Focused Neck Ultrasound and Lymph Node Sampling by Respiratory Physicians in Suspected Lung Cancer.

Background: Malignant cervical lymphadenopathy in the setting of lung cancer represents N3 disease, and neck ultrasound (NUS) with sampling is described in the Royal College of Radiologists ultrasound training curriculum for the non-radiologists. This study reviews the incorporation of NUS +/- biopsy in the routine practice of a lung cancer fast-track clinic in the UK.

Methods: We retrospectively assessed 29 months of activity of a lung cancer fast-track clinic.

Systemic arteriopulmonary venous fistula (APVF): case presentation of an asymptomatic individual and a review of the literature.

Abnormal communications between the systemic and pulmonary venous systems are rare but can present as a opacity on chest radiograph. A solitary vessel communicating as a fistula directly between the systemic arterial circulation and the pulmonary venous system is not widely described. These may have significant implications in the long-term cardiovascular health of an individual acting as a left to right shunt.

Prevalence and outcome of central airway obstruction in patients with lung cancer.

Introduction: Central airway obstruction (CAO) is a life-threatening complication of lung cancer. The prevalence of CAO in lung cancer patients is unknown. We audited CAO burden to inform our local cancer service.

Diagnosing venous thromboembolism in pregnancy.

Objective: We report the imaging outcomes of all pregnant patients referred for suspected thromboembolism over a 43-month period.

Methods: We identified 168 patients who underwent ventilation/perfusion (VQ) single-photon emission CT (SPECT), CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) or a Doppler ultrasound scan of the lower legs, as well as a control group of 89 non-pregnant age- and sex-matched patients who underwent VQ SPECT during the same period. Imaging outcomes were recorded, and radiation doses were calculated for individual patients.

Comparison of Digital Tomosynthesis and Chest Radiography for the Detection of Noncalcified Pulmonary and Hilar Lesions.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the sensitivity and specificity of chest digital tomosynthesis (DTS) with chest radiography (CXR) for the detection of noncalcified pulmonary nodules and hilar lesions using computed tomography (CT) as the reference standard.

Materials And Methods: A total of 78 patients with suspected noncalcified pulmonary lesions on CXR were included in the study. Two radiologists, blinded to the history and CT, analyzed the CXR and the DTS images (separately), whereas a third radiologist analyzed the CXR and DTS images together.

The value of digital tomosynthesis of the chest as a problem-solving tool for suspected pulmonary nodules and hilar lesions detected on chest radiography.

Objectives: To assess the capability of digital tomosynthesis (DTS) of the chest compared to a postero-anterior (PA) and lateral chest radiograph (CXR) in the diagnosis of suspected but unconfirmed pulmonary nodules and hilar lesions detected on a CXR. Computed tomography (CT) was used as the reference standard.

Materials And Method: 78 patients with suspected non-calcified pulmonary nodules or hilar lesions on their CXR were included in the study.

Image comparative assessment using iterative reconstructions: clinical comparison of low-dose abdominal/pelvic computed tomography between adaptive statistical, model-based iterative reconstructions and traditional filtered back projection in 65 patients.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare image quality (objective and subjective parameters) and confidence in lesion detection between 3 image reconstruction algorithms in computed tomographic (CT) examinations of the abdomen/pelvis.

Materials And Methods: This prospective institutional review board-approved study included 65 patients (mean [SD] age, 71.3 ± 9 years; mean [SD] body mass index, 24.

Lung herniation: an unusual cause of dysphagia.

Lung herniation is a rare condition that can be classified on the basis of location and etiology. We report an unusual case of right apical lung herniation presenting with dysphagia. Computed tomography of the neck demonstrated an air-containing structure in the root of the right side of the neck, related to but separate from the anteromedial aspect of the right lung apex.

Image quality assessment of standard- and low-dose chest CT using filtered back projection, adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction, and novel model-based iterative reconstruction algorithms.

Objective: The purpose of this article is to compare image quality between filtered back projection (FBP), adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR), and model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR) at standard dose and two preselected low-dose scans.

Subjects And Methods: Thirty patients (16 men and 14 women; mean age, 67 years) were prospectively recruited. Patients underwent three scans (one standard-dose scan and two low-dose scans at noise indexes [NIs] of 33, 60, and 70, respectively).

Image Quality Assessment in Torso Phantom Comparing Effects of Varying Automatic Current Modulation with Filtered Back Projection, Adaptive Statistical, and Model-Based Iterative Reconstruction Techniques in CT.

Objectives: To compare image quality on computed tomographic (CT) images acquired with different levels of automatic tube current modulation reconstructed with filtered back projection (FBP), adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR), and novel model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR) techniques.

Methods: A torso phantom was scanned at 17 different noise levels of automatic current modulation and images were reconstructed with FBP, ASIR, and MBIR. Objective and subjective image qualities were assessed.

Imaging features of the pleuropulmonary manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis: pearls and pitfalls.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common disorder that affects the joints. RA is a systemic disease associated with relatively frequent and variable pleuropulmonary manifestations. This article reviews the common and potentially serious thoracic sequelae in terms of pleural disease, pulmonary nodules, airways disorders, and interstitial disease, as well as pulmonary side effects of antirheumatic medication.

Multidetector computed tomography vs magnetic resonance imaging for defining the upper limit of tumour thrombus in renal cell carcinoma: a study and review.

Objective: To compare the findings of multidetector computed tomography (CT) with surgical pathology and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to determine the accuracy of delineating the superior extent of inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombotic involvement in renal cell cancer (RCC).

Patients And Methods: A prospective database was examined of 11 patients (median age 65 years, range 45-77) being assessed for suspected IVC extension of RCC tumour thrombus with both multidetector CT and MRI. All had pathology confirming RCC, and eight of those undergoing surgery had pathological confirmation of tumour thrombus extent.