Objective To explore the optimal parameters for virtual mono-energetic imaging of liver solid lesions. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 60 patients undergoing contrast-enhanced spectral CT of the abdomen.The iodine concentration values of hepatic arterial phase images and the CT values of different mono-energetic images were measured.The correlation coefficient and coefficient of variation were calculated. Results The average correlation coefficients between iodine concentrations and CT values of hepatic solid lesion images at 40,45,50,55,60,65,and 70 keV were 0.996,0.995,0.993,0.989,0.978,0.970,and 0.961,respectively.The correlation coefficients at 40(P=0.007),45(P=0.022),50 keV (P=0.035)were higher than that at 55 keV,and the correlation coefficients at 40 keV(P=0.134) and 45 keV(P=0.368) had no significant differences from that at 50 keV.The coefficients of variation of the CT values at 40,45,and 50 keV were 0.146,0.154,and 0.163,respectively. Conclusion The energy of 40 keV is optimal for virtual mono-energetic imaging of liver solid lesions in the late arterial phase,which is helpful for the diagnosis of liver diseases.
Humans ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Retrospective Studies ; Abdomen ; Iodine ; Liver/diagnostic imaging* ; Signal-To-Noise Ratio ; Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted/methods*

Computed tomography (CT) is an imaging modality that provides otherwise unobtainable information in the diagnostic workup for acute abdomen. The patient's clinical history, physical examination, and laboratory findings are essential for a correct diagnosis; however, some diagnoses are difficult to establish. Although contrast-enhanced CT is the preferred diagnostic tool and provides invaluable information, using only post-contrast images can lead to misdiagnoses. Unenhanced CT images are more useful than post-contrast images for detecting high-attenuation lesions or materials because surrounding tissues also show high attenuation on post-contrast images. Unenhanced CT often provides key imaging findings for a correct diagnosis; hence, the purpose of this article is to describe CT findings in acute abdomen with high-attenuation lesions in the gastrointestinal tract.
Adult ; Humans ; Abdomen, Acute/diagnostic imaging* ; Contrast Media ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods* ; Gastrointestinal Tract/diagnostic imaging* ; Retrospective Studies

Abdomen/diagnostic imaging* ; Artificial Intelligence ; Body Composition ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Practice Guidelines as Topic

As a new type of magnetic resonance imaging method, amide proton transfer (APT) imaging can detect the chemical exchange characteristics of free proprotein, peptide amide proton and water proton by water signal changes, reflecting the changes of protein and pH in tissues. In recent years, clinical research on brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, hepatic encephalopathy and cervical cancer have been carried out. It is a radiation-free and non-invasive new magnetic resonance molecular imaging technology. This study briefly reviews the principle of APT technology and its clinical application, and prospects its application prospects in children's abdominal tumors.
Abdomen/pathology* ; Amides ; Child ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging* ; Protons

Objective To analyze the clinical features of Von-Hippel-Lindau(VHL)syndrome and explore the diagnostic value of abdominal ultrasound for this disease.Methods The clinical features including age at first diagnosis,symptoms,signs,affected organs,number of operations,and diagnostic examinations of 35 patients with VHL syndrome admitted to our center from January 1994 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed.The diagnostic value of abdominal ultrasound for VHL syndrome was analyzed.Results Pheochromocytoma(=14)and nervous system hemangioblastoma(=13)were the common firstly-identified tumors.Nervous system hemangioblastoma(=21),pheochromocytoma(=19),renal carcinoma(=17),and pancreatic mass(=15)were common tumors.The main surgical reasons were nervous system hemangioblastoma(=22),pheochromocytoma(=23)and renal carcinoma(=13).Abdominal organ involvements were found in 33 patients,which were first detected by abdominal ultrasound in 20 patients and were found accidently during routine health checkups in 6 patients.The ultrasound results were accurate in 27 of 33 adrenal gland scans,13 of 16 pancreas scans,and 8 of 19 kidney scans.Conclusions When multiple tumors are detected in the kidney,adrenal gland,and pancreas by ultrasound,the possibility of VHL syndrome should be considered.When the clinical findings suggest the possibility of VHL syndrome,ultrasound can discover and diagnose the abdominal tumors and can also be used for the long-term follow-up of the tumors.Therefore,ultrasound is an important method in the screening and follow-up of patients with VHL syndrome.
Abdomen ; diagnostic imaging ; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; Hemangioblastoma ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Pheochromocytoma ; diagnostic imaging ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography ; von Hippel-Lindau Disease ; complications ; diagnostic imaging

Both malignant tumors derived from gastrointestinal tract and metastasis from peritoneal spread, hematogenous dissemination and lymph node can lead to acute abdomen. Such acute abdomen patients have poor prognosis, high mortality, and complex clinical manifestations. It is difficult to make a correct diagnosis in clinical practice. Recent studies show that gastrointestinal tumors are associated with clinical emergency. Malignant gastrointestinal tumors mostly result in obstruction, so upper gastrointestinal contrast for gastric cancer and post-enhanced CT for colon cancer are recommended; gastrointestinal stromal tumors usually cause bleeding, so computed tomography angiography (CTA) is the first choice for examination; primary gastrointestinal lymphoma tends to cause perforation and usually occurs in small intestine, so CT is the first examination for patients with ischemic acute abdomen, and post-enhanced CT is essential to exclude small intestine carcinoid because of its rising incidence in recent years. The possibility of gastrointestinal metastasis should be kept in mind for patients with cancer presenting acute abdomen. This article focuses on the imaging features of common gastrointestinal tumors and their acute obstruction, perforation, and hemorrhage, and aims to improve the understanding of such symptoms in clinical practice so that correct diagnosis and treatment can be made in time.
Abdomen, Acute ; diagnostic imaging ; Carcinoid Tumor ; diagnostic imaging ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Intestinal Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; Intestines ; diagnostic imaging

A dog with a history of diarrhea and dyschezia exhibited an oval-shaped, soft-tissue opacity mass in the abdomen on radiographs. CT examination revealed a large fluid-filled structure displacing the urinary bladder, prostate, and colon. The mass had continuity with the prostate; therefore, it was tentatively diagnosed as a paraprostatic cyst. Cytologic examination was performed and the mass was considered a non-inflammatory cyst. However, after surgery, histopathologic examination revealed a necrotic, inflamed cystic lipoma. This case shows that unusual intra-abdominal lipomas may have a cystic appearance.
Abdomen ; Animals ; Colon ; Constipation ; Diagnostic Imaging ; Diarrhea ; Dogs ; Lipoma* ; Prostate ; Urinary Bladder

Recent studies suggest that liver cirrhosis is reversible after administering oral nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy to patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. However, few studies have addressed whether esophageal varices can regress after such therapy. We report a case of complete regression of esophageal varices during entecavir therapy in patients with HBV-related liver cirrhosis, suggesting that complications of liver cirrhosis such as esophageal varices can regress after the long-term suppression of HBV replication.
Abdomen/diagnostic imaging ; Antiviral Agents/*therapeutic use ; DNA, Viral/blood ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices/complications/prevention & control ; Guanine/*analogs & derivatives/therapeutic use ; Hepatitis B virus/genetics ; Hepatitis B, Chronic/complications/*drug therapy/virology ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis/*diagnosis/etiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Ultrasonography

Primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the liver is very rare, and few cases have been reported in Korea. Primary SCC of the liver is known to be associated with hepatic cysts and intrahepatic stones. A 71-year-old male was admitted to our hospital, and a abdominal computed tomography scan revealed a 10 × 6 cm mass in the liver. Analysis of a biopsy sample suggested SCC, and so our team performed a thorough workup to find the primary lesion, which was revealed hepatoma as a pure primary SCC of the liver with multiple distant metastases. The patient was treated with one cycle of radiotherapy, transferred to another hospital for hospice care, and then died 1 month after discharge.
Abdomen/diagnostic imaging ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/*diagnosis/pathology/radiotherapy ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Keratins/metabolism ; Liver Neoplasms/*diagnosis/pathology/radiotherapy ; Male ; Palliative Care ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Portal biliopathy is defined as abnormalities in the extra- and intrahepatic ducts and gallbladder of patients with portal hypertension. This condition is associated with extrahepatic venous obstruction and dilatation of the venous plexus of the common bile duct, resulting in mural irregularities and compression of the biliary tree. Most patients with portal biliopathy remain asymptomatic, but approximately 10% of them advance to symptomatic abdominal pain, jaundice, and fever. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography are currently used as diagnostic tools because they are noninvasive and can be used to assess the regularity, length, and degree of bile duct narrowing. Management of portal biliopathy is aimed at biliary decompression and reducing the portal pressure. Portal biliopathy has rarely been reported in Korea. We present a symptomatic case of portal biliopathy that was complicated by cholangitis and successfully treated with biliary endoscopic procedures.
Abdomen/diagnostic imaging ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Cholestasis/*diagnosis ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal/*diagnosis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Portal Vein ; *Stents ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed