Paul W. Spirn

Lung involvement in systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) : relation to classification based on extent of skin involvement or autoantibody status

Lung involvement accounts for significant morbidity and is a leading cause of mortality in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). It has been shown that different patterns of pulmonary involvement are seen in different subtypes of SSc. This paper reports a retrospective review of 72 patients with SSc to determine whether disease classification according to the extent of skin involvement alone (diffuse vs. limited) or autoantibody status was predictive of pulmonary parenchymal involvement. The diagnosis of interstitial lung disease was based on pulmonary function tests and chest radiographs. Restrictive lung disease was common in both limited SSc (lSSc) and diffuse SSc (dSSc), occurring in 30% and 50% of these patients respectively (P = 0.16). Radiographic evidence of significant interstitial disease was also comparable between the groups [nine of 32 lSSc patients (28%) vs. six of 17 dSSc patients (32%), P = n.s.]. No significant difference in mean lung function was found between patients with anti-Scl 70 antibody (n = 12) compared to those without (n = 60) (TLC 79.0 +/- SE 5.1% predicted vs. 82.8 +/- 2.2, P = n.s.; DLCO 63.0 +/- 5.1 vs. 59.7 +/- 2.5, P = n.s.). By contrast, statistically significant differences in mean lung function were found between patients with anticentromere antibody (ACA) (n = 24) and those without ACA (n = 48) (TLC 98.6 +/- SE 3.9% predicted vs. 79.7 +/- 3.1%, P < 0.001); and less frequent radiographic evidence of severe interstitial disease (0 of 17 with significant interstitial changes on chest radiograph vs. 15 of 32 (47%), P = 0.002). It is concluded that classification of SSc patients on the basis of the distribution of skin involvement poorly predicts the occurrence of interstitial lung disease. On the other hand, ACA is highly associated with the absence of interstitial lung disease.

HRCT findings of proximal interruption of the right pulmonary artery.

The purpose of this study is to present the characteristic HRCT findings of the lung parenchyma in patients with proximal interruption of the right main pulmonary artery. HRCT findings of proximal interruption of the right pulmonary artery demonstrated reticular opacities, septal thickening, subpleural consolidation, cystic lung changes, and pleural thickening in all 5 patients; bronchial dilation and bronchial wall thickening in 4 patients; and subpleural ground glass opacity (GGO) in 3 patients. The changes may be caused by absent pulmonary artery perfusion and development of systemic vessel collateralization.

Electronic Messaging System for Communicating Important, but Nonemergent, Abnormal Imaging Results

PURPOSE To evaluate the effectiveness of an electronic messaging system for accurately communicating important, but not emergent, abnormal radiology results to referring physicians. MATERIALS AND METHODS The Institutional Review Board deemed this proposal a quality improvement project that did not require formal approval. The electronic messaging system permits radiologists to submit online requests to communicate important, but not emergent, abnormal findings and recommended follow-up to two communications facilitators, who contact referring health care providers by e-mail or telephone. Of 10,510 electronic communications during a 3-year period, a representative sample of 500 communications were selected for detailed analysis. To eliminate bias associated with increased experience with the system, every 20th communication during the 3 years that the messaging system had been functional was examined. Parameters studied included the rate of successful communications with referring physicians, the frequency of these being accomplished within the goal of 48 hours from the time of radiologist submission, and the results of an e-mail survey of physicians to assess their satisfaction with the system. RESULTS The radiologic abnormality was successfully communicated to the referring physician in every communication. Overall, a mean of 82.2% ± 3.3 (standard deviation) of communications were accomplished within the goal of 48 hours, with this goal being met in 93.7% ± 2.3 of communications submitted Monday through 3 pm on Thursday. Satisfaction among referring physicians was high (79.0% ± 3.8 satisfied; 5.0% ± 2.0 dissatisfied), especially among those with the most experience with the system. CONCLUSION The electronic messaging system communicated important, but not emergent, abnormal radiology results to referring physicians in a timely, accurate, and relatively inexpensive manner. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL http://radiology.rsna.org/lookup/suppl/doi:10.1148/radiol.10101015/-/DC1.

Spectrum of CT findings in nosocomial Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate CT findings in nosocomial Pseudomonas aeruginosa Pneumonia (PAP) and to compare features of PAP in patients with isolated P. aeruginosa cultures and those with coexistent infections. A retrospective database search revealed 28 patients with nosocomial PAP (12 men, 16 women; mean age, 57 years) in which thoracic CT had been performed within a mean of 1.7 days from the time of respiratory culture. Two chest radiologists blinded to culture data performed a consensus reading noting distribution and pattern of consolidation, ground-glass opacity, nodules, peribronchial infiltration, necrosis, effusions, and pleural enhancement. Coexistent respiratory cultures were recorded. Consolidation was present in all patients, involving multiple lobes in 23 (82%) and demonstrating upper zonal involvement in 23 (82%). Nodular features were present in 14 (50%), including tree-in-bud patterns with centrilobular distributions in 9 (64%) and larger, randomly distributed nodules in 5 (36%). Five of five patients with consolidations limited to the lower lung zones had associated upper lung nodules. Ground-glass opacity was seen in nine (31%) and peribronchial infiltration in 16 (57%). Necrosis was present in eight (29%). Thirteen (46%) bilateral and five (18%) unilateral pleural effusions were present with enhancement occurring in two (1%). Coexistent positive respiratory cultures were identified in 13 patients. The distribution of consolidation, frequency and distribution of nodules, and frequency of necrosis did not differ significantly between patients with and without other positive cultures. With CT, PAP most commonly presents with multifocal airspace consolidation. Nodular features were identified in half, with one-third demonstrating tree-in-bud opacities. Unsuspected necrosis occurred in one-third of cases. CT findings in patients with and without other respiratory isolates did not differ in the distribution and frequency of consolidations, nodularity, or necrosis.

Image-guided localization for video-assisted thoracic surgery

Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) has become a useful diagnostic and therapeutic tool in the management of lung, pleural, and mediatstinal disease. Preoperative image-guided localization is performed to aid the surgeon in the thoracoscopic resection of small lung lesions that would otherwise be difficult to resect. This article describes the techniques of localization and reviews our experience with this procedure. While the majority of localization procedures are performed during an immediately preoperative computed tomography (CT), the use of intraoperative lesion localization using an endosonographic probe has been reported. The need for localization before resection is dependent on the skill and experience of the thoracoscopist and the characteristics of the lung lesions.

Role of thoracoscopy and preoperative localization procedures in the diagnosis and management of pulmonary pathology.

Video-assisted thoracic surgery is an important component of modern thoracic surgery, providing a safe, less invasive alternative to open thoracotomy in the evaluation of pleural, mediastinal, and parenchymal pathology. Advancements in endoscopic techniques and video-optics have permitted greater visualization of the thoracic cavity and allowed limited pulmonary resections with significantly reduced postoperative morbidity. Thoracoscopy is indicated for diagnosis of intrathoracic pathology when usual methods of diagnosis, including fine-needle aspiration and transbronchial biopsy, are inconclusive. The diagnostic accuracy of video-assisted thoracic surgery approaches 100%. Increasingly, the indications for thoracoscopy include therapeutic resections of pulmonary nodules in cases of limited lung metastases and bronchogenic carcinoma when pulmonary function is poor. Successful diagnostic and therapeutic resection by thoracoscopy requires intraoperative localization of the lesion within the collapsed lung. The indications and methods of thoracoscopic surgery and preoperative localization are discussed.