Computed Tomography Evaluation of the Paranasal Sinuses in Adults with Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia

Abstract Introduction Primary ciliary dyskinesia is a rare inherited disease that results in a malfunction of mucociliary clearance and sinonasal complaints. Aplasia/hypoplasia of the frontal and sphenoid sinuses has been described as more frequent in this population. However, to date, no studies have provided a detailed description of computed tomography findings in adult patients with a diagnosis of this condition. Objective To describe the computed tomography (CT) findings of adult patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia. Methods Retrospective observational study of adult patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia who underwent CT. Results Twenty-one adults were included in the study. Aplasia occurred in 38.1% of frontal sinuses and in 14.3% of sphenoid sinuses. Likewise, hypoplasia occurred in 47.6% of the frontal sinuses, in 54.8% of the sphenoid sinuses and in 40.5% of the maxillary sinuses. Furthermore, trabecular loss was identified in 61.9% ethmoidal sinuses. The mean Lund-Mackay score was 13.5. In addition, 9.5% of the patients had concha bullosa, 47.6% had marked bilateral inferior turbinate hypertrophy, 38.1% had marked middle turbinate hypertrophy, and 47.6% had marked septal deviation. Finally, we identified images suggestive of fungus ball, mucocele, osteoma, a possible antrochoanal polyp, and frontal bone erosions. Conclusion The present study provides a detailed description of CT findings in patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia. We also describe abnormalities that must be identified for safer surgical planning and that suggest a diagnosis of primary ciliary dyskinesia if found in patients with a consistent clinical picture.

Comprehensive understanding of atrial septal defects by imaging studies for successful transcatheter closure / 소아과

Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects has become a popular procedure. The availability of a preprocedural imaging study is crucial for a safe and successful closure. Both the anatomy and morphology of the defect should be precisely evaluated before the procedure. Three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography and cardiac computed tomography are helpful for understanding the morphology of a defect, which is important because different defect morphologies could variously impact the results. During the procedure, real-time 3D echocardiography can be used to guide an accurate closure. The safety and efficiency of transcatheter closures of atrial septal defects could be improved through the use of detailed imaging studies.

The Clinical Experience of Computed Tomographic-Guided Navigation System in C1-2 Spine Instrumentation Surgery

OBJECTIVE: To identify the accuracy and efficiency of the computed tomographic (CT)-based navigation system on upper cervical instrumentation, particularly C1 lateral mass and C2 pedicle screw fixation compared to previous reports. METHODS: Between May 2005 and March 2014, 25 patients underwent upper cervical instrumentation via a CT-based navigation system. Seven patients were excluded, while 18 patients were involved. There were 13 males and five females; resulting in four degenerative cervical diseases and 14 trauma cases. A CT-based navigation system and lateral fluoroscopy were used during the screw instrumentation procedure. Among the 58 screws inserted as C1-2 screws fixation, their precise positions were evaluated by postoperative CT scans and classified into three categories : in-pedicle, non-critical breach, and critical breach. RESULTS: Postoperatively, the precise positions of the C1-2 screws fixation were 81.1% (47/58), and 8.6% (5/58) were of non-critical breach, while 10.3% (6/58) were of critical breach. Most (5/6, 83.3%) of the critical breaches and all of non-critical breaches were observed in the C2 pedicle screws and there was only one case of a critical breach among the C1 lateral mass screws. There were three complications (two vertebral artery occlusions and a deep wound infection), but no postoperative instrument-related neurological deteriorations were seen, even in the critical breach cases. CONCLUSION: Although CT-based navigation systems can result in a more precise procedure, there are still some problems at the upper cervical spine levels, where the anatomy is highly variable. Even though there were no catastrophic complications, more experience are needed for safer procedure.

Hidrocefalia y aracnoiditis en neurocisticercosis / Hydrocephalus and arachnoiditis in neurocysticercosis

La neurocisticercosis es una enfermedad con alta prevalencia en países tropicales y de bajos recursos, sin embargo su incidencia ha aumentado en países desarrollados. Este es el caso de una mujer de 49 años con neurocisticercosis subaracnoidea generalizada asociada a compromiso encefálico y medular, una presentación rara de este parásito neurotrópico,con convulsiones y limitación motora severa. Las imágenes muestran respuesta inflamatoria generalizada del cerebro y el espacio subaracnoideo, hidrocefalia y múltiples lesiones calcificadas, reafirmando la importancia de las neuroimágenes para la correlación clínica y el diagnóstico de las enfermedades infecciosas cerebrales como la neurocisticercosis, con variabilidad en la presentación y múltiples compromisos del sistema nervioso central.

Neurocysticercosis is a disease of high prevalence in tropical and low-income countries and its incidence has been increased in developed countries. This is the case of 49-year-old woman with generalized subarachnoid neurocysticercosis associated to encephalic and medullar compromise, a rare presentation of this neurotropic parasite, with seizures and severe motor limitation. Images showed generalized inflammatory response of the brain and spinal subarachnoid space, hydrocephalus and multiple calcified lesions, demonstrating and reaffirming the importance of neuroimaging tools for the clinical correlation and diagnosis of brain infectious diseases as neurocysticercosis with variability on the presentation and multiple central nervous system involvement.

Computed tomography in 10 cases of exophthalmos caused by paranasal sinus neoplasms / 眼科

Comuted tomography (CT) in 10 confirmed cases of exophthalmos caused by paranasal sinus neoplasms demonstrated that CT provided precise delineation of the tumors, their relation to the paranasal sinuses, and features of malignancy or benignancy as bases for the etiological diagnosis of the patients. They were also helpful in the selection of surgical approach, definition of the irradiation fields, and evaluation of tumor response to therapies.