Signal intensity dynamics of malignant lymphoma in diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging compared to positron emission tomography

This article discusses a study performed with an aim to determine the usefulness of diffusion-weighted MRI in pre-treatment assessment and evaluation of chemotherapy response of mediastinal lesions of malignant lymphoma by analysing signal intensity, accumulation of contrast agent and changes in values of ADC. Comparing the results of PET/CT and DW-MRI was another goal of this study. We reviewed data of 21 patients that underwent treatment during years 2013-2014 at the Hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Kaunas Clinics and had DW-MRI and PET/CT scans carried out. For all patients the diagnosis of malignant lymphoma in mediastinal lymph nodes was confirmed histological. Whether the lymphoma was in active state was determined by PET/CT or histological data. In MRI scans, signal intensity and ADC values were evaluated, while in PET/CT maximum and average standardized uptake values were assessed. Patients underwent chemotherapy and follow up scans were performed to evaluate response. In total, 25 PET/CT and 50 DW-MRI scans were analysed. We found statistically significant difference of values of ADC in active and inactive states of malignant lymphoma of mediastinal lymph nodes. In follow up tests, performed during 2 years after treatment, a tendency of decreasing ADC values over time was seen when chemotherapy was successful and no relapse was observed. Among the reviewed cases, DW-MRI had slightly worse specificity than PET/CT in differentiation of malignant and benign changes in lymph nodes

Effectiveness of radiologic examination methods in diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis

Objective of the study. To determine an optimal noninvasive radiologic examination method (computed tomography or roentgenography) in early diagnostics of pulmonary tuberculosis. Materials and methods. We have selected 43 patients with diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis, who were examined using roentgenography and computed tomography during 2002–2006. Data were confirmed by biopsy or bacteriological test. Evaluation criteria were anamnesis, prolonged cough productive of sputum, prolonged fever, roentgenologic and laboratory findings (lymphocytosis, monocytosis), antibiotic therapy without response. Results. Diagnostic signs of pulmonary tuberculosis were infiltration (89%), lymphadenopathy (63%), calcification in lymph nodes (49%), pneumofibrosis (56%), focus of tuberculosis (54%), foci in lung segments (67%). Other features were as follows: adhesions, pleural effusion, coated pleura, calcified tuberculoma. Biopsy was performed to 25% of patients: in 6 patients during fibrobronchoscopy, in 3 during operation, and in 2 during pleural puncture. Fibrobronchoscopy was done in 70% of patients, and findings were as follows: mucus (31%), blood (2%), bronchial deformations (22%), edema of bronchial wall (18%), and no pathology (31%). Only 8% had acid-resistant cocci. Conclusions. Computed tomography is 2 times more efficient than roentgenography in detection of lung alterations, dissemination with focal infiltration in the bronchioles, coated pleura, pleuritis, adhesions and 8 times more efficient in diagnosis of mediastinal lymphadenopathy. In evaluation of pulmonary consolidation, there was no significance difference between diagnostic methods

An Extremely Rare Case of Glioblastoma Multiforme of the Spinal Cord

Being the most common glial cell tumor of the adult brain, primary glioblastoma multiforme is an extremely rare but excessively devastating condition of the spinal cord. It presents with indistinctive magnetic resonance imaging findings, so the diagnosis is very complicated to make. A low-grade glioma may undergo a malignant transformation into glioblastoma multiforme in a very short period, critically impairing treatment possibilities and prognosis, so a correct and timely diagnosis is crucial. We report a case of intramedullary glioblastoma multiforme in a young man and describe the diagnostic difficulties and devastating progression of the entity

Comparative diagnostic value of computed tomography and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in diagnosis of focal liver lesions

Objective. The aim of the study was to evaluate focal liver lesions by computed tomography and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography and to compare their diagnostic values. Materials and methods. There were 67 patients, examined and treated in the Departments of Gastroenterology, Surgery, and Oncology, Hospital of Kaunas University of Medicine, during 2007 (study group). All the patients underwent contrast-enhanced ultrasonography and bolus computed tomography. Control group included 73 patients with focal hepatic lesions who were examined and treated in the Hospital of Kaunas University of Medicine during 2006. Focal hepatic lesions were detected and characterized by conventional ultrasonography and bolus computed tomography. The diagnosis was confirmed by biopsy or during surgery in both groups, and hemangiomas were confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. Patients’ age varied from 20 to 80 years (there were 46 [68.7%] women and 21 [31.3%] men with a mean age of 55.85±13.417 years). The age of patients in the study group varied from 18 to 91 years (mean age, 60.81±16.059 years; out of 73 patients, 46 [63%] were women and 27 [37%] men). Results. The following was determined in the study group: hemangioma (n=18, 26.9%), focal nodular hyperplasia (n=4, 6%), adenoma (n=2, 3%), echinococcosis (n=2, 3%), hepatocellular carcinoma (n=11, 16.4%), cholangiocellular carcinoma (n=1, 1.5%), solitary metastasis (n=13, 19.4%), hepatic cyst (n=3, 4.5%), etc. The sensitivity and specificity of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography as compared with computed tomography in detecting and characterizing focal liver lesions was 44.2% and 46.7%, respectively; positive prognostic value was 74.2% and negative prognostic value was 19.4%. The sensitivity and specificity of conventional ultrasonography as compared with contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in detecting and characterizing focal liver lesions was 34.5% and 100%, respectively; positive prognostic value was 100% and negative prognostic value was 25%. Conclusions. Ultrasound contrast agents (SonoVue, Bracco®, Milan, Italy) definitely improve detection and characterization of focal liver lesions. Ultrasonography correlates with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, particularly during arterial phase. The sensitivity of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography as compared with computed tomography in detecting and characterizing focal liver lesions was 74.2% and positive prognostic value was 44.2%; sensitivity of conventional ultrasonography as compared with contrastenhanced ultrasonography in detecting and characterizing focal liver lesions was 34.5% and positive prognostic value was 100%

Incidentally Diagnosed Malignant Coronary Artery Anomaly: A Clinical Case

The incidence of congenital coronary artery anomalies is estimated to range between 1% and 2% in the general population. The separate types of coronary artery anomalies are even rarer – the left main coronary artery arising from the right coronary sinus and passing between the thoracic aorta and the pulmonary artery is one of them. In this case, the segment of the artery that courses between the aorta and the pulmonary artery is prone to compression, especially during heavy exercise. Outcomes may be fatal due to myocardial hypoperfusion, which is associated with sudden cardiac death especially among children, young adults, and athletes. Nowadays, innate coronary artery anomalies may be incidentally diagnosed in older age using new investigation methods such as computed tomography angiography

Assessment of radiographers' competences from the perspectives of radiographers and radiologists : A cross-sectional survey in Lithuania

Background: Assessing radiographers' clinical competence is of major importance in all medical imaging departments, and is a fundamental prerequisite for guaranteeing professional standards in both nursing care and radiography. Despite the fact that self-assessment has been reported to be the most common form of competence evaluation only several studies defining the radiographers' self-assessment of clinical competencies were identified. The aim of the study was to evaluate radiographers' professional competence from the perspectives of radiographers and radiologists by applying the Radiographers' Competence Scale (RCS). Methods: The study was conducted in university hospitals of Lithuania. We used the original instrument designed by Swedish researchers - the Radiographers' Competence Scale (RCS) consisting of two domains: A "Nurse-initiated care" and B "Technical and radiographic processes". The study involved in all 397 respondents; radiographers (250) and radiologists (147) working in departments of diagnostic radiology. Each competence was evaluated twice - the level on a 10-point scale, and the frequency of practical application on a 6-point scale. Results: The overall level of the radiographers' competence and the frequency of its use in practice were evaluated high or very high by both respondent groups. The radiographers attributed the highest evaluations to such competences as "Encouraging and supporting the patient" and "Collaborating with other radiographers", while the lowest evaluations were attributed to "Guiding the patient's relatives" and "Empowering the patient by involving him/her in the examination and treatment" competences. The radiologists attributed the highest evaluations to such competences as "Collaborating with radiologists" and "Independent carrying out of the radiologist's prescriptions", while the lowest evaluations - to the same competences as the radiographers did. Irrespectively of the work experience and age, the radiographers gave significantly higher ratings to all competences that the radiologists did (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Both groups of the respondents attributed high or very high evaluations to the competences in both the "Nurse-initiated care" and the "Technical and radiographic processes" domains

Image quality of 16-slice computed tomography coronary angiography in patients with complete left bundle branch block

Objective. Noninvasive diagnosis of coronary artery disease in patients with left bundle branch block is challenging. Multislice computed tomography can be useful in this population; however, quality of images depends on the patterns of myocardial contractions. We investigated the influence of left bundle branch block on image quality of multislice computed tomography coronary angiography. Materials and methods. Multislice computed tomography coronary angiography was performed in 30 patients with left bundle branch block and 30 patients without conduction disturbances. Image quality of each coronary segment was visually assessed and rated on a five-point scale (1=highest quality). Results. Average image quality score in the best cardiac cycle phase did not differ significantly between groups (1.71±0.59 in the left bundle branch block group vs. 1.60±0.57 in the control group, P=0.46). In the left bundle branch block group, a significantly lower image quality score was observed in end-systolic cardiac phase (2.67±0.6 vs. 2.22±0.65 in the control group, P=0.007), whereas no difference was demonstrated in mid-diastolic phase (1.73±0.6 vs. 1.69±0.66 in the control group, P=0.81). After image assessment in multiple cardiac phases, an increase in image quality score was higher in the left bundle branch block than in the control group (0.2±0.17 vs. 0.11±0.14, P=0.003). A negative correlation was observed between image quality score and both the heart rate and heart rate variability in both groups (P&lt;0.001). Conclusion. A nonsignificantly lower overall image quality of multislice computed tomography coronary angiography was demonstrated in the left bundle branch block group. In the presence of left bundle branch block, image quality in the end-systolic phase was significantly lower. Image assessment in multiple phases increased overall image quality and is therefore advisable in patients with left bundle branch block. Increased heart rate and heart rate variability worsened image quality in both groups

The Center of the human porta hepatis

Majority of interventional procedures are made at the porta hepatis, which has a different location on the visceral surface of the liver. Objective. To describe the location of the porta hepatis in respect of the borders of the visceral surface and separate lobes of the liver. Material and methods. Sixty-four human livers were obtained at autopsy (mean age, 45 years). We chose the point of the crossing of longitudinal and transversal lines of the porta hepatis, which was considered as center of the porta hepatis. The distances from the center of the porta hepatis to the border of the visceral surface every 10 degrees with protractor and ruler and the angles of anatomical structures were measured. Additionally, the borders of lobes were assessed. Results. We found that center of the porta hepatis is located approximately 11.6±2.8 cm from the border of the visceral liver surface. The location of center of the porta hepatis was 11.6±1.1 cm from the border of left lobe, 9.7±1.5 cm from the border of quadrate lobe, 12.3±1.2 cm from the border of right lobe, and 7.4±1.0 cm from the border of caudate lobe. All distances were statistically significant (P<0.05). An angle of the fissure for round ligament was 50.5°, of the fossa of gallbladder – 102°, of the groove of vena cava inferior – 266°, and of the fissure for ligamentum venosum – 293°. The borders of the right, left, quadrate, and caudate liver lobe covered 45.6%, 32.6%, 14.3%, and 7.5% of the perimeter of visceral surface border, respectively. Conclusions. The center of the porta hepatis can help to characterize precisely the position of the porta hepatis on the visceral surface of the liver

Comparative diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosis of hepatic hemangiomas

Aim. To compare the value of intravenous contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (US), intravenous contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of hepatic hemangiomas. Material and methods. The study enrolled 48 patients, aged between 20 and 79 years (35 [72.9%] women, 13 [27.1%] men; mean age, 53.5±12.855 years), who were examined and treated in the Departments of Gastroenterology, Surgery, and Oncology, Hospital of Kaunas University of Medicine, in the year 2007. All patients underwent intravenous contrast-enhanced US, intravenous contrast-enhanced CT, and MRI and were diagnosed with hepatic hemangioma according to the findings of these examinations. Results. The size of hemangiomas was ≤2.0 cm in 20 cases (41.7%) and &gt;2.0 cm in 28 (58.3%). No association between hepatic hemangioma and patient’s age was found (χ2=0.547, df=2, P=0.761). Nearly one-third of hemangiomas were located in the segment IV of the left hepatic lobe. There were a few complicated hemangiomas in the study sample: 2 with calcification and 1 with necrosis. The sensitivity of CT in the diagnosis of hepatic hemangioma was 76.92%; specificity, 33.3%; positive prognostic value, 83.3%; and negative prognostic value, 25.0%. The sensitivity of intravenous contrast-enhanced US in the diagnosis of hepatic hemangioma was 77.8%; specificity, 100%; positive prognostic value, 100%; and negative prognostic value, 23.1%. Conclusions. Intravenous contrast-enhanced US is more specific than intravenous contrast-enhanced CT in the diagnosis of hepatic hemangioma (P=0.0005) and has a higher positive prognostic value (P=0.001)