Diagnostic role of aortic valve calcium scoring in various etiologies of aortic stenosis.

Most of the studies about aortic valve calcium (AVC) score in aortic stenosis (AS) were based on degenerative or bicuspid AS but not rheumatic AS. We aimed to study the diagnostic accuracy of AVC score to determine severe AS in various etiologies. Adult patients diagnosed with mild to severe AS were enrolled. AVC score were identified from multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) scan. The AVC score was highest in bicuspid AS (3211.9 (IQR (1100.0-4562.4) AU) compared to degenerative AS (1803.7 (IQR (1073.6-2550.6) AU)), and rheumatic AS (875.6 (IQR 453.3-1594.0) AU), p < 0.001. For the ROC curve to identify severe AS, the AVC score performed well in degenerative and bicuspid AS with the area under the ROC curve (AuROC) 0.834 (95% CI, 0.730, 0.938) in degenerative group; and 0.820 (95% CI, 0.687, 0.953) in bicuspid AS. Whereas AVC score had non-significant diagnostic accuracy with AuROC 0.667 (95% CI, 0.357, 0.976) for male and 0.60(95% CI, 0.243, 0.957) for female in rheumatic AS. The cut-off AVC score values to identify severe AS were AVCS > 2028.9AU (male) and > 1082.5AU (female) for degenerative AS, and > 2431.8AU (male) and > 1293.5AU (female) for bicuspid AS. In conclusions, AVC score is the accurate test for assessing severity in patients with degenerative and bicuspid AS but performs poorly in rheumatic AS group.

Value of low-keV virtual monoenergetic plus dual-energy computed tomographic imaging for detection of acute pulmonary embolism.

OBJECTIVE: To compare diagnostic values between the 40 keV virtual monoenergetic plus (40 keV VMI+) dual source dual energy computed tomography (DSDECT) pulmonary angiography images and the standard mixed (90 and 150 kV) images for the detection of acute pulmonary embolism (PE). METHODS: Chest DSDECTs of 64 patients who were suspected of having acute PE were retrospectively reviewed by two independent reviewers. The assessments of acute PE of all patients on a per-location basis were compared between the 40 keV VMI+ and the standard mixed datasets (reference standard) with a two-week interval. RESULTS: This study consisted of 64 patients (33 women and 31 men; mean age, 60.2 years; range 18-90 years), with a total of 512 locations. The interobserver agreement (Kappa) for detection of acute PE using the 40 keV VMI+ images and the standard mixed CT images were 0.7478 and 0.8750 respectively. The area under receiver operating characteristics (AuROC) for diagnosis of acute PE using the 40 keV VMI+ was 0.882. Four locations (0.78%) revealed a false negative result. Hypodense filling defects were identified in twelve locations (1.95%) in the 40 keV VMI+ images but had been interpreted as a negative study in the standard mixed CT images. The repeated reviews revealed that each location contained a hypodense filling defect but was overlooked on the standard mixed CT images. CONCLUSIONS: Low-energy VMI + DSDECT images have beneficial in improving the diagnostic value of acute PE in doubtful or disregarded standard mixed images.

Investigating Up-to-Seven Criteria and APRI (AST Platelet Ratio) as Prognostic Factors in Intermediate-Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients Who Received Transarterial Chemoembolization.

BACKGROUND: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is one of the locoregional treatments for intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) is a widely used diagnostic tool for HCC. It can also evaluate tumor size, tumor number, and tumor invasion. This study aimed to determine the median survival time in intermediate-stage HCC patients who underwent TACE and to find out  prognostic factors influencing patients' survival time after TACE. METHODS: A computerized search of medical record database in Maharaj Nakorn ChiangMai Hospital from January 2016 to December 2019 revealed 187 intermediate-stage HCC patients who received TACE as the first-line treatment. RESULTS: The median survival time of patients in this study was 9.9 months (95% CI: 8.3-11.6). The patients with aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio (APRI) less than 0.5 had a significantly better median survival time as compared with patients with APRI ratio more than 0.5; (13.2 months versus 9.9 months, p-value < 0.05). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that tumor number > 7 and tumor size > 5 centimeters (cm) could be considered as independent parameters predicting poor overall survival time in the sufferers (HR 2.64 95%CI 1.68-4.15 and HR 2.38 95%CI 1.32-4.31, respectively). CONCLUSION: Based on our findings, patients with intermediate-stage HCC who received TACE had a lower median survival time compared to previous studies. However, we identified APRI less than 0.5, tumor size less than 5 cm, and tumor number less than 7 as prognostic factors improving survival time in intermediate-stage HCC patients.

Prevalence and risk factor of post-operative lower extremities deep vein thrombosis in patients undergoing gynecologic surgery: a single-institute cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The study of prevalence and risk factors of postoperative lower limb deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in Thai gynecologic patients was limited. The present study was conducted to evaluate this issue. METHODS: The patients were age > 15 years old without a history of DVT or pulmonary emboli (PE) scheduled for laparotomy or vaginal gynecologic surgery between May and November 2020 were invited to participate. All of these patients were scheduled for a complete duplex ultrasound to detect lower limb DVT 72 h before and within 14 days after the operation. The patients without DVT were scheduled for an interview by telephone about DVT symptoms 30 days after the operation. The clinical variables were compared using univariate and multivariate analysis to identify the independent factors related to the development of DVT. RESULTS: One hundred and twelve patients met the inclusion criteria. Of these patients, 44 cases (39.3%) were diagnosed as malignancy and 102 patients underwent a hysterectomy. Post-operative DVTs were detected in six patients (5.4%) and all except one had a malignancy. Thus, the prevalence of DVT in malignancy cases was five in 44 patients (11.4%). The independent risk factors for postoperative DVT were age > 60-year-old and receiving a perioperative blood transfusion. Five of six DVT patients received low molecular-weight heparin for treatment of DVT and none developed PE. The rest of the participants reported no symptom-related DVTs from the interview 30 days after the operation. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of postoperative DVT in gynecologic patients was 5%, and the independent risk factors were elderly patients and receiving a perioperative blood transfusion.

Comparative Study of Early Impacts of Post-COVID-19 Pneumonia on Clinical Manifestations, Pulmonary Function, and Chest Radiographs.

Background and Objectives: Scant data regarding early post-COVID-19 effects are available, especially in younger people. Therefore, the objective of this study was to explore the early clinical impacts of post-COVID-19 pneumonia, comparing severe and non-severe patients. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in adult patients admitted with COVID-19 pneumonia from April to May 2021. Demographic data, symptoms and signs, quality of life, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), chest radiograph (CXR), pulmonary function tests (spirometry, impulse oscillometry), fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), and exercise capacity were assessed one month after hospital discharge. Twenty-five healthy control subjects that were age- and gender-matched were recruited for comparisons. Results: One hundred and five patients, with a mean age of 35.6 ± 15.8 years and 54 (51.4%) males, participated and were categorized into the non-severe pneumonia (N = 68) and severe pneumonia groups (N = 37). At a one-month follow-up visit (the time from the onset of the disease symptoms = 45.4 ± 5.9 days), the severe group had more cough, fatigue, and skin rash with higher dyspnea scale, more residual CXR lesions, and lower quality of life scores. Forced vital capacity (FVC) was lower in the severe group (88.3% of predicted value) and non-severe group (94.6% of predicted value) than in the healthy controls (p = 0.001). The six-minute walk distance was significantly lower in the non-severe group, at 79.2 m, and in the severe group, at 103.8 m, than in the healthy control subjects (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Adult patients with COVID-19, especially those with clinically severe pneumonia, still had residual symptoms and chest radiographic abnormalities, together with poorer quality of life and lower exercise capacity, one month after hospital discharge.

Agreement between physical and ultrasound examination for arteriovenous fistula maturation diagnostics in Thai hemodialysis patients.

INTRODUCTION: Physical examination (PE) is used to determine if arteriovenous fistula (AVF) meets criteria for first hemodialysis (HD) cannulation in chronic kidney disease (CKD) with HD patients. Three ultrasound (US) based criteria are adopted to investigate maturation: (i) Rule of Six: blood flow ⩾600 milliliters per minute (mL/min), vein diameter ⩾6 millimeters (mm), vein depth ⩽6 mm); (ii) Rule of Five: blood flow ⩾500 mL/min, vein diameter ⩾5 mm, vein depth ⩽6 mm; and (iii) Rule of Four: blood flow ⩾500 mL/min, vein diameter ⩾4 mm, vein depth ⩽6 mm. In Thai, no study determined optimal US criteria for predicting AVF maturation measured by PE before first cannulation. This study examined the significance of these US criteria on the physical AVF maturation in Thai. METHODS: Fifty CKD patients, operated brachiocephalic AVF, were enrolled and examined on the operative day and 6 weeks afterwards. PE was evaluated by an experienced vascular surgeon, and US measurements were obtained by an experienced US technologist. Matching mature number between US criteria and PE was computed using McNemar test. Agreement between US criteria and PE was measured using Kappa. Mature and immature discrimination were evaluated by the Receiver Operator Characteristics (ROC) curve and Youden index. RESULTS: Rule of Six and Rule of Five had higher non-mature matching number than Rule of Four (p < 0.001 both). Regarding Kappa statistics, Rule of Six and Rule of Five agreed with the PE (p < 0.01 both). The ROC curve of Rule of Six and Rule of Five were 0.75 and 0.74, respectively (p <0.01 both). Youden index (maturity and immaturity discriminating performance) of both rules was 0.5 and 0.47, respectively. CONCLUSION: Rule of Six and Rule of Five agreed with the PE, with the highest performance of the Rule of Six to predict first successful cannulation in Thai.

A randomized controlled trial of the effect of postoperative hand exercise training on arteriovenous fistula maturation in patients with chronic kidney disease.

OBJECTIVE: Immature arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is a critical problem in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) after creation. Exercise with 30% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) encourages vascular functions in other populations. It is unknown which exercise type is superior on maturation in the CKD population. We compare effects of isometric (ISM) and isotonic (IST) hand exercise training, both at 30% MVC, on AVF maturation and grip strength in patients with CKD. METHODS: Fifty patients with CKD were randomized into the ISM program or IST program (25 per group). Each group performed exercise program at intensity of 30% MVC every day for 10 weeks. Cephalic vein (CV) and brachial artery diameters, brachial blood flows, and grip strength were measured at weeks 0, 2, 6, and 10 of the program. The number of patients meeting clinical and ultrasound maturation were evaluated at weeks 2, 6, and 10. RESULTS: At weeks 6 and 10 of the programs, the ISM group had greater CV diameters (week 6, 7.1 ± 1.2 vs 6.2 ± 1.0 mm; week 10, 7.1 ± 1.0 vs 6.2 ± 1.1 mm) than the IST group. Compared with the IST group, the ISM group had a higher number of patients meeting ultrasound maturation at weeks 2 (IST/ISM, 8/2), 6 (IST/ISM, 16/8), and 10 (IST/ISM, 21/12), and clinical maturation at week 10 (IST/ISM, 25/18). No adverse events were observed throughout the study. CONCLUSIONS: At 30% MVC, ISM is more effective at promoting increases in CV diameter and maturation than IST. Both exercise types are feasible and safe for patients with CKD after AVF creation.

Coil embolization to giant left anterior descending artery and left circumflex artery coronary artery aneurysm after failed coronary aneurysmal repair in IgG4-related disease: a case report.

BACKGROUND: IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a chronic fibroinflammatory condition with multiple-organ involvement. Rupture of coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs) in IgG4-RD is rare. CASE SUMMARY: A 65-year-old man with IgG4-RD has suffered from recurrent episodes of arterial aneurysms since 2003. He presented with chest pain and hypotension caused by localized cardiac tamponade at right ventricle free wall due to the rupture of coronary artery aneurysm (CAA) of left anterior descending artery (LAD). An urgent LAD aneurysm repaired with bovine pericardium and obliterated aneurysmal sac with cryo-acrylate glue was done together with coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using saphenous vein graft (SVG) to LAD and SVG to posterior descending artery. Three-month after surgery, the follow-up coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) revealed a growing in size of LAD and the second obtuse marginal (OM) branch aneurysm. Heart team discussion agreed to schedule the patient for double coil embolization to LAD and second OM aneurysm under intravascular ultrasound guidance. Both aneurysms were successfully obliterated with vascular coils. Two-week follow-up coronary angiogram showed complete occlusion of LAD aneurysm and near occlusion of the second OM branch aneurysm. DISCUSSION: Coronary artery aneurysm rupture is a life-threatening condition that required prompt detection and treatments. In IgG4-RD patients, acute cardiac tamponade suggesting the rupture of CAA. Coil embolization is an alternative treatment in patients who suffered from recurrent CAA after surgical repair. Serial CCTA is important for early detection of aneurysm in IgG4-RD patients who had vascular involvement.

May-Thurner Syndrome Is Aggravated by Pregnancy.

This study aims to emphasize that asymptomatic patients with undiagnosed and asymptomatic May-Thurner syndrome (MTS) may firstly develop severe compression during pregnancy. A 40-year-old woman, G1P0, at 22 weeks of twin gestation presented with left lower extremity edema and pain. One twin was structurally normal while the other had bilateral renal agenesis with oligohydramnios. Magnetic resonance venography (MRV) revealed severe compression of the left iliac vein by the right iliac artery without evidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Conservative treatment with anticoagulant prophylaxis was instituted throughout the rest of pregnancy and postpartum period. She was also complicated with severe pre-eclampsia, a cesarean section was performed due to a prolapsed cord at 27 weeks of gestation, and she gave birth to a surviving baby weighing 1100 g. In conclusion, this case report provides evidence that pregnancy can disclose a subtle May-Thurner anatomy to be symptomatic without DVT. Successful pregnancy outcomes could be achieved with conservative treatment and anticoagulant prophylaxis.

Ultrasound Use in Diagnosis and Management of Venous Leg Ulcer.

Leg ulcers caused by venous diseases are effectively assessed by Doppler ultrasonography. The examination provides clear anatomical and physiological information for the diagnosis, treatment planning, and real-time guiding during the surgical treatment. Diagnostic Doppler ultrasonography assesses deep, superficial, and perforator veins, starting from patency assessment by direct visualization and simply compression test. The internal flow can be assessed by pulse wave analysis, which is used for rule out downstream flow obstruction and valvular incompetence. The venous valve function of deep, superficial, and perforator systems can be evaluated by measuring the time of the retrograde flow after flow augmentation performing in the upright position. At the end of the study, the venous map will be obtained and this map will guide clinicians to target treatment where the culprit is. The ultrasound technology has made a big shift in the treatment in the venous disease. In recent years, after the evolution and wide availability of ultrasound, newer treatment modalities have emerged for venous treatment. These include endovenous thermal ablation, endovenous adhesive closure, and ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy. Patients no longer require general anesthesia or hospitalization. Therefore utilization of duplex ultrasound has also surged and played an essential role in both diagnosis and therapy in venous ulcer. This article has dedicated to reviewing basic anatomy, the technique in diagnosis, and treatment.

Conventional versus hypofractionated postmastectomy radiotherapy: a report on long-term outcomes and late toxicity.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the long-term outcomes and late toxicity of conventional fractionated (CF) and hypofractionated (HF) postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT) in terms of locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRRFS), disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and late toxicity. METHODS: A cohort of 1640 of breast cancer patients receiving PMRT between January 2004 and December 2014 were enrolled. Nine hundred eighty patients were treated with HF-PMRT: 2.65 Gy/fraction to a total of 42.4-53 Gy and 660 patients were treated with CF-PMRT: 2 Gy/fraction to a total of 50-60 Gy. RESULTS: The median follow-up time was 71.8 months (range 41.5-115.9 months). No significant difference was found in the rates of 5-year LRRFS, DFS, and OS of HF-PMRT vs CF-PMRT; 96% vs. 94% (p = 0.373), 70% vs. 72% (p = 0.849), and 73% vs. 74% (p = 0.463), respectively. We identified a cohort of 937 eligible breast cancer patients who could receive late toxicities assessment. With a median follow-up time of this patient cohort of 106.3 months (range 76-134 months), there was a significant higher incidence of grade 2 or more late skin (4% vs 1%) and subcutaneous (7% vs 2%) toxicity in patients treated with HF-PMRT vs CF-PMRT. Patients who received additional radiation boost were significantly higher in the HF-PMRT group. Grade 2 or more late RTOG/EORTC lung toxicity was significant lesser in HF-PMRT vs CF-PMRT (9% vs 16%). Grade 1 brachial plexopathy was also significant lesser in HF-PMRT vs CF-PMRT (2% vs 8%). Heart toxicity and lymphedema were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: HF-PMRT is feasible to deliver with comparable long-term efficacy to CF-PMRT. HF-PMRT had higher grade 2 or more skin and subcutaneous toxicity but less lung and brachial plexus toxicity.

Fornix Rupture in Duplex Kidney due to Internal Iliac Artery Aneurysm.

A 70-year-old man presented with severe pain on the right side of the abdomen for 7 days. An abdominal CT angiographic scan showed an impending rupture of a large right internal iliac artery aneurysm which compressed to a right ureter causing hydroureteronephrosis. Fornix rupture of a right duplex kidney was also detected. Selective embolization of right gluteal arteries and then ligation of the right internal iliac artery and right ureterotomy with double J stenting were performed. At the 4-month follow-up appointment, an abdominal ultrasound demonstrated a decrease in the size of the aneurysm and no hydroureteronephrosis after the removal of double J stent.

Vascular Pythiosis of the Lower Extremity in Northern Thailand: Ten Years' Experience.

Pythiosis is a disease caused by Pythium insidiosum, a fungus-like organism. P. insidiosum is pathogenic in mammals, particularly in horses, dogs, and humans. Human pythiosis can be classified into 4 types: (1) cutaneous/subcutaneous, (2) ocular, (3) vascular, and (4) disseminated pythiosis. Vascular pythiosis is a rare disease but a serious limb- and life-threatening infection. We reviewed 22 cases over a 10-year period in Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai/Chiang Mai University Hospital. The survival rate was around 63.6% during our follow-up period. The only effective treatment was complete excision of the infected tissue, which was done mainly by major amputation, such as above-knee amputation. This report raises awareness of this disease, which needs preemptive diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Case series of isolated primary persistent sciatic vein.

Our study aimed to present a short series on the persistent sciatic vein, a rare venous variation, without Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome and to review the anatomical consideration of deep venous systems. Four cases of lower-type persistent sciatic vein were found. A combination of May-Thurner syndrome and persistent sciatic vein was found in 2 cases. Non-hypoplastic femoral veins, normal and duplicated, were found in 3 cases. This study concluded that in this persistent sciatic vein, the associated non-hypoplastic femoral vein is not uncommon, and care must be taken about this condition during ultrasonographic examination. Unusual causes of chronic venous insufficiency and other venous anomalies should not be overlooked.

Endovascular aortic stenting in patients with chronic traumatic aortocaval fistula.

This study aimed to present the treatment of a case of delay presenting of traumatic aortocaval fistula (ACF) and its effect on hemodynamic problem. A 59-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with heart failure due to a 41-year-old traumatic ACF. ACF closure was performed by endovascular aortic stenting. His hospital course after procedure was complicated by severe bradycardia and torsades de pointes and excessive diuresis. We concluded the endovascular technique provided an attractive alternative to open surgical methods for repair of chronic ACF. However, in chronic cases, complications such as severe bradycardia (Nicoladoni-Branham sign) and excessive diuresis must be anticipated.

Idiopathic high-flow priapism in a pediatric patient.

High-flow priapism is a very rare condition in children. The most common cause is perineal trauma, which is a major cause of arterio-cavernosal fistula. A few pediatric patients have high-flow priapism without an obvious cause. There are many therapeutic modalities for this condition, depending on the etiology. We report a case of idiopathic high-flow priapism in a 6-year-old boy who underwent repeated superselective embolization.

Pediatric renovascular hypertension in Thailand: CT angiographic findings.

BACKGROUND: Renovascular disease is an uncommon but important cause of hypertension in children. When unrecognized and untreated, renovascular hypertension in children can have serious complications. OBJECTIVE: To review the causes of renovascular hypertension and computed tomography angiographic (CTA) findings in children and adolescents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight CTAs from January 2004 to March 2008 of 23 children and adolescents with hypertension were reviewed for the causes and CTA findings. RESULTS: Nine of the 23 children (39%) had abnormal renal arteries with or without abnormal abdominal aortas. Four of these children had Takayasu arteritis, one had moyamoya disease, and one had median arcuate ligament syndrome. One with chronic pyelonephritis had severe stenosis of the proximal right renal artery. The other two children had renal artery stenosis with a nonspecific cause. One child with a normal abdominal aorta and renal arteries had a right suprarenal mass. On pathological examination a ganglioneuroma was found. CONCLUSION: CTA can help in diagnosis of renovascular hypertension in children and adolescents. Although CTA is not a screening modality, it is appropriate in some situations.

Radiologic findings in tsunami trauma: experience with 225 patients injured in the 2004 tsunami.

The objective of this study was to determine the spectrum of radiographic findings, frequency, and type of injuries in tsunami victims. From December 2004 to May 2005, all tsunami victims admitted to our hospital were retrospectively identified by a search of medical records. Patients who received radiologic examinations were reviewed for their radiographic findings. The authors identified 225 tsunami victims. One hundred eight victims received radiologic evaluations on admission that included 350 plain radiographs, 19 ultrasound exams, 18 computed tomography (CT) scans and 3 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Overall positivity rate was 48% (187/390). Most common trauma involved musculoskeleton (102/187, 54.5%). Retained foreign bodies in soft tissues, pneumonia/aspiration, and tsunami sinusitis were found in 22, 28, and 31 patients (9.8, 12.4, and 13.8%), respectively. These were unique findings in tsunami trauma. Imaging played an important role in detection of these abnormalities.

Combined hepatocellular and cholangiocarcinoma: CT findings with emphasis on multiphasic helical CT.

OBJECTIVE: To describe CT findings of patients with combined hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma (HCC-CC) in correlation with clinical data and histopathological results. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Ten from 31 cases whose CT study was available were reviewed retrospectively in the aspect of imaging findings, clinical data, and pathological results. RESULTS: Most of the tumors were hypodense solitary mass with gradually enhanced after contrast administration. Bile duct dilatation was observed in two cases. The overall CT findings were more similar to CC rather than HCC despite the pathological result showing predominant HCC component. Serum alpha-fetoprotein level was normal or mildly elevated while an elevated concentration of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 was observed. Hepatitis profiles showed positive to hepatitis B virus infection in four cases and hepatitis C virus infection in one case. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of combined HCC-CC should be considered if the tumor has similar findings to CC without bile duct dilatation on cirrhotic liver and the patient has normal or low rising of the AFP level with or without elevated CA 19-9 level. In non-cirrhotic liver, the finding is non-specific.