CT in the clinical and prognostic evaluation of acute graft-vs-host disease of the gastrointestinal tract

OBJECTIVE

To determine the role of abdominal CT in assessment of severity and prognosis of patients with acute gastrointestinal (GI) graft-vs-host disease (GVHD).

METHODS

During 2000-2004, 41 patients with a clinical diagnosis of acute GI-GVHD were evaluated. CTs were examined for intestinal and extra-intestinal abnormalities, and correlated with clinical staging and outcome.

RESULTS

20 patients had GVHD clinical Stage I-II and 21 had Stage III-IV. 39 (95%) had abnormal CT appearances. The most consistent finding was bowel wall thickening: small (n=14, 34%) or large (n=5, 12%) bowel, or both (n=20, 49%). Other manifestations included bowel dilatation (n=7, 17%), mucosal enhancement (n=6, 15%) and gastric wall thickening (n=9, 38%). Extra-intestinal findings included mesenteric stranding (n=25, 61%), ascites (n=17, 41%), biliary abnormalities (n=12, 29%) and urinary excretion of orally administered gastrografin (n=12, 44%). Diffuse small-bowel thickening and any involvement of the large bowel were associated with severe clinical presentation. Diffuse small-bowel disease correlated with poor prognosis. 8 of 21 patients responded to therapy, compared with 15 of 20 patients with other patterns (p=0.02), and the cumulative incidence of GVHD-related death was 62% and 24%, respectively (p=0.01). Overall survival was not significantly different between patients with diffuse small-bowel disease and patients with other patterns (p=0.31). Colonic disease correlated with severity of GVHD (p=0.04), but not with response to therapy or prognosis (p=0.45).

CONCLUSION

GVHD often presented with abdominal CT abnormalities. Diffuse small-bowel disease was associated with poor therapeutic response. CT may play a role in supporting clinical diagnosis of GI GVHD and determining prognosis.

A comparison of dynamic transperineal ultrasound (DTP-US) with dynamic evacuation proctography (DEP) in the diagnosis of cul de sac hernia (enterocele) in patients with evacuatory dysfunction

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Cul-de-sac hernias (enterocele and peritoneocele) are difficult to diagnose in patients presenting with primary evacuatory difficulty. Failure to recognize their presence in patients undergoing surgery may lead to poor functional outcome. Accurate diagnosis requires specialized investigation including dynamic evacuation proctography (DEP) or dynamic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Recently, dynamic transperineal ultrasonography (DTP-US) has been used for this purpose. This study compares DEP with DTP-US for the diagnosis of cul-de-sac hernias in those patients presenting with evacuatory dysfunction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty-two female patients with chronically obstructed defecation underwent blinded clinical, DEP, and DTP-US assessment to define the accuracy of diagnosis of cul-de-sac hernias.

RESULTS

Both the DEP and the DTP-US techniques show concordance for the diagnosis of cul-de-sac hernias in an unselected patient cohort. Patients in both groups have the same duration of constipation with a greater likelihood of prior hysterectomy in those with cul-de-sac hernias. The diagnosis was established separately by DEP in 88% and in 82% of the cases by DTP-US. Transperineal sonography is discordant with DEP in 45% of cases once the diagnosis of cul-de-sac hernia is made, over the contents of the hernia and over the degree of transvaginal enterocele descent, where DTP-US tends to upgrade enterocele severity. Both techniques confirm the high incidence of concomitant pelvic floor compartment pathology.

CONCLUSIONS

Both methods have accuracy for the diagnosis of cul-de-sac hernias in those patients presenting with evacuatory difficulty. Transperineal sonography tends to more readily diagnose peritoneocele and to upgrade enterocele extent. As an office procedure, it is a valuable adjunct to the clinical examination in the diagnosis of cul-de-sac hernia.

Abdominal CT findings in nephropathic amyloidosis of familial Mediterranean fever

To evaluate the abdominal CT features of reactive amyloidosis, abdominal CT scans of 20 patients with amyloidosis of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) were reviewed and compared with abdominal CT scans of 2 control groups: 22 patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) due to non-amyloidotic kidney diseases and 40 patients with normal kidney function. The kidney size of patients with amyloidosis of FMF were found to vary during the course of the disease from normal or slightly larger than normal at the proteinuric phase, to smaller than normal and comparable to kidney size in CRF, at the uremic stage. Compared to kidney disease of other causes, more patients with FMF-amyloidosis had dense kidneys with coarse parenchymal calcification and calcification in other abdominal organs. Patients with FMF-amyloidosis had fewer aortic calcifications than patients with non-amyloidotic kidney disease. These findings suggest that kidney disease of reactive amyloidosis may have abdominal CT findings distinguishing it from other types of kidney diseases.

Postoperative pneumoperitoneum as detected by CT: prevalence, duration, and relevant factors affecting its possible significance

BACKGROUND

To determine the prevalence and duration of postoperative pneumoperitoneum as detected on computed tomography (CT) and to evaluate factors that influence postoperative pneumoperitoneum.

METHODS

One hundred three CT examinations of 89 patients performed after abdominal surgery for various indications were prospectively collected and reviewed. The presence and volume of free air were noted and correlated with patients' sex, age, and habitus, with the time interval between surgery and CT, with the type of surgery, and with the presence of drains.

RESULTS

Pneumoperitoneum was seen in 44% of examinations performed in the first 3 days after surgery and in 30% between the 4th and 18th postoperative days. The prevalence and volume of free air decreased with the time interval between surgery and CT. It was not detected in any of the 11 examinations performed beyond the 18th postoperative day. The volume of free air in the majority of examinations did not exceed 10 mL and ranged from 0.2 to 10 mL in 19 patients (66% of patients with free air). Larger volumes of free air, ranging from 10 to 20 mL and from 20 to 40 mL, were observed in 5 (17%) and 4 (14%) patients, respectively, and only one patient had more than 40 mL of free air. Free air was found significantly more often in male and in asthenic patients; age had no significant effect. Free air was more prevalent in the presence of drains. The type of surgery did not significantly influence the prevalence of postoperative pneumoperitoneum, although it was noted slightly less often after laparoscopic surgery than after open laparotomy.

CONCLUSIONS

Pneumoperitoneum is a common phenomenon after abdominal surgery, decreasing in frequency with time. The air is most often residual and not a sign of disruption of the gastrointestinal tract. Obesity, female sex, and occurrence of free air several weeks after surgery are factors suggestive of a leak, but the significance of a postoperative pneumoperitoneum on CT should be determined mainly by the clinical setting.

Bezoars in the stomach and small bowel--CT appearance

AIM

The aim of this study was to present the computed tomography (CT) appearance of trichobezoars, phytobezoars and other unusual ingested material.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seven patients diagnosed on CT with bezoars in the stomach or small intestine were reviewed with special attention on the characteristics of the intraluminal mass and the presence of proximal dilatation.

RESULTS

There were six women and one man aged 14-81 years. CT was performed because of abdominal pain and a palpable abdominal mass. In none of the cases was the diagnosis suspected clinically. Four patients had a trichobezoar occupying the entire lumen of the stomach. It appeared as a concentric inhomogeneous mass with entrapped air, surrounded by contrast material. In the other three patients the bezoar was confined to the small intestine and was composed respectively of vegetable fibres, ingested toilet paper and an olive stone. The first two had a mottled appearance whereas the last one was small, spherical and well defined. Variable proximal dilatation of the small bowel was present in all three.

CONCLUSION

With the increased use of CT in the evaluation of patients with non-specific abdominal pain, it is important to recognize the CT appearance of bezoars, as this diagnosis is often not suspected clinically.

Polysplenia syndrome detected in adulthood: report of eight cases and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

To present the computed tomographic (CT) features of the abdominal anomalies consistent with polysplenia syndrome in adults. Awareness of these abnormalities may avoid misdiagnosing characteristic findings as separate pathological processes.

METHODS

Imaging studies, mainly abdominal CT scans, of eight patients were reviewed. Attention was directed to the location of the multiple spleens, stomach, and liver and to the possible presence of a short pancreas, malrotation of the intestine, and venous anomalies. We also reviewed the CT findings of 15 adult patients described in the literature.

RESULTS

Three men and five women underwent CT for various unrelated conditions. The most common findings were multiple spleens along the greater curvature of the stomach, which were located in the right upper quadrant in six patients. The inferior vena cava was seen on the left side in seven subjects, with azygos/hemiazygos continuation in six. A preduodenal portal vein was present in seven subjects. The liver was in the midline in four patients and on the left side in two. A short pancreas was seen in four patients, intestinal nonrotation in five, and dextrocardia in two. The prevalence of these anomalies was similar to that of the reviewed cases.

CONCLUSIONS

CT proved to be an excellent imaging modality in the diagnosis of the abdominal anomalies. Some of these (a short pancreas, multiple spleens, and azygos continuation) can simulate pathological processes. Hence the importance of recognizing these CT findings as part of a syndrome.

CT angiography of superior mesenteric artery syndrome

OBJECTIVE

Our purpose was to describe the use of CT angiography and three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction in the diagnosis of superior mesenteric artery syndrome in three patients.

CONCLUSION

CT angiography combined with 3D reconstructions is a noninvasive technique that may have a complementary diagnostic role similar to that of angiography in patients with a classic clinical presentation suggestive of superior mesenteric artery syndrome. CT angiography combined with 3D reconstructions should be considered in patients who might otherwise require angiography.

Urinary excretion of orally ingested gastrografin on CT

Renal excretion of orally ingested gastrografin has rarely been reported on computed tomography (CT). We studied the unenhanced scans of 82 patients with bowel disorders or perforation to assess the prevalence of urinary contrast material (CM) in various bowel diseases. We also assessed the clinical significance of this sign. In addition, we reviewed the unenhanced CT scans of 100 randomly selected patients without bowel diseases as a control group. Twenty-nine of the 58 patients with bowel diseases, six of nine with free perforation, and one of 15 with covered perforation had CM in the urinary tract. None of the 100 without bowel disease showed urinary CM. Statistical analysis was done by using the Fisher's exact test. The prevalence of urinary CM was highest in inflammatory bowel disease, radiation enteritis, and free perforation (p < 0. 0001). This study shows that the CT finding of orally ingested gastrografin in the urinary tract differentiates patients with bowel disease from those without.

Calcification in untreated non-Hodgkin's mediastinal lymphoma

We report a case of calcifications in mediastinal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Although calcification may occur in lymphoma after chemotherapy or radiotherapy in areas of fibrous healing and scar formation, it has been reported only rarely in untreated non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Intussusception in adults: CT diagnosis

PURPOSE

Intussusception in adults is nowadays usually diagnosed on computed tomography (CT), as CT is often the first modality for the investigation of prolonged abdominal pain from which these patients suffer. We wish to present the CT, clinical and pathological findings of 16 adult patients with intussusception seen over a 5-year period.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The abdominal scans of 16 patients with intussusception were reviewed. Special attention was directed to the location of the mass, its shape and fat content, possible underlying pathology and dilatation of the bowel proximally. The findings were correlated with clinical and pathological data.

RESULTS

Eight men and eight women, aged 34-81 years, were studied. The most frequent indication for CT was prolonged abdominal pain. CT findings included an inhomogeneous soft tissue mass, target or sausage-shaped, depending on the angle of the CT beam vs. the intussusception, with a fatty component in 14 of the 16. Intussusception was enteroenteric (six), ileocolic (three), or colocolic (seven). Complete small bowel obstruction was present only in one case and some bowel dilatation in three. The underlying pathology could be diagnosed on CT in only two cases of lipoma. Nine patients had an underlying malignant process, eight of them unsuspected. Of the other five, two had coeliac disease, two were classified as idiopathic and one had a necrotic polyp of undetermined pathology.

CONCLUSION

Intussusception on CT presented a characteristic mass lesion containing fat stripes in almost all patients. Obstruction was rarely seen. Malignant lesions were the most common cause and therefore early diagnosis and prompt intervention are essential.

Failure of early postnatal dexamethasone to prevent chronic lung disease in infants with respiratory distress syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of early postnatal dexamethasone (days 1-3) on the incidence and severity of chronic lung disease in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome.

METHODS

A multicentre, randomised, placebo controlled, blinded study was carried out in 18 neonatal intensive care units in Israel. The primary outcome measure was survival to discharge without requirement for supplemental oxygen therapy beyond 28 days of life. The secondary outcome measures were requirement for mechanical ventilation at 3 and 7 days, duration of ventilation or oxygen therapy, need for subsequent steroids for established chronic lung disease and incidence of major morbidities.

RESULTS

The study consisted of 248 infants (dexamethasone n = 132; placebo n = 116). No differences were found in the outcome variables except for a reduction in requirement for mechanical ventilation at age 3 days in treated infants (dexamethasone 44%, placebo 67%; P = 0.001). Gastrointestinal haemorrhage, hypertension, and hyperglycaemia were more common in treated infants, but no life threatening complications, such as gastrointestinal perforation, were encountered.

CONCLUSIONS

These data do no support the routine use of early postnatal steroids, but may justify further study in a selected, high risk group of infants.

Neonatal noma

Neonatal noma is a rare clinical syndrome affecting term and preterm infants. It causes gangrene of the orofacial tissues accompanied by sepsis and a high mortality rate. A preterm 35-week infant, severely growth retarded in utero, developed clinical signs of sepsis with ulcers all over the oral mucosa caused by local infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The lesions healed with cicatricial sequelae of the mouth, sequestration of teeth, and retraction of perimandibular soft tissues.

Systemic candidal infections associated with use of peripheral venous catheters in neonates: a 9-year experience

The clinical courses of 25 infants with systemic candidiasis who were treated in the neonatal intensive care unit at Kaplan Hospital, Rehovot, Israel, during the period 1980-1989 were retrospectively analyzed. Twenty-three (92%) weighted less than 1,500 g at birth. Candidemia was associated with prolonged antibiotic therapy, hyperalimentation, and intravenous fat emulsions in all cases and with previous tracheal intubation in 80% of cases. Only one infant had a central venous catheter placed; for all others, hyperalimentation was administered by means of peripheral intravenous catheters. The mean age at onset of systemic candidiasis was 30 +/- 14 days, although an earlier onset (25 +/- 8 days) was noted during the last 3 years of the study period. Candida species were isolated from the blood of 24 infants and from the urine of 10 infants. Microscopic examination of the urine was positive for Candida organisms for three infants and led to a rapid diagnosis. Candidal skin abscesses were present in 11 infants (44%); for two of these infants, the early occurrence of such abscesses prompted the initiation of therapy before confirmation of the diagnosis of systemic candidiasis. All infants were treated with intravenous amphotericin B and oral 5-fluorocytosine. The mortality rate was 20%, but death was directly attributable to candidemia in only three infants (12%).

Ectopic ureterocele in adults with a comparison of the anomaly in children

Ectopic ureteroceles, while not uncommon in children, have been reported only rarely in adults. We present five adults with ectopic ureteroceles with emphasis on the varied clinical and radiographic manifestations. These findings were compared with those in 32 children with ectopic ureterocele. It was found that the clinical presentation differed in adults and children, but the radiological findings were similar. The diagnosis was in some cases delayed for many years. The anomaly could not be detected by imaging means in two of five adults and eight of 32 children, and was found only at surgery.