Radical sternectomy for osteomyelitis without reconstruction post-coronary artery bypass graft: 10 years on.

Radical sternectomy with sternal reconstruction using synthetic mesh or titanium plates has been described before with excellent results. However, radical removal of the sternum without reconstruction is a rare surgical treatment for complicated deep sternal wound infections (DSWI). The long-term outcome following this radical operation is not well-known due to the limited number of cases in the literature. We report on a patient 10 years after a radical sternectomy for DSWI who presented with shortness of breath. We highlight some of the anatomical and physiological changes the chest cavity may undergo and the fact that this patient had a near normal quality of life in the 10 years following the sternectomy.

Patterns of cardiovascular magnetic resonance inflammation in acute myocarditis from South Asia and Middle East.

Background: Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is the test of choice for diagnosis and risk stratification of myocardial inflammation in acute viral myocarditis. The objective of this study was to assess patterns of CMR inflammation in a cohort of acute myocarditis patients from Northern Africa, Asia, and the Middle East using unsupervised machine learning. Methods: A total of 169 racially and ethnically diverse adults ( ≥ 18 years of age) with CMR confirmed acute myocarditis were studied. The primary outcome was a combined clinical endpoint of cardiac death, arrhythmia, and dilated cardiomyopathy. Machine learning was used for exploratory analysis to identify patterns of CMR inflammation. Results: Our cohort was diverse with 25% from Northern Africa, 33% from Southern Asia, and 28% from Western Asia/the Middle East. Twelve patients met the combined clinical endpoint - 3 had arrythmia, 8 had dilated cardiomyopathy, and 1 died. Patients who met the combined endpoint had increased anterior (p = 0.034) and septal (p = 0.042) late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). Multivariable logistic regression, adjusted for age, gender, and BMI, found that patients from Southern Asia (p = 0.041) and the Middle East (p = 0.043) were independently associated with lateral LGE. Unsupervised machine learning and factor analysis identified two distinct CMR patterns of inflammation, one with increased LGE and the other with increased myocardial T1/T2. Conclusions: We found that anteroseptal inflammation is associated with worsened outcomes. Using machine learning, we identified two patterns of myocardial inflammation in acute myocarditis from CMR in a racially and ethnically diverse group of patients from Southern Asia, Northern Africa, and the Middle East.

Incidental Non-cardiac Findings in Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography: Is it Worth Reporting?

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence and significance of incidental non-cardiac findings (INCFs) in coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) using a dual-source multidetector computed tomography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of all CCTA studies performed over a time period for various indications was included in the study. After exclusions, CCTA of 1713 patients was evaluated by two experienced cardiac radiologists for non-cardiac abnormalities in the full field-of-view limited contrast chest series. The scans were acquired from the level of the carina to just below the diaphragm. INCFs were classified into three categories: Significant, indeterminate, and insignificant findings based on their clinical impact and availability of prior imaging and clinical details. RESULTS: The study cohort consisted of 1123 males (mean age of 58 years) and 590 females (mean age of 64 years). INCFs were seen in 600 patients of 1713 patients. A total of 812 INCFs (47.5%) were found in 1713 patients. Of those, 568 (70%) were considered insignificant, 205 (25.2%) indeterminate, and 39 significant findings (4.9%). The prevalence of significant findings was 2.3%. Among the 39 significant findings, after correlating with clinical details and other imaging, nine were really significant findings (0.5%) and out of this, four turned out to be cancers (0.2%). CONCLUSION: Large number of INCFs can be found in CCTA with majority of them being insignificant or of minimal clinical impact. Although the proportion of significant findings is small and may not be cost beneficial, it is prudent to evaluate all the available data and to make appropriate classification of INCFs which can help in further management.

A Rare Right Ventricular Involvement of Eosinophilic Granulomatosis Demonstrated by Cardiac MRI.

BACKGROUND: Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a rare systemic vasculitis with a prevalence rate of seven per million. Cardiac involvement was reported in 20-50%, yet with improved diagnostic methods, the frequency of cardiac involvement is expected to be even higher. It can result in significant morbidity and mortality, accounting for about 50% of death. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is used to evaluate the myocardium, valves, coronary arteries, pericardium, also to assess cardiac structure and function. Perfusion study allows tissue characterisation with a suggestive pattern of late gadolinium enhancement. CASE REPORT: We report a rare case of EGPA in a 54-year-old male patient who presented with fever, sore throat and dizziness. Echocardiography showed a filling defect at the apex of the right ventricle (RV). CMR findings suggested the diagnosis of EGPA by demonstrating an impressive lesion at RV apex with the typical 3-layer appearance and thrombus formation. Post-gadolinium subendocardial hyperenhancement suggested focal involvement at the inferolateral wall of the left ventricle. Computed Tomography (CT) was done to rule out calcific or soft plaques of the coronary arteries, small vessel vasculitis and small aneurysm. CT scan showed a low-attenuation lesion at the inner wall of the right ventricle. In the lungs, bilateral interstitial changes and bilateral cystic bronchiectases were found. Under appropriate treatment, the patient improved clinically. CONCLUSIONS: It is of crucial importance to perform full cardiac imaging that includes CMR even in asymptomatic patients with suspected EGPA, since early identification of cardiac involvement may allow to apply appropriate therapy and full recovery of the patient.