Imaging in Diabetes Mellitus

In acute ischemia or infarction, role of scintigraphy (technetium thallium scan), SPECT and cardiac MRI is well documented. These modalities are useful in detecting at-risk, ischemic, infarcted, nonviable and scarred regions of myocardium. The abnormal area appears as a region of hypoperfusion or cold spot with or without dyskinesia. 2Dechocardiography (ECHO) is very useful in assessing the status of cardiac chambers and flow through the valves. Pericardial effusion can also be detected with high sensitivity by ECHO. Radiograph of chest is very helpful in the assessment of the status of pulmonary parenchyma & vasculature and presence of pleural effusion. Pleural effusions can be detected with higher sensitivity with high resolution ultrasonography of the pleural spaces. Radiograph of chest may reveal signs of pulmonary venous hypertension in the form of Kerley B lines especially at the bases, upper lobe blood diversion, alveolar & interstitial opacities and in severe cases, hilar and perihilar pneumonic consolidation in bat-wing pattern.