Computed tomography patterns and clinical outcomes of radiation pneumonitis in non-small-cell lung cancer patients.

Background: Radiation pneumonitis (RP) is not an uncommon complication in lung cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy (RT) and symptomatic RP can affect their quality of life.

Purpose: To investigate the CT findings of RP in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients and their relationship with clinical outcomes.

Materials And Methods: We reviewed data from 240 NSCLC patients who underwent RT between 2014 and 2022.

Is Free Breathing Possible During Computed Tomography-Guided Percutaneous Transthoracic Lung Biopsy? The Clinical Experience in 585 Cases.

Objective: The aim of the study was to retrospectively evaluate the safety and accuracy of computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy (PTNB) of lung lesions during quiet breathing.

Methods: We investigated the diagnostic performance and complication rate of 585 procedures in 563 patients (357 men; mean age, 67.7 years), who underwent CT-guided PTNBs during quiet breathing, aided by a respiratory targeting technique from May 2017 to July 2019.

Multidetector CT findings of primary pleural angiosarcoma : a systematic review, an additional cases report.

Background: To demonstrate and analyze the relatively common imaging findings in this rare primary pleural angiosarcoma (PPA).

Case Presentation: Three cases of PPA, proven by video-assisted thoracic surgery biopsies are retrospectively reviewed. Patients were all male.

A Case of Coronary Sinus Atresia with a Total Anomalous Cardiac Venous Drainage to the Left Atrium without Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava: Imaging Findings on Cardiac CT.

The coronary sinus (CS) is the venous drainage system of the heart. CS ostium atresia is a rarely seen cardiac malformation. Congenital atresia of the CS is usually found together with persistent left superior vena cava (LSVC) and other cardiac malformations.

Incidentally Detected Pericardial Defect in a Patient with Pneumothorax as Confirmed on Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery.

Congenital defects of the pericardium, which are generally asymptomatic, are rare disorders characterized by complete or partial absence of the pericardium. Here, we report a rare case of a 19-year-old male who was incidentally diagnosed with congenital absence of the left pericardium during examination for symptoms of pneumothorax. Chest radiography and computed tomography revealed a collapsed left lung without any evidence of trauma, no unusual findings of free air spaces along the right side of the ascending aorta, heart shifted toward the left side of the thorax, and a shallow chest.

Levoatriocardinal Vein Combined with Pulmonary Venous Varix Mimicking Arteriovenous Malformations: A Case Report.

The levoatriocardinal vein is an uncommon pulmonary venous abnormality that connects the left atrium or pulmonary vein with the systemic vein. It is distinct from partial anomalous pulmonary venous return in that the former forms a connection with the left atrium through the normal pulmonary vein whereas the latter involves pulmonary venous drainage to the systemic vein. Herein, we describe a case of the levoatriocardinal vein initially misdiagnosed as a pulmonary arteriovenous malformation using chest radiography and chest CT.

CT Follow-Up of Postoperative Bronchopleural Fistula: Risk Factors for Progression to Chronic Complicated Infection.

Purpose: We evaluated the risk factors for progression to chronic complicated bronchopleural fistula (BPF) after pulmonary resection using follow-up CT.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 45 cases with BPF that had undergone pulmonary resection during 2010-2018. We compared the clinical and radiological characteristics of those with complicated BPF ( = 24) and those without complicated (sterilized) BPF ( = 21).

Inter-observer agreement in identifying traction bronchiectasis on computed tomography: its improvement with the use of the additional criteria for chronic fibrosing interstitial pneumonia.

Purpose: To assess inter-observer variability in identifying traction bronchiectasis on computed tomography (CT) using additional criteria for chronic fibrosing interstitial pneumonia.

Methods: Seven experts categorized CT image set representing 39 patients into three groups on the basis of the presence of traction bronchiectasis, using a three-point scale: 3-definitely/probably yes; 2-possibly yes; and 1-definitely/probably no. This scale served as a reference standard.

Analysis of the time-velocity curve in phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging: a phantom study.

The aim of this study was to analyze the characteristics of time-velocity curve acquired by phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PC-MRI) using an in-vitro flow model as a reference for hemodynamic studies. The time- velocity curves of the PC-MRI were compared with Doppler ultrasonography (US) and also compared with those obtained in the electromagnetic flowmeter. The correlation between techniques was analyzed using an electromagnetic flowmeter as a reference standard; the maximum, minimum, and average velocities, full-width at half-maximum (FWHM), and ascending gradient (AG) were measured from time-velocity curves.

Significance of baseline computed tomography assessment for predicting the pulmonary fibrosis during the course of chemotherapy-induced pneumonitis.

Background: The purpose of our study is to evaluate risk factors for the development of pulmonary fibrosis in the baseline computed tomography (CT) during the course of chemotherapy-induced pneumonitis (CIP).

Methods: We retrospectively identified 80 cases of CIP by clinical, radiological, and pathological findings. When fibrosis developed during the follow-up, the extent of pulmonary fibrosis was evaluated at final follow-up CT in terms of a 5% volumetric score for six zones.

Effect of Hybrid Kernel and Iterative Reconstruction on Objective and Subjective Analysis of Lung Nodule Calcification in Low-Dose Chest CT.

Objective: To evaluate the differences in subjective calcification detection rates and objective calcium volumes in lung nodules according to different reconstruction methods using hybrid kernel (FC13-H) and iterative reconstruction (IR).

Materials And Methods: Overall, 35 patients with small (< 4 mm) calcified pulmonary nodules on chest CT were included. Raw data were reconstructed using filtered back projection (FBP) or IR algorithm (AIDR-3D; Canon Medical Systems Corporation), with three types of reconstruction kernel: conventional lung kernel (FC55), FC13-H and conventional soft tissue kernel (FC13).

Left Ventricular Functional Parameters and Geometric Patterns in Korean Adults on Coronary CT Angiography with a 320-Detector-Row CT Scanner.

Objective: To assess the normal reference values of left ventricle (LV) functional parameters in Korean adults on coronary CT angiography (CCTA) with a 320-detector-row CT scanner, and to analyze sex-related differences and correlations with various clinical characteristics.

Materials And Methods: This study retrospectively enrolled 172 subjects (107 men and 65 women; age, 58 ± 10.9 years; body surface area [BSA], 1.

Noninvasive detection of coronary vasospastic angina using a double-acquisition coronary CT angiography protocol in the presence and absence of an intravenous nitrate: a pilot study.

Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility of a double-acquisition coronary CT angiography (CCTA) protocol in the presence and absence of an intravenous (IV) vasodilator infusion for detecting vasospastic angina.

Methods: Twenty patients with a high clinical probability of vasospastic angina were enrolled. All subjects underwent baseline CCTA without a vasodilator in the early morning followed by a catheterized coronary angiography with ergonovine provocation test.

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus Infection: A Case Report of Serial Computed Tomographic Findings in a Young Male Patient.

Radiologic findings of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), a novel coronavirus infection, have been rarely reported. We report a 30-year-old male presented with fever, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, who was diagnosed with MERS. A chest computed tomographic scan revealed rapidly developed multifocal nodular consolidations with ground-glass opacity halo and mixed consolidation, mainly in the dependent and peripheral areas.

High-definition computed tomography for coronary artery stents: image quality and radiation doses for low voltage (100 kVp) and standard voltage (120 kVp) ECG-triggered scanning.

The noninvasive assessment of coronary stents by coronary CT angiography (CCTA) is an attractive method. However, the radiation dose associated with CCTA remains a concern for patients. The purpose of this study is to compare the radiation doses and image qualities of CCTA performed using tube voltages of 100 or 120 kVp for the evaluation of coronary stents.

Takayasu arteritis: assessment of coronary arterial abnormalities with 128-section dual-source CT angiography of the coronary arteries and aorta.

Purpose: To evaluate coronary arterial lesions and to assess their correlation with clinical findings in patients with Takayasu arteritis (TA) by using coronary computed tomographic (CT) angiography.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study was approved by the hospital internal review board, and informed consent was waived. A total of 111 consecutive patients with TA (97 female, 14 male; mean age, 44 years ± 13.

Cordycepin Increases Nonrapid Eye Movement Sleep via Adenosine Receptors in Rats.

Cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine) is a naturally occurring adenosine analogue and one of the bioactive constituents isolated from Cordyceps militaris/Cordyceps sinensis, species of the fungal genus Cordyceps. It has traditionally been a prized Chinese folk medicine for the human well-being. Because of similarity of chemical structure of adenosine, cordycepin has been focused on the diverse effects of the central nervous systems (CNSs), like sleep regulation.

An overview of thoracic actinomycosis: CT features.

Background: Thoracic actinomycosis is an uncommon, chronic suppurative bacterial infection caused by actinomyces species, especially Actinomyces israelii.

Methods: It is usually seen in immunocompetent patients with respiratory disorders, poor oral hygiene, alcoholism and chronic debilitating diseases.

Results: We illustrate the radiological manifestations of thoracic actinomycoses in various involved areas in the thorax.

An initial randomised study assessing free-breathing CCTA using 320-detector CT.

Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility of free-breathing coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in adults using with a 320-detector multidetector CT (MDCT).

Methods: In 74 patients who underwent CCTA, 37 CCTA examinations were performed during free-breathing, and the remaining 37 CCTA examinations were produced with the standard breath-holding method. The quality scores for 16 segments of all coronary arteries were analysed and defined as: 1 (excellent), 2 (good), and 3 (poor).

Spontaneously developed pulmonary arterial intramural hematoma that mimicked thromboembolism.

A 65-year-old woman visited our hospital with a complaint of acute onset dyspnea and radiological manifestations of pulmonary thromboembolism. The patient underwent an exploratory surgery to find a whitish-blue colored mass occupying almost the whole lumen of the main pulmonary arteries. Based on the pathological and radiological findings, the patient was diagnosed to have a pulmonary arterial intramural hematoma.

Triple rule-out acute chest pain evaluation using a 320-row-detector volume CT: a comparison of the wide-volume and helical modes.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the image quality and radiation dose of triple rule-out computed tomography (TROCT) using a 320-row-detector volume CT system to compare the wide-volume and helical modes of this CT system. Sixty-four patients with noncritical chest pain were allocated to one of 2 groups according to the type of CT examination mode used. Group 1 patients were examined using the wide-volume (non-spiral) mode and group 2 patients were examined using the 160-detector row helical mode, with the same contrast injection protocol in both methods [biphasic injection protocol; injection rate of 4 ml/s, median volume, 70 ml (range 65-100 ml)].

Enhancement of pentobarbital-induced sleep by apigenin through chloride ion channel activation.

This experiment was performed to investigate whether apigenin has hypnotic effects and/or enhances pentobarbital-induced sleep behaviors through the GABAergic systems. Apigenin prolonged sleep time induced by pentobarbital similar to muscimol, a GABA(A) receptors agonist. Apigenin also increased sleep rate and sleep time in the combined administration with pentobarbital at the sub-hypnotic dosage, and showed synergic effects with muscimol in potentiating sleep onset and enhancing sleep time induced by pentobarbital.

Methyl gallate inhibits the production of interleukin-6 and nitric oxide via down-regulation of extracellular-signal regulated protein kinase in RAW 264.7 cells.

To determine the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of methyl gallate (MG) isolated from Galla Rhois, MG was studied in vivo for its analgesic activities using the writhing response in mice. Anti-inflammatory activity of MG was evaluated for NO and IL-6 production in RAW 264.7 cells.

Fatal interstitial lung disease after erlotinib administration in a patient with radiation fibrosis.

Introduction: Although gefitinib used for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer is a well-known cause of interstitial lung disease (ILD), few case reports on erlotinib-induced ILD have been issued. The common risk factor of both of these two drug-induced ILDs is idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, but ILD in a patient with radiation fibrosis has not been previously reported.

Methods: Report of a case.

Tetrahydroabietic Acid, a Reduced Abietic Acid, Inhibits the Production of Inflammatory Mediators in RAW264.7 Macrophages Activated with Lipopolysaccharide.

Abietic acid (AA), the main component of the rosin fraction of oleoresin synthesized by conifer species, has been reported to have anti-inflammatory effects. AA is a weak contact allergen; however, compounds resulting from its oxidation by air elicit stronger allergic response. Hydrogenation of the conjugated double bonds of AA, as in tetrahydroabietic acid (THAA), decreases its susceptibility to air oxidation and would thus reduce the allergenicity of AA.