Recent ucla_rsp items

Extra-Adrenal Neuroblastoma in an Infant: A Case Report

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial pediatric solid tumor and arises most often from the adrenal glands. However, this tumor can occur anywhere along the sympathetic nervous system. Its clinical presentation is variable and depends on the location and extent of the mass. We present the case of an infant who initially had a palpable mass on his back, later developed lower extremity weakness, and was subsequently diagnosed with a paraspinal neuroblastoma. MRI was key in visualizing compression of the lower thoracic spinal cord by the tumor, explaining the patient’s symptoms and necessitating tumor debulking. The course of the patient’s treatment was complicated by a tumoral hemorrhage that required emergent embolization by an interventional radiologist. This case highlights options for the management of neuroblastoma, including chemotherapy, embolization, and surgical resection, with an emphasis on interdisciplinary decision-making.

Imaging Features of Bilateral Breast Metastases from Gastric Adenocarcinoma: A Case Report

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Breast metastasis from gastric adenocarcinoma is exceptionally rare, with only a small number of cases reported in the literature. These metastases often occur in premenopausal women and commonly involve the signet ring cell subtype, usually presenting as unilateral, left breast lesions. We present the case of a 33-year-old Asian woman with signet ring cell gastric adenocarcinoma who developed bilateral breast metastases. This case illustrates the diagnostic challenges associated with this rare metastasis and highlights the essential role of multimodal imaging and biopsy in confirming the diagnosis. Early recognition of the condition is critical given the poor prognosis and lack of standardized treatment.

Renal Lymphangiectasia: A Case Report

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Renal lymphangiectasia is a very rare disorder that results from developmental malformations affecting the renal lymphatic system. Patients of any age may present with a range of symptoms, such as abdominal pain, flank pain, a palpable mass, and hypertension. Radiologic features include lymphatic cysts forming a rind-like appearance along the outer edge of the renal cortex. We report a case of renal lymphangiectasia in a 49-year-old man presenting with headache and back pain, highlighting the characteristic imaging features and key diagnostic considerations of this rare condition.

Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis and Erdheim-Chester Disease: A Case Report of Atypical Imaging Overlap

Wed, 3 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Histiocytoses are rare disorders characterized by abnormal proliferation of histiocytic cells in tissues and organs. They have a broad clinical spectrum and are traditionally categorized as Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) and non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis (N-LCH), but recent evidence highlights a molecular and clinical overlap between LCH and a type of N-LCH known as Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD). While both disorders have distinct features, up to 20% of ECD patients may present with concurrent LCH lesions. Overlap between LCH and ECD is increasingly recognized, but reports of imaging of this phenomenon are scarce. Here, we present a rare case of directly contiguous LCH and ECD lesions in a 69-year-old woman and discuss the radiologic and histopathologic findings as well as the classification of these findings within the revised histiocytosis system.

A Report of Two Cases of Stump Appendicitis

Wed, 3 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Stump appendicitis is an inflammation of appendiceal remnant after incomplete appendectomy. However, the inclusion of appendectomy in a patient’s medical history often obfuscates a diagnosis of appendicitis, causing a delay in diagnosis and potentially leading to increased morbidity. Awareness of stump appendicitis can help radiologists distinguish this rare condition from more common entities. We report two cases of stump appendicitis that were correctly identified at the patients’ time of presentation to the emergency department. In one case, the patient presented with recurrent stump appendicitis. In this case series, we discuss the radiographic features, clinical considerations, and treatment of stump appendicitis.

Orbital Magnetic Resonance Imaging of a 36-Year-Old Woman with Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy: A Case Report

Wed, 3 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is a rare disorder that results in loss of central vision. Although the initial onset of LHON is most commonly seen in patients aged 15-35 years, it may occur at any age. The disorder is more common in men than women and is known to be caused by one of three mitochondrial DNA point mutations: 11778G>A, 3460G>A, or 14484T>C. Whereas the diagnosis of LHON is conventionally based on a patient’s clinical presentation, family history, and the results of ophthalmologic examination and genetic testing, it can significantly benefit from early contribution of neuroimaging. We report a case of LHON in a 36-year-old woman with low visual acuity and progressive worsening of vision for 7 months, a family history of LHON, and abnormal central hyperintense signal within the optic nerves on T2-weighted fat-saturated magnetic resonance imaging of the orbits. Some etiopathogenetic and neuroimaging aspects of LHON as well as challenges in diagnosis...

Amiodarone Pulmonary Toxicity: A Case of Clinical and Radiologic Improvement

Tue, 3 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Amiodarone is an effective class III antiarrhythmic medication, the use of which is limited by its potentially severe side effects and toxicities. When amiodarone pulmonary toxicity (APT) is suspected in patients, amiodarone use should be discontinued. We report a case of APT, with a description of the clinical presentation and radiologic manifestations of the disease and a literature review of purported pathophysiology and treatment.

Metastatic Osteosarcoma: A Case Report of Secondary Pneumothorax and Intravascular Tumor Emboli

Tue, 3 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Osteosarcoma is a primary bone malignancy that disproportionately affects young patients and often metastasizes to the lungs. We report a case of osteosarcoma with metastatic disease in the lungs of a patient who presented with a spontaneous pneumothorax. We briefly discuss the mechanisms of secondary spontaneous pneumothorax, the mechanisms of pulmonary tumor emboli, and the diagnosis of calcified lung nodules in patients with osteosarcoma.

Axillary Venous Malformation Detected During Breast Imaging: A Case Report

Tue, 3 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Venous malformations (VMs) are rare congenital vascular anomalies characterized by clusters of dilated veins that can occur in various locations, including the skin, muscles, and internal organs. It is uncommon for these anomalies to be initially identified and described through breast imaging. Most of the reported cases of VMs identified on breast imaging have been detected within the pectoralis muscle and breast parenchyma. We present a unique case of an axillary VM identified in an asymptomatic woman during routine breast imaging and argue that, because of the risks of operating on VMs, this case highlights the importance of considering VMs in the differential diagnosis of non-lymph node axillary lesions to avoid unnecessary invasive procedures.

High-Grade Partial Tear of the Biceps Femoris Tendon in a Patient with Type 2 Diabetes and Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease: A Case Report

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Calcium pyrophosphate deposition (CPPD) disease is a common condition that results in intra-articular and periarticular deposition of calcium pyrophosphate crystals. Tendon tear, however, is infrequently reported in these cases. The factors contributing to tendon tear in patients with CPPD disease may include crystal-induced prolonged inflammation that could cause chronic tendinous attrition, anatomical and biomechanical factors that could compromise tendon structural integrity, and/or degenerative tendon changes that might be caused by co-occurring diabetic tendinopathy. We report a case of a high-grade partial tear of the biceps femoris tendon in a patient with type 2 diabetes and CPPD disease.

Smoking-Related Interstitial Lung Disease: CT Image-Based Review and Update

Sat, 30 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Tobacco smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths in the United States. Beyond the risks of cardiovascular disease and several cancers, smoking contributes to lung inflammation, lung destruction, and smoking-related interstitial lung diseases (SRILD). SRILD describes a broad range of conditions that includes respiratory bronchiolitis, respiratory bronchiolitis-associated interstitial lung disease, desquamative interstitial pneumonia, pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis, acute eosinophilic pneumonia, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema, interstitial lung abnormality, and smoking-related interstitial fibrosis.

Computed tomography (CT) is central to the diagnosis and understanding of clinicopathologic manifestations of smoking-related lung injury. Common features of SRILD on CT include low-attenuation areas, ground-glass opacities, fibrosis, and lung nodules. Although the various SRILDs are often described as distinct entities,...

Postcholecystectomy Syndrome due to Prominent Remnant of the Cystic Duct and Choledocholithiasis: A Case Report

Sat, 30 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Postcholecystectomy syndrome is a group of common upper abdominal symptoms manifesting in patients who have undergone cholecystectomy. These symptoms may mimic some or all of the symptoms the patient had prior to cholecystectomy. The symptoms may be due to biliary or nonbiliary conditions. Patients may present with the syndrome during the early postoperative period or in the months to years after the surgery. We report a case of postcholecystectomy syndrome that appeared fifteen months after laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a patient with residual choledocholithiasis and a prominent remnant of the cystic duct with low, medial insertion. We also discuss the causes of postcholecystectomy syndrome and some algorithmic approaches to imaging workup on patients with the syndrome.

Primary Synovial Chondromatosis of the Knee in a 12-Year-Old Boy: A Case Report

Mon, 1 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Primary synovial chondromatosis is an uncommon, benign synovial proliferative disorder rarely seen in children. The most commonly affected joint is the knee, followed by the hip. The symptoms of this condition are progressive and insidious and may include pain, joint stiffness, and swelling. Radiography is an appropriate first imaging modality that typically shows multiple calcified loose bodies within the affected joint space. Magnetic resonance imaging should then be performed to evaluate for the presence of noncalcified cartilaginous loose bodies and soft tissue involvement prior to surgical treatment that is necessary to prevent permanent joint damage. The recurrence of primary synovial chondromatosis is common, especially in cases of incomplete surgical excision. We report a case of primary synovial chondromatosis in a child. The diagnostic and the treatment considerations of the case are briefly discussed.

Breast Tubular Adenoma in a Man with Alcoholic Cirrhosis: A Case Report

Mon, 1 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Tubular adenomas are rare, benign breast tumors primarily found in postmenarchal, premenopausal women. We report a case of tubular adenoma in a 56-year-old man with a history of alcoholic cirrhosis. The breast mass was incidentally discovered on computed tomography imaging performed as part of a patient liver transplant evaluation. Dedicated breast imaging and ultrasound-guided biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of tubular adenoma.

Differentiating Hemangioma and Secondary Angiosarcoma of the Breast: Two Case Reports

Mon, 1 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Angiosarcoma (AS) of the breast is a rare malignancy arising from the vascular endothelium. It can develop as a primary tumor or as a secondary tumor, the latter of which is most commonly associated with prior radiation therapy. AS may present in the breast as a palpable mass, unilateral diffuse breast enlargement, skin thickening, erythema, plaque-like violaceous discoloration, or painful nodules. The imaging features of AS vary across imaging modalities. Because AS of the breast is aggressive and prone to early metastasis, prompt detection is crucial to the improvement of generally low five-year survival rates. In this paper, we share one case of AS of the breast and one of a common mimic, hemangioma, with associated imaging and key clinical details that can aid radiologists in the timely identification and diagnosis of AS of the breast.

Tarlov Cysts Mimicking Adnexal Masses: Two Case Reports

Mon, 1 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Tarlov cysts are cystic structures of neurogenic origin that arise most commonly in the roots of the sacrococcygeal nerves. Prompt and correct identification can prevent unnecessary biopsy of the cysts, a procedure which can cause significant pain because they contain nerve fibers and ganglion cells. We report two cases of Tarlov cysts mimicking adnexal masses on ultrasound evaluation. The first case was misidentified on an ultrasound before being diagnosed as a Tarlov cyst during follow-up magnetic resonance imaging. The second case was initially identified by the sonographer as an ovarian cyst but was properly identified through correlation with prior computed tomography imaging. In this case series, we discuss the pathologic and radiographic features, etiology, clinical considerations, and treatment of Tarlov cysts.

Multimodality Imaging of a Patient with Intra-Articular Osteoid Osteoma: A Case Report

Mon, 1 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Osteoid osteoma is a benign bone-forming tumor with characteristic clinical and imaging features. Clinically, patients present with pain at the site of the tumor, worsening at night and relieved by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The typical imaging features of osteoid osteoma include a round or oval intracortical radiolucent lesion with surrounding cortical thickening and reactive sclerosis. However, intra-articular osteoid osteoma often has imaging and clinical features that deviate from those of osteoid osteoma, which may result in delayed diagnosis. We report a case of intra-articular osteoid osteoma in a 20-year-old woman with a history of ankle pain. The variant clinical and imaging characteristics of intra-articular osteoid osteoma and the important considerations for the treatment of patients with this condition are briefly discussed.

Extracranial Internal Carotid Artery Fenestration: A Case Report

Mon, 1 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Fenestration of the internal carotid artery (ICA) is an extremely rare congenital abnormality thought to be secondary to incomplete segmental fusion of vessels at the early stages of their development. Fenestration is usually asymptomatic and often misdiagnosed as arterial dissection. Distinction between the two can be challenging on both magnetic resonance angiography and computed tomography angiography, and digital subtraction angiography must often be utilized for precise characterization of the abnormalities. Certain imaging features, namely the length of the involved arterial segment, the regularity of luminal contour, the symmetry of arterial limbs, and the absence/presence of fusiform dilatation of either limb, produced by noninvasive angiography have the potential to help distinguish between an ICA fenestration and dissection. We report a case of an asymptomatic, true fenestration of a short segment of ICA and discuss its imaging characteristics.

Intraperitoneal Focal Fat Infarction of the Falciform Ligament: A Report of Two Cases

Mon, 1 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Falciform ligament appendagitis (FLA) is a rare cause of intraperitoneal focal fat infarction (IFFI) characterized by the torsion of a fatty appendage related to the falciform ligament. FLA demonstrates characteristic features on computed tomography (CT), especially the hyperattenuating ring sign. Because of these characteristic features, a diagnosis of FLA can be achieved with CT alone. By recognizing the signs of FLA, radiologists can prevent unnecessary surgical intervention. We report two cases of FLA with associated images to assist radiologists in diagnosing this rare entity.

Scapulothoracic Bursitis Appearing as Fluorodeoxyglucose-Avid Subscapular Mass: A Case Report

Mon, 1 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Overuse or structural bony abnormalities of the scapulothoracic “articulation” make it susceptible to chronic friction, which can lead to bursitis and soft tissue changes. Clinically, scapulothoracic bursitis is associated with pain, crepitus, and scapular snapping. On physical examination, a firm, large subscapular mass may be present, sometimes with rapid growth. Asymptomatic cases without scapular snapping can be clinically indistinguishable from soft tissue tumors of the chest wall. Characteristic imaging findings of scapulothoracic bursitis include a well-circumscribed cystic mass, internal debris, and intralesional hemorrhage. Recognition of these characteristic findings is essential to avoid misinterpretation and unnecessary treatments. Here, we describe a case of an incidentally discovered, asymptomatic, fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-avid subscapular mass with typical imaging features of scapulothoracic bursitis. Additional imaging and histopathologic examination of sampled...

Tilted Disc Syndrome with Bitemporal Hemianopia in a 67-Year-Old Woman with High Myopia and Mixed/Combined-Mechanism Glaucoma: A Report of a Rare Case

Mon, 1 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Bitemporal hemianopia typically results from compression of the optic chiasm by sellar, suprasellar, or chiasmal lesions. Most of the cases of bitemporal hemianopia are secondary to pituitary masses. Defects in the temporal half of the visual field that mimic those that are caused by such pituitary or chiasmal lesions are known as bitemporal “pseudohemianopia” and involve orbital pathology. Tilted disc syndrome is an eye anomaly that may result in bitemporal visual field deficits similar to those that are caused by extrinsic or intrinsic mass effect on the optic chiasm. We report an incidentally found tilted disc syndrome in a patient with a history of surgically treated high myopia and the symptoms of bilateral, gradual vision loss.

Hemorrhagic Infarct of Torsed Ovary: A Case Report

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Ovarian torsion, the twisting of the ovary on its supporting tissues, occurs primarily in premenopausal women, causing acute abdominal or pelvic pain. Without prompt diagnosis and surgical intervention, adnexal torsion may lead to ovarian infarction and a resulting reduction in fertility. Radiologic methodologies including ultrasound, color Doppler ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can play key roles in the diagnosis of this entity by allowing for the visualization of blood flow to the ovary.

Primary Pulmonary Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma Presenting as Progressive Respiratory Failure in a 38-Year-Old Woman: A Case Report of a Rare Entity

Mon, 15 May 2023 00:00:00 +0000

We report a case of primary pulmonary anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma in a 38-year-old woman with a smoking and vaping history. The patient presented with hypoxemia and a history of shortness of breath, cough, and intermittent fevers. Initial imaging and pleural fluid studies suggested possible empyema. Despite being given antibiotics, her respiratory status continued to deteriorate and she was put on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Repeat imaging showed increased size of intrathoracic lymph nodes and perilymphatic pulmonary nodules. IV steroids were initiated after bronchoalveolar lavage revealed lipophages suggestive of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury. A laboratory workup revealed no signs of rheumatologic disease, and negative cultures ruled out a bacterial or fungal cause of the disease. Because of these laboratory results and because the patient did not show clinical signs of improvement, a biopsy...

Survey on Management of Unilateral Axillary Lymphadenopathy after Recent Ipsilateral COVID-19 Vaccination

Tue, 18 Apr 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Background: In the setting of widespread COVID-19 vaccination and booster administration, there is an increased incidence of axillary lymphadenopathy identified during breast imaging.

Purpose: To investigate how breast imaging radiologists manage unilateral axillary lymphadenopathy (UAL) after a recent ipsilateral COVID-19 vaccination.

Methods: A 26-question survey was distributed to 12 California breast imaging facilities in June 2022.

Results: There were 10 responses to the survey (83% response rate). All respondents considered recent ipsilateral COVID-19 vaccination relevant to the interpretation of UAL. Seven respondents (70%) also considered non-COVID-19 vaccinations relevant. All respondents documented recent COVID-19 vaccinations, but 4 (40%) had no information for other vaccines. Eight respondents (80%) delayed screening after COVID-19 vaccination...

Incidental Asymptomatic Breast Hemangioma in a 69-Year-Old Man: A Case Report

Thu, 16 Mar 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Breast hemangiomas are benign vascular tumors that are infrequently identified in male patients. Most of the reported cases of hemangiomas in male breasts have been identified in symptomatic patients who presented with a palpable lump in the breast. We present a case of an incidentally discovered hemangioma in an asymptomatic male patient, raising the possibility that male breast hemangiomas may be more prevalent than originally thought.

Massive Idiopathic Nonsurgical Pneumoperitoneum with the Football Sign in a Preterm Infant: A Case Report