Computed tomography fluoroscopy guided percutaneous lung biopsy for ground-glass opacity pulmonary lesions:A meta-analysis

AIM： To obtain the diagnostic performance of percu-taneous transthoracic needle biopsy （PTNB） under Computed tomography （CT） fuoroscopy guidance for lung ground-glass opacity （GGO）.METHODS： We searched for English- and Chinese-language studies in PubMed, EMBASE, EBSCO, OVID, and CNKI （China National Knowledge Infrastructure） database. Data were calculated with Meta-Disc version 1.4 and Rev Man version 5.2 software. From the pooled data, we calculated sensitivity （Sen）, specificity （Spe）, positive likelihood ratio （＋LR）, negative likelihood ratio （-LR）, and diagnostic odds ratio （DOR）. Summary receiver operating characteristic （SROC） curves were constructed and incidence of complications was recorded.RESULTS： Four documents included in this present meta-analysis met the criteria for analysis. The pooled Sen, Spe, ＋LR, -LR and DOR with 95%CI were 0.91 （0.86-0.95）, 1.0 （0.91-1.0）, 18.64 （4.83-71.93）, 0.11 （0.05-0.26） and 153.17 （30.78-762.33）, respectively. The area under the SROC curve was 0.98. The incidence of pneumothorax and hemoptysis was 17.86%-51.80% and 10.50%-19.40%, respectively.CONCLUSION： CT fuoroscopy-guided PTNB, which has an acceptable incidence of complications, can be used as a primary examination method for lung GGO, with moderate sensitivity and specifcity.

Evaluation of the dual vascular supply patterns in ground-glass nodules with a dynamic volume computed tomography

BACKGROUND In recent years,the detection rate of ground-glass nodules(GGNs)has been improved dramatically due to the popularization of low-dose computed tomography(CT)screening with high-resolution CT technique.This presents challenges for the characterization and management of the GGNs,which depends on a thorough investigation and sufficient diagnostic knowledge of the GGNs.In most diagnostic studies of the GGNs,morphological manifestations are used to differentiate benignancy and malignancy.In contrast,few studies are dedicated to the assessment of the hemodynamics,i.e.,perfusion parameters of the GGNs.AIM To assess the dual vascular supply patterns of GGNs on different histopathology and opacities.METHODS Forty-seven GGNs from 47 patients were prospectively included and underwent the dynamic volume CT.Histopathologic diagnoses were obtained within two weeks after the CT examination.Blood flow from the bronchial artery[bronchial flow(BF)]and pulmonary artery[pulmonary flow(PF)]as well as the perfusion index(PI)=[PF/(PF+BF)]were obtained using first-pass dual-input CT perfusion analysis and compared respectively between different histopathology and lesion types(pure or mixed GGNs)and correlated with the attenuation values of the lesions using one-way ANOVA,student’s t test and Pearson correlation analysis.RESULTS Of the 47 GGNs(mean diameter,8.17 mm;range,5.3-12.7 mm),30(64%)were carcinoma,6(13%)were atypical adenomatous hyperplasia and 11(23%)were organizing pneumonia.All perfusion parameters(BF,PF and PI)demonstrated no significant difference among the three conditions(all P>0.05).The PFs were higher than the BFs in all the three conditions(all P<0.001).Of the 30 GGN carcinomas,14 showed mixed GGNs and 16 pure GGNs with a higher PI in the latter(P<0.01).Of the 17 benign GGNs,4 showed mixed GGNs and 13 pure GGNs with no significant difference of the PI between the GGN types(P=0.21).A negative correlation(r=-0.76,P<0.001)was demonstrated between the CT attenuation values and the PIs in the 30 GGN carcinomas.CONCLUSION The GGNs are perfused dominantly by the PF regardless of its histopathology while the weight of the BF in the GGN carcinomas increases gradually during the progress of its opacification.

Evaluating the Growth of Pulmonary Nodular Ground-glass Opacity on CT: Comparison of Volume Rendering and Thin Slice Images

This study examined the value of volume rendering （VR） interpretation in assessing the growth of pulmonary nodular ground-glass opacity （nGGO）. A total of 47 nGGOs （average size, 9.5 mm; range, 5.7-20.6 mm） were observed by CT scanning at different time under identical parameter settings. The growth of nGGO was analyzed by three radiologists by comparing the thin slice （TS） CT images of initial and repeat scans with side-by-side cine mode. One week later synchronized VR images of the two scans were compared by side-by-side cine mode to evaluate the nGGO growth. The nodule growth was rated on a 5-degree scale： notable growth, slight growth, dubious growth, stagnant growth, shrinkage. Growth standard was defined as： Density increase 〉 30 HU and （or） diameter increase （by 20% in nodules 〉_10 mm, 30% in nodules of 5-9 mm）. Receiver operating characteristic （ROC） was performed. The results showed that 32 nGGOs met the growth criteria （29 nGGOs showed an increase in density; 1 nGGO showed an increase in diameter; 2 nGGOs showed an increase in both diameter and density）. Area under ROC curve revealed that the performance with VR interpretation was better than that with TS interpretation （P〈0.01, P〈0.05 and P〈0.05 for observers A, B and C respectively）. Consistency between different observers was excellent with both VR interpretation （κ=0.89 for observers A＆C A＆B, B＆C） and TS interpretation （κ=0.71 for A＆B, κ=0.68 for A＆C, κ=0.74 for B＆C）, but time spending was less with VR interpretation than with TS interpretation （P〈0.0001, P〈0.0001 and P〈0.05 for observers A, B and C, respectively）. It was concluded that VR is a useful technique for evaluating the growth of nGGO.

3D打印技术协助手术切除肺部磨玻璃样结节1例报告

患者女性,59岁,胸部CT及正电子发射计算机断层扫描检查结果显示,右肺上叶一直径9 mm大小的磨玻璃样结节,未转移。拟对其进行手术治疗。术前采用3D打印技术重建模型的方法重建肺部解剖结构,根据模型制定手术方案。在胸腔镜辅助下,对该患者右肺上叶尖段实施肺段切除术。冰冻切片检查结果提示微浸润性腺癌。由于该患者病灶的切缘>2 cm,未进行进一步切除。随后,对纵隔淋巴结进行系统采样。病理组织学检查结果显示,微浸润性腺癌(pT1aN0M0)。3D打印技术在肺部磨玻璃样结节的手术切除中可能有助于制定手术方案。

Pulmonary contusion mimicking COVID-19:A case report

BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)is a major public health emergency with obvious characteristics of human-to-human transmission,and there are infective asymptomatic carriers.Early identification and proper management of patients with COVID-19 are important.Features in chest computed tomography(CT)can facilitate identifying newly infected individuals.However,CT findings of some lung contusions are similar to those of COVID-19,as shown in the present case.CASE SUMMARY A 46-year-old woman was admitted to hospital for backache and foot pain caused by a fall injury 1 d before hospitalization.She was suspected of having COVID-19,since there was a confirmed COVID-19 case near her residence.But she had no fever,cough,chest tightness,difficult breathing,nausea,vomiting,or diarrhea,etc.On physical examination,the lower posterior chest of both sides showed dullness on percussion and moist rales at the end of inspiration on auscultation.The white blood cell count and lymphocyte count were 10.88×109/L and 1.04×109/L,respectively.CT performed on February 7,2020 revealed that both lungs were scattered with patchy ground-glass opacity.The patient was diagnosed with pulmonary contusion with thoracic spinal fracture(T12),calcaneal fracture,and pelvic fracture.On day 9 after conservative treatment,her condition was alleviated.On review of the chest CT,the previous shadows were significantly reduced.CONCLUSION Differential diagnosis of lung contusion and COVID-19 must be emphasized.Both conditions require effective prompt actions,especially COVID-19.

Circulating tumor cells with epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of lung cancer

BACKGROUND Circulating tumor cells(CTCs) can be clustered into three subtypes according to epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT) markers: CTCs with epithelial markers(E-CTCs), CTCs with mesenchymal markers(M-CTCs), and CTCs with both markers(E&M-CTCs). CTC detection has clinical implications in the diagnosis of lung cancer(LC).AIM To clarify the diagnostic value of CTCs categorized by EMT markers in LC.METHODS The study included 106 patients with lung adenocarcinoma, including 42 groundglass opacities(GGO) and 64 solid lesions, who underwent surgery between July 2015 and December 2019. Eleven patients with benign tumors and seventeen healthy controls were included. CTCs in peripheral blood and associated EMT markers were detected preoperatively using the CanPatrol TM technique. The diagnostic power of CTCs for discriminating LC cases from controls was analyzed by the receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve. The CytoploRare technique was used in 20 cases and 18 controls for validation, and Kappa values were calculated to evaluate consistency between techniques.RESULTS Of the 106 LC cases, 94(89.6%) had at least one CTC. CTCs were detectable in 35(83.3%) of 42 GGO cases. Total CTCs and E&M-CTCs were significantly more frequent in LC cases than in benign or healthy controls. The proportion of MCTCs plus E&M-CTCs increased gradually from healthy controls, to benign controls, to LC cases. The area under the ROC curve of total CTCs and E&M-CTCs was > 0.8 and > 10.75, respectively. The combined sensitivity of total-CTCs and E&M-CTCs was 85.85% for LC patients(80.95% for GGO patients) and the specificity was 78.57%.The Kappa value was 0.415,indicating relative consistency between CanPatrol TM and CytoploRare.CONCLUSION CTC detection is valuable for distinguishing LC from controls,and particularly E&M-CTC detection warrants further study.

Typical and atypical COVID-19 computed tomography findings

In December 2019 a novel coronavirus,named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 was identified and the disease associated was named coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19).Fever,cough,myalgia,fatigue associated to dyspnea represent most common clinical symptoms of the disease.The reference standard for diagnosis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection is real time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction test applied on respiratory tract specimens.Despite of lower specificity,chest computed tomography(CT),as reported in manifold scientific studies,showed high sensitivity,therefore it may help in the early detection,management and follow-up of COVID-19 pneumonia.Patients affected by COVID-19 pneumonia usually showed on chest CT some typical features,such as:Bilateral ground glass opacities characterized by multilobe involvement with posterior and peripheral distribution;parenchymal consolidations with or without air bronchogram;interlobular septal thickening;crazy paving pattern,represented by interlobular and intralobular septal thickening surrounded by ground-glass opacities;subsegmental pulmonary vessels enlargement(>3 mm).Halo sign,reversed halo sign,cavitation and pleural or pericardial effusion represent some of atypical findings of COVID-19 pneumonia.On the other hand lymphadenopathy’s and bronchiectasis’frequency is unclear,indeed conflicting data emerged in literature.Radiologists play a key role in recognition of high suspicious findings of COVID-19 on chest CT,both typical and atypical ones.Thus,the aim of this review is to illustrate typical and atypical CT findings of COVID-19.

Suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection with fever and coronary heart disease:A case report

BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)is an emerging infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2).Suspected cases accounted for a large proportion in the early stage of the COVID-19 outbreak.The deviation of the nucleic acid test by throat swab(the current gold standard of COVID-19)caused by variation in sampling techniques and reagent kits and coupled with nonspecific clinical manifestations make confirmation of the suspected cases difficult.Proper management of the suspected cases of COVID-19 is crucial for disease control.CASE SUMMARY A 65-year-old male presented with fever,lymphopenia,and chest computed tomography(CT)images similar to COVID-19 after percutaneous coronary intervention.The patient was diagnosed as having bacterial pneumonia with cardiogenic pulmonary edema instead of COVID-19.This was based on four negative results for throat swab detection of SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assay and one negative result for serological antibody of SARS-CoV-2 with the serological assay.Additionally,the distribution of ground-glass opacities and thickened blood vessels from the CT images differed from COVID-19 features,which further supported the exclusion of COVID-19.CONCLUSION Distinguishing COVID-19 patients from those with bacterial pneumonia with cardiogenic pulmonary edema can be difficult.Therefore,it requires serious identification.

Atypical presentation of SARS-CoV-2 infection:A case report

BACKGROUND The first case of pneumonia subsequently attributed to severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) occurred in Wuhan,Hubei Province on December 8,2019.The symptoms included fever,coughing,and breathing difficulties.A few patients with this infection may only have atypical symptoms,which could lead to a misdiagnosis and subsequently further facilitate the spread of the virus.CASE SUMMARY A 74-year-old female patient complained of severe diarrhea.She did not have fever,coughing,or breathing difficulties.A physical examination revealed no obvious positive signs.The patient had been hypertensive for more than 10 years.Her blood pressture was well controlled.On January 9,2020,the patient’s son visited a colleague who was later confirmed positive for SARS-CoV-2 and his first close contact with our patient was on January 17.The patient was first diagnosed with gastrointestinal dysfunction.However,considering her indirect contact with a SARS-CoV-2-infected individual,we suggested that an atypical pneumonia virus infection should be ruled out.A computed tomography scan was performed on January 26,and showed ground-glass nodules scattered along the two lungs,suggestive of viral pneumonia.Given the clinical characteristics,epidemiological history,and examination,the patient was diagnosed with corona virus disease-2019 (COVID-19).CONCLUSION Our patient had atypical symptoms of COVID-19.Careful acquisition of an epidemiological history is necessary to make a correct diagnosis and strategize a treatment plan.

A practical approach to imaging characteristics and standardized reporting of COVID-19:A radiologic review

Novel coronavirus(2019-nCoV),also known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2),is a pathogen that has caused a rapidly spreading pandemic all over the world.The primary mean of transmission is inhalation with a predilection for respiratory system involvement,especially in the distal airways.The disease that arises from this novel coronavirus is named coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19).COVID-19 may have a rapid and devastating course in some cases leading to severe complications and death.Radiological imaging methods have an invaluable role in diagnosis,follow-up,and treatment.In this review,radiological imaging findings of COVID-19 have been systematically reviewed based on the published literature so far.Radiologic reporting templates are also emphasized from a different point of view,considering specific distinctive patterns of involvement.

High Resolution Computed Tomography Features of Third Wave of COVID-19 Pneumonia in Confirmed Cases

COVID-19 which is caused by its new type called SARS-CoV-2 is a viral disease predominantly involving the lungs. Objective: To investigate HRCT features of pulmonary disease in COVID-19 in Lahore, Pakistan. Methods: This is a prospective study that involved 127 COVID-19 positive patients (age 18 - 80 years, both genders) through non-probability sampling was conducted at the Radiology Department, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore, in 2021. All patients with RT-PCR positive underwent HRCT chest. All findings in HRCT chest were assessed. Confirmed patients had positive HRCT. Excluded situations are low quality of images irrespective of its reason, HRCT indications other than COVID-19 pneumonia, and patients who do not want to participate in the study Results: Considering the exclusion and inclusion criteria, totally 127 COVID-19 confirmed patients ranging age from 18 to 80 years with a mean age of 52 ± 18 years, took part in this study. The most important and common HRCT finding was the multilobar ground-glass pattern which was present in 95% of patients. Other findings including, crazy paving pattern, consolidation, air bronchogram, and bronchiectasis were present in 8.7%, 82%, 63%, and 37% of patients respectively. Pleural effusion seen in 21% patients. 16% of patients had mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Conclusion: In our study, the ground-glass pattern was found to be the most common and important HRCT finding in patients confirmed with COVID-19 pneumonia. This important HRCT pattern is mostly found to be in posterobasal and peripheral subpleural locations. Other than ground-glass pattern, bronchiectasis, and consolidation having the air bronchogram were also reported commonly.

Imaging related to underlying immunological and pathological processes in COVID-19

The introduction of coronavirus disease-2019(COVID-19)as a global pandemic has contributed to overall morbidity and mortality.With a focus on understanding the immunology and pathophysiology of the disease,these features can be linked with the respective findings of imaging studies.Thus,the constellation between clinical presentation,histological,laboratory,immunological,and imaging results is crucial for the proper management of patients.The purpose of this article is to examine the role of imaging during the particular stages of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection–asymptomatic stage,typical and atypical COVID-19 pneumonia,acute respiratory distress syndrome,multiorgan failure,and thrombosis.The use of imaging methods to assess the severity and duration of changes is crucial in patients with COVID-19.Radiography and computed tomography are among the methods that allow accurate characterization of changes.

Lung Cancer with Diffuse Ground-glass Shadow in Two Lungs and Respiratory Failure

INTRODUCTION Pulmonary ground-glass shadow is a common clinical imaging manifestation shared by many pulmonary diseases such as interstitial pneumonia, pulmonary fungal infection, parasitic infection, viral pneumonia, and heart failure. Some of the lung cancers, especially lung adenocarcinoma,