Demetrios A. Raptis

Erdheim-Chester disease with interatrial septum involvement.

Erdheim-Chester disease is an uncommon non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis with systemic manifestations. Most cases discuss radiologic findings once a pathologic diagnosis has already been established. We describe a patient with symptoms and no previously known diagnosis who was imaged with computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography. This case is unusual in that radiologic imaging demonstrated interatrial septum and diffuse cardiac involvement, in addition to the other characteristic lesions of Erdheim-Chester disease. The importance of this case to the radiologist is the expansion of the differential diagnosis of processes involving the interatrial septum and retroperitoneum.

Imaging of left ventricular device complications.

Left ventricular assist devices have become an increasingly common life-extending therapy for patients with end-stage heart failure. These devices may be used as a bridge to transplant, destination therapy, or to recovery, providing either pulsatile or nonpulsatile support. Because of the increasing frequency of left ventricular assist device utilization and the improved short-term and long-term survival after placement, there has been a parallel increase in the radiologic imaging of patients with these devices, mandating radiologists’ awareness of the manifestations of common complications, including infection, thrombosis and embolism, cannula obstruction, hemorrhage, and complications of adjacent vessels and viscera, all of which will be discussed in this pictorial essay.

Imaging in blunt cardiac injury: Computed tomographic findings in cardiac contusion and associated injuries

BACKGROUND Blunt cardiac injury (BCI) may manifest as cardiac contusion or, more rarely, as pericardial or myocardial rupture. Computed tomography (CT) is performed in the vast majority of blunt trauma patients, but the imaging features of cardiac contusion are not well described. PURPOSE To evaluate CT findings and associated injuries in patients with clinically diagnosed BCI. MATERIALS AND METHODS We identified 42 patients with blunt cardiac injury from our institutions electronic medical record. Clinical parameters, echocardiography results, and laboratory tests were recorded. Two blinded reviewers analyzed chest CTs performed in these patients for myocardial hypoenhancement and associated injuries. RESULTS CT findings of severe thoracic trauma are commonly present in patients with severe BCI; 82% of patients with ECG, cardiac enzyme, and echocardiographic evidence of BCI had abnormalities of the heart or pericardium on CT; 73% had anterior rib fractures, and 64% had pulmonary contusions. Sternal fractures were only seen in 36% of such patients. However, myocardial hypoenhancement on CT is poorly sensitive for those patients with cardiac contusion: 0% of right ventricular contusions and 22% of left ventricular contusions seen on echocardiography were identified on CT. CONCLUSION CT signs of severe thoracic trauma are frequently present in patients with severe BCI and should be regarded as indirect evidence of potential BCI. Direct CT findings of myocardial contusion, i.e. myocardial hypoenhancement, are poorly sensitive and should not be used as a screening tool. However, some left ventricular contusions can be seen on CT, and these patients could undergo echocardiography or cardiac MRI to evaluate for wall motion abnormalities.

Traumatic injuries of the diaphragm: overview of imaging findings and diagnosis

Injuries to the diaphragm muscle occur in penetrating and severe blunt trauma and can lead to delayed hernia formation. Computed tomography is the mainstay in the diagnosis of these injuries, which may be subtle at presentation. Imaging findings differ between blunt and penetrating trauma. Key features in blunt trauma include diaphragm fragment distraction and organ herniation because of increased intra-abdominal pressure. In penetrating trauma, herniation is uncommon, and the trajectory of the object is critical in making the diagnosis of diaphragm injury in these patients. Radiologists must keep a high index of suspicion for injury to the diaphragm in cases of trauma to the chest or abdomen.

3D Printing Provides a Precise Approach in the Treatment of Tetralogy of Fallot, Pulmonary Atresia with Major Aortopulmonary Collateral Arteries

Patients with tetralogy of Fallot, pulmonary atresia, and multiple aortopulmonary collateral arteries (Tet PA MAPCAs) have a wide spectrum of anatomy and disease severity. Management of these patients can be challenging and often require multiple high-risk surgical and interventional catheterization procedures. These interventions are made challenging by complex anatomy that require the proceduralist to mentally reconstruct three-dimensional anatomic relationships from two-dimensional images. Three-dimensional (3D) printing is an emerging medical technology that provides added benefits in the management of patients with Tet PA MAPCAs. When used in combination with current diagnostic modalities and procedures, 3D printing provides a precise approach to the management of these challenging, high-risk patients. Specifically, 3D printing enables detailed surgical and interventional planning prior to the procedure, which may improve procedural outcomes, decrease complications, and reduce procedure-related radiation dose and contrast load.

Traumatic abdominal aortic injury: clinical considerations for the diagnostic radiologist

Traumatic abdominal aortic injury (TAAI) is a severe complication of penetrating and blunt trauma with significant morbidity and mortality, particularly if diagnosis is delayed. In patients with life-threatening injuries, accurate and prompt diagnosis of TAAI can be made with computed tomography (CT). Once the diagnosis of TAAI is made, the radiologist should provide an accurate description of the aortic lesion and the extent of injury in order to guide management whether it be non-operative, open aortic repair, or endoluminal stent repair. The purpose of this article is to review the key imaging aspects of TAAI and to discuss how the key CT imaging findings affect clinical management.

Abnormalities of the Coronary Arteries in Children: Looking beyond the Origins

Coronary arterial abnormalities are uncommon findings in children that have profound clinical implications. Although anomalies of the coronary origins are well described, there are many other disease processes that affect the coronary arteries. Immune system-mediated diseases (eg, Kawasaki disease, polyarteritis nodosa, and other vasculiditides) can result in coronary arterial aneurysms, strictures, and abnormal tapering of the vessels. Because findings at imaging are an important component of diagnosis in these diseases, the radiologists understanding of them is essential. Congenital anomalies may present at varying ages, and findings in hemodynamically significant anomalies, such as fistulas, are key for both diagnosis and preoperative planning. Pediatric heart surgery can result in wide-ranging postoperative imaging appearances of the coronary arteries and also predisposes patients to a multitude of complications affecting the heart and coronary arteries. In addition, although rare, accidental trauma can lead to injury of the coronary arteries, and awareness and detection of these conditions are important for diagnosis in the acute setting. Patients with coronary arterial conditions at presentation may range from being asymptomatic to having findings of myocardial infarction. Recognition of the imaging findings is essential to direct appropriate treatment. ©RSNA, 2017.

R-SCAN: Cardiac CT Angiography for Acute Chest Pain

INTRODUCTION Acute chest pain is one of the most common reasons for emergency department visits in the United States, accounting for more than eight million emergency department encounters each year [1-3]. Acute chest pain—or anginal equivalents such as shortness of breath, diaphoresis, or nausea—must be taken seriously as potential indicators of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Acute chest pain warrants immediate assessment of patient risk, including a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) examination and an initial serum troponin evaluation [3]. Although coronary CT angiography (CCTA) plays an indispensable role in triaging emergency department patients with low to intermediate risk for ACS, patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction should be admitted and considered for invasive coronary angiography and potential percutaneous coronary intervention. Patients with ECG or biomarker evidence of ischemia are best managed by an early invasive strategy involving invasive angiography. Risk here is defined by the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) risk score for unstable angina or ACS [4]. The TIMI score is used to determine the likelihood of ischemic event or mortality in patients with unstable angina or

Complications After Gynecologic and Obstetric Procedures: A Pictorial Review

Gynecologic and obstetric procedures require careful dissection in to high real-estate regions in the pelvis and abdomen where many structures lie in close proximity: the urinary bladder, ureter, and bowel. Damage to one of these structures can cause significant morbidity. Recognition of the patient who has an acute complication of gynecologic or obstetric surgery on imaging can precipitate quick and effective medical management. Imaging can appropriately diagnose the underlying problem and provide critical information for the clinical team. In this review, we present acute complications of gynecologic and obstetric procedures and their imaging appearances.

Imaging of Acute Traumatic Aortic Injury

Purpose of ReviewThis article aims to review the key aspects of the imaging evaluation of acute traumatic aortic injury (ATAI) with an emphasis on factors that affect management of these patients.Recent FindingsIn the setting of trauma, the chest radiograph typically serves as the initial imaging evaluation and can be useful in detecting signs of mediastinal hematoma. In the current era, definitive diagnosis of ATAI is made with computed tomography (CT), where indirect and direct findings of ATAI can enable a confident diagnosis. Knowledge of potential technical and anatomic CT imaging pitfalls can prevent misdiagnosis of ATAI.SummaryDiagnosis of ATAI in the setting of blunt or penetrating trauma relies heavily on timely and accurate imaging interpretation. Once the diagnosis is made, a meaningful report including appropriate descriptors of the characteristics and location of ATAI should be generated by the radiologist to help direct management.