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Abstract: Primary angiosarcoma of the spleen is rare, usually widespread or has a splenic rupture by the time of presentation, and almost always has poor prognosis; early radiological diagnosis is necessary for improving the survival rate. We report two special cases of this disease. Both patients did not have pathologic metastasis or splenic rupture, but their computed tomography (CT) manifestations were distinct from each other and had uncommon characteristics. We compared the CT features with pathological findings. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Paragonimiasis is a parasitic infection caused by the genus Paragonimus and usually leads to pulmonary disease. Hepatic paragonimiasis is rare, but duodenal and splenic involvement of this disease has not yet been reported in the literature. Herein, we report two rare cases of hepatic paragonimiasis with simultaneous duodenal or splenic involvement, respectively, and described their CT features. Both patients were lifelong residents of an endemic area of paragonimiasis and were confirmed clinicopathologically. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: The anatomic features of left atrial diverticula (LAD) are still unclear in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and morphological characteristics of LAD in patients referred for radiofrequency transcatheter ablation of AF with dual-source computed tomography. Methods and Results: Dual-source computed tomography images were obtained in 214 patients referred for AF catheter ablation and 214 sex- and age-matched control subjects. Images were analyzed to determine the prevalence and morphological characteristics of LAD and their relationship with adjacent pulmonary veins and left atrial appendage. In AF patients 77 (36.0%) (95% confidence interval, 29.6-42.4%) had 90 LAD, whereas in control subjects 70 (32.7%) (95% confidence interval, 26.4-39.0%) had 81 LAD (P=0.551). In patients with AF, LAD locations were right anterosuperior (47.8%), left anterosuperior (8.9%), left lateral (32.2%), interatrial septum (4.4%), right inferior (5.6%), and posterosuperior (1.1%) walls, respectively. The mean size of LAD was 5.3±2.9×5.6±3.3 mm. The wall of the LAD was much thinner than that of adjacent left atrium (0.89±0.46 versus 2.39±0.83 mm). Most LAD were located close to a pulmonary vein or atrial appendage ostium, with a mean distance of 8.7-13.1 mm. Conclusions: LAD are common, with a prevalence of 36.0% in patients with AF, which is not statistically greater than that in patients without AF. Thin-walled LAD are more commonly located on the superior anterior wall of left atrium and close to common ablation sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Interrupted aortic arch (IAA) is a rare congenital cardiovascular condition. A patient with uncorrected IAA accompanied by rich collateral arteries can survive to adulthood asymptomatically. However, IAA complicated by aortic dissection is life threatening. Herein, we report a rare case of an isolated IAA accompanied by type B aortic dissection and extensive collateral arteries detected by multidetector computed tomography in a 38-year-old man. The imaging findings of the case are presented, and the utility of multidetector computed tomography in the evaluation of this condition is discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Detailed knowledge of pulmonary vein (PV) anatomy is essential for successful radiofrequency catheter ablation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anatomy of pulmonary veins (PVs) by using dual-source computed tomography (DSCT). 57 patients with and 53 subjects without atrial fibrillation underwent DSCT examination. PV variations were more common in patients than those in subjects (29.8% vs. 13.2%). Early branching occurred more often with right than with left PVs (P <0.01). Size of superior and right PVs ostia was larger than that of inferior and left PVs in patients and subjects (P <0.01), respectively. The ostia of right PVs were more round than those of left PVs (P <0.01). For each PV, the 95% confidence intervals of spatial angles were rather narrow. In conclusion, the variations, ostial size and shape and spatial orientation of PVs could be precisely visualized and adequately evaluated by DSCT. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]