Aims: To assess inter/intraobserver variability in the interpretation of a series of digitised images of columnar cell lesions (CCLs) of the breast. Methods: After a tutorial on breast CCL, 39 images were presented to seven staff pathologists, who were instructed to categorise the lesions as follows: 0, no columnar cell change (CCC) or ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS); 1, CCC; 2, columnar cell hyperplasia; 3, CCC with architectural atypia; 4, CCC with cytological atypia; 5, DCIS. Concordance with the tutor's diagnosis and degree of agreement among pathologists for each image were determined. The same set of images was re-presented to the pathologists one week later, their diagnoses collated, and inter/intraobservor reproducibility and level of agreement for individual images analysed. Results: Diagnostic reproducibility with the tutor ranged from moderate to substantial (k values, 0.439-0.697) in the first exercise. At repeat evaluation, intraobserver agreement was fair to perfect (k values, 0.271-0.832), whereas concordance with the tutor varied from fair to substantial (k values, 0.334-0.669). There was unanimous agreement on more images during the second exercise, mainly because of agreement on the diagnosis of DCIS. The lowest agreement was seen for CCC with cytological atypia. Conclusions: Interobserver and intraobserver agreement is good for DCIS, but more effort is needed to improve diagnostic consistency in the category of CCC with cytological atypia. Continued awareness and study of these lesions are necessary to enhance recognition and understanding.

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Ocular melanoma is the most common adult primary intraocular tumour. Although ,1% of patients have metastatic disease at the time of initial diagnosis, most will develop metastasis at varying lengths of time. Metastasis surveillance is therefore critical in the follow-up of patients with ocular melanoma. Liver is the most common site of metastasis and prognosis is based on the treatment of liver metastasis. Hence, imaging of liver metastasis is vital. MRI is the most specific modality for imaging liver metastasis and is at least as sensitive as CT. Extrahepatic metastasis such as retroperitoneal nodules and bone metastases are also better evaluated on MRI. Gadolinium-based contrast agents are extremely helpful for detecting liver lesions. In particular, newer hepatobiliary contrast agents which offer an additional hepatobiliary phase of excretion help in the detection of even tiny liver metastases. Diffusion-weighted imaging is helpful when an i.v. contrast cannot be administered. Treated lesions are also better evaluated with MRI. CT is useful for evaluating lung nodules, large liver metastasis or in patients in whom MRI is medically contraindicated. The disadvantage lies in its inability to detect small liver metastasis and the radiation dose involved. The lesions treated with iodized oil as part of chemoembolization procedures can be followed on CT. Ultrasound can be used only for detecting hepatic metastases. However, it is heavily operator dependent, technically challenging and time consuming especially in patients who are large. Extrahepatic metastasis cannot be seen on ultrasound. Its utility is primarily for the biopsy of liver lesions. Positron emission tomography (PET)-CT can detect lung nodules and large liver lesions but is insensitive to small liver lesions. Moreover, the high radiation dose is a major disadvantage. IMAGING OF OCULAR MELANOMA METASTASISOcular melanoma is the most common adult primary intraocular tumour, with a stable incidence over the past 30 years of 5.1 per million. The overwhelming majority of those affected are Caucasian. In ocular melanoma, unlike most cancers, ,1% of patients have metastatic disease at the time of initial diagnosis. However, unfortunately, many do go on to develop metastases. The Collaborative Ocular Melanoma Study, one of the largest prospective studies, with a longitudinal follow-up of 2320 patients, found a 10-year cumulative metastatic rate of 34%.1 The most frequent site of ocular melanoma metastasis is the liver (90%), followed by the lung (30%), bone (23%) and skin (17%). Metastatic disease is identified on an average about 3 years after the diagnosis of the primary tumour. 2,3The median survival time after diagnosis of metastasis in the largest series of patients with metastatic uveal melanoma was 3.6 months, 4, although time to metastasis can be prolonged up to 42 years in some cases. 5 As liver metastases are the most common cause of death in these patients, this review focused largely on imaging of the liver.Given the prolonged time frame i...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:The posterior thyroid tubercle, also known as ZT, is an important surgical landmark due to its close proximity to the recurrent laryngeal nerve. A recent case of ZT with a nodular configuration caused clinical concern but was shown on biopsy to be normal thyroid tissue. The purpose of this study was to review a series of CT neck studies to identify how often ZTspecifically, a nodular subtype-was present.

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