Endometriosis is defined as the presence of endometrial tissue that is located outside the uterine cavity and associated with fibrosis and inflammatory reaction. It is a polymorphic and multifocal disease with no known cure or preventive mechanisms. Patients may be asymptomatic or may experience chronic pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, or infertility. The pelvic cavity is the most common location for endometriotic implants, which usually affect the retrocervical space, ovaries, vagina, rectosigmoid colon, bladder dome, and round ligaments. Atypical endometriosis is rare and difficult to diagnose. The most common atypical locations are the gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, lung, umbilicus, inguinal area, breast, and pelvic nerves, as well as abdominal surgical scars. Gastrointestinal lesions are the most common extragenital manifestation, and the diaphragm is the most frequent extrapelvic site. The catamenial nature of the symptoms (occurring between 24 hours before and 72 hours after the onset of menstruation) may help suggest the diagnosis, but imaging by specialists is fundamental to evaluation. Depending on the area affected, radiography, ultrasonography, thin-section computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging can be used to assess suspected lesions. Because isolated extragenital endometriosis is rare, concomitant evaluation of the pelvic cavity is mandatory. Surgical excision is the only therapeutic option for definitive treatment, and comprehensive disease mapping is necessary to avoid residual disease. The authors review atypical locations for endometriosis and emphasize the most appropriate imaging protocols for investigation of various clinical manifestations. Online supplemental material is available for this article. RSNA, 2018.

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Hepatic lymphoma can be divided into its primary and secondary forms. To be classified as primary hepatic lymphoma, the disease should be limited to the liver and hilar lymph nodes, with no distant involvement (to the bone marrow or other sites). Primary hepatic lymphoma is quite rare, accounting for less than 1% of all cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, whereas secondary hepatic lymphoma affects nearly half of such cases. Familiarity with the imaging features of hepatic lymphoma is important for its early diagnosis and appropriate management. In this essay, we aim to review the roles of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in identifying and monitoring hepatic lymphomas, using sample cases to describe and illustrate the wide spectrum of imaging findings in the primary and secondary forms of this disorder.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Recent studies have shown noncontrast computed tomography (NCT) to be more effective than ultrasound (US) for imaging acute ureterolithiasis. However, to our knowledge, there are few studies directly comparing these techniques in an emergency teaching hospital setting. The objectives of this study were to compare the diagnostic accuracy of US and NCT performed by senior radiology residents for diagnosing acute ureterolithiasis; and to assess interobserver agreement on tomography interpretations by residents and experienced abdominal radiologists. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective study of 52 consecutive patients, who underwent both US and NCT within an interval of eight hours, at Hospital São Paulo. METHODS: US scans were performed by senior residents and read by experienced radiologists. NCT scan images were read by senior residents, and subsequently by three abdominal radiologists. The interobserver variability was assessed using the kappa statistic. RESULTS: Ureteral calculi were found in 40 out of 52 patients (77%). US presented sensitivity of 22% and specificity of 100%. When collecting system dilatation was associated, US demonstrated 73% sensitivity, 82% specificity. The interobserver agreement in NCT analysis was very high with regard to identification of calculi, collecting system dilatation and stranding of perinephric fat. CONCLUSIONS: US has limited value for identifying ureteral calculi in comparison with NCT, even when collecting system dilatation is present. Residents and abdominal radiologists demonstrated excellent agreement rates for ureteral calculi, identification of collecting system dilatation and stranding of perinephric fat on NCT.

Uma grande variedade de tumores benignos e malignos ocorre no fígado. Embora a caracterização de lesões hepáticas focais possa ser um desafio para o radiologista, a maioria das lesões se apresenta com características de imagem que permitem o seu diagnóstico. O objetivo deste trabalho é o de rever os principais aspectos de imagem dos tumores hepáticos benignos e malignos mais comumente encontrados no fígado adulto.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o grau de aceitação do paciente submetido a colonografia por tomografia computadorizada (CTC) em comparação com a colonoscopia, quando realizadas para rastreamento de doença colorretal. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Cinquenta pacientes com suspeita de doença colorretal foram submetidos a CTC e colonoscopia. Questionários foram aplicados antes e após a realização da CTC e após a colonoscopia. Graduou-se o desconforto esperado e experimentado antes e após a realização da CTC e da colonoscopia, bem como a preferência do paciente por exame. RESULTADOS: Em relação à CTC, antes de iniciar o exame 18% dos pacientes afirmaram esperar pouco desconforto, 78%, desconforto moderado e 4%, muito desconforto. Após a realização do exame, 72% dos pacientes relataram pouco desconforto, 26%, desconforto moderado e apenas um (2%) dos pacientes referiu muito desconforto. Após a realização da colonoscopia, 86% dos pacientes relataram preferência pela CTC. O grau de distensão colônica e a quantidade de fluido residual não influenciaram na preferência dos pacientes. CONCLUSÃO: Os pacientes preferiram a CTC à colonoscopia, não havendo relação estatística com o grau de distensão colônica na CTC e a eficiência do preparo intestinal.

OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o desempenho de contrastes orais neutros, comparando a capacidade de distensão intestinal, a distinção da parede intestinal, a aceitação e os efeitos colaterais. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo, randomizado e duplo-cego em 30 pacientes submetidos a tomografia computadorizada de abdome e pelve com administração de contraste oral neutro, divididos em três grupos: leite, água e polietilenoglicol. Os exames foram analisados quanto ao grau de distensão intestinal e distinção da parede intestinal por dois examinadores em consenso. Os pacientes responderam a um questionário referente ao sabor da solução ingerida e efeitos colaterais. Foram utilizados os testes Kruskal-Wallis e qui-quadrado para as análises estatísticas. RESULTADOS: Distensão intestinal adequada (calibre da alça maior que 2 cm) foi observada em 14 segmentos dos 40 estudados (35%) no grupo leite, em 10 segmentos (25%) no grupo água e em 23 segmentos (57%) no grupo polietilenoglicol (p = 0,01). O preparo com polietilenoglicol resultou na melhor distensão intestinal, porém apresentou o pior sabor e maior incidência de diarreia, referidos pelos pacientes. CONCLUSÃO: O preparo oral com polietilenoglicol promove maior grau de distensão intestinal do que quando se utiliza água ou leite, mas tem pior aceitação, relacionada ao seu sabor e frequência de diarreia.

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