New opacities in lung allograft after transbronchial cryobiopsy.

Background: The occurrence of radiological opacities post-transbronchial cryobiopsy may pose serious difficulties in differential diagnosis and management of lung allografts. This prospective study evaluated the frequency, characteristics, and evolution of new lung opacities after performing transbronchial cryobiopsy.

Methods: From February 2018 to June 2018, 22 of 51 consecutive patients with an indication for transbronchial cryobiopsy underwent computed tomography (CT) of the thorax before and at 1, 4, and 8 weeks post-cryobiopsy.

Biomarkers predictive value for early diagnosis of Stroke-Associated Pneumonia.

To confirm the diagnostic accuracy of candidate biomarkers in stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP), we prospectively enrolled ischemic stroke patients with NIHSS ≥ 10 on admission from March-2016 to August-2017. Blood samples were collected at baseline, 24 and 48 h after stroke onset. Biomarkers (MR-proADM, suPAR, SAA) were determined by immunoassays.

Computed tomography scoring system for discriminating between parapneumonic effusions eventually drained and those cured only with antibiotics.

Background And Objective: Due to limited data, we aimed to develop and validate a computed tomography (CT)-based scoring system for identifying those parapneumonic effusions (PPEs) requiring drainage.

Methods: A retrospective review of all patients with PPE who underwent thoracentesis and a chest CT scan before any attempt to place a tube thoracostomy, if applicable, over an 8-year period was conducted. Eleven chest CT characteristics were compared between 90 patients with complicated PPEs (CPPEs), defined as those which eventually required chest drainage, and 60 with non-complicated effusions (derivation sample).

Radiological findings of unilateral tuberculous lung destruction.

Objectives: The aim of this report is to identify the radiological findings of unilateral tuberculous lung destruction (UTLD).

Materials And Methods: Thirteen patients with (UTLD) were reviewed from 1999 to 2014. Only patients with radiological evidence of absence of pulmonary parenchyma preserved were included.

Intrapleural Fibrinolysis with Urokinase Versus Alteplase in Complicated Parapneumonic Pleural Effusions and Empyemas: A Prospective Randomized Study.

Background: Pleurofibrinolysis has been reported to be potentially beneficial in the management of complicated parapneumonic effusions (CPPE) and empyemas in the adult population.

Methods: Prospective, controlled, randomized, and double-blind study, to evaluate intrapleural alteplase 10 mg (initially 20 mg was considered but bleeding events forced dose reduction) versus 100,000 UI urokinase every 24 h for a maximum of 6 days in patients with CPPE or empyemas. The primary aim was to evaluate the success rate of each fibrinolytic agent at 3 and 6 days.

Good outcome of interstitial lung disease in patients with scleroderma associated to anti-PM/Scl antibody.

Objective: The objective of this article was to establish the clinical course of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in scleroderma related to the presence of anti-PM/Scl antibody compared with anti-Scl-70 in a Spanish cohort. Furthermore, no study has thoroughly investigated the outcome of pulmonary function test in the first group of patients.

Methods: A total of 63 Spanish patients with scleroderma and ILD were selected in a retrospective observational study.

Learning from the pulmonary veins.

The purpose of this article is to review the basic embryology and anatomy of the pulmonary veins and the various imaging techniques used to evaluate the pulmonary veins, as well as the radiologic findings in diseases affecting these structures. Specific cases highlight the clinical importance of the imaging features, particularly the findings obtained with multidetector computed tomography (CT). Pulmonary vein disease can be broadly classified into congenital or acquired conditions.

Quality of life, pulmonary function, and tomographic scan abnormalities after ARDS.

Background: ARDS can produce a loss of lung function with persistent sequelae. This study aimed to evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQL) in survivors of ARDS compared with a healthy reference population and to determine the middle/long-term radiographic abnormalities and functional status, as well as their relation to observed HRQL, in these patients.

Methods: This was a prospective study carried out in three ICUs.

Computed tomography (CT) predicts accurately the pathologic tumour size in stage I non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Introduction: In stage I non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumour size has been the most consistent determinant of survival. The choice of therapy option is based on accurate definition of the stage. The aim of our study is to correlate tumour size by computed tomography scan (CT) with pathologic size and to determine possible prognostic factors in surgically resected pathologic stage IA and IB NSCLC patients.

Migrating azygos vein and vanishing azygos lobe: MDCT findings.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe six cases of migrating azygos vein and to explain the etiologic factors that contribute to the migration. Six patients with migrating azygos vein were studied by MDCT before and after migration. Five patients had right pneumothorax.

Clinical surrogate markers of survival in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with second-third line erlotinib.

Background: Inhibition of the EGFR pathway is a useful strategy in the treatment of patients with advanced NSCLC. The aim of this study is to assess predictive clinical parameters of efficacy.

Methods And Patients: Sixty-two patients with advanced NSCLC were treated with erlotinib as second-third line (150 mg/day).

Predictors of pleural malignancy in patients with pleural effusion undergoing thoracoscopy.

Study Objectives: Thoracoscopic pleural biopsy is highly accurate in the diagnosis of pleural malignancy. However, no scientific evidence is currently available to guide the physician's decision as to when and in which patients with pleural effusion thoracoscopy is indicated. The application of predictive criteria of malignancy might improve the indication of thoracoscopy in patients with undiagnosed pleural effusion.

Immunoglobulin therapy to control lung damage in patients with common variable immunodeficiency.

Background: Lung damage progression is the most frequent condition in patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID). Appropriate immunoglobulin dose adjustments and follow-up guidelines to evaluate this have not been well established.

Objective: To assess the evolution of lung damage once stable residual serum levels of IgG over 600 mg/dl had been achieved.

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis: pulmonary and abdominal findings with pathologic correlation.

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare disease characterized by pulmonary cysts at computed tomography (CT) and proliferation of abnormal smooth muscle cells at lung biopsy. Almost all patients are female, and all have pulmonary cysts at high-resolution CT. Although the presence of cysts may be suggested at conventional CT or chest radiography, high-resolution CT is superior for cyst detection and is essential for diagnosis.