Radiology in diffuse parenchymal lung disease and lung nodules

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New insights on COPD imaging via CT and MRI

Multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) can be used to quantify morphological features and investigate structure/function relationship in COPD. This approach allows a phenotypical definition of COPD patients, and might improve our understanding of disease pathogenesis and suggest new therapeutical options. In recent years, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has also become potentially suitable for the assessment of ventilation, perfusion and respiratory mechanics. This review focuses on the established clinical applications of CT, and novel CT and MRI techniques, which may prove valuable in evaluating the structural and functional damage in COPD

Effects of the COVID-19 Epidemic on Hospital Admissions for Non-Communicable Diseases in a Large Italian University-Hospital: A Descriptive Case-Series Study

Background: Concern is growing about the negative consequences that response measures to the COVID-19 epidemic may have on the management of other medical conditions. Methods: A retrospective descriptive case-series study conducted at a large University-hospital in northern Italy, an area severely hit by the epidemic. Results: Between 23 February and 14 May 2020, 4160 (52%) COVID-19 and 3778 (48%) non-COVID-19 patients were hospitalized. COVID-19 admissions peaked in the second half of March, a period characterized by an extremely high mortality rate (27.4%). The number of admissions in 2020 was similar to 2019, but COVID-19 patients gradually occupied all available beds. Comparison between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 admissions in 2020 revealed significant differences concerning all age classes and gender. Specifically, COVID-19 patients were older, predominantly male, and exhibited more comorbidities. Overall, admissions for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in 2020 vs. 2019 dropped by approximately one third. Statistically significant reductions were observed for acute myocardial infarction (−78, −33.9%), cerebrovascular disease (−235, −41.5%), and cancer (−368, −31.9%). While the first two appeared equally distributed between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients, chronic NCDs were statistically significantly more frequent in the former, except cancer, which was less frequent in COVID-19 patients. Conclusions: Prevention of collateral damage to patients with other diseases should be an integral part of epidemic response plans. Prospective cohort studies are needed to understand the long-term impact

Janus-faced amiodarone-induced pneumopathy

The authors describe a patient showing bilateral, peripheral, predominantly basal ground-glass and reticular opacities consistent with a non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) radiological pattern. This was followed by the occurrence of two nodules that progressively decreased in size after oral steroids had been given and therefore they were interpreted as an unusual manifestation of amiodarone-related pulmonary toxicity (APT)

Pancreas divisum and duodenal diverticula as two causes of acute or chronic pancreatitis that should not be overlooked: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Pancreas divisum is a congenital anatomical anomaly characterized by the lack of fusion of the ventral and dorsal parts of the pancreas during the eighth week of fetal development. This condition is found in 5% to 14% of the general population. In pancreas divisum, the increased incidence of acute and chronic pancreatitis is caused by inadequate drainage of secretions from the body, tail and part of the pancreatic head through an orifice that is too small. The incidence of diverticula in the second part of the duodenum is found in approximately 20% of the population. Compression of the duodenal diverticula at the end of the common bile duct leads to the formation of biliary lithiasis (a principal cause of acute pancreatitis), pain associated with biliary lithiasis owing to compression of the common bile duct (at times with jaundice), and compression of the last part of Wirsung's duct or the hepatopancreatic ampulla (ampulla of Vater) that may lead to both acute and chronic pancreatitis.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We describe the radiological findings of the case of a 75-year-old man with recurrent acute pancreatitis due to a combination of pancreas divisum and duodenal diverticula.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography is advisable in patients with recurrent pancreatitis (both acute and chronic) since it is the most appropriate noninvasive treatment for the study of the pancreatic system (and the eventual presence of pancreas divisum) and the biliary systems (eventual presence of biliary microlithiasis). Moreover, it can lead to the diagnostic suspicion of duodenal diverticula, which can be confirmed through duodenography with X-ray or computed tomography scan with a radio-opaque contrast agent administered orally.</p

Interstitial lung abnormalities: new insights between theory and clinical practice

: Interstitial lung abnormalities (ILAs) represent radiologic abnormalities incidentally detected on chest computed tomography (CT) examination, potentially related to interstitial lung diseases (ILD). Numerous studies have demonstrated that ILAs are associated with increased risk of progression toward pulmonary fibrosis and mortality. Some radiological patterns have been proven to be at a higher risk of progression. In this setting, the role of radiologists in reporting these interstitial abnormalities is critical. This review aims to discuss the most recent advancements in understanding this radiological entity and the open issues that still prevent the translation from theory to practice, emphasizing the importance of ILA recognition and adequately reporting in clinical practice

Volumetric Measurements in Lung Cancer Screening Reduces Unnecessary Low-Dose Computed Tomography Scans: Results from a Single-Center Prospective Trial on 4119 Subjects

This study aims to compare the low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) outcome and volume-doubling time (VDT) derived from the measured volume (MV) and estimated volume (EV) of pulmonary nodules (PNs) detected in a single-center lung cancer screening trial. MV, EV and VDT were obtained for prevalent pulmonary nodules detected at the baseline round of the bioMILD trial. The LDCT outcome (based on bioMILD thresholds) and VDT categories were simulated on PN- and screenee-based analyses. A weighted Cohen’s kappa test was used to assess the agreement between diagnostic categories as per MV and EV, and 1583 screenees displayed 2715 pulmonary nodules. In the PN-based analysis, 40.1% PNs were included in different LDCT categories when measured by MV or EV. The agreements between MV and EV were moderate (κ = 0.49) and fair (κ = 0.37) for the LDCT outcome and VDT categories, respectively. In the screenee-based analysis, 46% pulmonary nodules were included in different LDCT categories when measured by MV or EV. The agreements between MV and EV were moderate (κ = 0.52) and fair (κ = 0.34) for the LDCT outcome and VDT categories, respectively. Within a simulated lung cancer screening based on a recommendation by estimated volumetry, the number of LDCTs performed for the evaluation of pulmonary nodules was higher compared with in prospective volumetric management

Epidemiology and management of interstitial lung disease in ANCA-associated vasculitis

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) is a group of systemic vasculitides that predominantly affect small vessels, including granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA). Pulmonary involvement is frequently observed in AAV patients, with various possible phenotypes in the different diseases. In the last years, among the possible types of lung involvement, a growing interest has been addressed to the interstitial lung disease (ILD). Prevalence of ILD is higher in MPA than in GPA; in fact, ILD has been reported in up to 45% of MPA patients and in 23% of GPA. Anti-MPO antibodies are the main ANCA subtype associated to ILD, in about 46-71% of cases, while anti-PR3 antibodies are reported in 0-29% of patients. High resolution computed tomography (HRCT) frequently detects interstitial lung abnormalities in AAV, up to 66% of patients with MPA, even if with an unclear clinical relevance, specifically in asymptomatic patients. Ground glass opacities, mainly consistent with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH), are the most frequent finding in MPA patients, but reticulations, interlobular septal thickening and honeycombing are also reported. ILD significantly affects quality of life and survival, with mortality increased 2 to 4 times, particularly higher in MPA patients with pulmonary fibrosis. Currently, immunosuppressive therapy is considered also as a possible treatment of ILD. However, a careful evaluation of progression and severity of lung involvement, should guide the treatment decision in the single patient. In this review, we discuss the available evidence on clinical features, diagnostic work-up, prognosis and management of AAV-ILD

Relationship between fibroblastic foci profusion and high resolution CT morphology in fibrotic lung disease

Background Fibroblastic foci profusion on histopathology and severity of traction bronchiectasis on highresolution computed tomography (HRCT) have been shown to be predictors of mortality in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between fibroblastic foci (FF) profusion and HRCT patterns in patients with a histopathologic diagnosis of usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP), fibrotic non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) and chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (CHP). Methods The HRCT scans of 162 patients with a histopathologic diagnosis of UIP or fibrotic NSIP (n = 162) were scored on extent of groundglass opacification, reticulation, honeycombing, emphysema and severity of traction bronchiectasis. For each patient, a fibroblastic foci profusion score based on histopathologic appearances was assigned. Relationships between extent of fibroblastic foci and individual HRCT patterns were investigated using univariate correlation analysis and multivariate linear regression. Results Increasing extent of reticulation (P < 0.0001) and increasing severity of traction bronchiectasis (P < 0.0001) were independently associated with increasing FF score within the entire cohort. Within individual multidisciplinary team diagnosis subgroups, the only significant independent association with FF score was severity of traction bronchiectasis in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)/UIP (n = 66, r2 = 0.19, P < 0.0001) and patients with chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (CHP) (n = 49, r2 = 0.45, P < 0.0001). Furthermore, FF score had the strongest association with severity of traction bronchiectasis in patients with IPF (r2 = 0.34, P < 0.0001) and CHP (r2 = 0.35, P < 0.0001). There was no correlation between FF score and severity of traction bronchiectasis in patients with fibrotic NSIP. Global disease extent had the strongest association with severity of traction bronchiectasis in patients with fibrotic NSIP (r2 = 0.58, P < 0.0001). Conclusion In patients with fibrotic lung disease, profusion of fibroblastic foci is strikingly related to the severity of traction bronchiectasis, particularly in IPF and CHP. This may explain the growing evidence that traction bronchiectasis is a predictor of mortality in several fibrotic lung diseases