Imaging features and clinical value of 18F-FDG PET/CT for predicting airway involvement in patients with relapsing polychondritis.

BACKGROUND: The clinical value of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in assessing relapsing polychondritis (RP) with airway involvement remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate PET/CT features of RP with airway involvement and explore its clinical value in predicting disease pattern, severity and prognosis. METHODS: RP patients with airway involvement who underwent PET/CT from January 2010 to July 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. PET/CT features were analyzed both visually and semiquantitatively with the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG). Patterns of airway involvement on PET were summarized. Correlations of SUVmax and TLG of the airway were made with spirometric indicators and serological inflammatory markers (CRP and ESR). In addition, long-term follow-up was conducted through questionnaires in regard to symptom control, subjective feeling, pulmonary function, and quality of life. RESULTS: Fifty-two cases were finally included. 18F-FDG PET showed FDG-avid lesions with increased FDG uptake in the airway among 94.2% of the patients. Three patterns (focal, multifocal and diffuse patterns) were identified. TLG of the whole airway was lower in patients with previous therapy (p = 0.046). Bronchoscopy was more sensitive in detecting tracheal abnormalities (90.7% vs.53.5%, p = 0.039) but less sensitive for peripheral airway lesions (65.1% vs. 79.1%, p = 0.046) compared with PET. SUVmax and TLG of the airway positively correlated with spirometry indicators (FEV1%pred, FEV1/FVC, MEF 50%pred, etc.) and serological inflammatory markers. Five patients died during the follow-up, with two deaths related to airway problems. Higher FDG uptake predicted worse subjective feeling, but not with symptom control or pulmonary function. CONCLUSION: PET/CT is a valuable tool for RP with airway involvement, particularly in assessing peripheral airway lesions, and PET/CT related parameters are significantly associated with disease patterns, severity, and long-term outcomes.

Preliminary study on the short-term changes of pulmonary perfusion after a single balloon pulmonary angioplasty in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about immediate responses of blood perfusion to the balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) procedure. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the changes in pulmonary perfusion of balloon-dilated vessels and untreated vessels with before, immediately after a single BPA and at follow-up. DESIGN: Retrospective single-center cohort study. METHODS: Patients who had chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) and completed the pulmonary perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging before, immediately after BPA and at follow-up were included. We evaluated the perfusion defects of both-lung, BPA target (balloon dilated) and non-target (untreated) vessel segments according to Begic 3-point scale in each lung segment. RESULTS: Forty patients (40 BPA procedures) were included and were given next BPA after 89 (62-125) days. The hemodynamic parameters including mPAP, PVR, and RAP were significantly improved after a single BPA. Visual scoring results of pulmonary perfusion imaging in 40 BPAs showed the perfusion defect scores of target vessels reduced from 5.6 ± 2.6 to 4.2 ± 2.2 (p < 0.001) immediately after BPA, and then further diminished to 3.1 ± 1.9 (p < 0.001) at follow-up. While in the non-target vessels, the post-BPA perfusion defect scores did not change significantly (13.4 ± 4.7 versus 12.8 ± 4.6, p = 0.182), but tended to decrease at follow-up (12.2 ± 4.2). However, there were 17 BPAs of which the post-BPA perfusion defect scores of non-target vessels increased significantly (p < 0.001), but decreased at follow-up. CONCLUSION: In addition to improving the blood perfusion of target vessels, BPA also has a certain effect on the perfusion of some non-target vessels.

[Follow-up review on the long-term effect of composite transplantation of allogeneic acellular dermal matrix and split thickness skin autograft].

OBJECTIVE: To review the long-term clinical effect of composite transplantation of allogeneic acellular dermal matrix (ADM) and split thickness skin autograft (STSG). METHODS: Nineteen patients with 34 wounds transplanted with allogeneic ADM combined with STSG who were hospitalized from March 2001 to October 2008 were enrolled as composite transplantation group (CT). Another 9 patients with 11 wounds transplanted with STSG admitted within the same time frame were enrolled as control group (C). All patients were followed up for longer than 2 years. Color, evenness, texture, contracture, sensation, and complications of transplanted skin were assessed using a modified Manchester Scar Scale (1-4 scores, the higher the score, the poorer the situation). The scar formation on skin donor sites was assessed by the Vancouver Scar Scale. Patients' degree of satisfaction and health status during the transplantation period were investigated in the form of questionnaire. The skin tissue structure of 4 patients was observed with histological method. The joint range of motion was assessed by the neutral position before and after operation and at follow-up. Data were processed with nonparametric test, chi-square test or t test. RESULTS: (1) The evenness, contracture, and texture of transplanted skin in CT group scored (1.6 ± 0.5), (1.8 ± 0.8), and (1.5 ± 0.8), respectively, which were significantly lower than those in C group [(2.0 ± 0.7), (2.2 ± 0.9), and (2.3 ± 0.7), with Z value respectively -2.058, -2.220, -2.323, P values all below 0.05]. Scores of color, sensation, and complications of transplanted skin in two groups were close to each other (with Z value respectively -0.628, -0.428, -2.520, P values all above 0.05). (2) Mild scar formation was observed in one of the skin donor sites in CT group. (3) Information as obtained from questionnaire showed no statistical difference between two groups in pinching, itching, and satisfaction degree (with χ(2) value respectively 0.187, 0.019, 2.628, P values all above 0.05). (4) Nerve fibers were seen in hand tissue 2 years after operation. ADM did not induce severe inflammatory responses in the site of grafting. (5) Eleven joints in CT group recovered or improved in function; while the other two joints required secondary surgery. Obvious contracture was observed in the two joints in C group. CONCLUSIONS: Allogeneic ADM combined with STSG transplantation prevents scar contracture and has obvious effect in improving function and appearance. There is no problem in regard to safety for its existence in either adult or children.