Tracheopathia Osteoplastica Associated with Anthracofibrosis: Case Report

Tracheopathia osteoplastica is a rare benign disorder of the trachea and major bronchi. It is characterized by multiple cartilaginous or osseous submucosal nodules that project into the tracheobronchial lumen. Awareness of the condition is important to avoid unnecessary surgery. We report here on the CT and bronchoscopic findings of tracheopathia osteoplastica associated with anthracofibrosis in a 67-year old woman, and we will then discuss our findings.

Analysis of the association between periportal low attenuation, as seen on CT, after blunt abdominal trauma,and elevated central venous pressure1

PURPOSE: To assess the causes of periportal low attenuation, as seen on CT, in patients with blunt abdominaltrauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From among 812 patients who underwent abdominal CT after blunt abdominal trauma,we retrospectively analysed the findings in 124 with evidence of periportal low attenvation. Among these, hepaticinjury was noted in only 87. The presence or absence, and extent of hepatic injury, and of periportal lowattenuation, as seen on CT, were carefully evaluated. In each case, the ratio of the transverse diameter of theinferior vena cava(IVC) to the aorta at the level of the right adrenal gland provided an indirect measurement ofcentral venous pressure; for control purposes, the ratio was also obtained in 21 non-traumatic patients with noabnormal abdominal CT findings. RESULTS: Of the 87 patients with hepatic injury, 46 showed no periportal lowattenuation, and the average value of the ratio between the IVC and aorta was 1.16+/-0.12, while the remaining 41patients showed periportal low attenuation with a ratio of 1.51+/-0.21(p<0.05). In the 37 patients with periportallow attenuation but no evidence of concomitant hepatic injury, the average ratio was 1.52+/-0.25, while in 21non-traumatic patients it was 1.15+/-0.16. For resustication, all patients had received 0.5-5.0l of IV fluidtherapy before CT, and at the time of CT, were normotensive. CONCLUSION: Rapidly elevated central venous pressurefollowing massive IV infusion therapy in patients with blunt abdominal trauma can be one of the causes ofperiportal low attenuation, as seen on CT.

Fractures of the Nasolacrimal Fossa and Canal: CT Findings and Clinical significance

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the CT findings of nasolacrimal fossa and their clinical significance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-nine of 116 patients who underwent facial CT scanning after trauma showed evidenceof nasolacrimal fracture. We retrospectively analyzed CT findings to evaluate fracture patterns of thenasolacrimal fossa and canal and associated facial fractures. To determine the frequency of associatedcomplications, clinical records were reviewed were reviewed. RESULTS: Three types of fracture were identified:avulsion, comminuted, and linear Forty-one nasolacrimal fractures, 20 of which involved the nasolacrimal fossa and21 the nasolacrimal canal, were found in the 29 patients. Of the 20 fractures involving the nasolacrimal fossa,ten were avulsion, eight were linear, and two were comminuted. Seventeen of 21 fractures involving thenasolacrimal canal were comminuted and four were linear ; all nasolacrimal fractures were associated with otherfacial fractures. Twenty-five of 29 fractures were the complex midfacial-type (naso-ethmoid) ; the remaining fourwere simple and unilateral. Nasolacrimal sac and dvct-related complications were documented in only two patients ;they experienced epiphora associated with avulsion fracture of the nasolacrimal fossa, though the problem wasresolved by conservative treatment without surgery. CONCLUSION: Fractures of the nasolacrimal fossa and canalwere accompanied by simple or complex facial fractures. Injury-associated complications were rare, and all wereassociated with avulsion fractures of the nasolacrimal fossa.