Nicola Flor

Malignant Incidental Extracardiac Findings on Cardiac CT: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE The objective of our study was to systematically review the evidence on incidental extracardiac findings on cardiac CT with a focus on previously unknown malignancies. MATERIALS AND METHODS A systematic search was performed (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane databases) for studies reporting incidental extracardiac findings on cardiac CT. Among 1099 articles initially found, 15 studies met the inclusion criteria. The references of those articles were hand-searched and 14 additional studies were identified. After review of the full text, 10 articles were excluded. Nineteen studies including 15,877 patients (64% male) were analyzed. A three-level analysis was performed to determine the prevalence of patients with incidental extracardiac findings, the prevalence of patients with major incidental extracardiac findings, and the prevalence of patients with a proven cancer. Heterogeneity was explored for multiple variables. Pooled prevalence and 95% CI were calculated. RESULTS The prevalence of both incidental extracardiac findings and major incidental extracardiac findings showed a high heterogeneity (I2>95%): The pooled prevalence was 44% (95% CI, 35-54%) and 16% (95% CI, 14-20%), respectively. No significant explanatory variables were found for using or not using contrast material, the size of the FOV, and study design (I2>85%). The pooled cancer prevalence for 10 studies including 5082 patients was 0.7% (95% CI, 0.5-1.0%), with an almost perfect homogeneity (I2<0.1%). Of 29 reported malignancies, 21 (72%) were lung cancers; three, thyroid cancers; two, breast cancers; two, liver cancers; and one, mediastinal lymphoma. CONCLUSION Although the prevalence of reported incidental extracardiac finding at cardiac CT was highly variable, a homogeneous prevalence of previously unknown malignancies was reported across the studies, for a pooled estimate of 0.7%; more than 70% of these previously unknown malignancies were lung cancers. Extracardiac findings on cardiac CT require careful evaluation and reporting.

Regenerative nodules in patients with chronic Budd-Chiari syndrome: A longitudinal study using multiphase contrast-enhanced multidetector CT

OBJECTIVE Our aim was to evaluate the serial evolution of regenerative nodules in patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) treated with portal-systemic shunts, using multiphasic multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS Five patients each underwent three MDCT exams over an extended period ranging from 36 to 42 months. Two radiologists in consensus retrospectively reviewed each exam for each patient. Individual nodules were grouped according to size (size I: nodules with diameter < or =15 mm; size II: >15 mm but <30 mm; size III: > or =30 mm), pattern of enhancement (A: homogeneously hypervascular or B: with central scar), and segmental location. Four nodules classified as size II, which increased in size over time, were needle-biopsied. RESULTS We detected 61 nodules at the first exam, 66 nodules at the second exam (7 nodules disappeared and 12 new nodules), and 85 nodules at the third exam (8 disappeared and 27 new) for a total of 212 findings. Nodules were mostly found in the right hepatic lobe. Fourteen of the 15 nodules that disappeared over time were size I and enhancement pattern A. At unenhanced MDCT, 204 (96%) of the 212 findings were isodense. Overall, 100 nodules, including the 61 initially detected, were considered newly diagnosed; of these 84 (84%) were size I and pattern A. Of 57 nodules considered size I and pattern A at the first or second exam, 24 (42%) changed to pattern B at the third exam and either size II (n=18) or III (n=6). The four biopsied nodules were each confirmed as benign regenerative nodule. No patient developed HCC at 5-year follow-up period. CONCLUSION Hepatic nodules in BCS patients not only increase in number over time but may also increase in size and develop a central scar.

Magnetic resonance imaging in the preoperative assessment of Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome

PurposeWe evaluated the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in young women with primary amenorrhoea with suspected Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome (congenital absence of both vagina and uterus and presence of normal ovaries).Materials and methodsFifty-eight women (age range 14–30 years, mean 20.9) with primary amenorrhea were studied with MRI performed with a 1.0-T superconducting magnet (Philips NT Intera). All patients were examined in the supine position using a phased-array coil (four channels). Turbo spin-echo T2-weighted images were acquired in the sagittal, axial and coronal planes with the following parameters: TR 4,750–6,686, TE 100–120, FOV 350–375, 4- to 5-mm sections with a 0.4- to 0.5-mm intersection gap and NSA 6. T1-weighted images were acquired in the axial and coronal planes (TR 470, TE 15, FOV 350, 4-mm sections with a 0.6-mm intersection gap, NSA 3). Two experienced radiologists evaluated all the examinations in consensus to assess the presence, position and morphology of vagina, uterus, ovaries and kidneys and any pelvic abnormalities. MRI results were judged on the basis of laparoscopic findings in 41 patients.ResultsMRKH syndrome was confirmed in 56 patients with 100% sensitivity and specificity. MRI identified bilateral Müllerian buds in 34/56 (61%) and unilateral in 10/56 (18%) patients. MRI sensitivity was 81.42%, and there was good agreement with laparoscopy (k=0.55) and full agreement in the identification of cavitation between MRI and intraoperative sonography. Both ovaries were visualised in 54 patients, with regular morphology in 46 (82.1%), polycystic in 10 (17.8%), pelvic in 47 (83.6%) and extrapelvic in eight (14.5%). We found associated abnormalities of the upper urinary tract in six patients (solitary kidney in four and ptosis in two).ConclusionsMRI is a useful diagnostic tool in the preoperative evaluation of MRKH syndrome and is less expensive and invasive than laparoscopy. Strong cooperation between radiologists and surgeons is highly recommended.AbstractObiettivoValutare l’accuratezza della RM in donne con amenorrea primaria, con sospetta sindrome Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser (MRKH) (assenza congenita di vagina e utero con presenza di ovaie normali).Materiali e metodiCinquantotto donne (14–30 anni, media 20,9), con amenorrea primaria, sono state studiate con RM mediante magnete superconduttivo 1,0 T. Tutte le pazienti sono state esaminate in posizione supina con bobina multicanale (4 canali). Immagini turbo spin-echo T2 pesate sono state acquisite sui piani sagittale, assiale e coronale con i seguenti parametri: TR 4750–6686, TE 100–120, FOV 350–375, sezioni di 4–5 mm con interspazio di 0,4–0,5 mm i, NSA 6. Immagini T1 pesate sono state acquisite sui piani assiale e coronale (TR 470, TE 15, FOV 350, sezioni di 4 mm di spessore con interspazio di 0,6 mm, NSA 3). Due radiologi esperti hanno valutato gli esami in consenso per stabilire la presenza, sede e morfologia di vagina, utero, ovaie, reni ed eventuali ulteriori malformazioni pelviche. I risultati della RM sono stati confrontati con quelli laparoscopici in 41 pazienti.RisultatiLa sindrome MKRH è stata confermata in 56 pazienti con sensibilità e specificità del 100%. La RM ha identificato residui mülleriani in 34/56 (61%) e monolaterali in 10/56 (18%) pazienti. La sensibilità della RM è stata dell’81,42% e c’è stato un buon accordo con la laparoscopia (k Cohen 0,55) e un completo accordo nella identificazione delle cavitazione dei residui tra RM e ecografia intraoperatoria. Gli annessi bilaterali sono stati visualizzati in 54 pazienti, con regolare morfologia in 46 (82,1%), policistica in 10 (17,8%); sede pelvica in 47 (83,6%), extrapelvica in 8 (14,5%). Abbiamo riscontrato anomalie dell’apparato urinario superiore in 6 pazienti (monorene in 4, ptosico in 2).ConclusioniLa RM si è dimostrata utile metodica nella valutazione prechirurgica della sindrome MRKH ed è meno costosa ed invasive della laparoscopia. Una forte cooperazione tra radiologo e chirurgo è fortemente raccomandata.

Primary hyperparathyroidism: can ultrasonography be the only preoperative diagnostic procedure?

PurposeThe purpose of our study was to assess the role of ultrasonography (US) before surgical treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism.Materials and methodsWe retrospectively evaluated 77 patients (60 women, 17 men; mean age 59 years) with primary hyperparathyroidism who underwent parathyroid US prior to surgery. Sixty-five of 77 (84%) patients had undergone 99mTc- sestamibi (MIBI) scintigraphy. The results were correlated with the surgical and histopathological findings.ResultsSurgery revealed 85 abnormal parathyroid glands in 77 patients (70 adenomas, 15 hyperplasias). The locations of the parathyroid glands were typical cervical (n=77), thyrothymic ligament (n=3), carotid sheath (n=2), and mediastinum (n=3). In two patients, intrathyroid microadenoma was diagnosed by histopathology. Seventyfour enlarged glands in 64 patients were correctly identified at US. Per-patient sensitivity and positive predictive values, respectively, were 84% (64/76) and 99% (64/65) for US, 68% (44/65) and 100% (44/44) for scintigraphy and 91% (59/65) and 98% (59/60) for both techniques combined. We weighed 63 out of 85 glands, obtaining a value of 1,004±1,564 mg; 460 mg (mean±standard deviation; median).ConclusionsPreoperative detection and localisation of enlarged parathyroid glands can be based on US, an inexpensive and widely available method, limiting the use of scintigraphy to those cases with negative and/or doubtful findings on US.RiassuntoObiettivoScopo dello studio è stato valutare il ruolo dell’ecografia eseguita prima del trattamento chirurgico dell’iperparatiroidismo primario.Materiali e metodiSono stati valutati 77 pazienti (60 femmine; età media 59 anni) con iperparatiroidismo primario, studiati con ecografia e successivamente paratiroidectomizzati. Nell’84% dei pazienti (65/77) era stata eseguita una scintigrafia con 99mTc-sestamibi (MIBI). I risultati sono stati correlati con quelli dell’intervento e dell’esame istologico.RisultatiAll’intervento sono state riscontrate 85 paratiroidi anormali nei 77 pazienti (70 adenomi, 15 iperplasie). La sede di tali paratiroidi ingrandite, correttamente identificata dall’ecografia per 74 paratiroidi in 64 pazienti, era: cervicale tipica (n=77), legamento tireotimico (n=3), ricorrenziale (n=2), mediastino (n=3). In due pazienti è stato identificato un microadenoma intratiroideo all’esame istologico. Sensibilità e valore predittivo positivo, per paziente, sono risultati 84% (64/76) e 99% (64/65) per l’ecografia, 68% (44/65) e 100% (44/44) per la scintigrafia e 91% (59/65) e 98% (59/60) per le due metodiche combinate, rispettivamente. Il peso, disponibile per 63 delle 85 paratiroidi asportate, è risultato 1004±1564 mg; 460 mg (media±deviazione standard; mediana).ConclusioniL’identificazione e la localizzazione preoperatoria di paratiroidi ingrandite possono basarsi sull’ecografia, metodica assai diffusa e con costi contenuti, limitando l’utilizzo della scintigrafia ai casi negativi e/o dubbi all’ecografia.

Measurement of renal volume using respiratory-gated MRI in subjects without known kidney disease: intraobserver, interobserver, and interstudy reproducibility.

OBJECTIVE Since renal volume is to be considered in managing renal diseases, a reproducible technique is needed. Our aim was to estimate intraobserver, interobserver, and interstudy reproducibility of renal volume measurement in subjects without known kidney disease using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS We studied 20 patients (age range 33-82 years) without known renal disease using 1.5-T MR imaging with a respiratory-gated two-dimensional coronal balanced steady state free precession sequence. Each patient repeated the study after 1h. Two readers independently segmented the area of both kidneys of the first study, subtracting cysts. After 1 week, the first reader segmented the second study and repeated the segmentation of the first study. The volume of each kidney was obtained by multiplying the renal area on each slice by the slice thickness and summing all the partial volumes. Reproducibility was assessed by Bland-Altman and Wilcoxon statistics. The coefficient of repeatability (CoR) was summed to the absolute value of bias; the ratio between this sum and the mean of the two data sets was used as a measure of variability while its complement to 100% was used as a measure of reproducibility. RESULTS Acquisition time was 2-3 min. Segmentation time was 20-25 min. Intraobserver variability results in a CoR of 7 ml and in a reproducibility of 95%, interobserver variability 8.8-9.8 ml and 87-88%, interstudy variability 9.8-10.6 ml and 91-93%, respectively. Considering both the effect of observer and the repetition of the study, the reproducibility was 83-87%. CONCLUSION Renal volume measurement by MR imaging is highly reproducible.

Low-fat Angiomyolipoma of the Liver Studied with Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound and Multidetector Computed Tomography

We report the case of a 30-year-old woman with persistent pain at the right hypochondrium, relapsing fever, and normal serum tests. Ultrasound showed a hyperechoic inhomogeneous mass; following sulfur hexafluoride injection, uniform enhancement at 14–16 s and rapid wash-out at 26 s was found. Multidetector computed tomography showed an inhomogeneously hypodense mass, with no detectable negative density values, characterized by inhomogeneous enhancement at the arterial phase and wash-out at the portal phase. Histopathology demonstrated a hepithelioid angiomyolipoma with a poor fatty component. This diagnosis should always be considered in the presence of a very rapid wash-out after intravenous contrast injection. However, a hepatocellular carcinoma cannot be excluded and the final diagnosis of low-fat angiomyolipoma must be pathologically proved based on immunohistochemistry.

Vascular Map Combined with CT Colonography for Evaluating Candidates for Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery

Contrast-enhanced computed tomography colonography (CE-CTC) is a useful guide for the laparoscopic surgeon to avoid incorrectly removing the colonic segment and the failure to diagnose of synchronous colonic and extra-colonic lesions. Lymph node dissection and vessel ligation under a laparoscopic approach can be time-consuming and can damage vessels and organs. Moreover, mesenteric vessels have extreme variations in terms of their courses and numbers. We describe the benefit of using an abdominal vascular map created by CE-CTC in laparoscopic colorectal surgery candidates. We describe patients with different diseases (colorectal cancer, diverticular disease, and inflammatory bowel disease) who underwent CE-CTC just prior to laparoscopic surgery.

Technical quality of CT colonography in relation with diverticular disease

OBJECTIVE The aim of the study is to explore how the technical quality of the examination was affected by diverticular disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively evaluated a consecutive series of 78 subjects who underwent CTC for screening (n=58) or staging (n=20) colorectal cancer, 38 of them (49%) after an incomplete optical colonoscopy. Patients were administered a mild laxative and a iodinated contrast material for fecal tagging. We scored both the bowel preparation and the overall colon distension as poor, good, or optimal and measured the mean sigmoid colon diameter. We counted the number of diverticula and classified patients as having or not a severe diverticular disease (SDD). The number of the prompts of computer aided diagnosis (CAD) per patient was also considered. Mann-Whitney U and χ(2) tests were performed. RESULTS No CTC complications occurred. The bowel cleansing was poor in 8 (10%) patients, good in 29 (37%) and optimal in 41 (53%); colon distension was poor in 7 (9%) patients, good in 38 (49%), and optimal in 33 (42%). Fifty-four (69%) showed diverticula and 30 (38%) had an SDD. Bowel cleansing and distension were not significantly impaired by neither diverticula (p>0.590) nor the SDD (p>0.110). Mean sigmoid colon diameter was reduced in presence of diverticula (28 mm versus 23 mm, p=0.009) or SDD (26 mm versus 22 mm, p=0.016). The mean number of CAD prompts per patient was not significantly increased by the presence of SDD (p=0.829). CONCLUSIONS Bowel cleansing and distension at CTC were not influenced by the presence of diverticular disease.

Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography Colonography in Preoperative Distinction between T1-T2 and T3-T4 Staging of Colon Cancer

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES To predict the T stage of nonrectal colon cancer using contrast-enhanced computed tomography colonography. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixty-one patients with 67 nonrectal colon cancers consecutively underwent contrast-enhanced computed tomography colonography after an incomplete colonoscopy. Two readers evaluated wall deformity and perilesional fat abnormality on three-dimensional double contrast enema-like views and multiplanar reconstructions. Pathology was used as the standard of reference. McNemar, Fisher, and Cohen κ statistics were used. RESULTS At pathologic examination, we found the following stages: T1 (n = 5), T2 (n = 10), T3 (n = 41), T4a (n = 6), and T4b (n = 5). Intraobserver and interobserver reproducibilities were almost perfect for wall deformity (κ = 1.00 and κ = 0.88, respectively), substantial for perilesional fat abnormality (κ = 0.79 and κ = 0.74, respectively). Using the results of the more experienced reader, accuracy of wall deformity ≥50% (apple-core) alone for T ≥ 3 was 62 of 67 (0.93, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.83-0.97) and that of perilesional fat abnormality alone was 37 of 67 (0.55, 95% CI 0.43-0.67) (P < .001). Predictive value for ≥ T3 of the association wall deformity ≥50% with perilesional fat abnormality was 22 of 22 (1.00, 95% CI 0.85-1.00), higher, but not significantly, than that of wall deformity ≥50% with normal perilesional fat 29 of 33 (0.88, 95% CI 0.72-0.97) (P = .148, Fisher exact test). CONCLUSIONS The presence of apple-core wall deformity, regardless of perilesional fat abnormality, is highly predictive of stage T3 or higher.

The Current Role of Radiologic and Endoscopic Imaging in the Diagnosis and Follow-Up of Colonic Diverticular Disease

OBJECTIVE Colonic diverticular disease is among the most prevalent conditions in Western society and is a common cause for outpatient visits and hospitalizations. The role of imaging is in evolution, but it has proven useful in confirming clinically suspected disease, assessing severity and complications, and directing patient management. CONCLUSION This review focuses on the current role of radiologic and endoscopic imaging in distinct clinical scenarios of diverticular disease, with emphasis on diverticulitis and its follow-up.