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Biomedical subjects

D M Hansell

Publications and source records attributed to D M Hansell.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Evaluation of patients undergoing lung volume reduction surgery: ancillary information available from computed tomography.

AIM: A number of imaging techniques have been used for the pre-operative assessment of patients for lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS). We evaluated whether data currently acquired from perfusion scintigrams and cine MR of the diaphragm are obtainable from high resolution CT (HRCT) of the thorax. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty patients taking part in a randomized controlled trial of LVRS against maximal medical therapy were evaluated. HRCT examinations (n= 30) were scored for (i) the extent and distribution of emphysema; (ii) the extent of normal pulmonary vasculature; and (iii) diaphragmatic contour, apparent defects and herniation. On scintigraphy, (n= 28), perfusion of the lower thirds of both lungs, as a proportion of total lung perfusion (LZ/T(PERF)), was expressed as a percentage of predicted values (derived from 10 normal control subjects). On cine MR (n= 25) hemidiaphragmatic excursion and coordination were recorded. RESULTS: Extensive emphysema was present on HRCT (60% +/- 13.2%). There was strong correlation between the extent of normal pulmonary vasculature on HRCT and on perfusion scanning (r(s)= 0.85, P< 0.00005). Hemidiaphragmatic incoordination on MR was weakly associated with hemidiaphragmatic eventration on HRCT (P= 0.04). CONCLUSION: The strong correlation between lung perfusion assessed by HRCT and lung perfusion on scintigraphy suggests that perfusion scintigraphy is superfluous in the pre-operative evaluation of patients with emphysema for LVRS.

Adult↗

Asbestos-related benign pleural disease.

Benign pleural disease is the commonest manifestation of asbestos exposure encountered by radiologists. Benign pleural thickening can appear as circumscribed parietal pleural plaques or as more diffuse thickening of the visceral pleura. Benign-asbestos induced pleural effusions are a significant and under-recognized manifestation of asbestos exposure with important sequelae, such as diffuse pleural thickening which may be associated with functional impairment and for which compensation may be sought. This review concentrates on the strengths and weaknesses of chest radiography and computed tomography for the detection and characterization of benign asbestos-related pleural disease and the relevance of imaging abnormalities to compensation and functional impairment.Peacock, C. (2000). Clinical Radiology55, 422-432.

Asbestos↗

Computed tomography of diffuse interstitial lung disease in children.

Unlike diseases of the airways, interstitial lung diseases in childhood are exceedingly rare and are usually associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Interstitial lung disease in the paediatric age group is a particular diagnostic challenge because the clinical presentation and radiographic features are so non-specific. High resolution computed tomography (HRCT) has proved its worth in adults with interstitial lung disease and has a role, albeit more limited, in the non-invasive evaluation of paediatric interstitial lung disease.

Adolescent↗

Retained intrathoracic surgical swab: CT appearances.

A retained surgical swab (gossypiboma) is a rare but important complication of intrathoracic surgery. The radiographic and computed tomography (CT) appearances are variable and depend on the chronicity and site of the swab within the chest. Two cases of retained swabs within the chest are reported. In both cases, the swab had become surrounded by lung. The swab within the pleural space acted as a nidus and resulted in infolding of the lung, superficially resembling an intrapulmonary abscess on CT.

Adult↗

Airflow obstruction in bronchiectasis: correlation between computed tomography features and pulmonary function tests.

BACKGROUND: An obstructive defect is usual in bronchiectasis, but the pathophysiological basis of airflow obstruction remains uncertain. High resolution computed tomographic (CT) scanning now allows quantitation of static morphological abnormalities, as well as dynamic changes shown on expiratory CT scans. The aim of this study was to determine which static and dynamic structural abnormalities on the CT scan are associated with airflow obstruction in bronchiectasis. METHODS: The inspiratory and expiratory features on the CT scan of 100 patients with bronchiectasis undergoing concurrent lung function tests were scored semi-quantitatively by three observers. RESULTS: On univariate analysis the extent and severity of bronchiectasis, the severity of bronchial wall thickening, and the extent of decreased attenuation on the expiratory CT scan correlated strongly with the severity of airflow obstruction; the closest relationship was seen between decreased forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)) and the extent of decreased attenuation on the expiratory CT scan (R(s) = -0.55, p<0. 00005). On multivariate analysis bronchial wall thickness and decreased attenuation were consistently the strongest independent determinants of airflow obstruction. The extent of decreased attenuation was positively associated with the severity of bronchial wall thickness, but was not independently linked to gas transfer levels. Endobronchial secretions seen on CT scanning had no functional significance; the severity of bronchial dilatation was negatively associated with airflow obstruction after adjustment for other morphological features. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that airflow obstruction in bronchiectasis is primarily linked to evidence of intrinsic disease of small and medium airways on CT scanning and not to bronchiectatic abnormalities in large airways, emphysema, or retained endobronchial secretions.

Adult↗

Nonspecific interstitial pneumonia: variable appearance at high-resolution chest CT.

PURPOSE: To describe the computed tomographic (CT) findings in patients with nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) and to compare these with the CT findings of other chronic infiltrative lung diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Findings in 50 patients with biopsy-proved NSIP and a CT scan were reviewed by two thoracic radiologists in consensus. After the findings were described, the observers judged whether the findings were compatible with previously published descriptions of NSIP or whether the findings would support the diagnosis of a different chronic infiltrative lung disease. RESULTS: Eleven (22%) of the 50 patients had CT findings that were compatible with previous descriptions of NSIP. Sixteen (32%) patients had CT findings that were more compatible with usual interstitial pneumonia. The other 23 (46%) patients had findings that were nondiagnostic or most compatible with the diagnosis of another chronic infiltrative lung disease. CONCLUSION: Contrary to previously published articles, there are a wide variety of CT findings in cases of NSIP.

Adult↗

The prognostic significance of the histologic pattern of interstitial pneumonia in patients presenting with the clinical entity of cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis.

Lone cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis (CFA) is a progressive interstitial lung disease, with a median survival of 3 to 6 yr from the onset of dyspnea. CFA can be subdivided into prognostically significant histopathologic patterns, including nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP). We reviewed 78 patients with a clinicopathologic diagnosis of CFA, biopsied between 1978 and 1989, to evaluate the prevalence and prognostic significance of these histopathologic patterns, in particular NSIP. Biopsy appearances were reclassified by two pulmonary histopathologists as usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) (47%), NSIP (36%), or desquamative interstitial pneumonia (DIP)/respiratory bronchiolitis-associated interstitial lung disease (RBILD) (17%). The kappa coefficient of agreement between pathologists was 0.49. In 67 cases, follow-up was complete to death or 10 yr after biopsy, with 50 deaths during a median follow-up of 42 mo (UIP, 89%; NSIP, 61%, DIP/RBILD, 0%). Survival was highest in DIP/RBILD and higher in NSIP than UIP, p < 0.0005. When analysis was confined to patients with UIP or NSIP, the mortality of UIP remained higher, p < 0.01, but the 5-yr survival in patients with fibrotic NSIP was only 45%, indicating that this histologic appearance is often associated with a poor outcome. A response to treatment was more frequent in DIP/RBILD than in NSIP (p < 0.01) or UIP (p < 0.0005). This study confirms the prognostic value of subclassifying patients with CFA according to histopathologic pattern. However, in patients with clinically typical CFA, a histologic diagnosis of fibrotic NSIP needs to be interpreted with caution and does not necessarily denote a good outcome.

Biopsy↗

Spiral computed tomography for pulmonary embolism.

Spiral computed tomography pulmonary angiography is increasingly used in the non-invasive investigation of patients with suspected pulmonary embolism. This review will focus on current techniques and indications with an explanation of the computed tomography signs of pulmonary embolism, possible pitfalls in interpretation and limitations of the technique.

Forecasting↗

Diagnostic accuracy of thin-section CT and chest radiography of pediatric interstitial lung disease.

OBJECTIVE: We assessed the accuracy of thin-section CT and chest radiography to diagnose pediatric interstitial lung disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified 20 infants, boys, and girls (age range, 1 month to 14 years) with histopathologic confirmation of interstitial lung disease. Six boys and girls without interstitial lung disease were also included. Two observers independently assessed chest radiograph and CT images. The observers stated the most likely diagnosis and a differential diagnosis. We evaluated individual CT features and their distribution. RESULTS: Observers' diagnoses on CT images were correct (first choice or differential) in 66% of observations versus 45% on chest radiographs (p < 0.025). Correct diagnoses were made on first choice in 61% of CT observations versus 34% on chest radiographs (p < 0.005). Observers were confident (versus uncertain) in 42% of the CT observations versus 18% on chest radiographs; of the confident diagnoses made on CT, 91% were correct. CT interpretations were most accurate in the diagnosis of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, congenital lymphangiectasia, and idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis. All healthy patients examined with CT were correctly identified as such. We noted a distinctive CT pattern in three patients with nonspecific interstitial pneumonitis and one patient with desquamative interstitial pneumonitis; the CT pattern consisted of upper zone predominant honeycombing on a background of ground-glass attenuation. CONCLUSION: A higher proportion of pediatric interstitial lung diseases can be diagnosed on thin-section CT than on chest radiographs. In our study, confident and correct diagnoses were made more frequently with CT than with chest radiographs.

Adolescent↗

High-resolution computed tomography in the evaluation of fibrosing alveolitis.

High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is now widely used in the investigation of patients with suspected or known diffuse lung disease. This article reviews some of the technical aspects of HRCT and the pathologic considerations that should be appreciated in the context of diagnosing fibrosing alveolitis. The precise quantitation of disease extent and characterization of disease pattern on HRCT has been used to provide new insights about the prognosis and pathophysiology of fibrosing lung disease.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

Spontaneous regression of large-cell carcinoma of the lung--a rare observation in clinical practice.

Spontaneous regression of non-small-cell lung carcinoma is extremely rare and there are few documented cases. We report a 59-year-old man with a right upper lobe tumour which showed progressive regression while hilar adenopathy appeared 2 months after the initial tumour detection. At operation, only scar tissue was found in the lung but a hilar lymph node contained large-cell undifferentiated carcinoma. This report indicates that a decrease in size of a pulmonary mass does not exclude the diagnosis of carcinoma and that metastatic disease can occur even if the primary tumour regresses.

Bronchoscopy↗

Visual quantitation and observer variation of signs of small airways disease at inspiratory and expiratory CT.

Areas of decreased pulmonary attenuation representing small airways disease can be identified on computed tomography (CT). The objective was to quantify differences between inspiratory and expiratory CT for the detection of signs of small airways disease by four observers. Observer variation and the superiority of a fine versus a coarse grading system were also evaluated. Inspiratory and expiratory CT scans of 106 patients with conditions characterized by small airways disease and 19 healthy individuals were assessed by four observers. The extent of decreased attenuation was scored on a fine scale to the nearest 5% and also semiquantitatively on a coarser 5-point scale. Decreased attenuation was more extensive on expiratory CT (median. 6.7%; 0-76.7%) than on inspiratory CT (median, 3.8%; 0-81.7%). The fine scoring system had unacceptable interobserver variation (coefficient of variation, 80% for inspiratory CT, 70% for expiratory CT). The semiquantitative system had acceptable interobserver agreement (inspiratory CT k(w) = 0.64; expiratory CT, k(w) = 0.69) and good intra-observer agreement (inspiratory CT, k(w) = 0.80; expiratory CT, k(w) = 0.64). The major CT sign of small airways disease is more confidently quantified on expiratory CT. A fine scoring system is associated with unacceptable observer variation, and a coarse semiquantitative system is more suitable for quantitative studies of small airways disease.

Adolescent↗

Clinical significance of respiratory bronchiolitis on open lung biopsy and its relationship to smoking related interstitial lung disease.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory bronchiolitis-associated interstitial lung disease (RBILD) is a rare form of interstitial lung disease which may present in similar fashion to other types of chronic interstitial pneumonia. The purpose of this study was to undertake a clinicopathological review of 10 patients with RBILD and to examine the clinical and imaging data related to its histopathological pattern, in particular the relationship of RBILD to smoking. METHODS: Thirteen out of 168 retrospectively reviewed patients, from whom biopsy specimens were taken for suspected diffuse lung disease, were identified with a histopathological pattern of RBILD. Three cases were rejected as follow up data were unavailable. The 10 remaining cases constituted the study group and both clinical and imaging data were collected from patients' notes and referring physicians. RESULTS: Histopathologically, four cases of RBILD overlapped with the pattern of desquamative interstitial pneumonitis (DIP) and nine also had microscopic evidence of centrilobular emphysema. Nine patients were smokers, ranging from 3 to 80 pack years. The one non-smoker had an occupational exposure to the fumes of solder flux. The sex distribution was equal with an age range of 32-65 years. Two patients were clubbed. Lung function tests showed both restrictive and obstructive patterns together with severe reductions in carbon monoxide transfer factor in seven patients. Chest radiographs showed reticular or reticulonodular infiltrates in five patients and a ground glass pattern in two. CT scans were consistent with either DIP or RBILD in six of eight patients. Although seven patients remained stable or improved, either with or without treatment, three patients deteriorated. CONCLUSIONS: This study adds weight to the hypothesis that smoking can cause clinically significant interstitial lung disease, with deterioration in pulmonary function despite treatment. Given the overlapping histopathological patterns of RBILD and DIP and their strong association with smoking, the term "smoking related interstitial lung disease" is suggested for those patients who are smokers.

Adult↗

Acute respiratory distress syndrome: CT abnormalities at long-term follow-up.

PURPOSE: To document abnormalities at computed tomography (CT) in adult survivors of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), to determine the relationships between CT patients during the acute phase and at follow-up, and to assess the effects of mechanical ventilation on the development of CT abnormalities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thin-section CT scans were obtained during the acute illness and at follow-up in 27 patients with ARDS. The extent and distribution of individual CT patterns were independently analyzed. RESULTS: At follow-up CT, a reticular pattern was the most prevalent (23 patients [85%]) and extensive CT abnormality, with a striking anterior distribution (more anterior distribution than posterior distribution, P < .001). A reticular pattern at follow-up was inversely correlated with the extent of intense parenchymal opacification on scans obtained during the acute illness (Spearman r = -0.26; P < .001). The extent of a reticular pattern at follow-up CT was independently related to the total duration of mechanical ventilation (P = .02) but was most strongly related to the duration of pressure-controlled inverse-ratio ventilation (P < .001). CONCLUSION: A reticular pattern, with a striking anterior distribution, is a frequent finding of follow-up CT in ARDS survivors and is most strongly related to the duration of pressure-controlled inverse-ratio ventilation.

Acute Disease↗

Follicular bronchiolitis: thin-section CT and histologic findings.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the thin-section computed tomographic (CT) findings of follicular bronchiolitis and compare them with the histologic findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thin-section CT scans obtained in 12 patients (age range, 24-77 years; mean age, 47 years) with follicular bronchiolitis proved at open lung biopsy were reviewed by two observers. Underlying conditions included rheumatoid arthritis (n = 8), mixed collagen vascular disorders (n = 2), autoimmune disorder (n = 1), and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (n = 1). All patients had thin-section CT scans (1.0-1.5-mm collimation, 11 patients; 3.0-mm collimation, one patient; high-spatial-frequency reconstruction algorithm) obtained at 10-mm intervals through the chest. RESULTS: The main CT findings included bilateral centrilobular (n = 12) and peribronchial (n = 5) nodules. All 12 patients had nodules smaller than 3 mm in diameter; six patients also had nodules 3-12 mm in diameter. Areas of ground-glass opacity were present in nine (75%) patients. Histologically, all patients had lymphoid hyperplasia along the bronchioles; eight had peribronchiolar lymphocytic infiltration. CONCLUSION: The cardinal CT feature of follicular bronchiolitis consists of small centrilobular nodules variably associated with peribronchial nodules and areas of ground-glass opacity.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗