Primary extracranial meningioma of the sinonasal tract

Meningiomas occurring outside the cerebrospinal axis can be primary at an extracranial site (nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, and nasopharynx) or secondary extending from an intracranial lesion. Magnetic resonance imaging findings of an 8-year-old child with primary meningioma before and after surgery have been reviewed and compared to computed tomography and histological evaluation. The child had difficulty breathing through the left nostril and tearing of the left eye. After physical and radiological examination, a tumor comprising the left lower, middle turbinate, and ethmoidal cells was found and radically extirpated. On histological examination, the tumor was identified as meningothelial meningioma. On the basis of the clinical, radiological, and histological features, the tumor was diagnosed as extracranial meningioma of the sinonasal tract. A follow-up examination 6 months later revealed no evidence of recurrence of the tumor.     

One-year clinical results of Er,Cr:YSGG laser application in addition to scaling and root planing in patients with early to moderate periodontitis

In 30 patients with periodontitis, a total of 278 teeth exhibiting bleeding on probing, subgingival calculus, and a probing depth between 3–6 mm were examined. For each participant, two treatment types were alternatively applied on the contralateral quadrants: scaling and root planing (SRP) as control, and SRP followed by Er,Cr:YSGG laser application (SRP+laser), as a test method. Five clinical parameters: plaque level, bleeding on probing, probing depth, gingival recession and clinical attachment level were examined at baseline and at 2, 3, 6, 12 months after treatment. Of the total of 1,668 sites examined in all patients, 1,088 sites were found with a probing depth of 3–6 mm. In these sites, differences in clinical parameters between SRP and SRP+laser-treated quadrants were analyzed, assuming the level of p < 0.05 as significant. After 2 months from baseline, the mean probing depth reduction and the clinical attachment level gain were significantly greater in SRP+laser than in SRP quadrants, and remained so throughout the study (p < 0.001). A marked reduction of the bleeding scores occurred in all examined sites, irrespective of the treatment method. However, after 12 months, significantly less teeth exhibited bleeding on probing in SRP+laser quadrants than in SRP quadrants (p < 0.001). The mean plaque and gingival recession levels did not differ between the SRP and SRP+laser quadrants neither before nor after the treatment. The periodontal procedures either using Er,Cr:YSGG laser after SRP or SRP alone, lead to significant improvements in all clinical parameters investigated. However, laser application, as an adjunct to SRP, appeared to be more advantageous.     

Delayed diagnosis of an isolated partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection

In this case report we describe the delayed diagnosis of a very rare congenital anomaly — isolated partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection. This congenital anomaly should be suspected at any age in the clinical setting of right heart volume overload, especially in the absence of a large atrial septal defect. Tomographic imaging modalities (computed tomography or cardiovascular magnetic resonance) not only allow the comprehensive structural and functional assessment of this anomaly, but also help assess the patient’s suitability for surgical treatment. Surgery is the definitive treatment of a patient with a significant left-to-right shunt due to partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection.     

An assessment of iron overload in children treated for cancer and nonmalignant hematologic disorders

Our goal was to assess the natural fate of iron overload (IO) following transfusions of packed red blood cells (PRBCs) in children treated for cancer and nonmalignant disorders according to the intensity level of their treatment. Sixty-six children were followed up from February 2010 to March 2013. The transfusion burden was compared between three treatment intensity groups assigned according to the Intensity of Treatment Rating Scale 3.0 (ITR-3). IO was assessed by serial measurements of serum ferritin (SF) (n?=?66) and quantification of tissue iron by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (n?=?12). Of the children studied, 36 % (24/66) received moderately intensive treatment (level 2), 21 % (14/66) received very intensive treatment (level 3), and 42 % (28/66) received the most intensive treatment (level 4). The number of PRBC (p?=?0.016), the total transfused volume (p?=?0.026), and transfused volume adjusted to body weight (p?=?0.004) were significantly higher in the level 4 group. By the median follow-up time of 35.5 months (range 8–133), 21–29 % of patients (including level 2 and level 3 children) had SF >1,000 μg/l 1 year after cessation of transfusions. The slowest decrease of SF was observed in the level 4 group. Initial MRI examination demonstrated either mild or moderate IO in the liver and spleen. Repetitive MRI showed significant improvement in relaxation time between the initial and follow-up MRI performances in the liver (5.9 vs. 8.6 ms, p?=?0.03) and the spleen (4.3 vs. 8.8 ms, p?=?0.03). Conclusion: IO diminished over time, but in the level 4 patients, it was detectable for years after cessation of transfusions.     

Randomized Study of Early Intravenous Esmolol Versus Oral Beta‐Blockers in Preventing Post‐CABG Atrial Fibrillation in High Risk Patients Identified by Signal‐Averaged ECG: Results of a Pilot Study

Background: Patients with prolonged signal‐averaged ECG have four times higher risk for development of atrial fibrillation (AF) after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). Incidence of AF is reduced, but not eliminated by prophylaxis with beta‐blockers. The limitations of prophylaxis with oral beta‐blockers may be related to the delayed effect of oral therapy. We performed a pilot study of the efficacy of early intravenous esmolol and an oral beta‐blocker regimen for prevention of postoperative AF. Methods: Fifty patients referred for CABG and considered to be at high risk for postoperative AF on the basis of prolonged signal‐averaged ECG P wave duration > 140 ms were randomized to receive either a 24‐hour infusion of esmolol 6–18 hours after CABG, at an average dose 67 ± 7 μ/kg/min, followed by oral beta‐blockers versus oral beta‐blockers only beginning on postoperative day 1. Results: Seven of 27 patients (26%) in the esmolol group and 6 of 23 patients (26%) in the oral beta‐blocker group developed postoperative AF, P = NS. The mean time of onset of AF (2.7 ± 0.5 vs 2.7 ± 0.3 postoperative day, P = NS) and the median duration of AF (10 [2192] vs 7 [1.16] hours, P = NS) were similar between the two groups. Eleven (41%) patients treated with esmolol developed adverse events (hypotension: 8, bradycardia requiring temporary pacing: 2, left ventricular failure:1 patient) as compared to only one patient (4%) in the beta‐blocker group who developed hypotension, P = 0.006. Conclusions: This randomized controlled pilot study suggests that intravenous esmolol is less well tolerated and offers no advantages to standard beta‐blocker in preventing AF after CABG. A.N.E. 2002;7(2):86–91     

Primary heart angiosarcoma detected by magnetic resonance imaging

We present a case of primary heart angiosarcoma in a 38-year-old male. The patient presented with severe dyspnoe and arrhythmia. Echocardiography showed multiple solid masses in the pericardium and pericardial effusion. Chest radiography revealed left-sided pleural effusion and suspicion of a mass projected on the right atrium. Non-enhanced chest computed tomography raised the suspicion of a pericardial neoplasm projected on the right atrium adjacent to ascending aorta with markedly thickened pericardium and multiple round-shaped masses around the heart. Cardiac-gated magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an inhomogeneous mass in the free wall of the right atrium adjacent to ascending aorta and multiple pericardial masses. Biopsy performed through thoracoscopy confirmed the diagnosis of a primary heart angiosarcoma.     

Value of scar imaging and inotropic reserve combination for the prediction of segmental and global left ventricular functional recovery after revascularisation

Background

This study sought to prospectively and directly compare three cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) viability parameters: inotropic reserve (IR) during low-dose dobutamine (LDD) administration, late gadolinium enhancement transmurality (LGE) and thickness of the non-contrast-enhanced myocardial rim surrounding the scar (RIM). These parameters were examined to evaluate their value as predictors of segmental left ventricular (LV) functional recovery in patients with LV systolic dysfunction undergoing surgical or percutaneous revascularisation. The second goal of the study was to determine the optimal LDD-CMR- and LGE-CMR-based predictor of significant (≥ 5%) LVEF improvement 6 months after revascularisation.

Methods

In 46 patients with chronic coronary artery disease (CAD) (63 ± 10 years of age, LVEF 35 ± 8%), wall motion and the above mentioned CMR parameters were evaluated before revascularisation. Wall motion and LGE were repeatedly assessed 6 months after revascularisation. Logistic regression analysis models were created using 333 dysfunctional segments at rest.

Results

An LGE threshold value of 50% (LGE50) and a RIM threshold value of 4 mm (RIM4) produced the best sensitivities and specificities for predicting segmental recovery. IR was superior to LGE50 for predicting segmental recovery. When the areas under the ROC curves is compared, the combined viability prediction model (LGE50 + IR) was significantly superior to IR alone in all analysed sets of segments, except the segments with an LGE from 26% to 75% (p = 0.08). The RIM4 model was not superior to the LGE50 model. A myocardial segment was considered viable if it had no LGE or had any LGE and produced IR during LDD stimulation. ROC analysis demonstrated that ≥ 50% of viable segments from all dysfunctional and revascularised segments in a patient predict significant improvement in LVEF with a 69% sensitivity and 70% specificity (AUC 0.7, p = 0.05). The cut-off of ≥ 3 viable segments was a less useful predictor of significant global LV recovery.

Conclusions

LDD-CMR is superior to LGE-CMR as a predictor of segmental recovery. The advantage is greatest in the segments with an LGE from 26% to 75%. The RIM cut-off value of 4 mm had no superiority over the LGE cut-off value of 50% in predicting the segmental recovery. Patients with ≥ 50% of viable segments from all dysfunctional and revascularised had a tendency to improve LVEF by ≥ 5% after revascularisation.