The iliopsoas compartment, a posterior boundary of the retroperitoneum, is comprised of the psoas major, psoas minor and iliac muscles. The symptoms picture in patients presenting with pathological involvement of this compartment may show a wide range of nonspecific clinical presentations that may lead to delayed diagnosis. However, in the search of an etiological diagnosis, it is already known that inflammation, tumors, and hemorrhages account for almost all the lesions affecting the iliopsoas compartment. By means of a retrospective analysis of radiological studies in patients with iliopsoas compartment lesions whose diagnosis was confirmed by anatomopathological evaluation or clinical follow-up, we have reviewed its anatomy as well as the main forms of involvement, with the purpose of identifying radiological signs that may help to narrow down the potential differential diagnoses. As each lesion is approached we will discuss the main radiological findings such as presence of gas in pyogenic abscesses, bone destruction and other bone changes of vertebral bodies in lesions secondary to tuberculosis, involvement of fascial planes in cases of neoplasms, and differences in signal density and intensity of hematomas secondary to hemoglobin degradation, among others. So, we have tried to present cases depicting the most frequent lesions involving the iliopsoas compartment, with emphasis on those signs that can lead us to a more specific etiological diagnosis.

Keywords: Iliopsoas muscle, Psoas muscle, Computed tomography, Abscesses, Neoplasms

We carried out 30 comparison studies to establish the relationship between mammography and pathology findings in 29 patients with malignant breast tumors that presented calcifications associated with the lesion on the mammograms. The main purpose of this work was to verify whether the shapes of the calcifications correspond to specific types of tumor, and could be related to the location they originate from. Two objective features of the calcifications observed on the mammograms were studied: shape and distribution. This study showed that carcinomas of the comedo type presented a high frequency of pleomorphic calcifications (95.5%) and a ductal distribution pattern in 66.5% of the cases. Cribriform carcinomas that were not associated to the comedo type presented only round calcifications in 66.5% of the cases, prevailing an undefined distribution pattern (78.5%). Micropapillary tumors that were not associated to the comedo type presented only round calcifications in 66.5% of the cases, prevailing an undefined distribution pattern (66.5%). None of the tumors showed a lobular distribution pattern. Shapeless calcifications in the absence of a tumoral nodule may be suggestive of infiltrative ductal carcinoma. Considering the histological architectural pattern of the 30 tumors, 24 (80%) showed the expected calcification shapes.

Keywords: Mammography, Breast calcifications, Pathologic anatomy

Our aim is to review the most common pathologic processes involving the iliopsoas compartment. We retrospectively reviewed the computed tomography (CT) scans performed at the "Departamento de Radiologia da Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Universidade Estadual de Campinas", in the last 10 years, of patients who presented with abnormalities of the iliopsoas compartment that were confirmed by surgical or percutaneous biopsy. The most common findings involving the iliopsoas compartment included neoplasms, abscesses and hematomas. CT findings were based on the extension of the involvement of the psoas muscle, focal areas of low or high attenuation, lesion margins, presence of gas or calcification within the lesion, bone destruction, infiltration of surrounding fat and involvement of adjacent abdominal structures. CT is the method of choice for the detection of iliopsoas disorders, and its findings can be used to guide diagnostic aspiration, biopsy or drainage, when appropriate. However, the efficacy of CT in differentiating iliopsoas disorders is low when scans are interpreted without knowledge of clinical history.

Keywords: Iliopsoas muscle. Iliopsoas muscle ¾ computed tomography. Iliopsoas muscle ¾ pathology.

Objetivo: A principal utilidade da tomografia por emissão de pósitrons com 18-fluordeoxiglicose (FDG-PET) está no estadiamento do câncer de pulmão. Porém, ela também pode ser utilizada para diferenciar lesões pulmonares indeterminadas, mas seu impacto na ressecção cirúrgica de lesões benignas é desconhecido. O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar a prevalência de lesões benignas em toracotomias feitas por suspeição de câncer de pulmão, antes e após a introdução do FDG-PET, em um centro de referência de cirurgia torácica. Materiais e Métodos: Os autores analisaram, prospectivamente, uma base de dados cirúrgicos de todos os pacientes consecutivos submetidos a toracotomia por câncer de pulmão suspeito ou comprovado e compararam a prevalência de lesões benignas em dois grupos ao longo de dois anos consecutivos, respectivamente antes (grupo I) e depois (grupo II) da introdução da FDG-PET. Resultados: Ressecção cirúrgica foi feita em 1.233 pacientes durante o período do estudo. A prevalência de lesões benignas na cirurgia nos grupos I e II foi similar (44/626 e 41/607, ambas correspondendo a 7%), e também no grupo II, entre aqueles submetidos a FDG-PET e os restantes (21/301 e 20/306 respectivamente, ambos correspondendo a 7%). No grupo II, dos 21 pacientes com lesões benignas submetidos a FDG-PET, 19 tiveram um estudo falso-positivo (valor médio padrão de captação 5.3 [faixa 2.6–12.7]). Desses, respectivamente 13 e 4 pacientes tiveram broncoscopia não diagnóstica e biópsia transtorácica percutânea de pulmão antes da toracotomia. Não houve diferença na proporção de lesões benignas diferentes ressecadas entre o grupo I e aqueles submetidos a FDG-PET no grupo II. Conclusão: A introdução da FDG-PET não alterou a proporção de pacientes submetidos a toracotomia por lesões benignas, principalmente devido à avidez pelo isótopo de algumas lesões não malignas. Tais resultados falsos-positivos devem ser considerados nos casos em que se contempla a possibilidade de ressecção cirúrgica em pacientes com câncer de pulmão não confirmado.

Keywords: Tomografia por emissão de pósitrons; Tomografia computadorizada; Pulmão – lesões benignas ou congênitas; Câncer de pulmão – diagnóstico e estadiamento; Câncer de pulmão – cirurgia.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a completude das fissuras, resposta radiológica ao tratamento e análise quantitativa por TC (AQTC) em população de pacientes com enfisema grave submetidos ao implante de valvas endobrônquicas (VEB). MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foram estudados exames de TC multidetectores de 29 pacientes, realizados com protocolo de baixo dose, cortes finos, sem contraste. Dois radiologistas revisaram, retrospectivamente, os exames em consenso. A completude das fissuras foi estimada em escala de 5% e a resposta radiológica (atelectasia/perda volumétrica do lobo alvo) foi avaliada. AQTC foi realizada nos exames pré e pós-tratamento utilizando programa completamente automático. RESULTADOS: Resposta radiológica positiva foi vista em 16/29 pacientes. Os 13 pacientes sem resposta à TC apresentavam fissuras incompletas e completude média das fissuras obliquas de 72,8%, contra 88,3% no outro grupo. Os resultados mais significativos da AQTC mostraram redução do volume pulmonar (VP) total (média de 542 ml), VP tratado (700 ml) e volume de enfisema (331,4 ml) no grupo com resposta positiva, que também apresentou melhora nos testes funcionais. CONCLUSÃO: O benefício das VEB é maior em pacientes com fissuras completas e que desenvolvem atelectasia lobar. Nos pacientes sem resposta radiológica encontramos maior prevalência de fissuras incompletas e grau de incompletude das fissuras. Nossa AQTC automática detectou as alterações pós-tratamento, principalmente considerado a análise do pulmão tratado.

Keywords: Enfisema; Terapia de colapso pulmonar; Tomografia computadorizada.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the percutaneous transhepatic approach to the treatment of biliary strictures in pediatric patients undergoing liver transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of data obtained from the medical records, laboratory reports, and imaging examination reports of pediatric liver transplant recipients who underwent percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography, because of clinical suspicion of biliary strictures, between 1st September 2012 and 31 May 2015. Data were collected for 12 patients, 7 of whom were found to have biliary strictures. RESULTS: In the 7 patients with biliary strictures, a total of 21 procedures were carried out: 2 patients (28.6%) underwent the procedure twice; 3 (42.8%) underwent the procedure three times; and 2 (28.6%) underwent the procedure four times. Therefore, the mean number of procedures per patient was 3 (range, 2–4), and the average interval between them was 2.9 months (range, 0.8–9.1 months). The drainage tube remained in place for a mean of 5.8 months (range, 3.1–12.6 months). One patient presented with a major complication, hemobilia, which was treated with endovascular embolization. Clinical success was achieved in all 7 patients, and the mean follow-up after drain removal was 15.4 months (range, 5.3–26.7 months). CONCLUSION: The percutaneous transhepatic approach to treating biliary strictures in pediatric liver transplant recipients proved safe, with high rates of technical and clinical success, as well as a low rate of complications.

Keywords: Liver transplantation; Biliary atresia; Constriction, pathologic/therapy; Cholangiography; Drainage.

OBJECTIVE: To describe, assess the feasibility of, and quantify the long-term patency achieved with percutaneous transhepatic biliary dilation using the anastomotic biliary stricture (ABS) oversized balloon dilation technique as a single-step procedure for the treatment of benign anastomotic biliary strictures following hepatobiliary surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective, two-center study including 16 consecutive cases of symptomatic benign biliary-enteric strictures. After assessment of the diameter of the bile duct by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, the strictures were dilated with oversized balloons (40–50% larger than the bile duct diameter) and an external biliary-enteric drain was placed. After drain removal, clinical symptoms and laboratory test results were evaluated every three months, whereas follow-up magnetic resonance imaging was performed at 30 days out and follow-up computed tomography was performed at 6 and 12 months out. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 31.8 ± 8.15 months. Kaplan-Meier-estimated 1-, 2-, and 3-year patency rates were 88.2%, 82.4%, and 82.4%, respectively. There was one major complication—a small dehiscence of the anastomosis—which extended the catheter dwell time. Minor complications occurred in two cases—one small perihepatic hematoma and one segmental thrombosis of the left portal branch—neither of which required further intervention. CONCLUSION: The single-step ABS oversized balloon dilation technique is a feasible treatment for benign anastomotic biliary-enteric strictures. The technique appears to be associated with high rates of long-term clinical success and patency.

Keywords: Anastomosis, surgical/adverse effects; Dilatation/methods; Bile ducts/physiopathology; Constriction, pathologic/etiology; Magnetic resonance imaging; Tomography, X-ray computed.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os padrões tomográficos relacionados aos agentes etiológicos da pneumonia em pacientes durante o primeiro ano após transplante renal. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foram analisados dados de prontuários de 956 pacientes submetidos a transplante renal, no período de 2013 a 2018, em um centro transplantador renal do nordeste do Brasil. Nos pacientes que desenvolveram pneumonia, os agentes etiológicos foram classificados em bactérias piogênicas, micobactérias, fungos, vírus e pneumonia polimicrobiana, enquanto os padrões tomográficos foram classificados em consolidação, broncopneumonia, pneumonia intersticial e nódulos e massas. Para verificar associação estatística entre micro-organismos e padrões tomográficos, foi utilizado o teste exato de Fisher, com p < 0,001. RESULTADOS: Foram encontrados 101 casos de pneumonia, dos quais 60 (59,4%) tiveram agente etiológico identificado, sendo as bactérias piogênicas as mais frequentes, detectadas em 22 (36,7%) dos casos. Entre os pacientes com agente causal identificado, o padrão tomográfico predominante foi o de nódulos e massas, identificado em 25 (41,7%) casos. Foi observada associação entre bactérias piogênicas e o padrão de consolidação, fungos com nódulos e massas, bem como entre agentes virais e padrão intersticial. CONCLUSÃO: Foi demonstrada associação estatística entre micro-organismos causadores de pneumonia e padrões tomográficos, informação que pode contribuir para o planejamento da terapia de pacientes transplantados renais.

Keywords: Pneumonia; Transplante de rim; Tomografia computadorizada.