CT Patterns of Interstitial Lung Disease in Patients with Plaque Psoriasis: A Retrospective Case Series Study.

Background and Objectives: Recently published articles reported an association between psoriasis and interstitial lung diseases (ILDs). The aim of this study is to evaluate the differences in ILD computed tomography (CT) patterns between smoker and never smoker plaque psoriasis (PP) patients under topical treatment without psoriatic arthritis (PA), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or connective tissue diseases (CTDs). Matherials and Methods: Two radiologists evaluated chest CT examinations of 65 patients (33 smokers, 32 never smokers) with PP. Results: Usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) pattern was diagnosed in 36 patients, nonspecific interstitial pneumonia pattern in 19, hypersensitivity pneumonitis in 7 and pleuropulmonary fibroelastosis (PPFE) in 3 patients. UIP pattern showed a statistically significant higher frequency in smoker patients (p = 0.0351). Respiratory symptoms were reported in 80% of patients. Conclusions: ILDs seems to represent a new comorbidity associated with psoriasis. Moreover, a statistically significant association between smokers and UIP pattern in PP patients is found. Respiratory symptoms should be evaluated in PP patients, in collaboration with a radiologist and a pneumologist. However, further studies are required to better understand the epidemiology of ILDs in PP patients.

Cardiac Masses and Pseudomasses: An Overview about Diagnostic Imaging and Clinical Background.

A cardiac lesion detected at ultrasonography might turn out to be a normal structure, a benign tumor or rarely a malignancy, and lesion characterization is very important to appropriately manage the lesion itself. The exact relationship of the mass with coronary arteries and the knowledge of possible concomitant coronary artery disease are necessary preoperative information. Moreover, the increasingly performed coronary CT angiography to evaluate non-invasively coronary artery disease leads to a rising number of incidental findings. Therefore, CT and MRI are frequently performed imaging modalities when echocardiography is deemed insufficient to evaluate a lesion. A brief comprehensive overview about diagnostic radiological imaging and the clinical background of cardiac masses and pseudomasses is reported.

Soft-tissue inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) of the limbs: potential and limits of diagnostic imaging.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this work was to evaluate the potential of diagnostic imaging in the identification, localization, and characterization of soft-tissue inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) of limbs with correlation to differential diagnosis and therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From a retrospective analysis of 324 histologically verified soft-tissue lesions of limbs and extremities diagnosed in our institute from January 2002 to July 2010, we selected seven cases of histologically proven IMT. These included six males and one female, aged between 28 and 81 years (mean age, 57 years). Lesions were localized in three cases to the thigh, in two cases to the popliteal space, and in the remaining two cases, to the shoulder girdle. All patients were evaluated on the basis of US, CT, and MRI. RESULTS: Ultrasound detected the presence of a non-homogeneous solid formation in all cases and calcifications in three cases. CT showed the presence and type of calcification/ossification and bone reaction. On MRI, all cases had low signal intensity on SE T1-weighted sequences and an intermediate-low signal intensity on SE and FSE T2-weighted sequences in six of them; only one case had an intermediate-high signal intensity on SE and FSE T2-weighted sequences. Both contrast-enhanced CT and MRI showed precocious enhancement in association with multiple peripheral hypertrophic blood vessels. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of integrated imaging data obtained by US, CT, and MRI, it is possible to evaluate the lesion extension to provide a loco-regional staging, to characterize IMTs, and to allow an optimal therapeutical planning.

Thoracoabdominal computed tomography neoplasia detection in patients with paraneoplastic pemphigus: the importance of collaboration between specialists.

INTRODUCTION: Paraneoplastic pemphigus (PNP) is an autoimmune disorder that is almost always linked to an underlying neoplasia. General radiologists are usually not aware of what kind of neoplasia can be associated with PNP. Therefore, this study evaluates the effect of a dermatology lecture on radiologists' neoplasia diagnosis performance. METHODS: Two radiologists evaluated thoracoabdominal computed tomography (CT) examination images of 43 patients with PNP in separate reading sessions blinded to each other's assessments. Six months after the first CT image evaluation session, the two radiologists attended a lecture by two dermatologists about PNP, and 6 months later the two radiologists assessed the same CT examinations again. RESULTS: Statistical analysis showed statistically significant differences in CT sensitivity between the first and the second round of image evaluation for both radiologists (reader 1: p = 0.0313; reader 2: p = 0.0156). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to evaluate the effectiveness of a dermatology lecture on diagnostic performance. It is very important for radiologists to be familiar with the particular neoplasms that can be associated with PNP because this can have a direct clinical impact on diagnostic performance.

Sinus Disease Grading on Computed Tomography Before and After Modulating Therapy in Adult Patients with Cystic Fibrosis.

Objectives: Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulator therapy effects on respiratory function, pulmonary exacerbations and quality of life have been well documented. However, CFTR modulator therapy effects on sinus disease have not been so well reported. A previous study reported that ivacaftor improves appearance of sinus disease on Computed Tomography (CT) in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients with G551D mutation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of CFTR modulator therapy in sinus disease using CT scores in a wider CF patient population. Materials and Methods: Forty-eight adult patients with CF underwent at least one CT sinus examination before CFTR modulator therapy (ivacaftor, lumacaftor, ivacaftor/lumacaftor or elexcaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor) and one CT sinus examination one year after CFTR modulator therapy initiation. Two radiologists assessed the images in consensus. The Lund-Mackay score (LM score) and the Sheikh-Lind CT sinus disease severity scoring system (SL score) were used. The 22-item SinoNasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) questionnaire was evaluated before CFTR modulator therapy and one year after CFTR modulator therapy initiation. Results: CT sinus examination after CFTR modulator therapy showed statistically significant lower mean LM, SL and SNOT-22 scores than CT sinus examination before CFTR modulator therapy (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Evolution of imaging findings on CT during follow-up closely correlate with improved SNOT-22 score one year after CFTR modulator therapy initiation, indicating that CT may be a useful adjunct during follow-up of CF patients under this treatment as an objective measure of sinonasal disease improvement.

Low diffusion level within a fibroadenoma as the sole sign of ductal carcinoma in situ: A case report.

We present a case of ductal carcinoma in situ within a fibroadenoma. Breast cancer arising within fibroadenoma incidence ranges from 0.125% to 0.02%, and ductal carcinoma in situ is not the most frequent malignancy that can be found within a fibroadenoma. Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging showed an oval mass with circumscribed margins and dark internal septations, suspicious for fibroadenoma. According to European Society of Breast Radiology diffusion-weighted imaging consensus, mean apparent diffusion coefficient value obtained by drawing a small region of interest on the lesion apparent diffusion coefficient map showed a low diffusion level. Therefore, ductal carcinoma in situ within a fibroadenoma was diagnosed at final pathology after surgical excision.

Magnetic resonance imaging of AMS (Aneurysm of the Membranous Septum), review of the literature and case report.

Aneurysm of the Membranous Septum (AMS) is a rare cardiac disease, mostly associated with other cardiac anomalies, very rare in the absence of other congenital heart defects. A prompt diagnosis is important, due to severe potential complications, but remain challenging. Most of the cases were earlier diagnosed using ventriculography, but, with the availability of echocardiography and cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), this disease can be accurately assessed non-invasively. We report a case of a 62 years old female patient, without other cardiac congenital disease, who was incidentally diagnosed, by means of CMR with a true and isolated AMS. Our report underlines CMR usefulness in AMS diagnosis, thanks to accurate evaluation (both morphologic and functional) provided by this diagnostic tool, which is able to demonstrate clearly the presence of AMS (aneurysm of the membranous septum) and depict its features.

Evaluation of medial meniscus tears and meniscal stability: weight-bearing MRI vs arthroscopy.

To assess the role of dedicated low-field standard and weight-bearing MRI in the evaluation of stable or unstable tears of medial meniscus in comparison with arthroscopy. Our series included 1750 knee MRI scans performed with a high-field MRI scanner from July 2010 to August 2011. We retrospectively reviewed and analyzed 20 MRI exams of normal knee and 57 MRI exams of knee with clinical evidence of tears of the medial meniscus. In the same session, after conventional 1.5T and "dedicated" 0.25T supine MRI exam, the patients underwent weight-bearing examination with the same dedicated MRI unit. In all cases sagittal and coronal PD-W were used. All patients underwent arthroscopy 18-25 days after the weight-bearing MRI. In the first group, no statistically significant anatomical modifications of shape, intensity and position of the medial meniscus between standard 1.5T, dedicated supine and upright MRI were observed. In group A, the images acquired in the supine position (dedicated and 1.5T MRI) documented in 21 cases a traumatic tear (group 2A) and in 36 cases a degenerative tear (group 2B). In group 2A, weight-bearing MRI showed presence of unstable tear a degenerative unstable meniscal tear only in 19 out of 36 cases. In group 2B, weight-bearing MRI showed only in 9 out 21 cases. Arthroscopy confirmed weight-bearing MRI diagnosis in all cases. This new approach to meniscus pathology gives an important contribution to a better management of a diagnostic-therapeutic approach in which standard MRI has not played a key role, so far.

Pediatric stroke: clinical findings and radiological approach.

This paper focuses on radiological approach in pediatric stroke including both ischemic stroke (Arterial Ischemic Stroke and Cerebral Sinovenous Thrombosis) and hemorrhagic stroke. Etiopathology and main clinical findings are examined as well. Magnetic Resonance Imaging could be considered as the first-choice diagnostic exam, offering a complete diagnostic set of information both in the discrimination between ischemic/hemorrhagic stroke and in the identification of underlying causes. In addition, Magnetic Resonance vascular techniques supply further information about cerebral arterial and venous circulation. Computed Tomography, for its limits and radiation exposure, should be used only when Magnetic Resonance is not available and on unstable patients.