Clinical indications for cardiac computed tomography. From the Working Group of the Cardiac Radiology Section of the Italian Society of Medical Radiology (SIRM).

Cardiac computed tomography (CCT) has grown as a useful means in different clinical contexts. Technological development has progressively extended the indications for CCT while reducing the required radiation dose. Even today there is little documentation from the main international scientific societies describing the proper use and clinical indications of CCT; in particular, there are no complete guidelines. This document reflects the position of the Working Group of the Cardiac Radiology Section of the Italian Society of Radiology concerning the indications for CCT.

Importance of dural ectasia in phenotypic assessment of Marfan's syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Early identification of Marfan's syndrome is fundamental in the prevention of aortic dilatation, but the wide phenotypic expression of the disorder makes the clinical diagnosis very difficult. Dural ectasia has been classified as a major diagnostic criterion; however, its prevalence is not known. We aimed to identify the true prevalence of dural ectasia in Marfan's syndrome, and to investigate its relation to aortic pathology. METHODS: A magnetic-resonance-imaging (MRI) study of the thoracic aorta and of the lumbosacral spine was done in an inclusive series of 83 patients with Marfan's syndrome to assess the presence and degree of dural ectasia and aortic involvement; 12 patients were younger than 18 years. 100 individuals who underwent MRI of the lumbar spine for routine clinical indications represented the control group; none of them had any potential causes for dural ectasia. FINDINGS: Dural ectasia was identified in 76 (92%) patients and none of the control group. The severity of dural ectasia was related to age; the mean (SD) age of patients with mild dural ectasia was 26 years (14) whereas that of those with severe disease (meningocele) was 36 years (9) (p=0.038). 11 of 12 patients younger than 18 years had dural ectasia. No association was found between aortic dilatation and dural ectasia. INTERPRETATION: Dural ectasia is a highly characteristic sign of Marfan's syndrome, even at an early age.

Assessment of restrictive cardiomyopathy of amyloid or idiopathic etiology by magnetic resonance imaging.

This study was designed to assess the role of magnetic resonance imaging in the differential diagnosis of amyloid and idiopathic etiology of cardiomyopathy. This technique demonstrated the capability to differentiate the 2 forms, providing high-resolution evaluation of the myocardial wall and detecting the infiltrative pathology by tissue characterization.