Quantification of epicardial fat: Which method can predict significant coronary artery disease?

AIM: To compare the predictive value of three methods of epicardial fat (EF) assessment for presence of significant coronary artery disease (CAD) [i.e., epicardial fat volume (EFV), EFV indexed with body surface area (EFV/BSA) and EFV indexed with body mass index (EFV/BMI)]. METHODS: The study was performed on 170 patients (85 women and 85 men) with clinical suspicion of CAD. They aged 26-89 years with a median age of 54 years. The patients were classified into three groups: Group 1: 58 patients with normal coronary arteries; group 2: 48 patients with non-significant CAD and group 3: 64 patients with significant CAD. The three methods for assessment of epicardial fat were retrospectively studied to determine the best method to predict the presence of significant CAD. RESULTS: The three methods for epicardial fat quantification and measurements, i.e., EFV, EFV/BSA and EFV/BMI with post- hoc analysis showed a significant difference between patients with significant coronary artery disease compared to the normal group. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed no significant difference between the three methods of epicardial fat measurements, the area under curve ranging between 0.6 and 0.62. The optimal cut-off was 80.3 cm(3) for EFV, 2.4 cm(3)/m(2) for EFV indexed with BMI and 41.7 cm(3)/(kg/m(2)) for EFV indexed with BSA. For this cut-off the sensitivity ranged between 0.92 and 0.94, while specificity varied from 0.31 to 0.35. CONCLUSION: Any one of the three methods for assessment of epicardial fat can be used to predict significant CAD since all have the same equivalent predictive value.

Distinct sonographic features of acute appendicitis in sickle cell disease.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to report sonographic findings of appendicitis in patients with positive screening tests for sickle cell compared to normal control patients. DESIGN AND SETTING: A retrospective study of the medical records of 396 patients who underwent appendectomy during a 3-year period from March 2005-2008. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 216 males and 180 females, whose ages ranged from 7 to 55 years. Four patients (0.9%) had sickle cell disease (SCD), 101 had sickle cell trait (SCT) (25%) and 291 (74%) patients were without sickle cell anemia (control group). RESULTS: Positive sonographic findings of appendicitis were identified in 95 (90%) SCT patients and in 253 (87%) control patients. The mean maximal mural thickness was higher in sickle cell patients (4.5 [1.4] mm) in comparison with the control group (3.0 [2.2] mm) (P < .0001). Appendicolith was significantly detected in 53% of the control group and in 8.5% of the sickle cell group (P < .0001). Color Doppler showed hypervascularity in 72% of patients with appendicitis in the control group with a significant difference compared to only 12 cases (11%) of SC patients (P < .05). Ultrasonography findings suggesting perforation were found in 35 sickle cell patients and in 75% (3 of the 4 patients) with SCD. Findings suggesting perforation were found only in 49 patients (17%) of the control group. Perforated appendix was significantly higher in sickle cell patients in preoperative US and intraoperatively (P < .05) CONCLUSION: Positive sonographic findings of appendicitis in sickle cell patients are different from the general population. These findings include mural thickening with a low incidence of appendicolith and wall hypervascularity. Also sonographic features of perforation in sickle cell patients are more common suggesting a need for more urgent operative intervention.

Assessment of gray matter heterotopia by magnetic resonance imaging.

AIM: To evaluate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of different types of gray matter heterotopia. METHODS: Between June 2005 and December 2009, the medical records and MRI studies of patients with gray matter heterotopia were reviewed. The MRI morphologic findings of heterotopia were recorded along with the presence and type of associated cranial malformations. Available clinical and electrophysiological data were also recorded. RESULTS: 20 patients were included in the study. Their ages ranged from 9 mo to 39 years with a mean age of 15 years. All patients suffered from epileptic seizures. According to the location of heterotopia, patients were classified into three groups: subependymal (12), subcortical (5) and band (3) heterotopia. CONCLUSION: MRI was useful in diagnosing and differentiating between various types of gray matter heterotopia. The severity of clinical manifestations of heterotopia was related to the location and pattern of heterotopia. Determination of heterotopia type and its extent is useful for management planning and predicting prognosis.

Imaging in male-factor obstructive infertility.

The main purpose of imaging evaluation in male infertility is to identify and treat correctable causes of infertility, such as obstruction of the seminal tract. Various imaging modalities are available to evaluate men with obstructive infertility including scrotal ultrasonography, transrectal ultrasound (TRUS), vasography, magnetic resonance imaging, seminal vesicle aspiration, seminal tract washout, and seminal vesiculography. To date the most reliable and accurate diagnostic technique for obstructive infertility is unclear. In this review article, we report the role of these modalities in diagnosis of obstructive infertility. Scrotal sonography is the initial modality, and if patient results indicate non obstructive azoospermia as varicocele or testicular pathology they will be treated according to standard protocols for management of these pathologies. If the patient findings indicate proximal obstructive azoospermia, they can be managed by vasoepididymostomy. If the scrotal ultrasound is normal, TRUS is the second imaging modality. Accordingly, they are classified into patients with criteria of obstructive infertility without urogenital cysts where TRUS-guided aspiration and seminal vesiculography can be performed and transurethral resection of the ejaculatory ducts (TURED) will be the management of choice. In patients with urogenital cyst, TRUS-guided cyst aspiration and opacification are performed. If the cyst is communicating with the seminal tract, management will be transurethral incision of the cyst. If the cyst is not in communication, the obstruction may be relieved after cyst aspiration. If the obstruction is not relieved, TURED will be the management of choice. Sperm harvested during aspiration may be stored and used in assisted reproduction techniques. If the results of TRUS are inconclusive or doubtful, endorectal magnetic resonance imaging should be performed to serve as a "detailed map" for guiding corrective operative interventions.

Diagnostic dilemmas, course, management and prognosis of traumatic lung cysts in children.

The patients were 8 and 9 years old respectively. Both were passengers in a vehicle and suffered multisystem injuries. Case no.1 suffered a fractured occipital bone, lung contusions and a small pneumothorax in addition to the traumatic lung cysts in the left lung. Case 2 sustained contused and lacerated liver and right lung cysts. CT examination showed cystic areas in the lung which were diagnostic in case 2. In case 1 a traumatic rupture of diaphragm could not be ruled out and the patient underwent an exploratory laparotomy to deal with the same. The lung cysts in both the patients were treated conservatively and both showed resolution in repeat CT scans done at 6 months.

Congenital pouch colon syndrome in a Saudi Arabian neonate.

Congenital pouch colon syndrome is partial or complete replacement of the colon by a pouch-like structure and anorectal malformation. Commonly reported from northern India, we believe this is the first report of congenital pouch colon syndrome in a Saudi Arabian neonate. He was referred with an imperforate anus and diagnosed as having a high anorectal malformation. The patient underwent a sigmoid colostomy. Continued abdominal distension after the colostomy prompted sonography and computed tomography, which showed an air- and fluid-containing cystic structure in the abdomen. Exploration revealed a thick-walled cystic structure in continuity with the distal colostomy and with a blood supply mainly from the superior mesenteric artery. The ureters were dilated and tortuous and the pouch opened into the posterior vesical wall. The pouch was resected and an end colostomy fashioned. The etiopathogenesis classification and management of the congenital pouch colon syndrome are discussed.

Efficacy of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of osteoid osteoma in children.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) ablation of osteoid osteoma has high technical and clinical success rates. However, there are limited data on its use in the treatment of osteoid osteoma in children. OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety and efficacy of CT-guided percutaneous RF ablation of osteoid osteoma in children and compare the outcomes with published data on its use in patients unselected for age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2003 to July 2006, 23 children with osteoid osteoma were treated with CT-guided RF ablation using a straight rigid electrode. Their mean age was 11 years (range 3.5-16 years) and there were 15 boys and 8 girls. The procedures were carried out under general anaesthesia. Follow-up was performed to assess technical and clinical outcome. The mean follow-up period was 2.5 years (range 13-49 months). RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in 21 children (91.3%). Failure occurred in two children, in one due to failure to adequately localize the nidus within the dense sclerosis and in the other because of a short ablation time (2 min) because he developed hyperthermia. Clinical success was achieved in 18 patients within 2-5 days (primary clinical success rate 78.2%).These patients were allowed to fully weight-bear and function without limitation 1 week after the procedure. Pain recurrence was observed in two patients; one was treated successfully with a second ablation after 6 months (secondary clinical success rate 82.6%). Hyperthermia was observed in two patients during the procedure. Three other minor complications were observed: wound infection in one child and skin burn in two children. No major immediate or delayed complications were observed. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous CT-guided RF ablation is an effective and safe minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of osteoid osteoma in children. It has high technical and clinical success rates that are slightly lower than those of patients with a wider range of ages.

Paternity after varicocelectomy: preoperative sonographic parameters of success.

OBJECTIVE: This study was done to assess the sonographic findings that could predict the outcome of varicocele repair in the treatment of male infertility/subfertility related to varicocele. METHODS: This was a retrospective study and follow-up of 107 selected patients with male factor infertility related to the presence of varicocele. The patients were classified into 2 groups according to their estimated testicular size by sonography. Group 1 included 80 patients with normal-sized testes (>15 cm(3)), and group 2 included 27 patients with small testes (10-15 cm(3)). The mean age +/- SD was 34 +/- 11 years. The mean duration of infertility was 3.4 +/- 1.4 years. They had oligospermia, asthenospermia, or oligoasthenospermia. The patients underwent low ligation varicocelectomy and were followed for 18 to 45 months after surgery for occurrence of paternity. Their scrotal sonographic findings were reviewed and correlated with the postoperative paternity rate. RESULTS: Postoperative paternity was achieved in 24 patients (30%) of group 1 with normal-sized testes and in 3 patients (11%) of group 2 with small testes. In patients of group 1, the positive paternity rate was higher (36.6%) in patients with clinically detected varicocele, compared with only 16% of patients with subclinical varicocele. In addition, postoperative paternity was significantly higher in patients with bilateral varicocele (54.5%; P = .0099), patients with shunt-type varicocele (75%; P = .0117), and patients with a permanent grade of venous reflux (70%; P = .0148). No significant differences were noted between positive paternity rates in patients with mildly or markedly dilated veins. CONCLUSIONS: The best preoperative sonographic parameters of success of varicocele repair are the presence of normal-sized testes, clinically palpable veins, bilateral varicocele, shunt-type varicocele, and a permanent grade of venous reflux. It does not matter how much the veins are dilated.

Müllerian duct cyst as a cause of acute infantile-onset epididymitis.

Müllerian duct cyst is a congenital anomaly that originates from remnants of the müllerian duct that usually regresses in utero. It is most commonly detected in adult males during the third and fourth decades of life. Müllerian duct cyst is rarely reported in infants less than 1 year of age, in whom diagnosis is difficult because of immaturity of the genital tract. In this case report, we describe the sonographic and CT appearance of a large intrapelvic müllerian duct cyst presenting with acute epididymitis in a 9-month-old infant. The embryological basis, imaging findings and relation to epididymitis are discussed.