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

OBJECTIVE: To obtain mean angulation values for renal hila in relation to the horizontal plane traced over the right and left spinal erector muscles, considering the center of the lumbar vertebral spine as a parameter for measuring the renal hila angles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors have analyzed 250 abdominal computed tomography studies of both male and female healthy individuals (128 men with mean age 52.45 ± 17.42 years, and 122 women with mean age 54.39 ± 18.27 years), corresponding to 500 renal hila evaluated. The mean angulation of each hilum in relation to the horizontal plane was obtained taking acute angles into consideration. RESULTS: The comparative study have not found any statistically significant difference in acute angles of renal hila between male and female individuals. The statistical analysis demonstrated limits of 40.40° and 44.54° for mean right hilum angulation and 39.91° and 43.23° for mean left hilum angulation, with a confidence interval of 95%. CONCLUSION: Renal hila present similar angulation independently of sex. Higher angulation values correspond to hyper-rotation or excessive rotation, and lower angulation values, to incomplete or reverse rotation.

Keywords: Congenital anomalies, Renal pelvis, Urinary tract, Helical computed tomography

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 evaluate the persistency of foramen of Huschke by means of computed tomography study of the ear region and approaching important clinical aspects related to the presence of this anatomical anomaly. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two examiners have analyzed the whole tympanic portion of temporal bone in 150 bilateral computed tomography studies of the ear region, searching for foramen of Huschke presence or absence. RESULTS: The mentioned anatomical anomaly was found in 17 cases (11.3%), 13 patients (76.5%) being female and four (23.5%) male. This higher female incidence is statistically confirmed. CONCLUSION: Ear and/or temporomandibular joint specialists should turn their attention to the persistency of foramen of Huschke.

Keywords: Foramen of Huschke, Computed tomography, Temporal bone

OBJECTIVE: To systematize the assessment of vestibular aqueduct by high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in patients with unilateral Ménière's disease as compared with a control group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have selected 20 patients with unilateral Ménière's disease, according to the guidelines proposed by the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. The control group consisted of ten individuals with normal audiometric tests. Overall, we have studied 60 ears, equally divided into three groups: group I - Ménière's disease, affected ear; group II - Ménière's disease, non-affected ear; group III - control. All the individuals have undergone temporal bones HRCT. Images were blindly reviewed, trying to evaluate the visibility of the descendent portion of the ventricular aqueduct. Afterwards data were correlated with their respective groups. RESULTS: We have identified the vestibular aqueduct in 95% of ears in group I, 90% in group II, and 100% in group III. CONCLUSION: It is possible to perform a systematic evaluation of the vestibular aqueduct by axial HRCT, using the same radiological technique, anatomical knowledge and sequential images of inner ear structures. With this systematic approach we have obtained a high rate of vestibular aqueduct visualization, with no statistically significant difference between the groups.

Keywords: Vestibular aqueduct, Temporal bone, Tomography, Helicoidal computed tomography, Ménière's disease

The authors report two cases of pulmonary artery sling diagnosed by three-dimensional reconstruction of images of the tracheobronchial tree and the esophagus acquired using magnetic resonance imaging or helical computer tomography. The typical clinical findings of this congenital abnormality, which may not be as rare as previously believed, include those related to severe tracheobronchial obstruction, although asymptomatic or mild symptomatic cases have been reported. Early diagnosis of this anomaly is extremely important, since in most cases immediate surgical correction is indicated due to its high lethality. The use of three-dimensional reconstruction allows simultaneous identification of the associated tracheobronchial and cardiovascular malformations, in addition to a clear visualization of the anomaly. Thus, the diagnosis can usually be established non-invasively, avoiding the use of the selective angiocardiography, considered the gold-standard.

Keywords: Pulmonary artery sling, Anomalous left pulmonary artery, Tracheal stenosis, Vascular ring, Left pulmonary artery variants

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

Aberrant internal carotid artery is an anomaly of the embryogenesis of the vertical portion of the internal carotid artery, characterized by projection of the internal carotid artery into the middle ear, adjacent to the cochlear promontory. The authors report a case of a patient in which contrast-enhanced computed tomography and magnetic resonance angiography examinations were decisive to adequately characterize the anomaly, thus avoiding instrumental or surgical intervention, which could bear fatal consequences.

Keywords: Vascular malformation, Internal carotid artery, Congenital anomalies, Temporal bone

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.

Most temporal bone fractures result from high-energy blunt head trauma, and are frequently related to other skull fractures or to polytrauma. Fractures and displacements of ossicular chain in the middle ear represent some of the main complications of temporal bone injury, and hence they will be more deeply approached in the present article. Other types of injuries include labyrinthine fractures, dural fistula, facial nerve paralysis and extension into the carotid canal. Computed tomography plays a fundamental role in the initial evaluation of polytrauma patients, as it can help to identify important structural injuries that may lead to severe complications such as sensorineural hearing loss, conductive hearing loss, dizziness and balance dysfunction, perilymphatic fistulas, facial nerve paralysis, vascular injury and others.

Keywords: Temporal bone trauma; Ossicular injuries; Ossicular trauma.

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.

The temporal lobes are vulnerable to several diseases, including infectious, immune-mediated, degenerative, vascular, metabolic, and neoplastic processes. Therefore, lesions in the temporal lobes can pose a diagnostic challenge for the radiologist. The temporal lobes are connected by structures such as the anterior commissure, corpus callosum, and hippocampal commissure. That interconnectedness favors bilateral involvement in various clinical contexts. This pictorial essay is based on a retrospective analysis of case files from a tertiary university hospital and aims to illustrate some of the conditions that simultaneously affect the temporal lobes, as well as to define some neuroimaging elements that may be useful for the differential diagnosis of these diseases. Using computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans, we illustrate the neuroradiological findings in confirmed cases of human herpesvirus 1, central nervous system tuberculosis, autoimmune encephalitis, Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, mesial temporal sclerosis, stroke, kernicterus, megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy with subcortical cysts, low-grade glioma, and secondary lymphoma, the objective being to emphasize the importance of these imaging methods for making the differential diagnosis.

Keywords: Temporal lobe/diagnostic imaging; Computed tomography; Magnetic resonance imaging.