ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Tracheobronchial Disease.

A variety of thoracic imaging modalities and techniques have been used to evaluate diseases of the trachea and central bronchi. This document evaluates evidence for the use of thoracic imaging in the evaluation of tracheobronchial disease, including clinically suspected tracheal or bronchial stenosis, tracheomalacia or bronchomalacia, and bronchiectasis. Appropriateness guidelines for initial imaging evaluation of tracheobronchial disease and for pretreatment planning or posttreatment evaluation are included. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision process support the systematic analysis of the medical literature from peer reviewed journals. Established methodology principles such as Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE are adapted to evaluate the evidence. The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method User Manual provides the methodology to determine the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where peer reviewed literature is lacking or equivocal, experts may be the primary evidentiary source available to formulate a recommendation.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Sepsis.

Sepsis is defined as a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. A search for the underlying cause of infection typically includes radiological imaging as part of this investigation. This document focuses on thoracic and abdominopelvic causes of sepsis. In 2017, the global incidence of sepsis was estimated to be 48.9 million cases, with 11 million sepsis-related deaths (accounting for nearly 20% of all global deaths); therefore, understanding which imaging modalities and types of studies are acceptable or not acceptable is imperative. The 5 variants provided include the most commonly encountered scenarios in the setting of sepsis along with recommendations and data for each imaging study. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision process support the systematic analysis of the medical literature from peer reviewed journals. Established methodology principles such as Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE are adapted to evaluate the evidence. The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method User Manual provides the methodology to determine the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where peer reviewed literature is lacking or equivocal, experts may be the primary evidentiary source available to formulate a recommendation.

First-in-Human Hyperpolarized MRI for Tumor Metabolism in HNSCC.

This case report describes the use of hyperpolarized magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a patient with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) to demonstrate its translational viability.

Progressive Pulmonary Fibrosis and Interstitial Lung Abnormalities: AJR Expert Panel Narrative Review.

Progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF) and interstitial lung abnormalities (ILA) are relatively new concepts in interstitial lung disease (ILD) imaging and clinical management. Recognition of signs of PPF, as well as identification and classification of ILA, are important tasks during chest high-resolution CT interpretation, to optimize management of patients with ILD and those at risk of developing ILD. However, following professional society guidance, the role of imaging surveillance remains unclear in stable patients with ILD, asymptomatic patients with ILA who are at risk of progression, and asymptomatic patients at risk of developing ILD without imaging abnormalities. In this AJR Expert Panel Narrative Review, we summarize the current knowledge regarding PPF and ILA and describe the range of clinical practice with respect to imaging patients with ILD, those with ILA, and those at risk of developing ILD. In addition, we offer suggestions to help guide surveillance imaging in areas with an absence of published guidelines, where such decisions are currently driven primarily by local pulmonologists' preference.

Radiologic Manifestations of Mycobacterium chimaera Infection After Open Heart Surgery.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study is to identify and detail the radiologic manifestations of surgical site and disseminated Mycobacterium chimaera ( MC) infection. The aim is to facilitate early identification and diagnosis of MC, considering its indolent nature and the challenges involved in clinically and pathologically establishing the diagnosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study reviewing computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET)/CT, and magnetic resonance imaging examinations in patients over the age of 18 years with a history of open heart surgery and a clinical or pathologic diagnosis of MC. Two radiology residents, a fellowship-trained nuclear medicine radiologist, and a fellowship-trained cardiothoracic radiologist performed consensus reads to determine the imaging findings seen in MC infection. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients were included. Localized, surgical site infection was more common than disseminated disease. Typical CT findings included peristernal soft tissue thickening, sinus tracts often extending to the cutaneous surface, slowly enlarging fluid collections, and sternal osteolysis. PET/CT findings demonstrated hypermetabolic activity in nearly all patients localized to sites of infection. Imaging findings for disseminated infection included hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, involvement of the central nervous system, discitis/osteomyelitis, and distant abscesses. CONCLUSIONS: Imaging plays a vital role in suggesting possible surgical sites and disseminated MC infection acquired from open heart surgery. Radiologists must keep a high index of suspicion given the indolent nature and subtle imaging change over time. PET/CT is most useful in diagnosis and helps in differentiating between a sterile postoperative fluid collection or scarring and active MC infection and helps provide a target for debridement.

The Impact of Closed-Loop Imaging on Actionable CT-Detected Breast Findings.

PURPOSE: Closed-loop imaging programs (CLIPs) are designed to ensure that patients receive appropriate follow-up, but a review of incidental CT-detected breast findings in the setting of CLIPs has not been performed. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of CT reports at a single academic institution from July 1, 2020, to January 31, 2022, to identify reports with recommendations for breast imaging follow-up. Medical records were reviewed to evaluate patient adherence to follow-up, CLIP intervention, subsequent BI-RADS assessment, and diagnosis. Adherence was defined as diagnostic breast imaging performed within 6 months of the CT recommendation. RESULTS: Follow-up recommendations for breast imaging were included in CT report impressions for 311 patients. Almost half of patients (47.3% [147 of 311]) underwent follow-up breast imaging within 6 months, yielding breast cancer diagnoses in 12.9% (19 of 147) and a biopsy-proven positive predictive value of 65.5% (19 of 29). Most patients who returned for follow-up within 6 months did so without CLIP intervention. The majority of CT report impressions in the follow-up group (85.0% [125 of 147]) contained specific recommendations for "diagnostic breast imaging." For patients who did not receive follow-up, the CLIP team tracked all cases and intervened in 19.1% (28 of 147). The most common intervention was a phone call and/or fax to the primary care provider. Outpatient CT examination setting and specific recommendation for diagnostic breast imaging were significantly associated with higher follow-up adherence (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Actionable CT-detected breast findings require follow-up diagnostic breast imaging because of a relevant cancer detection rate of 12.9%. Although many patients return for breast imaging without intervention, almost half of patients did not receive follow-up and may account for a significant number of missed cancer diagnoses. Specific CT recommendation verbiage is associated with higher follow-up adherence, which can be addressed across settings even without CLIPs.

Spectrum of Thoracic Imaging Findings in the Setting of Substance Abuse.

ABSTRACT: Substance abuse continues to be prevalent nationwide and can lead to a myriad of chest pathologies. Imaging findings are vast and can include nodules, masses, ground-glass opacities, airspace disease, and cysts. Radiologists with awareness of these manifestations can assist in early identification of disease in situations where information is unable to be obtained from the patient. This review focuses on thoracic imaging findings associated with various forms of substance abuse, which are organized by portal of entry into the thorax: inhalation, ingestion, and injection.

Phenotype and fate of liver-resident CD8 T cells during acute and chronic hepacivirus infection.

Immune correlates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) clearance and control remain poorly defined due to the lack of an informative animal model. We recently described acute and chronic rodent HCV-like virus (RHV) infections in lab mice. Here, we developed MHC class I and class II tetramers to characterize the serial changes in RHV-specific CD8 and CD4 T cells during acute and chronic infection in C57BL/6J mice. RHV infection induced rapid expansion of T cells targeting viral structural and nonstructural proteins. After virus clearance, the virus-specific T cells transitioned from effectors to long-lived liver-resident memory T cells (TRM). The effector and memory CD8 and CD4 T cells primarily produced Th1 cytokines, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-2, upon ex vivo antigen stimulation, and their phenotype and transcriptome differed significantly between the liver and spleen. Rapid clearance of RHV reinfection coincided with the proliferation of virus-specific CD8 TRM cells in the liver. Chronic RHV infection was associated with the exhaustion of CD8 T cells (Tex) and the development of severe liver diseases. Interestingly, the virus-specific CD8 Tex cells continued proliferation in the liver despite the persistent high-titer viremia and retained partial antiviral functions, as evident from their ability to degranulate and produce IFN-γ upon ex vivo antigen stimulation. Thus, RHV infection in mice provides a unique model to study the function and fate of liver-resident T cells during acute and chronic hepatotropic infection.

Immunological Monitoring in Hepatitis C Virus Controlled Human Infection Model.

Controlled human infection model trials for hepatitis C virus represent an important opportunity to identify correlates of protective immunity against a well-characterized inoculum of hepatitis C virus and how such responses are modified by vaccination. In this article, we discuss the approach to immunological monitoring during such trials, including a set of recommendations for optimal sampling schedule and preferred immunological assays to examine the different arms of the immune response. We recommend that this approach be adapted to different trial designs. Finally, we discuss how these studies can provide surrogate predictors of the success of candidate vaccines.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Routine Chest Imaging.

Routine chest imaging has been used to identify unknown or subclinical cardiothoracic abnormalities in the absence of symptoms. Various imaging modalities have been suggested for routine chest imaging. We review the evidence for or against the use of routine chest imaging in different clinical scenarios. This document aims to determine guidelines for the use of routine chest imaging as initial imaging for hospital admission, initial imaging prior to noncardiothoracic surgery, and surveillance imaging for chronic cardiopulmonary disease. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision process support the systematic analysis of the medical literature from peer reviewed journals. Established methodology principles such as Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE are adapted to evaluate the evidence. The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method User Manual provides the methodology to determine the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where peer reviewed literature is lacking or equivocal, experts may be the primary evidentiary source available to formulate a recommendation.

Cell entry and release of quasi-enveloped human hepatitis viruses.

Infectious hepatitis type A and type E are caused by phylogenetically distinct single-stranded, positive-sense RNA viruses that were once considered to be non-enveloped. However, studies show that both are released nonlytically from hepatocytes as 'quasi-enveloped' virions cloaked in host membranes. These virion types predominate in the blood of infected individuals and mediate virus spread within the liver. They lack virally encoded proteins on their surface and are resistant to neutralizing anti-capsid antibodies induced by infection, yet they efficiently enter cells and initiate new rounds of virus replication. In this Review, we discuss the mechanisms by which specific peptide sequences in the capsids of these quasi-enveloped virions mediate their endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT)-dependent release from hepatocytes through multivesicular endosomes, what is known about how they enter cells, and the impact of capsid quasi-envelopment on host immunity and pathogenesis.

Soluble ORF2 protein enhances HEV replication and induces long-lasting antibody response and protective immunity in vivo.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The HEV is a small positive-sense RNA virus that encodes a cytoplasmic form of the capsid protein (ORF2c), essential for virion structure, and a secreted glycosylated form (ORF2s) that accumulates at high titer in serum and can mask neutralizing epitopes. We explored the contribution of ORF2s to HEV replication and its role in generating antibodies against ORF2 in a nonhuman primate model. APPROACH AND RESULTS: We used a recombinant HEV genotype 3 variant that does not express ORF2s due to the introduction of stop codons (ORF2s mut ). Rhesus macaques (RMs) were given intrahepatic injections of infectious wildtype HEV (ORF2s wt ) RNA or a variant lacking ORF2s expression (ORF2s mut ). The replication of the ORF2s mut virus was delayed by ~2 weeks compared with ORF2s wt , and peak titers were nearly tenfold lower. Reversions of the 3 mutations that blocked ORF2s expression were not detected in the ORF2s mut genomes, indicating genetic stability. However, serum antibodies against ORF2 were transiently detected in RMs infected with ORF2s mut , whereas they were long-lasting in RMs infected with ORF2s wt . Moreover, RMs infected with ORF2s mut were more susceptible to reinfection, as evidenced by the viral RNA detected in fecal samples and the expansion of HEV-specific CD8 + T cells. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that ORF2s may be dispensable for viral replication in vivo but is required for long-lived antibody-mediated responses that protect against HEV re-exposure.

Cardiac Outpouchings: Practical Approach to Normal Variants and Pathologic Conditions at CT and MRI.

Numerous entities, both structural and pathologic, can manifest as a contrast material- or blood-filled cardiac outpouching at imaging. These outpouchings often resemble one another and are frequently unfamiliar to imagers and clinicians, creating uncertainty when detected. Furthermore, the diagnostic criteria for conditions such as hernia, aneurysm, pseudoaneurysm, and diverticulum have not been consistently applied in studies and reports cited in the literature describing these outpouchings, adding to the confusion among general and cardiothoracic imagers. Pouches and outpouchings are commonly found incidentally on thoracic and abdominal CT scans obtained for other reasons. Many pouches and outpouchings can be confidently diagnosed or ignored at routine imaging, whereas others may require further evaluation with electrocardiographically gated CT, cardiac MRI, or echocardiography for a more definitive diagnosis. It is easiest to group and diagnose these entities on the basis of their cardiac chamber location or their involvement with the interatrial and interventricular septa. Ancillary features, such as motion, morphology, neck and body size, presence or absence of thrombus, and late gadolinium enhancement characteristics, are important in reaching a correct diagnosis. The aim of this article is to provide a practical guide to pouches and outpouchings of the heart. Each entity is defined according to its cause, imaging characteristics, clinical significance, and relevant associated findings. Mimics of cardiac pouches and outpouchings such as the Bachmann bundle, atrial veins, and thebesian vessels also are briefly discussed. Quiz questions for this article are available in the supplemental material. ©RSNA, 2023.

Transition From Peer Review to Peer Learning: Lessons Learned.

Landmark publications, such as To Err is Human, confronted the healthcare community with the egregious toll medical errors played in both patient safety and overall healthcare costs. This heralded a paradigm shift and a call for action by professional organizations to enact methods to ensure physician competency and quality assurance. The American College of Radiology similarly convened a task force to discuss these concerns and how best to address quality assurance in radiology practice, leading to the development of RADPEER, a score-based peer review system. However, critics were quick to point out the deficiencies of this model, highlighting it as punitive and a poor evaluator of physician performance. The recognized deficiencies in score-based peer review prompted the pursuit of an alternate model that would instead emphasize learning and improvement. Peer learning was proposed and highlighted the necessity of an inclusive and collaborative environment where colleagues could discuss case errors as learning opportunities without fear of punitive consequence. This paper explores peer learning, its benefits and challenges, as well as how to identify specific learning opportunities by utilizing case examples.

Model-constrained reconstruction accelerated with Fourier-based undersampling for hyperpolarized [1-13 C] pyruvate imaging.

PURPOSE: Model-constrained reconstruction with Fourier-based undersampling (MoReFUn) is introduced to accelerate the acquisition of dynamic MRI using hyperpolarized [1-13 C]-pyruvate. METHODS: The MoReFUn method resolves spatial aliasing using constraints introduced by a pharmacokinetic model that describes the signal evolution of both pyruvate and lactate. Acceleration was evaluated on three single-channel data sets: a numerical digital phantom that is used to validate the accuracy of reconstruction and model parameter restoration under various SNR and undersampling ratios, prospectively and retrospectively sampled data of an in vitro dynamic multispectral phantom, and retrospectively undersampled imaging data from a prostate cancer patient to test the fidelity of reconstructed metabolite time series. RESULTS: All three data sets showed successful reconstruction using MoReFUn. In simulation and retrospective phantom data, the restored time series of pyruvate and lactate maintained the image details, and the mean square residual error of the accelerated reconstruction increased only slightly (< 10%) at a reduction factor up to 8. In prostate data, the quantitative estimation of the conversion-rate constant of pyruvate to lactate was achieved with high accuracy of less than 10% error at a reduction factor of 2 compared with the conversion rate derived from unaccelerated data. CONCLUSION: The MoReFUn technique can be used as an effective and reliable imaging acceleration method for metabolic imaging using hyperpolarized [1-13 C]-pyruvate.

Treatment Outcomes for Rheumatoid Arthritis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease: A Real-World, Multisite Study of the Impact of Immunosuppression on Pulmonary Function Trajectory.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-associated interstitial lung disease (ILD) is common in patients with RA and leads to significant morbidity and mortality. No randomized, placebo-controlled data are available that support the role of immunosuppression to treat RA-associated ILD, despite being widely used in clinical practice. RESEARCH QUESTION: How does immunosuppression impact pulmonary function trajectory in a multisite retrospective cohort of patients with RA-associated ILD? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Patients with RA who started treatment for ILD with mycophenolate, azathioprine, or rituximab were identified retrospectively from five ILD centers. Change in lung function before and after treatment was analyzed using a linear spline mixed-effect model with random intercept. Prespecified secondary analyses examined the impact of radiologic pattern of ILD (ie, usual interstitial pneumonia [UIP] vs non-UIP) on treatment trajectory. RESULTS: Two hundred twelve patients were included in the analysis: 92 patients (43.4%) were treated with azathioprine, 77 patients (36.3%) were treated with mycophenolate mofetil, and 43 patients (20.3%) were treated with rituximab. In the combined analysis of all three agents, an improvement in FVC % predicted was found after 12 months of treatment compared with the potential 12-month response without treatment (+3.90%; P ≤ .001; 95% CI, 1.95-5.84). Diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (Dlco) % predicted also improved at 12 months (+4.53%; P ≤ .001; 95% CI, 2.12-6.94). Neither the UIP pattern of ILD nor choice of immunosuppressive agent significantly impacted the pulmonary function trajectory on immunosuppression. INTERPRETATION: Immunosuppression was associated with an improved trajectory in FVC and Dlco compared with the pretreatment pulmonary function trajectory. Prospective, randomized trials are required to validate these findings.

Mosaic Attenuation Pattern: A Guide to Analysis with HRCT.

Mosaic attenuation pattern is commonly encountered on high-resolution computed tomography and has myriad causes. These diseases may involve small airways, vessels, alveoli, or interstitium, with some involving compartmental combinations. Small airways disease is caused by cellular bronchiolitis, infiltrated by inflammatory cells or constrictive bronchiolitis, resulting in fibrosis of the small airways. Any acute or chronic cause of ground-glass opacity can result in a mosaic pattern. Vascular causes of mosaic attenuation include chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension and rarely other causes of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Ancillary CT findings along with the clinical history help narrow the differential diangosis. Biopsy is uncommonly required for definitiive diagnosis.

Atypical Causes of Dyspnea: A Review of Neuromuscular and Chest Wall Disorders that Compromise Ventilation.

Dyspnea is a common presenting symptom among patients with cardiopulmonary diseases. However, several neuromuscular and chest wall conditions are often overlooked and under-recognized causes of dyspnea. These disorders frequently adversely affect the structure and function of the ventilatory pump (diaphragm, accessory muscles of ventilation) and can precipitate respiratory failure despite normal lung parenchyma. Weakened musculature impairs clearance of airway secretions leading to aspiration and pneumonia, further compromising respiratory function. Radiologists should be aware of the pathophysiology and imaging manifestations of these conditions and might suggest them to be causes of dyspnea which otherwise may not have been considered by referring clinicians.