The aim of the study was to describe the imaging findings of Askin tumors on computed tomography (CT) and fluorine 18 fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET/CT).Seventeen cases of Askin tumors confirmed by histopathology were retrospectively analyzed in terms of CT (17 cases) and FDG-PET/CT data (6 cases).Fifteen of the tumors were located in the chest wall and the other 2 were in the anterior middle mediastinum. Of the 15 chest wall cases, 13 demonstrated irregular, heterogeneous soft tissue masses with cystic degeneration and necrosis, and 2 demonstrated homogeneous soft tissue masses on unenhanced CT scans. Two mediastinal tumors demonstrated the irregular, heterogeneous soft tissue masses. Calcifications were found in 2 tumors. The tumors demonstrated heterogeneously enhancement in 16 cases and homogeneous enhancement in 1 case on contrast-enhanced scans. FDG-PET/CT images revealed increased metabolic activity in all 6 cases undergone FDG-PET/CT scan, and the lesion SUVmax ranged from 4.0 to 18.6. At initial diagnosis, CT and FDG-PET/CT scans revealed rib destruction in 9 cases, pleural effusion in 9 cases, and lung metastasis in 1 case. At follow-up, 12 cases showed recurrence and/or metastases, 4 cases showed improvement or remained stable, and 1 was lost to follow-up.In summary, CT and FDG-PET/CT images of Askin tumors showed heterogeneous soft tissue masses in the chest wall and the mediastinum, accompanied by rib destruction, pleural effusion, and increased FDG uptake. CT and FDG-PET/CT imaging play important roles in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with Askin tumors.

To retrospectively evaluate effectiveness and safety of CT-guided 125 I brachytherapy in patients with lung metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma, sixty lung metastatic lesions in 29 patients were percutaneously treated in 34 125 I brachytherapy sessions. Each metastatic lesion was treated with computed tomographic (CT) guidance. Follow-up contrast material-enhanced CT scans were reviewed and the efficacy of treatment was evaluated. Months are counted from the first time of 125 I brachytherapy and the median duration of follow-up was 11 months (ranging from 6 -17 months). The local control rates after 3, 6, 10 and 15 months were 86.2, 71.4, 60.9 and 50.0% respectively. At the time of writing, ten patients are alive without evidence of recurrence at 11 -15 months. The 10 patients presented good control of local tumor and no systemic recurrence, and survived throughout the follow-up period. Other 11 patients died of multiple hematogenous metastases 5 -15 months after brachytherapy. A small amount of local hematoma occurred in 5 patients that involved applicator insertion through the lung. Four patients presented pneumothorax with pulmonary compression of 30% -40% after the procedure and recovered after drainage. Two patients had minor displacement of radioactive seeds. Severe complications such as massive bleeding and radiation pneumonitis did not occur. So CT-guided 125 I brachytherapy is effective and may be safely applied to lung metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma.