Trochanteric Bursitis

In MRI we commonly scan the pelvis area for pain. These patients typically have had negative xrays or even CT'S. One advantage for MRI is we can see fluid or inflammation with techniques such as T2 weighted with fat suppression or STIR sequences. These techniques suppress fat and brighten (hyperintense) fluid. One common finding is trochanteric bursitis. According to an article found on the website http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic+a00409 which is produced by American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, bursitis is caused by inflammation of a bursa. Bursa is a small jelly-like sac that acts like a cushion between bones and overlying soft tissues. This can result from trauma, repetitive stress, spine disease and among others. Treatment is usually minor such as modification of activities or anti-inflammatory drugs but in rare cases surgery is needed for resection of the bursa. Here are some pictures of patients I have recently scanned that were found to be diagnosed with trochanteric bursitis.

Pancreatic Mass

These are unfortunately on patient just recently scanned here at my facility. The study was ordered after seeing a possible mass on the bottom of a chest CT for evaluation of a lung mass. There is a mass on the tail of pancreas. This mass is very suspicious for malignancy due to the characterization presented on the MRI images and the patients history on the CT. These MRI images are axial and coronal Fast SPGR with fat saturation on. This lesion demonstrates enhancement post contrast. If this is determined to be pancreatic cancer and has spread to lungs the prognosis is usually not good. This is one of the things that can make in my opinion our jobs as diagnostic technologists tough! In fact, according to literature found on website, https//health.google.com/health/ref/pacreatic+carcinoma, 95% of patients do not survive longer than 5 years.