Combined medical-interventional approaches for the management of complex fungal balls: a case series as a viable alternative in non-surgical patients.

Intracavitary pulmonary aspergilloma is a persistent and life-threatening infection that carries a mortality rate of up to 15%. It occurs when Aspergillus species gain entry to an existing lung cavity. In the absence of definitive treatment, patients may succumb to severe complications such as massive hemoptysis, cachexia, or secondary infections.

Development and application of an electronic synoptic report for reporting and management of low-dose computed tomography lung cancer screening examination.

Background: Interpretation of Low Dose CT scans and protocol driven management of findings is a key aspect of lung cancer screening program performance. Reliable and reproducible methods are needed to communicate radiologists' interpretation to the screening program or clinicians driving management decision.

Methods: We performed an audit of a subset of dictated reports from the PANCAN study to assess for omissions.

A Series of Transbronchial Removal of Intracavitary Pulmonary Aspergilloma.

Background: Intracavitary pulmonary aspergilloma is a chronic, debilitating fungal infection. Without definitive therapy, death can occur from massive hemoptysis, cachexia, or secondary infection. Although surgical resection is the standard therapy, it is not possible for many patients owing to poor pulmonary function or medical comorbidities.

Automatic recognition of major fissures in human lungs.

Purpose: The major hurdle for three-dimensional display of lung lobes is the automatic recognition of lobar fissures, boundaries of lung lobes. Lobar fissures are difficult to recognize due to their variable shape and appearance, along with the low contrast and high noise inherent in computed tomographic (CT) images. An algorithm for recognizing the major fissures in human lungs was developed and tested.

Can preoperative computed tomography of the chest predict completeness of the major pulmonary fissure at surgery?

Background: An incomplete major pulmonary fissure can make anatomic lung resection technically more difficult and may increase the risk of complications, such as prolonged postoperative air leak. The objective of this study was to determine if preoperative computed tomography (CT) of the chest could accurately predict the completeness of the major pulmonary fissure observed at the time of surgery.

Methods: From October 2008 to June 2009, patients at a single university institution were enrolled if they underwent surgery for a pulmonary nodule, mass or known cancer.

Radiation dose from initial trauma assessment and resuscitation: review of the literature.

Background: Trauma care benefits from the use of imaging technologies. Trauma patients and trauma team members are exposed to radiation during the continuum of care. Knowledge of exposure amounts and effects are important for trauma team members.

Segmentation of lung lobes in high-resolution isotropic CT images.

Modern multislice computed tomography (CT) scanners produce isotropic CT images with a thickness of 0.6 mm. These CT images offer detailed information of lung cavities, which could be used for better surgical planning of treating lung cancer.

Signs in thoracic imaging.

Radiologic signs are recognizable, characteristic patterns used to describe abnormalities visualized on imaging modalities that ultimately aid in the diagnosis and subsequent treatment of disease. This pictorial essay discusses 23 classic roentgenographic signs used in thoracic imaging. Its purpose is to be used as an educational review for residents, whether they are beginning their training or preparing for certification exams, and serve as a refresher and a reference to the practicing radiologist.

Ultrasonographic findings 6 months after 11-gauge vacuum-assisted large-core breast biopsy.

Objective: To assess the ultrasonographic features of post-biopsy change 6 months after 11-gauge vacuum-assisted large-core breast biopsy of pathologically proven benign lesions. Using the literature as a reference, we hypothesized that large-core breast biopsy would result in tissue changes that may mimic malignancy and may be more apparent on ultrasonography than on mammography.

Methods: Two radiologists whose subspecialty is breast imaging retrospectively reviewed the pre-biopsy and 6-month follow-up sonograms of 24 patients with pathologically proven benign lesions.

Accuracy of marker clip placement after mammotome breast biopsy.

Objective: To assess, after stereotaxic, vacuum-assisted breast biopsy, the accuracy of marker clip deployment for guiding subsequent needle localization procedures and surgery.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 100 vacuum-assisted core breast biopsies that were followed by marker clip deployment. Craniocaudal (CC) and mediolateral oblique (MLO) mammograms were used to locate clips relative to the centre of the target lesion in 5-mm increments.