Do you really know precise radiologic–pathologic correlation of usual interstitial pneumonia?

Although usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) is the most common chronic interstitial pneumonia, understanding of pathologic backgrounds of CT findings has still not been enough. Since honeycombing on either scanning microgram or CT is essential for diagnosis of UIP in 2010 ATS-ERS-JRS-ALAT guide line, the role of radiologists has become much more important. We will summarize common and uncommon CT findings with radiologic–pathological correlation.     

Added value of prone CT in the assessment of honeycombing and classification of usual interstitial pneumonia pattern

ObjectiveTo retrospectively investigate whether prone CT improves identification of honeycombing and classification of UIP patterns in terms of interobserver agreement and accuracy using pathological results as a reference standard.Materials and methodsInstitutional review board approval with waiver of patients’ informed consent requirement was obtained. HRCTs of 86 patients with pathologically proven UIP, NSIP and chronic HP between January 2011 and April 2015 were evaluated by 8 observers. Observers were asked to review supine only set and supine and prone combined set and determine the presence of honeycombing and UIP classification (UIP, possible UIP, inconsistent with UIP). The diagnosis was regarded as correct when UIP pattern on CT corresponded to pathological UIP.ResultsInterobserver agreement of honeycombing identification among radiologists was only fair on the supine and combined set (weighted κ = 0.31 and 0.34). Additional review of prone images demonstrated a significant improvement in interobserver agreement (weighted κ) of UIP classification from 0.25 to 0.33. Prone CT conferred a significant improvement in interobserver agreement of UIP classification for trainee radiologists (from 0.10 to 0.34) while no improvement was found for board-certified radiologists (from 0.35 to 0.31). There were no significant differences in the accuracy of UIP pattern with reference to pathological results between the supine and combined set (78.8% (145/184) and 81.3% (179/220), P = 0.612).ConclusionAdditional review of prone CT can improve overall interobserver agreement of UIP classification among radiologists with variable experiences, particularly for less experienced radiologists, while no improvement was found in honeycombing identification.     

Foreign-body granuloma of the kidney: CT, MR and pathologic correlation

The differential diagnosis of renal masses containing fatty foci is limited to a small number of well-defined tumors, angiomyolipoma being the most frequent. In recent years clear cell carcinomas with intratumoral fatty foci have been reported, due to either entrapment of local fat or to regressive adipose metaplasia. Demonstration of focal calcifications is a valuable sign, being relatively common in carcinomas while rare in more benign lesions. We report a case of a foreign-body granuloma of the kidney, containing both calcifications and foci of fat. The value of this case, in our opinion, is that it demonstrates that detection of the previously mentioned features in a renal mass does not necessarily imply a presumptive diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma. Received: 11 June 1998; Revision received: 3 November 1998; Accepted: 23 November 1998     

Usual interstitial pneumonia and nonspecific interstitial pneumonia: correlation between CT findings at the site of biopsy with pathological diagnoses

Objectives

The aim of this study was to correlate high-resolution CT (HRCT) findings at the site of biopsy with the whole lung CT and pathologic diagnoses in usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) and nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP).

Methods

The study included 35 patients (25 UIP and 10 NSIP) diagnosed both pathologically and clinically. 81 surgical biopsy specimens (54 UIP, and 27 NSIP) and extracted areas corresponding to biopsy sites on HRCT were analyzed. CT interpretations were compared with pathological diagnoses in both extracted images and the whole lung. Concordant and discordant cases in multiple extracted images were divided and analyzed. Then the whole cases were categorized by including or not at least one UIP diagnosis of extracted images and evaluated.

Results

The diagnoses in extracted sites significantly correlated with pathological diagnoses (p = 0.047). There were significant differences in the concordances of extracted images compared with the diagnosis of whole lung and pathology (p = 0.008, 0.003, respectively). All 7 cases that were not concordant were diagnosed as radiological UIP with whole lung CT. The cases with at least one UIP diagnosis of extracted CT images were diagnosed as UIP in pathology more frequently (18 in 25) (p = 0.007).

Conclusions

Radiological UIP in whole CT had more frequently discordant diagnoses from multiple extracted images than NSIP. And there were more cases in pathological UIP that included at least one UIP diagnosis of extracted images compared with pathological NSIP.     

Parosteal lipoma of the rib. CT findings and pathologic correlation

Parosteal lipoma is a rare benign tumor composed of adipose tissue contiguous to the periosteum of the underlying bone. These tumors are slow-growing, nontender masses that affect, almost exclusively, the diaphysis of the long bones of the upper and lower limbs. We hereby describe the CT characteristics with the correlative pathological findings in a rare case of parosteal lipoma of the rib.     

CT diagnosis of strangulation in patients with small-bowel obstruction: current status and future direction

The pathophysiology of strangulating small bowel obstruction and the limitations of known CT criteria of strangulation are reviewed. The concept of coronal mapping of the course of the superior mesenteric vessels based on axial abdominal CT in order to aid the radiologic diagnosis of intestinal strangulation is introduced.     

球形肺炎的CT诊断

目的 探讨球形肺炎的cT征象，提高对本病的认识。方法 回顾性分析经临床证实的26例球形肺炎的CT资料。结果 病灶部位：两肺下叶背段及基底段18例，上叶后及尖后段5例，中叶内侧及上叶下舌段3例。主要CT表现：病灶呈方形、三角形18例，类圆形8例，均与胸膜接触；周边密度较低20例，其中呈晕圈征9例；边缘有模糊的粗、长毛刺或锯齿征19例；空气支气管征5例；病灶与肺门间有增粗的血管纹理相连21例；病变非胸膜侧见小片状模糊影16例；邻近胸膜广泛均匀性增厚26例；抗炎治疗后复查病灶吸收缩小26例。结论 病灶部位与CT征象对球型肺炎的诊断、鉴别诊断有很大的价值。     

肺腺癌的螺旋CT表现特征及其病理学基础

目的：探讨肺腺癌局部生长的螺旋CT表现特点与组织病理基础的基础关性。方法：34例手术病理证实的肺腺癌采用扫描。结合组织病理发现，观察和评价和评价在螺旋CT上肿瘤内部结构，密度分布、边缘特征及周围肺组织改变。结果：34例肺腺癌中，肿块密度均匀14例（41％），不均匀20例（59％），分叶片22例（65％），空泡征10例（29％），短毛刺16例（47％），支气管气相7例（21％），血管集束征16例（47％），胸膜凹陷征19例（56％），毛玻璃样（ground galass opacity,GGO)征7例（21％），GGO征病理上代表肿瘤细胞沿肺泡壁生长，同时残留含气肺泡组织。结论：肺腺癌的螺旋CT表现可反映肿瘤生长的组织病理学特征。     

Detectability of Various Sizes of Honeycombing Cysts in an Inflated and Fixed Lung Specimen: the Effect of CT Section Thickness

Objective

We wanted to clarify the relationship between the visibility of air cysts on CT images, the CT slice thickness and the size of the air cysts, with contact radiographs as the gold standard, for the accurate evaluation of honeycomb cysts.

Materials and Methods

An inflated and fixed autopsied lung having idiopathic interstitial pneumonia was evaluated. The corresponding air cysts were identified on the contact radiographs of a 0.5 mm-thick-section specimen and also on the CT images of three different kinds of section thickness: 0.5, 1.0 and 2.5 mm. The maximal diameters of the air cysts were measured under a stereomicroscope.

Results

A total of 341 air cysts were identified on the contact radiograph, and they were then evaluated. Sixty-six percent of air cysts 1 to 2 mm in diameter were detected by 0.5 mm slice thickness CT, while only 34% and 8% were detected by 1.0 and 2.5 mm slice thickness CT, respectively. Only 28% and 22% of air cysts less than 1 mm in diameter were detected by 0.5 and 1.0 mm slice thickness CT, respectively. CT with a 2.5 mm slice thickness could not demonstrate air cysts less than 1 mm in diameter.

Conclusion

The CT detection rate of honeycombing is significantly influenced both by the slice thickness and the size of the air cysts.     

Non-hodgkin lymphoma of the ureter: CT demonstration with pathologic correlation

A case of a 42-year-old man with non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the ureter is reported. Diffuse lymphomatous infiltration of the ureter occurs rarely and is an uncommon cause of ureteral obstruction. Imaging-pathologic correlation is presented with CT images and autopsy specimens.     

Cortical region of interest definition on SPECT brain images using X-ray CT registration

Summary We present a method for brain single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) analysis based on individual registration of anatomical (CT) and functional (¹³³Xe regional cerebral blood flow) images and on the definition of three-dimensional functional regions of interest. Registration of CT and SPECT is performed through adjustment of CT-defined cortex limits to the SPECT image. Regions are defined by sectioning a cortical ribbon on the CT images, copied over the SPECT images and pooled through slices to give 3D cortical regions of interest. The proposed method shows good intra- and interobserver reproducibility (regional intraclass correlation coefficient 0.98), and good accuracy in terms of repositioning (3.5 mm) as compared to the SPECT image resolution (14 mm). The method should be particularly useful for analysing SPECT studies when variations in brain anatomy (normal or abnormal) must be accounted for.     

CT and MR imaging findings of xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis: correlation with pathologic findings

The aim of this study was to evaluate CT and MRI findings in xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (XGC) and to correlate the imaging findings with various pathologic parameters. The study included 13 patients with histopathologically confirmed XGC. The CT (n=13) and MRI (n=5) obtained in these patients were evaluated retrospectively. On CT, low-attenuation areas in the wall of XGC correlated with foam and inflammatory cells or necrosis and/or abscess in XGC. Areas of iso- to slightly high signal intensity on T2-weighted images, showing slight enhancement at early phase and strong enhancement at last phase on dynamic study, corresponded with areas of abundant xanthogranulomas. Areas with very high signal intensity on T2-weighted images without enhancement corresponded with necrosis and/or abscesses. Luminal surface enhancement (LSE) of gallbladder wall represented preservation of the epithelial layer. The early-enhanced areas of the liver bed on dynamic CT and MR images corresponded with accumulation of inflammatory cells and abundant fibrosis. Our results indicate that CT and MRI findings correlate well with the histopathologic findings of XGC.     

Small peripheral carcinomas of the lung: thin-section CT and pathologic correlation

The aim of this study was to clarify the thin-section CT features of small peripheral carcinomas of the lung on the basis of pathologic findings of tumor growth patterns. Thin-section CT and pathologic correlation was evaluated in 19 patients with surgically verified small peripheral carcinomas of the lung ( < 20 mm in size) that had been detected in a screening trial for lung cancer using spiral CT. Four thin-section CT types of nodules were observed: (a) type L1 (4 of 19, 21 %), a fairly well-defined nodule with ground-glass attenuation, corresponding to tumor lepidic growth without alveolar collapse; (b) type L2 (4 of 19, 21 %), a partly lobulated nodule with a low but inhomogeneous attenuation, corresponding to tumor lepidic growth with scattered foci of alveolar collapse; (c) type L3 (4 of 19, 21 %), an ill-defined nodule with an irregularly shaped higher-density central zone in a ground-glass attenuation peripheral zone, accompanied by convergence of the bronchovascular structures from the surrounding lung parenchyma, which corresponded to desmoplastic response in the central zone and to tumor lepidic growth in the peripheral zone; and (d) type H (7 of 19, 37 %), a well-defined nodule with a solid homogeneous attenuation, corresponding to tumor hilic growth. Thin-section CT features of small peripheral carcinomas of the lung can be classified into four types, based on the density distribution of the tumor, which reflect the histologic findings. Received: 4 September 1998; Revised: 25 November 1998; Accepted: 17 March 1999     

Herpes-Simplex-Virus 1 pneumonia in the immunocompromised host: high-resolution CT patterns in correlation to outcome and follow-up

Objective

To identify the high-resolution CT (HRCT) patterns of Herpes-Simplex-Virus 1 (HSV) pneumonia in immunocompromised patients and correlate findings to outcome and radiographic follow-up until death or complete resolution of findings.

Patients and methods

HRCT data-sets and plain radiographic follow-ups were reviewed in 25 immunocompromised patients with confirmation of new onset HSV-1 pneumonia. Pattern and distribution of abnormalities was assessed by two chest radiologists and findings evaluated regarding outcome and dynamics.

Results

The most frequent CT abnormalities included ground-glass attenuation (n = 18; 72%) in a bilateral, symmetric and random distribution, air-space consolidations (n = 13; 52%) in a bilateral, asymmetric and peribronchial allocation and interlobular septal thickening (n = 6; 24%).When classified by leading HRCT pattern, patients subdivided into distinct groups with either dominant ground-glass attenuation or air-space consolidation. Six patients died after a median 8 days of diagnosis; the median interval until complete radiographic remission of pathology was 20 days. Pre-dominance of air-space consolidations was associated with significant delay of improvement (p = 0.023); however, patient outcome was comparable in both subgroups (p = 0.9).

Conclusion

Diagnosis of HSV pneumonia is challenging and requires familiarity with two distinct HRCT patterns: predominance of ground-glass opacities or air-space consolidations. Whilst the two forms are not linked to patient outcome they demonstrate a variable dynamic at follow-up.     

Renal cell carcinoma of clear type: correlation of CT features with tumor size, architectural patterns, and pathologic staging

The purpose of this study was to report the CT findings of renal cell carcinoma of clear type (RCCCT) and to determine if there are characteristic morphologic features in RCCCT with respect to tumor size, architectural patterns, and pathologic stage. The CT scans of 35 patients with RCCCT were reviewed retrospectively. The CT findings (tumor size, attenuation patterns, presence of calcifications, encapsulation, margins of neoplasms, venous involvement by neoplasms) were correlated with tumor size, architectural patterns, and pathologic staging. Of the 35 neoplasms, 28 (80 %) were solid, 4 (11 %) were papillary, and 3 (9 %) were cystic. Complete encapsulation was more frequent in lower pathologic stages (40 % in stages 1 and 2 vs 0 % in stages 3 and 4; p < 0.05). Venous involvement was less frequent with completely encapsulated neoplasms (0 of 10, 0 %) than with incompletely or nonencapsulated neoplasms (8 of 25, 32 %; p < 0.05). Encapsulated RCCCT are more likely to have lower pathologic stage. Nonencapsulated neoplasms are more likely to have a higher pathologic stage. Received 19 February 1996; Revision received 21 May 1996; Accepted 4 June 1996     

肺炎型肺癌的CT诊断与鉴别诊断

 目的 分析肺炎型肺癌的CT表现,并探讨需要与肺炎型肺癌鉴别的相关疾病。方法 回顾性分析17例经皮穿刺活检、纤维支气管镜、痰脱落细胞学检查及手术证实的肺炎型肺癌的CT表现。结果 17例肺炎型肺癌中腺癌14例,腺鳞癌2例,细支气管肺泡癌1例。CT表现包括磨玻璃密度13例,小结节影15例,实变影17例,支气管充气征16例,枯枝征14例,血管造影征12例,胸膜牵拉增厚或叶间裂膨隆16例,空泡征13例,蜂窝征5例,铺路石征9例,肺门和(或)纵隔淋巴结大13例,骨质破坏4例,胸腔积液11例。12例CT增强扫描的患者中7例呈明显强化(CT值增加大于30 Hu),5例呈轻度强化。结论 当CT表现有磨玻璃征、多发结节、枯枝征、空泡及蜂窝征、铺路石征、临近纵隔胸膜增厚,增强后实变区较明显强化和轻度强化并见血管造影征,呈外周分布,结合临床有刺激性咳嗽、咳大量白色黏液痰、痰中带血,以及肿瘤标志物升高时,高度提示肺炎型肺癌。     

病理性肾损伤的影像学诊断及评价

目的:分析病理性肾损伤的影像学表现特征,评价CT和MRI对病理性肾损伤及其病因的诊断价值。方法:回顾性分析9例病理性肾损伤的临床资料及影像学表现,9例均有不同程度的外伤史,全部经CT检查(7/9增强),5例经MRI检查(4/5增强)。结果:病理性肾损伤的病因中,血管平滑肌脂肪瘤3例,肾癌2例,黄色肉芽肿性肾盂肾炎、多发肾囊肿、神经源性膀胱炎伴肾积水、先天性肾盂输尿管连接部狭窄伴肾积水各1例。8例经手术病理证实,1例经临床既往病史证实。CT和MRI检查均清楚显示原发病变及损伤表现。结论:CT和MRI检查对病理性肾损伤的价值显著,但对病因的定性诊断有局限性。     

细菌性、病毒性及支原体肺炎的高分辨率CT征象分析与鉴别

 目的 分析细菌性肺炎、病毒性肺炎及支原体肺炎的高分辨率CT征象特征及鉴别要点。方法 对192例经病原学证实的单一病原体肺炎患者的高分辨率CT影像学资料进行回顾性分析。根据病原学将其分为细菌性肺炎组(n=84,43.8%)、病毒性肺炎组(n=58,30.2%)和支原体肺炎组(n=50,26.4%),对三组肺炎的临床资料、病变部位和CT征象进行比较。结果 细菌性肺炎的白细胞计数、C反应蛋白和降钙素原均显著高于病毒性和支原体肺炎(P＜0.05);支原体肺炎白细胞计数高于病毒性肺炎(P＜0.05);在病变分布上,病毒性肺炎多呈多肺叶(40/58,69%,P＜0.05)和肺外周分布(39/58,67.2%,P＜0.05);支原体肺炎多呈多肺叶(28/50,56%,P＜0.05)和肺下叶分布(31/50,62%,P＜0.05)。在CT征象上,细菌性肺炎肺实变(48/84,57.1%,P＜0.05)和含气支气管征(41/84,48.8%,P＜0.05)多见;在磨玻璃影和碎石征方面,病毒性肺炎(分别为30/58,51.7%和26/58,44.8%)和支原体肺炎(分别为31/50,62%和19/50,38%)无统计学差异(P＞0.05),但两者上述征象均较细菌性肺炎多见(P＜0.05);另外,病毒性肺炎间质增厚多见(32/58,55.2%,P＜0.05);支原体肺炎支气管壁增厚多见(29/50,58%,P＜0.05)。结论 细菌性肺炎主要表现为片状实变影常伴含气支气管征,病毒性肺炎主要表现为多叶外周性分布的磨玻璃影伴碎石征及间质增厚,支原体肺炎主要表现为双下肺分布为主的间质性炎性反应伴细支气管壁增厚。     

Exogenous lipoid pneumonia: HRCT, MR, and pathologic findings

The objective of this study was to describe high-resolution CT (HRCT) and MR findings of exogenous lipoid pneumonia and to correlate them with pathologic findings. A retrospective review of the medical records of our institution revealed seven patients with a diagnosis of lipoid pneumonia based on clinical data, chest films, bronchoalveolar lavage, and follow-up. Both HRCT and MR imaging were reviewed by two readers. Pathologic examination of the resected specimen or surgical biopsies were also reviewed in the four available cases. The HRCT findings were pulmonary consolidations (n = 6) with fatty (n = 3) or unspecific but low attenuation values (n = 3), areas of ground-glass opacities (n = 5), septal lines, and centrilobular interstitial thickening (n = 5). In five of the seven cases, a crazy-paving pattern of various spread was also present, either isolated (n = 1) or surrounding a pulmonary consolidation. In two cases traction bronchiectasis and cystic changes consistent with fibrosis were seen. At MR imaging (n = 2) a pulmonary consolidation of high signal intensity on T1-weighted image consistent with lipid content was present in one case. Pathologic examination (n = 4) showed the coexistence of lobules with lesions of various ages, sometimes in contiguous lobules, within the same patient. Recent lesions were those with alveolar fill-in by spumous macrophages and almost normal alveolar walls and septae. In more advanced lesions, lobules were filled in with larger vacuoles often surrounded by inflammatory infiltrates of alveolar walls, bronchiolar walls, and septa. The oldest lesions were characterized by fibrosis and parenchymal distortion around large lipid-containing vacuoles. The HRCT findings reflect pathologic findings in exogenous lipoid pneumonia. Although non-specific, consolidation areas of low attenuation values and crazy-paving pattern are frequently associated in exogenous lipoid pneumonia and are indicative of the diagnosis. Received: 24 July 1998; Revision received: 30 December 1998; Accepted: 1 February 1999     

Intraductal papillary mucinous tumors of the pancreas: spectrum of CT and MR findings with pathologic correlation

The reports of intraductal papillary mucinous tumors (IPMT) of the pancreas are increasingly more frequent in the literature. The diagnosis by means of cross-sectional imaging of these tumors is not easy, especially in the early stages, when they can mimic an inflammatory disease of the pancreas. Prompt identification of the disease is nevertheless extremely important, especially in the case of tumors originating from the collateral branches, since its recognition can modify the management of the patient, in some cases obviating recourse to surgery.