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Recent advances in reproductive medicine have generated a demand for more accurate imaging methods for identifying the specific cause of female infertility and other gynecologic disorders. Virtual hysterosalpingography is an emerging modality in which aspects of the established technique of hysterosalpingography are combined with the cutting-edge technology of multidetector computed tomography (CT) to allow a comprehensive and highly accurate evaluation of both the female reproductive system and the pelvic anatomy generally. Unlike ultrasonography (US) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, multidetector CT is capable of depicting both the external and internal surfaces of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and other pelvic organs, providing high-resolution data that are suitable for two- and three-dimensional reconstructions and virtual endoscopic views. Thus, virtual hysterosalpingography may prove to be superior to other noninvasive modalities for evaluating tubal patency. Moreover, in comparison with conventional hysterosalpingography, which may involve cervical clamping, virtual hysterosalpingography is painless. Because of the health risks associated with ionizing radiation, the use of another modality (eg, MR imaging, US) may be preferred if the presence of a focal uterine lesion is strongly suspected. However, virtual hysterosalpingography with multidetector CT may provide a diagnostic advantage in complex cases.

With the advent of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT), a whole new spectrum of diagnostic imaging techniques and procedures appears. Virtual hysterosalpingography (VHSG) is a novel non-invasive modality for assessing the uterus and female reproductive system that combines hysterosalpingography technique with MDCT technologies. Nowadays, 64-row VHSG offers an excellent diagnostic performance, in concordance with the development of new reproductive interventions and the need of accurate diagnostic procedures. In this article, we review the VHSG technique and describe normal and pathologic findings.

Objective To assess the feasibility of gadolinium-enhanced 64-slice cardiac CT (CCT) for the diagnosis of obstructive coronary artery disease. Design Comparative prospective study. Setting Outpatient Imaging Diagnostic Centre, Diagnostico Maipu, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Patients Twenty patients with suspected coronary artery disease. Interventions Gadolinium-enhanced 64-slice CCT was performed before invasive coronary angiography (ICA). Main outcome measures The feasibility of gadolinium-enhanced 64-slice CCT for detection of obstructive coronary artery disease (>50% diameter reduction) was evaluated, using ICA as the ‘gold standard’. Mean lumen attenuation, non-calcified and calcified plaques densities were correlated between gadolinium-enhanced CCT studies and iodine-enhanced CCT studies of a control group. Renal function was strictly monitored. Results Gadolinium-enhanced CCT demonstrated adequate visualisation of 283/289 coronary segments that were evaluable by ICA, 31 of which had >50% luminal stenosis. In per-segment analysis, gadolinium-enhanced CCT showed a sensitivity of 90.3%, specificity of 96.8%, positive predictive value of 77.8% and negative predictive value of 98.8%. The agreement of coronary stenosis between multidetector CT (MDCT) and ICA was 94.1% (272/289). The mean lumen attenuation, non-calcified and calcified plaques densities in gadolinium-enhanced CCT studies were 140.1 Hounsfield units (HU), 51.1 HU and 523.6 HU, whereas in iodine-enhanced CCT studies the values were 354.1 HU, 101.0 HU and 778.5 HU, respectively (p Conclusion Gadolinium-enhanced CCT is a feasible alternative for patients with severe contraindications to iodinated contrast agents referred for MDCT coronary angiography.

Desirable methods for cardiac CT angiography would both reduce radiation exposure from cardiac CT angiography and preserve accuracy.We assessed image quality, radiation dose, and diagnostic accuracy of a low-dose, prospectively gated axial cardiac CT angiography protocol for the evaluation of patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD).Fifty consecutive patients referred for diagnostic invasive coronary angiography (ICA) and with a stable heart rate60 beats/min after beta-blocker administration were prospectively enrolled in a single center study. Subjects underwent CT angiography with a 64-row multidetector CT scanner with a prospectively gated axial imaging protocol. If the examination was determined to be nondiagnostic, then a retrospectively gated helical scan was performed. Two reviewers independently assessed image quality and the presence of significant coronary artery stenosis (50%).Prospectively gated CT angiography was successfully performed in 46 of 50 patients. Of 794 coronary segments, 777 were determined to be of diagnostic image quality. The overall patient-based sensitivity (95% CI), specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy for the diagnosis of significant coronary stenosis were 100% (87%-100%), 75% (53%-90%), 81% (64%-93%), 100% (81%-100%), and 88% (81%-95%), respectively. The mean effective radiation dose for CT angiography and ICA were 3.4 +/- 0.4 mSv and 6.9 +/- 0.8 mSv, respectively.Cardiac CT angiography performed in a prospectively gated axial mode with 64-row multidetector CT provides an accurate, low-dose alternative for the detection of CAD.

To determine the usefulness of perspective-filet view for polypoid lesions in paediatric patients in comparison with conventional virtual colonoscopy (VC) analysis and optical colonoscopy.Sixty-one patients (mean age 5 years old) with a previous episode of rectal bleeding were studied using a 16 slices CT scanner. All patients underwent a colonic preparation. Two acquisitions were done in supine and prone positions with slices of 2mm thickness; increment 1mm, 30-50mA; 90-120kV. In a workstation an experienced radiologist reviewed images twice. The first read was done using the conventional virtual colonoscopy technique with the evaluation of two-dimensional (2D), three-dimensional (3D) and endoscopical images. Later, in a second session, perspective-filet view was used. It shows a 360 degrees unrolled visualization of the inner colon. The presence, size and location of the lesions were determined. A record of the reading time was made.At per patient evaluation the conventional virtual colonoscopy analysis obtained a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 98%. The perspective-filet view obtained a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 99%. In the evaluation on a per lesion basis the conventional analysis had a sensitivity of 81% and a specificity of 88%. Perspective-filet view, had a sensitivity of 82% and specificity of 90%. The average total reading time using conventional colonoscopy technique was 18+/-3min, versus 4+/-1min using the perspective-filet view.Virtual colon dissection with perspective-filet view is more time-efficient than conventional virtual colonoscopy evaluation with correct correlation in results.

Computed tomographic angiography (CTA) has gained wide clinical acceptance as a powerful diagnostic tool in the non-invasive evaluation of vascular disorders and has became the method of choice for the assessment of aortic pathology. In addition, recent advances in computed tomography (CT) technology improve the image quality and diagnostic performance of the procedure in the abdominal vascular system. In this paper, we briefly review the CTA technique and describe the main applications of abdominal CTA.

The improvement in spatial, temporal, and contrast resolutions with the newest multidetector computed tomographic (MDCT) scanners opens the opportunity to explore other applications of the virtual endoscopy technique besides the colon and stomach evaluation. As a non-invasive technique, virtual esophagoscopy represents an alternative to conventional endoscopy for the assessment of esophageal stenosis. The procedure and diagnostic performance are reviewed. Findings of this modality are illustrated.

Introduction: MDCT coronary angiography has been evolving as a noninvasive method for the assessment of coronary artery disease (CAD). More recently, It has been demonstrated that MDCT identifies reduced contrast enhancement in ischemic and/or scarred myocardial segments. Objective: to determine the ability of rest-stress multidetector computed tomography (RS-MDCT) to detect myocardial ischemia and to assess the relationship between MDCT myocardial perfusion abnormalities and coronary artery stenosis. Methods: Forty seven patients underwent stress/rest 99mTc sestamibi SPECT and RS-MDCT, using a 16-row detector scanner (Philips Brilliance-16). Myocardial segments were classified by SPECT as normal, ischemic or scarred. SPECT results were then compared with MDCT regional myocardial contrast enhancement. The results of MDCT coronary angiography were also analyzed in 20 patients who underwent invasive catheterization. Results: The presence of a reduction in contrast enhancement at rest by MDCT identified scar by SPECT with 96% sensitivity and 98% specificity. A stress-induced reduction in contrast enhancement by MDCT identified ischemia by SPECT with 77% sensitivity and 99% specificity. The segment-based sensitivity and specificity for the detection of significant stenosis by MDCT were 92% and 98%, respectively. Conclusion: Our results showed that a rest-dipyridamole stress MDCT protocol can identify the presence of myocardial ischemia as well as the severity of coronary artery stenosis in patients with suspected coronary artery disease.

Objective To evaluate the potential clinical value of 64-row multislice computed tomography hysterosalpingography (MSCT-H) in the evaluation of female patients with a diagnosis of infertility and compare it with the use of standard X-ray hysterosalpingography (HSG). Design Comparative prospective study. Setting Outpatient Imaging Diagnostic Centre, Diagnostico Maipu, Buenos Aires, Argentina, and a university-affiliated fertility institute (Centro de Estudios en Ginecologia y Reproduccion, Buenos Aires, Argentina). Patient(s) Twenty-two female patients with a diagnosis of infertility. Intervention(s) Sixty-four-row MSCT-H and conventional X-ray HSG. Main Outcome Measure(s) Diagnostic accuracy of MSCT-H for the evaluation of cervical, uterine, and tubal pathology. Result(s) We found that 64-row MSCT-H was useful in identifying female reproductive tract abnormalities, showing in the per patient analysis a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 85.71%. This new procedure can be performed without a tenaculum, making it well tolerated. Clinical complications did not occur in any of the patients participating in the study. Conclusion(s) Sixty-four-row MSCT-H is a valuable alternative diagnostic technique in the infertility workup algorithm for the evaluation of the female reproductive tract.

Virtual colonoscopy is used worldwide for the detection of colon polyps, but this technique has not been used much for the evaluation of inflammatory bowel diseases. The advent of multidetector-computed tomography and the use of high quality 3D and virtual images opened up the opportunity to assess these patients with this non-invasive technique. Early and late colonic changes are illustrated.

Currently accepted techniques that evaluate the uterus and female reproductive system in the infertility workup algorithm include hysterosonography, hysteroscopy and hysterosalpingography. Based on high speed multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) which can acquire high-quality volumetric data of the pelvic region in a single brief scan, MDCT virtual hysteroscopy is proposed as a developing, non-invasive alternative diagnostic procedure for the evaluation of uterine pathology and other gynecologic disorders. Findings of the technique are illustrated.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of multidetector CT virtual hysterosalpingography (MDCT-VH) with conventional X-ray hysterosalpingography (HSG) in the evaluation of patients with diagnosis of infertility. Methods: Sixty patients with diagnosis of infertility scheduled to perform a HSG, were evaluated with 16-row (n = 50) and 64-row (n = 10) MDCTVH. In 35 patients the examination was performed without a tenaculum. The HSGs were carried out using standard technique. The HSG and MDCT-VH findings were compared. The duration for both examinations and patient discomfort were documented. The sensitivity and specificity of MDCT-VH for the detection of uterine pathology and tubal obstruction were calculated using the exact binomial method. Agreement between the two methods was assessed by the Cohen’s kappa method (k). Results: The mean duration for MDCT-VH (16 and 64-rows) was 5 ± 3 min, whereas for HSG was 28 ± 3. The MDCT-VH without a tenaculum was the procedure with less patient discomfort. Sensitivity, specificity and inter-method agreement for the detection of uterine pathology were 100%, 92% and k = 0.92 for 16-row MDCT-VH and 100%, 100% and k = 1 for 64-row MDCT-VH, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity for detection of tubal obstruction were 80% and 80% for 16-row MDCT-VH and 100% and 100% for 64-row MDCT-VH, respectively; inter-method agreement for the visualization of the tubes was k = 0.54 for 16-row MDCT-VH and k = 1 for 64-row MDCT-VH. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the feasibility of evaluating the female reproductive system by MDCT-VH. 64-Row MDCT-VH could be an alternative diagnostic technique in the infertility workup algorithm. A larger study is in progress to validate these encouraging results. © 2007 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Background Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) has been proposed as a noninvasive method for the diagnosis of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). In patients with high risk of iodinated contrast adverse effects such as acute allergic-type reactions, the use of gadolinium could be an alternative. Objective We sought to evaluate the feasibility of gadolinium-enhanced MDCT for the diagnosis of obstructive CAD. Methods Twenty patients (mean age, 61 years; range, 50–73 years) referred for X-ray coronary angiography were studied by both gadolinium and iodine-enhanced 16-row MDCT coronary angiography. The degree of enhancement and the accuracy for detection of obstructive CAD (>50% diameter reduction) were evaluated with X-ray coronary angiography as the standard. Renal nephrotoxicity was strictly monitored. Results Gadolinium- and iodine-enhanced MDCT showed adequate visualization of the coronary arteries in 310 of the 312 coronary artery segments that were available by X-ray angiography, respectively. The average density of the coronary arteries in both iodine and gadolinium CT scans was 253.65 Hounsfield unit (HU) and 135.20 HU, respectively. In a per-coronary segment analysis, gadolinium- and iodine-enhanced MDCT showed sensitivities of 89% vs 84%, specificities of 96% vs 95%, and negative predictive values of 97% vs 96%, respectively. In a per-patient analysis, both gadolinium- and iodine-enhanced MDCT showed sensitivities of 92.85% vs specificities of 83.33%. Intermethod agreement between gadolinium- and iodine-enhanced MDCT (κ) was 0.95 ( P Conclusion Our preliminary results indicate lower attenuation with gadolinium but similar diagnostic accuracy for the detection of obstructive CAD when compared with iodine-enhanced MDCT. Therefore, gadolinium is a feasible alternative contrast agent for patients with iodine contrast allergy referred for MDCT coronary angiography.

The purpose of our study was to determine the usefulness of a virtual computed tomography colon dissection visualization technique for the detection of polypoid lesions in comparison with conventional virtual colonoscopy analysis and optical colonoscopy.Twenty-three patients were evaluated with optical colonoscopy and computed tomography colonoscopy using 16-row MDCT on the same day. CT images were analyzed by the colon dissection workup with unfolded haustra visualization and also using the conventional virtual colonoscopy technique (axial images and endoluminal views). The CT analysis was performed by an experienced radiologist using both viewing methods in a randomized order and blinded to optical colonoscopy results.Optical colonoscopy revealed 35 colonic lesions; 155 mm, 18 between 5-9 mm and 29 mm. For conventional virtual colonoscopy analysis the overall sensitivity was 86.67%; for the colon dissection visualization technique, the overall sensitivity was 82.86%. The average reading time for conventional virtual colonoscopy was 15 +/- 3 vs. 8 +/- 2 min for the colon dissection visualization technique.Our results showed that there is a significant reduction in the reading time using the colon dissection visualization technique without detriment to the detection rate, that is, competitive to conventional virtual colonoscopy interpretation results.

Computed tomographic (CT) angiography represents an important clinical tool in the evaluation of vascular disorders. Virtual angioscopy can be reconstructed with volumetric CT data sets. We evaluated the feasibility and clinical value of this application in the assessment of abdominal vessels. Data sets of CT angiographic studies obtained with helical (n = 120) and multislice (n = 180) CT scanners were analyzed on a workstation for postprocessing. Vascular evaluation was done on conventional enhanced axial images, three-dimensional reconstructions, and virtual angioscopic images. We made 123 studies in patients without aortic disease. Of the patients evaluated for stent-graft treatment, 63 showed normal patency, seven had partial thrombosis of the stent-graft, five showed total occlusion of the stent-graft, and 10 had leaks. From the 92 remaining CT studies, 63 vascular aneurysms and nine dissections were diagnosed. The current technology produces high-quality virtual angioscopic images. Although axial and multiplanar views are usually adequate for detecting a vascular disorder, virtual angioscopic views better define anatomic details.

The purpose of this study was to determine the sensitivity (S) and specificity (sp) of virtual colonoscopy in the detection of elevated lesions in children, and to compare these results with conventional colonoscopy. Between April 2000 and January 2003, 100 patients (mean: 6 years old) were evaluated with virtual colonoscopy and conventional colonoscopy. All patients presented rectal bleeding and both methods were performed the same day. All patients had received a standard bowel cleansing the day before. Virtual colonoscopies were carried out with 2.5 mm thick slices, 1.3 mm reconstruction intervals, 15 mAs, and 90 kV. The acquisition time ranged from 5-10 s depending on the age of the patient. For each method, two scans were performed in both a supine and a prone position. After the acquisitions, images were reprocessed using two-dimensional, volume rendering, and virtual endoscopy reconstructions. Findings of the two methods were compared blinded. They were classified in two groups: (1) normal studies, and (2) elevated lesions studies. The second group was subdivided according to the diameter of the lesions: (2a)5 mm, (2b) 5-9 mm, and (2c)9 mm. All studies were performed without complications. Forty-eight patients were normal. In the other 52 patients, virtual colonoscopy detected 86 lesions, whereas conventional colonoscopy depicted only 80 lesions. There were 70 true-positive findings, 48 true-negative findings, 12 false-positive findings, and 8 false-negative findings. The global S was 89%, sp: 80%, positive predictive value: 85%, and negative predictive value: 85%. In group (2a), sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 81, 90, 81, and 90% respectively; in group (2b), 90, 90, 85, and 94%, respectively; and in group (2c), 100, 96, 90, and 100%, respectively. We concluded that virtual colonoscopy is an alternative method for the evaluation of children with elevated lesions. It is fast, has no complications, and uses a low radiation dose.

1934-5925/$ -see front matter 2009 doi:10.1016/j.jcct.2008.12.008 A 57-year-old woman with hypertension and hyperlipidemia but without known coronary artery disease underwent prospective-gated 64-row computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) because of an episode of atypical chest pain. The axial images showed anomalous drainage of the coronary sinus (CS) into the medial aspect of the posterior wall of the left atrium (LA). The right cardiac vein emptied directly into the right atrium (Fig. 1). Multiplanar reformatted images clearly showed the slightly tortuous CS coursing to the LA, and its anatomic relation with the cardiac chambers (Fig. 2). Three-dimensional virtual angioscopic image of the LA showed the pulmonary veins ostia and an additional, elliptical ostium in the medial aspect of the posterior wall, corresponding to the anomalous drainage of the CS. Congenital anomalies of the coronary sinus are rare, and include complete absence, hypoplasia, narrowing, atresia, partial or complete unroofing, and fistula from a persistent left superior vena cava. Knowledge of coronary venous structure and morphology is particularly clinically important

Poster: "ECR 2012 / C-1878 / Cervical evaluation by virtual hysterosalpingography before embryo transfer " by: " R. J. Vallejos 1, P. Carrascosa1, C. M. Capunay1, A. Vasconcelos1, M. Baronio2, S. Papier2; 1Vicente Lopez/AR, 2Buenos Aires/AR"