Journal of cardiovascular computed tomography
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J Cardiovasc Comput Tomogr · May 2016
Case ReportsClostridium septicum aortitis and colon carcinoma.
Clostridium septicum (C. septicum) aortitis is a rare but highly fatal infection that has a strong association with occult malignancy. Aneurysmal transformation of C. septicum aortitis is common and has been reported to occur in as little as 1 to 3 weeks. ⋯ Given the high associated mortality and rapid progression, early recognition on imaging could have life saving implications. Additionally, imaging findings of aortitis in conjunction with C. septicum bacteremia should prompt the careful evaluation for malignancy, most notably colonic or hematologic.
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J Cardiovasc Comput Tomogr · May 2016
Comparative StudyCT myocardial perfusion and coronary CT angiography: Influence of coronary calcium on a stress-rest protocol.
High amounts of coronary artery calcium limit image quality and diagnostic accuracy of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) angiography (CTA) regarding the assessment of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). CT myocardial perfusion imaging may represent an opportunity to overcome this limitation. ⋯ From a pragmatic standpoint, limiting the use of CT perfusion to individuals with a calcium score above 400 might be a feasible strategy to optimize the diagnostic accuracy of CT imaging for diagnosis of obstructive CAD.
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J Cardiovasc Comput Tomogr · May 2016
Left Atrial Area and Right Ventricle Dimensions in Non-gated Axial Chest CT can Differentiate Pulmonary Hypertension Due to Left Heart Disease from Other Causes.
It is unknown whether axial non-gated CT can distinguish World Health Organization Group 2 pulmonary hypertension (pulmonary hypertension due to left heart disease) from non-Group 2 pulmonary hypertension. ⋯ In patients with a dilated pulmonary artery on chest CT, left atrial area and right ventricular dimensions may aid to diagnose pulmonary hypertension and to distinguish underlying cardiac disease from other causes.