CT findings in seven dogs with perforating wooden skewer foreign bodies from the gastrointestinal tract.

Background: Perforating foreign bodies from the gastrointestinal tract, such as wooden skewers, are reported in the small animal literature producing inflammatory/infectious lesions in the thorax, abdomen, and musculoskeletal system, which can be life-threatening in some instances. Several imaging modalities have been used, and advanced imaging techniques have shown a great advantage in its diagnosis and pre-surgical planning. Aim: The objective of this study is to describe the computed tomographic findings in a group of seven medium to large breed dogs with perforating wooden skewers and foreign bodies migrated from the gastrointestinal tract. Methods: The medical records database was searched for dogs with a suspected diagnosis of a perforating wooden foreign body migrated from the gastrointestinal tract in which a computed tomographic study was performed. Signalment, history, and clinicopathological findings (when available) were retrieved, and the computed tomographic studies were reviewed. Results: Clinical signs vary depending on the anatomical regions affected through the perforating pathway. All foreign bodies were identified and showed a median attenuation of 79 HU, with the most common localization being the stomach followed by the jejunum. Peritoneal fat stranding surrounding the perforation site was the most frequent computed tomographic finding. The presence of peritoneal free fluid and/or gas was uncommon. Pleural effusion, pulmonary perforation, and pneumothorax were present in most of the cases with the foreign body traversing the pleural space. Pulmonary cavitary lesions were always reported when the ending tip of the wooden skewer was within the pulmonary parenchyma. Soft tissue abscessation was recognized in all cases where the ending tip was lodged in muscular or subcutaneous tissues. Conclusion: Findings supported the variability of the secondary lesions caused by this type of foreign body and the utility of computed tomography in their recognition, as well as in the identification of the wooden skewer.

CT findings of an incidental segmental aplasia of the caudal vena cava with azygos continuation in a guinea pig (Cavia porcellus).

Background: Segmental aplasia of the caudal vena cava (CVC) with azygos continuation is a congenital malformation macroscopically described in mammals including humans, dogs, and rodents. It is usually detected as an incidental finding and the final diagnosis is reached by computed tomography (CT), fluoroscopy, or post-mortem dissection. Case Description: A 3-year-old guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) presented with subacute dyspnea. A computed tomographic examination was performed for the evaluation of subtle pulmonary changes previously suspected on conventional radiography, and a segmental aplasia of the CVC with azygos continuation was identified as an incidental finding. Conclusion: According to database negative results, this is the first report describing a segmental aplasia of the CVC and azygos continuation in a guinea pig by CT.

Computed tomographic retrograde positive contrast cystography and computed tomographic excretory urography characterization of a urinary bladder diverticulum in a dog.

A one-year-old intact male German shepherd dog was referred with a 3-month history of dysuria and pollakiuria. Physical examination revealed a large firm mass in the caudal abdomen. Findings from survey radiography, negative contrast cystography, computed tomographic (CT) retrograde positive contrast cystography, and CT excretory urography were consistent with a large urinary bladder diverticulum. An exploratory laparotomy revealed a normal wall appearance in the ventral compartment (true bladder) and marked thinning of the wall in the dorsal compartment (diverticulum). Both ureters inserted into the ventral compartment. The dorsal compartment was excised and histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of urinary bladder diverticulum.

Comparative magnetic resonance imaging findings between gliomas and presumed cerebrovascular accidents in dogs.

Cerebrovascular accidents, or strokes, and gliomas are common intraaxial brain lesions in dogs. An accurate differentiation of these two lesions is necessary for prognosis and treatment decisions. The magnetic resonance (MR) imaging characteristics of 21 dogs with a presumed cerebrovascular accident and 17 with a glioma were compared. MR imaging findings were reviewed retrospectively by three observers unaware of the final diagnosis. Statistically significant differences between the appearance of gliomas and cerebrovascular accidents were identified based on lesion location, size, mass effect, perilesional edema, and appearance of the apparent diffusion coefficient map. Gliomas were predominantly located in the cerebrum (76%) compared with presumed cerebrovascular accidents that were located mainly in the cerebellum, thalamus, caudate nucleus, midbrain, and brainstem (76%). Gliomas were significantly larger compared with presumed cerebrovascular accidents and more commonly associated with mass effect and perilesional edema. Wedge-shaped lesions were seen only in 19% of presumed cerebrovascular accidents. Between the three observers, 10-47% of the presumed cerebrovascular accidents were misdiagnosed as gliomas, and 0-12% of the gliomas were misdiagnosed as cerebrovascular accidents. Diffusion weighted imaging increased the accuracy of the diagnosis for both lesions. Agreement between observers was moderate (kappa = 0.48, P < 0.01).

One-molar gadolinium chelate (gadobutrol) as a contrast agent for CT angiography of the thoracic and abdominal aorta.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the use of a 1-molar gadolinium chelate (gadobutrol) as an alternative contrast medium for computed tomography angiography (CTA) exams of the aorta. CTA exams of the thoracic and/or abdominal aorta were performed on 15 patients with contraindications for the use of iodine who were not suitable for magnetic resonance examinations. The exams were performed with a 16-detector row scanner, injecting a mean dose of 0.37 mmol Gd/kg of body weight at a flow rate of 4 ml/s. Creatinine levels were obtained prior to the exam in patients with impaired renal function, and 24 and 48 h afterwards. The mean attenuation values obtained in the middle ascending and middle descending thoracic aorta were 202.3 and 216.8, respectively. The mean HU values of the abdominal aorta were 210.4 at the level of the renal arteries and 186.8 in the aortic bifurcation. All the exams were considered diagnostically adequate. No significant increase in serum creatinine was observed 24 and 48 h after the exam. We believe that gadobutrol could be an alternative contrast medium for CTA exams with 16-detector row scanners in patients with contraindications for iodinated contrast medium.

Virtual vascular endoscopy for acute aortic dissection.

Virtual endoscopy of the aorta is a new three-dimensional reconstruction method from multislice computed tomography or magnetic resonance that offers a virtual navigation through the aorta, and the possibility of having a new preoperative endoluminal vision. We present a case of subacute aortic dissection with a preoperative virtual endoscopy of the aorta.

[Non-invasive assessment of coronary artery bypass grafts by computed tomography: comparison with conventional coronary angiography]. / Valoración no invasiva de injertos coronarios con tomografía computarizada: comparación con la angiografía convencional.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Although it has been demonstrated that the diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography in the non-invasive assessment of major epicardial coronary arteries is high, only a few studies have evaluated the technique's reliability in assessing coronary artery bypass grafts. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of multidetector computed tomography in the assessment of coronary grafts. PATIENTS AND METHOD: We prospectively evaluated 117 coronary grafts in 38 patients who had undergone coronary artery bypass graft surgery and who had a clinical indication for angiographic graft assessment. All patients were in sinus rhythm and had a heart rate below 75 bpm. A 16-detector scanner was used for non-invasive assessment of the coronary grafts at a slice thickness of 1.2 mm. The diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography in the non-invasive assessment of significant lesions (i.e., occluded lesions or those with a stenosis greater than 50%) in coronary artery bypass grafts was evaluated by comparison with the results of conventional angiography. RESULTS: Of the 117 grafts evaluated, 99 (84.6%) were visualized by conventional angiography and 109 (93.2%) by computed tomography. Overall, 98 grafts were analyzed using both techniques. The sensitivity and specificity of computed tomography in detecting significant lesions were: 92% and 97.3%, respectively, for all grafts; 89.5% and 97.6%, respectively, for venous grafts; and 100% and 96.8%, respectively, for arterial grafts. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic accuracy of multidetector computed tomography in coronary artery bypass graft assessment was high.

Valoración no invasiva de injertos coronarios con tomografía computarizada: comparación con la angiografía convencional / Non-invasive assessment of coronary artery bypass grafts by computed tomography: comparison with conventional coronary angiography

Introducción y objetivos. Aunque la tomografía computarizada (TC) muestra una elevada exactitud diagnóstica en la valoración no invasiva de las arterias coronarias principales, son todavía escasos los trabajos que valoren su fiabilidad en el estudio de los injertos coronarios. El objetivo de este estudio es determinar la exactitud diagnóstica de la TC con detectores múltiples en la valoración de los injertos coronarios. Pacientes y método. Se evaluó de manera prospectiva a 38 pacientes revascularizados quirúrgicamente (117 injertos coronarios según la hoja operatoria), con indicación clínica de evaluación angiográfica de sus injertos. Todos los pacientes se encontraban en ritmo sinusal y con una frecuencia cardíaca 50% u oclusión) y los resultados se compararon con los de la angiografía convencional. Resultados. De los 117 injertos referidos se visualizaron 99 (84,6%) mediante angiografía convencional y 109 (93,2%) mediante TC. Se analizaron los 98 injertos valorados por ambas técnicas. Los valores de sensibilidad y especificidad de la TC para el total de injertos fueron del 92 y del 97,3%, para los injertos venosos del 89,5 y del 97,6%, y para los injertos arteriales del 100 y del 96,8%, respectivamente. Conclusiones. La TC con detectores múltiples muestra una elevada exactitud diagnóstica en la valoración de los injertos coronarios

Introduction and objectives. Although it has been demonstrated that the diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography in the non-invasive assessment of major epicardial coronary arteries is high, only a few studies have evaluated the technique's reliability in assessing coronary artery bypass grafts. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of multidetector computed tomography in the assessment of coronary grafts. Patients and method. We prospectively evaluated 117 coronary grafts in 38 patients who had undergone coronary artery bypass graft surgery and who had a clinical indication for angiographic graft assessment. All patients were in sinus rhythm and had a heart rate below 75 bpm. A 16-detector scanner was used for non-invasive assessment of the coronary grafts at a slice thickness of 1.2 mm. The diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography in the non-invasive assessment of significant lesions (i.e., occluded lesions or those with a stenosis greater than 50%) in coronary artery bypass grafts was evaluated by comparison with the results of conventional angiography. Results. Of the 117 grafts evaluated, 99 (84.6%) were visualized by conventional angiography and 109 (93.2%) by computed tomography. Overall, 98 grafts were analyzed using both techniques. The sensitivity and specificity of computed tomography in detecting significant lesions were: 92% and 97.3%, respectively, for all grafts; 89.5% and 97.6%, respectively, for venous grafts; and 100% and 96.8%, respectively, for arterial grafts. Conclusions. The diagnostic accuracy of multidetector computed tomography in coronary artery bypass graft assessment was high

Scimitar syndrome: multislice computer tomography with three-dimensional reconstruction.

Improved resolution of cardiovascular imaging techniques allows better assessment of the morphology of cardiovascular malformations. Multi-slice computer tomography with three-dimensional reconstruction provides both static and dynamic images with high temporal and spatial resolution. We present a three-dimensional reconstruction of scimitar syndrome using multi-slice computer tomography.