Common Mutations in the Surfactant Protein-C Gene in Iranian Patients with Diffuse Parenchymal Lung Disease.

Background: Recently, genetic mutations in surfactant protein C (SFTPC) have been linked to diffuse parenchymal lung diseases (DPLD). The present study investigated mutations among Iranian patients with DPLD for the first time.

Materials And Methods: In this study, we examined 28 patients diagnosed with DPLD.

FAPI Uptake in Gallbladder Is It Normal Biodistribution?

Radiolabeled fibroblast activation protein inhibitors (FAPIs) have been extensively used in different types of cancers, although not yet FDA approved. Normal patterns of FAPI biodistribution have been investigated, and it is known that FAPI is expressed in nonmalignant pathophysiological lesions, characterized by tissue remodeling such as atherosclerosis, arthritis, and scar/fibrotic tissues. In this interesting image, we are presenting the accumulation of 68 Ga-FAPI in the gallbladder.

Beneficial effects of the combination of BCc1 and Hep-S nanochelating-based medicines on IL-6 in hospitalized moderate COVID-19 adult patients: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Background: In the severe forms of COVID-19 and many other infectious diseases, the patients develop a cytokine storm syndrome (CSS) where pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α play a key role in the development of this serious process. Selenium and iron are two important trace minerals, and their metabolism is tightly connected to immune system function. Numerous studies highlight the role of selenium and iron metabolism changes in the procedure of COVID-19 inflammation.

FDG PET/CT in Immune-Related Arthritis in a Patient Treated With Nivolumab.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are a new and different treatment option in many of solid tumors, but with many recognized immune-related adverse side effects. In this interesting image, we are presenting a 56-year-old woman with primary malignant melanoma who underwent nivolumab therapy for 5 months, and a posttreatment whole-body FDG PET/CT scan for treatment response evaluation demonstrated increased metabolic activity in the entire major joints of the upper and lower extremities. This was a new finding compared with previous FDG PET/CT scan and was interpreted as an immune-related arthritis complication.

Steatotic Hepatitis Presenting as a Huge Hypermetabolic Liver Mass.

FDG PET/CT scan is a diagnostic imaging modality for oncologic patients, but with false-positive findings in inflammatory diseases. In this interesting case, we present a 24-year-old woman with history of giant cell tumor of the bone (lumbar vertebrae) who underwent whole-body FDG PET/CT scan for treatment response evaluation. FDG PET/CT scan demonstrated a large hypermetabolic tumoral mass lesion in segment VI/VII of the right hepatic lobe.

Rare Presentation of Inflammatory Lung Disease and Subcutaneous Nodules on FDG PET/CT Scan: Brief Discussion of Differential Diagnoses.

We present a 37-year-old man with cough and progressive dyspnea for the past 3 years. According to inconclusive chest CT scan and lung biopsy histopathology findings, the patient referred for 18F-FDG PET/CT scan for further evaluation. Classic pulmonary manifestations of Langerhans cell histiocytosis were seen on CT images with intense FDG uptake on PET scan.

Correction: ai-corona: Radiologist-assistant deep learning framework for COVID-19 diagnosis in chest CT scans.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Interesting Manifestation of Autoimmune Encephalitis on FDG PET Scan.

We are presenting a 22-year-old man with intractable seizures. Autoimmune epilepsy, vasculitis, and paraneoplastic disorder were among initial differential diagnoses. His initial laboratory tests and toxicology screen were unremarkable.

ai-corona: Radiologist-assistant deep learning framework for COVID-19 diagnosis in chest CT scans.

The development of medical assisting tools based on artificial intelligence advances is essential in the global fight against COVID-19 outbreak and the future of medical systems. In this study, we introduce ai-corona, a radiologist-assistant deep learning framework for COVID-19 infection diagnosis using chest CT scans. Our framework incorporates an EfficientNetB3-based feature extractor.

Clinical Significance of Quantitative FDG PET/CT Parameters in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients.

Background: An initial evaluation of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with 18F- fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scan can modify treatment planning. We investigated the clinical significance of FDG PET/CT quantitative parameters (QPs) in NSCLC patients.

Materials And Methods: We included 125 NSCLC patients for initial staging FDG PET/CT scan.

Spirometry, cardiopulmonary exercise testing and the six-minute walk test results in sarcoidosis patients.

Background: The 6-minute walking test, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, and spirometry are useful tools for evaluation of respiratory impairment and functional capacity in patients with lung disease. Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous disease of unknown etiology.

Objectives: Since the pulmonary involvement can affect the quality of life in sarcoidosis patients, this study is aimed to evaluate the tests mentioned above in order to examine the functional capacity of sarcoidosis patients in different stages as well as the cause of exercise intolerance.

The impact of iterative reconstruction protocol, signal-to-background ratio and background activity on measurement of PET spatial resolution.

Objectives: The present study aims to assess the impact of acquisition time, different iterative reconstruction protocols as well as image context (including contrast levels and background activities) on the measured spatial resolution in PET images.

Methods: Discovery 690 PET/CT scanner was used to quantify spatial resolutions in terms of full width half maximum (FWHM) as derived (i) directly from capillary tubes embedded in air and (ii) indirectly from 10 mm-diameter sphere of the NEMA phantom. Different signal-to-background ratios (SBRs), background activity levels and acquisition times were applied.

Correlation of quantified metabolic activity in nonsmall cell lung cancer with tumor size and tumor pathological characteristics.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) with tumor size and tumor pathological characteristics as well as suggesting equations between SUVmax and tumor size in patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to help differentiate between pathology types.We retrospectively analyzed the fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) findings of 98 patients with NSCLC. Statistical differences were considered significant when P < .

Mantle cell lymphoma presenting as bilateral adrenal huge masses.

We present a middle-aged woman complaining of weakness, lethargy and weight loss for 6 months. Positron emission tomography (PET)/CT scan revealed huge bilateral adrenal masses with intense 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose avidity. Biopsy and immunohistochemical staining were compatible with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL).

Impact of Time-of-Flight and Point-Spread-Function for Respiratory Artifact Reduction in PET/CT Imaging: Focus on Standardized Uptake Value.

Background: The most important advantage of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging is its capability of quantitative analysis. The aim of the current study was to choose the proper standardized uptake value (SUV) threshold, when the time-of-flight (TOF) and point spread function (PSF) were used for respiratory artifact reduction in the liver dome in a new-generation PET/CT scanner.

Materials And Methods: The current study was conducted using a National Electrical Manufacturers Association International Electrotechnical Commission body phantom, with activity ratios of 2:1 and 4:1.

Hypermetabolic Thyroid Incidentaloma on Positron Emission Tomography: Review of Laboratory, Radiologic, and Pathologic Characteristics.

Introduction: Incidental hypermetabolic thyroid lesions on Positron Emission Tomography have significant clinical value and may harbor malignancy. In this study we evaluated laboratory, radiologic, and pathologic characteristics of incidental hypermetabolic thyroid lesions.

Materials And Methods: We evaluated 18 patients prospectively with various malignancies and hypermetabolic thyroid incidentaloma.

Role of FDG PET/CT Scan in Head and Neck Cancer Patients.

Introduction: PET/CT scan has an emerging role in head and neck oncology with a few well-established indications, including: detection of unknown primary tumor site, tumor staging, radiotherapy planning, treatment response assessment and detection of recurrent disease. The purpose of this study is reporting PET/CT findings in head and neck cancer patients to emphasize its role in head and neck oncology.

Materials And Methods: In a retrospective study, we reviewed our PET/CT database and found 94 patients with primary head and neck cancer.

Synovial Sarcoma of the Esophagus: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

Synovial sarcoma is an uncommon soft tissue tumor occurring mainly in the periarticular region of the extremities in young adults. It happens less frequently in the head and neck, mediastinum, lungs, heart, and digestive tract. A 28-year-old man two months after total esophagectomy with final diagnosis of esophageal synovial sarcoma was referred to our Positron Emission Tomography (PET-CT) department for the evaluation of treatment response and further treatment planning.

Radiographic manifestations of Tuberculosis in HIV positive patients: Correlation with CD4+ T-cell count.

Background: Observations on Tuberculosis/HIV co-infection in addition to epidemiologic molecular studies have recently provided strong evidence for the state of immune system as the major determinant of the TB imaging spectrum. However, the presence of any correlation between radiographic findings and the degree of immunosuppression in HIV+ patients still remains controversial. The present study aimed to investigate the TB radiographic manifestation in HIV+ patients and its relationship to the CD4 cell count.

Radiologic manifestations of pulmonary tuberculosis in patients of intensive care units.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a serpent disease with various pulmonary manifestations, and timely diagnosis of the disease is paramount, since delayed treatment is associated with severe morbidity, particularly in intensive care units (ICU). Therefore, it is imperative that intensivists understand the typical distribution, patterns, and imaging manifestations of TB.

Aim: To describe different manifestations of pulmonary TB in patients in the ICU.

Malignant Mesothelioma Versus Metastatic Carcinoma of the Pleura: A CT Challenge.

Background: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare malignant neoplasm of the pleura that typically affects individuals occupationally exposed to asbestos through a variety of industries. MPM presents with several CT features similar to more common pleural diseases such as metastatic pleural malignancy.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to differentiate malignant pleural mesothelioma from metastatic carcinoma of the pleura by pathological and radiological assessment in order to investigate accuracy of CT scan in this regard and to compare CT features of these two malignancies.

Thoracic Kidney: Extremely Rare State of Aberrant Kidney.

The thorax is the rarest place among all forms of renal ectopia. We report a rare case of an unacquired thoracic kidney. Only about 200 cases of the thoracic kidney have ever been reported in medical literature worldwide.

Sleep-disordered breathing as presenting manifestation of Chiari type I malformation: a case report.

Chiari Type I malformation (CM-I) is a rare disorder with displaced cerebellar tonsils through foramen magnum. Here we present a 30-year-old man with severe central and obstructive sleep apneas as presenting manifestations of CM-I. The patient underwent neurosurgery and the follow-up polysomnography revealed the resolution of central apnea while obstructive apnea remained unchanged.

Thoracic Imaging Findings of Collagen Vascular Diseases: A CT Study.

Background: Collagen vascular diseases (CVDs) are well known causes of pulmonary involvement, leading to significant morbidity. The purpose of this study was to identify several thoracic computed tomographic findings of CVDs.

Materials And Methods: The study included 56 patients (15 males and 41 females) with histopathologically and clinically proven CVDs who were identified retrospectively.

Extra-pulmonary Pneumocystis jiroveci infection: a case report.

In physical examination abdominal tenderness, gate disturbance and penile herpetic lesions were detected. Decreased disc height at T11-T12 level was detected in chest X-ray. Abdominal sonography and CT scan revealed hypo dense lesions in Lt left Lobe of liver and multiple hypo dense splenic and pancreatic lesions, ascitis, Lt left sided pleural effusion, thickening of jejuneal mucosa and edema of bowel wall.