Barry S. Leitman

High Resolution Ct Findings in Miliary Lung Disease

High-resolution CT (HRCT) and chest radiographs were compared in nine patients with miliary lung disease. In all cases, miliary disease was documented to be infectious in etiology; six of these patients proved to be human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive. A mixture of both sharply and poorly defined 1-3 mm nodules was seen in all cases, many of the latter having an appearance indistinguishable from airspace nodules. Other features attributable to the presence of nodules included nodular interlobular septae, nodular irregularity of vessels, subpleural dots, and studded fissures. Diffuse intra- and interlobular septal thickening also proved common, seen in all but one case (91%). Based on limited HRCT-pathologic correlation, CT findings appear primarily to be due to granulomatous foci developing in a seemingly random distribution involving both pulmonary airspaces as well as the interstitium. It is concluded that in the appropriate clinical setting this constellation of findings is characteristic of miliary disease; the role of HRCT especially in the early diagnosis of miliary disease in HIV positive patients remains to be determined prospectively.

AIDS associated bronchiectasis : CT features

The occurrence of bronchiectasis has only rarely been noted among the protean manifestations of HIV infection in the lungs. We retrospectively identified bronchiectasis on CT scans in 12 HIV + and/or AIDS patients in the absence of either documented mycobacterial infection or a history of prior recurrent pyogenic infection. Pneumonitis was documented in 10 of 12 cases. In eight cases, bronchiectasis was associated with episodes of pyogenic infection; four of these patients also had documented opportunistic infections, including three cases of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP). Two patients had infection due solely to PCP. In two cases, bronchiectasis was found in association with one case each of lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis and nonspecific interstitial pneumonitis, respectively. Although the true incidence of bronchiectasis in this population remains to be established, in our experience bronchiectasis should be considered among the varied pulmonary manifestations of HIV infection. Furthermore, the seemingly rapid development and extent of bronchiectasis in this population suggest an accelerated form of the disease.

Variables affecting pulmonary nodule detection with computed tomography: evaluation with three-dimensional computer simulation.

To meaningfully evaluate factors determining the overall accuracy of computed tomography (CT) for identifying pulmonary nodules, computer-generated nodules were superimposed on normal CT scans and interpreted independently by three experienced chest radiologists. Variables evaluated included nodule size, shape, number, density, location, edge characteristics, and relationship to adjacent vessels, as well as technical factors, including slice thickness and electronic windowing. The overall sensitivity in identifying nodules was 62% and the specificity was 80%. On average, the observers identified 56, 67, and 63% of nodules on 1.5-, 5-, and 10-mm-thick sections, respectively (p = 0.037). Nodules were more difficult to identify on 1.5-mm-thick sections. On average, observers identified 1, 48, 82, and 91% of nodules <1.5, <3, <4.5, and <7 mm in diameter, respectively (p < 0.001). Other factors that made a significant contribution (p < 0.01) in identifying nodules, as determined by linear discriminant function analysis, included nodule location, angiocentricity, and density. We concluded that computer-generated nodules can be used to assess a large number of imaging variables. We anticipate that this approach will be of considerable utility in assessing the accuracy of interpretation of a wide range of pathologic entities as well as in optimizing three-dimensional scan protocols within the thorax.

Computed tomography of lobar collapse: 1. Endobronchial obstruction.

The computed tomographic (CT) appearance of lobar collapse has yet to be defined. In an attempt to determine the characteristic appearance of collapse 95 cases were reviewed retrospectively in a wide variety of clinical settings over a 3 year period ending January 1983. In this report 38 cases of lobar collapse secondary to endobronchial occlusion are analyzed; the appearance of collapse without endobronchial obstruction forms the basis of a subsequent report. Computed tomography was accurate in determining the site of bronchial occlusion in all cases. In 36 of 38 cases collapse was caused by endobronchial tumors, including bronchogenic carcinoma, bronchial carcinoids, endobronchial metastases, and lymphoma. Differentiation between these tumors was not feasible with CT. Most cases of collapse were caused by central tumor. In those cases in which a bolus of contrast material was used differentiation between tumor mass and collapsed pulmonary parenchyma was possible. Two of 38 cases were found to have benign bronchial occlusion. In one case a mucous plug obstructing the left lower lobe bronchus was accurately defined. In another case a bronchial stricture occluded the right lower lobe bronchus. This represented the only false positive case in this series. It is concluded that CT is an accurate means for establishing the diagnosis of endobronchial obstruction. In most cases the diagnosis of neoplasia was possible, provided a bolus of contrast material was used to define tumor mass. The potential role of CT in evaluating patients with lobar collapse is discussed.

Fibrobullous disease of the upper lobes: An extraskeletal manifestation of ankylosing spondylitis

Fibrobullous disease of the upper lobes of the lungs is a rare extraskeletal manifestation of ankylosing spondylitis, occurring in 1.3% of patients with ankylosing spondylitis. We present a patient with this disease, and discuss this pulmonary manifestation. Because the radiographic appearance of the chest in this disease resembles that in tuberculosis, many patients are misdiagnosed and treated for tuberculosis despite negative bacteriology. Computed tomography is useful in delineating the extent of pleural thickening, bullous changes, volume loss, parenchymal fibrosis, and bronchiectasis, as well as identifying or excluding an intracavitary pulmonary mycetoma.

Chest Radiography in the ICU: Part 2, Evaluation of Cardiovascular Lines and Other Devices

OBJECTIVE In this pictorial essay, we discuss and illustrate normal and aberrant positioning of the cardiovascular support and monitoring devices frequently used in critically ill patients, including central venous catheters, pulmonary artery catheters, left atrial catheters, transvenous pacemakers, automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillators, intraaortic counterpulsation balloon pump, and ventricular assist devices, as well as their inherent complications. CONCLUSION The radiographic evaluation of the support and monitoring devices used in patients in the ICU is important, because the potentially serious complications arising from their introduction and use are often not clinically apparent. Familiarity with normal and abnormal radiographic findings is critical for the detection of these complications.

Computed tomography of lobar collapse: 2. Collapse in the absence of endobronchial obstruction

The computed tomographic appearance of collapse without endobronchial obstruction is reviewed. These 57 cases were classified by the etiology of collapse. The largest group consisted of 29 patients with passive atelectasis, i.e., collapse secondary to fluid, air, or both in the pleural space. Twenty-three of 29 proved secondary to malignant pleural disease. Computed tomography accurately predicted a malignant etiology in 22 of 23 cases. The second largest group of patients had lobar collapse secondary to cicatrization from chronic inflammation. In all cases the underlying etiology was tuberculosis. Radiation caused adhesive atelectasis in six patients secondary to a lack of production of surfactant. In each case a sharp line of demarcation could be defined between normal and abnormal collapsed pulmonary parenchyma. Three cases of unchecked tumor growth caused a peripheral form of collapse (replacement atelectasis). This form of collapse was characterized by an absence of endobronchial obstruction and extensive tumor not delineated by the normal boundaries of the pulmonary lobes.

Chest radiography in the ICU: Part 1, evaluation of airway, enteric, and pleural tubes

OBJECTIVE In this pictorial essay, we discuss and illustrate normal and aberrant positioning of nonvascular support and monitoring devices frequently used in critically ill patients, including endotracheal and tracheostomy tubes, chest tubes, and nasogastric and nasoenteric tubes, as well as their inherent complications. CONCLUSION The radiographic evaluation of the support and monitoring devices used in patients in the ICU is important because the potentially serious complications arising from their introduction and use are often not clinically apparent. Familiarity with normal and abnormal radiographic findings is critical for the detection of these complications.

Counting ribs on chest CT

We describe the anatomy of the costovertebral articulations along with a simple and reliable method of counting the ribs on chest CT.

The use of computed tomography in evaluating chest wall pathology

Forty-nine patients with chest wall lesions were evaluated by computed tomography (CT) and conventional radiography. Computed tomography was found to be indispensable for detecting and precisely localizing these lesions. It revealed unsuspected bone destruction and lung, pleural, and mediastinal involvement, as well as invasion of the spinal canal. In more than two thirds of the patients, CT provided additional information of clinical importance in management and, in one third, treatment was altered or the surgical approach modified because of the CT findings. Computed tomography is an essential diagnostic modality in evaluating chest wall lesions.