Cystic teratoma of the ovary: CT detection
Article Abstract:
Mature cystic teratoma (congenital tumor) of the ovary represents 11 to 20 percent of ovarian tumors and occurs, primarily, during the reproductive years. About 2 percent of these types of tumors are cancerous. The study evaluated 40 female patients with ovarian cystic teratoma. Computed tomography (CT) images of these tumors were examined for a number of physical properties: locations, size, the presence of fat, calcification, and tufts of hair. The CT images were compared with standard X-ray pelvic images and hysterosalpingography (X-ray of the uterus and ovaries after a radioactive dye is injected into these organs) in 30 patients. Fat was the most common CT finding leading to a diagnosis of cystic teratoma and was demonstrated in 93 percent of cases as a round mass floating between two areas of liquid. The presence of fat inside an ovarian tumor appears to be specific to ovarian cystic teratoma. Malignant transformation of the tumor, although uncommon, usually occurs in the dermoid plug. The presence of benign cystic teratomas often occurs in conjunction with other abnormalities of the ovary or uterus. Based on the superior ability of CT to differentiate benign from malignant cystic teratomas the researchers report that it is the best imaging method to diagnose these abnormalities in the ovary. They caution, however, that more research is needed to improve the ability of CT to determine when a benign cystic teratoma of the ovary is undergoing transformation into a malignant teratoma. In cases where transformation is suspected, it is important to surgically explore the abdomen and pelvis.
Publication Name: Radiology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0033-8419
Year: 1989
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Clear cell sarcoma of the kidney: CT, sonographic, and pathologic correlation
Article Abstract:
Wilms tumor and clear cell sarcoma are two types of kidney cancer that occur in children. The former is much more common, but the latter has a poorer prognosis. It would be useful to be able to distinguish the two types of cancer based on the results of diagnostic imaging. This study examined what diagnostic imaging characteristics, if any, could be used to distinguish between Wilms tumor and clear cell sarcoma of the kidney. Computed tomography (CT), an X-ray imaging technique, and sonography, an imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves, were used to examine 12 children diagnosed with clear cell sarcoma of the kidney. All 12 children initially presented with an abdominal mass that could be palpated (felt). The tumor had not spread beyond the kidney in 10 cases. The tumors ranged in size from 8.5 cm (centimeters) to 16.0 cm in diameter and were fleshy with areas of dead tissue. Fluid-filled cysts were present in seven tumors. Sonographic results showed the tumor and its origin in the kidney in all cases, and also depicted cysts in some of the tumors and areas of dead tissue as well. CT imaging results showed both the areas of dead tissue and cysts, but distinguishing between the two was difficult. The CT and sonographic characteristics of clear cell sarcoma were similar to those seen with other types of kidney cancer. The imaging techniques were not useful in distinguishing clear cell sarcoma of the kidney from the more common Wilms tumor. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Radiology
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0033-8419
Year: 1991
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