摘要:

The association between coronary artery calcification (CAC) and coronary artery disease is well established. The objectives of this article are to define the cross-sectional anatomy of the coronary arteries and to demonstrate the prevalence of CAC as seen on routine computed tomography (CT) of the thorax. A CT scan of a cadaver heart was performed in normal anatomic position. Additionally, a retrospective analysis of 103 consecutive thoracic scans was done by three experienced radiologists. The cross-sectional anatomy of the coronary arteries is described based on both these studies, and the prevalence of coronary calcification from the retrospective review was determined. The left anterior descending was the most commonly calcified artery (43% of all patients) followed in order by the left coronary (37%), circumflex (33%), and right coronary (20%). Seventy-nine percent of patients older than age 65 demonstrated coronary calcification on CT. This prevalence approaches that of reported autopsy series. Knowledge and understanding of the cross-sectional anatomy of coronary arteries is essential for detection of coronary artery calcification. We recommend that the presence of CAC should be reported on all thoracic CT scans because coronary calcification may signal unsuspected coronary artery disease.

ISSN:0883-5993    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

We analyzed the spatial structure of contact radiographs of barium-filled pulmonary arteries of rats raised in room air and in two environments that induce pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)—hypoxia and hyperoxia. We found that the spatial structure of the pulmonary arteries was fractal in both the control and the hypertensive lungs. The fractal dimension of the pulmonary arteries of the control lungs was 1.62 ± 0.01 (mean ± SEM), which is greater than that of both the hypoxic lungs 1.50 ± 0.03 (p < 0.01) and the hyperoxic lungs 1.44 ± 0.01 (p < 0.01). There was no significant difference between the hypoxic and hyperoxic lungs. The fractal dimension may be a useful clinical index to quantify pathologic changes in the pulmonary arterial tree.

ISSN:0883-5993    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

We studied computed tomographic (CT) appearance of muscle or omental flap transposition procedures in ten patients following clinically diagnosed poststernotomy mediastinitis. Patients were examined either to rule out persistent infection or as part of routine follow-up. An increased amount of soft tissue between open sternal fragments and deformity or apparent “absence” of the utilized muscle were normal postoperative anatomic alterations. Abscess within the flap was diagnosed in one patient who had an abnormal focus of low attenuation in the muscle bundle and scattered air bubbles. An overview with CT correlation of the technical aspects of the reconstructive procedures performed at our institution is provided.

ISSN:0883-5993    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

We studied the feasibility of a recently developed 20:1 to 25:1 compression technique for computed radiography (CR) using lung phantom images, and clinical cases were evaluated. We compared one original and two reconstructed CR films of the same image using compression ratios of 10:1 to 15:1, and 20:1 to 25:1, and the deterioration of image quality was carefully checked. Evaluation by subjective ranking of various abnormal opacities created for phantoms and clinical cases showed deterioration of image quality with 20:1 to 25:1 compression images. This was greatest for a single linear opacity (thin line) and least for reticulonodular opacities. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) for pneumothorax, pulmonary nodules and reticulonodular opacities in newborns, infants, and adults revealed no significant differences among the original 10:1 to 15:1, and 20:1 to 25:1 compression images. We conclude that this new method of data compression of CR images is clinically applicable and useful.

ISSN:0883-5993    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Dual-energy computed tomography (CT) was used to study apparently noncalcified pulmonary nodules in 19 patients. We obtained both high-and low-voltage images during one CT scan study using a special CT apparatus, and four of 11 benign lesions were diagnosed as benign by measurement of the CT number. Moreover, this particular CT apparatus was useful in judging the presence or absence of calcification in pulmonary nodules.

ISSN:0883-5993    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Radiologists in hospital practice often encounter radiographs that either bear no patient identification or are incorrectly labeled as those of a different patient. To avoid repeating these improperly labeled radiographs, and to establish correct patient identity, most radiologists compare these radiographs with previous radiographs of several patients. This happens most often with portable chest radiographs. To study the reliability of various surgical, pathologic, and anatomic features and to help establish a fast and accurate method of establishing the correct patient identity, we performed a retrospective study of 50 patients in the intensive care unit. The characteristic location and configuration of surgical material, fractures, and dense parenchymal/pleural scars with or without calcifications are extremely helpful in establishing patient identity. In the vast majority of patients who lack such characteristic surgical and pathologic features, the anatomic structures that are most reliable for identification purposes are, in order of decreasing reliability, the transverse processes of the first thoracic vertebrae and the adjoining tubercles of the first ribs, the spinous processes, and the scapular wings. We believe that this information will help radiologists to identify the right patient when radiographs are incorrectly labeled.

ISSN:0883-5993    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

We used magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to evaluate treatment response of 10 consecutive lung cancer patients while they were receiving radiation therapy. Patients were scanned before treatment, during treatment, at completion of treatment, and if possible, at 3-month intervals thereafter. The initial tumor response to radiation was increasing signal intensity and increasing heterogeneity, best seen on T2-weighted images. Small tumors virtually disappeared, whereas larger masses remained as complex cystic structures or developed cavities. The adjacent irradiated lung parenchyma had increased signal on both the T1− and T2-weighted images as early as 17 days after start of treatment. The signal intensity continued to increase for several months after treatment, but subsequently decreased.

ISSN:0883-5993    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

We present a case of diffuse lung calcifications that developed following fat emboli and adult respiratory distress syndrome. Computed tomography (CT) showed the majority of the calcifications to be within branches of the pulmonary arteries. High-resolution CT findings helped to characterize associated lung parenchymal changes.

ISSN:0883-5993    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

We describe the magnetic resonance (MR) appearance with pathologic correlation of six pulmonary hamartomas. All six tumors showed intermediate signal intensity on T1-weighted images and high signal intensity on T2-weighted images. Four of the six tumors showed a lobulated appearance separated by septa on precontrast T1-weighted or T2-weighted images. Gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted images showed marked enhancement of the septa that separated the tumors into less well enhanced lobules; this was seen in all six tumors. Comparison between MR images and pathologic specimens showed that the regions with less enhancement corresponded to core cartilaginous tissue and septa; areas of marked contrast enhancement corresponded to cleft-like branching mesenchymal connective tissue that dipped into the cartilaginous core. MR images correlated well with the surgically resected tumors.

ISSN:0883-5993    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

We present a patient who had a left thoracotomy 43 years previously. Since that surgery he experienced intermittent hemoptysis, and a recent thoracotomy revealed an intrapulmonary foreign body (retained sponge) in the left lower lobe. The liability potential of this case is discussed.

ISSN:0883-5993    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1994

数据来源: OVID