and MR images depicted all tumors as large, ill-defined, relatively well enhancing, broad-based polypoid intramural masses with (n=3) or without (n=3) cystic portions. Their frequent location was posterior and trigonal (n=3). Calcification was found within one tumor, and lymphadenopathy in four. At T2-weighted MR images, the solid portion of the tumor was relatively hypointense. The stage at the time of diagnosis was C in three patients, and D1 in three. Follow-up imaging showed brain metastasis in one patient and liver metastasis in two. Conclusion On CT and MR images, SCC of the urinary bladder appeared as a large, enhancing, broad-based polypoid mass. It was stage C or higher, and lymph nodes and distant metastasis were frequent. T2-weighted MR images showed that the solid portion of the tumor was relatively hypointense. When radiologic examinations demonstrate a bladder tumor of this kind in adults, SCC of the urinary bladder should be included in the differential diagnosis.

Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Patients Undergoing Intravenous Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography in Korea: A Multi-Institutional Study in 101487 Patients

Objective To evaluate the prevalence of known risk factors for contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) and their association with the actual occurrence of CIN in patients undergoing intravenous contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) in Korea. Materials and Methods Patients who underwent CECT in 2008 were identified in the electronic medical records of 16 tertiary hospitals of Korea. Data on demographics, comorbidities, prescriptions and laboratory test results of patients were collected following a standard data extraction protocol. The baseline renal function was assessed using the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). We identified the prevalence of risk factors along the eGFR strata and evaluated their influence on the incidence of CIN, defined as a 0.5 mg/dL or 25% increase in serum creatinine after CECT. Results Of 432425 CECT examinations in 272136 patients, 140838 examinations in 101487 patients met the eligibility criteria for analysis. The mean age of the participants was 57.9 ± 15.5 years; 25.1% of the patients were older than 70 years. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus was 11.9%, of hypertension 13.7%, of gout 0.55% and of heart failure was 1.7%. Preventive measures were used in 40238 CECT examinations (28.6%). The prevalence of risk factors and use of preventive measures increased as the renal function became worse. A CIN was occurred after 3103 (2.2%) CECT examinations, revealing a significant association with decreased eGFR, diabetes mellitus, and congestive heart failure after adjustment. Conclusion Risk factors for CIN are prevalent among the patients undergoing CECT. Preventive measures were seemingly underutilized and a system is needed to improve preventive care.