AIM To define the role of cardiac magnetic resonance(CMR) by analyzing a particular group of patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome(ACS) and normal coronary angiogram. METHODS From January 2009 to December 20...AIM To define the role of cardiac magnetic resonance(CMR) by analyzing a particular group of patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome(ACS) and normal coronary angiogram. METHODS From January 2009 to December 2015, we examined 220 patients with clinical suspicion of ACS, Troponin elevation [the threshold used to define a positive Troponin T test(TnT) was 0.1 ng/mL ] and no significant coronary disease at angiography(the patients were considered to have significant angiographic disease only a 50% stenosis was detected in any of their coronary arteries). The role of CMR with the late gadolinium enhancement was evaluated.RESULTS CMR was performed to 190 patients(86%) of this group which reveals: Myocarditis in 90 patients(47%); apical ballooning(Tako-Tsubo syndrome) in 32 patients(17%); myocardial infarction(MI) in 40 patients(21%) and no clear diagnosis identified by CMR in 28 patients(15%). A comparison with previous studies was also made. Clinical and echocardiographic follow-ups were performed at 12 ± 2 mo and no major adverse cardiac events were revealed.CONCLUSION There is a group of patients with clinical suspicion of ACS displaying normal coronary angiograms. CMR was demonstrated to be a valuable tool in the differential diagnosis evaluation of myocarditis, apical ballooning and MI.展开更多
Differential diagnosis of brainstem lesions,either isolated or in association with cerebellar and supra-tentorial lesions,can be challenging. Knowledge of the structural organization is crucial for the differential di...Differential diagnosis of brainstem lesions,either isolated or in association with cerebellar and supra-tentorial lesions,can be challenging. Knowledge of the structural organization is crucial for the differential diagnosis and establishment of prognosis of pathologies with involvement of the brainstem. Familiarity with the location of the lesions in the brainstem is essential,especially in the pediatric population. Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) is the most sensitive and specific imaging technique for diagnosing disorders of the posterior fossa and,particularly,the brainstem. High magnetic static field MRI allows detailed visualization of the morphology,signal intensity and metabolic content of the brainstem nuclei,together with visualization of the normal development and myelination. In this pictorial essay we review the brainstem pathology in pediatric patients and consider the MR imaging patterns that may help the radiologist to differentiate among vascular,toxico-metabolic,infectiveinflammatory,degenerative and neoplastic processes. Helpful MR tips can guide the differential diagnosis: These include the location and morphology of lesions,the brainstem vascularization territories,gray and white matter distribution and tissue selective vulnerability.展开更多
文摘AIM To define the role of cardiac magnetic resonance(CMR) by analyzing a particular group of patients with suspected acute coronary syndrome(ACS) and normal coronary angiogram. METHODS From January 2009 to December 2015, we examined 220 patients with clinical suspicion of ACS, Troponin elevation [the threshold used to define a positive Troponin T test(TnT) was 0.1 ng/mL ] and no significant coronary disease at angiography(the patients were considered to have significant angiographic disease only a 50% stenosis was detected in any of their coronary arteries). The role of CMR with the late gadolinium enhancement was evaluated.RESULTS CMR was performed to 190 patients(86%) of this group which reveals: Myocarditis in 90 patients(47%); apical ballooning(Tako-Tsubo syndrome) in 32 patients(17%); myocardial infarction(MI) in 40 patients(21%) and no clear diagnosis identified by CMR in 28 patients(15%). A comparison with previous studies was also made. Clinical and echocardiographic follow-ups were performed at 12 ± 2 mo and no major adverse cardiac events were revealed.CONCLUSION There is a group of patients with clinical suspicion of ACS displaying normal coronary angiograms. CMR was demonstrated to be a valuable tool in the differential diagnosis evaluation of myocarditis, apical ballooning and MI.
文摘Differential diagnosis of brainstem lesions,either isolated or in association with cerebellar and supra-tentorial lesions,can be challenging. Knowledge of the structural organization is crucial for the differential diagnosis and establishment of prognosis of pathologies with involvement of the brainstem. Familiarity with the location of the lesions in the brainstem is essential,especially in the pediatric population. Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) is the most sensitive and specific imaging technique for diagnosing disorders of the posterior fossa and,particularly,the brainstem. High magnetic static field MRI allows detailed visualization of the morphology,signal intensity and metabolic content of the brainstem nuclei,together with visualization of the normal development and myelination. In this pictorial essay we review the brainstem pathology in pediatric patients and consider the MR imaging patterns that may help the radiologist to differentiate among vascular,toxico-metabolic,infectiveinflammatory,degenerative and neoplastic processes. Helpful MR tips can guide the differential diagnosis: These include the location and morphology of lesions,the brainstem vascularization territories,gray and white matter distribution and tissue selective vulnerability.
