In a retrospective study of adrenal masses evaluated with computed tomography (CT), lesion x-ray attenuation was compared with size and radiologists' interpretations in discriminating benign lesions from malignant ones. Unenhanced CT attenuation coefficient and size were analyzed electronically in 55 patients with 66 adrenal masses. There were 38 nonhyperfunctioning adenomas in 33 patients and 28 malignant masses in 22 patients. Primary extraadrenal malignancies were present in 45 of the 55 patients. Three blinded readers characterized the adrenal masses using a seven-point scale of certainty. Results were subjected to receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. The mean CT attenuation coefficient for benign adrenal masses was -2.2 HU +/- 16.0 and was significantly different from the mean for malignant lesions (28.9 HU +/- 10.6). The area under the ROC curve for CT attenuation coefficients (0.91 +/- 0.04) was significantly larger than that for lesion size (0.84 +/- 0.05) or best observer interpretation (0.84 +/- 0.05). A threshold CT attenuation value of 0 HU had a sensitivity-to-specificity ratio of 47%:100% for characterizing benign adrenal masses, whereas a threshold attenuation of 10 HU had a ratio of 79%:96%.

Low dose (<3 mSv) noncontrast CT (NCCT) is the imaging study of choice for accurate evaluation of patients with acute onset of flank pain and suspicion of stone disease (sensitivity 97%, specificity 95%). NCCT can reliably characterize the location and size of an offending ureteral calculus, identify complications, and diagnose alternative etiologies of abdominal pain such as appendicitis. By comparison, the sensitivity of radiographs (59%) and ultrasound (24-57%) for the detection of renal and ureteral calculi is relatively poor. Ultrasound can accurately diagnose pelvicaliectasis and ureterectasis, but it may take several hours for these findings to develop. In the pregnant patient, however, ultrasound is a first line test as it does not expose the fetus to ionizing radiation. MR is an accurate test for the diagnosis of pelvicaliectasis and ureterectasis, but is less sensitive than CT for the diagnosis of renal and ureteral calculi. For patients with known stone disease whose stones are visible on radiographs, radiographs are a good tool for post-treatment follow-up.The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed every two years by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and review include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer reviewed journals and the application of a well-established consensus methodology (modified Delphi) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures by the panel. In those instances where evidence is lacking or not definitive, expert opinion may be used to recommend imaging or treatment.

BACKGROUND Collecting (Bellini) duct carcinoma (CDC) of the kidney is associated with an aggressive course and an extremely poor prognosis. To the authors' knowledge, there are no standard treatment regimens and neither immunotherapy nor chemotherapy have been found to be effective. METHODS In the current study, the authors report a 49‐year‐old man who presented with a 7.0 cm × 6.0 cm renal mass with extensive regional, paraaortic, and left supraclavicular lymphadenopathy. Radical nephrectomy revealed a CDC. The patient was treated with doxorubicin, 50 mg/m2 (Day 1), and gemcitabine, 2000 mg/m2 (Day 1), (AG) every 2 weeks with granulocyte–colony‐stimulating factor (GCSF) support. RESULTS The left supraclavicular lymphadenopathy significantly decreased in size after the first cycle. Computed tomography (CT) scan after the third cycle revealed a significant (68%) reduction in the tumor volume. Toxicity was comprised of only CTC version 2.0, 1998; Grade 1 nausea and fatigue. After Cycle 6, a repeat CT scan demonstrated minimal disease progression. Based on recent Phase II data of an active regimen comprised of AG alternating with ifosfamide, paclitaxel, and cisplatin (ITP) in patients with transitional cell carcinoma, the patient was treated with ifosfamide, 1500 mg/m2 (Days 1–3); paclitaxel, 175 mg/m2 (Day 1); and cisplatin, 35 mg/m2 (Days 1 and 2), every 4 weeks with GCSF support. After two cycles of ITP, the patient developed disease progression in bone and received palliative radiation therapy. Follow‐up CT scan demonstrated new liver metastases. The patient received palliative care without further chemotherapy and died approximately 10 months after the initial diagnosis of CDC. CONCLUSIONS Immunohistologic and molecular analyses indicate that CDC more closely resembles transitional cell carcinoma than renal cell carcinoma. Chemotherapy regimens used to treat advanced transitional cell carcinoma such as AG should be evaluated as first‐line therapy for CDC. Cancer 2002;94:111–6. © 2002 American Cancer Society.

In the absence of a distinctly visualized appendix and secondary inflammatory changes, the incidence of acute appendicitis is low. Nonvisualization of the appendix even when a small amount of fat is present in the right lower quadrant may safely exclude acute appendicitis if no secondary CT findings are present.

Five patients with sarcomas of the spermatic cord were imaged with sonography and/or computed tomography (CT). The former modality is most helpful in demonstrating the extratesticular origin of the mass and evaluating its scrotal extension for local staging. CT is necessary for pelvic staging and searching for distant metastasis. The fat in liposarcomas was easily identified by CT, although it was not echogenic on sonography. Sonography should be the primary imaging modality for scrotal or inguinal masses. If a neoplasm is found, CT should be used for staging, prior to definitive surgical treatment.