Measuring accuracy of International Classification of Diseases codes in identification of patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis.

Introduction: Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis is a disease which is increasing in incidence and prevalence worldwide. The incidence of the disease is frequently estimated using databases that rely on International Classification of Diseases, ninth and tenth revisions, clinical modification (ICD-9-CM/ICD-10-CM) discharge diagnoses. Code accuracy has proved to be a major issue for other diagnoses using ICD codes.

The effect of a training webinar on decreasing inter-observer variability in making a radiologic diagnosis of bronchiectasis.

Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis is a clinically important disease with an estimated 340,000-522,000 persons living with the disease and 70,000 being diagnosed annually. The radiographic diagnosis remains a pivotal part of recognizing the disease due to its protean clinical manifestations. As physicians are sensitized to this disease, a greater proportion of patients are being diagnosed with mild to moderate bronchiectasis.

Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease: A Clinical and Radiologic Update.

Nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) is increasingly recognized in the U.S. and worldwide as a debilitating disease that is challenging to diagnose and manage.

Commonwealth Neuroendocrine Tumour Research Collaboration and the North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Patients With Lung Neuroendocrine Tumors: An International Collaborative Endorsement and Update of the 2015 European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society Expert Consensus Guidelines.

Lung neuroendocrine tumors (LNETs) are uncommon cancers, and there is a paucity of randomized evidence to guide practice. As a result, current guidelines from different neuroendocrine tumor societies vary considerably. There is a need to update and harmonize global consensus guidelines.

High-Yield Imaging Review of Pulmonary Infections.

Imaging plays a central role in the diagnosis of pulmonary infections with the chest radiograph as the initial study of choice. Computed tomography can further delineate the extent of disease and present key imaging signs that, along with clinical history and laboratory data, can properly guide the differential diagnosis. In this article, we review and illustrate the most relevant computed tomography imaging manifestations of common and less common pulmonary infections, including a section devoted to pulmonary infections in immunosuppressed patients.

Tailoring a rapid autopsy protocol to explore cancer evolution: a patient collaboration.

Genomic analysis of tissues from rapid autopsy programmes has transformed our understanding of cancer. However, these programmes are not yet established in New Zealand. Our neuroendocrine tumour research group, NETwork!, received a request from a patient wishing to donate tumour tissues post-mortem.

Empty Delta Sign on Unenhanced Postmortem Computed Tomography Scan in Cerebral Venous Thrombosis.

Cerebral venous thrombosis is a rare condition which constitutes 0.5% to 2% of all types of stroke and carries a mortality of up to 20% to 50%. It leads to cerebral edema, infarction, hemorrhage and venous hypertension.

A Rare Case of Isolated Atrial Myocarditis Causing Death With no Post Mortem Computed Tomography Scan Correlation.

Acute myocarditis is a potentially fatal cardiac pathology that is thought to cause sudden death through arrhythmia and cardiac failure. Of the different subtypes, lymphocytic myocarditis is the most common form. The pathophysiology of myocarditis can be generally diffuse or focally involve the ventricles, but less frequently affects the atria.

A chest radiograph scoring system in patients with severe acute respiratory infection: a validation study.

Background: The term severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) encompasses a heterogeneous group of respiratory illnesses. Grading the severity of SARI is currently reliant on indirect disease severity measures such as respiratory and heart rate, and the need for oxygen or intensive care. With the lungs being the primary organ system involved in SARI, chest radiographs (CXRs) are potentially useful for describing disease severity.

Emergency department abdominal computed tomography for nontraumatic abdominal pain: optimizing utilization.

Objectives: To identify predictors of positive computed tomographic (CT) yield and to measure the impact of CT yield on the disposition of patients referred for computed tomography after presenting to an emergency department with nontraumatic abdominal pain.

Materials And Methods: Computed tomographic reports, laboratory data, and emergency department and hospital records were retrospectively analyzed in 604 consecutive patients undergoing CT examinations. Computed tomographic yield was correlated to age, gender, leukocyte count, specified precomputed-tomography clinical diagnosis, and patient disposition.

Rolling circle replication of hepatitis delta virus RNA is carried out by two different cellular RNA polymerases.

Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) contains a viroid-like circular RNA that is presumed to replicate via a rolling circle replication mechanism mediated by cellular RNA polymerases. However, the exact mechanism of rolling circle replication for HDV RNA and viroids is not clear. Using our recently described cDNA-free transfection system (L.