Presence Of Fluid-fluid Levels Research Articles

Cyst Type Differentiates Rathke Cleft Cysts From Cystic Pituitary Adenomas.

PurposeA classification system for cystic sellar lesions does not exist. We propose a novel classification scheme for these lesions based on the heterogeneity of the cyst wall/contents and the presence of a solid component on imaging.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 205 patients’ medical records (2008–2020) who underwent primary surgery for a cystic sellar lesion. Cysts were classified a priori into 1 of 4 cyst types based on the heterogeneity of the cyst wall/contents and the presence of a solid component imaging. There was high interrater reliability. Univariable and multivariable models were used to estimate the ability of cyst type to predict the two most common diagnoses: Rathke cleft cyst (RCC) and cystic pituitary adenoma.ResultsThe frequencies of RCC and cystic pituitary adenoma in our cohort were 45.4% and 36.4%, respectively. Non-neoplastic lesions (e.g., arachnoid cysts and RCC) were more likely to be Type 1 or 2, whereas cystic neoplasms (e.g., pituitary adenomas and craniopharyngiomas) were more likely to be Type 3 or 4 (p<0.0001). Higher cyst types, compared to Type 1, had higher odds of being cystic pituitary adenomas compared to RCCs (OR: 23.7, p=0.033, and 342.6, p <0.0001, for Types 2 and 4, respectively). Lesions with a fluid-fluid level on preoperative MRI also had higher odds of being pituitary adenomas (OR: 12.7; p=0.023). Cystic pituitary adenomas were more common in patients with obesity (OR: 5.0, p=0.003) or symptomatic hyperprolactinemia (OR: 11.5; p<0.001, respectively). The multivariable model had a positive predictive value of 82.2% and negative predictive value of 86.4%.ConclusionWhen applied to the diagnosis of RCC versus cystic pituitary adenoma, higher cystic lesion types (Type 2 & 4), presence of fluid-fluid level, symptomatic hyperprolactinemia, and obesity were predictors of cystic pituitary adenoma. Further validation is needed, but this classification scheme may prove to be a useful tool for the management of patients with common sellar pathology.

Orbital and periorbital dermoid/epidermoid cyst: a series of 280 cases and a brief review

ObjectiveTo report one of the largest case series on periorbital and orbital dermoid/epidermoid cyst and to highlight some important and unusual findings. MethodsRetrospective analysis of 280 cases with orbital or periorbital dermoid/epidermoid cyst that presented over a period of 14 years. ResultsPeriorbital cyst was more than twice as common as orbital cyst. Majority of patients had bony changes with some unusual findings seen in cases with orbital cysts, that is, presence of fluid-fluid level, calcification in the wall, and coexistent double cysts in 19 (6.8%), 5 (1.8%), and 4 (1.5%) cases, respectively. Dumbbell dermoid cyst with connection in temporal fossa was seen in 16 (5.7%) cases. Subperiosteal location of orbital dermoid cyst was most destructive because of extensive bony invasion. Most of the periorbital cysts were removed in toto, whereas orbital cysts required decompression before removal. The histopathological diagnosis was dermoid cyst in 250 (89%) cases and epidermoid cyst in 30 (11%) cases. In 69 (25%) cases, there was a chronic inflammatory response. ConclusionsWe recommend imaging in all patients with orbital dermoid to rule out dumbbell or subperiosteal extension. Also, we advocate early removal of all dermoid cysts in view of bone changes seen in majority of our cases and presence of inflammatory cells in 25% of cases.

MR imaging findings differentiating uterine submucosal polypoid adenomyomas from endometrial polyps.

This study aimed to assess the efficacy of MRI for differentiating between uterine submucosal polypoid adenomyomas (PAs) and endometrial polyps (EPs). MRI was used to examine 40 histopathologically confirmed benign polypoid endometrial tumors (8submucosal PAs and 32 EPs). Atypical PAs were excluded from this study. Quantitative measurements (maximum tumor diameter, maximum cyst diameter, number of cysts, and apparent diffusion coefficient values) and qualitative imaging findings (predominance of cystic or solid components as well as presence of cysts, hemorrhage, myometrial invasion, fluid-fluid level, and fibrous core) were correlated with the two pathologies. The predominance of cystic components (37% vs 6%; p < 0.05) was more frequently observed in PAs than in EPs. The frequency of cysts (88% vs 25%; p < 0.01), hemorrhage (50% vs 9%; p < 0.05), and myometrial invasion (25% vs 0%; p < 0.05) were significantly higher in PAs than in EPs. No significant differences were observed in terms of the maximum tumor diameter, maximum cyst diameter, number of cysts, apparent diffusion coefficient values, and presence of fluid-fluid level and fibrous core between PAs and EPs. The differences of MR findings with emphasis on cystic components and hemorrhage may be useful for differentiating between PAs and EPs. The predominance of cystic or solid components and the presence of cysts, hemorrhage, and myometrial invasion were useful MR findings for differentiating between PAs and EPs.

Infected cyst in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease: Analysis of computed tomographic and ultrasonographic imaging features.

PurposeTo investigate the imaging features of cyst infection in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) patients using computed tomography (CT) and ultrasonography (US).Materials & methodsThe institutional review board approved this retrospective study. Fifty-one episodes with proven cyst infection in forty-three ADPKD patients were included. Two experienced abdominal radiologists reviewed CT and US images and evaluated the following imaging features in consensus: cyst size, location, cyst shape, intracystic attenuation, intracystic echogenicity, intracystic heterogeneity, wall thickness, the presence of fluid-fluid level, septation, intracystic gas, pericystic fat infiltration, and pericystic hyperemia. Intracystic attenuation was measured for all infected cysts and two presumed normal cysts and compared using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test.ResultsOn CT scans, the median size of infected cysts was 5.5 cm (range: 2.3–18.8 cm) and 46 of 51 (90.2%) infected cysts were located in the subcapsular region. Most (48 of 51, 94.1%) infected cysts showed lobulated, focal bulging or irregular shape. Discernible wall thickening (84.1%) was the most frequently found imaging feature of infected cysts followed by relatively higher intracystic attenuation compared to normal cysts (79.1%) and pericystic fat infiltration (52.9%). Fluid/fluid level was found in 3 of 51 (5.9%) infected cysts and intracystic gas was found in 3 of 51 (5.9%) infected cysts, respectively. For hepatic cysts, 11 of 14 (78.6%) infected cysts showed pericystic hyperemia. Intracystic attenuation was significantly higher in infected cysts (median; 19.0 HU) than in presumed normal cysts (median; 8.5 HU) (P<0.001), and exceeded 25 HU in 18 (35.3%) of 51 infected cysts. Among the 41 infected cysts for which US images were available, 35 (85.1%) showed heterogeneous echogenicity.ConclusionMinute imaging features such as minimal wall thickening or relatively high attenuation compared to normal cysts would be helpful to detect infected cysts in ADPKD patients.

Correlation Between Fluid–Fluid Levels on Initial MRI and the Response to Chemotherapy in Stage IIB Osteosarcoma

The presence of fluid-fluid levels (FFLs) on osteosarcoma magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is underestimated as a nonspecific finding; however, we hypothesized that FFL in conventional osteosarcoma may be indicative of chemoresistance. In 567 stage IIB osteosarcoma patients, we evaluated the following: the incidence of FFL and their correlation with other clinicopathological variables; tumor volume change after chemotherapy and survival according to the presence of FFL; and the relationship between survival and the extent of FFL. One hundred eight (19%) tumors showed FFL on initial MRI. FFL were correlated with proximal humeral location (P=0.017), osteolytic on plain radiographs (P<0.001), tumor enlargement after chemotherapy (P<0.001), and poor histological response (P=0.005). Large tumor (P<0.01), proximal tumor location (P=0.01), and presence of FFL (P<0.01) were independent predictors of poor survival. Compared to the extensive FFL (more than one third of the tumor), small foci of FFL (less than one third of the tumor) showed a high tendency for tumor enlargement after chemotherapy (P<0.001), poor histologic response (P=0.001), and worse survival (P<0.001). FFL on initial MRI could predict tumor progression after chemotherapy. Notably, tumors with small foci of FFL (less than one third of the tumor) have a high propensity for poor outcome. Patients with this finding should be considered for risk-adapted therapy.

Proximal Tumor Location and Fluid-fluid Levels on MRI Predict Resistance to Chemotherapy in Stage IIB Osteosarcoma

Primary tumor growth during neoadjuvant chemotherapy is believed to be a sign of resistance to chemotherapy (chemoresistance), and often is associated with poor histologic response, local recurrence, and poorer survival. Currently there are no proven indicators to predict poor response to chemotherapy at the time of diagnosis. We asked (1) what clinicopathologic factors present at diagnosis predict primary tumor growth during neoadjuvant chemotherapy, (2) what factors at presentation predict survival, and (3) when the factors at presentation and the treatment-related factors are considered, what factors independently correlate with survival. We studied 567 patients with Stage IIB osteosarcomas. The factors assessed included age, sex, location, pattern on plain radiographs (radiodense, radiolucent, mixed), MRI findings, pathologic subtype, initial tumor volume determined by MRI, tumor volume change after chemotherapy, surgical margin, and histologic response to preoperative chemotherapy. Logistic modeling was used to identify risk factors. Independent risk factors associated with primary tumor growth after neoadjuvant chemotherapy were proximal tumor location (p < 0.01; relative risk [RR], 2.41; 95% CI, 1.5-3.86) and fluid-fluid level on initial MRI (p < 0.01; RR, 5.56; 95% CI, 3.48-8.87). Among factors at presentation, large initial tumor volume (p < 0.01; RR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.22-2.04), proximal tumor site (p < 0.01; RR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.19-2.19), and presence of fluid-fluid level (p < 0.01; RR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.37-2.5) independently predicted reduced event-free survival. When we consider the factors at presentation and treatment-related factors, large initial tumor volume (p < 0.01; RR, 1.54), tumor growth after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (p < 0.01; RR, 3.88), inadequate surgical margin (p < 0.01; RR, 2.42), and poor histologic response (p = 0.03; RR, 1.43) were independent poor prognostic factors of event-free survival. Proximal tumor location and the presence of the fluid-fluid level on initial MRI were predictors of tumor progression and poor survival in patients presenting with Stage IIB osteosarcomas. If confirmed in other studies, patients with these risk factors should be considered for trials of other treatment strategy. Level III, prognostic study. See the Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Multiple hepatic hemangiomas with fluid‐fluid levels

Hepatic haemangiomas with fluid-fluid levels are known to be rare with only five cases reported in the English literature. According to the previous reports, the presence of fluid-fluid level could attribute to the separation of blood cells and serous fluid because of the extremely slow flow in cavernous haemangioma of the liver. We describe the imaging features of multiple hepatic haemangiomas with fluid-fluid levels, which was pathologically proven with ultrasonography guided biopsy.

Prevalence and diagnostic significance of fluid–fluid levels in soft-tissue neoplasms

To report the prevalence of fluid-fluid levels (FFLs) in soft-tissue tumours as demonstrated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the potential diagnostic relevance of this finding. A retrospective analysis was performed of 726 consecutive patients (361 women, 365 men, mean age 47.6 years+/-20.1 SD) presenting with a soft-tissue mass over a 7-year period. All subjects underwent MRI and final diagnosis was based on biopsy/surgical resection, or clinical follow-up and characteristic imaging findings. The patients were divided according to the presence or absence of FFLs on T2-weighted (T2W) axial MRI and histological diagnosis (non-neoplastic, neoplastic benign, neoplastic malignant). Cases with FFLs were sub-categorized depending upon the proportion of tumour containing FFLs: <1/3, 1/3-2/3 and >2/3, in order to determine whether the proportion of FFLs was useful for differential diagnosis. Twenty-four of the 726 (3.3%: confidence interval 2.1-4.9%) soft-tissue masses contained FFLs. One of the 24 (4.1%) was non-neoplastic (one ganglion), 12 (50.0%) were benign neoplasms (nine haemangiomas, two schwannomas, one hamartoma) and 11 (45.9%) were malignant neoplasms (one leiomyosarcoma, one liposarcoma, one malignant fibrous histocytoma, one mxyofibrosarcoma, two primitive neuroectodermal tumours, two synovial sarcomas, one spindle cell sarcoma, and two sarcomas not otherwise specified). The presence of FFLs did not help to differentiate benign from malignant neoplasms. Of the 12 benign neoplasms, 66.7% contained over two-thirds FFLs, the majority of which were haemangiomas. Of the 10 malignant neoplasms, all contained less than two-thirds FFLs: 20% had less than one-third, 80% had one to two-thirds FFLs. The prevalence of FFLs in soft-tissue tumours referred to a specialist orthopaedic oncology unit is 3.3%. However, the presence of FFLs does not reliably distinguish benign from malignant neoplasms, although all lesions with more than two-thirds FFLs were benign.

Musculoskeletal Lesions With Fluid-Fluid Level: A Pictorial Essay

A fluid-fluid level was identified in 11.2% of focal lesions of bone. Fluid-fluid levels are observed on cross-sectional imaging with either computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. They become apparent when a fluid collection containing substances of different density is allowed to settle, and when the plane of imaging is perpendicular to the fluid level. For instance, within a collection of blood, the cellular components will settle dependently, with the lower density plasma forming a layer superiorly. The difference in the density of these layers can be observed on CT imaging. With MR imaging, these layers will have different signal characteristics, allowing for visualization of the fluid-fluid level. The presence of fluid-fluid levels within a musculoskeletal lesion is an important finding, which can significantly aid in the differential diagnosis. This finding can be observed in a wide variety of lesions: osseous and soft tissue masses, neoplastic or nonneoplastic lesions, malignant or benign neoplasms, and primary or metastatic malignancies. When a fluid-fluid level is detected, in conjunction with clinical history, the differential diagnosis for a lesion can often be limited to a few choices. For this reason, it is important to be aware of the multiple lesions that can produce fluid-fluid levels, as well as their differentiating characteristics and typical presentations. We will review both osseous and soft tissue lesions, focusing on their imaging characteristics and other important findings.

Fluid-fluid level: a nonspecific finding in tumors of bone and soft tissue.

Fluid-fluid levels have commonly been reported to occur in aneurysmal bone cysts but have also been seen in telangiectatic osteosarcoma, chondroblastoma, and giant cell tumor of bone. The authors reviewed their experience with nine bone and three soft-tissue tumors that showed fluid-fluid levels on computed tomographic or magnetic resonance images. The bone tumors included fibrous dysplasia, simple bone cyst, recurrent malignant fibrous histiocytoma of bone, two classical osteosarcomas, and four aneurysmal bone cysts. The soft-tissue tumors included soft-tissue hemangioma and two synovial sarcomas. Except for aneurysmal bone cysts, these types of tumors have not been reported to be associated with fluid-fluid levels. Radiologic-pathologic correlation was available in seven patients; in all seven, the fluid-fluid levels indicated prior hemorrhage. The authors conclude that the presence of fluid-fluid levels in bone or soft-tissue tumors cannot be considered diagnostic of any particular tumor.