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Malignant melanoma metastases occur in about 15% of patients. The most common localizations are lymph nodes, lungs, pancreas, bones. The central nervous system and the perineural region are rarely affected. In case of distant metastases, the survival rate is lower (about 25%). Involvement of peripheral nerve metastases from melanoma is reported in the literature just in one case. We report the ultrasound (US) integrated with Color-Doppler Ultrasound (CDU), elastosonography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of a rare case of metastatic endo- and perineural involvement of the ulnar nerve from cutaneous melanoma. Our purpose is to increase the clinicians' and radiologists' awareness on the possibility of metastatic spread to the peripheral nervous system and improve the differential diagnosis with other peripheral nerve sheath tumors.

Aim To evaluate volume change thresholds for reliable volumetric evaluation of pulmonary metastatic tumour response in comparison with the response evaluation criteria of solid tumours (RECIST). Methods Fifty consecutive patients with pulmonary metastases undergoing follow-up chest multidetector-row CT under chemotherapy were prospectively included. Metastatic volumes were estimated twice by two independent observers using commercially available automated volumetry software. Intra- and interobserver agreements of metastatic volume change were estimated by 95% limits of agreement. The response to chemotherapy, as defined by an incrementally increasing percentual metastatic volume change (20%–70%), was assessed by extended Kappa statistics. Categorical agreement was correlated with percentual volume change thresholds as defined for pulmonary tumour response. Results A total of 202 metastases were evaluated. The 95% intra- and interobserver limits of agreement were −2.16%–1.88% and −1.79%–2.14%, respectively. Partial response, total remission or progressive disease were present in 46% of patients using a 70% volume change threshold and in 48%, 56%, 62%, 70% and 82% of patients using 60%, 50%, 40%, 30% and 20% thresholds, respectively. Discordant response ratings occurred in 0%–6% of patients. General combined categorical agreement on treatment response was very good (κ=0.94–1), but was diminished with volume thresholds 0.05). Kappa values correlated in linear fashion with the threshold values (r2=0.868; p, Aim Relapse after chemoradiation for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) carries a dismal prognosis. A prospective positron emission tomography (PET)-response database was used to estimate how many patients could benefit from response-adapted surgery. Method Pre- and post-treatment fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET scans were performed for 88 patients who received 60 Gy with concurrent platinum-based chemotherapy (n=73) or 60 Gy alone (n=15). Response categories were complete metabolic response (CMR), partial metabolic response (PMR), stable metabolic disease (SMD), or progressive metabolic disease (PMD). We considered that medically operable patients who attained a PMR with potentially resectable residual disease confined to the lung and patients who attained a CMR but subsequently relapsed locally with anatomically resectable disease could benefit from surgery. Twenty-four medically inoperable patients could not have tolerated thoracotomy, (predominantly chronic obstructive airways disease, but also heart disease (n=6), rheumatoid arthritis (n=1), and renal failure (n=1)). Of the remaining 64 patients, 29 attained CMR (45%), 25 PMR (39%), 4 SMD (6%) and 6 PMD (9%). Of 29 CMR patients, 5 ultimately had local relapses that could potentially have been prevented by surgery, 15 never relapsed and 9 relapsed with extensive disease. Of 26 PMR patients, 12 might have benefited from salvage surgery as they had absent (n=10) or minimal (2) evidence of mediastinal disease and potentially resectable residual parenchymal disease. Of 64 patients, potentially fit for thoracotomy, 17 might have benefited from salvage or adjuvant surgery after chemoradiation. To benefit 5 CMR patients, surgery would have been necessary in 29, including 15 who may have already been cured. PMR patients represent the best candidates for response-adapted salvage surgery., Aim To estimate the diagnostic accuracy of dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, and [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) and Tc-99m depretiode single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging for the evaluation of solitary pulmonary nodules using a meta-analysis. Data sources Studies published between January 1990 and December 2005 in PubMed. Study selection Studies that examined (DCE) CT and MR imaging patterns and MR imaging signal characteristics, and studies that examined [18F]FDG PET, Tc-99m depretiode SPECT imaging for the evaluation of solitary pulmonary nodules and; enrolled at least 10 participants with a pulmonary nodule, with histological confirmation of the majority of lesions; and presented sufficient data to permit calculation of contingency tables were included in the analysis. Data extraction Two reviewers independently abstracted data regarding true positive, false positive, false negative and true negative of the imaging test, and independently assessed study quality and disagreements were resolved by a third reviewer. Data synthesis Forty-five studies met the inclusion criteria in total, 10 DCE CT studies, 6 DCE MRI studies, 22 [18F]FDG PET studies, and 7 99mTc-depreotide SPECT studies. Study methodological quality was fair. Sample sizes were small, minimum 20, maximum 356 and mean 65 subjects. We used a meta-analytic method to construct summary receiver-operating characteristic curves. These showed no statistically significant difference between the modalities although DCE CT performed slightly less well. Conclusions Dynamic contrast-enhanced CT and MR imaging and FGD PET and 99mTc-depreotide SPECT imaging are accurate non-invasive imaging tests for distinguishing malignant from benign solitary pulmonary nodules or mass lesions., Aim To assess, separately and in combination, the diagnostic impact of high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and 99mTc-depreotide (a somatostatin receptor scintigraphy), in patients with pulmonary lesions verified by CT. Methods We included 127 patients presenting with one or more pulmonary lesions suspected of malignancy on CT. Supplementary HRCT and 99mTc-depreotide tomography were performed. HRCT findings were classified into three groups: high, intermediate and low probability of malignancy. The final diagnosis was based on cytology, histology or CT follow-up. Results Sixty-one out of 127 patients had lung cancer. The overall sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 99mTc-depreotide were 95%, 58%, and 76%, respectively. The sensitivity of 99mTc-depreotide in tumours >15 mm was 100%; the three false negatives were tumours ≤15 mm. HRCT showed high probability of malignancy in 58 patients; 48 had lung cancer. Twenty patients were classified as low probability, one was false negative. The intermediate group consisted of 49 patients (39%); 12 had lung cancer. When adding the intermediate group to the high probability group sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of HRCT were 98%, 29%, and 62%, respectively. Of the 49 patients in the intermediate group 99mTc-depreotide was positive in 23 patients (nine true positive) and negative in 26 (three false negative). Conclusion The sensitivity of 99mTc-depreotide alone was high in patients with lung lesions >15 mm. HRCT alone was accurate in the group of patients with high and low probability of malignancy. However, HRCT was indeterminate in 39% of the patients. In this group additional 99mTc-depreotide contributed to further diagnostic strategy., Aim Accurate target volume delineation is essential for effective radiotherapy. Pelvic lymph nodes are not easily identifiable on conventional imaging, but can be visualised by contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using intravenous ultra-small particles of iron-oxide (USPIO). We have previously reported pelvic node clinical target volume (CTV) delineation guidelines for use with conventional imaging, based on nodal mapping studies using USPIO. The aim of this study was to independently verify these guidelines in a further cohort of patients. Methods Ten patients with gynaecological malignancy underwent MRI with and without intravenous USPIO. MR sequences were transferred to a radiotherapy 3D planning system. The proposed guidelines were used to outline a pelvic node CTV on pre-contrast T2-weighted images. On post-contrast T2 *-weighted images the pelvic nodes were identified and outlined. The pre- and post-contrast images were co-registered and CTV examined for node coverage. Results By applying the guidelines, full coverage of 737 node outlines out of a total of 741 was achieved. Of the 4 outlines not fully covered, 2 were in the anterior external iliac and 2 in the lateral external iliac node regions. Conclusion MRI using USPIO has enabled the production of guidelines for localising a pelvic node CTV with conventional imaging. Application of these guidelines to a further cohort of patients resulted in coverage of 99.5% of node outlines demonstrating the reliability of this technique., Aim To record water diffusion coefficients of normal uterine structures and to correlate water diffusion with tumour grade and stage of endometrial cancer. Methods Seventeen women with endometrial cancer (85% undergoing hysterectomy) were evaluated at 1.5 and 3 T using multiplanar T2-weighted, dynamic T1-weighted contrast enhanced and single shot echo-planar imaging (EPI) diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (b=0, 50, 150, 500, 1000 s /mm 2) for staging purposes. Apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) (from all b-values) of imaging determined and histologically confirmed normal myometrium, cervix stroma and cervical mucosa were obtained. Tumour ADCs were correlated with histological grade and pathological stage. Results An overlap in ADC values between cervical mucosa (median = 1.33 × 10 −3 mm 2/s; inter-quartile range = 0.95–1.52 × 10 −3 mm 2/s) and myometrium (median = 1.25 × 10 −3 mm 2/s; inter-quartile range = 0.97–1.41 × 10 −3 mm 2/s) was observed but both were greater than cervix stroma (median = 0.62 × 10 −3 mm 2/s; inter-quartile range = 0.23–0.82 × 10 −3 mm 2/s) (Mann–Whitney test; p=0.002). Fifteen tumours, 13 endometrioid carcinomas (grade 1=6; grade 2=3; grade 3=6), 1 clear cell (grade = 3) and 1 mullerian tumour (grade = 3) were found at pathology. The pathological tumour stages for the 17 tumours were T0 = 1, T1a/b = 2, T1c = 8, T2 = 3, T3 = 3. There was a significant difference between the ADC values of tumours (median = 0.73 × 10 −3 mm 2/s; interquartile range = 0.66–0.78 × 10 −3 mm 2/s) and myometrium (p=0.001) with greater restriction in tumours. There was a negative Kendall’s rank correlation between adenocarcinoma ADC and histological grade (τ=−0.52, p=0.018) and pathological stage (τ=−0.60, and p=0.006); that is aggressive lesions had lower ADC values. Conclusion Intrinsic differences in water diffusion profile between normal myometrium and tumour enable tumour detection on MRI and also reflect aggressiveness of histological lesion., Aim To evaluate and compare the performance of [123I]meta-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) with cross sectional imaging in the detection and localisation of adrenal and extra-adrenal phaeochromocytomas. Methods All patients between 1993 and 2005 with adrenal or extra-adrenal phaeochromocytomas that had computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging were identified. Patients included in the study had biochemical or clinical evidence of a phaeochromocytoma or were part of a paraganglioma syndrome. Imaging features on CT and MRI including tumour location, size, and CT contrast enhancement, MRI signal characteristics and MIBG positivity were compared. In particular tumours not detected on MIBG were closely interrogated. Results We identified 65 patients with 72 adrenal phaeochromocytomas, 1 of which had metastases at presentation. 60 of these had [123I]MIBG (9 negative/51 positive). We identified 38 patients with extra-adrenal tumours (18 neck, 2 chest, 17 abdomen, 4 pelvis, 2 spine) including 7 with disseminated metastases and either resected primary or unknown primary at presentation. Thirty-three of these had MIBG studies (12 negative/21 positive). The sensitivity of MIBG when compared against CT and MRI was 85% and 63% for adrenal and extra-adrenal tumours respectively. The radiological features of phaeochromocytomas in patients with MIBG-negative studies are emphasised. Conclusion MIBG is more sensitive in detecting phaeochromocytomas at adrenal compared to extra-adrenal locations. MIBG is more likely to be negative in adrenal tumours with only a thin rim of peripheral viable tissue and central necrosis. No specific feature predicts negativity for extra-adrenal sites., Aim Malignant melanoma is the commonest cause of skin-cancer related deaths worldwide. Nodular melanoma is an aggressive type of melanoma due to its vertical growth and tendency to metastasise. Its incidence may also be increasing. The aims of this study were to review a cohort of patients with histologically proven nodular melanoma to determine if the incidence is increasing. We also investigated the incidence and distribution of metastatic spread of nodular melanoma based on follow-up computed tomography (CT) imaging. Methods A retrospective review was performed using a local database of melanoma patients in a tertiary referral centre. Radiological investigations were reviewed and evidence of the development of visceral, skeletal or soft tissue metastases based on follow up CT imaging was recorded. Results A total of 269 patients with malignant melanoma were identified. Histological analysis was available in 144 of these patients. Nodular melanoma accounted for 46% (n=66) of these patients. Metastatic disease was identified in 15% (n=10) of patients with nodular melanoma, either at presentation or on follow-up CT examination. The commonest sites of metastatic spread included lung (50%), liver (30%), spleen (20%), skin (20%) and peritoneum (20%). Sentinel lymph node mapping was negative in 50% (n=5) of patients who subsequently developed distant metastases. Conclusion Nodular melanoma is an aggressive condition and may be increasing in incidence with 46% prevalence in our study. Sentinel node status is not a reliable predictor of disease progression in patients with nodular melanoma. Nodular melanoma metastasised to distant sites more often than other histological subtypes in our study and therefore close follow-up of these patients is recommended., Aim To discuss the role of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in the evaluation of soft-tissue tumors and to correlate these results with those from computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods Twenty-seven patients with soft tissue tumors evaluated with SonoVue contrast agent (Bracco, Italy) and Technos software (Esaote, Italy) were reviewed. Cases included: malignant fibrous histiocytoma (2), myxoid liposarcoma (2), well-differentiated liposarcoma of the salivary gland (1), recurring fibrosarcoma (2), Merckel tumour (1), breast MALToma (1), low-grade sarcoma (1), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) subcutaneous seeding (2), soft-tissue metastasis (5), benign nerve sheath tumor (2), post-traumatic neuroma (2), lipoma (3), intramuscular haemangioma (1), elastofibroma dorsi (2). We subjectively evaluated intralesional microcirculation and macrocirculation, intensity and distribution of contrast enhancement and identified five patterns: (1) absence of enhancement; (2) slight enhancement; (3) diffuse macrocirculation with slow wash-out; (4) macrocirculation and microcirculation with fast enhancement and quick wash-out; (5) diffuse, intense, and heterogeneous enhancement with macrocirculation and persistent microcirculation. Ten of these patients were examined with contrast enhanced CT, 17 patients with MRI. Results Pattern 1 was found in lipomas, pattern 2 in elastofibroma dorsi and post-traumatic neuroma, pattern 3 in haemangioma and neurinomas, pattern 4 in fibrosarcoma, Merckel tumor, well-differentiated sarcoma and seeding HCCs; pattern 5 in malignant fibrous histiocytomas, myxoid liposarcomas, and subcutaneous metastasis. Only in the well-differentiated liposarcoma of the salivary gland, did CEUS demonstrate a pattern 1 with erroneous diagnosis of lipoma. In all other lesions there was good correlation with CT, MRI, and histological exams. Conclusion CEUS is a non-invasive diagnostic method in the initial work-up of soft-tissue tumors. The description of vascular patterns can be important for diagnosis and differentiation of benign from malignant tumours.

There is wide variability in the methods of follow up of patients with colorectal cancer. For the majority of patients follow up comprises regular clinical assessment and measurement of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) with interval colonoscopy. Regular CT examinations will additionally detect distant disease such as liver and pulmonary metastases as well as local recurrence. With this in mind we highlight the importance of detecting recurrent colorectal cancer using both CT and MRI. Particular attention is given to the detection of surgically resectable disease as there is now increasing evidence that improvements in survival are achieved by aggressive surgical removal of such recurrences. We also use CT and MRI to illustrate the importance of pelvic relapse as a common clinical endpoint in rectal cancer and discuss the role of [18F]2-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) in this subgroup of patients. We discuss the emerging role of endorectal ultrasound (ERUS)-directed biopsy in detecting early recurrence of rectal cancer, particularly in those patients at higher risk of recurrence., Integrated positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) with 18F-labelled fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) is emerging as a powerful technique for the assessment of patients with thoracic oesophageal and oesophago-gastric junction carcinomas. FDG PET/CT in staging cancers may identify primary tumours along with locoregional nodes and detect distant metastases. Using serial studies the response to neo-adjuvant treatment may be monitored. FDG PET/CT may detect recurrent disease. The limitations of FDG PET/CT include pitfalls such as physiological oesophagogastric junction FDG uptake and non-neoplastic inflammatory/infectious causes of FDG accumulation in the oesophagus and at the oesophago-gastric junction. Integrated FDG PET/CT may have a role in the detection of severe dysplasia associated with Barrett’s oesophagus. The standardized uptake value (SUV) can be used to aid determination of the significance of areas FDG uptake and provides a method of quantification in serial studies. Other investigations remain integral in the assessment of patients with thoracic oesophageal and oesophago-gastric junction carcinomas. Endoscopy and biopsy of suspicious areas is the cornerstone for establishing the diagnosis of upper gastro-intestinal tract malignancies. Small volume primary disease is not reliably detected on FDG PET/CT. In staging disease, endoscopic ultrasound remains the method of choice for assessing the primary site and adjacent para-oesophageal nodes. The most comprehensive non-invasive tool for detecting distant metastases is integrated PET/CT; its utilization can lead to more appropriate selection of patients for surgical resection. In this pictorial review we aim to use illustrative cases to summarize the role of FDG PET/CT in assessing patients with thoracic oesophageal and oesophago-gastric junction carcinomas., The aim of surgery in rectal cancer is to achieve a disease free circumferential resection margin (CRM). In our institution, MRI is used to stage rectal cancers pre-operatively. The aim is to identify those patients at risk of having an involved CRM at the time of surgery. Those who have no disease encroaching on the CRM proceed directly to surgery. Those with locally advanced cancers receive chemoradiation prior to surgery. They are subsequently re-staged with MRI. The aim of this study is to compare the accuracy of MRI for CRM prediction in these two groups of patients. Sixty-three patients with rectal cancer were studied retrospectively. Thirty-three patients proceeded directly to surgery. In 31 (94%) of these, MRI correctly predicted CRM status. Thirty patients underwent chemoradiation and repeat MRI prior to surgery. MRI correctly predicted CRM status in 21 (70%). In nine cases MRI predicted an involved CRM which was clear at resection (positive predictive value 47%). No patients were predicted to have a clear CRM by MRI which turned out to be involved at resection (negative predictive value 100%). Six patients were felt to have increased or unchanged tumour bulk. In these cases there was 100% agreement between MRI and pathology. MRI correlates well with pathology in patients who have not received chemoradiation. However, accuracy of MRI for prediction of CRM status is significantly reduced after chemoradiation. MRI tends to over stage CRM involvement in this situation., Aim Comparison of the localisation of enhancement areas and areas of highest metabolites ratio; correlation of the results with histopathologic examination. Materials and methods Twenty-one patients with prostate adenocarcinoma examined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before prostatectomy. The MRI protocol was: TSE-xL/90 ax, sag, SE T1, whole pelvis ax, FSE-xL/90 ax, sag, MRS 3D with endorectal coil, multiphase enhanced fast GRE 3D; contrast dose, 0.2 ml /kgcc; speed, 2 ml /s; delay, 20 s. The colour map of the maximum slope of increase (MSI) and the time intensity curves in the region of the highest MSI in multiphase enhanced fast GRE sequence were compared with the areas of highest metabolites ratio Ch +Cr/Ci (CC/Ci) in MRS and correlated with the histopathologic result. Results The contrast enhancement of highest CC/Ci areas was detected in 17 (81%) patients, lack of enhancement in 4 (19%) patients. In 2 (10%) cases there was no correlation between MSI and CC/Ci, while the MSI result correlated more strongly with the histopathology. Overall, the MSI result corresponded to the histopathology in 19 (90%) cases. In the MSI region the enhancement was visible earliest and was the most intense in comparison to the enhancement in the benign prostatic hyperplasia foci. Conclusions The multiphase enhanced fast GRE sequence can improve the assessment of cancer foci localisation in MRS in patients with prostate adenocarcinoma., Purpose/methods Treatment of metastasis from non-seminomatous germ cell tumours of the testes is by chemotherapy and response is monitored by serum tumour marker levels and computer tomography (CT) scans. Growth of a lesion despite normal levels of serum tumour markers represents the growing teratoma syndrome. We present the retrospective imaging of seven patients, the largest series to date with growing teratoma syndrome. Results All patients had retroperitoneal spread. Two patients had mediastinal and pulmonary parenchymal disease. The masses were either solid, cystic or mixed. Two cystic masses, one retroperitoneal and one mediastinal, had thick enhancing walls, the other masses had thin walls. Five patients showed compression and displacement of the inferior vena cava, one had obstruction of the left ureter and one had compression and displacement of the bowel and psoas muscle. In the chest, compression of the left brachial plexus and of branches of the right pulmonary artery was seen. All patients underwent surgical removal of their masses. There was one intraoperative death; all other patients are currently disease free. Conclusion Growth of residual masses following surveillance scans of patients treated for non-seminomatous germ cell tumours with normal serum tumour markers should make the radiologist raise the diagnosis of the growing teratoma syndrome. Following diagnosis these tumours need to be treated by complete surgical resection to prevent encroachment on vital structures and prevent the possibility of dedifferentiation into a more aggressive tumour., Aim To describe the spectrum of MRI appearances of adenocarcinomas of the cervix. To correlate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histopathological features. To emphasise the pitfalls and difficulties in staging adenocarcinomas and suggested improvements in MRI techniques. Content organisation MRI of 45 patients with histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the cervix was retrospectively reviewed. Thirty-six patients had radical hysterectomy and correlation of MRI and surgical specimen was performed. Nine patients had disease stage IIB or higher with follow-up MRI. For each tumour, site, size, proximal extension, parametrial invasion and nodal metastases on MRI and pathology were documented and compared. Common appearances and errors in MR staging and pitfalls are demonstrated. Conclusions Cervical adenocarcinomas are infiltrative tumours that commonly present with atypical MRI features of cervical cancer. Their patterns of disease, particularly endometrial and parametrial extension and early nodal metastatic involvement are particular pitfalls and these will be demonstrated with surgical correlation., Carcinoma of the cervix is the third commonest gynaecological malignancy worldwide. In the United Kingdom 3000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year. Squamous and adenocarcinoma are the commonest pathological subtypes and constitute more than 95% of cervical carcinomas. Unusual cervical neoplasms, although rare, constitute an important subtype. These subtypes include adenoma malignum, glassy cell carcinoma, carcinoid/small cell carcinoma, melanoma, metastasis, lymphoma, rhabdomyosarcoma and mixed Mullerian sarcoma. Although histological confirmation is always required, some of these neoplasms have characteristic imaging features that may suggest the diagnosis. A pictorial review of the magnetic resonance appearance along with histological correlation will be performed. A detailed discussion of the various unusual histological subtypes will be undertaken., 18F-Labelled fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) and integrated FDG PET/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) have many established roles in the management of a number of malignancies. There are few large studies regarding the use of FDG PET in gynaecological malignancy, but the relatively recent development of integrated PET/CT is resulting in its increased use in assessing cases of ovarian carcinoma. Combined scanners can help localise pathological activity and differentiate it from physiological radiotracer uptake. FDG PET/CT has little role in the evaluation of primary ovarian masses; ovarian uptake maybe seen in a wide range of benign conditions as well as malignancy. In assessing volume of disease in patients being considered for surgery FDG PET/CT may aid decisions about extent of debulking. FDG PET/CT can monitor response to treatment in patients undergoing chemo radiotherapy; distribution of uptake and the standardised uptake value (SUV) can be assessed on serial studies. In cases of suspected recurrence with plateaued or rising serum CA-125 levels and normal or equivocal conventional cross-sectional imaging FDG PET/CT may identify foci of disease. False negative studies can occur in diffuse peritoneal carcinomatosis; sensitivity is lowest in the pelvis. FDG PET/CT is more sensitive for lymph node metastases than peritoneal metastases. Using illustrative cases we aim to discuss the evolving potential uses of combined FDG PET/CT in the management of ovarian cancer., Aim The purpose of our study was to compare the effectiveness of 3.2, 5 and 7.5 mm slice thicknesses in the detection and characterisation of liver lesions found on computed tomography (CT) in patients with known or suspected malignant disease. Methods One-hundred and ten patients underwent portal phase imaging using four-slice multidetector CT (MDCT). Two blinded observers independently read hard copy images at each slice thickness. The size and location of each lesion detected was recorded by each observer on a diagram of liver segmental anatomy. Each lesion was characterised as benign, malignant or indeterminate in nature. A diagnostic confidence score was allocated for each lesion on a scale of 1–4. The pathology or behaviour of lesions was assessed using surgery with intra-operative ultrasound and histology, or interval imaging with magnetic resonance imaging, CT, or sonography. Results Two-hundred and ninety-four lesions were detected, 64 (22%) of which were malignant. Both observers detected significantly more lesions on the 3.2 mm vs. 7.5 mm slice thickness (p, Aim Hepatocellular carcinoma is the commonest primary hepatic malignancy worldwide, with a poor prognosis if untreated. Treatment modalities include: surgical, local ablation, systemic chemotherapy and immunotherapy, with long-term survival best in those patients undergoing liver transplantation. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a commonly used local therapy that we have begun to incorporate into the treatment algorithm for HCC in our institution. This study examines the role of percutaneous RFA at a supraregional hepatobiliary and liver transplant centre. Method We report a single centre, retrospective review of patients with HCC who underwent percutaneous RFA between August 2003 and December 2005. Patients were identified from an HCC database and their imaging and medical records were examined. Data regarding demographics, liver disease diagnosis, tumour size and number, treatment episodes, complications, survival and other therapies were evaluated. RFA procedures and subsequent imaging review was carried out by three experienced hepatobiliary radiologists. Results Over the study period 27 patients received 30 treatment episodes of RFA for HCC (19 male; 8 female). The average patient age was 67 years (SD ± 11). The average lesion size was 2.6 cm (SD ± 1.6) with only one major complication (intra-peritoneal bleeding). At 6 weeks there was a good response to treatment in 47% of patients. Conclusion RFA is a safe and effective treatment in selected patients with HCC. Long-term follow up is required to determine the duration of treatment response and its impact on quality of life and survival., The role of iodine-123 labelled meta-iodo-benzyl-guanidine (MIBG) scanning in the evaluation of tumours of neural crest origin is well established. MIBG scanning is particularly useful in localising, staging and follow-up of tumours arising from the sympathetic nervous system, including phaeochromocytoma, paraganglioma and neuroblastoma. Less well recognised are its merits in the management of other neuro-endocrine tumours such as carcinoid tumours and medullary carcinoma of thyroid. Furthermore, MIBG scanning can identify patients suitable for radiolabelled MIBG therapy. In our institution, which is an oncology tertiary referral centre, approximately 25 MIBG scans are performed per annum. In this pictorial review, a number of clinical cases will be discussed, illustrating a range of pathological MIBG studies, with correlative cross-sectional imaging, biochemical and clinical data., The role of iodine-123 labelled meta-iodo-benzyl-guanidine (MIBG) scanning is well established in the localisation, staging and follow-up of neuro-endocrine tumours especially those arising from the sympathetic nervous system, such as phaeochromocytomas and paragangliomas. Despite the merits of MIBG scanning, diagnostic problems are frequently encountered for a range of reasons including, artefacts, poor lesion/background activity ratio, non-specific activity and renal excretion. Optimisation of the imaging protocol and techniques to overcome these problems will be discussed with particular reference to: patient preparation; multiple time points of image acquisition; use of single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT); co-administration of MAG3 to differentiate renal and adrenal activity; image processing, e.g. subtraction of noise from high energy photons. Clinical examples from our institution, which is an oncology tertiary referral centre, performing approximately 25 MIBG scans per year, will be shown to illustrate normal MIBG biodistribution and diagnostic pitfalls., Aim To demonstrate the range of appearances of islet cell tumours of the pancreas (ICP) on computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and octreotide imaging. To assess the performance of each imaging modality and correlate imaging findings with clinical, biochemical and histopathological results. Content organization Imaging of 50 patients with 56 tumours (sporadic and syndrome associated, benign and malignant) was retrospectively reviewed. Number of tumours, size, site, metastatic disease, CT enhancement, MRI signal characteristics and octreotide positivity was documented. Clinical presentation, biochemical data (serum insulin, somatostatin, glucagon, gastrin and urine 5HIAA) was correlated for each patient. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of each modality for tumour detection were calculated. Conclusion/summary Our study is the largest cohort of islet cell tumours studied to date and will be the first to correlate the range of clinical and imaging patterns in ICP. We propose an imaging algorithm based on biochemical and clinical manifestations., Gadolinium-diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid (Gd-DTPA)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has developed from an aid to morphological imaging of cancer to functional dynamic T 1 weighted or T 2* weighted dynamic scanning. Additionally, blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) can be performed, all of which can yield parametric images that reflect different aspects of the tumour microenvironment. All can be performed in a one hour-long scanning session which is short enough to be acceptable to patients. BOLD imaging uses a sequence sensitive to small paramagnetic changes, e.g. GRE/FLASH (TE 5–60 ms, TR 105 ms, α=40^, 8 mm slices), or echo planar imaging (EPI). Diffusion uses single or multi-shot EPI sequences, minimising the echo time and using multiple b values. Our two-point method for acquiring quantitative images (Ktrans, kep, ve) from T 1 weighted dynamic scanning involves a proton density weighted sequence (TE 4.7 ms, TR 350 ms, α=35^, 3×8 mm slices) being performed before 40 T 1 weighted scans (typically 3×8 mm slices: TE 4.7 ms, TR 11 ms, α=35^). A T 2* weighted sequence, e.g. GRE/FLASH (TE 20 ms, TR 30 ms, α=40^) with time resolution, Aim To determine the patterns of disease in patients with inoperable or recurrent retroperitoneal liposarcoma. Methods Twenty-one consecutive patients with retroperitoneal liposarcoma were identified from clinical and radiological databases at our tertiary oncology centre. Computed tomography (CT) imaging was retrospectively reviewed for all cases. Results There were 12 (57.1%) males. The median age at first imaging was 53.8 (27.7–76.9) years. Sixteen (76.2%) patients had undergone previous surgery; in 10 of these patients (62.5%) resection was described as complete. CT examinations from all 21 patients were reviewed. Of the 16 patients previously treated with surgery, 13 (81.3%) were found to have residual or recurrent tumour on CT. In eight patients (61.5%), tumour was present in the retroperitoneum alone and in five patients (38.5%) tumour was seen in both the retroperitoneum and abdominal cavity. Retroperitoneal recurrences were of mixed fat and soft tissue density. Larger retroperitoneal recurrences displaced adjacent structures and occasionally protruded into the peritoneal cavity. Early recurrence of tumour was seen as a subtle local increase in fat or as small soft tissue nodules. These were often overlooked on initial reporting. Five patients (23.8%) were referred with inoperable disease and no previous surgery. Four of these patients were treated with chemotherapy but all progressed. Conclusion Most tumours were large with marked mass effect. Early recurrence may be subtle with increase in fat volume or new nodules and can be easily overlooked. Early diagnosis of recurrence on CT may allow salvage surgery., Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the best imaging study for the evaluation of muskuloskeletal soft tissue neoplasm. MRI is used both for tissue characterization and local staging of soft tissue sarcomas. The multiplanar imaging capacity and soft tissue differentiation provided by MRI makes it ideal for the evaluation of these lesions. This poster reviews the imaging characteristics of many histologic subtypes of soft tissue sarcoma including malignant fibrous histiocytoma, liposarcoma, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors, and synovail cell sarcoma. Other rare soft tissue malignancies are also discussed. The important factors in soft tissue tumor staging are also reviewed. The radiologist must evaluate each lesion for neurovascular involvement, articular extension, osseous invasion, and regional metastasis. Benign lesions tend to be small, superficial and homogenous while malignant lesions tend to be large, deep and heterogeneous. There is, however, a broad spectrum of overlap in the imaging features of benign and malignant soft tissue tumors. Although in most cases MRI can confidently differentiate benign from malignant neoplasm, MRI not infrequently is able to definitively characterize some lesions. Benign lesions with a characteristic imaging appearance (lipoma, hemangioma, shwannoma, fibromatosis, giant cell tumor of tendon sheath, pigmented villonodular synovitis) are reviewed., Purpose/introduction To give an accurate presentation of ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in soft tissue liposarcoma of the extremity, with pathologic correlations after surgery. Materials and methods Liposarcoma is the second most common type of soft tissue sarcoma (10%–35%). Its histologic subtypes are categorized as: well differentiated, dedifferentiated, myxoid, pleomorphic and mixed type. Patients were evaluated with US, CT and MRI. Results The lesions are identified with relative ease on CT and MRI, due to the typical density/signal of the fatty areas of the liposarcoma. In these cases, the non-fat areas, on which to direct the biopsy, are picked up with imaging. Special attention should be focussed on the density/signal intensity in tumoral nodules and septae. Myxoid liposarcomas have some peculiarities such as intramuscular position, pseudocystic aspect with peripheral enhancement, small solid nodules, or septa containing fat. Discussion/conclusion Knowledge of the anatomo-pathological and anatomo-surgical substrate of lipomasacromatous tumors of the extremity soft tissues constitutes the basis for diagnostic imaging assessment and is fundamental for optimal patient management., Chondrosarcomas are malignant tumours of the musculoskeletal system which characteristically produce a cartilage matrix. These tumours arise spontaneously within the bones or soft tissues (primary chondrosarcoma) or from pre-existing enchondromas or osteochondromas. Primary bone chondrosarcoma is a relatively common neoplasm, accounting for up to 27% of all primary bone malignancies; there are however numerous subtypes which occur with varying frequency. Conventional intramedullary chondrosarcoma accounts for over 60% of these tumours while extraskeletal chondrosarcomas are responsible for only 2% of all soft tissue sarcomas. Other recognised subtypes of primary chondrosarcoma include juxtacortical, dedifferentiated, clear cell, mesenchymal and myxoid. The aim of our presentation is to illustrate varied radiological appearances of these tumours. The clinical notes and radiological findings of eight surgically proven cases of chondrosarcoma consisting of five skeletal and three extraskeletal tumours were reviewed. Seven cases of primary chondrosarcomas with a single case of sarcoma arising from an osteochondroma were identified. Plain film and computed tomography (CT) findings of enchondral ossification ranged from large bizarre and poorly demarcated mineralization expected in a malignant tumour to finer well defined calcification more commonly associated with benign chondroid lesions. Non-calcified tumours were also noted. Cross-sectional imaging demonstrated tumours with a lobular appearance associated with central low attenuation on CT and high signal on T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) sequences reflecting their high water content. The pattern of MR contrast enhancement was predominantly peripheral and septal in nature. Awareness of the spectrum of imaging findings in chondrosarcoma will allow for accurate diagnosis, staging and surgical planning for these malignant tumours., Our objective was to review the computed tomography (CT) appearances of bone lesions detected on positron emission tomography (PET)/CT images, and to assess our initial experience of how many PET detected bone lesions were visible on our CT images. It has previously been found that only half of metastatic bone lesions detected on PET imaging are visible on CT scanning, having implications for both accurate prognosis and for suitability for surgery. Our PET/CT images were independently reported by three consultant radiologists, all with dual accreditation in nuclear medicine. We retrospectively reviewed the CT images of bone lesions detected on PET scanning, and present a comprehensive pictorial review of 19 patients with a variety of imaging appearances of bone metastases., Introduction Between the anatomic structures the skeletal muscles are less frequently involved in metastatic lesions but the real incidence is difficult to determine because they are not always adequately investigated. Our objective is to describe computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) findings of metastasis of different origin involving various muscles of the skeleton. Materials and methods Thirteen patients with histologically proven muscular metastatic lesions (four from melanoma, three from colorectal carcinoma, three from lung cancer, two from breast cancer, one from urothelial cancer) were studied with helical CT (Tomoscan SR 700 Philips) after i.v. iodine contrast medium. Eight were studied with MRI (SE T1-W, T2-W and contrast enhanced T1-W) on a 1.5 T unit (Siemens). Results Muscles adjacent to the trunk such as paraspinal, iliopsoas, iliacs and gluteous are more commonly involved. In three cases metastatic involvement was observed in patients with clinically silent muscular disease and this evidence casts doubt on the real frequency of these hematogenous metastases. Conclusions CT and MR allowed good definition of muscular metastatic lesions. MR, better than CT, determines the anatomic location, the extension of lesions and it provides a better tissue characterization., The most common malignant soft tissue mass is a soft tissue sarcoma, but as a group, soft tissue sarcomas represent less than 1% of all malignancies. In contrast, lymphoma is over ten times more common a malignancy than soft tissue sarcoma, but lymphoma as a cause of a malignant soft tissue mass is rare, and primary soft tissue lymphoma accounts for only 0.11% of all malignant lymphomas. Differentiation between the two malignancies is of critical importance with respect to management and prognosis, soft tissue sarcomas being treated primarily by radical surgical excision and radiotherapy, often sacrificing a degree of function to achieve tumour clearance, whereas lymphomas are treated with chemoradiotherapy, often with a good outcome. Nearly all the previously reported cases of lymphomas presenting as soft tissue masses are in the pathology or surgical literature, and few reports define the clinical and radiological features of this condition. We describe a series of ten cases of lymphoma presenting as soft tissue masses to the sarcoma unit at our institution over a 2-year period. We illustrate key computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging features such as regional lymph node involvement, the disruption of fascial planes and the infiltrative pattern of muscle involvement, with histopathological correlation, to distinguish the two conditions. We emphasise that even with advances in imaging technology the definitive diagnosis must be made by excision biopsy., Aim To audit the proportion of images available for radiological review prior to a Cancer Multidisciplinary Team Meeting (MDTM). The RCR guidelines published in ‘Cancer Multidisciplinary Team Meeting—Standards for Clinical Radiologists’ were used as the standard. These state that there should be prior review of all images by an individual with appropriate expertise and with sufficient time to provide an unhurried professional opinion for the MDTM. Methods Chest and haematology MDTMs were attended over a 4 month period and the number and types of cases on which an immediate opinion was requested were recorded. Results In total 316 patients were discussed. At only three meetings (out of 23) were all images available for prior review. Ninety seven patients’ images were brought to the MDTMs for an immediate opinion over the study period. Sixteen of these patients were new additions to the circulated MDTM list whilst the remaining 81 were patients with foreign films or local hard copy only examinations. Over two-thirds of the images on which an immediate opinion was requested were cross-sectional examinations where there were also frequently old images for comparison. The remaining modalities were plain films, ultrasound and nuclear medicine. An opinion was offered on all of these images. Conclusion Our results fell short of the recommended 100% of images that should be reviewed prior to a Cancer MDTM (at 69%) potentially to the detriment of patient care. The introduction of PACS should improve our ability to preview images as most problems arose due to unavailability of images., Radiology departments in many parts of Africa cannot afford to purchase expensive PACS systems. One of us (BAS) is a South African Radiologist currently working in the UK but involved in the African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC) whose aim is to promote cancer awareness throughout Africa. BAS hopes to make a meaningful radiological contribution to AORTIC by organising the equivalent of UK cancer MDT meetings between different African countries and centres as well as involving the expertise of appropriate radiological colleagues worldwide. Consequently BAS has been involved with the other co-authors of this abstract in trialling ‘disect’—an inexpensive PC based 3-D DICOM viewing system (http://www.disectsystems.com). The results of these trials in a number of UK non-PACS hospitals have been presented elsewhere. Disect has powerful networking capabilities that allow users at two different locations, each running the disect software and with the same DICOM file installed, to review and interact with that particular case simultaneously, with connection provided by local area networks and/or the internet. We feel this has considerable potential for specialist centres throughout Africa, or indeed any other parts of the world that wish to link up and share expertise. The purpose of this abstract is to draw members of the ICIS’s attention to (a) the existence of AORTIC and (b) the future possibilities of joint radiological teaching and research projects with African nations., The effective management of patients with cancer requires a multidisciplinary team approach with the diagnostic radiologist playing an extremely important role. Through the arsenal of imaging modalities available, the radiologist detects and elucidates the significance of the findings in any investigation, be it for the purposes of screening, diagnosis, staging, treatment planning, evaluation of response to therapy and follow-up of each disease site in the cancer patient and supporting clinical trials of new therapeutic agents. The extent to which these several roles of medical imaging facilities are put to use in the management of cancer, in view of the paucity of imaging modalities in this environment has not been evaluated. This study was designed to evaluate the degree of awareness of medical practitioners of the several roles of medical imaging in the management of cancer in Lagos, Nigeria, and evaluate the extent to which medical imaging facilities are being effectively used in the management of cancer in Lagos, Nigeria. All the requests forms for cancer patients seen in the six busiest radiology departments in Lagos, during the period January 2003 to December 2003 were reviewed. The radiologic investigative modality requested, the indications for the investigation and the referring clinicians’ specialties were noted. The percentages of requests made for the various purposes listed above were evaluated. We concluded that medical imaging is grossly underutilized in the management of cancer in this environment, the largest requests for medical imaging being for diagnostic and staging purposes., Purpose To present the imaging findings of tumours of the globe and orbit accompanied by a description of the most appropriate imaging modality in aid of establishing a diagnosis. Background Radiological imaging of tumours of the globe and orbit provides valuable additional information to the clinical history and examination in diagnosing the type of tumour. There is a wide spectrum of tumours of the globe and orbit given their small confines. Currently, the commonest imaging modalities used are computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). CT is the most useful tool in the detection and localisation of these tumours. As it provides more information with regards to bony landmarks, it is vital in pre-operative planning. MRI, however, is superior in evaluating intracranial extension. Ultrasound may still be used as an adjunct in the evaluation of fluid filled tumours. Method The imaging findings of tumours of the globe and orbit are presented with an educational text and description of the most appropriate radiological imaging modality. Conclusion This pictorial review aims to familiarise the radiologists and clinicians with the imaging appearances of tumours of the globe and orbit accompanied by important features and suggestions that the clinicians could identify with in further management., Aim To show the value of imaging in the control of head and neck cancer patients treated with chemotherapy, chemoradiation and targeted biological therapy. Materials and methods Sixty-one head and neck tumour patients with stage III/IV, or recurrence (48 squamous cell carcinoma, 2 adenocarcinoma, 3 anaplastic carcinoma, 5 adenoid cystic carcinoma, 2 olphactorius neuroblastoma, 1 chondrosarcoma) were evaluated. The sites of origins were: 8 sinonasal, 10 epipharynx, 11 oropharynx, 14 oral cavity, 13 hypopharynx, 2 larynx, 3 salivary gland. Thirty-nine patients were examined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (1.5 T), seven with computed tomography (CT) (single detector spiral CT or multidetector CT, 16 detector rows) and 15 with both modalities. Imaging was made prior to therapeutic decision, as well as for evaluation of therapy response. After treatment, a baseline scan (1–3 months after treatment) and in general 3 monthly follow up examinations were performed. Functional MR imaging with dynamic contrast enhancement evaluation and time-signal intensity curve analysis was also performed in 16 patients. Results The patients were treated with combined chemotherapy (27), radiochemotherapy (34) and targeted biological therapy was given for 14 patients in a combination of chemotherapy or chemoradiation. In the observed time period (May 2004 to May 2006) 17 complete responses, 32 partial responses, and 12 cases of progressive disease were evaluated. Conclusion Chemotherapy, chemoradiotherapy and targeted biological therapy are promising developments in the management of advanced head and neck cancer. After the introduction of ‘organ preservation’ protocols the role of imaging has become more important. The use of contrast enhancement as a marker of angiogenesis can improve diagnosis. Angiogenesis results in changes in the parameters of vascular physiology and thus alters the pattern of contrast enhancement., Positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) imaging is subject to a great number of artifacts due to the variety of physiological and non-physiological uptake in whole body scanning using glucose as a tracer. We have analyzed 300 consecutive PET/CTs (Philips, Gemini GXL, Syntegra Petview) which were performed to evaluate cancer patients according to approved indications. Following analysis of physiological uptake and their variations, we studied artifacts in terms of frequency and impact on PET/CT interpretation emphasising the risk of misinterpretation with erroneous or doubtful images. Physiological uptake (brain, myocardium, liver–spleen, digestive and urinary tracts) are constantly visualised, whereas their variations (salivary, pulmonary hiles, mediastinum, muscles, brown fat, joints, testis, uterine mucosa, nipples, vessels, thyroid, thymus, respiratory movements) are visible in 80% of cases. Artifacts (post-therapy modifications, injections, punctures, metallic implants, indwelling catheters, scars) were seen in 20% of cases creating false positive images which were subject to error or litigious interpretation in 5% of cases. A CT performed with diagnostic quality using iodinated contrast injection (Iomeprol, Bracco) and diluted digestive opacification (Telebrix, Guerbet), solved several misinterpretation problems. In our experience iodine did not create artifacts. Thus we conclude that PET/CT imaging is very frequently hampered by artifacts and that the CT part of this dual imaging should be performed with the best possible quality in order to alleviate most interpretation problems., Positron emission tomography (PET)-computed tomography (CT) is often perceived as the gold standard investigation for the diagnosis and staging of malignancy. Artefacts relating to poor patient preparation and scanning technique, normal physiological uptake, anatomical variants, and benign pathologic uptake can mimic disease and pose a diagnostic conundrum. We present examples of cases we have encountered in our practice, which illustrate these potential pitfalls, the recognition of which will improve the efficacy of PET-CT reporting., Aim The purpose of our study was to highlight some of the medicolegal issues encountered in a busy symptomatic breast care clinic. Methods We performed a retrospective review of all breast imaging and image guided histopathological specimens over a 2-year period (2003–2005). Results Correlation of histopathological reports and breast imaging studies can confirm a correct BIRADS classification in the majority of patients, however in a minority the receipt of a discordant specimen prompts the radiologist to repeat imaging and/or to re-biopsy. The multi-disciplinary meeting provides a forum for discussion of all breast biopsy specimens, and imaging findings with our clinical colleagues, ensuring that all three components of the ‘triple test approach’ are concordant and consistent. With relevant examples, in the form of case studies, we outline some of the medicolegal issues of import to the breast radiologist and emphasise some learning points we feel may reduce the risk for both patient and physician., Aim Metastatic breast cancer involves commonly liver, brain and skeletal systems. Metastatic involvement of the gastrointestinal and genito-urinary tract is less frequent, but is well documented, particularly with invasive lobular cancer. We demonstrate a spectrum of abdominal imaging findings in patients with metastatic breast cancer, in order to illustrate its diverse imaging findings. Materials and methods A search was performed of a hospital database of 748 breast cancer patients. Sixty patients with metastatic abdominal involvement were identified and the imaging files of these patients were reviewed. Results Imaging of the cohort of patients revealed metastatic disease in commonly recognised sites in the abdomen, including, liver, peritoneum and ovary. Less frequently encountered sites of abdominal breast metastases including rectum, large intestine, stoma and endometrium were also identified. Images of typical and less common sites of metastatic spread are illustrated and the findings are discussed. Conclusion Metastatic breast cancer can present with a myriad of abdominal visceral involvement. The illustrated cases emphasise the necessity to consider metastatic disease when patients with breast cancer present with abdominal symptoms or imaging findings., The demand for functional imaging in the staging and management of breast cancer is increasing. We aimed to identify the areas where positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) has been most beneficial in defining disease in patients with breast cancer at our unit, and the impact of these findings on the clinical management of these patients. Fifty consecutive patients with breast cancer referred to our department for a PET/CT examination between March 2004 and April 2006 were retrospectively assessed. PET/CT imaging findings were subsequently compared to follow up clinical, PET/CT and other imaging data to clarify disease sites. PET/CT confirmed the findings obtained on conventional imaging without demonstrating new findings in 32 patients. PET/CT demonstrated new areas of occult disease in 18 patients. Bone disease and locoregional adenopathy were the commonest sites. A true negative PET/CT examination occurred in 10 patients, and specific equivocal findings from other examinations were negative in 7 patients. Significant equivocal new PET/CT findings necessitating a further radiological examination, biopsy or clinical follow up to subsequently exclude disease were identified in 5 patients. Management changes made subsequent to the PET/CT examination findings occurred in 24 patients and included change from surgical management to systemic medical treatment and changes to the radiotherapy fields. In conclusion, PET/CT is an excellent modality at identifying/restaging (occult) metastatic disease in patients with breast cancer, especially at bony (lytic) and lymph node sites, with consequent patient management change., Aim Most currently published data regarding lung neoplasm doubling times (DTs) are based on gross measurements from conventional radiographs. The aim of our study was to determine and compare more precise DTs and growth rates (GRs) of lung lesions, based on volumetric measurements from thin section computed tomography (CT) imaging. Also, we aimed to determine if DTs differed significantly when compared by tissue diagnosis or measurement technique. Methods Institutional patient databases were searched to identify previously untreated patients with > two thin section CT scans showing a growing lung lesion, for which subsequent tissue diagnosis was obtained. Lesion volumes were derived using semi-automated computer techniques with either (1) direct volume measurement or volume calculation based on (2) lesion area or (3) lesion diameter. Volumes were calculated via methods (2) and (3) by modeling each nodule as a sphere, using the single axial CT image showing the largest area. Results Of 46 nodules evaluated, the diagnoses were: 8 benign, 7 metastatic, 3 lymphomas, and 28 primary lung malignancies (15 adenocarcinomas, 8 squamous carcinomas, and 5 miscellaneous). Mean DTs ranged from 49 to 146 days. There were no significant differences in GRs among the different histologies (p=0.43, F-test). There was considerable variability among GRs using different volume determination methods (R2=0.61–0.71, Pearson’s correlation). Conclusions Lesions of different histology showed great overlap in GRs. Different types of volume determination methods gave considerably different results; therefore GR comparisons should be made using similar volume measurement methods., Positron emission tomography (PET) is increasingly used in the evaluation of lung cancer patients. It is used to assess nodal involvement and distant metastases prior to surgery. It is also used in the investigation of solitary pulmonary nodules and other focal lung lesions. The recent guidelines published by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) state that all potential surgical patients should have a [18F]fluorodeoxy glucose (FDG) PET scan prior to surgery, and all patients planned for radical radiotherapy should also have a PET scan to assess whether there are any distant metastases. In this exhibit we would like to describe our experience in the evaluation of 50 patients with lung cancer where we analysed the PET scan reports and correlated with the CT scan findings and decided whether each was either upstaged, down staged or had no change from CT. We discuss the role of PET in the management of lung cancer patients and present illustrative cases., Aim Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an increasingly prevalent tumour. It is expected to reach its peak incidence over the next 10–20 years. Our review will retrospectively describe the patterns of disease and assess the distribution of frequently associated features on computed tomography in 40 histologically confirmed MPM. Content organization For each tumour we document: (1) type of pleural thickening and classify it into thin, thick, diffuse or lobular; (2) we measure maximum thickness of MPM at presentation; (3) presence of pleural effusions recorded as small, moderate or large; (4) ipsilateral lung infiltration; (5) contralateral lung involvement; (6) frequency of plaques and calcification, indicative of previous asbestos exposure; (7) frequency of bone erosion; (8) frequency of extra-thoracic disease including liver, adrenals and other viscera. Conclusion/Summary We show the spectrum of disease in MPM and emphasise the patterns most frequently associated with MPM. Data are provided on the frequency of CT features, not previously performed.

INTRODUCTION: Leptomeningeal metastases are occurring at higher frequency in cancer patients. The prognosis of leptomeningeal metastases is poor and standard treatment, which includes radiotherapy and chemotherapy, is mostly ineffective. Melanoma represents one of the tumors with the highest incidence of leptomeningeal metastases. The BRAF inhibitors have recently been demonstrated to be effective on melanoma brain metastases harboring the V600EBRAF mutation. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 39-year-old Italian woman with advanced melanoma with brain, lung and peritoneum metastases harboring the V600EBRAF mutation. In August 2010 she was enrolled into the BRIM3 trial and after the randomization process she received dacarbazine. After two cycles, there was evidence of disease progression in her peritoneum and lung. For this reason, she was enrolled into another clinical trial with the GSK2118436 BRAF inhibitor, dabrafenib, as a second line of therapy. She had a partial response that was maintained until 13 weeks of treatment. In January 2011 she developed symptoms typical for brain metastases and received a diagnosis of leptomeningeal involvement of melanoma cells after an examination of her cerebral spinal fluid; magnetic resonance imaging was negative for meningitis or brain metastases. Analysis of her cerebral spinal fluid sample confirmed that the melanoma cells still carried the V600EBRAF mutation. After a few days, our patient went into a coma and died. CONCLUSION: Starting with a clinical case, we discuss the pathogenesis of leptomeningeal metastases and whether the leptomeninges may represent a sanctuary where melanoma cells may generate resistance and/or where BRAF inhibitors cannot reach an adequate concentration for significant activity. We assess whether treatment with BRAF inhibitors in melanoma patients should be interrupted as soon as disease progression appears or continued beyond progression through the administration of additional compounds.

Purpose Methods and Materials Results Conclusion References Personal Information, Purpose: Dynamic contrast enhanced-magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) is widely used in tumour diagnosis, staging and assessment of therapy response for different types of tumours, thanks to its capability to provide information about angiogenic activity...

Pyrolytic carbon membrane containing silica (C-SiO2) is a new-class material for gas separation, and in the present work we will deal with it in view of the morphological changes arising from the difference in the molecular structure of the polymeric precursors. The silica embedded carbon membranes were fabricated by a predetermined pyrolysis step using imide-siloxane copolymers (PISs) that was synthesized from benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydrides (BTDA), 4,4'-oxydianiline (ODA), and amine-terminated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). To induce different morphologies at the same chemical composition, the copolymers were prepared using one-step (preferentially a random segmented copolymer) sand two-step polymerization (a block segmented copolymer) methods. The polymeric precursors and their pyrolytic C-SiO2 membranes were analyzed using thermal analysis, atomic force microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy, etc. It was found that the C-SiO2 membrane derived from the random PIS copolymer showed a micro-structure containing small well-dispersed silica domains, whereas the C-SiO2 membrane from the block PIS copolymer exhibited a micro-structure containing large silica domains in the continuous carbon matrix. Eventually, the gas transport through these C-SiO2 membranes was significantly affected by the morphological changes of the polymeric precursors. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Aneurysmal bone cysts (ABC) are relatively uncommon benign expansile osteolytic lesions characterized by multiple cavities with serum-blood levels and delimited by a thin periosteal external border. The differential diagnosis is difficult to make with conventional radiography, while CT and MRI are elective techniques. Ten patients with ABC (7 central and 3 eccentric lesions) were examined with CT and MRI. Four cysts were localized at the proximal femur, 2 in calcaneal, 2 in vertebral (cervical and dorsal), 1 in tibial and 1 in iliac sites. Diagnostic criteria were the presence of fluid-fluid levels and a thin hyperdense peripheral border at CT, while hyperintense cavities on T2-weighted sequences, fluid-fluid levels, pseudodiverticular features and a low-signal border were found at MRI. Intralesional levels were detected in 9 patients at CT and in 10 at MRI; the 3 peripheral cysts exhibited a hyperdense extraosseous border at CT, corresponding to the periosteal shell, considered a benignity sign. To conclude, CT and MRI, thanks to their high resolution, clearly depict the anatomopathologic features of ABC, thus allowing this type of lesion to be differentiated from other benign and malignant osteolytic lesions.

From January 2003 to April 2005 we studied 25 lymphoma patients (10 with HD, 4 with low-grade NHL, 6 with high-grade NHL and 5 with chronic lymphatic leukaemia; 14 men, 11 women, age range 28-79 years). After a baseline US study we rapidly injected 4.8 mL of the second-generation microbubble contrast agent SonoVue (Bracco, Italy). Contrast enhanced studies were carried out with the contrast-specific software named Contrast Tuned Imaging (Esaote, Italy) using a continuous, harmonic acquisition and a low acoustic pressure. The CS-US findings were correlated with results of standard tools, including CT, MRI, US follow up. CS-US revealed correctly 47 out of the 52 lesions identified by CT scan, in the absence of false positive findings (sensitivity = 90%; Specificity = 100%, in comparison to CT scan). Complete concordance in evaluating the lesion extension of the CS-US in respect to CT was 88%, while underestimate occurred in 9% and overestimate in 3% of cases. On the contrary, basic sonography defined correctly the dimensional alteration in 52% of the cases, underestimated in 35% and overestimated in 13%, thus showing significantly lower accuracy (chi-square = 30.0, p < 0.001). In our experience, CS-US was superior to conventional sonography even from a qualitative point of view.

Acute cholecystitis stands out as one of the most common surgical pathologies that should always be considered in a right-upper abdominal pain emergency. For this, the importance of a correct diagnosis is well described. However, it has been demonstrated that the simple combination of clinical (pain, Murphy’s sign) and laboratory (leukocytosis) parameters alone does not provide for ruling in or ruling out the diagnosis of this condition, unless accompanied by a radiological exam. For a long time, and still today, ultrasonography (US) is by far the first-to-proceed radiologic exam to perform, thanks to its rapidity and very high sensibility and specificity for the diagnosis of simple acute cholecystitis. However, acute cholecystitis can undergo some complications that US struggles to find. In addition to that, studies suggest that multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) is superior in showing complicated forms of cholecystitis in relation to sensibility and specificity and for its capability of reformatting multiplanar (MPR) reconstructions that give a more detailed view of complications. They have shown to be useful for a precise evaluation of vascular complications, the anatomy of the biliary tree, and the extension of inflammation to surrounding structures (i.e., colitis). Therefore, based also on our experience, in patients with atypical presentation, or in cases with high suspicion for a complicated form, a MDCT abdomen scan is performed. In this review, the principal findings are listed and described to create a CT classification of acute complications based on anatomical and topographic criteria.

Objectives Sonography has proven to be a reliable tool in early detection of lymph node and in-transit cutaneous-subcutaneous metastases. Those metastases normally appear as hypoechoic or even anechoic lesions on sonography. It has been assumed that this appearance is due to necrosis of the lesions, but so far, that assumption has never been proven. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate whether the hypoechoic appearance of melanoma metastasis is really due to tumor necrosis. Methods From a radiographic database, we retrieved 212 melanoma cases imaged with sonography over a 2-year period for disease staging or follow-up. We selected 37 positive cases with 84 nodal and extranodal (satellite and in-transit) metastatic lesions and reviewed the sonograms and pathologic slides (slides available for 40 of 84 lesions). We retrospectively assessed the vascularization pattern (color Doppler images available for 78 of 84 lesions), categorizing it as poor, intermediate, or consistent. We also looked for necrosis on the histopathologic material, categorizing it into scores of 0, 1, 2, and 3 for absence of necrosis, less than 20% necrosis, 20% to 40% necrosis, and greater than 40% necrosis, respectively. Results Despite their gray scale appearance, most melanoma lesions were vascularized on color Doppler imaging and showed limited necrosis at histopathologic analysis. Consistent vascularization on Doppler imaging, excluding substantial necrosis, was found in 44 of 78 lesions (56.4%). Poor vascularization on Doppler imaging, suggesting necrosis, was present in only 14% of the lesions. Substantial necrosis (scores of 2 and 3) was found pathologically in only 10% of the lesions. Conclusions Necrosis seems to be an uncommon event in melanoma metastasis and is probably not the basis for its low-level echo pattern on sonography. The hypoechoic appearance is very typical of melanoma metastasis and is likely due to massive melanomatous infiltration (with the poor echo reflectivity of melanin). However, confirmation in larger pathologically proven series is required.