Multidetector computed tomography study to measure thoracic aorta diameters in Egyptian population.

BACKGROUND: The aorta is the largest and strongest artery in the body that plays an important role in the control of systemic vascular resistance and heart rate. Aortic diseases contribute to the wide spectrum of arterial diseases that may be diagnosed after a long period of subclinical development. Multidetector computed tomographic scanners (≥ 64 detector rows) for aortic imaging remain one of the most preferred imaging techniques for diagnosis and follow-up of aortic conditions in acute as well as chronic presentations. The aim of this study is to establish a normal reference values for aortic diameters among Egyptian population and to find which of the cardiovascular risk factors could be an independent determinant of the aortic diameters. RESULTS: Five hundred and sixteen Egyptian individuals were enrolled in our study, the mean age was 53.5 ± 10.9, and males comprised 61.4% of the study population. Aortic root diameters measured at the annulus, sinus and STJ were 23.09 ± 2.55 mm, 33.75 ± 3.93 mm and 26.13 ± 3.05 mm, respectively. The BSA-indexed diameters were 11.70 ± 1.39, 17.10 ± 2.10 and 13.25 ± 1.65, respectively. The diameter of the tubular part of ascending aorta was 30.97 ± 4.16 mm, and the BSA-indexed diameter was 15.71 ± 2.28. The aortic diameters measured at the level of the pulmonary bifurcation were 24.56 ± 2.95 mm and 23.79 ± 2.96 mm at systolic and diastolic phases, respectively. The BSA-indexed diameters were 12.44 ± 1.52 and 12.05 ± 1.52 at systolic and diastolic phases, respectively. At the diaphragmatic level, the mean diameters were 22.39 ± 2.72 mm and 21.49 ± 2.79 mm at systolic and diastolic phases, respectively. The BSA-indexed diameters were 11.34 ± 1.43 and 10.98 ± 1.48 at systolic and diastolic phases, respectively. Age, gender, BSA, BMI and hypertension were statistically significant independent predictors of ascending and descending aortic diameters. CONCLUSIONS: Our study established a normal reference value for thoracic aortic diameters among Egyptians using contrast enhanced MSCT aortography. Age, Gender, BSA, BMI and hypertension are the major determinants of aortic diameters.

Clinic diagnostic value of MSCT imaging features in nodular lung adenocarcinoma subtype / 国际肿瘤学杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinic diagnostic value of multi-slice CT (MSCT) imaging features in various subtypes of nodular lung adenocarcinoma.Methods:The imaging information and general clinical data of 160 patients with nodular lung adenocarcinoma who were admitted to Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University and received surgical treatment from January 2017 to May 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate analysis was used to screen statistically significant imaging features of each pathological subtype, and binary logistic regression analysis was performed. The diagnostic value was analyzed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated, and the diagnostic efficacy was compared.Results:The age of patients with atypical adenomatous hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma in situ (AAH+ AIS), minimally invasive ademocarcinoma (MIA), invasive adenocarcinoma cancer (IAC) and variant of invasive adenocarcinoma cancer (VIAC) were (57.07±7.92), (59.37±6.96), (60.68±8.83), (63.33±6.89) years old, with no statistically significant difference ( F=1.221, P=0.304). The age of patients with VIAC, IAC, MIA and AAH+ AIS decreased in turn. The imaging features of AAH+ AIS, MIA, IAC and VIAC that exhibited statistically significant differences were as following in turn: the maximum diameter of lesion [6.85 (3.73) mm vs. 8.00 (5.00) mm vs. 16.00 (11.90) mm vs. 17.20 (9.08) mm, H=55.107, P<0.001], CT value [-563.50 (176.63) HU vs. -536.00 (293.50) HU vs. -235.50 (346.50) HU vs. -23.00 (30.50) HU, H=47.499, P<0.001], solid ratio [0 (0) vs. 0 (0) vs. 49.00% (100.00%) vs. 100.00% (0), H=44.242, P<0.001], vacuolar sign [14 (87.50%) vs. 35 (100.00%) vs. 84 (81.55%) vs. 3 (50.00%), χ2=13.925, P=0.002], inflatable bronchus sign [1 (6.25%) vs. 2 (5.71%) vs. 36 (34.95%) vs. 2 (33.33%), χ2=16.578, P=0.001], intratumoral vascular sign [13 (81.25%) vs. 28 (80.00%) vs. 64 (62.14%) vs. 1 (16.67%), χ2=11.168, P=0.009], vessel convergence sign [1 (6.25%) vs. 3 (8.57%) vs. 66 (64.08%) vs. 6 (100.00%), χ2=54.232, P<0.001], short burr sign [3 (18.75%) vs. 11 (31.43%) vs. 77 (74.76%) vs. 6 (100.00%), χ2=36.218, P<0.001], lobulation sign [4 (25.00%) vs. 18 (51.43%) vs. 93 (90.29%) vs. 6 (100.00%), χ2=43.302, P<0.001], pleural traction sign [0 (0) vs. 6 (17.14%) vs. 70 (67.96%) vs. 5 (83.33%), χ2=50.794, P<0.001]. The maximum diameter of lesion ( OR=0.858, 95% CI: 0.754-0.977, P=0.021) and pleural traction sign ( OR=0.288, 95% CI: 0.084-0.993, P=0.049) were independent influencing factors of MIA. The maximum diameter of lesion ( OR=1.131, 95% CI: 1.030-1.241, P=0.010) and pleural traction sign ( OR=3.441, 95% CI: 1.279-9.254, P=0.014) were independent influencing factors of IAC. The optimum threshold of the maximum diameter of lesion in diagnosis of MIA was 11.05 mm, AUC was 0.798 (95% CI: 0.724-0.872) sensitivity was 68.00%, and specificity was 85.70%. The AUC of pleural traction sign in diagnosis of MIA was 0.714 (95% CI: 0.623-0.806). The diagnostic efficacy exhibited no statistically significant difference between the maximum diameter of lesion and pleural traction sign in diagnosis of MIA ( Z=1.838, P=0.066). The optimum threshold of the maximum diameter of lesion in diagnosis of IAC was 11.05 mm, AUC was 0.827 (95% CI: 0.759-0.895), sensitivity was 75.70%, and specificity was 78.90%. The AUC of pleural traction sign in diagnosis of IAC was 0.743 (95% CI: 0.663-0.823). The diagnostic efficacy exhibited statistically significant difference between the maximum diameter of lesion and pleural traction sign in diagnosis of IAC ( Z=2.114, P=0.035), and the maximum diameter of lesion > 11.05 mm was better for the diagnosis of IAC. Conclusion:The maximum diameter of lesion and pleural traction sign are independent influence factors in diagnosis of MIA and IAC, and the maximum diameter of lesion > 11.05 mm is better for the diagnosis of IAC.

Long-term follow-up of therapeutic efficacy of everolimus-eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffold in comparison to everolimus-eluting stent in treatment of chronic total occlusion guided by intracoronary imaging.

BACKGROUND: We hypothesized that 1st generation everolimus-eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) stent associated with less complication and less restenosis rate than everolimus-eluting stent (EES) in chronic total occlusion (CTO) recanalization guided by intracoronary imaging. Therefore, we aimed to assess the safety and performance of BVS stent in CTO revascularization in comparison to EES guided by intracoronary imaging. Our prospective comparative cross-sectional study was conducted on 60 CTO patients divided into two groups according to type of stent revascularization: group I (EES group): 40 (66.7%) patients and group II (BVS group): 20 (33.3%) patients. All patients were subjected to history taking, electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiography, laboratory investigation, stress thallium study to assess viability before revascularization. Revascularization of viable CTO lesion guided by intracoronary imaging using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Then, long-term follow-up over 1 year clinically and by multi-slice CT coronary angiography (MSCT). Our clinical and angiographic endpoints were to detect any clinical or angiographic complications during the follow-up period. RESULTS: At 6 months angiographic follow-up, BVS group had not inferior angiographic parameters but without statistically significant difference (p = 0.566). At 12 months follow-up, there was no difference at end points between the two groups (p = 0.476). No differences were found at angiographic or clinical follow-up between BVS and EES. CONCLUSION: This study shows that 1st generation everolimus-eluting BVS is non-inferior to EES for CTO revascularization. Further studies are needed to clearly state which new smaller footprint BVS, faster reabsorption, magnesium-based less thrombogenicity, and advanced mechanical properties is under development. We cannot dismiss the efficacy and safety of new BVS technology. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ZU-IRB#2498/3-12-2016 Registered 3 December 2016, email: IRB_123@medicine.zu.edu.eg.

A Knowledge-Based Modality-Independent Technique for Concurrent Thigh Muscle Segmentation: Applicable to CT and MR Images.

The mass of the lower extremity muscles is a clinically significant metric. Manual segmentation of these muscles is a time-consuming task. Most of the segmentation methods for the thigh muscles are based on statistical models and atlases which need manually segmented datasets. The goal of this work is an automatic segmentation of the thigh muscles with only one initial segmented slice. A new automatic method is proposed for concurrent individual thigh muscles segmentation using a hybrid level set method and anatomical information of the muscles. In the proposed method, the muscle regions are extracted by the Fast and Robust Fuzzy C-Means Clustering (FRFCM) method, and then a contour is determined for each muscle which changes according to the muscle shape variation through its length. The anatomical information is used to control the contours variations and to refine the final boundaries. The method was validated by 22 CT datasets. The average dice similarity coefficient (DSC) of the method for individual muscle segmentation with one and two initial slices were 89.29 ± 2.59 (%) and 91.77 ± 1.87 (%), respectively. Also, the average symmetric surface distances (ASSDs) were 0.93 ± 0.29 mm and 0.64 ± 0.18 mm. Furthermore, applying to ten MRI datasets, the average DSC and ASSD for muscles were 90.9 ± 2.61 (%) and 0.71 ± 0.33 mm, respectively. The quantitative and intuitive results of the proposed method show the effectiveness of this method in segmentation of large and small muscles in CT and MR images. The consumed computation time is lower than the previous works, and this method does not need any training datasets.

Facial nerve course in the temporal bone: Anatomical relationship between the tympanic and mastoid portions for safe ear surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Avoidance of iatrogenic injury to the facial nerve is crucial during ear surgery. The anatomical relationship between the tympanic portion of the facial canal (FC) and the mastoid portion of the facial nerve was analyzed using multi-slice computed tomography (CT) scans to avoid iatrogenic facial nerve injury. METHODS: In total, 364 ears of 351 patients who underwent CT scans were enrolled. The 364 ears were divided into two groups: 281 ears with middle ear inflammation (MEI) and 83 ears without middle ear inflammation (non-MEI). The anatomical relationship between the tympanic portion of the FC and mastoid portion of the facial nerve was analyzed on multi-slice CT images. The ears were categorized into three subgroups based on the course of the mastoid portion of the facial nerve to the tympanic portion of the FC: ("lateral running course", LRC), "on the tympanic line course" (OL), and "medial running course" (MRC). The proportions of ears in each subgroup were compared between the MEI and non-MEI groups. RESULTS: Overall, 15% of ears were categorized as LRC, 30% were OL, and 55% were MRC. In the MEI group, the proportions of LRC, OL, and MRC ears were 17%, 32%, and 51%, respectively, whereas they were 7%, 24%, and 69% in the non-MEI group. The proportion of LRC ears in the MEI group was significantly higher than that in the non-MEI group. CONCLUSIONS: Especially in patients with MEI, a more LRC for the facial nerve increases the risk of facial nerve injury during posterior tympanotomy or canal wall down mastoidectomy. The course of the facial nerve in the temporal bone should be evaluated before surgery on multi-slice CT images.

Surgical management of a locally invasive renal cell carcinoma in an ectopic pelvic kidney.

The coincidence of renal cell carcinoma in an ectopic kidney is a unique phenomenon. We report a case of 55 years old male patient who presented with backache and accidentally discovered ectopic kidney with an upper polar mass. Preoperative assessment was done with pelviabdominal sonography and triphasic renal CT. Our patient underwent radical nephrectomy through a midline incision with unexpected vasculature encountered intraoperatively. According to our knowledge, only eight cases of pelvic kidney tumors have been reported in the literature and this case is unique with its complex vascular structure.

Relationship between Pulmonary Artery Diameter and Pulmonary to Aortic Artery Diameter Ratio in High Risk Individuals for Obstructive Sleep Apnea without Pulmonary Artery Hypertension Based on the Berlin Questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: A significant association has been found between the pulmonary artery (PA) diameter and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in patients with pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). We aimed to evaluate the relationship between the diameters of the PA trunk and aortic artery with their ratio as PAH markers in high risk cases for OSA based on the Berlin questionnaire without PAH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This case-control study included 161 non-PAH patients admitted to a multi-slice CT scan ward. Filling out the Berlin questionnaire, the patients were divided into high and low risk cases for OSA. The diameters of the PA trunk and aortic ascending aorta and their ratio were assessed using the multi-slice CT scan. RESULTS: The PA to aortic ratios in the case and control groups were 0.89±0.17 and 0.88±0.17, respectively, which all were non-significant. With regard to gender, the PA diameter was significantly lower among males in the control group than in the case group (P=0.034). The mean PA to aortic ratio was slightly higher but statistically non-significant in the case group than in the control group. The aortic diameter showed a statistically significant increase by age in the case group (r=0.374, P=0.003) compared to the other group. However, the PA diameter increased significantly by age in both groups (r=0.184, P=0.020). CONCLUSION: The PA diameter can be considered as a predicting factor for future cardiovascular diseases in high risk males for OSA based on the Berlin questionnaire without PAH. More studies are required to confirm these findings.

CT evaluation of aberrant right subclavian artery: anatomy and clinical implications.

PurposeThe aim of the study was to perform CT angiography-based evaluation of aberrant right subclavian artery prevalence, anatomy, and its influence on clinical symptoms. METHODS: A total of 6833 patients who underwent 64-slice or dual-source CT angiography and those who revealed aberrant right subclavian artery underwent evaluation of its anatomy and were interviewed for the presence of clinical symptoms. RESULTS: Aberrant right subclavian artery was found in 32 (0.47%) patients consisting of 13 males and 19 females, with mean age of 60.8±13.4 years. Among the interviewed 30 (94%) patients, oesophageal compression was observed in 14 cases (47%) and tracheal compression in three cases (10%). None of the patients underwent surgery related to aberrant right subclavian artery. Dysphagia was the most common clinical symptom in nine cases (30%), and in those patients the median distance between aberrant right subclavian artery and trachea was lower (4 mm) than in individuals without dysphagia (7.5 mm) (p = 0.009). The median lumen area of the aberrant right subclavian artery at the level of oesophagus was higher in patients with dysphagia (208 mm2) compared with individuals without dysphagia (108 mm2) (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Aberrant right subclavian artery is a rare occurring abnormality in CT angiography. In the evaluated adult population, the most common symptom was dysphagia, which occurred in patients with decreased distance between aberrant right subclavian artery and trachea and increased lumen area of the aberrant artery at the level of compressed oesophagus.

Radiation dose reduction in perfusion CT imaging of the brain using a 256-slice CT: 80 mAs versus 160 mAs.

PURPOSE: To examine CTP of the brain in real patient data after reducing tube current down to 80 mAs to decrease radiation dose. METHODS: CTP was acquired in 60 suspected stroke patients with 80 (n: 30) or 160 (n: 30) mAs. Data were analyzed retrospectively by two independent readers. SNR, perfusion maps and image quality were compared in hypoperfused and non-affected areas. RESULTS: SNR was significantly higher in CTP with 160 mAs compared to 80 mAs (p < 0.001) in non-affected regions, but there was no significant difference in hypoperfused regions. Overall, images with 80 mAs were rated worse than the ones with 160 mAs (3.0 ±â€¯0.7 versus 4.0 ±â€¯0.7), however, still as sufficient to detect proximal vessel occlusions. CONCLUSION: Tube current of 80 mAs is still sufficient for the detection of perfusion deficits of proximal vessel occlusions.

Computed Tomography: Return on Investment and Regional Disparity Factor Analysis.

The number of computed tomography (CT) systems in operation in Japan is approximately 4.3 times higher than that of the OECD average. However, CT systems are expensive, and thus, a heavy financial burden for hospital management. We calculate the annual net profits from CT introduction in Japan for single-slice CT (SSCT), multi-slice CT (MSCT), number of hospital beds, and prefecture. We also analyze the factors that affect CT profitability. First, the annual income per CT in operation is estimated for 2011. Second, the annual costs per CT are calculated as the sum of depreciation, maintenance, and labor costs. Finally, the annual net profits per CT are estimated for SSCT and MSCT, the number of hospital beds, and prefecture. A correlation analysis between the annual net profits, population, and number of physicians per CT equipment is used to determine the determinants of the net CT profits by prefecture. Our results show that, for hospitals with fewer than 100 beds, the annual net CT profits are higher for SSCT than MSCT, and vice versa for hospitals with at least 100 beds. Both SSCT and MSCT increased profits as the number of hospital beds increased. The annual net CT profits per prefecture are USD -12,105 for SSCT and USD 87,233 for MSCT, on average. The annual net profits per prefecture and population per CT show positive correlations with both SSCT and MSCT, as do the annual net profits per prefecture and number of physicians per CT. Thus, choosing high-performance MSCT is advantageous in terms of profitability in facilities with at least 100 beds. Additionally, CT profitability presumably affects the balance between the number of introduced CTs, population per CT, and number of physicians per CT.

Diagnostic performance of multi-slice CT angiography combined with enterography for small bowel obstruction and intestinal ischaemia.

INTRODUCTION: This study was performed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of multi-slice CT angiography combined with enterography in determining the cause and location of obstruction as well as intestinal ischaemia in patients with small bowel obstruction (SBO). METHODS: This study retrospectively summarized the image data of 57 SBO patients who received both multi-slice CT angiography and enterography examination between December 2012 and May 2013. The CT diagnoses of SBO and intestinal ischaemia were correlated with the findings at surgery or digital subtraction angiography, which were set as standard references. RESULTS: Multi-slice CT angiography and enterography indicated that the cause of SBO in three patients was misjudged, suggesting a diagnostic accuracy of 94.7%. In one patient the level of obstruction was incorrect, demonstrating a diagnostic accuracy of 98.2%. Based on the results of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, the diagnostic criterion for ischaemic SBO was at least two of the four CT signs (circumferential bowel wall thickening, reduced enhancement of the intestinal wall, mesenteric oedema and mesenteric vascular engorgement). The criterion yielded a sensitivity of 94.4%, a specificity of 92.3%, a positive predicted value of 85.0% and a negative predicted value of 97.3%, and the area under curve (AUC) was 0.92 (95% CI, 0.85-0.99). CONCLUSION: Multi-slice CT angiography and enterography have high diagnostic value in identifying the cause and site of SBO. In addition, the suggested diagnostic criterion using CT signs is helpful for diagnosing intestinal ischaemia in SBO patients.

Multi-slice computed tomography characteristics of solitary pulmonary ground-glass nodules: Differences between malignant and benign.

BACKGROUND: Ground-glass nodules (GGNs), which are possible precursors of lung cancer, attract increasing attention. Many studies have attempted to identify the characteristic imaging features of GGNs for their qualitative diagnosis; however, the comprehension of GGNs remains controversial. We performed this study to identify imaging characteristics helpful to the differential diagnosis of solitary GGNs. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 112 solitary GGNs resected from 112 patients, pathologically examined after surgical resection. Imaging features of the GGNs, such as size, shape, a solid component, lobulation, spiculation, vascular convergence sign, pleural tag, and air cavity density, were assessed. Differences between malignant and benign nodules were analyzed using binary logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Of the 112 GGNs, 82 were malignant and 30 were benign. A solid component, vascular convergence sign, and a larger diameter were risk factors for malignancy, with a sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 93.9%, 60.0%, and 84.8%, respectively. Lobulation, spiculation, air cavity densities, and pleural tags were also important indicators of malignancy, with positive predictive values of 93.5%, 83.3%, 91.7%, and 87.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION: GGNs with a solid component, vascular convergence sign, and a larger diameter are highly suggestive of malignancy. The possibility of a neoplasm should also be considered in the case of GGNs that show lobulation, spiculation, air cavity densities, or pleural tags. To obtain a comprehensive and accurate analysis of the nodules, three-dimensional reconstruction is highly recommended.

[Screening and risk factors of cardiac calcification in hemodialysis: contribution of ultra-fast multi-slice scanner and transthoracic echocardiography]. / Dépistage et facteurs de risque des calcifications cardiaques chez l'hémodialysé : apport du scanner multi-coupe ultra-rapide et de l'échocardiographie transthoracique.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular disease is the first leading cause of death in hemodialysis patients. In this population, cardiovascular calcifications occur at an earlier age and progress faster than in general population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In order to determine the prevalence and risk factors of cardiac calcifications, 49 patients on chronic hemodialysis were screened in the coronary arteries and cardiac valves by the 64 multi-slice ultra-fast CT and the transthoracic echocardiography. Different clinical and biological parameters were studied by the SPSS 10.0 statistical software to determine risk factors. RESULT: Cardiac calcifications were identified in 81.6% of cases in at least one of the two studied sites. The coronary artery involvement was more common than valvular and concerned 69.4% of cases. The mean Agatston coronary artery calcium score (ACACS) was 331.1 and 522.2 in coronary patients and was correlated to alteration of systolic function of LV (r=-0.287, P=0.045). The severity of CACS was positively correlated with age (r=0.332, P=0.02). Coronary calcifications were associated with cardiovascular risk common to those of the general population (age, male sex, systolic blood pressure, diabetes, history of ischemic heart disease), but also to a lesser quality of dialysis. Valvular calcifications were present in 49% of cases and were correlated with left ventricular hypertrophy (P=0.006). The exclusive involvement of the aortic valve was the most common valvular abnormality. Phosphocalcic and lipid parameters, levels of hemoglobin, CRP and uric acid did not predisposed to cardiac calcifications in our patients. DISCUSSION: In hemodialysis patients, the pathogenesis of cardiovascular calcification is complex and cannot be attributed to a passive process. This process involves several factors that can promote or inhibit calcification. The new multi-slice ultra-fast scanner is a very sensitive method for topographic and quantitative assessment of coronary calcification and is a better alternative to invasive techniques. CONCLUSION: Our study confirms the high prevalence of cardiac calcification in hemodialysis, and highlights the importance of early screening and treatment of predisposing factors.

Clinical application of the MSCT in the diagnosis of renal malformation / 实用医学杂志

Objective To analyze the best methods for diagnostic scanning and image processing of multi-slice spiral CT (MSCT) in the detection of renal malformations (RM). Methods From June 2008 to Februany 2012, one hundred and four patients with kidney malformation received 64-slice MSCT assay were enrolled in our Hospital. Related materials of the patients were used for retrospective analysis. Diagnostic accuracy of urinary malformation were calculated on the image of axial and MPR, Curve, MIP, VR by MSCT unenhangced scanning, enhangced cortical phase scanning, enhangced parenchymal phase scanning and enhangced excretory phase scanning. Results One hundred and four patients with kidney abnormalities received the MSCT unhangced scan axial and MPR, Curve film, enhangced cortical phase scanning, enhangced parenchymal phase scanning, enhangced excretory phase scanning and MPR, MIP, VR film, respectively. The diagnostic accuracy were as follws: renal dysplasia (72.73%, 81.82%, 81.82%, 72.73%), renal hypoplasia (83.33%, 91.67%, 95.83%, 100%), solitary kidney (100%, 100%, 100%, 100%), ectopic kidney (76.92%, 100%, 100%, 100%), horseshoe kidney (100%, 100%, 100%, 100%),misplaced renal lobe (0%,100%). Conclusion The MSCT with image post-processing techniques in the diagnosis of RM has its unique advantages, MSCT can be preferred as a method for renal malformation examination.

MSCT guided sizing of the Edwards Sapien XT TAVI device: impact of different degrees of oversizing on clinical outcome.

AIMS: Prospective data on the usage of 3-dimensional imaging based annulus sizing on the outcome of TAVI is not available yet and there is general uncertainty about the optimal degree of oversizing. In the current study we therefore assessed a 3-D MSCT guided over-sizing approach and evaluated the clinical outcome of different degrees of oversizing. METHODS: TAVI-size-selection was done using systolic MSCT-annulus cross-sectional-area (CSA) measurements in 107 patients with severe aortic stenosis with the goal to oversize the 3rd generation balloon expandable Edwards Sapien XT (ESTV) device in relation to the native aortic annulus CSA. RESULTS: Among different degrees of oversizing there were no differences in the occurrence of stroke, myocardial infarction and death. No aortic injuries were observed. The overall rate of >mild postprocedural aortic regurgitation (PAR) was 7.6%. Increasing oversizing ratios are associated with lower rates of >mild PAR (r = -0.236, p<0.02) with the lowest rate of >mild PAR in patients with area based oversizing ratios >25% and the highest rate in patients with oversizing ratios <15% (0% vs. 15.8%, p<0.02). The rate of postprocedural permanent pacemakers tended to be lower in patients with <15% oversizing compared to those with >25% oversizing (5.3 vs. 16.7%, p<0.23). CONCLUSIONS: MSCT guided ESTV-device sizing is safe and is associated with significantly lower than previously reported rates for PAR. A device/annulus oversizing ratio of 15-25% based on area and 7-12% based on mean diameter appears to provide the best risk-benefit ratio in terms of PAR reduction and conduction disorders.

Application of multi-slice CT perfusion scan technique in predicting renal function recovery after unilateral hydronephrosis treatment / 中华泌尿外科杂志

ObjectiveTo evaluate the application of multi-slice CT (MSCT) perfusion scan technique in predicting renal function recovery after unilateral hydronephrosis treatment.MethodsThirtyeight patients with unilateral obstructive hydronephrosis not shown on intravenous urography (IVU) and a normal contralateral kidney were recruited for this study.Patients were divided into detected (D) and undetected (UD) groups depending on whether the IVU detected urinary tract obstruction.All patients underwent plain abdominal X-ray,gray-scale ultrasonography,excretory urography and MSCT perfusion scan before and after the treatment.Patients were followed-up at six months or more after the treatment for a mean duration of 12.5 months (range from 6 to 22 ).ResultsOf the 38 cases,22 cases were in group D,16 cases were in group UD.On MSCT,renal cortex blood flow (BF) and blood volume ( BV ) value after treatment in group D were 561.1 ± 165.4 ml/( 100 g · min) and 35.9 ± 11.3 ml/100 g compared with before treatment rates of 361.6 ±109.7 ml/(100g· min) and24.1 ±10.2 ml/100g,t=-3.38,-2.34,P＜0.01,0.05.In the UD group,the differences of these parameters were after treatment 38.7 ± 15.4 ml/(100 g · min),10.306 ± 4.925 ml/100 g and before treatment 39.1 ± 22.5 ml/( 100 g · min) and 8.7 ± 4.4 ml/100 g,P ＞ 0.05.In the aspects of BF and BV,there were statistically significant differences between group D and group U D both before and after the treatment,t=9.09,4.15,P ＜ 0.01.ConclusionsM SCT perfusion can provide a valuable prediction technique of the renal function recovery in patients with unilateral obstructive hydronephrosis.Improvement of renal function can be expected after relief of obstructive hydronephrosis if the patients have a BF 361.6 ml/( 100 g · min) and BV 24.1 ml/100 g or greater measured by MSCT perfusion.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Sixty Four Multi-Slice CT Angiography in Assessment of Arterial Cut-Off and Run-Off in Comparison with Surgical Findings.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: The accurate anatomic mapping and determination of the severity of arterial disease, an important health problem of the elderly, is of great significance. We aimed to determine the diagnostic value of 64-multislice CT angiography (MSCTA) in run-off and cut-off sites of arterial disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Throughout the study, MSCTA followed by an operative intervention was carried out on a total of 38 patients with clinical signs and symptoms suggestive of arterial disease (AD) all of whom had the indication for vascular surgery. The mean age of patients was 34±15.86 (range, 23 to 93) years. MSCTA was executed using a 64-slice CT scanner, during the arterial phase of injecting the nonionic, contrast medium with a power injector at the rate of 5 ml/sec into the antecubital vein and exploration and revascularization of peripheral arterial disease was performed intraoperatively. RESULTS: Atherosclerosis and arterial disease, the most common causes of vascular occlusion, were more common in the lower extremities. According to MSCTA findings, the most frequent site of stenosis was the superficial femoral artery. Spearman's correlation coefficient showed a high degree of agreement amongst the raters. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and the accuracy of MSCTA compared to surgery were 83.8%, 96%, 96.8%, 81.3% and 89%, respectively. MSCTA findings were compared with surgery as a standard of reference, which showed concordance in the majority of cases (81.6%). Cut-off sites were correctly identified by MSCTA in 97.3% of the patients and the most common sites of discordance were the run-off sites (18.2%). CONCLUSION: MSCTA angiography as a novel diagnostic modality may be a suitable alternative and a viable choice for routine clinical diagnosis.

State-of-the-art CT imaging techniques for congenital heart disease.

CT is increasingly being used for evaluating the cardiovascular structures and airways in the patients with congenital heart disease. Multi-slice CT has traditionally been used for the evaluation of the extracardiac vascular and airway abnormalities because of its inherent high spatial resolution and excellent air-tissue contrast. Recent developments in CT technology primarily by reducing the cardiac motion and the radiation dose usage in congenital heart disease evaluation have helped expand the indications for CT usage. Tracheobronchomalacia associated with congenital heart disease can be evaluated with cine CT. Intravenous contrast injection should be tailored to unequivocally demonstrate cardiovascular abnormalities. Knowledge of the state-of-the-art CT imaging techniques that are used for evaluating congenital heart disease is helpful not only for planning and performing CT examinations, but also for interpreting and presenting the CT image findings that consequently guide the proper medical and surgical management.

State-of-the-Art CT Imaging Techniques for Congenital Heart Disease

CT is increasingly being used for evaluating the cardiovascular structures and airways in the patients with congenital heart disease. Multi-slice CT has traditionally been used for the evaluation of the extracardiac vascular and airway abnormalities because of its inherent high spatial resolution and excellent air-tissue contrast. Recent developments in CT technology primarily by reducing the cardiac motion and the radiation dose usage in congenital heart disease evaluation have helped expand the indications for CT usage. Tracheobronchomalacia associated with congenital heart disease can be evaluated with cine CT. Intravenous contrast injection should be tailored to unequivocally demonstrate cardiovascular abnormalities. Knowledge of the state-of-the-art CT imaging techniques that are used for evaluating congenital heart disease is helpful not only for planning and performing CT examinations, but also for interpreting and presenting the CT image findings that consequently guide the proper medical and surgical management.

Densidade mineral óssea de sítios específicos da maxila para a inserção de mini-implantes / Bone mineral density of specific maxillary sites for mini-implants insertion

OBJETIVOS: avaliar a Densidade Mineral Óssea (DMO) de sítios específicos na maxila, por meio da Tomografia Computadorizada (TC) Multi-Slice. METODOLOGIA: foram realizadas 15 TC Multi-Slice da maxila para a avaliação da densidade mineral óssea de 30 regiões de interesse entre os segundos pré-molares e primeiros molares - 15 do lado direito e 15 do lado esquerdo - de 15 indivíduos (7 homens e 8 mulheres, com idade média de 21 anos) a serem submetidos ao tratamento ortodôntico, com mini-implantes como unidades de ancoragem. RESULTADOS: o resultado do teste t para observações pareadas revelou uma diferença estatisticamente significativa, quando os lados direito e esquerdo foram comparados (p < 0,05). CONCLUSÃO: a média dos valores obtidos para a DMO encontrou-se próxima ao valor máximo de uma escala considerada normal para a região posterior da maxila, podendo, assim, ser considerada essa uma área segura em termos de qualidade óssea para a inserção de mini-implantes.

AIM: To assess the Bone Mineral Density (BMD) of specific maxillary sites, through multi-slice CT, investigating the possible correlation between different BMD levels and mini-implant stability. METHODS: Scans were obtained from 30 regions of interest (ROI), 15 on the right side and 15 on the left side, of 15 individuals (7 males and 8 females with 21 years old mean age) about to start orthodontic treatment with mini-implants as anchorage units. BMD values were normally distributed. Paired t-test results showed statistically significant differences when the two sides were compared (p < 0.05). However, the mean of BMD values was close to the maximum value of a considered normal scale for maxillary posterior region, indicating that this is a safe area in terms of bone quality for mini-implants insertion.