Kartagener's Syndrome with Situs Inversus on CXR and CT Scan

Findings
-The CXR demonstrates situs inversus with dextrocardia, right sided aorta, right gastric air bubble, left sided liver, and bronchiectasis. The CT confirms the dextrocardia and bronchiectasis.
-DiscussionKartagener’s syndrome is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder, which presents with a combination of situs inversus, chronic sinusitis, and bronchiectasis. There is an underlying abnormality in ciliary motility.

Hemopericardium on CT Scans

Finding
-The CT shows blood attenuation fluid surrounding the heart in the pericardial sac. The fat attenuation linear density represents epicardial fat between the pericardial space and the myocardium.
-DiscussionHemopericardium refers to an accumulation of blood in the pericardial sac of the heart. Causes include spontaneous trauma versus iatrogenic trauma. Hemopericardium may cause cardiac tamponade.


http://eradiology.bidmc.harvard.edu/Classics/item.aspx?section=Cardiovascular&labelpk=edde29d6-1bd5-4bf2-a24a-e06762273d11&pk=fd246f06-b01b-4074-9fc9-8e239718618a

Coronary Artery Calcifications on CT Scans

Findings
The CT scans demonstrate calcification in the right coronary artery and left anterior descending artery.
Discussion
Calcification in the coronary arteries is diagnostic of atherosclerosis. Electron beam CT is used specifically to identify and quantify coronary artery calcification. The exam allows a coronary calcification score to be obtained, which is a predictor of the extent of coronary artery disease.


http://eradiology.bidmc.harvard.edu/Classics/item.aspx?section=Cardiovascular&labelpk=edde29d6-1bd5-4bf2-a24a-e06762273d11&pk=4bbf7a51-4c8c-4403-9f72-5ce72625e2c6

CHF with upper zone redistribution

Findings
CHF frequently presents radiologically with cardiomegaly and/or pleural effusions. The effusions may be bilateral. When unilateral, the right side predominates. The lung fields may be affected: early CHF results in upper zone redistribution; worsening CHF causes interstitial edema; further progression results in alveolar edema.This patient presents with upper zone redistribution.


http://eradiology.bidmc.harvard.edu/Classics/item.aspx?section=Cardiovascular&labelpk=edde29d6-1bd5-4bf2-a24a-e06762273d11&pk=963d5ea7-619f-42d6-a99c-b57828f773de

CHF with interstitial edema

Findings
-CHF frequently presents radiologically with cardiomegaly and/or pleural effusions. The effusions may be bilateral. When unilateral, the right side predominates. The lung fields may be affected: early CHF results in upper zone redistribution; worsening CHF causes interstitial edema; further progression results in alveolar edema. The presence of Kerley lines are pathognomonic of interstitial infiltrates. This patient presents with typical Kerley B lines: thin horizontal lines stacking above the CP angle on frontal view.


http://eradiology.bidmc.harvard.edu/Classics/item.aspx?section=Cardiovascular&labelpk=edde29d6-1bd5-4bf2-a24a-e06762273d11&pk=37d788ef-9ce8-4890-a67d-5869a346b83b

CHF with alveolar edema

Findings
-CHF frequently presents radiologically with cardiomegaly and/or pleural effusions. The effusions may be bilateral. When unilateral, the right side predominates. The lung fields may be affected: early CHF results in upper zone redistribution; worsening CHF causes interstitial edema; further progression results in alveolar edema. Air bronchograms in fluffy coalescent infiltrates are pathognomonic for alveolar infiltrates. This patient presents with symmetric bilateral perihilar/batwing alveolar infiltrates typical for CHF with alveolar edema.