Critical Pitfall: Varices in Cancer Patients mimicking Lymphadenopathy; Differentiation of varicose veins and enlarged lymph nodes in routine staging

Authors

  • Tilman Schubert
  • Michele Pansini
  • Georg Bongartz
  • Tilo Niemann

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3941/jrcr.v5i9.778

Keywords:

Varices, Lymphadenopathy, Oncology, Computed Tomography, Magnetic Resonance Tomography

Abstract

Two patients, each with a history of multiple cancers, were referred to our institution for routine cancer staging. Contrast enhanced multislice-CT showed round and oval shaped inguinal and retroperitoneal masses in one patient and inguinal mass lesions in the other patient. The mass lesions were suspicious of lymphadenopathy related to cancer recurrence. Additional MR-Imaging, however, showed tortuous varicose veins as well as suspicious lymph nodes in one patient and solely venous convolutes in the other patient. Regarding the routine contrast enhanced CT-scan in the portovenous phase, varices showed no significant difference in radiodensity compared to enlarged lymph nodes.

Author Biographies

Tilman Schubert

Resident, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology

Michele Pansini

Resident, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology

Georg Bongartz

Deputy Head of Department, Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology

Tilo Niemann

Specialist Registrar, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology
Journal of Radiology Case Reports September 2011 issue - Giant keloid of left buttock treated with post-excisional radiotherapy by Troiano et al.

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Published

2011-09-07

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 9 (2011)

Section

Gastrointestinal Radiology

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