Search

Visual impairment can complicate cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT). Here, we describe the various pathophysiological mechanisms and treatments available. A retrospective chart review of all patients treated for CVT in a large quaternary teaching hospital was done, and cases with visual impairment due to CVT were identified. The various mechanisms causing visual impairment in CVT were (1) raised intracranial pressure (ICP) caused by venous thrombosis without venous infarcts resulting in a benign intracranial hypertension‑like presentation of CVT, (2) venous infarcts involving the occipital cortex, (3) raised ICP following the development of a secondary dural arteriovenous (AV) fistula, and (4) arterial occipital infarcts due to posterior cerebral artery compression secondary to herniation in large venous infarcts. Apart from using systemic anticoagulants to attempt recanalization and drugs with carbonic anhydrase inhibitor activity to reduce the ICPs, treatment modalities employed to save vision were (1) recanalization by local thrombolysis, stenting, or mechanical devices; (2) cerebrospinal fluid diversion procedures such as theco‑periotoneal shunting; (3) optic nerve sheath fenestration; and (4) specific treatment for conditions such as dural AV fistula occurring as a late complication. CVT can cause visual impairment through different pathophysiological mechanisms. Depending on the mechanism, treatment strategies need to be tailored. Furthermore, very close monitoring is needed both in the acute and in the follow‑up period, as new pathophysiological mechanisms can arise, compromising the vision. This may require a different treatment approach. Literature on this aspect of CVT is lacking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented concerning a case of lumbar spinal dural arteriovenous fistula with a supply from a lumbar multimetameric arterial system.

The article presents a case study of a 20-year-old man suffering from hemoperitoneum and liver laceration. He also had multiple rib fractures, pelvic fractures, and minimal right hemothorax. He was diagnosed with Abdominal Compartment Syndrome through ultrasonography and measured the intraabdominal pressure after the dilation of his abdomen. An 18-gauge needle and 16-French pigtail catheter was administered. Through the French pigtail drainage tube, 3 liters of altered blood was collected.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "A Vascular Cause for Hypopituitarism" published in a previous issue.

Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study is to examine the adequacy and accuracy of ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology (US-FNAC) in thyroid nodules ≥1 cm and to analyze the clinical, sonological, and cytological features in predicting thyroid malignancy., Materials and Methods: US-FNAC was done on 290 patients from December 2013 to December 2014 by the radiologist. The Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TIRADS) was used to record the sonological features. FNAC samples were reported by a dedicated cytopathologist. Accuracy was calculated by comparing US-FNAC, clinical features and ultrasound (US) features for those who had final histopathology till April 2017., Results: The adequacy of US-FNAC in this study was 80.2%. Thyroidectomy was performed in 128/290 (44.1%). The sensitivity and specificity of US-FNAC in this study is 83.9 and 76.3%, respectively, with a positive predictive value of 85.2%, negative predictive value of 74.4%, and an accuracy of 81% in predicting malignancy in thyroid nodules ≥1 cm. The malignancy rate in benign FNAC sample was 25% (10/40), and was 69% (8/13) in those with a follicular lesion of undetermined significance (FLUS). Around 80% of benign and 89% of FLUS had follicular variant of papillary carcinoma of thyroid (FVPTC). US-FNAC, a high TIRADS score, and US features such as marked hypoechogenicity, taller than wide, irregular margins, microcalcification, and clinical features, such as hard in consistency and significant cervical lymph nodes, were important in predicting malignancy ( P < 0.001)., Conclusions: The accuracy of US-FNAC in this study is 81%. The US-FNAC, a high TIRADS score, a hard thyroid nodule, and significant cervical lymph nodes are important in predicting malignancy. The accuracy rate in benign and atypia undetermined significance categories needs to improve in this study. Further research to help in decreasing false negative rates of FVPTC will help in increasing the accuracy of US-FNAC in the present study., Competing Interests: There is no conflicts of interest.

Tuberculosis is an immense health problem in the developing world, and it remains a health care challenge in the developed world. It can affect virtually any organ system in the body. Diagnosis of tuberculosis is often difficult. Many patients with tuberculosis present with nonspecific symptoms, negative purified protein derivative skin test result, and negative findings on culture specimens. Cross-sectional imaging with ultrasound, multidetector computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging plays an important role in the diagnosis of tuberculosis. Tuberculosis demonstrates a variety of radiologic features depending on the organ involved and can mimic a number of other disease entities. Cross-sectional imaging alone is insufficient in reaching a conclusive diagnosis. Tuberculosis is a great mimicker as its radiologic manifestations can simulate numerous other diseases across the body systems. However, recognition and understanding of the common and uncommon radiologic manifestations of tuberculosis should alert considering tuberculosis in the high-risk population and correct clinical setting to enable appropriate treatment., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Aim: We examinted the attitude, knowledge and perceived barriers to evidence-based practice of radiology (EBPR) among residents in radiology., Study Design and Setting: We used the McColl questionnaire (1) and the BARRIERS scale (2) to assess the issues among radiology trainees attending an annual refresher course. Ninety six residents from 32 medical colleges from Southern India attended the course., Results: Eighty (83.3%) residents, 55 male and 25 female of age range 24-34 years, consented and returned the questionnaire. The majority of the participants had a positive attitude towards EBPR. However, 45% were unaware of sources for evidence based literature although many had access to Medline (45%) and the internet (80%). The majority (70%) were aware of the common technical terms (e.g. odds ratio, absolute and relative risk) but other complex details (e.g. meta-analysis, clinical effectiveness, confidence interval, publication bias and number needed to treat) were poorly understood. Though majority of residents (59%) were currently following guidelines and protocols laid by colleagues within their departments, 70% of residents were interested in learning the skills of EBPR and were willing to appraise primary literature or systematic reviews by themselves. Insufficient time on the job to implement new ideas (70.1%); relevant literature is not being complied in one place (68.9%); not being able to understand statistical methods (68.5%) were considered to be the major barriers to EBPR. Training in critical appraisal significantly influence usage of bibliographic databases (p<0.0001). Attitude of collegues (p=0.006) influenced attitude of the trainees towards EBPR. Those with higher knowledge scores (p=0.02) and a greater awareness of sources for seeking evidence based literature (p=0.05) held stronger beliefs that EBPR significantly improved patient care., Conclusions: The large knowledge gap related to EBPR suggests the need to incorporate structured training into the core-curriculum of training programmes in radiology., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To determine the long-term outcomes of bronchial artery embolization in patients with massive hemoptysis due to pulmonary tuberculosis and post-tuberculosis sequelae and to study the factors influencing success., Materials and Methods: In this study, 58 patients underwent 64 bronchial artery embolizations for massive hemoptysis due to tuberculosis or its sequelae between 1998 and 2008. Their images and procedure details were reviewed. Medical records and direct contact were used to obtain information on outcome. The cumulative hemoptysis control rate per follow-up interval was calculated., Results: The data showed that 25 patients presented with acute massive hemoptysis and 33 presented with chronic recurrent hemoptysis. The median quantity of blood was 400 mL (range, 70-2000 mL). The median follow-up period was 432 days (range, 11-1789 days). Twenty-seven patients had recurrence after a median period of 110 days after the procedure (range, 1-959 days). The hemoptysis control rate was 93% at 2 weeks, 86% at one month, 79.5% at 3 months, 63% at 6 months, 51% at one year and 39% at 2 years. Six patients underwent repeat procedures. Chest pain was the most common procedure-related complication (n=20, 34.5%); there was no spinal cord complication or mortality. There were seven deaths, five of which were related to hemoptysis. Nine patients were lost to follow-up. Lung cavities (P = 0.08), nonbronchial systemic artery collaterals (P = 0.081) and systemicto- pulmonary venous shunts (P = 0.053) were more common in those who experienced recurrence., Conclusion: Bronchial artery embolization is a relatively safe procedure that is lifesaving in patients who are not suitable for surgery. However, the associated long-term outcome is less satisfactory.

A patient presented to the urology outpatient department with complaints of recurrent episodes of painless hematuria. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan of the abdomen revealed vesical varices that had developed secondary to obstruction of the inferior vena cava. Additional investigation revealed idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis. Steroid therapy was started and tapered during a 6-week period. No recurrence of the hematuria was noted on follow-up. We have described a unique presentation of hematuria due to vesical varices in a patient with idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis.

There is increasing evidence that Budd Chiari syndrome occurs when acquired predisposing factor(s) affect a susceptible individual with one or more underlying thrombophilic conditions. Geographical variations in disease pattern of Budd Chiari syndrome exist, which may reflect differing predisposing factors. We review a change in disease profile of Budd Chiari syndrome in India over the past three decades. While earlier studies from India reported isolated inferior vena cava (IVC) obstruction as the commonest disease type, this is a minority in more recent reports where a combination of IVC and hepatic vein obstruction is the commonest type. Longer duration of illness has been shown to be associated with IVC obstruction and the recent change in disease profile in India may reflect earlier diagnosis of Budd Chiari syndrome. Poverty, malnutrition, recurrent bacterial infections and filariasis have been previously suggested as predisposing factors for IVC obstruction. Improvement in hygiene and sanitation may partly explain the recent change in disease profile of Budd Chiari syndrome in India.

Aneurysms of collateral arteries are unusual. A case of transverse cervical artery aneurysm as the sole presentation of vascular thoracic outlet syndrome is presented and the relevant literature reviewed.

We describe the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signal characteristics of isolated (solitary lesion) intra fourth ventricular cysticercus cyst in 4 patients who clinically presented with obstructive hydrocephalus. All patients had routine MRI sequences (T1, T2, & proton density-weighted imaging), Fluid Attenuation Inversion Recovery (FLAIR), and post-gadolinium imaging followed by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow study. It revealed a CSF signal intensity (on all pulse sequences), intra fourth ventricular cyst with a nidus (scolex), and wall enhancement. On T1-weighted and FLAIR images, the cyst wall and nidus (scolex) were seen in 3 cases, which were not seen in other routine sequences. The CSF flow study showed the intraluminal nature of the cyst. The MRI features suspected a cysticercus cyst, and per-operative findings and histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis. The review of literature of the intra fourth ventricular cyst is briefly discussed.

We report a 40-year-old man with rheumatic heart disease who presented with abdominal pain for three weeks and hematemesis for 24 hours. CT scan showed a large splenic artery aneurysm without evidence of pancreatitis. Mycotic aneurysm due to infective endocarditis was considered and confirmed by echocardiogram, which showed aortic and mitral valve regurgitation and vegetations. He was managed successfully with coil embolization of the aneurysm and antibiotics.

Vesical varices in portal hypertension are rare. We report a patient with portal hypertension who developed recurrent painless hematuria. Cystoscopy was normal. Doppler ultrasound and MR angiography showed a dilated paraumbilical vein within the falciform ligament coursing down to the urinary bladder wall and draining into the right internal iliac vein. He underwent liver transplantation for decompensated chronic liver disease. He is in good health and has not had further episodes of hematuria.