Table 1 Anatomic regions affected by environmental diseases that have been assessed with imaging methods
Region | Disease | Imaging method | Findings |
|---|---|---|---|
Brain | Lead exposure | MRI | Decreased NAA/Cr ratios in grey matter wich suggest neuronal loss. Finding were more remarkable in frontal regions [13]. |
Brain | DTI | DTI shows abnormalities in radial diffusivity which means changes in myelin sheath thickness and organisational characteristics. | |
Brain | Cerebral stroke | Carotid ultrasonography | Increased carotid intima-media thickness, decreased carotid arteries distensibility, early atherosclerotic lesions [9]. |
Brain | Pesticide neurotoxicity | MRS | Regional elongation in the cerebral surface with changes in the gyrus rectus, superior frontal gyrus, cuneus and precuneus along the mesial wall of the right hemisphere. Anatomical alterations in the mesial and dorsal surfaces of the left superior frontal gyrus [4]. |
Thorax–lungs | Smoke inhalation | Radiography | Chest radiography shows three stages: 1. The acute stage < 24 h after exposition: normal characteristics of the lungs. 2. The subacute stage 2–5 days after exposition: manifests as pulmonary oedema, atelectasis, pulmonary micro-embolism, and adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). 3. The delayed stage > 5 days after exposition: pneumonia and pulmonary thromboembolism [6]. |
Lungs | Organophosphates poisoning | Radiography | Lung oedema that could appear within 24 hours after exposition [14]. |
GI | Chronic inflammatory bowel disease | Aortic ultrasound | Increased aortic intima-media thickness [9]. |
Heart | Myocardial infarction | Carotid ultrasound | Increased carotid intima-media thickness [9]. |
Arteries | Artery hypertension | Aortic and brachial ultrasound | Higher stiffness and lower elasticity [9]. |