Complicated hepatic microabscess secondary to ascending cholangitis following ERCP (Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram) is rare, and needs to be differentiated from other microabscesses, metastasis or Caroli's disease. We experienced a case of hepatic microabscess associated with septic cholangitis following ERCP. Cholangiogram showed multiple sac-like abscess pockets with characteristic biliary communication, and CT scan revealed multiple low attenuated lesions. At the resolving stage of chotangitic microabscess, CT scan showed partial rim enhancement of the abscesses and disproportional dilatation of intrahepatic ducts. The residual parenchymal enhancement surrounding the resolved microabscess pockets and dilatated biliary ducts, however, remained even after clinical recovery.
Abscess ; Caroli Disease ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Cholangitis* ; Dilatation ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Acupuncture with gold needle insertion is utilized in Oriental medicine, and the effect of therapy is represented by anti-inflammatory and analgesic function, But sometimes the needle is erroneously inserted into abdominal organs, and then it may cause dangerous complications. We report a case of multiple gold needles in the abdominal organs without having definete clinical symptoms.
Acupuncture* ; Medicine, East Asian Traditional ; Needles* ; Radiography*

Intra- and extrahepatic bile duct can be invaded by hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This is infrequent in HCC, but it can directly affect the clinical manifestation and prognosis. We present eight cases of HCCs with emphasis on the incidence and features of bile duct invassion on computed tomography (CT). Over a period of 22 months, abdominal CT was performed in 186 with HCC patients. Out of these, five cases of bile duct invasion by HCC were confirmed in our hospital and three in other hospitals. The eight cases were evaluated for the type, size and location. CT features of intraductal mass and ductal dilatation were evaluated. The incidence of bile duct invasion in HCC was 2.6%. Infiltrative type of HCC was seen in seven cases and six of these had mass 5-11 cm in size. The characteristic CT findings of bile duct invasion in HCC are mass in common hepatic duct with bulging contour(8/80, multiple intraductal masses in the intrahepatic ducts (5/8), and diffuse dilatation of intrahepatic ducts (7/8).
Bile Ducts* ; Bile Ducts, Extrahepatic ; Bile* ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Dilatation ; Hepatic Duct, Common ; Humans ; Incidence ; Prognosis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

PURPOSE: The diagnosis of Budd-Chiari syndrome on CT is difficult if CT do not demonstrate obstruction of the IVC or hepatic vein and other parameter is needed for the correct diagnosis. The purpose of our study was to determine the usefulness of measuring the diameter of azygos-hemiazygos vein on CT to differentiate Budd-Chiari syndrome from advanced liver cirrhosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen patients who were proven as Budd-Chiari syndrome on vena cavography were studied for analysis. All patients showed evidence of liver cirrhosis on CT. As a control group fifteen cases of advanced liver cirrhosis who underwent endoscopic sclerotheraphy due to esophageal variceal bleeding were also included for comparison. The largest short axis diameter of azygos-hemiazygos vein was measured in all patients at the level of diaphragm on axial CT and the results were compared in both groups. RESULTS: In patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome the largest short axial diameter of azygos-hemiazygos vein ranged from 0.5cm to 2.5cm(mean ;1.5cm). Only one patient who showed hepatic venous obstruction demonstrated a diameter of less than 1 cm(0. Scm). In contrast, the diameter in patients with advanced liver cirrhosis without obstruction of IVC or hepatic vein was less than 1 cm with a range from 0.2cm to 1 cm(mean ;0.6cm). CONCLUSION: The short axis diameter of azygos-hemiazygos vein was an indicator of IVC obstruction (Budd-Chiari syndrome).
Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Budd-Chiari Syndrome* ; Diagnosis* ; Diaphragm ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices ; Hepatic Veins ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Veins*

PURPOSE: The role of MRI in the detection of cholangiocarcinoma of the common hepatic duct has rarely been described. This study was attempted to ascertain characteristic MR features of cholangiocarcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The T1(500/30, TRs/TEs) and T2 weighted(200/80, TRs/TEs) MR images were obtained from nine patients with cholangiocarcinoma of the common hepatic duct. The common hepatic lesions were detected in seven cases. MR features of cholangiocarcinoma were analysed according to the signal intensity and associated findings. RESULTS: The seven cases showed lower signal intensity than the surrounding normal liver parenchyma on T1 weighted image. On T2 weighted image, the tumor showed isosignal intensity and hyperintensity in four and three patients, respectively. T2 image also revealed diffusely increased signal intensity in some hepatic lobe or segment in four cases, and Intrahepatic periductal high signal intensity in one case. Other associated MR findings were intrahepatic metastasis, and intratumoral hemorrhage, each noted in a different case. CONCLUSION: T2 weighted Image appears to be effective in the detection of cholangiocarcinoma of the common hepatic duct and evaluation of its associated intrahepatic lesions.
Cholangiocarcinoma* ; Hemorrhage ; Hepatic Duct, Common* ; Humans ; Liver ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neoplasm Metastasis

No abstract available in English.
Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Stomach* ; Ureter*

Localized fibrous mesothelioma of the liver is very rare benign tumor. It usually manifest large palpable hepatic mass in right upper quadrant area, and the prognosis is excellent by surgical resection. Contrast enhanced CT scan shows well defined hyperattenuating mass and celiac anglogram shows hypervascular mass. Recently we experienced 1 case of localized fibrous mesothelioma of the liver, and we report CT and anglographic findings of this tumor.
Liver* ; Prognosis ; Solitary Fibrous Tumor, Pleural* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and usefulness of percutaneous fine needle aspiration biopsy of the splenic lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fine needle aspiration biopsy was done in 7 patients with splenic lesions. Spleen puncture was perfoled by using 22 gauge Chiba needle, under ultrasound guidance in 6 patients and CT guidance in one patient. RESULTS: No major complication such as bleeding, infection or pneumothorax occurred. Final diagnosis were 2 cases of splenic lymphoma and one case each of metastasis, cystic lymphangioma, tuberculosis, hemangioma, and extramedullary hematopoiesis. Cytologic results were true positive in 4 patients and were clinically useful in all patients. CONCLUSION: This study shows that FNAB of splenic lesions may be a valuable procedure safe from major complications such as fatal bleeding.
Biopsy ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle* ; Diagnosis ; Hemangioma ; Hematopoiesis, Extramedullary ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Lymphangioma, Cystic ; Lymphoma ; Needles ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Pneumothorax ; Punctures ; Spleen ; Tuberculosis ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: We report seven cases of pancreas transplantation, first performed in Korea, in the context of postsurgical radiologic studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus received transplants from cadevaric(n=6) or living related donor(n=1). Retrospective analysis of 27 US(including 19 Duplex US), two CT, four MRi, and three scintigraphy for these patients was made with surgico-pathological correlation in five cases. RESULT:Of the seven patients, three-month graft survival was five and one-year survival was two. One patient died of abdominal abscess following surgery. US gave the valuable informations regarding the graff swelling, vascular complication, and perigraff fluid collection. RBC bleeding scan was effective of the presence or absence and location of intestinal bleeding. CT was useful in determining the extent and severity of the pancreatitis. MRI gave a little information about functional status of the grafted pancreas. CONCLUSION: The choice of appropriate imaging modalities for postsurgical work up in patients who had pacreas transplantation depends on the clinical conditions of the patients and complications suspected. Further prospective studies appear to be necessary to eatablish the interval and modality choice for early detection of the complication.
Abdominal Abscess ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ; Graft Survival ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Korea ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Pancreas Transplantation* ; Pancreas* ; Pancreatitis ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Retrospective Studies ; Transplants

Pancreas lipomatosis is definde as fatty replacement of pancreatic acinar cells. Of the nine cases evaluated, seven cases (77.8%) of lipomatosis were limited inbody and tail, one case (11.1%) showed total lipomatosis excluding uncinate process and the remaining one case (11.1%) only in tail. As to the severity of lipomatosis, complete fat replacement in body and tail was found in four cases (44.4%), incomplete body and complete tail involvement in two (22.2%), incomplete body and tail, complete all except uncinate process, and complete tail involvements were found in one case (11.1%) each. Associated or predisposing factors included three diabetes mellitus (33.3%) combined with pancreas divisum, pancreas lithiasis and cholelithiasis respectively, hepatitis (22.2%) in two, and pseudocyst (11.1%) in one case, but in three cases (33.3%) nothing was found. In conclusion, pancreas lipomatosis was easily diagnosed by the abdominal CT and it was associated or predisposed by several e tities but had no major clinical symptoms, such as pancreatic insufficiency.
Acinar Cells ; Causality ; Cholelithiasis ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency ; Hepatitis ; Lipomatosis* ; Lithiasis ; Pancreas* ; Tail ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed