Non-invasive angiographic analysis of dural carotid cavernous fistula using time-of-flight MR angiography and silent MR angiography: a comparative study.

BACKGROUND: A non-invasive, reliable imaging modality that characterizes cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistula (CSDAVF) is beneficial for diagnosis and to assess resolution on follow-up. PURPOSE: To assess the utility of 3D time-of-flight (TOF) and silent magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) for evaluation of CSDAVF from an endovascular perspective. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This prospective study included 37 patients with CSDAVF, who were subjected to digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and 3-T MR imaging with 3D TOF and silent MRA. The main arterial feeders, fistula site, and venous drainage pattern were evaluated, and the results were compared with DSA findings. The diagnostic confidence scores were also recorded using a 4-point Likert scale. RESULTS: Silent MRA correlated better for shunt site localization and angiographic classification (86% vs. 75% and 83% vs. 75%, respectively) compared to TOF MRA. The proportion of arterial feeders detected was marginally significant for silent MRA over TOF MRA sequences (92.8% vs. 89.5%; P=0.048), though for veins both were comparable. Sensitivity of silent MRA was higher for identification of cortical venous reflux (CVR) (90.9% vs. 81.8%) and deep venous drainage (82.4% vs. 64.7%), while specificity was >90% for both modalities. The overall diagnostic confidence score fared better for silent MRA for venous assessment (P < 0.001) as well as fistula point identification (P < 0.001), while no significant difference was evident with TOF MRA for arterial feeders (P=0.06). CONCLUSION: Various angiographic components of CSDAVF could be identified and delineated by 3D TOF and silent MRA, though silent MRA was superior for overall diagnostic assessment.

Direct Superior Ophthalmic Vein Approach to Treat Anterior Condylar Confluence Dural Arteriovenous Fistula.

Dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) are acquired pathological arteriovenous connections involving vessels that usually supply the meninges. A DAVF in the region of the hypoglossal canal is a rare form of fistula that involves the anterior condylar confluence or anterior condylar vein. We report a case of hypoglossal canal DAVF that was successfully embolized transvenously through a superior ophthalmic vein (SOV) approach. After failed attempts through jugular access, our patient was treated by a unique percutaneous direct puncture approach through the SOV, achieving complete obliteration of the fistula. A step-by-step description of the endovascular technique was described. The clinical course was uneventful without any new neurologic deficit. The eye symptoms and third nerve palsy had completely resolved at the 3-month follow-up visit. Hypoglossal canal DAVFs are rare and may exhibit complex venous drainage patterns. Knowledge of the complex venous anatomy is essential for planning an alternative transvenous route if the standard approach is not feasible. Xper CT (Philips Healthcare, Best, The Netherlands) is an excellent tool for identifying the exact site of the fistula as well as for confirming a safe position of the catheter tip for successful occlusion of this complex dural AV fistula.

Endovascular Management of Iatrogenic Vertebral Artery Transection During Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery: A Case Report.

Anterior surgical approaches to the cervical spinal pathology have become a frequently used technique. Anterior cervical spine surgeries are generally considered to be safe with low incidence of neurological complications. Vertebral artery (VA) injuries are infrequent during an anterior cervical spine approach but can be devastating. A retrospective review of these injuries documents an incidence of 0.3%-0.5%. However, there is no established strategy or guidelines for managing iatrogenic VA injuries. We describe a case of iatrogenic VA injury at C5 vertebral level during an anterior cervical approach for C5 cervical osteoblastoma; successful managed by endovascular coiling using detachable coils achieving complete occlusion. The patient had a good clinical outcome, with no symptoms of vertebrobasilar insufficiency at 2-year follow-up. There is a paradigm shift in the management of the VA injury after introduction of the interventional angiography. Endovascular embolization is a safe and effective treatment option, which offers certain advantages over open surgery such as minimal invasion, lower risk of neurological injury, lower morbidity, and recurrence rates.

An unusual presentation of COVID-19: Acute pancreatitis.

Novel COVID-19 infectious disease typically presents with pulmonary symptoms like cough, shortness of breath, and fever. However, gastrointestinal manifestations of COVID-19 are increasingly being recognized and drawn significant attention. We report an atypical case of acute pancreatitis in a patient with SARSCoV2 infection. CT scan of the abdomen showed findings suggestive of acute interstitial edematous pancreatitis with a CT severity index was 3. HRCT chest revealed multifocal ground glass opacities in both lungs with a CORADS score of 5. Later, nasal swab for COVID RT-PCR tested positive. The patient was treated symptomatically with fluid replacement, optimization of electrolyte balance and oxygen supplementation. She had an uneventful recovery with gradual resolution of her abdominal and pulmonary symptoms. COVID-19 pathogenesis is believed to be mediated by the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) receptor over the cell surface. ACE-2, which acts as a receptor for viral entry into host cells are highly expressed in pancreatic cells. All the reported cases of COVID-19 pancreatitis so far are known cases of COVID 19 pneumonia, developed acute pancreatitis or pancreatic injury in due course or during recovery of the illness. Ours is the first case to present with features of acute pancreatitis without any pulmonary symptoms, who turned out to be positive for COVID 19 during workup. Clinicians involved in the management of acute pancreatitis should be aware of its existence in the context of COVID-19. Further studies are needed to establish the real prevalence and clinical significance of pancreatic injury in COVID-19 patients.

Unusual imaging appearance of a rare cortical ependymoma mimicking angiocentric glioma.

Cortical ependymomas are uncommon lesions. We report a cortical ependymoma displaying an unusual imaging pattern. The lesion demonstrated a T1 hyperintense rim and limited perilesional edema but lacked contrast enhancement. T1 hyperintense rim and stalk-like ventricular extension of FLAIR hyperintensity have previously been considered pathognomonic of angiocentric glioma. Hence, we conclude that the radiologists should be aware of this uncommon imaging pattern of cortical ependymoma. The condition warrants prompt surgical management in view of the increased potential for higher grade transformation, unlike grade I roman numeral may be given angiocentric gliomas.

Isolated hepatobiliary tuberculosis: a diagnostic challenge.

Hepatobiliary system involvement is frequently seen as part of disseminated tubercular infection. But primary isolated hepatobiliary tuberculosis with no evidence of tuberculosis elsewhere in the body is extremely rare. Isolated hepatobiliary tuberculosis can cause diagnostic dilemma as the clinical, laboratory and imaging features are non-specific in majority of the cases. We report the case of a 50-year-old woman who presented with hepatobiliary tuberculosis with no pulmonary or extra hepatic involvement. Liver function tests were abnormal and ultrasonography (USG), CT and MR cholangiopancreatography showed multiple focal lesions in the liver. The diagnosis of tuberculosis was confirmed by a USG-guided biopsy of the liver lesions. In endemic regions with the presence of supportive imaging findings, in the appropriate clinical setting, the possibility of hepatic tuberculosis should be considered and diagnosis has to be confirmed with histopathological examination.