Acute aortic syndromes (AAS) encompass a spectrum of life-threatening conditions characterized by acute aortic pain. AAS include acute aortic dissection, intramural hematoma, penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer, and aneurysm rupture. The prognosis of AAS is clearly related to prompt diagnosis and appropriate management. The different types of AAS cannot be reliably differentiated solely based on clinical presentation since the clinical features are indistinguishable. Multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) with electrocardiographic gating (ECG-gated MDCT) has been used in the acute emergency setting as a powerful clinical tool, which enables rapid and specific diagnosis of aortic pathologies. ECG-gated MDCT significantly reduces motion artifact and avoids potential pitfalls in the diagnosis of AAS. The aim of this review is to evaluate the role of MDCT imaging in the assessment of AAS and to discuss the differentiation of this spectrum of aortic diseases with reference to the key imaging findings.

The evaluation of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is routinely performed using the multimodality imaging approach, including ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET). Ultrasonography is the most frequently used imaging modality for the initial diagnosis of renal masses. The modality of choice for the characterization of the renal mass is multiphasic CT. Recent advances in CT technology have led to its widespread use as a powerful tool for preoperative planning, reducing the need for catheter angiography for the evaluation of vascular invasion. CT is also the standard imaging modality for staging and follow-up. MRI serves as a problem-solving tool in selected cases of undefined renal lesions. Newer MRI techniques, such as arterial spin labeling and diffusion-weighted imaging, have the potential to characterize renal lesions without contrast media, but these techniques warrant further investigation. PET may be a useful tool for evaluating patients with suspected metastatic disease, but it has modest sensitivity in the diagnosis and staging of RCC. The newer radiotracers may increase the accuracy of PET for RCC diagnosis and staging. In summary, the main imaging modality used for the characterization, staging, and surveillance of RCC is multiphasic CT. Other imaging modalities, such as MRI and PET, are used for selected indications.

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External eye appearance in diverse avian taxa has been proposed to be driven by social and ecological functions in different studies. Recent research using quantitative measurements and phylogenetically informed analyses in primates suggest that instead photoprotective functions are important drivers of external eye appearance. Using similar methods, we examine the variation in external eye appearance of 132 parrot species (Psittaciformes) in relation to their ecology and sociality. Breeding systems, flock size and sexual dimorphism, as well as species’ latitude and maximum flying altitude were used to explore the relative contribution of social and ecological factors in driving external eye appearance. We measured the hue and brightness of visible parts of the eye and the difference in measurements of brightness between adjacent parts of the eye. While we found no link between social variables and our measurements, we found a significant negative association between the brightness of the inner part of the iris and latitude and altitude. Darker inner parts of the irises were more prevalent farther away from the equator and with higher flying altitudes. Because the amount of UV radiation varies according to these factors, our results suggest that irises are at least partially adapted for photoprotective functions. The results inform our growing understanding of the drivers of external eye appearance across land vertebrates, highlighting the importance of photopic factors across such distantly related taxa as anthropoid primates and psittaciformes.

A case of congenital apical left ventricular aneurysm in a 35-year-old man with normal coronary arteries is reported. There was no myocardial infarction evident on electrocardiogram, no previous thoracic trauma, no sarcoidosis or pyogenic infection. The patient, a 35-year-old man gave no history of previous cardiac disease, but he complained of exertional dyspnea two years previously and he had taken medication for essential hypertension. Several days prior to admission he complained of occasional atypical chest pain at rest and with exercise. Cardiac examination was normal. The blood pressure was 180/ 110 mmHg. On admission, an electrocardiogram showed negative and asymmetrical T waves in I, II, aVL, aVF, V4, V5 and V6 leads (Figure 1).The patient had taken no cardiac glucosides and this electrocardiographic pattern was always present during his study in the hospital. The chest X-ray film taken on admission showed (Figure 2) normal cardiac size and there were no signs of left heart failure. The serum transaminases and blood lipid levels were normal. Fasting blood levels of glucose, K, and Na were normal. M-mode echocardiogram, carotid pulse, and vectocardiogram were normal. Percutaneous biopsy and Kveim test for Sarcoidosis were normal. Hemodynamic studies revealed normal coronary arteries (Figure 3) but showed alterations in left ventricular contractility in apex cardiac border with apical left ventricular aneurysm (Figure 4). End-diastolic pressure of left ventricle was 12 mmHg.The patient was discharged from the hospital with treatment for high blood pressure and did not undergo cardiac surgery.