Venous air emboli during esophagoscopy confirmed by computed tomographic pulmonary angiography -a case report.

BACKGROUND: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is vital for the diagnosis and treatment of various gastrointestinal conditions but carries a low risk of venous air embolism (VAE). We report a case of VAE during EGD, confirmed by computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA). CASE: A 56-year-old male with a history of hypopharyngeal cancer underwent EGD for dysphagia-related esophageal dilation. Signs of VAE were noted, prompting swift interventions, including oxygen therapy, positional changes, and CTPA. CTPA revealed the Mercedes-Benz sign, pneumomediastinum, and a minimal pneumothorax. The patient's oxygen saturation improved within 30 min before undergoing CTPA, and he was discharged on postoperative day 4. CONCLUSIONS: Timely recognition of VAE, resulting in appropriate interventions supported by CTPA, resulted in favorable patient outcomes.

Normal variations of the superior vena cava and azygos venous system depiction by CT scan in the adult Thai population.

BACKGROUND: Identification of normal variations to the thoracic central venous system anatomy is essential in radiological intervention and cardiothoracic surgery to prevent complications. PURPOSE: To estimate the prevalence and pattern of normal variations of superior vena cava (SVC) and azygos venous system as well as factors associated with normal variations of SVC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Venous-phase chest CT of 1336 patients were retrospectively reviewed. Age, sex, and underlying disease were recorded. SVC diameter and cross-sectional area were measured to evaluate for associations with normal variations. RESULTS: The prevalence of normal anatomical variations of SVC and azygos venous system were 0.3% and 1.5%, respectively. Duplicated SVC was the most common variations. The most common variation for the azygos venous system was the connection between the hemiazygos and accessory hemiazygos veins draining into the left brachiocephalic vein (12/1336 cases, 0.9%). The median (interquartile range [IQR]) cross-sectional area compared between normal SVC (297.2 mm2) and duplicated SVC (223.5 mm2) showed a statistically significant difference (P = 0.033). CONCLUSION: This study determined the prevalence of rare normal variations of the azygos venous system, a connection between the hemiazygos and accessory hemiazygos veins draining into the left brachiocephalic vein. The prevalence of normal variations of the SVC and azygos venous system in the adult Thai population was similar with that of previous publications. Cross-sectional area was the only factor with a significant association with SVC variations.

Can clot size and stenotic degree predict perfusion defects on conventional computed tomographic pulmonary angiography in diagnoses of pulmonary embolism?

Purpose: To evaluate clot size and stenotic degree on conventional computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) with perfusion defect. Material and Methods: Fifty-two pulmonary embolism (PE) patients with 144 PE locations underwent dual-energy CTPA with an iodine distribution map. Each PE location was rated as to whether there was a perfusion defect. Clot size, stenotic degree, and other associated PE findings were evaluated. These findings were then correlated with whether the perfusion defect was present. Results: There were no associations between demographics, clinical characteristics, anatomical data, and perfusion defect. The median iodine concentration ratio was 0.11. Imaging interpretation by 2 thoracic radiologists had excellent agreement. The clot size and stenotic degree in PE were significant predictors of perfusion defect on conventional CTPA. Lesions with higher degrees of stenosis had higher percentages of perfusion defect. The generalized estimating equation (GEE) logistic regression confirmed that clot size and stenotic degree could predict PE perfusion defects on conventional CTPA. Conclusions: The 2 significant predictors of perfusion defect were occluded vessels in both small and large branches together, or complete occlusion of the pulmonary artery.

Is "gallbladder length-to-width ratio" useful in diagnosing biliary atresia?

BACKGROUND: The accurate assessment of gallbladder shape and wall abnormalities by ultrasound (US) in diagnosing biliary atresia (BA) remains a subjective determination. The objective of this study was to examine the reliability of gallbladder length-to-width ratio (LTWR) by US measurement for diagnosis of BA. METHODS: One hundred infants with conjugated hyperbilirubinemia and unknown cause of jaundice who underwent transabdominal US from February 2009 to February 2017 were enrolled. The gallbladder classification and other detailed US findings were reviewed. RESULTS: There were statistical differences in gallbladder lumen, classification, length, width and LTWR of gallbladder (all P < 0.05) between BA and non-BA groups. The gallbladder LTWR with a cutoff at 4.1 had the highest sensitivity of 71.7%, while the fibrotic cord thickness had the highest specificity of 95.9%. The combination of portal vein (PV) diameter > 4.4 mm, hepatic artery (HA) diameter > 1.2 mm, and gallbladder LTWR >4.1, provided much higher specificity (98%), odds ratio (11), and positive likelihood ratio (LR+) (10.6). CONCLUSION: The gallbladder LTWR by US could be a suggestive US parameter for BA screening. The triad of PV diameter, HA diameter, and gallbladder LTWR yielded the highest specificity, odds ratio, and LR+ for diagnosing BA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III study of diagnostic test.