Search

Objective: The abdominal and retroperitoneal lymphatic system is characterized by numerous anatomic variations. Our objective is to review MR lymphographic features of normal anatomy and abnormal conditions., Conclusion: MR lymphography is a noninvasive technique that is well suited for the examination of abdominal and retroperitoneal lymphatic vessels.

Objective: Our objective is to describe pouchography, CT, and MRI features of the J-shaped pouch, both normal and with pouch-related complications., Conclusion: Pouchography is performed before closure of the loop ileostomy to assess the integrity of the ileal pouch and anastomosis. CT and MRI can be performed when postoperative complications, such as small-bowel obstruction, pouchitis, leakage, abscess, intramural hematoma, desmoid tumor, or recurrent Crohn's disease, are suspected.

Objective: The objective of this pictorial essay is to provide a review of the diseases involving the rectal wall with an emphasis on the key clinical and radiologic differentiating features., Conclusion: A wide spectrum of disease processes can involve the rectum in adults. MRI is the technique of choice in the definitive diagnosis of these disease conditions, mainly because of its superior tissue contrast differentiation.

Objective: The purpose of our study is to evaluate the distribution of acetic acid mixed with iodinated contrast agent during percutaneous acetic acid injection on CT fluoroscopy for hepatocellular carcinoma., Conclusion: Monitoring acetic acid distribution on CT fluoroscopy can detect extratumoral diffusion and may optimize the distribution of acetic acid in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objective: We used MR angiography to examine and follow up the changes of dissecting aneurysms of the extracranial internal carotid artery (ICA)., Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 101 consecutive patients with dissecting aneurysms of the extracranial ICA. Twenty patients with 26 spontaneous dissecting aneurysms were followed up with MR angiography every 1-2 years (men, 16; women, four; age range, 28-67 years; mean age, 51 years)., Results: The mean duration of follow-up was 41 months (range, 10-93 months). At MR angiography follow-up, 20 aneurysms did not change, four decreased from their original size by 33-53% (mean, 43%), and two resolved. One patient had an asymptomatic recurrent dissecting aneurysm of the extracranial ICA. Clinically, no patient had a thromboembolic stroke or transient ischemic attack during the follow-up period., Conclusion: MR angiography revealed that dissecting aneurysms of the extracranial ICA remain stable, decrease in size, or resolve--but they do not increase in size.

Objective: We describe an intravertebral fluidlike collection observed on MR images in five of six patients who sustained vertebral body fracture through a segment of the spine ankylosed by diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis. The mechanism of injury, clinical course, conventional radiographs, CT scans, and other MR imaging findings are analyzed., Conclusion: Intravertebral fluidlike collections were associated with hyperextension injury of the spine. Well-delineated borders, anterior widening, and associated posterior-element injury are the main MR imaging characteristics of this trauma-related intravertebral fluidlike collection.

Objective: We retrospectively reviewed five pathologically proven cases of diffuse cavernous hemangioma of the rectosigmoid colon to define the MR imaging features of this entity., Conclusion: Diffuse cavernous hemangioma of the rectosigmoid colon is revealed as rectosigmoid wall thickening with high signal intensity on T2-weighted MR images. Such wall thickening is associated with abnormal perirectal fat. The extent of bowel involvement and extrarectal locations are well shown on T2-weighted MR images.

Inflammatory aneurysm of the abdominal aorta (IAAA) is a variant of atherosclerotic aneurysm that is characterized by inflammatory and/or fibrotic changes in the periaortic regions of the retroperitoneum [1, 2]. These inflammatory and/or fibrotic changes are probably the result of a local autoallergic reaction to certain components of atherosclerotic plaques [2]. This distinct entity has important implications, as the periaortic fibrotic tissue adherent to ureters, the duodenum, and the inferior vena cava may complicate surgical repair [1, 2]. The purpose of this essay is to illustrate the CT appearance of IAAA, with emphasis on the identification of IAAA and differentiation from conventional aortic aneurysms, evaluation of the involvement of adjacent structures by the periaortic fibrosis, and evaluation of the retroperitoneum after aneurysmal repair to analyze the resolution or the persistence of the periaortic fibrosis.