Thrombosis of a large saphenous vein graft aneurysm leading to acute myocardial infarction 21 years after coronary artery bypass grafting: role of cardiac multi-slice computed tomography.

We report a case of a 74-year-old male, who presented with an acute ST elevation posterior wall myocardial infarction (MI) 21 years following revascularization with three saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) to the left and right coronary arteries. In coronary angiography (CAG), the dilated SVG to the first marginal branch of the circumflex artery appeared only contrast enhanced in the proximal portion. The day after coronary angiography 128-slice cardiac computed tomography (CT) was performed. Cardiac CT showed a 5×3-cm incomplete thrombosed aneurysm of the proximal bypass with complete thrombotic occlusion of distal bypass grafting. With this diagnosis the patient was referred to a cardiothoracic unit for a second opinion. A surgical intervention was refused due to an increased intraoperative morbidity and occlusion of peripheral bypass portion. A follow-up CAG 10 days after infarction showed complete occlusion of the aneurysm. This case illustrates the utility of multi-slice CT to diagnose SVG aneurysm and influence clinical decisions for further treatment. This is the first report of a spontaneous SVG aneurysm thrombosis under a conservative treatment approach with recovery of the patient after MI. Clinical follow-up five months after infarction was unremarkable.

Quantification of total abdominal fat volumes using magnetic resonance imaging.

The purpose of this study was to develop a rapid and reliable method for the measurement of total abdominal fat volumes in diabetic patients using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Total volume coverage of the abdomen was obtained using T1-weighted images in 37 diabetic patients (age 48 +/- 13 y mean +/-SD). Quantification of intraabdominal (IAF), subcutaneous (SCF), and total abdominal fat volumes (TAF) was performed using a semiautomated computer assisted analysis. The variability of image analysis for fat measurements between two observers and within observers was assessed. Mean volumes (+/- SD) for IAF, SCF and TAF were 10.5 l (+/- 5.0 l), 15.1 l (+/-7.3 l) and 25.7 l (+/-11.5 l), respectively. Reliability of measurements was excellent for both observers (observer I: intraobserver reliability IAF, SCF and TAF: r = 0.999, r = 0.999 r = 1.0, observer II: r = 0.999, r = 0.999 and r = 1.0), as well as between both observers (interobserver reliability IAF, SCF, and TAF: r = 0.999, r = 0.999, r = 1.0). A single computer analysis required about 9 min in addition to 7 min scan time. The developed analysis method of MR images allows a rapid and reliable determination of total intraabdominal, subcutaneous and total fat volumes. This method has the potential to be very valuable in respective studies in patients with diabetes.

Correlation of bone marrow response with hematological, biochemical, and visceral responses to enzyme replacement therapy of nonneuronopathic (type 1) Gaucher disease in 30 adult patients.

PURPOSE: This investigation correlates the marrow response with the degree of increase in hemoglobin (Hb) and platelet count (Plt); decrease in concentrations of plasma tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), serum ferritin, and plasma chitotriosidase; and decrease in liver and spleen size, measured by ultrasonography. METHODS: Thirty adult patients with nonneuronopathic (type 1) Gaucher disease (23% splenectomized) were followed for mean periods of 12 and 36 months. RESULTS: The series achieved highly significant mean responses in all hematological, biochemical, and visceral parameters over both observation periods; over a mean 36 months, 19 (63%) had a marrow response, 11 (37%) did not. Six of 7 splenectomized patients attained a marrow response. There were no significant differences between the marrow responders and nonresponders in age, sex, spleen status, Gaucher genotype distribution, mean baseline hematological or biochemical values or liver size, or mean follow-up. At a mean follow-up of 12 months, no significant differences yet were evident between marrow responders and nonresponders in seven of eight response parameters, but marrow responders had a significantly greater reduction in plasma chitotriosidase and a trend toward significantly greater reduction in serum ACE. At a mean follow-up of 36 months, marrow responders had a significantly greater mean increase in Plt and mean decrease in serum ferritin concentration and liver size than did marrow nonresponders; the trend toward greater ACE reduction in marrow responders deepened. However, chitotriosidase response now was equivalent in both subgroups. Marrow nonresponders had a significantly greater mean diminution in spleen size than did marrow responders, but the marrow nonresponders had significantly larger mean spleen size at baseline. Marrow nonresponders also had a greater mean increase in Hb than did marrow responders, but the difference was not significant. The two subgroups had equivalent mean reductions of plasma TRAP. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical relevance of qualitative MRI of the bone marrow in monitoring patients receiving ERT for nonneuronopathic Gaucher disease show that marrow nonresponders can derive considerable benefit from ERT across a variety of other response parameters and suggest an influence of spleen size on marrow response to ERT.