[en] Objective: To evaluate the clinical value of electron beam computed tomography (EBCT) in the diagnosis of atherosclerotic aortic ulcer. Methods: Sixty-eight consecutive patients (55 men and 13 women, aged 40-85 years, mean 65.12 ± 9.55 years) with atherosclerotic aortic ulcer, who underwent EBCT scans from December 2001 to December 2004, were studied retrospectively. Contrast-enhanced continuous volume scanning (CVS) was performed by Imatron C-150XP EBCT scanner with 6 mm or 3 mm slice thickness and 100 milliseconds acquisition time. The scan was started 18-30 s after the injection of 80-100 ml contrast medium at the rate of 3.5-4.5 ml/s. Results: In sixty-eight patients with atherosclerotic aortic ulcer, 50 patients had acute aortic syndromes, 36 had intramural hematomas, 15 had atherosclerotic aortic aneurysms, 3 had aortic dissections. 46 patients with progresive ulcer usually had acute aortic syndrome while 22 patients with stable ulcer didn't (P<0.01). Atherosclerotic aortic ulcer was seen more frequently in the aorta arch than other portions of the aorta (P<0.01). Conclusion: EBCT is a very useful tool for the detection and follow-up of atherosclerotic aortic ulcer. (authors)

[en] Objective: To evaluate the embolic effect of self-made copper coil in rabbits' iliac and renal arteries. Methods: In vitro study, the blood coagulative ability of the copper coil, steel coils, and silk thread were observed at 12 h and 24 h, respectively. In animal experiment, 20 rabbits were used, and either right or left renal and iliac arteries were embolized by using the copper coils. As the control, the iliac arteries on the unexperimented side were embolized by using the steel coils. After the embolization, the arteriography, the level of serum copper ions, liver and renal functions, and the tissue histology were respectively evaluated at different time intervals. Results: In vitro study, the copper coil had stronger blood coagulative ability than others (P<0.01). In animal experiment, the ability of artery occlusion and accelerative thrombosis by copper coils were more effective than that of the control groups (P<0.01). After the embolization, the level of serum copper ions was increased at the 3rd day (P<0.05), but recovered to preoperative level at 1 week (P>0.05), and the liver and renal functions were similar to that of the preoperation after 2 weeks. Conclusion: The self-made copper coil has a good embolic effect in rabbits' iliac and renal arteries, and it has no significant side and toxic effects

[en] Objective: To evaluate the CT features of aorto-right atrial fistula after aortic valve replacement (AVR) or ascending aortic replacement. Methods: Eighty-seven patients with aortic-right atrial fistula underwent CT after operation. The CT features were retrospectively analyzed. Fistula was measured according to maximum width of the shunt. Results: Aorto-right atrial fistula was detected in 87 patients after aortic valve replacement or ascending aortic replacement by CT scan. Among them, 25 patients were diagnosed as mild aorto-right atrial fistula, 47 patients as moderate, and 15 patients as severe. Thirty-seven patients underwent follow-up CT.Among them, 10 patients with mild to moderate aorto-right atrial fistula were considered to have complete regression, 8 patients with mild aorto-right atrial fistula considered to have incomplete regression, 14 patients with mild to moderate aorto-right atrial fistula considered to have stable condition, and 5 patients with moderate aorto-right atrial fistula considered to have progression at the 3-month follow-up. Conclusion: CT is a useful tool for defining aorto-right atrial fistula after AVR or ascending aortic replacement and for evaluating it in follow-up. (authors)

[en] Objective: To evaluate the periprothetic leak in aortic valve replacement and/or mitral valve replacement on electron beam CT. Methods: A retrospective study was performed in 121 patients who underwent electron beam CT between 2002 and 2004. 102 patients underwent aortic valve replacement, 12 patients underwent mitral valve replacement, and 7 patients underwent double valve replacement. Paravalvar leak was estimated by electron beam CT. Results: In 121 patients after the aortic valve replacement and/or mitral valve replacement, 7 patients were diagnosed as trifle aortic paravalvar leak, 3 patients as moderate aortic paravalvar leak, and 4 patients as mass aortic paravalvar leak on electron beam CT. 1 patients were diagnosed as trifle mitral paravalvar leak on electron beam CT. Conclusion: Electron beam CT is a very useful method in detecting paravalvar leak after valve replacement and for follow-up. (authors)

[en] Objective: To evaluate the computed tomography (CT) characteristics of cardiovascular involvement in Behcet syndrome. Methods: Eleven patients with clinically diagnosed Behcet syndrome were studied retrospectively from July 1995 to December 2007. Electron beam CT or 64-slice helical CT scanner was used and CT characteristics were reviewed. Results: Eleven patients were diagnosed according to the criteria reported by the international study group for Behcet syndrome. Of them, 4 patients presented with aortic valve prolapse (2 patients with mitral valve prolapse), false aneurysm of right coronary artery was demonstrated in 2 patients, false aneurysm of left subclavian artery, aortic aneurysm and penetrating ulcers, aortic arch false aneurysm, aortic dissection, pulmonary embolism and interatrial septum aneurysm in 1 case, respectively. Conclusion: CT is a very useful method for the diagnosis and follow-up of Behcet syndrome. (authors)

[en] Objective: To evaluate the dynamic changing and prognosis of aortic intramural hematoma (IMH) by electron beam CT(EBCT). Methods: A retrospective study was performed during a period of time from January. 2002 to September 2004. Twenty-three patients with aortic IMH were scanned by EBCT more than 2 times. The patients were followed-up for 4-405 days (mean 105.8 days). Mean follow-up was 105.84 days. In this group 23 patients (19 men and 4 women, aged from 30 to 81 years, mean 57.78 years) who had been undergone EBCT were diagnosed with IMH. EBCT scanner was used with a model of Imatron C-150XP. Contrast-enhanced continuous volume scanning (CVS) was performed. The slice thickness was 6 mm or 3 mm with an acquisition time of 100 milliseconds. A total amount of contrast media (Ultravist 300 or 320, or Ominpaque 300 or 320 mg/ml) of 80-100 ml was used with the rate of 3.5- 4.5 ml/s. The scan delayed time was 18-30 s. Results: Four patients with Standford A IMH were diagnosed. Among them, 3 patients were observed in complete regression, 1 patient was observed without changing. Nineteen patients with Standford B IMH were diagnosed. Among them, 9 patients were observed in complete regression, 4 patients were observed in incomplete regression, 4 patients were observed without changing, 2 patients were observed in progression on EBCT. From 4 days to 15 days, IMH was observed without change or worse. From 16 days to 30 days IMH was observed in regression. Conclusion: EBCT was a very useful tool for detecting and following up of IMH. The different features of the involved aortic walls shown on EBCT were used for planning surgery. (authors)

[en] Objective: To explore the clinical and image features of uterine leiomyomatosis extending through the inferior vena cava (IVC) into the right cardiac cavities. Methods: A retrospective study was performed in 5 patients with uterine leiomyomatosis extending through IVC into the right cardiac cavities. All 5 cases underwent the examination of chest X-ray and UCG. 3 patients underwent the examination of EBCT. 2 patients underwent the examination of MRI and angiography. Results: Uterine leiomyosarcoma extending through IVC into the right cardiac cavities was diagnosed in 2 patients and uterine leiomyomatosis extending through IVC into the right cardiac cavities was diagnosed in 1 case on EBCT. Uterine leiomyomatosis extending through IVC into the right cardiac cavities was diagnosed in 2 patients on MRI and angiography. In 3 of the 5 patients, the diagnosis of uterine leiomyomatosis was demonstrated by surgery-pathology. Conclusion: Uterine leiomyoma extending through IVC into the right cardiac cavities is rare, and this situation is called uterine leiomyomatosis. Clinical and imaging findings have some specific features and combined imaging examinations are necessary. (authors)