Barium enema "shoulder" sign: a useful predictor of pericolonic fat invasion in colorectal cancer

PURPOSE: We aimed to determine the presence of the "shoulder" sign in prediction of pericolonic fat invasion on double-contrast barium enema (DCBE) studies in colorectal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients at our institution with apparent colorectal cancer were identified from a computer search of both radiological and surgical pathology records during a recent 30-month period. The presence of a shoulder sign was defined as a tumor margin having an abrupt transition from the intraluminal component to the adjacent normal mucosa, forming a shouldered edge on barium studies. RESULTS: A total of 49 patients (53 lesions) for whom the DCBE studies and surgical pathology records were available for review were proven to have colorectal carcinomas. DCBE studies revealed that 45 patients with lesions (85%) presented with a "shoulder" sign. All of these lesions were correctly diagnosed as colorectal cancer. Of these, 89% had pericolonic fat invasion and 44% had regional lymph node metastases. Of lesions without a shoulder sign, 25% had pericolonic fat invasion and 25% had nodal metastases. CONCLUSION: The presence of shoulder sign detected with barium enema can be a useful predictor of pericolonic fat invasion in colorectal cancer.     

Colorectal cancer: screening double-contrast barium enema examination in average-risk adults older than 50 years

PURPOSE: To retrospectively determine the diagnostic yield of double-contrast barium enema examinations performed for colorectal cancer screening of neoplasms 1 cm or larger or advanced neoplastic lesions of any size in average-risk adults older than 50 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Institutional Review Board at the affiliated Veterans Affairs Medical Center approved this HIPAA-compliant study protocol and did not require informed consent from patients. Computerized databases revealed 276 double-contrast barium enema examinations performed for colorectal cancer screening in average-risk adults older than 50 years. Radiographic and pathologic reports were reviewed to determine the number of patients who had polypoid lesions 1 cm or larger, polyps smaller than 1 cm, or advanced neoplastic lesions of any size. Forty-five (16.3%) of the 276 patients underwent follow-up sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. Medical, endoscopic, and pathologic records were reviewed and compared with radiographic findings. RESULTS: The results of double-contrast barium enema examination revealed 74 (26.8%) of 276 patients with 104 polypoid lesions in the colon, including 32 patients (11.6%) with 41 polypoid lesions 1 cm or larger, 15 patients (5.4%) with 19 polyps 6-9 mm, and 27 patients (9.8%) with 44 polyps 5 mm or smaller. Endoscopy was performed in 24 (75%) of 32 patients, the results of which confirmed 23 (72%) of 32 radiographically diagnosed lesions 1 cm or larger in 16 (67%) of 24 patients. In two of these individuals, the polyps were hyperplastic. The remaining 14 patients had a total of 21 neoplastic lesions 1 cm or larger, including 11 tubular adenomas, seven tubulovillous adenomas, one villous adenoma with marked dysplasia, and two cancers. The diagnostic yield of screening double-contrast barium enema examination was 5.1% (14 of 276 patients) for neoplastic lesions 1 cm or larger and 6.2% (17 of 276 patients) for advanced neoplastic lesions of any size. CONCLUSION: Double-contrast barium enema examinations performed in average-risk adults older than 50 years have a diagnostic yield of 5.1% for neoplastic lesions 1 cm or larger and 6.2% for advanced neoplastic lesions, regardless of size.     

Diagnosis by imaging of secondary neoplastic lesions of the digestive tract

Secondary neoplasms involving the alimentary tract are not common. This work is aimed at evaluating their characteristic roentgenological features, providing, when possible, the criteria for discriminating secondary from primary lesions. Forty-five patients with secondary neoplasms of the alimentary tract were examined by conventional radiology, ultrasonography and CT. Both CT and US are highly accurate in such cases, since these lesions are displayed directly. However, double-contrast gastrointestinal examination must be performed, because it indirectly demonstrates both intrinsic and extrinsic lesions, thus providing all elements for a correct local staging.     

早期结肠癌低张气钡双对比造影检查与纤维结肠镜对比分析

目的:对于早期结肠癌的检查,通过低张气钡双对比造影(DCBE)图像与纤维结肠镜检查图像对比观察,分析气钡双对比结肠造影在检出早期结肠癌中的价值。方法:20例经病理证实早期结肠癌病例,采用低张气钡双对比造影方法,实时点片。常规纤维结肠镜检查。结果:Ⅰ型11例,Ⅱa型6例,混合型1例,LST型2例,对比观察造影像及内镜像表现。结论:正确运用气钡双对比造影检查,对早期结肠癌的显示有较大价值。     

Hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic livers: double-contrast thin-section MR imaging with pathologic correlation of explanted tissue

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to determine the sensitivity of double-contrast MR imaging in the detection of hepatocellular carcinomas in patients with a cirrhotic liver. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirty-one patients underwent double-contrast MR imaging and subsequent liver transplantation. Breath-hold T1- and T2-weighted MR images were obtained before and after administration of superparamagnetic iron oxide, and three-dimensional T1-weighted gradient-recalled echo MR images were obtained 10, 40, and 120 sec after a bolus injection of gadolinium. Hypervascular lesions that failed to take up superparamagnetic iron oxide were regarded as showing typical characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma; lesions that had only one of these two characteristics (either hypervascularity or failure to take up superparamagnetic iron oxide) were regarded as highly suspicious for hepatocellular carcinoma. Radiology reports were correlated with pathology reports for the explanted livers. RESULTS: Thirty-two hepatocellular carcinomas were found in 14 of the 31 patients. Combining the number of MR imaging reports citing lesions that were "typical of hepatocellular carcinoma" with the number of those citing lesions that were "highly suspicious," we found that for 25 of 32 lesions, an accurate MR imaging diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma was made (overall sensitivity, 78%). These lesions included 10 of the 11 lesions that were larger than 20 mm (sensitivity, 91%), 12 of the 13 lesions that were 11-20 mm (sensitivity, 92%), and three of the eight lesions that were 10 mm or less (sensitivity, 38%). Nineteen (76%) of 25 lesions had characteristics considered typical of hepatocellular carcinoma; the remaining six lesions either failed to take up superparamagnetic iron oxide and were hypovascular or were hypervascular but showed some uptake of superparamagnetic iron oxide. CONCLUSION: In patients with a cirrhotic liver, double-contrast MR imaging is highly sensitive in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinomas of 10 mm or larger, but success in the identification of tumors smaller than 10 mm is still limited.     

Radiologic-Pathologic Correlation of Unusual Lingual Masses: Part II: Benign and Malignant Tumors

Because the tongue is superficially located and the initial manifestation of most diseases occurring there is mucosal change, lingual lesionscan be easily accessed and diagnosed without imaging analysis. Some lingual neoplasms, however, may manifest as a submucosal bulge and be located in a deep portion of the tongue, such as its base; their true characteristics and extent may be recognized only on cross-sectional images such as those obtained by CT or MRI.Some uncommon tongue neoplasms may have characteristic radiologic features, thus permitting quite specific radiologic diagnosis. Lipomas typically manifest at both CT and MR imaging as homogeneous nonenhancing lesions. Relative to subcutaneous fat they are isoattenuating on CT images, and all MR sequences show them as isointense. Due to the paramagnetic properties of melanin, metastases from melanotic melanoma usually demonstrate high signal intensity on T1-weighted MR images and low signal intensity on T2-weighted images.Although the radiologic findings for other submucosal neoplasms are nonspecific, CT and MR imaging can play an important role in the diagnostic work-up of these unusual tumors. Delineation of the extent of the tumor, and recognition and understanding of the spectrum of imaging and the pathologic features of these lesions, often help narrow the differential diagnosis.     

大肠癌的螺旋CT三维重建研究及外科应用评价

目的 :探讨螺旋CT三维重建技术在大肠癌外科术前诊断中的价值。材料和方法 :选 2 0例有低张气钡灌肠造影及病理证实的大肠癌 ,行低张充气螺旋CT扫描 ,表面覆盖显示 (SSD)、容积漫游技术 (VRT)、多平面重组 (MPR)等三维重建 ;另 10例行常规及低张注生理盐水CT检查。本法与造影、常规CT、低张注水CT及手术、病理对照观察。结果 :常规CT检出率为 4/ 10 ;低张注水CT检出率为 7/ 10 ;低张气钡灌肠造影检出率为 2 0 / 2 0 ;螺旋CT三维重建检出率为 2 0 / 2 0。前三者在检出率或观察内容上均有各自限度 ,后者可弥补。结论 :SSD、VRT可显示 6mm隆起病变和 3mm管腔狭窄 ,VRT可显示 1mm细沟凹陷 ;MPR对轻微的肠壁增厚、僵硬很敏感 ,能准确判断病灶外侵程度 ;SSD酷似内窥镜 ,VRT可比低张气钡灌肠造影 ,SCT三维重建可一法多用。     

Ileocecal valve: spectrum of normal findings at double-contrast barium enema examination

PURPOSE: To characterize the spectrum of normal findings of the ileocecal valve at double-contrast barium enema examination to allow differentiation between a normal valve and one infiltrated by tumor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A search of radiology and endoscopy files showed 106 patients who underwent double-contrast barium enema examination and colonoscopy. The radiographic images were reviewed by two authors to determine the morphology of the ileocecal valve and to evaluate whether it appeared normal or abnormal. The radiographic data were then correlated with endoscopic and pathologic findings. RESULTS: The ileocecal valve was visible in 91 (86%) of 106 patients. It was round or ovoid in 71 patients (78%) and triangular in 20 (22%). In the 88 patients with a normal valve at colonoscopy, mean valve height was 1.7 cm, and mean width was 2.8 cm. The valve was smooth in 75 patients (85%) and smoothly lobulated in 13 (15%). The lips of the valve were symmetric in 77 patients (88%) and asymmetric in 11 (12%). All 87 patients with a normal valve at double-contrast barium enema examination had a normal valve at colonoscopy, whereas the two patients with a valve suspicious for tumor at barium enema examination had neoplasms (one carcinoma and one villous adenoma) at colonoscopy. CONCLUSION: The ileocecal valve may show a spectrum of normal findings at double-contrast barium enema examination and may appear as a round, ovoid, or triangular structure with a maximal height of nearly 4 cm. The valve may be large, asymmetric, or smoothly lobulated, even in the absence of tumor.     

Giant hyperplastic polyps in the stomach: radiographic findings in seven patients

OBJECTIVE: We reassessed the radiographic findings of giant hyperplastic polyps in the stomach on double-contrast upper gastrointestinal examinations in seven patients. CONCLUSION: Giant hyperplastic polyps in the stomach may be manifested by distinctive findings on double-contrast barium studies, appearing as polypoid lesions with multiple lobulated components that form a conglomerate mass. Nevertheless, endoscopy and biopsy are required to rule out a polypoid carcinoma as the cause of these findings.     

Double-contrast arthrography in meniscal pathology. Remarks on 1000 cases

The authors performed a statistical study on a series of 1000 patients examined with double-contrast fluoroscopically-guided knee arthrography. Arthrographic diagnoses were compared with the arthrotomic (500 patients), arthroscopic (350 patients) or clinical diagnoses of 150 patients with a follow-up of 6 months. In this series of patients with a history of "recurrent meniscal injury", arthrographic diagnoses were confirmed in a high percentage of cases, with 96.9% accuracy, 96.7% sensitivity for tears, and 98.6% specificity. On the basis of these results the authors suggest double-contrast arthrography as an examination of considerable value in the diagnosis of meniscal lesions, while in their opinion arthroscopy should be limited to questionable cases, to complex lesions with involvement of multiple articular structure and to the alterations clearly treatable by arthroscopy.     

Perception errors in detecting advanced colorectal cancers using a double-contrast enema

The authors provide a didactic analysis of the errors in perception that can lead to false-negative findings in the detection of advanced rectocolonic cancers with double-contrast enema. They consider 5 categories of images as typical, ie. transverse or horizontal linear opacities, abnormal lumen due to haustral folds on semiaxial views, "pool sign", amputation of the cecum and irregular hypertrophy of the ileocolic valve. These mistakes will become exceptional if the double-contrast images are studied thoroughly using precise rules, and the percentage of false-negative findings in the detection of rectocolonic cancers should thus be reduced to 1%.     

Double-contrast upper gastrointestinal radiography: a pattern approach for diseases of the stomach

The double-contrast upper gastrointestinal series is a valuable diagnostic test for evaluating structural and functional abnormalities of the stomach. This article will review the normal radiographic anatomy of the stomach. The principles of analyzing double-contrast images will be discussed. A pattern approach for the diagnosis of gastric abnormalities will also be presented, focusing on abnormal mucosal patterns, depressed lesions, protruded lesions, thickened folds, and gastric narrowing.     

Radiologic recognition of colonic diverticula simulating polyps

The differentiation of colonic polyps and diverticula on the double-contrast barium enema is generally straightforward, using current diagnostic criteria. However, diverticula may be misinterpreted on the double-contrast barium enema as polyps when they appear uncommonly as filling defects within the barium pool. As a result of such erroneous interpretation, the patient may subsequently undergo costly and inconvenient repeat barium enema or colonoscopy. Carefully studied scout films, oblique views, compression spot images, and postevacuation films generally can differentiate these diverticula from polyps. The usual reason that a diverticulum assumes the appearance of a polyp is that it contains impacted stool.     

Usefulness of the calculated apparent diffusion coefficient value in the differential diagnosis of retroperitoneal masses

PURPOSE: To elucidate whether or not the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values calculated from echo-planar diffusion-weighted (EPDW) MR images are useful in the differential diagnosis of retroperitoneal masses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 50 patients with known retroperitoneal masses, EPDW images were performed with b-factors of 0-1100 seconds/mm2. The final histologic diagnoses of these lesions were as follows: 12 malignant lymphomas, four other malignant mesenchymal neoplasms, 25 malignant epithelial neoplasms, seven benign mesenchymal neoplasms, and two nonneoplastic lesions. The ADC values obtained for the solid portion of the lesions were used to represent each lesion, and the values of the histologic groups were compared. RESULTS: The respective value of ADC for 12 malignant lymphomas, four other mesenchymal neoplasms, seven benign mesenchymal neoplasms, and two nonneoplastic lesions were as follows: 0.66 +/- 0.26, 1.26 +/- 0.50, 0.90 +/- 0.20, 1.87 +/- 0.48, 1.32 +/- 0.20 x 10(-3) mm2/second. The ADC value of the malignant lymphoma was significantly lower than that of the other malignant mesenchymal lesions, and was also lower than the ADC of the benign lesions. The ADC value of the malignant epithelial neoplasms was lower than that of the benign mesenchymal tumors. The ADC values of the malignant and benign lesions were 0.94 +/- 0.30 and 1.75 +/- 0.49 x 10(-3) mm2/second, respectively, which also demonstrated a significant difference. CONCLUSION: ADC values calculated from EPDW MR images may provide useful information in the differential diagnosis of retroperitoneal masses.     

Conventional radiological strategy of common gastrointestinal neoplasms

This article summarizes the clinical characteristics and imaging features of common gastrointestinal(GI) neoplasms in terms of conventional radiological imaging methods. Barium studies are readily available for displaying primary malignancies and are minimallyor not at all invasive. A neoplasm may be manifested as various imaging findings, including mucosal disruption, soft mass, ulcer, submucosal invasion and lumen stenosis on barium studies. Benign tumors typically appear as smoothly marginated intramural masses. Malignant neoplasms most often appear as irregular infiltrative lesions on barium examination. Tumor extension to adjacent GI segments may be indistinct on barium images. Cross-sectional images such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging may provide more accurate details of the adjacent organ invasion, omental or peritoneal spread.     

Radiologic-Pathologic Correlation of Unusual Lingual Masses: Part I: Congenital Lesions

Because the tongue is superficially located and the intial manifestation of most diseases occurring there is mucosal change, lingual these lesions can be easily accessed and diagnosed without imaging analysis. Most congenital lesions of the tongue, however, can manifest as a submucosal bulge and be located in a deep portion of that organ such as its base; their true characteristics and extent may be recognized only on cross-sectional images such as those obtained by CT or MRI. In addition, because it is usually difficult to differentiate congenital lesions from other submucosal neoplasms on the basis of imaging findings alone, clinical history and physical examination should always be taken into consideration when interpretating CT and MR images of the tongue.Although the radiologic findings for congenital lesions are nonspecific, CT and MR imaging can play an important role in the diagnostic work-up of these unusual lesions. Delineation of the extent of the tumor, and recognition and understanding of the spectrum of imaging and the pathologic features of these lesions, often help narrow the differential diagnosis.     

FDG uptake in colonic villous adenomas

Colonic adenomas constitute 70-80% of all colorectal polyps, and their clinical significance relates primarily to their relationship with colorectal cancer. The malignant potential of the polyps detected by FDG-PET is unknown, as not all the colonic lesions identified by FDG-PET represent colorectal malignancies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the rate of FDG-PET positivity within colonic villous adenomas. A pathology database search was performed to identify all patients diagnosed with colonic villous adenoma between June 1, 1996 and December 1, 2000. Patients with a pathologic diagnosis of colonic villous adenoma and who also had a FDG-PET study up to 1 month before colonoscopy were included in this study. FDG-PET findings were compared with pathological features. Of more than 4,000 patients, six patients were diagnosed with colonic adenoma on subsequent colonoscopy following FDG-PET study. Based on the pathological findings, these 6 patients had a total of 2 villous and 9 tubulovillous adenomas. Five of the 6 patients showed foci of increased FDG uptake in the region of the colon that corresponded to the villous adenoma(s) detected on colonoscopy, which accounted for a true-positive rate of 83.3% (5/6 subjects). Focal lesions in the colon seen on FDG-PET examinations need to be investigated further, even though some of these will prove to be villous adenomas rather than colorectal carcinomas. Future studies in a larger number of patients are needed to evaluate the relationship of histopathological features of colonic polyps and detectability of these lesions by FDG-PET.     

Incidental colonic focal lesions detected by FDG PET/CT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the performance of FDG PET/CT for the detection of colonic lesions, especially advanced neoplasms (villous or >10-mm adenomas, carcinomas). Because of 18F FDG accumulation in adenomatous polyps, PET using FDG can detect early premalignant colorectal lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: FDG PET/CT studies performed for a 1-year period in 1,716 consecutive patients with various malignant diseases, except colorectal cancer, were retrospectively reviewed. PET images obtained 1 hr after FDG injection and non-contrast CT images used for attenuation correction were fused for analysis. Of 45 patients showing intense focal colonic FDG uptake, 20 patients (with 21 foci) underwent a colonoscopic investigation, and, when necessary, polyp resection. The intensity of FDG uptake was quantified using the standardized uptake value (SUV(max)). RESULTS: The FDG colonic foci were associated with 18 colonoscopic abnormalities in 15 patients, with no colonic abnormality detected in five patients (false-positive [FP] results). Histopathologic findings revealed advanced neoplasms in 13 patients (13 villous adenomas and three carcinomas) and two cases of hyperplastic polyps. A difference in the mean SUV(max) was found between FP and true-positive colonic FDG foci but was not statistically significant (p = 0.14). CONCLUSION: Presence of a focal colonic FDG uptake incidental finding on a PET/CT scan justifies a colonoscopy to detect (pre-)malignant lesions. The fusion of PET and CT images allows an accurate localization of the lesions. PET/CT is a useful tool to differentiate pathologic from physiologic FDG uptake.     

Barrett食管及相关并发症的X线探讨

目的:通过16例经内窥镜及病理证实为Barrett食管的钡餐检查表现,初步探讨Barrett食管及其并发症放射学检查的意义。方法:回顾性分析16例Barrett食管的内窥镜和气钡检查的记录及表现,着重探讨气钡检查的X线表现。结果:食管内窥镜和组织学检查全部病例均有炎症改变,其他可见胃食管反流、食管溃疡和食管腺癌。放射学钡餐检查结果:Barrett食管炎4例,Barrett食管溃疡7例,Barrett食管癌5例。结论:Barrett食管及其并发症至今无明确放射学征象,改进对“Z”线的检查技术和方法,有可能提高其发现率。钡餐发现胃食管反流、食管裂孔疝同时并发食管炎、食管溃疡及食管癌者均应考虑到本症的可能。