Diagnostic accuracy of CTA and MRI/MRA in the evaluation of the cortical venous reflux in the intracranial dural arteriovenous fistula DAVF.

PURPOSE: Computed tomography angiography (CTA) and magnetic resonance imaging/angiography (MRI/MRA) are used for the diagnosis of intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs). The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of CTA and magnetic resonance imaging/angiography (MRI/MRA) for detection of cortical venous reflux (CVR) in intracranial DAVFs. METHODS: The records of patients with angiography-confirmed intracranial DAVFs who also received CTA and MRI/MRA from January 2008 to July 2016 were reviewed. CTA and MRI/MRA were reviewed for signs of CVR, and the diagnostic accuracy of individual signs was evaluated by receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis. RESULTS: A total 108 patients were included in this study. CTA signs of CVR included abnormal dilatation, early enhancement, and the presence of a medullary or pial vein. MRI/MRA signs of CVR included abnormal dilatation, early enhancement, flow-related enhancement, flow void, and medullary or pial venous collaterals. The sensitivity of individual CTA signs ranged from 62 to 96%, and specificities from 79 to 94%. The sensitivities of individual MRI/MRA signs ranged from 58 to 83%, and specificities from 77 to 93%. The area under ROC curve (AUC) of CTA and MRI/MRA were 0.91 and 0.87, respectively (P = 0.04 in direct comparison). In subgroup analysis, CTA had better diagnostic accuracy for higher grade disease (P = 0.05) and non-aggressive manifestation (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Both CTA and MRI/MRA have good diagnostic accuracy for detection of CVR in patients with intracranial DAVFs. There is modest evidence that CTA is better than MRI/MRA.

The Clinical Outcome of Carotid Blowout Syndrome Showing Non-bleeding Angiography.

OBJECTIVE: Patient with carotid blowout syndrome (CBS) may demonstrated non-bleeding digital subtraction angiography (DSA) without identifying pseudoaneurysm or contrast extravasation. Our objective is to evaluate the clinical outcomes for this specific subset of patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted on 172 CBS patients who received DSA for evaluation of transarterial embolization (TAE) between 2005 and 2022, of whom 19 patients had non-bleeding DSA and did not undergo TAE. RESULTS: The age (55.2 ± 7.3 vs. 54.8 ± 11.1), male sex (17/19 vs. 135/153), tumor size (5.6 ± 2.4 vs. 5.2 ± 2.2), cancer locations were similar (P > 0.05) between both groups; except for there were more pseudoaneurysm/active bleeding (85.6% vs. 0%) and less vascular irregularity (14.4% vs. 94.7%) in the TAE group (P < 0.001). In the multivariable Cox regression model adjusting for age, sex, and tumor size, non-bleeding DSA group was independently associated with recurrent bleeding compared to TAE group (adjusted hazard ratio = 3.5, 95% confidence interval: 1.9-6.4, P < 0.001). Furthermore, the presence of vascular irregularity was associated with segmental recurrent bleeding (adjusted HR = 8.0, 95% CI 2.7-23.3, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Patient showing non-bleeding DSA thus not having TAE had higher risk of recurrent bleeding, compared to patient who received TAE. Level of Evidence Level 4, Case Series.

Haemothorax due to intercostal artery injury after thoracentesis.

We present a rare case of haemothorax complication post thoracentesis. Contrast computed tomography was used to locate the bleeding site, and transarterial embolization was performed to stop intercostal artery bleeding.

Early parenchymal contrast extravasation predicts subsequent hemorrhage progression, clinical deterioration, and need for surgery in patients with traumatic cerebral contusion.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to identify early radiologic signs that are predictive of hemorrhage progression and clinical deterioration in patients with traumatic cerebral contusion. We hypothesized that contrast extravasation (CE) and blood-brain barrier disruption might be associated with hemorrhage progression, brain edema, and clinical deterioration in these patients. METHODS: Twenty-two patients with traumatic cerebral contusion (diagnosed on initial noncontrast head computed tomography [CT]) who initially did not require surgical intervention were enrolled in this study. Contrast-enhanced and perfusion CT scans were performed within 6 hours of injury, and follow-up noncontrast CT scans were performed at 24 hours and 72 hours. RESULTS: In each noncontrast CT scan, the volumes of the contusion hemorrhage and edema were calculated using computerized planimetric techniques. The initial Glasgow Coma Scale, hemorrhage progression, clinical deterioration, and the need for subsequent surgery were recorded. The early radiologic findings were compared with these parameters and functional outcome at 6 months to identify predictive radiologic signs. CE was present in 9 of 22 patients (41%) and was highly associated with hemorrhage progression (p < 0.05), clinical deterioration (p < 0.01), and need for subsequent surgery (p < 0.01). In addition, patients with CE had a greater volume of edema at 24 hours (p < 0.01) and 72 hours (p < 0.01) than those who did not have CE. However, CE was not found to be associated with poor outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Early parenchymal CE is associated with hemorrhage progression, cerebral edema, clinical deterioration, and need for subsequent surgery. These patients should be monitored closely, and early surgery may be needed if deterioration occurs. Further elucidation of the pathophysiology is needed to formulate effective treatment for these high-risk patients.

Crossed pulmonary arteries: report of two cases with emphasis on three-dimensional helical computed tomographic imaging.

Crossed pulmonary arteries are due to an anomalous origin of both pulmonary arteries from the main pulmonary trunk. This anatomy is often associated with other congenital cardiac and extracardiac diseases. We report two neonates with complex congenital heart disease who had this disorder, which was detected during cardiac computed tomography (CT) with three-dimensional reconstruction but not during echocardiography or angiography. The first patient was a 3-day-old male neonate who had tachypnea and feeding problems since birth. Cardiac CT showed crossed pulmonary arteries, type B interruption of the aortic arch, a ventricular septal defect, and a large patent ductus arteriosus. He received an emergency T-colostomy at 3 days of age because of severe bowel distention. Low-type imperforated anus was diagnosed. His postoperative course was complicated with fluctuated saturation, seizure, hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, and sepsis. Also found were cardiac defects, abnormal facies, thymic hypoplasia, cleft palate, hypocalcemia, and a variable deletion on chromosome 22q11 (CATCH 22 disorder). Because of his poor prognosis, the patient was transferred to another hospital on day 16 for further care, at the family's request. The other patient was a 5-day-old female neonate who had a heart murmur since birth. Cardiac CT showed crossed pulmonary arteries, truncus arteriosus, type A interruption of the aortic arch, a ventricular septal defect, an atrial septal defect, and a large patent ductus arteriosus. She received complete surgical correction, including division of the patent ductus arteriosus and repair of the other defects. Intermittent respiratory distress and decreased blood pressure complicated her postoperative course, and she died on the eighth day after surgery. Crossed pulmonary arteries complicated accurate interpretation of two-dimensional echocardiographs of the great vessels, as well as the course and location of catheters during cardiac catheterization. Three-dimensional CT provided a noninvasive approach to clearly recognize these malformations and the related anatomic structures. This information is important in planning and performing surgery in neonates with crossed pulmonary arteries.

Measurement of Waist Circumference: midabdominal or iliac crest?

OBJECTIVE: Waist circumference (WC) is used to define central obesity. This study aimed to compare the performance of two recommended locations of WC measurement. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A cohort of 1,898 subjects who were without diabetes from 2006 to 2012 were followed for a median of 31 months (Taiwan Lifestyle Study). The WC-IC, recommended by the National Cholesterol Education Program Third Adult Treatment Panel, was measured at the superior border of the iliac crest, and the WC-mid, recommended by World Health Organization and International Diabetes Federation, was measured midway between the lowest ribs and the iliac crest. The abdominal subcutaneous fat area (SFA) and visceral fat area (VFA) were assessed by computed tomography. RESULTS: There was greater difference between WC-IC and WC-mid measurements in women than in men (P < 0.001). Both WC-IC and WC-mid correlated significantly with BMI, VFA, and SFA (all P < 0.001). WC-mid was better correlated to VFA than WC-IC, particularly in women, and it correlated more strongly to blood pressure, plasma glucose, hemoglobin A1c, triglyceride levels, HDL cholesterol, and C-reactive protein (all P < 0.05). The association of WC-mid with hypertension, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome was slightly better than that of WC-IC (area under the receiver operator curve 0.7 vs. 0.69, 0.71 vs. 0.68, and 0.75 vs. 0.7, respectively; all age-adjusted P < 0.05). With 90 cm (male)/80 cm (female) as criteria for central obesity, WC-mid, but not WC-IC, predicted the incidence of diabetes development (age-adjusted P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: WC-mid is a better measurement to define central obesity than WC-IC, particularly in women.

Simultaneous bilateral carotid stenting in one session in high-risk patients.

The authors report their experience in treating a group of 6 high-risk patients with severe bilateral carotid disease by carotid artery stenting in a single session. The patients were men aged 53 to 83 years. All had bilateral, synchronous, symptomatic ischemic disease. Five of the 6 patients had severe bilateral carotid stenoses due to atherosclerotic disease: the sixth had a dissecting aneurysm on one side. All were treated with self-expandable stents: a distal protection device was used. All stenting procedures were technically successful. Stenoses averaged 84 +/- 8% before the procedure and 10 +/- 7% after. No procedure-related complications occurred and no 30-day postoperative complications were found. One patient experienced bradhycardia and hypotension for 1 day and was treated medically. After careful preparation and perioperative procedures in a selected group of patients, simultaneous bilateral carotid stenting procedures are feasible when required and appear to be relatively safe.