Langer-Giedion syndrome: the evolving imaging features in hands and beyond.

Trichorhinophalangeal syndrome (TRP) is a group of rare genetic disorders with characteristic clinical and radiological features. In this case report we discuss the evolution of imaging features in hands in a Chinese boy diagnosed with TRP II (Langer-Giedion syndrome, LGS). This article ramifies the diagnostic value of serial hand radiograph in clinically suspected cases of TRP.

Diagnostic accuracy of mediastinal width measurement on posteroanterior and anteroposterior chest radiographs in the depiction of acute nontraumatic thoracic aortic dissection.

We aimed to explore the diagnostic accuracy of various mediastinal measurements in determining acute nontraumatic thoracic aortic dissection with respect to posteroanterior (PA) and anteroposterior (AP) chest radiographs, which had received little attention so far. We retrospectively reviewed 100 patients (50 PA and 50 AP chest radiographs) with confirmed acute thoracic aortic dissection and 120 patients (60 PA and 60 AP chest radiographs) with confirmed normal aorta. Those who had prior history of trauma or aortic disease were excluded. The maximal mediastinal width (MW) and maximal left mediastinal width (LMW) were measured by two independent radiologists and the mediastinal width ratio (MWR) was calculated. Statistical analysis was then performed with independent sample t test. PA projection was significantly more accurate than AP projection, achieving higher sensitivity and specificity. LMW and MW were the most powerful parameters on PA and AP chest radiographs, respectively. The optimal cutoff levels were LMW = 4.95 cm (sensitivity, 90 %; specificity, 90 %) and MW = 7.45 cm (sensitivity, 90 %; specificity, 88.3 %) for PA projection and LMW = 5.45 cm (sensitivity, 76 %; specificity, 65 %) and MW = 8.65 cm (sensitivity, 72 %; specificity, 80 %) for AP projection. MWR was found less useful and less reliable. The use of LMW alone in PA film would allow more accurate prediction of aortic dissection. PA chest radiograph has a higher diagnostic accuracy when compared with AP chest radiograph, with negative PA chest radiograph showing less probability for aortic dissection. Lower threshold for proceeding to computed tomography aortogram is recommended however, especially in the elderly and patients with widened mediastinum on AP chest radiograph.

Computed tomography features of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia pneumonia in patients with neutropenic fever: report of two cases.

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (S. maltophilia) is a rare yet important global emerging nosocomial pathogen with multi-drug resistance. To the best of our knowledge, there is only one case report describing the computer tomography (CT) features of S. maltophilia pneumonia. In this article we will compare the features in the published case to those found in our patients. The importance of thoracic CT in febrile neutropenic patients will also be discussed.