The Anomalous Left Brachiocephalic Vein in Adults

PURPOSE@#To classify anomalous left brachiocephalic vein (LBCV) in adult without cardiac anomaly, and evaluate CT findings of anomalous LBCV.@*MATERIALS AND METHODS@#This study included 32 patients who were diagnosed anomalous LBCV using MDCT between March 2005 and August 2016. Subaortic LBCV divided into group I (with normal LBCV) and group II (without normal LBCV). We evaluated age, sex, diameters and diameter ratios of superior vena cava (SVC) and subaortic LBCV, the entering sites to SVC of subaortic LBCV and the azygos vein, and vascular tortuosity of subaortic LBCV.@*RESULTS@#There were included 29 subaortic LBCV and 3 retroesophageal LBCV. There were not statistically significant in age, sex, diameter of SVC between subaortic groups (p > 0.05). The diameters of subaortic LBCV were thinner in group I. Diameter ratios of subaortic LBCV were lower in group I. The entering site of subaortic LBCV was higher than azygos vein in group I (64%) and same as azygos vein in group II (67%). Vascular tortuosity of subaortic LBCV was in 7 cases of group I.@*CONCLUSION@#It is important for radiologists to be familiar with CT findings of anomalous LBCV, since the radiologists give information of uncommon or rare anomalous LBCV to clinician.

Pulmonary Comorbidities of Lung Emphysema

Pulmonary emphysema is defined as the “abnormal permanent enlargement of the airspaces distal to the terminal bronchioles accompanied by destruction of the alveolar wall and without obvious fibrosis.” Pulmonary emphysema could result in various complications or comorbidities, many of which are interrelated. Pulmonary emphysema can result in a number of interrelated complications and comorbidities. When pulmonary emphysema is accompanied by comorbidities, it may exhibit different and unique radiologic findings, depending on the underlying lung condition. The purpose of this article was to review radiologic findings that have been reported in patients with underlying emphysema, as well as localized pulmonary comorbidities including infection, fibrosis, primary lung cancer, hemorrhage, and other rare conditions.

Spectrum of Multi-Detector Computed Tomography Findings that Alter Pulmonary Artery Diameters in Adults

Abnormalities in the anatomy of pulmonary arteries may have heritable or environmental causes and involve a reduction or enlargement in transverse diameters of the blood vessels eg, congenital and developmental disorders, acquired intrinsic causes, extrinsic compression, and constriction. Pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary artery aneurysm and pseudoaneurysm, and idiopathic dilatation can also increase the diameter of a pulmonary artery. Multi-detector computed tomography (CT) is useful to evaluate each pulmonary artery and to diagnose the conditions that alter the diameter of the pulmonary artery. It is important to be familiar with the CT features of a variety of disorders to allow for accurate diagnoses and appropriate therapeutic management.

Clinical Manifestation of Necrotizing Pneumonia in Healthy Children

OBJECTIVE: Necrotizing pneumonia (NP) is a severe complication of lobar pneumonia caused by various pathogens. The immunopathogenesis and clinical characteristics of NP in children are not clearly understood. We wanted to evaluate the clinical characteristics and suggest in part the immunopathogenesis of NP. METHODS: We reviewed retrospectively the medical charts and radiographic materials of eight patients with NP, who were diagnosed by chest radiography and chest computed tomography at the Department of Pediatrics, Soonchunhyang University Hospitals at Cheonan and Bucheon from January 2002 to December 2011. RESULTS: They were previously healthy, 2.1 to 4.6 years of ages (mean, 2.8+/-1.0 years) and three boys and five girls. All of them had pleural effusion. Five patients had pneumonic consolidations in right upper lung field. Three patients had pneumatocele. They developed leukocytosis (mean, 19,400+/-6,400/mm3), higher C-reactive protein level (mean, 25.1+/-8.0 mg/dL). The etiologic agents were revealed in two patients; Streptococcus pneumonia (S. pneumonia) was revealed in one patient and S. pneumonia and Mycoplasma pneumonia in the other patient. Three patients were treated with additional intravenous immunoglobulin. Clinical improvement was prolonged: fever lasted 10 to 23 days, and length of hospitalization was 15 to 36 days. NP or pneumatocele were completely resolved on the follow-up radiographic studies in all of the patients. CONCLUSION: Although the previously healthy young children with NP had protracted clinical course, they recovered without any problematic sequelae. Our results suggest that the immunopathogenesis of NP in children may be associated with the exaggerated immune reaction of the host to insults from initial bacterial infections, rather than the pathogen-induced cytopathies.

Multiple Subcutaneous Abscesses Complicating Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia associated with BCG Vaccination

We report a case of 42-day-old girl with multiple abscesses in soft tissue sites and osteomyelitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus after an intradermal Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination. This may be an unusual complication of intradermal BCG vaccination.

The Effect of Post-Treatment N-Acetylcysteine in LPS-Induced Acute Lung Injury of Rats / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: Oxidation plays an important role in acute lung injury. This study was conducted in order to elucidate the effect of repetitive post-treatment of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in lipopolysaccaride (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) of rats. METHODS: Six-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups. LPS (Escherichia coli 5 mg/kg) was administered intravenously via the tail vein. NAC (20 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally 3, 6, and 12 hours after LPS injection. Broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissues were obtained to evaluate the ALI at 24 hours after LPS injection. The concentration of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta) were measured in BALF. Nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB), lipid peroxidation (LPO), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were measured using lung tissues. Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) images were examined in each group at 72 hours apart from the main experiments in order to observe the delayed effects of NAC. RESULTS: TNF-alpha and IL-1beta concentration in BALF were not different between LPS and NAC treatment groups. The concentration of LPO in NAC treatment group was significantly lower than that of LPS group (5.5+/-2.8 nmol/mL vs. 16.5+/-1.6 nmol/mL) (p=0.001). The activity of MPO in NAC treatment group was significantly lower than that of LPS group (6.4+/-1.8 unit/g vs. 11.2+/-6.3 unit/g, tissue) (p<0.048). The concentration of NF-kappaB in NAC treatment group was significantly lower than that of LPS group (0.3+/-0.1 ng/microL vs. 0.4+/-0.2 ng/microL) (p=0.0001). Micro-CT showed less extent of lung injury in NAC treatment than LPS group. CONCLUSION: After induction of ALI with lipopolysaccharide, the therapeutic administration of NAC partially attenuated the extent of ALI through the inhibition of NF-kappaB activation.

The Effect of Post-Treatment N-Acetylcysteine in LPS-Induced Acute Lung Injury of Rats / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: Oxidation plays an important role in acute lung injury. This study was conducted in order to elucidate the effect of repetitive post-treatment of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in lipopolysaccaride (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) of rats. METHODS: Six-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups. LPS (Escherichia coli 5 mg/kg) was administered intravenously via the tail vein. NAC (20 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally 3, 6, and 12 hours after LPS injection. Broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissues were obtained to evaluate the ALI at 24 hours after LPS injection. The concentration of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta) were measured in BALF. Nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB), lipid peroxidation (LPO), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were measured using lung tissues. Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) images were examined in each group at 72 hours apart from the main experiments in order to observe the delayed effects of NAC. RESULTS: TNF-alpha and IL-1beta concentration in BALF were not different between LPS and NAC treatment groups. The concentration of LPO in NAC treatment group was significantly lower than that of LPS group (5.5+/-2.8 nmol/mL vs. 16.5+/-1.6 nmol/mL) (p=0.001). The activity of MPO in NAC treatment group was significantly lower than that of LPS group (6.4+/-1.8 unit/g vs. 11.2+/-6.3 unit/g, tissue) (p<0.048). The concentration of NF-kappaB in NAC treatment group was significantly lower than that of LPS group (0.3+/-0.1 ng/microL vs. 0.4+/-0.2 ng/microL) (p=0.0001). Micro-CT showed less extent of lung injury in NAC treatment than LPS group. CONCLUSION: After induction of ALI with lipopolysaccharide, the therapeutic administration of NAC partially attenuated the extent of ALI through the inhibition of NF-kappaB activation.

Individual Pulmonary Vein Atresia in Adults: Report of Two Cases

We present two cases of individual pulmonary vein atresia without vestige of an involved pulmonary vein. On CT, we noted the absence or interruption of normal pulmonary venous structures, and the presence of abnormal vascular structures that represented collaterals for the involved lung parenchyma. On angiography, the atretic pulmonary vein was found to drain into the other ipsilateral pulmonary veins through the collaterals.

Coexistence of Intrapulmonary Bronchogenic Cyst and Congenital Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation: A Case Report

Congenital cystic lesions of the lung are uncommon and a conjunction of two or more lesions is very rare. We report here on a case of coexisting intrapulmonary bronchogenic cyst and congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation in a 13-year-old female with a cystic mass in the right upper lobe of the lung. Computed tomography showed a cystic lesion measuring 2.5 cm with an air fluid level and surrounding multicystic lesions in the right upper lobe. On gross examination, the cut surface showed a cystic mass containing inspissated mucinous material, and the cystic mass was surrounded by multiple small cysts. Microscopically, the larger cystic cavity was lined with pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium. The submucosal tissue contained mucinous glands and plates of cartilage. The surrounding smaller cysts or irregular spaces were lined with bronchiolar-type respiratory epithelium. We propose that this hybrid lung lesion may represent the missing link in a common embryologic pathway determined by the timing of mesenchymal and epithelial interactions.

CT Findings of Colonic Complications Associated with Colon Cancer

A broad spectrum of colonic complications can occur in patients with colon cancer. Clinically, some of these complications can obscure the presence of underlying malignancies in the colon and these complications may require emergency surgical management. The complications of the colon that can be associated with colon cancer include obstruction, perforation, abscess formation, acute appendicitis, ischemic colitis and intussusception. Although the majority of these complications only rarely occur, familiarity with the various manifestations of colon cancer complications will facilitate making an accurate diagnosis and administering prompt management in these situations. The purpose of this pictorial essay is to review the CT appearance of the colonic complications associated with colon cancer.

Marked Recovery From Paraquat-Induced Lung Injury During Long-Term Follow-up

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Paraquat-induced lung injury has been considered a progressive and irreversible disease. The purpose of this study was to report the long-term evolution of lung lesions in eight survivors with significant paraquat-induced lung injuries who could be followed-up for longer than 6 months. METHODS: We retrospectively examined high-resolution computed tomography and pulmonary function test of eight survivors with significant paraquat-induced lung injurys. RESULTS: High-resolution computed tomography revealed a predominant pattern of irregularly shaped consolidation with traction bronchiectasis at 1-2 months after paraquat poisoning, a mixed pattern of irregularly shaped consolidation and ground-glass opacity at 3-12 months, and a mixed pattern of consolidation, groundglass opacity, and honeycombing at 1-2 years. At 3-12 months after paraquat ingestion, the areas of consolidation had markedly decreased and the decreased lung volume had returned to normal. At 1-2 years after paraquat poisoning, the cystic changes had disappeared. At 2-3 years after paraquat poisoning, the decrease in forced vital capacity had greatly improved to the normal range. CONCLUSIONS: Recovery of nearly normal pulmonary structure and function may occur over several years following paraquat poisoning. Pulmonary function (both forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 sec) evolved toward normal in the long-term survivors of paraquat poisoning with initial prominent lung injuries.

Angiolipoma of the Breast: A Case Report / 한국유방암학회지

An angiolipoma is a common mixed connective tissue tumor that commonly occurs in the trunk and extremities, and has been rarely reported in the breast. It is a benign variant of a lipoma that shows various appearances on mammography. It is usually seen with a well circumscribed homogeneously hyperechoic pattern on ultrasound. We report a rare case of an angiolipoma of the breast with no definite abnormality on mammography, appearing as an irregular homogeneously hyperechoic lesion on ultrasound.

CT Findings of Foreign Bodies in the Chest: A Pictorial Essay

The most common causes of tracheobronchial foreign bodies are peanuts in children, and meat and dentures in adults. The most common causes of esophageal foreign bodies are coins in children and meat in adults. It is possible to diagnose a foreign body by visualization on a chest radiograph, if the foreign bodies are radioopaque. However, if the foreign bodies are radiolucent and the patients do not remember the history of aspiration, it is important to evaluate CT findings for foreign bodies and their complications. We describe the CT findings of various thoracic foreign bodies in children and adults.

Congenital Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunts

Intrahepatic portosystemic shunts are an anomalous connection between the portal vein and hepatic vein/IVC, which may be either congenital or acquired secondary to liver cirrhosis or portal hypertension. Cases of congenital intrahepatic shunts are usually encountered in children and may spontaneously resolve. We report 5 cases of congenital intrahepatic portosystemic shunts in neonates and an adult.

Imaging Findings of Wirsungocele: A Report of Two Cases

Wirsungocele is defined as a cystic dilatation of the terminal portion of the main pancreatic duct, and this is an extremely rare malady. The pathophysiology of Wirsungocele has been proposed that a congenital or acquired weakness in the distal duct that's associated with functional obstruction may lead to the formation of Wirsungocele. In addition, mechanical obstruction of the distal duct has been considered as another mechanism of Wirsungocele. We report here on the imaging findings of two cases of Wirsungocele that seemed to occur by different pathophysiologic mechanisms.

A case of midgut volvulus due to mesenteric lymphangioma, not associated with malrotation in a 13-year-old boy / 소아과

A 13-year-old boy, complained of an intermittent suddenly aggravated severe abdominal pain and diarrhea, was diagnosed as a small bowel volvulus without an intestinal malrotation, due to mesenteric lymphangioma. He took abdominal ultrasonography, abdominal CT scanning, upper gastrointestinal study and got an operation. The small bowel volvulus with cystic lymphangioma was confirmed by gross and pathologic findings.

Acute Sialadenitis in Children and Adolescents: CT Findings and Clinical Manifestations according to Glandular Involvement

PURPOSE: This study was designed to compare the CT findings and clinical manifestations in children and adolescents with acute sialadenitis according to the involved salivary glands. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included fifty children and adolescents (34 boys, 16 girls) with acute sialadenitis that was diagnosed during the past five years. All of the subjects were divided into three groups: group I (parotid gland involvement, n = 16), group II (submandibular gland involvement, n = 20) and group III (involvement of both glands, n = 14). We analyzed the presence of an abscess, sialolith, bilaterality, cellulitis and lymphadenopathy on CT scans. The analyzed clinical data were age, sex, lymphadenopathy, pain, swelling, presence of a mass, tonsillitis, treatment period and surgical treatment if it was performed. RESULTS: The presence of an abscess, sialolith, cellulitis, swelling, age, presence of a palpable mass and treatment period were statistically significant factors for the patients in the three groups. An abscess was combined only in group I patients. There was a high rate of sialolith in group II patients and cellulitis in group III patients as seen on CT scans. Swelling in group II patients and group III patients and the presence of a palpable mass in group I patients were identified as clinical manifestations. Age was younger in group I patients (mean age, 5.3 years) than in group II patients (mean age, 12.9 years) and group III patients (mean age, 15.2 years). The treatment period was longer for group I patients. CONCLUSION: For acute sialadenitis in children and adolescents, age, presence of an abscess, sialolith, cellulitis, swelling, presence of a palpable mass and treatment period were different according to the involved salivary glands.

Small Bowel Obstruction in Children: Usefulness of CT for Diagnosis and Localization

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of CT for the diagnosis of the cause and localization of small bowel obstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Out of a group of children who underwent a CT examination for a suspected small bowel obstruction, 19 patients with confirmed underlying disorders were identified and included in the study. Neonates and patients with duodenal obstruction were excluded from the study. The CT findings were analyzed for the location of obstruction site, abnormalities of the mesentery and mesenteric vessels, bowel wall thickening, closed loop obstruction, and strangulation. The obstruction site was divided into five parts. The preoperative CT diagnosis was compared with the final diagnosis. RESULTS: Causes of small bowel obstruction were intussusception (n = 6), appendiceal perforation (n = 4), transmesenteric internal hernia (n = 2), postoperative bands (n = 1), idiopathic multiple bands (n = 1), a foreign body (n = 1), a small bowel adenocarcinoma (n = 1), Meckel's diverticulitis (n = 1), tuberculous peritonitis (n= 1) and Salmonella enteritis with bowel perforation (n = 1). The CT findings showed mesenteric vascular prominence (n = 13), omental or mesenteric infiltration (n = 10), localized bowel wall thickening (n = 7), closed loops obstruction (n = 3) and strangulation (n = 1). The obstruction site was identified in all cases. The causes of obstruction could be diagnosed preoperatively in 14 cases, but a preoperative diagnosis was difficult in 5 cases. CONCLUSION: The causes of small bowel obstruction in children are variable, and CT is useful for evaluating the cause and localization of small bowel obstruction.

The Importance of Gases in Portal Veins and Liver Parenchyme is Characterized by Liver Ultrasonography in Full-term Neonates with Necrotizing Enterocolitis

PURPOSE: Although early treatment of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is very important, there exists no definite way of diagnosing NEC at an early stage. Previous reports argue that gases in portal veins and liver parenchyme are detected by liver ultrasonography (USG) even when no symptoms corresponding to NEC are provoked. This study demonstrates the importance of liver USG for early diagnosis of NEC. METHODS: Abdominal USG was performed on 1381 newborn infants who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital between February 2003 and September 2005. Twelve infants were diagnosed with NEC by liver USG and their individual pathologies were compared. RESULTS: All of the patients described here were full-term and the most frequent symptom observed was watery diarrhea; four had no symptoms at all. Severe metabolic acidosis was seen in two patients, a rise of C-reactive protein (CRP) in five patients and rotavirus antigen positivity in five patients. One of the patients showed portal vein gas, pneumatosis intestinalis and ileus in a simple abdominal radiography and another patient showed ileus only. However, all of the other 10 patients presented with no abnormal symptoms, according to simple abdominal radiography. CONCLUSION: NEC should be considered in neonates with gases present in portal veins, intestinal walls and liver parenchyme, as detected by liver USG even when no symptoms corresponding to NEC are provoked.

1 Case of Bronchial Leiomyoma with Intralobar Pulmonary Sequestration / 결핵및호흡기질환

Both bronchial leiomyoma and pulmonary sequestration are rare conditions, and to the best of our knowledge there are no reports of the two conditions coexisting. We report a female patient with bronchial leiomyoma with acquired pulmonary sequestration who presented with dyspnea, cough and purulent sputum. The patient had been treated for pneumonia at a local medical clinic. but was transferred to our clinic beacausr there was no clinical improvement. A 3-D computed tomography scan revealed a 1.5 cm sized mass near the distal portion of the left main bronchus and an anomalous artery arising from the aorta. The patient showed clinical improvement after a left lower lobectomy and a ligation of the anomalous artery.