Contribution of computer tomography to the diagnosis of bronchial carcinoids

The CT findings in 10 patients with carcinoid tumors of the lung (highly differentiated in 8 cases, undifferentiated in 2 cases) are reported. The tumors were located in the hilar region (n = 4), in the perihilar region (n = 3) and in the periphery of the lung (n = 3). Dystelectasis and atelectasis of the lung with poststenotic inflammation were found in 4 patients. Infiltrating tumor growth with lymph node metastases were detected only once; this tumor was not able to be differentiated from other malignant space occupying lesions. There were no reliable CT criteria for bronchial carcinoids. Compared to conventional radiography the CT examination has the following advantages: better demonstration of size and location of the tumor, and the exclusion of infiltrating tumor growth, enlarged lymph nodes and calcified lung nodules.     

Contribution of the CT scanner to the diagnosis of liposarcoma]

Analysis of the CT aspect and anatomopathologic correlation of 11 liposarcomas of the abdomen and chest enabled definition of CT criteria for diagnosis. Anatomo-radiologic correlation could be established both for well-defined and poorly-defined tumors. However, due to the uneasy localization and high recurrence rate of poorly defined tumors, the data provided by CT did not improve the prognostic rates.     

Contribution of MRI to ultrasound in the diagnosis of fetal anomalies

Purpose:

To evaluate the contribution of MRI to ultrasound (US) in the diagnosis of fetal anomalies.

Materials and Methods:

After informed consent and institutional review board approval, concomitant US and MR imaging were performed for 184 fetuses with suspected anomalies in university hospital. Postnatal final diagnoses were obtained for 183 anomalies in 151 fetuses either by radiological examination, surgery, autopsy, or inspection. The prenatal US and MR diagnoses were compared with respect to postnatal diagnoses. Sign test was used to determine the statistical significance.

Results:

Both ultrasound and MR imaging correctly diagnosed 93 (50%) cases and failed in 12 (7%) cases. Ultrasound was superior in 7 (4%) cases. MR imaging was superior in 71 (39%) cases (P < 0.001). MR contributed to the prenatal diagnosis by the confirmation of the suspected US diagnosis in 13%, by demonstration of additional findings in 31% and by changing the diagnosis in 56% of the cases. The contribution rates were 55% for the central nervous system (CNS) (P < 0.001), 44% for thorax (P = 0.016), 38% for gastrointestinal system (GIS) (P = 0.031) and 29% for genitourinary system (GUS) (P = 0.003) anomalies. In facial, cardiac and extremity‐skeletal system anomalies, there was not a significant contribution of MR imaging over US.

Conclusion:

MR imaging can be used as an adjunct to US in the prenatal diagnosis of fetal anomalies of not only the CNS but also the non‐CNS origin especially those involving the GIS, GUS and thorax. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;35:882–890. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Contribution of chest radiology to the diagnosis of HIV virus infection

After revising literature concerning Pneumocystis Carinii Pneumoniae (PCP), the authors undertook a close examination of the immunological system of the HIVab-positive patients that suffered opportunistic pneumopathy from PCP. Hundred-forty-three cases of HIVab-positive (mean age of 29), prevalently heroin drug-users, were studied. There were 13 AIDS, 26 ARC, 91 LAS cases and 13 patients with only Ab positivity for HIV. Four hundred chest radiographs were examined without previous knowledge of case histories. A small number of hilum and/or mediastinal lymphadenopathies was observed. Moreover, percentage increase in acute lung inflammatory diseases, mainly interstitial, was seen. These data were correlated to the worsening of the HIV infection and to the developing of LAS, ARC and AIDS. In a number of cases there was radiological evidence of progressed inflammatory episodes. The clinical pattern of PCP patients is dramatic and often fatal. Clinical-radiological cases with special reference to acute interstitial disease, caused by opportunistic agents, are presented.