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Biomedical subjects

R D Pugatch

Publications and source records attributed to R D Pugatch.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

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↗

Primary mediastinal leiomyoma.

An elderly woman was seen with a left mediastinal mass in the region of the aortic arch on chest roentgenography. Further imaging with computed tomography, angiography, and magnetic resonance demonstrated a highly vascular neoplasm adjacent to the aortic arch. Pathological analysis of the resected specimen showed a leiomyoma. A brief review of the 10 previous reported cases of primary mediastinal leiomyoma is provided.

Aged↗

Small pulmonary nodules: dynamic CT with a single-breath technique.

Small pulmonary nodules can be difficult to examine with routine computed tomographic techniques, primarily because of inconsistent levels of inspiration on sequential scans. However, with the patient performing a breathing technique that involves three rapid maximal inspirations and expirations followed by a final maximal inspiration, an average of six images that cover a 12-mm section of lung can be obtained during a single breath. The technique has been used in 10 patients, with encouraging results.

Humans↗

Synchronous triple malignant tumors of the lung. A case report of bronchial carcinoid, small cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma of the right lung.

The authors report a case in which a highly unusual, simultaneous occurrence of a peripheral small cell carcinoma and a central bronchial carcinoid in the right upper lobe and a peripheral adenocarcinoma in the right middle lobe was observed. This is the fourth case of triple lung cancer reported in the literature. The role of computerized tomography in disclosing multiple lung carcinomas and the significance of the concurrence of pulmonary small cell carcinoma and bronchial carcinoid are discussed.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Radiology of the pleura.

Radiologic imaging of the pleura has undergone dramatic changes in the past 5 years. This can be primarily attributed to the availability and better understanding of computed tomography and, to a lesser extent, ultrasonography. When used in the proper clinical-radiologic environment, abnormalities of the pleural space can be quickly identified, localized, and often diagnosed in a rapid efficient manner.

Adult↗

Treatment of chronic pancreatitic pleural effusion by percutaneous catheter drainage of abdominal pseudocyst.

A 53-year-old man entered the hospital with a large, right chronic pancreatitic pleural effusion. Computed tomographic examination of the abdomen and chest demonstrated a pancreatic pseudocyst that had extended into the mediastinum. After conventional closed-chest tube thoracotomy drainage failed to empty the pleural space, percutaneous abdominal pseudocyst drainage was instituted using computed tomographic guidance. The pleural effusion cleared promptly, and the pancreatic pseudocyst resolved gradually over seven weeks. Following termination of pseudocyst drainage, the patient has remained well for over two years with no recurrence of pancreatitis, pseudocyst, or pleural effusion. In contrast, three earlier patients with a chronic pancreatitic effusion managed conventionally had a complicated hospital course and required surgical intervention; two had recurrent pancreatitis following hospital discharge. Percutaneous catheter placement was unsuccessful in one of these three and, in retrospect, was infeasible in the other two. It is recommended that thoracoabdominal computed tomography be performed in all patients with a chronic pancreatitic pleural effusion, and that percutaneous abdominal catheter drainage be attempted in all patients with an accessible pancreatic or mediastinal pseudocyst. Such treatment may relieve respiratory insufficiency, minimize the risk of empyema or fibrothorax, and may promote pseudocyst closure without the need for surgery.

Chronic Disease↗

Computed tomography of the lung, pleura, and chest wall.

Because of rapid technologic advances, clearly defined clinical indications, and widespread availability, computed tomography of the lungs, pleura, and chest wall has become increasingly important in the imaging and subsequent management of numerous thoracic disorders. This article describes the current indications, common findings, and potential controversies in CT of the lung, pleura, and chest wall.

Bronchi↗

Computed tomography. An effective technique for mediastinal staging in lung cancer.

Computed tomographic scans of the chest were utilized to stage mediastinal disease in 148 instances of bronchogenic carcinoma considered for resection in 146 patients. Nodes greater than or equal to 1.5 cm in diameter were interpreted as abnormal. All nodes positive by computed tomography were evaluated by mediastinoscopy, anterior mediastinotomy, or thoracotomy. All patients with negative computed tomographic findings underwent thoracotomy without prior surgical staging. Patients undergoing thoracotomy were divided into two groups. In Group I (first 51 instances) routine mediastinal exploration was not carried out; in Group II (last 97 instances) the mediastinum was explored in every patient and nodes were submitted for histopathological study. The computed tomographic and pathological findings on the mediastinal lymph nodes were compared. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of computed tomography in Group I were 88%, 94%, and 92%, respectively, in Group II 75%, 89%, and 86%, and in the combined group, 80%, 91%, and 88%. The positive predictive index in Group I, Group II, and in the combined group was 88%, 69%, and 77%, respectively. It was lower for central than peripheral lesions (74% versus 88%) and was lowest for lesions in the right upper and left lower lobes. The negative predictive index was greater than 90% for all groups and all tumor sites except the left upper lobe, where it was 89%. Ten patients had false-positive scans, three with old mediastinitis and seven with postobstructive pneumonia; nine of the 10 had central lesions, and seven of these lesions were located in the right upper lobe. Eight patients had false-negative scans; six had para-aortic, subaortic, or postsubcarinal nodes. These nodes would not have been accessible to mediastinoscopy. In only one patient with false-negative nodes would routine mediastinoscopy have prevented thoracotomy and resection. Computed tomographic staging of mediastinal disease is indicated for all patients with lung cancer in whom operation is contemplated. Computed tomography directs the most appropriate staging procedure for patients with positive findings and obviates invasive staging for patients with negative findings.

Adult↗

Obscure pulmonary masses: bronchial impaction revealed by CT.

Dilated bronchi impacted with mucus or tumor are recognized on standard chest radiographs because they are surrounded by aerated pulmonary parenchyma. When imaged in different projections, these lesions produce a variety of appearances that are generally familiar. This report characterizes less familiar computed tomographic (CT) findings in eight patients with pathologic bronchial distension of congenital, neoplastic, or infectious etiologies and correlates them with chest films. In seven patients, CT readily revealed dilated bronchi and/or regional lung hypodensity. In four of these cases, CT led to the initial suspicion of dilated bronchi. CT should be used early in the evaluation of atypical pulmonary mass lesions or to confirm suspected bronchial impaction because of the high probability it will reveal diagnostic features.

Adult↗

Occult mycetoma.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adult↗

Sagittal and coronal CT reconstruction for demonstration of subcarinal adenopathy.

Although standard sequential axial transverse images of the thorax obtained at 10 mm intervals are usually diagnostic for subcarinal lymph node enlargement, we have found reconstruction of the subcarinal area in both sagittal and coronal computed tomographic (CT) projections to provide a useful format for further defining important anatomic relationships. The normal CT anatomy of the subcarinal area is defined and contrasted with the appearance of adenopathy, esophageal cancer, and left atrial enlargement in various reconstructed formats. The clinical application of such imaging is useful in selected cases. Therefore, radiologists monitoring chest CT should perform appropriate reconstructions when indicated.

Cardiomegaly↗

CT diagnosis of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations.

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (AVM) are unusual congenital lesions that may cause respiratory disability. Two cases of AVMs were diagnosed utilizing contrast enhanced computed tomography (CT). The potential role of CT as compared to conventional angiography is discussed, and the characteristic CT appearance of these abnormalities is described.

Aged↗

Chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis: a discrete clinical entity.

We conclude that chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis is a clinical entity which has not usually been recognized as one of the forms of pulmonary disease due to Aspergillus species. Patients are middle-aged, and often have some evidence of impairment of host defenses such as diabetes mellitus, a connective tissue disorder, poor nutrition, chronic obstructive lung disease or low dose corticosteroid therapy. They are almost always symptomatic with fever and a productive cough, and their chest roentgenogram shows infiltrative and cavitary disease, typical of a chronic destructive lung process such as tuberculosis or anaerobic infection. Cavity formation is often accompanied by the development of a mycetoma. The disease is usually of 1 to 6 months duration but can be present for years prior to diagnosis. The diagnosis is suggested by the clinical course and the isolation of the fungus from pulmonary secretions; negative cultures for other pathogens and failure to respond to antibacterial or antimycobacterial therapy are characteristic. The diagnosis is confirmed by pathologic evidence of tissue invasion by the fungus or a response to specific antimycotic therapy. The symptomatic response to antifungal chemotherapy, at times combined with surgical drainage or resection, is favorable. However, roentgenographic resolution is not uniform, and many patients have residual cavitary disease. The long-term prognosis is uncertain.

Adolescent↗