Ultrathin fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the lung with transfissural approach: does it increase the risk of pneumothorax?

OBJECTIVE: Transthoracic fine-needle aspiration is an accurate and safe method for diagnosis of pulmonary lesions, and pneumothorax is the most frequent complication of the procedure. Crossing a lung fissure during biopsy has been thought to increase the risk of pneumothorax, and the need to cross a fissure is considered a relative contraindication. The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence and clinical significance of pneumothorax during needle aspiration biopsy performed with a transfissural approach in comparison with biopsies in which a fissure was not crossed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of the medical records of patients who underwent fluoroscopically guided transthoracic biopsy of pulmonary nodules with a 25-gauge needle yielded the cases of 107 consecutively registered patients (59 men, 48 women; mean age, 62 years). In 43 of the biopsies, the major fissure was crossed, and in 64 biopsies, the control procedures, the fissure was avoided. CT scans were assessed for lesion size and location, biopsy approach, length of needle path, number of needle punctures, and presence of emphysema. RESULTS: Pneumothorax occurred in 11 patients (25%) in the transfissural biopsy group and in 19 patients (30%) in the group in which the fissure was avoided (p = 0.64). Pneumothorax necessitated chest tube placement in two patients (5%) in the transfissural biopsy group and seven patients (11%) in the control group (p = 0.25). In both groups, emphysema in the needle path was associated with increased risk of pneumothorax (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Transthoracic needle biopsy with an ultrathin needle that crosses a lung fissure can be safely performed without increasing the rate of pneumothorax or the need for chest tube insertion.

Silicoproteinosis: high-resolution CT findings in 13 patients.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the high-resolution CT findings of silicoproteinosis. CONCLUSION: Silicoproteinosis usually manifests as bilateral consolidation in the posterior portions of the lungs and as numerous centrilobular nodules. Calcification within areas of consolidation is a common finding.

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis: A state-of-the-art review.

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is a benign disease of the upper aero-digestive tract caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, which affects children and young adults. The aim of this review is to describe the main etiological, epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic, and treatment aspects of RRP. Most infections in children occur at birth, during passage through the birth canals of contaminated mothers. In adults, HPV is transmitted sexually. Papillomas usually appear as exophytic nodules, primarily in the larynx, but occasionally involving the nasopharynx, tracheobronchial tree, and pulmonary parenchyma. The disease course is unpredictable, ranging from spontaneous remission to aggressive persistent or recurrent disease. Although it occurs rarely, RRP has the potential for malignant transformation to squamous cell carcinoma. Clinically, RRP usually presents with nonspecific symptoms of airway involvement, including chronic cough, hoarseness, wheezing, voice change, stridor, and chronic dyspnea. Helical computed tomography (CT) is highly accurate for the identification and characterization of focal or diffuse airway narrowing caused by nodular vegetant lesions. The typical CT pattern of lung papillomatosis consists of numerous multilobulated nodular lesions of various sizes, frequently cavitated, scattered throughout the lungs. Bronchoscopy is the most reliable method for the diagnosis of RRP; it enables direct visualization of lesions in the central airways and collection of biopsy samples for histopathological diagnosis, and is also useful for therapeutic planning. The definitive diagnosis of RRP is based on histopathological analysis. Currently, no definitive curative treatment for RRP is available; despite the availability of adjunctive treatments, surgery remains the mainstay of treatment.

Laryngotracheobronchial papillomatosis: chest CT findings.

To evaluate the findings on chest CTs in 16 patients (8 men and 8 women) with laryngotracheobronchial papillomatosis. This was a retrospective study involving patients ranging from 2 to 72 years of age. The evaluation of the CT scans was independently performed by two observers, and discordant results were resolved by consensus. The inclusion criteria were presence of abnormalities on the CT scans, and the diagnosis was confirmed by anatomopathological examination of the papillomatous lesions. The most common symptoms were hoarseness, cough, dyspnea, and recurrent respiratory infections. The major CT findings were nodular formations in the trachea, solid or cavitated nodules in the lung parenchyma, air trapping, masses, and consolidation. Nodular formations in the trachea were observed in 14 patients (87.5%). Only 2 patients had lesions in lung parenchyma without tracheal involvement. Only 1 patient had no pulmonary dissemination of the disease, showing airway involvement only. Solid and cavitated lung nodules were observed in 14 patients (87.5%) and 13 (81.2%), respectively. Masses were observed in 6 patients (37.5%); air trapping, in 3 (18.7%); consolidation in 3 (18.7%); and pleural effusion, in 1 (6.3%). Pulmonary involvement was bilateral in all cases. The most common tomography findings were nodular formations in the trachea, as well as solid or cavitated nodules and masses in the lung parenchyma. Malignant transformation of the lesions was observed in 5 cases.

Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome. State-of-the-art review with emphasis on pulmonary involvement.

BACKGROUND: Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome (BHDS) is a rare, inherited autosomal-dominant disorder characterized by the development of cutaneous lesions, renal tumors, pulmonary cysts, and spontaneous pneumothorax. The gene responsible for BHDS is located on the short arm of chromosome 17 (17p11.2) and codes for the protein folliculin, which is believed to be an oncogene suppressor protein. METHODS: We reviewed currently published literature on the main characteristics of BHDS. RESULTS: Pulmonary cysts and spontaneous pneumothorax are often the presenting manifestations that lead to a final diagnosis in family members affected by the syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Certain imaging characteristics of pulmonary cysts, including size and location, can suggest the diagnosis of BHDS based on chest computed tomography alone. The main concern in patients with BHDS is the increased risk of renal carcinoma. The aim of this review is to describe the main pathological, clinical, and imaging aspects of BHDS, ranging from its genetic basis to treatment, with emphasis on pulmonary involvement.

Comparative study of clinical, pathological and HRCT findings of primary alveolar proteinosis and silicoproteinosis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical, high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and pathological findings of primary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) and silicoproteinosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 15 patients with PAP (6 women, 9 men, mean age 31 years) and 13 with silicoproteinosis (13 men, mean age 29.5 years). PAP was diagnosed by lung biopsy in 13 and bronchoalveolar lavage in two patients and silicoproteinosis by bronchoalveolar lavage in 10 and autopsy in three cases. HRCT images were reviewed by two chest radiologists with consensus for the presence, extent and distribution of ground-glass opacities, septal thickening, consolidation and nodules. Radiological-pathological correlation was performed by one radiologist and one chest pathologist. RESULTS: Seven (46%) patients with PAP were asymptomatic; the remainder presented slowly progressive dyspnea and dry cough. All silicoproteinosis patients had dry cough and rapidly progressive dyspnea. The most common HRCT finding on PAP was the crazy-paving pattern (93%). All cases had areas of geographic sparing in the affected lung. The most common finding in silicoproteinosis (92%) was dependent consolidation with calcification in 83%. Centrilobular nodules were common (85%). On pathology, both diseases demonstrated intra-alveolar accumulation of PAS material, thickening of interlobular septae and alveolar walls and no evidence of fibrosis. A few silica particles were seen in silicoproteinosis. CONCLUSION: Despite the pathological similarities, PAP and silicoproteinosis have distinct clinical and imaging features and prognosis. Bilateral crazy-paving pattern with areas of geographic sparing is characteristic for PAP. Silicoproteinosis presents with bilateral dependent consolidation often with areas of calcification. The crazy-paving pattern is not seen in silicoproteinosis.

Reversed halo sign: high-resolution CT scan findings in 79 patients.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the high-resolution CT (HRCT) scan findings of patients with the reversed halo sign (RHS) and to identify distinguishing features among the various causes. METHODS: Two chest radiologists reviewed the HRCT scans of 79 patients with RHS and determined the CT scan findings by consensus. We studied the morphologic characteristics, number of lesions, and presence of features associated with RHS. RESULTS: Forty-one patients presented with infectious diseases (paracoccidioidomycosis, TB, zygomycosis, invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia, histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis), and 38 presented with noninfectious diseases (cryptogenic organizing pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, sarcoidosis, edema, lepidic predominant adenocarcinoma [formerly bronchiolo-alveolar carcinoma], granulomatosis with polyangiitis [Wegener]). The RHS walls were smooth in 58 patients (73.4%) and nodular in 21 patients (26.6%). Lesions were multiple in 40 patients (50.6%) and single in 39 patients (49.4%). CONCLUSION: The presence of nodular walls or nodules inside the halo of the RHS is highly suggestive of granulomatous diseases.

Laryngotracheobronchial papillomatosis: chest CT findings / Papilomatose laringotraqueobrônquica: avaliação por TC de tórax

ABSTRACT To evaluate the findings on chest CTs in 16 patients (8 men and 8 women) with laryngotracheobronchial papillomatosis. Methods: This was a retrospective study involving patients ranging from 2 to 72 years of age. The evaluation of the CT scans was independently performed by two observers, and discordant results were resolved by consensus. The inclusion criteria were presence of abnormalities on the CT scans, and the diagnosis was confirmed by anatomopathological examination of the papillomatous lesions. Results: The most common symptoms were hoarseness, cough, dyspnea, and recurrent respiratory infections. The major CT findings were nodular formations in the trachea, solid or cavitated nodules in the lung parenchyma, air trapping, masses, and consolidation. Nodular formations in the trachea were observed in 14 patients (87.5%). Only 2 patients had lesions in lung parenchyma without tracheal involvement. Only 1 patient had no pulmonary dissemination of the disease, showing airway involvement only. Solid and cavitated lung nodules were observed in 14 patients (87.5%) and 13 (81.2%), respectively. Masses were observed in 6 patients (37.5%); air trapping, in 3 (18.7%); consolidation in 3 (18.7%); and pleural effusion, in 1 (6.3%). Pulmonary involvement was bilateral in all cases. Conclusions: The most common tomography findings were nodular formations in the trachea, as well as solid or cavitated nodules and masses in the lung parenchyma. Malignant transformation of the lesions was observed in 5 cases.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar os achados em TCs de tórax em 16 pacientes (8 homens e 8 mulheres) com papilomatose laringotraqueobrônquica. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo que incluiu pacientes com idade variando de 2 a 72 anos. As imagens de TC foram avaliadas por dois observadores, de forma independente, e os casos discordantes foram resolvidos por consenso. Os critérios de inclusão foram presença de anormalidades na TC, e o diagnóstico foi confirmado por exame anatomopatológico das lesões papilomatosas. Resultados: Os sintomas mais frequentes foram rouquidão, tosse, dispneia e infecções respiratórias de repetição. Os principais achados na TC foram formações nodulares na traqueia, nódulos sólidos e/ou escavados no parênquima pulmonar, aprisionamento aéreo, massas e consolidação. Formações nodulares na traqueia foram observadas em 14 pacientes. Somente 2 pacientes apresentaram lesões parenquimatosas pulmonares na ausência de acometimento traqueal, e 1 paciente não apresentou disseminação pulmonar da doença, somente comprometimento de via aérea. Nódulos sólidos no parênquima pulmonar foram observados em 14 pacientes (87,5%) e nódulos escavados em 13 (81,2%). Massas foram observadas em 6 pacientes (37,5%); aprisionamento aéreo, em 3 (18,7%); consolidação, em 3 (18,7%); e derrame pleural, em 1 (6,3%). O comprometimento pulmonar foi bilateral em todos os pacientes. Conclusões: Os achados tomográficos mais frequentes foram formações nodulares na traqueia, nódulos sólidos e/ou escavados no parênquima pulmonar e massas parenquimatosas. A transformação maligna das lesões foi observada em 5 casos.

[Diffuse abnormalities of the trachea: computed tomography findings]. / Alterações difusas da traquéia: aspectos na tomografia computadorizada.

The aim of this pictorial essay was to present the main computed tomography findings seen in diffuse diseases of the trachea. The diseases studied included amyloidosis, tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica, tracheobronchomegaly, laryngotracheobronchial papillomatosis, lymphoma, neurofibromatosis, relapsing polychondritis, Wegener's granulomatosis, tuberculosis, paracoccidioidomycosis, and tracheobronchomalacia. The most common computed tomography finding was thickening of the walls of the trachea, with or without nodules, parietal calcifications, or involvement of the posterior wall. Although computed tomography allows the detection and characterization of diseases of the central airways, and the correlation with clinical data reduces the diagnostic possibilities, bronchoscopy with biopsy remains the most useful procedure for the diagnosis of diffuse lesions of the trachea.

Idiopathic interstitial pneumonias: prevalence of mediastinal lymph node enlargement in 206 patients.

OBJECTIVE: The purposes of our study were to determine the prevalence of mediastinal lymphadenopathy in idiopathic interstitial pneumonias, correlate their presence with high-resolution CT (HRCT) findings, and assess the potential value of mediastinal lymphadenopathy in the differential diagnosis of idiopathic interstitial pneumonias. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 206 consecutive patients from three medical centers with pathologically proven idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (n = 136), non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) (n = 47), cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP) (n = 16), respiratory bronchiolitis-interstitial lung disease (RB-ILD) (n = 5), and desquamative interstitial pneumonia (DIP) (n = 2). HRCT scans were retrospectively reviewed for the presence of mediastinal lymphadenopathy (short-axis diameter, >or= 10 mm), predominant parenchymal pattern, and extent of disease. RESULTS: Mediastinal lymphadenopathy was seen in 139 (67%) of 206 patients, including 90 (66%) of 136 with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, 38 (81%) of 47 with NSIP, six (38%) of 16 with COP, and five (71%) of seven with RB-ILD or DIP. The presence of enlarged nodes was less common in COP than in the other idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (p = 0.04). No significant difference was found in the prevalence of lymphadenopathy in patients with predominant ground-glass opacity (53%) or predominant reticulation (40%). The extent of parenchymal abnormalities was 25-50% in 74 patients (53%), 50-75% in 30 (22%), < 25% in 22 (16%), and > 75% in 13 (9%). A positive correlation between the extent of disease and presence of lymphadenopathy was seen in patients with NSIP (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Mediastinal lymphadenopathy is a common feature in idiopathic interstitial pneumonias, being slightly less common in COP than in the other idiopathic interstitial pneumonias. The presence of lymphadenopathy therefore has limited value in the differential diagnosis. In patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, the presence of lymph node enlargement did not correlate to any specific HRCT pattern or to the extent of disease.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: spectrum of high-resolution CT findings.

OBJECTIVE: Characteristic high-resolution CT (HRCT) findings of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) include reticulation, architectural distortion, and honeycombing involving mainly the lung periphery and the lower lobes. In 50% of IPF patients, HRCT is nonspecific. This article illustrates the HRCT findings of IPF correlating with the pathology. CONCLUSION: The spectrum of HRCT manifestations varies from typical findings that allow confident diagnosis to atypical patterns mimicking other diseases, including predominance of ground-glass opacity, consolidation, nodules, and atypical distribution of lesions.

Alterações difusas da traquéia: aspectos na tomografia computadorizada / Diffuse abnormalities of the trachea: computed tomography findings

O objetivo deste ensaio pictórico foi apresentar as principais alterações tomográficas observadas em doenças que acometem a traquéia de forma difusa. As doenças estudadas foram amiloidose, traqueobroncopatia osteocondroplástica, traqueobroncomegalia, papilomatose laringo-traqueo-brônquica, linfoma, neurofibromatose, policondrite recidivante, granulomatose de Wegener, tuberculose, paracoccidioidomicose e traqueobroncomalácia. O principal aspecto observado na tomografia computadorizada foi o espessamento das paredes traqueais, com ou sem nodulações, calcificações parietais ou comprometimento da parede posterior. Embora a tomografia computadorizada permita a detecção e a caracterização das doenças das vias aéreas centrais, e a correlação com os dados clínicos reduza as possibilidades diagnósticas, a broncoscopia com biópsia continua sendo o procedimento mais importante no diagnóstico das lesões difusas da traquéia.

The aim of this pictorial essay was to present the main computed tomography findings seen in diffuse diseases of the trachea. The diseases studied included amyloidosis, tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica, tracheobronchomegaly, laryngotracheobronchial papillomatosis, lymphoma, neurofibromatosis, relapsing polychondritis, Wegener's granulomatosis, tuberculosis, paracoccidioidomycosis, and tracheobronchomalacia. The most common computed tomography finding was thickening of the walls of the trachea, with or without nodules, parietal calcifications, or involvement of the posterior wall. Although computed tomography allows the detection and characterization of diseases of the central airways, and the correlation with clinical data reduces the diagnostic possibilities, bronchoscopy with biopsy remains the most useful procedure for the diagnosis of diffuse lesions of the trachea.

Pneumonia lipoídica em adultos: aspectos na tomografia computadorizada de alta resolução / Lipoid pneumonia in adults: findings on high-resolution computed tomography

OBJETIVO: Apresentar os aspectos na tomografia computadorizada de alta resolução do tórax da pneumonia lipoídica exógena por aspiração de óleo mineral, em pacientes adultos MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foram estudados oito pacientes adultos - quatro mulheres e quatro homens - com média de idade de 69,4 anos, todos usuários de óleo mineral para tratamento de constipação intestinal. Os exames foram avaliados por dois radiologistas, de forma independente RESULTADOS: Os achados tomográficos mais comuns foram as consolidações com áreas de densidade de gordura de permeio, e o padrão de pavimentação em mosaico. As lesões foram bilaterais em seis pacientes, e unilaterais em dois CONCLUSÃO: O encontro de consolidações pulmonares com áreas de densidade de gordura de permeio, associado à história clínica do uso de óleo mineral, é diagnóstico de pneumonia lipoídica exógena.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was aimed at describing the findings on high-resolution computed tomography in patients with exogenous lipoid pneumonia secondary to mineral oil aspiration MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight adult patients - four men and four women - with mean age of 69.4 years were studied. All of the patients were users of mineral oil for treating intestinal constipation. High-resolution computed tomography studies of these patients were blindly evaluated by two radiologists. RESULTS: Air-space consolidation with areas of fat density and crazy paving pattern were the most frequent findings. The lesions were bilateral in six cases and unilateral in two CONCLUSION: Air-space consolidation with areas of fat density, associated with a clinical history of mineral oil ingestion virtually indicates a diagnosis of exogenous lipoid pneumonia.

Hemangioendotelioma hepático: aspectos radiológicos e evolução clínica de um caso / Hepatic hemangioendothelioma: radiological findings and clinical evolution of a case

Os tumores vasculares constituem um espectro de lesões que variam de benignas, os hemangiomas, a altamente malignas, os angiossarcomas, passando por um estágio intermediário de malignidade, no qual se incluem os hemangioendoteliomas. Relatamos um caso de hemangioendotelioma hepático de evolução benigna em um recém-nato do sexo feminino, e mediante revisão da literatura descrevemos os principais aspectos desta afecção

Vascular tumors encompass a spectrum of lesions, which may vary from benign hemangiomas to malignant angiosarcomas. Hemangioendotheliomas can be considered intermediary between these two types of lesions. We report a case of hepatic hemangioendothelioma in a newborn female and review the most important aspects of this disease.

Apresentaçäo atípica de sífilis em um paciente com o vírus da imunodeficiência humana: relato de caso e revisäo da literatura / Atypical presentation of syphilis in a patient with virus of the human: case report and literature review

Introdução: A incidência da infecção pelo Treponema pallidum tem aumentado significativamente na última década, e a co-infecção com o vírus da imunodeficiência humana (HIV) é um achado freqüente. O HIV parece modificar a apresentação clínica da sífilis, e formas anômalas e malignas têm sido descritas na literatura. Objetivo: Relatar um caso de paciente com Aids e uma apresentação atípica de sífilis. Relato do caso: G.R.S.P., sexo masculino, 38 anos, branco, homossexual, com diagnóstico de HIV em 1991, foi admitido em nosso serviço com queixa de dor retal, obstipação e apresentando lesões de pele papulares eritematosas e descamativas disseminadas por toda a superfície corporal, excetuando-se a face. Ausência de manifestações neurológicas e exame liquórico inconclusivo para sífilis. A retossigmoidoscopia mostrou exulcerações na borda e canal anal. Contagem de CD4 428 cel./mmü, carga viral para o HIV 73.000 cópias, VDRL 1:256, FTA-ABS positivo para IgC e IgM. A citologia por coloração pela prata foi positiva para Treponema pallidum, tanto em lesões de pele quanto em ânus. Três meses antes apresentava carga viral de 25.000 cópias e era assintomático. Foi tratado com ceftriaxona 2g por 10 dias e evoluiu com resolução do quadro. Conclusão: Esta caso mostra uma apresentação inicial atípica da sífilis em paciente com Aids, mostrando que a co-infecção altera a história natural da sífilis; a presença destas duas patologias deve sempre ser lembrada em pacientes de risco. Existe uma correlação no caso descrito entre infecção pelo T.pallidum e um aumento significativo da carga viral do HIV