Benign Mass Lesions Research Articles

Cyst of the Ligamentum Flavum

A patient with sciatica resulting from a hemorrhagic cyst of the ligamentum flavum is reported. Surgical removal of the cyst relieved the patient of her sciatic symptoms. Cyst of ligamentum flavum is an uncommon cause of radiculopathy. There are 13 cases in the literature. The differential diagnosis of benign interspinal extradural mass lesions includes spinal synovial cysts, ligamentum flavum cysts, perineural cysts, dermoid cysts, and parasitic cysts.

Masses of the hand and wrist: detection and characterization with MR imaging.

To assess the value of MR imaging in the detection, delineation, and characterization of mass lesions of the hand and wrist, we reviewed the MR imaging findings of 38 patients referred for evaluation of such lesions. Twenty-five patients had a palpable mass. In an additional 13 patients an occult mass lesion was suspected as the cause of distal ulnar neuropathy. Twenty-two mass lesions (16 benign and six malignant) were detected by MR. All were correctly predicted to be benign or malignant. In nine (56%) of the 16 benign mass lesions, the specific diagnosis was suggested. In the remaining seven benign mass lesions and in the six malignant tumors, the MR findings were not specific enough to permit a diagnosis. Of the 14 patients referred for evaluation of a distal ulnar neuropathy, an occult ganglionic cyst compressing the ulnar nerve was revealed with MR imaging in three. MR imaging of the hand and wrist is accurate in the detection of mass lesions and can correctly distinguish benign from malignant tumors in the majority of cases. Specific diagnoses can be made in certain benign lesions. Occult mass lesions can be confirmed or excluded as the cause of distal ulnar neuropathy with MR imaging.

Benign Conditions of the External Genitalia

Benign mass lesions of the scrotum include spermatocele, hydrocele, varicocele, sperm granuloma after vasectomy, tuberculous masses, and epididymitis. A careful history and physical examination are paramount in making the diagnosis of a scrotal mass. Referral to a urologist is indicated for masses that do not transilluminate, are solid or fixed to the testicle, or for epididymitis that does not respond to antibiotics. Hydroceles associated with significant symptoms or with hernia and varicoceles with symptoms or associated infertility are also reasons for referral. After a sexual history is obtained, lesions of the anogenital area should be carefully inspected. Male partners of women with cervical dysplasia should be examined for evidence of human papillomavirus infection. Treatment of anogenital lesions resulting from a sexually transmitted disease involves both partners.

Hodgkin's Disease

To the Editor. —Though the article by Durkin and Durant in the MarchArchives(139:333-336,1979) may be a worthwhile contribution to the internal medicine literature, their observation concerning residual mass lesions following treatment for Hodgkin's disease is by no means an original realization. Most radiotherapists with substantial experience in the treatment of Hodgkin's disease have learned to anticipate that it is not unusual for a patient to have persistent fibrotic masses in a region of previous massive tumor involvement. As with the two cases reported by Durkin and Durant, this is most usually seen with the nodular sclerosing variety. In view of the relative frequency with which this phenomenon occurs, I would certainly be very skeptical of a recommendation of thoracotomy for a patient with a persistent mediastinal mass four months following mantle irradiation. For a concise and straightforward description of the phenomenon of persistent benign mass lesions following treatment

Benign Mass Lesions After Therapy for Hodgkin's Disease

Two patients with stage 2A Hodgkin's disease were treated with chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy. After treatment, both patients had mass lesions. Resection and histologic examination of these lesions showed only fibrosis, necrosis, and inflammation. Benign mass lesions occurring after therapy for Hodgkin's disease have not been previously described.

Benign mass lesions after therapy for Hodgkin's disease

Benign mass lesions after therapy for Hodgkin's disease

Benign Intrathoracic Lesions Mimicking Recurrent Cancer

Three of 15 cancer patients with suspected intrathoracic tumor recurrence were found on biopsy to have only benign mass lesions. These cases emphasize that medical work-up, short of biopsy, is often inadequate in the evaluation of intrathoracic masses, and that a history of neoplasm is not sufficient cause to abandon tissue diagnosis before proceeding to therapy.

Radiological aspects of benign renal mass lesions in infancy and early childhood.

An account is given of the findings obtained at urography in benign expanding lesions of the kidney encountered in infancy and early childhood. Special emphasis is laid on the observation of any abnormality revealed in the nephrographic phase of excretion of the contrast medium, and on the appearance of the ureter and the bladder during early urography. In addition, the benefit drawn from prolongation of the urographic procedure in pertinent conditions is pointed out. Differential diagnostic aspects and technique are also considered.

Curvilinear calcifications in four uncommon benign renal lesions

Four uncommon benign renal mass lesions with ringlike peripheral calcifications are presented. These include a sclerosing lipogranuloma, a renal adenoma, an arteriovenous fistula and an intrarenal aneurysm. Ringlike calcifications are usually seen in benign simple cysts though about 20 per cent are associated with malignant lesions. Angiography was useful in the differential diagnosis of the two vascular lesions but did not confirm the benign nature of the two solid lesions.

Angiography and colloid scanning of benign mass lesions of the liver

The angiographic findings in hydatid cysts, non-parasitic cysts, abscesses, multiple nodular hyperplasia, cavernous haemangioma, adenoma and focal nodular hyperplasia of the liver are described. The presence of a thin rim of parenchymal opacification around a cystic lesion indicates that the lesion is under tension and is probably increasing in size. This sign is not present with hydatid cysts which are ruptured, secondarily infected or calcified. Multiple nodular hyperplasia is the commonest cause of an avascular mass in a cirrhotic liver and diagnosis rests on the lack of correlation of the findings at angiography and liver scanning. Cavernous haemangiomas produce characteristic appearances. An arrangement of arteries feeding liver cell adenomas is described which may be characteristic of these lesions. Focal nodular hyperplasia also appears highly vascular on angiography. The complementary role of angiography and scanning in many of these lesions is illustrated.