Prognostic Value of Preoperative N Subcategories in Patients with Stage IIIA N2 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Purpose To evaluate the preoperative risk factors in patients with pathologic IIIA N2 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who underwent upfront surgery and to evaluate the prognostic value of new N subcategories. Materials and Methods Patients with pathologic stage IIIA N2 NSCLC who underwent upfront surgery in a single tertiary center from January 2015 to April 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Each patient's clinical N (cN) was assigned to one of six subcategories (cN0, cN1a, cN1b, cN2a1, cN2a2, and cN2b) based on recently proposed N descriptors. Cox regression analysis was used to identify the significant prognostic factors for recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). Results A total of 366 patients (mean age ± SD, 62.0 years ± 10.1; 202 male patients [55%]) were analyzed. The recurrence rate was 55% (203 of 366 patients) over a median follow-up of 37.3 months. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that cN (hazard ratios [HRs] for cN1 and cN2b compared with cN0, 1.66 [95% CI: 1.11, 2.48] and 2.11 [95% CI: 1.32, 3.38], respectively) and maximum lymph node (LN) size at N1 station (≥12 mm; HR, 1.62 [95% CI: 1.15, 2.29]), in addition to clinical T category (HR, 1.51 [95% CI: 1.14, 1.99]), were independent prognostic factors for RFS. For OS, clinical N subcategories (cN1, cN2a2, and cN2b vs cN0; HRs, 1.91 [95% CI: 1.11, 3.27], 1.89 [95% CI: 1.13, 2.18], and 2.02 [95% CI: 1.07, 3.80], respectively) and LN size at N1 station (HR, 1.75 [95% CI: 1.12, 2.71]) were independent prognostic factors. For clinical N1, OS was further stratified according to LN size (log-rank test, P < .001). Conclusion Assessing the proposed N subcategories by reporting single versus multistation involvement of N2 disease and maximum size of metastatic LN, reflecting metastatic burden, at preoperative CT may offer useful prognostic information for planning optimal treatment strategies. Keywords: CT, Lung, Staging, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Supplemental material is available for this article. ©RSNA, 2024.

Surgical Outcomes in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with Distant Metastasis: The Prognostic Significance of Delayed Metastasis Diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of distant metastasis on preoperative examinations for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can be challenging, leading to surgery for some patients with uncertain metastasis. This study evaluated the prognostic impact of delayed diagnosis of metastasis on patients who underwent upfront surgery. METHODS: The study enrolled patients who underwent lobectomy or pneumonectomy for NSCLC between June 2010 and December 2017 and evaluated the presence of distant metastasis before surgery. Overall survival (OS) for patients with stage IV cancer was compared with that for patients without metastasis, and the prognostic factors were analyzed. RESULTS: Of 3046 patients (mean age, 63 years; 1770 men), 100 (3.3 %) had distant metastasis, diagnosed preoperatively in 1.4 % (42/3046) and postoperatively in 1.9 % (58/3046) of the patients. The two most common metastasis sites diagnosed after surgery were contralateral lung (22/58, 37.9 %) and ipsilateral pleura (16/58, 27.6 %). The OS (median, 42.7 months) for the patients with stage IV cancer diagnosed postoperatively was comparable with that for the patients with stage IIIB cancer (P = 0.865), whereas the OS (median OS, 91.7 months) for the patients with stage IV cancer diagnosed preoperatively was better than for the patients with stage IIIB cancer (P = 0.001). Among the patients with distant metastasis, squamous cell type (hazard ratio [HR], 3.15; P = 0.002) and systemic treatment for metastasis (HR, 2.42; P = 0.002) were independent predictors of worse OS. CONCLUSIONS: Among NSCLC patients undergoing upfront surgery, the OS for the patients with stage IV cancer diagnosed postoperatively was comparable with that for the patients with stage IIIB cancer. For patients with stage IV disease, squamous cell type and systemic treatment for metastasis were prognostic factors for poorer OS.

Long-Term Follow-Up of Interstitial Lung Abnormality: Implication in Follow-Up Strategy and Risk Thresholds.

Rationale: The optimal follow-up computed tomography (CT) interval for detecting the progression of interstitial lung abnormality (ILA) is unknown. Objectives: To identify optimal follow-up strategies and extent thresholds on CT relevant to outcomes. Methods: This retrospective study included self-referred screening participants aged 50 years or older, including nonsmokers, who had imaging findings relevant to ILA on chest CT scans. Consecutive CT scans were evaluated to determine the dates of the initial CT showing ILA and the CT showing progression. Deep learning-based ILA quantification was performed. Cox regression was used to identify risk factors for the time to ILA progression and progression to usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP). Measurements and Main Results: Of the 305 participants with a median follow-up duration of 11.3 years (interquartile range, 8.4-14.3 yr), 239 (78.4%) had ILA on at least one CT scan. In participants with serial follow-up CT studies, ILA progression was observed in 80.5% (161 of 200), and progression to UIP was observed in 17.3% (31 of 179), with median times to progression of 3.2 years (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.0-3.4 yr) and 11.8 years (95% CI, 10.8-13.0 yr), respectively. The extent of fibrosis on CT was an independent risk factor for ILA progression (hazard ratio, 1.12 [95% CI, 1.02-1.23]) and progression to UIP (hazard ratio, 1.39 [95% CI, 1.07-1.80]). Risk groups based on honeycombing and extent of fibrosis (1% in the whole lung or 5% per lung zone) showed significant differences in 10-year overall survival (P = 0.02). Conclusions: For individuals with initially detected ILA, follow-up CT at 3-year intervals may be appropriate to monitor radiologic progression; however, those at high risk of adverse outcomes on the basis of the quantified extent of fibrotic ILA and the presence of honeycombing may benefit from shortening the interval for follow-up scans.

Prognostic significance of 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma.

Vitamin D insufficiency has been linked to unfavourable outcomes in diverse malignancies. However, the prognostic significance of vitamin D levels in peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) remains unclear. In this study, we thus aimed to assess the prognostic relevance of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels in patients newly diagnosed with PTCL. The analysis included 144 patients with PTCL treated from March 2015 to May 2020. The median 25(OH)D level was 12.2 (1.7-48.8) ng/mL, and 59 (41%) patients had vitamin D deficiency. Patients with vitamin D deficiency demonstrated significantly worse event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS). In the multivariate analysis, vitamin D was independently associated with OS, with a hazard ratio of 1.66 (95% confidence interval, 1.05-2.63, p = 0.030). These findings suggest that vitamin D deficiency significantly correlates with poor survival outcomes in patients with PTCL.

Progression of pulmonary cysts in Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome: longitudinal thoracic computed tomography study with quantitative assessment.

BACKGROUND: Birt-Hogg-Dubé (BHD) syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by fibrofolliculomas, renal tumors, pulmonary cysts, and recurrent pneumothorax. Pulmonary cysts are the cause of recurrent pneumothorax, which is one of the most important factors influencing patient quality of life. It is unknown whether pulmonary cysts progress with time or influence pulmonary function in patients with BHD syndrome. This study investigated whether pulmonary cysts progress during long-term follow-up (FU) by using thoracic computed tomography (CT) and whether pulmonary function declines during FU. We also evaluated risk factors for pneumothorax in patients with BHD during FU. METHODS: Our retrospective cohort included 43 patients with BHD (25 women; mean age, 54.2 ± 11.7 years). We evaluated whether cysts progress by visual assessment and quantitative volume analysis using initial and serial thoracic CT. The visual assessment included the size, location, number, shape, distribution, presence of a visible wall, fissural or subpleural cysts, and air-cuff signs. In CT data obtained from a 1-mm section from 17 patients, the quantitative assessment was performed by measuring the volume of the low attenuation area using in-house software. We evaluated whether the pulmonary function declined with time on serial pulmonary function tests (PFT). Risk factors for pneumothorax were analyzed using multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: On visual assessment, the largest cyst in the right lung showed a significant interval increase in size (1.0 mm/year, p = 0.0015; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.42-1.64) between the initial and final CT, and the largest cyst in the left lung also showed significant interval increase in size (0.8 mm/year, p < 0.001, 95% CI; -0.49-1.09). On quantitative assessment, cysts had a tendency to gradually increase in size. In 33 patients with available PFT data, FEV1pred%, FEV1/FVC, and VCpred% showed a statistically significant decrease with time (p < 0.0001 for each). A family history of pneumothorax was a risk factor for the development of pneumothorax. CONCLUSIONS: The size of pulmonary cysts progressed over time in longitudinal follow-up thoracic CT in patients with BHD, and pulmonary function had slightly deteriorated by longitudinal follow-up PFT.

Acute Respiratory Deterioration in Rheumatoid Arthritis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease: A Single-Center Study.

BACKGROUND: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Moreover, acute exacerbation (AE) is a devastating complication of RA plus ILD. However, few data on AE in RA-associated ILD are available. RESEARCH QUESTION: What are the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of AE in patients with RA-associated ILD? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The clinical data of 310 patients with RA-associated ILD were analyzed retrospectively. AE was defined as the acute worsening of dyspnea typically within 30 days with new bilateral lung infiltration, which was based on a 2016 report by an international working group. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 61.9 years, and 56.2% of them were women. During follow-up (median, 47.7 months), AE occurred in 87 patients (28.1%). The 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year cumulative incidence rates of AE in patients with RA-associated ILD were 9.2%, 19.8%, and 29.4%, respectively. Ever smoker status, lower FVC, and shorter 6-min walk distance were significant risk factors for the occurrence of AE. In the multivariate Cox analysis adjusted by age, sex, smoking status, lung function, exercise capacity, and high-resolution CT scan pattern, AE was a significant prognostic factor for overall survival (hazard ratio, 2.423; 95% CI, 1.605-3.660; P < .001) in patients with RA-associated ILD. The 30-day and 90-day mortalities after AE were 12.6% and 29.9%, respectively. INTERPRETATION: Our findings suggest that approximately one-third of patients with RA-associated ILD experience AE and that ever smoker status, and lower lung function and exercise capacity predispose patients to AE. AE significantly affects the overall survival of patients with RA-associated ILD.

BCL2 super-expressor diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: a distinct subgroup associated with poor prognosis.

Overexpression of the BCL2 protein has been reported as a poor prognostic factor for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). However, there are currently no standardized criteria for evaluating BCL2 protein expression. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of BCL2 expression determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC), incorporating both the staining intensity and proportion, in patients with de novo DLBCL who received rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) as first-line treatment. We defined tumors with BCL2 expression in nearly all tumor cells with a uniformly strong intensity by IHC as BCL2 super-expressor. The BCL2 super-expressors (n = 35) showed significantly worse event-free survival (EFS; HR, 1.903; 95% CI, 1.159-3.126, P = 0.011) and overall survival (OS; HR, 2.467; 95% CI, 1.474-4.127, P = 0.001) compared with the non-BCL2 super-expressors (n = 234) independent of the international prognostic index (IPI), cell of origin (COO), and double expressor status in the training set (n = 269). The adverse prognostic impact of BCL2 super-expression was confirmed in the validation set (n = 195). When the survival outcomes were evaluated in the entire cohort (n = 464), BCL2 super-expressor group was significantly associated with inferior EFS and OS regardless of IPI, COO, MYC expression, and stages. BCL2 super-expressors had genetic aberrations enriched in the NOTCH and TP53 signaling pathways. This study suggests that the BCL2 super-expressor characterizes a distinct subset of DLBCL with a poor prognosis and warrants further investigation as a target population for BCL-2 inhibitors.

Progressive fibrosing interstitial lung disease: prevalence and clinical outcome.

BACKGROUND: The progressive fibrosing (PF) phenotype of interstitial lung disease (ILD) is characterised by worsening respiratory symptoms, lung function, and extent of fibrosis on high-resolution computed tomography. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and clinical outcomes of PF-ILD in a real-world cohort and assess the prognostic significance of the PF-ILD diagnostic criteria. METHODS: Clinical data of patients with fibrosing ILD other than idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) consecutively diagnosed at a single centre were retrospectively reviewed. A PF phenotype was defined based on the criteria used in the INBUILD trial. RESULTS: The median follow-up duration was 62.7 months. Of the total of 396 patients, the mean age was 58.1 years, 39.9% were men, and rheumatoid arthritis-ILD was the most common (42.4%). A PF phenotype was identified in 135 patients (34.1%). The PF-ILD group showed lower forced vital capacity and total lung capacity (TLC) than the non-PF-ILD group. The PF-ILD group also showed poorer survival (median survival, 91.2 months vs. not reached; P < 0.001) than the non-PF-ILD group. In multivariable Cox analysis adjusted for age, DLCO, HRCT pattern, and specific diagnosis, PF phenotype was independent prognostic factor (hazard ratio, 3.053; P < 0.001) in patients with fibrosing ILD. Each criterion of PF-ILD showed similar survival outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that approximately 34% of patients with non-IPF fibrosing ILD showed a progressive phenotype and a poor outcome similar to that of IPF, regardless of the diagnostic criteria used.

Prognostic Implication of Diagnostic Confidence Level in Patients with Fibrotic Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis.

BACKGROUND: Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) has various clinical courses and outcomes, but the prognostic factors are not well-defined. Vasakova et al. [Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2017 Sep;196(6):680-9] have proposed a diagnostic algorithm that categorized suspected patients according to the level of confidence in the diagnosis. This study aimed to investigate whether the confidence level of clinical diagnosis has prognostic implication in patients with fibrotic HP. METHODS: This study included 101 biopsy-proven fibrotic HP patients diagnosed between 2002 and 2017. The patients were retrospectively classified into confident, probable, possible, and unlikely chronic HP, according to the confidence level in the diagnostic criteria/algorithm. The survival and forced vital capacity (FVC) changes were compared between the groups. Risk factors for mortality were analysed using a Cox proportional hazard model. RESULTS: The median follow-up duration was 67.6 months. The mean age was 60.4 years, and percentages of women were 60.4%. When classified based on the diagnostic criteria/algorithm, possible HP was the most common (51.5%), followed by probable (26.7%), confident (9.9%), and unlikely HP (6.9%). Distinctive survival curves were found according to the diagnostic confidence level, showing the worst outcome in unlikely chronic HP (median survival, 30.2 months). In a multivariable Cox analysis, unlikely HP was a significant predictor of poor survival (hazard ratio, 4.652; 95% confidence interval, 1.231-17.586; p = 0.023), after adjustment for age, body mass index, FVC, and diffusing capacity. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic confidence level may predict clinical outcomes in patients with HP. Unlikely HP was shown to have a significantly poorer survival than other diagnostic confidence levels.

Comprehensive Updates in the Role of Imaging for Multiple Myeloma Management Based on Recent International Guidelines.

The diagnostic and treatment methods of multiple myeloma (MM) have been rapidly evolving owing to advances in imaging techniques and new therapeutic agents. Imaging has begun to play an important role in the management of MM, and international guidelines are frequently updated. Since the publication of 2015 International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) criteria for the diagnosis of MM, whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or low-dose whole-body computed tomography (CT) and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT have entered the mainstream as diagnostic and treatment response assessment tools. The 2019 IMWG guidelines also provide imaging recommendations for various clinical settings. Accordingly, radiologists have become a key component of MM management. In this review, we provide an overview of updates in the MM field with an emphasis on imaging modalities.

Diagnostic and prognostic implications of 2018 guideline for the diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in clinical practice.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the implications of the 2018 updated guideline for the diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in clinical practice compared to 2011 guideline. This study involved 535 patients including 339 IPF and 196 non-IPF, and we retrospectively evaluated CT classifications of usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) by two guidelines. Interobserver agreement of 2018 criteria showed moderate reliability (κ = 0.53) comparable to 2011 (κ = 0.56) but interobserver agreement for probable UIP was fair (κ = 0.40). CT pattern of indeterminate for UIP was associated with better prognosis compared with the other groups (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 0.36, p < 0.001). Compared to possible UIP, probable UIP demonstrated a lower positive predictive value (PPV, 62.9% vs 65.8%). In analysis of patients with CT patterns of non-definite UIP, diagnosing IPF when CT pattern showed probable UIP with lymphocyte count ≤ 15% in BAL fluid, and either male sex or age ≥ 60 years showed a high specificity of 90.6% and a PPV of 80.8% in the validation cohort. The 2018 criteria provide better prognostic stratification than the 2011 in patients with possible UIP. BAL fluid analysis can improve the diagnostic certainty for IPF diagnosis in patients with probable UIP CT pattern.

Acute exacerbation of fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis: incidence and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Patients with fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) show variable clinical courses, and some experience rapid deterioration (RD), including acute exacerbation (AE). However, little is known about AE in fibrotic HP. Here, we retrospectively examined the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of AE in fibrotic HP. METHODS: The incidence rates of AE were calculated in 101 patients with biopsy-proven HP. AE was defined as the worsening of dyspnoea within 30 days, with new bilateral lung infiltration and no evidence of infection or other causes of dyspnoea. RESULTS: During follow-up (median: 30 months), 18 (17.8%) patients experienced AE. The 1, 3, and 5 year incidence rates of AE were 6.0, 13.6, and 22.8%, respectively. Lower diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and a radiologic usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP)-like pattern were risk factors for AE. In-hospital mortality after AE was 44.4%. Median survival from diagnosis was significantly shorter in patients with AE (26.0 months) than in those with no-AE RD (55.0 months; p = 0.008) or no RD (not reached; p < 0.001). AE remained a significant predictor of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio, 8.641; 95% confidence interval, 3.388-22.040; p < 0.001) after adjustment for age, body mass index, lung function, lymphocyte levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and the presence of a UIP-like pattern. CONCLUSIONS: AE was not uncommon among patients with fibrotic HP and significantly affected prognosis. A lower DLCO value and radiologic UIP-like pattern at diagnosis were associated with the development AE in patients with fibrotic HP.

Efficacy and safety of prophylactic high-dose MTX in high-risk DLBCL: a treatment intent-based analysis.

Despite central nervous system (CNS) relapse occurring in >10% of high-risk diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients, the role of CNS-directed prophylaxis is controversial in the absence of randomized controlled trials. In this retrospective study, we aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of prophylactic high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) on CNS relapse and survival outcomes in 258 newly diagnosed R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone)-treated high-risk DLBCL patients, based on the initial treatment intent (ITT) of the physician on the use of prophylactic HD-MTX. Patients were classified into an ITT HD-MTX group (n = 128) and a non-ITT HD-MTX group (n = 130). The CNS relapse rate was not significantly different between these groups, with 2-year CNS relapse rates of 12.4% and 13.9%, respectively (P = 0.96). Three-year progression-free survival and overall survival rates in the ITT HD-MTX and non-ITT HD-MTX groups were 62.4% vs 64.5% (P = 0.94) and 71.7% vs 71.4% (P = 0.7), respectively. Also, propensity score-matched analyses showed no significant differences in the time-to-CNS-relapse, progression-free survival, or overall survival. The ITT HD-MTX group showed a higher incidence of grade ≥ 3 oral mucositis and elevated alanine aminotransferase. Prophylactic HD-MTX does not improve CNS relapse rate or survival outcomes in high-risk DLBCL patients, and it is accompanied by increased toxicities.

Reappraisal of the prognostic value of Epstein-Barr virus status in monomorphic post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorders-diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

The role of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) status in the blood for predicting survival in post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorders-diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (PTLD-DLBCL) is unknown. We evaluated the prognostic values of pre-treatment EBV-encoded small RNA (EBER) detected with in situ hybridization in tissues and EBV DNA in the whole blood (WB) and plasma in 58 patients with monomorphic PTLD-DLBCL after solid organ transplantation. There were no significant differences in the rates of overall response, complete response, and survival according to EBER EBV and WB EBV status. In contrast, patients with positive plasma EBV DNA had significantly lower rates of overall response (60.0% vs. 94.4%, P = 0.043) and complete response (40.0% vs. 88.9%, P = 0.019) as well as worse progression-free survival (PFS) (P = 0.035) and overall survival (OS) (P = 0.039) compared with patients with negative plasma EBV DNA. In multivariate analysis, plasma EBV DNA positivity was a significantly unfavorable prognostic factor for PFS [hazard ratio (HR) 4.92, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.22-19.86, P = 0.025] and OS (HR 4.48, 95% CI 1.14-17.63, P = 0.032). Despite small number of 6 patients with plasma EBV positivity, plasma EBV DNA positivity might be more prognostic for survival than EBER or WB EBV DNA positivity in patients with monomorphic PTLD-DLBCL.

Assessment of naive indolent lymphoma using whole-body diffusion-weighted imaging and T2-weighted MRI: results of a prospective study in 30 patients.

BACKGROUND: We prospectively evaluated the diagnostic utility of whole-body diffusion-weighted imaging with background body signal suppression and T2-weighted short-tau inversion recovery MRI (WB-DWIBS/STIR) for the pretherapeutic staging of indolent lymphoma in 30 patients. METHODS: This prospective study included 30 treatment-naive patients with indolent lymphomas who underwent WB-DWIBS/STIR and conventional imaging workup plus biopsy. The pretherapeutic staging agreement, sensitivity, and specificity of WB-DWIBS/STIR were investigated with reference to the multimodality and multidisciplinary consensus review for nodal and extranodal lesions excluding bone marrow. RESULTS: In the pretherapeutic staging, WB-DWIBS/STIR showed very good agreement (κ = 0.96; confidence interval [CI], 0.88-1.00), high sensitivity (93.4-95.1%), and high specificity (99.0-99.4%) for the whole-body regions. These results were similar to those of 18F-FDG-PET/CT, except for the sensitivity for extranodal lesions. For extranodal lesions, WB-DWIBS/STIR showed higher sensitivity compared to 18F-FDG-PET/CT for the whole-body regions (94.9-96.8% vs. 79.6-86.3%, P = 0.058). CONCLUSION: WB-DWIBS/STIR is an effective modality for the pretherapeutic staging of indolent lymphoma, and it has benefits when evaluating extranodal lesions, compared with 18F-FDG-PET/CT.

Pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis in Korean patients: clinico-radiologic-pathologic features and 2-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (PPFE) is a type of rare idiopathic interstitial pneumonia that is characterized by predominantly upper lobe involvement with pleural fibrosis and subjacent parenchymal fibrosis. This study aimed to determine the clinico-radiologic-pathologic features and prognosis of Korean patients with PPFE. METHODS: A total of 26 patients who were confirmed to have PPFE by lung biopsy, were included, and their clinico-radiologic-pathologic findings were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 23.8 months, and the mean age of the patients was 62.5 years; 61.5% were men and 50% were smokers. Cough and dyspnea were the most frequent presenting symptoms, and restrictive pattern was the most common observation in lung function. In 84.6% of the subjects, lower lobe involvement was found on chest computed tomography, and the usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) pattern was the most common (59.1%). Among patients whose lower lobe was biopsied (n = 13), the UIP pattern was the most common (46.2%). Patients with lower lobe involvement were older and walked a shorter distance during the 6-minute walk test, compared to those without. Spontaneous pneumothorax was a common complication (26.9%), and 15.4% of the patients died mostly due to pneumonia (100%). The 1- and 3-year survival rates were 90.2% and 84.5%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Clinical features of Korean patients with PPFE were similar to those reported previously; however, lower lobe involvement was more frequent. During follow-up, one-fourth of the patients experienced pneumothorax and one-fifth died from pneumonia.

Serial changes of CT findings in patients with chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis: imaging trajectories and predictors of fibrotic progression and acute exacerbation.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the longitudinal changes of chest CT findings in patients with chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) and identify risk factors for fibrotic progression and acute exacerbation (AE). METHODS: This retrospective study included patients with chronic HP with follow-up CT. Baseline and serial follow-up CT were evaluated semi-quantitatively. Fibrosis score was defined as the sum of the area with reticulation and honeycombing. The modified CT pattern of Fleischner Society idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis diagnostic guidelines was evaluated. Cox proportional hazards regression was performed to determine significant variables associated with fibrotic progression and AEs. RESULTS: Of 91 patients, mean age was 59.1 years and 61.5% were women. The median follow-up period was 4.9 years. Seventy-nine patients (86.8%) showed fibrotic progression with persistent areas of mosaic attenuation, finally replaced by fibrosis, and 20 (22.0%) developed AE. Baseline fibrosis score and CT pattern of usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP)/probable UIP were independent risk factors for predicting fibrotic progression (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02-1.09, p < 0.001, for fibrosis score; HR = 2.50, CI = 1.50-4.16, p < 0.001, for CT pattern) and AEs (HR = 1.07, CI = 1.01-1.13, p = 0.019, for fibrosis score; HR = 5.47, CI = 1.23-24.45, p = 0.026, for CT pattern) after adjusting clinical covariables. CONCLUSION: Fibrotic progression and AE were identified in 86.8% and 22.0% of patients with chronic HP. Fibrosis score and CT pattern of UIP/probable UIP on baseline chest CT may predict fibrotic progression and AE. KEY POINTS: • Most patients (87%) showed fibrotic progression on long-term follow-up with persistent areas of mosaic attenuation that were finally replaced by fibrosis at a later stage. • One-fifth of patients (22%) experienced acute exacerbation associated with worse prognosis. • Fibrosis score (sum of reticulation and honeycombing) and CT pattern of UIP/probable UIP on baseline CT were independent predictors for predicting fibrotic progression and acute exacerbation.

Severe Human Bocavirus-Associated Pneumonia in Adults at a Referral Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.

We report a case series of severe human bocavirus-associated pneumonia in adults in Seoul, South Korea. The virus accounted for 0.5% of all severe pneumonia cases. Structural lung disease and hematologic malignancy were common underlying diseases. Overall death rate was 54.5%. Higher death rates were associated with co-infection (83.3%) and immunocompromise (80.0%).

Superiority of Epstein-Barr Virus DNA in the Plasma Over Whole Blood for Prognostication of Extranodal NK/T Cell Lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: Extranodal natural killer T cell lymphoma (ENKTL) is a rare subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma with invariable infection of lymphoma cells with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and the presence of EBV-DNA in the blood is a well-known prognosticator. However, there is no consensus on which blood compartment is more optimal for predicting survival outcomes. METHODS: We analyzed 60 patients who were newly diagnosed with ENKTL from a prospectively collected database. EBV-DNA was measured in the whole-blood (WB) and plasma at the time of diagnosis and after treatment completion. RESULTS: EBV-DNA was detected in pre-treatment WB and plasma in 37 (61.7%) and 23 (38.3%) patients, respectively. The presence of pre-treatment plasma EBV-DNA was significantly associated with advanced stage while presence of WB EBV-DNA did not. Positivity of pre-treatment plasma-EBV, but not WB EBV-DNA, was independently associated with poor PFS (HR, 4.22;95% CI, 1.79-9.97; P=0.001) and OS (HR, 8.38; 95% CI, 3.03-23.19; P<0.001) in the multivariate analysis. After treatment completion, positivity of plasma-EBV was independently associated with poor PFS (HR, 9.41; 95% CI, 2.27-39.02; P=0.002) and OS (HR, 32.38; 95% CI, 3.25-322.56; P=0.003), whereas no significant association was observed between WB-EBV status and survival outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that EBV-DNA in the plasma has better prognostic values than WB in patients with ENKTL.