The role of tumor necrosis factor alpha G-308A polymorphisms in the course of pulmonary sarcoidosis.

This study was designed to evaluate the relationship between the presence of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) polymorphisms, human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DRB1*03 linkage and the prognosis of sarcoidosis. In a retrospective case-control study, TNF-alpha G-308A, TNF-alpha G-238A, lymphotoxin-alpha (LTA) and HLA-DRB1*03 were genotyped in 625 sarcoidosis patients. These patients were classified into 298 patients with persistent disease and 327 patients with non-persistent disease using chest X-ray (CXR) appearances and lung function parameters after at least 2 years of follow-up. The TNF-alpha-308A variant allele was observed in 25.5% of patients with persistent disease compared with 44.0% of patients with non-persistent disease. The corresponding odds ratio (OR) was 0.43 with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 0.30-0.61. A strong linkage was found between TNF-alpha G-308A and HLA-DRB1*03 (OR = 0.03, 95% CI: 0.02-0.05). For TNF-alpha G-238A and LTA NcoI A252G, there were no statistically significant differences in the distribution of genotypes between the groups with and without persistent disease. The data indicate that presence of a TNF-alpha-308A variant allele and HLA-DRB1*03 were associated with a favorable prognosis. Because of the strong linkage between TNF-alpha G-308A and HLA-DRB1*03, genotyping of one simple and less expensive TNF-alpha single nucleotide polymorphism can be used to predict the prognosis of pulmonary sarcoidosis in clinical practice.

Integrated PET/CT in the staging of nonsmall cell lung cancer: technical aspects and clinical integration.

Lung cancer is a common disease and is a leading cause of death in many countries. The management of lung cancer is directed by an optimal staging of the tumour. Integrated positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) is an anatomo-metabolic imaging modality that has recently been introduced to clinical practice and combines two different techniques: CT, which provides very detailed anatomic information; and PET, which provides metabolic information. One of the advantages of PET/CT is the improved image interpretation. This improvement can result in the detection of lesions initially not seen on CT or PET, a more precise location of lesions, a better characterisation of the lesion as benign or malignant and a better differentiation between tumour and surrounding structures. Initial studies demonstrate better results for PET/CT in the staging of lung cancer in comparison with PET alone, CT alone or visual correlation of PET and CT. The purpose of the present article is to discuss technical aspects of integrated PET/CT and to attempt to outline how to introduce integrated PET/CT in clinical and daily practice.

Lymph node staging in non-small-cell lung cancer with FDG-PET scan: a prospective study on 690 lymph node stations from 68 patients.

PURPOSE: To compare the accuracy of computed tomography-(CT) scan and the radiolabeled glucose analog 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) visually correlated with CT (PET + CT) in the locoregional lymph node (LN) staging of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-eight patients with potentially operable NSCLC underwent thoracic CT, PET, and invasive surgical staging (ISS). Imaging studies were read prospectively and blinded to the surgical and pathologic data. A five-point visual scale was used for the interpretation of LNs on PET. Afterwards, with knowledge of the pathology, the relationship between standardized uptake values (SUVs) and the presence of metastasis in LNs was explored in a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, and the likelihood ratios (LRs) for SUVs of LNs were determined. RESULTS: ISS was available for 690 LN stations. CT correctly identified the nodal stage in 40 of 68 patients (59%), with understaging in 12 patients and overstaging in 16 patients. PET + CT was accurate in 59 patients (87%), with understaging in five patients and overstaging in four patients. In the detection of locally advanced disease (N2/N3), the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of CT were 75%, 63%, and 68%, respectively. For PET + CT, this was 93%, 95%, and 94% (P = .0004). In the ROC curve, the best SUV threshold to distinguish benign from malignant LNs was 4.40. The analysis with this SUV threshold was not superior to the use of a five-point visual scale. The LR of a SUV less than 3.5 in an LN was 0.152; for a SUV between 3.5 and 4.5, it was 3.157; and for a SUV greater than 4.5, it was 253.096. CONCLUSION: PET + CT is significantly more accurate than CT alone in LN staging of NSCLC. A five-point visual scale is as accurate as the use of an SUV threshold for LNs in the distinction between benign and malignant nodes. The very high negative predictive value of mediastinal PET could reduce the need for mediastinal ISS in NSCLC substantially.

Virtual bronchoscopy: accuracy and usefulness--an overview.

Multidetector CT generated virtual bronchoscopy (VB) represents one of the most recent developments in three-dimensional (3D) visualization techniques which allows a 3D evaluation of the airways down to the sixth- to seventh-generation. In comparison with real bronchoscopy, VB has some advantages: it is a non-invasive procedure that can visualize areas inaccessible to the flexible bronchoscope. Virtual bronchoscopy is able to evaluate bronchial stenosis and obstruction caused by both endoluminal pathology (tumor, mucus, foreign bodies) and external compression (anatomical structures, tumor, lymph nodes), can be helpful in the preoperative planning of stent placement and can be used to evaluate surgical sutures after lung transplantations, lobectomy or pneumectomy. In children, in some indications, VB can replace fiber optical bronchoscopy (FB) when this technique is considered too invasive. Finally, VB can also be used to evaluate anatomical malformations and bronchial variants. Virtual bronchoscopy is accurate but its accuracy is not 100% because false-positives and false-negatives occur. Virtual bronchoscopy contributes to a better understanding of tracheo-bronchial pathology. Fiber optical bronchoscopy will, without doubt, remain the golden standard but it can be expected that in the near future, the technique of VB will find a place in the daily routine.

Measurement of lung density by means of quantitative CT scanning. A study of correlations with pulmonary function tests.

In recent years, much attention has been given to the role of CT in detecting and quantitating pulmonary emphysema. We measured CT lung density in 45 patients undergoing a diagnostic work-up and compared this with pulmonary function tests. The CT lung densities measured with the sector method and with the whole lung method were very highly correlated with each other (r = 0.96, p less than 0.001), and measurements at TLC systematically gave a lower density than those at FRC (p less than 0.001). Also, CT density measurements at TLC and even more so at FRC correlated well with pulmonary function indices of airway obstruction and of hyperinflation, but not with indices that are considered more specific for emphysema (single breath DCO, static lung compliance) We conclude that CT lung-density gives a good reflection of the degree of hyperinflation, ie, enlargement of distal airways, but is not sensitive to detect whether or not this is associated with emphysema.

Mediastinal lymph node staging with FDG-PET scan in patients with potentially operable non-small cell lung cancer: a prospective analysis of 50 cases. Leuven Lung Cancer Group.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare the performance of CT, radio-labeled 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) blinded to CT, and FDG-PET visually correlated with CT, in the detection of N2 metastatic mediastinal lymph nodes (MLN) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and to hypothesize how PET could influence our actual mediastinal staging procedures. SETTING: Tertiary university hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 50 patients with potentially operable NSCLC, thoracic CT, PET, and invasive surgical staging were performed. Blinded prospective interpretation was performed for each test and compared with surgical pathology results. Abnormalities on each of these staging examinations were recorded on a standard MLN map. RESULTS: The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in detecting N2 disease of CT was 67%, 59%, and 64%, respectively. Results of PET blinded to CT were significantly better (p=0.004): 67%, 97%, and 88%, respectively. For PET visually correlated with CT, this was 93%, 97%, and 96%, respectively. In 22 patients, both CT and PET were normal, and this was correct in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: PET was significantly more accurate than CT in the MLN staging in NSCLC. Both examinations were complementary, since visual correlation with the anatomic information on CT improved the reader's ability to discriminate between hilar vs subaortic MLN FDG uptake, and between paramediastinal tumor vs tracheobronchial MLN FDG uptake. If the results can be confirmed in larger numbers of patients, PET could reduce the need for invasive surgical staging remarkably.

Relationship between axial motion and volume displacement of the diaphragm during VC maneuvers.

During semistatic inspiratory and expiratory vital capacity (VC) maneuvers, axial motion of the diaphragm was measured by lateral fluoroscopy and was compared with diaphragmatic volume displacement. Axial motion was measured at the anterior, middle, and posterior parts of the diaphragm, and the mean of these measurements was used. The volume displacement was calculated in two ways: first, from respiratory inductive plethysmograph-(Respitrace) derived cross-sectional area changes of rib cage and abdomen (Vdi,RIP) by means of a theoretical analysis described by Mead and Loring (J. Appl. Physiol. 53: 750-755, 1982) and, second, from fluoroscopically measured changes in position and anteroposterior surface of the diaphragm (Vdi,F). A very good linear relationship was found between Vdi,RIP and Vdi,F during inspiration as well as expiration (r greater than 0.95), indicating that the analysis of Mead and Loring was valid in the conditions of the present study. The diaphragmatic volume displacement (active or passive) accounted for 50-60% of VC. A very good linear relationship was also found between mean axial motion and volume displacement of the diaphragm measured with both methods during inspiration and expiration (r greater than 0.98). Our data suggest that, over the VC range, diaphragmatic displacement functionally can be represented by a pistonlike model, although topographically and anatomically it does not behave as a piston.

Diaphragmatic displacement measured by fluoroscopy and derived by Respitrace.

In eight healthy volunteers we simultaneously measured the axial diaphragmatic motion by fluoroscopy and the cross-sectional area changes of the rib cage (RC) and abdomen (ABD) by Respitrace (RIP) during semistatic vital capacities (VC). We found that, if the fluoroscopic axial displacement of the posterior part of the diaphragm between residual volume (RV) and total lung capacity (TLC) is considered equal to 100%, the movement of the middle part is 90%, whereas that of the anterior part is only approximately 60%; the ratio of the axial displacements to mouth volume, furthermore, decreases at high lung volumes, especially for the anterior part. The RIP signal is nearly linearly related to mouth volume, but the contribution of the RC (delta RC) progressively increases (and is approximately 80% RIP at TLC), whereas the volume contribution of the ABD (delta ABD) levels off (to 20% RIP at TLC). The diaphragmatic volume displacement calculated from the theoretical analysis described by Mead and Loring also levels off at high volumes similarly as the ABD but is approximately 50% RIP at TLC. Finally, the axial movements of the three parts of the diaphragm are linearly related to the RC and ABD cross-sectional-area changes (r 0.91-0.97) and are even significantly better correlated with the "calculated" diaphragmatic volume displacement.

Rounded atelectasis of the lung: diagnosis on conventional radiology and CT.

Rounded atelectasis is a radiological diagnosis and has to be differentiated from other mass-like opacities in the dorso (basal) part of the chest. Differential diagnosis must first be made with malignant pleural and pulmonary tumors. Specific radiological features such as irregular pleural thickening and the "comet-tail" sign help to make the diagnosis and to avoid unnecessary surgery. CT may be very helpful but frontal or sagittal conventional tomography will often be more diagnostic.

Right atrial tumor arising on an atrial septal aneurysm. Assessment by MR imaging.

An elderly women presenting with transient ischemic events underwent transesophageal echocardiography, which detected an aneurysm of the interatrial septum. A tumor protruding from the right atrial aspect of the aneurysm also was found incidentally. Not only was magnetic resonance (MRI) imaging helpful in better characterizing the aneurysm, but also the use of gadolinium diethylaminetriamine pentaacetic acid permitted differentiation between the tumor and adherent thrombus. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the first report of a tumor arising from an atrial septal aneurysm.

Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and digital radiography.

There are three milestones in the history of thoracic radiology. Thoracic radiology started in 1897 when Williams developed thoracic fluoroscopy and introduced the basic concepts of roentgenologic interpretation. At the same time, the first chest films were performed allowing decisive improvement in the diagnosis of many chest diseases. Continuous technical improvement is responsible for the fact that, even today, the conventional chest film remains a highly accurate and frequently used imaging modality. A third milestone was the development of digital radiography and its use in the chest. Computerised tomography changed thoracic imaging dramatically; in a first step mainly as a tool to visualise soft tissue abnormalities and, later on, also as a modality to study lung disease. The recent development of the digital chest radiograph has again added new perspectives to the approach and diagnosis of chest disease.

Localized pleural mesothelioma.

The clinical and radiological presentation of five anatomo-pathologically proven cases of localized pleural mesothelioma are described. In all patients conventional chest films and CT scans were performed. Two patients had also an MR examination. On conventional chest films all lesions presented as sharply defined homogeneous masses. In most cases there was inhomogeneous contrast enhancement on CT. In two cases calcifications and pleural effusion were present. There was no chest wall invasion, nor mediastinal adenopathy. On MR T1-weighted images, the tumor had an intermediate to high signal intensity. In the one case in which T2-weighted sequences were performed, tumor signal intensity increased compared to that on T1-weighted images. In contrast to what is generally found in literature and probably because the series contained rather large masses, most patients had symptoms while the mass was inhomogeneous on CT. Conventional chest films together with CT and MRI are helpful in differentiating this entity from malignant mesothelioma. However, focal areas of malignant degeneration cannot be excluded radiographically.

[Follow- up of a pleural malignant mesothelioma]. / Follow-up van een pleuraal maligne mesothelioma.

A case of malignant pleural mesothelioma is presented. The initial pleural abnormalities were radiologically rather non-specific and were wrongly interpreted anatomo-pathologically as pleural metastases. Chemotherapy however resulted in an exceptional survival of more than 10 years. CT scan showed the extensive pleural damage. The histologic, symptomatologic and radiologic features of this rare tumor are discussed.

[Proton spin tomography in the evaluation of lung tumor invasiveness into the mediastinum]. / Kernspintomografie bij de evaluatie van ingroei in het mediastinum van longtumoren.

The study of tumor extension and the diagnosis of invasion of the mediastinum are important features in the pre-operative staging of a lung tumor. MRI appears to be helpful. This paper gives a brief summary of the potentials and pitfalls of this technique.

Pictorial essay: right aortic arch.

Right aortic arch is a rare congenital anomaly. It can be either an isolated finding or it can be part of a double aortic arch. This article discusses the radiographic appearance of this congenital anomaly on conventional chest X-ray, angiography, CT, and MRI.

Gastric volvulus as a complication of a left superior lobectomy in a patient with pre-existing hiatal hernia.

The case of a 75-year-old man with a history of hiatal hernia, who develops an acute gastric volvulus 17 days after a superior lobectomy of the left lung, is described. No similar cases were found in literature.

Lung cancer in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients diagnosed during or after lung transplantation.

Lung transplantation is an accepted therapy for patients with end-stage lung disease and offers a major survival benefit in selected patients. The most important indications are chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis besides cystic fibrosis and pulmonary arterial hypertension. The incidence of lung cancer in patients after Ltx is 20-25 times higher than in the general population. Diagnosis is often difficult in IPF patients because of the diffuse lung abnormalities due to the underlying fibrosis. Moreover, the lung cancer may mimic a pulmonary infection. Symptoms are often aspecific, diagnosis is difficult, and prognosis is extremely poor. We describe three patients who were transplanted for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and who developed a primary lung cancer.

Inflammatory activity assessment by F18 FDG-PET/CT in persistent symptomatic sarcoidosis.

BACKGROUND: Establishing inflammatory activity in sarcoidosis patients with persistent disabling symptoms is important. Whole body F(18)-FDG PET/CT (PET) appeared to be a sensitive method to detect inflammatory activity in newly diagnosed symptomatic sarcoidosis. The aim was to assess the presence of inflammatory activity using PET in sarcoidosis patients with unexplained persistent disabling symptoms and the association between PET findings and serological inflammatory markers. METHODS: Sarcoidosis patients who underwent a PET between June 2005 and June 2010 (n = 89), were retrospectively included. All PET scans were examined and positive findings were classified as thoracic and/or extrathoracic. As serological markers of inflammatory activity angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R), and neopterin were considered. RESULTS: In 65/89 (73%) of the studied patients PET was positive, 52 of them (80%) had serological signs of inflammatory activity. In 14/15 patients with a Chest X-ray stage IV PET was positive. In 80% of the PET positive patients extrathoracic inflammatory activity was found. Sensitivity of combined serological inflammatory markers for the presence of inflammatory activity as detected by PET was 80%, specificity 100%, positive predictive value 100%, negative predictive value 65%. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of sarcoidosis patients with persistent disabling symptoms, even those with radiological stage IV, had PET positive findings with remarkably 80% extrathoracic lesions. In 20% PET was positive without signs of serological inflammatory activity. PET appeared to be of additional value to assess inflammatory activity in patients with persistent symptoms in the absence of signs of serological inflammatory activity and to detect extrathoracic lesions.