Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Generated Synthetic Computed Tomography in Pediatric Spine Patients.

Background: Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging are common imaging studies used to evaluate pediatric spine patients. Novel MRI-generated synthetic CT (sCT) images have demonstrated near equivalence in accuracy when compared with traditional CT (tCT) in cadaveric studies. This recent advancement allows potential visualization of both bony and soft tissue anatomy without harmful ionizing radiation.

Pre-operative visceral adipose tissue radiodensity is a potentially novel prognostic biomarker for early endoscopic post-operative recurrence in Crohn's disease.

Background: Evidence suggests inflammatory mesenteric fat is involved in post-operative recurrence (POR) of Crohn's disease (CD). However, its prognostic value is uncertain, in part, due to difficulties studying it non-invasively.

Aim: To evaluate the prognostic value of pre-operative radiographic mesenteric parameters for early endoscopic POR (ePOR).

Coronary artery calcium scoring at lower tube voltages - Dose determination and scoring mechanism.

Purpose: Population dose has been a concern with coronary artery calcium scoring CT since it is performed in adults with borderline risk. Lower tube voltage acquisitions are appealing but there are no agreed schemes for reduced dose determination. Moreover, conventional scoring cannot be used without changing the multiple Agatston thresholds.

Cinematic rendering for three-dimensional reconstructions of the chest wall: a new reality.

Computed tomography with multiple detectors and the advancement of processors improved rendered images and three-dimensional reconstructions in clinical practice. Traditional axial slices form non-intuitive images because they are seen in only one plane. The three-dimensional reconstructions can show structures details and diseases with complex anatomy in different perspectives.

Abdominal Visceral Fat Area and Chronic Pouchitis after Ileal Pouch-Anal Anastomosis.

Chronic pouchitis (CP) after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is a significant clinical problem. Adipose tissues produce antiinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. We evaluated the association between abdominal visceral fat area (VFA) and CP.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement in bicuspid aortic valve stenosis: where do we stand?

Bicuspid aortic valve is the most common congenital cardiac defect in adults, and symptom typically develops in adulthood. In the majority of cases, bicuspid aortic valve disease progress with ages and surgical aortic valve replacement is performed with excellent operative outcomes. However, with the relatively slow progression of disease, surgical aortic valve replacement is required in elderly patients but the surgical risk often deemed extremely high due to old age and multiple comorbidities.

Intracerebral Hemorrhagic Expansion Occurs in Patients Using Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants Comparable with Patients Using Warfarin.

Background: Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC) use has significantly reduced intracerebral hemorrhagic (ICH) risk compared with standard anticoagulant treatment. Hematoma expansion (HE) is a known predictor of mortality in warfarin-associated ICH. Little is known about HE in patients using NOACs.

Systematic CT Methodology for the Evaluation of Subclinical Leaflet Thrombosis.

Subclinical leaflet thrombosis was recently described in a randomized trial of transcatheter aortic valve replacement. It was subsequently demonstrated in a series of registries that this was a commonly observed imaging finding seen in all transcatheter and surgical bioprostheses. The phenomenon has aroused considerable interest due to the as-yet-undefined risk for later clinical events and the possibility of pharmacological intervention with anticoagulation.