Nishith Kumar

MRI of perianal fistulae: a pictorial kaleidoscope

Perianal fistulae are an abnormal communication between the anorectum and the perianal skin. A seemingly benign condition, it can be a cause of considerable distress to the patient if it is not mapped out adequately before embarking upon surgical correction. The persistence of residual disease complicates and up-stages the grade of the remnant fistula with increased risk of anal incontinence following surgery secondary to damage to the anal sphincter complex. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can play a critical role in mapping the fistulae tract in relation to the anal sphincter complex and hence, act as a reliable guide for the surgeon to chart the optimised management of perianal fistulae. This review illustrates the role of MRI in the imaging evaluation of perianal fistulae, to facilitate a well-planned surgical course.

Magnetic resonance imaging - A troubleshooter in obstetric emergencies: A pictorial review

The application of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in pregnancy faced initial skepticism of physicians because of fetal safety concerns. The perceived fetal risk has been found to be unwarranted and of late, the modality has attained acceptability. Its role in diagnosing fetal anomalies is well recognized and following its safety certification in pregnancy, it is finding increasing utilization during pregnancy and puerperium. However, the use of MRI in maternal emergency obstetric conditions is relatively limited as it is still evolving. In early gestation, ectopic implantation is one of the major life-threatening conditions that are frequently encountered. Although ultrasound (USG) is the accepted mainstay modality, the diagnostic predicament persists in many cases. MRI has a role where USG is indeterminate, particularly in the extratubal ectopic pregnancy. Later in gestation, MRI can be a useful adjunct in placental disorders like previa, abruption, and adhesion. It is a good problem-solving tool in adnexal masses such as ovarian torsion and degenerated fibroid, which have a higher incidence during pregnancy. Catastrophic conditions like uterine rupture can also be preoperatively and timely diagnosed. MRI has a definite role to play in postpartum and post-abortion life-threatening conditions, e.g., retained products of conception, and gestational trophoblastic disease, especially when USG is inconclusive or inadequate.

Pulmonary tuberculosis: A collage of radiological portraits

For close to a hundred years, diagnostic radiology has been an invaluable ally of physicians engaged in the diagnosis and treatment of various forms of tuberculosis. Over time, its realm has benefited with quantum expansion in imaging technology and emergence of greater understanding of morphological signs, which can play a decisive role in diagnosis, in monitoring the response to treatment, in screening the close contacts of sputum smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients, and in guiding thoracic interventions. This photomontage unveils the classic changes of pulmonary manifestations of the disease through its primary and post-primary forms, expressions in an immunocompromised host, and presentations in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis and in nontubercular mycobacterial infection.

Sonographic Diagnosis in a Rare Aetiology of Neonatal Scrotal Swellings: A Case Report of Congenital Nephrotic Syndrome

Summary Background Common etiologies of scrotal swelling in neonates include hydrocoele, inguinal hernia and testicular torsion; less common is epididymo-orchitis. Congenital nephrotic syndrome (CNS), a rare entity, is known to present as progressive renal failure and its leading presentation with scrotal involvement has not been reported. Material/Methods We report a rare case of CNS with primary clinical presentation as scrotal cellulitis and epididymo-orchitis. In this neonate, scrotal and abdominal ultrasound examination was performed and the laboratory data were obtained. Results Sonography revealed bilaterally enlarged echogenic kidneys, testis and epididymis with echogenic peritoneal fluid tracking into both scrotal sacs. Laboratory data revealed proteinuria and severe depletion of serum IgG. Culture of the peritoneal fluid showed gram-negative organisms. A final diagnosis of CNS, complicated with peritonitis tracking into the scrotal sacs was arrived at. Conclusions CNS may have a rare presentation with distracting symptoms of scrotal cellulitis and epididymo-orchitis, as seen in our patient. However, diligent use of abdomino-scrotal sonography, supported by relevant laboratory data can clinch the accurate diagnosis.

Unusual imaging presentation of infantile atypical Kawasaki disease

Kawasaki disease is a systemic medium vessel vasculitis of unknown etiology affecting children under 5 years of age. There are no specific diagnostic tests, and thus, the diagnosis of the disease is primarily made on the basis of clinical criteria. Unusual presentations of Kawasaki disease have been variably reported from different parts of the world. However, presentation of the disease in the form of peripheral thromboembolism and florid non-coronary aneurysms has rarely been described This report describes the imaging findings in infantile atypical Kawasaki disease with aneurysms of multiple medium-sized arteries, including coronary arteries, emphasizing the detection of clinically silent aneurysms in the disease.