Imaging manifestations of Behcet's disease: Key considerations and major features.

Behcet's disease is an autoimmune disease most commonly seen in the Middle East. Although primarily known with painful oral and genital ulcers, it can lead to vasculitis. Therefore, several associated complications such as thrombotic syndromes, aneurysmal arterial disease may arise. In many cases, it might be difficult to make the diagnosis purely based on clinical grounds; however, imaging plays an important role for both diagnosis and assessment of the disease's complications. We provide a comprehensive review of the most notable imaging findings of Behcet's disease.

Survey of practitioners' competency for diagnosis of acute diseases manifest on chest X-ray.

BACKGROUND: Chest X-ray (CXR) is a common imaging modality that could impact immediate decision-making for acute chest pathologies. We sought to examine the non-radiologists proficiency of diagnosing acute pathologies manifest on CXR. METHODS: We selected 9 clinical vignettes, each associated with a CXR, wherein only a single acute chest pathology was manifest. We also added a low-risk vignette associated with a normal CXR. We built an electronic survey with the CXR-embedded vignettes and also inquired about the participants' confidence in the diagnosis, and prior exposure to the topics. We distributed the survey to senior medical students and general practitioners (GPs) in Tehran, Iran. We scored each correct answer per each vignette as 1 and each incorrect answer as 0; leading into a sum score from 0 to10 for the entire survey for each participant. RESULTS: Of the 136 candidates, 100 had legible survey results (67 medical students and 33 GPs). The overall score (mean [standard error]) was 3.57 [0.20], with no significant difference between the students and GPs (P = 0.15). The lowest rate of correct response occurred for acute respiratory distress syndrome (8%), foreign body (12%), and normal CXR (15%), while the best-answered vignettes were diaphragmatic herniation (77%) and pneumoperitoneum (67%). Self-reported confidence was associated with correct response for pneumoperitoneum, tension pneumothorax, and pulmonary edema (P < 0.05 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic proficiency of practitioners for acute chest pathologies in our study was poor, including for distinction of a normal CXR. Such dramatic knowledge deficiencies for common or life-threatening chest pathologies should be prioritized in the educational and continuous education curricula. Secure electronic tools for transferring the CXRs to specialists in case of acute pathologies would be an interim pragmatic alternative.

Systolic Compression of a Myocardial Bridged Coronary Artery and its Morphologic Characteristics: A Combination Study of Computed Tomography Angiography and Invasive Angiography.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial bridging (MB) is a congenital anomaly in which a segment of a major epicardial coronary artery courses through the myocardium. This anomaly can lead to myocardial ischemia, arrhythmia, and even death. The effectiveness of coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) in the detection of MB and its morphological features, and the accuracy of invasive coronary angiography (ICA) in the evaluation of systolic compression have been shown in some prior studies. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to evaluate the correlation between the depth and the length of MB as determined using CCTA, and the degree of luminal narrowing of the involved tunneled segment as calculated using the ICA. PATIENTS AND METHODS: For this study, 109 consecutive patients diagnosed with myocardial bridging using CCTA, and who had already undergone ICA, were studied. The depth and length of the MB was determined in the CCTA, while the degree of systolic compression was calculated in the ICA. The correlation between the depth and length of the MB and the systolic compression were then evaluated. RESULTS: The degree of systolic compression was found to be correlated with the depth of the MB. However, there was no correlation between the length of the MB and the degree of systolic compression. CONCLUSION: The systolic compression of the MB was influenced by the depth of the tunneled segment, not by its length.

Giant Pericardial Cyst: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

Pericardial cysts are rare lesions. These benign anomalies are located in the middle mediastinum. In this article, we present a 24-year-old man who was referred to the emergency department with dyspnea and persistent cough. In physical exam, no abnormality was found. His past medical history was normal. His trans-thoracic echocardiogram showed an echo-lucent space next to the right atrium at the right cardiophrenic angle. No pericardial effusion was found. The patient underwent surgery. After midsternotomy, a huge cyst measuring approximately 13 × 8 × 5 cm in diameters was found on the right side and outside the pericardium that was totally excised. After 5 days, the patient was discharged and pathologic report confirmed preoperative diagnosis of pericardial cyst. Giant pericardial cysts are not common and in this report, we will review published case reports.

Comparison of abdominal computed tomography with and without oral contrast in diagnosis of body packers and body stuffers.

CONTEXT: Toxicity due to body packing/pushing/stuffing is a major concern in many countries. Of different imaging techniques, computed tomography (CT) scan is described as the method of choice in detecting body couriers, but there is no study to concomitantly compare with- and without-contrast abdominopelvic CTs to determine the more accurate one for this purpose. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of abdominopelvic CT "with" and "without" oral contrast in diagnosis of existence, number, and type of packets in body packers/pushers and stuffers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a prospective observational case series, all suspected cases of body packing/stuffing were included and underwent abdominopelvic CT with and without oral contrast in a one-year period. CT scans were reported by three independent attending radiologists blind to the demographic and clinical results and compared to our defined "gold standard" which was surgery or expulsion of packets. The existence and number of packets detected by each method were compared to define the better method of diagnosis. RESULTS: Of 11 suspect body packers/pushers, 10 carried packs. Abdominopelvic CT with and without oral contrast detected six and seven of them, respectively. In 24 body stuffers, CT without oral contrast was more accurate in diagnosis of existence (9/24 vs. 7/24, p = 0.003) and number (sensitivity and positive predictive values of 29.2% vs. 37.5% and 100% vs. 100% for CTs with and without oral contrast, respectively, p = 0.021). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: There is a remarkable gap between detection of existence and number of packets/baggies reported by the radiologists and the real condition of the patients. A close teamwork between radiologists and toxicologists is needed to manage these problematic cases.

Congenital external carotid-external jugular arteriovenous fistula: diagnosis with contrast-enhanced computed tomography.

Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) between the external carotid artery and external jugular vein is extremely rare, with only few cases reported in the literature so far. Most of these AVFs have been either iatrogenic or secondary to previous trauma. Herein, we report a 42-year-old woman with congenital AVF between the external carotid artery and external jugular vein, presenting with palpitation and dyspnea. The patient was suffering from mitral and tricuspid regurgitation. On physical examination, a thrill on the left side of the neck and an audible bruit over the left mandibular angle were detected. The possibility of abnormal AVF was considered and it was confirmed on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT), inferring that this modality is not only fast and non-invasive, but also accurate in detecting vascular abnormalities.

Comparison of aortic root dimension changes during cardiac cycle between the patients with and without aortic valve calcification using ECG-gated 64-slice and dual-source 256-slice computed tomography scanners: results of a multicenter study.

With advent of transcatheter aortic valve implantation, using multislice computed tomography (MSCT) to provide detailed data about aortic root has become more crucial. We compared aortic dimension changes during cardiac cycle in patients with and without aortic valve calcification and evaluated its correlation with aortic valve calcium score in former group. Fifty-two patients with and 52 subjects without aortic valve calcification underwent coronary MSCT using two 64-slice and a dual-source 256-slice CT scanners. Aortic root dimensions were measured in both systolic and diastolic phases. Changes in annular maximum diameter (D(max)), minimum diameter (D(min)), cross sectional area and perimeter, three diameters of sinuses of Valsalva (V(a), V(b) and V(c)), sinotubular junction maximum (STJ(max)) and minimum (STJ(min)) diameters between systolic and diastolic phases (systole minus diastole) were -0.59 mm, -0.05 mm, -2.53 mm(2), -1.48 mm, +0.91 mm, +1.08 mm, +0.42 mm, +0.63 mm, +0.40 mm and in those without aortic calcification -0.33 mm, 0.00 mm, -6.92 mm(2), -0.41 mm, +0.30 mm, +0.38 mm, +0.61 mm, +0.33 mm, +0.20 mm in patients with aortic calcification, respectively. Apart from two diameters in sinuses of Valsalva (V(a) and V(b)), changes in all other diameters of aortic root during cardiac cycle were not significantly different between the two groups. Furthermore, in patients with aortic calcification, no significant correlation was detected between changes in nearly all aortic root dimensions during cardiac cycle and aortic valve calcium score or location of calcification (annular, commissural or both).

Coronary artery calcium score: a review.

CONTEXT: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the foremost cause of death in many countries and hence, its early diagnosis is usually concerned as a major healthcare priority. Coronary artery calcium scoring (CACS) using either electron beam computed tomography (EBCT) or multislice computed tomography (MSCT) has been applied for more than 20 years to provide an early CAD diagnosis in clinical routine practice. Moreover, its association with other body organs has been a matter of vast research. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: In this review article, techniques of CACS using EBCT and MSCT scanners as well as clinical and research indications of CACS are searched from PubMed, ISI Web of Science, Google Scholar and Scopus databases in a time period between late 1970s through July 2013 and following appropriate selection, dealt with. Moreover, the previous and ongoing research subjects and their results are discussed. RESULTS: The CACS is vastly applied in early detection of CAD and in many other research fields. CONCLUSIONS: CACS has remarkably changed the screening techniques to detect CAD earlier than before and is generally accepted as a standard of reference for determination of risk of further cardiac events.

Histological evaluation of drill fragments obtained during osteoid osteoma radiofrequency ablation.

OBJECTIVE: Osteoid osteoma (OO) is a benign bone tumor diagnosed mainly on the basis of the patient's history and radiological data. Histological evaluation may not be available before treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of a histological evaluation of the bone fragments obtained during radiofrequency ablation (RFA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: During a 2-year period, 39 patients diagnosed clinically with OO were entered into this study. The procedure was performed under computed tomography (CT) guidance. An 11-gauge needle was initially placed as a coaxial guide. After drill removal, RFA was performed. Bone fragments collected from the drill were examined by two experienced pathologists, independently. RESULTS: There was strong association between pathologists' reports (P <0.001). In 27 cases (69.2%) this diagnosis was confirmed pathologically. No significant relationship was found between nidus diameter and positive histological findings (P = 0.35). CONCLUSION: Histological confirmation of OO based on drill fragments is similarly frequent as previously reported for standard bone biopsy.

Radiofrequency ablation of osteoid osteoma in atypical locations: a case series.

BACKGROUND: Osteoid osteoma has a nidus surrounded by sclerotic bone with a size usually less than 20 mm. Its diagnosis is made on typical presentation of nocturnal pain and imaging findings. Excision of the niduses, which are often small and difficult to precisely identify, sometimes may result in resection of surrounding normal bone. Minimally invasive percutaneous treatments have been used to try to minimize resection of normal bone. Although minimally invasive radiofrequency ablation generally relieves pain, its ability to relieve pain is less well known in locations other than lower extremity long bones. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We determined the pain relief and complication rates after radiofrequency ablation of osteoid osteomas presenting in atypical locations and followed patients to assess possible recurrence or late complications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 21 patients with osteoid osteomas in unusual locations (eg, hip, radioulnar joint, and proximal phalanx) in whom we used radiofrequency ablation. Postoperative activities were not restricted for any of the patients. We assessed the time for patients to become symptom free, their activity status, and possible recurrence or complications. The minimum clinical followup was 12 months (mean, 27.8 months; range, 12-37 months). RESULTS: All patients became symptom free within 24 hours to 1 week. During followup, none of the patients experienced recurrence or any major complications. CONCLUSIONS: Radiofrequency ablation for osteoid osteomas in unusual locations reliably relieves pain with few complications and recurrences at short-term followup. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, case series. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of level of evidence.