Surgical margin follow-up after nephron-sparing surgery: the possible role of CEUS

PURPOSE

To evaluate the possible role of CEUS in the management of patients who underwent nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) and presented questionable findings on the surgical margins at the CECT follow-up exam.

METHODS

In our retro-prospective study, we included 952 patients with small renal masses (SRMs) treated with NSS between 2012 and 2015 and followed with CECT for at least 3 years at Careggi University Hospital. Twenty-two of them presented solid masses on the site of surgery with questionable enhancement at CECT and were further studied with CEUS. This examination was followed by a quantitative analysis of the enhancement pattern.

RESULTS

Out of the 22 masses, 18 were considered possible granulomas, presenting slow wash-in and low enhancement peaks compared to the surrounding parenchyma and persistent delayed wash-out at CEUS. Four lesions presented a suspicious malignant enhancement pattern, with rapid wash-in, high peak and rapid wash-out. In accordance with instructions from the urologist, the first group of 18 patients was strictly monitored, revealing that the mass dimensions and enhancement pattern were stable for at least 3 years of follow-up, while the other 4 patients underwent a second intervention and their masses were confirmed as tumor recurrence at the histopathological evaluation.

CONCLUSIONS

CEUS can play a key role in the surgical margin follow-up after NSS when a suspicious enhancing mass is detected by CECT, giving an accurate depiction of the enhancement pattern and thus helping the clinician in the management of the patient.

Caseous Calcification of the Mitral Annulus

Soft-tissue masses or mass-like lesions involving the mitral valve include a wide range of diseases such as tumors, abscesses, vegetations, thrombus and, rarely, caseous calcifications of the mitral annulus. Caseous calcifications of the mitral annulus is a rare variant of mitral annular calcification that is usually asymptomatic and diagnosed incidentally. Echocardiography is the first-choice imaging modality. Cardiac computed tomography is an ideal tool to confirm the presence of calcifications and caseous necrosis. In cases where there is doubt, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging may be used. We present the case of a 62-year-old patient with an intra-cardiac mass diagnosed by echocardiography. Imaging modalities to achieve a correct diagnosis and avoid unnecessary surgical intervention are discussed.