Factors associated with interstitial lung disease and the progressive fibrosing phenotype in rheumatoid arthritis-related interstitial lung disease.

Background: The risk factors for interstitial lung disease (ILD) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are inconsistent among previous studies. Furthermore, the factors associated with the emergence of the recently defined progressive fibrosing (PF) phenotype are unknown. Herein, we analyze the risk factors for ILD in RA.

Evaluating Lung Changes in Long COVID: Ultra-Low-Dose vs. Standard-Dose CT Chest.

Background: Frequent chest CTs within a short period during follow-up of long COVID patients may increase the risk of radiation-related health effects in the exposed individuals. We aimed to assess the image quality and diagnostic accuracy of ultra-low-dose CT (ULDCT) chest compared to standard-dose CT (SDCT) in detecting lung abnormalities associated with long COVID.

Methods: In this prospective study, 100 long COVID patients with respiratory dysfunction underwent SDCT and ULDCT chest that were compared in terms of objective (signal-to-noise ratio, SNR) and subjective image quality (image graininess, sharpness, artifacts, and diagnostic accuracy along with the European guidelines on image quality criteria for CT chest), detection of imaging patterns of long COVID, CT severity score, and effective radiation dose.

Chest CT Findings at Six Months Following COVID-19 ARDS - Correlation With the mMRC Dyspnea Scale and Pulmonary Function Tests.

Many survivors of severe COVID-19 pneumonia experience lingering respiratory issues. There is limited research on follow-up chest imaging findings in patients with COVID-19 ARDS, particularly in relation to their mMRC dyspnea scores and pulmonary function tests (PFTs). This study addresses this gap by investigating the clinical characteristics, mMRC dyspnea scores, PFTs, and chest CT findings of COVID-19 ARDS patients at the 6 months post-recovery.

Perfusion Computed Tomography May Help in Discriminating Gastrointestinal Tuberculosis and Crohn's Disease.

Gastrointestinal tuberculosis (GITB) and Crohn's disease (CD) are close mimics. This prospective study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of perfusion computed tomography (CT) in differentiating GITB from CD. Consecutive patients with ileocaecal thickening underwent perfusion CT of the ileocaecal region between January 2019 and July 2020.

Ultra-Low Dose CT Chest in Acute COVID-19 Pneumonia: A Pilot Study from India.

The rapid increase in the number of CT acquisitions during the COVID-19 pandemic raised concerns about increased radiation exposure to patients and the resultant radiation-induced health risks. It prompted researchers to explore newer CT techniques like ultra-low dose CT (ULDCT), which could improve patient safety. Our aim was to study the utility of ultra-low dose CT (ULDCT) chest in the evaluation of acute COVID-19 pneumonia with standard-dose CT (SDCT) chest as a reference standard.

Prevalence and pattern of myocardial involvement on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in Takayasu arteritis and its relationship with disease activity.

Background: Cardiac involvement in Takayasu arteritis (TA) is the major cause of morbidity and mortality. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is an excellent modality for the assessment of myocardial involvement. Studies have shown myocardial involvement in 25%-27% of patients.

Imaging Spectrum in Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis.

Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) is a life-threatening respiratory fungal infection that is almost exclusively seen in patients with preexisting structural lung disease with no or mild immunosuppression. The clinical presentation and imaging findings are varied and often pose a diagnostic challenge; and the disease is often present for a long time before being correctly diagnosed. High-resolution chest computed tomography is the imaging modality of choice because it helps identify various forms of CPA, which can range from a simple aspergilloma and chronic cavitary form, to the subacute invasive and end-stage fibrotic form.

Role of MRI in the Evaluation of Pulmonary Sequel Following COVID-19 Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS).

To evaluate the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) chest as an alternative modality to CT chest for follow-up of patients recovered from severe COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). A total of 25 subjects (16 [64%] men; mean age 54.84 years ± 12.

Evaluation of Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis Prior to Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting - A Prospective Observational Study in North Indian Population.

Background: Carotid artery stenosis (CAS) is an established risk factor for peri-operative neurological complications in patients following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). However, routine pre-surgical screening for CAS is still a matter of debate. This study was conducted to study the prevalence of asymptomatic carotid artery disease in patients undergoing CABG and to determine the predictors of significant carotid stenosis in them.

ALK+ Anaplastic large cell lymphoma with extensive cardiac involvement: A rare case report and review of the literature.

Cardiac lymphoma is a rare entity. In this setting, the secondary involvement of the heart is far more frequent than the primary cardiac lymphoma. Herein, we present an autopsy case of a disseminated anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma with a dominant mediastinal involvement.

Computed tomography chest in COVID-19: When & why?

Computed tomography (CT) of the chest plays an important role in the diagnosis and management of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but it should not be used indiscriminately. This review provides indications of CT chest in COVID-19 suspect, positive and recovered patients based on the current scientific evidence and our personal experience. CT chest is not indicated as a routine screening modality due to its poor sensitivity and specificity.

CT findings in sequel of COVID-19 pneumonia and its complications.

A significant number of patients after initial recovery from COVID-19 continue to experience lingering symptoms of the disease that may last for weeks or even months. Lungs being the most commonly affected organ by COVID-19, bear the major brunt of the disease and thus it is imperative to be aware of the evolution of the pulmonary parenchymal changes over time. CT chest is the imaging modality of choice to evaluate post-COVID lungs.

Comparison of isolated venous approach with the standard approach in children undergoing patent ductus arteriosus device closure.

Background: Transcatheter device closure is a safe procedure recommended in children with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). While the standard procedure uses arterial and venous femoral access, it poses risk of vascular complications especially in young infants. Isolated venous approach has been tried in a few studies and was found to be non-inferior to the standard technique.

Case of calcific tricuspid and pulmonary valve stenosis.

Isolated right-sided valvular disease is a much less recognised entity when compared with left-sided valvular heart disease. Almost all the cases of combined pulmonary valve with tricuspid valve involvement are a consequence of underlying carcinoid heart disease. Moreover, severe calcification of tricuspid valve is an extremely unusual finding.

Abdominal Aortic Occlusion by Hydatid Cysts.

Hydatid disease is a parasitic infestation caused by the larval stage of . It can infest any part of the body; however, aortic hydatid disease is rare. Involvement of the abdominal aorta is usually due to embolization from cardiac hydatid cysts or direct invasion and can be present at intravascular or intramural locations.

Imaging in Circulatory Arrest: Lessons to be Learned.

Objective: This study describes the computed tomography (CT) features in patients with cardiac or circulatory arrest.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the CT of 5 patients (age range - 6-50 years) who had circulatory arrest while undergoing imaging, within a 12 month period in our Trauma and Emergency Centre. The presence or absence of contrast in the right and left chambers of heart, venous and arterial system, contrast density, and layering were assessed.

'IVC contrast level: a sign of cardiovascular dysfunction'.

Contrast blood level in intrahepatic inferior vena cava (IVC) on arterial contrast-enhanced CT images is referred to as IVC layering or IVC contrast level sign. This sign is important to recognize as it has dismal prognosis and requires immediate attention. The causes described in literature include cardiogenic shock, cardiac arrest and cardiac tamponade.