Search

Abstract Background Epicardial fat, quantified in a single multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) slice, is a reliable estimate of total epicardial fat volume (EFV). We sought to determine risk factors for EFV detected in a single-slice MSCT measurement (ssEFV) in pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Our primary objective was to determine the association between ssEFV and coronary artery calcification (CAC). Methods 94 pre-dialysis stage 3–5 CKD patients underwent MSCT to measure ssEFV and CAC. ssEFV was quantified at the level of the left main coronary artery. Measures of inflammation, traditional and kidney-related cardiovascular disease risk factors were collected. Results Mean age: 63.7 ± 14 years, 56% male, 39% had diabetes, and mean eGFR: 25.1 ± 11.9 mL/min/1.73 m2. Mean ssEFV was 5.03 ± 2.4 cm3. By univariate analysis, body mass index (BMI) (r = 0.53; P = r = 0.51; P r = − 0.39; P = Conclusions In stage 3–5 CKD, coronary calcification and IL-6 and were predictors of ssEFV. Further studies are needed to clarify the mechanism by which epicardial fat may contribute to the pathogenesis of coronary disease, particularly in the CKD population.

Objective: To determine if anemia can be predicted on unenhanced computed tomography (CT) of the thorax. Methods: Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were obtained within 24 hours of the unenhanced CT scan of the thorax of 200 patients. Anemia was defined as a hemoglobin level less than 140 g/L for men and less than 120 g/L for women. Regions of interest were placed on the left ventricular cavity, aorta and the interventricular septum if visualized. The attenuation of the interventricular septum and left ventricular cavity were correlated with the presence or absence of anemia. Results: When the interventricutar septum was not visualized, for every 1 Hounsfield unit (HU) increase in left ventricular attenuation, hemoglobin increased by 0.435 g/L (SE = 0.253, p < 0.001). Failure to visualize the interventricular septum did not exclude the presence of anemia in either sex. When the interventricular septum was visualized, 100% of males and 89% of females met the criteria for the diagnosis of anemia. The prediction of anemia by visualization of the interventricular septum alone yielded a sensitivity of 75.4% and a specificity of 90.3%, with 80% of patients correctly predicted. The multiple regression analysis model yielded a sensitivity of 94.2% and a specificity of 67.7%, with 86% of patients correctly predicted. Conclusion: The diagnosis of anemia should be suggested whenever the interventricular septum is visualized on unenhanced CT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To correlate the measured dimensions of urinary stones from spiral non-contrast computerized tomography (CT) with that of plain radiography (KUB)., Methods: The transverse diameter as reported on CT was compared to the measured transverse diameter on KUB for 61 stones. The transverse and craniocaudal dimensions on CT were then re-measured for 30 urinary stones and again compared to the re-measured values for KUB. The craniocaudal dimension on CT was determined by measuring the stone on reconstructed coronal CT images. Measurements between imaging modalities were blinded and performed consecutively by a dedicated investigator., Results: The mean transverse size of the stones on the initial CT report was 6.0 mm +/- 2.8 mm versus 5.6 mm +/- 2.3 mm on KUB (paired t-test, p = 0.05, 95% CI difference between the means -1.3 to 0.5). The stones were categorized in transverse size ranges of 1.0 mm to 5.0 mm, > 5.0 mm to 10.0 mm, and > 10.0 mm. A total of 14 stones failed to be put into the same size categories by the two methods. The largest difference in measurements was 5 mm. In the second analysis, where the CT dimensions were re-measured, the mean transverse dimension on CT was 4.5 mm +/- 2.1 mm versus 4.7 mm +/- 2.0 mm on plain radiography (paired t-test, p = 0.06, 95% CI difference between the means -0.02 to 0.6). Mean craniocaudal dimension of the stones on CT was 7.4 mm +/- 3.2 mm versus 6.0 mm +/- 2.7 mm on plain radiography (paired t-test, p = 0.0001, 95% CI between the means -2.0 to -0.9). When the stones were categorized in transverse size ranges of 1.0 mm to 5.0 mm, >5.0mm to 10.0mm, and >10.0mm, CT and KUB agreed for 30/30 stones., Conclusions: In this study, the initially reported CT transverse values were found to be significantly different from measured KUB values; moreover, large differences of up to 5 mm were found between the measurements. With fastidious measurement of stone dimensions on both CT and KUB, we found that the transverse dimension of stones measured by the two imaging modalities were similar. The craniocaudal measurements of the stones were found to be significantly different on CT versus KUB, with CT measurement being 1.4 mm larger on average.