Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M C Han

Publications and source records attributed to M C Han.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Small hepatocellular carcinomas and associated nodular lesions of the liver: pathology, pathogenesis, and imaging findings.

Hepatocellular carcinomas frequently occur in association with liver cirrhosis, as chronic liver disease is one of the most important factors in carcinogenesis. In addition to small hepatocellular carcinomas (less than 3 cm in diameter), recent reports of pathologic studies of resected specimens from cirrhotic liver describe associated small nodular lesions (i.e., regenerating nodule, adenomatous hyperplasia, and early hepatocellular carcinoma). In hepatocarcinogenesis of the cirrhotic liver, a regenerating nodule might be the first step in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma, going through phases of adenomatous hyperplasia and early hepatocellular carcinoma in a multistep fashion. We describe the pathologic characteristics of small hepatocellular carcinomas and associated nodular hepatic lesions and review the current concepts of the role of these associated lesions in carcinogenesis. We also discuss the imaging findings of these abnormalities, the efficacy of various imaging techniques for diagnosing them, and the importance of imaging in treatment planning.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

Gliomatosis cerebri: comparison of MR and CT features.

OBJECTIVE: Gliomatosis cerebri is a diffuse infiltrative glial neoplasm frequently involving both cerebral hemispheres. Diagnosis and evaluation of its extent with CT are known to be difficult. The purpose of this study was to compare the MR and CT findings in gliomatosis cerebri. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR images of nine patients were reviewed retrospectively and compared with CT scans. Pathology was determined by open or stereotaxic biopsy. The MR images included sagittal T1-weighted, axial proton density-weighted, and T2-weighted images. Contrast material was administered in seven patients. Unenhanced and enhanced CT scans were obtained in eight patients. RESULTS: On proton density-weighted and T2-weighted MR images, the most common findings were poorly defined bilateral areas of diffuse high signal intensity in the cerebral hemisphere. On T1-weighted images, the lesions were isointense to hypointense compared with normal brain. Enhanced T1-weighted images showed focal parenchymal enhancement in three patients and meningeal enhancement in one. On CT scans, the lesions showed poorly defined areas of subtle low density or isodensity, and appeared much smaller than those on T2-weighted MR images. Enhancement was seen in only one case. The extent of disease was evaluated much better on T2-weighted MR images than on T1-weighted MR images and CT scans. CONCLUSION: In gliomatosis cerebri, MR imaging is more sensitive than CT for detecting lesions and shows the extent of disease better than CT does. Accordingly, MR imaging should be used as a primary imaging study in the evaluation of gliomatosis cerebri.

Adult↗

Piezoelectric lithotripsy of radiopaque gallstones: results and six-month follow-up.

Sixty-eight patients with radiopaque gallbladder stones (38 with a single stone, 30 with multiple stones) were treated with piezoelectric extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) and results were compared with those of 69 patients with radiolucent stones (28 with a single stone, 41 with multiple stones). Stones were fragmented to 4 mm or less in 76.8% after 41,466 +/- 36,504 shock waves in the radiolucent stone group and 77.9% after 54,686 +/- 51,024 shock waves in the radiopaque stone group (p = 0.876 and 0.130, respectively). In 137 patients, ten patients were lost to follow-up. Average period of follow-up was 220 +/- 198 days. Six-month clearance rate of the radiolucent stone group was 43.5% and that of the radiopaque stone group was 16.4% (p less than 0.05) Figure 1. Six-month clearance rate of patients with single stones smaller than 2 cm was also significantly higher in the radiolucent stone group than in the radiopaque stone group (69.5% vs 18.6%; p less than 0.01). However, in patients with multiple stones, the presence of calcification did not affect rates of successful fragmentation or 6-month clearance. There was no statistically significant difference in incidence of complications between the radiolucent and radiopaque stone groups. Although the number of cases are small and the follow-up period is short, our results of ESWL on radiopaque gallstones are so far not satisfactory in terms of stone clearance. Strict patient selection is needed unless there is an improvement in the lithotripsy procedure or post-lithotripsy management.

Adult↗

Hematogeneous pulmonary metastasis. An experimental study using VX-2 carcinoma in rabbits.

The purpose of this study was to develop an experimental model of pulmonary metastases using VX-2 tumor, and to describe sequential radiologic and pathologic findings with special attention to the interstitial changes around the metastatic nodules. Through ear veins of 25 rabbits, VX-2 tumor cell suspension was injected with 0.8-mm scalp needles. Chest radiographs were taken every other day after tumor injection. The rabbits were sacrificed at scheduled times from 3 to 30 days after tumor injection. The inflated and fixed lungs were examined with visual inspection, low-kV radiography, high resolution CT (HRCT), microradiography of the sliced lung and with histopathologic studies. Hematogeneous pulmonary metastases occurred in 24 of 25 rabbits. In addition to the metastatic nodules, perinodular and peribronchovascular infiltrations were seen on low-kV radiography, HRCT, microradiography and histologic studies.

Animals↗

MR appearance of central neurocytoma.

To provide a detailed description of the MR appearances of central neurocytoma, MR images of 13 patients with central neurocytoma were retrospectively reviewed and compared with CT examinations. The histology was confirmed by ultrastructural and immunohistochemical studies. In 12 patients the tumors were histologically benign and located in the anterior part of the lateral ventricle, 6 of which extended to the 3rd ventricle. There was one case of a histologically malignant variant involving the thalamus and lateral ventricle. The tumors were primarily solid, but contained cysts (85%, 11/13), calcifications (69%, 9/13), and signal void from tumor vessels (62%, 8/13), frequently producing heterogeneous signal intensity on both T1- and T2-weighted images. Most of the solid portion appeared isointense or slightly hyperintense relative to the cerebral cortex on all MR pulse sequences. Calcifications were iso- or hypointense on MR, making them difficult to characterize with MR alone. Intratumoral hemorrhage was seen in 2 patients on MR but not on CT. Contrast enhancement was variable in degree and pattern. Coronal and sagittal MR images were valuable in evaluating the tumor extent and origin site, and in planning the surgical approach. It is concluded that MR imaging appears to be more useful than CT in the overall evaluation of central neurocytoma, even though calcification is better characterized with CT.

Adult↗

Cerebral sparganosis: analysis of 34 cases with emphasis on CT features.

Cerebral sparganosis is a rare parasitic CNS disease, producing chronic active granulomatous inflammation. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data, CT scans and histopathologic specimens in 34 patients with cerebral sparganosis. The majority of the patients (89%) were rural inhabitants; 75% had a history of ingestion of frogs and/or snakes. The major presenting symptoms were seizure (84%), hemiparesis (59%) and headache (56%) of chronic course. On CT scans, the disease most frequently involved the cerebral hemispheres, particularly frontoparietal lobes, with occasional extension to the external and internal capsules and basal ganglia. The cerebellum was rarely involved. Bilateral involvement was seen in 26%. The main CT findings consisted of white matter hypodensity with adjacent ventricular dilatation (88%), irregular or nodular enhancing lesion (88%), and small punctate calcifications (76%). In combination, the CT triad above appears to be specific for this disease, and was noted in 62% of cases. Of 16 follow-up CT scans, 5 (38%) showed a change in the location of the enhancing nodule. With a single CT scan, it does not appear to be possible to determine whether the worm is alive or dead, information important for deciding whether to intervene surgically. Change in the location of the enhancing nodule and/or worsening of the other CT findings on sequential CT scans would suggest that the worm is alive and that the patient is a candidate for surgery.

Adult↗

Calcified gastric carcinoma: CT findings.

The computed tomographic (CT) findings of 13 cases of calcified gastric carcinoma were analyzed retrospectively. Eleven cases were confirmed as a mucinous adenocarcinoma by surgery (three cases), or endoscopic biopsy (eight cases). Two cases were diagnosed as adenocarcinoma by endoscopic biopsy. In all cases the calcifications were of the punctate or miliary shape and the size varied from 1-3 mm in diameter. The calcifications were located in the thickened gastric wall in all cases, and were seen in metastatic lesions such as lymph nodes and the liver in two cases. In 10 cases, some tumor portions showed lower attenuation number than that of the muscle on CT scans, and corresponded to mucin pool in tumor portions histologically. Twelve cases were in inoperable advanced stage.

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous↗

Reversed contrast-urine levels in urinary bladder: CT findings.

Contrast-urine levels are routinely seen in contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) of the pelvis with contrast-opacified urine in the bottom and unopacified urine in the top. We encountered four cases in which contrast-urine levels were reversed. The reversal of the contrast-urine level was probably caused by high specific gravity of the preexisting urine in the bladder due to infectious debris or mucous threads in the urine.

Adult↗

Diabetic nephropathy: duplex Doppler ultrasound findings.

To evaluate the correlations among Doppler sonographic findings, morphologic sonographic findings, and laboratory findings representing renal functional status, duplex Doppler sonography of the kidney was performed in 32 patients with diabetes mellitus. Resistive indices obtained in the region of the arcuate or the interlobar arteries in patients with elevated serum creatinine levels were significantly higher than those in patients with normal serum creatinine levels (P < 0.05). Also, there was a significant correlation between the resistive indices and creatinine clearance levels (correlation coefficient, -0.828). There was a significant difference between the serum creatinine levels of patients with normal renal cortical echogenicity and those with increased cortical echogenicity (P < 0.05). Analysis of the Doppler spectrum of the intrarenal arteries in conjunction with careful evaluation of the renal cortical echogenicity may be helpful in sonographic prediction of the renal functional status in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Albuminuria↗

Retrieval of intravascular foreign bodies with the snare and catheter capture technique.

The authors report two cases of retrieval of iatrogenically placed intravascular metallic foreign bodies: a guide wire in the abdominal aorta and a guide-wire fragment in the inferior vena cava. The foreign bodies were retrieved with use of a new approach described as the "snare and catheter capture technique." This technique is useful with guide wires that are too stiff to safely remove doubled over.

Aorta, Abdominal↗

Incompatibility of water-soluble contrast media and intravascular pharmacologic agents. An in vitro study.

In vitro incompatibilities between nine water-soluble contrast media and 21 intravascular pharmacologic agents were investigated using naked-eye observation and a centrifuge. Most of the previously reported incompatibilities were verified, and a few new incompatibilities were discovered: phentolamine mesylate with diatrizoate sodium, diatrizoate meglumine, ioxaglate, and iothalamate; diatrizoate meglumine with diazepam and meperidine hydrochloride; and diatrizoate sodium with meperidine hydrochloride. There were no incompatibilities when the pharmacologic agents investigated were mixed with ioxithalamate, iopromide, iopamidol, and iohexol.

Blood Vessels↗

Therapeutic effect of transcatheter oily chemoembolization therapy for encapsulated nodular hepatocellular carcinoma: CT and pathologic findings.

An emulsion of iodized oil and doxorubicin hydrochloride was intraarterially injected in 27 patients with encapsulated single nodular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Computed tomography (CT) was performed 1-3 weeks after injection, and the lesions were resected 1-4 weeks thereafter. The percentages of tumor necrosis were evaluated in cut surfaces of resected specimens and were compared with the findings at iodized-oil CT. Six tumors with complete intratumor retention of iodized oil had 98% necrosis, and 21 tumors with incomplete retention had 64% necrosis. Two tumors with complete retention of iodized oil in the surrounding liver had 100% necrosis, while 16 tumors with partial retention and nine tumors without retention of iodized oil in surrounding liver had 74% and 62% necrosis, respectively. Complete retention of iodized oil in the tumor and surrounding liver demonstrated the best therapeutic effects. Evaluation of the pattern and distribution of iodized oil in the tumor and surrounding liver with iodized-oil CT is useful in the assessment of the therapeutic effects of transcatheter arterial embolization in encapsulated nodular HCCs.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

Delayed encephalopathy after acute carbon monoxide intoxication: MR imaging features and distribution of cerebral white matter lesions.

Magnetic resonance (MR) images obtained in 15 patients with delayed encephalopathy after acute carbon monoxide (CO) intoxication were reviewed. Images had been obtained 4-9 weeks after exposure to CO, during the relapse of neuropsychiatric symptoms after initial recovery. Bilateral symmetric confluent high signal intensity in the periventricular white matter and centrum semiovale was seen on long-repetition-time images (n = 15). The high intensity extended into the corpus callosum (n = 11), subcortical U fibers (n = 12), and external (n = 9) and internal (n = 7) capsules. Bilateral diffuse low-intensity signal in the thalamus and putamen on T2-weighted images, suggesting iron deposition, was demonstrated in 10 patients. Bilateral ischemia or necrosis of the globus pallidus was seen in nine patients. In three of four patients with follow-up MR imaging studies, a decrease in extent and signal intensity of white matter lesions accompanied lessening of clinical symptoms. These results suggest that the main pathologic feature of delayed encephalopathy associated with CO intoxication is a reversible demyelinating process of the cerebral white matter.

Adult↗

Fibrosing alveolitis: prognostic implication of ground-glass attenuation at high-resolution CT.

To evaluate the prognostic implication of ground-glass attenuation at high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in assessing response to treatment in fibrosing alveolitis, the authors correlated HRCT findings with the improvement in pulmonary function, as represented by the increase in percentage predicted values on pulmonary function tests after corticosteroid therapy. Nineteen patients underwent HRCT before treatment and pulmonary function testing before and after treatment. The HRCT scans were reviewed by two independent observers. Areas of ground-glass attenuation were quantified subjectively by using a 0%-100% scale with 10% increments. The extent of ground-glass attenuation at HRCT was significantly correlated with improvement in diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (r = .67, P = .0019), forced vital capacity (r = .71, P = .0007), and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (r = .64, P = .0034) after steroid treatment. These results suggest that ground-glass attenuation at HRCT is a good predictor of response to treatment in fibrosing alveolitis.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

MR imaging of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

To assess the capability of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to define the presence, distribution, and severity of the hypertrophic process, MR imaging was performed in 20 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and in five healthy volunteers. Among the 20 patients, 13 were classified as having asymmetric septal hypertrophy and seven as having apical hypertrophy. The mean myocardial thickness in the four-chamber view obtained in end diastole in asymmetric septal hypertrophy was 23.5 mm +/- 6.8 (mean +/- standard deviation) in the basal septum; the ratio of septal to posterolateral wall thickness was 2.05 +/- 0.44 (P < .05); those values were 10.4 mm +/- 2.7 and 1.01 +/- 0.19, respectively, in five healthy volunteers. The mean myocardial thickness in apical hypertrophy was 25.3 mm +/- 4.1 in the apex, and the ratio was 2.21 +/- 0.51 (P < .05); these values were 9.6 mm +/- 1.5 and 0.95 +/- 0.17, respectively, in five healthy volunteers. Three different subtypes of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - resting obstructive (n = 5), latent obstructive (n = 3), and nonobstructive (n = 5) - were classified according to findings at catheterization in the 13 patients with asymmetric septal hypertrophy.

Adult↗

Percutaneous removal of retained intrahepatic stones with a pre-shaped angulated catheter: review of 96 patients.

Intrahepatic biliary stone disease is prevalent in East Asia and there is a high frequency of retained intrahepatic stones after surgical treatment. Percutaneous removal of retained intrahepatic stones with a pre-shaped angulated catheter and a Dormier basket was attempted in a group of 96 patients who had a T-tube. Seventy-six had multiple intrahepatic stones, confined to one hepatic lobe in 52 patients. Stones were exclusively intrahepatic in 68 cases. Biliary strictures were present in 92 cases (95.8%). A combination of techniques was used including pre-shaped angulated catheters, irrigation suction, balloon dilatation of strictures, crushing of large stones and extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy. Retained stones were completely removed in 48 cases, and incompletely removed in 22 cases. The overall success rate was 72.9%. There were only minor complications. No mortality or significant morbidity requiring hospitalization occurred. Angular deformity, stricture of bile ducts and impacted stones were the most frequent factors responsible for failure or incomplete removal of retained stones. Fluoroscopically guided percutaneous interventional procedures with a pre-shaped angulated catheter are useful complementary procedures to surgery for patients with intrahepatic stones. The major benefits of an individually angulated catheter are safety and easy access to small peripheral bile ducts.

Adult↗

Pleuropulmonary paragonimiasis: radiologic findings in 71 patients.

Pleuropulmonary paragonimiasis is a disease caused by lung flukes characterized by migration of a juvenile worm in the early stage and by formation of cysts around the worm later on. The purpose of this study was to describe the radiologic manifestations of pleuropulmonary paragonimiasis, with special emphasis on the worm cyst and worm migration track. We retrospectively studied 71 patients who had evidence of pleuropulmonary paragonimiasis on chest radiographs (n = 71) and CT scans (n = 17). The diagnosis was based on the detection of eggs or on positive antibody tests. On chest radiographs, 59 patients (83%) had pulmonary lesions and 43 patients (61%) had pleural lesions. Pulmonary findings included patchy air-space consolidation (n = 37) with or without cystic changes; ring shadows (n = 16); and peripheral linear opacities (n = 29), which were more prominent in patients with pleural effusion. Twelve patients (17%) had bilateral pleural effusions or pneumothoraces. On CT scans, round low-attenuation cystic lesions (5-15 mm), filled either with fluid (n = 5) or gas (n = 5), were characteristically seen within the consolidation. Peripheral linear opacities seen on radiographs were suggestive of worm migration tracks on CT scans. CT may reveal an intracystic worm. Although the findings vary depending on the stage of the disease, findings on chest radiographs are usually typical of paragonimiasis. CT provides more specific information about the worm cyst and the worm migration track.

Adult↗