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Orbital blowout fractures result from trauma which breaks the bony orbital wall while sparing the rim. Previous research into fracture mechanism has focused on bony anatomy. This study evaluates the role of preorbital and intraorbital soft tissue volume in fracture risk. A retrospective case-control study was conducted on 51 cases of adults with unilateral orbital blowout fracture, matched to 51 controls who had experienced orbital trauma by comparable mechanisms without sustaining a fracture. Axial Computed Tomography (CT) images with orbital fine cuts were assessed on a 3D post-processing workstation to measure the volume of the pre- and intraorbital soft tissues, then compared between the two groups using Mann-Whitney U analysis. In the case group, there were 40 males (78%), injured by assault (66%), fall (12%), motor vehicle collision (10%), or other cause (12%). The control group included 33 males (65%), injured by assault (55%), fall (22%), motor vehicle (4%), or other cause (20%). There was no significant difference in mechanism rates between case and control groups. Median preorbital volumes were 12.5 cm 3 in the case group and14.1 cm 3 in controls ( p =  0.02). Median intraorbital volumes were 24.4 cm 3 in the case group and 25.9 cm 3 in controls ( p  = 0.003). CT volumetric analysis shows that patients who sustained blowout fractures have lower preorbital and intraorbital soft tissue volume than those who did not fracture. This underscores the significant role that soft tissues play in dissipating impact forces, both anterior to the orbital rim and within the orbit itself.

To compare diagnostic accuracy of contrast-enhanced computed tomographic angiography (CTA) and gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) for the assessment of hemodynamically significant transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS). After institutional review board approval, records of 27 patients with TRAS confirmed on digital subtraction angiography (DSA) were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 13 patients had MRA and 14 had CTA before DSA. Two board-certified fellowship-trained radiologists, one each from interventional radiology and body imaging blindly reviewed the DSA and CTA or MRA data, respectively. Sensitivity (SN), specificity (SP), positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of MRA and CTA were estimated using 50% stenosis as the detection threshold for significant TRAS. These parameters were compared between modalities using the Fisher exact test. Bias between MRA or CTA imaging and DSA was tested using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Two patients were excluded from the MRA group owing to susceptibility artifacts obscuring the TRAS. The correlation between MRA and DSA measurements of stenosis was r = 0.57 (95% CI:-0.02, 0.87; P = 0.052) and between CTA and DSA measurements was r = 0.63 (95% CI: 0.14, 0.87; P = 0.015); the difference between the 2 techniques was not significant (P = 0.7). Both imaging modalities tended to underestimate the degree of stenosis when compared with DSA. MRA group (SN and SP: 56% and 100%, respectively) and CTA group (SN and SP: 81% and 67%, respectively). There were no significant differences in detection performance between modalities (P>0.3 for all measures). We did not find that either modality had any advantage over the other in terms of measuring or detecting significant stenosis. Accordingly, MRA may be preferred over CTA after positive color Doppler ultrasound screening when not contraindicated owing to lack of ionizing radiation or nephrotoxic iodinated contrast. However, susceptibility of artifacts owing to surgical clips at the anastomosis may limit diagnostic utility of MRA as found in 2 of 13 patients. Trend towards no significant difference between the CTA and enhanced MRA in the detection of hemodynamically significant TRAS., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The aim of this study is to describe the frequency, computed tomographic angiography (CTA) imaging appearance, management, and outcome of patients who present with minimal thoracic aortic injury. This retrospective study was Institutional Review Board-approved. Eighty-one patients with blunt traumatic aortic injuries (BTAI) were identified between 2004 and 2008, comprising 23 patients with minimal aortic injury (MAI) (mean age, 43.2 years ±18.2 years; 12 males and 11 females) and 58 patients with non-minimal aortic injury (mean age, 42.6 years ±22.7 years). CTA imaging was reviewed for each patient to differentiate those with MAI from those with non-MAI BTAI. Inclusion criteria for MAI on CTA were: post-traumatic abnormality of the internal contour of the aorta wall projecting into the lumen, intimal flap, intraluminal filling defect, intramural hematoma, and no evidence of an abnormality to the external contour of the aorta. Relevant follow-up imaging for MAI patients was also reviewed for resolution, stability, or progression of the vascular injury. The electronic medical record of each patient was reviewed and mechanism of injury, injury severity score, associated injuries, type and date of management, outcome, and days from injury to last medical consultation. Minimal aortic injury represented 28.4 % of all BTAI over the study period. Mean injury severity score (37.1), age (43.2 years), and gender did not differ significantly between MAI and non-MAI types of BTAI. Most MAI occurred in the descending thoracic aorta (16/23, 69 %). Without operative or endovascular repair, there was no death or complication due to MAI. One death occurred secondary to MAI (4.4 %) in a patient who underwent endovascular repair and surgical bypass, compared with an overall mortality rate of 8.6 % in the non-MAI BTAI group (p = 0.508). The most common CT appearance of MAI was a rounded or triangular intra-luminal aortic filling detect (18/23 patients, 78 %). In a mean of 466 days of clinical follow-up, no complications were observed in survivors treated without endovascular repair or operation. Minimal aortic injury is identified by multi-detector row CT in more than a quarter of cases of BTAI and has a low mortality. Conservative management is associated with an excellent outcome.

Background: Both transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging allow quantification of chronic aortic regurgitation (AR) and mitral regurgitation (MR). We hypothesized that CMR measurement of regurgitant volume (RVol) is more reproducible than TTE., Methods and Results: TTE and CMR performed on the same day in 57 prospectively enrolled adults (31 with AR, 26 with MR) were measured by 2 independent physicians. TTE RVol(AR) was calculated as Doppler left ventricular outflow minus inflow stroke volume. RVol(MR) was calculated by both the proximal isovelocity surface area method and Doppler volume flow at 2 sites. CMR RVol(AR) was calculated by phase-contrast velocity mapping at the aortic sinuses and RVol(MR) as total left ventricular minus forward stroke volume. Intraobserver and interobserver variabilities were similar. For AR, the Bland-Altman mean interobserver difference in RVol was -0.7 mL (95% confidence interval [CI], -5 to 4) for CMR and -9 mL (95% CI, -53 to -36) for TTE. The Pearson correlation was higher (P=0.001) between CMR (0.99) than TTE readers (0.89). For MR, the Bland-Altman mean difference in RVol between observers was -4 mL (95% CI, -21 to 13) for CMR compared with 0.7 mL (95% CI, -30 to 32) for the proximal isovelocity surface area and -10 mL (95% CI, -76 to 56) for TTE volume flow at 2 sites. Correlation was similar for CMR (0.94) versus TTE readers (0.90 for the proximal isovelocity surface area)., Conclusions: Compared with TTE, CMR has lower intraobserver and interobserver variabilities for RVol(AR), suggesting CMR may be superior for serial measurements. Although RVol(MR) is similar by TTE and CMR, variability in measured RVol by both approaches suggests that caution is needed in clinical practice.

Objective: We recently reported in a multi-institutional, randomized study of laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair (LPEHR) that the anatomic recurrence rate at a median of approximately 5 years was >50%. This study focuses exclusively on the symptomatic response to LPEHR and its relationship with the development of a recurrent hernia., Methods: During 2002 to 2005, 108 patients underwent LPHER with or without biologic mesh. A standardized symptom severity questionnaire, SF-36 health survey, and upper gastrointestinal series were performed at baseline, 6 months, and during 2008-2009., Results: Of 108 patients, 72 (average age of 68 ± 10 years) underwent clinical assessment, and 60 of them also had radiologic studies at a median follow-up of 58 (40-78) months. Radiographic recurrence (≥ 20 mm) was 14% at 6 months and 57% at the time of follow-up, and the average recurrence size was 40 ± 10 mm. All symptoms were significantly improved at long-term follow-up and, with the exception of heartburn, were unaffected by the presence or size of the recurrence. Two patients (3%) with recurrent symptoms related to their hernia underwent reoperation., Conclusion: Despite frequent radiologic recurrences after LPEHR, symptoms remain well controlled, patient satisfaction is high, and the need for reoperation is low.

The right ventricular (RV) volume is commonly measured from magnetic resonance images using Simpson's method from the stack of short-axis images acquired for analysis of the left ventricle. We compared the RV volume measured using Simpson's method to the RV volume measured using 3-dimensional reconstruction and the piecewise smooth subdivision surface (PSSS) method. We studied 6 normal subjects and 18 patients whose right ventricles carried a systemic pressure load, 1/2 with dexto-transposition of the great arteries repaired with an atrial baffle and 1/2 with levo-transposition of the great arteries. The right ventricle was reconstructed from manually traced borders from the short- and long-axis views using the PSSS method. Simpson's analysis was performed on short-axis views alone. The RV volumes were smaller when analyzed using Simpson's method than using the PSSS method. The underestimation averaged 12 +/- 19 ml (7 +/- 12% of PSSS volume; p <0.001), without a significant difference between the groups. The ejection fraction was similar using both methods in patients with transposition of the great arteries and was overestimated in normal subjects. Image review revealed that the volume underestimation using Simpson's method was more frequently due to difficulty in interpreting the basal short-axis images than the apical images. In conclusion, to obtain accurate analysis of the short-axis views for RV volume measurement, it would be helpful to incorporate information from additional images, such as the long-axis views, to assist in delineating this chamber's complex anatomy., (Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To compare nongated three-dimensional (3D) contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (CE-MRA) with 3D-navigated cardiac-gated steady-state free-precession bright blood (3D-nav SSFP) and noncontrast 2D techniques for ascending aorta dimension measurements., Materials and Methods: Twenty-five clinical exams were reviewed to evaluate the ascending aorta at 1.5T using: breathhold cine bright blood (SSFP), cardiac-triggered T2 black blood (T2 BB), axial 3D-nav SSFP, and nongated 3D CE-MRA. Three radiologists independently measured aortic size at three specified locations for each sequence. Means, SDs, interobserver correlation, and vessel edge sharpness were statistically evaluated., Results: Measurements were greatest for 3D-nav SSFP and 3D CE-MRA and smallest for T2 BB. There was no significant difference between 3D-nav SSFP and 3D CE-MRA (P = 0.43-0.86), but significance was observed comparing T2 BB to all sequences. Interobserver agreement was uniformly >0.9, with T2 BB best, followed closely by 3D-nav SSFP and 2D cine SSFP, and 3D CE-MRA being the worst. Edge sharpness was significantly poorer for 3D CE-MRA compared to the other sequences (P < 0.001)., Conclusion: If diameter measurements are the main clinical concern, 3D-nav SSFP appears to be the best choice, as it has a sharp edge profile, is easy to acquire and postprocess, and shows very good interobserver correlation., ((c) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether large arteries in subjects with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Type IV (EDS IV) exhibit altered morphological and functional characteristics that might indicate the risk of complications. Subjects with EDS IV, an inherited disorder of type III collagen, have a significant lifetime risk of arterial rupture. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the aorta and carotid artery was used to measure diameter, wall thickness, pulse propagation velocity, and spin-spin relaxation time constant (T(2)) of the artery walls. These measurements were made and compared by a two-sided t-test in 17 subjects with EDS IV and in eight age and gender matched sibling controls. Additionally, Spearman correlation was computed between measurements and the average longevity of affected relatives. Comparing controls to 15 subjects with no known prior aortic complications, we found no differences in the diameters of the descending thoracic and abdominal aortas, but did find ascending aorta dilatation in two subjects (13%). We also found a trend in EDS IV subjects toward higher wall thicknesses after normalizing by body surface area for both the abdominal aorta (P=0.05) and the common carotid artery (P=0.07). Finally, we found a significant negative correlation (R= -0.82, P=0.02) between age-adjusted pulse propagation velocity and familial longevity. In conclusion, preliminary evidence suggests that elevated pulse propagation velocity, which indicates reduced vessel distensibility, may be a risk factor for complications of EDS IV. Ascending aorta dilatation and increased vessel wall thickness were also found in subjects with EDS IV and represent potential risk factors for future study.

Objective: Improvements in MDCT coronary angiography allow imaging of the coronary arteries that rivals invasive coronary angiography. Recent studies have shown high sensitivity and specificity in detecting coronary artery disease. But in the course of interpretation, other significant abnormalities may be encountered in addition to atherosclerotic plaques., Conclusion: We present a selection of nonatherosclerotic cardiovascular findings that were detected with coronary CT angiography performed on a 64-MDCT scanner.

The clinical presentation, treatment, and outcomes of six consecutive patients presenting with acute aortic dissection secondary to hypertensive crises from methamphetamine use is described. Data were obtained prospectively from the expanded STS clinical database of the division of cardiothoracic surgery at the University of Washington, but reviewed in a retrospective fashion. These patients represent 5.5% of all patients diagnosed and treated for aortic dissection in the same time period (6/109) and 20% of all patients with aortic dissection under the age of 50 years (6/30). We conclude that young patients (

Objective: Laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair (LPEHR) is associated with a high recurrence rate. Repair with synthetic mesh lowers recurrence but can cause dysphagia and visceral erosions. This trial was designed to study the value of a biologic prosthesis, small intestinal submucosa (SIS), in LPEHR., Methods: Patients undergoing LPEHR (n = 108) at 4 institutions were randomized to primary repair -1 degrees (n = 57) or primary repair buttressed with SIS (n = 51) using a standardized technique. The primary outcome measure was evidence of recurrent hernia (> or =2 cm) on UGI, read by a study radiologist blinded to the randomization status, 6 months after operation., Results: At 6 months, 99 (93%) patients completed clinical symptomatic follow-up and 95 (90%) patients had an UGI. The groups had similar clinical presentations (symptom profile, quality of life, type and size of hernia, esophageal length, and BMI). Operative times (SIS 202 minutes vs. 1 degrees 183 minutes, P = 0.15) and perioperative complications did not differ. There were no operations for recurrent hernia nor mesh-related complications. At 6 months, 4 patients (9%) developed a recurrent hernia >2 cm in the SIS group and 12 patients (24%) in the 1 degrees group (P = 0.04). Both groups experienced a significant reduction in all measured symptoms (heartburn, regurgitation, dysphagia, chest pain, early satiety, and postprandial pain) and improved QOL (SF-36) after operation. There was no difference between groups in either pre or postoperative symptom severity. Patients with a recurrent hernia had more chest pain (2.7 vs. 1.0, P = 0.03) and early satiety (2.8 vs. 1.3, P = 0.02) and worse physical functioning (63 vs. 72, P = 0.03 per SF-36)., Conclusions: Adding a biologic prosthesis during LPEHR reduces the likelihood of recurrence at 6 months, without mesh-related complications or side effects.

Multiple myeloma occurring after solid organ transplantation is a rare condition, with only a few case reports found in the literature. We report a case of Epstein-Barr virus-negative, posttransplant multiple myeloma in a 67-year-old female, presenting 18 months after renal transplantation. Interestingly, fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis of the tumor revealed a Y chromosome in the majority of the cells, indicating that the neoplasm was derived from the donor kidney. To our knowledge, this represents the first reported case with these features.

A major problem in the study of lesions of atherosclerosis is the difficulty of imaging noninvasively the lesions and following their progression in vivo. To address this problem, we have developed advanced magnetic resonance techniques to noninvasively and serially image advanced lesions of atherosclerosis in the rabbit abdominal aorta. Both lumen and wall were imaged with high resolution. Progression of disease, resulting in increase in lesion mass, decrease in arterial lumen, or stenosis, and intralesion complications, can be detected. Images acquired in vivo correlate with the fine structure of the lesions of atherosclerosis, including the fibrous cap, necrotic core, and lesion fissures, as verified by gross examination, dissection microscopy, and histology. The ability to noninvasively identify the features of atherosclerotic plaques, has significant implications for determining risks and benefits associated with different therapeutic approaches.