The aim of the study was to analyze major radiological signs on chest X-ray images of neonates with respiratory disorders. The analyzed group consisted of 84 neonates; 56 were born prematurely. In total, 386 X-ray photographs of the neonates were taken; of these, 301 were chest radiographs. The following conditions were diagnosed: pneumonia (n = 44), infant respiratory distress syndrome (n = 28), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (n = 9), atelectasis (n = 5), and meconium aspiration syndrome (n = 3). The initial X-ray images of 29 neonates were normal. Reduced aeration of lung tissue was diagnosed in 55 patients, increased lung tissue aeration in 6. A pathologically widened mediastinal shadow was observed in 4 newborns; in 4 cases, evaluation was not possible. The final radiographs were normal in 41 cases. The most common radiological sign in respiratory disorders is the reduction of lung aeration. Chest X-ray examination plays a significant role in the diagnostics of respiratory disorders, which may be caused be factors unrelated to the respiratory system.

StreszczeniePodstawowym badaniem służącym do diagnozowania dzieci z różnego typu zaburzeniami oddychania jest zdjęcie radiologiczne klatki piersiowej. Mimo wciąż malejącej roli, jaką odgrywa radiologia klasyczna w diagnostyce obrazowej, zdjęcie RTG jest zasadniczo nadal jedyną dostępną metodą obrazowania patologii płucnych u noworodków. Natomiast w sytuacjach, gdy klasyczna metoda wydaje się niewystarczająca, należy rozważyć wykonanie tomografii komputerowej. W artykule opisano wybór grupy noworodków, u której wykonanie TK było wskazane. Przy wyborze należało uwzględnić wiele czynników. Najistotniejszym kryterium był stan ogólny noworodka oraz korzyść płynąca z badania, która musi przewyższać czynniki ryzyka i konsekwencje pochłonięcia dużej dawki promieniowania jonizującego. Celem pracy było określenie wskazań do wykonania tomografii komputerowej klatki piersiowej u dzieci w okresie noworodkowym na podstawie materiału pochodzą-cego z ośrodka, w którym pracują autorzy artykułu. Na podstawie przeprowadzonych badań wyciągnięto wnioski zawarte w pracy. Słowa kluczowe: noworodki, zdjęcie RTG klatki piersiowej, tomografia komputerowa klatki piersiowej.Kardiochirurgia i Torakochirurgia Polska 2013; 10 (3) 295 DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING AbstractAn X-ray of the thoracic cage is a fundamental examination in children with disorders of various origin. Despite the constantly decreasing role of classic radiology in imaging diagnostics, the X-ray photograph still remains the only method available in practice for imaging lung pathologies in neonates. The aim of the work is to define the indications for performing CAT scanning of the thoracic cage in children in the neonatal period on the basis of our own material. We analysed a group of neonates referred for thoracic cage CAT scanning. Out of 10 people examined, 8 were boys, and 2 were girls. Respiratory disorders or the presence of auscultatory phenomena were an indication for making an X-ray in neonates in whom a CAT scan of the thoracic cage was done. All neonates from the examined group had an X-ray only as a result of above-mentioned indications. On the basis of a classic X-ray photograph, it was not possible to differentiate the flaccidity of the diaphragm with diaphragmatic hernia; the suspicion of presence of patent emphysema ventricle also needed to be confirmed. In one neonate, X-ray gave the image of an enlarged cone of the heart, and in the subsequent one, the image of persistent atelectasis of the right lower lobe. On the basis of the centre's experience, we may draw the conclusions that the basic indication for performing CAT scan examination in neonates is the suspicion of anatomical irregularity mentioned in the paper.

Myxomas make up about 50% of benign cardiac neoplasms. The most common location is within the left atrium. At the initial stage they do not exhibit any specific clinical symptoms, so they are often diagnosed by accident or during examinations recommended for other reasons. Here we present a case of left atrium myxoma in a patient (a man, age 68 years) with a dual chamber pacemaker. The myxoma did not reveal any clinical symptoms and was discovered in echocardiography during routine diagnostic examination preceding pacemaker implantation. The literature search made by the authors showed that this is the first recorded case of myxoma in a patient after the implantation of a biventricular pacemaker.

Congenital anomalies of the coronary arteries can be divided into two broad categories: those that alter myocardial perfusion and those that do not. In coronary anomalies not altering myocardial perfusion, the coronary arteries originate from the aorta, but their origins are in unusual positions. Although myocardial perfusion is normal, the angiographer may have trouble locating them. Patients with an anomalous left main coronary artery arising from the right sinus of Valsalva are presented. The diagnosis was made by coronary angiography, transesophageal echocardiography and multislice computed tomography (MSCT). We present two cases: the first patient with coronary abnormalities had accompanying venous anomaly of lower extremities and mitral valve prolapse as well. The second patient had a history of anterior wall myocardial infarction and angioplasty with stent implantation. The extraordinary passage of the left coronary artery between the pulmonary trunk and sternum, undetectable in coronarography, was discovered due to MSCT.