Giant coronary artery aneurysms and myocardial fibrosis after Kawasaki disease may lead to devastating cardiovascular outcomes. We characterised the vascular and myocardial outcomes in five selected Kawasaki disease patients with a history of giant coronary artery aneurysms that completely regressed.

Five patients were selected who had giant coronary artery aneurysm in early childhood that regressed when studied 12–33 years after Kawasaki disease onset. Coronary arteries were imaged by coronary CT angiography, and coronary artery calcium volume scores were determined. We used endocardial strain measurements from CT imaging to assess myocardial regional wall function. Calprotectin and galectin-3 (gal-3) as biomarkers of inflammation and myocardial fibrosis were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

The five selected patients with regressed giant coronary artery aneurysms had calcium scores of zero, normal levels of calprotectin and gal-3, and normal appearance of the coronary arteries by coronary computed tomography angiography. CT strain demonstrated normal peak systolic and diastolic strain patterns in four of five patients. In one patient with a myocardial infarction at the time of Kawasaki disease diagnosis at the age of 10 months, CT strain showed altered global longitudinal strain, reduced segmental peak strain, and reduced diastolic relaxation patterns in multiple left ventricle segments.

These patients illustrate that regression of giant aneurysms after Kawasaki disease is possible with no detectable calcium, normal biomarkers of inflammation and fibrosis, and normal myocardial function. Individuals with regressed giant coronary artery aneurysm still require longitudinal surveillance to assess the durability of this favourable outcome.

We aimed to evaluate imaging modalities utilized in patients with vocal cord palsy (VCP) of unknown aetiology, emphasizing the significance of timing and diagnostic yield.

We conducted a retrospective review of medical records of patients diagnosed with VCP of unknown aetiology after their initial clinical examination between 2005 and 2016.

In our cohort, 46 out of 173 (27 per cent) patients were diagnosed with malignancies. All malignancies were identified during the initial imaging examination, except for one patient. Diagnostic imaging facilitated the diagnosis in 36 per cent of the patients. Computed tomography (CT) of the neck and chest and full-body positron emission tomography-CT (PET-CT) presented the highest overall diagnostic yield of 36 per cent and 35 per cent, respectively.

We recommend that patients with initial CT of the neck and upper chest or PET-CT combined with magnetic resonance imaging without pathological findings, are followed without additional imaging examinations, unless new relevant symptoms arise.

The minimum diameter of the patent ductus arteriosus measured in the lateral angiographic view is usually used to determine the device size. Sometimes the device can be easily removed from the patent ductus arteriosus, even if it appears to be the optimum size.

From 2016 to 2021, 29 patients who underwent contrast-enhanced CT prior to patent ductus arteriosus closure included. Morphological evaluation of the narrowest part of the patent ductus arteriosus was performed on contrast-enhanced CT. We also examined whether there were differences in morphology depended on Krichenko classification, age, and the diameter of the narrowest portion of the patent ductus arteriosus.

At the time of treatment, the median age was 4.8 (range, 1–52) months, and the median weight was 5.0 (2.5–12.7) kg. The median minimum vertical diameter of patent ductus arteriosus was 2.9 (1.6–6.6) mm. The narrowest patent ductus arteriosus part in the contrast CT imaging showed horizontal-to-vertical diameter ratios in the range of 1.0–1.7, with no case where the vertical diameter was larger than the horizontal diameter. The median horizontal-to-vertical diameter ratio by Krichenko type was: A, 1.22; C, 1.29; E, 1.62(p = 0.017). When classifying the patients into a group aged under six months (n = 21) and a group aged six months or older (n = 8), the respective median horizontal-to-vertical diameter ratio was 1.34 and 1.15 (p = 0.027). The vertical patent ductus arteriosus diameter was not correlated with the elliptical shape.

Most patent ductus arteriosus cases have a horizontally oriented elliptical shape in this study. This characteristic showed high reproducibility and is important information that angiography cannot evaluate.

Magnetic resonance localization of gold markers for radiotherapy is critical for the treatment planning of prostatic cancer. This study sought to enhance the visualization of gold markers by applying the three-dimensional gradient echo (3D GRE) T2* sequence and comparing it with CT scan.

29 Patients who underwent both a 3D GRE T2* sequence and a CT were evaluated by an oncologist and radiologist. The SNR, CNR and prostate volume were calculated.

The depiction of gold markers using 3D GRE T2* exhibited an enhanced quality in comparison to CT (p < 0·05). Prostate SNR, fat SNR, muscle SNR and Osteon SNR were found to be elevated in 3D GRE T2*, as opposed to the CT (p < 0·05). The comparison of the average prostate volume revealed a significant difference between the mean measurements (sig = 0, p < 0·05). The prostate Volume in 3D GRE T2* 29·03% smaller in magnitude when compared to the CT, thus bringing it into closer alignment with its authentic dimensions.

The comparison between the MRI and the CT demonstrated that 3D GRE T2* is an exceptional tool for visualizing gold markers in the realm of prostate cancer radiotherapy planning. It has the potential to minimize collateral damage to healthy cells while enhancing the precision of cancer cell targeting.

Identification of paediatric coronary artery abnormalities is challenging. We studied whether coronary artery CT angiography can be performed safely and reliably in children.

Retrospective analysis of consecutive coronary CT angiography scans was performed for image quality and estimated radiation dose. Both factors were assessed for correlation with electrocardiographic-gating technique that was protocoled on a case-by-case basis, radiation exposure parameters, image noise artefact parameters, heart rate, and heart rate variability.

Sixty scans were evaluated, of which 96.5% were diagnostic for main left and right coronaries and 91.3% were considered diagnostic for complete coronary arteries. Subjective image quality correlated significantly with lower heart rate, increasing patient age, and higher signal-to-noise ratio. Estimated radiation dose only correlated significantly with choice of electrocardiographic-gating technique with median doses as follows: 2.42 mSv for electrocardiographic-gating triggered high-pitch spiral technique, 5.37 mSv for prospectively triggered axial sequential technique, 3.92 mSv for retrospectively gated technique, and 5.64 mSv for studies which required multiple runs. Two scans were excluded for injection failure and one for protocol outside the study scope. Five non-diagnostic cases were attributed to breathing motion, scanning prior to peak contrast enhancement, or scan acquisition during the incorrect portion of the R-R interval.

Diagnostic-quality coronary CT angiography can be performed reliably with a low estimated radiation exposure by tailoring each scan protocol to the patient’s body habitus and heart rate. We propose coronary CT angiography is a safe and effective diagnostic modality for coronary artery abnormalities in children.

The objective was to study the ductus arteriosus morphology in duct-dependent pulmonary circulation and its pattern in different ventricle morphology using CT angiography.

From January 2013 to December 2015, patients aged 6 months and below with duct-dependent pulmonary circulation underwent CT angiography to delineate the ductus arteriosus origin, tortuosity, site of insertion, and pulmonary artery anatomy. The ductus arteriosus were classified into type I, IIa, IIb, and III based on its site of origin, either from descending aorta, distal arch, proximal arch, or subclavian artery, respectively.

A total of 114 patients and 116 ductus arteriosus (two had bilateral ductus arteriosus) were analysed. Type I, IIa, IIb, and III ductus arteriosus were seen in 13 (11.2 %), 71 (61.2%), 21 (18.1%), and 11 (9.5%), respectively. Tortuous ductus arteriosus was found in 38 (32.7%), which was commonly seen in single ventricular lesions. Ipsilateral and bilateral branch pulmonary artery stenosis was seen in 68 (59.6%) and 6 (5.3%) patients, respectively. The majority of patients with pulmonary atresia intact ventricular septum had type I (54.4%) and non-tortuous ductus arteriosus, while those with single and biventricular lesions had type II ductus arteriosus (84.9% and 89.7%, respectively). Type III ductus arteriosus was more common in biventricular lesions (77.8%).

Ductus arteriosus in duct-dependent pulmonary circulation has a diverse morphology with a distinct origin and tortuosity pattern in different types of ventricular morphology. CT may serve as an important tool in case selection and pre-procedural planning for ductal stenting.