scholarly journals The Histopathological Correlate of Peri-Vascular Adipose Tissue Attenuation on Computed Tomography in Surgical Ascending Aorta Aneurysms: Is This a Measure of Tissue Inflammation?

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 1799
Author(s):  
Nicola Gaibazzi ◽  
Domenico Tuttolomondo ◽  
Francesco Nicolini ◽  
Alessandro Tafuni ◽  
Daniele Sartorio ◽  
...  

On computed tomography (CT) imaging, a peri-vascular adipose tissue attenuation (pVAT) measure has been proposed as a non-invasive correlate of inflammation in the coronary artery vessels, and a single research group provided histopathological demonstration of this radiological/pathological correspondence. Our group has shown that patients with surgical-grade ascending aorta (AA) aneurysm display higher pVAT compared with patients with smaller aneurysms or normal AA. Based on histopathological studies on coronary arteries, we speculated that this correlation may be related to a non-otherwise specified aortic inflammatory process. However, since adipose tissue around the AA is often scant, and there are no histopathological studies confirming such hypothesized association between higher pVAT and inflammation around the AA, we cannot exclude that this pVAT change is secondary to different mechanisms, unrelated to the actual presence of peri-vascular inflammation. We performed a retrospective clinical/radiological/pathological study in 78 patients who underwent AA surgery with the aim to correlate pre-operatory pVAT on CT with histopathological findings from the surgical specimens. Histopathological review and immunohistochemistry were performed on the surgical aortic samples. The AA adventitial/periadventitial adipose tissue had higher pVAT by an increasing collagen fiber deposition, which progressively makes the fat hypotrophic and, in the late stages of this process, it replaces the normal soft tissue composition in this location. In the ascending aorta, pVAT on CT imaging is probably not a proxy for the presence of current vascular inflammation, although it may track changes involving the progressive substitution of perivascular adipose cells by higher-pVAT tissues, mainly fibrotic replacement.

2011 ◽  
Vol 56 (No. 5) ◽  
pp. 255-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Mohamed ◽  
F. Al-Sobayil ◽  
T. Kurwasawa ◽  
T. Nakade ◽  
M. Floeck

In this report a case of actinomycosis in a five-month-old Holstein calf is described. The patient displayed a hard and immobile swelling in the mandible and fever. Computed tomography (CT) imaging of the skull was performed under deep sedation and revealed an asymmetrical appearance of the mandible with the presence of intra-mandibular hypodense lesions. Haematologic and serum biochemical profiles revealed leukocytosis, neutrophilia, hypoalbuminaemia and hypergammaglobulinaemia. Treatment consisted of flushing the lesion and administration of antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The calf responded to therapy and had recovered almost completely four months later. The present case indicates that CT is an effective non-invasive means of identifying mandibular lesions in cattle.


Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1495
Author(s):  
Domenico Tuttolomondo ◽  
Chiara Martini ◽  
Francesco Nicolini ◽  
Francesco Formica ◽  
Alessandro Pini ◽  
...  

(1) Background: Perivascular adipose tissue attenuation, measured with computed tomography imaging, is a marker of mean local vascular inflammation since it reflects the morphological changes of the fat tissue in direct contact with the vessel. This method is thoroughly validated in coronary arteries, but few studies have been performed in other vascular beds. The aim of the present study is to provide insight into the potential application of perivascular adipose tissue attenuation through computed tomography imaging in extra-coronary arteries. (2) Methods: A comprehensive search of the scientific literature published in the last 30 years (1990–2020) has been performed on Medline. (3) Results: A Medline databases search for titles, abstracts, and keywords returned 3251 records. After the exclusion of repetitions and the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria and abstract screening, 37 studies were selected for full-text evaluation. Three papers were finally included in the systematic review. Perivascular adipose tissue attenuation assessment was studied in the internal carotid artery, ascending thoracic aorta, and abdominal aorta. (4) Conclusions: Perivascular adipose tissue attenuation seems to be an applicable parameter in all investigated vascular beds, generally with good inter-observer reproducibility.


Circulation ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 116 (suppl_16) ◽  
Author(s):  
Masakazu Shinohara ◽  
Tomoya Yamashita ◽  
Hideto Tawa ◽  
Masafumi Takeda ◽  
Naoto Sasaki ◽  
...  

Background: Reliable non-invasive imaging modalities to characterize atherosclerotic plaque components are clinically desirable for detecting unstable coronary plaques, which cause acute coronary syndrome or sudden death. Although recent clinical developments in computed tomography (CT) have enabled the visualization of luminal narrowing and calcified plaques in coronary arteries, the evaluation of non-calcified plaque components remains difficult. Phase-contrast X-ray CT imaging has great potential to reveal the structures inside soft tissues because its sensitivity to light elements is almost 1000 times greater than that of absorption-contrast clinical X-ray imaging. We for the first time examined mouse atherosclerotic plaques using phase-contrast X-ray CT and found promising results. Methods and Results: Ex vivo phase-contrast X-ray CT was performed using a synchrotron radiation source (SPring-8, Japan) to investigate atherosclerotic plaque components in mice. Samples were also histologically analyzed. Phase-contrast X-ray CT at a spatial resolution of 10 –20 μm revealed atherosclerotic plaque components, and thin fibrous caps could be easily detected. The specific mass densities of these components were estimated using dδ (differences in the refractive indexes relative to water). While lipid-rich areas showed low dδ (0.79 ± 0.13 × 10 −8 ) and mass density (1.011 ± 0.001 g/ml), the smooth muscle- and collagen-rich areas showed high dδ (4.18 ± 0.10 × 10 −8 and 5.93 ± 0.13 × 10 −8 , respectively) and mass density (1.057 ± 0.001 g/ml and 1.08 ± 0.002 g/ml, respectively). It was rather easy to evaluate or differentiate the atherosclerotic plaque components using this novel phase-contrast X-ray CT imaging. Moreover, the three-dimensional assessment of plaques was possible, and it enabled the imaging of their anatomical information. Conclusions: Phase-contrast X-ray CT can estimate the tissue-mass density of atherosclerotic plaques and distinguish the lipid-rich areas from the collagen-rich areas. This is a promising non-invasive technique for the investigation of plaque components and detection of unstable coronary plaques.


Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 130 (suppl_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elza D van Deel ◽  
Yanto Ridwan ◽  
Sasha Belenkov ◽  
Jeroen Essers

Introduction and Hypothesis: The prevalence of myocardial infarction increases with the average age of the population and is currently the leading cause of death worldwide. In order to define anatomical changes and biomarkers related to cardiac infarction, we tested the use of combined computed tomography (CT) and near infrared fluorescent (NIRF) probes to facilitate non-invasive imaging of processes concerned with tissue degeneration/regeneration. This development of new non-invasive diagnostic methods will lead to better treatment options in the future. Methods: Mice were subjected to left anterior descending artery (LAD) ligation inducing an acute myocardial infarction and subsequently imaged in vivo using fast and low dose microCT scanning (QuantumFX, Perkin Elmer) and near infrared (NIRF) probes to monitor MMP activity (MMPsense680). Immediate contrast enhanced CT imaging using eXIA160 during its blood-pool phase allowed registration of changes in ventricular anatomy and function of important global parameters, like end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV). These were used to calculate stroke volume (SV), and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Delayed eXIA160 contrast uptake during its myocardial phase, subsequently allowed analysis of the infarct size and infarct healing. In addition, in vivo molecular MMPsense localization was combined with micro-CT imaging for accurate 3D co-registration. Results: Changes in ventricular anatomy and myocardial viability were assessed 3 hours and 2 months post LAD occlusion in the same animal, demonstrating the feasibility of monitoring myocard viability over time. The decreased uptake of eXIA160 in the myocardium was subsequently quantitated. A concomitant increase in MMP activity, as determined by fluorescence mediated tomography using MMPsense680, could be localized to the infarcted site. Conclusions: Non-invasive imaging, using NIRF probes, enables longitudinal imaging of processes concerned with myocard infarction. Consequently, disease progression can be monitored over time and the effect of (new) pharmacotherapy can be studied.


Author(s):  
H.W. Deckman ◽  
B.F. Flannery ◽  
J.H. Dunsmuir ◽  
K.D' Amico

We have developed a new X-ray microscope which produces complete three dimensional images of samples. The microscope operates by performing X-ray tomography with unprecedented resolution. Tomography is a non-invasive imaging technique that creates maps of the internal structure of samples from measurement of the attenuation of penetrating radiation. As conventionally practiced in medical Computed Tomography (CT), radiologists produce maps of bone and tissue structure in several planar sections that reveal features with 1mm resolution and 1% contrast. Microtomography extends the capability of CT in several ways. First, the resolution which approaches one micron, is one thousand times higher than that of the medical CT. Second, our approach acquires and analyses the data in a panoramic imaging format that directly produces three-dimensional maps in a series of contiguous stacked planes. Typical maps available today consist of three hundred planar sections each containing 512x512 pixels. Finally, and perhaps of most import scientifically, microtomography using a synchrotron X-ray source, allows us to generate maps of individual element.


2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 15
Author(s):  
Wanda Acampa ◽  
Mario Petretta ◽  
Carmela Nappi ◽  
Alberto Cuocolo ◽  
◽  
...  

Many non-invasive imaging techniques are available for the evaluation of patients with known or suspected coronary heart disease. Among these, computed-tomography-based techniques allow the quantification of coronary atherosclerotic calcium and non-invasive imaging of coronary arteries, whereas nuclear cardiology is the most widely used non-invasive approach for the assessment of myocardial perfusion. The available single-photon-emission computed tomography flow agents are characterised by a cardiac uptake proportional to myocardial blood flow. In addition, different positron emission tomography tracers may be used for the quantitative measurement of myocardial blood flow and coronary flow reserve. Extensive research is being performed in the development of non-invasive coronary angiography and myocardial perfusion imaging using cardiac magnetic resonance. Finally, new multimodality imaging systems have recently been developed bringing together anatomical and functional information. This article provides a description of the available non-invasive imaging techniques in the assessment of coronary anatomy and myocardial perfusion in patients with known or suspected coronary heart disease.


Author(s):  
Rin Hoshina ◽  
Hideyuki Kishima ◽  
Takanao Mine ◽  
Masaharu Ishihara

Abstract Background Transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) is a safe and useful tool. In our case, we are presenting a rare case of a patient with aortic dissection during TOE procedure. Case summary A 79-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for recurrent paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) with palpitation. Pre-procedural cardiac computed tomography (CT) showed slight dilated ascending aorta (maximum diameter: 40 mm). We decided to perform catheter ablation (CA) for AF, and recommended TOE before the CA because she had a CHADS2 score of 4. On the day before the CA, TOE was performed. Her physical examinations at the time of TOE procedure were unremarkable. At 3 min after probe insertion, there was no abnormal finding of the ascending aorta. At 5 min after the insertion, TOE showed ascending aortic dissection without pericardial effusion. After waking, she had severe back pain and underwent a contrast-enhanced CT. Computed tomography demonstrated Stanford type A aortic dissection extending from the aortic root to the bifurcation of common iliac arteries, and tight stenosis in the right coronary artery (maximum diameter; 49 mm). The patient underwent a replacement of the ascending aorta, and a coronary artery bypass graft surgery for the right coronary artery. Discussion Transoesophageal echocardiography would have to be performed under sufficient sedation with continuous blood pressure monitoring in patients who have risk factors of aortic dissection. The risk–benefit of TOE must be considered before a decision is made. Depending on the situation, another modality instead of TOE might be required.


Author(s):  
L Epprecht ◽  
L Qingsong ◽  
N Stenz ◽  
S Hashimi ◽  
T Linder

Abstract Objective Ventilation of the middle ear and mastoid air cells is believed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic ear disease. Traditionally, ventilation is assessed by computed tomography. However, this exposes patients to cumulative radiation injury. In cases with a perforation in the tympanic membrane, tympanometry potentially presents a non-invasive alternative to measure the ventilated middle-ear and mastoid air cell volume. This study hypothesised that total tympanometry volume correlates with ventilated middle-ear and mastoid air cell volume. Method Total tympanometry volume was compared with ventilated middle-ear and mastoid air cell volume on computed tomography scans in 20 tympanic membrane perforations. Results There was a high correlation between tympanometry and computed tomography volumes (r = 0.78; p < 0.001). A tympanometry volume more than 2 ml predicted good ventilation on computed tomography. Conclusion These results may help reduce the need for pre-operative computed tomography in uncomplicated cases with tympanic membrane perforations.


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