Carotid arteries and vertebrobasilary system intracranial stenosis correlates with multi vessel coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: The goal of this study was to show the importance of the identifying potential carotid and vertebrobasilar stenosis with Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA) in severe coronary artery disease. METHODS: In 109 patients, CTA of the carotid and the vertebrobasilar system were taken in the six months following the Coronary Angiography (CA). Coronary arteries and carotid vertebrobasilar system stenosis were considered significant at more than ≥ 50 %. RESULTS: A significant statistical relationship was found between a coronary artery group of three-vessel disease (3-VD) and stenosis of the cervical segments of the right (p = 0.022) and left internal carotid artery (ICA) (p = 0.001); intracranial segments of the right (p = 0.007) and left ICA (p = 0.020), and the right vertebral artery (VA) (p = 0.008). There was a significant statistical relationship between Gensini score and stenosis of both the right (p = 0.030) and the left ICA cervical segments (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: In patients with severe coronary artery disease especially in 3-VD, CTA scan may be useful diagnostic tool for identifying stenosis of the carotid arteries, particularly in the intracranial segments of the ICA and in the preforaminal (V1) segment of the VA (Tab. 4, Fig. 3, Ref. 22).

Ultrasonographic diagnosis of acute pancreatitis caused by ruptured hydatid disease to the biliary system.

Acute pancreatitis is a rare complication of hydatic disease which occurs following the rupture of a cyst to the intrahepatic bile ducts. Herein, we report a case of a 34-year-old Turkish man, who presented with upper abdominal pain. In laboratory examination, amylase and lipase levels were elevated. Ultrasound examination showed a cystic hypoechoic mass lesion located in the right lobe of the liver with dilated intrahepatic bile ducts, and germinative membranes were detected originating from the ruptured hydatid cyst to the common bile duct. The pancreas was found to be diffusely hypoechoic, consistent with acute pancreatitis. Contrast enhanced CT and MRI were also performed for further evaluation of the primary lesion and its complications.