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Biomedical subjects

E F Patz

Publications and source records attributed to E F Patz.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Thoracic nodal staging with PET imaging with 18FDG in patients with bronchogenic carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To assess the role of positron emission tomographic (PET) imaging with 18-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (18FDG) in detecting thoracic lymph node metastases in patients with bronchogenic carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Over a 2-year period, any patient presenting to our institution with newly diagnosed bronchogenic carcinoma who was to have thoracic nodes sampled was considered eligible. All PET studies were performed prior to nodal sampling and areas of increased uptake were mapped according to the American Thoracic Society classification. Studies were correlated with CT and pathology. Sensitivity and specificity for predicting nodal metastases was calculated. RESULTS: Forty-two patients had 62 nodal stations (40 hilar/lobar, 22 mediastinal) sampled. The sensitivity and specificity for hilar/lobar lymph node station metastases using PET imaging was 73% and 76%, respectively. With CT, the sensitivity and specificity were 27% and 86%. The sensitivity and specificity using PET imaging for mediastinal node station metastases was 92% and 100%, respectively, while with CT the figures were 58% and 80%. The sensitivity and specificity for combined thoracic nodal station metastases using PET imaging was 83% and 82%, respectively, while with CT it was 43% and 85%. There was a strong statistical relationship between positive PET imaging and lymph node abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: 18FDG-PET imaging is accurate in detecting thoracic lymph node metastases in patients with bronchogenic carcinoma. Normal results of PET studies virtually preclude the need for mediastinal nodal sampling prior to surgery, whereas abnormal results of studies most likely represent mediastinal metastases. Treatment can be based on the extent of disease suggested by PET imaging.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Palliative treatment of malignant pleural effusions: value of small-bore catheter thoracostomy and doxycycline sclerotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates small-bore catheter thoracostomy combined with doxycycline sclerotherapy for palliative treatment of presumed malignant pleural effusions. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty-seven consecutive patients referred from the medical oncology department to the thoracic radiology section with known primary malignant tumors and symptomatic pleural effusions over a 2-year period were treated with small-bore pleural catheter drainage followed by doxycycline sclerotherapy. Of the 47 patients, 20 (43%) died less than 30 days after sclerotherapy, one (2%) died without radiographic follow-up, and five (11%) were lost to follow-up. Twenty-one patients formed the study group. Response to treatment was defined based on findings on follow-up chest radiographs obtained 30 days after sclerotherapy as complete (no reaccumulation of pleural effusion), partial (accumulation above postpleurodesis level but below that at presentation), or as a failure (reaccumulation to the amount seen at presentation). RESULTS: Seventeen (81%) evaluable patients showed complete response to sclerotherapy, three (14%) showed a partial response, and one (5%) showed no response. All complete and partial responders were clinically improved with resolution of their shortness of breath. Therefore, 95% of evaluable patients had clinically and radiographically successful treatment. Six patients underwent sclerotherapy when their tube output was greater than 100 ml/24 hr. Five of the six had completely successful pleurodesis, and one failed to respond. Two (10%) of the 21 patients had greater than 150 ml drainage in the 24 hr after initial doxycycline administration and were therefore given a second dose of intrapleural doxycycline. Both of these patients subsequently had less than 150 ml drainage in an additional 24-hr observation period and went on to complete response. Complications included three patients (14%) with mild discomfort at the chest tube site during drainage, one patient (5%) with pain during instillation of doxycycline, and one patient (5%) with transient fever (38.3 degrees C body temperature) one day after sclerotherapy. CONCLUSION: Small-bore catheter thoracostomy followed by doxycycline sclerotherapy successfully resolves symptomatic pleural effusion in patients with known primary malignant tumors.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Pulmonary manifestations of nontuberculous Mycobacterium.

Thoracic nontuberculous or atypical mycobacterial infections typically occur in patients who have underlying lung disease or an immunologic abnormality. These infections are usually indolent and the diagnosis is often difficult to establish and, even if confirmed, is of questionable clinical significance. The most common radiologic pattern is fibronodular opacities in the upper lobes similar to those seen with tuberculosis. Less commonly, patients may have scattered nodularity associated with bronchiectasis. If suspected by radiologic and clinical findings, culture should be obtained for diagnosis. This review focuses on nontuberculous mycobacterial disease in the thorax of the immunocompetent host.

Anti-Infective Agents↗
PubMed1995

Detection of pulmonary embolism: comparison of contrast-enhanced spiral CT and time-of-flight MR techniques.

We compared the conspicuity of acute pulmonary emboli with contrast-enhanced spiral computed tomography (CT) and two- and three-dimensional time-of-flight magnetic resonance (MR) techniques. Seven dogs who received experimental pulmonary emboli and one control were imaged with spiral CT and with 2-D (FMPVAS and FASTCARD) and 3-D time-of-flight MR. Blinded, independent, prospective evaluations of the CT and MR images by two MR radiologists and two chest radiologists were then compared to the location of the emboli as determined by subsequent pathologic evaluation of the excised lungs. Embolus/blood contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) were calculated on both MR and CT images for pulmonary emboli that could be identified. Fifty emboli ranging from 1.0 to 5.5 mm (mean, 2.7, +/- 0.14 SEM) in diameter and from 3.0 to 60 mm (mean, 28.1 +/- 1.9 SEM) in length were found in the seven embolized dogs on pathologic examination. Three of the four radiologists identified more thrombi on CT images than they did on their best MR pulse sequence (FASTCARD) and with greater confidence. The fourth radiologist identified an equal percentage of clot on CT and FASTCARD images with confidence slightly greater on FASTCARD MR than on spiral CT. Mean CNR for the best MR technique was 43.4 (+/- 3.9 SEM) and for CT was 20.7 (+/- 1.3 SEM). In general, pulmonary emboli were detected more accurately on contrast-enhanced spiral CT than on MR. This occurred although the embolus/blood CNR was higher on MR than on CT. Better pulmonary embolus conspicuity on CT images was attributed to better spatial resolution and fewer artifacts on CT than on MR. One MR radiologist performed equally well with both spiral CT and FASTCARD techniques, suggesting that experience may be a factor in performance.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Pulmonary drug toxicity following high-dose chemotherapy with autologous bone marrow transplantation: CT findings in 20 cases.

We retrospectively evaluated the computed tomography (CT) findings in 20 patients with pulmonary drug toxicity that followed high-dose chemotherapy and autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT). Eighty-five patients with Stage II or III breast cancer that involved > or = 10 axillary lymph nodes were enrolled in a treatment protocol that included four cycles of standard-dose therapy (CAF) followed by one cycle of high-dose treatment (CPA/cDDP/BCNU). After chemotherapy, ABMT was performed. Twenty-six patients (31%) developed pulmonary drug toxicity. Serial thoracic CT studies were available in 20 of these 26 patients. All 20 patients exhibited clinical symptoms (i.e., dyspnea, nonproductive cough, and fever) and abnormal pulmonary function following transplantation. Thirteen patients had pathologically proven drug toxicity, and seven patients had clinical features and treatment responses highly suggestive of this diagnosis. Multiple sputum and blood cultures were negative in all patients. CT scans of 13 patients (65%) demonstrated scattered, predominantly peripheral ground-glass or consolidated opacities that occasionally looked nodular or masslike. Two patients (10%) had CT scans suggestive of pulmonary edema and in five patients (25%), the CT examinations revealed no significant abnormalities. Pleural effusions and adenopathy were uncommon. Pulmonary drug toxicity after high-dose chemotherapy and ABMT should be suspected in the appropriate clinical and radiographic setting, and therapy may be initiated on the basis of these observations.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Persistent or recurrent bronchogenic carcinoma: detection with PET and 2-[F-18]-2-deoxy-D-glucose.

PURPOSE: To assess positron emission tomography (PET) with 2-[fluorine-18]-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) in the differentiation of recurrent bronchogenic carcinoma from fibrosis after therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Any patient treated for bronchogenic carcinoma who had a residual chest radiographic abnormality was eligible. Forty-three patients (mean age, 63.5 years) participated. Chest radiographs and thoracic computed tomographic scans helped localize the abnormality prior to PET. Semiquantitative analysis was performed on FDG PET images with calculated standardized uptake ratios (SURs). Sensitivity, specificity, and confidence intervals for recurrent disease were determined. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients had recurrent or persistent tumor (median SUR, 7.6; range, 1.9-18.7). Eight patients had fibrosis but no evidence of disease (SUR, 1.6; range, 0.6-2.4). The sensitivity for detecting recurrent tumor (SUR > 2.5) was 97.1%, and specificity was 100%. The SUR for recurrent tumor was statistically significantly higher than for fibrosis (P = .0001). CONCLUSION: FDG PET accurately helps differentiate recurrent bronchogenic carcinoma from fibrosis.

Carcinoma, Bronchogenic↗
PubMed1994

Thoracic lymphangioma in adults: CT and MR imaging features.

OBJECTIVE: Lymphangiomas are rare benign tumors most often seen in childhood. When they occur in adults, radiologic diagnosis can be difficult. A retrospective study of the CT and MR appearances of thoracic lymphangiomas in adult patients was performed in order to describe the range of radiologic features of these tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cases of adult lymphangioma at three institutions were identified in the records of 19 patients, predominantly female, 18-67 years old. RESULTS: The most common CT appearance was a smoothly marginated cystic mass. Unusual features included calcification, spiculated margins, and homogeneous soft-tissue attenuation. The majority of cases were located in the anterior or superior mediastinum. Unusual locations included the pericardium, pulmonary hilum, and pulmonary parenchyma. Signal characteristics on MR images varied. CONCLUSION: The radiographic appearance of lymphangiomas in the chest in adult patients is varied. The diagnosis cannot be suggested on the basis of radiologic studies alone.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

CT of the lung: patterns of calcification and other high-attenuation abnormalities.

CT is the most sensitive radiologic method for the detection of differences in radiographic density in chest lesions. Areas of high attenuation (visually as opaque as bony structures) in an abnormality on CT scans can be an important clue to the correct diagnosis. The high attenuation is most often caused by calcification, but may also be due to iodine, barium, or radiopaque foreign bodies. This essay illustrates the patterns of high attenuation associated with chest diseases on unenhanced CT scans.

Amiodarone↗
PubMed1994

Atypical and unusual calcifications of the heart and great vessels: imaging findings.

Cardiovascular calcifications in the thorax may be clinically significant and may prove extremely valuable diagnostically. The typical appearance and location of common cardiovascular calcifications have been well described [1, 2]. We present a series of radiologic findings in patients with atypical and unusual cardiovascular calcifications in the thorax.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Semiquantitative and visual analysis of FDG-PET images in pulmonary abnormalities.

UNLABELLED: FDG PET images of the thorax can be analyzed semiquantitatively using standardized uptake ratios (SUR) or activity ratios between abnormal and normal tissue, or qualitatively by visual comparison of the abnormality to normal structures. Standardized uptake ratio evaluation of FDG PET images has been shown to accurately differentiate benign from malignant focal pulmonary abnormalities. The accuracy of activity ratios and visual analysis have not been evaluated. We therefore prospectively analyzed FDG PET images in patients with pulmonary abnormalities to evaluate differences in analytic schemes. METHODS: We evaluated 107 patients with an indeterminate focal abnormality on chest radiograph or CT with FDG PET between November 1991 and March 1993. The PET studies were evaluated using SUR, activity ratios and visual analysis. Activity ratios of maximum activity/cc and average activity/cc between regions of interest (ROIs) in abnormalities and normal lung on the contralateral side were calculated. Visual interpretations were graded on a five-point scale of two observers' confidence of malignancy. FDG uptake in the abnormality was also visually graded in comparison to mediastinal activity. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve areas were generated for the SUR data, activity ratios and visual analysis. RESULTS: Of 88 patients in which a conclusive diagnosis was made, 61 (69%) patients had malignancy and 27 (31%) patients had a benign process. SUR, maximum activity ratio, average activity ratio and visual interpretation ROC curve areas were 0.96, 0.95, 0.92 and 0.96, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: SUR, activity ratios and visual evaluation are each equally accurate methods of FDG PET data analysis in differentiating malignant from benign focal pulmonary abnormalities.

Deoxyglucose↗
PubMed1994

Positron emission tomography imaging of the thorax.

Positron emission tomography (PET) is just beginning to emerge as a clinically useful tool in the thorax. Imaging with FDG is used primarily to differentiate benign from malignant abnormalities, including solitary pulmonary nodules, staging bronchogenic carcinoma, and differentiating recurrent tumor from fibrosis following treatment. This article discusses the fundamental properties of PET images, techniques, and current clinical indications in the thorax.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Variable compensation chest radiography performed with a computed radiography system: design considerations and initial clinical experience.

The authors describe a variable compensation (VC) technique in which an x-ray equalizer and a computed radiography system are used. The VC technique allows retrospective alteration of equalized chest appearance with maintenance of improved signal-to-noise ratio in dense regions. Two imaging plates are used: one upstream of the patient to record the incident beam profile and one down-stream to record the equalized image. Subtraction of a weighted version of the upstream image from the down-stream image permits alteration of the appearance of the VC image, from the extremes of stimulated-unequalized to highly equalized. VC image appearance was optimized with a real-time workstation. The quality of VC images obtained in 33 patients was evaluated by three chest radiologists. Mediastinal appearance was better on VC equalized images than on conventional screen-film images. The stimulation of the appearance of a conventional radiograph with VC proved useful in interpretation of lung appearances on equalized radiographs.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Focal pulmonary abnormalities: evaluation with F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose PET scanning.

The authors assessed the role of positron emission tomography (PET) with fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) in differentiation of benign from malignant focal pulmonary abnormalities seen on chest radiographs. Fifty-one patients underwent FDG PET scanning. Focal abnormalities at radiography included solitary pulmonary nodules (n = 38), pulmonary masses (n = 5), and poorly marginated infiltrates or opacities (n = 8). Proof of diagnosis was obtained by means of transbronchial biopsy (n = 21), open lung biopsy (n = 14), percutaneous needle biopsy (n = 14), or cytologic evaluation of sputum (n = 1). A nodule in one patient had been radiographically stable for at least 8 years. Quantitative analysis was performed by calculation of a standardized uptake ratio (SUR). Thirty-three malignant lesions had a mean SUR (+/- 1 standard deviation) of 6.5 +/- 2.9. Eighteen benign lesions had a mean SUR of 1.7 +/- 1.2. For a benign lesion with SUR of 2.5 or less, specificity of FDG PET was 100%, while sensitivity was 89%. These results suggest that FDG PET is accurate in differentiation of benign from malignant focal pulmonary abnormalities.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Cardiopulmonary complications of pregnancy: radiographic findings.

Physiologic changes during pregnancy affect nearly every organ system. In the thorax, the diaphragm elevates as much as 4 cm because of displacement of the abdominal organs by the gravid uterus, resulting in lower lung volumes. Maternal blood volume and cardiac output increase approximately 45% by mid-pregnancy. Cardiac output can increase as much as 80% during vaginal delivery and up to 50% with cesarean section. These changes result in pulmonary vascular engorgement, progressive left ventricular dilatation, and mild hypertrophy (Fig. 1). Pregnant patients are also prone to a number of pulmonary insults, including infection, aspiration, and neoplastic disease. These abnormalities have several radiographic patterns: cardiogenic and noncardiogenic pulmonary edema, focal pulmonary abnormalities, and extraalveolar air. Radiologists must recognize not only the normal chest radiographic appearance in these patients but also the thoracic complications associated with pregnancy.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Identification of internal mammary lymph nodes: value of the frontal chest radiograph.

The article describes eight patients with enlarged internal mammary lymph nodes visualized on the frontal plain chest radiograph. Enlarged internal mammary lymph nodes cast shadows that initially may be mistaken for a mediastinal or pleural abnormality. Although the lateral film alone may suggest these nodes, the findings on the frontal film help lateralize the abnormality.

Female↗
PubMed1992

Pulmonary cryptococcosis.

Cryptococcus neoformans is a ubiquitous soil fungus that rarely causes pneumonia in normal hosts but is a common cause of opportunistic infection. Pulmonary disease is initiated by inhalation of the organism, and a spectrum of radiographic manifestations can be seen. The most common finding is a poorly marginated nodule or mass. Lobar or segmental parenchymal opacities and, less commonly, a diffuse scattered nodular or reticulonodular pattern have also been observed. Associated adenopathy, pleural effusions, and cavitation are uncommon; when present, these are more common in immunocompromised patients. Establishing the diagnosis can be difficult, but pulmonary cryptococcosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients in the proper clinical setting and with compatible radiographic findings.

Cryptococcosis↗
PubMed1992

Malignant pleural mesothelioma: value of CT and MR imaging in predicting resectability.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to determine if CT or MR imaging findings could be used to accurately predict resectability in patients with biopsy-proved malignant pleural mesotheliomas. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: CT and MR findings in 41 consecutive patients with malignant mesotheliomas who were referred to the thoracic surgery clinic for extrapleural pneumonectomy were studied by thoracic radiologists before surgery. Review of radiologic studies focused on local invasion of three separate regions: the diaphragm, chest wall, and mediastinum. Results of all imaging examinations were carefully correlated with intraoperative, gross, and microscopic pathologic findings. RESULTS: After radiologic and clinical evaluation, 34 patients (83%) had thoracotomy; 24 of these had tumors that were resectable. The sensitivity was high (> 90%) for both CT and MR in each region. Specificity, however, was low, probably because of the small number of patients with unresectable tumors. CONCLUSION: CT and MR provided similar information on resectability in most cases. Sensitivity was high for both procedures. Because CT is more widely available and used, we suggest it as the initial study when determining resectability. In difficult cases, important complementary anatomic information can be derived from MR images obtained before surgical intervention.

Asbestos↗