Added value of 40 keV virtual monoenergetic images for diagnosing malignant pleural effusion on chest CT.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the added value of 40 keV virtual mono-energetic images (VMIs) obtained from dual-layer detector CT (DLCT) for diagnosing malignant pleural effusion (MPE) in patients presenting with unilateral pleural effusion on chest CT.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study included 75 patients with unilateral pleural effusion who underwent contrast-enhanced chest CT scans using DLCT. Quantitative and qualitative assessments of the visibility of pleural thickening were conducted on both conventional 120 kVp images and 40 keV VMIs.

Left-Side Contrast-Injection-Induced Pseudopathologic Vertebral Enhancement in Oncology Patients without Venous Obstruction: A Report of Two Cases.

The appearance of sclerotic bone lesions in contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scans is often a significant concern for the possible presence of metastatic disease, especially in individuals with a known history of cancer. Prior research has demonstrated that in cases where patients suffer from thrombosis in major veins like the superior vena cava or the brachiocephalic vein, vertebral venous congestion can create imaging patterns on CT scans that resemble sclerotic bone metastases. However, instances of such imaging findings in patients without any form of venous obstruction are not commonly reported.

High-Grade Surface Osteosarcoma of the Rib Mimicking a Neurogenic Tumor: Radiologic and Pathologic Findings.

Osteosarcoma commonly occurs in the intramedullary cavity of long bones such as the femur, tibia, and humerus in children and adolescents. Osteosarcoma occurring as a primary tumor in the chest wall is rare. Only a limited number of such cases have been documented in the existing literature.

Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease in the Axilla after COVID-19 Vaccination: A Case Report.

Background: Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is a rare, self-limiting inflammatory condition of unknown etiology that is characterized by fever and painful lymphadenopathy. KFD commonly involves the posterior cervical region and very rarely occurs in the axilla.

Case Presentation: We report on a case of KFD that presented 3 weeks after receiving the messenger ribonucleic acid-based coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine.

Left Bronchial Isomerism with Right-Sided Tracheal Bronchus: A Rare Case Report.

The tracheal bronchus is a congenital bronchial branching anomaly defined as an aberrant bronchus arising in either the trachea or a main bronchus. Left bronchial isomerism is characterized by two bilobed lungs, bilateral long main bronchi, and both pulmonary arteries passing superiorly to their respective upper lobe bronchi. Left bronchial isomerism with a right-sided tracheal bronchus is a very rare combination of tracheobronchial anomalies.

Airspace Enlargement with Fibrosis in a Young Heavy Smoker Mimicking Diffuse Cystic Lung Disease.

The widespread use of computed tomography (CT) has led to the increased recognition of cystic lung lesions. Multiple pulmonary cysts can be observed in heterogeneous disorders called diffuse cystic lung diseases (DCLDs), which include pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis, lymphangioleiomyomatosis, lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia, and Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome. Recently, airspace enlargement with fibrosis (AEF) has been recognized as an entity on the spectrum of smoking-related lung diseases.

A Challenge for Emphysema Quantification Using a Deep Learning Algorithm With Low-dose Chest Computed Tomography.

Purpose: We aimed to identify clinically relevant deep learning algorithms for emphysema quantification using low-dose chest computed tomography (LDCT) through an invitation-based competition.

Materials And Methods: The Korean Society of Imaging Informatics in Medicine (KSIIM) organized a challenge for emphysema quantification between November 24, 2020 and January 26, 2021. Seven invited research teams participated in this challenge.

Application of Highly Flexible Adaptive Image Receive Coil for Lung MR Imaging Using Zero TE Sequence: Comparison with Conventional Anterior Array Coil.

(1) Background: Highly flexible adaptive image receive (AIR) coil has become available for clinical use. The present study aimed to evaluate the performance of AIR anterior array coil in lung MR imaging using a zero echo time (ZTE) sequence compared with conventional anterior array (CAA) coil. (2) Methods: Sixty-six patients who underwent lung MR imaging using both AIR coil (ZTE-AIR) and CAA coil (ZTE-CAA) were enrolled.

Bone Suppression on Chest Radiographs for Pulmonary Nodule Detection: Comparison between a Generative Adversarial Network and Dual-Energy Subtraction.

Objective: To compare the effects of bone suppression imaging using deep learning (BSp-DL) based on a generative adversarial network (GAN) and bone subtraction imaging using a dual energy technique (BSt-DE) on radiologists' performance for pulmonary nodule detection on chest radiographs (CXRs).

Materials And Methods: A total of 111 adults, including 49 patients with 83 pulmonary nodules, who underwent both CXR using the dual energy technique and chest CT, were enrolled. Using CT as a reference, two independent radiologists evaluated CXR images for the presence or absence of pulmonary nodules in three reading sessions (standard CXR, BSt-DE CXR, and BSp-DL CXR).

Transcatheter Arterial Embolization for Spontaneous Hepatic Rupture Associated with HELLP Syndrome: A Case Report.

Spontaneous hepatic rupture associated with the syndrome characterized by hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and a low platelet count (HELLP syndrome) is a rare and life-threatening condition, and only a few cases regarding the management of this condition through transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) have been previously reported. Herein, we report a case involving a 35-year-old pregnant woman who presented at 28 weeks of gestation with right upper quadrant pain, hypotension, and elevated levels of liver enzymes. Transabdominal ultrasound revealed fetal death.

Diagnosis of Pulmonary Embolism in Unenhanced Dual Energy CT Using an Electron Density Image.

Dual-energy computed tomography (CT) is a promising tool, providing both anatomical information and material properties. Using spectral information such as iodine mapping and virtual monoenergetic reconstruction, dual-energy CT showed added value over pulmonary CT angiography in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. However, the role of non-contrast-enhanced dual energy CT in pulmonary embolism has never been reported.

Abdominal CT in patients with arms down positioning: Effect of virtual monoenergetic reconstruction on diagnostic image quality.

Purpose: To evaluate effect of virtual monoenergetic reconstruction on contrast-enhanced abdominal CT obtained using a dual-layer detector CT (DLCT) in patients with arms-down positioning, in comparison with conventional 120-kVp image.

Methods: A total of 162 consecutive patients who underwent abdominal CT scans using a DLCT with arms-down positioning were retrospectively enrolled. 120-kVp image and virtual monoenergetic images (VMIs) at 40-100 keV were compared for arm-induced artifact reduction capability and image quality through objective and subjective assessments.

BAI1 nuclear expression reflects the survival of nonsmoking non-small cell lung cancer patients.

Background: Smoking- and nonsmoking-associated lung cancers have different mechanisms of carcinogenesis. We divided non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients into nonsmoking and smoking groups with the aim of trying to understand the utility of brain-specific angiogenesis inhibitor 1 (BAI1) expression in the separate groups.

Methods: Clinicopathological data were obtained from 148 patients who had undergone surgery for NSCLC of the lung.

Aberrant Left Subclavian Artery-Esophageal Fistula in a Patient with a Prolonged Use of Nasogastric Tube: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Arterial-esophageal fistula is a rare but potentially fatal complication. Right aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery is a rare congenital vascular anomaly that can cause esophageal compression, particularly when the proximal portion of the aberrant subclavian artery forms a Kommerell's diverticulum. Prolonged use of a nasogastric tube can cause pressure necrosis of the esophagus.

Diagnosis of multiple pulmonary cavernous hemangiomas via dual-layer spectral CT: A case report.

Rationale: Cavernous hemangioma is a benign vascular tumor, which very rarely occurs in the lung. When appearing as multiple nodules on chest CT, this tumor can be misdiagnosed as metastatic malignancy.

Patient Concerns: A 72-year-old woman presented with incidentally found multiple lung nodules on chest radiograph.

Pneumothorax after CT-guided transthoracic lung biopsy: A comparison between immediate and delayed occurrence.

Background: In CT-guided transthoracic lung biopsy (CTLB), pneumothorax can occur as a late complication (delayed pneumothorax). The incidence, risk factors, and clinical significance of delayed pneumothorax are not well known.

Objectives: To compare the risk factors for immediate and delayed pneumothorax after CTLB and to know their clinical significance.

Feasibility Study of Synthetic Diffusion-Weighted MRI in Patients with Breast Cancer in Comparison with Conventional Diffusion-Weighted MRI.

Objective: To investigate the clinical feasibility of synthetic diffusion-weighted imaging (sDWI) at different b-values in patients with breast cancer by assessing the diagnostic image quality and the quantitative measurements compared with conventional diffusion-weighted imaging (cDWI).

Materials And Methods: Fifty patients with breast cancer were assessed using cDWI at b-values of 800 and 1500 s/mm² (cDWI and cDWI) and sDWI at b-values of 1000 and 1500 s/mm² (sDWI and sDWI). Qualitative analysis (normal glandular tissue suppression, overall image quality, and lesion conspicuity) was performed using a 4-point Likert-scale for all DWI sets and the cancer detection rate (CDR) was calculated.

Isolated left bronchial isomerism that was incidentally detected as a severe obstructive ventilatory disturbance in an asymptomatic adult patient: A case report.

Rationale: Left bronchial isomerism is generally associated with abnormal arrangement of the atrium and abdominal viscera; therefore, its diagnosis is confirmed in early childhood.

Patient Concerns: Here we report a rare case involving a 36-year-old man with isolated left bronchial isomerism that presented as an asymptomatic severe obstructive ventilatory disturbance during pulmonary function tests performed as part of routine assessments for an orbital wall fracture. The patient was a current smoker and did not show any respiratory symptoms.

Respiratory motion-resolved four-dimensional zero echo time (4D ZTE) lung MRI using retrospective soft gating: feasibility and image quality compared with 3D ZTE.

Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility and image quality of respiratory motion-resolved 4D zero echo time (ZTE) lung MRI compared with that of 3D ZTE.

Methods: Our institutional review board approved this study. Twenty-one patients underwent lung scans using 3D ZTE and 4D ZTE sequences via prospective and retrospective soft gating techniques, respectively.

Meandering pulmonary veins: Two case reports.

Rationale: Meandering pulmonary vein is a rare congenital pulmonary vascular anomaly. It presents unilateral single pulmonary vein that takes a circuitous route in the lung and drains normally into the left atrium. Most cases of meandering pulmonary vein have been reported to be right-sided.

Risk Factor and Mortality in Patients with Pulmonary Embolism Combined with Infectious Disease.

Background: Infectious conditions may increase the risk of venous thromboembolism. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the risk factor for combined infectious disease and its influence on mortality in patients with pulmonary embolism (PE).

Methods: Patients with PE diagnosed based on spiral computed tomography findings of the chest were retrospectively analyzed.

Coexistence of nontuberculous mycobacterium and IgG4-related disease in a solitary pulmonary nodule: A case report.

Rationale: Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is regarded as an immune-mediated systemic fibroinflammatory disease. Several studies have linked IgG4-RD to infections such as tuberculosis and actinomycosis. However, the coexistence of IgG4-RD and non-tuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) in a single pulmonary nodule has not been reported yet.

Hypersensitivity Reactions to Iodinated Contrast Media: A Multicenter Study of 196 081 Patients.

Background Multicenter studies may be required for establishing guidelines for safe usage of iodinated contrast media (ICM). Purpose To identify the prevalence, patterns, risk factors, and preventive measures for ICM-related hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs). Materials and Methods Between March 2017 and October 2017, a total of 196 081 patients who underwent ICM administration were enrolled from seven participating institutions.