Augmented mannose-binding lectin levels in primary membranous nephropathy: A pilot study.

There is evidence to suggest that M-type phospholipase A2 (PLA2R) antibodies activate the mannose-binding lectin (MBL) cascade, resulting in glomerular damage and proteinuria in patients with primary membranous nephropathy (PMN). Furthermore, there are few reports indicating that aberrant MBL activation is associated with endothelial dysfunction and accelerated atherosclerosis. While PMN is a common cause of adult nephrotic syndrome, and patients are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), there is a lack of research that explores the factors that contribute to this condition. This study aims to determine the MBL levels in PMN and their relation to the clinical activity and endothelial dysfunction in PMN. The MBL levels of 22 biopsy-confirmed PMN patients were assessed at baseline and after 6 months of immunosuppressive therapy. In order to evaluate endothelial dysfunction in PMN patients, flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) was measured at baseline and after treatment. A total of 22 healthy controls were included in this study to measure MBL levels and FMD. A significant difference was observed between MBL levels in PMN patients and healthy controls (p < .01). MBL levels decreased significantly after immunosuppressive therapy (p = .04). The baseline MBL levels and FMD levels exhibited a strong correlation (Spearman correlation coefficient [ρ] = 0.51: p = .01). In conclusion, the study signals the activation of the MBL cascade and its association with endothelial dysfunction in PMN patients.

Potential application of 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT for diagnosing cardiac sarcoidosis.

Detecting cardiac sarcoidosis; a potentially life-threatening condition is challenging and requires a multimodality imaging approach using echocardiography, PET/CT and CMR. Although 18F-FDG is the recommended PET tracer for evaluating cardiac sarcoidosis, it is limited by physiological cardiac FDG uptake and requires stringent patient preparation/ dietary modifications before imaging. We hereby present a case of cardiac sarcoidosis demonstrating myocardial FAPI uptake on cardiac PET, highlighting the potential role of 68Ga-FAPI PET in the evaluation of cardiac sarcoidosis.

A large type I right pulmonary artery to left atrium fistula: underwent successful percutaneous device closure with duct occluder-a rare case report.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary artery to left atrium fistula is an unusual structural cause of silent cyanosis. Only less than 100 cases have been reported so far. A high index of clinical suspicion and proper evaluation with bubble contrast echocardiography and cardiac computed tomography (CT) will help to detect this treatable anomaly. The advent of safer percutaneous closure methods has replaced the need for more invasive surgical closure. CASE PRESENTATION: We report an adolescent boy, who presented with long-standing cyanosis and progressive dyspnea with normal clinical cardiovascular examination. On evaluation, echocardiography and bubble contrast study revealed a large right pulmonary artery (RPA) to left atrium (LA) fistula. Cardiac CT confirmed the same with normal pulmonary venous drainage s/o a large 20 mm Type I RPA LA Fistula. He underwent successful percutaneous closure of the fistula tract with a 22 × 24 mm Cera™ duct occluder via transseptal approach uneventfully. CONCLUSION: Our case enlightens the methodological approach to diagnosing this rare anomaly as well as the feasibility of percutaneous intervention in such cases as it is one of the largest fistula tracts closed percutaneously to date.

Autoimmune disorders of the gastrointestinal tract: Review of radiological appearances.

Autoimmune gastrointestinal (GI) disorders comprise a heterogeneous group of diseases with non-specific clinical manifestations. These are divided into primary and secondary. A high index of clinical suspicion complemented with endoscopic and radiological imaging may allow early diagnosis. Due to the relatively low incidence of autoimmune disorder, the imaging literature is sparse. In this review, we outline the pathogenesis, classification, and imaging appearances of autoimmune GI disorders.

Hitherto Unreported Pattern of Complex Obstructive Partial Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Drainage with Dual Drainage of Accessory Pulmonary Veins.

Partial anomalous pulmonary venous drainage is a congenital cardiac disorder characterized by abnormal drainage of one or more pulmonary veins into the systemic circulation. It can be isolated or associated with other congenital cardiac anomalies, most commonly atrial septal defect and patent ductus arteriosus. The clinical presentation is variable and depends on the degree of shunting and associated cardiac anomalies. Many patients usually remain asymptomatic until late in life. In this article, we presented a complex case of obstructive partial anomalous pulmonary venous drainage with dual drainage of bilateral accessory pulmonary veins with intact interatrial septum in conjunction with a patent ductus arteriosus and a ventricular septal defect. This pattern is incredibly rare and to the best of our knowledge has not been previously reported. Computed tomography played a pivotal role in precisely elucidating the intricate anatomy in this case with a complex pattern of anomalous pulmonary venous drainage.

Complete Duplication of Inferior Vena Cava Coexisting with Double Superior Vena Cava In Situ Solitus: Hitherto Unreported Pattern.

Congenital anomalies of inferior vena cava are increasingly being recognized with the technical advancements and increased utilization of cross-sectional imaging techniques. Duplication of inferior vena cava classically involves duplication of the infrarenal segment, where both inferior vena cava ascend on either side of the abdominal aorta until they form a confluence at the level of the renal veins. It has been extensively described in literature with few reports of more complex variation in the form of duplicated infrarenal inferior vena cava with azygos or hemiazygos continuation. This article describes extremely rare complete duplication of inferior vena cava involving both suprarenal and infrarenal segments. Moreover, the complete duplication of inferior vena cava is seen in association with concomitant double superior vena cava, in a patient with visceroatrial situs solitus and associated congenital heart disease, which to the best of our knowledge, has not been reported so far in literature. This study also highlights the utility of multidetector computed tomography in accurate identification of such anomalies.

Spectrum of Multidetector Computed Tomography Imaging Findings in Iatrogenic Abdominopelvic Injuries: A Comprehensive Pictorial Review.

Iatrogenic injuries are unavoidable complications of surgeries and minimally invasive procedures. They are generally classified into vascular and nonvascular injuries and based on the time of injury into early and late injuries. Iatrogenic injuries, particularly vascular injuries, increase the mortality and morbidity, with prolongation of hospital-stay. Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) is a highly sensitive, and often the first imaging modality in suspected iatrogenic injuries. This pictorial review elucidates the imaging considerations and appearances of iatrogenic injuries of the abdominopelvic organs on MDCT.

Right Aortic Arch with Bicarotid Trunk and Isolated Left Subclavian Artery: Hitherto Unreported Pattern.

Variant arch anatomy may be seen associated with many congenital heart diseases. Its accurate preoperative identification is of paramount importance in optimal surgical planning of such cases. This case describes one such variant arch anatomy with two vessel right aortic arch, comprising of bicarotid trunk (giving rise to bilateral common carotid arteries) and right subclavian artery with isolation of the left subclavian artery, in a patient with tetralogy of Fallot. Right aortic arch with isolated left subclavian artery has already been described in association with tetralogy of Fallot. However, to the best of our knowledge, present arch pattern consisting of right aortic arch with bicarotid trunk and isolated left subclavian artery has not been reported in literature so far. Moreover, this case highlights the utility of multidetector computed tomography in accurate identification of variant arch anatomy in addition to delineation of cardiac and extracardiac details.

Comparison of Dual-Energy Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography-Derived Contrast Enhancement with Standard Dual-Energy Pulmonary Angiography in Diagnosing Subsegmental Pulmonary Embolism: A Prospective Study.

Objective In this study, we compare the diagnostic accuracy of dual-energy (DE) computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) derived contrast enhancement (DECTPA, CTPA images with iodine maps) with standard dual-energy pulmonary angiography (SCTPA) for diagnosis of subsegmental pulmonary embolism in the cases with clinical suspicion of acute pulmonary embolism (APE). Materials and Methods We included 50 cases with clinical suspicion of APE that were referred for CTPA. All the patients underwent CTPA in the dual-energy protocol. Two radiologists evaluated the images. The first radiologist interpreted the SCTPA images (vascular images) and the second radiologist interpreted the DECTPA (CTPA images with iodine maps) for findings of APE. We calculated the sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value of DECTPA vis-à-vis SCTPA images. Results The DECTPA with the advantage of iodine map utilization yielded higher detection of thrombi in peripheral subsegmental arteries (72 vs. 99; p = - 0.001) as compared to the SCTPA images by identification of 18 new perfusion defects (interquartile range [IQR]: 0-1) that were consistent with APE. Filling defects were identified in 27 (IQR: 0-4) more subsegmental arteries supplying these 18 areas, which were not detected on SCTPA alone. These 18 perfusion defects were identified in 13 cases. In these 13 cases, 4 new cases were diagnosed that were negative on CTPA ( p = -0.125). In the evaluation of the APE, sensitivity and specificity were calculated and it was found that DECTPA showed 100% sensitivity and 86% specificity with 100% negative predictive value in the detection of thrombi as compared to the routine CTPA. Conclusion DECTPA has higher sensitivity and negative predictive value in the detection of the subsegmental perfusion defect identification as compared to SCTPA.

Basic Concepts and Insights into Aortopulmonary Collateral Arteries in Congenital Heart Diseases.

Aortopulmonary collateral arteries are persistent embryological vessels supplying lung parenchyma in various cardiopulmonary diseases with underlying pulmonary hypoperfusion. Their identification and mapping are important because of associated clinical implications and tendency to affect the surgical outcome. This article describes the embryological development and clinical relevance of aortopulmonary collaterals in various congenital cardiopulmonary conditions, along with the significance for treatment planning. Roles, strength, and shortcomings of the various imaging options and image-guided interventions are discussed, with a focus on presurgical planning and preparation, as well as postsurgical management.