ABSTRACT
A case of localization in the bowel of congenital fibrosarcoma (a rare soft-tissue tumor usually occurring in the extremities) causing intestinal obstruction in a newborn girl is described. A focal thickening of the ileal wall with features mimicking intussusception was identified at sonography; the final diagnosis was achieved by means of molecular analysis after surgical removal of the mass.
Subject(s)
Fibrosarcoma/diagnostic imaging , Ileal Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Intestinal Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Intestinal Obstruction/diagnostic imaging , Anastomosis, Surgical , Diagnosis, Differential , Digestive System Surgical Procedures/methods , Female , Fibrosarcoma/congenital , Fibrosarcoma/diagnosis , Fibrosarcoma/surgery , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Ileal Diseases/diagnosis , Ileal Diseases/surgery , Infant, Newborn , Intestinal Neoplasms/congenital , Intestinal Neoplasms/diagnosis , Intestinal Neoplasms/surgery , Intestinal Obstruction/diagnosis , Laparoscopy/methods , Rare Diseases , Risk Assessment , Treatment Outcome , UltrasonographyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To prospectively evaluate acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging of the kidneys in children with and without chronic renal disease. METHODS: Twenty-eight children (age range 9-16 years) with primary or secondary vesicoureteral reflux (≥ grade III) underwent scintigraphy and ultrasound with ARFI. Kidneys were divided-according to scintigraphy-into "affected" and "contralateral"; the results were compared with 16 age-matched healthy subjects. An ARFI value, expressed as speed (m/s) of wave propagation through the tissue, was calculated for each kidney through the mean of the values obtained at the upper, middle and lower third. The Wilcoxon test was used; P values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The mean ARFI values obtained in the "affected" kidneys (5.70 ± 1.71 m/s) were significantly higher than those measured in both "contralateral" (4.09 ± 0.97, P < 0.0001) and "healthy" kidneys (3.13 ± 0.09, P < 0.0001). The difference between values in the "contralateral" kidneys and "healthy" ones was significant (P < 0.0001). The "affected" kidneys with secondary reflux had mean ARFI values (6.59 ± 1.45) significantly higher than those with primary reflux (5.35 ± 1.72). CONCLUSIONS: ARFI values decrease from kidneys with secondary vesicoureteral reflux to kidneys with primary reflux to unaffected kidneys contralateral to reflux to normal kidneys.
Subject(s)
Elasticity Imaging Techniques , Kidney/diagnostic imaging , Vesico-Ureteral Reflux/diagnostic imaging , Adolescent , Child , Chronic Disease , Elasticity , Female , Humans , Kidney Failure, Chronic/complications , Kidney Failure, Chronic/diagnostic imaging , Male , Observer Variation , Prospective Studies , Radionuclide Imaging , Sensitivity and Specificity , Technetium Tc 99m Dimercaptosuccinic Acid , Vesico-Ureteral Reflux/complicationsABSTRACT
Variants and congenital anomalies of the coronary arteries are usually asymptomatic, but may present with severe chest pain or cardiac arrest. The introduction of multidetector CT coronary angiography (MDCT-CA) allows the detection of significant coronary artery stenosis. Improved performance with isotropic spatial resolution and higher temporal resolution provides a valid alternative to conventional coronary angiography (CCA) in many patients. MDCT-CA is now considered the ideal tool for three-dimensional visualization of the complex and tortuous anatomy of the coronary arteries. With multiplanar and volume-rendered reconstructions, MDCT-CA may even outperform CCA in determining the relative position of vessels, thus providing a better view of the coronary vascular anatomy. The purpose of this review is to describe the normal anatomy of the coronary arteries and their main variants based on MDCT-CA with appropriate reconstructions.
Subject(s)
Coronary Angiography/methods , Coronary Vessel Anomalies/diagnosis , Coronary Vessels/pathology , Magnetic Resonance Angiography/methods , HumansABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Multidetector computed tomography-coronary angiography allows quantification of coronary stenosis with a high level of accuracy; however, the inherent inaccuracy of visual score still remains. Computed quantitative vessel analysis systems (quantitative computed tomographic angiography [QCTA]) aim to overcome this limitation. The aim of our study was to evaluate the accuracy of QCTA in comparison with quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) and visual score using the QCA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two operators visually scored 30 consecutive patients referred for multidetector computed tomography-coronary angiography to assess stenotic segments according to a modified 17-segment American Heart Association classification model. Coronary angiography was performed within 1 week. The degree of stenosis was classified as 0%, lower than 20% (wall irregularities), lower than 50% (without significant disease), and higher than 50% (significant disease). Each segment was then analyzed using electronic calipers of the QCTA system. Data were compared with QCA results. Each segment was finally classified as fibrofatty, mixed, and calcified. Comparisons between QCTA results, visual score, and QCA were performed by means of Spearman rank correlation. Interobserver variability is calculated using κ statistics. RESULTS: From a total of 870 segments, 69 were diseased. Interobserver agreement between the 2 operators resulted very high (κ = 0.97). A good correlation was found between visual score and QCA (ρ = 0.932, P < 0.0001) and between visual score and QCTA (ρ = 0.845, P < 0.0001). A moderate correlation was found between QCTA and QCA (ρ = 0.810, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The accuracy of QCTA is comparable with that of QCA and visual score especially in noncalcified vessels. Editing of the vessel contours in case of calcified vessels is helpful in correctly estimating the right percentage of stenosis.