[en] Most pancreatic pseudocysts are common complications of acute or chronic pancreatitis. They usually occur within the pancreas or in peripancreatic tissues, and are visualized as round or oval fluid collections with thin or thick walls on computed tomography (CT) scans. However, pancreatic pseudocysts are often combined with various complications, e.g., various organ involvements, infection, hemorrhage with pseudoaneurysm formation, rupture with fistula formation, or gastrointestinal or biliary obstruction, which may necessitate prompt intervention or surgery. This review illustrates the CT appearances of various complications associated with pancreatic pseudocysts

[en] Background: 'Perspective-filet view' is a novel three-dimensional (3D) viewing technique for computed tomography colonography (CTC). Studies with experienced readers have shown a sensitivity for perspective-filet view similar to that of 2D or 3D endoluminal fly-through in detection of colorectal lesions. It is not known whether perspective-filet view, compared to axial images, improves lesion detection by inexperienced readers. Purpose: To compare primary 3D analysis using perspective-filet view (3D Filet) with primary 2D analysis, as used by inexperienced CTC readers. Secondary aims were to compare lesion detection by 3D Filet when used by experienced and inexperienced readers, and to evaluate the effect of combined 3D Filet + 2D analysis. Material and Methods: Fifty symptomatic patients were prospectively enrolled. An experienced reader performed 3D Filet analysis followed by complete 2D analysis (3D Filet + 2D), before colonoscopy with segmental unblinding. Two inexperienced readers (readers 2 and 3), blinded to CTC and colonoscopy findings, retrospectively performed 3D Filet analysis and, after 5 weeks, 2D analysis. True positives =6 mm detected by the inexperienced readers with 3D Filet and/or 2D were combined to obtain 3D Filet + 2D. Results: Colonoscopy revealed 116 lesions: 16 lesions =10 mm, 19 lesions 6-9 mm, and 81 lesions =5 mm. For the experienced reader, sensitivities for lesions =6 mm with 3D Filet and 3D Filet + 2D were 77% and 83%, respectively. For the inexperienced readers, sensitivities for lesions =6 mm with 3D Filet and 2D were 51% and 57% (reader 2) and 40% and 43% (reader 3), respectively. There was no significant difference between 3D Filet and 2D regarding sensitivity and reading time. For lesions =6 mm, 3D Filet + 2D improved the sensitivity of reader 2 to 63% and of reader 3 to 51%. Conclusion: Lesion detection by inexperienced readers using perspective-filet view is comparable to that obtained by 2D. Lesion detection improves by combining 3D Filet + 2D, but not to the level of an experienced reader

[en] Background: Currently, one or two dosimeters are used to monitor radiation exposure in most cardiac laboratories. In addition, several different formulas are used to convert exposure data into an effective dose (ED). Purpose: To clarify the effect of monitoring methods and formula selection on the estimated ED for physicians during percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs). Material and Methods: The ED of physicians during cardiac catheterization was determined using an optically stimulated luminescence dosimeter (Luxel badge). Two Luxel badges were worn: one beneath a personal lead apron (0.35-mm lead equivalent) at the chest and one outside of the apron at the neck. Results: The difference in the average ED of seven physicians was approximately fivefold (range 1.13-5.43 mSv/year) using the six different formulas in the clinical evaluation. The estimated physician ED differed markedly according to both the monitoring method and formula selected. Conclusion: ED estimation is dependent on both the monitoring method and the formula used. Therefore, it is important that comparisons among laboratories are based on the same monitoring method and same formula for calculating the ED

[en] Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in rectal cancer is sometimes performed after radiotherapy (MRI 2) to evaluate tumor response and to choose alternative forms of surgery. The accuracy of MRI 2 in distinguishing tumor delineation might be difficult due to fibrosis. Purpose: To evaluate the morphological changes in the interface between the tumor and neighboring organs on MRI 2 performed after radiotherapy, and to assess the accuracies of MRI before and after radiotherapy compared to histopathology after surgery. Material and Methods: Sixteen patients with locally advanced primary rectal cancer, with MRI before and after radiotherapy, were retrospectively studied, concerning the interface between the tumor and neighboring structures. The accuracies of MRI before and after radiotherapy were compared based on histopathology as a reference. Results: The accuracies of both MRI before and after radiotherapy were moderate, with no additional value of MRI after radiotherapy compared to MRI before radiotherapy. The most predictive form of interface for involvement of a neighboring organ after radiotherapy was nodular growth of the tumor into a neighboring structure. Conclusion: The morphological assessment of pelvic MRI after preoperative radiotherapy does not provide any significant new information about tumor extent in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer

[en] Background: CT radiation dose reduction results in increased noise or graininess of images which affects the diagnostic information. One of the approaches to lower radiation exposure to patients is to reduce image noise with the use of image processing software in low radiation dose images. Purpose: To assess image quality and accuracy of non-linear adaptive filters (NLAF) at low dose chest CT. Material and Methods In an IRB approved prospective study, 24 patients (mean age, 63 ± 7.3 years; M:F ratio, 11:13) gave informed consent for acquisition of four additional chest CT image series at 150, 110, 75, and 40 mAs (baseline image series) on a 64-slice MDCT over an identical 10-cm length. NLAF was used to process three low dose (110, 75, and 40 mAs) image series (postprocessed image series). Two radiologists reviewed baseline and postprocessed images in a blinded manner for image quality. Objective noise, CT attenuation values, patient weight, transverse diameters, CTDIvol, and DLP were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using parametric and non-parametric tests for comparing postprocessed and baseline images. Results: No lesions were missed on baseline or postprocessed CT images (n = 80 lesions, 73 lesions <1 cm). At 40 mAs, subjective noise in mediastinal window settings were graded as unacceptable in baseline images and acceptable in postprocessed images. Visibility of smaller structures improved from suboptimal visibility in baseline images at 40 mAs to excellent in postprocessed images at 40 mAs. No major artifacts were seen due to NLAF postprocessing, except for minor beam hardening artifacts not affecting diagnostic decision-making (14/22) in both baseline and postprocessed image series. Diagnostic confidence for chest CT was improved to fully confident in postprocessed images at 40 mAs. Compared to baseline images, postprocessing reduced objective noise by 26% (14.2 ± 4.7/19.2 ± 6.4), 31.5% (15.2 ± 4.7/22.2 ± 5.7), and 41.5% (16.9 ± 6/28.9 ± 10.2) at 110 mAs, 75 mAs, and 40 mAs tube current-time product levels. Conclusion: Applications of NLAF can help reduce tube current down to 40 mAs for chest CT while maintaining lesion conspicuity and image quality

[en] Background: Intracerebral tuberculomas usually manifest as ring-enhancing of nodular lesions on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These imaging findings are also observed in other lesions like metastases and toxoplasmosis. Purpose: To study the MRI perfusion characteristics of tuberculomas and its potential role in their definitive diagnosis. Material and Methods: Thirty-four tuberculomas were evaluated by conventional and perfusion MRI. The relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) values of the center, peripheral wall, and perilesional neuroparenchymal tissue were calculated using rCBV maps. Ten ring-enhancing metastases were similarly evaluated and rCBV values of their peripheral walls were calculated. Results: Thirty-one of the 34 tuberculomas were ring-enhancing or conglomerate lesions and revealed hypoperfused centers with hyperperfused peripheral walls, with the mean rCBV ± SD being 0.42 ± 0.25 and 2.04 ± 0.61, respectively. Three nodular enhancing lesions showed predominantly homogenous hyperperfusion, with the mean rCBV measuring 2.96 ± 0.39 (mean ± SD). The perilesional neuroparenchyma was hypoperfused in both cases. The metastases revealed mean rCBV ratio of the peripheral wall to be 5.43 ± 2.1 (mean ± SD). Analysis of the values by ROC curve method revealed a cut-off value of ≥3.745 for differentiating ring-enhancing metastases from ring-enhancing tuberculomas. Conclusion: Perfusion MR is a useful tool for the assessment of tuberculomas and can help differentiate them from neoplasms like metastases. It also has a potential role in monitoring therapy and for early detection of drug resistance

[en] Background: A new multiphasic fast imaging technique, known as volume helical shuttle technique, is a breakthrough for liver imaging that offers new clinical opportunities in dynamic blood flow studies. This technique enables virtually real-time hemodynamics assessment by shuttling the patient cradle back and forth during serial scanning. Purpose: To determine optimal scan timing of hepatic arterial-phase imaging for detecting hypervascular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with maximum tumor-to-liver contrast by volume helical shuttle technique. Material and Methods: One hundred and one hypervascular HCCs in 50 patients were prospectively studied by 64-channel multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) with multiphasic fast imaging technique. Contrast medium containing 600 mg iodine per kg body weight was intravenously injected for 30 s. Six seconds after the contrast arrival in the abdominal aorta detected with bolus tracking, serial 12-phase imaging of the whole liver was performed during 24-s breath-holding with multiphasic fast imaging technique during arterial phase. By placing regions of interest in the abdominal aorta, portal vein, liver parenchyma, and hypervascular HCCs on the multiphase images, time-density curves of anatomical regions and HCCs were composed. Timing of maximum tumor-to-liver contrast after the contrast arrival in the abdominal aorta was determined. Results: For the detection of hypervascular HCC at arterial phase, mean time and value of maximum tumor-to-liver contrast after the contrast arrival were 21 s and 38.0 HU, respectively. Conclusion: Optimal delay time for the hepatic arterial-phase imaging maximizing the contrast enhancement of hypervascular HCCs was 21 s after arrival of contrast medium in the abdominal aorta

[en] Thymic tumors represent a broad spectrum of neoplastic disorders and pose considerable diagnostic difficulties. A non-invasive imaging study to determine the nature of thymic lesions can have significant impact on management of such tumors. 18F-flurorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) has shown promising results in characterization of thymic tumors. The objective of this article is to provide an illustrative tutorial highlighting the clinical utility of 18F-FDG PET-CT imaging in patients with thymic tumors. We have pictorially depicted the 18F-FDG PET-CT salient imaging characteristics of various thymic tumors, both epithelial and non-epithelial. Also discussed is the dynamic physiology of thymus gland which is to be kept in mind when evaluating thymic pathology on 18F-FDG PET-CT, as it can lead to interpretative pitfalls

[en] Background. Numerous clinical studies suggest that gadobenate dimeglumine is diagnostically superior to other gadolinium chelates for MR imaging applications, including contrast-enhanced MR angiography (CE-MRA). However, confirmatory in-vitro phantom studies have thus far been lacking. Purpose. To evaluate the difference in signal intensity achieved with the high-relaxivity MR contrast agent gadobenate dimeglumine (MultiHance) relative to that achieved with the standard-relaxivity non-specific agent gadopentetate dimeglumine (Magnevist) at different concentrations using an in-vitro phantom study design. Material and Methods. Test tubes with whole human blood were prepared with concentrations of gadobenate dimeglumine or gadopentetate dimeglumine ranging from 0 to 12 mM. A three-dimensional (3D) T1-weighted gradient echo sequence normally used for CE-MRA of the renal arteries was performed at flip angles of 25 deg and 35 deg. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was calculated for all concentrations of both contrast agents. Furthermore a Look-Locker sequence was used and quantitative T1 mapping was performed for all the test tubes. The contrast agent concentration in the aorta was simulated using previously published data on T1 in the aorta during the first pass of a contrast agent. The differences between gadobenate dimeglumine and gadopentetate dimeglumine were compared at the simulated concentrations. Results. The SNR achieved with gadobenate dimeglumine was consistently greater than that achieved with gadopentetate dimeglumine at all concentrations. An improvement of 15-25% in SNR was obtained when increasing the flip angle from 25 deg to 35 deg. The relative improvement in SNR with gadobenate dimeglumine relative to gadopentetate dimeglumine ranged from 25-72% and was markedly greater at lower concentrations with a flip angle of 35 deg. Conclusion. Our findings suggest that the relative benefit of gadobenate dimeglumine over gadopentetate dimeglumine for CE-MRA applications is greater at lower concentrations

[en] Background: The detection rate of hepatic falciform ligament artery (FLA) has been reported as ranging from 2-25%. The rate of FLA on laparotomy, however, is reported to be higher, at 68%. Purpose: To compare the detection rate of FLA on computed tomography hepatic arteriography (CTHA) with that on angiography and dynamic CT, and to clarify the clinical significance of FLA in patients with chronic liver disease. Material and Methods: 126 consecutive patients underwent CTHA angiography and dynamic CT to evaluate suspected liver tumors. Liver function was classified as follows: normal, n=5; Child-Pugh class A, n=94; B, n=21; and C, n=6. All CT images were obtained using multidetector (MDCT) scanners (Aquilion; Toshiba, Tokyo (JP)). For CTHA, CT images were obtained during contrast material injection through the left hepatic, proper, or common hepatic artery. On CT, FLAs were retrospectively identified within the hepatic falciform ligament and the hepatic round ligament by the paging method on a workstation (TWS-5000; Toshiba, Tokyo (JP)). The detection rates were compared among the three modalities (hepatic arterial phase of dynamic CT, CTHA, and angiography). The calibers of FLA were also correlated with the hepatic function of the patients. Results: The detection rates of FLA by angiography, dynamic CT, and CTHA were 37% (47/126), 10% (13/126), and 77% (97/126), respectively. The calibers of FLA increased as the hepatic function deteriorated (P=0.001). Conclusion: The detection rates of FLA with CTHA are far higher than those with angiography and dynamic CT. Careful interpretation with recognition of FLA on CTHA images is important, as inadvertent embolization or chemotherapeutic infusion of the FLA may result in supraumbilical skin rash