No abstract available.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Thoracic Diseases*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the role of CT and MR imagings in the diagnosis aortic dissection and differentiation between the true and false lumen. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied forty patients with aortic dissection(AD) diagnosed imagings or surgery. Of the forty patients, 19 were examined with only CT, 14 with CT and MR, and 7 with MI~: Our points of view were(1) the classification of AD according to configuration of intimal flap by cross-sectional imaging, (2) differentiation between the true and false lumens, (3) the course of the false lumen, and (4)! detectability of the origin of major branch vessels of the abdominal aorta. RESULTS: The classification by corss-sectional imaging were crescentic(65%), circumferential(15%), flat(12%), and irregular(8%) type, in which false negative diagnosis was made in 1 case of crescentic and circumferential type, respectively. In 2 case of flat type and 1 case of irregular type, the differentiation between the true and false lumen was impossible with CT. The course of the false lumen in descending thoracic aorta revealed countrclock wise rotation(66%), clockwise rotation(5%) or fixed(29%) apperance. MR imaging was superior to CT in the detection of the origin of major branch vessels of the abdominal aorta. The determination of the origin of major branches of abdominal aorta arising from the true and false lumen were impossible in 2 cases in which only CT was done. CONCLUSION: Diagnosis of crescentic and circumferential types of AD with narrow and thrombosed false lumen was problematic in both CT and MR with no difference of diagnostic accuracy between the two modalities. The differentiation between the true and false lumen was difficult in flat and irregular types with only CT. Therefore, when surgical treatment is considered as in type B aortic dissection, MR imaging is recommended in order to determine the origin of major branch vessels.
Aorta, Abdominal ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Classification ; Diagnosis* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: Differential diagnosis of solitary pulmonary nodule with cavity includes lung abscess, tuberculoma, bronchogenic carcinoma, metastasis and trauma, etc. We analyzed the CT appearance of tubercuioma presenting as a solitary pulmonary nodule with cavity and describe the findings which suggest tuberculoma in the differential dignosis of soliary pulmonary nodule with cavity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 25 patients with solitary pulmonary nodule(diameter less than 4 cm) without surrounding parenchymal consolidation on chest radiograph, who had a cavity within the nodule on CT, were included in our study. Density of the nodule, maximal wall thickness, the character of inner and outer wall margin, location of cavity within the nodule, location of the nodule, presence or absence of satellite lesions and calcification were analyzed. RESULTS: Solitary tuberculoma with cavity showed maximal wall thickness more than 15 mm in 40%(10/25) and 5-14 mm in 56%(14/25), eccentric cavitation in 84%(21/25) and concentric cavitation in 16%(4/25), spiculated outer wall margin in 56%(14/15) and Iobulated margin in 32%(8/25), smooth inner wall margin in 60%(15/25) and nodular margin in 40%(10/25). CT density of the cavity wall compared with the chest wall muscle was low in 84%(21/25) and isodense in 16%(4/25). Accompanying satellite lesions were seen in 84% (21/25) and calcification was visible in 28%(7/25). CONCLUSION: The CT findings of solitary tuberculoma with cavity are relative peripheral location, eccentric cavitation, finely spiculated outer wall margin, and mean maximal wall thickness of 13.2 mm, which are also the common features of malignant nodule. However, relative low density of the nodule compared to the chest wall muscle and surrounding satellite lesions can be additional clues favoring solitary tuberculoma with cavity on CT.
Carcinoma, Bronchogenic ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Lung Abscess ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Solitary Pulmonary Nodule ; Thoracic Wall ; Tuberculoma*

PURPOSE: To evaluate criteria for differentiating benign versus malignant solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs) by analyzing their morphology and perinodular parenchymal changes on CT/HRCT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the CT/HRCT in 99 patients with SPN. Sixty two cases were proved by surgery, PCNA, clinical follow up and etc. Thirty seven cases were diagnosed by typical benign calcification. We defined SPN as a discrete, single lesion in the lung with margins that are sharp enough to permit measurement of diameter. We excluded lesions more than 4cm in diameter and lesions with cavity from our study protocol. The study included 41 malignant nodules and 58 benign nodules. RESULTS: Mean diameter of malignant nodule was 2.9cm, benign nodule was 2.2cm. Peripheral location of nodule was 28 in malignant nodules, 50 in benign nodules. Typical benign calcification was observed in 37 tuberculoma and three hamartoma. Lobulated margin was noted in 32 malignant nodules and 14 benign nodules. Spiculated margin was observed in 17 malignant nodules and 20 benign nodules. Low attenuation within the nodule was observed in 14 malignant nodules and 12 benign nodules. Pleural tail was observed in 14 malignant nodules and 31 benign nodules. Air bronchogram was noted in 18 malignant nodules and 4 benign nodules. Juxta nodular tuberculosis was observed in 6 malignant nodules and 29 benign nodules. CONCLUSION: Malignant nodules were larger than benign nodules and more commonly demonstrated a Iobulated contour and air bronchogram (p<0.05). Benign nodules more commonly demonstrated low density in the nodule and associated with juxta nodular tuberculosis and peripheral location (p<0.05). Spiculated margin and pleural tail were not helpful to differentiate benign from malignant nodule.
Follow-Up Studies ; Hamartoma ; Humans ; Lung ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; Retrospective Studies ; Solitary Pulmonary Nodule* ; Tuberculoma ; Tuberculosis

PURPOSE: To evaluate criteria for differentiating benign versus malignant solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs) by analyzing their morphology and perinodular parenchymal changes on CT/HRCT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the CT/HRCT in 99 patients with SPN. Sixty two cases were proved by surgery, PCNA, clinical follow up and etc. Thirty seven cases were diagnosed by typical benign calcification. We defined SPN as a discrete, single lesion in the lung with margins that are sharp enough to permit measurement of diameter. We excluded lesions more than 4cm in diameter and lesions with cavity from our study protocol. The study included 41 malignant nodules and 58 benign nodules. RESULTS: Mean diameter of malignant nodule was 2.9cm, benign nodule was 2.2cm. Peripheral location of nodule was 28 in malignant nodules, 50 in benign nodules. Typical benign calcification was observed in 37 tuberculoma and three hamartoma. Lobulated margin was noted in 32 malignant nodules and 14 benign nodules. Spiculated margin was observed in 17 malignant nodules and 20 benign nodules. Low attenuation within the nodule was observed in 14 malignant nodules and 12 benign nodules. Pleural tail was observed in 14 malignant nodules and 31 benign nodules. Air bronchogram was noted in 18 malignant nodules and 4 benign nodules. Juxta nodular tuberculosis was observed in 6 malignant nodules and 29 benign nodules. CONCLUSION: Malignant nodules were larger than benign nodules and more commonly demonstrated a Iobulated contour and air bronchogram (p<0.05). Benign nodules more commonly demonstrated low density in the nodule and associated with juxta nodular tuberculosis and peripheral location (p<0.05). Spiculated margin and pleural tail were not helpful to differentiate benign from malignant nodule.
Follow-Up Studies ; Hamartoma ; Humans ; Lung ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; Retrospective Studies ; Solitary Pulmonary Nodule* ; Tuberculoma ; Tuberculosis

Ground-glass opacity is a frequent but nonspecific finding seen on high-resolution CT scans of lung parenchyma. Histologically, this appearance is observed when thickening of the alveolar wall and septal interstitium is minimal or the alveolar lumen is partially filled with fluid, macrophage, neutrophils, or amorphous material. It has been shown that ground-glass opacity may be caused not only by an active inflammatory process but also by fibrotic processes. When a focal area of ground-glass opacity persists or increases in size, the possibility of neoplasm-bronchioloalveolar carcinoma or adenoma, or lymphoma, for example- should be considered. Diffuse nonsegmental ground-glass opacity in both lung fields was incidentally found on follow up abdominal CT in a stomach cancer patient and signet-ring cell-type metastatic lung cancer was confirmed by transbronchial lung biopsy. We report a case of diffuse ground-glass opacity seen in metastatic lung cancer from adenocarcinoma of the stomach.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Adenoma ; Biopsy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; Lung* ; Lymphoma ; Macrophages ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Neutrophils ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Stomach* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

PURPOSE: Diffuse panbronchiolitis(DPB) is a chronic inflammatory airway disease of unknown causes mainly affecting the respiratory bronchioles and the more proximal bronchi. Findings on chest radiographs and high-resolution CT(HRCT) are well known and Akira classified HRCT findings of DPB into four types. Purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between findings of HRCT and PFT. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We retrospectively analyzed the chest radiographs and HRCT images of eleven patients with DPB and compared CT classification with pulmonary function test. RESULTS: Chest radiographs usually showed small nodular opacities throughout the both middle and lower lungs. The HRCT findings of DPB were centrilobularly distributed small nodular densities, branching linear densities contiguous with small round densities, dilated and thickened peripheral and central airways including bronchioles. More than one CT type by Akira's classification, usually two or three types, were found in nine patients. There was good correlation between CT types and FEV1%(p<0.05), CT types and FEV1/FVC (p<0.05) respectively. CONCLUSION: HRCT seems to be more useful for diagnosis and disease progression of DPB as compared with the chest radiographs or clinical stage such as pulmonary function test.
Bronchi ; Bronchioles ; Classification ; Diagnosis ; Disease Progression ; Humans ; Lung ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Respiratory Function Tests* ; Retrospective Studies

We report the CT findings of diffuse esophageal spasm (DES) in a patient with dysphagia. Although an uncommon condition, DES should be included in the differential diagnosis if relatively long and symmetric segmental esophageal wall thickening and an epiphrenic esophageal diverticulum are noted at CT.
Deglutition Disorders ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Diverticulum, Esophageal ; Esophageal Spasm, Diffuse* ; Humans

PURPOSE: To describe the chest radiographic and CT findings of diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two radiologists retrospectively analysed the chest radiographic and CT findings of six patients withdiffuse pulmonary hemorrhage. Using open lung biopsy (n=2) and transbronchial lung biopsy or bronchoalveolarlavage (n=4), diagnosis was based on the presence of hemosiderin-laden macrophage or intra-alveolar hemorrhage.Underlying diseases were Wegener's granulomatosis (n=2), antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (n=2),Henoch-Schonlein purpura (n=1), and idopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis (n=1). In all patients, sequential chestradiographs, obtained during a one to six-month period, were available. HRCT scans were obtained in five patients,and conventional CT scans in one. Follow-up HRCT scans were obtained in two. We also analyzed the patterns ofinvolvement, distribution and sequential changes in the pulmonary abnormalities seen on chest radiographs and CTscans. RESULTS: Chest radiographs showed multifocal patchy consolidation (n=6), ground-glass opacity (n=3), andmultiple granular or nodular opacity (n=3). These lesions were intermingled in five patients, while in one therewas consolidation only. Sequential chest radiographs demonstrated the improvement of initial pulmonaryabnormalities and appearance of new lesions elsewhere within 5-6 days, though within 7-25 (average, 13) days,these had almost normalized. HRCT scans showed patchy consolidation (n=5), multiple patchy ground-glass opacity(n=5), or ill-defined air space nodules (n=4). These lesions were intermingled in five patients, and in one,ground-glass opacity only was noted. In two patients there were interlobular septal thickening and intralobularreticular opacity. The distribution of these abnormalities was almost always bilateral, diffuse with no zonalpredominancy , and spared the apex of the lung and subpleural region were less affected. CONCLUSION: Althoughchest radiographic and CT findings of diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage are nonspecific, sequential changes inbilateral multifocal patchy consolidation and ground-glass opacity, accompanied by clinical symptoms such ashemoptysis or anemia, may be helpful in the diagnosis of diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage.
Anemia ; Antiphospholipid Syndrome ; Biopsy ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemorrhage* ; Hemosiderosis ; Humans ; Lung ; Macrophages ; Purpura ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Wegener Granulomatosis

PURPOSE: To evaluate the CT findings of histopathologically proven pulmonary hamartoma MATERIALS AND METHODS: CT findings of 16 patients with pulmonary hamartoma, histopatologically proven between 1990 and 1996, wereretrospectively reviewed. Diagnosis was based on thoracotomy9n=11) or fine-needle aspiration biopsy(n=5). Weanalyzed the location, margin discreteness, shape, and size of the mass, and the presence of calcification or fatdensity, as seen on CT scan. RESULTS: All 16 tumors showed a discrete and smooth margin and there was nopredilection for any specific site. They were lobulated(11/16, 69%), round(4/16, 25%) or oval(1/16, 6%) and wereless than 1cm(2/16), 1~ < 2cm(4/16), 2~ < 3cm(5/16), 3~ < 4cm(3/16) or 4~5cm(2/16) in size. Nine of 16 cases(56%)showed calcification;this was either popcorn-type(n=3), stippled(n=3), eccentric(n=2), or diffuse(n=1). Five of 16cases(31%) showed fat attenuation. CONCLUSION: On CT, pulmonary hamartomas showed a discrete margin, werelobulated (rather than round or oval) and varied in size. calcification was more common than fat density. These CTfindings may be useful for the differential diagnosis of pulmonary hamartoma.
Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Hamartoma* ; Humans ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed