Objectives: The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence and significance of incidental non-cardiac findings (INCFs) in coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) using a dual-source multidetector computed tomography. Materials and Methods: Retrospective review of all CCTA studies performed over a time period for various indications was included in the study. After exclusions, CCTA of 1713 patients was evaluated by two experienced cardiac radiologists for non-cardiac abnormalities in the full field-of-view limited contrast chest series. The scans were acquired from the level of the carina to just below the diaphragm. INCFs were classified into three categories: Significant, indeterminate, and insignificant findings based on their clinical impact and availability of prior imaging and clinical details. Results: The study cohort consisted of 1123 males (mean age of 58 years) and 590 females (mean age of 64 years). INCFs were seen in 600 patients of 1713 patients. A total of 812 INCFs (47.5%) were found in 1713 patients. Of those, 568 (70%) were considered insignificant, 205 (25.2%) indeterminate, and 39 significant findings (4.9%). The prevalence of significant findings was 2.3%. Among the 39 significant findings, after correlating with clinical details and other imaging, nine were really significant findings (0.5%) and out of this, four turned out to be cancers (0.2%). Conclusion: Large number of INCFs can be found in CCTA with majority of them being insignificant or of minimal clinical impact. Although the proportion of significant findings is small and may not be cost beneficial, it is prudent to evaluate all the available data and to make appropriate classification of INCFs which can help in further management.
SummaryBackgroundKawasaki Disease (KD) is a rare acute febrile illness due to multi-organ vasculitis. It most often affects children under five years of age. Coronary artery aneurysms are seen in about 25% of children with KD. Selective invasive coronary angiography was considered to be the gold standard for diagnosis and follow-up of coronary artery aneurysms, thrombosis and stenosis in patients with KD. Echocardiography is a non-invasive tool for imaging of this condition but it does have some limitations. Recently, a high-quality multislice CT coronary angiography has been advocated in the diagnosis of KD.Case ReportWe report a case of a 5-year-old boy who was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease and followed up by CT coronary angiography, which provided required excellent imaging findings in the terms of the number, size and location of coronary aneurysms.ConclusionsBased on imaging results of our case it can be stated that high-quality CT coronary angiography with the use of multi-slice dual source ultra-fast scanner can be considered a better and safer non-invasive diagnostic tool, an alternative to invasive catheter selective coronary angiography in the diagnosis and long-term follow-up of patients with KD, especially when echocardiographic images are limited or technically challenging.
SummaryBackgroundEosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a rare systemic vasculitis with a prevalence rate of seven per million. Cardiac involvement was reported in 20–50%, yet with improved diagnostic methods, the frequency of cardiac involvement is expected to be even higher. It can result in significant morbidity and mortality, accounting for about 50% of death. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is used to evaluate the myocardium, valves, coronary arteries, pericardium, also to assess cardiac structure and function. Perfusion study allows tissue characterisation with a suggestive pattern of late gadolinium enhancement.Case ReportWe report a rare case of EGPA in a 54-year-old male patient who presented with fever, sore throat and dizziness. Echocardiography showed a filling defect at the apex of the right ventricle (RV). CMR findings suggested the diagnosis of EGPA by demonstrating an impressive lesion at RV apex with the typical 3-layer appearance and thrombus formation. Post-gadolinium subendocardial hyperenhancement suggested focal involvement at the inferolateral wall of the left ventricle. Computed Tomography (CT) was done to rule out calcific or soft plaques of the coronary arteries, small vessel vasculitis and small aneurysm. CT scan showed a low-attenuation lesion at the inner wall of the right ventricle. In the lungs, bilateral interstitial changes and bilateral cystic bronchiectases were found. Under appropriate treatment, the patient improved clinically.ConclusionsIt is of crucial importance to perform full cardiac imaging that includes CMR even in asymptomatic patients with suspected EGPA, since early identification of cardiac involvement may allow to apply appropriate therapy and full recovery of the patient.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a relatively common inherited cardiac disorder, with echocardiography still being the initial imaging method for its diagnosis. Cardiac fibroma is a primary neoplasm that most commonly presents in childhood. We present a patient who was investigated for typical cardiac symptoms who went on to have cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and was found to have both of these conditions.
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