The lung in primary immunodeficiencies: new concepts in infection and inflammation

Immunoglobulin replacement therapy (IGRT) has contributed critically to the management of primary antibody deficiencies (PAD) and the decrease in pneumonia rate. However, despite adequate IGRT and improved prognosis, patients with PAD continue to experience recurrent respiratory tract infections, leading to bronchiectasis and continuing decline in lung function with a severe impact on their quality of life. Moreover, non-infectious inflammatory and interstitial lung complications, such as granulomatous-lymphocytic interstitial lung disease, contribute substantially to the overall morbidity of PAD. These conditions develop much more often than appreciated and represent a major therapeutic challenge. Therefore, a regular assessment of the structural and functional condition of the lung and the upper airways with appropriate treatment is required to minimize the deterioration of lung function. This work summarizes the knowledge on lung complications in PAD and discusses the currently available diagnostic tools and treatment options

Computed tomography urography with iterative reconstruction algorithm in congenital urinary tract abnormalities in children : association of radiation dose with image quality

Purpose: To assess the extent to which a radiation dose can be lowered without compromising image quality and diagnostic confidence in congenital urinary tract abnormalities in children by using a CT scanner with an iterative reconstruction algorithm. Material and methods: 120 CT urography image series were analysed retrospectively. Image series were divided into four study groups depending on effective radiation dose (group 1: 0.8-2 mSv; group 2: 2-4 mSv; group 3: 4-6 mSv; group 4: 6-11 mSv). Objective and subjective image quality were investigated. In objective analysis, measurements of attenuation and standard deviation (SD) in five regions of interest (ROIs) were performed in 109 excretory image series, and image noise was evaluated. In subjective analysis, two independent radiologists evaluated 138 kidney units for subjective image quality and diagnostic confidence. Results: There were no significant differences in image noise in objective evaluation between the following study groups: 2 vs. 3 and 3 vs. 4 in all ROIs (with the only exception in spleen SD measurement between study groups 2 vs. 3), while there was significantly more image noise in group 2 in comparison to group 4. For all other ROIs in all study groups, there was more image noise on lower dose images. There were no significant differences in pairwise comparisons between study groups in subjective image quality. Diagnostic confidence was not significantly different between all study groups. Conclusions: Low-dose CT urography can be a valuable method in congenital urinary tract abnormalities in children. Despite poorer image quality, diagnostic confidence is not significantly compromised in examinations performed with lower radiation doses

Application of low dose computed tomography protocols in pediatric radiology

Djeca su zbog svoje male veličine, brojnih staničnih dioba još uvijek rastućih i razvijajućih tkiva i organa, kao i dužeg očekivanog životnog vijeka, otprilike tri puta osjetljivija na iste doze ionizirajućeg zračenja od odraslih. To je posebno izraženo kod pregleda kompjutoriziranom tomografijom (engl. computerized tomography, CT) koji, iako čine samo 17 % ionizirajućih radioloških pregleda, sudjeluju s čak 49 % u ukupnom ozračivanju pacijenata. Zbog toga se pod utjecajem kampanje Image Gently početkom 2010-ih godina razmišljalo o potpunom napuštanju CT pregleda u pedijatrijskoj radiologiji te njihovoj zamjeni ultrazvučnim odnosno pregledima učinjenim magnetskom rezonancijom kao metodama izbora. Pojava Flash CT tehnike koja istovremeno skraćuje vrijeme snimanja i smanjuje doze zračenja dovela je do odustajanja od toga. Tome u prilog išle su i činjenice da su s jedne strane CT pregledi praktički nezamjenjivi u slučajevima trauma, dok su s druge strane djeca, kao uostalom i pripadnici svih drugih dobnih skupina, neprestano izložena manjoj ili većoj količini pozadinskog ionizirajućeg zračenja (Zemlja, svemir, zrakoplovi). U tome smislu danas se sve više preporučuje uporaba low dose CT (LDCT) tehnika individualno prilagođenih svakom pacijentu zbog njihove manje količine ionizirajućeg zračenja. Na tome putu nastojali smo napraviti pregled najnovijih spoznaja o spomenutoj problematici na temelju znanstvenih radova objavljenih u protekle tri godine (2016. – 2018.). Oni pokazuju da CT pregledi ne samo da nisu napušteni u pedijatrijskoj radiologiji, već naprotiv, u slučajevima brojnih indikacija LDCT pregledi čine zlatni standard.Due to their small size, numerous cellular divisions of the still growing and developing tissues and organs, as well as a longer life expectancy, children are approximately three times more sensitive to the same doses of ionizing radiation than adults. This is especially the case with the computerized tomography (CT) examinations, which despite making only 17 % of the ionizing radiological examinations, account for as much as 49 % of the total patient irradiation. Because of this, the Image Gently campaign in the early 2010s was thinking about abandoning the CT examinations in pediatric radiology and replacing them with the ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging as the methods of choice. The appearance of Flash CT technology, which simultaneously shortens the recording time and reduces radiation doses, has led to the abandonment of this way of thinking. This is also supported by the fact that, on the one hand, CT examinations are practically irreplaceable in the cases of trauma, while on the other hand, children, as well as members of all the other age groups, are constantly exposed to a smaller or larger amount of the environmental ionizing radiation (Earth, space, airplanes). In this sense, it is increasingly recommended to use the low dose CT (LDCT) techniques individually adapted to each patient, due to their small amount of ionizing radiation. On this track, we have tried to make a review of the latest findings on the mentioned problem based on the scientific papers published over the past three years (2016-2018). They show that the CT examinations are not only abandoned in the pediatric radiology, but that on the contrary, in the cases of numerous indications LDCT examinations make the gold standard

Diseases of the Chest, Breast, Heart and Vessels 2019-2022

This open access book focuses on diagnostic and interventional imaging of the chest, breast, heart, and vessels. It consists of a remarkable collection of contributions authored by internationally respected experts, featuring the most recent diagnostic developments and technological advances with a highly didactical approach. The chapters are disease-oriented and cover all the relevant imaging modalities, including standard radiography, CT, nuclear medicine with PET, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging, as well as imaging-guided interventions. As such, it presents a comprehensive review of current knowledge on imaging of the heart and chest, as well as thoracic interventions and a selection of "hot topics". The book is intended for radiologists, however, it is also of interest to clinicians in oncology, cardiology, and pulmonology

Diseases of the Chest, Breast, Heart and Vessels 2019-2022

This open access book focuses on diagnostic and interventional imaging of the chest, breast, heart, and vessels. It consists of a remarkable collection of contributions authored by internationally respected experts, featuring the most recent diagnostic developments and technological advances with a highly didactical approach. The chapters are disease-oriented and cover all the relevant imaging modalities, including standard radiography, CT, nuclear medicine with PET, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging, as well as imaging-guided interventions. As such, it presents a comprehensive review of current knowledge on imaging of the heart and chest, as well as thoracic interventions and a selection of "hot topics". The book is intended for radiologists, however, it is also of interest to clinicians in oncology, cardiology, and pulmonology

Case series of breast fillers and how things may go wrong: radiology point of view

INTRODUCTION: Breast augmentation is a procedure opted by women to overcome sagging breast due to breastfeeding or aging as well as small breast size. Recent years have shown the emergence of a variety of injectable materials on market as breast fillers. These injectable breast fillers have swiftly gained popularity among women, considering the minimal invasiveness of the procedure, nullifying the need for terrifying surgery. Little do they know that the procedure may pose detrimental complications, while visualization of breast parenchyma infiltrated by these fillers is also deemed substandard; posing diagnostic challenges. We present a case series of three patients with prior history of hyaluronic acid and collagen breast injections. REPORT: The first patient is a 37-year-old lady who presented to casualty with worsening shortness of breath, non-productive cough, central chest pain; associated with fever and chills for 2-weeks duration. The second patient is a 34-year-old lady who complained of cough, fever and haemoptysis; associated with shortness of breath for 1-week duration. CT in these cases revealed non thrombotic wedge-shaped peripheral air-space densities. The third patient is a 37‐year‐old female with right breast pain, swelling and redness for 2- weeks duration. Previous collagen breast injection performed 1 year ago had impeded sonographic visualization of the breast parenchyma. MRI breasts showed multiple non- enhancing round and oval shaped lesions exhibiting fat intensity. CONCLUSION: Radiologists should be familiar with the potential risks and hazards as well as limitations of imaging posed by breast fillers such that MRI is required as problem-solving tool

Characterization of alar ligament on 3.0T MRI: a cross-sectional study in IIUM Medical Centre, Kuantan

INTRODUCTION: The main purpose of the study is to compare the normal anatomy of alar ligament on MRI between male and female. The specific objectives are to assess the prevalence of alar ligament visualized on MRI, to describe its characteristics in term of its course, shape and signal homogeneity and to find differences in alar ligament signal intensity between male and female. This study also aims to determine the association between the heights of respondents with alar ligament signal intensity and dimensions. MATERIALS & METHODS: 50 healthy volunteers were studied on 3.0T MR scanner Siemens Magnetom Spectra using 2-mm proton density, T2 and fat-suppression sequences. Alar ligament is depicted in 3 planes and the visualization and variability of the ligament courses, shapes and signal intensity characteristics were determined. The alar ligament dimensions were also measured. RESULTS: Alar ligament was best depicted in coronal plane, followed by sagittal and axial planes. The orientations were laterally ascending in most of the subjects (60%), predominantly oval in shaped (54%) and 67% showed inhomogenous signal. No significant difference of alar ligament signal intensity between male and female respondents. No significant association was found between the heights of the respondents with alar ligament signal intensity and dimensions. CONCLUSION: Employing a 3.0T MR scanner, the alar ligament is best portrayed on coronal plane, followed by sagittal and axial planes. However, tremendous variability of alar ligament as depicted in our data shows that caution needs to be exercised when evaluating alar ligament, especially during circumstances of injury