We report a case of iatrogenic pseudoaneurysm of the right pulmonary artery induced by a Swan-Ganz (SG) catheter. An SG catheter was inserted to the pulmonary artery before the esophageal surgery. Chest radiograph after the surgery showed a nodule in the right lower lung field. Based on the retrospective review of serial chest radiographies after SG catheter placement, we suspected iatrogenic pseudoaneurysm of the pulmonary artery caused by over-insertion of the catheter tip. Contrast-enhanced CT showed the nodular shadow with eccentric and marked enhancement continuing right A4b. We diagnosed a pseudoaneurysm of the pulmonary artery. The nodular shadow resolved spontaneously over a 2-month period.

We report a case of giant fibrovascular polyp of the esophagus. The patient was a 69-year-old man who complained of hematemesis. Barium swallowing revealed a long, expansile lesion within the esophagus. Endoscopy demonstrated a pedunculated lesion covered with normal esophageal epithelium. On MRI, the sagittal image showed the characteristic sausage-like shape of the lesion. On T2-weighted images, the lesion demonstrated predominantly low signal intensity, which reflected a fibrous tumor. Opposed-phase imaging showed the area of decreased intensity within the mass, which reflected adipose tissue. MRI was useful for the differential diagnosis of fibrovascular polyp.

There are multiple reports of intrahepatic portosystemic venous shunt (PSVS) cases in adult patients. We report the case of a 4-year-old child with PSVS and pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM). Abdominal sonography and computed tomography (CT) revealed the presence of PSVS. T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated multiple intracranial hyperintense lesions, mainly in the globus pallidus, which suggested portosystemic encephalopathy. Tc-99m labeled microsphere study showed diffusely increased uptake in the thyroid and kidneys. The scan suggested the existence of PAVM. Pulmonary angiography was performed in order to evaluate pulmonary hypertension, and pulmonary venous pressure was slightly elevated. Contrast echocardiography suggested the presence of an intrapulmonary arteriovenous malformation with significant right-to-left shunt, as evidenced by rapid filling of the left atrium with dissolved bubbles. In this case, contrast echocardiography was helpful in diagnosing the patient's PAVM. In conclusion, we present the case of PSVS with PAVM in childhood. The incidence of PSVS is low, and data from the literature remain limited. However, further investigation is required to clarify the possible correlation between PSVS and PAVM.

Postcontrast CT scan using multislice CT was performed in 10 patients prior to laparoscopic gastric cancer surgery. Using 16-detector multislice CT, images were obtained at both arterial and venous phases under a single breath-hold. Three-dimensional CT angiography at arterial and venous phases was respectively reconstructed using the volume-rendering technique and then fused. Multiphase fusion imaging was able to demonstrate clearly, simultaneously, and three-dimensionally the gastric arteries and veins without a respiratory gap. In conclusion, multiphase fusion images were considered to be very useful for the intraoperative navigation of laparoscopic gastric cancer surgery.

We encountered a case of giant peritoneal loose body, which was detected on barium enema by chance. Unenhanced CT showed a round mass with calcified center. On MR examination, the mass moved to the pelvic cavity from the position at CT examination. T1- and T2-weighted images showed a mass with low signal intensity. The contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images showed no enhancement. From these findings, peritoneal loose body, in addition to teratoma, granuloma, and foreign body, was suspected. However, the wide window width CT clearly showed a concentric calcification, a finding that is characteristic of peritoneal loose body.

Because multiphase fusion imaging demonstrates three-dimensionally and simultaneously the perigastric arteries and veins, it is particularly useful in the simulation of laparoscopic gastric cancer surgery. We constructed a multiphase fusion image of the perigastric arteries and veins, which were divided by a different degree of respiratory rest. We attempted to reform the positional relationship of the left gastric coronary vein to the splenic arteries along the x-, y-, and z-axes, however, the portal vein ran along the ventral side of the gastroduodenal artery, and the gastroepiploic artery was separate from the gastroepiploic vein, differing from the true anatomical relationship.

We evaluated the effect of the enhancement value of the abdominal aorta, portal vein, and liver parenchyma by the saline flush technique. One hundred eight patients who underwent multislice CT of the liver were randomly divided into four groups: 100 ml of contrast material (Iomeprol 300 mgI/ml or 350 mgI/ml) only and 100 ml of contrast material (300 mgI/ml or 350 mgI/ml) flushed with 50 ml of saline solution at a rate of 5 ml/sec. The saline flush technique demonstrated statistically significantly greater portal enhancement. Therefore, we consider that this technique contributes to the visualization of three-dimensional CT portography.

PURPOSE:Laparoscopic colorectal surgery, while minimally invasive, is a complicated technique. Therefore, prior to this surgery, it is important to determine the anatomical information of colorectal cancer.MATERIALS AND METHODS:Fifty-eight cases of patients with a confirmed diagnosis of colon cancer [caecal (n = 4), ascending colon (n = 6), transverse colon (n = 7), descending colon (n = 2), sigmoid colon (n = 22), and rectal (n = 17) cancer] were evaluated using multislice CT before laparoscopic surgery. CT examination was performed in an air-filled colorectum by colon fiberscopy. Contrast-enhanced images on multislice CT were obtained at arterial and venous phases. All images were reviewed on a workstation, and three-dimensional (3D) images of vessels, colorectum, cancer, and swollen lymph nodes were reconstructed by volume rendering and fused (integrated 3D imaging). We evaluated the usefulness of integrated 3D imaging with multislice CT for laparoscopic colorectal surgery.RESULTS:Integrated 3D imaging demonstrated clearly the distribution of arteries feeding the colorectal cancer and the anatomical location of colorectal cancer and arterial and venous systems. Moreover, measurement of the distance between the aortic bifurcation and the origin of the inferior mesenteric artery and that between the base of the inferior mesenteric artery and the origin of the left colic artery on integrated 3D imaging contributed to safe, prompt ligation of the vessels and excision of lymph nodes.CONCLUSION:Integrated 3D imaging with multislice CT was useful for simulation of laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

Postcontrast CT scanning using multislice CT was performed for 20 patients with gastric cancer. Three-dimensional (3D) CT angiography of the arterial and venous phases was reconstructed using the volume-rendering technique and then fused. 3D-CT angiography showed the arteries and veins around the stomach, and multiphase fusion imaging was able to demonstrate clearly and three-dimensionally the gastric vascular anatomy. In conclusion, the multiphase fusion image was considered to be useful in the preoperative simulation of laparoscopic gastric cancer surgery.