We recently encountered a patient with membranous obstruction of the inferior vena cava in whom the left superior intercostal and hemiazygos veins were dilated. At chest radiography, the dilation simulated the presence of a second aortic knob and descending thoracic aorta lateral to the originals, and an "aorta-in-aorta" appearance was thus created.
Aorta, Thoracic ; Humans ; Radiography ; Radiography, Thoracic* ; Thorax* ; Veins* ; Vena Cava, Inferior

PURPOSE: To assess the normal range of transverse and AP diameter of the trachea on simple chest radiographs and to determine whether or not there is any correlation between tracheal diameter and age, sex, height, or bodyweight. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six hundred and ninety patients with no lesion on chest radiographs and noclinical evidence of respiratory disease were involved in this study. To obtein transverse and lateral diameters,the internal diameter of the tracheal air column was measured at a level 2 cm above the top of the aortic arch onboth posteroanterior and lateral radiographs. RESULTS: The normal ranges of AP and transverse diameters of thetrachea were 16 to 25mm, and 14 to 22mm in men, respectively and 12 to 20mm and 12 to 18mm in women. Statistically significant differences were observed between AP and transverse diameter in both in men and women, the former being consistently larger than the latter in both sexes. In men, significant correlations were observed between transverse diameter and patients' height, and between AP diameter and age as well as height. In women, significant differences were observed between AP diameter and patients' height, and transverse diameter and height as well asbody weight of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Normal tracheal diameter was larger in men than in women. and AP diameter was larger than transverse diameter. Patients' height showed persistent correlation with luminal diameter.
Aorta, Thoracic ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Phenobarbital* ; Radiography, Thoracic* ; Reference Values ; Thorax* ; Trachea

Routine chest radiography in a 21-year-old man revealed the presence of an asymptomatic mass at the right lower lung field. Chest radiographs showed multiple cysts with air-fluid level and air-meniscus within the consolidation at the right lower lung field. Chest CT scans demonstrated a non-enhancing solid mass, with air-meniscus, within a thin walled cavity, and multiple cysts with fluid or air-fluid level at the posterior portion of the right lower lobe. An abnormal artery was seen at the level of the 12th thoracic vertebra. Thoracic aortography revealed a feeding artery arising from the descending thoracic aorta and supplying the parenchymal lesion. We report the typical radiologic findings of intralobar pulmonary sequestration with aspergilloma, a condition confirmed by surgery and the pathologic findings.
Aorta, Thoracic ; Aortography ; Arteries ; Bronchopulmonary Sequestration* ; Humans ; Lung ; Radiography ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Spine ; Thorax ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

A 17-yr-old young woman was referred to our hospital with a 2-yr history of claudication of the lower extremities and severe arterial hypertension. Physical examination revealed significantly different blood pressures between both arms (160/92 and 180/95 mmHg) and legs (92/61 and 82/57 mmHg). The hematological and biochemical values were within their normal ranges, except for the increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (83 mm/hr) and C-reactive protein (6.19 mg/L). On 3- dimensional computed tomographic angiography, the ascending aorta, the aortic arch and its branches, and the thoracic and, descending aorta, but not the renal artery, were shown to be stenotic. The diagnosis of type IIb Takayasu's arteritis was made according to the new angiographic classification of Takayasu's arteritis, Takyasu conference 1994. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with stenting was performed on the thoracic and abdominal aorta. After the interventional procedures, the upper extremity blood pressure improved from 162/101 mmHg to 132/85 mmHg, respectively. She has been free of claudication and there have been no cardiac events during 2-yr of clinical follow-up.
Adolescent ; Angiography ; *Angioplasty, Balloon ; Aorta, Abdominal/radiography ; *Aorta, Thoracic/radiography ; Carotid Arteries/ultrasonography ; Female ; Humans ; *Stents ; Takayasu Arteritis/radiography/*therapy/ultrasonography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Esophageal duplication cysts are rare congenital lesions that occur as a result of a failure in the tubulation of the esophagus. They are most frequently single, tubular, or cystic. They may cause compressive symptoms or may be discovered incidentally on chest radiographs. They become symptomatic when complications develop. Symptoms often are related to the location of the duplication; esophageal lesions can create respiratory difficulties. The definitive diagnosis of esophageal duplication cysts requires the pathological evaluation of the cyst after surgical removal. We experienced a rare tubular esophageal duplication, in a 2-month old girl who presented with fever and grunting. This is the first reported case in which the sequence of events of ruptured tubular esophageal duplication with empyema, mediastinitis and aneurysm occured.
Aneurysm* ; Aorta* ; Diagnosis ; Empyema ; Esophagus ; Female ; Fever ; Humans ; Infant ; Mediastinitis ; Radiography, Thoracic

A 57-year-old man with numbness and paresthesia of left arm is presented. There was no pulse in the left arm was absent and his chest radiograph suggested right-sided aortic arch. The aortogram showed right-sided aortic arch with Kommerell's diverticulum. The proximal portion of left subclavian artery was totally occluded and blood was being supplied through vertebral arteries to distal subclavian artery. He underwent bypass grafting between both subclavian arteries by an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene graft. Because the size of Kommerell's diverticulum was small, it need to be observed closely.
Aorta, Thoracic* ; Arm ; Diverticulum ; Humans ; Hypesthesia ; Middle Aged ; Paresthesia ; Polytetrafluoroethylene ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Subclavian Artery* ; Transplants ; Vertebral Artery

Unilateral absence of a pulmonary artery is an uncommon anomaly, which presents as an isolated lesion or in combination with other congenital heart disease such as TOF or PD^. We encountered three cases of isolated unilateral absence of a pulmonary artery;one was left pulmonary artery agenesis with right sided aortic arch and the others were right pulmonary artery agenesis with left sided aortic arch. Plain chest radiograph showed considerable loss of unilateal lung volume and lack of ipsilateral hilar shadow. Pulmonary angiogram which was done in two cases, revealed proximal interruption of a pulmonary artery. Chest CT was done in only one case, on which right pulmonary artery was absent and was replaced by adipose tissue. CT with its clean demonstration pulmonary artery without any evidence of aquired obstruction of a pulmonary artery by pulmonary embolism or tumor invasion, maybe a valuable method for evaluaton of the unilateral absence of a pulmonary artery.
Adipose Tissue ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; Lung ; Pulmonary Artery* ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVE: We observed patients in whom the fluid collection in the right lateral portion of the superior aortic recess on computed tomography (CT) scans mimicked a right anterior mediastinal mass on chest PA radiographs. The purpose of this study was to assess chest PA and CT features of these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All chest PA radiographs and CT scans in 9 patients were reviewed by two radiologists on a consensus basis; for the presence of pleural effusion, pulmonary edema and heart size on chest PA radiographs. For the portion of the fluid collection in the superior aortic recess (SAR), a connection between the right lateral portion of the SAR (rSAR) and posterior portion of the SAR (pSAR) on CT scans, and the distance between the right lateral margin of the rSAR and the right lateral margin of the superior vena cava. RESULTS: Fluid collection in the rSAR on CT scans caused a right anterior mediastinal mass or a bulging contour on chest PA radiographs in all women patients. All patients showed cardiomegaly, five patients had pleural effusion, and two patients had mild pulmonary edema. Further, eight patients showed a connection between the rSAR and the pSAR. CONCLUSION: The characteristic features of these patients are the right anterior mediastinal mass-like opacity due to fluid collection in the rSAR, are bulging contour with a smooth margin and cardiomegaly regardless of pulmonary edema on the chest PA radiographs, and fluid connection between the rSAR and the pSAR on CT scans.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aorta, Thoracic/*radiography ; Cardiomegaly/radiography ; Contrast Media/diagnostic use ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Mediastinal Diseases/*radiography ; Middle Aged ; Pleural Effusion/*radiography ; Pulmonary Edema/*radiography ; Radiography, Thoracic/*methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/*methods

A 42-year-old man was involved in a motor vehicle collision. Imaging studies revealed the presence of a post-traumatic aortic pseudo-aneurysm (about 34x26 cm) arising from the descending thoracic aorta at the level of the left subclavian artery (LSA), prone to rupture. Thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR) was the only feasible option due to his poor overall medical status. In this case, LSA needed to be covered in order to extend the proximal landing zone. Eventually, modified TEVAR was successfully performed by means of the chimney technique to preserve flow to the LSA and to prevent flow into the pseudoaneurysmal sac.
Accidents, Traffic ; Adult ; Aneurysm, False ; Aorta, Thoracic/radiography/*surgery ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic/radiography/*surgery ; Cerebral Hemorrhage/radiography/surgery ; Endovascular Procedures/*methods ; Humans ; Male ; Subclavian Artery/radiography/surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Outcome ; Wounds, Nonpenetrating/radiography/surgery

BACKGROUND: Rupture of thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection into the chest space results in the death of the patient from uncontrolled hemorrhage. The purpose of our study is to evaluate chest radiographic findings that may assist in the rapid detection of nontraumatic disorder in mediastinum and thoracic aorta. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Thirteen consecutive chest radiographs obtained at emergency room of patients with hemorrhage from ruptured thoracic aortic aneurysms or aortic dissections were randomized with radiographs of 8 subjects with nonruptured thoracic aortic aneurysms, 11 subjects with nonruptured aortic dissections, and 20 control subjects. Diagnoses were confirmed by computed tomography(CT) and transesophageal echocardiography(TEE). A retrospective study was performed by assessment of 14 parameters on each of these 52 radiographs to screen the mediastinum and thoracic aortic disorder. RESULTS: Significant difference between patients with mediastinum and thoracic aortic disorder(aneurysm and dissection) and normal subjects occurred in mediastinal/chest ratio>0.25, aortic knob width>4cm, tracheal shift to right loss of paratracheal stripe & azygos vein, and left pleural & extrapleural fluid of chest radiographs(p<0.05). The most useful predictors of mediastinum and thoracic disorder were aortic knob widening above 4cm and combining signs of mediastinum/chest ratio above 0.25 and abnormal aortic arch. These plain radiographic signs had a sensitivity of 9.1~96.9% and a specificity of 40~100% for mediastinum and thoracic aortic disorder. CONCLUSION: The chest radiograph obtained at emergency room remains the best available screening test for mediastinum and thoracic aortic disorder and can be used effectively, though not perfectively, to eliminate unnecessary CT or TEE.
Aorta, Thoracic* ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic ; Azygos Vein ; Diagnosis ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Mediastinum* ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Retrospective Studies ; Rupture ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Thorax*