Roger C. Sanders

Evaluation of Transrectal Ultrasound in the Early Detection of Prostate Cancer

To determine the ability of transrectal ultrasound to detect early localized prostate cancer, unsuspected (nonpalpable) cancer in the contralateral lobe of patients undergoing radical prostatectomy for clinically localized disease was evaluated. A total of 59 patients with palpable prostate cancer clinically confined to 1 lobe underwent transrectal ultrasound before radical prostatectomy and step-sectioning of the radical prostatectomy specimen. Transrectal ultrasound was performed with 5 or 7 MHz. real-time transrectal units. Pathological findings in these 59 cases revealed no tumor in the contralateral lobe in 34 (58%) and the presence of unsuspected tumor in 25 (42%). Transrectal ultrasound detected 13 of 25 unsuspected cancers for a sensitivity of 52%. Of 34 patients with no contralateral lobe lesion transrectal ultrasound was correct in 23 for a specificity of 68%. The positive and negative predictive values for transrectal ultrasound in this study group were 54 and 66%, respectively. There was no significant difference in the pathological size of the clinically suspected and clinically unsuspected cancers as measured by average largest dimension, and transrectal ultrasound sensitivity did not correlate with the size of the cancer. Based on careful sonopathological analysis, transrectal ultrasound may not be a good method to detect clinically unsuspected prostate cancer and the false positive rate would appear to be high.

Fatty infiltration of the liver: ultrasonographic and computed tomographic correlation.

To evaluate the accuracy of ultrasonography in diagnosing fatty infiltration of the liver (FIL), the authors compared gray‐scale B‐mode ultrasonography and unenhanced computed tomographic (CT) liver images in a study of 47 patients. The CT scans, which served as the diagnostic standard, were classified as normal, Grade 1 (mild FIL), Grade 2 (moderate FIL), and Grade 3 (severe FIL). Applying predetermined sonographic textural criteria, two experienced radiologists independently graded each ultrasound study for the presence and severity of FIL. The overall accuracy of ultrasonography in detecting FIL was 85 per cent, with 100 per cent sensitivity and 56 per cent specificity. The sonographic/CT correlation in grading the severity of FIL was particularly good for Grade 2 and Grade 3 FIL. Ultrasound is a sensitive and reasonably accurate diagnostic tool in assessing fatty infiltration of the liver.

B scan ultrasound in the diagnosis of hydronephrosis

Thirty-four kidneys in 26 patients demonstrating all grades of hydronephrosis were examined with B-scan ultrasound. In moderate hydronephrosis, the pelvic echo pattern has a C, ring, or ovoid shape. Severe hydronephrosis may be recognized by (a) a series of cyst-like echo patterns radiating from the pelvis or (b) the development of a featureless, sonolucent sac. In ureteropelvic junction obstruction, a “figure 8” double-circle pattern may occur.

The value of ultrasonic imaging and CT scanning in planning the radiotherapy for prostatic carcinoma.

Forty‐four consecutive patients with potentially curable carcinoma of the prostate were localized with an Old Delft Simulator with the methods described by Bagshaw.1 The isocenter and the treatment portal were marked on the skin of the patient. Subsequently, the adequacy of the portal was checked by ultrasonography and/or CT scanning. Of 30 patients who underwent ultrasonography, five patients (17%) were found to have tumor extending beyond the initially simulated treatment portals. Using CT scanning, three of 22 patients were found to have tumor extending beyond the initially simulated portals. As a result, 1–2 cm were added to the initially simulated treatment portals for adequate coverage of the tumor volumes. Eight of our 44 patients underwent both studies and results were similar with ultrasonography and CT scanning. Only patients in the group presenting with clinical stage C disease had modifications of the initially simulated treatment portal. It is recommended that conventional simulation should be done first in order to establish the isocenter and treatment volume, which then should be confirmed by ultrasonography or CT scanning. Cancer 45:724‐727, 1980.

The first-trimester ultrasonographic diagnosis of conjoined twins

The prenatal ultrasonographic diagnosis of conjoined twins in the first trimester is described. The ultrasonographic criteria are discussed together with implications for management.

Gastric leiomyosarcoma: CT observations.

The abdominal CT examinations of seven patients with gastric leio-myosarcoma (GLMS), proven by surgical or endoscopic biopsy or both in five patients and percutaneous aspiration biopsy in two, are reviewed. In the six patients studied prior to therapy, CT demonstrated that each of the primary gastric tumors was spherical or ellipsoidal, large (mean diameter 15 cm), and predominantly exogastric in location. Additional CT features of the primary tumor included necrosis in all six masses, a distinct gastric mural attachment in four, bubbles of gas or an air-fluid level or both in three, and mucosal ulceration in two. Direct tumor invasion of nearby organs was suggested by CT in four of the six patients, the spleen and pancreas representing the most frequent sites. Intraperitoneal spread of tumor was present in two patients: necrotic liver metastases accompanied three of the six primary tumors and were found in an additional patient examined 4 years after gastric resection. By accurately reflecting the biological behavior of GLMS, CT is an ideal imaging modality for studying this unusual neoplasm. Differential diagnosis and specificity of the CT findings are discussed.

Multicystic kidney: a sonographic pattern.

Preoperative B-mode ultrasonography was performed on 7 infants who subsequently were surgically proved to have multicystic kidney disease. Five of the 7 showed a characteristic pattern consisting of a predominantly cystic mass containing septa which divided it into cysts of varying sizes. It is concluded that ultrasound is a reliable method of detecting unilateral multicystic disease of the kidney.

Cystic lesions of the prostate gland. A sonographic--pathologic correlation.

277 patients underwent biplane transrectal ultrasonography. Twenty‐two patients (7.9%) showed evidence of one or more intraprostatic cystic lesions. Histologic correlation was available with total prostatectomy specimens in six patients and surgical drainage in two patients. Sonographically, 11 patients showed one, 6 patients two, and 5 patients three or more intraprostatic cystic lesions. The size of the lesions ranged from 2 to 30 mm, and the majority of lesions were located within the central portion of the gland or at the junction of central and peripheral regions of the gland. Histologically, among the eight pathologically confirmed patients the lesions corresponded to cystically dilated, epitheliallined prostatic glands, a reepithelialized cyst related to previous biopsy, a dilated utricle, and two intraprostatic abscesses. The cystic lesions in our series were not associated with carcinoma of the prostate, but represented either a growth phenomenon related to the presence of benign prostatic hypertrophy, inflammatory conditions (abscesses), or anatomical variants (utricle).

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis: sonographic--pathologic correlation of 16 cases.

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP) is an uncommon renal inflammatory disease characterized by the destruction and replacement of normal parenchyma by sheets of lipid‐laden histiocytes. The process may be diffuse or segmental. Sonograms of 16 cases of XGP (13 diffuse, three segmental) were retrospectively reviewed and correlated with their pathologic findings. The typical case of diffuse XGP demonstrates the following: renal enlargement, replacement of normal architecture by multiple fluid‐filled masses, pelvic contraction or only moderate separation of the central echo complex, and a pelvic calculus. Although most cases have a large staghorn calculus, its sonographic demonstration may be difficult, perhaps as a consequence of peripelvic fibrosis. Atypical cases of diffuse XGP mimic pyelonephrosis with massive hydronephrosis and fluid‐‐debris levels. In these atypical cases, a staghorn calculus is often conspicuously absent. Segmental XGP is recognized as an area of parenchymal destruction surrounding one calyx or one pole of duplication. Segmental XGP should be distinguished from focal xanthogranulomatous inflammation of the kidney, which is a distinct pathologic entity (cortical location, no pelvic communication, absent pyelitis). When typical gross pathologic features are present, sonography should make possible accurate identification of diffuse and segmental XGP.

Sonography in the diagnosis of retroperitoneal fibrosis.

The ultrasonic appearance of retroperitoneal fibrosis is characteristic: a smooth-bordered and relatively echo-free mass anterior to the sacral promontory. Sonography can be used to confirm the diagnosis, follow response to therapy and detect hydronephrotic changes in the kidneys.