Japanese journal of radiology
-
Comparative Study
High prevalence of vertebral artery tortuosity of Loeys-Dietz syndrome in comparison with Marfan syndrome.
Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) is a connective tissue disease caused by mutations in the genes encoding the transforming growth factor-beta receptor (TGFBR). LDS is associated with aneurysms or dissections of the aorta similar to Marfan syndrome (MFS) as well as arterial tortuosity and aneurysms in the peripheral arteries. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the arterial diseases of LDS to differentiate it from MFS. ⋯ The VAT was highly prevalent among LDS patients. Thus, the presence of VAT has the potential to differentiate LDS from MFS.
-
Lanthanum carbonate hydrate is a nonaluminum, noncalcium phosphate binder containing lanthanum (La). It is effective in decreasing the serum phosphate level in patients on dialysis. ⋯ The CT images were difficult to evaluate because of strong beam hardening artifacts, and differentiation from foreign body aspiration was required. We report here our experience and a discussion of the characteristics of this artifact.