COVID Toes: Concurrent Lower Limb Arterial and Venous Thromboembolism in a Patient with COVID-19 Pneumonitis Presenting with Foot Ischaemia.

We present a 74-year-old gentleman, who presented with foot ischaemia requiring bilateral amputation in the absence of radiological signs of occlusive peripheral arterial disease. He was found to have COVID-19 pneumonitis and concurrent arterial and venous thromboemboli despite no initial respiratory symptoms or signs, nor pre-existing risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Patients who present with foot ischaemia with or without respiratory symptoms or signs warrant a high index of suspicion for COVID-19 infection, particularly in those with no predisposing risk factors.

Endograft apposition and infrarenal neck enlargement after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair.

BACKGROUND: Sufficient apposition and oversizing of the endograft in the aortic neck are both essential for durable endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). These measures are however not regularly stated on post-EVAR computed tomography angiography (CTA) scan reports. In this study endograft apposition and neck enlargement (NE) after EVAR with an Endurant II(s) endograft were analyzed and associated with supra- and infrarenal aortic neck morphology. METHODS: In 97 consecutive elective patients, the aortic neck morphology was measured on the pre-EVAR CTA scan on a 3mensio vascular workstation. The distance between the lowest renal artery and the proximal edge of the fabric (shortest fabric distance, SFD), and the shortest length of circumferential apposition between endograft and aortic wall (shortest apposition length, SAL) were determined on the early post-EVAR CTA scan. NE, defined as the aortic diameter change between pre- and post-EVAR CTA scan, was determined at eight levels: +40, +30, +20, +15, +10, 0, -5 and -10 mm relative to the lowest renal artery baseline. The aortic neck diameter and preoperative oversizing were correlated to NE with the Pearson correlation coefficient. The effective post-EVAR endograft oversizing is calculated from the nominal endograft diameter and the post-EVAR neck diameter where the endograft is circumferentially apposed. RESULTS: The median time (interquartile range, IQR) between the EVAR procedure and the pre- and post-EVAR CTA scan was 40 (25, 71) days and 36 (30, 46) days, respectively. The Endurant II(s) endograft was deployed with a median (IQR) SFD of 1.0 (0.0, 3.0) mm. The SAL was <10 mm in 9% of patients and significantly influenced by the pre-EVAR aortic neck length (P=0.001), hostile neck shape (P=0.017), and maximum curvature at the suprarenal aorta (P=0.039). The median (interquartile range) SAL was 21.0 (15.0, 27.0) mm with a median (IQR) pre-EVAR infrarenal neck length of 23.5 (13.0, 34.8) mm. The median (IQR) difference between the SAL and neck length was -5.0 (-12.0, 2.8) mm. Significant (P<0.001) NE of 1.7 (0.9, 2.5) mm was observed 5 mm below the renal artery baseline, which resulted in an effective post-EVAR endograft oversizing <10% in 43% of the patients. No correlation was found between NE and aortic neck diameter or preoperative oversizing. CONCLUSIONS: Circumferential apposition between an endograft and the infrarenal aortic neck, SAL, and NE can be derived from standard postoperative CT scans. These variables provide essential information about the post-procedural endograft and aortic neck morphology regardless of the preoperative measurements. Patients with SAL<10 mm or effective oversizing <10% due to NE may benefit from intensified follow-up, but clinical consequences of SAL and NE should be evaluated in future longitudinal studies with longer term follow-up.

Ruptured Popliteal Artery Aneurysm Complicated with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Secondary to SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

We herein report a rare case of the ruptured popliteal artery aneurysm in an 89-year-old man, whose recovery after surgical treatment was complicated with acute respiratory distress syndrome secondary to confirmed infection with SARS-CoV-2. Presenting symptoms, patient's comorbidities, and postoperative course complicated with cardiac and respiratory failure leading to adverse outcome are discussed in this case report.

Prognosis review and time-to-event data meta-analysis of endovascular aneurysm repair outside versus within instructions for use of aortic endograft devices.

BACKGROUND: Our objective was to investigate whether patients undergoing standard endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) outside the instructions for use (IFU) have worse outcomes than patients treated within IFU. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Electronic bibliographic sources were searched up to January 2019 using a combination of controlled vocabulary (thesaurus) and free-text terms to identify studies comparing outcomes of EVAR in patients treated outside versus within IFU. Pooled estimates of dichotomous outcomes were calculated using odds ratio (OR) or risk difference (RD) and 95% confidence interval (CI). We conducted a time-to-event data meta-analysis using the inverse-variance method and reported the results as summary hazard ratio (HR) and associated 95% CI. Random-effects methods of meta-analysis were applied. We formed meta-regression models to explore heterogeneity as a result of changes in practice over time. RESULTS: We identified 17 observational cohort studies published between 2011 and 2017, reporting a total of 4498 patients. The pooled prevalence of EVAR performed outside the IFU was 40% (95% CI, 33-48). Nonadherence to IFU was not associated with increased risk of perioperative mortality (RD, 0.01; 95% CI, -0.00 to 0.01; P = .23), aneurysm rupture (HR, 1.34; 95% CI, 0.30-5.93; P = .70), aneurysm-related mortality (HR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.20-3.84; P = .86), technical failure (RD, 0.01; 95% CI, -0.03 to 0.05; P = .56), requirement for adjunctive procedures (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 0.81-2.71; P = .20), type I endoleak (HR, 2.28; 95% CI, 0.58-8.91; P = .24), aneurysm sac expansion (HR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.55-1.33; P = .49), or aneurysm-related reintervention (HR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.81-1.34; P = .74). The overall mortality was significantly higher in patients treated outside the IFU (HR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.02-1.42; P = .03). Meta-regression showed that the prevalence of EVAR performed outside the IFU has increased over time (P = .019). CONCLUSIONS: Standard EVAR outside the IFU was not found to have worse aneurysm-related outcomes than treatment within the IFU. Standard EVAR outside the IFU could be considered in selected patients who are deemed high risk for complex open or endovascular surgery.

Is management of complex abdominal aortic aneurysms consistent? A questionnaire-based survey.

BACKGROUND: Complex abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a relatively common presentation to the vascular specialist. Despite this there is little consensus on how to manage the often comorbid group of patients. Recent advances in endovascular technology have led to the availability of multiple devices, many of which could be used to treat the same aneurysm. The aim of this study was to quantify this potential variability across vascular specialists from multiple countries. METHODS: An online survey was emailed to members of the Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland (VSGBI), the Canadian Society for Vascular Surgery (CSVS) and the Australian and New Zealand Society for Vascular Surgery (ANZSVS). The survey presented a vignette of a 63-year-old woman with significant respiratory comorbidity and a 54 mm juxtarenal AAA (7 mm neck). There were no other adverse morphological features for endovascular repair. The survey included images and questions related to management of the aneurysm. RESULTS: The survey received 238 responses; 61 from ANZSVS, 65 from CSVS and 112 from VSGBI. VSGBI specialists were significantly more likely to continue surveillance than both ANZSVS (odds ratio [OR] 3.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.61-7.65; P<0.001) and CSVS counterparts (OR 2.61, 95% CI: 1.29-5.47; P<0.01). ANZSVS specialists were significantly more likely to perform an endovascular repair than those from CSVS (OR 3.28, 95% CI: 1.50-7.40; P<0.01) and VSGBI (OR 3.65, 95% CI: 1.81-7.59; P<0.001). CSVS specialists were significantly more likely to manage the aneurysm with open surgery than colleagues from the VSGBI (OR 6.57, 95% CI: 2.58-18.46; P<0.001) and ANZSVS (OR 7.18, 95% CI: 2.22-30.79; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Significant variation in the management of a juxtarenal AAA between countries was observed. The same patient would be more likely to have an endovascular repair in Australia and New Zealand, open surgery in Canada and continuing surveillance in the UK and Ireland. This variation reflects the lack of long-term evidence and international consensus on the optimal management of complex AAA.

Is the management of complex abdominal aortic aneurysms consistent across the UK? A questionnaire-based survey.

BACKGROUND: Our objective was to quantify variability across the UK in the management of a complex abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). METHODS: An online survey was emailed to all members of the Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland. The survey presented a vignette of a 63-year-old woman with significant respiratory co-morbidity whose computed tomographic (CT) angiogram demonstrated a 54 mm AAA with a short (7 mm) proximal neck but no other adverse morphological features for a standard or complex endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). The survey included images and questions related to AAA management as well as surgeon access to operating facilities. 111 responses were received. RESULTS: 47% of participants indicated a preference for continuing surveillance, 29% for fenestrated EVAR and 7% each for no operative intervention and open surgical repair. The remainder indicated various preferences including standard EVAR (3%), standard EVAR with endoanchors (3%), chimney EVAR (2%), EVAS (endovascular aneurysm sealing) (1%) and chimney EVAS (1%). Of the 47% who wanted to continue surveillance, once their threshold was reached, 73% would manage with a fenestrated EVAR, 17% with open repair and the remainder with standard EVAR with endoanchors (2%), EVAS (2%) or chimney EVAS (2%). 49% of participants carried out endovascular procedures in hybrid theatres, 36% in radiology angiosuites and 15% in standard operating theatres. The location had no significant effect on the consultant choice of treatment method. CONCLUSIONS: The study results support anecdotal variation in practice among vascular specialists. This reflects the lack of solid evidence on the optimal management of complex AAA.

A retrospective comparative study of tunneled haemodialysis catheters inserted through occluded or collateral veins versus conventional methods.

Tunneled hemodialysis catheters become essential in dialysis access when there is no possibility of using a functioning arteriovenous fistula. Collateral or occluded veins visible on ultrasound are used for puncture and passage of catheters into the central venous system. Chronically occluded veins are crossed with guidewires to allow dilatation and subsequent passage of hemodialysis catheters. We performed a retrospective analysis of patient demographics, comorbidities, procedural complications, functional survival, performance, and history of previous vascular access. The study group was compared with two control groups in which dialysis catheters were inserted either by radiologists in the interventional suite or by clinicians on the wards. Nineteen patients from the study group were compared with same number of patients in both control groups. The mean age of the study group was higher compared with the control groups. There was no significant difference in mean functional survival, infection rates, dialysis pump speeds in the first 2 weeks, and procedural complications between the study group and the controls. The study group had a significantly higher number of previous vascular access interventions, longer dialysis careers, and more comorbidities. Tunneled dialysis catheter placement by way of collateral or occluded veins appears safe and effective. These techniques give the operator further options when faced with patients possessing challenging vascular access. Indeed, there may be a case for preferential use of these veins to keep patent central veins in reserve.

Cerebral venous thrombosis-A pictorial review.

Cerebral venous thrombosis is a relatively uncommon but serious neurological condition. It can have disastrous consequences if not diagnosed and treated promptly. It can be missed on initial presentation clinically as well as radiologically unless there is high level of suspicion. This pictorial review is intended to bring an increased awareness among radiology and medical trainees who are involved in the management of these patients. In this review we also discuss the various radiological investigations that can be performed for making the diagnosis and emphasise ways to avoid pitfalls.

Early experience with the Amplatzer Vascular Plug II for occlusive purposes in arteriovenous hemodialysis access.

The Amplatzer Vascular Plug Type II (AVP II) has proven effective in the therapeutic embolization of various vascular lesions. It benefits from very rapid occlusion of the target lesion and can be deployed, retrieved, and redeployed if required. There is no literature available on use of the AVP II in the maintenance, closure, and management of complicated arteriovenous access in hemodialysis patients. In this series, we present our clinical experience with the use of the AVP II for embolization of problematic hemodialysis access. The AVP II is a self-expandable Nitinol wire-mesh device. Mounted on a delivery wire it has the capability to be deployed, recaptured, and redeployed. In total seven patients (four males: one diabetic, all nonsmokers), with ages ranging from 44 to 81 years (mean, 63 years), were treated between July 2008 and January 2009. One patient had not started dialysis. The remaining six patients had varied histories, with the time on hemodialysis ranging from 1 to 21 years. Retrospective review of clinical notes revealed patient demographics, type of access, device size, deployment site, and outcomes. Indications for embolization included steal syndrome (one patient), high-flow tributaries (two patients), and limb swelling (four patients). All patients had clinical and sonographical follow-up to 3 months. Surgical ligation had either failed, was considered a contraindication due to concerns regarding wound healing, or was considered difficult due to complex venous anatomy. Only one device was used in each patient, ranging from 6 to 16 mm in diameter. Immediate technical success was seen in 100%. All these patients were followed up clinically in the vascular access radiology clinic at 4 weeks and 3 months. Occlusion of the treated vessel and resolution of symptoms were reconfirmed in 100% of cases at 3 months. It was also noted whether patients were having successful dialysis, if required. There were no complications. Average procedural time was 19 min. We conclude that the AVP II is an efficient, safe, and technically simple occlusion device for use in arteriovenous access.

Giant oesophageal liposarcoma: case report / Lipossarcoma gigante de esôfago: relato de caso

We describe imaging findings of a oesophageal liposarcoma in a 66 year old man. The computed tomography scan was performed after a chest radiograph showed a large posterior mediastinal mass. Oesophageal liposarcomas are rare tumours. They can achieve large size before they become symptomatic. Our patient was successfully managed with complete surgical removal.

São descritos os achados de imagem de um lipossarcoma de esôfago em um paciente do sexo masculino, de 66 anos de idade. Foi feita tomografia computadorizada, após radiografias de tórax terem mostrado massa mediastinal posterior. Lipossarcomas de esôfago são tumores raros. Eles podem atingir grandes dimensões antes de se tornarem sintomáticos. O paciente foi tratado com sucesso, com remoção cirúrgica completa do tumor.

Kyphosis, a rare cause of dysphagia.

Degenerative kyphosis is mostly asymptomatic. When symptomatic, pain and humping of the back are the commonest features. Dysphagia associated with kyphosis is a rare presentation, though it is otherwise common in older people due to various reasons. We report the case of an 81-year-old kyphotic woman who presented with dysphagia. On barium swallow examination, she was found to have an acute bend in the mid-oesophagus leading to narrowing, secondary to the kyphosis.

Imaging features of calvarial tuberculosis: a study of 42 cases.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Tuberculosis of the calvaria is a rare entity, and only anecdotal reports describing its imaging features have been previously published in the literature. We report the role of conventional radiography and CT findings on in the evaluation of calvarial tuberculosis in 42 cases. METHODS: Forty-two cases of pathologically verified calvarial tuberculosis were analyzed retrospectively by using conventional radiography and CT imaging. The patients included 28 male and 14 female subjects ranging in age from 5 to 48 years (mean age, 16 years). Surgery was performed in 28 patients, and the remaining 14 patients underwent fine needle aspiration cytology. The histologic findings were consistent with the diagnosis of tuberculosis. At follow-up after 2 years, all patients had completely recovered. RESULTS: The male-to-female ratio was 2:1 (28 male and 14 female). The maximum number of patients affected by calvarial tuberculosis ranged in age from 11 to 20 years (61.2%). The average duration of symptoms was 2.5 months. Thirty-nine (92.8%) patients had subgaleal soft tissue swelling, whereas 31(73.8%) patients had a well-defined lytic lesion in the calvaria. The parietal bone was most commonly affected site of the calvaria (ie, in 22 patients [52.4%]). These lesions were detected at conventional radiography in 34 (80.95%) patients. CT depicted bone destruction in 36 patients (85.7%) cases. Extradural lesions and intraparenchymal pathologies were detected in 22 (52.3%) patients and 5 (11.9%) patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: In calvarial tuberculosis, conventional radiographs of the skull show focal bone destruction often with accompanying soft tissue opacity. CT helps in assessing the extent of bone destruction, scalp swelling, and degree of intracranial involvement. Surgery involving bone debridement is resorted to only in cases where bone destruction is extensive.

Cerebral abscess caused by Cladosporium bantianum infection--case report.

A 26-year-old woman currently treated for systemic lupus erythematosus with steroid therapy presented with sudden onset of right hemiplegia. Computed tomography of the brain showed a large frontoparietal ring-enhanced lesion with perifocal edema. Stereotactic aspiration of the lesion revealed Cladosporium bantianum. The size of the abscess did not reduce in spite of optimum antifungal treatment. The abscess was subsequently excised through a frontoparietal craniotomy. At follow up after 24 months, there was no recurrence of the abscess. Cerebral Cladosporium bantianum infection is usually refractory to antifungal agents and the prognosis is very poor. This patient had the longest survival period in a case of Cladosporium brain abscess so far reported.

An unusual case of CV junction tuberculosis presenting with quadriplegia.

STUDY DESIGN: Isolated tubercular involvement of craniovertebral junction in a human immunodeficiency virus-positive patient causing paraplegia and sudden death with radiologic features is presented. OBJECTIVES: Isolated involvement of craniovertebral junction by tuberculosis causing quadriparesis is a rare entity. The role of imaging features is presented in diagnosis of craniovertebral junction tuberculosis, which is a treatable disease. Early detection of this entity with prompt treatment can prevent a fatal outcome. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Tuberculosis of the cervical spine is a rare and potentially dangerous manifestation of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. The incidence is probably less than 1% of all cases of spinal tuberculosis. However, in the developing countries this constitutes an increasingly important cause of craniovertebral junction instability and cervicomedullary compression. Most of the patients present with pain in the neck and local tenderness. Neurologic deficits of varying degrees have been reported in 24-40% of cases of craniovertebral junction tuberculosis. Quadriplegia followed by sudden death is exceptional (as seen in our case). The incidence of craniovertebral junction tuberculosis in immunocompromised patients is not known. Dramatic recovery is possible if craniovertebral junction tuberculosis is detected early in its course. Prompt medical and surgical treatment may avert a potential catastrophic event in such cases. Imaging methods such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are diagnostic of this condition and aid in the detection and prompt treatment of the same. METHOD: Frontal radiograph of the cervical spine and chest, and lateral view of cervical spine followed by plain and contrast enhanced computed tomography scan of the cervical spine was performed to detect the lesion. RESULT: These radiographic features were correlated with the clinical findings. The computed tomography findings of bone destruction, prevertebral and extradural peripherally enhancing soft tissue and infiltrating opacities in the lung apexes were consistent with tuberculosis. CONCLUSIONS: The computed tomography findings described in this report are very specific for tuberculosis of the craniovertebral junction. Clinical and radiologic correlation could help in making the early diagnosis and prompt treatment possible.

Twin gestation in one horn of a bicornuate uterus.

We report a rare case of twin pregnancy in the same horn of a bicornuate uterus. This patient's uterine malformation was detected for the first time when she experienced abdominal pain at 6 weeks of amenorrhea. Transabdominal and transvaginal sonographic examinations were performed. Both embryos showed cardiac motion on transvaginal sonography. The patient was re-examined monthly. Her pregnancy ended in spontaneous abortion at 22 weeks. Two live male fetuses were delivered, but they both died immediately after their birth. Sonography, particularly transvaginal sonography, is valuable for early detection of uterine abnormalities that may affect the outcome of pregnancy.

Sonographic findings in a duodenal duplication cyst.

We report the sonographic features of a duodenal duplication cyst containing ectopic pancreatic tissue in a 5-month-old boy who presented with symptoms of partial gastric outlet obstruction. Sonography revealed an anechoic, double-walled, bilobed cystic lesion containing debris in the pyloroduodenal region. There was sound through-transmission but no air or communication with the gastrointestinal tract. Surgical resection and histopathologic examination confirmed a duodenal duplication cyst containing pancreatic tissue.

Renal fungal ball: an unusual sonographic finding.

Fungal infections of the urinary tract tend to occur in the drainage structures instead of the renal parenchyma. In patients with systemic candidiasis, the kidney is vulnerable to the formation of cortical abscesses or obstructive intrarenal masses ("fungal balls"), usually at the ureteropelvic junction. We describe the case of a boy who presented with dysuria, fever, and chills. Sonographic examination showed mild enlargement of both kidneys and moderate dilatation of the pelvicaliceal system bilaterally. A well-defined, echogenic, oval, mobile mass measuring 2.5 x 2.0 cm, without posterior acoustic shadowing, was visualized in the pelvis of the left kidney. The upper and middle ureters were dilated bilaterally. A urine culture revealed hyphae of Candida albicans. The child received systemic antifungal therapy with fluconazole for 3 weeks. Follow-up sonography showed complete resolution of the mass (a fungal ball) with residual hydronephrosis.