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Koenraad J Mortelé

Publications and source records attributed to Koenraad J Mortelé.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

MRI features of focal splenic lesions in patients with disseminated tuberculosis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to describe the MRI features of focal splenic lesions in patients with disseminated tuberculosis. CONCLUSION: Tuberculous focal splenic lesions are small, multiple, and most often associated with splenomegaly. Signal intensities vary on both T1- and T2-weighted images. Two different enhancement patterns are noted: peripheral enhancement and gradual peripheral enhancement with complete fill-in.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

CT features of hepatic venoocclusive disease and hepatic graft-versus-host disease in patients after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: We conducted this study to evaluate whether CT scans could be used to differentiate hepatic venoocclusive disease from hepatic graft-versus-host disease in patients treated with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 18 patients (eight women, 10 men; mean age, 42.4 years) after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with biopsy-proven hepatic venoocclusive disease (n = 5), hepatic graft-versus-host disease (n = 6), or both (n = 7). Two radiologists reviewed abdominal and pelvic CT scans for hepatomegaly (> 18 cm), splenomegaly (> 13 cm), size of main portal and right hepatic veins, presence of periportal edema, gallbladder wall edema, hydropic gallbladder, ascites, and small-bowel wall thickening. CT and histopathology findings were correlated using analysis of variance and Fisher-Free-man-Holton tests. RESULTS: Ascites and periportal edema were present in all five patients with venoocclusive disease, but of six patients with graft-versus-host disease, ascites was seen in two (p < 0.05) and periportal edema in only one (p < 0.05). Small-bowel wall thickening was encountered in five patients with graft-versus-host disease and in none with venoocclusive disease (p < 0.05). The right hepatic vein diameter in patients with venoocclusive disease (mean, 0.27 cm) was significantly smaller than the right hepatic vein diameter in patients with graft-versus-host disease (mean, 0.87 cm; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In patients treated with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, CT findings of periportal edema, ascites, and a narrow right hepatic vein suggest venoocclusive disease rather than graft-versus-host disease. Small-bowel wall thickening suggests graft-versus-host disease.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of solid pancreatic masses: comparison of CT and endoscopic sonography guidance.

OBJECTIVE: Imaging-guided biopsies of solid pancreatic masses are performed with either CT or endoscopic sonography at our institution. We compared test characteristics of fine-needle aspiration biopsies guided using CT with those guided using endoscopic sonography and secondarily evaluated for an effect of mass size. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of 70 solid pancreatic masses, 43 (mean size, 4.4 cm; range, 1.5-10.3 cm) underwent fine-needle (20- to 22-gauge) aspiration biopsy with CT guidance and 27 (mean size, 2.3 cm; range, 1.0-5.0 cm) underwent fine-needle (22-gauge) aspiration biopsy with endoscopic sonography guidance. The diagnostic rate, sensitivity, and negative predictive value (NPV) for each technique were compared using Fisher's exact test before and after stratifying masses by size as small (< or = 3 cm) or large (> 3 cm). RESULTS: The overall diagnostic rate, sensitivity, and NPV of fine-needle aspiration biopsies guided using CT (97.7%, 94.9%, and 60%, respectively) were not significantly different from those guided using endoscopic sonography (88.9%, 85%, and 57.1%, respectively). Among small masses, the diagnostic rate and sensitivity for biopsies guided using CT (100% and 100%, respectively) were not significantly different from those for biopsies guided using endoscopic sonography (90.9% and 93.8%, respectively). Among large masses, the diagnostic rate and sensitivity (96.6% and 92.3%, respectively) for biopsies guided using CT were not significantly different from those for biopsies guided using endoscopic sonography (83.3% and 50%, respectively). CONCLUSION: When biopsying solid pancreatic masses with fine needles, procedures guided with CT and those guided with endoscopic sonography have similar test characteristics regardless of mass size.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

State-of-the-art computed tomographic and magnetic resonance imaging of the gastrointestinal system.

Among the major innovations in radiology of the gastrointestinal (GI) system are the replacement of classic invasive diagnostic methods with noninvasive ones and the improvement in lesion characterization and staging of pancreatobiliary malignancies. Developments in imaging technology have led to many improvements in the field of diagnostic GI radiology. With its fast and thin-section scanning abilities, multidetector-row CT (MDCT) strengthens the place of CT as the most efficient tool to diagnose, characterize, and preoperatively stage pancreatic neoplasms. MR cholangiopancreatography has widely replaced endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in the diagnosis and staging of pancreatobiliary malignancies. MR imaging, using phased-array or endorectal coils, demonstrates local tumor invasion accurately in rectal cancers and thus allows an improved surgical planning. Virtual colonoscopy with MDCTs is an efficient screening method for colon cancer, and MDCT enterography is becoming the standard imaging technique for many small bowel disorders. The continuing developments in CT and MR technology will most probably further improve the accuracy of these and other imaging applications in the near future.

Gastrointestinal Diseases↗
PubMed2005

Incidental extraurinary findings at MDCT urography in patients with hematuria: prevalence and impact on imaging costs.

OBJECTIVE: We determined the prevalence of incidental extraurinary findings at MDCT urography in patients with hematuria and evaluated their impact on subsequent imaging costs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three hundred forty-four consecutive patients with hematuria were evaluated with MDCT urography. Incidental extraurinary findings were classified into three categories according to their clinical significance (high, moderate, and low). Medical records were reviewed, and the cost of additional imaging examinations was calculated using 2002 Medicare reimbursements. RESULTS: Extraurinary findings were detected in 259 patients (75.3%). Of these, 62 patients (18.0%) had highly clinically significant findings, including three cancers. Only 20 (32.3%) of the 62 patients with highly clinically significant findings underwent additional imaging for findings of high clinical significance; 10 (16.1%) were followed clinically, and 32 (51.6%) were not evaluated. The most prevalent highly clinically significant findings were pulmonary nodules and lymphadenopathy. Of the 344 patients studied, 116 (33.7%) had findings in which the highest level of clinical significance was moderate; 81 (23.5%) had findings of only low clinical significance. Nine patients (2.6%) underwent additional imaging for findings of moderate or low clinical significance. Overall, 29 patients (8.4%) underwent further imaging at a cost of $14,231 (average of $41.37 per patient). CONCLUSION: Although incidental extraurinary findings were common at MDCT urography, only a small percentage of patients were imaged further. MDCT urography, when used to evaluate patients with hematuria, detects extraurinary disease without a substantial increase in per-patient imaging costs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Universal use of nonionic iodinated contrast medium for CT: evaluation of safety in a large urban teaching hospital.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the safety of the universal use of the nonionic iodinated contrast agent iopromide in patients undergoing CT in a large urban teaching hospital. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: For 2 years, we prospectively recorded all adverse events temporally associated with the administration of iopromide in 29,508 consecutive patients undergoing contrast-enhanced CT at our institution. The types, intensities, treatments, and outcomes of adverse events were recorded along with relevant patient history, including risk factors. Descriptive analyses of the variables, comparisons of means, and proportions using Student's t and chi-square tests, and logistic regressions were conducted. RESULTS: Adverse events were observed in 211 patients (0.7%) and were categorized as follows: urticaria (n = 161), facial or laryngeal edema (n = 13), bronchospasm (n = 8), severe nausea or vomiting (n = 10), or other (n = 19). One hundred eighty-eight adverse events (89%) were rated mild, 19 moderate (9%), and four severe (2%), including one fatality. Adverse events required treatment in 89 patients (42%). A history of allergy was present in 92 patients (44%), and 29 (14%) had a prior contrast reaction. Other relevant risk factors were identified in 63 patients (30%). No relationship existed between the occurrence of adverse events and any of the following: patient age, dose of iodine administered, or time of study (i.e., month, season, and year). Women (p < 0.001) and outpatients (p < 0.001) had a statistically significant higher incidence of adverse events. CONCLUSION: The universal use of iopromide as an IV CT contrast agent has a favorable safety profile.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Peripancreatic vascular abnormalities complicating acute pancreatitis: contrast-enhanced helical CT findings.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and morphologic helical computed tomography (CT) features of peripancreatic vascular abnormalities in patients with acute pancreatic inflammatory disease in correlation with the severity of the pancreatitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and fifty-nine contrast-enhanced helical CT scans of 100 consecutive patients with acute pancreatitis were retrospectively and independently reviewed by three observers. CT scans were scored using the CT severity index (CTSI): pancreatitis was graded as mild (0-2 points), moderate (3-6 points), and severe (7-10 points). Interobserver agreement for both the CT severity index and the presence of peripancreatic vascular abnormalities was calculated (K-statistic). Correlation between the prevalence of complications and the degree of pancreatitis was estimated using Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: The severity of pancreatitis was graded as mild (n = 59 scans), moderate (n = 82 scans), and severe (n = 18 scans). Venous abnormalities detected included splenic vein (SV) thrombosis (31 scans, 19 patients), superior mesenteric vein (SMV) thrombosis (20 scans, 14 patients), and portal vein (PV) thrombosis (17 scans, 13 patients). Arterial hemorrhage occurred in five patients (6 scans). In our series, no cases of arterial pseudoaneurysm formation were detected. The interobserver agreement range for scoring the degree of pancreatitis and the overall presence of major vascular abnormalities was 75.5-79.2 and 86.2-98.8%, respectively. The presence of the vascular abnormalities in correlation with the severity of pancreatitis was variable. CONCLUSION: Vascular abnormalities are relatively common CT findings in association with acute pancreatitis. The CT severity index is insufficiently accurate in predicting some of these complications since no statistically significant correlation between their prevalence and the severity of pancreatitis could be established.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2004

CT features of the accessory spleen.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence and CT features of the accessory spleen. CONCLUSION: Accessory spleens are present in 16% of patients undergoing contrast-enhanced abdominal CT. Typically, accessory spleens appear on CT scans as well-marginated, round masses that are smaller than 2 cm and enhance homogeneously on contrast-enhanced images. When accessory spleens are smaller than 1 cm, their attenuation may be lower than that of the spleen because of partial volume effects. Their most frequent location (22%) is posteromedial to the spleen; anterolateral to the upper pole of the left kidney; and lateral, posterior, and superior to the tail of the pancreas. Familiarity with these characteristic features may differentiate them from other pathologic findings in the upper abdomen.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Acute small bowel ischemia: CT imaging findings.

Small bowel ischemia is a disorder related to a variety of conditions resulting in interruption or reduction of the blood supply of the small intestine. It may present with various clinical and radiologic manifestations, and ranges pathologically from localized transient ischemia to catastrophic necrosis of the intestinal tract. The primary causes of insufficient blood flow to the small intestine are various and include thromboembolism (50% of cases), nonocclusive causes, bowel obstruction, neoplasms, vasculitis, abdominal inflammatory conditions, trauma, chemotherapy, radiation, and corrosive injury. Computed tomography (CT) can demonstrate changes because of ischemic bowel accurately, may be helpful in determining the primary cause of ischemia, and can demonstrate important coexistent findings or complications. However, common CT findings in acute small bowel ischemia are not specific and, therefore, it is often a combination of clinical, laboratory and radiologic signs that may lead to a correct diagnosis. Understanding the pathogenesis of various conditions leading to mesenteric ischemia and being familiar with the spectrum of diagnostic CT signs may help the radiologist recognize ischemic small bowel disease and avoid delayed diagnosis. The aim of this article is to provide a review of the pathogenesis and various causes of acute small bowel ischemia and to demonstrate the contribution of CT in the diagnosis of this complex disease.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed2003

Preoperative liver donor evaluation: Imaging and pitfalls.

This article discusses the rationale behind living (related) donor liver transplantation, the role of imaging in the preoperative evaluation of the potential donor, and the currently available imaging modalities for fulfilling this task. Furthermore, the normal hepatic vascular and biliary anatomy, as seen on imaging, is reviewed and the most common anomalies are highlighted. Finally, critical concepts in the diagnostic evaluation of a donor are discussed with special emphasis on how to accurately measure liver volumes.

Humans↗
PubMed2003

Macrocystic serous adenoma of the pancreas: radiologic-pathologic correlation.

OBJECTIVE: Macrocystic serous adenoma is a rare benign pancreatic neoplasm, recently described in the pathology literature. We describe the CT and MR imaging features in a series of five consecutive pathologically proven cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of seven cases fulfilling the pathology criteria for macrocystic serous adenoma over an 11-year period, five patients underwent preoperative CT and MR imaging at our institution. In addition to the clinical presentation and pathologic features of the tumor, the following CT and MR imaging features were reviewed: size and location; wall thickness; internal septations; and presence of mural nodules, papillary projections, or calcifications. RESULTS: All patients but one were women (age range, 36-78 years; mean age, 48.6 years). The sizes of the tumors ranged from 1.5 to 5.0 cm (mean, 3.1 cm). Three (60%) of five tumors were located in the pancreatic head. The wall measured less than 2 mm in four lesions and 4 mm in one. No mural nodules, papillary projections, or calcifications were present. Lesions were unilocular (n = 3) or bilocular (n = 2). Excellent correlation of imaging features with gross pathology was observed. CONCLUSION: On CT and MR imaging, the macrocystic variant of serous adenoma typically appears as a small (< 5 cm), uni- or bilocular cyst with a thin (< 2 mm) wall that lacks mural nodules or calcifications. The imaging appearance of macrocystic serous adenoma is distinctly different from that of microcystic serous cystadenoma, but the imaging appearance of macrocystic serous adenoma is indistinguishable from mucinous cystadenoma and cystadenocarcinoma of the pancreas.

Cystadenoma, Serous↗
PubMed2003

CT features with pathologic correlation of acute gastrointestinal graft-versus-host disease after bone marrow transplantation in adults.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to describe the CT features of acute gastrointestinal graft-versus-host disease in adults and to correlate these findings with the pathologic grades of disease severity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients (n = 22) with a history of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation and pathologically confirmed acute gastrointestinal graft-versus-host disease underwent contrast-enhanced (n = 13) and unenhanced (n = 9) CT. CT scans were retrospectively evaluated for intestinal and extraintestinal abnormalities by two radiologists who were unaware of the biopsy results. The CT findings were correlated with the pathologic grade of disease severity using the Pearson's correlation coefficient and the two-tailed nonparametric Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. RESULTS: CT features included small-bowel wall thickening (22/22), engorgement of the vasa recta adjacent to affected bowel segments (20/22), stranding of the mesenteric fat (16/22), large-bowel wall thickening (13/22), bowel dilatation proximal to thickened wall segments (5/22), ascites (10/22), periportal edema (8/22), mucosal enhancement (7/13), and serosal enhancement (4/13). The wall thickening had a discontinuous distribution in nine patients (41%). Bowel wall thickening was associated with high-grade graft-versus-host disease in patients in whom the distal esophagus (p = 0.015), ileum (p = 0.034), or ascending colon (p = 0.05) was involved. Increasing numbers of thickened bowel segments correlated with high-grade graft-versus-host disease (r = 0.548, p = 0.008). Increasing numbers of abnormal CT findings did not correlate with high-grade graft-versus-host disease (r = 0.117, p = 0.604). CONCLUSION: A variety of bowel abnormalities can be seen on CT in patients with acute graft-versus-host disease. CT findings associated with high-grade graft-versus-host disease are thickening of the distal esophagus, ileum, or ascending colon, as well as increasing numbers of thickened bowel wall segments.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2002

"Cecal gangrene": a rare cause of right-sided inferior abdominal quadrant pain, fever, and leukocytosis.

We report on a 58-year-old man with known diabetes, congestive heart failure, and need for chronic hemodialysis presenting with right lower abdominal quadrant pain, fever, and leukocytosis. Although initial clinical findings were highly suggestive of acute appendicitis, CT revealed marked circumferential wall thickening of the cecum, which was interpreted as cecal infarction by the radiologist. Intraoperatively, cecal necrosis was confirmed, but the ileocecal valve and, especially, the appendix showed no ischemia. No vascular occlusions were found. Histopathologic analysis of the resected cecum demonstrated isolated transmural cecal necrosis with marked infiltration of the cecal wall by numerous bacteria and neutrophils. We present the CT features and histopathologic findings of isolated cecal gangrene, review the pathogenesis of occlusive and nonocclusive cecal ischemia or infarction, and discuss the role of bacterial superinfection as a potential cofactor in the pathogenesis of isolated cecal necrosis which should be included in the differential diagnosis of right-sided inferior abdominal quadrant pain.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

CT findings in isolated ischemic proctosigmoiditis.

The purpose of our study was to describe the CT features of ischemic proctosigmoiditis in correlation with clinical, laboratory, endoscopic, and histopathologic findings. Our study included seven patients with isolated ischemic proctosigmoiditis. Patients were identified by a retrospective review of all histopathologic records of colonoscopic biopsies performed during a time period of 4 years. All patients presented with left lower abdominal quadrant pain, bloody stools, and leukocytosis, and four patients had fever at the time of presentation. Four of seven patients suffered from diarrhea, one of seven was constipated and two of seven had normal stool consistency. The CT examinations were reviewed by two authors by consensus and compared with clinical and histopathologic results as well as with the initial CT diagnosis. The CT showed a wall thickening confined to the rectum and sigmoid colon in seven of seven patients, stranding of the pararectal fat in four of seven, and stranding of the perisigmoidal fat in one of seven patients. There were no enlarged lymph nodes, but five of seven patients showed coexistent diverticulosis and in three of these patients CT findings were initially misinterpreted as sigmoid diverticulitis. Endoscopies and histopathologic analyses of endoscopic biopsies confirmed non-transmural ischemic proctosigmoiditis in all patients. Isolated ischemic proctosigmoiditis often presents with unspecific CT features and potentially misleading clinical and laboratory findings. In an elderly patient or a patient with known cardiovascular risk factors the diagnosis of ischemic proctosigmoiditis should be considered when wall thickening confined to the rectum and sigmoid colon is seen that is associated with perirectal fat stranding.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Portal-venous gas unrelated to mesenteric ischemia.

The aim of this study was to report on 8 patients with all different non-ischemic etiologies for portal-venous gas and to discuss this rare entity and its potentially misleading CT findings in context with a review of the literature. The CT examinations of eight patients who presented with intrahepatic portal-venous gas, unrelated to bowel ischemia or infarction, were reviewed and compared with their medical records with special emphasis on the pathogenesis and clinical impact of portal-venous gas caused by non-ischemic conditions. The etiologies for portal-venous gas included: abdominal trauma ( n=1); large gastric cancer ( n=1); prior gastroscopic biopsy ( n=1); prior hemicolectomy ( n=1); graft-vs-host reaction ( n=1); large paracolic abscess ( n=1); mesenteric recurrence of ovarian cancer superinfected with clostridium septicum ( n=1); and sepsis with Pseudomonas aeruginosa ( n=1). The clinical outcome of all patients was determined by their underlying disease and not negatively influenced by the presence of portal-venous gas. Although the presence of portal-venous gas usually raises the suspicion of bowel ischemia and/or intestinal necrosis, this CT finding may be related to a variety of non-ischemic etiologies and pathogeneses as well. The knowledge about these conditions may help to avoid misinterpretation of CT findings, inappropriate clinical uncertainty and unnecessary surgery in certain cases.

Abdominal Injuries↗
PubMed2001

Multifocal inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver: dynamic gadolinium-enhanced, ferumoxides-enhanced, and mangafodipir trisodium-enhanced MR imaging findings.

The MRI characteristics of a multifocal inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver are described. Emphasis is placed on the appearances following intravenous administration of both non-specific and liver-specific MR contrast agents. On post-gadolinium gradient-echo (GE) images an early, intense, and peripheral enhancement was followed by a homogeneous, complete, and persistent enhancement. Lesions showed no uptake following administration of ferumoxides particles nor mangafodipir trisodium, respectively. During follow-up, a peripheral hyperintense rim appeared on precontrast T1-weighted images, a feature not previously described.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Solitary hepatic infantile hemangioendothelioma: dynamic gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging findings.

We report the MRI findings of a solitary hepatic infantile hemangioendothelioma (IHE) diagnosed in a 14-day-old girl. To the best of our knowledge, only one report has illustrated the dynamic gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging features of IHE previously. Compounding the rarity of presentation as a solitary mass, the gadolinium-enhanced MRI appearance in our case is unique, because the IHE showed an early rim-like pseudocapsular enhancement followed by progressive fill-in of the lesion on delayed imaging.

Contrast Media↗