Intrathoracic manifestations of collagen vascular diseases are very common. The frequency of intrathoracic manifestations and the pattern of abnormality are variable depending on the type of collagen vascular disease and may simultaneously involve one or more of the following: lung parenchyma, airways, pulmonary vessels, pericardium, and pleura. Most significant manifestations include diffuse interstitial pneumonia and pulmonary hypertension which together represent the main causes of morbidity and mortality of these patients. Pulmonary, airway and pleural involvement may also be secondary to the therapy adopted for management of the disease, or result from bacterial pneumonia or opportunistic infection. In the present review, the authors summarize the main intrathoracic manifestations of collagen vascular diseases and the differential diagnosis on high-resolution chest computed tomography.

Keywords: Lung, Collagen vascular disease, Interstitial pneumonia, Pulmonary hypertension, Computed tomography

Interstitial calcinosis is an uncommon condition in which there is either localized or widely disseminated deposition of calcium in the skin, subcutaneous tissues, muscles, and tendons. Calcinosis is often associated with collagen diseases, scleroderma and dermatomyositis. The authors report a case of interstitial calcinosis associated with dermatomyositis studied with conventional radiograph, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging, and correlate the imaging findings with the results of surgical pathology gross examination.

Keywords: Calcinosis, Interstitial calcinosis, Dermatomyositis, Conventional radiograph, Ultrasound, Magnetic resonance imaging

OBJECTIVE: This study focuses on the biochemical response of the following variables: prostate volume, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) value, Gleason scores, staging, the risk of the disease, and hormonotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the period between February of 1998 and July of 2001, 46 patients with prostate cancer were treated with radiotherapy, in a combination of teletherapy and high-dose rate brachytherapy (HDR). The age ranged from 51 to 79 years (averaging 66.4 years). T1c stage was the most frequent one: 30 (65%). The Gleason score was below 7 in 78% of the patients. PSA ranged from 3.4 to 33.3, being below 10 in 39% of the cases. The average prostatic volume was 32.3cc. Twenty-eight percent of the patients received hormonotherapy. Teletherapy dose ranged from 45 to 50.4 Gy, associated to four fractions of 4 Gy of HDR. RESULTS: The follow-up period varied from 6 to 43 months. Four patients missed the follow-up and four died (one due to the disease). Out of the 39 patients that were analyzed, 76% presented a less than 1.5 PSA. None of the analyzed variables were found to be of statistical significance (p>0.05) regarding biochemical control. CONCLUSION: The use of HDR brachytherapy was found to be effective in the treatment of prostate cancer and, in this study, the variables considered as prognostic factors did not interfere in the biochemical control.

Keywords: Prostate cancer, Brachytherapy, Interstitial radiotherapy

OBJECTIVE: To review and evaluate the patterns of imaging examinations findings of lung disease in patients with systemic sclerosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Plain x-rays and high-resolution computed tomography studies of 23 patients with systemic sclerosis were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: At plain x-rays, pulmonary disease with reticular pattern had higher prevalence, appearing in 18 patients (78.2%). High-resolution computed tomography showed lung involvement in the whole group of patients, with honeycombing in nine patients (39.1%), ground-glass opacities associated with reticular opacities in eight patients (34.7%), predominance of reticular opacities in five (21.7%) and only ground-glass opacities in one patient (4.3%). CONCLUSION: The pattern of abnormal findings at high-resolution computed tomography presents high correlation with histopathologic findings, differentiating inflammatory patterns from fibrotic ones, being the first associated with a better therapeutic response. We have observed abnormalities suggestive of fibrosis in most cases (honeycombing and reticular opacities corresponding to 60.8%), but with a great part of cases showing patterns suggestive of an inflammatory process.

Keywords: Computed tomography, Interstitial lung disease, Systemic sclerosis

We report the case of a 49-year-old patient with repeated lung infections. Chest x-rays showed a mass in the posterior basal segment of the right lung. Angiotomography and 3D reconstructions showed a blood supply coming from the descending aorta. The analysis of the surgical specimen confirmed the occurrence of intralobar pulmonary sequestration with a cavitation filled with mucus.

Keywords: Pulmonary sequestration, Pulmonary mass, Radiology

The recognition and differential diagnosis of the various patterns of abnormality seen on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) are important in the evaluation of patients with chronic insterstitial lung diseases. Various patterns of abnormality have been described in the literature, which sometimes are overlapped. Distinction between the various patterns can be difficult particularly for residents and radiologists who are not familiarized with these images. The authors illustrate the characteristic patterns of abnormality seen in chronic interstitial lung diseases and propose a simple interpretation algorithm based on the pattern and distribution of the findings. The algorithm includes the six main patterns of abnormality seen on HRCT: septal lines, reticular pattern, cystic pattern, nodular pattern, ground-glass opacities and consolidation.

Keywords: Interstitial lung disease, Lungs, Lung diseases, High-resolution computed tomography

OBJECTIVE: To characterize interstitial lesions in anterior-posterior chest X-rays based on the analysis of textural statistical features that allow the detection of abnormalities with diffuse pattern. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Image analysis begins with the semiautomatic segmentation of the lungs, marking the external contour of the lung manually followed by an automatic division of each lung in six regions. The data base of images used in this study consisted of 482 regions obtained from examinations in which lesions were detected and 324 regions from normal examinations. Textural features were automatically extracted from each area and the selection of the best set of features was made based on the Jeffries-Matusita distance. The regions were classified as normal or suspected using the k nearest-neighbor method and half-half, and cross-correlation methodologies were used for training the classifier. RESULTS: Results were assessed based on the value of the area under the ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curve that indicates an ideal response for an area equal to 1. The results showed an area under the ROC curve (A Z) of 0.887, sensitivity of 0.804, and specificity of 0.793. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the implemented system has a good potential for computer-aided diagnosis of interstitial lung lesions.

Keywords: Computer-aided diagnosis, Interstitial lung lesions, Texture characteristics, Pattern recognition

The purpose of this study is to report the main high-resolution computed tomography findings of two patients with lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia. High-resolution computed tomography findings were correlated with pathology findings of material obtained from open biopsies. One patient had diffuse ground glass opacities seen on high-resolution computed tomography whereas the other patient had peribroncovascular thickening. Anatomopathology studies showed that the main pattern was polyclonal lymphocyte interstitial infiltration, particularly along alveolar septa. The current study demonstrated a close correlation between high-resolution computed tomography and anatomopathology findings.

Keywords: Lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia, High-resolution computed tomography, Anatomopathology

Objetivo: A principal utilidade da tomografia por emissão de pósitrons com 18-fluordeoxiglicose (FDG-PET) está no estadiamento do câncer de pulmão. Porém, ela também pode ser utilizada para diferenciar lesões pulmonares indeterminadas, mas seu impacto na ressecção cirúrgica de lesões benignas é desconhecido. O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar a prevalência de lesões benignas em toracotomias feitas por suspeição de câncer de pulmão, antes e após a introdução do FDG-PET, em um centro de referência de cirurgia torácica. Materiais e Métodos: Os autores analisaram, prospectivamente, uma base de dados cirúrgicos de todos os pacientes consecutivos submetidos a toracotomia por câncer de pulmão suspeito ou comprovado e compararam a prevalência de lesões benignas em dois grupos ao longo de dois anos consecutivos, respectivamente antes (grupo I) e depois (grupo II) da introdução da FDG-PET. Resultados: Ressecção cirúrgica foi feita em 1.233 pacientes durante o período do estudo. A prevalência de lesões benignas na cirurgia nos grupos I e II foi similar (44/626 e 41/607, ambas correspondendo a 7%), e também no grupo II, entre aqueles submetidos a FDG-PET e os restantes (21/301 e 20/306 respectivamente, ambos correspondendo a 7%). No grupo II, dos 21 pacientes com lesões benignas submetidos a FDG-PET, 19 tiveram um estudo falso-positivo (valor médio padrão de captação 5.3 [faixa 2.6–12.7]). Desses, respectivamente 13 e 4 pacientes tiveram broncoscopia não diagnóstica e biópsia transtorácica percutânea de pulmão antes da toracotomia. Não houve diferença na proporção de lesões benignas diferentes ressecadas entre o grupo I e aqueles submetidos a FDG-PET no grupo II. Conclusão: A introdução da FDG-PET não alterou a proporção de pacientes submetidos a toracotomia por lesões benignas, principalmente devido à avidez pelo isótopo de algumas lesões não malignas. Tais resultados falsos-positivos devem ser considerados nos casos em que se contempla a possibilidade de ressecção cirúrgica em pacientes com câncer de pulmão não confirmado.

Keywords: Tomografia por emissão de pósitrons; Tomografia computadorizada; Pulmão – lesões benignas ou congênitas; Câncer de pulmão – diagnóstico e estadiamento; Câncer de pulmão – cirurgia.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a completude das fissuras, resposta radiológica ao tratamento e análise quantitativa por TC (AQTC) em população de pacientes com enfisema grave submetidos ao implante de valvas endobrônquicas (VEB). MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foram estudados exames de TC multidetectores de 29 pacientes, realizados com protocolo de baixo dose, cortes finos, sem contraste. Dois radiologistas revisaram, retrospectivamente, os exames em consenso. A completude das fissuras foi estimada em escala de 5% e a resposta radiológica (atelectasia/perda volumétrica do lobo alvo) foi avaliada. AQTC foi realizada nos exames pré e pós-tratamento utilizando programa completamente automático. RESULTADOS: Resposta radiológica positiva foi vista em 16/29 pacientes. Os 13 pacientes sem resposta à TC apresentavam fissuras incompletas e completude média das fissuras obliquas de 72,8%, contra 88,3% no outro grupo. Os resultados mais significativos da AQTC mostraram redução do volume pulmonar (VP) total (média de 542 ml), VP tratado (700 ml) e volume de enfisema (331,4 ml) no grupo com resposta positiva, que também apresentou melhora nos testes funcionais. CONCLUSÃO: O benefício das VEB é maior em pacientes com fissuras completas e que desenvolvem atelectasia lobar. Nos pacientes sem resposta radiológica encontramos maior prevalência de fissuras incompletas e grau de incompletude das fissuras. Nossa AQTC automática detectou as alterações pós-tratamento, principalmente considerado a análise do pulmão tratado.

Keywords: Enfisema; Terapia de colapso pulmonar; Tomografia computadorizada.

Pulmonary interstitial emphysema is a rare condition that generally affects low-weight preterm infants submitted to mechanical ventilation. The prognosis is variable, depending on early diagnosis and treatment. The radiologist plays a key role in this scenario. The authors report a case of persistent pulmonary interstitial emphysema, describing the main characteristics of such entity.

Keywords: Pulmonary interstitial emphysema; Newborns; Mechanical ventilation.

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is a diffuse interstitial and granulomatous lung disease caused by the inhalation of any one of a number of antigens. The objective of this study was to illustrate the spectrum of abnormalities in high-resolution computed tomography and histopathological findings related to hypersensitivity pneumonitis. We retrospectively evaluated patients who had been diagnosed with hypersensitivity pneumonitis (on the basis of clinical-radiological or clinical-radiological-pathological correlations) and had undergone lung biopsy. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is clinically divided into acute, subacute, and chronic forms; high-resolution computed tomography findings correlate with the time of exposure; and the two occasionally overlap. In the subacute form, centrilobular micronodules, ground-glass opacities, and air trapping are characteristic high-resolution computed tomography findings, whereas histopathology shows lymphocytic inflammatory infiltrates, bronchiolitis, variable degrees of organizing pneumonia, and giant cells. In the chronic form, high-resolution computed tomography shows traction bronchiectasis, honeycombing, and lung fibrosis, the last also being seen in the biopsy sample. A definitive diagnosis of hypersensitivity pneumonitis can be made only through a multidisciplinary approach, by correlating clinical findings, exposure history, high-resolution computed tomography findings, and lung biopsy findings.

Keywords: Alveolitis, extrinsic allergic/pathology; Tomography, X-ray computed; Lung diseases, interstitial.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the computed tomography (CT) findings of lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia (LIP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and CT findings of 36 patients with LIP, including 25 women and 11 men, with a mean age of 52.5 years (age range, 22–78 years). RESULTS: The main associated diseases with LIP were Sjögren syndrome (42%), human immunodeficiency virus infection (17%), amyloidosis (17%), Sjögren syndrome associated with secondary amyloidosis (11%), idiopathic (8%), and systemic lupus erythematosus (5%). The predominant CT abnormalities were multiple cystic airspaces (n = 35), small nodules (n = 15), ground-glass opacities (n = 13), bronchiectasis and/or bronchiolectasis (n = 8), and thickening of the bronchovascular bundles (n = 8). Other CT findings included reticular opacities (n = 7), calcified nodules (n = 4), airspace consolidation (n = 4), emphysema (n = 3), honeycombing (n = 3), lymph node enlargement (n = 2), mosaic attenuation pattern (n = 1), and cavitated nodules (n = 1). CONCLUSION: The main CT findings of LIP were multiple cysts, small nodules, and ground-glass opacities.

Keywords: Lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia; Lung cysts; Computed tomography.

OBJECTIVE: To assess interobserver agreement among radiologists regarding the current Fleischner Society diagnostic criteria for usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) patterns on computed tomography (CT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the Fleischner Society criteria for UIP CT patterns, five raters, working independently, categorized the high-resolution CT (HRCT) scans of 44 patients with interstitial lung disease who underwent lung biopsy. The raters also evaluated the presence, extent, and distribution of the most relevant imaging findings, as well as indicating their level of confidence in the most likely diagnosis and in up to three diagnostic hypotheses. RESULTS: There was moderate to substantial interobserver agreement regarding the UIP patterns on HRCT—kappa statistic (κ) = 0.59–0.61. Interobserver agreement for the binary scores was substantial (κ = 0.77–0.79), whereas that for the presence of honeycombing was almost perfect (κ = 0.81–0.96). There was agreement regarding at least one of the three diagnostic hypotheses in only 36.4% of the cases. For the level of confidence in the most likely diagnosis, there was only slight to fair agreement (κ = 0.19–0.21). CONCLUSION: Interobserver agreement regarding the current Fleischner Society CT criteria for UIP was moderate to substantial among raters with varying levels of experience. There was only slight to fair agreement regarding the diagnostic hypotheses and for the level of confidence in the most likely diagnosis.

Keywords: Lung diseases, interstitial/diagnosis; Tomography, X-ray computed/methods; Observer variation; Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis/diagnostic imaging.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os padrões tomográficos relacionados aos agentes etiológicos da pneumonia em pacientes durante o primeiro ano após transplante renal. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foram analisados dados de prontuários de 956 pacientes submetidos a transplante renal, no período de 2013 a 2018, em um centro transplantador renal do nordeste do Brasil. Nos pacientes que desenvolveram pneumonia, os agentes etiológicos foram classificados em bactérias piogênicas, micobactérias, fungos, vírus e pneumonia polimicrobiana, enquanto os padrões tomográficos foram classificados em consolidação, broncopneumonia, pneumonia intersticial e nódulos e massas. Para verificar associação estatística entre micro-organismos e padrões tomográficos, foi utilizado o teste exato de Fisher, com p < 0,001. RESULTADOS: Foram encontrados 101 casos de pneumonia, dos quais 60 (59,4%) tiveram agente etiológico identificado, sendo as bactérias piogênicas as mais frequentes, detectadas em 22 (36,7%) dos casos. Entre os pacientes com agente causal identificado, o padrão tomográfico predominante foi o de nódulos e massas, identificado em 25 (41,7%) casos. Foi observada associação entre bactérias piogênicas e o padrão de consolidação, fungos com nódulos e massas, bem como entre agentes virais e padrão intersticial. CONCLUSÃO: Foi demonstrada associação estatística entre micro-organismos causadores de pneumonia e padrões tomográficos, informação que pode contribuir para o planejamento da terapia de pacientes transplantados renais.

Keywords: Pneumonia; Transplante de rim; Tomografia computadorizada.