Clinical significance of mesenteric panniculitis-like abnormalities on abdominal computerized tomography in patients with malignant neoplasms

AIM To clarify the association of malignancy with mesenteric panniculitis-like changes on computed tomography(CT).METHODS All abdominal CT scans performed at North Shore University HealthS ystem showing mesenteric panniculitis from January 2005 to August 2010 were identified in the Radnet(Rad Net Corporation, Los Angeles, CA) database. Patients with a new or known diagnosis of a malignancy were included for this analysis. Longitudinal clinical histories were obtained from electronic medical records.RESULTS In total, 147794 abdominal CT scans were performed during the study period. Three hundred and fiftynine patients had mesenteric panniculitis(MP)-like abnormalities on their abdominal CT. Of these patients, 81 patients(22.6%) had a known history of cancer at the time of their CT scan. Nineteen(5.3%) had a new diagnosis of cancer in concurrence with their CT, but the majority of these(14/19, 74%) were undergoing CT as part of a malignancy evaluation. Lymphomas were the most common cancers associated with MPlike findings on CT(36 cases, 36%), with follicular lymphoma being the most frequent subtype(17/36). A variety of solid tumors, most commonly prostate(7) and renal cell cancers(6) also were seen. CT follow up was obtained in 56 patients. Findings in the mesentery were unchanged in 45(80%), worsened in 6(11%), and improved in 5 patients(9%). Positron emission tomography(PET) scans performed in 44 patients only showed a positive uptake in the mesenteric mass in 2 patients(5%). CONCLUSION A new diagnosis of cancer is uncommon in patients with CT findings suggestive of MP. MP-like mesenteric abnormalities on CT generally remain stable in patients with associated malignancies. PET scanning is not recommended in the evaluation of patients with mesenteric panniculitis-like findings on CT.

Temporal Trends in Radiation Dose Associated with Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography

Background: In 2010, the International Atomic Energy Agency launched the “3A’s campaign” as an effective tool for primary cancer prevention. In 2011, the American Association of Physicists in Medicine recommended the size specific dose estimate (SSDE). Objectives: To audit doses of Coronary CT Angiography (Coronary CTA) in tertiary care referral center. Methods: We reviewed 998 consecutive Coronary CTA (from 2007 to 2012). Doses (CTDIvol mGy), DLP (mGy*cm), effective dose (DLP*0.014, mSv) were on-line archived. SSDE was estimated retrospectively. Appropriateness score was evaluated for exams performed from the 2010. Results: Overall median dose per Coronary CTA was 49.7 mGy for CTDIvol, 55.5 mGy for SSDE, 994.96 mGy*cm for DLP, 13.9 mSv for effective dose. Median DLP decreased over time (1452.94 in 2007, 1605.56 in 2008, 1113.49 in 2009, 759.99 in 2010, 448.61 in 2011 and 497.88 mGy*cm in 2012, p < 0.0001). SSDE was proportional to the size dependent factor (SDF);in patients with SDF > 1 (88%) CTDIvol underestimated SSDE (48.49 vs 57.19 mGy), whilst in patients with SDF < 1 (12%) CTDIvol overestimated SSDE (56.46 vs 50.3 mGy). Scans were appropriate in 58%, uncertain in 24%, and inappropriate in 18% of cases. Doses were similar in appropriate, uncertain or inappropriate examinations and in excellent-to-good (81%) vs. sufficient-to-poor (19%) image quality exams. Conclusions: Coronary CTA reference doses can be very misleading. SSDE can allow individual technique optimization. The dose is similar in appropriate and inappropriate examinations, and unrelated to image quality. The rate of inappropriate examinations is still too high even after dissemination of guidelines.

The Different Patterns of Coronary Artery Calcification in Acute and Chronic Coronary Syndromes Determined by Electron Beam Computed Tomography

Objectives To compare the different patterns of coronary artery calcification (CAC) in acute and chronic coronary syndromes utilizing electron beam computed tomography. Background Pathologic, angiographic, and intracoronary ultrasound studies revealed sharp differences in the plaque morphology between patients with acute versus chronic coronary syndromes. Whether there are different patterns of coronary artery calcification in patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP) and in those with unstable angina pectoris (UAP) or acute myocardial infarction (AMI), however, remains unclear. Methods Two hundred and sixty - four patients, including 67 with SAP, 94 with UAP and 103 with AMI were studied with electron beam computed tomography for analysis of coronary artery calcification and with selective coronary angiography for determination of atherosclerotic lesions. CAC prevalence and calcium score were compared among three groups, and relation of CAC to the severity of atherosclerotic disease in the SAP and UAP patients was separately analyzed. Results Prevalence of CAC was 100 % in the SAP patients, significantly higher than the 87. 23 % in UAP patients and 86. 41 % among the patients with AMI ( P < 0. 05) . More patients and arteries in the SAP group had severe forms of calcium than those in the UAP and AMI group ( P < 0. 01), and the mean LN [CS + 1] (natural logarithm transformation of calcium score) of the SAP patients was much greater than that of the UAP and AMI patients (P < 0.001). The distribution of vessels with various CAC by luminal stenosis was different between SAP and UAP patients. The average CAC extent of the infarct - related arteries was less severe than that of the noninfarct - related arteries. Conclusions U-tilizing electron beam computed tomography, we demonstrated that there exist different patterns of coronary artery calcification in patients with acute versus chronic coronary syndromes, which may provide insight into the differences observed in the clinical and pathologic development between these two types of coronary artery disease.

A CT-based radiomics nomogram for prediction of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 status in patients with gastric cancer

Objective: To develop and validate a computed tomography(CT)-based radiomics nomogram for predicting human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2) status in patients with gastric cancer.Methods: This retrospective study included 134 patients with gastric cancer(HER2-negative: n=87;HER2-positive: n=47) from April 2013 to March 2018, who were then randomly divided into training(n=94) and validation(n=40) cohorts. Radiomics features were obtained from the CT images showing gastric cancer. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO) regression analysis was utilized for building the radiomics signature. A multivariable logistic regression method was applied to develop a prediction model incorporating the radiomics signature and independent clinicopathologic risk predictors, which were then visualized as a radiomics nomogram. The predictive performance of the nomogram was assessed in the training and validation cohorts.Results: The radiomics signature was significantly associated with HER2 status in both training(P<0.001) and validation(P=0.023) cohorts. The prediction model that incorporated the radiomics signature and carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA) level demonstrated good discriminative performance for HER2 status prediction,with an area under the curve(AUC) of 0.799 [95% confidence interval(95% CI): 0.704-0.894] in the training cohort and 0.771(95% CI: 0.607-0.934) in the validation cohort. The calibration curve of the radiomics nomogram also showed good calibration. Decision curve analysis showed that the radiomics nomogram was useful.Conclusions: We built and validated a radiomics nomogram with good performance for HER2 status prediction in gastric cancer. This radiomics nomogram could serve as a non-invasive tool to predict HER2 status and guide clinical treatment.

Findings of non-pathologic perfusion defects by CT arterial portography and non-pathologic enhancement of CT hepatic arteriography

AIM To recognize the characteristic findings of non pathologic perfusion defects with CT arterial portography (CTAP) and nonpathologic enhancement found in CT hepatic arteriography (CTHA). METHODS The manifestations of nonpathologic perfusion defects with CTAP and non pathologic enhancement found in CTHA were analyzed in 50 patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma. RESULTS The false positive rate of perfusion defects detected in CTAP was 15 1%. The shapes of perfusion defects were peripheral wedge, small, round, and patchy. The occurrence rate of non pathologic enhancement found in CTHA was 22 0%. The shapes of non pathologic enhancement were small, round, irregular, and wedge. CONCLUSION There was a high frequency of non pathologic perfusion defects detected with CTAP and non pathologic enhancement found in CTHA. The simultaneous use of both procedures may help decrease the false positive rate, and increase the veracity of diagnosis for hepatocellular carcinoma.

腹膜后良性神经鞘瘤:影像学特征与病理的关系

目的分析腹膜后神经鞘瘤的CT和MRI表现及其血液动力学特征，以提高其诊断准确性。资料与方法经手术病理证实的腹膜后神经鞘瘤16例，11例术前经螺旋CT或多排螺旋CT平扫、动脉期和门脉期增强扫描，对比剂注射流率采用3ml／s；5例经MR自旋回波（SE）T1WI、T2WI和扰相梯度回波（SPGR）动态增强成像。复习CT和MRI扫描结果并和手术病理作回顾性对照分析。结果16例神经鞘瘤边缘规则光整，肿瘤直径4．7～15．3cm．平均8．3cm。囊实性9例，完全实质性4例，完全囊性3例。4例实质性肿瘤中，3例密度均匀，1例密度不均匀；完全囊变者形成厚壁囊肿样改变，囊内外壁光整；9例囊实性病变中，实质成分密度较高．囊变区边缘规则光滑。T1WI呈低到中等信号，T2WI呈中等到高信号。所有肿瘤呈进行性延迟强化，其中，8例肿瘤强化显著，5例中等程度强化．3例轻度强化。结论腹膜后神经鞘瘤体积大，完全实质性和完全囊性比例高，血液动力学多样，容易误诊。囊变区和Antoni B区的识别有助于提高诊断准确率。

不典型神经鞘瘤及神经纤维瘤CT、MRI诊断

目的分析不典型神经鞘瘤和神经纤维瘤的CT和MRI表现,提高其诊断准确率。资料与方法回顾性分析30例经手术病理证实的不典型神经鞘瘤及神经纤维瘤CT和MRI资料。结果神经鞘瘤18例、神经纤维瘤12例。少见部位、肿瘤巨大、完全囊变、厚壁囊变、瘤周明显水肿及多发小结节影融合为其主要不典型表现。30例中有20例患者术前误诊(66.7%)。结论不典型神经鞘瘤和神经纤维瘤定性诊断较困难,加强影像学表现与临床综合分析,有助于提高诊断符合率,MRI在定性诊断方面优于CT。

鼻腔及鼻旁窦神经鞘瘤的影像学表现

目的分析鼻腔和鼻旁窦神经鞘瘤的CT与MRI表现,提高诊断及鉴别水平。资料与方法经病理证实的鼻腔、鼻旁窦神经鞘瘤8例,均行CT平扫,其中4例行增强扫描;MRI检查2例,同时行平扫和增强扫描。结果良性4例,恶性4例。肿瘤原发于鼻腔4例,上颌窦3例,筛窦1例,无一例发生颈淋巴结转移。肿块在CT上多呈较均匀中等密度,3例密度不均;MRIT1WI呈中等信号,T2WI示中等或不均匀稍高信号,增强扫描肿瘤呈轻至中度强化或边缘强化。结论鼻腔、鼻旁窦神经鞘瘤的CT与MRI表现无显著特异性,均能很好地显示肿瘤侵犯范围及骨质破坏情况。

月经前期发作的鼻源性头痛

随着鼻窦CT诊断和鼻内镜诊疗技术的发展，大量鼻部疾病导致的头痛得以治愈。根据2004年国际头痛协会的分类，鼻源性头痛的第二种类型——黏膜接触点性头痛（mucosa contact point headache），因为缺少典型的鼻部症状，而分散就诊于其他学科，长期得不到合理诊疗。我们近期总结了多例临床上没有典型的鼻部症状，而是以各种类型的头痛为主诉就诊于神经内科等专科的患者，经过会诊筛查，确诊为鼻源性黏膜接触点性头痛，通过鼻内镜手术治愈。其中包括1组女性患者，长期被误认为是月经前期头痛，通过治疗证明是黏膜接触点性头痛的一种特殊存在形式，撰文总结如下。

食管黏膜下异物的CT诊断

总结1995-2004年10年间治疗的351例食管异物患者其中首次手术未发现异物12例，X线透视检查无阳性表现15例。此27例患者．经CT薄层扫描确诊，行食管镜检查取出并治愈，现报道如下。

颈部神经鞘瘤CT诊断及鉴别诊断

目的 探讨颈部神经鞘瘤CT诊断及鉴别诊断问题。材料和方法 回顾性分析8例经手术及病理证实的颈部神经鞘瘤临床及CT资料。结果 病灶呈形态规则、边缘清楚光滑肿块,较小病灶密度均匀,较大病灶内可有囊变及坏死,甚至完全囊变。颈内动脉(或颈总动脉)和颈内静脉受压并可将两者分离。结论 CT发现颈动脉鞘区肿块,临床表现缓慢生长的无痛性肿块有助于诊断。

Computerized tomography pleurography: a new method for detecting minor pleural lesion

Objectives To evaluate the ability of CT pleurography (CTP) in detecting minor pleural lesions in patients with pleural effusion and to assess its value in distinguishing malignant from benign pleural lesions. Methods A prospective study of 50 patients with pleural effusion was conducted using conventional CT and CTP. CT scan was run after injecting an appropriate amount of contrast medium into the pleural cavity. Results In 24 patients, all lesions detected by conventional CT were demonstrated by CTP. In 13 of 24 patients, CT pleurography detected additional lesions. In 20 of 26 patients with negative findings on conventional CT, CTP was capable of demonstrating the presence of pleural lesions. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of detecting pleural lesions were 25%, 100% and 30% for conventional CT, 86%, 100% and 87% for CTP, respectively. Conclusion CTP is superior to conventional CT in detecting and for the differential diagnosis benign and malignant pleural lesions.

胸壁神经鞘瘤的多排螺旋CT表现及诊断价值

目的分析胸壁神经鞘瘤的多排螺旋CT(MDCT)表现,提高对其诊断水平。方法回顾性分析15例经病理证实的胸壁神经鞘瘤的MDCT和临床资料。结果 15例均为单发肿瘤,位于右侧胸壁9例,左侧胸壁6例。肿瘤形态多较规则,6例呈类圆形,9例梭形,最大直径约3.7～13.4 cm,平均6.3 cm。瘤-肺界面均光整,13例肿瘤与胸壁广基底相邻,二者夹角呈钝角;2例较大肿瘤的瘤体主体在肺内,与胸壁夹角呈锐角。肿瘤CT平扫呈不均匀较低密度,8例内见斑片状、条状相对略高密度区,2例见钙化。增强扫描强化程度及强化方式多样,多呈轻～中度不均匀强化,以岛状分布的片状、线条状、斑点状强化多见。2例较大肿瘤内侧见压迫性肺不张,7例病灶周边胸膜增厚,2例伴有胸腔积液,9例相邻肋骨间隙增宽,肋骨见弧形压迹。结论 MDCT对胸壁神经鞘瘤的诊断及鉴别诊断具有较大价值。

CT Manifestations of Lung Changes and Complications in Patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

Objective:To investigate the rol e of CT scanning in diagnosing severe acute respiratory syndrome(SARS). Methods: One hundred and twelve times of spiral CT scanning, 106 t imes on the chest with standard pulmonary and mediastinal window, 5 on the brain and once on the abdomen, were performed in 82 patients (37 males and 45 females ) of SARS. Results: Bilateral shadows showed in 66 patients (80.48%) and unil ateral shadow in 16 (19.52%). The lung CT findings were sub pleural focal con solidation in 26 patients (31.70%), flaky cloudy opacity in 53 (64.63%), large a rea consolidation in 9 (10.97%), ground glass blurry shadow in 31 (37.80%), a lveolar substantive shadow in 14 (17.07%) and interstitial changes in 16 (19.51% ). The pulmonary CT signs of SARS were relatively characterized by: (1) The lesi ons tending to multiply occur, mostly to be bilaterally distributed and commonly involved in the lower lung field. (2) The lung shadows mostly showed as sub pleural focal consolidation, flaky cloudy shadow, large area consolidation, grou nd glass blurry shadow, and often accompanied with signs of broncho inflat ion. (3) Having opacified nodular shadows in the alveolar cavities. (4) Rapid pr ogressions or changes on the size, amount, and distribution of the lesions likel y to be found in dynamic observation of chest X ray and CT scanning, i.e., ma rkedly dynamic changes found within 24 to 48 hrs. Lesions with these characteris tics may be recognized as pulmonary changes possibly induced by SARS. Complicati ons were found in 6 patients (7.31%), including tuberculosis of lung and brain a ccompanied with pneumomediastinum in one patient, secondary infection of lung in 2, pneumothorax in 1, pulmonary fungus in 1, and pyothorax in 1.Conclusion: CT scanning is a sensitive method for diagnosis of SAR S, by which more accurate assessment of the abnormal changes of lung and occurre nce of complications in SARS patients can be made.

慢性鼻窦炎鼻窦CT的评估分类

由于鼻内窥镜技术和CT扫描检查在临床的广泛应用,对于慢性鼻窦炎外科治疗日益受到国内外医师的重视。国外许多专家学者建立了多种临床评估系统以准确判断慢性鼻窦炎的严重程度,既便于临床医师接受,又可以指导药物和外科治疗。评估方法越简便易行其接受程度就越高。而判断慢性鼻窦炎的病理情况,CT比症状表现和鼻内镜下的表现更准确,故临床评估多以CT为判断依据。本文综述了目前国内外的研究现状和CT评估方法,同时指出了研究中的不足。

Clinical and imaging findings in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome

Objective To investigate the clinical and imaging characteristics of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and to study their relationship Methods Forty six SARS confirmed patients were admitted to our hospital from February to April, 2003 X ray examination documents were available in all cases and chest CT scanning was acquired in 6 cases, which were analyzed retrospectively, accompanied by their clinical features Results Fever was found in 97 8% of the patients Clinical symptoms were mild, but X ray and CT findings were distinct CT scanning demonstrated ground glass like lesions and large patchy exudation and consolidation at the early stage in 6 cases Different findings on radiography and CT were related to the different phases of the disease After treatment, most lesions were absorbed completely, but slowly in patients with multi lobe consolidation and/or extensive interstitial infiltration Conclusion Special clinical and imaging findings could be found in SARS cases The prognosis of SARS patients is related to the degree of lesions detected by radiography and CT

CT and MRI diagnosis of acute traumatic hepatic rupture:analysis of ten cases

In order to verify whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is superior to computed tomography (CT) in the detection and characterization of intrahepatic hematoma in its acute stage, the MRI and CT features of acute traumatic hepatic rupture (ATHR) were retrospectively studied and compared. Methods: In the 10 cases of ATHR admitted to our institute, 3 were examined with CT, 1 with MRI and 6 with both CT and MRI in the first 24 hours post injury and 9 cases out of the 10 were checked up with MRI in the first week after injury of surgery. The shape of the traumatic lesions, the damages of the intrahepatic vessels and the severity of hepatic rupture displayed with CT and MRI were compared. Results: It was found that in the first 24 hours post injury, 66.6% of hepatic injuries were shown as hypointensity on T1 weighted images and low or high density on noncontrast CT. 100% of the lesions were identified as well marked hyperintensity on T2 weighted images. Damages of the hepatic and/or portal veins were observed in 7, 4 and 3 cases on T2 and T1 weighted images and noncontrast CT figures respectively. The severity of hepatic injuries were graded in 100%, 66.7% and 44.4%of cases with these 3 procedures respectively. Conclusions: On the basis of our findings, it is concluded that T2 weighted MRI is a more sensitive and reliable imaging modality in the detection and differentiation of the type and severity of acute hepatic rupture than T1 weighted imaging and noncontrast CT.