With increased exposure of patients to routine imaging, incidental benign intrathoracic masses are frequently recognized. Most have classical imaging features, which are pathognomonic for their benignity. The aim of this pictorial review is to educate the reader of radiological features of several types of intrathoracic masses. The masses are categorized based on their location/origin and are grouped into parenchymal, pleural, mediastinal, or bronchial. Thoracic wall masses that invade the thorax such as neurofibromas and lipomas are included as they may mimic intrathoracic masses. All examples are illustrated and include pulmonary hamartoma, pleural fibroma, sarcoidosis, bronchial carcinoid, and bronchoceles together with a variety of mediastinal cysts on plain radiographs, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Sometimes a multimodality approach would be needed to confirm the diagnosis in atypical cases. The study would include the incorporation of radionuclide studies and relevant discussion in a multidisciplinary setting.
Behcet disease (BD), a vasculitic disease, may present with a broad range of systemic manifestations. Urologic complications are rarely described in the literature, but when they occur, they present as epididymo-orchitis. We describe a rare case of testicular infarction in a patient with BD followed up with serial ultrasound imaging. We highlight the diagnostic challenges when presented with testicular pain in a patient with BD and the potential consequences in the management.
Transabdominal ultrasound (TAUS) remains the most widely available, non-invasive and least expensive initial imaging modality of the pancreas. Awareness of a range of pancreatic pathology is imperative when determining the need for further cross-sectional imaging or increasingly, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). Given the spectrum of pathologic processes that affect the pancreas, alongside the significant overlap in clinical presentation, the major task on the initial TAUS is to distinguish normal from abnormal and subsequently inflammatory-related pathology from underlying neoplasia. This article aims to present useful sonographic signs that demonstrate and differentiate pancreatic pathologies. These useful sonographic signs are highlighted through a series of benign and neoplastic conditions involving the pancreas and correlation is made with alternative imaging including computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and EUS.
In conclusion, TAUS continues to have a useful role in the initial assessment of the pancreas. Recognising useful sonographic signs, as well as their limitations, is important in the avoidance of misdiagnosis and accurately triaging patients with regard to further appropriate imaging investigations.
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