Posttreatment Magnetic Resonance Imaging Surveillance of Head and Neck Cancers.

Treatment strategies and recommended surveillance imaging differ for head and neck cancers depending on subsite and neoplasm type, and pose confusion for referring physicians and interpreting radiologists. The superior soft tissue resolution offered by magnetic resonance imaging is most useful in the surveillance of cancers with high propensities for intraorbital, intracranial, or perineural disease spread, which most commonly include those arising from the sinonasal cavities, nasopharynx, orbits, salivary glands, and the skin. This article discusses recommended surveillance protocoling and reviews treatment approaches, common posttreatment changes, and pearls for identifying disease recurrence in a subsite-based approach.

Mitral Regurgitation Due to Caseous Calcification of the Mitral Annulus.

Mitral regurgitation can be a debilitating disease that has many etiologies. Frequent causes are mitral valve prolapse, rheumatic fever, dilated cardiomyopathy, and infective endocarditis. Another rare, but often overlooked cause is caseous calcification of the mitral annulus. This rare disease can lead to dangerous complications such as stroke and arrhythmias. In this report, we present an 84-year-old male with chronic kidney disease who was found to have mitral regurgitation secondary to caseous calcification of the mitral annulus. The goal of this report is to bring clinical awareness to this disease so that it is included in the differential diagnosis of mitral regurgitation.

Sedation with Propofol During Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis for Acute Submassive Pulmonary Embolism Is Associated with Increased Mortality.

PURPOSE: To evaluate if sedation with propofol during catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) in patients with acute submassive pulmonary embolism (PE) affects survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This single-institution, retrospective study identified 136 patients from 2011-2017 who underwent CDT for acute submassive PE. Patients were grouped based on procedural sedation-propofol versus fentanyl and/or midazolam. Groups were compared for differences in baseline characteristics. Primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality. Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate for independent variables predictive of mortality. Propensity-matched analysis was also performed. RESULTS: Propofol was given to 18% (n = 25) of patients, and fentanyl and/or midazolam was given to 82% (n = 111) of patients. Mortality was 28% (n = 7) in the propofol group versus 3% (n = 3) in the fentanyl/midazolam group (P = .0003). Patients receiving propofol had 10.4 times the risk of cardiopulmonary arrest or dying during hospitalization compared with patients receiving fentanyl and/or midazolam (95% confidence interval, 2.9-37.3, P = .0003). The number needed to harm was 4 (95% confidence interval, 2.8-6.8). Logistic regression model analysis including Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index score, right-to-left ventricle diameter ratio and age was not predictive of mortality (P = .19). Adding type of sedation made the model predictive of mortality (P < .001). Propensity-matched analysis controlling for baseline differences in age, adjunctive maneuvers, American Society of Anesthesiologists class, and intubation before the procedure revealed that statistical significance between groups remained (P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: Sedation with propofol during CDT for acute submassive PE is associated with increased mortality and should be used with caution.

Leukemic Ischemia: A Case of Myocardial Infarction Secondary to Leukemic Cardiac Involvement.

We report a case of a 39-year-old male who presented to the emergency department with acute chest pain while being in remission from T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). Cardiac markers were elevated and EKG revealed ischemic changes compatible with acute myocardial ischemia. Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) showed calcium-free coronary arteries and soft tissue myocardial infiltration suggestive of cardiac leukemia. A bone marrow biopsy confirmed recurrence of T-ALL, and patient was successfully treated with chemotherapy. We discuss the prospective diagnosis of myopericardial leukemic involvement and the role of CCTA in diagnosis and perform a literature review.