Correlation of computed tomography angiography parameters and shock index to assess the transportation risk in aortic dissection patients.

BACKGROUND: Aortic dissection (AD) is a serious, life-threatening disease. It is currently crucial for AD patients to be transferred to a specialised hospital in a safe and timely manner. For this reason, the search for clinical and imaging changes related to transportation risk is becoming increasingly important. PURPOSE: The transportation risks of AD patients were assessed by studying the correlation between computed tomography angiography (CTA) parameters and shock index. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six cases of AD confirmed with 64-slice volumetric CT (VCT) (18 cases of Stanford type A and 18 cases of type B) were divided into a high-risk group (14 cases, six Stanford type A and eight type B) and a low-risk group (22 cases, 12 Stanford type A and 10 type B) according to the modified Early Warning Score. The shock index (ratio of heart rate to systolic blood pressure) and measured CTA parameters were compared between the high-risk group and the low-risk group, and the correlation between the measured CTA parameters and shock index was analysed. RESULTS: The shock index and ratio of false/true lumen were compared between Stanford type A and type B, and no statistically significant differences were found. The shock index and ratio of false/true lumen were compared between the high-risk group and low-risk group, revealing a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). Moreover, a significant linear correlation was found between the ratio of false/true lumen and the shock index (r = 0.691; p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The higher the shock index and the ratio of false/true lumen are, the greater the transportation risk for AD patients. The shock index and the ratio of false/true lumen proved to be essential clinical and radiological indices for assessing the transportation risk of AD patients.

The preliminary exploration of 64-slice volume computed tomography in the accurate measurement of pleural effusion.

BACKGROUND: Using computed tomography (CT) to rapidly and accurately quantify pleural effusion volume benefits medical and scientific research. However, the precise volume of pleural effusions still involves many challenges and currently does not have a recognized accurate measuring. PURPOSE: To explore the feasibility of using 64-slice CT volume-rendering technology to accurately measure pleural fluid volume and to then analyze the correlation between the volume of the free pleural effusion and the different diameters of the pleural effusion. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The 64-slice CT volume-rendering technique was used to measure and analyze three parts. First, the fluid volume of a self-made thoracic model was measured and compared with the actual injected volume. Second, the pleural effusion volume was measured before and after pleural fluid drainage in 25 patients, and the volume reduction was compared with the actual volume of the liquid extract. Finally, the free pleural effusion volume was measured in 26 patients to analyze the correlation between it and the diameter of the effusion, which was then used to calculate the regression equation. RESULTS: After using the 64-slice CT volume-rendering technique to measure the fluid volume of the self-made thoracic model, the results were compared with the actual injection volume. No significant differences were found, P = 0.836. For the 25 patients with drained pleural effusions, the comparison of the reduction volume with the actual volume of the liquid extract revealed no significant differences, P = 0.989. The following linear regression equation was used to compare the pleural effusion volume (V) (measured by the CT volume-rendering technique) with the pleural effusion greatest depth (d): V = 158.16 × d - 116.01 (r = 0.91, P = 0.000). The following linear regression was used to compare the volume with the product of the pleural effusion diameters (l × h × d): V = 0.56 × (l × h × d) + 39.44 (r = 0.92, P = 0.000). CONCLUSION: The 64-slice CT volume-rendering technique can accurately measure the volume in pleural effusion patients, and a linear regression equation can be used to estimate the volume of the free pleural effusion.

CT virtual endoscopy of the ampulla of Vater: preliminary report.

AIM: To explore multi-slice spiral CT (MSCT) virtual endoscopy (CTVE) in the detection of Vater's ampulla lesions. METHODS: In addition to 30 healthy volunteers, 18 cases of common bile duct stones, and 7 cases of ampullary carcinoma were scanned with MSCT including virtual endoscopy (VE) reconstruction. Patterns of the duodenal papilla were then observed, and its size was measured. RESULTS: Reconstructed images of CTVE in the volunteers showed that the normal type of the duodenal papilla was nodular in 16 cases, V-shaped in 8 cases, and Y-shaped in 6 cases. Its mean diameter was 0.84 ± 0.17 cm in the healthy volunteers; in patients with common bile duct stones of nodular type, mean diameter was 1.72 ± 0.32 cm. In ampullary cancer patients with an irregular protruded type, its diameter was 2.30 ± 0.85 cm, Overall the mean differences between the groups were statistically significant (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: CTVE is a convenience, no-wound, and precise clinical examination mode utilizing which the shape of duodenal papilla can be observed, and size of the latter can be measured.