Screening for preclinical parenchymal lung disease in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: Pulmonary disease is a common extraarticular manifestation of RA associated with increased morbidity and mortality. No current strategies exist for screening this at-risk population for parenchymal lung disease, including emphysema and interstitial lung disease (ILD).

Methods: RA patients without a diagnosis of ILD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease underwent prospective and comprehensive clinical, laboratory, functional and radiological evaluations.

New frontiers in esophageal radiology.

Esophageal cancer is the sixth most common cause of cancer related mortality worldwide. Advances in treatment have translated into steadily improving survival rates. Accurate preoperative staging of esophageal cancer is imperative in order to provide an accurate prognosis and direct patients to the most appropriate treatment.

Contribution of FDG-PET/CT to the management of esophageal cancer patients at multidisciplinary tumor board conferences.

Background: A multidisciplinary team approach to the management of esophageal cancer patients leads to better clinical decisions.

Purpose: The contribution of CT, endoscopic and laparoscopic ultrasound to clinical staging and treatment selection by multidisciplinary tumor boards (MTB) in patients with esophageal cancer is well documented. However, there is a paucity of data addressing the role that FDG-PET/CT (PET/CT) plays to inform the clinical decision-making process at MTB conferences.

Evaluation of ECG-gated and Fast Low-Angle Shot (FLASH) Dual Source Computed Tomography Scanning Protocols for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Background: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedural success relies heavily on volumetric reconstruction imaging, particularly ECG-gated multi-detector row computed tomography. We postulated that single examination using fast low-angle shot (FLASH) dual source CT scanning (DS-CTA) could provide lower dose than ECG-gated CTA while maintaining the image quality.

Methods: In this single-centre cohort study, all patients who underwent ECG-gated and FLASH DS-CTA were evaluated.

Image-guided video-assisted thoracoscopic resection (iVATS): Translation to clinical practice-real-world experience.

Objective: We developed a novel approach for localization and resection of lung nodules, using image-guided video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (iVATS). We report our experience of translating iVATS into clinical care.

Methods: Methodology and workflow for iVATS developed as part of the Phase I/II trial were used to train surgeons, radiologists, anesthesiologists, and radiology technologists.

The hazy humerus artifact - A potential cause for misdiagnosis on computed tomography of the chest.

Computed tomography of the chest may be occasionally performed with the arm in mid extended position, in patients unable to fully raise their arms overhead. In such patients, a combination of beam hardening, incomplete projection and subtle motion artifacts may result in an appearance of diffuse cortical thickening and irregularity of the humerus. We describe this appearance as the 'hazy humerus artifact'.

Computed tomography screening for lung cancer.

Screening with low-dose computed tomography reduces mortality from lung cancer in high-risk patients. Lung cancer screening with chest radiography alone or in combination with sputum analysis is currently not recommended. The feasibility and impact of screening in patients with a low or moderate risk for primary lung cancer are currently not known.