Migratory Pneumonia in Prolonged SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Patients Treated With B-cell Depletion Therapies for B-cell Lymphoma

Objective@#To report the clinical and radiological characteristics of patients with underlying B-cell lymphoma and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) showing migratory airspace opacities on serial chest computed tomography (CT) with persistent COVID-19 symptoms. @*Materials and Methods@#From January 2020 to June 2022, of the 56 patients with underlying hematologic malignancy who had undergone chest CT more than once at our hospital after acquiring COVID-19, seven adult patients (5 female; age range, 37–71 years; median age, 45 years) who showed migratory airspace opacities on chest CT were selected for the analysis of clinical and CT features. @*Results@#All patients had been diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma (three diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and four follicular lymphoma) and had received B-cell depleting chemotherapy, including rituximab, within three months prior to COVID-19 diagnosis. The patients underwent a median of 3 CT scans during the follow-up period (median 124 days). All patients showed multifocal patchy peripheral ground glass opacities (GGOs) with basal predominance in the baseline CTs. In all patients, followup CTs demonstrated clearing of previous airspace opacities with the development of new peripheral and peribronchial GGO and consolidation in different locations. Throughout the follow-up period, all patients demonstrated prolonged COVID-19 symptoms accompanied by positive polymerase chain reaction results from nasopharyngeal swabs, with cycle threshold values of less than 25. @*Conclusion@#COVID-19 patients with B-cell lymphoma who had received B-cell depleting therapy and are experiencing prolonged SARS-CoV-2 infection and persistent symptoms may demonstrate migratory airspace opacities on serial CT, which could be interpreted as ongoing COVID-19 pneumonia.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Percutaneous Transthoracic Needle Lung Biopsies: A Multicenter Study

OBJECTIVE: To measure the diagnostic accuracy of percutaneous transthoracic needle lung biopsies (PTNBs) on the basis of the intention-to-diagnose principle and identify risk factors for diagnostic failure of PTNBs in a multi-institutional setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 9384 initial PTNBs performed in 9239 patients (mean patient age, 65 years [range, 20–99 years]) from January 2010 to December 2014 were included. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of PTNBs for diagnosis of malignancy were measured. The proportion of diagnostic failures was measured, and their risk factors were identified. RESULTS: The overall accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 91.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 90.6–91.7%), 92.5% (95% CI, 91.9–93.1%), 86.5% (95% CI, 85.0–87.9%), 99.2% (95% CI, 99.0–99.4%), and 84.3% (95% CI, 82.7–85.8%), respectively. The proportion of diagnostic failures was 8.9% (831 of 9384; 95% CI, 8.3–9.4%). The independent risk factors for diagnostic failures were lesions ≤ 1 cm in size (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.86; 95% CI, 1.23–2.81), lesion size 1.1–2 cm (1.75; 1.45–2.11), subsolid lesions (1.81; 1.32–2.49), use of fine needle aspiration only (2.43; 1.80–3.28), final diagnosis of benign lesions (2.18; 1.84–2.58), and final diagnosis of lymphomas (10.66; 6.21–18.30). Use of cone-beam CT (AOR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.13–0.75) and conventional CT-guidance (0.55; 0.32–0.94) reduced diagnostic failures. CONCLUSION: The accuracy of PTNB for diagnosis of malignancy was fairly high in our large-scale multi-institutional cohort. The identified risk factors for diagnostic failure may help reduce diagnostic failure and interpret the biopsy results.

Erratum: Analysis of Complications of Percutaneous Transthoracic Needle Biopsy Using CT-Guidance Modalities In a Multicenter Cohort of 10568 Biopsies

On page 323, the grant number was incorrectly numbered as HI15C1234. The correct number is HI15C3390.

Analysis of Complications of Percutaneous Transthoracic Needle Biopsy Using CT-Guidance Modalities In a Multicenter Cohort of 10568 Biopsies

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the complications of percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy using CT-based imaging modalities for needle guidance in comparison with fluoroscopy in a large retrospective cohort. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was approved by multiple Institutional Review Boards and the requirement for informed consent was waived. We retrospectively included 10568 biopsies from eight referral hospitals from 2010 through 2014. In univariate and multivariate logistic analyses, 3 CT-based guidance modalities (CT, CT fluoroscopy, and cone-beam CT) were compared with fluoroscopy in terms of the risk of pneumothorax, pneumothorax requiring chest tube insertion, and hemoptysis, with adjustment for other risk factors. RESULTS: Pneumothorax occurred in 2298 of the 10568 biopsies (21.7%). Tube insertion was required after 316 biopsies (3.0%), and hemoptysis occurred in 550 cases (5.2%). In the multivariate analysis, pneumothorax was more frequently detected with CT {odds ratio (OR), 2.752 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.325–3.258), p < 0.001}, CT fluoroscopy (OR, 1.440 [95% CI, 1.176–1.762], p < 0.001), and cone-beam CT (OR, 2.906 [95% CI, 2.235–3.779], p < 0.001), but no significant relationship was found for pneumothorax requiring chest tube insertion (p = 0.497, p = 0.222, and p = 0.216, respectively). The incidence of hemoptysis was significantly lower under CT (OR, 0.348 [95% CI, 0.247–0.491], p < 0.001), CT fluoroscopy (OR, 0.594 [95% CI, 0.419–0.843], p = 0.004), and cone-beam CT (OR, 0.479 [95% CI, 0.317–0.724], p < 0.001) guidance. CONCLUSION: Hemoptysis occurred less frequently with CT-based guidance modalities in comparison with fluoroscopy. Although pneumothorax requiring chest tube insertion showed a similar incidence, pneumothorax was more frequently detected using CT-based guidance modalities.

Practice Pattern of Transthoracic Needle Biopsy: 2016 Survey in the Members of Korean Society of Thoracic Radiology

OBJECTIVE: To assess the current practice patterns of radiologists who perform transthoracic needle biopsy (TNB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: An email survey of 71 questions on TNB was sent to 240 members of the Korean Society of Thoracic Radiology. The answers to multiple-choice questions (n = 56) were analyzed. RESULTS: Of 60 respondents, 45% had 10 or more years of experience in chest radiology, and 70% had 5 or more years of experience in TNB. For the question on the most frequently used diagnostic method for lesions with high probability of being resectable-stage lung cancer, 70% of respondents answered that TNB is initially used, with or without bronchoscopy. In patients at high-risk of TNB-related complications, the proportion of the respondents who consistently declined TNB was only 5%. The number of rebiopsies was said to be increased; molecular analysis for an established target therapy (43.6%) and clinical trial of a new drug (28.2%) were the two most common reasons for it. The most popular needle type was the coaxial cutting needle (55%), and the popular guiding modality was conventional computed tomography (CT) (56.7%). In addition, 15% of respondents have encountered air embolism. CONCLUSION: Despite high variation in how TNB is being performed in Korea, some patterns were noted. It is common for patients with resectable-stage lung cancer to undergo TNB prior to surgery. Rebiopsy is now more common than before, with personalized medicine as the most important reason for it. The most popular type of needle is the coaxial system; the most popular modality for guidance is still CT.

Are Lung Imaging Reporting and Data System Categories Clear to Radiologists? A Survey of the Korean Society of Thoracic Radiology Members on Ten Difficult-to-Classify Scenarios

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate possible variability in chest radiologists' interpretations of the Lung Imaging Reporting and Data System (Lung-RADS) on difficult-to-classify scenarios. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten scenarios of difficult-to-classify imaginary lung nodules were prepared as an online survey that targeted Korean Society of Thoracic Radiology members. In each question, a description was provided of the size, consistency, and interval change (new or growing) of a lung nodule observed using annual repeat computed tomography, and the respondent was instructed to choose one answer from five choices: category 2, 3, 4A, or 4B, or “un-categorizable.” Consensus answers were established by members of the Korean Imaging Study Group for Lung Cancer. RESULTS: Of the 420 answers from 42 respondents (excluding multiple submissions), 310 (73.8%) agreed with the consensus answers; eleven (26.2%) respondents agreed with the consensus answers to six or fewer questions. Assigning the imaginary nodules to categories higher than the consensus answer was more frequent (16.0%) than assigning them to lower categories (5.5%), and the agreement rate was below 50% for two scenarios. CONCLUSION: When given difficult-to-classify scenarios, chest radiologists showed large variability in their interpretations of the Lung-RADS categories, with high frequencies of disagreement in some specific scenarios.

Interstitial Lung Change in Pre-radiation Therapy Computed Tomography Is a Risk Factor for Severe Radiation Pneumonitis / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: We examined clinical and dosimetric factors as predictors of symptomatic radiation pneumonitis (RP) in lung cancer patients and evaluated the relationship between interstitial lung changes in the pre-radiotherapy (RT) computed tomography (CT) and symptomatic RP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records and dose volume histogram data of 60 lung cancer patients from August 2005 to July 2006 were analyzed. All patients were treated with three dimensional (3D) conformal RT of median 56.9 Gy. We assessed the association of symptomatic RP with clinical and dosimetric factors. RESULTS: With a median follow-up of 15.5 months (range, 6.1 to 40.9 months), Radiation Therapy Oncology Group grade > or = 2 RP was observed in 14 patients (23.3%). Five patients (8.3%) died from RP. The interstitial changes in the pre-RT chest CT, mean lung dose (MLD), and V30 significantly predicted RP in multivariable analysis (p=0.009, p or = 2, > or = 3, or > or = 4 was higher in the patients with interstitial lung change (grade 2, 15.6% to 46.7%, p=0.03; grade 3, 4.4% to 40%, p=0.002; grade 4, 4.4% to 33.3%, p=0.008). Four of the grade 5 RP patients had diffuse interstitial change in pre-RT CT and received chemoradiotherapy. CONCLUSION: Our study identified diffuse interstitial disease as a significant clinical risk for RP, particularly fatal RP. We showed the usefulness of MLD, V20, V30, and NTCP in predicting the incidence and severity of RP.

A Simple Strategy in Avulsion Flap Injury: Prediction of Flap Viability Using Wood's Lamp Illumination and Resurfacing with a Full-thickness Skin Graft

BACKGROUND: Extensive degloving injuries of the extremities usually result in necrosis of the flap, necessitating comprehensive skin grafting. Provided there is a sufficient tool to evaluate flap viability, full-thickness skin can be used from a nonviable avulsed flap. We used a Wood's lamp to determine the viability of avulsed flaps in the operation field after intravenous injection of fluorescein dye. METHODS: We experienced 13 cases during 16 months. Fifteen minutes after the intravenous injection of fluorescein dye, the avulsed skin flaps were examined and non-fluorescent areas were marked under Wood's lamp illumination. The marked area was defatted for full-thickness skin grafting. The fluorescent areas were sutured directly without tension. The non-fluorescent areas were covered by defatted skin. Several days later, there was soft tissue necrosis within the flap area. We measured necrotic area and revised the flap. RESULTS: Among all the cases, necrotic area was 21.3% of the total avulsed area. However, if we exclude three cases, one of a carelessly managed patient and two cases of the flaps were inappropriately applied, good results were obtained, with a necrotic area of only 8.4%. Eight patients needed split-thickness skin grafts, and heel pad reconstruction was performed with free flap. CONCLUSIONS: A full-thickness skin graft from an avulsed flap is a good method for addressing aesthetic concerns without producing donor site morbidity. Fluorescein dye is a useful, simple, and cost-effective tool for evaluating flap viability. Avulsed flap injuries can be managed well with Wood's lamp illumination and a full-thickness skin graft.

Role of Muscle Free Flap in the Salvage of Complicated Scalp Wounds and Infected Prosthetic Dura

BACKGROUND: The prosthetic dura is an essential element in the protection of the cranial parenchyma and prevention of cerebrospinal fluid leakage. Although prosthetic dura are widely used in neurosurgery, they occasionally provoke infection, which can be a major concern after neurosurgical treatment. However, removal of the prosthetic dura carries a risk of brain parenchyma injury and cerebrospinal fluid leakage. The salvage of infected prosthetic dural material has not been adequately addressed in the literature. In this study, we demonstrate the value of the combination of a meticulous surgical debridement of necrotic tissue and simultaneous muscle free flap for intractable postoperative epidural abscess without removal of the infected prosthetic dura. METHODS: Between 2010 and 2012, we reviewed the data of 11 patients with persistent infection on the prosthetic dura. The epidural infections each occurred after a neurosurgical procedure, and there was soft tissue necrosis with the disclosure of the underlying prosthetic dura and dead bone around the scalp wound. To salvage the infected prosthetic dura, meticulous debridement and a muscle free flap were performed. RESULTS: All 11 patients experienced complete recovery from the complicated wound problem without the need for further surgical intervention. No signs of prosthetic dural infection were observed during the mean follow-up period of 11 months. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of a meticulous surgical debridement and coverage with a muscle free flap is an effective treatment for salvage of infected prosthetic dura.

Solitary Labial Metastasis of Adrenocortical Carcinoma Resembling a Cystic Tumor in a Child

No abstract available.

Severe Resistant Hypertension Induced by Carbamazepine in an Elderly Patient

We report a case of a 73-year-old patient with a 17 year-history of well-controlled primary hypertension with a single antihypertensive drug, which became uncontrolled since 9 months ago when he started on oral carbamazepine (CBZ) therapy for syringomyelia. On admission, the patient had a blood pressure of 200-215/95-104mmHg despite an antihypertensive combination therapy with five different drugs. Further investigations ruled out secondary hypertension such as primary aldosteronism, pheochromocytoma and renal artery stenosis. After the discontinuation of CBZ, the blood pressure profile became significantly improved. The rechallenge with CBZ aggravated his blood pressure profile. Therefore, we considered that resistant hypertension was induced by the oral CBZ therapy.

ERRATUM: Correction for Mistyped Inequality Sign / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

No abstract available.

Clinical Responses and Prognostic Indicators of Concurrent Chemoradiation for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: To evaluate treatment outcomes and prognostic factors in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with concurrent chemoradiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2005 to June 2009, 51 patients were treated with concurrent chemoradiation for 3 different aims: locally advanced stage III, locally recurrent disease, and postoperative gross residual NSCLC. Median age was 63 years. Distribution of stages by the 6th edition of American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) was as follows: IIIA (37.3%), IIIB (56.9%). Chemotherapy was administered every week concurrently with radiation using one of the following regimens: paclitaxel (60 mg/m2), docetaxel+cisplatin (20 mg/m2+20 mg/m2), cisplatin (30 mg/m2). Total radiation dose was 16-66.4 Gy (median, 59.4 Gy). RESULTS: Median follow-up duration was 40.8 months. The overall response rate was 84.3% with 23 complete responses. The median survival duration for the overall patient group was 17.6 months. The 3-year survival rate was 17.8%. A total of 21 patients had recurrent disease at the following sites: loco-regional sites (23.6%), distant organs (27.5%). In the multivariate analysis of the overall patient group, a clinical tumor response (p=0.002) was the only significant prognostic factor for overall survival (OS). In the multivariate analysis of the definitive chemoradiation arm, the use of consolidation chemotherapy (p=0.022), biologically equivalent dose (BED)10 (p=0.007), and a clinical tumor response (p=0.030) were the significant prognostic factors for OS.The median survival duration of the locally recurrent group and the postoperative gross residual group were 26.4 and 23.9 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that clinical tumor response was significantly associated with OS in the overall patient group. Further investigations regarding the optimal radiation dose in the definitive chemoradiation and the optimal treatment scheme in locally recurrent NSCLC would be required.

Clinical Responses and Prognostic Indicators of Concurrent Chemoradiation for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: To evaluate treatment outcomes and prognostic factors in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with concurrent chemoradiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2005 to June 2009, 51 patients were treated with concurrent chemoradiation for 3 different aims: locally advanced stage III, locally recurrent disease, and postoperative gross residual NSCLC. Median age was 63 years. Distribution of stages by the 6th edition of American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) was as follows: IIIA (37.3%), IIIB (56.9%). Chemotherapy was administered every week concurrently with radiation using one of the following regimens: paclitaxel (60 mg/m2), docetaxel+cisplatin (20 mg/m2+20 mg/m2), cisplatin (30 mg/m2). Total radiation dose was 16-66.4 Gy (median, 59.4 Gy). RESULTS: Median follow-up duration was 40.8 months. The overall response rate was 84.3% with 23 complete responses. The median survival duration for the overall patient group was 17.6 months. The 3-year survival rate was 17.8%. A total of 21 patients had recurrent disease at the following sites: loco-regional sites (23.6%), distant organs (27.5%). In the multivariate analysis of the overall patient group, a clinical tumor response (p=0.002) was the only significant prognostic factor for overall survival (OS). In the multivariate analysis of the definitive chemoradiation arm, the use of consolidation chemotherapy (p=0.022), biologically equivalent dose (BED)10 (p=0.007), and a clinical tumor response (p=0.030) were the significant prognostic factors for OS.The median survival duration of the locally recurrent group and the postoperative gross residual group were 26.4 and 23.9 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that clinical tumor response was significantly associated with OS in the overall patient group. Further investigations regarding the optimal radiation dose in the definitive chemoradiation and the optimal treatment scheme in locally recurrent NSCLC would be required.

A Case of Birt-Hogg-Dube Syndrome Diagnosed by a Folliculin Gene Mutation / 대한내과학회지

Birt-Hogg-Dube (BHD) syndrome is a rare, autosomal-dominant disorder that is caused by germ-line mutations in the folliculin gene. Clinically, BHD syndrome is characterized by cutaneous follicle tumors, pulmonary cysts, spontaneous pneumothorax, and an increased risk of renal cancer. A 65-year-old woman was admitted to Seoul St. Mary's Hospital to treat pneumonia, and we found that she had experienced recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax and had bilateral multiple pulmonary cysts with no history of smoking. Mutation analysis of the folliculin gene identified a novel mutation in exon 9 (c.997_998delTC; p.Ser333ArgfsX56). Except for the lung manifestation, no other features of BHD syndrome were detected in this case. Here, we report a case of BHD syndrome that manifested only as lung disease with a novel mutation.

A Case of Birt-Hogg-Dube Syndrome Diagnosed by a Folliculin Gene Mutation / 대한내과학회지

Birt-Hogg-Dube (BHD) syndrome is a rare, autosomal-dominant disorder that is caused by germ-line mutations in the folliculin gene. Clinically, BHD syndrome is characterized by cutaneous follicle tumors, pulmonary cysts, spontaneous pneumothorax, and an increased risk of renal cancer. A 65-year-old woman was admitted to Seoul St. Mary's Hospital to treat pneumonia, and we found that she had experienced recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax and had bilateral multiple pulmonary cysts with no history of smoking. Mutation analysis of the folliculin gene identified a novel mutation in exon 9 (c.997_998delTC; p.Ser333ArgfsX56). Except for the lung manifestation, no other features of BHD syndrome were detected in this case. Here, we report a case of BHD syndrome that manifested only as lung disease with a novel mutation.

Analysis of Complications Following Decompressive Craniectomy for Traumatic Brain Injury

OBJECTIVE: Adequate management of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) is critical in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), and decompressive craniectomy is widely used to treat refractory increased ICP. The authors reviewed and analyzed complications following decompressive craniectomy for the management of TBI. METHODS: A total of 89 consecutive patients who underwent decompressive craniectomy for TBI between February 2004 and February 2009 were reviewed retrospectively. Incidence rates of complications secondary to decompressive craniectomy were determined, and analyses were performed to identify clinical factors associated with the development of complications and the poor outcome. RESULTS: Complications secondary to decompressive craniectomy occurred in 48 of the 89 (53.9%) patients. Furthermore, these complications occurred in a sequential fashion at specific times after surgical intervention; cerebral contusion expansion (2.2 +/- 1.2 days), newly appearing subdural or epidural hematoma contralateral to the craniectomy defect (1.5 +/- 0.9 days), epilepsy (2.7 +/- 1.5 days), cerebrospinal fluid leakage through the scalp incision (7.0 +/- 4.2 days), and external cerebral herniation (5.5 +/- 3.3 days). Subdural effusion (10.8 +/- 5.2 days) and postoperative infection (9.8 +/- 3.1 days) developed between one and four weeks postoperatively. Trephined and post-traumatic hydrocephalus syndromes developed after one month postoperatively (at 79.5 +/- 23.6 and 49.2 +/- 14.1 days, respectively). CONCLUSION: A poor GCS score ( or = 65 were found to be related to the occurrence of one of the above-mentioned complications. These results should help neurosurgeons anticipate these complications, to adopt management strategies that reduce the risks of complications, and to improve clinical outcomes.

Typical and Atypical Manifestations of Intrathoracic Sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is a systemic disorder of unknown cause that is characterized by the presence of noncaseating granulomas. The radiological findings associated with sarcoidosis have been well described. The findings include symmetric, bilateral hilar and paratracheal lymphadenopathy, with or without concomitant parenchymal abnormalities (multiple small nodules in a peribronchovascular distribution along with irregular thickening of the interstitium). However, in 25% to 30% of cases, the radiological findings are atypical and unfamiliar to most radiologists, which cause difficulty for making a correct diagnosis. Many atypical forms of intrathoracic sarcoidosis have been described sporadically. We have collected cases with unusual radiological findings associated with pulmonary sarcoidosis (unilateral or asymmetric lymphadenopathy, necrosis or cavitation, large opacity, ground glass opacity, an airway abnormality and pleural involvement) and describe the typical forms of the disorder as well. The understanding of a wide range of the radiological manifestations of sarcoidosis will be very helpful for making a proper diagnosis.

A case of typhoid fever with manifestations of acute hepatitis / 대한내과학회지

Typhoid fever is a febrile illness with a variety of systemic manifestations; however, icteric typhoid hepatitis, mimicking the clinical features of acute hepatitis, is very uncommon. A 45-year-old man was admitted to the hospital for evaluation of fever, dark-colored urine, and jaundice. On admission, the total bilirubin was 4.3 mg/dL, and the AST and ALT were 468 and 319 IU/L, respectively. Salmonella typhi was identified by blood culture. A liver biopsy revealed some mononuclear cell infiltrations without hepatocyte necrosis or typhoid nodules. CT scan findings showed splenomegaly and mesenteric lymphadenopathy. With the administration of ceftriaxone, he became afebrile and showed improvement in the jaundice, with normalization of AST and ALT.