Comparison of double-contrast CT arthrography image quality with nonionic contrast agents: isotonic dimeric iodixanol 270 mg I/mL and monomeric iohexol 300 mg I/mL.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The authors evaluated the image quality on delayed CT arthrography images with the use of the nonionic dimeric contrast agent, iodixanol 270 mg I/mL, compared with iohexol 300 mg I/mL. METHODS: A total of 132 patients with shoulder pain were included in a randomized, parallel, double-blind study. Sixty seven patients received iodixanol and 65 patients received iohexol. Patients underwent two CT-arthrography examinations: the first was performed 20 to 30 minutes after contrast injection and the second, 50 to 70 minutes after contrast injection. Data from 31 patients were excluded from the efficacy analysis. The overall quality of CT arthrography images was graded into four categories: excellent, good, moderate, and bad. RESULTS: The overall quality of delayed CT arthrography images was significantly better in the iodixanol group (P = 0.001, alpha = 0.05). On the first CT examination, image quality was good or excellent in 88% of the cases in the iodixanol group and in 96.1% in the iohexol group. The results on the delayed CT arthrography examination indicated that image quality was good or excellent in 88% of the cases when iodixanol was used and in 63.5% when iohexol was used. CONCLUSIONS: The overall quality of delayed images was significantly better with iodixanol than with iohexol.

An aortocaval fistula diagnosed with 1.5-T magnetic resonance angiography.

We report a case of aortocaval fistula demonstrated with gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) angiography. Specific radiographic features of this rare complication, such as early and intense enhancement of the inferior vena cava, are underlined with MR imaging. The exact location of the fistula can also be assessed with this noninvasive imaging technique. Moreover, the absence of iodinated contrast media makes it particularly suited for stable patients with renal insufficiency. A complete preoperative assessment of abdominal aortic aneurysm can be performed with MR imaging.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in an unusual cystic lymphoepithelial lesion of the lung.

AIMS: We present the clinical and histopathological findings of an unusual pulmonary cystic lymphoepithelial lesion in an HIV sero-positive patient. METHODS AND RESULTS: The 32-year-old female patient developed two nodules in the vicinity of the right and left hila. Left upper lobectomy showed a 40-mm wide cystic lesion. The cyst wall was lined by a squamous epithelium and lymphoid tissue with a marked follicular hyperplasia and a prominent follicular cell dendritic network expressing HIV major core protein p24. CONCLUSIONS: The absence of an Epstein-Barr virus infected lymphoid population and monoclonal immunoglobulin gene rearrangement supported the benign nature of the lesion.