Visceral adiposity in patients with lipomatous hypertrophy of the interatrial septum.

Lipomatous hypertrophy of the interatrial septum (LHIS) is a benign cardiac mass determined by abnormal deposition of adipose tissue in the interatrial septum. The quantitative relationship between LHIS and visceral adiposity has not been explored to date.In this retrospective study, three groups of consecutive patients undergoing CT imaging were enrolled: L + with LHIS, L- without LHIS, and LO- without both LHIS and history of malignancies. Areas of total adipose tissue (TAT), visceral adipose tissue (VAT), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and LHIS areas were calculated on CT images. The relationship between LHIS and abdominal fat distribution was investigated with linear regression models. Bonferroni correction was applied to account for multiple testing. Statistical significance was set at 5%. In this study we enrolled a total of 175 subjects: 58 (33.14%) with LHIS (L +), 51(29.14%) without LHIS (L-) and 66 (37.71%) without both LHIS and medical history of malignancies (LO-). VAT (coeff: 105.82; 95% CI 59.37-152.27), SAT (coeff: 74.59; 95% CI 31.63-117.54), and TAT (coeff: 190.37; 95% CI 115.02-265.72), were significantly higher in L + patients. Moreover, VAT (coeff: 24.95; 95% CI 6.94-42.96) and TAT (coeff: 36.58; 95% CI 8.75-64.41) were statistically significant linear predictors for LHIS area. Here, we report a novel association between LHIS and visceral adiposity using a quantitative CT-based imaging approach. The results are of great importance also because they might drive early identification of subjects with LHIS at risk for visceral obesity, and trigger lifestyle interventions aimed at weight loss.

SIRM-SIC appropriateness criteria for the use of Cardiac Computed Tomography. Part 1: Congenital heart diseases, primary prevention, risk assessment before surgery, suspected CAD in symptomatic patients, plaque and epicardial adipose tissue characterization, and functional assessment of stenosis.

In the past 20 years, Cardiac Computed Tomography (CCT) has become a pivotal technique for the noninvasive diagnostic work-up of coronary and cardiac diseases. Continuous technical and methodological improvements, combined with fast growing scientific evidence, have progressively expanded the clinical role of CCT. Recent large multicenter randomized clinical trials documented the high prognostic value of CCT and its capability to increase the cost-effectiveness of the management of patients with suspected CAD. In the meantime, CCT, initially perceived as a simple non-invasive technique for studying coronary anatomy, has transformed into a multiparametric "one-stop-shop" approach able to investigate the heart in a comprehensive way, including functional, structural and pathophysiological biomarkers. In this complex and revolutionary scenario, it is urgently needed to provide an updated guide for the appropriate use of CCT in different clinical settings. This manuscript, endorsed by the Italian Society of Medical and Interventional Radiology (SIRM) and by the Italian Society of Cardiology (SIC), represents the first of two consensus documents collecting the expert opinion of Radiologists and Cardiologists about current appropriate use of CCT.

CMR in the diagnosis of ischemic heart disease.

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance has always been more often used in the last 10 years in evaluation of heart disease. Role in diagnosis of ischemia and in evaluation of myocardial infarction is well established by many scientific papers and included in current guidelines. High accuracy in evaluation of stress-induced ischemia, tissue characterization and functional parameters are the pillars the make the method widely used. In this paper are described role and techniques in diagnosis of ischemia, myocardial infarction and its sequelae.

The Strange Case of the Infarcted Myxoma.

In the setting of an acute coronary syndrome, the differential diagnosis between a thrombus and a myxoma may be cumbersome. We describe the case of a patient presenting with an acute coronary syndrome associated with an aneurysmatic apical left ventricular myxoma.

Italian Registry of Cardiac Computed Tomography.

PURPOSE: Cardiac CT (CCT) is an imaging modality that is becoming a standard in clinical cardiology. We evaluated indications, safety, and impact on patient management of routine CCT in a multicenter national registry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During a period of 6 months, 47 centers in Italy enrolled 3,455 patients. RESULTS: CCT was performed mainly with 64-slice CT scanners (73.02 %). Contrast agents were administrated in 3,185 patients (92.5 %). Mean DLP changes with type of scanner and was lower in >64 row detector scanner. The most frequent indication for CCT was suspected CAD (44.8 %), followed by calcium scoring (9.6 %), post-angioplasty/stenting (8.3 %), post-CABGs (7.5 %), study of cardiac anatomy (4.22 %) and assessment in patients with known CAD (4.1 %) and acute chest pain (1.99 %). Most of the CCTs were performed in outpatient settings (2,549; 74 %) and a minority in inpatient settings (719, 20.8 %). Adverse clinical events (mild-moderate) occurred in 26 examinations (0.75 %). None of them was severe. In 45.3 % of the cases CCT findings impacted patient management. CONCLUSION: CCT is performed with different workloads in participating centers. It is a safe procedure and its results have a strong impact on patient management.

Dual-source dual-energy CT: dose reduction after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

PURPOSE: This study was done to evaluate the possibility of reducing the dose of ionising radiation by using dual-source dual-energy computed tomography (CT) in patients undergoing CT angiography of the aorta to search for endoleaks after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and forty-eight patients (117 M, 31 F; mean age 75 ± 6.5) underwent 171 CT angiography scans for follow-up after EVAR. For each patient we performed a triple-phase acquisition protocol consisting of a nonenhanced phase, an arterial phase and a delayed phase; the latter acquired in dual energy. Two radiologists jointly evaluated the nonenhanced, arterial and delayed phase, and a third radiologist evaluated only the delayed phase and its virtual noncontrast (VNC) reconstruction. Moreover, we compared the cumulative effective doses of the triple-phase acquisition with the dual-energy acquisition. RESULTS: We detected 34 endoleaks (19.8 %), with 100 % agreement between the triple-phase and dual-energy acquisitions. The effective dose of dual-energy acquisition performed during the delayed phase was 61.7 % lower than that of the triple-phase acquisition. CONCLUSIONS: A dual-energy CT scan acquired during the delayed phase and its VNC reconstruction allow detection of endoleaks with a substantial reduction of effective dose and a complete diagnostic agreement with a triple-phase acquisition protocol.

Congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries with severely stenotic bicuspid aortic valve in an adult: a case report.

Congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (CCTGA) is a rare disease accounting for 0.5-1.4% of patients with congenital heart disease. In this congenital cardiopathy, the left atrium is connected to the right ventricle, from which the aorta stems. We present a case of an adult with CCTGA associated with aortic stenosis and bicuspid aortic valve-an association not yet described to our knowledge.

Appropriateness criteria for the use of cardiac computed tomography, SIC-SIRM part 2: acute chest pain evaluation; stent and coronary artery bypass graft patency evaluation; planning of coronary revascularization and transcatheter valve procedures; cardiomyopathies, electrophysiological applications, cardiac masses, cardio-oncology and pericardial diseases evaluation.

In the past 20 years, cardiac computed tomography (CCT) has become a pivotal technique for the noninvasive diagnostic workup of coronary and cardiac diseases. Continuous technical and methodological improvements, combined with fast growing scientific evidence, have progressively expanded the clinical role of CCT. Randomized clinical trials documented the value of CCT in increasing the cost-effectiveness of the management of patients with acute chest pain presenting in the emergency department, also during the pandemic. Beyond the evaluation of stents and surgical graft patency, the anatomical and functional coronary imaging have the potential to guide treatment decision-making and planning for complex left main and three-vessel coronary disease. Furthermore, there has been an increasing demand to use CCT for preinterventional planning in minimally invasive procedures, such as transcatheter valve implantation and mitral valve repair. Yet, the use of CCT as a roadmap for tailored electrophysiological procedures has gained increasing importance to assure maximum success. In the meantime, innovations and advanced postprocessing tools have generated new potential applications of CCT from the simple coronary anatomy to the complete assessment of structural, functional and pathophysiological biomarkers of cardiac disease. In this complex and revolutionary scenario, it is urgently needed to provide an updated guide for the appropriate use of CCT in different clinical settings. This manuscript, endorsed by the Italian Society of Cardiology (SIC) and the Italian Society of Medical and Interventional Radiology (SIRM), represents the second of two consensus documents collecting the expert opinion of cardiologists and radiologists about current appropriate use of CCT.

Diagnosis of Primary Cardiac T-cell Lymphoma: Feasibility and Safety of Endomyocardial Biopsy Guided by Pre-acquired Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance.

BACKGROUND: Multimodality imaging of a cardiac mass lesion may raise suspicion of a primitive cardiac lymphoma (PCL). However, a definitive diagnosis requires histopathological confirmation. METHODS: This report describes the methodology we used to perform biopsy sampling of a cardiac mass lesion affecting a 45-year-old man. In order to increase endomyocardial biopsy diagnostic accuracy, we used pre-acquired cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) images to guide the bioptome on a cardiac site overtly infiltrated by the suspected tumour. The right ventricular outflow tract was identified as the target site for biopsy sampling. To reduce the risk of the procedure, the biopsy was performed at a safe distance from the tip of a diagnostic quadripolar catheter positioned at the level of the pulmonary valve, previously identified by pacing manoeuvres. The reported approach demonstrated safety and diagnostic accuracy, allowing the identification of an extremely rare PCL subtype of T-cell origin. CONCLUSION: Biopsy sampling of a suspected tumour may be safely and accurately performed using pre-acquired CMR images to guide the bioptome on the target site. LEARNING POINTS: Multimodal imaging techniques capable of tissue characterization may raise suspicion of a primary cardiac lymphoma (PCL).However, the final diagnosis of PCL can be confirmed only by histological examination of a tissue sample.Biopsy sampling of the mass lesion may be accurately guided by previously acquired cardiac magnetic resonance images.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation-assisted emergency percutaneous treatment of left ventricular assist device graft occlusion.

End-stage heart failure is more often treated with Implantable left ventricular assist device (LVAD), even if the prolonged use may increase the risk of complications. In this case, a 51-year-old male patient presented to our emergency department showing acute heart failure signs and symptoms and a dramatic reduction of LVAD flow. Laboratory tests ruled out significant haemolysis, usually associated with pump thrombosis. The echocardiogram and the computed tomography were not able to clarify the correct diagnosis. We immediately placed a veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, followed by a selective retrograde angiography of the pump. The images showed stenosis of the LVAD-outflow graft, suggesting a twist. Through a hand-made J-tip guidewire, we performed multiple dilatations of the occlusion using peripheral balloons. Finally, we implanted an aortic coarctation covered-stent, re-establishing an adequate cardiac output to the patient. Our case indicates that catheter-based approach in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation assistance provides an important therapeutic alternative to treat outflow graft stenosis, especially in the case of acutely unstable patient.

Systematized organoid epidermal nevus with eccrine differentiation, multiple facial and oral congenital scars, gingival synechiae, and blepharophimosis: a novel epidermal nevus syndrome.

Epidermal nevus syndrome is a clinically variable and genetically heterogeneous group of mosaic conditions characterized by the concurrence of extensive epidermal nevus with additional cutaneous and extracutaneous manifestations. This term groups together well-characterized clinical entities, as well as dozens of apparently unique associations, which need further delineation. We report on a 23-year-old woman presenting the previously undescribed combination of widespread eccrine proliferation, multiple facial and oral pox-like lesions, gingival synechiae, blepharophimosis, body asymmetry, and mental retardation. The patient has a healthy monozygotic twin. The eccrine proliferation is intermingled with areas of unaffected skin with a linear/segmental distribution on the limbs. The clinical presentation of such a complex phenotype fits well with the genetic mosaicism theory. The histologic findings, consisting of proliferation of immature to well-formed eccrine duct-like structures located in the deep dermis and interspersed with an abundant fibrous stroma constituted of horizontally oriented collagen fibers, seem a possible hallmark of this condition.

Dual energy CT (DECT) of the liver: conventional versus virtual unenhanced images.

OBJECTIVE: To compare image quality and noise of conventional unenhanced (CU) and virtual unenhanced (VU) images in patients who underwent hepatic dual energy computed tomography (DECT) and to assess potential radiation dose reduction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty consecutive patients were studied. Mean CU and VU image quality and noise were analyzed by two blinded radiologists using a five-point grade scale. The effective radiation dose of a triple-phase protocol (CU, arterial and DE portal phases) were compared with that of a dual-phase protocol (arterial and DE portal phases). RESULTS: No significant difference in mean image quality was observed between VU (3.92 ± 0.85) and CU images (4.20 ± 0.72). A significant difference in mean image noise was observed between VU and CU (P < 0.01). The dose reduction achieved by omitting the unenhanced acquisition was 30.47 ± 7.07% (P < 0.01). In 6 patients, a complete VU liver image was not obtained. CONCLUSIONS: VU images can be obtained with similar image quality as CU. This approach favors a reduction in patient's radiation exposure. Nevertheless, a complete abdominal DECT is possible only in patients with a low body mass index, due technical limitations of the present DECT systems.

Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome and Severe Aortic Stenosis: A New Hope for Treatment.

Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome is an autosomal dominant, rare, fatal pediatric segmental premature aging disease. Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases constitute the major cause of morbidity and mortality. Patients with the syndrome and severe aortic valve stenosis have been described in the literature, and for all of them a strategy of conservative management has been followed. We describe the first successful treatment of a 23-year-old Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome patient with severe aortic stenosis who underwent transapical transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Transesophageal Echocardiography and Radiation-induced Damages.

The long-term sequelae of mantle therapy include, especially lung and cardiac disease but also involve the vessels and the organs in the neck and thorax (such as thyroid, aorta, and esophagus). We presented the case of 66-year-old female admitted for congestive heart failure in radiation-induced heart disease. The patient had undergone to massive radiotherapy 42 years ago for Hodgkin's disease (type 1A). Transesophageal echocardiography was performed unsuccessfully with difficulty because of the rigidity and impedance of esophageal walls. Our case is an extraordinary report of radiotherapy's latency effect as a result of dramatic changes in the structure of mediastinum, in particular in the esophagus, causing unavailability of a transesophageal echocardiogram.

Tracheomalacia in oesophageal atresia: morphological considerations by endoscopic and CT study.

OBJECTIVE: A Tracheomalacia complicates 11-33% of cases of Oesophageal Atresia with distal Tracheo-Oesophageal Fistula. The lesion generally involves only the thoracic segment of the trachea, and it has close anatomical relationships with the mediastinal structures, specially with the aortic arch. We therefore tried to define the most important morphotypes of tracheobronchial malacia by using dynamic fiberoptic bronchoscopy (DFB) and spiral multilayer computed tomography (CT). METHODS: Between 1999 and 2003 we studied 40 children from two different institutions who had been operated on at birth for oesophageal atresia. All patients were been submitted to DFB, and the positive cases underwent examination by CT with an iodinated contrast medium. CT angiographic images of great vessels and multiplanar and three-dimensional images of the airways (virtual broncoscopy and broncography) were obtained for morphological evaluation. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients (62%) tested positive for malacia using DBF and all were also confirmed by CT study. In 11 cases (46%), the malacia was located at the thoracic section of the trachea, which was occluded by compression of the aorto-innominate complex. A simple intrinsic tracheomalacia without any vascular compression was present in eight cases (33%), while in five cases (21%), the malacia was complex. CONCLUSIONS: A correct morphological analysis of the malformed segment permitted 'tailored surgery' for each individual patient, allowing us to take account of the type of malacia, its length, and the compressive action exercised by the mediastinal great vessels.

Novel approaches for the surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation: time for a guideline revision?

Atrial fibrillation is a major health problem in Western countries, and is associated with considerable morbidity and resource consumption. Safe and reliable surgical techniques for the termination of this arrhythmia have been developed since the time of the original Cox "maze I" procedure. Novel equipment based on radiofrequency and microwave technologies can be employed to create transmural atrial lesions, even in the context of minimally invasive surgery to the atrioventricular valves via right minithoracotomy. The aim of this paper is to review the recent literature on this approach, and the clinical results in terms of arrhythmia termination and postoperative morbidity. With the aim to substantiate the practice of a simple, yet reliable, surgical ablation during minimally invasive heart valve surgery, we discuss the results of different patterns of atrial lesions having different degrees of surgical complexity. Finally, minimally invasive epicardial ablation for lone atrial fibrillation represents an emerging surgical indication. The results of state-of-the-art transcatheter ablation represent now its benchmark of comparison.

Tracheomalacia in esophageal atresia. Usefulness of preoperative imaging evaluation for tailored surgical correction.

Tracheomalacia (TM) associated with esophageal atresia (OA) generally is located in the thoracic segment of the trachea, and the close anatomical relationships it has with the aortic arch and the other mediastinal structures play a remarkable role in the dynamic obstruction of the airways. Only correct preoperative imaging studies permit a precise anatomic description of TM, reducing the risk of incomplete treatment owing to the persistence of other undervalued problems. This report describes the usefulness of preoperative imaging by dynamic fiberoptic bronchoscopy and spiral multilayer computed tomography with 3-dimensional reconstruction in 7 symptomatic children with segmentary TM associated with esophageal atresia and treated surgically "case by case" based on dynamic fiberoptic bronchoscopy and computed tomography data.

[Virtual CT-pneumocystoscopy: indications, advantages and limitations. Our experience].

PURPOSE: The use of CT volume-rendering techniques allows the evaluation of visceral organs without the need for endoscopy. Conventional endoscopic evaluation of the bladder is limited by the invasiveness of the technique and the difficulty exploring the entire bladder. Virtual evaluation of the bladder by three-dimensional CT reconstruction offers potential advantages and can be used in place of endoscopy. This study investigates the sensitivity of virtual CT in assessing lesion of the bladder wall to compare it with that of conventional endoscopy, and outlines the indications, advantages and disadvantages of virtual CT-pneumocystography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between September 2001 and May 2002, 21 patients with haematuria and positive cystoscopic findings were studied. After an initial assessment by ultrasound, the patients underwent pelvic CT as a single volumetric scan after preliminary air distension of the bladder by means of 12 F Foley catheter. The images were processed on an independent workstation (Advantage 3.0 GE) running dedicated software for endoluminal navigation. The lesions detected by endoscopy were classified as sessile or pedunculated, and according to size (more or less than 5 mm). Finally, the results obtained at virtual cystoscopy were evaluated by two radiologists blinded to the conventional cystoscopy results. RESULTS: Thirty lesions (24 pedunculated, 6 sessile) were detected at conventional cystoscopy in 16 patients (multiple polyposis in 3 cases). Virtual cystoscopy identified 23 lesions (19 pedunculated and 4 sessile). The undetected lesions were pedunculated <5 mm (5 cases) and sessile (2 cases). One correctly identified pedunculated lesion was associated with a bladder stone. DISCUSSION: Good quality virtual images were obtained in all of the patients. In only one patient with multiple polyposis the quality of the virtual endoscopic evaluation was limited by the patient's intolerance to bladder distension, although identification of the lesions was not compromised. The overall sensitivity was 77%; this was higher for pedunculated lesions (79%) than for sessile lesions (50%). The virtual technique is less invasive and tends to be associated with fewer complications than is conventional cystoscopy. It also demonstrated a good sensitivity for evaluating pedunculated lesions, allowing evaluation of the bladder base and anterior wall, sites that are commonly poorly accessible at conventional cystoscopy. Further advantages of the virtual technique include the possibility of accurately measuring the extent of the lesion and obtaining virtual images even in patients with severe urethral obstruction and active bleeding. The limitations include the inability to obtain tissue for histologic examination or to perform endoscopic resection of pedunculated lesions. The technique is less sensitive than conventional cystoscopy in the detection of sessile lesions or very small polyps (<5 mm). Furthermore, diffuse wall thickening reduces bladder distension thereby preventing optimal evaluation. The most valuable indication appears to be the follow-up of treated wall lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Virtual CT-pneumocystoscopy can replace conventional cystoscopy in cases with pedunculated lesions when there is no need for biopsy, when the lesions are located at the bladder base or when cystoscopic instrumentation cannot be introduced into the bladder due to stenosis. Virtual pneumocystoscopy can also be used in the follow-up of treated polypoid lesions in association with pelvic CT-angiography.