Kouichi Itoh

Coronary aneurysms in Kawasaki disease: Follow-up observation by two-dimensional echocardiography

SummaryThe development and regression of the coronary aneurysms in Kawasaki disease was studied with serial two-dimensional echocardiographic (2D echo) examinations. The diameter of the aneurysms at the proximal portions of the left coronary artery was measured on the 2D echo images in ten patients with Kawasaki disease, in whom left coronary aneurysms were found at the acute stage of the illness, and followed by 2D echo for longer than eight months. It was found that coronary aneurysms usually developed during the second week of the illness, reached maximal size at 3–8 weeks, and regressed gradually thereafter. Small aneurysms disappeared in several months, and those of intermediate size regressed in one to two years. Large aneurysms may remain for many years. Mural thrombi within the aneurysms were detected with 2D echo in three patients. They decreased in echodensity and eventually disappeared echographically.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of cavum septi pellucidi and cavum vergae

Cavum septi pellucidi (CSP) and cavum Vergae (CV) are frequently found in premature and mature neonates an autopsy. We examined 116 premature infants, 45 full-term neonates and 31 healthy 1-month-old infants to clarify the incidence of CSP and CV using cranial ultrasonography through anterior fontanelle. CSP was detected in 97% of the premature infants, 56% of the full-term neonates and 29% of the 1-month-old infants. The incidence of CV was 60% in premature infants and 7% in full-term neonates. None of the 1-month-old infants were found to have CV. The size of the largest CSP observed ultrasonographically was 10 mm wide. No complicated pathological cavum was found in any subject.

Two-dimensional ultrasonography of the brain: its diagnostic usefullness in herpes simplex encephalitis and cytomegalic inclusion disease

We have used brain ultrasonography in diagnosing and following up two infants, one with herpes simplex encephalitis and the other with cytomegalic inclusion disease. It was found that this technique was very useful to observe the changes of the brain parenchyma such as cystic degeneration and periventricular calcification. Also because it is non-invasive and an easy procedure, ultrasonography can be applied even for infants in critical condition when needed.

Detection of Shunt Flow in Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection Using 2D-Doppler Echocardiography

Two-D-Doppler echocardiography was used to diagnose two cases of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC). The first case presented the supracardiac type, the second the infracardiac type. Blood flow imagings pro duced by 2D-Doppler echocardiography revealed shunt flow in the common pulmonary veins (CPV) and the vertical, innominate, and portal veins. The shunt flow in the vertical vein was laminar, though the shunt flow in the inflow tract of the right atrium was turbulent. Two dimensional Doppler echocardio graphy is very useful in the detection shunt flow in TAPVC.