Detection of pulmonary nodules by computer-aided diagnosis in multidetector computed tomography: preliminary study of 24 cases

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the performance of a computer program designed to facilitate the detection of pulmonary nodules using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) scans of the chest. METHODS: We evaluated 24 consecutive MDCT scans of the chest at the Fleury Diagnostic Imaging Center during the period from October 7 to October 19 of 2006, using a 64-channel CT scanner. The study comprised 12 females and 12 males, ranging from 35 to 77 years of age (mean, 57.9 years). Double reading and a computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) system were used in order to perform two independent analyses of the data. The nodules found using both methods were recorded, and the data were compared. RESULTS: The total sensitivity of CAD for the detection of nodules was 16.5%, increasing to 55% when nodules 1 cm. More than 99% of true nodules detected by CAD were registered in the image double reading process. CONCLUSIONS: In this preliminary 24-case study, the sensitivity of computer program tested was not significantly greater than that of the double-reading process that is routinely performed in this facility.OBJETIVOS: Avaliar o desempenho de um programa para auxílio na detecção de nódulos pulmonares em tomografia computadorizada com múltiplos detectores (TCMD). MÉTODOS: Foram avaliadas 24 tomografias computadorizadas de tórax consecutivas realizadas no Centro de Medicina Diagnóstica Fleury no período de 07/10/2006 a 19/10/2006 usando um tomógrafo helicoidal multidetectores de 64 canais. O estudo compreendeu 12 pacientes do sexo feminino e 12 do sexo masculino, com idades variando entre 35 e 77 anos, idade média de 57,9. As imagens foram analisadas independentemente pelo método da dupla leitura e pelo programa diagnóstico auxiliado por computador (DAC). Os nódulos encontrados nos diferentes processos foram registrados e os dados comparados. RESULTADOS: A sensibilidade total da detecção de nódulos pelo DAC nesse trabalho foi de 16,5%, 55% excluindo os nódulos medindo 1 cm. Menos de 1% dos nódulos verdadeiros destacados pelo DAC não haviam sido registrados no processo de dupla leitura. CONCLUSÕES: Neste trabalho preliminar de 24 casos, o programa testado não conseguiu superar de forma significativa a sensibilidade da dupla leitura realizada de rotina neste serviço.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Departamento de Diagnóstico por ImagemCentro de Medicina Diagnóstica FleuryUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)UNIFESP, Depto. de Diagnóstico por ImagemUNIFESPSciEL

Perguntamos: qual o diagnóstico?

Centro de Medicina Diagnóstica FleuryUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)University of British ColumbiaUNIFESPSciEL

Outbreak of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis among patients hospitalized in a bone marrow transplant ward: tomographic findings

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the main aspects on CT scans of six patients hospitalized in a bone marrow transplant ward, diagnosed with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA), during an in-hospital outbreak of the disease. METHODS: We reviewed 10 chest CT scans of six neutropenic or immunocompromised patients hospitalized in the hematology and bone marrow transplant ward of the Hospital São Paulo, in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, who were diagnosed with IPA between April of 2007 and October of 2007. The diagnosis of IPA was confirmed by anatomopathological findings (in 2 cases), culture (in 3 cases) or appropriate treatment response (in 1 case). RESULTS: We evaluated the CT scans of three male and three female patients, ranging from 22 to 58 years of age. The most common tomographic findings were nodules (5/6 cases) and areas of consolidation (2/6 cases). The nodules were more often multiple (3/5 cases), with irregular contours (4/5 cases) and accompanied by the halo sign (3/5 cases). One case presented multiple, centrally distributed areas of consolidation, and another presented an isolated, peripheral area of consolidation. Areas of ground-glass attenuation and septal thickening were found in three and two patients, respectively. Bilateral pleural effusion occurred in three cases. CONCLUSIONS: Consolidation, nodules, septal thickening, pleural effusion and ground-glass opacities were the principal tomographic findings in the six patients hospitalized in the abovementioned ward during the IPA outbreak. The nodules were often (in 67% of the cases) accompanied by the halo sign, a classically described finding in patients with IPA.OBJETIVO: Avaliar os principais aspectos encontrados na TC de seis pacientes internados em uma enfermaria de transplante de medula óssea, diagnosticados com aspergilose pulmonar invasiva (API) durante um surto intra-hospitalar da doença. MÉTODOS: Foram revisadas 10 TC de tórax de seis pacientes internados na enfermaria de hematologia e transplante de medula óssea do Hospital São Paulo em São Paulo (SP) entre abril de 2007 e outubro de 2007, neutropênicos ou imunossuprimidos, que evoluíram com API. O diagnóstico de API foi comprovado por exames anatomopatológicos (2 casos), cultura (3 casos) ou por resposta terapêutica adequada (1 caso). RESULTADOS: Foram avaliadas imagens tomográficas de três homens e três mulheres com idades variando de 22 a 58 anos. Nódulos (5/6 casos) e áreas de consolidação (2/6 casos) foram os achados tomográficos mais comuns. Os nódulos eram mais frequentemente múltiplos (3/5 casos), de contornos irregulares (3/5 casos) e com sinal do halo (3/5 casos). Foram encontradas consolidações múltiplas e de distribuição central em um caso e consolidação isolada e periférica em outro. Áreas de atenuação em vidro fosco e espessamento septal foram achados, respectivamente, em três e dois pacientes. Derrame pleural bilateral ocorreu em três casos. CONCLUSÕES: Consolidação, nódulos, opacidades em vidro fosco, derrame pleural e espessamentos septais foram os principais achados tomográficos dos seis pacientes internados na enfermaria acima citada durante o surto de API. O sinal do halo, classicamente descrito na literatura para esta condição, foi um achado frequente quando associado a nódulos (67%).Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de MedicinaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Departamento de Diagnóstico por ImagemUNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de Diagnóstico por ImagemSciEL

Subacute and chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis: Histopathological patterns and survival

Background: in hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), survival can be predicted on the basis of the severity of fibrosis in surgical lung biopsy, but few data are available on the influence of clinical, functional, tomographic and histologic findings on prognosis. Objectives: To describe the impact on survival. of clinical data, histological patterns, and HRCT findings in subacute/chronic HP.Methods: A retrospective analysis of 103 patients diagnosed with HP submitted to surgical lung biopsy. Chronic HP was characterized by HRCT findings indicative of fibrosis (n = 76).Results: the most relevant exposures were to molds and birds. Lung biopsies revealed typical HP with granulomas in 46 patients, bronchiolocentric interstitial pneumonia in 27, and nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) in 16. By univariate analysis, several findings were predictors of mortality: older age, mate sex, velcro crackles, higher FEV(1)/FVC ratio, lower oxygen saturation during exercise, and absence of mosaic pattern/air trapping and presence of fibrosis on HRCT. By multivariate analysis, remained significant: age (p = 0.007), oxygen saturation during exercise (p = 0.003), and mosaic pattern/air trapping on HRCT (p = 0.004). Patients with NSIP had a greater survival than did those with typical histology and those with bronchiolocentric pneumonia (p = 0.033).Conclusions: A wide range of histological features are found in FIR Typical findings are seen in 45% of cases, Other common patterns are NSIP and centriacinar lesions. Survival is better in patients with NSIP and worse in those with older age, desaturation during exercise, and absence of mosaic pattern/air trapping on HRCT. (c) 2009 Etsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Div Resp Dis, Dept Med, Escola Paulista Med, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilHosp Servidor Publ Estadual, Div Resp Dis, Dept Med, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Div Resp Dis, Dept Med, Escola Paulista Med, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc