MediAI

  Myocardial Bridge: The Hidden Culprit Behind Chest Pain and Hypertension In the intricate anatomy of the human heart, coronary arteries play a pivotal role in supplying oxygen-rich blood to the myocardium. However, in some individuals, a congenital anomaly known as a myocardial bridge (MB) can alter this delicate balance, leading to potential cardiovascular complications. Understanding Myocardial Bridge A myocardial bridge occurs when a segment of a coronary artery, most commonly the left anterior descending (LAD) artery, tunnels through the myocardium instead of resting on its surface. During systole, the heart muscle contracts, compressing the bridged artery and potentially impeding blood flow. This compression can lead to myocardial ischemia, manifesting as chest pain or even more severe cardiac events in certain cases. Prevalence and Clinical Significance The prevalence of myocardial bridging varies, with studies indicating occurrences in approximately 15% to 25% of...

  Understanding Benign Hepatic Hemangioma: A Common Yet Overlooked Liver Lesion Author: Dr. SB Lee, MD, PhD (Medicine & Biomedical Engineering) Estimated reading time: 6 minutes Introduction Benign hepatic hemangioma, the most common benign liver tumor, often appears incidentally during imaging studies performed for unrelated reasons. Despite its frequent occurrence—up to 20% in the general population—many clinicians and patients are unfamiliar with its typical imaging features and clinical implications. In this column, I present a real case of a 42-year-old woman diagnosed with hepatic hemangioma, discuss its epidemiology, imaging characteristics, and differential diagnosis, and clarify when treatment is necessary. Case Overview: A 42-Year-Old Woman with Hyperlipidemia A 42-year-old woman with a history of hyperlipidemia visited the clinic for routine evaluation. An abdominal CT was performed, revealing a 3.2 x 2.9 cm hemangioma in the right hepatic lobe. Further abdomi...

  Understanding Myocardial Bridging: A Hidden Cause of Chest Pain and Hypertension By SB Lee, MD, PhD Keywords : Myocardial bridge, LAD artery, coronary CTA, chest pain, hypertension, coronary artery anomaly, angina, ischemia Introduction Myocardial bridging (MB) is a congenital coronary anomaly where a segment of a coronary artery tunnels through the myocardium rather than resting on its surface. Although often considered a benign anatomical variant, recent evidence suggests that MB can have significant clinical implications, especially when associated with exertional chest pain, hypertension, and ischemia. This article presents an expert-level review based on a case involving a 64-year-old woman who presented with severe hypertension and chest pain and was ultimately diagnosed with myocardial bridging of the mid-left anterior descending (LAD) artery. Case Summary A 64-year-old woman arrived at the emergency department with complaints of severe chest pain and uncontrolled ...

  Apparent Brain Atrophy in Anorexia Nervosa Introduction Apparent brain atrophy, or pseudoatrophy , is a significant yet underrecognized phenomenon in adolescent neuroimaging, particularly among patients with severe weight loss, such as those with anorexia nervosa (AN) . Characterized by an apparent reduction in brain volume without actual neuronal loss, pseudoatrophy mimics irreversible cortical atrophy, leading to potential diagnostic dilemmas. This column examines a representative brain CT scan from a 14-year-old girl with suspected AN-induced pseudoatrophy and discusses key differentiating features, clinical implications, and the potential for reversibility. Case Overview and Imaging Findings A 14-year-old female patient underwent a cross-sectional brain CT revealing: Prominent cerebral sulci bilaterally Dilated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) spaces Apparent brain volume reduction is inconsistent with her age No evidence of traumatic or degenerative lesions Th...

  COVID-19 and Children Aged 5–11: Clinical Perspectives, Transmission Characteristics, and Societal Burden During the Pandemic Introduction: Why Focus on Children Aged 5–11 in the COVID-19 Era? The COVID-19 pandemic, originating in late 2019, has profoundly disrupted global health systems and social infrastructures. While early public health responses justifiably concentrated on the elderly and individuals with underlying health conditions due to their elevated morbidity and mortality risk, it became increasingly evident that children, particularly those aged 5–11, warrant distinct clinical and epidemiological consideration. Children in this age bracket are immunologically unique, developmentally dynamic, and socially active, particularly due to their routine school attendance and close peer interactions. These factors render them not only biologically different from adults but also strategically pivotal in understanding the broader transmission dynamics of SARS-CoV-2. Fur...