Part 2 book “CT & MRI pathology – A pocket atlas” has contents: Gastrointestinal, benign prostatic hyperplasia, bladder cancer, prostate carcinoma, ovarian cyst, uterine leiomyoma, rectal cancer, hepatobiliary, miscellaneous, trauma,.. and other contnents.
PART VI Abdomen 279 GASTROINTESTINAL Carcinoid Description: Carcinoids are rare, slow-growing cancers which start in the lining of the gastrointestinal tract Etiology: Unknown; however, genetic involvement is suspected Epidemiology: Overall, 1.5 cases per 100,000 population They occur mostly in the appendix (50%) and small bowel (20%) The ileum is the most frequent site of involvement in the small bowel Females and older adults are more commonly affected Signs and Symptoms: The signs and symptoms may be vague Patients may experience abdominal pain, bleeding, and bowel obstruction Imaging Characteristics: Primary tumors may be small Aggressive tumors >2 cm may have a necrotic center May mimic a lymphoma CT Appear as a bright wall mass with IV contrast Thick fibrotic stranding radiates from the mass to adjacent bowel Usually metastasize to the liver, are hypervascular, and best seen on the arterial phase MRI T1-weighted signal is isointense to muscle T1-weighted postgadolinium shows bright signal on delayed studies T2-weighted signal may vary from isointense to hyperintense to muscle Treatment: Surgery is the treatment of choice Chemotherapy is helpful for metastatic spread 280 Prognosis: Results are better if complete resection of the localized tumor is accomplished FIGURE Carcinoid Pre- (A) and postcontrast (B) CTs of the abdomen show an enhancing, partially calcified, stellate mid-abdominal mesenteric mass with radiating bands of fibrosis and retraction of the surrounding small bowel, giving a classic “sunburst” appearance FIGURE Carcinoid Contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) coronal multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) image shows similar findings as the axial images In this image, multiple low-attenuation liver metastases can be seen 281 Colorectal Cancer Description: Colorectal cancer (adenocarcinoma of the colon) is the most common malignant tumor affecting the gastrointestinal tract Colorectal cancer often begins as a polyp which may become malignant if left untreated Etiology: A number of factors such as heredity, inflammatory bowel disease (e.g., ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease), physical inactivity, overweight and obesity, diabetes, diet, smoking, and alcohol intake are thought to play a role in the development of colorectal cancer Epidemiology: Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death for men and women in the United States African Americans have a higher incidence rate than white people, while Hispanics/Latinos, American Indians, and Alaska natives have a lower incidence rate Male are slightly more affected than females Incidence and death rates increase in individuals 50 years and older Signs and Symptoms: In its early stage, colorectal cancer is often asymptomatic Patients may experience rectal bleeding, blood in the stool, cramping lower abdominal pain, change in bowel habits, and new onset of constipation Imaging Characteristics: Primary tumor may be a colon polyp usually >1 cm Polyps may appear as a sessile or pedunculated mass arising from the bowel wall and protruding into the lumen CT Chest, abdomen, and pelvic scan for staging purposes Central low attenuation represents hemorrhage or necrosis Air within the tumor may indicate ulceration Regional lymph nodes >1 cm are considered positive for metastatic spread Distant metastatic spread is mostly seen in the liver (75%), lung (5% to 50%), adrenal gland (14%), and elsewhere Thin-section imaging is required for CT colonography Fecal and fluid tagging is beneficial in CT colonography 282 MRI Normal colon has a thin wall with haustrations, and enhances minimally with IV contrast T2-weighted single-shot echo-train spin-echo and True-FISP help control for bowel motion IV contrast-enhanced with fat suppression T1-weighted-spoiled gradient echo or 3D gradient echo is helpful in evaluating the colon Dark-lumen technique may show a polyp protruding into the lumen Endorectal MR may be helpful in evaluating the rectum Treatment: Depending on the stage of the cancer, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy may be used Prognosis: Colon screening is beneficial in early detection and treatment The 5-year survival for colorectal cancer (including all stages) is about 65% FIGURE Colorectal Cancer CECT shows abnormal mural thickening of the mid transverse colon with luminal narrowing and surrounding softtissue bands extending into the surrounding fat which likely represents extracolonic tumor extension 283 FIGURE Colorectal Cancer CECT with positive oral contrast shows abnormal mural thickening of the right hemicolon FIGURE Colorectal Cancer CECT coronal MPR image shows a several centimeter segment of thickened bowel wall involving the midright colon This is typical of colon cancer Crohn’s Disease Description: Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory condition which can affect any part of the alimentary tract However, the small bowel, 284 specifically the terminal ileum, is most commonly affected Etiology: Though the precise cause remains unknown, there seems to be a combination of genetic, immunologic, and infectious factors involved Epidemiology: Crohn’s disease can occur at any age; however, the disease usually presents in adolescents and young adults between the ages of 15 and 35 years It has a bimodal distribution with the first peak being in the teens and twenties and the second peak occurring in the fifties through the seventies Signs and Symptoms: Patients present with persistent or recurrent diarrhea, abdominal pain with cramps, weight loss, and fever Imaging Characteristics: Key characteristics include: (1) bowel wall thickening greater than cm; (2) involvement of >15 cm bowel; and (3) mural enhancement CT IV contrast shows marked bowel wall enhancement Fistula may be seen Mesenteric inflammation is seen as diffuse haziness and increased density in the mesenteric fat Normal bowel “skip areas” may be seen between diseased segments of bowel MRI T2-weighted single-shot echo-train spin-echo and IV gadoliniumenhanced T1-weighted with fat suppression spoiled gradient echo demonstrates dilated bowel and inflammatory changes 3D gradient echo demonstrates characteristic findings: mural enhancement, skip lesions (patchy areas of inflammation), and mesenteric inflammatory changes Treatment: Is focused on reducing the inflammation and maintaining good nutrition Prognosis: There is no cure for this disease Patients with Crohn’s disease are at an increased risk for colorectal cancer 285 FIGURE Crohn’s Disease CECT axial images (A, B) show intense enhancement of the mucosa and low-attenuation edematous thickened submucosa of the terminal ileum consistent with Crohn’s disease 286 FIGURE Crohn’s Disease CECT coronal MPR image in the same patient shows mesenteric hypervascularity (“comb sign”) and proliferation of the adjacent mesenteric fat FIGURE Crohn’s Disease Postcontrast T1W fat saturation MR image 287 (e-THRIVE) shows an enhancing thickened long segment terminal ileum (arrow) as well as a “comb sign” with mesenteric hypervascularity (arrowhead) Free Intraperitoneal Air Description: Free air in the peritoneal cavity, also known as a pneumoperitoneum, is a collection of air or gas in the peritoneal cavity Etiology: This condition can be the result of several factors such as iatrogenic perforation (e.g., laparoscopy, leaking surgical anastomosis, enema tip), disease process (e.g., ulcer, ingested foreign body, ruptured intestine), and penetrating trauma The most common cause is a perforated ulcer Epidemiology: It may occur in anyone who has experienced any of the above-listed factors Signs and Symptoms: Pain and tenderness usually result from a perforation of the bowel Imaging Characteristics: Best detected on lung windows (WL = –400 to –600; WW = 1000 to 2000) CT Gold standard for detection of a pneumoperitoneum IV contrast may not be required Oral contrast (water soluble) may be used to better visualize the GI tract and to demonstrate a leak in the bowel Appears hypodense Free air is classified according to the anatomical location Scanning in the decubitus position will assist in interpreting difficult cases Treatment: Depends on the etiology Prognosis: Depends on the etiology 288 ... States African Americans have a higher incidence rate than white people, while Hispanics/Latinos, American Indians, and Alaska natives have a lower incidence rate Male are slightly more affected... Intraperitoneal Air Axial CT shows a large amount of intra-abdominal free air outlining multiple loops of bowel FIGURE Free Intraperitoneal Air Axial CT demonstrating less dramatic example of extraluminal... Primary tumors may be small Aggressive tumors >2 cm may have a necrotic center May mimic a lymphoma CT Appear as a bright wall mass with IV contrast Thick fibrotic stranding radiates from the mass