MDCT features of cardiothoracic sources of stroke

Frequent Ischemic Stroke as First Manifestation of Occult Colon Cancer: A Rare Case

Patient: Male, 46

Final Diagnosis: Adenocarcinoma of the ascending colon

Symptoms: Anemia • diplopia • hemiparesis • slurred speech

Medication: —

Clinical Procedure: Multi-detector computed tomography • colonoscopy

Specialty: Neurology

Atrial masses on multidetector computed tomography

Incidental atrial filling defect on multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) is an important radiological finding, as irrespective of its nature, it may nevertheless be of considerable importance for correct diagnostic workup. MDCT is not the first-line imaging technique of choice for characterization of intra-atrial masses, but is a commonly performed examination and hence offers the opportunity to pick up hitherto unsuspected atrial lesions. This review highlights key CT imaging features that help to differentiate normal variants and artefacts from a true abnormality, distinguish benign from malignant intra-atrial tumours, and characterize non-neoplastic atrial masses.

The emerging role of cardiovascular MRI for suspected cardioembolic stroke

Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and long-term disability worldwide and is often the result of embolic material from the heart or proximal aorta. These are referred to as cardioembolic sources of stroke. The investigation of patients with suspected cardioembolic stroke has traditionally been the mainstay of echocardiography. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a powerful imaging technique that has rapidly evolved over the last decade and is playing an ever increasing role in clinical cardiovascular imaging. This review of the literature aims to furnish the reader with an understanding of the role of cardiac MRI across the spectrum of causes of cardioembolic sources of stroke by providing the reader with an overview of the indications, technical considerations, a proposed imaging algorithm, and capabilities of this technology with selected illustrated examples of disease entities.