Diagnosis of pre-eclampsia and assessment of severity through examination of the placenta with acoustic radiation force impulse elastography.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of placental shear wave velocity (SWV) measurement by acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging for the diagnosis of pre-eclampsia and to determine the relationship between the SWV and the severity of pre-eclampsia. METHODS: A prospective study was performed at a center in Turkey between August 2014 and March 2015. The study included consecutive pregnant women in the second or third trimester diagnosed with pre-eclampsia and healthy pregnant women without pre-eclampsia of similar ages. Patients with pre-eclampsia were divided into two groups (severe or mild disease) on the basis of revised American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists criteria. All patients underwent ARFI, and the SWV was measured at several placental locations. RESULTS: Overall, 86 women were enrolled (42 with pre-eclampsia, 44 controls). Minimum, maximum, and mean SWV values were significantly higher in the pre-eclampsia group than in the control group (P<0.001 for all). These values were also significantly higher among patients with severe pre-eclampsia than among patients with mild pre-eclampsia (P<0.001 for all). CONCLUSION: Measurement of the placental SWV with ARFI imaging is a useful additional method for the diagnosis of pre-eclampsia and for determination of the disease severity.

MRI-based evaluation of the factors leading to pituitary iron overload in patients with thalassemia major.

AIM: Given the lack of studies evaluating pituitary iron overload in patients with thalassemia major, we used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate these patients and the factors affecting the disease process. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 84 patients with ß-thalassemia major who were included in this study were referred to our clinic for cardiac and hepatic T2(*) MRI. T2(*)-weighted images of the pituitary gland, heart, and liver were obtained using a 1.5-tesla MRI unit and a multi-echo gradient-echo sequence. Associations between pituitary T2(*), cardiac T2(*), hepatic T2(*), pituitary height, serum ferritin (SF) level, patient age, and other demographic findings were assessed. RESULTS: Pituitary T2(*) values correlated with hepatic T2(*) values, cardiac T2(*) values, SF level, and patient age (P≤0.001, 0.001, 0.001, 0.01, respectively) but not with pituitary height (P=0.76). Pituitary and cardiac T2(*) values were lower in the subset of patients who underwent splenectomy (P=0.046 and P=0.002, respectively). CONCLUSION: Pituitary iron overload rapidly increases during puberty and in this study correlated with cardiac and hepatic T2(*) values, patient age, SF level, and liver size, but not with the height of the pituitary. Pituitary iron overload also increases following splenectomy. Together, these findings indicate that numerous factors contribute to pituitary iron overload.

Quantitative volumetric assessment of pulmonary involvement in patients with systemic sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Computed tomography (CT) is the gold standard for assessing interstitial lung disease (ILD) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). In this study, we performed a quantitative calculation of ILD severity by examining the lung volume of SSc patients. METHODS: The present study was performed retrospectively on 38 patients with SSc who were referred to our clinic. Patients were divided into two groups based on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT): patients with ILD and patients without ILD.The percentage of lower lobe volume (PLLV) was calculated using HRCT. In addition, we evaluated the PLLV in all patients according to age, diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and spirometric findings, and assessed the relationships among these factors. RESULTS: PLLV of the right lung in patients with ILD was reduced when compared with patients without ILD (P=0.041). The PLLV of the right lung in patients with ILD was negatively correlated with age and forced vital capacity (FVC; P=0.01 and P=0.012, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The PLLV of the right lung may decrease in SSc patients with ILD. In these patients, the PLLV may be a quantitative parameter indicating damage in the lung.

The Role of Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Quantification in Differentiating Benign and Malignant Renal Masses by 3 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

BACKGROUND: Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) is a widely-accepted diagnostic modality whose efficacy has been investigated by numerous past studies in the differentiation of malignant lesions from benign entities. AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in the characterization of renal lesions. STUDY DESIGN: Diagnostic accuracy study. METHODS: A total of 137 patients with renal lesions were included in this study. The median apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values as well as the b 800 and b 1600 signal intensities of normal kidneys, solid components of mixed renal masses, and total cystic lesions were evaluated. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the ADC values of lesions and normal renal parenchyma, and between the ADC values of benign and malignant renal lesions on DWIs at b values of 800 and 1600 s/mm(2) (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). There were significant differences between the ADC values of Bosniak Category 1 and 2 cysts and the ADC values of Bosniak Category 1 and 3 cysts on DWIs at b values of 800 s/mm(2) (p<0.001) and 1600 s/mm(2) (p<0.001). A cutoff value of 1.902 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s for the ADC with a b value of 800 s/mm(2) provided 88% sensitivity and 96% specificity for differentiation between benign and malignant renal lesions. A cutoff value of 1.623 × 10(-3) mm(2)/s for the ADC with a b value of 1600 s/mm(2) provided 79% sensitivity and 96% specificity (p<0.001) for the differentiation between benign and malignant renal lesions. CONCLUSION: Accurate assessment of renal masses is important for determining the necessity for surgical intervention. DWI provides additional value by differentiating benign from malignant renal tumors and can be added to routine kidney MRI protocols.

Leptin levels and lipoprotein profiles in patients with cholelithiasis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationships between serum leptin and levels of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], apolipoprotein A-1 (ApoA-1) and apolipoprotein B (ApoB) in patients with cholelithiasis. METHODS: Patients with ultrasound-confirmed cholelithiasis and controls frequency-matched for age, sex, body mass index, fasting blood glucose and haemoglobin A1c levels were recruited. Fasting blood samples from all study participants were assayed for glucose, haemoglobin A1c, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglyceride. Serum Lp(a), ApoA-1 and ApoB levels were measured using nephelometric assays; serum leptin was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: A total of 90 patients with cholelithiasis and 50 controls were included in the study. Serum levels of leptin, Lp(a), total cholesterol, triglyceride and ApoB were significantly increased, and levels of ApoA-1 and HDL-C were significantly decreased, in patients with cholelithiasis compared with controls. Serum leptin in patients with cholelithiasis were significantly positively correlated with Lp(a) and ApoB and negatively correlated with ApoA-1. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with cholelithiasis have higher leptin levels and an altered lipoprotein profile compared with controls, with increased leptin levels being associated with increased Lp(a) and ApoB levels, and decreased ApoA-1 levels, in those with cholelithiasis.

Use of acoustic radiation force impulse elastography to diagnose acute pancreatitis at hospital admission: comparison with sonography and computed tomography.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the diagnostic success rate of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) elastography with those of sonography and computed tomography (CT) for acute pancreatitis at hospital admission. METHODS: B-mode sonography and ARFI elastography were performed on 88 patients with symptoms of acute pancreatitis and 50 healthy control participants who were admitted to our hospital between February 2013 and July 2013. Acute pancreatitis was verified in the 88 patients based on clinical and laboratory findings. Computed tomography was performed on 41 patients, and the CT results from these patients were compared with those of ARFI elastography. The appearances of the pancreases of the patients were classified into 6 groups using visual color encodings obtained with ARFI elastography. The elasticity values of pancreatic head, body, and tail regions were evaluated with Virtual Touch imaging and Virtual Touch tissue quantification (Siemens Medical Solutions, Mountain View, CA). The success rates of sonography, CT, and ARFI elastography for diagnosing acute pancreatitis at hospital admission were compared. RESULTS: Forty-six of the 88 patients had a diagnosis of pancreatitis by B-mode sonography; pancreatitis was diagnosed in all patients by ARFI elastography; and 10 of 41 patients could not be diagnosed by CT. The sensitivity and specificity of Virtual Touch tissue quantification were 100% and 98%, respectively, when a cutoff value of 1.63 m/s was used. The control group had color scores of 1 or 2, whereas all patients with pancreatitis had color scores of 3 to 6 on color scale evaluation with Virtual Touch imaging. CONCLUSIONS: Acoustic radiation force impulse elastography is a rapid, radiation-free, and noninvasive tool for diagnosis of acute pancreatitis at initial hospital admission, with a higher success rate for diagnosis of acute pancreatitis than the grayscale sonography and CT.

Evaluation of retrobulbar blood flow with color doppler ultrasonography in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy.

BACKGROUND: To compare retrobulbar blood flow in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) and healthy subjects using color Doppler ultrasonography. METHODS: Thirty patients (age 23-54 years) with a first episode of acute CSC and 30 healthy controls (age 30-44 years) were evaluated. The peak systolic blood flow velocity, end-diastolic velocity (EDV), resistance index (RI), and pulsatility index (PI) were measured in the ophthalmic, posterior ciliary, and central retinal arteries. RESULTS: The posterior ciliary and central retinal artery EDV were lower in the patient group than in the control group, whereas RI and PI values were significantly higher (p < .05). The ophthalmic artery peak systolic blood flow velocity and EDV were lower in the CSC than in the control group (p < .05) without significant difference in RI and PI. CONCLUSIONS: Color Doppler ultrasonography provides additional insights into the pathophysiology of CSC and may support the vasospasm hypothesis.

The association between varicocele and ankylosing spondylitis via color duplex sonography.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between varicocele and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) via color duplex sonography (CDS). METHODS: Thirty male patients (age range 18-40 years, mean age 30.27 years) with AS and 30 male healthy controls (age range 20-36 years, mean age 27.23 years) were evaluated for varicocele using CDS. RESULTS: Vein diameter in right and left pampiniform plexus (PP) in the AS group was significantly higher than in the control group (p < 0.001 and p = 0.003, respectively). The incidence of varicocele was observed as 33.3 % in the AS group and 10 % in the control group. However, the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.028). The rate of right, left, and bilateral varicocele was 3.3 % (1 patient), 23.3 % (7 patients), and 6.6 % (2 patients), respectively, in the AS group, versus 0, 10, and 0 % in the control group (p = 1.000, p = 0.166, and p = 0.492, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of varicocele in AS patients is higher than in control subjects, and the difference is statistically significant. Therefore, varicocele must be taken into consideration and investigated in patients with AS.

Dynamic multidetector computed tomography findings of hepatocellular carcinoma of hepatitis B virus-positive and -negative patients.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to retrospectively investigate and compare multidetector computed tomography findings of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-positive and -negative patients. METHODS: Triphasic (arterial, portal venous, and delayed phases) dynamic multidetector computed tomography (CT) was performed in 83 patients with HCC, 48 of whom were HBV-positive. The diagnosis of HCC was established with typical CT imaging findings (68 patients) or histopathological evaluation (15 patients). Distribution of solitary, multiple, and diffuse HCC, portal/hepatic vein thrombosis, metastasis, and patients with high alpha-fetoprotein levels in the HBV-positive and -negative groups were compared using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Lesion size, alpha-fetoprotein levels, arterial, portal, delayed enhancement, and washout of lesions were compared using the Student's t-test. RESULTS: Hypervascular tumors were observed in 72 (87%) patients, and hypovascular tumors were found in 11 (13%) patients. The mean alpha-fetoprotein value of HBV-positive patients with HCC was significantly higher than the mean alpha-fetoprotein value of HBV-negative patients (P < 0.05). Portal/hepatic vein thrombosis and metastasis were more frequently observed in HBV-positive patients (P < 0.05). The frequencies of solitary, multiple, and diffuse lesions in HBV-positive and -negative patients were not significantly different (P > 0.05). The mean diameters, arterial, portal, and delayed phase attenuations, and washout of HCC were not significantly different (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Multidetector CT imaging findings of HCC in HBV-positive and -negative patients are alike. Portal/hepatic vein thrombosis and metastasis are more frequently observed in HBV-positive patients. Alpha-fetoprotein levels are higher in HBV-positive patients.

Arterial distensibility in patients with ruptured and unruptured intracranial aneurysms: is it a predisposing factor for rupture risk?

BACKGROUND: A risk factor assessment that reliably predicts whether patients are predisposed to intracranial aneurysm (IA) rupture has yet to be formulated. As such, the clinical management of unruptured IA remains unclear. Our aim was to determine whether impaired arterial distensibility and hypertrophic remodeling might be indicators of risk for IA rupture. MATERIAL/METHODS: The study population (n=49) was selected from consecutive admissions for either unruptured IA (n=23) or ruptured IA (n=26) from January to December 2010. Hemodynamic measures were taken from every patient, including systolic and diastolic blood pressure using a sphygmomanometer. Unruptured IA and ruptured IA characteristics, including aneurysmal shape, size, angle, aspect ratio, and bottleneck factor, were measured and calculated from transverse brain CT angiography images. With ultrasound, the right common carotid artery intima-media thickness was measured, as well as the lumen diameter during systole and diastole. Arterial wall strain, distensibility, stiffness index, and elastic modulus were calculated and compared between patients with unruptured IAs and ruptured IAs. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: General demographic data did not differ between patients with unruptured IAs and ruptured IAs. Greater mean intima-media thickness (p=0.013), mean stiffness index (p=0.044), and mean elastic modulus (p=0.026) were observed for patients with ruptured IAs. Moreover, mean strain (p=0.013) and mean distensibility (p=0.024) were decreased in patients with ruptured IAs. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with ruptured IAs demonstrated decreased arterial distensibility and increased intima-media thickness at the level of the carotid arteries. By measuring these parameters via ultrasound, it may be possible to predict whether patients with existing IAs might rupture and hemorrhage into the subarachnoid space.

An incidental case of biliary fascioliasis with subtle clinical findings: US and MRCP findings.

BACKGROUND: Fascioliasis is a disease caused by the trematode Fasciola hepatica. Cholangitis is a common clinical manifestation. Although fascioliasis may show various radiological and clinical features, cases without biliary dilatation are rare. CASE REPORT: We present unique ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) findings of a biliary fascioliasis case which doesn't have biliary obstruction or cholestasis. Radiologically, curvilinear parasites compatible with juvenile and mature Fasciola hepatica within the gallbladder and common bile duct were found. The parasites appear as bright echogenic structures with no acoustic shadow on US and hypo-intense curvilinear lesions on T2 weighted MRCP images. CONCLUSIONS: Imaging studies may significantly contribute to the diagnosis of patients with subtle clinical and laboratory findings, particularly in endemic regions.

Display with 64-detector MDCT angiography of cerebral vascular variations.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the cerebral variations and observe their frequency in the patients who have undergone angiographies with the state of the art 64-slice multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) angiography technique due to various reasons. METHODS: 500 patients (253 women, 247 men) who had CT scan in the period of April 2008 to March 2010 at Dicle University Medicine Faculty Hospital Radiology Unit were surveyed in this study. Patients who had CT scan with brain CT angio protocol were evaluated using multiplanar, maximum intensity projection (MIP) and volume rendering (VR) images in work station. RESULTS: 773 variations were totally detected among 500 patients. Variations were categorized as Willis polygon, fenestration and other variations. Frequent variations were detected at Willis polygon and posterior communicating artery (PCOA) hypoplasia was detected as the prevalent variation. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, we have demonstrated that cerebral vascular variations are frequent and that these variations can be detected in a non-invasive manner using the MDCT angiography. The results obtained from our study may serve as preoperative guidelines for the units performing surgical procedures.

3-T MRI of the biliary tract variations.

PURPOSE: The gallbladder and the biliary tract are structures in close connection with the adjacent organs and may show a number of variations and anomalies. It is therefore important for surgical purposes to know their anatomy and variations in detail. Various methods are used in the imaging of the variations of the biliary tract and its pathologies, including ultrasonography, computed tomography; direct cholangiographic methods like endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography, intravenous cholangiography and T-tube cholangiography, as well as indirect methods like magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) or cholescintigraphy. The aim of this study is to investigate the frequency of the anatomic variations of the biliary tract using 3-T MRCP and to compare the findings with the data in the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For the purposes of this study, patients who underwent MRCP at our hospital (Dicle University Hospital) between November 2009 and February 2012 were investigated retrospectively. A total of 590 patients (between 6 and 88 years of age; mean age: 51 ± 9 years) were included in the study. The MRCP imaging was carried out with an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device supplied with 3-T magnetic power and by obtaining T2-weighted images through the single-shot fast spin echo technique using the standard body coil. The axial and coronal source images and the reformatted images were evaluated together in terms of the possible anatomic variations. RESULTS: Among the 590 patients included in the study, of 233 (39.5 %) showed anatomic variations at different levels in the intra- and extrahepatic biliary tracts. Among these variations, a right posterior hepatic duct insertion to the left hepatic duct at the level of the bifurcation has been observed in 71 patients (12.1 %), trifurcation was observed in 30 patients (5.1 %) and insertion into the main hepatic duct at the proximal aspect of the cystic duct was observed in 18 patients (3.1 %). At the level of the cystic duct, medial insertion of the cystic duct was viewed in 58 patients (9.8 %), distal medial insertion was seen in 40 patients (6.8 %), a short cystic duct was detected in 10 patients (1.7 %), pancreatobiliary junction anomaly was viewed in two patients (0.4 %) and duplicate anatomic variations have been observed in 42 patients (7.2 %). CONCLUSION: MRCP studies conducted using 3-T MRI devices may reveal similar or greater numbers of variations when compared to the existing MRCP studies in the literature. 3-T MRI shows a couple of variations. Pointing out these anatomical variations before the surgical intervention may prevent possible iatrogenic traumas. Donors with unsuitable variations for liver transplant may be spotted out at an early phase through the MRCP and certain operations with a high morbidity rate may thus be avoided.

The distribution of stylohyoid chain anatomic variations by age groups and gender: an analysis using MDCT.

The aim of this study is to investigate the frequency of the SHC variations, and the distribution of the SP lengths in different age and sex groups using MDCT. MDCT scans were performed in 805 patients (401 males, 404 females). The patients were divided into six groups according to their ages. The length of the styloid process (SP) and its angulation on the transverse (TA) and sagittal (SA) planes were measured. Structural variations of the SHC were observed by means of three-dimensional (3D) and multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) images. Absence of the styloid process (n = 10), double proximal origin (n = 13), segmentation (n = 223), complete ossification (n = 24), and an SP with three proximal parts in one patient were among the anomalies detected. The mean length of the SP was greater in males than in females (33.2 ± 13.2 vs. 29.6 ± 10.5 mm, P < 0.001). Elongated SP (ESP) was observed in 56 % of the patients in the study group, and this ratio was the highest in Group 3 with 65.4 % (P < 0.05). TA and SA were 70.2° ± 4.1°, 69.9° ± 4.2° and 86.6° ± 6.5°, 88.3° ± 6.6° for the right and left sides, respectively. Besides, 3D and MPR images also present detailed and reliable data to radiologists and surgeons for the evaluation of the SHC. ESP has been detected in more than half of the patients, being more frequent in males and in individuals in the fifth decade of life. For an accurate diagnosis, clinicians should consider the ESP while evaluating the patients in this age group.

Venous intravasation as a complication and potential pitfall during hysterosalpingography: re-emerging study with a novel classification.

OBJECTIVES: Presently, hysterosalpingography (HSG) is used as a means to evaluate women with infertility and repetitive pregnancy loss. Venous intravasation is a complication and potential pitfall during HSG and analogous procedures including hysteroscopy. The aim of our study was to assess the venous intravasation and to obtain critical information for more secure and more accurate procedures. In particular, the primary goal of the present study was to compare HSG without and with intravasation to identify differences seen on HSG and to assess the predisposing factors of intravasation. The secondary goal was to describe clinical- and imaging-based novel classification of intravasation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included a patient cohort of 569 patients who underwent HSG between 2008 and 2011 at our center in the absence (control group) or presence (study group) of intravasation. Intravasation classified from level 0 (no intravasation) to level 3 (severe intravasation) was compared with preprocedural (demographic and clinical) and procedural (HSG) data. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) statistical software. RESULTS: Of the 569 patients undergoing HSG, 528 showed no intravasation and 41 (7.2%) patients showed intravasation when associated with preprocedural (leukocytes, menometrorrhagia, secondary infertility, ectopic pregnancy, abortus, polycystic ovaries, endometriosis, and interventions) and procedural (pain, scheduling, endometrial-uterine nature, and spillage) parameters. Moreover, intravasation was lower in women with smooth endometrium, triangular uterus, and homogeneous peritoneal spillage. No association was found between age, tubal patency, increased pressure, and intravasation. CONCLUSIONS: Using a novel classification method, intravasation can be observed in women during HSG and associates with preprocedural and procedural predisposing factors in subsumed conditions. This classification method will be useful for improving the efficiency and accuracy of HSG and related procedures by minimization of severe complications caused by intravasation.

Clinical and multidetector computed tomography findings of patients with median arcuate ligament syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to present the clinical and multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) findings of patients who were diagnosed with the median arcuate ligament (MAL) syndrome on MDCT retrospectively. METHODS: Seven hundred forty-four patients in whom MDCT angiography was performed were retrospectively analyzed for investigating incidental MAL syndrome. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients were shown to have MAL syndrome. Of 21 patients, 18 with MAL syndrome were asymptomatic. Three patients had some symptoms. On MDCT angiography, proximal narrowing of the arteries was observed in 21 patients. CONCLUSIONS: MDCT is a minimally invasive and useful tool for the diagnosis of MAL syndrome.

Are Breast Masses in Teenagers Always Benign? Undifferentiated Mesenchymal Sarcoma in a 14-Year-Old Girl.

BACKGROUND: This article is concerned with the evaluation of an adolescent breast mass using imaging methods. CASE REPORT: A 14-year-old girl presented with progressive asymmetric enlargement of the left breast. She had felt a breast lump about 4 months earlier, and over the last 2 months it had been growing progressively. Tumor markers, including AFP, CEA, CA15-3, and CA125, were all normal. Ultrasonography showed a hypoechoichyperechoic, solid mass. Magnetic resonance imaging of the breast revealed a well marginated mass with hypointensity on T1-weighted images and mild hyperintensity on T2-weighted images, which showed mild contrast uptake. Biopsy revealed an undifferentiated malignant mesenchymal sarcoma. The patient underwent mastectomy with axillary lymph node sampling. After the operation, she received 3 cycles of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: Due to the rarity of breast sarcoma and inadequate imaging methods to establish an exact diagnosis, radiologists and clinicians may misdiagnose and merely follow these tumors. As in our case, the histology of the patient may be the leading factor in the management of these tumors. Even in very young patients, progressively growing breast masses should alert the clinician to check for malignancy verified by biopsy.

Course anomalies of extracranial internal carotid artery and their relationship with pharyngeal wall: an evaluation with multislice CT.

PURPOSE: The goal of our study was to measure the prevalence of anomalies in the extracranial segment of internal carotid artery (ICA), to measure the carotid-pharyngeal distance (CPD). METHODS: Computed tomography (CT) angiography images of 607 patients were retrospectively examined. The course anomaly and CPD were obtained at different image plane. The patients were divided into four groups according to their age. RESULTS: The incidence of course anomaly in ICA was shown to be 60.3 %. Prevalence of course anomaly showed an increase with age (p < 0.001). Women had more ICAs with a course anomaly than men (p < 0.001). Mean CPD among all ICAs was found to be 11.13 mm. When CPD values were compared between the groups, group 1 and group 2 did not have a significant difference, however, there was a significant difference between other groups (p < 0.05). The CPD significantly decreased with age (p < 0.001). In ICAs that showed a straight course, the mean CPD was 13.0 mm, while in ICAs that showed course anomaly, the mean CPD was determined to be 9.49, showing a significant difference (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the number of ICAs that show a course anomaly increases with age, while the CPD decreases. The CPD is decreased in groups that show anomalies. The detection of a decreased CPD before surgery may lower the chance of a perioperative hemorrhage due to artery damage during pharyngeal procedures. Hence, while reporting neck CT angiographies, it may be valuable to also report the presence of ICA anomalies and CPD.

Facial vein aneurysm associated with sialadenitis.

A 20 year-old man presented with pain and swelling of the left submandibular area. Neck sonography revealed enlargement of the submandibular gland, coarsening of its echotexture with a few calculi and a multiloculated cystic lesion. Doppler sonography revealed venous flow within the cystic lesion and aneurysmal dilatation of the adjacent facial vein. CT angiography confirmed the facial vein aneurysm. We hypothesize that inflammation of the gland had weakened the wall of the adjacent facial vein, causing aneurysmal dilatation.

Multidetector CT imaging of arterial supply to sinuatrial and atrioventricular nodes.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to depict anatomic characteristics of sinuatrial nodal artery (SANA) and atrioventricular nodal artery (AVNA) of the heart with multidetector computed tomography. METHODS: In our study, 400 patients referred to radiology departments of two institutions for coronary CT angiography were retrospectively evaluated. 350 patients had been examined by dual-source 64-slice CT, and 50 patients by 64-section multidetector CT. Transverse sections with a thickness of 0.6 mm were used in dual-source 64-slice CT studies, and 0.8 mm were used in 64-section multidetector CT examinations for the evaluation of coronary arteries and conduction system branches. Anatomic origin, localization of the origin, diameter, number, course, and variants of the SANA and AVNA were examined with coronary multidetector CT angiography. RESULTS: SANA and AVNA could be imaged by multidetector CT in all patients. There was a single SANA in 383 (95.7%) patients, and two SANAs in 17 (4.2%) patients. Two hundred thirty-three (58.2%) patients had one SANA originating from right coronary artery (RCA), 149 (37.2%) patients had one SANA originating from left circumflex (LCX) artery, and one patient had a SANA originating from the aorta. AVNA originated from distal RCA in 351 patients (87.7% of all patients), and from distal LCX artery in 49 patients (12.3% of all patients). CONCLUSIONS: The arteries that supply the sinuatrial node and atrioventricular node can be imaged with multidetector CT. These arteries have variations in number, origin and course.