OBJECTIVETo investigate the image quality, radiation dose and diagnostic value of the low-tube-voltage high-pitch dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) with sinogram affirmed iterative reconstruction (SAFIRE) for non-enhanced abdominal and pelvic scans.

METHODSThis institutional review board-approved prospective study included 64 patients who gave written informed consent for additional abdominal and pelvic scan with DSCT in the period from November to December 2012. The patients underwent standard non-enhanced CT scans (protocol 1) [tube voltage of 120 kVp/pitch of 0.9/filtered back-projection (FBP) reconstruction] followed by high-pitch non-enhanced CT scans (protocol 2) (100 kVp/3.0/SAFIRE). The total scan time, mean CT number, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), image quality, lesion detectability and radiation dose were compared between the two protocols.

RESULTSThe total scan time of protocol 2 was significantly shorter than that of protocol 1 (1.4±0.1 seconds vs. 7.6±0.6 seconds, P<0.001). There was no significant difference between protocol 1 and protocol 2 in mean CT number of all organs (liver, 55.4±6.3 HU vs. 56.1±6.8 HU, P=0.214; pancreas, 43.6±5.9 HU vs. 43.7±5.8 HU, P=0.785; spleen, 47.9±3.9 HU vs. 49.4±4.3 HU, P=0.128; kidney, 32.2±2.3 HU vs. 33.1±2.3 HU, P=0.367; abdominal aorta, 44.8±5.6 HU vs. 45.0±5.5 HU, P=0.499; psoas muscle, 50.7±4.1 HU vs. 50.3±4.5 HU, P=0.279). SNR on images of protocol 2 was higher than that of protocol 1 (liver, 5.0±1.2 vs. 4.5±1.1, P<0.001; pancreas, 4.0±1.0 vs. 3.6±0.8, P<0.001; spleen, 4.7±1.0 vs. 4.1±0.9, P<0.001; kidney, 3.1±0.6 vs. 2.8±0.6, P<0.001; abdominal aorta, 4.1±1.0 vs. 3.8±1.0, P<0.001; psoas muscle, 4.5±1.1 vs. 4.3±1.2, P=0.012). The overall image noise of protocol 2 was lower than that of protocol 1 (9.8±3.1 HU vs. 11.1±3.0 HU, P<0.001). Image quality of protocol 2 was good but lower than that of protocol 1 (4.1±0.7 vs. 4.6±0.5, P<0.001). Protocol 2 perceived 229 of 234 lesions (97.9%) that were detected in protocol 1 in the abdomen and pelvis. Radiation dose of protocol 2 was lower than that of protocol 1 (4.4±0.4 mSv vs. 7.3±2.4 mSv, P<0.001) and the mean dose reduction was 41.4%.

CONCLUSIONThe high-pitch DSCT with SAFIRE can shorten scan time and reduce radiation dose while preserving image quality in non-enhanced abdominal and pelvic scans.

Algorithms ; Humans ; Pelvis ; pathology ; Radiography, Abdominal

Radical cystectomy for bladder cancer was preformed in total of 68 consecutive patients (53 males and 15 females) at Binh Dan hospital from August 2001 to August 2003. Histopathological examination revealed that the tumor grade was 1 in 19 patients (2 with positive node), grade 2 in 20 patients (10 positive node) and grade 3 in 28 patients (15 positive node). The pathological stage was pT1 in 2 patients (no positive node), pT2 in 50 patients (17 positive node), pT3 in 15 patients (12 positive node) and pT4 in 1 patient (positive node). Among 68 patients underwent radical cystectomy, 35 patients had cultaneous ureterostomy, 26 patients had a Carmey II plasty with ileal-conduct uriary diversion, 5 patients with urinary diversion of Kock plasty and 2 patients had a Bricker operation
Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; surgery ; cystectomy ; pathology ; Pelvis

Aged ; Amyloidosis ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Humans ; Kidney Pelvis ; pathology ; Male ; Ureter ; pathology ; Urinary Bladder ; pathology

Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Pelvis ; pathology ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; pathology ; Pelvic Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery

Sarcoma of the kidney is a rare condition. Leiomyosarcoma is the most common of the kidney sarcomas. Renal leiomyosarcoma usually originates from the smooth muscle layers of the kidney, for example, the renal capsule and renal vessels. Renal pelvis neoplasms, however, are primarily transitional cell carcinomas, and renal pelvis leiomyosarcomas are extremely uncommon. Renal pelvis leiomyosarcoma has never been reported in Korea. Moreover, no more than 10 cases have been reported internationally. However, none of these were associated with kidney abnormalities. Here we describe a case of leiomyosarcoma that originated from the blind end of a bifid renal pelvis.
Female ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms/*pathology ; Kidney Pelvis/*pathology/radiography ; Leiomyosarcoma/*pathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

The pelvis and the spine form a system balancing human skeleton. Within this system, the pelvis adapts to age-related changes in the spine. Previous studies were predominantly focused on changes of pelvic parameters in the sagittal plane. The aim of this study was to reveal age-related changes of lesser pelvic dimensions at different levels of the pelvic cavity in the sagittal and coronal planes and to explore sexual dimorphism in age-related tendencies. The computed tomography pelvimetry was performed on the three-dimensional workstation. The research sample included 211 females aged 18 to 84 years and 181 males aged 18 to 82 years, who underwent an examination at the Riga East University Hospital, Clinical Center “Gailezers,” Latvia. Three pelvic angles and transverse and sagittal diameters of the lesser pelvis were measured at four levels: the inlet, two axial planes in the mid-cavity, and the outlet. The results demonstrated that more pronounced age-related changes occurred in the inlet and the outlet of the lesser pelvis. The mid-cavity was less changing. The transverse diameter between acetabular centers and the sagittal diameter at the level of ischial spines were independent of age. In general, the common age-related trends were observed for pelvic parameters in females and males. A single exception was the proportion of diameters at the level of ischial spines, which decreased in males only. For parameters associated with pelvic floor diseases, age-related changes occurred in the direction of pathology.
Acetabulum ; Aging ; Bays ; Female* ; Humans ; Latvia ; Lesser Pelvis ; Male* ; Pathology ; Pelvic Floor Disorders ; Pelvimetry* ; Pelvis ; Skeleton ; Spine

The optimal goals in the surgical treatment of rectal cancer are curative resection, anal sphincter preservation, and preservation of sexual and voiding functions. The quality of complete resection of rectal cancer and the surrounding mesorectum can determine the prognosis of patients and their quality of life. With the emergence of total mesorectal excision in the field of rectal cancer surgery, anatomical sharp pelvic dissection has been emphasized to achieve these therapeutic goals. In the past, the rates of local recurrence and sexual/ voiding dysfunction have been high. However, with sharp pelvic dissection based on the pelvic anatomy, local recurrence has decreased to less than 10%, and the preservation rate of sexual and voiding function is high. Improved surgical techniques have created much interest in the surgical anatomy related to curative rectal cancer surgery, with particular focus on the fascial planes and nerve plexuses and their relationship to the surgical planes of dissection. A complete understanding of rectum anatomy and the adjacent pelvic organs are essential for colorectal surgeons who want optimal oncologic outcomes and safety in the surgical treatment of rectal cancer.
Rectum/pathology/*surgery ; Rectal Neoplasms/pathology/*surgery ; Pelvis/*surgery ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Humans ; Dissection/methods

A 51-year-old male patient was presented to our hospital for inspection of right renal space-occupying lesions. CT revealed soft tissue density in the right renal pelvis and renal pelvis ureter transitional crumb, for which a clinical diagnosis of right renal cancer was made. After laparoscopic radical resection of the right kidney, pathological examination supported the diagnosis of idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis. With an unclear pathogenesis, idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis presents with atypical clinical manifestations but shows specific features in imaging examination. Its treatment is individualized according to the specific condition for which conservative medical or surgical treatment can be considered. Retroperitoneal fibrosis has a low incidence and a high misdiagnosis rate, and imaging examinations remain currently the primary modality for diagnosis with specific findings.
Diagnostic Errors ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; Kidney Pelvis ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retroperitoneal Fibrosis ; diagnosis ; Ureter ; pathology

Humans ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; prevention & control ; Pelvis ; pathology ; Postoperative Period ; Rectal Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship of pyelic separation with gestational age, body weight and sex in early newborns.

METHODSA total of 320 neonates were examined by renal ultrasound 2-7 days after birth. The neonates included 180 boys and 140 girls, with a mean gestational age of 36±3 weeks (28-42 weeks) and a mean birth weight of 2430±1000 g (900-4870 g). Correlation analysis was performed between renal pelvis anteroposterior diameter (APD) and gestational age/body weight. The newborns were grouped based on gestational age, body weight and sex and the incidence of pyelic separation was compared among the groups.

RESULTSPyelic separation was found in 100 of the 320 newborns. The incidence of pyelic separation in boys (37.8%, 70 cases) was significantly higher than in girls (22.2%, 30 cases) (P<0.05). The incidence rates of pyelic separation on the left side, right side and both sides were 59%, 13% and 29% respectively in boys, and 53%, 7% and 40% respectively in girls. There was no significant difference in the location of renal pelvis separation between boys and girls (P>0.05). There significant difference in the incidence of pyelic separation between different gestational age groups (P>0.05). APD was positively correlated with gestational age and birth weight (P<0.05). The incidence of pyelic separation was negatively correlated with birth weight in all newborns except those who were macrosomic (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe incidence of pyelic separation in early newborns is closely associated with birth weight and sex. APD is positively correlated to gestational age and birth weight. Pyelic separation often occurs more frequently on the left side or both sides than on the right side.

Birth Weight ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Kidney Pelvis ; pathology ; Male ; Ureter ; pathology