Correlation of 10-milliliter digital subtraction ventriculograms compared with standard cineangiograms

Left ventriculograms were obtained with the use of 10 ml of contrast media by passing fluoroscopic video images through a video image processor. The low concentration of dye in the left ventricle was enhanced by the technique of mask mode subtraction, and the images were postprocessed to increase visibility by manipulation of the gray scale and contrast levels. These digital subtraction angiograms were compared to standard cineangiograms by means of 40 ml of contrast media. Of 30 patients studied, six (20%) had runs of ventricular tachycardia during the cineangiogram and had to be excluded. In the remaining 24 patients, there was a good correlation between the two techniques for left ventricular end-diastolic volume (r = 0.77, end-systolic volume (r = 0.95), and ejection fraction (r = 0.97). Spatial resolution in the digital studies was adequate to appreciate wall motion abnormalities that were visualized on the cineangiograms. Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) did not change after the 10 ml injection, but the mean LVEDP rose 6.0 mm Hg after the 40 ml cineangiograms (p < 0.01). Digital subtraction angiography can be used to obtain left ventriculograms with one-fourth the amount of contrast media and one-fourth the x-ray exposure compared to standard cineangiograms. This technology will permit multiple left ventriculograms to be obtained which, in turn, will allow intervention studies to be performed in the catheterization laboratory.     

The comparison of high and standard definition computed tomography techniques regarding coronary artery imaging

ObjectiveThe aim was to compare coronary high-definition CT (HDCT) with standard-definition CT (SDCT) angiography as to radiation dose, image quality and accuracy.ResultsThe intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of measured vessel attenuation values in SDCT between the two radiologists was exceedingly good. The ICC was higher in HDCT. The radiation dose of HDCT was higher than that of SDCT. The mean tube current was 180 (mA) in HDCT and 147(mA) in SDCT with the same tube voltage (kVp). There was no significant difference between image quality.ConclusionHDCT has a higher radiation dose but has much more atenuation and the spatial resolution which improve measurement accuracy for imaging coronary arteries.     

Oesophageal cancer with myocardial metastasis complicated by ventricular fibrillation: the role of echocardiography

Myocardial metastasis from oesophageal cancer is very rare, and is usually detected as part of widespread metastases in the terminal stage. It is rare to detect a solitary metastasis. We present a case of solitary myocardial metastasis from distal oesophagus complicated by ventricular fibrillation.     

An unusual co-presentation of rhinolithiasis and squamous cell carcinoma in the nasal cavity

Rhinoliths are nasal stones that result from mineralisation of salts around an endogenous or exogenous nidus within the nasal cavity. They are uncommon nasal masses and usually unilateral and single, situated in the floor of the nose. The patient typically presents with nasal obstruction, facial pain and foul-smelling nasal secretion. To the best of our knowledge, the occurrence of squamous cell carcinoma with rhinolithiasis has not been previously reported in the English-language literature. In this article, we present a 63-year-old man, who had unilateral rhinolithiasis with squamous cell carcinoma within the nasal cavity.