TEST PAPER 4 Flashcards
(120 cards)
@# 1.A 71-year old man with a long history of alcohol-related liver cirrhosis showed a subtlebut equivocal area of abnormality on a screening ultrasound. His AFP was raised at 2,000.An MRI of the liver with contrast is performed. All of the following are expected featuresof infiltrative HCC on MRI, except
A. Hyperintense on MR images acquired during the hepatobiliary phase after injection ofhepatocyte-specific contrast agent.
B. A reticular appearance of the tumour can be seen during the venous and equilibriumphase.
C. Washout appearance of the tumour is usually reported as irregular andheterogeneous.
D. Infiltrative HCC may commonly appear as iso- or hypointense on images obtainedduring the arterial phase.
E. Infiltrative HCC may be difficult to discern from underlying heterogeneous cirrhosisbecause of its permeative appearance.
1.A. Hyperintense on MR images acquired during the hepatobiliary phase after injection of
hepatocytes specific contrast agent
At contrast-enhanced CT and MR imaging, infiltrative HCC may be difficult to discern from underlying heterogeneous cirrhosis because of its permeative appearance, its minimal and inconsistent arterial enhancement and the heterogeneous washout appearance that occurs during the venous phase.
The enhancement pattern of infiltrative HCC seen on images obtained during the hepatic arterial phase has been reported as minimal, patchy or miliary.
Although arterial hyperenhancement is a key diagnostic feature of nodular and massive HCC, infiltrative HCC may commonly appear as iso- or hypointense on images obtained during the arterial phase.
Washout appearance is a specific CT and MR imaging feature of typical nodular HCC.
Hypointensity relative to the surrounding liver parenchyma during the venous phase of enhancement remains a valid sign for the detection of infiltrative HCC.
However, washout appearance of the tumour is usually reported as irregular and heterogeneous and is less frequently seen in infiltrative HCC than in other HCC subtypes.
Moreover, a reticular appearance of the tumour has been seen on images obtained during the venous and equilibrium phases, possibly related to fibrosis.
Finally, the tumour generally appears as hypointense on MR images acquired during the hepatobiliary phase after injection of hepatocyte specific contrast agent because of the lack of contrast agent uptake.
2.Which of the following is false?
A. NSIPScleroderma
B. Sjögren’s syndromeLymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis (LIP)
C. Lofgren’s syndromeSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
D. Loeffler’s syndromeAcute eosinophilia
E. Folded lungsAsbestosis
2.C. Lofgren’s syndrome Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
NSIP is more common than UIP. Although NSIP is defined as idiopathic, the morphologicpattern is seen with connective-tissue diseases, hypersensitivity pneumonitis or drug exposure. LIP is exceedingly rare. It is seen as a secondary disease in association with Sjögren syndrome, HIV infection and variable immunodeficiency syndromes.
Löffler’s syndrome refers to simple pulmonary eosinophilia, with high eosinophil count in peripheral blood and fleeting air space opacities. Round atelectasis or folded lung is a recognised asbestos-related lung abnormality. Lofgren’s syndrome is an acute form of sarcoidosis characterised by erythema nodosum, bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy and polyarthralgia or polyarthritis.
3.Which one of the following statements regarding the testes is false?
A. Tubular ectasia of the testis is a benign condition.
B. Undescended testes are most commonly found in the inguinal canal.
C. Metastases are most commonly from prostate and lung primary.
D. Testicular cysts are mostly incidental and non-palpable.
E. Sertoli cell tumour is the most common malignant testicular tumour.
- E. Sertoli cell tumour is the most common malignant testicular tumour.
Cryptorchidism is defined as complete or partial failure of the intra-abdominal testes to descend
into the scrotal sac. The undescended testis may be positioned anywhere along the normal path of descent. The most common location is in the inguinal canal (72%), followed by prescrotal (20%). Simple testicular cysts are mostly found incidentally, non-palpable, in men above 40 years, located at the mediastinum testis. Testicular metastases are rare and a sign of advanced primary disease, mostly from the prostate (35%), lung (20%), melanoma, colon or kidney. They may appear discrete or diffusely infiltrate the parenchyma. Tubular ectasia of the rete testis is a benign condition resulting from partial or complete obliteration of the efferent ducts that cause ectasia of the rete testis. Germ cell tumours are the most common testicular malignancy.
4.A 21-year-old woman attends the A&E department with acute onset of pain in the right upperarm with limitation of mobility. The plain radiograph report describes a ‘fallen fragment’ sign.Which one of the following bony lesions does this finding refer to?
A. Giant cell tumour
B. Simple bone cyst
C. Eosinophilic granuloma
D. Aneurysmal bone cyst
E. Benign cortical defect
- B. Simple bone cyst
The fallen fragment sign comprises a small fragment that lies in the dependant portion of a radiolucent skeletal lesion. It is mostly recognised in radiograph, but analogous findings can be seen on CT or MRI.
A dependant bone fragment can result from a pathologic fracture through thin cortical wall of a simple bone cyst. After minor trauma periosteum and surrounding muscle prevents centrifugal displacement of fracture fragment. However, a fractured fragment can become dislodged and fall centrally. The fluid content of the lesion allows the fragment to drop to the dependant portion of the cyst.
- A 43-year-old patient with known diagnosis of AIDS presented with ataxia and progressive neurological deficits. MRI brain revealed patchy high signal on T2W images in the parieto occipital white matter. No mass effect or contrast enhancement was evident What is the diagnosis?
A. Primary CNS lymphoma
B. AIDS dementia complex
C. Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
D. Periventricular leukomalacia
E. Encephalitis
- C. Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
The most common imaging manifestation of HIV infection is global atrophy that is out of proportion to age. The finding of diffuse cerebral atrophy can be accompanied by diffuse, confluent, ill-defined areas of abnormally increased signal intensity on T2-weighted MRI of the periventricular white matter. No enhancement is noted. The findings may be accompanied by encephalopathy (AIDS dementia complex). These global abnormalities were previously attributed to a subacute encephalitis caused by HIV. It now seems likely that both HIV and CMV can cause subacute encephalitis and encephalopathy; these conditions have an identical non-specific imaging appearance. CMV encephalopathy appears to manifest itself late in the illness, whereas HIV dementia (although usually presenting late) can occasionally be the AIDS-defining illness.
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy is the most serious focal lesion without significant mass effect. It is caused by the JC virus. On CT, the lesions have low attenuation. On MRI, they are of low signal intensity on T1-weighted images and high signal intensity on T2-weighted images. They exhibit little or no mass effect. Although ring enhancement has been reported, these lesions generally do not enhance on CT or MRI. They often occur at the interface between the grey matter and the white matter and have a scalloped contour secondary to involvement of peripheral U-fibres. The parietal lobe is predominantly affected, but these lesions also occur in the periventricular white matter, posterior fossa, brainstem, spinal cord and even the basal ganglia.
- A 6-year-old with spina bifida has a chest X-ray performed for possible lower respiratory tract infection. The lungs are clear but there is a well-defined, round paraspinal mass with an air-fluid level. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Bronchogenic cyst
B. Morgagni hernia
C. Oesophageal duplication cyst
D. Cystic teratoma
E. Oesophageal tumour
- C. Oesophageal duplication cyst
Oesophageal duplication cysts are rare congenital anomalies. They are associated with vertebral anomalies (spina bifida, hemivertebrae, fusion defects). There is also an association with oesophageal atresia and small bowel duplication. Most cysts develop in the right posteroinferior mediastinum.
CT demonstrates a well-marginated round, oval or tubular shaped fluid-filled cystic structure that has a well-defined, thin wall. The cyst is of water attenuation with no enhancement of contents and no infiltration of surrounding structures. Malignant degeneration is rare.
Bronchogenic cyst is the most common cystic mediastinal mass that typically lies in the middle mediastinum, not in a paraspinal location; in addition, you would not expect an air-fluid level. Cystic teratoma is an anterior mediastinal mass. Morgagni hernia would be unlikely to cause a solitary round lesion; multiple structures would be expected.
@# 7. A 77-year-old man with weight loss and deranged LFTs had an ultrasound scan that showed multiple liver lesions suspicious for metastases. Contrast-enhanced CT of the chest and abdomen was done in search of the primary’. Which one of the following is the most common primary tumour that has hypovascular liver metastases?
A. Pancreas
B. Stomach
C. Colon
D. Kidney
E. Melanoma
- C. Colon
Liver metastases may be hypovascular or hypervascular.
Colon, lung, breast and gastric carcinomas are the most common tumours causing hypovascular liver metastases, and they typically show perilesional enhancement.
Neuroendocrine tumours (including carcinoid and islet cell tumours) renal cell carcinoma, breast, melanoma and thyroid carcinoma are the tumours most commonly causing hypervascular hepatic metastases, which may develop early enhancement with variable degrees of washout and peripheral rim enhancement.
Statistically, colonic metastases are more common than gastric carcinoma metastasis to the liver.
@# 8. A 65-year-old woman is recovering from a double lung transplant On the fourth day post-transplant, she starts complaining of shortness of breath. Clinical findings include some basal crackles; air entry seems satisfactory in the upper zones. An urgent chest X-ray is organised. Portable up-to-date chest X-ray shows evidence of pulmonary’ oedema. What is the most likely cause for this appearance?
A. Barotrauma
B. Acute graft failure
C. Volume overload
D. Response to antirejection treatment
E. Reimplantation response
- E. Reimplantation response
Ischaemia reperfusion injury or reimplantation response is a non-cardiogenic pulmonary oedema that typically occurs more than 24 hours after transplantation, peaks in severity on post-operative Day 4, and generally improves by the end of the first week. The oedema may continue up to 6 months post-operative; however, in most lung transplant recipients, it has cleared completely by 2 months. The radiographic and HRCT features are non-specific and may include perihilar ground-glass opacities, peribronchial and perivascular thickening, and reticular interstitial or airspace opacities located predominantly in the middle and lower lung lobes.
Acute rejection due to a cell-mediated immune response commonly occurs in the second week post-operative. HRCT features are also relatively non-specific and may include ground-glass opacities (often with basal distribution), peribronchial cuffing, septal thickening and pleural effusion.
@# 9. Cryptorchidism has an increased risk of development of all of the following testicular tumours, except
A. Leydig cell tumour
B. Seminoma
C. Yolk sac tumour
D. Embryonal cell tumour
E. Choriocarcinoma
- A. Leydig cell tumour
Cryptorchidism is associated with an increased risk of testicular germ cell tumours, more so with bilateral undescended testes. Germ cell tumours are seminomatous or non-seminomatous, which are embryonal cell tumour, yolk sac tumour, choriocarcinoma and teratoma.
Sertoli cell and Leydig cell tumours are non-germ cell tumours.
@# 10. A 15-year-old teenager presents with a worsening pain in his right ankle. He is an active sports player and plays football for the school club. A radiograph reveals an undisplaced fragment in the medial aspect of the talar dome with a small lucent line around it.
All of the following are well-recognised locations for osteochondral lesions or defects, except
A. Lateral aspect of the medial femoral condyle
B. Medial aspect of the talar dome
C. Lateral aspect of the medial tibial plateau
D. Anterior aspect of the capitellum
E. Humeral head
- C. Lateral aspect of the medial tibial plateau
Osteochondral defect (OCD) (previously called osteochondritis dissecans) may result directly from trauma or secondarily from loss of blood supply to an area of subchondral bone, resulting in avascular necrosis. The overlying cartilage, which is nourished by synovial fluid, remains intact to variable degrees. As the necrotic bone is resorbed, the overlying cartilage loses its support. Without its cartilage cover, the bony fragment may become dislodged into the joint.
Common sites of involvement include the lateral aspect of the medial femoral condyle, followed by the talar dome (posteromedial more than anteromedial), anterolateral aspect of the capitellum and the tibial plafond. Rarer sites include navicular, femoral head, humeral head, glenoid and scaphoid.
MRI Grading of OCD
I. Marrow oedema (stable).
II. Articular cartilage breached. Low-signal rim surrounding fragment indicates fibrous attachment (stable).
III. Pockets of fluid (high signal on T2-weighted images) around undetached and undisplaced osteochondral fragment (unstable).
IV. Displaced osteochondral fragment (unstable).
@# 11. A 35-year-old woman with pre-eclampsia underwent a CT of the brain to exclude intracranial haemorrhage. The CT revealed low attenuation in the white matter of the posterior aspect of both cerebral hemispheres. The abnormal area appeared low on T1W and high on T2W images and was isointense on DWI. No contrast enhancement was evident. What is the diagnosis?
A. Periventricular leukomalacia
B. Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
C. Encephalitis
D. Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome
E. CNS lymphoma
- D. Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome
Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome also known as posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES), is most commonly encountered in association with acute hypertension, preeclampsia or eclampsia, renal disease, sepsis and exposure to immunosuppressants. At CT or MR imaging, the brain typically demonstrates focal regions of symmetric hemispheric oedema. The parietal and occipital lobes are most commonly affected, followed by the frontal lobes, the inferior temporal-occipital junction and the cerebellum. Lesion confluence may develop as the extent of oedema increases. MR DWI was instrumental in establishing and consistently demonstrating that the areas of abnormality represent vasogenic oedema. The oedema usually completely reverses. Focal or patchy areas of PRES vasogenic oedema may also be seen in the basal ganglia, brainstem and deep white matter (external/internal capsule). When they accompany hemispheric or cerebellar PRES, it is easy to recognise these. Present in isolation or when the hemispheric pattern is incompletely expressed (partial/ asymmetric), diagnosis of PRES can be challenging. If cerebellar or brainstem involvement are extensive, hydrocephalus and brainstem compression may occur. Focal areas of restricted diffusion (likely representing infarction or tissue injury with cytotoxic oedema) are uncommon (11%-26%) and may be associated with an adverse outcome. Haemorrhage (focal haematoma, isolated sulcal/subarachnoid blood or protein) is seen in approximately 15% of patients.
- A male infant is bom at 39 + 3 weeks gestation. Prenatal ultrasound demonstrated a partly cystic, partly echogenic mass in the right upper lobe. Shortly after delivery the infant is in respiratory distress. Initial chest X-ray demonstrates dense lungs bilaterally with increased volume on the right. On Day 2, a repeat chest X-ray demonstrates multiple air-filled cystic masses of varying sizes within the right upper lobe with mediastinal shift to the left. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Bronchogenic cyst
B. Morgagni hernia
C. Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation
D. Congenital lobar emphysema
E. Hyaline membrane disease
- C. Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation
Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation is a developmental hamartomatous abnormality of lung with adenomatoid proliferation of cysts resembling bronchioles. It is thought to be caused by focal arrest in foetal lung development before the seventh week of gestation. Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation represents 25% of all congenital lung lesions.
A CXR on Day 1 of life usually demonstrates dense lungs with increased volume on the affected side. On Day 2, a CXR usually demonstrates resorption of fluid from affected areas of lung, which are then replaced with air-containing spaces.
Communication with the tracheobronchial tree is maintained and the vascular supply and drainage are to the pulmonary circulation. There is a slight predilection for the upper lobes.
Newborns often present with respiratory distress secondary to mass effect and pulmonary compression or hypoplasia. The chest is dull to percussion with decreased air entry. Prenatal ultrasound shows a partly cystic, partly echogenic mass.
- A 78-vear-old woman with worsening right upper quadrant pain and worsening obstructive liver function test has a CT scan that shows a heterogeneous mass in the peripheral aspect of the liver with capsular retraction and segmental biliary duct dilatation proximal to the mass. There is no prior history of chronic Ever disease. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. HCC
B. Siderotic nodule
C. Adenoma
D. Cholangiocarcinoma
E. Angiosarcoma
- D. Cholangiocarcinoma
Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is the second most common primary hepatic tumour. Various risk factors have been reported for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, and the radiologic and pathologic findings of this disease entity may differ depending on the underlying risk factors.
Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma can be classified into three types on the basis of gross morphologic features: mass forming (the most common), periductal infiltrating and intraductal growth. At CT, mass-forming intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma usually appears as a homogeneous
low-attenuation mass with irregular peripheral enhancement; it can be accompanied by capsular retraction, satellite nodules and peripheral intrahepatic duct dilatation. Periductal infiltrating cholangiocarcinoma is characterised by growth along the dilated or narrowed bile duct without mass formation. On CT and MRI, diffuse periductal thickening and increased enhancement can be seen with a dilated or irregularly narrowed intrahepatic duct. Intraductal cholangiocarcinoma may manifest with various imaging patterns, including diffuse and marked duct ectasia either with or without a grossly visible papillary’ mass, an intraductal polypoid mass within localised ductal dilatation, intraductal cast-like lesions within a mildly dilated duct and a focal stricture like lesion with mild proximal ductal dilatation.
- A 36 year old immunocompromised woman with a knowm history of gestational trophoblastic disease showed bilateral bronchopneumonic infiltrates on chest X-ray.
An HRCT was suggested for further characterisation. The HRCT showed several areas of ground glass change surrounded by a rim of consolidation. The differential diagnosis for these findings would include all of the following, except
A. Wegner s granulomatosis
B. Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis
C. Choriocarcinoma metastasis
D. Sarcoidosis
E. Lymphangioleiomyomatosis
- E. Lymphangioleiomyomatosis
The reversed halo sign is characterised by a central ground-glass opacity- surrounded by denser air-space consolidation in the shape of a crescent or a ring. Causes include opportunistic and endemic fungal infection, with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis being the most common type. Other infectious causes include TB, bacterial infection, Legionnaires’ pneumonia and pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia. Non-infectious causes include COP, sarcoidosis, lipoid pneumonia, Wegners granulomatosis and pulmonary embolism. Neoplastic causes include lymphomatoid granulomatosis, pulmonary adenocarcinoma and haemorrhagic metastasis like renal or choriocarcinoma. RFA and radiation therapy arc other causes. Lymphangioleiomyomatosis typically manifests as multiple thin walled cysts uniformly distributed throughout the lungs.
- Enhanced CT scan of an otherwise healthy motor vehicle accident victim demonstrates no enhancement of the right kidney on Day 0. A repeat contrast-enhanced CT scan obtained on Day 3 demonstrates a thin marginal rim of subcapsular enhancement of uniform thickness, described as the rim sign. The collecting system was mildly prominent. What is the most likely explanation?
A. Analgesic overuse
B. Renovascular compromise
C. Diabetes mellitus
D. Pyelonephritis
E. Developing hydronephrosis
- B. Renovascular compromise
The rim sign is associated with major vascular compromise in the kidney. This sign is most commonly seen with renal artery obstruction from thrombosis, embolus or dissection. On contrast enhanced CT or MRI, a 1 to 3-mm rim of subcapsular enhancement, paralleling the renal margin, can be seen as a result of preserved perfusion of the outer renal cortex by capsular perforating vessels. The finding may be accompanied by an abrupt termination of contrast material in the renal artery, referred to as the arterial cut-off sign. The rim sign of vascular compromise has also been described with renal vein thrombosis and acute tubular necrosis.
- A 44-year-old man presents with increasingly severe and disabling pain in the left inguinal and anterior thigh region. The pain is exacerbated by weight-bearing and relieved by rest. The patient mentions that the pain began 2 months ago, was acute in onset, and there was no preceding trauma. A radiograph of his left hip reveals a focal osteopaenic region within the left femoral head; this is no longer evident on a follow-up film 8 months later. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Osteomalacia
B. Avascular necrosis
C. Transient osteonecrosis
D. Transient osteoporosis
E. Occult fracture
- D. Transient osteoporosis
Transient osteoporosis is a rare, self-limiting condition that usually affects the hip. Classically, it is characterised by disabling pain in the hip without preceding trauma, and there is radiographic evidence of a focal region of osteopenia isolated to the hip. Although avascular necrosis can also present with a focal region of osteopenia in the early stages of the disease, transient osteoporosis resolves in 6-8 months, whereas avascular necrosis is usually progressive. It is thought that transient osteoporosis could represent a non traumatic form of Sudeck atrophy or reflex sympathetic dystrophy.
@# 17. A 35-year old woman with bilateral facial nerve palsy showed extensive nodular deposits with diffuse enhancement of the meninges on CECT of the brain. Which of the following imaging investigation will likely confirm the diagnosis?
A. MR angiogram of the circle of Willis
B. Ultrasound of the liver
C. Intravenous urogram
D. Plain chest radiograph
E. Plain radiograph of both hands
- D. Plain chest radiograph
Central nervous system involvement is seen in 5% of patients with systemic sarcoidosis (neurosarcoidosis). The most common parenchymal abnormality described in some series is multiple non enhancing periventricular white matter lesions, seen as high signal intensity on T2-weighted images.
Enhancing parenchymal mass lesions are also commonly reported. These lesions maybe mistaken for primary or metastatic tumour or tumefactive demyelination. Enhancing mass lesions are frequently associated with nearby leptomeningeal involvement. Leptomeningeal involvement is perhaps the most typical manifestation of central nervous system sarcoidosis, seen in about 40% of cases. This is usually seen as thickening and enhancement of the leptomeninges on contrast- enhanced T1 -weighted images. The enhancement may be diffuse or nodular. Leptomeningeal involvement around the hypothalamus and pituitary infundibulum may be seen with basilar leptomeningeal involvement or as an isolated finding. Cranial nerve involvement is also described. Any cranial nerve can be affected, but the most common cranial nerve deficit involves the facial nerve (VII), whereas radiographically the optic nerves (II) arc most commonly abnormal.
@# 18. A 10-month-old infant attends the local infectious diseases unit with his mother who recently emigrated from Zimbabwe. The child has shortness of breath, fever and bilateral inspiratory crackles. Chest X ray demonstrates diffuse bilateral ground-glass opacification. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Varicella pneumonia
B. Round pneumonia
C. Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP)
D. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia
E. Congestive cardiac failure
- C. Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP)
PCP is the most common opportunistic infection in immunosuppressed children, occurring in up to 90% of HIV-positive patients. A clinico-pathological and radiological continuum has been reported since the earliest documented cases of PCP. At one end of the spectrum are children with a florid clinical course, who progress from health to death in days. They show marked hypoxia and rapid radiographic evolution of parahilar granular infiltrates to extensive bilateral airspace opacification. Pathologically, an extensive foamy alveolar exudate is seen. Conversely, there are those with an insidious presentation, less profound hypoxia and a slower recovery. These patients tend not to progress to alveolar opacification but show persistent bilateral granular or ground-glass opacification, representing relative prominence of interstitial pulmonary involvement.
- A 65-year old hepatitis C-positive man is found to have a liver mass on screening ultrasound. A suspicion of HCC was raised. Which one of the following statements regarding HCC screening is false?
A. HCC is characteristically hyperechoic on ultrasound.
B. The majority of nodules that measure less than 1 cm are not HCC.
C. It develops in a background of preexisting liver parenchymal damage.
D. HCC is commonly diagnosed on the basis of imaging features alone, without histologic confirmation.
E. The nodules that are suspicious for HCC are new nodules that measure more than 1 cm or nodules that enlarge over a time interval.
- A. HCC is characteristically hyperechoic on ultrasound.
HCC does not have a characteristic appearance at US. The lesions are typically hypoechoic, but they can be hyperechoic or have mixed echogenicity. The majority of nodules that measure less than 1 cm are not HCC. Detected nodules that measure less than 1 cm should be rescanned at a 3-month interval with the modality by which the lesions were first identified.
If the nodules remain stable for a 2-year period, regular 6 month follow-up examinations can be resumed for routine surveillance. The nodules that arc suspicious for HCC are new nodules that measure more than 1 cm or nodules that enlarge over a time interval. These suspicious nodules require immediate further investigation with multiphasic CT or MRI.
The radiologic diagnosis of HCC can be made at either CT or MR imaging, provided that a multiphasic contrast material-enhanced study is used. Characteristically, HCC enhances during the arterial phase because of its blood supply from abnormal hepatic arteries. Contrast medium in the surrounding liver parenchyma is diluted during this phase, because the parenchymal blood supply arises mostly from the portal veins, which are not yet opacified. In the portal venous phase, the surrounding liver parenchyma becomes relatively hyperattenuated and the lesion is perceived to be hypoattenuated because of its lack of portal venous supply. This appearance is the so called washout effect. Occasionally, washout is evident only during a delayed-phase sequence.
HCC differs from most malignancies because it is commonly diagnosed on the basis of imaging features alone, without histologic confirmation.
- A 42-year-old factory worker complains of chest tightness and shortness of breath during the early days of the week, settling down during the weekend over the last several months.
Chest radiograph is normal. HRCT is requested for further evaluation. What do you expect the HRCT to show?
A. Crazy paving pattern
B. Patchy ground-glass opacities with centrilobular nodules
C. Perilymphatic nodules with beaded fissures
D. Central bronchiectasis
E. Extensive mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy
- B. Patchy ground-glass opacities with centrilobular nodules
In acute hypersensitive pneumonitis, symptoms may begin after patients return to an environment from which they have been absent for a while (e.g., resuming work following weekends
or holidays). Chest radiographs obtained in many patients with hypersensitivity pneumonitis are normal. HRCT typically shows patchy ground-glass opacities and centrilobular nodules. Respiratory bronchiolitis-interstitial lung disease is a smoking-related lung disease that has similar imaging features.
Perilymphatic nodules and beaded features are features of sarcoidosis, while central bronchiectasis is a typical feature of ABPA. The crazy paving pattern is seen in pulmonary alveolar proteinosis but can also be seen in mucinous broncho-alveolar carcinoma, exogenous lipoid pneumonia, sarcoidosis, NSIP, pneumocystis pneumonia and several other diffuse acute conditions.
- A CT scan, obtained in a patient with haematuria after minimal trauma, reveals a rim of enhancement surrounding a markedly dilated right renal pelvis and collecting system. Note is made of variable thickness to the enhancing rim and enhancing cortical strands. The report describes it as a rim sign. What is the likely diagnosis?
A. Hydronephrosis
B. Renovascular compromise
C. Diabetes mellitus
D. Pyelonephritis
E. Fractured kidney
- A. Hydronephrosis
A different type of rim sign is seen in association with chronic hydronephrosis. After contrast material is administered, enhancement occurs in the residual, but markedly atrophic, renal parenchyma, surrounding the dilated calices and renal pelvis. Unlike vascular compromise, the thickness of the enhancing rim varies along its length. The inner margin of this hydronephrotic rim is concave towards the renal hilum, and enhancement of the cortical columns between the dilated collecting system elements may be seen. Unopacified urine in the dilated collecting system may produce a negative pyelogram.
@# 22. In the case of a vertebral compression fracture, all the statements regarding imaging findings suggests a malignant cause, except
A. Involvement of the posterior elements
B. Persistent loss of T1W bone marrow signal on sequential imaging
C. Paravertebral soft-tissue component
D. Post-contrast gadolinium enhancement
K. Convex posterior border of the vertebral body
- D. Post contrast gadolinium enhancement
A convex posterior border of the vertebral body is more frequent in metastatic compression fractures than acute osteoporotic compression fractures. A higher frequency of abnormal signal intensity of the pedicle of metastatic fractures is seen in comparison to acute osteoporotic fractures; posterior element involvement is observed more commonly in metastatic compression fractures in comparison to benign fractures. Although epidural mass was suggestive of metastatic fractures, a paraspinal mass is more commonly associated with metastatic compression fracture. Metastatic involvement of other vertebra is also more likely to suggest malignant compression fracture.
Spared normal bone marrow signal intensity of the vertebral body is highly suggestive of acute osteoporotic compression fractures. Band like low signal intensity on T1-weighted and T2-weighted images is more common in acute osteoporotic compression fractures than metastatic compression fractures. Retropulsion of a posterior bone fragment is more frequent in osteoporotic compression fractures than metastatic compression fractures, although multiple fractures are more commonly benign. Post-contrast enhancement is seen in both malignant and benign causes.
@# 23. All of the following are true of toxoplasmosis of AIDS, except
A. It is the most common focal CNS infection.
B. Treatment is started empirically based on imaging.
C. The basal ganglia and cerebral hemispheres are commonly involved.
D. Haemorrhage and calcification are common post-therapy.
F. . A single lesion is the most common.
- E. A single lesion is the most common.
Toxoplasmosis is the most common opportunistic CNS infection in patients with AIDS. Toxoplasmosis typically manifests on CT scans and MRIs as nodular (small-encephalitis) and/or ring-enhancing (large-abscess) lesions within the brain parenchyma. The enhancing ring, when present, may be somewhat thicker and more ill defined than that seen in association with a typical bacterial abscess.
The lesions are associated with surrounding oedema and tend to be multiple at presentation. However, a significant percentage of patients present with solitary lesions. Toxoplasmic lesions are most often seen in the basal ganglia and grey-white interface of the cerebral hemispheres. On non- enhanced Tl weighted MR images, the lesions are of low signal intensity; on T2-weighted MR images, the lesions are mildly to moderately hyperintense in relation to the brain parenchyma and can be difficult to separate from the surrounding oedema. Therapy is often begun empirically as soon as CT scans or MR images show focal parenchymal lesions of any sort because the infection is so common in this population. The presence of small haemorrhages may be a sign of toxoplasmosis, and calcifications can occasionally be seen in treated lesions.
@# 24. On newborn heel stick screening, a newborn infant is found to suffer from congenital hypothyroidism. On ultrasound, the thyroid gland is diffusely enlarged, and on Technetium 99m thyroid scintigraphy there is increased uptake of radioactive tracer within the gland. There is no evidence of ectopic thyroid tissue.
What is the most likely cause for the congenital hypothyroidism?
A. Thyroid hypoplasia
B. Hypothalamic dysfunction
C. Thyroid dyshormonogenesis
D. Maternal antibody induced hypothyroidism
E. Hypopituitarism
- C. Thyroid dyshormonogenesis
Thyroid dysgenesis is the most common cause for congenital hypothyroidism, accounting for up to 85% of cases (causes include ectopy, aplasia and hypoplasia); however in this case, the ultrasound and scintigraphy findings do not suggest this as a cause.
The second most common reason is therefore thyroid dyshormonogenesis, accounting for 10%-15% of cases (also described as thyroid hormone biosynthetic defect, e.g., hereditary Pendred’s syndrome). The remainder of the causes listed are extremely rare.