Patricia L. Abbitt

CT manifestations of infarcted epiploic appendages of the colon

Two patients presenting with acute onset of left lower abdominal pain due to infarcted epiploic appendages are the subject of this report. Computed tomography (CT) in both cases showed localized pericolic inflammatory changes corresponding to the location of infarcted epiploic appendages on the serosal aspect of the descending colon or sigmoid. The clinical and radiological findings of this entity are briefly described.

Portal vein thrombosis: Imaging features and associated etiologies

Thrombosis of the portal vein and its splanchnic tributaries is often unsuspected clinically and may be recognized only after imaging studies of the abdomen are performed for other reasons. Radiologists should be aware of the clinical situations that predispose a patient to portal or mesenteric vein thrombosis and should also be able to recognize the sequelae of chronic thrombosis. Different modalities can be used to image the patient with portal vein thrombosis; each has its strengths and drawbacks. This paper discusses the conditions that predispose to portal and mesenteric vein thrombosis, differentiating intrahepatic portal vein occlusion secondary to liver disease from extrahepatic portal vein occlusion associated with a normal liver. The imaging features of portal vein thrombosis, its associated causes and sequelae will be reviewed as demonstrated on computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), angiography, and plain film.

Gastric herniation and volvulus: CT and MR appearance

Organo-axial volvulus of the stomach, a potentially catastrophic situation, may be recognized as an incidental finding on computed tomography (CT). We present the CT features of organoaxial volvulus of the stomach in two cases. In one case, a correlative magnetic resonance (MR) image is presented.

Mammography: Breast implants—types, complications, and adjacent breast pathology

Approximately 1.5 million women in the United States currently have breast implants. The majority were placed for cosmetic augmentation, but 20% were placed for reconstruction after the loss or deformity of a breast. The augmented breast is a challenge to the mammographer. Many of the palpable and mammographically detected abnormalities in these patients are related to the implant itself. Since, however, there is breast tissue present with cosmetic augmentation, the full range of fibrocystic and neoplastic conditions that can affect the breast may be seen. The presence of the implant makes imaging the breast more difficult because the implant obscures the nearby breast tissue. This paper reviews the history and evolution of various breast prostheses. The surgical approaches to placement of implants and complications associated with their use will be discussed. Examples of concomitant pathologies and a review of imaging strategies will be given.

Diagnosis of clinically unsuspected extrapulmonary tuberculosis by fine needle aspiration: a case report.

BACKGROUND Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTb) infection remains the cause of higher morbidity and mortality than any other infectious disease in the world. Intact cellular immunity is necessary to resist the disease, and therefore the AIDS epidemic has greatly contributed to the resurgence of MTb. Depending on the degree of immunosuppression, the presentation of MTb in patients with AIDS can be atypical and difficult to diagnose as compared to the classical presentation of MTb in the nonimmunocompromised population. CASE A patient who was not known to be HIV positive had a clinical picture of extensive abdominal and pelvic lymphadenopathy without chest radiographic abnormalities. The diagnosis of MTb was made by fine needle aspiration (FNA) of a pelvic lymph node. CONCLUSION Miliary tuberculosis associated with AIDS may have an unusual clinical presentation and unusual cytologic features on ENA.

Port-Site Recurrence of Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Following Laparoscopic Pancreaticoduodenectomy

IntroductionMinimally invasive surgical approaches have only recently been applied to pancreatic adenocarcinoma.DiscussionSignificant apprehension exists that minimally invasive pancreatic surgery will not lead to equivalent or superior oncologic outcomes compared to traditional surgical approaches. This is the first case report of a port-site recurrence following laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Prospective evaluation of CT esophagram findings after peroral endoscopic myotomy

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is a procedure with potential for serious adverse events. Postprocedure imaging is routinely done, yet there is no consensus on the optimal imaging protocol. We describe a novel and simple CT esophagram protocol for evaluation after POEM and for reporting the full spectrum of radiographic findings and subsequent interventions. METHODS This was a single-center prospective study of consecutive patients treated with POEM evaluated with CT esophagram. RESULTS Eighty-four consecutive patients who had POEM performed underwent CT esophagrams. The most common findings were pneumomediastinum (85.7%), pneumoperitoneum (66.7%), subcutaneous emphysema (52.4%), and pleural effusion (46.4%). Other findings included retroperitoneal air (38.1%), pneumothorax (19%), atelectasis (14.3%), intramural air in the esophagus and/or stomach (13.1%), pericardial effusion (2.4%), and pneumopericardium (2.4%). Five patients required intervention based on CT findings. In 1 patient, a leak was detected on CT esophagram before any clinical manifestation, facilitating prompt intervention and avoiding potential serious outcomes. Four patients were diagnosed with pneumonia and were treated with antibiotics. There was frequent postprocedural atelectasis, which prompted the introduction of routine incentive spirometry in all postoperative POEM cases. CONCLUSIONS CT esophagram is a simple and accessible imaging test for routine postoperative POEM evaluation. Numerous and dramatic postprocedure radiographic findings may be expected and demonstrated with this imaging modality. Although most of these findings may not require intervention, some are of potential significance, and early identification may help modify postprocedure management. ( CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT01832779.).

A Multidisciplinary Management Algorithm of Acute Gastrointestinal Bleeding: A Quality Improvement Project

Acute gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is a common emergency condition requiring immediate medical attention and multidisciplinary team approach. We developed a management algorithm for acute GI bleeding in our hospital. Our preplanned acute GI bleeding protocol significantly facilitated patient management and improved communication between medical providers, patients, and their families. Management algorithm can greatly facilitate patient care and improve outcomes in acute GI bleeding situations. Our approach can serve as a framework for the establishment of similar quality improvement protocols in other institutions.

Does surgical closure technique affect early mammographic detection of tumor recurrence after breast-conserving therapy?

Purpose:Scarring in the tumor bed may mask or mimic local recurrence of tumor on surveillance mammography. Type of surgical closure technique used during lumpectomy may impact the pattern or density of scar tissue apparent in the tumor bed on mammography. This study sought to determine whether surgical closure type affects tumor-bed scar formation and impacts interpretation of surveillance mammography in women treated with breast-conserving therapy for early-stage breast cancer. Materials and Methods:One hundred women who received breast-conserving therapy were selected; 99 of them had 2-year post-treatment mammograms for the treated breast. Craniocaudal and mediolateral oblique views were reviewed by 3 subspecialty radiologists who routinely read mammograms. The mammograms were scored on 5-point scales for overall breast density and scarring within the tumor bed. Results:The analyses did not demonstrate greater scarring or density in breast status post superficial closure compared with breast status post full-thickness closure, or vice versa (P > 0.05 for scarring and density). There were no detectable differences between the 2 closure techniques either within the data from individual reviewers, within the composite data for the entire group of reviewers, or in instances where 2 of 3 reviewers agreed (P > 0.05). There was significant interobserver variability in scoring among the mammographers for both scarring (P = 0.001) and density (P < 0.0001). Conclusion:Based on our study of the 2-year post-treatment mammograms, there was no evidence that closure technique impacts degree of scarring in the tumor bed. However, striking interobserver variability in scoring density and scarring was noted.