INTRODUCTION: This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of postoperative computed tomography (CT) measurements of aortic lumen volumes in predicting aortic-related complications following acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) repair. METHODS: We conducted a single-institution retrospective aortic volumetric analysis of patients after ascending aorta replacement performed during 2001-2015. The volumetric measurements of total lumen (total-L), true lumen (TL), false lumen (FL), as well as the TL:FL ratio from the first and second postoperative computer angiograms were obtained. A generalised structural equation model was created to analyse the predictive utility of TL:FL ratio. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-five patients underwent surgical intervention, of whom 97 patients were eventually discharged and analysed for postoperative complications. A total of 19 patients were included in the final analysis. Patients with late postoperative aortic complications had a significantly higher FL volume and total-L volume on the first (FL volume P = 0.041, total-L volume P = 0.05) and second (FL volume P = 0.01, total-L volume P = 0.007) postoperative scans. The odds of having aortic complications were raised by 1% with a 1 cm 3 increase in total-L volume and by 2% with a 1 cm 3 increase in FL volume. The TL:FL ratio was significantly lower in patients who developed complications. CONCLUSION Postoperative CT volumetric measurements in patients who developed complications are characterised by a significant increase in the FL volume and total-L volume from the first postoperative scans. Patients with disproportionately expanded FL presenting with TL:FL ratios less than 1 were associated with aortic complications. Hence, the TL:FL ratio may be a reliable and useful parameter to monitor postoperative disease progression and to evaluate the risk of late complications in ATAAD patients.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Retrospective Studies ; Singapore ; Aortic Dissection/diagnostic imaging* ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications/diagnostic imaging* ; Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Aortic Aneurysm/diagnostic imaging* ; Aorta/surgery* ; Adult ; Treatment Outcome ; Computed Tomography Angiography

Renal autotransplantation (RA) offers significant technical advantages for the management of certain complex renal vascular diseases, such as complex renal aneurysms and renal artery malformations. This report describes a case of a 5-year-old child with a complex left renal artery aneurysm combined with multiple aneurysms. The child was admitted to Peking University People's Hospital in December 2023 due to a one-year history of intermittent abdominal pain, with an abdominal mass detected in the past month. Computed tomography angiography(CTA) revealed multiple vascular anomalies, including: (1) a left renal artery aneurysm, (2) an abdominal aortic aneurysm, and (3) a right iliac artery aneurysm. After a comprehensive evaluation of these findings, the surgical team developed a treatment plan that involved the excision of the left renal artery aneurysm, autotransplantation of the left kidney, and resection of the abdominal aortic aneurysm with an artificial vascular catheterization. During surgery, it was discovered that the left renal artery anatomy was highly complex. The artery had two primary branches, along with an additional polar artery located at the lower pole. The aneurysm was identified at the distal end of the renal artery trunk, with a pronounced bulging at the intersection between the main renal artery trunk and its secondary branches. Due to these structural complexities, the team decided to use an ex vivo surgical approach to repair the aneurysm. Ex vivo repair involves temporarily removing the kidney from the body to repair the renal artery aneurysm with enhanced precision, enabling the surgical team to meticulously reconstruct the complex vascular architecture without the constraints of in vivo manipulation. The ex vivo repair of the renal artery aneurysm was successful, allowing for accurate vascular reconstruction and avoiding potential intraoperative complications. Following the reconstruction, the kidney was autotransplanted back into the child's body, and blood flow was effectively restored to the organ. The therapeutic outcome was excellent, with the child experiencing no postoperative complications. The patient recovered well and was discharged from the hospital in stable condition. This case underscores the value of renal autotransplantation combined with ex vivo repair for pediatric patients with complicated renal artery aneurysms. Through this report, we aim to provide insights and considerations for the surgical treatment of similar cases in children with complex renal vascular anatomy.
Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Aneurysm/surgery* ; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal/diagnostic imaging* ; Computed Tomography Angiography ; Iliac Aneurysm/surgery* ; Kidney Transplantation/methods* ; Renal Artery/abnormalities* ; Transplantation, Autologous

Aneurysm, Dissecting ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Computed Tomography Angiography ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

INTRODUCTIONBicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most common form of adult congenital heart disease. When compared to patients with a normal trileaflet aortic valve, dilatation of the aortic root and the ascending aorta (Asc Ao) are the common findings in patients with BAV, with consequent higher risk of developing aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection and rupture. We aim to determine the site of the Asc Ao where maximum dilatation occurs in Asian adult patients with BAV.

MATERIALS AND METHODSAll subjects underwent full echocardiography examination. The diameter of the Asc Ao was measured at 3 cm, 4 cm, 5 cm, 6 cm and 7 cm from the level of aortic annulus to the Asc Ao in 2D from the parasternal long-axis view.

RESULTSA total of 80 patients (male/female: 45/35; mean age: 45.3 ± 16.2 years) with congenital BAV and 30 normal control group (male/female: 16/14; mean age: 45.9 ± 15.1 years) were enrolled. The indexed diameters of the Asc Ao were significantly larger than the control group. In patients with BAV, maximum dilatation of Asc Ao occurred around 6 cm distal to the aortic annulus.

CONCLUSIONIn patients with BAV, dilatation of Asc Ao is maximal at the mid Asc Ao region around 6 cm distal to the aorta annulus.

Adult ; Aneurysm, Dissecting ; epidemiology ; Aorta ; diagnostic imaging ; Aortic Aneurysm ; epidemiology ; Aortic Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; epidemiology ; Aortic Rupture ; epidemiology ; Aortic Valve ; abnormalities ; diagnostic imaging ; Case-Control Studies ; Comorbidity ; Dilatation, Pathologic ; diagnostic imaging ; epidemiology ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Heart Valve Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Singapore ; epidemiology

Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; Aortography ; Contrast Media ; adverse effects ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Cross Infection ; diagnostic imaging ; Fatal Outcome ; Female ; Humans ; Iohexol ; adverse effects ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; complications ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; diagnostic imaging ; ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction ; surgery ; Sepsis ; etiology ; Stevens-Johnson Syndrome ; etiology ; Surgical Wound Dehiscence ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUNDEndovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is one of the first-line therapies of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Postoperative endoleak is the most common complication of EVAR. Computed tomography angiography (CTA), which is routine for follow-up, has side effects (e.g., radiation) and also has a certain percentage of missed diagnosis. Preliminary studies on contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) have shown that the sensitivity of CEUS for detecting endoleak is no lower than that of CTA. To investigate the advantages of CEUS, we conducted CEUS examinations of post-EVAR cases in which CTA failed to detect endoleak or could not verify the type of endoleak.

METHODSPost-EVAR patients, who were clinically considered to have endoleak and met the inclusion criteria were enrolled between March 2013 and November 2014. All of the patients underwent color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) and a CEUS examination. Size, location, microbubble dispersion, and hemodynamic characteristics of leaks were recorded. Comparison between the diagnosis of CEUS and CDFI was conducted using Fisher's exact test and clinical outcomes of all patients were followed up.

RESULTSSixteen patients were enrolled, and 12 (75%) had endoleaks with verified types by CEUS. Among 12 cases of endoleaks were positive by CEUS, 10 were CDFI-positive, and the four CEUS-negative cases were all negative by CDFI. The diagnostic values of CEUS and CDFI were statistically different (P = 0.008). Six patients with high-pressure endoleaks received endovascular re-intervention guided by CEUS results. One patient with type III endoleak had open surgery when endovascular repair failed.

CONCLUSIONSCEUS is a new, safe, and effective means for detection of endoleaks post-EVAR. This technique can be used as a supplement for routine CTA follow-up to provide more detailed information on endoleak and its category.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Contrast Media ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate dual-source CT in the Standford B aortic dissection in the postoperative follow-up and to compare radiation dose of dual-energy mode with single-energy scanning. METHODS: A total of 40 patients with aortic dissection after endovascular exclusion underwent dualsource CT. Tweny patients took the dual-energy scanning mode (100 kV and 140 kV, pitch 1.0); the other 20 patients had single-energy mode (120 kV, pitch 2.0). In both groups CareDose4D technology was used to track the current method. All images were analyzed to observe the stent shape, with or without endoleaks and the rate of thrombosis absorption. Radiation dose, scan length, and scan time were recorded for all patients, and then compared between dual-energy mode and single-energy scanning. RESULTS: The difference in scan length and image quality was not significant between the dualenergy group and the single-energy group. The acquisition time of the dual-energy group was longer than that of the single-energy group, with significant difference. Radiation dose of the single-energy group was lower than that of the dual-energy group, with significant difference. CONCLUSION Dual-source CT can objectively evaluate the conditions after the endovascular exclusion of aortic dissection. The operative effect and complications may be analyzed comprehensively. The radiation dose of the single-energy scan mode with medium pitch is lower than that of the dual-energy mode.
Aneurysm, Dissecting ; diagnostic imaging ; Aortic Aneurysm ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Radiation Dosage ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Aged ; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multidetector Computed Tomography ; Stents

Aged ; Aortic Aneurysm ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; Aortic Valve Insufficiency ; diagnostic imaging ; Echocardiography ; Giant Cell Arteritis ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Male

This paper is to determine relationship between MDCT features and anatomic-pathology of the diseases in central thoracic-abdominal junctional region. 3 cadavers were cut transversely and another 3 vertically to observe the anatomy of thoracic-abdominal junctional zone. 93 patients with diseases in central thoracic-abdominal junctional zone were scanned with MDCT. The correlation between MDCT features of the diseases in central thoracic-abdominal junctional region and the anatomic-pathology of the diseases in this region was evaluated. On cadaver sections, central thoracic-abdominal junctional region was an area between anterior chest wall and dorsal spine in vertical direction. The region was separated into upper and lower sections by diaphragm. The upper section mainly contains heart and pericardium, while the lower contains broad ligament and left lobe of liver. The hiatus of diaphragm are vena caval foramen, esophageal foramen and aortic foramen in anterior-posterior turn. In the present study, 23 patients had portal hypertension, 18 had dissection of aorta, 8 got diseases in inferior vena cava, 9 had lymphoma, 12 got diseases in multiple vertebrae, 7 had lower thoracic esophageal carcinoma accompanied with metastasis in upper abdominal lymph nodes, 9 had carcinoma of abdominal esophagus and/or gastric cardia, 4 had esophageal hiatal hernia and 3 patients had neurogenic tumor in posterior mediastinum and/or superior spatium retroperitoneale. The MDCT features and distribution of the diseases in central thoracic-abdominal junctional region influence the anatomic-pathology characteristics in this region.
Abdominal Cavity ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aneurysm, Dissecting ; diagnostic imaging ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic ; diagnostic imaging ; Cadaver ; Child ; Diaphragm ; anatomy & histology ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multidetector Computed Tomography ; methods ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Thoracic Cavity ; anatomy & histology ; pathology ; Young Adult