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Biomedical subjects

Angela D Levy

Publications and source records attributed to Angela D Levy.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Virtual autopsy: preliminary experience in high-velocity gunshot wound victims.

PURPOSE: To retrospectively assess virtual autopsy performed with multidetector computed tomography (CT) for the forensic evaluation of gunshot wound victims. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The institutional review board approved this HIPAA-compliant study and did not require informed consent of the next of kin. Thirteen consecutive male gunshot wound victims (mean age, 27 years) were scanned with 16-section multidetector CT prior to routine autopsy. Retrospectively, the total-body nonenhanced scans were interpreted at a three-dimensional workstation by radiologists blinded to autopsy findings. Images were evaluated for lethal wound, number and location of wound tracks, injured structures, and metal fragment location. After image review, autopsy reports and photographs were compared with the images and interpretations to validate the multidetector CT determinations. RESULTS: Multidetector CT aided in correct identification of all lethal wounds, and metallic fragment location was always precise. In four cases, multidetector CT aided in accurate assessment of organ injuries and lethal wounds but led to underestimation of the number of wounds if comingling paths occurred. In two cases of a chest wound, multidetector CT aided in accurate assessment of the chest as having the lethal wound but failed to help identify specific sites of hemorrhage. In two cases of craniofacial injury, the path of the wound was not clear. Autopsy revealed a total of 78 wound tracks (mean, 6; range, 1-24). Ten (13%) wound tracks were not identified at multidetector CT (six upper extremity wounds and four thigh wounds). In two cases, findings missed at autopsy (fracture of the cervical spine, bullet fragments in the posterior area of the neck) were identified at multidetector CT. CONCLUSION: Multidetector CT can aid prediction of lethal wounds and location of metallic fragments.

Adult↗

Brunner's gland hyperplasia and hamartoma: imaging features with clinicopathologic correlation.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this essay is to describe, illustrate, and correlate the imaging and pathologic features of Brunner's gland hyperplasia and Brunner's gland hamartoma. CONCLUSION: This article summarizes our experience with pathologically proven cases of Brunner's hyperplasia and hamartoma accessioned into the radiologic pathology archive of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology.

Adult↗

Duodenal carcinoids: imaging features with clinical-pathologic comparison.

PURPOSE: To retrospectively evaluate the imaging features of duodenal carcinoids with clinical-pathologic comparison. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The institutional review board approved this study; informed consent was not required. The study was HIPAA compliant. The authors retrospectively reviewed the barium studies (n = 20), computed tomographic (CT) scans (n = 16), magnetic resonance (MR) images (n = 2), pathology reports (n = 33), gross pathology photographs (n = 15), and clinical data (n = 33) from 33 patients (16 men and 17 women; age range, 19-90 years; mean age, 52.6 years) with a confirmed diagnosis of duodenal carcinoid admitted into our institution during a 52-year period. The imaging studies were evaluated by consensus of two abdominal radiologists for the number of masses and their location and morphologic characteristics (polypoid or mural). The CT and MR images were also assessed for contrast enhancement characteristics. RESULTS: Most carcinoids were located in the proximal duodenum (10 in the bulb, 19 in the second portion, two in the third portion, and two in the fourth portion). Seventeen patients (52%) had focal intraluminal polypoid masses and 13 (39%) had mural masses; in three patients (9%), the tumor was not visualized at CT. Five of the 33 patients (15%) had multiple carcinoids. CT showed heterogeneous contrast enhancement in all patients who received intravenous contrast material in the arterial or portal venous phases of enhancement. Nonenhancing masses were present in patients who underwent CT during the equilibrium phase. Two patients had Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Five patients (15%) had neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1); four of the five patients (80%) were women, and four patients were African American. In all five patients with NF-1, the carcinoids were located in the periampullary region. CONCLUSION: Duodenal carcinoids are uncommon tumors with a wide clinical-pathologic spectrum. They occur most commonly in the proximal duodenum and manifest as an intraluminal polyp or a mural mass.

Adult↗

Angiosarcoma of the spleen: imaging characteristics in 12 patients.

PURPOSE: To retrospectively review clinical, pathologic, and imaging features of angiosarcoma of the spleen in 12 patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Institutional review board approval was obtained, and informed consent was not required. Records of 12 cases of proved angiosarcoma of the spleen were accessed from the files of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology. Clinical, pathologic, and imaging findings were reviewed. Presenting signs and symptoms were recorded, and the pathologist confirmed the diagnosis and determined gross and microscopic morphologic findings in each spleen. Radiologists reviewed available images to determine the size of the spleen and mass, amount of splenic involvement by the tumor (if enhanced at computed tomography [CT] and magnetic resonance [MR] imaging), and amount of nonviable tumor determined as decreased echogenicity at ultrasonography (US) and lack of enhancement at CT and MR imaging. Imaging and pathologic findings were compared. Five US, 10 CT, three MR, and two angiographic images were reviewed by two experienced abdominal radiologists. RESULTS: There were seven men and five women (age range, 36-86 years; mean, 55 years). The most common symptom was upper abdominal pain in eight (67%) patients: Pain was acute for 24 hours prior to admission in one patient and chronic (range, 1-6 months) in seven patients. At imaging, the spleen was enlarged (>12 cm in length) in nine patients. The most common finding, seen in seven (58%) patients, was a complex mass or masses in an enlarged spleen. Four of these patients had evidence of metastases and one had intraperitoneal hemorrhage. Two patients had solitary hypervascular tumors and liver metastases. One patient had a normal-sized spleen with multiple lesions that ranged 2-3 cm in size, as well as metastases to the spine. The 11th patient had two small lesions, with small calcifications in the periphery of one lesion. The 12th patient had intraabdominal hemorrhage around the spleen and no obvious mass at CT. Tumor necrosis was confirmed at histologic evaluation in nine patients. CONCLUSION: The most common clinical finding was upper abdominal pain. Angiosarcoma of the spleen could be suggested in the majority of cases (83%) by using the imaging features of splenic mass with evidence of metastatic disease.

Adult↗

CT and MRI features of pure acinar cell carcinoma of the pancreas in adults.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to describe the CT and MRI features of pure acinar cell carcinoma of the pancreas in adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven patients (six women and five men; mean age, 64 years) with acinar cell carcinoma, documented by pathologic examination of resected specimens, underwent CT (n=9) or MRI (n=2) examinations. Two radiologists evaluated imaging studies and determined, by consensus, the following data for each tumor: size, location, margination, internal density or signal intensity, and contrast enhancement pattern. In addition, they assessed the presence of calcification, pancreatic or bile duct dilation, and metastases. Imaging features were correlated with gross and microscopic pathologic features of the tumors. RESULTS: Masses were distributed throughout the pancreas (head, n=5; body, n=2; and tail, n=4). The mean largest dimensions were 6.0 x 5.3 cm (range, from 2 x 1.7 to 15 x 11 cm). Tumors were oval (n=5), round (n=4), or lobular (n=2). Ten (91%) masses were well marginated; nine (82%) were exophytic. Five (45%) masses enhanced homogeneously; the remaining tumors contained cystic areas. All masses enhanced less than the surrounding pancreas. Three (27%) masses contained calcifications. Four (80%) masses invaded the duodenum. Common bile and pancreatic duct dilatation was present in two and three patients, respectively. One patient had metastatic liver disease at presentation. CONCLUSION: Pure acinar cell carcinoma of the pancreas is usually an exophytic, oval or round, well-marginated, and hypovascular mass on CT and MRI. It typically is completely solid when small and contains cystic areas due to necrosis when large.

Adult↗

Gastrointestinal schwannomas: CT features with clinicopathologic correlation.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to describe the CT features of gastrointestinal schwannomas with clinicopathologic correlation. CONCLUSION: Gastrointestinal schwannomas are uncommon mesenchymal neoplasms that are uniquely different tumors from their soft-tissue and central nervous system counterparts. They are homogeneously attenuating, well-defined, mural masses on CT. The lack of low-attenuation hemorrhage, necrosis, and degeneration within the tumor may help distinguish these tumors from gastrointestinal stromal tumors on CT.

Aged↗

Littoral cell angioma of the spleen: CT features with clinicopathologic comparison.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical, pathologic, and computed tomographic (CT) features of littoral cell angioma of the spleen in eight patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two abdominal radiologists retrospectively reviewed the contrast material-enhanced CT images obtained in six, the contrast-enhanced and nonenhanced CT images obtained in two, and the photographs of gross pathologic specimens resected from seven patients. They also retrospectively reviewed clinical data (ie, demographic data, presenting signs and symptoms, physical findings, and medical histories). Histopathologic specimens from the eight patients were reviewed by a hematopathologist. The CT images were reviewed for the presence of splenomegaly. The number, size, and enhancement characteristics of the splenic masses at CT were compared with the histopathologic and gross pathologic specimen findings. RESULTS: All patients had laboratory evidence of hypersplenism. Seven patients (88%) had splenomegaly and innumerable splenic masses ranging from 0.2 to 6.0 cm in diameter at CT. The single patient with a normal spleen size had four splenic masses. The splenic masses were hypoattenuating relative to the normal spleen at CT in all patients and correlated with blood-filled nodules at gross pathologic examination and with blood-filled vascular channels of littoral cell angioma at histopathologic examination. The early and late portal venous phase CT images that were available in one case demonstrated progressive homogeneous contrast enhancement of the masses such that they were indistinguishable from the normal splenic parenchyma. CONCLUSION: Littoral cell angioma is a primary splenic neoplasm that most commonly manifests at CT as multiple hypoattenuating masses in an enlarged spleen. Histopathologically, these masses represent blood-filled vascular channels.

Adult↗

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors in patients with neurofibromatosis: imaging features with clinicopathologic correlation.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical, pathologic, and imaging features of gastrointestinal stromal tumors that occur in patients with neurofibromatosis. CONCLUSION: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors that occur in patients with neurofibromatosis commonly originate from the proximal small intestine and are often multiple. The cross-sectional imaging appearance of gastrointestinal stromal tumors that occur in patients with neurofibromatosis is similar to that of gastrointestinal stromal tumors that occur in the general population.

Adult↗

Handheld ultrasound device for detection of non-opaque and semi-opaque foreign bodies in soft tissues.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine whether a portable handheld ultrasound device can be used to visualize non-opaque and semi-opaque foreign bodies in soft tissues and to characterize their sonographic appearance. METHODS: Twenty-two fragments composed of various natural and man-made materials and ranging from 4 to 20 mm in the maximum longitudinal dimension were embedded into 2 thawed turkey breasts. Two sonographers who were unaware of the number, dimensions, and locations of the fragments used a handheld ultrasound device to detect and characterize the fragments on the basis of their surface echogenicity and acoustic shadowing. The sonographic appearance of each fragment was compared with its actual characteristics. RESULTS: All 22 embedded fragments were successfully identified and localized on sonography. Surface echogenicity and acoustic shadowing varied among the fragments. For some fragments, the sonographically measured maximum longitudinal dimension differed substantially from the actual dimension. CONCLUSIONS: Use of a portable handheld ultrasound device is effective for the detection of foreign bodies with a diameter greater than 4 mm in soft tissues. The sonographic appearances of non-opaque and semi-opaque foreign bodies vary in their patterns of surface echogenicity and acoustic shadowing.

Animals↗

Anorectal gastrointestinal stromal tumors: CT and MR imaging features with clinical and pathologic correlation.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe the imaging features of anorectal gastrointestinal stromal tumors with clinical and pathologic correlation. CONCLUSION: Anorectal gastrointestinal stromal tumors are mesenchymal neoplasms that typically arise in the muscularis propria of the intestinal wall. The cross-sectional imaging appearance is that of a well-defined mural mass that may have an exophytic component and may invade adjacent structures. A prominent intraluminal component is a rare feature.

Aged↗

Imaging characteristics of gastric lipomas in 16 adult and pediatric patients.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the clinical, pathologic, and imaging characteristics of gastric lipomas in 16 patients and to compare them with the characteristics of gastric lipomas described in previous reports in the literature. We believe that our study was the largest series that has been reported. CONCLUSION: Of the 13 patients who had upper gastrointestinal examinations, seven had findings of smooth submucosal masses with ulcerations or depressions. These findings overlap with those of a gastrointestinal stroma tumor and lymphoma. CT findings were specific for the diagnosis of lipoma in eight of nine patients. CT should be used to evaluate large submucosal masses in the stomach to establish a preoperative diagnosis.

Adolescent↗

Malignant liver tumors.

The primary hepatic malignancies are a diverse group of neoplasms with distinctive clinical and pathologic features. Imaging of the primary hepatic malignancies continues to be challenging. Ultrasonography, CT scanning, and MR imaging play complementary roles in the evaluation of these patients. Many [figure: see text] of these neoplasms have distinctive imaging features that may permit diagnosis. In most instances, however, biopsy is required for definitive diagnosis and treatment planning.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

Primary neoplasms of the appendix manifesting as acute appendicitis: CT findings with pathologic comparison.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the computed tomographic (CT) findings in patients with acute appendicitis related to an underlying appendiceal neoplasm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical and pathologic data obtained over a 10-year period in 65 patients with primary appendiceal neoplasms were reviewed. Preoperative CT studies in patients who presented clinically with symptoms of acute appendicitis were analyzed retrospectively and in consensus by three radiologists. The appendix was evaluated on CT scans for morphology, location, presence of calcification, maximal diameter, and wall thickness. RESULTS: Twenty-six (40%) of the 65 patients with appendiceal neoplasms had presented with symptoms of acute appendicitis. Preoperative CT studies available in 22 patients showed increased appendiceal diameter, wall thickening, and periappendiceal fat stranding in 22 (100%), 22 (100%), and 21 (95%) patients, respectively. The appendiceal diameter was greater than 15 mm (mean diameter, 2.9 cm) in 19 patients (86%). Morphologic changes of concern for neoplasm were present in 19 patients (86%) and included cystic dilatation in nine patients and presence of a soft-tissue mass without dilatation in 10 patients. An appendiceal diameter greater than 15 mm and/or a morphologic abnormality were present in 21 of 22 cases (95%). CONCLUSION: CT findings strongly suggest the presence of underlying neoplasm in the majority of patients with secondary appendicitis.

Acute Disease↗

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the appendix: clinical and CT findings with pathologic correlation.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this report is to describe the clinical, CT, and pathologic features of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the vermiform appendix. CONCLUSION: Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the appendix typically manifests with acute symptoms in patients who have no prior history of lymphoma. Most patients with the disease present clinically with signs and symptoms suggestive of acute appendicitis. On CT, lymphomatous infiltration of the appendix produces markedly diffuse mural soft-tissue thickening (range of diameters, 2.5-4.0 cm; mean diameter, 3.2 cm). The vermiform morphology of the appendix is usually maintained, and aneurysmal dilatation of the lumen is sometimes seen. Stranding of the periappendiceal fat seen on CT may represent superimposed inflammation or even direct lymphomatous extension. Coexisting abdominal lymphadenopathy is not seen in all patients. Although appendiceal lymphoma is rare, the characteristic CT appearance could lead to a preoperative diagnosis.

Adult↗

Caroli's disease: radiologic spectrum with pathologic correlation.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to describe the spectrum of radiologic and pathologic features of Caroli's disease. CONCLUSION: Caroli's disease and its complications have overlapping radiologic appearances that reflect the underlying pathology of fibrosis, ductal dilatation, cholangitis, stone formation, and malignancy.

Adolescent↗

The sonographic appearance and detectability of nonopaque and semiopaque materials of military origin.

The objective of our study was to characterize the sonographic appearance and detectability of nonopaque and semiopaque materials of military origin in soft tissue. Representative materials were obtained from combat boots used in land mine tests and from military-issue clothing and equipment. Sixty fragments from 3 to 30 mm were embedded in an in vitro tissue model (thawed turkey breasts). Real-time ultrasonography was used to search for the fragments and to characterize their sonographic qualities (surface echoes, acoustic shadowing) when visible. Fifty-eight fragments were identified successfully. Two 5-mm fragments in the group of smallest size were missed. All types of material tested were visible. Nonopaque fragments of military origin should be detectable by sonography when present as foreign bodies in soft tissue. This represents a potential application for sonography in military hospitals.

Animals↗

Biliary cystic disease.

Cystic diseases of the biliary tract encompass a complex group of congenital disorders. Some of the disorders, such as Caroli disease and the hepatobiliary cysts of autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease, share common embryologic origins, whereas others, such as choledochal cysts, biliary diverticula, and choledochoceles, have unclear origins. This article reviews the embryologic, clinical, pathologic, and imaging features of biliary cystic disease.

Biliary Tract↗