Added diagnostic yield of temporal artery magnetic resonance angiography in the evaluation of giant cell arteritis.

OBJECTIVES: Temporal artery magnetic resonance angiography (TAMRA) is a useful tool to investigate possible diagnoses of GCA. As acquired images also reveal other local structures, they may assist in finding alternative diagnoses when assessing for possible GCA. We sought to assess the utility of TAMRA in identifying other significant abnormalities either associated with a diagnosis of GCA or potentially mimicking a clinical presentation of GCA. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was undertaken at St Joseph's Healthcare in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada between February 2007 and April 2020 and included patients who underwent TAMRA for a possible diagnosis of GCA. Patient demographics, diagnosis and imaging findings were extracted, and descriptive analysis of findings was performed. RESULTS: We included 340 individuals who underwent TAMRA for assessment of a potential diagnosis of GCA and had clinical information available; there were 126 (37.1%) diagnoses of GCA. Fourteen (4.1%) patients had findings on TAMRA that demonstrated an alternative diagnosis, findings were predominantly in the temporomandibular joint, orbit and meninges. Eighteen (14.3%) patients with GCA had intracranial vascular changes that were demonstrative of intracranial vasculitis; one stroke was attributed to intracranial GCA. CONCLUSIONS: TAMRA has proven utility in diagnosing GCA, and these data suggest that it also has utility in identifying alternative diagnoses to rule out the disease. Intracranial vasculitis was also seen in 14.3% of patients; the clinical impact of these findings is currently poorly understood and requires further study.

Luminal mucus plugs are spatially associated with airway wall thickening in severe COPD and asthma: A single-centered, retrospective, observational study.

BACKGROUND: Airway wall thickening and excess airway mucus occur in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but few studies have investigated the relationship between them. Our objective was to determine the association between computed tomography (CT) airway wall thickening in segmental airways proximal to airways with or without mucus plugging in patients with asthma and COPD. METHODS: Mucus plugging was scored using a CT bronchopulmonary segment-based scoring system in asthma and COPD patients. For each of the 19 segmental airways, a mucus plug was defined as complete occlusion of one or more of the daughter branches (sub-segmental airways) by mucus. CT airway measurements were generated for each of the 19 segmental airways: wall-area-percentage (WA%), lumen area (LA), and total airway count (TAC) (VIDA Diagnostics Inc.). Multivariable logistic regression models were constructed for the presence of mucus plugs with corresponding CT measurement and adjusted by covariates; each of the 19 segments was treated as a nested variable. RESULTS: A total of 33 participants were evaluated. Participants had a mean age of 60 ± 15yrs and there were n = 14 (42%) males. There were 16 (48%) participants with a diagnosis of asthma and 17 (52%) with a COPD diagnosis. The mean FEV1 was 53 ± 21%pred and FEV1/FVC was 54 ± 15%. The mean mucus score in all participants was 15 ± 4 (min = 0, max = 19). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed the presence of airway mucus was significantly associated with increased CT WA% (ß = 7.30, p = 0.004) and reduced TAC (ß = -0.06, p = 0.045). CONCLUSIONS: There was increased airway wall thickness and reduced airway counts on CT in segments where there was a distal mucus plug compared to segments without mucus plugs in asthma and COPD.

Identification of the anatomy of the deep temporal vein using computed tomography imaging: A retrospective cross-sectional review of patient imaging.

PURPOSE: The deep temporal vein (DTV) can be used in free flap procedures when the superficial temporal vein is inadequate. Despite its potential utility, its branching patterns have only been examined in one small anatomic study. The purpose of this study was to examine computed tomography angiography (CTA) images to determine DTV location, variation, and suitability as a microvascular recipient, to provide surgeons with a guide for its use in head and neck defects. METHODS: A retrospective chart review identified 152 patient CTA images (76 female; 76 male) in a single academic center imaging database, selected consecutively from January 2017 to April 2020. Patients under 19 years were excluded; ages ranged from 19 to 80 years (average 51.6 years). Reason for imaging, DTV caliber, laterality, distance to zygomatic arch (ZA [coronal and sagittal]), distance to lateral orbital rim (LOR), and branching pattern were recorded. RESULTS: The predominant reason for imaging was to rule out cerebrovascular accident (96.2%). Average caliber was 3.46 ± 1.29 mm (95% confidence interval [CI] [3.32, 3.61]; range, 1.00-10.8). Bilateral DTVs were observed in 98.7% of patients. Average distance to landmarks were as follows: ZA (coronal), 13.8 ± 5.85 mm (95% CI [13.2, 14.5]; range, 2.7-33.8); ZA (sagittal), 15.1 ± 6.12 mm (95% CI [14.1, 16.1]; range, 2.8-47.2); LOR, 47.1 ± 9.09 mm (95% CI [46.0, 48.1]; range, 10.8-62.9). Seven branching patterns were identified, including a posterior vertical variant that bypasses the superficial temporal fat pad. CONCLUSIONS: The DTV is a "lifeboat" option for head and neck reconstruction. Its average caliber is sufficient for use in microsurgery. Knowledge of both its typical and aberrant courses allow for efficient preoperative planning and surgical dissection. CTA is a useful adjunct when planning to use the DTV for free tissue transfer.

Uterine artery embolization combined with methotrexate for broad ligament ectopic pregnancy in a 30-year old primigravida.

We present the case of 30-year old primigravida female at 11 weeks' gestation who was diagnosed to have ectopic pregnancy on obstetric ultrasound. An MRI pelvis was ordered to assess invasion into the posterior myometrium which confirmed a single right-sided broad ligament-extra uterine pelvic ectopic pregnancy with extrinsic mass effect on the right lower uterine segment without frank myometrial invasion. On an urgent basis, a uterine artery embolization (UAE) was performed by targeting the right femoral artery. Selective catheterization was performed of both uterine arteries and the right side showed a major feeder of the gestational sac. Supplied dose of methotrexate (95mg) was infused in the right uterine artery and both arteries were then embolized by gel foam slurry. Thus, prompt treatment reduced the risk of infertility and saved the patient from obstetrical emergency. Further exploration needs to be done in this field to explore conservative management options to preserve fertility.

Hepatic perfusional changes on CT and MRI: a radiology primer.

Hepatic perfusional changes are common in response to, or as a result of, a multitude of pathological processes. These can be neoplastic, inflammatory, fibrotic, or ischemic in origin, to name a few. The liver, having a dual blood supply, is a unique organ to study using contrast-enhanced CT and MRI imaging due to its varied appearance on multiphasic imaging. Knowledge of the CT and MRI appearance of hepatic perfusional changes, in addition to the clinical presentation, can often result in an accurate differential diagnosis. Many of the conditions that cause these changes in hepatic blood flow result in similar appearances on imaging. As a result, it is important that radiologists be aware of common pitfalls when dealing with hepatic perfusional changes to prevent misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis. As such, this review will focus on some of the various causes of hepatic perfusional changes and how to accurately identify and diagnose them based on their CT and MRI appearance.