Computed tomography criteria for discrimination of adrenal adenomas and adrenocortical carcinomas: analysis of the German ACC registry.

Objective: Thresholds of 2-20 hounsfield units (HU) in unenhanced computed tomography (CT) are suggested to discriminate benign adrenal tumors (BATs) from malignant adrenal tumors. However, these studies included only low numbers of adrenocortical carcinomas (ACCs). This study defines a HU threshold by inclusion of a large cohort of ACCs.

[Persistent left atrial thrombus in atrial fibrillation under oral anticoagulation].

The case of a 78-year-old female patient who suffered atrial fibrillation and persistent thrombus in the left atrial appendage despite sufficient anticoagulation is reported. The case is chosen to demonstrate the complexity inherent in prophylaxis as well as risk evaluation of thromboembolism on the basis of clinical and echocardiographic criteria. We also discuss transesophageal echocardiography as the standard diagnostic procedure for detection of intracardiac thrombi prior to cardioversion as well as cardiac computer tomography as an alternative.

Transesophageal echocardiography: a follow-up tool after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation and interventional therapy of pulmonary vein stenosis and occlusion.

Background: Pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS) has been described as a complication after primary catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (Afib). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) as follow-up tool after catheter ablation of Afib and interventional therapy of PVS and pulmonary vein occlusion (PVO).

Methods: We report on 28 patients with stenosis (PVS) of 33 pulmonary veins (PVs) and total PVO of 4 veins complicating ablation of Afib assessed by angiography and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

External and endoluminal analysis of left atrial anatomy and the pulmonary veins in three-dimensional reconstructions of magnetic resonance angiography: the full insight from inside.

Introduction: The detailed knowledge of the individual pulmonary vein (PV) anatomy may help to prevent serious complications during PV isolation (PVI). The purpose of this study was to determine the geometry of the PV ostia and their spatial relation to adjacent structures in external (ex 3D) and endoluminal (en 3D) three-dimensional reconstructions of magnetic resonance angiographies (MRAs).

Methods And Results: Ex 3D and en 3D of the left atrium (LA) and the PVs of 28 patients were calculated.