Metastatic Disease

Case 50

Malignancy / , , ,

This radiograph demonstrates numerous round nodules and masses in a young patient consistent with metastatic disease. These are sometimes referred to as “cannonball” metastases because of their large size and round shape. They are classically associated with renal cell carcinoma and choriocarcinoma, though other primary tumor metastases can also have a cannonball appearance. In young male patients in particular, the search for a primary tumor should include a scrotal ultrasound. In this patient, testicular cancer was identified on physical exam and imaging.

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Case 22

Malignancy / , , , , ,

This patient presented with a mass at the base of his right neck which is evident on this radiograph. There is a unilateral increase in vascular markings seen only in the right lung. Kerley B lines are also seen in the right lung base, but there is little other evidence to suggest pulmonary edema or fluid overload. Other pertinent findings include thickening of the right paratracheal stripe and an asymmetrically prominent right hilum.

This constellation of findings is concerning for malignancy causing venous and lymphatic obstruction and should prompt further evaluation with CT. In this case, the neck mass, thickening of the paratracheal stripe, and the prominent right hilum all corresponded to lymphadenopathy on CT. Further investigation in the abdomen revealed a large renal mass as the likely primary malignancy.

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