Soon Young Song

Peritoneal lymphomatosis: CT findings

AbstractBackground: Diffuse peritoneal tumor infiltration is well recognized on computed tomography (CT) and is usually associated with carcinomatosis. The purpose of this investigation was to analyze the CT findings of peritoneal spread from primary gastrointestinal lymphomas. Methods: Abdominal CT scans in eight patients with peritoneal lymphomatosis were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were 12–75 years old (mean = 48 years); with six patients were male and two were female. Pathologic evidence of primary lymphoma was available by colonoscopic biopsy of the terminal ileum in seven cases and by gastroscopic biopsy of the stomach in one case. All patients had non-Hodgkins lymphoma. We analyzed CT findings in view of presence or loculation of ascites, abnormal patterns of mesentery and omentum, presence of peritoneal enhancement, presence of low attenuation and location of lymph nodes, and primary gastrointestinal lymphoma. Results: Although ascites was present in all patients, there was no loculation. The involvement of mesentery was present in seven patients, and the stellate pattern was the common type (4/7). The involvement of omentum was present in seven patients, and the common type was omental cake (3/7). Peritoneal enhancement was present in six patients. Enlarged lymph nodes were present in six patients, mainly at the retroperitoneum and mesentery, and showed centrally low attenuation in half the patients. Conclusion: Patterns of tumor involvement of mesentery, omentum, and peritoneum seen in peritoneal lymphomatosis are indistinguishable from those seen in peritoneal carcinomatosis or tuberculous peritonitis. However, ascites without any loculation or septation and diffuse distribution of enlarged lymph nodes were helpful signs of peritoneal lymphomatosis.

Association between erosive esophagitis and visceral fat accumulation quantified by abdominal CT scan.

Background and Aims There were no objective data presented about the association between erosive esophagitis and abdominal fat. We conducted this study to examine the association of abdominal fat and gastroesophageal reflux disease-related erosive esophagitis. Methods Between May 2004 and October 2005, a total of 100 erosive esophagitis patients diagnosed by upper endoscopy were evaluated in a prospective manner. All study patients and controls underwent abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan. Body fat distribution was assessed by CT with a 10-mm-thick slice at the level of the fourth lumbar vertebra. Results Erosive esophagitis patients presented with a significantly higher mean visceral fat (VF) area (104.68±39.47 vs. 75.90±49.10 cm2, P=0.014) than the control group. However, there was no association between erosive esophagitis and subcutaneous fat area (109.72±49.09 vs. 98.66±52.43 cm2, P=0.379) or total fat area (214.41±78.78 vs. 172.59±90.49 cm2, P=0.054). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that high VF areas (P=0.0035), VF/subcutaneous fat area (P=0.005), hiatal hernia (P=0.001), high body mass index (P=0.047), high waist-to-hip ratio (P=0.042), and smoking (P=0.005) are independent risk factors of erosive esophagitis. Conclusions These results suggest a role for visceral obesity, quantified by CT, as a risk factor for erosive esophagitis.

Radiologic findings of peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor arising in the retroperitoneum

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this article is to present the radiological findings of peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumors that arise in the retroperitoneum. CONCLUSION Peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) arising in the retroperitoneum tend to be large and aggressive. Although the imaging appearance of peripheral PNETs is nonspecific, these tumors should be considered in the differential diagnosis when one encounters a large retroperitoneal mass with aggressive features.

F18-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography and computed tomography is not accurate in preoperative staging of gastric cancer

Purpose To investigate the clinical benefits of F18-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography and computed tomography (18F-FDG-PET/CT) over multi-detector row CT (MDCT) in preoperative staging of gastric cancer. Methods FDG-PET/CT and MDCT were performed on 78 patients with gastric cancer pathologically diagnosed by endoscopy. The accuracy of radiologic staging retrospectively was compared to pathologic result after curative resection. Results Primary tumors were detected in 51 (65.4%) patients with 18F-FDG-PET/CT, and 47 (60.3%) patients with MDCT. Regarding detection of lymph node metastasis, the sensitivity of FDG-PET/CT was 51.5% with an accuracy of 71.8%, whereas those of MDCT were 69.7% and 69.2%, respectively. The sensitivity of 18F-FDG-PET/CT for a primary tumor with signet ring cell carcinoma was lower than that of 18F-FDG-PET/CT for a primary tumor with non-signet ring cell carcinoma (35.3% vs. 73.8%, P < 0.01). Conclusion Due to its low sensitivity, 18F-FDG-PET/CT alone shows no definite clinical benefit for prediction of lymph node metastasis in preoperative staging of gastric cancer.

Correlation between Complicated Diverticulitis and Visceral Fat

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship of complications related to diverticulitis and visceral obesity. The study was based on a retrospective case note review conducted at the Hanyang University Hospital. Patients were diagnosed with diverticulitis based on clinical symptoms and abdominal computed tomography (CT) findings and divided into two groups: those admitted with complicated diverticulitis and those with a simple diverticulitis episode. We compared the body mass index (BMI) and degree of visceral obesity, measured by abdominal CT. The study included 140 patients, 87 (62.1%) were simple diverticulitis and 53 (37.9%) were complicated diverticulitis. In the complicated diverticulitis group, 9 (6.4%) cases were recurrent, 29 (20.7%) were perforation or abscess patients, and 28 (20%) were patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Of the SIRS patients, 13 were involved in other complication groups. When comparing in the two groups, the complicated diverticulitis group had a significantly higher visceral fat area (128.57 cm2 vs 102.80 cm2, P = 0.032) and a higher ratio of visceral fat area/subcutaneous fat area (0.997 vs 0.799, P = 0.014). Visceral obesity is significantly associated with complications of diverticulitis.

The Relationship Between Coronary Artery Calcification and Bone Mineral Density in Patients According to Their Metabolic Syndrome Status

Background and Objectives The extent of coronary artery calcification (CAC) is closely related to total atherosclerotic plaque burden. However, the pathogenesis of CAC is still unclear. Conditions such as diabetes mellitus, renal failure, smoking, and chronic inflammation have been suggested to link vascular calcification and bone loss. In the present study, we hypothesized that bone loss can contribute to the pathogenesis of CAC in patients with the chronic inflammatory condition that accompanies metabolic syndrome (MetS). The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between CAC and bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with MetS and in patients without MetS, by using coronary multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT). Subjects and Methods Data from 395 consecutive patients was analyzed retrospectively. From the MDCT database, only those patients who underwent both coronary MDCT and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry within an interval of one month, were selected. The presence of MetS was determined by the updated criteria as defined by the Third Adult Treatment Panel Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program. Results In patients with MetS, a significant correlation was found between CAC and age {odds ratio (OR)=1.139, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.080 to 1.201, p<0.001}, CAC and male sex (OR=3.762, 95% CI 1.339 to 10.569, p=0.012), and CAC and T-score of L-spine (OR=0.740, 95% CI 0.550 to 0.996, p=0.047) using a forward multiple logistic regression analysis model including clinical variables of gender, age, lipid profile, body mass index, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, smoking, and BMD. But in patients without MetS, BMD by itself was not found to contribute to CAC. Conclusion BMD was inversely correlated with CAC only in patients with MetS. This finding suggests that low BMD accompanied by MetS, may have significant clinical implications.

Inflammatory pseudotumor of the kidney mimicking malignancy on 18F-FDG PET/CT in a patient with diabetes and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT) is a pseudoneoplastic lesion that most commonly involves lung. We report a case of IPT of kidney associated with hepatocellular carcinoma. CT and PET/CT showed the features of renal cell carcinoma. After radical nephrectomy, histologic examination demonstrated acute pyelonephritis associated with papillary necrosis, and IPT involving renal parenchyma and capsule. Although renal IPT is a very rare tumor, awareness of its existence in the differential diagnosis of a renal mass is critical to avoid misdiagnosis. Clinician should carefully consider differential diagnosis and complications associated with acute or chronic pyelonephritis and papillary necrosis in diabetic patients, particularly.

Visceral Fat as a Useful Parameter in the Differential Diagnosis of Crohn's Disease and Intestinal Tuberculosis

Background/Aims Because of the similarities in the clinical presentations of Crohns disease (CD) and intestinal tuberculosis (ITB), differential diagnosis is critical. Mesenteric adipose tissue hypertrophy and creeping fat are characteristic features of CD. The purpose of this study was to assess the usefulness of visceral fat for the differential diagnosis of CD and ITB. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of 50 patients with findings of CD or ITB between January 2005 and July 2008. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) was performed on all subjects during their first evaluation. The abdominal fat area was assessed using quantitative abdominal CT. Results The ratio of visceral fat to total fat (VF/TF) was significantly higher in male CD patients than in male ITB patients. The ratio of visceral fat to subcutaneous fat (VF/SF) was also higher in CD patients than in patients with ITB. For a VF/TF cut-off value of 0.46, the sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of CD were 42.1% and 93.3% respectively, with positive and negative predictive values of 88.9% and 56.0%, respectively. Conclusion Measurement of the abdominal fat area using CT can be clinically useful for the differential diagnosis of CD and ITB.

A Newly Designed Nitinol Stent: Early Clinical Experience in the Treatment of Iliac Artery Stenoses and Occlusions

Objective To investigate the effectiveness of the newly designed Niti-S stent in the management of iliac arterial stenoses and occlusions. Materials and Methods Stenoses (n=25) or occlusions (n=5) in the iliac arteries of 25 patients (30 limbs) were treated. The site of the lesions was the common (n=15) or external (n=11) iliac artery, or both (n=4). Eight limbs were treated for diffuse disease, six for highly eccentric lesion, five for occlusive lesion, and 11 for failed angioplasty. Results In all patients, technical success was achieved without major complications. One death, not procedure-related, occurred within 30 days. Ankle-brachial indexes improved from 0.63±0.30 to 0.99±0.21, and ischemic symptoms showed improvement in 22 patients (88%). Fontaine classifications before stenting, namely IIa(n=3), IIb(n=16), III(n=2), and IV(n=4) improved to I(n=17), IIa(n=5), and IV(n=3). Follow-up over a 27 (mean, 19.8±8)-month period showed that cumulative patency rates were 95.8% at 1 year and 86.2% at 2 and 3 years. No significant decrease in the mean ankle-brachial index was observed. Conclusion The Niti-S stent appears to be a safe and effective device for the treatment of iliac stenoses and occlusions. These preliminary results require confirmation with a larger series.

Comparison of Iohexol-380 and Iohexol-350 for Coronary CT Angiography: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind Phase 3 Trial

Objective This multi-center, randomized, double-blind, phase 3 trial was conducted to compare the safety and efficacy of contrast agents iohexol-380 and iohexol-350 for coronary CT angiography in healthy subjects. Materials and Methods Volunteers were randomized to receive 420 mgI/kg of either iohexol-350 or iohexol-380 using a flow rate of 4 mL/sec. All adverse events were recorded. Two blinded readers independently reviewed the CT images and conflicting results were resolved by a third reader. Luminal attenuations (ascending aorta, left main coronary artery, and left ventricle) in Hounsfield units (HUs) and image quality on a 4-point scale were calculated. Results A total of 225 subjects were given contrast media (115 with iohexol-380 and 110 with iohexol-350). There was no difference in number of adverse drug reactions between groups: 75 events in 56 (48.7%) of 115 subjects in the iohexol-380 group vs. 74 events in 51 (46.4%) of 110 subjects in the iohexol-350 group (p = 0.690). No severe adverse drug reactions were recorded. Neither group showed an increase in serum creatinine. Significant differences in mean density between the groups was found in the ascending aorta: 375.8 ± 71.4 HU with iohexol-380 vs. 356.3 ± 61.5 HU with iohexol-350 (p = 0.030). No significant differences in image quality scores between both groups were observed for all three anatomic evaluations (all, p > 0.05). Conclusion Iohexol-380 provides improved enhancement of the ascending aorta and similar attenuation of the coronary arteries without any increase in adverse drug reactions, as compared with iohexol-350 using an identical amount of total iodine.