Cumulative radiation dose after lung transplantation in patients with cystic fibrosis.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was first to evaluate the imaging-related cumulative post-transplantation radiation dose in cystic fibrosis (CF) lung transplantation (LT) recipients and second, to identify the occurrence and type of malignancies observed after LT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 52 patients with CF who underwent LT at our institution between January 2001 and December 2006 with at least 3 years of survival were retrospectively included. There were 27 men and 25 women with a mean age of 24.4±9.2 (SD) years (range: 7.6-52.9 years) at the time of LT. Calculation of cumulative effective and organ doses after LT were based on dosimetry information and acquisition parameters of each examination. Cumulative radiation doses were calculated until June 2016, but stopped at the time of de novomalignancy diagnosis, for patients developing the condition. RESULTS: Patients received a mean cumulative effective dose of 110.0±51.6 (SD) mSv (range: 13-261.3 mSv) over a mean follow-up of 8.1±3.6 (SD) years (range: 0.5-13.5 years), with more than 100mSv in 5 years in 19/52 patients (37%). Chest CT accounted for 73% of the cumulative effective dose. Mean doses to the lung, breast and thyroid were 152.8±61.1 (SD) mGy (range: 21.2-331.6 mGy), 106.5±43.2 (SD) mGy (range: 11.9-221.4 mGy) and 72.7±31.8 (SD) mGy (range: 9.5-165.0 mGy), respectively. Nine out of 52 patients (17%) developed a total of 10 de novo malignancies, all but one attributable to immunosuppression after a mean post-transplantation follow-up period of 11.1±3.5 (SD) years (range: 3.7-16.3 years). Six-month cumulative effective dose was not greater in patients with de novomalignancies than in those without de novomalignancies (28.9±14.5 (SD) mGy (range: 13.0-53.4) vs 25.6±15.3 (range: 5.0-69.7), respectively, P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The cumulative effective dose exceeded 100 mSv in 5 years in 37% of LT recipients, the reason why continuous efforts should be made to optimize chest CT acquisitions accounting for 73% of the radiation dose.

[Life threatening haemoptysis associated with partial abnormal pulmonary venous return and pulmonary arterial hypertension]. / Hémoptysie grave, retour veineux pulmonaire anormal partiel et hypertension artérielle pulmonaire.

A 73-year-old man with chronic respiratory insufficiency was referred to the intensive care unit because of life threatening haemoptysis and hypoxemia. The patient was in respiratory failure with pulmonary arterial hypertension. The bleeding was issuing from the left inferior lobe. A small arterio-venous fistula was suspected on tomodensitometry. Arterial embolization was contraindicated because of diffuse vascular disease. A left inferior lobectomy was performed. The left superior pulmonary vein was draining into the brachiocephalic vein forming a partial anomalous pulmonary venous return. An anatomic restoration of the venous return to the left atrium was performed. The postoperative course was uneventful. No recurrence of haemoptysis was observed, after 9-month follow-up the vascular anastomosis was patent. Despite the pulmonary vascular bed reduction following lobectomy, echocardiography showed a globally mild improvement of cardiac status that might be attributed to right heart preload amelioration.

Study of muscular and ventricular function in dynamic cardiomyoplasty: a ten-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: The basic physiologic principle underlying cardiomyoplasty is long-term electrostimulation of a latissimus dorsi muscle (LDM) wrapped around the heart to obtain a phasic activity that could be integrated with ventricular kinetics. The aim of cardiomyoplasty is to prolong survival and to improve the quality of life of patients with severe chronic and irreversible myocardial failure by improving systolic contraction and correcting diastolic dysfunction. METHODS: To evaluate the long-term outcome of cardiomyoplasty, we investigated 82 patients electively undergoing this procedure in-our hospital. All patients had severe chronic heart failure that did not respond to optimal medical treatment. Patients had a mean age of 50 +/- 12 years (84% males). The cause of heart failure was ischemic (55%), idiopathic cardiomyopathy (34%), ventricular tumor (6%), and other (5%). The mean follow-up was 4.3 years. RESULTS: The mean New York Heart Association functional class improved after operation from 3.2 to 1.8. Average radioisotopic left ventricular ejection fraction increased from 17% +/- 6% to 28% +/- 3% (p < 0.05). Stroke volume index increased from 35 +/- 9 to 46 +/- 8 ml/beat/m2 (p < 0.05). The heart size remained stable at long term (evaluated by echo and computed tomography scanning). After cardiomyoplasty the number of successive hospitalizations resulting from congestive heart failure was reduced to 0.4 hospitalizations/patient/year (before operation 2.5, p < 0.05). Computed tomography scans showed at long-term a preserved LDM structure in 82% of patients who underwent operation. Survival probability at 7 years was 54% for the totality of patients, and 66% for patients who underwent operation in New York Heart Association functional class 3. Five patients underwent heart transplantation after cardiomyoplasty (mean delay 29 months), principally as a result of the natural evolution of their underlying heart disease, without major technical difficulties. CONCLUSIONS: Our 10-year clinical experience demonstrates that cardiomyoplasty increases ejection fraction, improves functional class, and ameliorates quality of life. Ventricular volumes and diameters remain stable long term. LDM structure is maintained long term if electrostimulation is performed avoiding excessive myostimulation. Patient selection is the most important determinant for early and late outcome. Late death in patients undergoing cardiomyoplasty is principally due to sudden death. Our future aim is to incorporate a cardioverter-defibrillator in the cardiomyostimulator, thus improving long-term results. Cardiomyoplasty may delay or prevent end-stage heart failure and the need for heart transplantation.

Evaluation by electron beam computed tomography of intracardiac masses suspected by transoesophageal echocardiography.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the suitability of electron beam computed tomography (EBT) in evaluating and subsequently managing cardiac masses suspected as a result of examination by transthoracic and transoesophageal cross sectional echocardiography. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: In 76 consecutive patients with suspected cardiac masses, the impact of the EBT examination was analysed by reviewing whether EBT examination altered management by confirming or excluding a mass, whether EBT imaging substantially contributed to decision-making, and lastly whether EBT influenced the decision to operate on the patient. RESULTS: EBT modified the diagnosis or confirmed results which had been questionable with cross sectional echocardiography in 53 cases (70%): these cases included those with anatomical features such as dense calcifications or fatty structures (n = 20), lipomatous lesions (n = 5), equivocal thrombi (n = 5), pericardial masses (n = 5), or hydatid cysts (n = 2). EBT gave information over and above cross sectional echocardiography in all patients with malignant tumours (n = 16) by providing a better delineation of the relation between intracavity masses and normal structures, including the mural site of tumour attachment and tumour extension to the great vessels and the adjacent extracardiac mediastinal structures. EBT provided no additional information over cross sectional echocardiography in the remaining patients (n = 23), particularly in those with myxomas (n = 11) or small valvar lesions (n = 6). EBT only confirmed that the lesion was well demarcated, limited in extent, or not associated with a mass. CONCLUSIONS: EBT has considerable potential for clinical management and surgical planning and may help clinicians to decide against surgery, particularly in patients with unresectable tumours.

Determining humeral retroversion with computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to develop and standardize a technique in which computed tomography images are used to determine the humeral torsion angle with landmarks that can be used during surgery. METHODS: One hundred and twenty cadaveric humeri were studied. The retroversion of these anatomical specimens was measured on a computed tomography scan and compared with the direct measurements of the specimens. The retroversion of the humerus was measured by determining the orientation of the proximal articular surface of the humerus with respect to the transepicondylar line of the distal part of the humerus and the forearm axis. To evaluate this method of measuring retroversion, the protocol was tested in patients before and after shoulder arthroplasty. RESULTS: The degree of reproducibility of the measurements made on the computed tomography scan was evaluated by determining the interclass correlation coefficient. The interclass correlation coefficient was considered good (between 0.85 and 0.90) for the measurements of the normal humeri when the orientation of the articular surface measured in the distal part of the humeral head, the epicondylar axis, and the ulnar axis were used as references. There was a significant difference (p < 0.01) between the mean angular orientation of the proximal articular surface with respect to the epicondylar axis (17.6 degrees ) and the mean angular orientation of the proximal articular surface with respect to a line perpendicular to the forearm axis (28.8 degrees ). Despite a wide variation in the humeral torsion angle among the specimens from the different cadavera, the angle varied little between the two normal humeri of the same individual (mean side-to-side difference, 2.1 degrees ). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that retroversion of the proximal part of the humerus can be reliably measured with computed tomography. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Determining retroversion with computed tomography is more accurate than palpating the epicondylar axis or using the forearm as a goniometer during surgery. Computed tomography is useful for measuring the amount of rotation of humeri with a malunited fracture or severe arthritic deformity.

Ebstein's anomaly: repair based on functional analysis.

OBJECTIVE: 'Classical' repair of Ebstein's anomaly is usually performed with transverse plication of the atrialized chamber. However, the anterior leaflet has restricted motion which is an important factor of the tricuspid valve insufficiency. We studied the long term results of mobilization of the anterior leaflet associated with longitudinal plication of the right ventricule. METHODS: From 1980 to July 2002, 191 patients (mean age 24.4+/-15 years (1-65)) were operated on. Anterior leaflet function was assessed on pre-op echocardiography and on surgical examination. Conservative surgery was possible in 187 patients (98%) and included mobilization of the anterior leaflet, longitudinal plication of the right ventricle and prosthetic annuloplasty in adults. Bidirectional cavo-pulmonary shunt was associated in 60 patients. Four patients had valve replacement. RESULTS: Hospital mortality occurred in 18 patients: 9% (95%CL: 6-15%) due to right ventricle (RV) failure in nine patients. Mean follow-up was 6.4 years (0.07-22). Actuarial survival was 82% at 20 years. Tricuspid valve insufficiency was 1 or 2+ in 80% of the cases. Reoperation occurred in 8% (16 patients). A successful second repair was obtained in ten patients. Electron beam computerized tomography (20 patients) demonstrated improved left ventricle ejection fraction 56-66% (P<0.05). Supraventricular tachycardia and pre-excitation syndromes were reduced from 23 to 5%. CONCLUSION: Conservative surgery is indicated for all symptomatic patients. The incidence of valve repair is high when leaflet mobilization is performed. Valve replacement can be avoided in most cases. Functional and hemodynamic results are excellent.

Repetitive echoes in ultrasonography of the diaphragm demonstrated by cadaver studies.

For some years past, strange and seemingly inexplicable images frequently appear during sonographic examination of the area below the diaphragm. In order to explain these mysterious phenomena we carried out anatomical experiments. We observed the appearance of such enigmatic images no matter what the kind of probe was used and found that in every case the appearance of a phantom image over the diaphragm signifies the existence of a true image situated elsewhere. It is always possible with necessary adjustments to locate the formation responsible for the phantom images, which are no longer mysterious.

Ultrasound during surgery of the carotid artery.

Operative ultrasonography is very useful in carotid artery surgery--First to show before the reconstruction the site, the degree and the shape of the lesions--second after the reconstruction to appreciate its quality. In our 26 cases, reintervention was performed in five cases but only 3 have had a second reconstruction. Sensitivity of this method is very high, and this must be taken into consideration before any repeat surgery.

[Ultrafast computed tomography and measurement of the left ventricular volume]. / Scanner ultrarapide et mesure du volume du ventricule gauche.

Ultrafast computed tomography is a method of acquiring cardiac tomographic images 8 mm thick of high resolution in a very short time (about 50 ms). It is particularly well adapted to evaluation of the anatomy and quantification of the volume of the left ventricle. Acquisition of the image is initiated by the R wave of the electrocardiogram. Short axis or long axis views of the heart may be recorded. There are usually 12 short axis tomographic cuts from the apex to the base and for each there are 13 acquisitions in the RR cycle at 58 ms intervals. The half circulation time must be determined beforehand as 50 cc of contrast medium have to be injected peripherally to visualise the cardiac chambers. The contrast medium enhances the endocardium and papillary muscle borders enabling semi-automatic contour tracings. End diastole and end systole are easily determined from the 13 acquisitions in the cardiac cycle, and the wall motion of the left ventricle can be analysed using a cineloop facility. Akinesia, dyskinesia and even wall thickness can be determined. After tracing the endocardial contour, the microprocessor calculates the surface of the enclosed area, and the volume of this simple cylinder can be derived by multiplication of the thickness of each slice. The total volume at each of the 13 instances is obtained by summation. End diastolic, end systolic volumes and ejection fraction can thereby be determined. Left ventricular mass may also be evaluated by tracing the epicardial border.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Cardiac metastasis disclosed by ventricular tachycardia. Diagnosis by echocardiography and ultrafast tomodensitometry]. / Métastase cardiaque révélée par une tachycardie ventriculaire. Diagnostic par échocardiographie et tomodensitométrie ultrarapide.

The authors report the case of a right ventricular metastasis presenting with ventricular tachycardia and underline the usual diagnostic problems of secondary cardiac tumours, the symptoms of which are often unspecific and late. The appearance of a cardiac arrhythmia in the absence of known cardiac disease should raise the possibility of a cardiac metastasis in patients with malignant disease. The reported case also illustrates the diagnostic value of non-invasive cardiac imaging techniques (echocardiography and ultra-fast computerised tomography) in this context.

[Hypertension has no effect on coronary calcifications in asymptomatic patients with hypercholesterolemia]. / L'hypertension artérielle n'influence pas les calcifications coronaires chez l'homme hypercholestérolémique asymptomatique.

Since calcium in coronary artery walls is considered as an indicator for atherosclerosis, we used ultrafast computed tomography to quantify it non invasively in 111 hypercholesterolemic men. They were selected at worksite by a cholesterol screening program, had total cholesterol (TC) above 5.2 (6.88 +/- 0.82, SD) mmol/l, were aged from 30 to 63 (46 +/- 5 years), had never been treated with lipid lowering or antihypertensive drug, and had no clinical coronary heart disease. Body mass index, blood pressure, smoking and other serum lipids as HDL cholesterol, triglyceride (TG) were evaluated. Calcium score of proximal coronary arteries was calculated on 30 contiguous 3 mm slices from areas and peak density of calcium lesions. The mean score was 30 +/- 69 and ranged from 0 to 440. A zero score was found in 39 subjects who differed from the 72 others only by TG levels (1.44 +/- 0.60 vs 1.85 +/- 0.80; p < 0.05). A multiple regression analysis showed that elevated calcium score was associated independently to age (F = 6.6; p < 0.05) and TG (F = 6; p < 0.05) but not to blood. Thus 65% of these asymptomatic subjects had a non-zero calcium score in coronary arteries. Elevated calcium score was influenced independently by age and triglyceride level, but not by other risk factors, such as blood pressure. This potential adverse effect of moderate triglyceride elevation on large coronary arteries merits attention in the assessment of the risk of coronary heart disease.

[Prospective comparison of ultrasound endoscopy and computed tomography in the assessment of locoregional invasiveness of malignant ampullar and pancreatic tumors verified surgically]. / Comparaison prospective de l'échoendoscopie et de la tomodensitométrie dans le bilan d'extension loco-régionale de tumeurs malignes ampullaires et pancréatiques vérifiées chirurgicalement.

OBJECTIVE: To compare, in a prospective study, results of endoscopic ultrasonography and computed tomography in staging of pancreatic and ampullary carcinoma tumours, assessed surgically. METHOD: From January 1990 to May 1993, 37 patients with pancreatic tumours had per-operative endoscopic ultrasonography and computed tomography. All patients underwent surgery and surgical and histological staging were performed. RESULTS: All the tumours were visualized by endoscopic ultrasonography, and 92% were correctly localized; 63% of the tumours were visualized by computed tomography. In lymph node involvement diagnosis (23 patients), endoscopic ultrasonography. In major portal vessel involvement diagnosis (14 patients), endoscopic ultrasonography sensitivity and specificity were respectively 71.4% and 95.65%, and 21.4% and 100% for computed tomography. In a vessel-by-vessel analysis, endoscopic ultrasonography was superior to computed tomography for veinous involvement diagnosis (sensitivity: 68.4% vs 26.3%), and the results were similar for arterial involvement diagnosis (sensitivity: 55.5% vs 66.6%). CONCLUSION: Endoscopic ultrasonography is more accurate than computed tomography in detection of metastatic lymph nodes and portal involvement, and their results are similar in detection of arterial involvement.

[Peroperative echography in 14 cases of pancreatic insulinoma and gastrinoma]. / Echographie per-opératoire au cours de 14 cas d'insulinomes et de gastrinomes pancréatiques.

Fourteen cases of endocrine tumors (10 insulinomas and 4 gastrinomas) were to studied by intraoperative ultrasonography (IOU). Localization was established by preoperative ultrasonography in 1/14, by CT scan in 1/11, by arteriography in 6/12 and by pancreatic venous sampling in 7/8. Tumor size ranged from 0.5 cm to 2.5 cm. Manual palpation was positive in 10/14. The tumor was accurately and completely localized by IOU in 9/10 insulinomas: the one false negative was probably due to micro-adenoma. The intrapancreatic tumor was localized only in 1/14 gastrinomas. Intraoperative sonography localized lymph nodes in all cases. One distal pancreatectomy was improperly performed because of an accessory spleen. After reviewing 59 other cases in the literature, we propose: a) to abandon venous sampling in insulinomas because of adequate performance of IOU; b) to use IOU as a complementary investigative method along with other preoperative methods of localization in gastrinoma.

[Peroperative ultrasound scanning of the pancreas]. / Echotomographie per-opératoire du pancréas.

Intraoperative realtime high resolution ultrasound scanning of the pancreas seems to be a new and promising procedure. We have performed it in 28 patients: the normal ultrasound picture of pancreatic ducts and parenchyma was defined in 9 patients without pancreatic disease; in 19 patients with pancreatic disease, intraoperative ultrasound was compared with preoperative ultrasound examination. Seven of 8 patients with pancreatic carcinoma and 4 of 6 with calcifying chronic pancreatitis had positive findings, respectively. In 3 cancer patients, intraoperative ultrasound investigation avoided a long and unavailing dissection of the tumor by revealing extensive spread. In selected cases, intraoperative sonography allowed to characterize and to localize pancreatic carcinoma: portal vein invasion, relationship of the tumor to the duct of Wirsung and small hepatic metastases. In chronic pancreatitis, intraoperative ultrasound information concerning the dimensions of the pancreatic duct, the structure and the localization of pseudocysts was comparable to that obtained by radiological opacification. Furthermore, intraoperative ultrasound exploration guided proper incision and evacuation of pancreatic pseudocysts in two patients. Operative ultrasound seems to us to be mandatory during pancreatic surgery. Further experience with this technique is needed in a larger number of patients. However, we believe that it could replace intraoperative cholangiography and pancreaticography in the assessment of extension and complications of pancreatic disease.

[Diagnostic approach of pulmonary embolism by spiral angioscanner]. / Approche diagnostique de l'embolie pulmonaire par l'angioscanner spiralé.

Spiral volumetric computerized tomography (CT) allows the exploration of the whole chest during a single contrast injection and breath-hold. For the diagnosis of central pulmonary embolisms, the sensibility is between 78 and 98% and the specificity between 86 and 94% depending on the direct visualization of the endoluminal defect. Detection of intercurrent parenchymal pathologies or of non-obstructive arterial thrombi explain some false positive or inconclusive results of the ventilation-perfusion scintigraphy. Sub-segmental thrombi are less easily detected and sensibility for both central and sub-segmental embolisms is only 63%, explaining some rare false negatives of the CT on isolated sub-segmental embolisms. Chronic thrombi are outlying and contiguous with the arterial wall. They are associated with arterial stenosis, cut-off and loops and an oligemic mosaic pattern of the parenchyma. CT allows pre-operative staging before surgical recanalization and the intra-venous injection does not interfere with the arterial pressure. CT is a non-invasive, reliable and easily available technique which clearly plays an important role in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism.

[Infectious aneurysm due to Listeria monocytogenes: a new case and review of the literature]. / Anévrysme infectieux à Listeria monocytogenes: nouveau cas et revue de la littérature.

INTRODUCTION: Infections due to Listeria monocytogenes usually occur in pregnant women, in the elderly and in immunocompromised patients. Arterial aneurysms due to this germ are rare. Only 16 cases have been previously described in the literature. EXEGESIS: We report the case of a patient who had been hospitalized for recurrent fever over the past 3 months. Aortic mycotic aneurysm was diagnosed; blood and aneurysm cultures revealed Gram-positive bacilli consistent with the presence of Listeria monocytogenes. We also review previous reports focusing on infections due to Listeria monocytogenes. Mycotic aneurysms due to this germ are mainly observed in elderly male patients and occur on large arteries. In the present study, only one patient was immunocompromised. Furthermore, all patients who were not operated on died. CONCLUSION: Arterial aneurysm due to Listeria moncytogenes is best managed via surgical resection in combination with antimicrobial therapy. Immunosuppression is not necessary for the development of arterial aneurysm due to Listeria. Bacteriological and histological examinations should be done systematically when surgical resection of an aneurysm is required.

[Presentation of the electron beam scanner (Imatron C100 scanner)]. / Présentation du scanner par faisceau d'électrons (scanner C100 Imatron). Intérêts et limites.

Principles of Electron Beam CT are described and compared to conventional CT. Fast acquisitions and a short exposure time are the major qualities of the machine. Despite of a lower spatial resolution than in mechanical CT it allows exploration of moving organs and especially morphological and dynamic heart studies. The new possibilities of the Continuous Volume Scanning seems to present an promising future outlook.

[Value and future of electron beam computed tomography]. / Intérêt et avenir de la tomodensitométrie à faisceau d'électrons.

Mecanic computed tomography would probably never reach the acquisition brevity obtained by EBT. This machine is the best for exploration of cardiovascular diseases, and non cooperative patients, and for cine and flow studies. Morever, there are never tube cooling delays or interruptions in any procedures. Its disadvantages are the price, the impossibility to tilt the gantry, and the computer which are to be improved. With "Evolution", Siemens proposes now improvements with the CVS mode and a computer release without increasing of the price.

[Dynamic cardiovascular studies with electron beam computed tomography]. / Etudes dynamiques cardiovasculaires par la tomodensitométrie par faisceau d'électrons.

Electron Beam CT (EBCT) is still emerging as a new functional imaging procedure in providing high morphological studies and dynamic quantitative functional data. Morphological EBCT studies have previously proven their usefulness in pathologic conditions of the thoracic aorta, in congenital diseases, in cardiac masses or tumors... Functional studies achieved using cine mode and/or flow mode are used to assess both mobility and perfusion of structures. Such dynamic analysis have confirmed that their applications will have a major impact on the knowledge of cardiac physiology, the understanding of cardiovascular diseases, if not in daily patient care. For instance, in studies on ventricular function, among the imaging modalities in current use, EBCT is probably most accurate for the evaluation of systolic regional or global function. EBCT is a cross-sectional imaging methods which overcome an important limitation shared by most other imaging modalities, namely the superimposition of overlapping cardiac and thoracic structures. Since in the method high spatial, contrast, and temporal resolution tomography displays the myocardial wall itself, an accurate delineating of endocardial and epicardial contours in contiguous levels can be obtained. Further developments in computer-automated analysis from dynamic EBCT studies have to be carried out to gain clinical acceptance and to facilitate the routine.

[Contribution of the electron beam scanner (Imatron) in aortic pathology]. / Apport du scanner à faisceau d'électrons (Imatron) en pathologie aortique.

Electron Beam CT (SFE, Imatron) uses electron beam to generate X rays. This allows the shortest acquisition time today available (50-100 ms). It is the best CT examination for moving structures. In vascular disease arterial wall study is the most important end point, especially in aortic pathology. EBCT is effective in aortic aneurysm, dissection and aortitis diagnosis. It allows a pre-surgical mapping of the lesion and follow-up. We believe that EBCT is superior to other diagnostic mean in the assessment of the ascending aorta and of small arterial lesions.