Sarcoidosis: correlation of pulmonary parenchymal pattern at CT with results of pulmonary function tests

The appearances of the lungs on radiographs and computed tomographic (CT) scans were correlated with degree of uptake on gallium scans and results of pulmonary function tests (PFTs) in 27 patients with sarcoidosis. CT scans were evaluated both qualitatively and quantitatively. Patients were divided into five categories on the basis of the pattern of abnormality at CT: 1 = normal (n = 4); 2 = segmental air-space disease (n = 4); 3 = spherical (alveolar) masslike opacities (n = 4); 4 = multiple, discrete, small nodules (n = 6); and 5 = distortion of parenchymal structures (fibrotic end-stage sarcoidosis) (n = 9). The percentage of the volume judged to be abnormal (CT grade) was correlated with PFT results for each CT and radiographic category. CT grades were also correlated with gallium scanning results and percentage of lymphocytes recovered from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Patients in CT categories 1 and 2 had normal lung function, those in category 3 had mild functional impairment, and those in categories 4 and 5 showed moderate to severe dysfunction. The overall CT grade correlated well with PFT results expressed as a percentage of the predicted value. In five patients, CT scans showed extensive parenchymal disease not seen on radiographs. CT grades did not correlate with the results of gallium scanning or BAL lymphocytes. The authors conclude that patterns of parenchymal sarcoidosis seen at CT correlate with the PFT results and can be used to indicate respiratory impairment.     

Pulmonary disposition of gallium-67 in patients with Pneumocystis pneumonia: an analysis using bronchoalveolar lavage.

Gallium-67 localizes to the cellular fraction of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in patients with sarcoidosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, as well as normal subjects. To further study 67Ga disposition in BAL fluid, 11 patients with Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) and 8 patients with a variety of other lung diseases, underwent BAL 24 hr after 67Ga injection. Compared to the non-PCP patients, PCP patients had high uptake gallium scans at 24 and 72 hr, and showed significantly increased radioactivity in both unfractionated lavage and in the acellular, supernatant fraction of BAL. The mean ratio of total supernatant/cell pellet radioactivity was also higher in patients with PCP (1.23 +/- 0.27 versus 0.24 +/- 0.05, p less than 0.01). Supernatant radioactivity correlated with the presence of neutrophil alveolitis, but not with BAL transferrin concentrations. We conclude that neutrophil alveolitis in PCP promotes 67Ga accumulation in the acellular fraction of BAL fluid. However, the high uptake 67Ga scans observed in PCP patients without neutrophil alveolitis suggest that the mechanism of pulmonary uptake of 67Ga is not fully elucidated by BAL fluid analysis alone.     

Pulmonary sarcoidosis: atypical HRTC features and differential diagnostic problems

PURPOSE: The aim of this paper is to present atypical or unusual appearances of pulmonary sarcoidosis, assessed at HRCT, and to suggest some elements for the differential diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The HRCT scans of 31 patients were retrospectively reviewed. The final diagnosis of sarcoidosis was established on the basis of clinical and laboratory data alone in one patient, of clinical and laboratory data supported by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) findings in 14 patients, lung biopsy in 15, and liver biopsy in one patient. Fifteen patients presented with the main aspects of atypical manifestations. RESULTS: In the 15 patients who presented with less frequent or atypical manifestations of pulmonary sarcoidosis, the following patterns were identified: 2 cases of large opacities with ill-defined margins, 8 of peripheral "pseudo-plaque" opacities, 2 of punctuate lymph node calcifications, 8 of ground-glass opacities with fine reticulation, and 5 of isolated opacities with dimensions not consistent with the surrounding background, with or without cavitation. CONCLUSIONS: Besides the typical manifestations of pulmonary sarcoidosis, there may be several atypical or nonspecific presentations: it is not by chance that the literature often describes this disease as the "great masquerader". Mediastinal lymphadenopathies and perilymphatic, subpleural or peribronchovascular nodules represent the typical patterns of pulmonary sarcoidosis; interstitial streaks and bilateral para-hilar thickening are also frequently observed. The presence of peripheral "pseudo-plaque" opacities and of ground-glass opacities with fine reticulation is the key to a diagnosis of "atypical" sarcoidosis. Calcifications within hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes, 1 cm or larger in dimensions, with a focal rather than diffuse distribution, should raise a suspicion of sarcoidosis rather than tuberculosis. Upper lobe localisation is rather infrequent in bronchioloalveolar carcinoma. Not all that excavates is tuberculosis: therefore, a differential diagnosis with tuberculosis may prove difficult, and the two diseases may coexist. Pseudoalveolar pulmonary thickening that eventually resolves and disappears does not exclusively entail an inflammatory thickening.     

Pulmonary sarcoidosis. Correlation of expiratory high-resolution CT findings with inspiratory patterns and pulmonary function tests

Purpose: To assess the presence and extent of air trapping (AT) on chest high-resolution CT (HRCT) in sarcoidosis and to correlate such findings with patterns, lesion extent on inspiratory CT and pulmonary function tests (PFT).Material and Methods: Thirty patients with sarcoidosis underwent inspiratory and expiratory HRCT and PFT. HRCT images were evaluated for presence, distribution and AT extent as well as the predominant HRCT pattern and the extent of lesions at inspiration. Attenuation difference in the AT regions at expiration and at inspiration were calculated. The presence and extent of AT were correlated with PFT, extent of involvement and predominant inspiratory patterns.Results: AT was present in 25/30 patients with no lung zone predilection. AT was the only CT indication of pulmonary sarcoidosis in 3/30 patients who also had normal PFT. Attenuation difference between inspiration and expiration ranged from -40 HU to 106 HU. In 2 patients, a paradoxical decrease of lung attenuation was observed at expiration. A significant correlation was found between AT extent at expiration, with residual volume-total lung capacity ratio and residual volume.Conclusion: AT is an additional HRCT finding in sarcoidosis. AT may involve any lung zone, including costophrenic angles and may be the only CT feature of pulmonary sarcoidosis. Strong correlation is only found with PFT values that are specific for incomplete lung emptying at expiration.     

CT findings in "pseudoalveolar" sarcoidosis.

To determine the specific high resolution CT (HRCT) features for "pseudoalveolar" sarcoidosis, we reviewed HRCT of 10 patients with pathologically proven sarcoidosis. On HRCT the lesions of pseudoalveolar sarcoidosis were shown as homogeneous or inhomogeneous opacities 1-4 cm in diameter located either along the bronchovascular bundles or in the lung periphery adjacent to the pleural surface. The margin was irregular, and numerous nodules 1-2 mm in diameter were observed in the surrounding lung. Air bronchograms were observed in 6 patients. In addition to these lesions, other CT abnormalities such as nodules, groundglass opacities, thickened bronchovascular bundles, and interlobular septa were found in all 10 cases. Good response of pseudoalveolar sarcoid lesions to administration of corticosteroid was observed in all three cases in which follow-up CT was available.     

亚急性或慢性过敏性肺泡炎的高分辨率CT影像特征

目的：分析亚急性或慢性过敏性肺泡炎高分辨率 CT(HRCT)的影像特征，以期进一步提高其HRCT诊断的准确性。方法：21例亚急性或慢性过敏性肺泡炎患者行肺功能、支气管肺泡灌洗、经支气管镜肺活检、胸部X线平片和HRCT.结果：HRCT图像上16例表现出数量不等的边界模糊的小叶中心结节，13例可见磨玻璃样密度，4例有密度减低区，5例显示局限性的空气残留（airtrapping）并形成“马赛克”样灌注，2例出现散在的小叶中心性气肿、2例发生肺纤维化。结论；HRCT可以清晰显示过敏性肺泡炎病变的类型及分布。HRCT图像上表现为弥漫性边界模糊的小叶中心性结节或小叶中心结节与磨玻璃样祺及密度减低区同时存在时，应考虑亚急性或慢性过敏性肺泡炎的诊断。     

Assessment of diffuse infiltrative lung disease: comparison of conventional CT and high-resolution CT

The diagnostic accuracies of conventional computed tomography (CT) and high-resolution CT (HRCT) in examination of the entire lungs were compared prospectively, and the diagnostic utility of a limited number of HRCT sections in the evaluation of diffuse infiltrative lung disease (DILD) was determined in 150 consecutive patients. Conventional 10-mm CT sections were equivalent to 1.2-mm HRCT sections in the recognition of nodules, masses, nodular irregularities of the interfaces, large cystic air spaces, and architectural distortion. Conventional CT was superior to HRCT in the diagnosis of micronodules and infiltrates. However, 15% of micronodules were recognized only on HRCT images because of their small size and low density. Fine bronchial and parenchymal lesions were best seen on HRCT scans. HRCT was the only technique that allowed assessment of the presence of areas of ground-glass attenuation. HRCT improves visualization of small parenchymal structures and allows a confident evaluation of DILD, providing that the entire lungs are studied. Nevertheless, an optimal CT evaluation of micronodular patterns requires additional thick-section CT scans.     

广州管圆线虫病的胸部CT表现

目的 探讨广州管圆线虫病的胸部ＣＴ表现。方法 分析１２例经临床及血清学检查证实的广州管圆线虫病的胸部ＣＴ所见,所有病例均作胸部平扫,在病灶区增加层厚２ｍｍ、间隔２ｍｍ的薄层扫描。结果 １２例ＣＴ片上均显示有异常病灶。包括小结节病灶１０例,其中８例小结节周缘见磨玻璃样密度的“小结节月晕征”;小斑片磨玻璃样浸润灶例;外带部支气管血管束呈“Ｙ”形增粗３例。病灶具有两肺周边部散在分布的特点。结论 广州管圆     

Subclinical interstitial lung involvement in rheumatic diseases. Correlation of high resolution computerized tomography and functional and cytologic findings]

INTRODUCTION: Rheumatic diseases are frequently associated with interstitial lung disease. Since interstitial fibrosis is an irreversible process, understanding the mechanisms leading to fibrosis is necessary for the development of treatment strategies to prevent irreversible pulmonary damage. High-resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) is superior to chest radiography in assessing the presence and extent of parenchymal abnormalities in diffuse infiltrative lung diseases and provides a sensitive and noninvasive method of quantifying global disease extent. PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to quantify the severity and extent of subclinical interstitial lung disease as depicted on HRCT and to study the relationship between the patterns of lung disease quantified by HRCT and the functional parameters and bronchoalveolar lavage findings in patients with rheumatic diseases. PATIENTS: Eighty nonsmoking patients (24 patients with systemic sclerosis, 24 with primary Sj?gren's syndrome, 20 with rheumatoid arthritis and 7 with dermatopolymyositis) were examined. No patient had any signs or symptoms of pulmonary disease. RESULTS: Thirty-three of 80 patients (41.2%) had abnormal HRCT findings, namely isolated septal/subpleural lines, irregular pleural margins and ground-glass appearance. Chest X-ray showed parenchymal abnormalities in only 15 patients (18.7%) who had evidence of fibrosis on HRCT. Abnormal differential cell counts (alveolitis) at bronchoalveolar lavage were found in 46 of 80 patients (57.5%). Three types of alveolitis were observed: pure lymphocyte alveolitis, pure neutrophil alveolitis, and neutrophil alveolitis associated with lymphocytosis (mixed alveolitis). The patients with neutrophil alveolitis had more extensive disease on HRCT than those with lymphocyte alveolitis or with normal cellular patterns at bronchoalveolar lavage. The extent of a reticular pattern on HRCT correlated with the neutrophil rate (p = 0.001) and total count (p = 0.003) on bronchoalveolar lavage. Eosinophil and lymphocyte rate and total count correlated (p < 0.05) with the extent of the ground-glass pattern on HRCT. Lung volumes were not significantly different among patients with ground-glass pattern and those with reticular patterns on HRCT, while the diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the latter. CONCLUSIONS: HRCT is a sensitive tool in detecting interstitial lung disease in patients with rheumatic diseases with no signs and symptoms of pulmonary involvement. The relationship between the different HRCT patterns and bronchoalveolar lavage cell profiles can identify patients at higher risk of developing irreversible lung fibrosis. A long-term, prospective follow-up study is needed to determine whether these patients will develop over pulmonary disease.     

Aspergillus infection of the respiratory tract after lung transplantation: chest radiographic and CT findings

The objective of our study was to assess radiographic and CT findings in lung transplant patients with evidence of Aspergillus colonization or infection of the airways and correlate the findings with clinical, laboratory, bronchoalveolar lavage, biopsy and autopsy findings. The records of 189 patients who had undergone lung transplantation were retrospectively reviewed for evidence of Aspergillus colonization or infection of the airways. Aspergillus was demonstrated by culture or microscopy of sputum or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid or histologically from lung biopsies or postmortem studies in 44 patients (23 %). Notes and radiographs were available for analysis in 30 patients. In 12 of the 30 patients (40 %) chest radiographs remained normal. In 11 of 18 patients with abnormal radiographs pulmonary abnormalities were attributed to invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in the absence of other causes for pulmonary abnormalities (8 patients) or because of histological demonstration of IPA (3 patients). In these 11 patients initial radiographic abnormalities were focal areas of patchy consolidation (8 patients), ill-defined pulmonary nodules (2 patients) or a combination of both (1 patient). In some of the lesions cavitation was demonstrated subsequently. At CT a “halo” of decreased density was demonstrated in some of the nodules and lesion morphology and location were shown more precisely. Demonstration of Aspergillus from the respiratory tract after lung transplantation does not necessarily reflect IPA but may represent colonization of the airways or semi-invasive aspergillosis. The findings in patients with IPA did not differ from those described in the literature in other immunocompromised patients, suggesting that surgical disruption of lymphatic drainage and nervous supply or effects of preservation and transport of the transplant lung do not affect the radiographic appearances. Received 24 March 1997; Revision received 27 June 1997; Accepted 20 August 1997     

肺泡蛋白沉积症的X线与CT特征分析

目的:回顾性分析肺泡蛋白沉积症(PAP)的X线和CT表现及病理特征。方法:PAP患者13例，男8例。女5例。均有完整的临床、影像和病理资料。结果：X线平片呈非特异性弥漫分布的肺泡实变影或雾状阴影，CT呈“碎石路”样表现13例。伴有不规则实变2例，边缘部分清晰和直角征阳性者8例。病变呈弥漫性分布者8例、中央分布为主者3例、周围分布为主者2例。其他表现包括13例均可见少而细小的支气管充气征，8例于气管血管之间可见2～3个1cm大小的淋巴结影。结论：PAP是一种罕见的弥漫性肺实质病变，“碎石路”征是HRCT典型表现，明确诊断需依赖肺泡灌洗和开胸或经支气管镜透壁肺活检。     

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis: sensitivity of high-resolution CT in a population-based study.

OBJECTIVE. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis refers to a group of pulmonary disorders caused by inhalation of organic or inorganic particulates by sensitized persons. The diagnosis relies on a constellation of findings: exposure to an offending antigen, characteristic signs and symptoms, abnormal chest findings on physical examination, and abnormalities on pulmonary function tests and radiographic evaluation. In population-based studies, the sensitivity of chest radiography for detection of this disease is relatively low. The aim of this study was to determine the sensitivity of high-resolution CT (HRCT) for detection of hypersensitivity pneumonitis diagnosed in a population of swimming-pool employees. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. Thirty-one symptomatic employees of a recreation center who were referred because of possible hypersensitivity pneumonitis were examined by using chest radiography, HRCT, and fiberoptic bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage and transbronchial biopsy. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis was diagnosed in subjects who had two or more work-related signs or symptoms, abnormal results on transbronchial biopsies, and abnormal lymphocytosis as shown by examination of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. The chest radiographs and HRCT scans were interpreted by consensus by two observers who were unaware of the clinical diagnosis. RESULTS. Only one of 11 subjects with a diagnosis of hypersensitivity pneumonitis had abnormal findings on a chest radiograph. Five had abnormal HRCT findings. The abnormality in each case consisted of small, poorly defined centrilobular nodules with variable profusion. No subject without the disease had abnormal HRCT findings. Those who had granulomas shown by lung biopsy were more likely to have abnormal HRCT findings than were those who had more subtle histologic abnormalities. CONCLUSION. The sensitivity of HRCT for the detection of hypersensitivity pneumonitis in a population-based study is greater than that of chest radiography. The finding of poorly defined centrilobular nodules on HRCT scans should prompt consideration of this disease.     

肺癌性淋巴管播散的CT表现

分析肺癌性淋巴管播散的CT表现，讨论诊断与鉴别诊断以及CT检查对本病的诊断价值。材料和方法：分析问例肺癌性淋巴管播散的有关资料，原发灶12例是肺癌，正例原发灶不明。且11例有常规CT扫描，其中8例加作高分辨率CT（HRCT）扫描：另2例单作HRCT检查。结果：10例有支气管血管束增厚，大部分呈边缘不规则状。9例显现多为均匀的小叶间隔增厚。胸膜病变有叶间胸膜增厚（8例）、胸膜结节（3例）、胸水（4例）。心包积液4例。9例有胸内淋巴结肿大，其中7例累及肺门淋巴结。结论：常规CT加HRCT能清晰显示肺癌性淋巴管播散的影像学表现而有利于正确诊断。考虑到的鉴别诊断有胸部结节病、间质性肺水肿。     

肺泡蛋白沉积症的64层螺旋CT 影像表现

目的：探讨肺泡蛋白沉积症（pulmonary alveolar proteinosis ,PAP）的64层螺旋CT表现。方法本组患者均行64层螺旋C T扫描,其中7例行肺泡灌洗,1例行C T导引下经皮肺穿刺活检,1例行纤维支气管镜下肺活检,4例经胸腔镜或开胸肺活检均得到病理证实。结果 CT 表现为双肺弥漫性斑片状或片状磨玻璃影,边界清楚呈“地图样”改变,小叶间隔增厚交织呈“铺路石样”改变及实变区“空气支气管征”及模糊结节影。结论 PA P具有特征性的C T表现,即地图样分布、铺路石样改变的磨玻璃影。64层螺旋CT在PAP诊断上有重要临床价值。     

Respiratory bronchiolitis-associated interstitial lung disease: radiologic features with clinical and pathologic correlation.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this work was to describe the radiographic and CT findings in patients with respiratory bronchiolitis-associated interstitial lung disease (RB-ILD) and to correlate them with clinical, physiologic, and pathologic features. METHOD: RB-ILD was proved pathologically in all 21 patients. Sixteen (76%) patients were current smokers, and five (24%) patients were ex-smokers. The mean cigarette consumption was 38.7 pack-years. Chest radiographs and CT scans were semiquantitatively analyzed and correlated with clinical findings, physiologic measures, and a pathologic score of disease extent. RESULTS: The major radiographic findings were bronchial wall thickening in 16 patients (76%) and ground-glass opacity in 12 patients (57%). The predominant initial CT findings were central bronchial wall thickening (proximal to subsegmental bronchi) in 19 patients (90%), peripheral bronchial wall thickening (distal to subsegmental bronchi) in 18 patients (86%), centrilobular nodules in 15 patients (71%), and ground-glass opacity in 14 patients (67%), None of these CT findings had a significant zonal predominance. Other findings were upper lung predominant centrilobular emphysema (57%) and patchy areas of hypoattenuation (38%) with a lower lung predominance. Radiologic findings were similar in both current and ex-smokers. The amount of ground-glass opacity correlated inversely with arterial oxygen saturation ( r = -0.67, p = 0.04), and the areas of hypoattenuation correlated with alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient ( r = 0.56, p = 0.04). The extent of centrilobular nodules correlated with the extent of macrophages in respiratory bronchioles ( r = 0.53, p = 0.03) and with chronic inflammation of respiratory bronchioles ( r = 0.57, p = 0.02). The extent of ground-glass opacity correlated with the amount of macrophage accumulation in the alveoli and alveolar ducts ( r = 0.56, p < 0.01 and r = 0.54, p = 0.04, respectively). At follow-up CT after steroid treatment and smoking cessation, in nine patients, the extent of bronchial wall thickening, centrilobular nodules, and ground-glass opacity had decreased, but the areas of hypoattenuation had increased (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The CT findings of RB-ILD are centrilobular nodules, ground-glass opacity, and air trapping. These radiologic features, in patients with a history of heavy cigarette smoking, may differentiate RB-ILD from other interstitial lung diseases.     

Usual interstitial pneumonia: histologic correlation with high-resolution CT.

The authors reviewed 46 cases of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis with usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP), correlating findings on high-resolution computed tomographic (HRCT) scans with findings in specimens obtained at open lung biopsy and autopsy. The following HRCT findings were observed: (a) an accumulation of small cystic spaces with thick walls, (b) air bronchiolograms within areas of intense lung attenuation, (c) rugged pleural surfaces, (d) irregularly thickened pulmonary vessels, (e) bronchial wall thickening, and (f) slightly increased lung attenuation. Macroscopic honeycombing correlating with small cystic spaces was demonstrated at HRCT and pathologic examination. Air bronchiolograms in the areas of intense lung attenuation (ie, microscopic honeycombing) corresponded to dilated bronchioles (greater than 1 mm in diameter) with fibrosis. Irregularly thickened vessels and bronchial walls and irregular pleural surfaces were the result of fibrosis in the periphery of the secondary pulmonary lobules. Areas of slightly increased lung attenuation seen on the HRCT scans correlated with patchy alveolar septal fibrosis or inflammation. The authors conclude that microscopic honeycombing and a perilobular distribution in UIP may be clearly identified with HRCT.     

High resolution and spirometric synchronization computerized tomography in chronic obstructive bronchopneumopathy

PURPOSE: To assess the feasibility of spirometrically gated HRCT in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and to correlate the density measures with the results of pulmonary function tests. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Pulmonary function tests and spirometrically gated HRCT were performed, on the same day, in 20 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Spirometrically gated HRCT scans at 90 and 10% of the patient's vital capacity were acquired, at three anatomical levels (carena, carena plus 5 cm, carena minus 5 cm). In each section, lung parenchyma was isolated from the other thoracic structures and from the main bronchi and a densitometric evaluation was applied to the regions of interest. A histogram showing the distribution of the pixel frequencies versus lung densities, the mean CT number and the pixel index at -910 HU (for scans acquired at 10% of the patient's vital capacity) and at -950 HU (for scans obtained at 90% of the patient's vital capacity) were obtained. Average acquisition time for the spirometrically gated HRCt was 15-20 minutes, average data processing time was 20 minutes. RESULTS: The mean CT number and the pixel index at -910 HU obtained at 10% of the patient's vital capacity correlated with the Tiffeneau index (r = 0.85; R = 0.78 respectively). The pixel index at -910 HU correlated also with the ratio of residual volume to total lung capacity (r = 0.65). The mean CT number and the pixel index obtained at 90% of the vital capacity correlated with the lung diffusion of carbon monoxide (r = 0.64 and r = 0.79 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, we found good correlation between the densitometric values obtained with spirometrically gated HRCT and the respiratory function tests routinely employed to assess the presence and the gravity of obstructive pulmonary disease. A good reproducibility of the data is guaranteed by the spirometical gating which enables standardization of the lung acquisition volume, and by the semiautomatic contour tracing program combined with an automated densitometric evaluation. The main disadvantages of the technique are the relatively long acquisition and evaluation times. Spirometrically gated HRCT densitometry is a promising tool for longitudinal studies of diffuse lung disease (pulmonary emphysema and fibrosis).     

肺内2cm以下结节的HRCT诊断(附63例分析)

目的 :分析 2 .0cm以下肺内结节的HRCT表现。探讨提高早期肺癌的诊断正确率的征象 ,并与其他结节进行鉴别。方法 :行CT平扫检查 ,发现病灶后行HRCT连续扫描。结果 :6 3例均为单发结节 ,其中肺癌 4 7例 (占 74 .6 0 % ) ,结核 11例 ,炎性假瘤 3例 ,错构瘤 2例。结节与支气管关系的分类可分为五型 ,4 7例肺癌中Ⅲ、Ⅳ型表现者占 6 7% ,Ⅲ、Ⅳ型高度疑诊肺癌 (t =2 .4 6 9;P <0 .0 1)。普通平扫与HRCT相比征象确定率分别为 5 2 .38%和 87.2 0 %。结论 :HRCT在诊断肺内 2 .0cm以下结节上有较大优势 ,所见征象更真实、可靠 ,提高了早期肺癌诊断正确率 ,并可与其他结节作出较明确的鉴别诊断     

HRCT in miliary lung disease.

PURPOSE: To analyze high resolution CT (HRCT) features of a miliary pattern in different diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eight HRCT studies with a miliary lung pattern were retrospectively reviewed with the diagnoses tuberculosis (n=3), Candida albicans (n=1), sarcoidosis (n=3), and metastatic adenocarcinoma (n=1). RESULTS: In all cases, HRCT showed diffusely disseminated nodules up to 3 mm. In 2 cases of tuberculosis and 1 of sarcoidosis, the lesions predominated in the upper/middle lung zones. In the case of metastatic adenocarcinoma the nodules were more sparse in the lung periphery while in 1 case of sarcoidosis, HRCT revealed a predominance of the lesions in the outer third of the lungs. Cyst-like lesions of 12 mm were observed in 2/3 cases of tuberculosis and in metastatic adenocarcinoma. Notably thickened interlobular septa and interlobar fissures were each seen in 2/3 cases of sarcoidosis. In general, a random relationship of miliary nodules to secondary lobular structures and bronchovascular bundles was observed, despite the co-existence of centrilobular, subpleural and paraseptal nodules. CONCLUSION: HRCT features that potentially contribute in making a differential diagnosis are: a) A peripheral distribution of nodules, an increased number of thickened interlobular septae, and a notable thickening of interlobar fissures, all of which are indicative of sarcoidosis; and b) Multiple cyst-like lesions which should direct attention to tuberculous or metastatic origin. The predominance of miliary nodules in relation to cephalocaudal axis, their margin and size are not helpful features to the differential diagnosis of diseases presenting a miliary pattern.     

Assessing the activity of sarcoidosis: quantitative 67Ga-citrate imaging

Three different methods of quantitating 67Ga-citrate lung images--a visual index, a computer-assisted index, and the total-lung-to-background ratio--were compared in 71 studies of patients with biopsy-proven sarcoidosis. Fifty consecutive cases were analyzed independently by two different observers using all three methods. In 45 patients, both gallium lung scans and bronchoalveolar lavage were performed within 2 weeks. In these studies, each index was correlated with the cell differential in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. The total-lung-to-background ratio proved to be the simplest to perform; correlated best with the original visual index (r = 0.81, p less than 0.00001) and the percentage of lymphocytes obtained in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (r = 0.39, p less than 0.004); and showed the lowest interobserver variation. Sensitivity for detecting active disease was 84% compared with 64% and 58% for the visual and computer-assisted indices, respectively, with no sacrifice in specificity.