Multidisciplinary quality improvement initiative to standardize reporting of lung cancer screening.

Structured reporting of lung cancer screening (LCS) results with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) is necessary for appropriate follow-up and management of lung nodules. We describe processes for standardizing the reporting and tracking of screen-detected lung nodules by increasing documentation of Lung-RADS categorization of lung nodules. Our multidisciplinary team developed a project charter and key driver diagram, revised the radiology reporting template, and provided monthly audit reports to thoracic radiologists. Quarterly from Q1-2015 to Q2-2016, we measured the proportion of screening LDCT reports that included a documented Lung-RADS category. In Q1- and Q2-2015, no LDCT scans contained a Lung-RADS assessment. By the end of Q1-2016, 94% of screening LDCTs contained a Lung-RADS assessment with a recommended follow-up action. We developed systematic processes for lung nodule categorization, documentation, and tracking using Lung-RADS that improved structured reporting at one academic medical center.

Improving the Implementation of Lung Cancer Screening Guidelines at an Academic Primary Care Practice.

Expert groups recommend annual chest computed tomography for lung cancer screening (LCS) in high-risk patients. Lung cancer screening in primary care is a complex process that includes identification of the at-risk population, comorbidity assessment, and shared decision making. We identified three key processes required for high-quality screening implementation in our academic primary care practice: (1) systematic collection of lifetime cumulative smoking history to identify potentially eligible patients; (2) visit-based clinical reminders and order sets embedded in the electronic health record (EHR); and (3) tools to facilitate shared decision making and appropriate test ordering. We applied quality improvement techniques to address gaps in these processes. Over 12 months, we developed and implemented a nurse protocol for collecting complete smoking history and entering that data into discrete EHR fields. We obtained histories on over 50% of the clinic's more than 2,300 known current and former smokers, aged 55-80 years. We then built and pilot tested an automated visit-based reminder (VBR) system, driven by the discrete smoking history data. The VBR included an order set and template for documentation of shared decision making. Physicians interacted with the VBR in approximately 30% of opportunities for use. Further work is needed to better understand how to systematically provide appropriate LCS in primary care environments.

Assessment of Lungs for Transplant Recovered from Uncontrolled Donation after Circulatory Determination of Death Donors.

RATIONALE: To address the lung donor shortage, we obtained institutional review board and US Food and Drug Administration approval to transplant lungs recovered from uncontrolled donation after circulatory determination of death donors (uDCDDs). OBJECTIVES: To compare outcomes of recipients of lungs recovered from uDCDDs vs. brain-dead donors. METHODS: After consent and screening, lungs recovered from uDCDDs were assessed by 4 hours ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) and computed tomography (CT) scan. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Over the course of 29 months, 502 potential uDCDDs younger than 66 years were identified in a single county, with death declaration by emergency medical services and four emergency departments in this and two other countries. We determined reasons that lungs from these uDCDDs were not able to be transplanted: uDCDDs could not have lungs recovered (224), next-of-kin could not be found or refused to discuss (67), next-of-kin refused (48), medical examiner case (39), logistics/missed (35), and miscellaneous (35). There were 247 medical contraindications: 141 pulmonary and 106 nonpulmonary. Lungs were recovered from 31 uDCDDs. Thirteen lungs did not have EVLP: 5 injured lungs (one pulmonary embolism [PE] with perforated infarct, two motor vehicle crash with severe injuries, one adhesion, and one lightning strike), two large PE, two prolonged ischemic time, two obvious chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, one technical, and one consent withdrawn. Eighteen lungs had EVLP: 10 with immediate edema (three PE, three unknown down time, three long ischemic time, and one ruptured aneurysm into L pleural space, making long cardiopulmonary resuscitation ineffective), and one myocarditis, possible lung involvement. In three lungs, CT showed edema after EVLP: one poor flush and poor EVLP performance, one edema after myocardial infarction (MI) with 10-year history of chronic heart failure, and one edema with MI, resuscitated, arrested again. One concurrent pneumonia was diagnosed by bronchoscopy, CT, and cultures; one patient had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with small subpleural blebs and poor collapse, confirmed by CT. Two uDCDDs with MIs were suitable but not transplanted: no consented recipient from one large blood type B uDCDD, and the senior surgeon was unavailable to transplant suitable lungs from a uDCDD and did not allow the transplant. CONCLUSIONS: The objective was not met: no lungs from uDCDDs were transplanted. uDCDDs can be a source of lungs for transplant. Resolving logistical challenges and better use of first-person authorization, allowing organ recovery without next-of-kin consent or knowledge of death, could increase yield. Donor medical problems were higher than expected and may limit the effect of uDCDDs on the lung donor pool. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01615484.

Enlarged Dural Sac in Idiopathic Bronchiectasis Implicates Heritable Connective Tissue Gene Variants.

RATIONALE: Patients with idiopathic bronchiectasis are predominantly female and have an asthenic body morphotype and frequent nontuberculous mycobacterial respiratory infections. They also demonstrate phenotypic features (scoliosis, pectus deformity, mitral valve prolapse) that are commonly seen in individuals with heritable connective tissue disorders. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether lumbar dural sac size is increased in patients with idiopathic bronchiectasis as compared with control subjects, and to assess whether dural sac size is correlated with phenotypic characteristics seen in individuals with heritable connective tissue disorders. METHODS: Two readers blinded to diagnosis measured anterior-posterior and transverse dural sac diameter using L1-L5 magnetic resonance images of 71 patients with idiopathic bronchiectasis, 72 control subjects without lung disease, 29 patients with cystic fibrosis, and 24 patients with Marfan syndrome. We compared groups by pairwise analysis of means, using Tukey's method to adjust for multiple comparisons. Dural sac diameter association with phenotypic and clinical features was also tested. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The L1-L5 (average) anterior-posterior dural sac diameter of the idiopathic bronchiectasis group was larger than those of the control group (P < 0.001) and the cystic fibrosis group (P = 0.002). There was a strong correlation between increased dural sac size and the presence of pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial infection (P = 0.007) and long fingers (P = 0.003). A trend toward larger dural sac diameter was seen in those with scoliosis (P = 0.130) and those with a family history of idiopathic bronchiectasis (P = 0.149). CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with idiopathic bronchiectasis have an enlarged dural sac diameter, which is associated with pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial infection, long fingers, and family history of idiopathic bronchiectasis. These findings support our hypothesis that "idiopathic" bronchiectasis development reflects complex genetic variation in heritable connective tissue and associated transforming growth factor-ß-related pathway genes.

Factors that predict increased catheter tip movement in left internal jugular vein implantable venous access ports upon standing.

PURPOSE: To determine the characteristics that predict catheter tip movement with positional changes in patients with left-sided, internal jugular vein (IJV) implantable venous access ports. METHODS: A retrospective review revealed 264 patients with left IJV ports placed at one academic institution from 2008 to 2013 with follow-up upright chest radiographs. Demographic information was recorded and anatomic measurements were made on both procedural fluoroscopic imaging and upright chest radiographs. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to determine which factors had statistically significant relationships with catheter tip movement distance. RESULTS: Mean catheter tip movement was 1.49 ± 1.97 cm. There was a statistically significant positive relationship between catheter tip movement distance and age (p = 0.03), body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.02), innominate vein angle (p<0.01) and dual- compared to single-lumen ports (p = 0.02). Port pocket location, venous access site and gender did not demonstrate statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: The factors associated with increased positional catheter tip movement for left IJV ports include patient age, BMI, innominate vein angle and dual- vs single-lumen port. This information can be useful in determining initial placement position and avoiding complications associated with catheter malposition.

Clinical significance of indeterminate pulmonary nodules in patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine whether indeterminate pulmonary nodules (IPNs) at staging are predictive of lung metastasis, primary lung carcinoma, or survival in patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). METHODS: One hundred ten patients with IPN at staging who had follow-up imaging and 100 patients without IPN were identified from an HNSCC database. The primary endpoints were lung progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Two-year lung PFS for the IPN and No-IPN cohorts were 66% versus 61% (p = .92) and the OS for these cohorts were 71% versus 68% (p = .77). Within the IPN cohort, level IV/V lymph node involvement (odds ratio = 4.34; p = .03), hypopharynx primary (odds ratio = 21.5; p = .005), and race (odds ratio = 9.29; p = .001) were independent predictors of developing lung malignancy. CONCLUSION: IPNs at staging in patients with HNSCC do not affect prognosis and should neither influence initial treatment planning nor the frequency of posttreatment surveillance.

Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava Identified During Central Line Placement: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: A persistent left superior vena cava is found in 0.3-0.5% of the general population and in up to 10% of patients with a congenital cardiac anomaly. It is the most common thoracic venous anomaly and is usually asymptomatic. Being familiar with such anomaly could help clinicians avoid complications during placement of central lines, Swan-Ganz catheters, PICC lines, dialysis catheters, defibrillators, and pacemakers. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe a case of persistent left superior vena cava that was noted after placement of a central line. Mr JJ is a 41 year old African American man who was hospitalized for evaluation and management of alcoholic necrotizing pancreatitis. He required multiple central lines placements. He was noted to have a persistent left superior vena cava that was not recognized initially and thus lead to an unnecessary extra central line placement. DISCUSSION: This anatomic variant may pose iatrogenic risks if it is not recognized by the clinician. A central catheter that tracks down the left mediastinal border may also be in the descending aorta, internal thoracic vein, superior intercostal vein, pericardiophrenic vein, pleura, pericardium, or mediastinum. CONCLUSION: Our case is significant because the patient had two extra central venous catheter placements. This case strongly demonstrates the importance of knowing the thoracic venous anomalies.

Transthoracic needle biopsy.

Transthoracic needle biopsy (TTNB) is integral in the diagnosis and treatment of many thoracic diseases, and is an important alternative to more invasive surgical procedures. Both computed tomography and ultrasound may be used as imaging guidance for TTNB, with CT being more commonly utilized. Needle choice depends mostly upon lesion characteristics and location. During the procedure, patients must be able to follow breathing instructions. Common complications of TTNB include pneumothorax and hemoptysis.

Early changes in tumor size in patients treated for advanced stage nonsmall cell lung cancer do not correlate with survival.

BACKGROUND: In clinical trials, change in tumor size is used to stratify patients into response categories. The objective of the current study was to: 1) determine whether early change in the tumor size were correlated with survival in patients with advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using modified response categories from the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST), and 2) to determine whether there was an optimal percentage change in tumor size that could be used to define a partial response that also correlated with survival. METHODS: A total of 99 consecutive patients presenting for the treatment of advanced NSCLC during the year 2003 who had computed tomography (CT) scans before and after treatment available for review were included in the study. The largest target thoracic lesion was measured on CT before treatment, and again 2 months to 3 months after the initiation of treatment. Percent change in tumor size was calculated. The relation between tumor response and patient survival was investigated. RESULTS: There was no definite relation noted between early tumor response and patient survival (P = .754). Patients who had any initial reduction in tumor size were not found to have a significantly different survival compared with patients with initial disease progression (P = .580). In addition, there was no particular percent reduction in tumor size that was found to optimally correlate with survival. CONCLUSIONS: There is no evidence of a relation between early changes in tumor size and survival among patients with advanced stage NSCLC. To predict survival in patients with advanced NSCLC, response criteria other than change in lesion size are needed.

Hepatocellular carcinoma missed on gadolinium enhanced MR imaging, discovered in liver explants: retrospective evaluation.

The main purpose of this study was to determine if hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) missed on prospective magnetic resonance (MR) study could be identified on retrospective MR analysis, and to determine the cause for misdiagnosis. Among 555 patients who underwent liver transplantation between 1993 and 2004, 279 were imaged with MR imaging and four of these revealed HCCs in explanted livers that were not reported on prospective MR reading. The main cause of missed lesions were suboptimal image quality due to inability of patients to suspend respiration; other causes were HCC misinterpreted as high-grade dysplastic nodule and isoenhancement of HCC on early phase images.

Magnetic resonance evaluation of pregnant patients with acute abdominal pain.

Acute abdominal pain in a pregnant patient is associated with a long differential diagnosis, and diagnostic imaging is often required to guide management. Ultrasound is safe and widely available; however, maternal structures may be difficult to evaluate during pregnancy due to anatomic changes. Computed tomography is accurate but exposes the fetus to ionizing radiation. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging provides excellent anatomic resolution and tissue characterization without ionizing radiation, and MR diagnosis frequently requires no contrast administration. Using an appropriate combination of sequences, MR imaging can reliably demonstrate many causes of acute abdominal pain during pregnancy.

Suspected pancreatic cancer: evaluation by dynamic gadolinium-enhanced 3D gradient-echo MRI.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of gadolinium-enhanced 3D gradient-echo (GRE) MR images in the detection of pancreatic cancer. CONCLUSION: Dynamic gadolinium-enhanced 3D GRE images are both sensitive and specific in the detection of pancreatic cancer. Our study shows that the identification of pancreatic cancer using these images can be performed with a high degree of confidence and accuracy, making them very useful in the detection of pancreatic cancer.

MRI of acute abdominal and pelvic pain in pregnant patients.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to show the usefulness of MRI in the evaluation of pregnant women with acute abdominal or pelvic pain. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: All MRI studies of pregnant patients who were referred for examination because of acute abdominal or pelvic pain between June 2002 and May 2004 were included in this study (n=29). The use of MRI was at the discretion of the clinician. Fetal sonography was performed in all patients before any other imaging. A complete abdominal sonographic examination was performed in six patients before MRI. In the remaining 23 patients, MRI was the choice for primary imaging. Multiplanar multisequence MR images of the abdomen and pelvis were obtained in each patient. Unenhanced images were reviewed by an experienced radiologist to determine whether a diagnosis could be made without the administration of gadolinium. In 22 of 29 studies, gadolinium was not administered. The prospective clinical MR interpretations were compared with follow-up medical, surgical, and obstetric records to determine the correctness of the interpretation. All patients were followed up until the date of article submission or until the date of final chart entry. RESULTS: Correlation of prospective clinical MR interpretations with follow-up medical records showed correct identification of disease entities in all but one patient. In one patient, torsion of the ovary was neither described prospectively nor seen in retrospect. The following disease processes were correctly identified using MRI: appendiceal abscess (n=1), appendicitis (n=2), intraabdominal and rectus muscle abscess (n=1), intussusception (n=1), pancreatitis (n=1), ulcerative colitis (n=1), Crohn's disease with diffuse peritoneal inflammation (n=1), bilateral adrenal hemorrhage (n=1), pyelonephritis (n=2), hydronephrosis (n=1), uterine fibroid degeneration (n=2), degeneration and torsion of a submucosal uterine fibroid (n=1), simple ovarian cysts (n=1), and ovarian torsion (n=1). Twelve of the 29 patients had normal findings on MR examinations and unremarkable follow-up. CONCLUSION: The intrinsic safety of MRI and its ability to accurately show abdominal and pelvic disease in pregnant patients make it highly useful in the evaluation of these patients.

Fecal incontinence in the postreproductive woman.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pelvic floor specifically to evaluate causes of fecal incontinence is relatively new. Along with physical examination and endoanal ultrasound, recently developed MRI techniques can be used to more accurately diagnose and characterize pelvic floor disorders leading to fecal incontinence. All three compartments of the pelvic floor can be evaluated simultaneously using MRI. During an MRI study, images are rapidly obtained in the sagittal plane at rest and during strain, and in the axial plane at rest. In symptomatic patients, abnormal descent of pelvic viscera is indicative of muscle or fascial weakness. Abnormal descent of pelvic viscera is readily detected on sagittal MR images. Muscle and sphincter tears can also be visualized, although most fascial damage is incurred secondarily. The detailed information gained from an MRI can be used to plan optimal treatment, surgical or otherwise.