Zarrin Salimi

Neutropenic colitis: Evaluation with computed tomography

The computed tomography findings of 10 patients with neutropenic colitis are described and illustrated. Seven of these patients had leukemia, one had lymphocytic lymphoma, and two had systemic lupus erythematosus. All patients had colon wall thickening which was either isodense with the normal bowel tissue or showed areas of intramural low density. Air in the thickened bowel wall was seen in six patients. These computed tomography findings in neutropenic patients with fever, abdominal pain, and diarrhea should suggest the diagnosis in most instances, resulting in prompt treatment of this usually life-threatening entity.

Villous adenoma of the common bile duct

A villous adenoma of the common bile duct (CBD) causing obstructive jaundice was demonstrated by sonography and ERCP in a 34-year-old man. The radiological and clinical features of this rare tumor are herein presented.

Focal fatty liver lesions in alcoholic liver disease: A broadened spectrum of CT appearances

The CT examinations of 26 consecutive alcoholic patients with focal fatty infiltration of the liver were analyzed. Five different patterns of focal fatty infiltration were noted. In most alcoholic patients these appearances present no diagnostic problem and further confirmation can be obtained by repeating the CT scan within 1–2 weeks to see if interval resolution occurs following enforced abstinence. In select instances, more invasive and definitive procedures such as superselective angiography or liver biopsy may be necessary to differentiate these findings from other more serious diseases they may closely resemble, such as primary or secondary liver neoplasms.

Avascular bone necrosis in an untreated case of chronic myelogenous leukemia

Hip pain due to aseptic necrosis of the femoral head was the first clinical manifestation of chronic myelogenous leukemia in a 9-year-old white female. An erroneous diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis was first entertained. Physical examination showed splenomegaly, complete blood count revealed leucocytosis of 359 000. the initial radiograph of the involved hip was negative. Biopsy revealed aseptic necrosis of the femoral head. Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) was diagnosed on the basis of the peripheral blood smear and bone marrow biopsy. Two months later, radiograph, radionuclide bone scan, and magnetic resonance imaging (MR) of the involved hip were positive for aseptic necrosis of the femoral head.

Computed tomography in the pretreatment assessment of carcinoma of the cervix

Fifty-nine patients with primary or recurrent carcinoma of the cervix were evaluated by computed tomography as part of their presurgical evaluation. The computed tomography staging results were compared with the surgical staging. Computed tomography staging was accurate in 71% (42 of 59), whereas clinical staging was accurate in 66% (39 of 59). In assessing paraaortic nodes by CT, there were 10 true-positive, 20 true-negative, 1 false-positive, and 2 false-negative results (sensitivity, 83%; specificity, 95%), for an overall accuracy of 91%. For pelvic nodes, there were 10 true-positive, 11 true-negative, 3 false-positive, and 6 false-negative results (sensitivity, 62.5% specificity, 78%), for an overall accuracy of 70%. Excretory urograms and barium enemas provided no information not obtained by computed tomography and are probably unnecessary if computed tomography is used as a routine staging examination. At present, computed tomography should not replace clinical assessment of extent of the disease. Its chief advantage over clinical staging is its ability to detect metastases beyond the true pelvis.

Pancreatic lymphangioma : CT, MRI, and angiographic features

An unusual case of pancreatic lymphangioma presenting as a large mid-abdominal mass with sunburst pattern of calcification is herein described. The findings noted on computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and mesenteric angiography are illustrated.

CT diagnosis of emphysematous pyelonephritis.

Emphysematous pyelonephritis is a rare but frequently fatal complication of renal infection in the diabetic patient. The diagnosis is usually only made roentgenographically. We present a patient in whom the initial plain abdominal film was normal and renal sonogram was nondiagnostic. The correct diagnosis was made only on the subsequent CT scan.

Innocuous gas collections in pancreatic allografts demonstrated by computed tomography

Over a 4-year period, 6 pancreatic abscesses were found in 37 patients who had combined renal and segmental pancreatic transplants. An additional 4 patients who were nontoxic at the time of their computed tomographic (CT) examinations had innocuous gas collections, either in the pancreatic allograft or the surrounding peripancreatic tissue. The possible etiology of this gas formation is discussed. These collections do not have the same ominous clinical significance as would be expected in abscess formation. Radiological evaluation should include examination of the gastrointestinal tract and voiding cystograms to detect fistula formation. Simultaneous percutaneous aspiration of this area should be performed to rule out an infective process. If this is negative in a nontoxic transplant patient, the radiologist will be in a position to obviate unnecessary surgical intervention.

MRI of an angiomyolipoma

Abstract Angiomyolipomas are uncommon, benign tumors of the kidney with certain characteristic diagnostic features. We report a case of this condition in which MRI helped to characterize the lesion.

Computed tomography and ultrasound appearance of bladder malacoplakia

The computed tomography and ultrasound findings of two patients with malacoplakia of the bladder, both at the time of initial diagnosis and following response to treatment, are presented. Because bladder wall involvement is demonstrated by these modalities in female patients with repeated episodes of urinary tract infection, this entity should be entertained in the differential diagnosis.