Metal Artifact Reduction Dual-Energy CT as an Accurate and Reliable Method for Measuring Total Knee Arthroplasty Femoral Component Rotation Compared to Conventional CT.

This article determines the accuracy and reliability of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) with metal artifact reduction (MAR) in the evaluation of femoral component rotation after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), in comparison with conventional CT images. A total of 49 patients (mean age, 69 years; 42 women) who underwent TKA between January 2019 and March 2020 were retrospectively enrolled. Femoral component rotation, including the anatomic and surgical transepicondylar axes, was evaluated with preoperative conventional CT and postoperative conventional CT and DECT with MAR. Surgical femoral component rotation was also assessed as a reference standard. Accuracy was assessed using paired t-test, and inter- and intraobserver reliability using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) based on postoperative conventional CT and DECT with MAR. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Knee Society objective and functional scores. Accuracy of femoral component rotation was not significantly different from that of surgical rotation with both conventional CT and DECT with MAR. However, inter- and intraobserver reliability were better for DECT with MAR (ICC: 0.953-0.966) than for conventional CT (ICC: 0.641-0.749). The Knee Society objective and functional scores improved 1 year postoperatively. CONCLUSION: DECT with MAR showed accurate and more reliable results than did conventional CT in the evaluation of femoral component rotation after TKA.

The usefulness of dual mobility cups in primary total hip arthroplasty patients at a risk of dislocation.

This study aimed to evaluate the early results of primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) using dual mobility (DM) cups in patients at a risk of dislocation and compare them with that of fixed bearing (FB) THA. This retrospective study included patients who had undergone primary THA between January 2016 and December 2018 and were at a risk of dislocation. A propensity score-matched analysis was conducted for 63 THA procedures with vitamin-E infused highly cross-linked polyethylene (VEPE) DM bearing and 63 THA procedures performed with FB from the same manufacturer for a mean follow-up period of 3.1 and 3.5 years, respectively. The radiologic outcomes at the last follow-up and incidence of postoperative complications were evaluated and compared statistically between the two groups. The modified Harris hip score (mHHS) was used to assess patient-reported outcomes. Postoperative dislocation occurred in 4 cases (6.3%) in the FB group, but did not occur in the DM group (p = 0.042). There was no difference in the radiologic outcomes and postoperative complications between the two groups. The mHHS at the last follow-up showed satisfactory outcomes in both the groups (DM group, 90.5; FB group, 88.1), without a statistical difference between the groups. The early results of THA using VEPE DM bearing showed better outcomes than that of THA with FB for patients at a risk of dislocation. A longer follow-up period is recommended to assess the stability and overall outcomes.

High bone union rate using a locking plate for proximal humeral fractures in patients older than 70 years: importance of the medial column.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the results of surgical treatment for proximal humeral fractures using a locking plate in patients aged > 70 years. METHODS: Between September 2010 and March 2018, we retrospectively analyzed the clinical and radiological outcomes of 56 patients aged > 70 years who underwent locking plate fixation for proximal humeral fractures. We analyzed bone union, neck-shaft angle, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) score, range of motion (compared to that of the opposite side), and complications. Further, clinical and radiological results of unstable medial column fractures were investigated. RESULTS: Fifty-four patients (96.2%) achieved bone union. The mean time to bone union was 14.7 ± 1.2 weeks, and the mean neck-shaft angle was 126.4° ± 14.2°. The mean UCLA shoulder score was 22.4 ± 6.5. The mean forward flexion, abduction, and external rotation angles were 129.2° ± 19.4°, 112.3° ± 14.8°, and 44.2° ± 18.5°, respectively, with internal rotation to L2/3 (S-T11). The range of motion was significantly different from that in the opposite shoulder motion. Unstable medial column fractures led to a significant loss in the neck-shaft angle compared with fractures with an intact medial cortex. CONCLUSION: For the surgical treatment of proximal humeral fractures in patients aged > 70 years, using a locking plate helped achieve a high bone union rate with relatively satisfactory results. However, the prevalence of unstable medial column fracture was high. Clinical and radiological outcomes were poor in these patients. Therefore, it is necessary to accurately understand the fracture pattern prior to surgery, and various surgical methods, including conservative treatment, should be considered.

Prevalence and diagnosis experience of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women over 50: Focusing on socioeconomic factors.

Osteoporosis is the most common disease of the musculoskeletal system in old age. Therefore, research on osteoporosis risk factors is actively being conducted. However, whether socioeconomic inequality is associated with the prevalence and diagnosis experience of osteoporosis remains largely unexplored. This study aims to investigate whether socioeconomic inequality can be a risk factor for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Cross-sectional data of 1,477 postmenopausal women aged over 50 obtained from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey V-2 were analyzed. Univariate analyses were performed to calculate the prevalence of osteoporosis and the rate of osteoporosis diagnosis experience according to the risk factor categories. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the independent variables' associations with osteoporosis prevalence and diagnosis experience. The prevalence of osteoporosis was 34.8%, while the diagnosis experience rate was 22.1%. The higher the age, the higher the probability of osteoporosis presence and diagnosis experience. The lowest household income level was associated with a 1.63 times higher risk of osteoporosis. On the contrary, this factor was not significant for diagnosis experience. These results were similar for the 50-59 and 60-69 age groups. Among postmenopausal women, those who are older and have low socioeconomic levels are at a high risk of developing osteoporosis. Moreover, the lower the socioeconomic level, the lower the awareness of osteoporosis. Therefore, there is a need to develop more proactive preventive measures in postmenopausal women with low socioeconomic levels.

Predictive factors of recurrence after resection of subsolid clinical stage IA lung adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Ongoing studies are currently investigating the extent of surgical resection required for subsolid cancers. This study aimed to investigate the predictive factors related to recurrence in patients with clinical stage IA subsolid cancer who underwent either lobectomy or sublobar resection. METHODS: This was a prospective multicenter observational study conducted in eight qualifying university teaching hospitals between April 2014 and December 2016. A total of 173 patients with subsolid nodules pathologically confirmed to have primary lung adenocarcinoma and stage IA disease were included in the final analysis. All patients underwent lobectomy, segmentectomy, or wedge resection performed by experienced thoracoscopic surgeons at each site. The surgical procedure was chosen based on the decision of the surgeons involved. The primary endpoint was time to recurrence (TTR). RESULTS: The study population was 43.9% (76 of 173) male with a mean age of 60.7 years. During the median follow-up period of 5.01 years, nine patients (5%) experienced disease recurrence. In the multivariable analysis, tumor size (size ≥2 cm) (hazard ratio: 73.717, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.635-895.036; p < 0.001) and stage IA3 (hazard ratio: 62.010, 95% CI: 2.837-855.185; p < 0.001) were independent predictors of tumor recurrence. When analyzing the recurrence outcome in patients according to surgical procedure, no significant difference was found in TTR among the three groups (i.e., lobectomy, segmentectomy, and wedge resection; p = 0.99). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with radiologically subsolid lung adenocarcinoma measuring <3 cm could be candidates for sublobar resection instead of lobectomy.

Bone density of the calcaneus correlates with radiologic and clinical outcomes after calcaneal fracture fixation.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine whether bone density correlates with radiologic and clinical outcomes after screw fixation of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures (DIACF) with the sinus tarsi approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 43 consecutive cases of unilateral DIACF between March 2015 and December 2017. Radiologic evaluations were performed using preoperative, postoperative, and last follow-up calcaneal lateral and axial radiographs. In all patients, preoperative CT scanning of both injured and uninjured calcaneus were performed at one scanning and dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans were obtained. Hounsfield unit (HU) measurement values were determined by placing an elliptical region of interest confined to the cancellous region of the uninjured calcaneus. Clinical outcomes were assessed at a minimum of 12 months postoperatively using Foot and Ankle Outcome Scores (FAOS). RESULTS: Mean HU values of the uninjured calcaneus significantly correlated with bone mineral density scores obtained from DXA scans of the lumbar and femur (Spearman ρ = 0.656 - 0.748; p < 0.001 for both). Decreased HU values of the uninjured calcaneus significantly correlated with decreased Böhler's angle and widening of calcaneal width from postoperative to last follow-up. (Pearson r = 0.348, p = 0.022; Pearson r = -0.582, p < 0.001, respectively). Increased HU values of the uninjured calcaneus significantly correlated with improved clinical outcomes in three of five FAOS domains, including activities of daily living, sports, and quality of life (beta = 0.283 - 0.322; p < 0.05 for all). CONCLUSION: Decreased preoperative bone density significantly correlated with decreased Böhler's angle, widening of calcaneal width, and inferior short-term clinical outcomes after screw fixation of DIACF. By quantifying bone density using HU value in area where DXA cannot be performed, such foot bones, determining whether different fixation methods or systemic treatments can be tailored to bone density could help in optimizing clinical outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, Retrospective case series.

Knowledge-based iterative model reconstruction in coronary computed tomography angiography: comparison with hybrid iterative reconstruction and filtered back projection.

Background Knowledge-based iterative model reconstruction (IMR) is known to allow radiation dose reduction while preserving image quality. Purpose To investigate the effect of IMR on coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) by comparing it with filtered back projection (FBP) and hybrid iterative reconstruction (HIR). Material and Methods Forty-five patients (group A) who underwent CCTA with prospective electrocardiogram (ECG) triggering at 80 kVp were included. All images were reconstructed using three algorithms: FBP, HIR, and IMR. The control group comprised 45 patients (group B) who underwent CCTA at 100 kVp; their images were reconstructed with HIR alone. Objective and subjective image quality was assessed by two radiologists. Results In group A, the signal-to-noise and contrast-to-noise ratios were significantly higher for images reconstructed with IMR than with HIR or FBP ( P < 0.001). IMR was also superior to HIR and FBP in subjective image quality analyses, including image noise, vessel sharpness, beam-hardening artifact, and overall quality ( P < 0.001). Moreover, the images reconstructed using IMR in group A had superior image quality with less radiation exposure than those reconstructed using HIR in group B on both objective and subjective analyses ( P < 0.001). The mean attenuation values were also significantly higher in group A than in group B ( P < 0.001). Conclusion Compared with HIR and FBP, IMR provided higher quality images with less radiation exposure in CCTA, using low kilovoltage and prospective ECG triggering.

Comparative Effectiveness and Safety of Preoperative Lung Localization for Pulmonary Nodules: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: An optimal method of preoperative localization for pulmonary nodules has yet to be established. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare the success and complication rates associated with three pulmonary nodule localization methods for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS): hook-wire localization, microcoil localization, and lipiodol localization. METHODS: We searched the PubMed, MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases for prospective or retrospective English language studies of VATS localization in adult patients. A noncomparative, random effects model-based meta-analysis was performed to obtain pooled success and complication rates for the three localization methods. RESULTS: A total of 46 clinical studies were enrolled, including 30, 9, and 7 studies of hook-wire, microcoil, and lipiodol localization, respectively. The successful targeting rates for hook-wire, microcoil, and lipiodol localization were 0.98 (95% CI, 0.97-0.99), 0.98 (95% CI, 0.96-0.99), and 0.99 (95% CI, 0.98-1.00), respectively, with corresponding successful operative field targeting rates of 0.94 (95% CI, 0.91-0.96), 0.97 (95% CI, 0.95-0.98), and 0.99 (95% CI, 0.98-1.00), respectively. In addition, the successful VATS rates with hook-wire, microcoil, and lipiodol localization were 0.96 (95% CI, 0.94-0.97), 0.97 (95% CI, 0.94-0.99), and 0.99 (95% CI, 0.98-1.00), respectively. Regarding complications, hook-wire, microcoil, and lipiodol localization were associated with pneumothorax rates of 0.35 (95% CI, 0.28-0.43), 0.16 (95% CI, 0.07-0.34), and 0.31 (95% CI, 0.20-0.46), respectively and hemorrhage rates of 0.16 (95% CI, 0.11-0.23), 0.06 (95% CI, 0.03-0.11), and 0.12 (95% CI, 0.05-0.23), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: All three localization methods yielded similarly highly successful targeting rates. However, hook-wire localization had a relatively lower successful operative field targeting rate because of dislodgement or migration. Lipiodol localization had the highest overall success rate, and microcoil localization yielded the lowest complication rates.

Lipiodol lOcalization for Ground-glass opacity mInimal Surgery: Rationale and design of the LOGIS trial.

OBJECTIVES: The diagnosis and treatment of ground-glass opacity (GGO) lesions have become important issues because subsolid nodules including GGO are known to frequently represent the histologic spectrum of lung adenocarcinoma. Because small GGO lesions cannot usually be palpated or visualized during surgery, several marking techniques have been reported for localization during thoracoscopic surgery, such as lipiodol and hook-wire localization. This study is designed to demonstrate the usefulness and safety of the lipiodol localization technique for individuals undergoing GGO VATS resection compared to the hook-wire localization technique. METHODS: Two hundred fifty participants will be prospectively enrolled in a 1:1 manner to the lipiodol or hook-wire group according to the inclusion criteria. All study participants will undergo preoperative lung localization using either the lipiodol or hook-wire method. Thoracoscopic surgery will be performed by experienced thoracoscopic surgeons within several hours after marking under general anesthesia. The primary endpoint is the procedure success rate, and the secondary endpoints are the procedure complication rate, procedure time, surgery time and the margin from the lesion in the resected specimen. RESULTS: Patient enrollment will be completed within 2years. We will analyze the procedure success rate and the presence of complications with regard to the CT results. In addition, the procedure and surgery times, and the safety margin will be also compared between the 2 techniques. CONCLUSION: If the aims of this study are achieved, then the use of lipiodol localization technique will be widespread in the localization of non-palpable pulmonary lesions that are indicated for surgical resection. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02180568).

Accuracy of CT for Selecting Candidates for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery: Combination with the SYNTAX Score.

PURPOSE: To investigate the diagnostic performance of coronary computed tomographic (CT) angiography for selecting candidates for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery according to the 2011 American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF) and American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines for CABG surgery and determine the added value of SYNTAX (Synergy between PCI with TAXUS and Cardiac Surgery) scoring for selecting CABG surgery candidates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board, and informed consent was waived for this retrospective study. A total of 399 patients (mean age, 63.8 years; 244 men and 155 women) who underwent both coronary CT angiography and invasive coronary angiography were included. Eligible criteria for CABG surgery were established on the basis of the 2011 ACCF/AHA guidelines. RESULTS: from coronary CT angiography and invasive coronary angiography were retrospectively reviewed, and SYNTAX scores were determined. The diagnostic performance of coronary CT angiography for selecting CABG surgery candidates was calculated with invasive coronary angiography as the reference method. The diagnostic performance of coronary CT angiography alone, the CT-based SYNTAX score, and the combined coronary CT angiography with CT-based SYNTAX score were assessed by using a combination of invasive coronary angiography and invasive coronary angiography-based SYNTAX scores as a reference method. Statistical analyses were performed by using the generalized estimating equation, independent t test, Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon signed rank test, Fisher exact test, and χ(2) statistics. RESULTS: The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value of coronary CT angiography for selecting CABG surgery candidates were 96.5%, 96.5%, 88.3%, and 99.0%, respectively. When a combination of invasive coronary angiography with an invasive coronary angiography-based SYNTAX score was used as a standard reference, combined coronary CT angiography with a CT-based SYNTAX score had higher specificity and PPV (98.3% and 86.0%, respectively) than did coronary CT angiography alone (84.5% and 40.4%, respectively; P < .0001). CONCLUSION: Coronary CT angiography had diagnostic accuracy comparable to that of invasive coronary angiography for selecting CABG surgery candidates, and combining a CT-based SYNTAX score with coronary CT angiography can be a highly specific method for selecting CABG surgery candidates.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma in children and adolescents.

Differentiated thyroid carcinoma is uncommon in children and constitutes 0.5% to 3% of all pediatric malignancies. Few studies have reported imaging findings of childhood papillary thyroid carcinomas. We report 3 cases of papillary thyroid carcinomas in children. Among the 3 patients, the youngest was a 7-year-old girl. In the current report, we describe 2 cases of classic papillary thyroid carcinoma and 1 case of pediatric diffuse sclerosing variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma. The ultrasonographic features and diagnostic procedures in these pediatric patients are similar to those in adults.

Frequency and evolution of thin-capped fibroatheromas in left main coronary artery as assessed by serial virtual histology intravascular ultrasound analysis.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the current study was to assess thin-capped fibroatheroma (TCFA) of the left main coronary artery (LMCA) and its changes after statin therapy. METHODS: We assessed the frequency and distribution of virtual histology intravascular ultrasound (VH-IVUS) thin-capped fibroatheroma (VH-TCFA) in the LMCA in 500 patients. Serial VH-IVUS examinations were available in 50 patients at 12-month follow-up. RESULTS: The incidence of LM-TCFA was 8.8% (44/500). IVUS LMCA length was longer in patients with VH-TCFA vs without VH-TCFA. Reference external elastic membrane (EEM) area was similar, but reference lumen area and minimal lumen area were smaller in LMCA with VH-TCFA vs without VH-TCFA (P<.001). LMCA with VH-TCFA had a higher plaque burden (P<.001), a larger necrotic core area (P<.001), and more dense calcium (P<.001) at the maximum necrotic core (NC) site vs LMCA without VH-TCFA. In patients with an LMCA length greater than the median, 62% were located in the distal half of the LMCA. After 12 months of statin therapy, only 44.4% (4/9) of VH-TCFA had evolved to a non- VH-TCFA phenotype and 3 new VH-TCFA had appeared. CONCLUSION: VH-TCFAs are clustered in the distal half of the LMCA with infrequent positive remodeling. It might persist despite the usual dose of statin therapy. Further study should confirm the changes in large vessels like the LMCA.

Relationship between coronary artery plaque composition by virtual histology intravascular ultrasound analysis and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity in patients with coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVE: Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) is an indicator of atherosclerotic cardiovascular risks. To identify patients with coronary atherosclerosis before the onset of angina pectoris or myocardial infarction will be desirable. METHODS: We measured the ankle-brachial index and baPWV in 150 consecutive patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Virtual histology intravascular ultrasound (VH-IVUS) imaging was available in target lesions of 130 patients with symptomatic CAD before percutaneous intervention. Patients were divided into two groups: baPWV of greater than or equal to 1600 cm/s (74 patients) and baPWV of less than 1600 cm/s (56 patients). RESULTS: Patient age was 66±8.33 years in baPWV of greater than or equal to 1600 cm/s group versus 56±10.27 years in baPWV of less than 1600 cm/s group (P<0.0001). Although plaque burden and remodeling index were similar, minimal lumen area was smaller in baPWV of greater than or equal to 1600 cm/s group (P=0.039); and lesion length was longer in the baPWV of greater than or equal to 1600 cm/s group (P=0.033). VH-IVUS analysis of coronary artery plaque composition showed that percent mean and percent maximum dense calcium were higher in the baPWV of greater than or equal to 1600 cm/s group (P=0.0037), and percent maximal calcium correlated with baPWV (r=0.278, P=0.001). CONCLUSION: We concluded that there is a significant relationship between baPWV and the VH-IVUS assessment of CAD. A high baPWV indicates more severe CAD (smaller minimal lumen area and longer lesion length) and greater atherosclerosis disease complexity (more calcified coronary plaque).

Risk factors for development of paradoxical response during anti-tuberculosis treatment in HIV-negative patients with pleural tuberculosis.

Paradoxical response (PR) is the unusual expansion or new formation of a tuberculous lesion during anti-tuberculosis (TB) treatment. Pleural TB is the second most common form of extrapulmonary TB and has clinical importance because it occurs in a restricted space. Limited information is available for PR in HIV-negative patients with pleural TB. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics and risk factors of PR in HIV-negative patients with pleural TB. Patients diagnosed with pleural TB between 2003 and 2008 at Chung-Ang University Hospital and Yong-San Hospital, Seoul, South Korea were included. We evaluated the incidence and treatment outcome of PR in pleural TB, and compared baseline clinical characteristics and laboratory findings between TB patients with PR and those without PR. PR was present in 32 (23%) of 139 patients after mean 51.1 days following initiation of treatment. Out of 32 patients, 18 patients needed additional treatment for symptom control. PR patients had a high incidence of adverse drug reaction such as drug skin reaction or liver function abnormality (P < 0.05). The risk factors for PR are younger age, high serum albumin level, low proportion of lymphocyte, and high proportion of PMN in pleural fluid (P < 0.05). PR is not an uncommon problem in HIV-negative pleural TB and half of these patients need additional treatment. Therefore, physicians must pay more attention for PR during the management of pleural TB in the expected patients to develop PR.

The impact of mitral annular calcification on left ventricular function in nonagenarians.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Mitral annular calcification (MAC) is known to be associated with degenerative processes of the cardiac fibrous skeleton and cardiovascular disease mortality. However, MAC has not been evaluated in an extreme age group (patients >/=90 years of age). In this study, the clinical significance of MAC associated with aging was examined in this age group and compared with MAC associated with aging in a younger (20 to 50 years of age) group of patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We assessed echocardiographic parameters in 43 nonagenarians and 51 young patients. In the nonagenarian group, patient's age was 92+/-2 years and 27% were male; in the young control group, patient's age was 36+/-9 years and 51% were male. Comprehensive M-mode and Doppler echocardiography, including tissue Doppler imaging, were performed. The frequency and severity of MAC was assessed from the leading anterior to the trailing posterior edge at its largest width for least 3 cardiac cycles. RESULTS: Echocardiography showed that the left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic dimension was larger in the young controls (p=0.007); however, the ejection fraction (EF) was lower in the nonagenarian group (p=0.001). The frequency of MAC was greater in nonagenarians {42/43 (97%)} than in controls {9/51 (17%), p<0.0001}. The maximal width of MAC was larger in nonagenarians (0.52+/-0.17 mm and 0.05+/-0.13 mm, p<0.0001). MAC was correlated with LV mass index (g/m(2)) (r=0.280, p=0.014) and EF (%) (r=-0.340, p=0.001). More importantly, early mitral inflow velocity/early diastolic mitral annulus velocity (E/E') was strongly correlated with MAC in non-agenarians (r= 0.683, p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: MAC may be associated with extreme age and increased LV filling pressure in nonagenarians. Further study is necessary to assess the cardiovascular mortality and structural changes related to mitral annulus calcification associated with aging.

HRCT and whole-blood interferon-gamma assay for the rapid diagnosis of smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: Early diagnosis of active pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is critical for TB control, and difficult in patients with smear-negative sputum. OBJECTIVE: We wanted to evaluate the usefulness of clinical findings, high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), interferon-gamma-releasing assay (IGRA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of sputum in the diagnosis of smear-negative PTB. METHODS: From June 2006 to September 2008, 178 patients with suspected PTB on the basis of clinical and radiological findings visited our institute. After excluding smear-positive cases (n = 77) and cases with an inconclusive diagnosis (n = 17), we studied 84 patients. Their clinical records, HRCT, sputum TB-PCR assay and IGRA results were retrospectively evaluated. A QuantiFeron-TB Gold (QFT-G; Cellestis Ltd., Carnegie, Vic., Australia) assay was used for the IGRA. RESULTS: Active PTB was diagnosed in 40 (48%) of 84 patients; lack of sputum and young age were significantly associated with an increased risk of PTB. The sensitivities of sputum PCR assay, IGRA, and HRCT were 43.2, 84.4 and 80.0%, respectively, and the specificities were 97.7, 82.9 and 70.5%, respectively. Among the 38 patients suspected of having PTB based on HRCT, 24 patients showed positive results on the IGRA, and 23 of these were diagnosed with active PTB. Among the 35 patients suggested not to have TB based on HRCT, 25 showed negative results on the IGRA, and 23 (92%) of these were diagnosed as not to have TB. CONCLUSION: The combined results of HRCT and the IGRA could help decision-making for early initiation of treatment in smear-negative patients.

Secondary cutaneous aspergillosis disseminated from the lungs of a patient with asthma on 1 month steroid treatment.

Cutaneous aspergillosis is very rare and occurs predominantly in transplant patients. Here, we report a 55-year-old female who underwent steroid treatment for 1 month and developed secondary cutaneous aspergillosis from pulmonary aspergillosis due to Aspergillus fumigatus.

Localized pulmonary edema in the right upper lobe associated with left atrial myxoma.

Localized pulmonary edema in the right upper lobe has usually been reported in patients with mitral incompetence. Cardiac myxomas that involve the left atrium can cause elevated filling pressure with resultant bilateral or symmetric pulmonary edema. To our knowledge, however, a case of localized pulmonary edema associated with cardiac myxoma has not previously been reported in the literature. We present a case of localized pulmonary edema in the right upper lobe associated with left atrial myxoma.

Phase contrast microradiography of mouse lung using synchrotron X-ray: correlation with optical microscopy.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of phase contrast X-ray microtomography and microradiography, using a polychromatic synchrotron X-ray, for analysis of the mouse lung microstructure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Normal mice were used for experiments. Some of the mouse lungs were prepared by the lung fixation-inflation method. The resulting sponge-like inflated lung samples were used for microtomography. The remaining mouse lungs were cut into 10 microm sections and were used for microradiography and optical microscopic correlation. The experiments on mouse lung samples were performed at the 7B2 beamline of the Pohang Light Source in Korea. RESULTS: Phase contrast X-ray microtomography of inflated lung samples showed individual alveolar structure on 3-D reconstruction. Phase contrast microradiographs of thin lung samples showed microstructure of lung, such as alveoli and bronchioles, and were well correlated with optical microscopic images. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the phase contrast X-ray microtomography and microradiography using polychromatic synchrotron X-ray is feasible for evaluation of microstructure of the lung.

Quantification and characterization of obstructive coronary plaques using 64-slice computed tomography: a comparison with intravascular ultrasound.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of 64-slice computed tomography (CT) coronary angiography in the quantification and characterization of obstructive coronary plaques in comparison with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-nine patients were selected who underwent both CT coronary angiography (CTCA) and IVUS. For each stenotic site (n = 61), the maximum vessel cross-sectional area, lumen cross-sectional area, plaque area, and percentage of luminal obstruction were measured. Plaque composition was analyzed according to IVUS (plaque echogenicity and classified into several types: calcified, mixed, fibrous, and soft plaques) and CTCA criteria (Hounsfield units [HU]). The correlation between CTCA and IVUS measurements was determined using Pearson correlation coefficient. The statistical significance of differences in the CT densities of plaques among plaque types determined by IVUS was assessed using the Scheffe method. RESULTS: The correlation coefficients for the measurements of the lumen, vessel, plaque area, and percentage of luminal obstruction were r = 0.712, r = 0.654, r = 0.753, and r = 0.799, respectively. The mean CT density values for soft (n = 10), fibrous (n = 11), mixed (n = 31), and calcified plaques (n = 9) were 54 +/- 13 HU, 82 +/- 17 HU, 162 +/- 57 HU, and 392 +/- 155 HU, respectively. Computed tomography density measurements were not significantly different between soft and fibrous plaques (P = 0.224). CONCLUSIONS: Sixty-four-slice CTCA is a noninvasive modality that allows quantification of coronary artery plaques. However, reliable classification of noncalcified plaques as vulnerable or stable plaques based on CT density measurements is currently limited.