Current Strategies for the Management of Anomalous Origin of Coronary Arteries from the Pulmonary Artery.

INTRODUCTION: The coronary arteries, which have to originate from the aorta, may sometimes rise from the pulmonary artery. This study evaluated clinical and diagnostic findings, treatment methods, and follow up of cases with anomalous coronary arteries arising from the pulmonary artery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eight patients with the diagnosis of anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) (N = 6) and anomalous right coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ARCAPA) (N = 2), between January 2014 and January 2020 from a single center university hospital, were included in the study. Data from patients' demographic characteristics, electrocardiography, echocardiography, angiographic findings, operation, hospitalization, and follow up were evaluated. RESULTS: The study included eight patients (six females and two males) - six patients with ALCAPA and two with ARCAPA. The ages of the patients ranged between 3-135 (average: 53.25) months. The median body weight was calculated as 17.4 kg. Severe mitral valve insufficiency was detected in two patients and two other patients had a moderate degree of mitral insufficiency on echocardiography. Ejection fractions ranged between 16-74%. One patient had perimembranous malalignment large ventricular septal defect with pulmonary stenosis. Operative techniques were Takeuchi procedure (three patients), direct implantation (four patients), and left internal thoracic artery to left main coronary artery bypass (one patient). Mechanical cardiac support was not required in the postoperative period. Mortality did not occur. Mitral insufficiency and ejection fractions improved following correction of the coronary anatomy. CONCLUSION: It is important to diagnose the ALCAPA or ARCAPA, where the coronary artery originates from the pulmonary artery. Patients should be treated before congestive heart failure and fatal complications occur. Surgical correction should be planned regardless of symptom status, even though some of patients reach adulthood with an increased number of collaterals.

Effect of radiation dose reduction on image quality in adult head CT with noise-suppressing reconstruction system with a 256 slice MDCT.

The purpose of our study was to investigate the effect of iterative reconstruction (IR) as a dose reduction system on the image quality (IQ) of the adult head computed tomography (CT) at various low-dose levels, and to identify ways of setting the amount of dose reduction. We performed two noncontrast low-dose (LD) adult head CT protocols modified by lowering the tube current with IR which were decided in the light of a group of phantom studies. Two groups of patients, each 100 underwent noncontrast head CT with LD-I and LD-II, respectively. These groups were compared with 100 consecutive standard dose (STD) adult head CT protocol in terms of quantitative and qualitative IQ. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the white matter (WM) and gray matter (GM) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) values in the LD groups were higher than the STD group. The differences were statistically significant. When the STD and the LD groups were compared qualitatively, no significant differences were found in overall quality. By selecting the appropriate level of IR 34%, radiation dose reduction in adult head CT can be achieved without compromising IQ.

Compression of the Celiac Artery by the Median Arcuate Ligament: Multidetector Computed Tomography Findings and Characteristics.

PURPOSE: The prevalence of the celiac artery stenosis caused by median arcuate ligament (MAL) compression and its multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) characteristics were evaluated in patients who underwent abdominal MDCT procedures, retrospectively. METHODS: Totally 1121 patients who had abdominal MDCT with arterial phase or MDCT angiography of the abdominal aorta for various indications were analyzed for celiac artery compression by the MAL. RESULTS: Fifty (ie, 4.6%) patients showed typical MDCT features of MAL compression. Focal narrowing of the proximal celiac artery, a characteristic hooked appearance of the narrowed segment without calcification and atherosclerotic changes were diagnostic. Poststenotic dilatation was detected in 22 (44%) patients with MAL compression. The ratio of the stenosis of the celiac artery was between 35%-50% in 15 patients and 51%-80% in 35 patients. The gastroduodenal artery diameter of these patients was not significantly different from the asymptomatic control group. CONCLUSION: MALS is an uncommon entity but it should be kept in mind in the presence of unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms. MDCT is a minimally invasive and plays a dominant role in the diagnosis of MAL compression especially with reformatted and 3-D reconstructed images.

Synovial sarcoma in a premature newborn.

Synovial sarcoma is rarely detected in infants, with an annual incidence of 0.5 per million. Synovial sarcoma occurs more frequently in adolescents and young adults, with the majority of patients presenting between 15 and 40 years of age. It is extremely rare, however, in pediatric patients under 2 years of age. In the present study we examined a 3-day-old male infant born at 32 weeks who had a mass on his left arm. Synovial sarcoma was identified on histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis of biopsy material acquired from the mass. On whole body magnetic resonance imaging, diffuse metastases were detected in the bilateral lungs in the retroperitoneal zone, in bilateral suprarenal glands, the right liver lobe, the right kidney, and the brain. To our knowledge this is the youngest patient to be diagnosed with synovial sarcoma in the literature.

Our Experience with MR Imaging of Perianal Fistulas.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) depicts infectious foci in the perianal region better than any other imaging modality. MRI allows definition of the fistula, associated abscess formation and its secondary extensions. Accurate information is necessary for surgical treatment and to obtain a decrease in the incidence of recurrence and complications. Radiologists should be familiar with anatomical and pathological findings of perianal fistulas and classify them using the MRI - based grading system. The purpose of this article was to provide an overview for evaluation of perianal fistulas, examples of various fistula types and their classification.

Effect of surgeon's judgement on the diagnosis of acute appendicitis.

OBJECTIVE: The accuracy of a surgeon's judgement still remains to be controversial in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis, which is a diagnosis usually based on laboratory data and imaging tests. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with a possible diagnosis of acute appendicitis were reviewed retrospectively with regard to demographic variables, laboratory and imaging results, and treatment modalities. RESULTS: There were 128 patients with a mean age of 31.2±14 years. The mean white blood cell count and the proportion of polymorphonuclear leukocytes were 11403±4669/mm(3) and 75±11%, respectively. Appendectomy was performed on 66 (51.6%) patients. Conservative management was applied to 62 (48.4%) patients. Statistical analysis showed that patients with appendicitis have a higher white blood cell count (p=0.015) and a higher proportion of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (p=0.023). Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy rates were 84.6%, 63.7% and 74.3% for ultrasound and 100%, 86.7% and 92.2% for computed tomography, respectively. CONCLUSION: Diagnosis based on patients' laboratory and imaging data, in combination with, the surgeon's judgement appears to yield the best outcomes in patients with suspicion of acute appendicitis.

Left femoral vein is a better choice for cannulation in children: a computed tomography study.

BACKGROUND: Central venous catheters are often required in emergency rooms and intensive care and/or those undergoing major surgical procedures. In this study, we aimed to gain a better understanding of the anatomy of the femoral vessel in relation to central venous cannulation. METHODS: The right and left (total of 180) femoral veins (FVs) of 90 consecutive pediatric patients were retrospectively evaluated using computed tomography images. Patients were divided into two groups according to their age: group 1, patients up to 9 years of age; and group 2, patients between 9 and 16 years of age. RESULTS: The position and overlap of femoral artery (FA) to FV are significantly different between the left and right sides in both groups (P = 0.001). The left FV was most commonly located medial to the FA. However, the right FV was most commonly located posterior-medial to the FA. The incidence of overlap of the FA over the FV was significantly lower at the left side in both groups. CONCLUSION: The incidence of overlap of the FA over the FV was significantly lower at the left side in pediatric patients. This finding was similar between the patients aged 2-8 years and those aged 9-16 years and may have significant clinical implications. Guiding clinicians to select the left FV of children for cannulation may result in lower arterial puncture rates while accessing the central vein.

Optimal angle of needle entry for internal jugular vein catheterization with a neutral head position: a CT study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to determine the optimal angle of needle entry in the sagittal plane for internal jugular vein (IJV) catheterization with the central approach while the head is in the neutral position. METHODS: The contrast-enhanced carotid artery computed tomography angiographies of 123 consecutive patients were retrospectively reviewed. The point of merger between the sternal and clavicular heads of the sternocleidomastoid muscle was assumed as a clinical entry (CE) point. The angle between CE point and the center of the IJV, the depth, diameter of the vessels and the degree of overlap between the IJV and carotid artery (CA) were measured. RESULTS: The angles between the CE point and the center of the IJVs were similar, 7° ± 13° medial and 8° ± 12° medial on the right and the left side, respectively. The center of IJVs from the CE point was between 0° and 16° toward the medial in 79.8% on the right side and 89.9% on the left side of patients. The diameters of the right IJVs were greater than the left IJVs (p = 0.001). The depth from the skin and overlap between IJV and CA did not vary between the two sides. CONCLUSIONS: When a central approach is used for right internal jugular vein (RIJV) cannulation with a neutral head position, the orientation of the angle of needle entry (i.e., 16°) medially in the sagittal plane may quadruple the success rate of RIJV catheterization compared to the success rate of a laterally oriented angle of entry as recommended by the classic method.

Standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy for malposition of the gallbladder caused by right-sided ligamentum teres.

Atypical localization of the gallbladder associated with right-sided ligamentum teres is a rare anomaly of the biliary system. Although the conventional nomenclature as being a left-sided gallbladder is usually used, this definition may be incomprehensive because of lacking the anatomical detail. This report describes atypical localization of the gallbladder associated with right-sided ligamentum teres and abnormal intrahepatic portal venous branching, surgically removed laparoscopically.

Should Core Needle Lymph Node Biopsy be a Relevant Alternative to Surgical Excisional Biopsy in Diagnostic Work Up of Lymphomas?

OBJECTIVE: Surgical excisional biopsy is accepted as the standard of care approach in the diagnosis of lympho- mas. Financial issues related to the increased cost and the invasive nature of the procedure forced physicians to use some alternative diagnostic methods. Percutaneous core needle biopsy, which gained a reputation for the diagnosis of lymphomas with the advent of improved pathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular analysis, made it possible to have an accurate diagnosis with limited tissue samples. In this retrospective study, we aimed to compare the diagnostic yield of surgical excisional biopsy and core needle biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 131 patients who were diagnosed with lymphoma with a nodal biopsy which was acquired via surgical excisional biopsy or core needle biopsy between 2014 and 2020 in our center. Around 68 patients underwent surgical excisional biopsy and the remaining 63 underwent core needle biopsy. Samples that allowed to the identification of the exact tumor type and/or subtype were accepted as fully diagnostic. Sufficient amount of tissue that the pathologist could have any suspicious findings considering malignant lymphoma was classified as partial diagnostic group. Inadequate samples were the ones who were not enough to report any final diagnosis. RESULTS: The patients who underwent a core needle biopsy were significantly older than the patients who underwent to surgical excisional biopsy (56.8 vs. 47.6, P = .003). Despite the full diagnostic ability of surgical excisional biopsy outperformed core needle biopsy (95.2 % vs. 83.8 %, P=.035), in 92.6% of the patients whose tissue samples were obtained via core needle biopsy were accepted to have a sufficient diagnosis to initiate the treatment and not required a second biopsy, which was comparable with the ones achieved by surgical excisional biopsy (92.6% vs. 95.2%, P = .720). CONCLUSION: According to the results obtained in our study, we may conclude that core needle biopsy is a viable and comparable alternative to surgical excisional biopsy, offering a less invasive and less-expansive approach.

Flow Diversion Therapy of Remnant and Recurrent Intracranial Aneurysms Treated Surgically.

AIM: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of flow diverter stents (FDSs) for treating remnant or recurrent intracranial aneurysms that were treated surgically. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The patients who were treated with FDSs due to remnant or recurrent intracranial aneurysms after microsurgery were included in the study. The patients' demographics, treatment histories, aneurysm features, complications associated with flow diversion, and neurological and angiographic follow-up findings were evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty patients (eight males) with 20 aneurysms were included in the study. Of 20 aneurysms, 18 (90%) were in the anterior, and two (10%) were in the posterior circulation. The initial treatment methods were clipping in 17 (85%) and wrapping in three (15%) aneurysms. The endovascular procedure was successful in all patients. In three patients (15%), periprocedural and postprocedural complications were encountered. No hemorrhagic complications were detected on cone-beam computed tomography. One patient with a basilary aneurysm died because of brain stem ischemia. The total morbimortality was 5%. The mean length of follow-up was 13.7 ± 7.3 months in 18 patients. The first angiographic follow-up (3-6 months) revealed the complete occlusion in 7 of 11 aneurysms (63.6%). By contrast, 16 aneurysms (94.1%) were occluded at the last angiographic follow-up, one aneurysm (5.9%) was still filling. CONCLUSION: An FDS seems effective, safe, and extremely attractive in treating remnant and recurrent intracranial aneurysms treated surgically.

Evaluation of abdominal computed tomography findings in patients with COVID-19: a multicenter study

PURPOSE: To evaluate the frequency of abdominal computed tomography (CT) findings in patients with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) and interrogate the relationship between abdominal CT findings and patient demographic features, clinical findings, and laboratory test results as well as the CT atherosclerosis score in the abdominal aorta. METHODS: This study was designed as a multicenter retrospective study. The abdominal CT findings of 1.181 patients with positive abdominal symptoms from 26 tertiary medical centers with a positive polymerase chain-reaction test for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 were reviewed. The frequency of ischemic and non-ischemic CT findings as well as the association between CT findings, clinical features, and abdominal aortic calcific atherosclerosis score (AA-CAS) were recorded. RESULTS: Ischemic and non-ischemic abdominal CT findings were detected in 240 (20.3%) and 328 (27.7%) patients, respectively. In 147 patients (12.4%), intra-abdominal malignancy was present. The most frequent ischemic abdominal CT findings were bowel wall thickening (n = 120; 10.2%) and perivascular infiltration (n = 40; 3.4%). As for non-ischemic findings, colitis (n = 91; 7.7%) and small bowel inflammation (n = 73; 6.2%) constituted the most frequent disease processes. The duration of hospital stay was found to be higher in patients with abdominal CT findings than in patients without any positive findings (13.8 ± 13 vs. 10.4 ± 12.8 days, P < 0.001). The frequency of abdominal CT findings was significantly higher in patients who did not survive the infection than in patients who were discharged after recovery (41.7% vs. 27.4%, P < 0.001). Increased AA-CAS was found to be associated with a higher risk of ischemic conditions in abdominal CT examinations. CONCLUSION: Abdominal symptoms in patients with COVID-19 are usually associated with positive CT findings. The presence of ischemic findings on CT correlates with poor COVID-19 outcomes. A high AA-CAS is associated with abdominal ischemic findings in patients with COVID-19.

Epiploic appendagitis: is there need for surgery to confirm diagnosis in spite of clinical and radiological findings?

BACKGROUND: The present retrospective study was conducted to review the authors' experience and describe clinical and radiologic features of epiploic appendagitis (EA), which is an uncommon, self-limiting clinical entity mimicking acute appendicitis and diverticulitis. Awareness of the features of EA would allow a correct diagnosis and avoid unnecessary surgical interventions. METHODS: Patients diagnosed as EA in one regional medical center between June 2006 and June 2010 were included. Clinical, laboratory, and imaging features of EA were studied, with particular attention to its unique radiologic appearances. RESULTS: Twenty patients (13 men and 7 women; average age 43.2 years) diagnosed with EA were included in the study. Localized abdominal pain without nausea, vomiting, and fever were the major presenting symptoms for all patients. Laboratory blood tests were normal, except in one patient with leukocytosis and two patients with increased serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. A noncompressible hyperechoic ovoid mass with hypoechoic border and without central blood flow on Doppler ultrasound (US) was detected in five of six patients. In all patients, the computed tomography (CT) scans revealed an ovoid fatty mass with hyperattenuating rim and disproportionate adjacent fat stranding. Central dot sign, concomitant old infarct, and lobulation were present in 75%, 20%, and 10% of the patients, respectively. All of the patients were treated conservatively. No recurrences occurred during the follow-up period (average: 24.8 months) in 18 (90%) of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with localized abdominal pain without other symptoms, diagnosis of EA should be considered. Recognizing the US and CT features of EA may allow an accurate diagnosis and avoid unnecessary surgery.

The prevalence of coronary artery variations on coronary computed tomography angiography.

BACKGROUND: Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) can delineate the coronary artery anatomy precisely. Basic knowledge of the normal coronary artery anatomy and familiarity with its common variations are essential in order to assess CCTA accurately. PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of coronary artery variations detected by 64-slice mutidetector CT. MATERIAL AND METHODS: CCTA images of 2096 patients were evaluated retrospectively. Relatively unusual coronary artery morphological features that were seen in greater than 1% of the study population were classified as variations. RESULTS: Coronary artery circulation was right dominant in 86.6%, left dominant in 9.6%, and balanced in 3.8% of patients. The conus artery arose from the right coronary artery in 83%, or directly from the aorta with a separate ostium in 17% of cases which was much more common in men than women. The sinoatrial node artery originated from the right coronary artery (65.6%) or the circumflex artery (33.7%). The atrioventricular node artery originated from the right coronary artery in 86.4% or the circumflex artery in 13.6% of cases. The left main coronary artery was shorter than 0.5 cm in 4.7% of cases and trifurcated into the intermediate artery in 31.3% of cases. A myocardial bridge was observed in 21.6%, coronary ectasia-aneurysm in 2%, dual left anterior descending artery (LAD) type 1 in 1.38%, and a variant of type 1 in 0.1% of cases. The presence of coronary atherosclerosis was higher in patients with coronary ectasia-aneurysm than the patients who did not have coronary ectasia-aneurysm (90.5% vs. 72.2%, P = 0.000). CONCLUSION: CCTA is a non-invasive imaging modality for the depiction of variations of the coronary arteries. The incidence of coronary artery variations is high and various, and readers should be familiar and looking for these conditions during interpretation of CCTA examinations.

Management of Spontaneous Major Rectus Sheath Hematoma in a COVID-19 Patient: A Case Report and Literature Review.

A rectus sheath hematoma, which is mostly encountered due to abdominal traumas or anticoagulant use, can be challenging, and a delayed diagnosis may lead to hypovolemic shock and even death. In this study, we aimed to present the management of a case of rectus sheath hematoma that developed in a patient who was hospitalized and under coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) treatment. A 70-year-old female patient was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) due to respiratory failure and developed a sudden onset of tachycardia and hypotension. The patient was then diagnosed with a rectus sheath hematoma and after ensuring hemodynamic stability she was treated with angiographic embolization. Following the treatment, the patient remained hemodynamically stable and a control computed tomography (CT) revealed regression in the hematoma. Rectus sheath hematomas especially accompanied by additional comorbidities or aggressive surgical interventions may result in high mortality rates in the early period. It should also be kept in mind that during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected the world in the last two years, rectus sheath hematomas may be the underlying cause of sudden hypotension and abdominal distension, and it should not be forgotten that angiographic embolization performed by experienced interventional radiologists is the mainstay of treatment in cases where hemodynamic stability can't be achieved.

Coronary artery anomalies: the prevalence of origination, course, and termination anomalies of coronary arteries detected by 64-detector computed tomography coronary angiography.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of origination, course, and termination anomalies of coronary arteries, all of which were detected by 64-detector coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA). METHODS: Images of 2096 patients who underwent CTA were evaluated retrospectively to determine coronary artery anomalies (CAAs). RESULTS: Anomalies in origin and course were detected in 1.96% of the cases. The prevalence rates of the right coronary artery (RCA) branching from the left coronary sinus, the circumflex artery from the right coronary sinus (RCS) or from the RCA, absence of the left main coronary artery, and high takeoff coronary arteries were similar and seen in 0.43% of the cases. The left main coronary artery originating from the RCS, a single coronary ostium from the RCS, the circumflex artery from the distal RCA, and the RCA from the pulmonary artery were observed in 0.1%, 0.05%, 0.05%, and 0.05% of the cases, respectively. A coronary artery fistula, which is a termination anomaly, was detected in 0.33% of the patients. The presence of coronary atherosclerosis with CAAs was less than the study group that was statistically not significant (64.6% vs 72.5%, P = 0.213). CONCLUSIONS: Computed tomography angiography provides essential information about CAAs to interventional cardiologists and surgeons that helps to prevent incorrect procedures by showing the exact origin, complex anatomy, course, and termination of the coronary arteries.

Flow Diverter Stents in the Treatment of Cerebral Aneurysms Less than 5 mm.

AIM: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of flow diverter (FD) stents in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms less than 5 mm. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We treated 66 aneurysms in 43 patients with aneurysms less than 5 mm. Of the patients, 29 were females and 14 males (mean age: 50.2 years). Headache was the most frequent symptom. In 8 patients, the aneurysms were recanalized and these had been treated with coils or stent-assisted coiling. All aneurysms were in the anterior circulation. In the treatment, one of the SILK, Pipeline, Derivo or FRED FD stents was used for each patient. Neurointerventional stent medication (double antiplatelet) was used. All patients were investigated for new ischemic lesions with diffusion-weighted imaging one day later. The first follow-up angiogram was planned 3-6 months later. RESULTS: The treatment was technically successful in all patients. Minor complications occurred in 3 patients (7%). In one patient, thrombus inside the SILK was seen and was relieved with tirofiban. The second patient bled from the right common femoral artery entrance, which was operated on. In the third patient, the complication was technical. All patients were discharged without any neurological deficit. The mean follow-up period was 26 (6-52) months. Of the aneurysms, 64 (97.0%) were completely closed. CONCLUSION: The FD treatment of cerebral, anterior circulation small aneurysms less than 5 mm is effective and safe.

Flow diverter stents in the treatment of recanalized intracranial aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: We assessed the safety and efficacy of flow diverter stents (FDSs) in the treatment of recanalized or residual intracranial aneurysms treated endovascularly. MATERIALS & METHODS: Patients whose recanalized or residual aneurysms were treated with FDSs in five tertiary hospitals were reviewed retrospectively. The patients' demographic data, aneurysm characteristics, types of previous treatment, and clinical complications, or serious adverse events associated with FDSs, as well as the results of neurological and angiographic follow-up assessments, were recorded. RESULTS: Eighty-six patients (37 males) with 87 aneurysms were included in this study. Eighty (91.9%) aneurysms were in the anterior and seven (8.1%) in the posterior circulation. The initial treatment methods were the primary coiling or balloon remodeling technique in 69 (79.3%) and stent-assisted coiling in 18 (20.7%) aneurysms. The endovascular procedure was successful in all patients. Complications occurred in four patients, for a total complication rate of 4.6%. A technical complication developed in one patient (1.2%). An in-stent thrombosis treated with tirofiban was seen in two cases. Late in-stent stenosis exceeding 50% was treated with balloon angioplasty in one patient. The mean length of follow-up was 21.0 months. The first angiographic follow-up (3-6 months) revealed the complete occlusion of 74 aneurysms (85.1%). While 76 aneurysms (87.4%) were occluded at the last angiographic follow-up (mean: 26.0 months), 11 aneurysms (12.6%) were still filling. Morbimortality was zero. CONCLUSION: The drawback of endovascular treatment is aneurysmal remnants or recurrences, which is safely and durably amenable to flow diversion.

Should be Remembered in the Differential Diagnosis of Klatskin Tumour: Alveolar Echinococcosis

Alveolar echinococcosis is an infectious disease caused by Echinococcus multilocularis and it is frequently diagnosed as a space-occupying lesion in the liver. The growth pattern may be similar to that of a malignant tumour with extensive liver infiltration, spreading into neighbouring organs and forming metastasis-like masses in distant organs. Thus, it is one of the differential diagnoses of liver cancer. We report a case that presented as a klatskin tumour clinically and radiologically, but was revealed by pathologic and serologic work-up. Since the courses of these two diseases, a malignancy and an infectious disease, are far beyond comparison, echinococcosis should always be considered in differential diagnosis of obstructive jaundice, especially in the endemic regions.