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We report two cases of ruptured pancreaticoduodenal arcade aneurysms that were successfully treated by embolotherapy. In these cases, contrast-enhanced computed tomography, sagittal reformed images, and angiography revealed celiac artery stenoses due to compression by the median arcuate ligament. Computed tomography also showed acute localized dissection in the distal celiac axis, suggesting that aneurysmal rupture had occurred immediately after development of the dissection. When unruptured pancreaticoduodenal arcade aneurysms are identified in the context of celiac artery dissection, the possibility of rupture may be high and requires strict observation and consideration of embolotherapy.

Institutional review board approval and informed patient consent were obtained. The purpose of the study was to prospectively evaluate the use of radiosensitive indicators to estimate patient entrance skin dose (ESD). Forty-six patients wore a jacket with 48 or 52 indicators adhered to the back during percutaneous coronary interventions; they had eight additional indicators on their upper arms. The patients' ESDs were calculated according to the change in color of the indicators. There were good correlations between the ESDs estimated by using color measurements performed with an optical instrument and those estimated at visual observation (P < .001) and between the ESDs estimated by using a thermoluminescent dosimeter and those estimated by using color measurements (P < .001). The radiosensitive indicator method seems to be useful for estimating ESDs and their distribution during percutaneous coronary intervention; however, visual observation is reliable for estimating doses of up to 5 Gy only. © RSNA, 2006

The objective of our study was to evaluate the exposure doses to patients and radiologists during transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using a new angiographic unit with a digital flat-panel system.Doses were assessed for 24 procedures: 12 using a new unit with a digital flat-panel system and 12 using a conventional unit. Doses to patients' skin were evaluated with thermoluminescent dosimeters behind the left, middle, and right portions of the liver. The doses to the radiologists were measured by an electronic personal dosimeter placed on the chest outside a lead protector. The maximal skin doses to the patients and the dose equivalents, Hp(0.07), to the radiologists were compared between the two procedure groups with each angiographic unit.For procedures with the new unit, the mean maximal skin dose to the patients was 284 +/- 127 (SD) mGy (range, 130-467 mGy), and Hp(0.07) to the radiologists was 62.8 +/- 17.4 muSv. For procedures with the conventional unit, the maximal skin dose to the patients was 1,068 +/- 439 mGy (range, 510-1,882 mGy), and Hp(0.07) to the radiologists was 68.4 +/- 25.7 muSv. The maximal skin dose to the patients was significantly lower with the new unit than with the conventional unit (p0.0005). There was no significant difference in the Hp(0.07) to the radiologists between the two procedure groups.The new digital flat-panel system for angiographic imaging can reduce the radiation dose to patients' skin during TAE for HCC as compared with the conventional system.

We describe imaging and pathologic features of serous cystadenoma of the pancreas on multislice helical computed tomography CT (MS-CT) and surgical resection.Radiologic and pathologic features were analyzed in five patients. All patients underwent MS-CT and digital subtraction angiography (DSA), and four patients underwent magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Preoperatively, three cases showed radiologic evidence of mainly solid appearance on MS-CT, and the suspected diagnoses were solid pancreatic tumors (patients 1-3). The other two cases showed radiologic evidence of macrocystic tumor of the pancreas, and the suspected diagnoses were mucinous cystic tumors (cases 4 and 5). All patients underwent surgery, and the diagnosis of serous cystadenoma was confirmed on pathologic examination.In three cases that showed a solid appearance on MS-CT, a microcystic appearance was identified on microscopic examination, and the tumors were found to be hypervascular lesions on multiphasic contrast-enhanced CT and DSA. In cases 1 and 2, the lesions showed high intensity with internal septation on T2-weighted MR images. In two cases, the tumors were classified as a macrocystic variant of serous cystadenoma, and no mural nodules, papillary projections, or calcifications were seen in the tumors.Imaging appearance of serous cystadenoma on MS-CT is various and sometimes indistinguishable from that of solid tumor or mucinous cystic tumors of the pancreas. Imaging findings of hypervascularity and a well-marginated high-intensity lesion with internal septation on T2-weighted MR imaging may be crucial to identify serous cystadenoma that contains no visible cystic compartments on MS-CT.

Dissection of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) not associated with aortic dissection is rare. The purpose of this study is to describe the computed tomographic (CT) findings of this condition. We studied the CT findings of six patients with isolated dissection of the SMA. CT demonstrated thrombosis of the false lumen or intramural hematoma (n = 4) and/or intimal flap (n = 4) in all six patients. Other CT findings were enlarged diameter of the SMA (n = 5), increased attenuation of the fat around the SMA (n = 5), and hematoma in the mesentery with hemorrhagic ascites (n = 1). CT is useful for the diagnosis of isolated dissection of the SMA, and increased attenuation of the fat around the artery is considered the key to the diagnosis when no definite findings are evident.

PURPOSE To evaluate the possibility of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the liver in predicting the histologic grade of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and differentiating HCC from benign hyperplastic nodule (HPN). MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty patients with 31 histologically proved HCC and HPN underwent MRI (1.5 Tesla). HCCs were graded into well-differentiated HCC (HCCw; n = 10) and moderately to poorly differentiated HCC (HCCmp; n = 15). HPN was categorized into dysplastic nodule (DN; n = 1) and focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH; n = 6). T2-weighted fast spin echo images were obtained before and after administration of SPIO. Signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) of the lesion and surrounding liver parenchyma and contrast-to-noise ratios (CNR) were calculated pre- and postcontrast study. Relative enhancement ratios (RER), also known as signal intensity reduction ratios of the lesions, were also calculated. RESULTS HCCw, HCCmp, DN, and FNH decreased in SNR after injection of SPIO. RER of HCCw was 19.5 +/- 13.3%, that of HCCmp was 6.8 +/- 5.8%, DN was 44.0%, and FNH was 42.9 +/- 4.8%. Significant statistical differences were seen between HCCw and HCCmp and HCC and HPN in RER. HCCw, HCCmp, and DN increased in CNR, and FNH decreased in CNR, but no lesion showed a statistically significant difference in CNR. CONCLUSION SPIO-enhanced MR images may help to predict the histologic grade of HCC and distinguish HCC from HPN.

The purpose of this paper is to clarify the functional properties of a saline-jet aspiration thrombectomy catheter based on hydraulics. This catheter, developed by the authors, aspirates intravascular thrombi by means of the effect of a high-speed jet. We have derived the relationships between Qs, Qa, and p(n), where Qs is the water supply rate, Qa is the water aspiration rate and p(n) is the negative pressure created in the distal lumen of the catheter. The relationships are represented by simple equations using c1 and c2, where c1 and c2 are coefficients proper to the catheter. We have obtained c1 and c2 experimentally for three types of catheter with different distal shapes. Two practical conclusions are derived from this study. First, making a short taper at the distal end increases the negative pressure created and is advantageous for thrombus aspiration. Second, making the diameter of the inner tube and nozzle smaller is essential for improving the aspiration ability of the catheter.

A patient with Cowden disease and multiple arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) that resulted in high output heart failure is described. Cowden disease is a familial syndrome characterized by endodermal, mesodermal and ectodermal dysplasia causing benign and malignant tumors of the skin, breast, gastrointestinal tract, and thyroid gland. Our patient had gastrointestinal polyposis, a right renal tumor, a left lung tumor, an adenomatous goiter, and typical dermatologic findings such as facial papules, acral keratosis, gingival papillomatosis and hemangiomas. AVMs were observed in the pelvis, cervical vertebra, liver, and right supraclavicular area. Transcatheter embolization was performed 7 times for the pelvic AVMs, but the effect decreased with repetition and the patient died of heart failure 2 years after the first embolization. The serum levels of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and transforming growth factor β1 were high, suggesting that these angiogenic molecules may play a role in the pathogenesis of AVMs in Cowden disease. (Jpn Circ J 1999; 63: 326 - 329)

To evaluate low-dose X-ray radiation effects on the eye by measuring the amount of light scattering in specific regions of the lens, we compared exposed subjects (interventional radiologists) with unexposed subjects (employees of medical service companies), as a pilot study. According to numerous exclusionary rules, subjects with confounding variables contributing to cataract formation were excluded. Left eye examinations were performed on 68 exposed subjects and 171 unexposed subjects. The eye examinations consisted of an initial screening examination, followed by Scheimpflug imaging of the lens using an anterior eye segment analysis system. The subjects were assessed for the quantity of light scattering intensities found in each of the six layers of the lens. Multiple stepwise regression analyses were performed with the stepwise regression for six variables: age, radiation exposure, smoking, drinking, wearing glasses and workplace. In addition, an age-matched comparison between exposed and unexposed subjects was performed. Minimal increased light scattering intensity in the posterior subcapsular region showed statistical significance. Our results indicate that occupational radiation exposure in interventional radiologists may affect the posterior subcapsular region of the lens. Since by its very nature this retrospective study had many limitations, further well-designed studies concerning minimal radiation-related lens changes should be carried out in a low-dose exposure group.

Background Radiation skin injuries have been reported as a result of various procedures, so in the present study the patients' entrance skin dose (ESD) during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was evaluated. Methods and Results ESDs were assessed during 97 procedures (13 for chronic total occlusion (CTO), 14 for multivessel stenoses, 22 for single-vessel multiple stenoses, and 48 for single stenosis). The patients wore jackets that had 48 or 52 radiosensitive indicators placed on the back during the PCI procedures, with 8 other indicators placed on both upper arms. After the procedure, the color of the indicators was analyzed with a color measuring instrument, and the patients' ESDs were calculated from the color difference of the indicators. The average maximum ESDs of the patients were 4.5±2.8 Gy (median: 4.6 Gy) for CTO, 2.3±0.7 Gy (median: 2.4 Gy) for multivessel stenoses, 1.8±1.0 Gy (median: 1.5 Gy) for single-vessel multiple stenoses, and 1.4±0.9 Gy (median: 1.2 Gy) for single stenosis. Conclusions Skin injury can occur during PCI, especially for CTO, so it is important to estimate each patient's ESD and attempt to reduce it. (Circ J 2006; 70: 44 - 48)

Takeshita K, Kutomi K, Takada K, Kohtake H, Furui S ultiphasic contrast enhancement CT with IV contrast administration has been used for the diagnosis of insulinomas [1–3]. Although recent reports of studies using MDCT have suggested improved performance in revealing these tumors, MDCT may fail to depict some lesions [1]. Because insulinomas are generally found as small nodules with a hypervascular nature, MDCT with intraarterial contrast infusion (MDCT-IA) may show the tumors more clearly by increasing the attenuation difference between the lesions and pancreatic parenchyma. Three-dimensional images obtained by this method may offer additional information for more accurate diagnosis or localization of the lesions. We describe the results of MDCT-IA in three patients with histologically proven insulinomas compared with those of MDCT with IV contrast material infusion (MDCT-IV) and digital subtraction angiography.

A saline-jet aspiration thrombectomy (JAT) catheter was used in a patient with acute myocardial infarction. A right coronary arteriogram showed complete thrombotic occlusion at the proximal segment. With this catheter the thrombus was removed without complications in 5 sec. The patient underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and placement of a Palmaz-Schatz stent after successful thrombectomy. Thrombectomy with a JAT catheter was very useful in this patient.

Background: To describe computed tomographic (CT), magnetic resonance (MR), ultrasonographic (US), and angiographic findings of retroperitoneal malignant mesenchymoma with emphasis on CT findings. Methods: Five CT, four US, four angiography, and two MR studies were obtained in five patients with pathologically proven retroperitoneal malignant mesenchymoma. Results: Tumors were larger than 10 cm (n = 4), well-cimcumscribed and heterogeneous (n = 4), and with massive intratumorous calcifications (n = 3) on plain CT or US. Tumors showed heterogeneous enhancement on contrast-enhanced CT scans (n = 4) and moderate hypervascularity with heterogeneous staining on angiography (n = 3). Tumors were essentially hypointense on T1-weighted MR images (n = 2) and heterogeneous hyperintense on T2-weighted MR images (n = 2). Plain CT showed a fat-dense structure in a tumor in one patient. Conclusions: The radiologic findings of large expansile heterogeneous masses in the retroperitoneum, especially with massive calcifications, were considered to be typical of malignant mesenchymomas. RID=""ID="" Correspondence to: S. Suzuki