title: MR imaging in the evaluation of the chest after uncomplicated median sternotomy.
abstract: Although complications of median sternotomy are infrequent, they are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Current imaging modalities have proved to be of limited value in the evaluation of these abnormalities. The search for more efficacious means of assessment is continual. The appearance of the thorax was evaluated in 10 patients who were undergoing median sternotomy for coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Three serial magnetic resonance (MR) imaging examinations were performed on each patient. These examinations included a baseline preoperative study and two postoperative studies. Each patient included in the study had an uncomplicated postoperative clinical course. Usual postoperative findings included pleural effusions, pulmonary parenchymal abnormalities, mediastinal edema, and pericardial effusions. On the basis of this limited study, the authors believe that MR imaging is a feasible means of evaluating the chest after surgery. An appreciation of the normal postoperative appearance is essential before complications can be reliably identified and characterized.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, State University of New York Health Science Center, Syracuse 13210.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Randall
authors.forename: N C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Trasolini
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Kohman
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Groskin
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Scalzetti
authors.forename: E R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Heitzman
authors.forename: S T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Riebel
mesh_terms: D016477:Artifacts; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000473:pathology; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000379:methods; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000473:pathology; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D006801:Humans; D007387:Internal Mammary-Coronary Artery Anastomosis; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008482:Mediastinum / Q000473:pathology; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000473:pathology; D010496:Pericardium / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D010994:Pleura / Q000473:pathology; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000473:pathology; D011182:Postoperative Care; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000637:transplantation; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D013249:Sternum / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000379:methods; D013909:Thorax / Q000473:pathology*