Percutaneous aspiration of hydatid cysts of the liver was performed in 13 patients, and subsequent percutaneous drainage was performed in three of the 13. Aspiration was performed with ultrasound or computed tomographic guidance with 22-gauge to 19-gauge needles. Analysis of the aspirated specimen established the diagnosis of hydatid cysts in nine of the 13 patients. Fragments of the laminated membrane were seen in seven cases, scolices in two cases, and hooklets in two cases. In the four cases with negative results on aspiration, the diagnosis was established with surgical findings in one case and unequivocal immunologic results in three cases. In two patients, a mild allergic reaction with temporary pruritus was observed. In three patients, percutaneous drainage was performed with a 5-F to 8.3-F catheter, and sterilization of the cyst was achieved by injection of a scolicidal agent. No complications occurred at the time of drainage, and no recurrences developed during 6 months to 1 year after drainage.

Four unsuspected pheochromocytomas were discovered during percutaneous fine-needle biopsy of the adrenal gland under ultrasound (n = 1) and computed tomographic (n = 3) guidance. One patient suffered an acute episode of alternating hypertension and hypotension during the procedure. A second patient had no alterations in vital signs during the procedure but had a severe hypertensive crisis during induction of anesthesia at surgery. Neither biopsy nor surgery affected the vital signs in the other two patients. During biopsy study of adrenal lesions, the possibility of unsuspected pheochromocytoma should be considered, and the interventional radiologist must be familiar with the emergency treatment of hypotensive or hypertensive crises that may occur.

Objective Some patients (10 % – 32 %) with a positive guaiac fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) do not undergo the recommended colonoscopy. The aim of this study was to compare video capsule endoscopy (VCE) and computed tomography colonography (CTC) in terms of participation rate and detection outcomes when offered to patients with a positive gFOBT who did not undergo the recommended colonoscopy. Methods An invitation letter offering CTC or VCE was sent to selected patients after randomization. Acceptance of the proposed (or alternative) procedure and procedure results were recorded. Sample size was evaluated according to the hypothesis of a 13 % increase of participation with VCE. Results A total of 756 patients were targeted. Following the invitation letter, 5.0 % (19/378) of patients underwent the proposed VCE and 7.4 % (28/378) underwent CTC, (P = 0.18). Following the letter, 9.8 % (37/378) of patients in the VCE group underwent a diagnostic procedure (19 VCE, 1 CTC, 17 colonoscopy) vs. 10.8 % in the CTC group (41/378: 28 CTC, 13 colonoscopy; P = 0.55). There were more potentially neoplastic lesions diagnosed in the VCE group than in the CTC group (12/20 [60.0 %] vs. 8/28 [28.6 %]; P = 0.04). Thus, 15/20 noninvasive procedures in the VCE group (19 VCE, 1 CTC; 75.0 %) vs. 10/28 in the CTC group (35.7 %; P = 0.01) resulted in a recommendation of further colonoscopy, but only 10/25 patients actually underwent this proposed colonoscopy. Conclusion Patients with a positive gFOBT result who do not undergo the recommended colonoscopy are difficult to recruit to the screening program and simply proposing an additional, less-invasive procedure, such as VCE or CTC, is not an effective strategy.

Ultrasound (US) detected 27 small, asymptomatic renal angiomyolipomas in 18 patients. Twenty-five lesions were diffusely hyperechoic and 2 were heterogeneous. Nephrotomography was positive in 8 out of 12 patients (67%), CT in 12/14 (86%), and angiography in 10/14 (71%). Percutaneous fine-needle biopsy confirmed the diagnosis in 8 out of 12 patients (67%). Nephrotomography and angiography were nonspecific, whereas CT and biopsy were most specific because of the presence of fatty tissue. Angiography helped clarify the degree of vascularity of the masses. If the diagnosis can be made preoperatively, more conservative management can be undertaken.

A prospective study was undertaken to assess the contribution of percutaneous fine-needle biopsy (PFNB) to the diagnostic workup and therapeutic management of 112 abdominal lesions in 106 patients (69 hepatic, 27 pancreatic, and 16 nondetermined). In 75% of the patients, PFNB contributed significantly to the diagnosis, in 22% it was of little help, and in 3% it confused the diagnosis. It confirmed a highly suspected diagnosis in 55% of patients and indicated a specific diagnosis that was not suspected in the remaining 45%. Results of PFNB guided treatment in 32% of cases, increased confidence in a previously planned therapy in 39%, and did not alter therapy in 29%. PFNB was instrumental in avoiding 61 planned invasive investigations and 11 surgical explorations, with a cost savings of about 35%. No significant complication was observed after PFNB.