Peripheral vascular malformations represent a spectrum of lesions that appear through the lifetime and can be found in the whole body. Such lesions are uncommon and are frequently confounded with infantile hemangioma, a common benign neoplastic lesion. In the presence of such lesions, the correlation between the clinical and radiological findings is extremely important to achieve a correct diagnosis, which will guide the best therapeutic approach. The most recent classifications for peripheral vascular malformations are based on the blood flow (low or high) and on the main vascular components (arterial, capillary, lymphatic or venous). Peripheral vascular malformations represent a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge, and complementary methods such as computed tomography, Doppler ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging, in association with clinical findings can provide information regarding blood flow characteristics and lesions extent. Arteriography and venography confirm the diagnosis, evaluate the lesions extent and guide the therapeutic decision making. Generally, low flow vascular malformations are percutaneously treated with sclerosing agents injection, while in high flow lesions the approach is endovascular, with permanent liquid or solid embolization agents.

Keywords: Vascular malformations, Therapeutic embolization, Sclerotherapy, Interventional radiology

Intrathoracic manifestations of collagen vascular diseases are very common. The frequency of intrathoracic manifestations and the pattern of abnormality are variable depending on the type of collagen vascular disease and may simultaneously involve one or more of the following: lung parenchyma, airways, pulmonary vessels, pericardium, and pleura. Most significant manifestations include diffuse interstitial pneumonia and pulmonary hypertension which together represent the main causes of morbidity and mortality of these patients. Pulmonary, airway and pleural involvement may also be secondary to the therapy adopted for management of the disease, or result from bacterial pneumonia or opportunistic infection. In the present review, the authors summarize the main intrathoracic manifestations of collagen vascular diseases and the differential diagnosis on high-resolution chest computed tomography.

Keywords: Lung, Collagen vascular disease, Interstitial pneumonia, Pulmonary hypertension, Computed tomography

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of thys study was to investigate the effect of the addition of aluminum (1 mm) and copper (0.4 mm) filters on effective radiation doses and image quality in videofluoroscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An ionization chamber coupled with an electrometer was added to x-ray tube to measure the kerma area product with 65 kV and 0.7 mA technique, without and with additional filtration. Low contrast, gray scale and spatial resolution were measured utilizing Leeds test objects. Fifteen volunteers underwent pharynx study, ten without and five with aluminum and cooper filters associated, and had the kerma area product/minute compared. RESULTS: The specified filters addition, either separated or associated, allowed an expressive decrease in kerma area product besides an actual improvement in the videofluoroscopic images quality determined by a better gray tones differentiation and increased brightness contrast ratio in the gray curve. CONCLUSION: Additional aluminum and copper filters interposition, especially when associated, results in improved image quality with expressive reduction in the required radiation doses.

Keywords: Videofluoroscopy, Kerma area product, X-ray, Radiological image, Radiation dose

OBJECTIVE: The present study was aimed at describing the findings on high-resolution computed tomography in patients with exogenous lipoid pneumonia secondary to mineral oil aspiration MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight adult patients - four men and four women - with mean age of 69.4 years were studied. All of the patients were users of mineral oil for treating intestinal constipation. High-resolution computed tomography studies of these patients were blindly evaluated by two radiologists. RESULTS: Air-space consolidation with areas of fat density and crazy paving pattern were the most frequent findings. The lesions were bilateral in six cases and unilateral in two CONCLUSION: Air-space consolidation with areas of fat density, associated with a clinical history of mineral oil ingestion virtually indicates a diagnosis of exogenous lipoid pneumonia.

Keywords: Exogenous lipoid pneumonia, High-resolution computed tomography, HRCT, Aspiration pneumonia, Lungs

OBJECTIVE: Central venous access is an increasingly frequent procedure and intravenous catheter fractures and fragments embolization, although being rare, correspond to the most common intravascular foreign bodies. This study purpose is to show our experience in the removal of these foreign bodies, employing endovascular techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of ten consecutive cases in the last five years, including patients with ages ranging from 9 months to 67 years. RESULTS: The procedure was successfully performed in all the cases by means of different techniques and with no complication. Most common fragments lodgement sites were: right atrium, superior vena cava and left pulmonary artery. The retrieval of these foreign bodies by means of endovascular techniques is a relatively simple procedure when compared to the surgical alternative, and has been safely and successfully performed in countless patients. The available devices have proven quite effective and, among them, the loop snare is the most versatile. CONCLUSION: The high success rate with few complications reported, even in children, allows us to say that, whenever possible, percutaneous extraction of intravascular foreign objects should be performed. Notwithstanding, familiarization with the several techniques available is essential, allowing combinations and modifications according to each situation.

Keywords: Vascular access ports, Foreign bodies, Embolism

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical signs of swallowing abnormalities with videofluoroscopy findings in patients with cerebrovascular accident (CVA) in the subacute phase. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From a group of 37 patients with subacute CVA confirmed by imaging examinations, 26 patients (male and female; mean age of 59.69 years) were clinically and videofluoroscopically evaluated. The clinical parameters for penetration/aspiration of fluids and the confirmation by videofluoroscopy were used for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: Dysphagia was identified in 19 (73%) of the 26 patients who were submitted to videofluoroscopy; 10 (38.6%) patients presented penetration/aspiration of fluids. The results demonstrated that there was no correlation (p < 0.05) between the occurrence of dysphagia and/or dysartria and penetration/aspiration of fluids observed on videofluoroscopy. There was correlation between penetration/aspiration of liquids observed on videofluoroscopy and the following parameters: condition of the teeth (p = 0.047), face motility (p = 0.019) and sensibility (p = 0.039), and tongue motility (p = 0.012). CONCLUSION: It was not possible to determine the presence of penetration/aspiration of liquids in the airways by the epidemiological data of the CVA. Patients with bad teeth, facial and/or tongue motility abnormalities, or facial sensibility showed increased risk of penetration/aspiration of liquids. Videofluoroscopic assessment remains an important means to better evaluate dysphagia in patients with CVA.

Keywords: Dysphagia, Cerebrovascular accident, Aspiration pneumonia, Videofluoroscopy, Radiology, Rehabilitation

The authors report a case of lipoid pneumonia in an 80-year-old man with chronic constipation in regular use of mineral oil as a laxative. According to his family, he experienced coughing episodes when he took his medication. He also presented dyspnea at rest and diminished consciousness levels. Chest radiographs showed a consolidation area in the posterior segment of right upper lobe, which did not change on successive exams. High resolution computed tomography demonstrated low-density consolidation with negative Hounsfield units (-29 to -83 UH) and ground-glass opacities in the right upper lobe and inferior lobes. These opacities predominated in the posterior regions of the lungs. The diagnosis was confirmed by the presence of oil material on bronchoalveolar washing. The patient was advised to discontinue the ingestion of mineral oil and did not return for follow-up.

Keywords: Lipoid pneumonia, Computed tomography, Lungs

Uterine arteriovenous malformations are rare and the clinical features quite variable. Gynecologists and radiologists must be aware of this diagnostic possibility in order to indicate a fast and accurate treatment. The aim of the present paper is to present a case of uterine arteriovenous malformation acquired after trophoblastic gestational disease for which diagnosis was well established by means of color Doppler ultrasonography and correlation to magnetic angioresonance.

Keywords: Angiography, Doppler, Embolization, Ultrasonography, Uterus, Vascular malformation

Vascular tumors encompass a spectrum of lesions, which may vary from benign hemangiomas to malignant angiosarcomas. Hemangioendotheliomas can be considered intermediary between these two types of lesions. We report a case of hepatic hemangioendothelioma in a newborn female and review the most important aspects of this disease.

Keywords: Hemangioendotheliomas, Hepatic tumors, Vascular tumors, Computed tomography

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate immediate and mid-term outcomes in a series of patients submitted to endovascular repair of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm in a reference center for cardiovascular medicine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present retrospective study included a series of patients treated in the period from January 2009 to July 2010, and evaluated demographic characteristics, technical success, therapeutic success, morbimortality, immediate complications and perioperative reintervention rate in a one-year follow-up. RESULTS: The authors evaluated 102 consecutive patients with a mean age of 72 ± 9 years (79% were men). Technical success was observed in 97.1% of cases, and therapeutic success, in 81%. Perioperative mortality was 0.9% and one-year mortality rate was 7.8%. Reintervention was necessary in 18.8% of the patients during follow-up. CONCLUSION: The outcomes observed in the present study justify performing such a procedure in patients with suitable anatomy.

Keywords: Aneurysm; Vascular graft; Atherosclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze treatment outcomes in a consecutive series of patients submitted to endovascular treatment of thoracic aortic disease. Technical success, therapeutic success, morbimortality, rate of perioperative complications and reinterventions were taken into consideration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present retrospective study was developed in a reference center in the period from January 2010 to July 2011, involving patients submitted to endovascular treatment of thoracic aortic disease. The study population was divided into two groups: group 1 (G1) - true thoracic aortic aneurysms, aortic ulcer and pseudoaneurysm; group 2 (G2) - chronic type B aortic dissection. RESULTS: Out of a total of 55 patients, 29 belonged to the G1 and 26 to the G2 group. Mean ages were 66.8 ± 10 and 56.4 ± 7 years, respectively. The technical and therapeutic success reached respectively 86.3% and 68.6% in G1 and 100% and 74% in G2. The perioperative mortality rate was 10.3% in G1 and 19.3% in G2. The reintervention rate was 10.3% in G1 and 15.3% in G2. CONCLUSION: In the present study, the endovascular treatment of thoracic aortic disease proved to be a feasible method associated with acceptable rate of complications.

Keywords: Aneurysm; Vascular graft; Atherosclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of conventional angiography (AG) with computed tomography angiography (CTA) as compared with CTA only, preoperatively, in the treatment of aortic diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective study involving patients submitted to endovascular treatment of aortic diseases, in the period from January 2009 to July 2010, with use of preoperative CTA + conventional AG or CTA only. The patients were divided into two groups, namely: G1 - thoracic aortic diseases; and G2 - abdominal aortic diseases. G1 was subdivided into 1A (preoperative AG + CTA) and 1B (preoperative CTA). G2 was subdivided into 2C (CTA + AG) and 2D (CTA only). RESULTS: The authors evaluated 156 patients. In subgroups 1A and 1B, the rate of technical success was, respectively, 100% and 94.7% (p = 1.0); and the rate of therapeutic success was, respectively, 81% and 58% (p = 0.13). A higher number of complications were observed in subgroup 1B (p = 0.057). The accuracy in the calculation of the prosthesis was higher in subgroup 1A (p = 0.065). In their turn, the rate of technical success in subgroups 2C and 2D was, respectively, 92.3% and 98.6% (p = 0.17). The rate of therapeutic success was 73% and 98.6% (p = 0.79). CONCLUSION: Preoperative conventional AG should be reserved for cases where CTA cannot provide all the information in the planning of a therapeutic intervention.

Keywords: Aneurysm; Vascular prosthesis; Angiography.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the accuracy in the prediction of both early and late preeclampsia by flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery (FMD), a biophysical marker for endothelial dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 91 patients, considered at high risk for development of preeclampsia were submitted to brachial artery FMD between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation. RESULTS: Nineteen out of the selected patients developed preeclampsia, 8 in its early form and 11 in the late form. With a cut-off value of 6.5%, the FMD sensitivity for early preeclampsia prediction was 75.0%, with specificity of 73.3%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 32.4% and negative predictive value (NPV) of 91.9%. For the prediction of late preeclampsia, sensitivity = 83.3%, specificity = 73.2%, PPV = 34.4% and NPV = 96.2% were observed. And for the prediction of all associated forms of preeclampsia, sensitivity = 84.2%, specificity = 73.6%, PPV = 45.7% and NPV = 94.6% were observed. CONCLUSION: FMD of the brachial artery is a test with good accuracy in the prediction of both early and late preeclampsia, which may represent a positive impact on the follow-up of pregnant women at high risk for developing this syndrome.

Keywords: Preeclampsia; Ultrasonography; Vascular endothelium; Prediction.

In most cases of aspiration pneumonia in children, the disease is specific to this age group. Clinical and radiological correlation is essential for the diagnosis. The present pictorial essay is aimed at showing typical images of the most common etiologies.

Keywords: Pneumonia; Aspiration; Childhood.

Os nervos cranianos representam extensões das estruturas funcionais do cérebro que cruzam a cabeça e o pescoço. Eles estão ligados a diferentes estruturas cranianas e se relacionam com diversas doenças. Uma compreensão profunda de sua complexa anatomia e aparência normal de imagem permite ao examinador identificar e caracterizar com mais precisão as anormalidades. A ressonância magnética com contraste é uma importante ferramenta para avaliar essas estruturas, especialmente as sequências tridimensionais de precessão livre de estado estacionário, que proporcionam alta resolução espacial e de partes moles, apesar da fina espessura dos nervos cranianos. Na maioria dos casos, os achados de imagem são inespecíficos, e uma anamnese completa, exame físico dirigido e testes laboratoriais são necessários para estreitar o diagnóstico diferencial. Este ensaio iconográfico ilustra e discute doenças congênitas, traumáticas e vasculares dos nervos cranianos, mostrando imagens em uma abordagem fisiopatológica.

Keywords: Neuroimagem/métodos; Radiologia/métodos; Ressonância magnética/métodos; Nervos cranianos/diagnóstico por imagem.