Multislice computed tomography is useful for evaluating partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection

Volume-rendered images, derived from multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT), can facilitate assessment of the morphology of partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection and are thus useful in pre-operative planning to prevent surgical morbidity and assist post-operative evaluations

Association between the computed tomography findings and operative time for interval appendectomy in children

Purpose: The purpose was to evaluate the association between operative time and findings noted on computed tomography (CT) immediately before interval appendectomy. Materials and Methods: Forty-two children who underwent CT before interval appendectomy were included. We evaluated the association between operative time and these image findings: (1) appendicolith, (2) increased intra-abdominal fat density around the appendix, (3) location of the appendix, (4) ascites, (5) abscess formation and (6) maximum appendix outer wall diameter. Appendix location was classified as (#1) just below the anterior abdominal wall; (#2) retrocaecal or retro-ascending colon and (#3) pelvic. Results were analysed using Pearson's correlation coefficient or Mann–Whitney U test. Results: The mean patient age and operative time were 116.24 ± 38.66 months (range, 31–195) and 67.76 ± 31.23 min (range, 30–179), respectively. Ascites was detected in only one case, and no abscess occurred in any patient; therefore, these findings were not analysed. Factors that significantly prolonged the operative time included increased intra-abdominal fat density around the appendix (absent, 59.43 ± 22.14 [range, 30–108] vs. present, 84.43 ± 40.13 [range, 32–179] min; P = 0.03) and retrocaecal or retro-ascending colon appendix (location 1, 40.83 ± 8.35 [range, 30–50]; location 2, 99.25 ± 18.56 [range, 74–135]; location 3, 64.54 ± 30.22 [range, 30–179] min; P < 0.01). There was a weak but significant association between maximum appendix outer wall diameter and operative time (R = 0.353; P = 0.02). Conclusion: These pre-operative CT findings are important predictors of operative time for interval appendectomy. Radiologists and surgeons should use these specific image findings to predict the operative time and need for additional procedures during an interval appendectomy

Oblique view of preoperative lymphoscintigraphy improves detection of sentinel lymph nodes in esophageal cancer

Because sentinel Lymph nodes(SLNs) of esophageal cancer can be widely located between the neck and the upper abdomen, lymphoscintigraphy plays an important role in their detection, but some modifications are required to clearly visualize their locations. Recently, we applied the stereoscopic imaging method by adding the 10-degree oblique view the the conventional lymphoscintigraphy for SLNs, so that we could better determine SLN locations on the basis of depth information. In this report, we describe a case in which the oblique view of the lymphoscintigram contributed to improving the visualization of a mediastinal SLN of esophageal cancer. Evaluation of the patient\u27s chest CT image validated the notion that gamma rays from SLN are less absorbed by the surrounding soft tissues and the sternum in acquisition from the oblique view than from the true anterior view. The additional oblique view of the lymphoscintigram is useful for evaluation of the SLNs of esophageal cancer

Impact of iterative reconstruction vs. filtered back projection on image quality in 320-slice CT coronary angiography: Insights from the CORE320 multicenter study

Abstract Iterative reconstruction has been shown to reduce image noise compared with traditional filtered back projection with quantum denoising software (FBP/QDS+) in CT imaging but few comparisons have been made in the same patients without the influence of interindividual factors. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of adaptive iterative dose reduction in 3-dimensional (AIDR 3D) and FBP/QDS+-based image reconstruction on image quality in the same patients. We randomly selected 100 patients enrolled in the coronary evaluation using 320-slice CT study who underwent CT coronary angiography using prospectively electrocardiogram triggered image acquisition with a 320-detector scanner. Both FBP/QDS+ and AIDR 3D reconstructions were performed using original data. Studies were blindly analyzed for image quality by measuring the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). Image quality was assessed qualitatively using a 4-point scale. Median age was 63 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 56–71) and 72% were men, median body mass index 27 (IQR: 24–30) and median calcium score 222 (IQR: 11–644). For all regions of interest, mean image noise was lower for AIDR 3D vs. FBP/QDS+ (31.69 vs. 34.37, P ≤ .001). SNR and CNR were significantly higher for AIDR 3D vs. FBP/QDS+ (16.28 vs. 14.64, P < .001 and 19.21 vs. 17.06, P < .001, respectively). Subjective (qualitative) image quality scores were better using AIDR 3D vs. FBP/QDS+ with means of 1.6 and 1.74, respectively (P ≤ .001). Assessed in the same individuals, iterative reconstruction decreased image noise and raised SNR/CNR as well as subjective image quality scores compared with traditional FBP/QDS+ in 320-slice CT coronary angiography at standard radiation doses