Blood Flow Analysis of the Great Saphenous Vein in the Su-Pine Position in Clinical Manifestations of Varicose Veins of Different Severities: Application of Phase-Contrast Magnetic Resonance Imaging Data

The progression of clinical manifestations of lower-limb varicose veins remains unclear. This study investigated changes in lower-limb venous blood flow using phase-contrast magnetic resonance angiography. Data were collected on veins from 141 legs. We compared legs with and without varicose veins and related symptoms and examined varying levels of varicose vein symptom severity. Legs without varicose veins exhibited a lower absolute stroke volume (ASV, p < 0.01) and mean flux (MF, p = 0.03) for the great saphenous vein (GSV) compared with legs with symptomatic varicose veins. Legs with asymptomatic varicose veins exhibited lower MF for the GSV (p = 0.02) compared with legs with symptomatic varicose veins. Among legs with varicose veins, asymptomatic legs exhibited lower ASV (p = 0.03) and MF (p = 0.046) for the GSV compared with legs that exhibited skin changes or ulcers; however, no significant differences were observed between legs presenting with discomfort or edema and legs with skin changes or ulcers, and between legs presenting with discomfort or edema and asymptomatic legs. In conclusion, in the supine position, increased blood flow rate and blood flow volume in the GSV were associated with symptomatic varicose veins and increased symptom severity.

Diagnostics of cerebral venous thrombosis associated with COVID-19 in young adults: clinical characteristics and imaging patterns

Introduction. Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is relatively rare, but leads to the development of cerebral venous infarction, intracranial hemorrhage, followed by severe disability and death. Due to the epidemiological situation caused by COVID-19, the incidence of CVT is increasing.Aims and objectives: to analyze clinical, laboratory instrumental and neuroimaging (multislice computed tomography (MSCT), MSCT — with intravenous contrast, magnetic resonance imaging of the brain (MRI) and MRI venography) data that confirmed the development of CVT in patients with COVID-19.Methods. Data of 5 young adults with cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) associated with COVID-19 are presented.Results. Аmong 5 reported cases of COVID-19, two patients presented with venous infarcts (hemorrhagic and ischemic), 3 patients developed encephalopathy syndrome without acute cerebral infarction.Conclusion. Possibilities of modern imaging technologies permitted to timely diagnosis cerebral venous thrombosis associated with COVID-19, that can lead to immediate initiation of therapy and to prevent the development of cerebrovascular complications during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Diagnostic accuracy of nasal endoscopy and contrast magnetic resonance imaging in COVID-19 associated mucormycosis (CAM)

Key Points 1. COVID-19 associated mucormycosis (CAM) is a life-threatening fungal disease that has become an epidemic and notifiable disease after the second wave of COVID-19 in India 2. The target group for CAM includes severely immunocompromised individuals either by COVID-19, or corticosteroid therapy, or uncontrolled glycemic index. 3. With an intention to find out the sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic nasal endoscopy (DNE) and contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CEMRI), one hundred two consecutive patients of target group with clinical features of CAM were enrolled in the study. 4. The sensitivity and specificity of DNE as compared to KOH mount were 73.4% and 94.7% respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of CEMRI as compared to KOH mount were 87.5% and 50% respectively. 5. CEMRI misses fewer cases than DNE. In cases of normal endoscopy in the target group, imaging and biopsy should be advised to reduce false-negative results. Nasal endoscopy, biopsy, and imaging can reliably detect the majority of cases of CAM.

Before and after Endovascular Aortic Repair in the Same Patients with Aortic Dissection: A Cohort Study of Four-Dimensional Phase-Contrast Magnetic Resonance Imaging

(1) Background: We used four-dimensional phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (4D PC-MRI) to evaluate the impact of an endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) on aortic dissection. (2) Methods: A total of 10 patients received 4D PC-MRI on a 1.5-T MR both before and after TEVAR. (3) Results: The aortas were repaired with either a GORE TAG Stent (Gore Medical; n = 7) or Zenith Dissection Endovascular Stent (Cook Medical; n = 3). TEVAR increased the forward flow volume of the true lumen (TL) (at the abdominal aorta, p = 0.047). TEVAR also reduced the regurgitant fraction in the TL at the descending aorta but increased it in the false lumen (FL). After TEVAR, the stroke distance increased in the TL (at descending and abdominal aorta, p = 0.018 and 0.015), indicating more effective blood transport per heartbeat. Post-stenting quantitative flow revealed that the reductions in stroke volume, backward flow volume, and absolute stroke volume were greater when covered stents were used than when bare stents were used in the FL of the descending aorta. Bare stents had a higher backward flow volume than covered stents did. (4) Conclusions: TEVAR increased the stroke volume in the TL and increased the regurgitant fraction in the FL in patients with aortic dissection.