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Objective: The sphenoid sinus is a paranasal sinus that is extremely difficult to reach, being located deep in the skull and surrounded by a large number of vital neural and vascular structures. Additional radiological evaluation of the sphenoid sinus and related neurovascular structures is essential before surgery. This study aimed to analyze the anatomical variations associated with the neurovascular structures in and around the sphenoid sinus using multislice computed tomography (CT) and contribute to the literature by comparing the obtained data with previous studies. Material and Method: A total of 100 patients (50 females, 50 males) who underwent paranasal sinus CT for various rhinologic diseases were included in the study. Sphenoid sinus variations were evaluated as bone tissue anomalies and soft tissue pathologies on CT. Results: In this study, variations in the neurovascular borders of the sphenoid sinus were the most common findings. The variations related to the Vidian canal were most frequent with an incidence of approximately 73%, followed by those related to the optic nerve 55%, maxillary nerve 53%, and internal carotid artery 52%. Pneumatization of the pterygoid plate was observed in 59% of cases, pneumatization of the anterior clinoid process in 41%, and that of the greater wing of the sphenoid in 13%. Furthermore, 15% of the patients had onodi cells, 46% had multiple septations, 20% had mucosal thickening, 0.4% had polyps, and 0.3% had retention cysts. Conclusion: The structure of the sphenoid sinus is highly variable, and paranasal sinus CT is important in determining anatomic variations before sinonasal and transsphenoidal surgery and predicting possible complications during surgery. In this study, the variations of the sphenoid sinus were found at a higher rate compared to previous studies, which may be due to the differences in ethnic groups, CT imaging technique, or anatomical evaluation criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persistent left superior vena cava is a rare but important vascular abnormality. It occurs when the left superior cardinal vein does not regress and reaches innominate vein. It often present as an isolated condition. However, it might be associated to cardiovascular anomalies such as atrial septal defect, bicuspid aortic valve, aortic coarctation, coronary sinus anomalies or cor triatrium. A patient presenting with shortness of breath and atypical chest pain had been diagnosed with left persistent superior vena cava (LPSVC) on echocardiography. Agitated salin contrast echocardiography was performed and the LPSVC confirmed. Coronary CT angiography was performed in order to check for additional anomalies. It was seen that the LPSVC opens to the left atrium and the coronary sinus was patent. We aimed to present this case in the light of literature and radiological images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persistent left superior vena cava is a rare but important vascular abnormality. It occurs when the left superior cardinal vein does not regress and reaches innominate vein. It often present as an isolated condition. However, it might be associated to cardiovascular anomalies such as atrial septal defect, bicuspid aortic valve, aortic coarctation, coronary sinus anomalies or cor triatrium. A patient presenting with shortness of breath and atypical chest pain had been diagnosed with left persistent superior vena cava (LPSVC) on echocardiography. Agitated salin contrast echocardiography was performed and the LPSVC confirmed. Coronary CT angiography was performed in order to check for additional anomalies. It was seen that the LPSVC opens to the left atrium and the coronary sinus was patent. We aimed to present this case in the light of literature and radiological images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 48-year-old male hypertensive patient with who was not on a regular antihypertensive treatment was admitted to our emergency department due to severe retrosternal chest pain for two hours. He did not suffer from back pain. Electrocardiogram showed sinus rhythm with ST segment elevation in leads II, III, and aVF, and ST segment depression in leads I, aVL and V1-V3. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed hypokinetic inferior and posterior-septum wall motions (ejection fraction 45%) with mild mitral and mild aortic regurgitation, and a dilated ascending aorta (4.5cm) without any sign of dissection. The patient was taken to angiography lab for primary percutaneous intervention for acute inferior myocardial infraction; however, the catheter was unable to be placed in the right coronary artery. A manual aortogram was performed to visualize the right coronary artery. Because of unintentional placement of the catheter in the false lumen during aortography dissection the aorta was diagnosed. Urgent thoracic computed tomographic angiography showed De Bakey type I aortic dissection, extending from the ascending aorta to the iliac artery. The patient was successfully treated with the ascending aorta and aortic valve replacement, and coronary artery bypass grafting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the percentages of the left renal vein (LRV) variations and inferior vena cava (IVC) variations as well as the effect of gender on their frequencies. Materials and Methods: Contrast-enhanced abdominal helical computed tomography (CT) examinations of 1204 patients were retrospectively evaluated. Results: The correspondent percentages of the total LRV variations, retroaortic left renal vein (RLRV), and circumaortic LRV were 5.2%, 3.1%, and 2.1%, respectively. A statistically significant correlation was found between RLRV variation and gender (P=.036). Conclusions: Helical CT is an efficient, fast, easily applicable, and reliable imaging modality in demonstration of LRV variations and IVC variations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]