Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome: high-resolution CT findings in one patient

Physical examination demonstrated petechiae, leg oedema and mild dyspnoea. Chest radiograph showed minimal bilateral hazy increased opacification, mainly on the right side, and small bilateral pleural effusions. High-resolution CT demonstrated extensive bilateral ground-glass opacities most severe in the middle and lower lung zones. Also noted were a few slightly thickened interlobular septa, a few poorly defined small nodules, bronchial wall thickening and small bilateral pleural effusions. Blood tests revealed high leukocyte and low platelet counts. Renal function was normal. Serological test (ELISA) for hantavirus using SNV (Sin Nombre virus) antigen was positive. The patient received supportive treatment, gradually improved, and was discharged 10 days after hospital admission. His symptoms completely resolved and follow-up radiographs returned to normal.     

Killian-Jamieson diverticula: radiographic findings in 16 patients.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to reassess the findings of Killian-Jamieson diverticula (i.e., proximal lateral cervical diverticula) on pharyngoesophagograms and to compare the prevalence, clinical findings, and radiographic findings of Killian-Jamieson diverticula with those of Zenker's diverticulum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A computerized search of radiology files revealed 16 patients with Killian-Jamieson diverticula and 26 patients with a Zenker's diverticulum. The double-contrast pharyngoesophagograms and medical records were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Only three (19%) of 16 patients with Killian-Jamieson diverticula had symptoms attributable to the diverticula (suprasternal dysphagia in two and cough in one), and none had aspiration pneumonia. In contrast, 16 (62%) of 26 patients with a Zenker's diverticulum had suprasternal dysphagia and three patients (12%) had aspiration pneumonia. Twenty Killian-Jamieson diverticula were detected on pharyngoesophagograms in 16 patients, including 12 (75%) with unilateral left-sided diverticula and four (25%) with bilateral diverticula. The Killian-Jamieson diverticula had an average maximal dimension of 1.4 cm. Zenker's diverticulum was nearly four times as common as Killian-Jamieson diverticula and had an average maximal dimension of 2.5 cm. Three patients (11%) with a Zenker's diverticulum had reflux of barium from the diverticula into the hypopharynx with overflow aspiration. Finally, gastroesophageal reflux was detected in nearly twice as many patients with a Zenker's diverticulum as with Killian-Jamieson diverticula. CONCLUSION: Killian-Jamieson diverticula are less common and smaller than Zenker's diverticulum. Killian-Jamieson diverticula are less likely to cause symptoms and are less likely to be associated with overflow aspiration or gastroesophageal reflux than is Zenker's diverticulum.     

Radiographic findings in 20 patients with Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome correlated with clinical outcome.

OBJECTIVE: Hantavirus is a rare rodent-borne pathogen responsible for the Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. The objective of this study was to review the clinical and radiographic findings of patients presenting with Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in northern Alberta, Canada. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the cases of 20 patients who presented with Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome from 1989 to 1999. RESULTS: Two patterns of presentation were identified. One group (13/20 patients) presented with fulminant clinical and radiographic findings and required intensive care support. Six (46%) of the 13 died within a few days of presentation. Some presented in respiratory failure with bilateral parenchymal infiltrates or a rapid progression from mild bilateral interstitial changes to bilateral interstitial and alveolar infiltrates with pleural effusions. The radiographic findings paralleled these clinical symptoms. The second group (7/20) consisted of patients whose clinical course was more limited, as were their corresponding radiographic findings. These patients had a limited hospital stay, and only minimal changes were identified on radiographs. None of the second group of patients died. CONCLUSION: Clearly, in our study, the patients with Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome presented as two groups: those with the fulminant form of the illness and those with the limited type. Of the patients we studied, the group with the fulminant form presented with severe clinical symptoms and radiographic signs of pulmonary disease and had a 46% mortality rate. The group with the limited form presented with mild clinical symptoms and minimal radiographic changes and had no mortalities.     

Epidermolysis bullosa: radiographic findings in 16 cases

Epidermolysis bullosa is a group of dermatologic disorders with varied inheritance patterns having the common manifestation of blister or bulla formation after minor trauma. Sixteen patients with the disease had the following radiographic manifestations: esophageal stricture (16), fecal impaction (six), vaginal stenosis (one), epithelial bridging and fusion of the digits (six), and aspiration changes in the lungs (two). Esophageal strictures involved the pharynx or cervical esophagus in eight cases and were multiple in five; they ranged in length from 2 mm to 15 cm and tended to progress over time. The findings of esophageal stricture, particularly when multiple and involving the proximal esophagus, and/or the presence of distal phalangeal atrophy with soft-tissue webbing suggest the diagnosis of epidermolysis bullosa.     

Unusual radiographic findings in adult pulmonary tuberculosis

To determine the frequency of unusual chest radiographic findings in adults (older than 15 years) with pulmonary tuberculosis, charts and radiographs of 270 consecutive cases seen in a 12 month period were reviewed. Radiographic findings not typical of primary or postprimary disease (reinfection) were arbitrarily classified as unusual. The incidence of such findings (8%) was considerably lower than in several recent reports (25%, 29%). Likewise, the incidence of lower lobe tuberculosis in diabetics in this population (8.3%) was lower than in a report by Weaver (20%), and the finding of air-fluid levels in patients with cavitary disease (9%) was lower than a report by Cohen (22%). Possible explanations for these discrepancies were reviewed, including: (1) demographic characteristics, (2) the patient selection process, (3) the arbitrary nature of any system of classification of "unusual" findings, and (4) the change in the epidemiology of the disease as a result of chemotherapy and organized eradication programs. Of these, the patient selection process is probably the most significant factor in the discrepancy between the incidence of unusual findings in this series compared with those reported by others.     

AIDS-related cholangitis: radiographic findings in nine patients

Acalculous inflammation of the biliary tract is a recently reported complication of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). In a 33-month period, nine men with AIDS were evaluated because of right upper quadrant and/or epigastric pain, jaundice, or abnormal liver function test results. Each patient underwent ultrasonography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography; seven also underwent computed tomography. In eight of nine patients the imaging studies disclosed intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile duct changes identical to those seen in sclerosing cholangitis (strictures, focal dilatation, thickened duct walls). Isolated papillary stenosis and ductal dilatation were present in one patient, while eight patients had some stricturing of the distal common duct. The combination of papillary stenosis and intrahepatic ductal strictures appears unique to AIDS-related cholangitis. Endoscopic papillotomy provided variable relief to symptoms and biochemical abnormalities. Cholangitis caused by cytomegalovirus and/or Cryptosporidium infection is the proposed pathophysiologic mechanism.     

Erdheim-Chester disease: radiographic findings in five patients

We present the case histories of five patients with Erdheim-Chester disease, a rare lipoidosis that has several typical radiographic features. In all the patients, the diaphyses and metaphyses of the extremities demonstrated a symmetric pattern of diffuse or patchy increased density, a coarsened trabecular pattern, medullary sclerosis, and cortical thickening. The epiphyses were spared in four patients and partially involved in one. The axial skeleton was involved in one patient. Radiotracer ^99mTc accumulated in areas of radiographic abnormalities in all patients. In one patient, MRI demonstrated an abnormal signal, corresponding to radiographic abnormalities. The signal was hypointense to muscle on T1-weighted sequences and heterogeneously hyperintense and hypointense to normal bone marrow on T2-weighted sequences. Xanthogranulomatous lesions infiltrated the retroperitoneum in one patient, the testes in one patient, the eyelids in one patient, and the orbits in two patients.     

Pulmonary cholesterol granulomas in patients with pulmonary artery hypertension: chest radiographic and CT findings

OBJECTIVE: We describe the chest radiographic and CT findings of pulmonary cholesterol granulomas in patients with pulmonary artery hypertension. CONCLUSION: Histopathologic evidence of cholesterol granulomas was found in five (25%) of 20 patients with severe pulmonary hypertension. In three of these five patients, the granulomas manifested on chest radiographs and CT as small centrilobular nodules mimicking the appearance of sarcoidosis, bronchiolitis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, or aspiration.     

Diffuse pulmonary alveolar hemorrhage after bone marrow transplantation: radiographic findings in 39 patients.

Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage is a life-threatening complication after bone marrow transplantation. We investigated the radiographic abnormalities that occurred in 39 transplantation patients with a diagnosis of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage and correlated the findings with the patients' clinical course. The initial radiographic abnormalities after diffuse alveolar hemorrhage developed an average of 11 days after bone marrow transplantation, and the radiographic abnormalities preceded the clinical diagnosis by an average of 3 days. Twenty-seven patients initially had bilateral radiographic abnormalities; 10 initially had unilateral abnormalities (seven in the right lung, three in the left lung). Two patients had normal chest radiographs throughout their clinical course. All 37 patients with radiographic abnormalities had abnormalities involving the central portion of the lung, primarily the middle and lower lung zones. The initial radiographic pattern was interstitial in 27 and alveolar in 10. In 24 patients, radiographic abnormalities were initially judged to be mild; three were severe from the onset. Radiographic abnormalities rapidly worsened in most patients over 6 days. In 30 patients, diffuse bilateral radiographic abnormalities involving all lung zones developed. Eleven patients persisted in having only interstitial radiographic abnormalities; 26 had a confluent alveolar pattern. At the height of radiographic abnormalities, 27 cases were judged to be severe, and only one case was judged to be mild. The mortality rate in patients with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage was 77%. The radiographic abnormalities of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage are nonspecific and usually precede the clinical diagnosis. The clinical course after hemorrhage is short, often resulting in death.     

Severe acute respiratory syndrome: prognostic implications of chest radiographic findings in 52 patients

PURPOSE: To retrospectively assess prognostic implications of radiographic findings in severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Radiographic findings were reviewed by two radiologists for 52 patients with SARS. On each radiograph, each lung was separated into upper, middle, and lower zones. A four-point scale was used to score extent of SARS-related lesions in each zone; points from all zones were added for a cumulative score. Patient sex, age, comorbidities, duration of developing lesions, lesion score for each radiograph, need for mechanical ventilation, and percentage of lung affected were compared between patients who died (n = 20) and survivors (n = 32). Continuous and categorical variables were analyzed with Mann-Whitney test and Fisher exact or chi(2) test, respectively. RESULTS: Survival and mortality groups showed no significant differences with respect to patient sex, duration of SARS-related lesions, development of lesion shifting, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Patients who died were significantly older (mean +/- standard deviation, 56.9 years +/- 17.2 vs 40.4 years +/- 16.6; P =.002) and had higher frequency of comorbid lung illnesses (nine of 20 vs two of 32, P =.001), maximal lesion extent score of 7 or higher (20 of 20 vs five of 32, P <.001), involvement of four or more lung zones (17 of 20 vs four of 32, P <.001), bilateral lung involvement (19 of 20 vs 14 of 32, P <.001), need for mechanical ventilation (18 of 20 vs two of 32, P <.001), and higher percentage of affected areas (41.5% +/- 8.6 vs 16.4% +/- 10.0, P <.001) than those of survivors. CONCLUSION: On chest radiographs, maximal SARS-related lesion extent score of 7 or higher is a strong predictor of mortality, especially in patients with comorbid lung illnesses and involvement of four or more lung zones.     

肺内淋巴瘤的影像诊断

目的 研究肺淋巴瘤和肺假性淋巴瘤影像表现及诊断价值。方法 8例肺淋巴瘤均行X线胸片、腹部B超或CT检查,其中6例行胸部CT、2例行气管分叉体层和肺内病灶体层检查;2例肺假性淋巴瘤均X线胸片、气管分叉体层及肺内病灶体层检查。均经病理证实。结果 8例肺淋巴瘤均表现为单发或多发肺结节、肿块,7例病灶边缘呈棉絮状或周围呈磨玻璃样,2例灶内可见支气管气像,1例可见空洞。2例合并有双肺多发斑片,2例合并双肺细网状结构或磨玻璃样变,1例合并双肺多发粟粒结节。2例肺假性淋巴瘤表现为含支气管气像的双肺多发大片浸润实变,无纵膈、肺门淋巴结肿大。结论 肺淋巴瘤影像表现多样,结节或肿块型的病灶边缘棉絮状或其周围呈磨玻璃样,多合并肺内斑片、肺间质变。但最终诊断依靠病理。     

Severe acute respiratory syndrome: radiographic and CT findings

OBJECTIVE: We review the radiographic and CT findings in the lungs of 12 patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in an effort to describe the most common radiologic findings for this disease. CONCLUSION: The most common radiographic findings of SARS patients at presentation are unilateral or bilateral ground-glass opacities or focal unilateral or bilateral areas of consolidation. In hospitalized SARS patients, the abnormalities tend to progress to bilateral air-space consolidation. CT may reveal parenchymal disease in patients whose radiographs show normal results.     

Pharyngeal retention cysts: radiographic findings in seven patients

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to better characterize the radiographic features of pharyngeal retention cysts on double-contrast pharyngograms. CONCLUSION: Pharyngeal retention cysts typically involve the valleculae, appearing on double-contrast pharyngograms as small, round or ovoid, well-circumscribed, smooth-surfaced submucosal masses that are best visualized on frontal views of the pharynx. Such features should be highly suggestive of benign retention cysts, obviating further diagnostic workup in asymptomatic patients. When the cysts are lobulated or completely obliterate the valleculae, however, further evaluation by otolaryngologic examination may be required to rule out malignant tumor in the pharynx.     

Portal hypertensive gastropathy: radiographic findings in eight patients

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to determine the findings of portal hypertensive gastropathy on barium studies in eight patients and whether there are useful radiographic criteria for diagnosing this condition. CONCLUSION: Our experience suggests that portal hypertensive gastropathy may manifest on barium studies as thickened nodular folds in the gastric fundus. Although varices or various forms of gastritis can also produce thickened gastric folds, portal hypertensive gastropathy should be suspected when this finding is detected in patients with known portal hypertension.     

Cytomegalovirus colitis in AIDS: radiographic findings in 11 patients

Radiographic findings in 11 proved cases of cytomegalovirus (CMV) colitis were reviewed and correlated with colonoscopic and pathologic findings. Patients were chronically ill homosexual men with multiple systemic opportunistic infections. Endoscopies showed focal or diffuse inflammation, hemorrhagic plaques, and superficial colonic ulcers. Biopsies revealed inflammatory cells associated with cytoplasmic and intranuclear inclusion bodies. Barium enema examinations showed mucosal granularity, superficial erosions, thickened folds, and spasticity. Disease was either diffuse (four patients) or segmental (two patients), or it involved the cecum exclusively (three patients). Two patients had normal barium enema studies. Computed tomography scans in two patients demonstrated marked colonic wall thickening and mucosal ulcerations. In the homosexual population with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, CMV colitis should be part of the differential diagnosis of diffuse colitis, segmental colitis, or typhlitis.     

The silent sinus syndrome: clinical and radiographic findings.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this article is to acquaint the reader with the clinical and imaging features of the silent sinus syndrome, which is relatively unknown. Discussion of the presentation, treatment, and theory regarding pathogenesis of the syndrome follows. CONCLUSION. The silent sinus syndrome consists of painless facial asymmetry and enophthalmos caused by chronic maxillary sinus atelectasis. Although the diagnosis is usually suspected clinically, it is confirmed radiologically by characteristic imaging features that include maxillary sinus outlet obstruction, sinus opacification, and sinus volume loss caused by inward retraction of the sinus walls.