Pancreaticopleural fistula: Case report and review of the literature.

A pancreatic fistula is defined as the leakage of pancreatic fluid into another organ or compartment because of pancreatic duct disruption or pseudocyst formation. It is most often seen in middle-aged men between 40 and 50, particularly in patients who have a history of chronic alcoholism and pancreatitis. The tract may fistulae into the pleura, creating a pancreaticopleural fistula, an exceedingly rare condition presenting as a recurrent pleural effusion and extremely high amylase levels, a key distinguishing factor in diagnosis.

A Rare Case of Terminal Ileum Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor in a Young Caucasian Adult.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare in young individuals and typically affect older adults. We present the case of a previously healthy male who presented with severe hematochezia, fatigue, and dizziness. Colonoscopy did not demonstrate any colonic mass.

Prospective Evaluation of the First Integrated Positron Emission Tomography/Dual-Energy Computed Tomography System in Patients With Lung Cancer.

Purpose: The aim of this pilot study was to prospectively evaluate the first integrated positron emission tomography (PET)/dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) system performance in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Materials And Methods: In this single-center, prospective trial, consecutive patients with NSCLC referred for a PET study between May 2017 and June 2018 were enrolled. All patients received contrast-enhanced imaging on a clinical PET/DECT system.

Deep learning to convert unstructured CT pulmonary angiography reports into structured reports.

Background: Structured reports have been shown to improve communication between radiologists and providers. However, some radiologists are concerned about resultant decreased workflow efficiency. We tested a machine learning-based algorithm designed to convert unstructured computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) reports into structured reports.

Interventional Therapies for Central Airways.

Central airway obstruction (CAO) is a dangerous and increasingly common problem. CAO refers to lesions causing narrowing of the trachea or mainstem bronchi and is generally divided into malignant and nonmalignant categories. These 2 entities may be caused by a variety of thoracic and extrathoracic diseases.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria Chronic Dyspnea-Noncardiovascular Origin.

Chronic dyspnea may result from a variety of disorders of cardiovascular, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, neuromuscular, systemic, and psychogenic etiology. This article discusses guidelines for the initial imaging of six variants for chronic dyspnea of noncardiovascular origin: (1) Chronic dyspnea of unclear etiology; (2) Chronic dyspnea with suspected chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; (3) Chronic dyspnea with suspected central airways disease; (4) Chronic dyspnea with suspected interstitial lung disease; (5) Chronic dyspnea with suspected disease of the pleura or chest wall; and (6) Chronic dyspnea with suspected diaphragm dysfunction. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel.

Coronary artery calcification in lung cancer screening.

Lung cancer screening has been shown in the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) to result in a statistically significant decrease in lung cancer specific mortality. Also within that trial there was shown to be a 7% decrease in all-cause mortality. While the reasons for this benefit are not entirely clear, it may relate to the detection and treatment of other important findings.

Tobacco Dependence Predicts Higher Lung Cancer and Mortality Rates and Lower Rates of Smoking Cessation in the National Lung Screening Trial.

Background: Incorporating tobacco treatment within lung cancer screening programs has the potential to influence cessation in high-risk smokers. We aimed to better understand the characteristics of smokers within a screening cohort, correlate those variables with downstream outcomes, and identify predictors of continued smoking.

Methods: This study is a secondary analysis of the National Lung Screening Trial randomized clinical study.

ALT-803, an IL-15 superagonist, in combination with nivolumab in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer: a non-randomised, open-label, phase 1b trial.

Background: Immunotherapy with PD-1 or PD-L1 blockade fails to induce a response in about 80% of patients with unselected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and many of those who do initially respond then develop resistance to treatment. Agonists that target the shared interleukin-2 (IL-2) and IL-15Rβγ pathway have induced complete and durable responses in some cancers, but no studies have been done to assess the safety or efficacy of these agonists in combination with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. We aimed to define the safety, tolerability, and activity of this drug combination in patients with NSCLC.

Pretreatment 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography Standardized Uptake Values and Tumor Size in Medically Inoperable Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer Is Prognostic of Overall 2-Year Survival After Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine prognostic value of tumor size and metabolic activity on survival for patients with early stage nonsmall cell lung cancer receiving stereotactic body radiation therapy.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the patients who underwent positron emission tomography-computed tomography scan before stereotactic body radiation therapy treatment. Tumor diameter, tumor volume, maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), standardized uptake value (SUV) average, and SUV volume were obtained.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria Acute Chest Pain-Suspected Pulmonary Embolism.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) remains a common and important clinical condition that cannot be accurately diagnosed on the basis of signs, symptoms, and history alone. The diagnosis of PE has been facilitated by technical advancements and multidetector CT pulmonary angiography, which is the major diagnostic modality currently used. Ventilation and perfusion scans remain largely accurate and useful in certain settings.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria Imaging of Possible Tuberculosis.

Pulmonary tuberculosis remains a major cause of disease worldwide and an important public health hazard in the United States. The imaging evaluation depends to a large degree on clinical symptoms and whether active disease is suspected or a subject is at high risk for developing active disease. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel.

The accuracy of pleural ultrasonography in diagnosing complicated parapneumonic pleural effusions.

We compared the accuracy of pleural ultrasound versus chest CT versus chest radiograph (CXR) to determine radiographic complexity in predicting a complicated parapneumonic effusion (CPPE) defined by pleural fluid analysis. 66 patients with parapneumonic effusions were identified with complete data. Pleural ultrasound had a sensitivity of 69.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Routine Chest Radiography.

Chest radiographs are sometimes taken before surgeries and interventional procedures on hospital admissions and outpatients. This manuscript summarizes the American College of Radiology review of the literature and recommendations on routinely performed chest radiographies in these settings. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed every 3 years by a multidisciplinary expert panel.

A Novel Quantitative Computed Tomographic Analysis Suggests How Sirolimus Stabilizes Progressive Air Trapping in Lymphangioleiomyomatosis.

Rationale: The Multicenter International Lymphangioleiomyomatosis Efficacy and Safety of Sirolimus (MILES) trial demonstrated that sirolimus stabilized lung function and improved measures of functional performance and quality of life in patients with lymphangioleiomyomatosis. The physiologic mechanisms of these beneficial actions of sirolimus are incompletely understood.

Objectives: To prospectively determine the longitudinal computed tomographic lung imaging correlates of lung function change in MILES patients treated with placebo or sirolimus.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria Review ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Occupational Lung Diseases.

Occupational lung disease is a category of disease entities characterized by a reaction of the lung parenchyma to inhaled aerosolized particles found in the environment. This document summarizes the imaging appropriateness data for silicosis, coal worker pneumoconiosis, and asbestosis. The main points of the document are that computed tomography is more sensitive than radiography, computed tomography without contrast generally suffices for evaluation, and fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography may have utility in patients with mesothelioma.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Intensive Care Unit Patients.

Portable chest radiography is a fundamental and frequently utilized examination in the critically ill patient population. The chest radiograph often represents a timely investigation of new or rapidly evolving clinical findings and an evaluation of proper positioning of support tubes and catheters. Thoughtful consideration of the use of this simple yet valuable resource is crucial as medical cost containment becomes even more mandatory.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® acute respiratory illness in immunocompromised patients.

The respiratory system is often affected by complications of immunodeficiency, typically manifesting clinically as acute respiratory illness. Ongoing literature reviews regarding the appropriateness of imaging in these patients are critical, as advanced medical therapies including stem cell transplantation, chemotherapy, and immunosuppressive therapies for autoimmune disease continue to keep the population of immunosuppressed patients in our health care system high. This ACR Appropriateness Criteria topic describes clinical scenarios of acute respiratory illness in immunocompromised patients with cough, dyspnea, chest pain, and fever, in those with negative, equivocal, or nonspecific findings on chest radiography, in those with multiple, diffuse, or confluent opacities on chest radiography, and in those in whom noninfectious disease is suspected.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria Imaging in the Diagnosis of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.

Thoracic outlet syndrome is a clinical entity characterized by compression of the neurovascular bundle, and may be associated with additional findings such as venous thrombosis, arterial stenosis, or neurologic symptoms. The goal of imaging is to localize the site of compression, the compressing structure, and the compressed organ or vessel, while excluding common mimics. A literature review is provided of current indications for diagnostic imaging, with discussion of potential limitations and benefits of the respective modalities.