OBJECTIVE: To identify chest radiography findings suggestive of type 1 neurofibromatosis, establishing their frequency and evaluating the possibility of including the presence of posterior mediastinal masses as a criterion for the diagnosis of type 1 neurofibromatosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study included 141 patients with type 1 neurofibromatosis assisted at the Service of Radiology of Hospital de Base and Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil, and submitted to standard chest radiography in postero-anterior and lateral views. The results were analyzed by non-parametric methods and the level of statistical significance was set at 0.05 (p = 0.05). RESULTS: The most frequent findings were the following: ribs erosion (19.8%), pectus excavatum (12.0%), kyphoscoliosis (3.5%) and posterior mediastinal masses (7.1%). Such results suggest that posterior mediastinal masses (neurofibroma and meningocele) should be included as a diagnostic criterion of type 1 neurofibromatosis, in conjunction with dysplasia of the sphenoid wing, pseudoarthrosis and thinning of long bone cortex, as defined by the National Institutes of Health. CONCLUSION: The presence of posterior mediastinal masses in association with the typical bone changes defined by the National Institutes of Health is a consistent finding to be considered as a diagnostic criterion of the disease.

Keywords: Type 1 neurofibromatosis, Radiology, Chest radiography, Bone abnormalities, Mediastinal neoplasms

Congenital mediastinal cysts are uncommon benign lesions generally caused by an abnormal embryological development of the foregut or coelomic cavity. They are expansive lesions, frequently asymptomatic that may manifest as a result from compression of adjacent structures. Bronchogenic, pericardial, enteric, thymic, esophageal duplication cysts and lymphangiomas are the main entities in this group of lesions. Congenital mediastinal cysts morphology is typical and imaging methods allow a correct diagnosis in a great number of cases. Surgical treatment is indicated only in cases of symptomatic lesions, considering that these lesions present no potential for malignant degeneration. The present study was aimed at commenting and illustrating the most relevant imaging findings of these lesions based on a retrospective review of ten cases collected in the records of the involved institutions.

Keywords: Congenital mediastinal cysts, Cystic neoplasms, Cysts

The present study reports the case of a 51-year-old woman with chest pain, dyspnea and upper chest vessels engorgement, with no clinical evidence of granulomatous disease. Chest imaging study revealed a mediastinal mass with calcifications that was approached by mediastinoscopy with biopsy. Histopathological study demonstrated an etiologically undefined chronic inflammatory pattern compatible with fibrosing mediastinitis.

Keywords: Fibrosing mediastinitis, Mediastinal mass, Fibrosis, Chest radiology

Postoperative mediastinitis is defined as an infection of the organs and tissues in the mediastinal space, with an incidence ranging between 0.4% and 5% of cases. This disease severity varies from infection of superficial tissues in the chest wall to fulminant mediastinitis with sternal involvement. Diagnostic criterion for postoperative detection of acute mediastinitis at computed tomography is the presence of fluid collections and gas in the mediastinal space, which might or might not be associated with peristernal abnormalities such as edema of soft tissues, separation of sternal segments with marginal bone resorption, sclerosis and osteomyelitis. Other associated findings include lymphadenomegaly, pulmonary consolidation and pleural/pericardial effusion. Some of these findings, such as mediastinal gas and small fluid collections can be typically found in the absence of infection, early in the period following thoracic surgery where the effectiveness of computed tomography is limited. After approximately two weeks, computed tomography achieves almost 100% sensitivity and specificity. Patients with clinical suspicion of mediastinitis should be submitted to computed tomography for investigating the presence of fluid collections to identify the extent and nature of the disease. Multidetector computed tomography allows 3D images reconstruction, contributing particularly to the evaluation of the sternum.

Keywords: Acute mediastinitis, Postoperative infection, Mediastinitis

We present a case of a 27-year-old male patient submitted to computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging for the evaluation of a renal tumor. The radiological features of the mass suggested the diagnosis of a malignant renal tumor of parenchymatous origin. However, the histological findings proved to be a benign solitary fibrous tumor within the pelvis and caliceal portion of the right kidney.

Keywords: Neoplasia, Fibrous tumor, Kidney, Mesothelioma, Computed tomography, Magnetic resonance imaging

The melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy, also known as progonoma, is a rare benign disease of neural crest origin that occurs within the first year of life and affects mainly the maxilla. The authors report a case of a 10-month-old child presenting with this uncommon tumor in the maxilla, emphasizing the diagnostic findings on computed tomography, and present a literature review.

Keywords: Neoplasia, Neural crest, Maxilla, Infancy, Computed tomography

Traumatic mediastinal lesions are unusual findings in patients with thoracic trauma but may represent poor prognosis and be associated with severe lesions. Mediastinal trauma is increasingly being diagnosed by computed tomography due to the fast acquisition times of helical techniques, allowing the evaluation of critically ill patients and the adoption of efficient therapeutic measures. The authors studied 11 patients with mediastinal lesions who were submitted to computed tomography due to thoracic trauma. The most frequent finding was mediastinal bleeding characterized by infiltration of mediastinal fat, dense material within the mediastinal spaces or hematoma. Hemopericardium was the second most common lesion in this series, appearing as dense or liquid material in the pericardium. Aortic lesions such as wall irregularities or pseudoaneurisms were less commonly seen (three patients). In this study blunt thoracic traumas were observed in six cases whereas penetrating trauma occurred in five cases. The causes of blunt trauma were pedestrians struck by car, motor vehicle accidents and falls. Penetrating trauma was due to lesions produced by bullets or knifes.

Keywords: Mediastinal bleeding, Aortic lesion, Computed tomography

Neurofibromatosis type 1 is one of the most common genetic diseases with autosomic dominant inheritance pattern in humans. The main radiological findings are: scoliosis, kyphoscoliosis, bone erosions, abnormal osseous growth, pseudarthrosis, meningeal cysts, deformity of the posterior wall of the vertebral bodies ("scalloping"), pectus excavatum, osteolytic lesions in the long bones and central nervous system abnormalities. The authors present the statistical data from the analysis of the radiological findings in 82 patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 attending the "Centro de Pesquisa e Atendimento em Neurofibromatose", in São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil, a multidisciplinary center for the study and treatment of neurofibromatosis.

Keywords: Neurofibromatosis, Neurofibromatosis type 1, Radiology, Phacomatosis

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the learning about management of the technology (efficient use, acquisition and maintenance of imaging diagnosis equipment) in the radiology residency program of Escola Paulista de Medicina - Universidade Federal de São Paulo, with a view to improving the education of radiologists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Exploratory research where residents, faculty staff and tutors of the program were quantitative and qualitatively approached with Likert scale questionnaires (46), and deepening with recorded interviews (18) and categorization based upon meaning units (thematic analysis). RESULTS: Among the participants, 66% agreed that they had the opportunity of learning about the use of radiological equipment; for 61% the program should include knowledge on the importance of acquiring equipment; and 72% emphasized the lack of learning about equipment management and maintenance. CONCLUSION: As the major moment in the education of specialists, the medical residency program provides residents with a favorable environment to the learning of the skills required to the future of their professional practice, but with limited emphasis on the management of the technology: efficient use, acquisition and mainly maintenance of equipment, still poorly explored. Both the investigated program and the medical residency in radiology should incorporate, whenever possible, the commitment with the training in supplementary skills related to equipment management, developing the competence of the future radiologists.

Keywords: Medical education; Medical residency; Health management; Radiologic technology; Radiology; Imaging diagnosis.

In the investigation of tumors with conventional magnetic resonance imaging, both quantitative characteristics, such as size, edema, necrosis, and presence of metastases, and qualitative characteristics, such as contrast enhancement degree, are taken into consideration. However, changes in cell metabolism and tissue physiology which precede morphological changes cannot be detected by the conventional technique. The development of new magnetic resonance imaging techniques has enabled the functional assessment of the structures in order to obtain information on the different physiological processes of the tumor microenvironment, such as oxygenation levels, cellularity and vascularity. The detailed morphological study in association with the new functional imaging techniques allows for an appropriate approach to cancer patients, including the phases of diagnosis, staging, response evaluation and follow-up, with a positive impact on their quality of life and survival rate.

Keywords: Cancer imaging; Magnetic resonance imaging; Oncology; Neoplasia; Functional imaging; Diffusion.

The authors report the case of a plexiform neurofibroma located in the pelvis, affecting the bladder, prostate and spine (lumbar/sacral), followed-up for three years and six months. Surgical removal was contraindicated and the patient underwent biannual clinical and radiological follow-up that did not demonstrate any tumor increase. The clinical manifestations of neurofibromatosis type 1 are variable, and the medical team should be attentive to further investigations, considering possible unexpected rare findings. Large pelvic masses may correspond to plexiform neurofibromas, so the diagnostic hypothesis of neurofibromatosis should be taken into consideration.

Keywords: Neurofibromatosis type 1; Plexiform neurofibroma; Pelvis.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was aimed at evaluating the contribution of transrectal prostate ultrasound in the screening for prostate neoplasias and in the guidance of prostate biopsies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective study developed over a one-year period. All the patients with indication for prostate biopsy were evaluated. Regardless of PSA values, the patients underwent ultrasound in order to identify suspicious nodules (confirmed by two observers). Sextant biopsy was subsequently performed. In cases of finding suspicious nodules, an additional puncture directed to such nodules was done. RESULTS: In a total of 155 cases the prevalence of malignancy was of 53%. Suspicious nodules were detected in 34 patients, and 25 where malignant (positive predictive value of 74%). The specificity and sensitivity for suspicious nodules were 88% and 31% respectively. Comparatively with the randomly obtained sextant specimens, the rate of findings of neoplasia was higher in the specimens obtained with puncture directed to the nodule (p = 0.032). No statistically significant difference was observed in the Gleason score for both types of specimens (p = 0.172). CONCLUSION: The high positive predictive value and the high rate of findings of neoplasia in specimens of suspicious nodules should be taken into consideration in the future. The authors suggest a biopsy technique similar to the one described in the present study (sextant biopsy plus puncture directed to the suspicious nodule).

Keywords: Prostatic neoplasia; Ultrasonography; Imaging-guided biopsy; Diagnostic techniques and procedures; Screening.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the rates of diagnostic underestimation at stereotactic percutaneous core needle biopsies (CNB) and vacuum-assisted biopsies (VABB) of nonpalpable breast lesions, with histopathological results of atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) or ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) subsequently submitted to surgical excision. As a secondary objective, the frequency of ADH and DCIS was determined for the cases submitted to biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of 40 cases with diagnosis of ADH or DCIS on the basis of biopsies performed between February 2011 and July 2013, subsequently submitted to surgery, whose histopathological reports were available in the internal information system. Biopsy results were compared with those observed at surgery and the underestimation rate was calculated by means of specific mathematical equations. RESULTS: The underestimation rate at CNB was 50% for ADH and 28.57% for DCIS, and at VABB it was 25% for ADH and 14.28% for DCIS. ADH represented 10.25% of all cases undergoing biopsy, whereas DCIS accounted for 23.91%. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic underestimation rate at CNB is two times the rate at VABB. Certainty that the target has been achieved is not the sole determining factor for a reliable diagnosis. Removal of more than 50% of the target lesion should further reduce the risk of underestimation.

Keywords: Breast neoplasia; Core needle biopsy; Vacuum-assisted biopsy; Diagnostic techniques and procedures; Noninvasive intraductal carcinoma.

Os nervos cranianos representam extensões das estruturas funcionais do cérebro que cruzam a cabeça e o pescoço. Eles estão ligados a diferentes estruturas cranianas e se relacionam com diversas doenças. Uma compreensão profunda de sua complexa anatomia e aparência normal de imagem permite ao examinador identificar e caracterizar com mais precisão as anormalidades. A ressonância magnética com contraste é uma importante ferramenta para avaliar essas estruturas, especialmente as sequências tridimensionais de precessão livre de estado estacionário, que proporcionam alta resolução espacial e de partes moles, apesar da fina espessura dos nervos cranianos. Na maioria dos casos, os achados de imagem são inespecíficos, e uma anamnese completa, exame físico dirigido e testes laboratoriais são necessários para estreitar o diagnóstico diferencial. Este ensaio iconográfico ilustra e discute doenças congênitas, traumáticas e vasculares dos nervos cranianos, mostrando imagens em uma abordagem fisiopatológica.

Keywords: Neuroimagem/métodos; Radiologia/métodos; Ressonância magnética/métodos; Nervos cranianos/diagnóstico por imagem.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate chest computed tomography (CT) findings in patients diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a retrospective study in which we reviewed the chest CT scans of 14 patients diagnosed with NF1 and neurofibromatosis-associated diffuse lung disease (NF-DLD).The sample comprised eight women and six men.The median age was 55 years (range, 11–75 years).The diagnosis of NF1 was made on the basis of the diagnostic criteria established by the U.S.National Institutes of Health.The images were analyzed by two chest radiologists, who reached decisions by consensus. RESULTS: The predominant CT finding of NF-DLD was multiple cysts, which were observed in 13 patients (92.9%), followed by emphysema, in eight (57.1%) and subpleural bullae, in six (42.9%).Other findings included subcutaneous neurofibromas, in 12 patients (85.7%), ground-glass opacities, in one (7.1%), and tracheobronchial neurofibromas, in one (7.1%).The pulmonary abnormalities were bilateral in 12 cases (85.7%).The abnormalities were predominantly in the upper lung fields in eight cases (57.1%), and their distribution was random in 11 (78.6%). CONCLUSION: Pulmonary cysts, emphysema, and subpleural bullae appear to be the chest CT findings that are most characteristic of NF-DLD.

Keywords: Neurofibromatoses; Cysts; Lung diseases; Tomography, X-ray computed.