Journal of radiology case reports
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Of greatest concern in the assessment of a patient with a tender pulsatile abdominal mass is the possibility of a leaking or ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA). Other serious abdominal pathologies may demonstrate the same clinical signs but require entirely different treatments. ⋯ The patient had a significantly large tender congested liver associated with right side heart failure due to progressive tricuspid valve regurgitation. We have also discussed the differential diagnoses which may mimic abdominal aneurysms and discussed the role of imaging in resolving these problems.
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Metallosis and metal-induced synovitis are well-recognized complications of metal-backed polyethylene joint prostheses and have been frequently described in the orthopedic surgery literature; however, relatively fewer articles discussing the radiologic aspects of this complication have been published. To illustrate the importance of radiologic findings in the diagnosis and management of these patients, we present a case of metallosis and metal-induced synovitis complicating two revisions of a total knee arthroplasty, caused by polyethylene liner wear and dissociation of the polyethylene liner from the metal-backed patellar prosthesis. Specific attention is given to reviewing signs that aid in diagnosis, such as the "bubble sign," "cloud sign," and "metal-line signs."
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The presence of superficial bruising, no abnormal signs on abdominal examination and a negative FAST scan of the abdomen may not be enough to rule out intra-abdominal pathology. We report on the usefulness of CT in diagnosing a post-traumatic abdominal wall hernia.
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We report the case of a 23 year-old obese female, with previously diagnosed situs inversus below the diaphragm, who presented with severe left upper quadrant abdominal pain. The patient was believed to have a surgical indication, possibly appendicitis or diverticulitis, and had an emergent abdominal Computed Tomography (CT) scan. The CT was interpreted as epiploic appendagitis with no signs of appendicitis. ⋯ This case was complicated by the fact that the patient had situs inversus below the diaphragm, which made it difficult to relate her localized abdominal pain to the correct anatomic area. The diagnosis allowed the patient to avoid invasive surgery and instead opt for conservative medical management. The utilization of radiologic imaging is of utmost importance in diagnosing this condition, which has characteristic findings on CT, US, and MR, all of which is discussed in this article.
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A 62 year old woman status post radical nephroureterectomy for high grade urothelial carcinoma was found on CT to have a 1 cm retroperitoneal nodule in the nephrectomy bed. The nodule's differential diagnosis included recurrent urothelial carcinoma versus relocation of the patient's splenule seen on earlier CT imaging. We report using SPECT/CT with Tc-99m labeled denatured red blood cells to definitively diagnose the nodule as a relocated splenule.