Calvarial lesions are often asymptomatic and are usually discovered incidentally during computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. Calvarial lesions can be benign or malignant. Although the majority of skull lesions are benign, it is important to be familiar with their imaging characteristics and to recognise those with malignant features where more aggressive management is needed. Clinical information such as the age of the patient, as well as the patient’s history is fundamental in making the correct diagnosis. In this article, we will review the imaging features of both common and uncommon calvarial lesions, as well as mimics of these lesions found in clinical practice.Teaching Points • Skull lesions are usually discovered incidentally; they can be benign or malignant. • Metastases are the most frequent cause of skull lesions. • Metastatic lesions are most commonly due to breast cancer in adults and neuroblastoma in children. • Multiple myeloma presents as the classic “punched out” lytic lesions on radiographs. • Eosinophilic granuloma is an osteolytic lesion with bevelled edges.

Intrathoracic carotid artery bifurcation is a very rare condition and only six cases have been reported to the best of our knowledge. We present a case of a 52-year-old man who was found to have an atretic intrathoracic internal carotid originating at the T3 level. The recognition of an intrathoracic carotid bifurcation is essential in the planning of thoracic and vascular procedures to avoid unintentional iatrogenic injuries.

Liposarcoma in the context of neurofibromatosis is very rare. To the best of our knowledge, only six cases have been reported until now in the literature. We are presenting this case to underline the possibility of recurrence in the case of retroperitoneal DDLSs despite local tumour resection. Also, although the role of chemotherapy is controversial we decided to start treatment with cisplatin and doxorubicin given the success of chemotherapy in similar case presentations.

Objective:The purpose of this study is to identify early computed tomography findings around the driveline which would predict mediastinal or left ventricular assist device (LVAD) pocket abscess formation.Materials and Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on 128 LVAD recipients between January 2007 and December 2011. Infectious complications were subdivided into those affecting the driveline and those resulting in abscess formation either around the LVAD pump or mediastinum. The size and location of infiltrative changes surrounding the driveline were used to predict infection propagation resulting in abscess.Results:Of the 128 patients, 49 (38.3%) patients developed driveline infections and 24 (18.8%) patients developed abscess. 87.5% patients who developed abscess had a preceding driveline infection. The mean time from driveline infection to the development of pump pocket abscess was approximately 7 months. In addition, patients with abscess in the pump pocket or mediastinum had preceding infiltrative changes surrounding the driveline ≥14 mm (P = 0.0001). A preperitoneal location and size of infiltrative changes ≥14 mm were correlated with a higher likelihood of abscess formation (P = 0.0002).Conclusion:Our study demonstrates the predictive value of infection/infiltrative changes around the driveline, which increases the risk for abscess formation in the LVAD pump pocket and/or in the mediastinum.

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Heart failure is a serious cause of morbidity and mortality with many patients ultimately requiring heart transplantation. As the rate of heart failure continues to increase and surpass the number of available donor hearts, the need for cardiac assist devices is rapidly rising. The total artificial heart has emerged as an effective therapeutic option in patients with end-stage biventricular heart failure who are awaiting orthotopic heart transplantation. The TAH replaces the patient’s native ventricle and valves and has one of the highest bridge to transplant rates. Many complications have been associated with the TAH including infections, bleeding, thrombosis, device malfunction, neurological complications among others. CT is the imaging modality of choice that aids in early recognition of TAH complications. The aim of this review is to illustrate the TAH components and CT based imaging of TAH complications. Recognition of TAH complications can help to plan for early intervention and therefore improve patient’s survival.