The Resolution Rate of Pulmonary Embolism on CT Pulmonary Angiography: a Prospective Study.

PURPOSE: To prospectively assess the rate of clot resolution from CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective cohort study included 290 patients (136 men, 154 women; mean age, 51.9 years) with acute PE. All patients had a CTPA at the presentation and had at least one follow-up within 6 months (mean 72.7 days). Sixty-four percent of patients had follow-up scans for research purposes within a pre-determined period (between 28 and 184 days; mean, 78.27 days) and 36 % had (between 2 and 184 days; mean, 62.78 days) for a clinical indication. The volume of each clot was measured using a semi-automated quantification program. The resolution rate was evaluated by interval-censored analysis. RESULTS: The overall estimated probability of complete resolution was 42 % at 7 days, 56 % at 10 days, and 71 % at 45 days. Achieving complete resolution was significantly faster in patients with peripheral clots (HR: 1.78; CI: 1.05-3.03, p = 0.032) but slower in patients with consolidation and history of venous thromboembolism (VTE), (HR: 0.37; CI: 0.18-0.79, p = 0.01 and HR: 0.57; CI: 0.35-0.91, p = 0.019, respectively). Although the patients with cancer showed a faster resolution rate (HR: 1.67; CI: 1.05-2.68, p = 0.032), the mortality rate was significantly higher than non-cancer patients. CONCLUSION: The resolution rate of clot burden in acute PE was associated with patients' clinical presentation variables and CTPA imaging biomarkers. This information may be incorporated into designing a prediction rule and determining the appropriate duration of anticoagulation therapy in patients with acute PE.

Systemic vasculitides and the role of multitechnique imaging in the diagnosis.

Vasculitis, a systemic disease characterised by inflammation of the blood vessels, remains challenging to diagnose and manage. Vessel size has been the basis for classifying systemic vasculitides. Imaging plays a vital role in diagnosing this challenging disease. This review article aims (a) to summarise up-to-date literature in this field, as well as include classification updates and (b) to review available imaging techniques, recent advances, and emphasis on imaging findings to diagnose large vessel vasculitides.

Mutation spectrum of 260 dystrophinopathy patients from Turkey and important highlights for genetic counseling.

We genetically evaluated 260 dystrophinopathy patients from Turkey. Karyotyping as an initial test in female patients, followed stepwise by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification and by targeted next-generation sequencing of DMD revealed definitive genetic diagnoses in 214 patients (82%), with gross deletions/duplications in 153 (59%), pathogenic sequence variants in 60 (23%), and X-autosome translocation in one. Seven of the gross and 27 of the sequence variants found novel. In silico prediction, co-segregation and transcript assays supported the pathogenic nature of the novel silent (p.Lys534=) and the splice site (c.4345-12C>G) alterations. From a total of 189 singleton cases, 154 (82%) had pathogenic alterations. From 138 of those who had maternal carrier testing, 68 out of 103 (66%) showed gross and 11 out of 35 (31%) showed small pathogenic variants. This suggests that the de novo occurrences in DMD appear approximately 2.1 times more frequently in meiotic unequal crossing-over than in uncorrected replication errors. Our study also disclosed three mothers as obligate gonadal mosaic carriers. Family-based investigation of dystrophinopathy patients is crucial for the ascertainment of novel or rare variants and also for counseling and follow-up care of the families.

Vascular CT and MRI: a practical guide to imaging protocols.

Non-invasive cross-sectional imaging techniques play a crucial role in the assessment of the varied manifestations of vascular disease. Vascular imaging encompasses a wide variety of pathology. Designing vascular imaging protocols can be challenging owing to the non-uniform velocity of blood in the aorta, differences in cardiac output between patients, and the effect of different disease states on blood flow. In this review, we provide the rationale behind-and a practical guide to-designing and implementing straightforward vascular computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocols.Teaching Points • There is a wide range of vascular pathologies requiring bespoke imaging protocols. • Variations in cardiac output and non-uniform blood velocity complicate vascular imaging. • Contrast media dose, injection rate and duration affect arterial enhancement in CTA. • Iterative CT reconstruction can improve image quality and reduce radiation dose. • MRA is of particular value when imaging small arteries and venous studies.

Interarterial Left Circumflex: The Forgotten Coronary Artery Anomaly.

Anomalous coronary artery origin is a rare, but important cause of cardiac ischemia, particularly in younger patients. These anomalies of origin can be divided into two groups, benign or malignant, based on their propensity to cause ischemia or sudden death. Symptomatic, or malignant coronary artery anomalies are usually described with respect to anomalous origins of the right coronary artery or left main coronary artery. We present a unique case of a previously unreported entity, an anomalous left circumflex coronary artery causing ischemia.

Cross-sectional imaging of aortic infections.

Aortic infections are uncommon clinical entities, but are associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. In this review, we focus on the cross-sectional imaging appearance of aortic infections, including aortic valve endocarditis, pyogenic aortitis, mycotic aneurysm and aortic graft infections, with an emphasis on CT, MRI and PET/CT appearance. Teaching Points • Aortic infections are associated with high morbidity and mortality. • CT, MRI and FDG PET/CT play complementary roles in aortic infection imaging. • Radiologists should be vigilant for aortic infection manifestations to ensure timely diagnosis.