Coronary artery aneurysm in Kawasaki disease.

A 3-year-old male presents to the emergency department with chief complaints of fever and vomiting. He had a positive rapid streptococcus throat test with cervical lymphadenopathy. The patient was started on antibiotics. On examination, there was diffuse erythematous macular rash on the chest. Laboratory tests revealed elevated white cell count and C-reactive protein. Electrocardiogram was notable for prolonged PR interval indicating 1st degree atrioventricular block. Echocardiogram revealed ectasia of the right coronary artery (RCA). A presumptive diagnosis of Kawasaki disease was made and the patient was started on high-dose aspirin and intravenous immunoglobulins. Cardiac computed tomography angiography (CTA) showed an aneurysm of the proximal RCA measuring up to 7.4 mm. The RCA immediately proximal to the aneurysm measured 3 mm in diameter. The Z score was 13.4. Oblique coronal image from cardiac CTA and volume rendered images demonstrated an aneurysm of the proximal RCA. The patient improved with treatment

Treatment of Persistent Air Leaks using Endobronchial Valves

Introduction: Persistent air leaks (PAL) are from bronchopleural fistula resulting from communication between the bronchial tree and pleural space. Endobronchial valves (EBVs) are unidirectional valves placed bronchoscopically preventing airflow to the diseased lung lobe. For non-operable patients with PALs, EBVs offer a potential non-invasive treatment approach to stop air leak and allow lung healing. The purpose of this study is to retrospectively analyze EBV placement to treat non-operable adult patients with PALs. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed all adult patients that underwent EBV placement for PAL treatment at our institution from January 2016 to June 2019. All patients failed conservative therapy with chest tubes before EBV placement. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze leak etiology, number of valves placed, duration of placement, and PAL resolution. Results: A total of 20 EBV procedures occurred in patients with a median age of 63 (range = 38–79). Air leaks were spontaneous in 13 patients and either due to post-surgical or iatrogenic causes in 7 patients. By last follow-up, 60% of patients still retained all valves. Among patients that had valves removed, EBVs were in place for a median of 6 months (range = 2–21). 19 patients PALs resolved after EBV placement. Discussion: Our data supports previous reports of the feasibility of successfully treating PALs using EBVs. Although this report requires validation in a larger cohort, our data suggests that compassionate exemption EBV placement can be a possible treatment alternative to current standard of care for patients with PALs that are non-operable

Gunshot-Related Pediatric Left Ventricular Apical Aneurysm

Penetrating injuries of the thorax and abdomen, such as gunshot and stabbing, are rare in children. We present the case of a pediatric patient with a history of remote gunshot injury presenting with a late aneurysm in the left ventricle

Uncommon Causes of Interlobular Septal Thickening on CT Images and Their Distinguishing Features

Interlobular septa thickening (ILST) is a common and easily recognized feature on computed tomography (CT) images in many lung disorders. ILST thickening can be smooth (most common), nodular, or irregular. Smooth ILST can be seen in pulmonary edema, pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, and lymphangitic spread of tumors. Nodular ILST can be seen in the lymphangitic spread of tumors, sarcoidosis, and silicosis. Irregular ILST is a finding suggestive of interstitial fibrosis, which is a common finding in fibrotic lung diseases, including sarcoidosis and usual interstitial pneumonia. Pulmonary edema and lymphangitic spread of tumors are the commonly encountered causes of ILST. It is important to narrow down the differential diagnosis as much as possible by assessing the appearance and distribution of ILST, as well as other pulmonary and extrapulmonary findings. This review will focus on the CT characterization of the secondary pulmonary lobule and ILST. Various uncommon causes of ILST will be discussed, including infections, interstitial pneumonia, depositional/infiltrative conditions, inhalational disorders, malignancies, congenital/inherited conditions, and iatrogenic causes. Awareness of the imaging appearance and various causes of ILST allows for a systematic approach, which is important for a timely diagnosis. This study highlights the importance of a structured approach to CT scan analysis that considers ILST characteristics, associated findings, and differential diagnostic considerations to facilitate accurate diagnoses

Idiopathic midaortic syndrome

Midaortic syndrome (MAS) is characterized by narrowing of the descending aorta between the distal aortic arch and the aortic bifurcation. We present the case of a 4-year-old male presenting with a murmur and diagnosed with MAS. He was treated with a thoracoabdominal bypass graft

Large aortic pseudoaneurysm after Bentall procedure in a patient with Marfan\u27s syndrome.

An 11-year-old male with Marfan\u27s syndrome and aortic root dilatation underwent an uneventful Bentall procedure to replace his aortic root and valve. Five months later, surveillance echocardiogram revealed a slowly enlarging pseudoaneurysm arising from the ascending aorta. This finding was subsequently confirmed by computed tomographic angiogram. The patient had successful open surgical repair and paraaortic hematoma evacuation

Large aortic pseudoaneurysm after Bentall procedure in a patient with Marfan's syndrome

An 11-year-old male with Marfan's syndrome and aortic root dilatation underwent an uneventful Bentall procedure to replace his aortic root and valve. Five months later, surveillance echocardiogram revealed a slowly enlarging pseudoaneurysm arising from the ascending aorta. This finding was subsequently confirmed by computed tomographic angiogram. The patient had successful open surgical repair and paraaortic hematoma evacuation

Does Specific Labelling of Chest Radiographs to Confirm the Position of Peripherally Inserted Central Venous Catheters Decrease Turn Around Time?

Objectives The primary objective of the current study was to decrease the turnaround time (TAT) of PICC CXRs. TAT was defined as the time from completion of the study to finalization of the report by the interpreting radiologist.https://jdc.jefferson.edu/patientsafetyposters/1141/thumbnail.jp

Aortic Fistulas: Pathophysiologic Features, Imaging Findings, and Diagnostic Pitfalls

Fistulas between the aorta and surrounding organs are extremely rare but can be fatal if they are not identified and treated promptly. Most of these fistulas are associated with a history of trauma or vascular intervention. However, spontaneous aortic fistulas (AoFs) can develop in patients with weakened vasculature, which can be due to advanced atherosclerotic disease, collagen-vascular disease, vasculitides, and/or hematogenous infections. The clinical features of AoFs are often nonspecific, with patients presenting with bleeding manifestations, back or abdominal pain, fever, and shock. Confirmation with invasive endoscopy is often impractical in the acute setting. Imaging plays an important role in the management of AoFs, and multiphasic multidetector CT angiography is the initial imaging examination of choice. Obvious signs of AoF include intravenous contrast material extravasation into the fistulizing hollow organ, tract visualization, and aortic graft migration into the adjacent structure. However, nonspecific indirect signs such as loss of fat planes and ectopic foci of gas are seen more commonly. These indirect signs can be confused with other entities such as infection and postoperative changes. Management may involve complex and staged surgical procedures, depending on the patient\u27s clinical status, site of the fistula, presence of infection, and anticipated tissue friability. As endovascular interventions become more common, radiologists will need to have a high index of suspicion for this entity in patients who have a history of aneurysms, vascular repair, or trauma and present with bleeding

Gunshot-Related Pediatric Left Ventricular Apical Aneurysm

Penetrating injuries of the thorax and abdomen, such as gunshot and stabbing, are rare in children. We present the case of a pediatric patient with a history of remote gunshot injury presenting with a late aneurysm in the left ventricle. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.