Intimal Sarcoma of the Great Vessels

Targeted CE per ARRT’s Discipline, Category, and Subcategory classification:
[Note: Discipline-specific Targeted CE credits may be less than the total Category A credits approved for this course.]

Cardiac-Interventional Radiography: 2.00
Procedures: 2.00
Diagnostic and Conduction System Studies: 2.00

Computed Tomography: 2.50
Procedures: 2.50
Neck and Chest: 2.50

Magnetic Resonance Imaging: 2.50
Procedures: 2.50
Body: 2.50

Nuclear Medicine Technology: 2.50
Procedures: 2.50
Endocrine and Oncology Procedures: 2.50

Radiography: 2.00
Procedures: 2.00
Thorax and Abdomen Procedures: 2.00

Registered Radiologist Assistant: 2.50
Procedures: 2.50
Neurological, Vascular, and Lymphatic Sections: 2.50

Vascular-Interventional Radiography: 2.00
Procedures: 2.00
Vascular Diagnostic Procedures: 2.00

Outline

1. Introduction
2. Clinical Presentation
   1. Pulmonary Artery Sarcoma
   2. Aortic Intimal Sarcoma
3. Imaging of Intimal Sarcomas
   1. Pulmonary Artery Sarcoma
      1. Chest Radiography
      2. Computed Tomography
      3. Magnetic Resonance Imaging
      4.  ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT
      5. Other Imaging Modalities
      6. Summary
   2. Aortic Intimal Sarcoma
      1. Chest Radiography
      2. Computed Tomography
      3. Magnetic Resonance Imaging
      4.  ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT
      5. Other Imaging Modalities
      6. Summary
4. Treatment Approaches
   1. Pulmonary Artery Sarcoma
   2. Aortic Intimal Sarcoma
5. Pathologic Findings of Intimal Sarcomas and Radiologic Correlation
   1. Pulmonary Artery Sarcoma
   2. Aortic Intimal Sarcoma
6. Conclusion

Objectives

Upon completion of this course, students will:

1. state the average survival rate for aortic intimal sarcoma
2. list the decades of life in which pulmonary artery sarcoma and aortic intimal sarcoma are diagnosed
3. list the decades in life in which pulmonary artery sarcoma and aortic intimal sarcoma have been reported
4. list the arteries in which intimal sarcomas of the peripheral arteries tend to arise
5. describe the symptoms of pulmonary artery sarcoma
6. state the definitive treatment for pulmonary artery sarcoma
7. state where the largest study cohorts of patients with aortic intimal sarcoma can be found
8. recall the average age of diagnosis for aortic intimal sarcoma
9. give the most common location for aortic intimal sarcoma
10. list the common sites for arterial embolism in aortic intimal sarcoma patients
11. list the locations where pulmonary artery sarcoma normally arise
12. state unusual conditions that mimic pulmonary artery sarcoma
13. list the imaging modalities that help to distinguish pulmonary artery sarcoma from other entities
14. choose the most appropriate imaging modalities for the initial detection of pulmonary artery sarcoma
15. describe how tumor margins of pulmonary artery sarcoma appear at computed tomography
16. state where pulmonary artery sarcoma normally originates
17. choose which imaging modalities show the “wall eclipsing” sign
18. state imaging findings at computed tomography that most clearly help differentiate pulmonary artery sarcoma from thromboembolic disease
19. describe the appearance of a saddle embolism at computed tomography
20. describe shared imaging findings for pulmonary artery sarcoma and chronic thromboembolic disease
21. describe the appearance of pulmonary artery sarcoma at contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging
22. choose the two imaging modalities that combined provide the most reliable method of distinguishing pulmonary artery sarcoma from alternative benign diagnoses
23. state the types of echocardiography that may demonstrate signs of pulmonary hypertension, including absent or altered flow in the pulmonary artery and elevated right heart pressures
24. describe the appearance of pulmonary artery sarcoma at angiography
25. list the areas where intimal sarcomas have been reported
26. recall how aortic intimal sarcoma is often misdiagnosed
27. list the sites of metastatic disease associated with aortic intimal sarcoma
28. describe the radiographic appearance of aortic intimal sarcoma
29. describe what the term “shaggy aorta” means
30. describe computed tomography features that discern neoplasia from benign entities
31. state how magnetic resonance imaging is superior to computed tomography when imaging aortic intimal sarcoma
32. choose the imaging modalities that offer multiplanar reformation evaluation to facilitate surgical planning for aortic intimal sarcoma
33. choose the most appropriate imaging modalities to further assess lesion characterization when intimal sarcoma is suspected
34. list the main treatment options for pulmonary artery sarcoma resection
35. state the percentage of patients with aortic sarcoma that have metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis