Quantitative computed tomography-derived clusters: redefining airway remodeling in asthmatic patients.

Background: Asthma heterogeneity is multidimensional and requires additional tools to unravel its complexity. Computed tomography (CT)-assessed proximal airway remodeling and air trapping in asthmatic patients might provide new insights into underlying disease mechanisms.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore novel, quantitative, CT-determined asthma phenotypes.

The Role of Multi Detector Computed Tomographic Imaging Prior to Clinic Consultation in Patients Suspected to Have Lung Cancer.

Background: Scanning patients early in their diagnostic journey helps in differentiating benign from malignant aetiology. There is increasing pressure on diagnostic practices for rapid diagnoses and thereby early commencement of treatment in patients suspected to have lung cancer (LC). In our practice, multi detector computed tomography (MDCT) imaging is performed in selected patients referred to the LC service prior to them seeing a chest physician in the LC clinic.

The role of CT scanning in multidimensional phenotyping of COPD.

Background: COPD is a heterogeneous disease characterized by airflow obstruction and diagnosed by lung function. CT imaging is emerging as an important, noninvasive tool in phenotyping COPD. However, the use of CT imaging in defining the disease heterogeneity above lung function is not fully known.

Implications of new (seventh) TNM classification of lung cancer on general radiologists--a pictorial review.

The new TNM (seventh) classification of lung cancer, published by Union Internationale Centre le Cancer, has been in use since January 2010. It is vital for general radiologists to be well versed with this system and be aware of the impact of these changes on patient management and prognosis. It is also important that radiologists appreciate the implications of the new system on reporting different imaging modalities and its limitations.

Quantitative analysis of high-resolution computed tomography scans in severe asthma subphenotypes.

Background: Severe asthma is a heterogeneous condition. Airway remodelling is a feature of severe asthma and can be determined by the assessment of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans. The aim of this study was to assess whether airway remodelling is restricted to specific subphenotypes of severe asthma.

Thoracic ultrasound prior to medical thoracoscopy improves pleural access and predicts fibrous septation.

Background And Objective: Medical thoracoscopy (MT) is indicated for the investigation of unexplained pleural exudates. Not all MT units create artificial pneumothoraces because of time. Difficult pleural space access and thick fibrous adhesions may prevent MT and pleurodesis, respectively.

Qualitative analysis of high-resolution CT scans in severe asthma.

Background: High-resolution CT (HRCT) scanning is part of the management of severe asthma, but its application varies between centers. We sought to describe the HRCT scan abnormalities of a large severe asthma cohort and to determine the utility of clinical features to direct the use of HRCT scanning in this group of patients.

Methods: Subjects attending our Difficult Asthma Clinic (DAC) between February 2000 and November 2006 (n = 463) were extensively re-characterized and 185 underwent HRCT scan.

Pseudo tumors of the lung after lung volume reduction surgery.

We describe 2 patients who underwent lung volume reduction surgery, who postoperatively had computed tomographic scans that showed symptomatic mass lesions suggestive of malignancy and an inhaled foreign body. Investigations excluded these conditions with the remaining likely diagnosis of pseudotumor secondary to buttressing material. These potential sequelae of lung volume reduction surgery should be recognized in follow-up investigations.

Clinical, radiologic, and induced sputum features of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in nonsmokers: a descriptive study.

Epidemiologic studies show that 5-12% of subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are nonsmokers. Little is known about the pathophysiology of the fixed airflow obstruction in these subjects. We have prospectively identified 25 patients with COPD who had never smoked or had a less than 5 pack years smoking history and present the clinical, radiologic, and induced sputum features.