The diagnostic yield for computed tomography pulmonary angiography in patients with anticoagulation

BACKGROUND:Patients who present to the emergency department(ED)for suspected pulmonary embolism(PE)are often on active oral anticoagulation(AC).However,the diagnostic yield of computed tomography pulmonary angiography(CTPA)in screening for PE in patients who present on AC has not been well characterized.We aim to investigate the diagnostic yield of CTPA in diagnosing PE depending on AC status.METHODS:We reviewed and analyzed the electronic medical records of patients who underwent CTPA for PE at a university hospital ED from June 1,2019,to March 25,2022.Primary outcome was the incidence of PE on CTPA depending on baseline AC status and indication for AC.RESULTS:Of 2,846 patients,242 were on AC for a history of venous thromboembolism(VTE),210 were on AC for other indications,and 2,394 were not on AC.The incidence of PE on CTPA was significantly lower in patients on AC for other indications(5.7%)when compared to patients on AC for prior VTE(24.3%)and patients not on AC at presentation(9.8%)(P<0.001).In multivariable analysis among the whole cohort,AC was associated with a positive CTPA(odds ratio[OR]0.26,95%confidence interval[CI]:0.15-0.45,P<0.001).CONCLUSION:The incidence of PE among patients undergoing CTPA in the ED is lower in patients previously on AC for indications other than VTE when compared to those not on AC or those on AC for history of VTE.AC status and indication for AC may affect pre-test probability of a positive CTPA,and AC status therefore warrants consideration as part of future diagnostic algorithms among patients with suspected PE.

Reproducibility of thrombus volume quantification in multicenter computed tomography pulmonary angiography studies

AIM To evaluate reproducibility of pulmonary embolism(PE) clot volume quantification using computed tomography pulmonary angiogram(CTPA) in a multicenter setting.METHODS This study was performed using anonymized data in conformance with HIPAA and IRB Regulations(March 2015-November 2016). Anonymized CTPA data was acquired from 23 scanners from 18 imaging centers using each site's standard PE protocol. Two independent analysts measured PE volumes using a semi-automated region-growing algorithm on an FDA-approved image analysis platform. Total thrombus volume(TTV) was calculated per patient as the primary endpoint. Secondary endpoints were individual thrombus volume(ITV), Qanadli score and modified Qanadli score per patient. Inter-and intra-observer reproducibility were assessed using intra-class correlation coefficient(ICC) and BlandAltman analysis. RESULTS Analyst 1 found 72 emboli in the 23 patients with a mean number of emboli of 3.13 per patient with a range of 0-11 emboli per patient. The clot volumes ranged from 0.0041-47.34 cm3(mean +/-SD, 5.93 +/-10.15 cm3). On the second read, analyst 1 found the same number and distribution of emboli with a range of volumes for read 2 from 0.0041 – 45.52 cm3(mean +/-SD, 5.42 +/-9.53 cm3). Analyst 2 found 73 emboli in the 23 patients with a mean number of emboli of 3.17 per patient with a range of 0-11 emboli per patient. The clot volumes ranged from 0.00459-46.29 cm3(mean +/-SD, 5.91 +/-10.06 cm3). Inter-and intraobserver variability measurements indicated excellent reproducibility of the semi-automated method for quantifying PE volume burden. ICC for all endpoints was greater than 0.95 for inter-and intra-observer analysis. Bland-Altman analysis indicated no significant biases.CONCLUSION Semi-automated region growing algorithm for quantifying PE is reproducible using data from multiple scanners and is a suitable method for image analysis in multicenter clinical trials.

Right-heart contrast echocardiography reveals missed patent ductus arteriosus in a postpartum woman with pulmonary embolism: A case report

BACKGROUND As an established,simple,inexpensive,and surprisingly effective diagnostic tool,right-heart contrast echocardiography(RHCE)might help in solving a vexing diagnostic problem.If performed appropriately and interpreted logically,RHCE allows for differentiation of various usual and unusual right-to-left shunts based on the site of injection and the sequence of microbubble appearance in the heart.CASE SUMMARY A 31-year-old woman was readmitted to hospital with a 2-mo history of worsening palpitation and chest distress.Two years prior,she had been diagnosed with postpartum pulmonary embolism by conventional echocardiography and computed tomography angiography.While the latter showed no sign of pulmonary artery embolism,the former showed pulmonary artery hypertension,moderate insufficiency,and mild stenosis of the aortic valve.RHCE showed microbubbles appearing in the left ventricle,slightly delayed after rightheart filling with microbubbles;no microbubbles appeared in the left atrium and microbubbles’appearance in the descending aorta occurred nearly simultaneous to right pulmonary artery filling with microbubbles.Conventional echocardiography was re-performed,and an arterial horizontal bidirectional shunt was found according to Doppler enhancement effects caused by microbubbles.The original computed tomography angiography findings were reviewed and found to show a patent ductus arteriosus.CONCLUSION RHCE shows a special imaging sequence for unexplained pulmonary artery hypertension with aortic valve insufficiency and simultaneous patent ductus arteriosus.

The dynamic study of the pulmonary artery obstruction degree and the right ventricular function in massive pulmonary embolism on CT pulmonary angiography

Objective： To analyze the value of CTPA in assessing the dissolve of embolus and the function of the right ventricle dynamically. Methods：Twenty-three cases of massive pulmonary embolism were analyzed retrospectively. The pulmonary artery obstruction index and the right ventricular function parameters were collected and analyzed on CTPA before thrombolytic therapy, 24 hours and 14 days after therapy, respectively. Results：The pulmonary artery obstruction index decreased gradually, and there was significant difference before therapy, 24 hours and 2 weeks after therapy. Twenty-four hours after therapy, the maximal short axes diameter and the maximal transverse area of right ventricle（RVd, RV~） decreased significantly, the maximal short axes diameter and the maximal transverse area of left ventricle（LVd, LVs） increased significantly, and the RVd/LVd, RVs/LVS decreased apparently. The pulmonary artery symbolic pressure before and 24 hours after therapy were apparently different. There was no significant difference between azygos vein, the super vena cava, the main pulmonary artery and vein reflux before and after therapy. Conclusion：CTPA can evaluate the pulmonary artery obstruction degree and right ventricular function dynamically.

Contrast-enhanced CT of Pulmonary Embolism: Report of 20 cases

Objectives To study the characteristic of pulmonary embolism （PE） in contrast-enhanced CT. Methods The radiological features were described in 20 patients with lobar and proximal PE diagnosed with a Toshiba Xpress/SX CT scanner after contrast material was administrated. Results There were 7 cases of pulmonary embolism （ PE ） secondary to lower limb deep vein thrombosis （DVT）, of which 2 cases were related to sauna bath. We grouped the cases according to their extensiveness of embolism： mild, moderate, severe, or complete embolism. Mild embolism： the emboli occupied less than 30%, of the inner diameter of pulmonary artery （PA）. Median embolism： the emboli occupied 30 -50% of the PA diameter. Severe embolism： the emboli occupied over half of the PA （50%）, but there were contrast flow. Completed embolism： there was no contrast found around the emboli. The direct sign of PE was a filling defect or no opacification in the affected branch of pulmonary artery （PA）. There were 9 other secondary signs： （1）widen PA, （2）enlarged right ventricle and the right atrium, （3）increased translucency of the lung and decreased bronchovascular shadows, （4）shrunken pulmonary veins liked dried rattan, （5）decreased left atrium and the left ventricle size, （6）shifting of interventricular septum to the left and posterior direction, （7）The lateral lung parenchyma demonstrated in a triangular shape, （8）pleural effusion and （9）pericardiacle effusion. Conclusions The diagnosis of PE was revealed by 10 radiological signs by contrast-enhanced CT.With full understanding of the pathophysiological basis of these 10 signs ： correct diagnosis of pulmonary embolism can be made. PE is commonly caused by lower limb. And sauna bath is one of the main predisposing causes.

Peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the kidney presenting with pulmonary tumor embolism: A case report

Peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor(PNET) of the kidney is a rare, aggressive tumor known for its recurrence and metastatic potential. Despite the frequency of venous extension to the renal veins and inferior vena cava, pulmonary tumor embolism at the initial presentation is not common. We report a case of 22-year-old female with PNET of the kidney who presented with tumor embolism in the inferior vena cava(IVC) and bilateral pulmonary artery. The patient underwent surgical resection and histopathological analysis confirmed the presence of tumor within the IVC and pulmonary arteries. The patient received adjuvant chemotherapy and is currently doing well on follow-up.

Saddle pulmonary embolism is not a sign of high-risk deterioration in non-high-risk patients: A propensity score-matched study

BACKGROUND: There is controversy regarding whether saddle main pulmonary artery(MPA) embolism represents a high risk of deterioration in non-high-risk acute pulmonary embolism(PE) patients. This study aims to address this issue by conducting a propensity score matching(PSM) study.METHODS: A total of 727 non-high-risk acute PE patients were retrospectively evaluated. We evaluated the Bova score and risk stratification to examine the risk of deterioration. Deterioration defined as any adverse event within 30 days after admission. Computed tomographic pulmonary angiography was used to identify the embolism type. All patients were matched into four subgroups by PSM according to age, sex, Bova score, and risk stratification:(1) MPA and non-MPA embolism;(2) non-saddle MPA and non-MPA embolism;(3) saddle MPA and non-saddle MPA embolism;(4) saddle MPA and non-MPA embolism. Correlations were analyzed using Cox regression analysis, and deterioration risk was compared between subgroups using Kaplan-Meier analysis.RESULTS: Cox regression analysis revealed that MPA embolism was correlated with deterioration, regardless of whether saddle MPA embolism was included or excluded. Saddle MPA embolism was not correlated with deterioration, regardless of comparison with non-saddle MPA embolism or non-MPA embolism. Patients with MPA and non-saddle MPA embolism presented a high risk for deterioration(logrank test=5.23 and 4.70, P=0.022 and 0.030, respetively), while patients with saddle MPA embolism were not at a high risk of deterioration(log-rank test=1.20 and 3.17, P=0.729 and 0.077, respetively).CONCLUSIONS: Saddle MPA embolism is not indicative of a high risk of deterioration in nonhigh-risk acute PE patients.

The value of CT pulmonary angiography to the diagnosis of right ventricular dysfunction due to acute pulmonary embolism:compared with ultrasonographic cardiography

To analyze the value of CT pulmonary angiography（CTPA） in assessing right ventdcular dysfunction（RVD） after acute pulmonary embolism. Methods：Thirty-six patients with CTPA-confirmed PE who underwent ultrasonic cardiography（UCG） within the ensuing 24 hours were retrospectively reviewed. According to the severity of the disease, the patients were divided into the massive PE group（24 cases） and non-massive PE group（12 cases） respectively. CT scans were analyzed for findings suggestive of RVD. Scans were considered positive for RVD if the right ventricle was dilated（RVd/LVd 〉 1） or if the interventricular septum was straightened or deviated towards the left ventricle. Results were then compared with the results of UCG to estimate the value of CTPA in detecting RVD associated with PE, Results：In all cases, compared with UCG, the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of CTPA was 84.61%, 78.26%, 3.892, 0.197, 68.75% and 90% respectively. Kappa value was 0.60, which suggested moderate agreement between CTPA and UCG in the whole level. In the massive PE group, the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, positive predictive value, negative predictive value of CTPA was 84.61%, 72.73%, 3.103, 0.212, 78.57% and 80% respectively. Kappa value was 0.58, which suggested moderate agreement between CTPA and UCG in the massive PE group. In the non-massive PE group, the diagnostic specificity of CTPA was 83.33%. By statistics, the value of RVd/LVd had significant difference between the massive PE and the non-massive PE group. Conclusion：CTPA can reliably detect RVD through the evaluation of cardiac morphology. However, this result requires confirmation using a larger prospective cohort study.

THE PREDICTIVE VALUE OF ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC S_ⅠQ_ⅢT_Ⅲ PATTERN IN ACUTE PULMONARY EMBOLISM

Objective:To evaluate the predictive value of electrocardiographic SⅠQⅢTⅢ pattern in patients with acute pulmonary embolism . Method: ECG was analyzed retrospectively in 102 patients with acute pulmonary embolism confirmed by spiral CT scan and Compared the clinical data between SⅠQⅢTⅢ positive and negative group. Result: In 102 patients 29 cases have positive SⅠQⅢTⅢ , positive rate was 28.4%. In SⅠQⅢTⅢ positive group and SⅠQⅢTⅢ negative group, 41.4% vs 69.9% have vulnerable diagnosis before admitted, respectively(P < 0.05),as well as the massive PE 48.3% vs 23.3% (P < 0.05),mortality rate 24.1% vs 10.9(P < 0.05),bilateral PE 86.3% vs 65.8%(P < 0.05) and right side PE 10.3% vs 31.5%(P < 0.05).Conclusion : positive Electrocardiographic SⅠQⅢTⅢ could not be served as the basic diagnosis criteria for acute PE . positive SⅠQⅢTⅢ ECG could decrease the misdiagnosis of acute PE, indicate higher possibility of bilateral and massive acute PE.

Effect of varying computed tomography acquisition and reconstruction parameters on semi-automated clot volume quantification

AIM To examine effects of computed tomography(CT)image acquisition/reconstruction parameters on clot volume quantification in vitro for research method validation purposes.METHODS This study was performed in conformance with HIPAA and IRB Regulations(March 2015-November 2016).A ten blood clot phantom was designed and scanned on a dual-energy CT scanner(SOMATOM Force,Siemens Healthcare Gm BH,Erlangen,Germany)with varying pitch,iterative reconstruction,energy level and slicethickness.A range of clot and tube sizes were used in an attempt to replicate in vivo emboli found within central and segmental branches of the pulmonary arteries in patients with pulmonary emboli.Clot volume was the measured parameter and was analyzed by a single image analyst using a semi-automated region growing algorithm implemented in the FDA-approved Siemens syngo.via image analysis platform.Mixed model analysis was performed on the data.RESULTS On the acquisition side,the continuous factor of energy showed no statistically significant effect on absolute clot volume quantification(P=0.9898).On the other hand,when considering the fixed factor of pitch,there were statistically significant differences in clot volume quantification(P<0.0001).On the reconstruction side,with the continuous factor of reconstruction slice thickness no statistically significant effect on absolute clot volume quantification was demonstrated(P=0.4500).Also on the reconstruction side,with the fixed factor of using iterative reconstructions there was also no statistically significant effect on absolute clot volume quantification(P=0.3011).In addition,there was excellent R^2 correlation between the scale-measured mass of the clots both with respect to the CT measured volumes and with respect to volumes measure by the water displacement method.CONCLUSION Aside from varying pitch,changing CT acquisition parameters and using iterative reconstructions had no significant impact on clot volume quantification with a semi-automated region growing algorithm.

Chest CT quantitative parameters in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease:Correlations with blood eosinophil level

Objective To observe the correlations of chest CT quantitative parameters in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD)with blood eosinophil(EOS)level.Methods Chest CT data of 162 AECOPD patients with elevated eosinophils were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into low EOS group(n=105)and high EOS group(n=57)according to the absolute counting of blood EOS.The quantitative CT parameters,including the number of whole lung bronchi and the volume of blood vessels,low-attenuation area percentage(LAA%)of whole lung,of left/right lung and each lobe of lung,as well as the luminal diameter(LD),wall thickness(WT),wall area(WA)and WA percentage of total bronchial cross-section(WA%)of grade 3 to 8 bronchi were compared between groups.Spearman correlations were performed to analyze the correlations of quantitative CT parameters with blood EOS level.Results LAA%of the whole lung,of the left/right lung and each lobe of lung,as well as of the upper lobe of right lung LD grade 4,middle lobe of right lung WT grade 5,upper lobe of right lung WA grade 4,middle lobe of right lung WA grade 5 and lower lobe of left lung WA grade 3 in low EOS group were all higher than those in high EOS group(all P<0.05).Except for the upper lobe of right lung LD grade 4,the above quantitative CT indexes being significant different between groups were all weakly and negatively correlated with blood EOS level(r=-0.335 to-0.164,all P<0.05).Conclusion Chest CT quantitative parameters of AECOPD patients were correlated with blood EOS level,among which LAA%,a part of WT and WA were all weakly negatively correlated with blood EOS level.

Undifferentiated intimal sarcoma of the pulmonary artery:A case report

BACKGROUND Since 1923,only a few hundred cases of pulmonary arterial sarcoma(PAS)have been reported.It is easy for PAS to be misdiagnosed as pulmonary thromboembolism,which makes treatment difficult.The median survival time without surgical treatment for PAS is only 1.5-3 mo.Echocardiography is widely used in screening for pulmonary artery space-occupying lesions in patients with chest pain,dyspnea,and cough;furthermore,it is typically considered the first imaging examination for patients with PAS.CASE SUMMARY In May 2017,a 39-year-old male patient experienced chest pain with no particular obvious cause.At that time,the cause was thought to be pulmonary embolism.In July 2017,positron emission tomography–computed tomography revealed spaceoccupying lesions in the right lung and multiple metastases in both lungs.The lesions of the right lung were biopsied,and pathology revealed undifferentiated sarcoma.Chemotherapy had been performed since July 2017 in another hospital.In December 2019,the patient was admitted to our hospital for the sake of CyberKnife treatment.Echocardiography suggested:(1)A right ventricular outflow tract(RVOT)solid mass of the main pulmonary artery;and(2)mild pulmonary valve regurgitation.Ultrasonography showed the absence of a thrombus in the deep veins of either lower limb.CONCLUSION PAS is a single,central space-occupying lesion involving the RVOT and pulmonary valve.Echocardiography of PAS has its own characteristics.

Triple rule-out computed tomography angiography:Evaluation of acute chest pain in COVID-19 patients in the emergency department

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to define clinical evidence supporting that triple ruleout computed tomography angiography(TRO CTA)is a comprehensive and feasible diagnostic tool in patients with novel coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)who were admitted to the emergency department(ED)for acute chest pain.Optimizing diagnostic imaging strategies in COVID-19 related thromboembolic events,will help for rapid and noninvasive diagnoses and results will be effective for patients and healthcare systems in all aspects.AIM To define clinical evidence supporting that TRO CTA is a comprehensive and feasible diagnostic tool in COVID-19 patients who were admitted to the ED for acute chest pain,and to assess outcomes of optimizing diagnostic imaging strategies,particularly TRO CTA use,in COVID-19 related thromboembolic events.METHODS TRO CTA images were evaluated for the presence of coronary artery disease,pulmonary thromboembolism(PTE),or acute aortic syndromes.Statistical analyses were used for evaluation of significant association between the variables.A two tailed P-value<0.05 was considered statistically significant.RESULTS Fifty-three patients were included into the study.In 31 patients(65.9%),there was not any pathology,while PTE was diagnosed in 11 patients.There was no significant relationship between the rates of pathology on CTA and history of hypertension.On the other hand,the diabetes mellitus rate was much higher in the acute coronary syndrome group,particularly in the PTE group(8/31=25.8%vs 6/16=37.5%,P=0.001).The rate of dyslipidemia was significantly higher in the group with pathology on CTA while compared to those without pathology apart from imaging findings of the pneumonia group(62.5%vs 38.7%,P<0.001).Smoking history rates were similar in the groups.Platelets,D-dimer,fibrinogen,C-reactive protein,and erythrocyte sedimentation rate values were higher in COVID-19 cases with additional pathologies.CONCLUSION TRO CTA is an effective imaging method in evaluation of all thoracic vascular systems at once and gives accurate results in COVID-19 patients.

Conservative Management of Pulmonary Artery Dissection

The pulmonary artery dissection (PAD) is a rare and life-threatening event, usually secondary to a chronic pulmonary artery hypertension. We report the case of pulmonary artery dissection undergoing medical treatment by conservative management, discovered by performing a computed tomography (CT), and describe the clinical and therapeutic characteristics with the literature review.

Pulmonary artery aneurysm protruding into the bronchus as an endobronchial mass:A case report

BACKGROUND Pulmonary artery(PA)aneurysms are usually diagnosed radiographically and present as small or large lesions resembling inflammation or a neoplasm on chest radiography.It has rarely been reported as an endobronchial mass.CASE SUMMARY We report the case of a 64-year-old man who presented with recurrent hemoptysis.Bronchoscopy revealed a tumorous protrusion blocking the right middle lobe bronchus,which was confirmed to be a PA aneurysm using endobronchial ultrasound bronchoscopy and computed tomography angiography.CONCLUSION Although endobronchial PA aneurysms are rare,bronchoscopists need to add this lesion to the list of endobronchial masses for which a biopsy is to be assiduously avoided.

Correlation of D-dimer level with the radiological severity indexes of pulmonary embolism on computed tomography pulmonary angiography

Background It is known that the main role of D-dimer has been as an exclusionary test in patients with suspected venous thromboembolism.However,the D-dimer is increasingly beginning to find clinical utility as a marker in the evaluation of the extent of the embolic disease.The aim of the study was to determine whether D-dimer levels predict the radiological markers of pulmonary embolism （PE） severity using Mastora score.Methods This prospective study involved 69 patients with acute PE proved by computed tomography pulmonary angiography （CTPA）.The D-dimer level was noted.A pulmonary artery obstruction index （PAOI; Mastora score） ≥21.3% indicated severe obstruction of PE.A right ventricle/left ventricle （RV/LV） ratio 〉0.9 indicated RV dysfunction.Results The median D-dimer level and PAOI were 765 μg/L （95% C/：750-1 205 μg/L） and 16.77% （95% CI：16.32%-23.06%）,respectively.The D-dimer level was positively correlated with PAOI （r=0.417,P 〈0.000 1）.PAOI ≥21.3% was associated with high D-dimer levels （median,993 μg/L （95% C/：856-1 841 μg/L）,Z=-2.991,P=0.003）.The D-dimer level was correlated with the RV/LV ratio （r=0.272,P=0.024）.RV/LV ratios 〉0.9 were associated with high D-dimer levels （median,880 μg/L （95% CI：764-1 360 μg/L）,Z=-2.070,P=0.038）.PAOI was positively correlated with the RV/LV ratio （r =0.390,P=0.001）.After three months,both the PAOI and D-dimer levels decreased （Z=-7.009,P 〈0.000 1; Z=-6.976,P〈0.000 1,respectively）.Conclusion D-dimer levels are positively correlated with PE burden and right ventricle dysfunction on CTPA,and can help monitor the therapeutic response.

Association between coronary artery stenosis and myocardial injury in patients with acute pulmonary embolism:A case-control study

Background:The potential impact of pre-existing coronary artery stenosis(CAS)on acute pulmonary embolism(PE)episodes remains underexplored.This study aimed to investigate the association between pre-existing CAS and the elevation of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I(hs-cTnI)levels in patients with PE.Methods:In this multicenter,prospective case-control study,88 cases and 163 controls matched for age,sex,and study center were enrolled.Cases were patients with PE with elevated hs-cTnI.Controls were patients with PE with normal hs-cTnI.Coronary artery assessment utilized coronary computed tomographic angiography or invasive coronary angiography.CAS was defined as≥50%stenosis of the lumen diameter in any coronary vessel>2.0 mm in diameter.Conditional logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between CAS and hs-cTnI elevation.Results:The percentage of CAS was higher in the case group compared to the control group(44.3%[39/88]vs.30.1%[49/163];P=0.024).In multivariable conditional logistic regression model 1,CAS(adjusted odds ratio[OR],2.680;95%confidence interval[CI],1.243-5.779),heart rate>75 beats/min(OR,2.306;95%CI,1.056-5.036)and N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP)>420 pg/mL(OR,12.169;95%CI,4.792-30.900)were independently associated with elevated hs-cTnI.In model 2,right CAS(OR,3.615;95%CI,1.467-8.909)and NT-proBNP>420 pg/mL(OR,13.890;95%CI,5.288-36.484)were independently associated with elevated hs-cTnI.Conclusions:CAS was independently associated with myocardial injury in patients with PE.Vigilance towards CAS is warranted in patients with PE with elevated cardiac troponin levels.

Value of Coronary Sinus During Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography for Predicting Pulmonary Hypertension in Patients with Acute Pulmonary Embolism

Objective:Computed tomography pulmonary angiography(CTPA)parameters are valuable for predicting pulmonary hypertension(PH)in patients with pulmonary embolism(PE).However,few studies have used the coronary sinus ostium area(CSOA),derived from CTPA,to detect PH.This study aimed to compare the prognostic values of the CSOA,coronary sinus ostium diameter(CSOD),and right ventricular(RV)/left ventricular(LV)ratio for PH.Methods:This study retrospectively analyzed 78 patients(mean age,(51.94±12.33)years;53.8%male)with acute PE confirmed by CTPA at the Sixth and Eighth Medical Centers of the People’s Liberation Army General Hospital between June 2018 and June 2020.Patients were categorized into 2 groups using a pulmonary artery systolic pressure(PASP)cut-off of 30 mmHg.CTPA parameters were compared between these groups.Results:Patients with PASP>30 mmHg(n=22)had a larger CSOA,CSOD,RV diameter,RV/LV ratio,and inferior vena cava diameter compared with patients with PASP≤30 mmHg(n=56).The CSOA had an area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve(AUC,0.84;95%confidence interval(CI),0.74–0.94;P<0.001)similar to that of the RV/LV ratio(AUC,0.85;95%CI,0.73–0.99;P<0.001),while that of the CSOD was smaller(AUC,0.66;95%CI,0.51–0.81;P<0.05).Conclusion:Both CSOA and CSOD demonstrated a good ability to predict PH,while CSOA better predicted PASP>30 mmHg.

Multi-detector computed tomography evaluation of tracheobronchial anomaly in pediatric patients with left pulmonary artery sling

The left pulmonary artery sling （LPAS） is a rare vascular anomaly causing respiratory distress in which theleft pulmonary artery arises from the posterior aspect of the right pulmonary artery, courses posteriorly to the right of the bronchus and passes between the trachea and oesophagus to reach the hilum of the left lung. The LPAS is frequently associated with tracheobronchial tree anomalies and congenital cardiac defects. Proper assessment of the tracheobronchial and cardiovascular anomaly is essential in LPAS for planning management of the patient. Currently,

The optimal slice thickness of CT in revealing lobulation of malignant solitary pulmonary nodules

Objective： The aim of this study was to determine an optimal slice thickness that was efficient in revealing Iobulation of malignant solitary pulmonary nodules （SPNs） on multi-slice spiral computed tomography （MSCT） images preliminarily. Methods： Fifty patients with malignant SPNs （diameter -〈 3 cm） underwent multidetector-row computed tomography of the chest in a single-breath-hold technique. The raw data were acquired with a collimation of 0.625 mm. Three sets of contiguous images were reconstructed with 1-, 2-, and 5-ram slice thickness, respectively. The Iobulation sign of SPNs on the computed tomography （CT） images presented in 1-, 2-, and 5-ram slice thickness was compared. Using the 1-mm sections as the gold standard, an optimal slice thickness in revealing Iobulation sign of SPNs was determined. Results： The 1-mm-thick images CT revealed 98 Iobulations （25 with chord distance 〈 1 ram; 30 with chord distance 1-2 ram; 43 with chord distance 〉 2 mm） of 45 malignant SPNs. 18 Iobulations with chord distance 〈 1 mm presented in 2-mm-thick sections were as same as those in I-ram-thick sections. Statistically significant difference in Iobulations number was found between that revealed in 2-ram-thick images and that in I-ram-thick images （P = 0.023 〈 0.05）. 16 Iobulations with chord distance 〈 1 mm presented in 5-mm-thick sections were as same as that in I-ram-thick sections. There was statistically significant difference in Iobulations number between that revealed in 5-mm-thick images and that in I-ram-thick images （P = 0.004 〈 0.05）. The 24 Iobulations with chord distance 1-2 mm presented in 2-ram-thick sections were as same as that in 1-mm-thick sections. No statistically significant difference in Iobulations number were found between that revealed in 2-mm-thick images and that in 1-mm-thick images （P = 0.261 〉 0.05）. 13 Iobulations with chord distance 1-2 mm presented in 5-ram-thick sections were as same as that in 1- mm-thick sections. There was statistically significant difference in Iobulations number between that revealed in 5-ram-thick images and that in I-ram-thick images （P = 0.003 〈 0.05）. 40 Iobulations with chord distance 〉 2 mm presented in 2-ram-thick sections were as same as that in I-ram-thick sections. No statistically significant difference in Iobulations number was found between that revealed in 2-ram-thick images and that in I-ram-thick images （P = 0.631 〉 0.05）. 36 Iobulations with chord distance 〉 2 mm presented in 5-mm-thick sections were as same as that in I-ram-thick sections. There was no statistically significant difference in Iobulations number between that revealed in 5-ram-thick images and that in I-ram-thick images （P = 0.264 〉 0.05）. Conclusion： It is suggested that the use of 1-mm slice thickness is suitable in revealing Iobulations with chord distance 〈 1 ram. A 2-mm slice thickness is suggested to be used in revealing Iobulafions with chord distance 1-2 mm and 5-mm slice thickness to be used in revealing Iobulations with chord distance 〉 2 mm.