ABSTRACT
MDCT has recently been used as a diagnostic tool to evaluate coronary artery stenosis and to detect coronary artery anomalies. The accuracy of MDCT has improved the assessment of stenosis as the number of detectors has increased. In addition to its excellent role in evaluating coronary artery stenosis, MDCT can provide information regarding the left ventricular function without having to perform additional scanning, and the myocardial viability of the left ventricle can be assessed on a delayed scan. MDCT has several disadvantages such as the amount of radiation exposure and the use of an iodine contrast medium, which might cause an adverse reaction, when combined with the reconstruction of the systolic and diastolic phases and the delayed scan. Yet MDCT may provide the opportunity to evaluate the coronary anatomy, the left ventricular function and the tissue characterization in one single imaging session that lasts less than 15 minutes.
Subject(s)
Constriction, Pathologic , Coronary Stenosis , Coronary Vessels , Heart Ventricles , Infarction , Iodine , Myocardium , Perfusion , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Ventricular Function, LeftABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Bronchial asthma is a clinical syndrome characterized by reversiblity of airway obstruction. however, many asthma patients have evidence of residual airway obstruction. It has become evident that the repair of chronic inflammatory process can lead to various irreversible changes. It is generally accepted that the most common cause for change is cigarette smoking but it is controversial whether asthma progresses to emphysema. High resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is more sensitive and more accurate than chest plain films in determining the type and extent of emphysema. This study was carried out to determine whether asthma can be a cause of emphysema without the effect of cigarette smoking and to evaluate clinical characterics in asthma patients with emphysema. METHODS: We studied 58 asthmatic patients with reversible airway obstruction and evaluated the presence of emphysema using HRCT and pulmonary function test. According to HRCT findings, they were divided into 2 groups: Asthma patients with and without emphysema. RESULTS: Of the 58 patients, 7 were judged to have emphysema. (1) 6 asthma patients with emphysema were smokers, but one patient was nonsmoker. (2) Highly significant differences between patients with and without emphysema were found in cigarette smoking (p<0.01), smoking consumption (p<0.01). (3) There was no significant differences in the duration of asthma, age or sex between patients with and without emphysema. (4) There was no significant differences in FEV1 (%), FEV1/FVC (%), diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLco) (%), DLco/alveolar volume between patients with and without emphysema (5) Differences between asthma patients without emphysema and those with emphysema were found to be significant in bronchial wall thickening (p<0.05) and in total Ig E (p=0.07). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that smoking is a main factor to cause emphysema in the patient with asthma.
Subject(s)
Humans , Airway Obstruction , Asthma , Asthma, Exercise-Induced , Carbon Monoxide , Emphysema , Mediastinal Emphysema , Respiratory Function Tests , Smoke , Smoking , Thorax , Tomography, X-Ray ComputedABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Bronchial asthma is a clinical syndrome characterized by reversiblity of airway obstruction. however, many asthma patients have evidence of residual airway obstruction. It has become evident that the repair of chronic inflammatory process can lead to various irreversible changes. It is generally accepted that the most common cause for change is cigarette smoking but it is controversial whether asthma progresses to emphysema. High resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is more sensitive and more accurate than chest plain films in determining the type and extent of emphysema. This study was carried out to determine whether asthma can be a cause of emphysema without the effect of cigarette smoking and to evaluate clinical characterics in asthma patients with emphysema. METHODS: We studied 58 asthmatic patients with reversible airway obstruction and evaluated the presence of emphysema using HRCT and pulmonary function test. According to HRCT findings, they were divided into 2 groups: Asthma patients with and without emphysema. RESULTS: Of the 58 patients, 7 were judged to have emphysema. (1) 6 asthma patients with emphysema were smokers, but one patient was nonsmoker. (2) Highly significant differences between patients with and without emphysema were found in cigarette smoking (p<0.01), smoking consumption (p<0.01). (3) There was no significant differences in the duration of asthma, age or sex between patients with and without emphysema. (4) There was no significant differences in FEV1 (%), FEV1/FVC (%), diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLco) (%), DLco/alveolar volume between patients with and without emphysema (5) Differences between asthma patients without emphysema and those with emphysema were found to be significant in bronchial wall thickening (p<0.05) and in total Ig E (p=0.07). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that smoking is a main factor to cause emphysema in the patient with asthma.
Subject(s)
Humans , Airway Obstruction , Asthma , Asthma, Exercise-Induced , Carbon Monoxide , Emphysema , Mediastinal Emphysema , Respiratory Function Tests , Smoke , Smoking , Thorax , Tomography, X-Ray ComputedABSTRACT
Esophageal tubular duplication is a rare congenital anomaly. We experienced a patient with esophageal tubular duplication who presented with a swallowing difficulty which was aggravated after a gastrofiberscopic examination. Preoperative diagnosis was intramural hematoma of the esophagus due to trauma caused by endoscopy. Surgical specimen revealed that hematoma was located within a duplicated lumen of the esophagus. The radiologic and endoscopic findings are discussed in correlation with its pathology.
Subject(s)
Aged , Humans , Male , Deglutition Disorders , Esophageal Diseases , Esophagus/surgery , Esophagus/injuries , Esophagus , Gastroscopy , HematomaABSTRACT
Esophageal tubular duplication is a rare congenital anomaly. We experienced a patient with esophageal tubular duplication who presented with a swallowing difficulty which was aggravated after a gastrofiberscopic examination. Preoperative diagnosis was intramural hematoma of the esophagus due to trauma caused by endoscopy. Surgical specimen revealed that hematoma was located within a duplicated lumen of the esophagus. The radiologic and endoscopic findings are discussed in correlation with its pathology.