Methotrexate-induced pulmonary lymphoma

Methotrexate has proven to be effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and is believed to be nononcogenic in the low weekly dose typically employed in the patients with RA. We report, however, a patient with RA in whom a rapidly enlarging diffuse large B-cell lymphoma developed in the left upper lung after weekly treatment with methotrexate for 5 years. The patient had a positive serum IgG for Epstein-Barr virus but a negative in situ hybridization of the resected specimen. Methotrexate therapy was discontinued, and the patient elected for clinical observation instead of chemotherapy or radiation therapy. There has been no clinically detectable recurrence of the lymphoproliferative disorder for 2 years. We believe that methotrexate has an oncogenic potential even in low weekly dosing in a subset of patients with RA and latent Epstein-Barr virus infection. The strongest causal link is demonstrated by the persistent tumor remission after stopping treatment with methotrexate.     

Methotrexate-induced pulmonary toxicity

Methotrexate is a widely used medication with an array of recognized side effects. The present report describes a case of methotrexate-induced pneumonitis in a patient with psoriasis, and demonstrates the hallmark clinical and investigational findings that support this infrequently encountered diagnosis. The ensuing discussion reviews the pathogenesis, management and prevention of this adverse drug reaction.     

Traumatic pulmonary pseudocysts: CT findings

Traumatic pulmonary pseudocyst constitutes an uncommon, though well recognized, manifestation of closed chest trauma. It is usually encountered in young patients, whose compliant chest wall permits the transmission of great compressive forces to the lung parenchyma and the laceration of the latter. Traumatic pulmonary pseudocyst is usually detected during the imaging evaluation of multi-injured patients with the use of computed tomography, as it is often not apparent in the initial supine anteroposterior chest radiographs. We present 5 cases of trauma patients, in whom we detected the presence of multiple traumatic pulmonary pseudocysts during the imaging evaluation of blunt chest trauma with the use of computed tomography.     

Indirect CT venography following CT pulmonary angiography: spectrum of CT findings

SUMMARY: Pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep venous thrombosis (DVT) represent two manifestations of the same syndrome, venous thromboembolism. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) angiography is a practical, efficient alternative to conventional imaging for PE. Following the pulmonary examination, the inferior vena cava (IVC) and the iliac, femoral, and popliteal veins can be studied with CT without additional intravenous contrast administration. Indirect CT venography (CTV) after CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) simplifies and shortens venous thromboembolism work-up. Initial studies indicate that CTV is comparable to ultrasound in the evaluation of femoral/popliteal DVT. CTV has the advantage of evaluating the iliac veins and inferior vena cava, vessels poorly seen on sonography and venography. Combining CTV with CTPA increases confidence in withholding treatment when results for both the pulmonary arteries and leg veins are negative and increases the diagnosis of venous thromboembolism by 25% over CTPA alone. This pictorial essay will review the normal venous anatomy, CTV technique, and the findings of acute and chronic DVT. Interpretive pitfalls and alternative diagnoses are also reviewed.     

肾上腺损伤的CT表现

目的 探讨肾上腺损伤的CT表现,评价CT检查的诊断价值.方法收集8例经手术或CT复查随访证实的外伤车祸患者肾上腺损伤的CT资料和临床资料进行回顾性分析.结果外伤后急性期(1～7 d)CT扫描,显示肾上腺血肿8例,CT表现为肾上腺区圆形、类圆形高密度影;肾上腺周围组织损伤6例,其中4例肾上腺周围脂肪内条纹状、斑片状高密度模糊出血影,3例膈肌增粗,密度增高,本组中8例在外伤后亚急性期(8 d～1个月末)和慢性期(1个月后)CT复查,表现为肾上腺血肿密度从边缘开始缓慢降低,肾上腺形态逐渐恢复正常.结论 CT检查反映了肾上腺损伤的病理解剖改变,是诊断肾上腺损伤的主要方法.     

Congenital pulmonary lymphangiectasia: CT and pathologic findings

Congenital pulmonary lymphangiectasia is a rare disease characterized by dilation of lymphatic channels without lymphatic proliferation. The disease is seen almost exclusively in infancy and early childhood. The authors report 2 cases of pulmonary lymphangiectasia. The patients were a 12- and a 25-year-old male who presented with progressive dyspnea and hemoptysis. The diagnosis was confirmed by open lung biopsy. The radiographic findings consisted of bilateral reticular changes, peribronchial cuffing, and bilateral pleural effusions. High-resolution CT demonstrated extensive bilateral septal and peribronchovascular interstitial thickening, areas of ground-glass attenuation, and bilateral pleural effusions. The histologic findings consisted of ectatic and tortuous lymphatic channels in the interlobular septa, bronchovascular sheaths, and pleura.     

肺内多发结节的CT表现分析

目的 探讨肺内多发结节影为主要表现患者的CT表现特点。方法 回顾性分析北京世纪坛医院影像资料库胸部CT出现肺内多发结节影的53例患者资料,其中肺结核19例、肺转移瘤23例、肺慢性炎症5例、弥漫性淋巴管瘤病6例,总结比较4种疾病的CT表现特征。结果 13例(68.4%,13/19)肺结核及18例(78.3%,18/23)肺转移瘤的结节最大径达10~20mm,3例(3/5)肺慢性炎症与3例(3/6)弥漫性淋巴管瘤病的肺内结节最大径范围为3~8mm。肺慢性炎症的CT表现为结节以无分叶且边缘光滑为主共69个(79.3%;69/87)、病灶邻近胸膜增厚粘连36个(41.4%;36/87),结节无钙化及空洞;肺结核的CT表现为结节以无分叶且边缘光滑为主共128个(82.1%;128/156)、钙化86个(55.1%;86/156)、空洞43个(27.6%;43/156)、病灶邻近胸膜增厚粘连71个(45.5%;71/156);肺转移瘤的CT表现为结节以边缘见分叶及毛刺为主共369个(60.0%;369/615)、钙化23个(3.7%;23/615)、空洞111个(18.0%;111/615)、病灶邻近胸膜增厚粘连114个(18.5%;114/615)。肺慢性炎症、肺结核出现结节边缘无分叶且边缘光滑的比率分别与肺转移瘤组比较,差异有统计学意义(χ ²=47.613,P=0.000;χ ²=88.095,P=0.000),肺结核与肺转移瘤出现钙化的比率两者差异有统计学意义(χ ²=270.707,P=0.000),肺结核与肺转移瘤出现空洞的比率差异有统计学意义(χ ²=7.048,P=0.008),肺慢性炎症与肺转移瘤、肺结核与肺转移瘤出现病灶邻近胸膜增厚粘连的比率差异有统计学意义(χ ²=23.670,P=0.000;χ ²=49.650,P=0.000)。肺转移瘤空洞类型:空泡样空洞发生率(34.2%,38/111)>囊样空洞发生率(26.2%,29/111)>小环形空洞发生率(22.5%,25/111)>不规则空洞发生率(17.1%,19/111);所有的空泡样空洞仅出现在腺癌肺转移中、78.9%(30/38)的空泡样空洞结节边缘均见分叶、毛刺。5例肺慢性炎症患者均见边缘模糊的结节,边缘见局限的片状浸润影及索条状影。弥漫性淋巴管瘤病的结节常呈弥漫或多灶性分布,累及多个部位并呈多发的大小不等的囊性病变,肺内结节均边缘光滑、密度均匀。 结论 肺结核、肺转移瘤、肺慢性炎症和弥漫性淋巴管瘤病出现肺内多发结节时,其病灶大小、分布、形态、边缘、密度及与邻近结构的关系等各自具有一定特点,CT扫描对4种疾病进行鉴别诊断时具有重要价值。     

CT findings of pulmonary hypertension]

For the treatment for pulmonary hypertension (PH), the differential diagnosis of its causal diseases is essential. To determine whether X-ray CT is useful for differentiating PH, we reviewed CT findings of 53 patients (18 men and 35 women, mean age of 44.9) given a diagnosis of PH, consisting of 25 with primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH), 18 with chronic pulmonary embolism (cPE), 6 with Eisenmenger syndrome, 5 cases of collagen diseases, 2 of acute PE, and 1 of cor pulmonale. The intrapulmonary distribution of CT findings (ground glass opacity [GGO], mosaic attenuation, striation and/or infiltration, and interlobular septal thickening) were reviewed and scored on a 4-point scale (grade 0: no findings, 1: involving one third of the lung, 2: involving one-two thirds, and 3: diffuse distribution) by two radiologists who reached a consensus. PPH showed preferentially diffuse distribution of GGO as compared with cPE (p<0.05). However, there was no apparent relationship between the pulmonary vascular resistance and the distribution of GGO in PPH cases. The mosaic attenuation pattern was more frequent in cPE (43%) than PPH (12% ; p<0.05). Striation and/or infiltration was observed in 36% of cPE, but only 4% of PPH. Interlobular septal thickening was seen in 16% of PPH, and 0% in cPE. Evaluation of CT findings is useful to differentiate PH.     

Primary pulmonary AIDS-related lymphoma: radiographic and CT findings

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To describe the radiographic and CT findings of primary AIDS-related lymphoma (ARL) of the lung (ARLL), and to evaluate percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy (PTNB) in the diagnosis of primary ARLL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven chest radiographs and seven CT scans of HIV-infected patients with histologically proved primary pulmonary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (PPL) were reviewed at our institution. All of the patients had fibroscopy with BAL. The diagnosis of PPL was established histologically by means of PTNB (n = 4), open-lung biopsy (n = 2), or autopsy (n = 1). RESULTS: All but one patient had multiple peripheral well-defined nodules of various sizes on the chest X-ray film and CT scan. One patient had a subpleural parenchymal infiltrate and another had a main peripheral mass with spontaneous cavitation. Hilar/mediastinal adenopathies and pericardial/pleural effusion were never associated with the parenchymal abnormalities. Fibroscopy with BAL was always negative. PTNB, done in six cases, was diagnostic in four cases and suggested primary ARLL in two cases. No complications occurred during these procedures. CONCLUSION: After excluding infectious causes, multiple peripheral nodules and/or masses without hilar or mediastinal adenopathies and without pleural effusion are suggestive of primary pulmonary ARL. A specific diagnosis can be obtained by means of PTNB.     

High-resolution CT findings in pulmonary hyalinizing granuloma

A 47-year-old man with pulmonary hyalinizing granuloma is herein presented. The patient, whose chief complaint was a mild cough, was found by chest radiograph to have multiple bilateral nodules. Subsequent high-resolution computed tomography demonstrated multiple slightly irregular nodules, perinodular ground-glass opacity, peribronchovascular interstitial thickening, and cysts. A mild enlargement of systemic lymph nodes was also noted. Laboratory tests disclosed a slight elevation in the C-reactive protein, gamma-globulin, interleukin-6, and soluble interleukin-2 receptor levels. A histopathologic examination of the specimen yielded from a thoracoscopic lung biopsy resulted in a definite diagnosis of pulmonary hyalinizing granuloma.     

肺内孤立性炎性结节的CT表现

目的 总结分析肺内孤立性炎性结节的CT形态学表现和CT灌注成像图像特征,以提高孤立性炎性结节的CT诊断正确率.方法 选取16例经病理证实或经临床短期随访观察病变消失或明显缩小的肺内孤立性炎性结节的高分辨CT影像资料,计算动态增强曲线参数.全部患者均行16层螺旋CT平扫及动态增强扫描.结果 结节最大者直径约2.9 cm,最小者直径约1 cm.结节形态为圆形或类圆形.结节边缘光滑清晰者6例,边缘模糊者10例;4例有浅分叶,余无分叶.所有结节周围均无卫星灶、血管集束,所有结节内均无钙化灶.15例CT灌注成像图像上时间-密度曲线为速升速降型,1例为缓升缓降型.结论 结合CT形态学和灌注成像图像,可明显提高肺内孤立性炎性结节的CT诊断准确率.     

Inhalational pulmonary talcosis: high-resolution CT findings in 3 patients

We describe the high-resolution CT findings in 3 patients with pulmonary talcosis acquired by the inhalation of talc. The predominant abnormalities consisted of small centrilobular and subpleural nodules and conglomerated masses containing focal areas of high attenuation consistent with talc deposition. All patients also had focal ground glass opacities. The abnormalities were diffuse but were most severe in the upper and middle lung zones with relative sparing of the lung bases.     

特发性肺纤维化高分辨CT征象与肺功能的相关性

目的探讨特发性肺纤维化(IPF)患者的螺旋CT表现特征与肺功能的相关性。方法经临床病理证实的28例IPF患者进行吸气后屏气HRCT扫描,并进行肺功能测定,观察IPF的CT征象及其解剖分布,评价CT表现特征与肺功能损害的关系。结果28例IPF均有不同程度的限制性通气功能障碍。肺HRCT扫描出现最多的征象是网格影(92.8%)、蜂窝影(82.6%);磨玻璃影与FEV1、FEV1/FEV轻度负相关,网格影与DLco显著负相关,蜂窝影和CT总评分与FVC、FEV1、TLC和DL-co均具有很好的负相关性。结论螺旋CT能准确反应IPF的病理变化,IPF不同程度的肺功能受损与螺旋CT征象存在相关性。两者相结合有助于预测IPF的进展、预后以及疗效反应。     

High-resolution CT findings of patients with pulmonary nocardiosis

Background

Opportunistic pulmonary infection with Nocardia species is rare in humans, and only a few studies have radiologically analyzed patients with pulmonary nocardiosis using high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with pulmonary nocardiosis at our hospital between April 2006 and December 2011 to assess HRCT and clinical findings. We also searched the medical literature for pulmonary nocardiosis reported in Japan between 2002 and 2011 for comparison.

Results

We identified seven patients at our institution and 33 reported infections in Japan. Four of our patients were immunocompetent, whereas the other three had impaired cellular immunity due to type 2 diabetes mellitus or having been inappropriately treated with steroid. Thoracic HRCT revealed no zonal predominance, but tropism for distribution from the middle to the peripheral area, and radiological findings of nodules, cavitation, mass, consolidations, bronchial wall thickening, septal line thickening and ground glass opacity (GGO) were evident. The main HRCT finding in our study comprised nodules (n=5, 71.4%) <30 mm and four patients had multiple nodules as described in other reports. Furthermore, we discovered a crazy paving appearance (CPA) around nodules, cavities, masses or consolidations in five patients (71.4%).

Conclusions

Multiple nodules distributed from the middle to the peripheral area on HRCT might reflect pulmonary nocardiosis, and CPA seemed to be a worth paying attention to the diagnosis.KEY WORDS : Crazy paving appearance, multiple nodules, lung infections, opportunistic pathogen, pulmonary nocardiosis     

Perilobular pulmonary opacities: high-resolution CT findings and pathologic correlation.

This pictorial essay illustrates the high-resolution CT and histologic findings of various disease processes that involve the perilobular interstitium.     

肺硬化型血管瘤CT表现与病理对照

目的分析肺硬化型血管瘤(PSH)CT影像特点,提高对PSH诊断水平。方法收集经病理证实为PSH患者11例,全部病例均作胸部CT平扫及增强扫描,并对靶病灶进行薄层多方位重建,分析CT表现,总结影像学特点。结果 11例PSH,CT平扫均表现为肺内孤立性圆形、类圆形结节或肿块影,密度均匀,边缘光滑,无深分叶,增强扫描病灶均明显强化。病理以血管瘤样及乳头样组织结构为主者,强化明显而迅速;以实性及硬化性组织结构为主者,为渐进性明显均匀强化。结论肺硬化型血管瘤少见,CT表现具有一般良性肿瘤特征,但缺乏特异性,病灶周边出现"贴边血管征"、"空气新月征"可提示性诊断,确诊仍需病理学检查。     

High-resolution CT findings in mild pulmonary fat embolism

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is to describe the high-resolution CT (HRCT) findings in mild cases of fat embolism syndrome (FES). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Nine patients with FES were examined with HRCT of the lungs (collimation, 1 mm/edge-enhancement algorithm). The median age of the patients was 26 years (range, 17 to 35 years). Five cases were included prospectively, and four cases were reviewed retrospectively. Of the major clinical criteria for FES, respiratory signs were present in six patients, CNS signs were present in two patients, and petechiae was present in six patients. HRCT patterns were recorded and analyzed. The type of injury and FES-associated clinical findings were also recorded. RESULTS: HRCT findings included ground-glass opacities in seven patients, associated with thickened interlobular septa in five patients and a patchy distribution resulting in a geographic appearance in four patients. A nodular pattern was observed in two patients. Resolution of the abnormalities occurred within 16.4 days (range, 7 to 25 days). CONCLUSION: The HRCT findings of mild fat embolism consist of bilateral ground-glass opacities and thickening of the interlobular septa. Centrilobular nodular opacities are present in some patients.     

CT findings of cases of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis

The CT findings of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis were studied. The subjects consisted of five cases; 4 men and 1 woman with an average age of 47.4 years old. The total of 19 CT views were analyzed with a mean follow-up duration of 5.7 +/- 1.2 years. The interval from the estimated onset to the first CT examination day was considered to be 6.0 +/- 3.1 years. The purposes of this report were; 1) Whether one could obtain useful information for the diagnosis by initial CT? 2) What were the changes of imaging with the passage of time on CT? 3) How one could predict the prognosis of the patients by CT? From the results of initial CT, pulmonary alveolar proteinosis showed diffuse, non-segmental densities with a mixture of various degrees of consistency, with peripheral clear zone which could be detected under posterior and lateral chest wall and/or interlobar area, and occasional air bronchograms. Irregular shaped patchy densities attached to the anterior chest wall were detected in 4 cases. These densities made the anterior pleural line irregular. In two cases, densities which were thought to represent the deposition of protein-like material in alveolar spaces decreased in the clinical course. Interstitial changes of the lung field were thought to cause the loss of lung volume, dilatation of bronchi and bronchioles, resulting in cystic changes and respiratory difficulty increased. In another case, the densities spontaneously disappeared during a period of one year.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Intravascular sarcoidosis presenting as pulmonary vein occlusion: CT and pathologic findings

It is well known that destruction of the distal capillary bed from extensive fibrosis and honeycombing in the setting of sarcoidosis may lead to pulmonary hypertension. However, we report an unusual manifestation of sarcoidosis where pulmonary hypertension resulted from granulomatous involvement of the pulmonary veins and venules. This presented as venous occlusion and intraluminal filling defects that simulated thrombus on chest computed tomography. To our knowledge, this is the first reported imaging case of such a presentation.