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Purpose To investigate the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in healthcare workers (HCWs) with positive interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) results based on chest X-ray (CXR) and CT findings and determine the role of imaging in the diagnosis of TB. Materials and Methods Among 1976 hospital personnel screened for TB using IGRA, IGRApositive subjects were retrospectively investigated. Clustered nodular and/or linear streaky opacities in the upper lung zone were considered positive on CXR. The CT findings were classified as active, indeterminate, inactive, or normal. The active or indeterminate class was considered CT-positive. Results IGRA was positive in 255 subjects (12.9%). CXR and CT were performed in 249 (99.2%) and 113 subjects (45.0%), respectively. CXR- and CT-positive findings were found in 7 of 249 (2.8%) and 9 of 113 (8.0%) patients, respectively. Among the nine CT-positive subjects, active and indeterminate TB findings were found in 6 (5.3%) and 3 (2.7%) patients, respectively. Microbiological tests, including acid-fast bacilli staining, culture, and polymerase chain reaction for TB, were negative in all nine CT-positive subjects. Empirical anti-TB medications were administered to 9 CT-positive subjects, and 3 of these nine subjects were CXR-negative for pulmonary TB. Conclusion CT helped diagnose asymptomatic TB in IGRA-positive HCWs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Silent sinus syndrome is a rare condition, characterized by spontaneous and progressive enophthalmos and hypoglobus associated with atelectasis of the maxillary sinus and downward displacement of the orbital floor. Patients with this syndrome present with ophthalmological complaints, without any nasal or sinus symptoms. Silent sinus syndrome has a painless course and slow development. It seems to be a consequence of maxillary sinus hypoventilation due to obstruction of the ostiomeatal unit. The CT scan findings are typical and definitely confirm the diagnosis of silent sinus syndrome. Case report. We present the case of a 35-year-old woman, with no history of orbital trauma or surgery. She had slight righthemifacial pressure with no sinonasal symptoms. The patient had no double vision nor other ophthalmological symptoms. The diagnosis of silent sinus syndrome was based on the gradual onset of enophthalmos and hypoglobus, in the absence of orbital trauma (including surgery) or prior symptoms of sinus disease. On paranasal CT scans there was a complete opacification and atelectasis of the right maxillary sinus with downward bowing of the orbital floor. The patient was treated with functional endoscopic sinus surgery, with no orbital repair. Conclusion. Silent sinus syndrome presents with orbithopaties but is in fact a rhinologic disease, so all ophthalmologists, rhinologists and radiologists should know about it. The treatment of choice for silent sinus syndrome is functional endoscopic sinus surgery, which should be performed with extra care, by an experienced rhinosurgeon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Via multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) with retrospective electrographic gating, we sought to evaluate whether plaque distribution differs between Responders and Low Responders to clopidogrel treatment. Low response was defined as a post-treatment aggregation of 35% to 70%. In this observational study, we enrolled 62 patients (mean age, 64.8 ± 8.9 yr; 51 men). In addition to determining coronary calcium scores, we performed noninvasive coronary angiography with MDCT before stent implantation. Plaques were visually classified as calcified, mixed, or completely noncalcified. Mean density was measured. Residual platelet aggregation (RPA) was evaluated by aggregometry 6 hr after administration of a 600mg loading dose of clopidogrel. Patients with an RPA of less than 35% were defined as Responders. The median calcium score was 736 Agatston score equivalent (ASE) (range, 0-5,772) and mean platelet inhibition was 35% ± 19% (range, 0-70%). A total of 494 coronary plaques were detected (Responders: calcified, 197; mixed, 47, noncalcified, 5; and Low Responders: calcified, 177; mixed, 65; noncalcified, 3). Responders (n=35) had significantly lower ASEs and fewer mixed but more calcified plaques than did Low Responders. In mean plaque density (measured within the noncalcified part of the plaques), no statistically significant difference existed between the 2 patient groups. By use of MDCT, we showed that ASE and plaque distribution were associated with RPA after clopidogrel treatment. Patients with alow coronary plaque burden and a small proportion of mixed plaques were more likely to have low RPA after administration of clopidogrel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]