Computed tomography findings of early-stage TAFRO syndrome and associated adrenal abnormalities.

OBJECTIVES: To compare CT findings of early (within 3 weeks post-onset)- and later (within 1 month before or after diagnostic criteria were satisfied, and later than 3 weeks post-onset) stage thrombocytopenia, anasarca, fever, reticulin fibrosis, renal dysfunction, and organomegaly (TAFRO) syndrome. METHODS: Between 2014 and 2019, 13 patients with TAFRO syndrome (8 men and 5 women; mean age, 54.9 years) from nine hospitals were enrolled. The number of the following CT findings (CT factors) was recorded: the presence of anasarca, organomegaly, adrenal ischaemia, anterior mediastinal lesion, bony lesion, and lymphadenopathy. Records of adrenal disorders (adrenomegaly, ischaemia, and haemorrhage) throughout the disease course were also collected. Differences in CT factors at each stage were statistically compared between remission and deceased groups. RESULTS: Para-aortic oedema and mild lymphadenopathy were observed in all patients, whereas pleural effusion, ascites, and subcutaneous oedema were found in 5/13, 7/13, and 7/13 cases, respectively, at the early stage. CT factors at the early stage were significantly higher in the deceased than in the remission group (mean, 11 vs 6.5; p = 0.04), while they were nonsignificant at the later stage. Adrenal disorders were present in 7/13 cases throughout the course including 6 of adrenomegaly and 4 of ischaemia at the early stage. CONCLUSIONS: Para-aortic oedema and mild lymphadenopathy are most common at the early stage. Anasarca, organomegaly, lymphadenopathy, and adrenal disorders on early-stage CT are useful for unfavourable prognosis prediction. Moreover, adrenal disorders are frequent even at the early stage and are useful for early diagnosis of TAFRO syndrome. KEY POINTS: • CT findings facilitate early diagnosis and prognosis prediction in TAFRO syndrome. • Adrenal disorders are frequently observed in TAFRO syndrome. • Adrenal disorders are useful for differential diagnosis of TAFRO syndrome.

Hematoma in Epicardial Fat From Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm.

Hematoma in epicardial fat is a rare finding on noncontrast computed tomography imaging. We describe a case with hematoma in epicardial fat that helped to diagnose an oozing, ruptured mycotic sinus of Valsalva aneurysm. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.).

Clinical and computed tomographic features of Legionella pneumonia with negative urine antigen test results.

BACKGROUND: Legionella spp. can cause severe pneumonia and most Legionella pneumonia (LP) cases are diagnosed using the urine antigen test (UAT). However, diagnosis of LP with negative UAT results (LPNUAT) is challenging. We investigated the clinical and radiological features of LPNUAT. METHODS: We retrospectively collected LP cases with positive UAT (LPPUAT) and cases of suspected LP with negative UAT that were examined by Legionella culture between July 2014 and March 2020. We investigated the clinical and CT findings for LP that showed negative UAT results and was diagnosed by culture and compared these findings with those for other pneumonias suspicious for LP with negative results in UAT and Legionella culture (OPSLP). RESULTS: Eight LPNUAT, 20 LPPUAT, and 19 OPSLP cases were included in this study. There were no significant differences in the clinical and CT findings between LPPUAT and LPNUAT when examined by UAT. In LPNUAT, dyspnea, renal dysfunction, liver dysfunction, and bilateral lesions were more commonly observed and inflammatory changes and the number of affected lobes were significantly higher when examined by culture than when examined by UAT. Comparison to OPSLP, LPNUAT did not show such differences, but rather showed disturbances in consciousness, hyponatremia and rhabdomyolysis. Furthermore, lobar consolidation was observed more frequently and bronchial wall thickening and centrilobular nodules were observed less frequently in LPNUAT. CONCLUSIONS: LP characteristics such as disturbance of consciousness, hyponatremia, rhabdomyolysis, lobar consolidation, and less bronchial wall thickening and centrilobular nodule contribute to the diagnosis of LP in patients with negative UAT results.

Ability of high-resolution computed tomography to distinguish Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia from other bacterial pneumonia: Significance of lateral bronchial lesions, less air bronchogram, and no peripheral predominance.

BACKGROUND: No study has investigated the capability of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) to detect a lateral bronchus abnormality, degree of air bronchogram, and distribution of affected lesions in the diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP). METHODS: We prospectively enrolled patients with serologically-confirmed MPP or culture-confirmed other bacterial pneumonia (OBP). The distribution of affected areas, abnormalities in lateral bronchial lesions, the degree of air bronchogram, and previously reported findings on HRCT were evaluated for MPP and OBP. Predictive HRCT findings for MPP were determined by logistic regression analysis. We provisionally designed our HRCT criteria (negative, probable, or highly suspected) for diagnosing MPP and investigated the diagnostic yield of the HRCT criteria. RESULTS: Sixty-three MPP and 126 OBP patients were included in this study. Logistic regression analysis showed that the absence of peripheral predominance, bronchial wall thickening, lateral bronchial wall thickening, intralobular or lobular ground-glass opacities, intralobular ground-glass opacities connected to a lateral bronchus, and less air bronchogram in infiltrates were significant predictors of MPP. Our HRCT criteria showed that the sensitivity and specificity in negative, probable, and highly suspected MPP were 0.0 and 0.33, 1.0 and 0.69, and 0.5 and 0.98, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: HRCT had considerable ability to detect a lateral bronchial abnormality and to diagnose or rule out MPP based on the distribution of affected areas, abnormalities in lateral bronchial lesions, and the degree of air bronchogram in the infiltrates.

Automatic detection of acute ischemic stroke using non-contrast computed tomography and two-stage deep learning model.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Currently, it is challenging to detect acute ischemic stroke (AIS)-related changes on computed tomography (CT) images. Therefore, we aimed to develop and evaluate an automatic AIS detection system involving a two-stage deep learning model. METHODS: We included 238 cases from two different institutions. AIS-related findings were annotated on each of the 238 sets of head CT images by referring to head magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images in which an MRI examination was performed within 24 h following the CT scan. These 238 annotated cases were divided into a training set including 189 cases and test set including 49 cases. Subsequently, a two-stage deep learning detection model was constructed from the training set using the You Only Look Once v3 model and Visual Geometry Group 16 classification model. Then, the two-stage model performed the AIS detection process in the test set. To assess the detection model's results, a board-certified radiologist also evaluated the test set head CT images with and without the aid of the detection model. The sensitivity of AIS detection and number of false positives were calculated for the evaluation of the test set detection results. The sensitivity of the radiologist with and without the software detection results was compared using the McNemar test. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: For the two-stage model and radiologist without and with the use of the software results, the sensitivity was 37.3%, 33.3%, and 41.3%, respectively, and the number of false positives per one case was 1.265, 0.327, and 0.388, respectively. On using the two-stage detection model's results, the board-certified radiologist's detection sensitivity significantly improved (p-value = 0.0313). CONCLUSIONS: Our detection system involving the two-stage deep learning model significantly improved the radiologist's sensitivity in AIS detection.

Correction to: The sternalis muscle: radiologic findings on MDCT.

In the original publication of the article, the seventh author name was incorrectly published as Hidehumi Aoyama. The correct author name should read as Hidefumi Aoyama.

Acute coronary syndrome: evaluation of detection capability using non-electrocardiogram-gated parenchymal phase CT imaging.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the capability to detect acute coronary syndrome (ACS) by using non-electrocardiogram-gated parenchymal phase CT imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of 962 consecutive patients who underwent emergent coronary angiography for suspected ACS, 32 with ACS who underwent CT ≤24 h before angiography and 15 without ACS who underwent CT ≤24 h before or after angiography were included. Parenchymal phase was acquired at 100-s scan delay. The presence of a myocardial perfusion defect (MPD) on the left ventricle (a decrease of >20 HU) and its capability to detect ACS were evaluated. Results were compared with laboratory findings. RESULTS: MPD was detected in 29 of 32 ACSs. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 91 % (29/32), 93 % (14/15), 97 % (29/30), and 82 % (14/17), respectively. The sensitivities of ST- and non-ST-elevation ACSs were 89 % (16/18) and 93 % (13/14), respectively, without significant difference (P > 0.99). Of the CT-detectable ACS, non-ST-elevation on the electrocardiogram and a normal creatine kinase-myocardial band were observed in 41 % (12/29) and 24 % (7/29), respectively. CONCLUSION: ACS is highly detectable even using conventional parenchymal phase CT imaging. Therefore, even when CT is non-gating, radiologists should carefully evaluate the heart to avoid overlooking ACS.

CT measurement of splenic volume changes as a result of hypovolemic shock.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the changes in splenic volume during hypovolemic shock and after recovery by use of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated 22 cases who underwent MDCT during hypovolemic shock up to 3 h after presentation, compared the splenic volume with that after recovery, and evaluated the volume difference. We compared the volume ratio (recovery/shock) for two age groups: under 60 years (n = 10) and 60 years and over (n = 12). For cases (n = 10) undergoing CT examination twice after treatment, we compared the volume ratios by using the initial recovery CT and the second CT images. RESULTS: The average spleen volume in shock was 63 cm(3); under normal conditions it was 132 cm(3) (P < 0.001). The average volume ratio for groups under 60 years old was 2.34; for groups 60 years and over it was 2.05 (P = 0.051). The average volume ratio obtained by use of the initial post-recovery CT was 2.11; the ratio obtained by use of the second post-recovery CT was 2.16 (P = 0.386). CONCLUSIONS: Our results revealed that splenic volume was reduced during hypovolemic shock and rapidly increased after recovery. Splenic contraction is an important CT finding in shock.

Localized air foci in the lower thorax in the patients with pneumothorax: skip pneumothoraces.

PURPOSE: To investigate the characteristics and imaging features of localized air foci in the lower thorax in patients with pneumothorax using thin-section multidetector computed tomography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of 10,547 consecutive CT examinations comprising the chest, the CT scans of 146 patients with ordinary pneumothoraces were identified and retrospectively evaluated. The study group included 110 male and 36 female patients (mean age, 50 years; range, 1-93 years). All examinations were performed at our institution between January 2009 and December 2009. Cause of pneumothorax was classified as traumatic or non-traumatic. Localized air foci in the lower thorax were defined as being localized air collections in the lower thorax that did not appear to be adjacent to the lung. If these criteria were met, the shape, size, location laterality, and number of foci were evaluated. Associations with trauma, sex, severity of the pneumothorax, and laterality were evaluated using the χ(2) test. All P values <0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: Localized air foci in the lower thorax presented as slit-like or small ovoid air collections in the lowest part of the pleural space. These foci were observed in 79/146 (54.1%) patients. The traumatic pneumothoraces group showed a higher prevalence of these features than the non-traumatic group. Some foci that were situated in the anterior part mimicked the appearance of free intraperitoneal air. CONCLUSION: Patients with pneumothorax commonly had localized air foci in the lower thorax. Because such foci can mimic pneumoperitoneum, accurate recognition of them is required to avoid confusion with free intraperitoneal air, especially in traumatic cases.

The sternalis muscle: radiologic findings on MDCT.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to characterize and determine the prevalence of the sternalis muscle using 64-row multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed MDCT chest scans that were performed in a hospital during the course of a month. The study population consisted of 948 consecutive patients (511 males and 467 females). On the MDCT scans the sternalis muscle was defined as the longitudinal muscle lying on and superficial to the pectoralis major muscle. RESULTS: The prevalence of the sternalis muscle was 10.5 %. The muscle was present more frequently in females (13.0 %) compared to males (8.4 %) (P = 0.02). In the majority of patients, the muscle was located longitudinally in the parasternal position; however, in two patients it was positioned across the sternum. One hundred twenty were flat types, while the remaining five had oblique shapes. The muscle mean height, width and depth were 77.9 ± 25.1, 19.4 ± 12.2 and 2.8 ± 1.3 mm, respectively. The muscle was wider in males compared to females (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Using MDCT, its prevalence was shown to be 10.5 %. This variant muscle can be differentiated from other pathological structures using its specific characteristic appearance.