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Purposes: Considering that pulmonary arterial obstruction decreases venous flow, we hypothesized that filling defects in pulmonary veins can be identified in areas adjacent to pulmonary embolism (PE). This sign was named the 'pulmonary vein sign' (PVS), and we evaluated its prevalence and performance for PE diagnosis in computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA). Methods: This retrospective study enrolled consecutive patients with clinical suspicion of PE who underwent CTPA scan. The PVS was defined by the following criteria: (a) presence of a homogeneous filling defect of at least 2 cm in a pulmonary vein; (b) attenuation of the left atrium > 160 Hounsfield units. Using the cases that presented PE on CTPA as reference, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated for PVS. Results: In total, 119 patients (73 female; mean age, 62 years) were included in this study. PE was diagnosed in 44 (35.8%) patients. The PVS was present in 16 out of 44 patients with PE. Sensitivity was 36.36% (95% confidence interval (CI) 22.83-52.26%); specificity, 98.67% (95% CI 91.79-99.93%); positive predictive value, 94.12% (95% CI 69.24-99.69%); negative predictive value, 72.55% (95% CI 62.67-80.70%). The Kappa index for the PVS was good (0.801; 95% CI 0.645-0.957). PVS was correlated with lobar and segmental pulmonary embolism ( p < 0.01). Conclusion: Despite a low sensitivity, presence of the pulmonary vein sign was highly specific for PE, with a good agreement between readers. This sign could contribute for PE diagnosis on CTPA studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To investigate bronchiectasis variations in different computed tomography (CT) respiratory phases, and their correlation with pulmonary function test (PFT) data, in adults. METHODS: Retrospective data analysis from 63 patients with bronchiectasis according to CT criteria selected from the institution database and for whom PFT data were also available. Bronchiectasis diameter was measured on inspiratory and expiratory phases. Its area and matched airway-vessel ratios in both phases were also calculated. Finally, PFT results were compared with radiological measurements. RESULTS: Bronchiectatic airways were larger on inspiration than on expiration (mean cross-sectional area, 69.44 vs. 40.84 mm2; p < 0.05) as were airway-vessel ratios (2.1 vs. 1.4; p < 0.05). Cystic bronchiectasis cases showed the least variation in cross-sectional area (48%). Mean predicted values of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were 81.5 and 77.2%, respectively, in the group in which bronchiectasis could not be identified on expiratory images, and 58.3 and 56.0%, respectively, in the other group (p < 0.05). Variation in bronchiectasis area was associated with poorer lung function (r = 0.32). CONCLUSION: Bronchiectasis detection, diameter, and area varied significantly according to CT respiratory phase, with non-reducible bronchiectasis showing greater lung function impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Histological examination has always been the gold standard for the detection and quantification of lung remodeling. However, this method has some limitations regarding the invasiveness of tissue acquisition. Quantitative imaging methods enable the acquisition of valuable information on lung structure and function without the removal of tissue from the body; thus, they are useful for disease identification and follow-up. This article reviews the various quantitative imaging modalities used currently for the non-invasive study of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and interstitial lung diseases. Some promising computer-aided diagnosis methods are also described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To demonstrate CT findings in patients with chronic aspiration compared with a control group without aspiration, as detected by the videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS). Methods: This retrospective, observational study included patients with and without diagnoses of aspiration confirmed by VFSS, who underwent CT examination of the lungs between 2010 and 2014. Two radiologists blinded to the presence of aspiration reviewed the images to detect the presence of any abnormality. Consensus was reached with a third radiologist. CT pulmonary findings (bronchial thickening, bronchiolectasis, centrilobular nodules, ground-glass opacities, atelectasis, consolidation and air trapping) were compared between the groups using the χ² test, with a significance level of 0.05. Results: A total of 56 patients (28 patients with diagnoses of aspiration; 52% male, mean age 65 ± 15 years) were included in the study. Patients with aspiration were more likely to than those in the control group to demonstrate atelectasis, centrilobular nodules, bronchiolectasis, consolidation and ground-glass opacities (all p < 0.05), with a significant predilection for the lower lobes (p < 0.001). Bronchial wall thickening and air trapping did not differ between groups. Conclusion: Atelectasis, centrilobular nodules, bronchiolectasis, consolidation and ground-glass opacities occurred more frequently in patients with aspiration than in those without aspiration, with a pronounced tendency for distribution in the lower lobes. Advances in knowledge: CT findings of aspiration are very important, as pulmonary symptoms may be the first manifestation of this disorder. Knowledge of these findings is essential to enable the early diagnosis of aspiration disorders and prevent lung damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ectopic intrathoracic kidney is a rare congenital anomaly, representing less than 5 % of all renal ectopias. Most cases are discovered in asymptomatic adult patients undergoing imaging exams for unrelated reasons. Less than twenty cases of thoracic kidneys in the infant group have been reported in the literature, mostly comprising asymptomatic patients. Herein, we report a case of an 18-month-old boy with recurrent pneumonia episodes who was found to have a right-sided intrathoracic ectopic kidney. A brief literature review addressing the pathogenesis, prognosis, and treatment of this condition is also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate whether patients with a diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) show characteristic pulmonary changes on chest CT compared with a control group without sinusopathy. Methods: This retrospective, observational study included patients with and without a diagnosis of CRS who underwent CT examination of the lungs between 2012 and 2014. Two radiologists, who were blinded for the presence of CRS, reviewed the scans for the presence of any abnormalities consensually. The 2 test was used for correlative analysis, with a significance level of 0.05. Results: A total of 123 CT series (51.2% from male patients, mean age 41 ± 16 years) were reviewed, including those from 59 (48%) patients with a diagnosis of CRS. Patients with CRS were more likely than the control group to exhibit atelectasis, bronchiolectasis, centrilobular nodules and ground-glass opacities (all p < 0.05), with a significant predilection for middle lobe and lingular involvement observed (p < 0.001). Other abnormalities, such as bronchial wall thickening and air trapping, did not differ between groups. Conclusion: Atelectatic changes, ground-glass opacities, bronchiolectasis and centrilobular nodules are the most frequent abnormalities associated with CRS, with peculiar middle lobe and lingular involvement observed on chest CT examinations. Advances in knowledge: CRS is a frequent disorder that displays typical pulmonary changes at CT. The recognition of such findings can prevent patients with this condition from undergoing unnecessary investigations that might be based on the presence of the aforementioned radiological features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brachial Plexus Injury (BPI) is an uncommon complication of median sternotomy capable of causing a permanent or transitory sensitivity and/or motor function impairment in the upper limbs. During a cardiac surgery through sternotomy, for the assessment of the thoracic cage configuration and the site of mediastinal structures, a broader surgical field may be required. If the sternal retractors are overstretched, the costovertebral junctions are likely to be dislocated damaging the adjacent soft tissues at the same time. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is the modality of choice for estimating the degree of physical damage to the brachial plexus. In this paper, we intended to report the MRI findings of a chronic case of BPI following a cardiac surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Images of a 71-year-old woman's dilated arch and descending aorta without dissection and with a type A aortic dissection, extending from the aortic graft through a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) device, are presented.

The article describes a case of Grynfeltt-Lesshaft hernia in a 76-year-old woman who reported a painful growing mass on her left lower back since 10 months. The patient had no history of previous procedures and trauma. A presence of small bowel and mesenteric fat protruding through the superior lumbar space was revealed in the abdominal computed tomography performed on the patient. The clinical characteristics of Grynfeltt-Lesshaft hernias are also noted.