To assess perflubron for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the abdomen and pelvis in a multicenter trial.
MR images were obtained in 127 subjects before and after ingestion of perflubron with T1-, ...proton-density-, and T2-weighted sequences at 0.38, 1.0, or 1.5 T. Postcontrast images were compared with baseline images, and percentage of additional bowel darkened, distinction of bowel from adjacent tissue, and change in image artifact were graded.
Perflubron increased the bowel darkening in over 92% of subjects with all sequences and field strengths. It improved definition of the left lobe of the liver and body and tail of the pancreas in 67%, 29%, and 42% of subjects, respectively, and of the uterus and bladder in 80% and 76%. Abnormal tissue was more conspicuous in 69% of subjects. Highest scores were achieved when the upper abdomen was imaged 5-30 minutes and the pelvis 10-40 minutes after ingestion. No image artifacts or side effects were attributed to perflubron.
Perflubron is safe, and its efficacy was unaffected by pulse sequences, magnetic field strength, or time delay.
The importance of axillary node status in the prognosis of breast cancer led the authors to conduct a prospective study comparing the value of clinical examination with ultrasound (US) performed by a ...transpectoral approach. All 60 patients examined underwent axillary dissection. Sensitivity was 45.4% for clinical examination versus 72.7% for US. US provides valuable information for breast cancers treated solely by irradiation, after insufficient dissection, and for large tumors not amenable to primary surgery. When the nodal region is treated by surgery and/or radiotherapy, local monitoring with US appears unnecessary owing to the low incidence of nodal recurrence.
A retrospective, multi-institutional study was carried out on a series of 50 histologically proved benign hepatic tumors. The 27 hepatic adenomas (HAs) and 23 cases of focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) ...were studied with ultrasonography (US) and dynamic computed tomography (CT). Angiography was performed in 26 cases (15 HAs, 11 FNHs); scintigraphy was not used because of its cost. US scans proved nonspecific. CT scans demonstrated hemorrhage in five HAs and were useful in characterizing tumoral vascularity and any intratumoral features such as necrosis or central fibrous scar. The presence of arterial vessels (five patients) in the projection of this central fibrous scar is suggestive of FNH. Dynamic CT scans did not show the type of tumor in most cases. In cases with lesions greater than 3 cm for which doubt as to the diagnosis persists, combined use of morphologic data, scintigraphy, dynamic CT scanning, and angiography can guide the therapeutic decision: surgery or follow-up CT study after use of oral contraceptives is stopped.
The aim of this retrospective and monocentric study was to describe the magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) features of biliary abnormalities related to extrahepatic obstruction of the portal ...vein (EHOPV).
From September 2001 to May 2003, MRC was performed in 10 consecutive patients who had a portal thrombosis.
Biliary ductal pathology was demonstrated via MRC in nine patients. It consisted of stenoses, ductal narrowing or irregularities involving the common bile duct for three patients with extrahepatic portal vein thrombosis discovered a mean of 1.5 years ago, or involving both right and left intrahepatic bile ducts and common bile duct for six patients with extrahepatic portal vein thrombosis discovered a mean of 16.2 years ago. Dilation of intrahepatic bile ducts was seen for seven patients, four of them having cholestasis. For three patients with symptomatic cholestasis, direct cholangiography (DC) was performed and showed the same findings as MRC which nevertheless overestimated the degree of bile duct stenosis.
MRC seems to constitute an accurate tool to investigate noninvasively patients with portal biliopathy.
We present the results of a study on the value of ultrasound in the detection of metastasis to the cervical lymph nodes in connection with cancer of the ear, nose, and throat. Comparison of clinical, ...ultrasound, and histological findings for 100 patients who underwent surgery revealed that clinical examination had a sensitivity of 78% versus 92.6% for ultrasound. All 18 cases of thrombosis of the internal jugular vein were detected by ultrasound. Clinical staging of the disease was modified in 28 of these patients based on ultrasound findings, including three false positive findings. Ultrasonographic follow-up at three months for a second group of 110 patients who did not undergo neck dissection provided prognostic information, since lesion stability or progression was correlated with death in less than one year in 41 of 43 patients. Ultrasound is of primary value in providing information of an anatomic nature, including the detection of subclinical lymph nodes, volumetric evaluation, and determination of vascular connections, particularly detection of internal jugular venous thrombosis. Furthermore, for patients whose necks have been thickened as a result of radiotherapy, ultrasound allows assessment of local status.
Benign fibrous mesothelioma of the pleura is a rare tumor of mesodermal origin. We describe the MR findings in three pathologically proven cases. All three tumors were imaged by MR as ...well-circumscribed lesions with smooth margins in contact with the pleura, but without chest wall invasion. Their low signal intensity on T1- and T2-weighted sequences reflect their fibrous nature. In one case a pedicle connecting the tumor to the chest wall was visualized on a sagittal MR scan. In two cases gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted gradient echo sequences revealed intense contrast uptake by the tumor correlated with the intratumoral hypervascularization noted by histologic examination. Although the number of cases presented is small, MR seems to be the most accurate imaging modality in the assessment of the diagnosis.
We report a series of six benign peripheral neurogenic tumors (five schwannomas and one neurofibroma) studied by 3D ultrasonography (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The findings ...demonstrated by US and MRI are variable, but usually permit the diagnosis of benign nervous tumor without prejudging the final histological diagnosis. MRI does not bring forward further complementary images to those observed at US, which is limited by its dependence on its operator. The use of 3D US will be sufficient for the diagnosis and preoperative evaluation of a lesion when it is possible to furnish the volumetric data and the tools necessary for data analysis in a single document (in a CD).
Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction, the so-called Ogilvie's syndrome, results in massive colonic dilation without mechanical obstruction. In most cases, a conservative treatment with or without ...endoscopic decompression is sufficient. In rare cases of relapses or failures, a cecostomy has to be performed. A surgical cecostomy is associated with high morbidity and mortality. However, a percutaneous cecostomy could be an interesting alternative treatment. We report the case of a 67-yr-old male with colonic pseudoobstruction for which both the conservative and the endoscopic treatments were unsuccessful. A percutaneous cecostomy was performed, and for the first time in this indication, a transperitoneal access was used with the help of nylon T-fasteners.
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