Preoperative staging of colorectal cancer using virtual colonoscopy: correlation with surgical results

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of computed tomography colonography (CTC) in the preoperative staging in patients with abdominal pain for occlusive colorectal cancer (CRC) and to compare the results of CTC with the surgical ones

Ultrasonographic detection of synovial sarcoma of the knee

In this case report is presented a 60 years-old patient with right knee periarticular synovial sarcoma in whom the final diagnosis was primarily assumed on the basis of an US examination. The usefulness of this diagnostic technique and the peculiar signs of SS are discussed

Sonographic evaluation of anterior cervical lymph nodes

In this study we evaluated the role of ultrasound in diagnosis of anterior cervical lymph (ACL) node disease. Three-hundred and sixty-six patients were included in the study. When ACL nodes were found, we noted the station(s) involved, the number, and the short and long axis of each. Patients had their thyroid investigated and were then divided into four groups: no sonographic signs of thyroid abnormality, already diagnosed autoimmune thyroiditis, probable new diagnosis of autoimmune thyroiditis, and thyroid nodules. ACL nodes were found in 127 out of 366 patients examined. The 127 patients with ACL nodes were classified into group 1 (2 patients), group 2 (97 patients), group 3 (23 patients), and group 4 (5 patients). The only differences were the presence and number of lymph nodes in the prelaryngeal and/or prethyroidal and/or pretracheal stations, and the number of "acutely inflamed" nodes in group 3 compared with all the other groups. We observed a strong association between anterior cervical lymphadenopathy and autoimmune thyroiditis; this is certainly a good reason to justify thorough evaluation of anterior cervical lymph nodes for all patients with suspected thyroiditis

Primary colonic lymphoma: An incidental finding in a patient with a gallstone attack

We report a case of primary colonic lymphoma incidentally diagnosed in a patient presenting a gallbladder attack making particular attention on the diagnostic findings at ultrasound (US) and total body computed tomography (CT) exams that allowed us to make the correct final diagnosis. A 85-year-old Caucasian male patient was referred to our department due to acute pain at the upper right quadrant, spreaded to the right shoulder blade. Patient had nausea and mild fever and Murphy's maneuver was positive. At physical examination a large bulky mass was found in the right flank. Patient underwent to US exam that detected a big stone in the lumen of the gallbladder and in correspondence of the palpable mass, an extended concentric thickening of the colic wall. CT scan was performed and confirmed a widespread and concentric thickening of the wall of the ascending colon and cecum. In addition, revealed signs of microperforation of the colic wall. Numerous large lymphadenopathies were found in the abdominal, pelvic and thoracic cavity and there was a condition of splenomegaly, with some ischemic outcomes in the context of the spleen. No metastasis in the parenchimatous organs were found. These imaging findings suggest us the diagnosis of lymphoma. Patient underwent to surgery, and right hemicolectomy and cholecystectomy was performed. Histological examination confirmed our diagnosis, revealing a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The patient underwent to Cyclophosphamide, Hydroxydaunorubicin, Oncovin, Prednisone chemotherapy showing only a partial regression of the lymphadenopathies, being in advanced stage at the time of diagnosis

Bilateral Adrenal Hemorrhage in a Patient with Myelodysplastic Syndrome: Value of MRI in the Differential Diagnosis

Bilateral adrenal hemorrhage is a rare potentially life-threatening event that occurs either in traumatic or nontraumatic conditions. The diagnosis is often complicated by its nonspecific presentation and its tendency to intervene in stressful critical illnesses. Due to many disorders in platelet function, hemorrhage is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients affected by myeloproliferative diseases. We report here the computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings of a rare case of bilateral adrenal hemorrhage in a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome, emphasizing the importance of MRI in the differential diagnosis