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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., Author(s): Luciana Volpon Soares Souza [sup.1] , Matheus Zanon [sup.2] [sup.3] , Arthur Soares Souza [sup.1] , Klaus Irion [sup.4] , Diana Penha [sup.4] , Giordano Rafael Tronco Alves [sup.5] [...]

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 mm.sup.2; 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., Author(s): Ricardo Holderbaum do Amaral [sup.1] , Carlos S. Nin [sup.1] , Vinicius V. S. de Souza [sup.1] , Giordano R. T. Alves [sup.1] , Edson Marchiori [sup.1] , Klaus [...]

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., Author(s): Fernanda Balbinot[sup.1] [sup.3] [sup.4] , Álvaro da Costa Batista Guedes[sup.4] , Douglas Zaione Nascimento[sup.4] , Juliana Fischman Zampieri[sup.4] , Giordano Rafael Tronco Alves[sup.2] , Edson Marchiori[sup.2] , Adalberto Sperb [...]

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., Author(s): Felipe W. Langer[sup.1] , Daiane dos Santos[sup.1] , Eduardo G. Dartora[sup.1] , Giordano R. T. Alves[sup.1] , Carlos J. P. Haygert[sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) Department of Radiology and Imaging [...]