Computed tomography-based nomogram of Siewert type Ⅱ/Ⅲ adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction to predict response to docetaxel, oxaliplatin and S-1

BACKGROUND Neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAC)has become the standard care for advanced adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction(AEG),although a part of the patients cannot benefit from NAC.There are no models based on baseline computed tomography(CT)to predict response of Siewert type II or III AEG to NAC with docetaxel,oxaliplatin and S-1(DOS).AIM To develop a CT-based nomogram to predict response of Siewert type II/III AEG to NAC with DOS.METHODS One hundred and twenty-eight consecutive patients with confirmed Siewert type II/III AEG underwent CT before and after three cycles of NAC with DOS,and were randomly and consecutively assigned to the training cohort(TC)(n=94)and the validation cohort(VC)(n=34).Therapeutic effect was assessed by disease-control rate and progressive disease according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors(version 1.1)criteria.Possible prognostic factors associated with responses after DOS treatment including Siewert classification,gross tumor volume(GTV),and cT and cN stages were evaluated using pretherapeutic CT data in addition to sex and age.Univariate and multivariate analyses of CT and clinical features in the TC were performed to determine independent factors associated with response to DOS.A nomogram was established based on independent factors to predict the response.The predictive performance of the nomogram was evaluated by Concordance index(C-index),calibration and receiver operating characteristics curve in the TC and VC.RESULTS Univariate analysis showed that Siewert type(52/55 vs 29/39,P=0.005),pretherapeutic cT stage(57/62 vs 24/32,P=0.028),GTV(47.3±27.4 vs 73.2±54.3,P=0.040)were significantly associated with response to DOS in the TC.Multivariate analysis of the TC also showed that the pretherapeutic cT stage,GTV and Siewert type were independent predictive factors related to response to DOS(odds ratio=4.631,1.027 and 7.639,respectively;all P<0.05).The nomogram developed with these independent factors showed an excellent performance to predict response to DOS in the TC and VC(C-index:0.838 and 0.824),with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.838 and 0.824,respectively.The calibration curves showed that the practical and predicted response to DOS effectively coincided.CONCLUSION A novel nomogram developed with pretherapeutic cT stage,GTV and Siewert type predicted the response of Siewert type II/III AEG to NAC with DOS.

Radiomic features from computed tomography to differentiate invasive pulmonary adenocarcinomas from non-invasive pulmonary adenocarcinomas appearing as part-solid groundglass nodules

Objective:We aim to investigate radiomic imaging features extracted in computed tomography(CT)images to differentiate invasive pulmonary adenocarcinomas(IPAs)from non-IPAs appearing as part-solid ground-glass nodules(GGNs),and to incorporate significant radiomic features with other clinically-assessed features to develop a diagnostic nomogram model for IPAs.Methods:This retrospective study was performed,with Institutional Review Board approval,on 88 patients with a total of 100 part-solid nodules(56 IPAs and 44 non-IPAs)that were surgically confirmed between February 2014and November 2016 in the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University.Quantitative radiomic features were computed automatically on 3D nodule volume segmented from arterial-phase contrast-enhanced CT images.A set of regular risk factors and visually-assessed qualitative CT imaging features were compared with the radiomic features using logistic regression analysis.Three diagnostic models,i.e.,a basis model using the clinical factors and qualitative CT features,a radiomics model using significant radiomic features,and a nomogram model combining all significant features,were built and compared in terms of receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves.Decision curve analysis was performed for the nomogram model to explore its potential clinical benefit.Results:In addition to three visually-assessed qualitative imaging features,another three quantitative features selected from hundreds of radiomic features were found to be significantly(all P<0.05)associated with IPAs.The diagnostic nomogram model showed a significantly higher performance[area under the ROC curve(AUC)=0.903]in differentiating IPAs from non-IPAs than either the basis model(AUC=0.853,P=0.0009)or the radiomics model(AUC=0.769,P<0.0001).Decision curve analysis indicates a potential benefit of using such a nomogram model in clinical diagnosis.Conclusions:Quantitative radiomic features provide additional information over clinically-assessed qualitative features for differentiating IPAs from non-IPAs appearing as GGNs,and a diagnostic nomogram model including all these significant features may be clinically useful in preoperative strategy planning.

Application of computed tomography-based radiomics in differential diagnosis of adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma at the esophagogastric junction

BACKGROUND The biological behavior of carcinoma of the esophagogastric junction(CEGJ)is different from that of gastric or esophageal cancer.Differentiating squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagogastric junction(SCCEG)from adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction(AEG)can indicate Siewert stage and whether the surgical route for patients with CEGJ is transthoracic or transabdominal,as well as aid in determining the extent of lymph node dissection.With the development of neoadjuvant therapy,preoperative determination of pathological type can help in the selection of neoadjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy regimens.AIM To establish and evaluate computed tomography(CT)-based multiscale and multiphase radiomics models to distinguish SCCEG and AEG preoperatively.METHODS We retrospectively analyzed the preoperative contrasted-enhanced CT imaging data of single-center patients with pathologically confirmed SCCEG(n=130)and AEG(n=130).The data were divided into either a training(n=182)or a test group(n=78)at a ratio of 7:3.A total of 1409 radiomics features were separately extracted from two dimensional(2D)or three dimensional(3D)regions of interest in arterial and venous phases.Intra-/inter-observer consistency analysis,correlation analysis,univariate analysis,least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression,and backward stepwise logical regression were applied for feature selection.Totally,six logistic regression models were established based on 2D and 3D multi-phase features.The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis,the continuous net reclassification improvement(NRI),and the integrated discrimination improvement(IDI)were used for assessing model discrimination performance.Calibration and decision curves were used to assess the calibration and clinical usefulness of the model,respectively.RESULTS The 2D-venous model(5 features,AUC:0.849)performed better than 2D-arterial(5 features,AUC:0.808).The 2D-arterial-venous combined model could further enhance the performance(AUC:0.869).The 3D-venous model(7 features,AUC:0.877)performed better than 3D-arterial(10 features,AUC:0.876).And the 3D-arterial-venous combined model(AUC:0.904)outperformed other single-phase-based models.The venous model showed a positive improvement compared with the arterial model(NRI>0,IDI>0),and the 3D-venous and combined models showed a significant positive improvement compared with the 2D-venous and combined models(P<0.05).Decision curve analysis showed that combined 3D-arterial-venous model and 3D-venous model had a higher net clinical benefit within the same threshold probability range in the test group.CONCLUSION The combined arterial-venous CT radiomics model based on 3D segmentation can improve the performance in differentiating EGJ squamous cell carcinoma from adenocarcinoma.

Small cell lung carcinoma metastatic to the stomach: Commonly overlooked, limited treatment options

Small cell lung carcinoma metastatic to the stomach,whether synchronous or metachronous,is a rare phenomenon accounting for<0.5%of lung cancers.Hence it can be overlooked by clinicians resulting in delayed diagnosis.This manuscript comments on Yang et al’s article which reported 3 such cases.The main diagnostic features are based on routine morphology comprised of small cells with hyperchromatic nuclei,scant cytoplasm,brisk mitoses and necrosis.This can be supplemented by immunohistochemistry demonstrating positivity for cytokeratin,thyroid transcription factor-1 and neuroendocrine markers as well as a high Ki-67 labelling index.Imaging modalities such as positron emission tomography/contrast computed tomography help to confirm lung origin and rule out the possibility of extra-pulmonary small cell carcinoma.The predominant mechanism of spread is most likely hematogeneous.Prognosis is generally poor since this represents stage 4 disease but survival can be improved by chemo/ra-diotherapy and palliative surgery in select cases.Though outcomes have not changed much in the last several decades,the recent Food and Drug Adminis-tration approval of immune checkpoint inhibitors was a significant milestone as was the delineation of small cell lung carcinoma molecular subtypes.Liquid biopsies are increasingly being used for biomarker studies in clinical trials to assess treatment response and prognosis.

Deep learning model based on PET/CT and combination with Cox proportional hazard model for predicting progression of lung invasive adenocarcinoma after surgery

Objective To observe the efficacy of deep learning(DL)model based on PET/CT and its combination with Cox proportional hazard model for predicting progressive disease(PD)of lung invasive adenocarcinoma within 5 years after surgery.Methods The clinical,PET/CT and 5-year follow-up data of 250 patients with lung invasive adenocarcinoma were retrospectively analyzed.According to PD or not,the patients were divided into the PD group(n=71)and non-PD group(n=179).The basic data and PET/CT findings were compared between groups,among which the quantitative variables being significant different between groups were transformed to categorical variables using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve and corresponding cut-off value.Multivariant Cox proportional hazard model was used to select independent predicting factors of PD of lung invasive adenocarcinoma within 5 years after surgery.The patients were divided into training,validation and test sets at the ratio of 6∶2∶2,and PET/CT data in training set and validation set were used to train model and tuning parameters to build the PET/CT DL model,and the combination model was built in serial connection of DL model and the predictive factors.In test set,the efficacy of each model for predicting PD of lung invasive adenocarcinoma within 5 years after surgery was assessed and compared using the area under the curve(AUC).Results Patients'gender and smoking status,as well as the long diameter,SUV max and SUV mean of lesions measured on PET images,the long diameter,short diameter and type of lesions showed on CT were statistically different between groups(all P<0.05).Smoking(HR=1.787[1.053,3.031],P=0.031)and lesion SUV max>4.15(HR=5.249[1.062,25.945],P=0.042)were both predictors of PD of lung invasive adenocarcinoma within 5 years after surgery.In test set,the AUC of PET/CT DL model for predicting PD was 0.847,of the combination model was 0.890,of the latter was higher than of the former(P=0.036).Conclusion DL model based on PET/CT had high efficacy for predicting PD of lung invasive adenocarcinoma within 5 years after surgery.Combining with Cox proportional hazard model could further improve its predicting efficacy.

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.

Values of high-resolution computed tomography and pulmonary function tests in managements of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection

AIM:To investigate pulmonary involvement via pulmonary function tests (PFT) and high-resolution computed tomocjraphy (HRCT) in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. METHODS:Thirty-four patients with chronic HCV infection without diagnosis of any pulmonary diseases and 10 healthy cases were enrolled in the study,PFT and HRCT were performed in all cases. RESULTS:A decrease lower than 80% of the predicted value was detected in vital capacity in 9/34 patients,in forced expiratory volume in one second in 8/34 patients,and in forced expiratory flow 25-75 in 15/34 patients,respectively.Carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DLCO) was decreased in 26/34 patients.Findings of interstitial pulmonary involvement were detected in the HRCT of 16/34 patients.Significant difference was found between controls and patients with HCV infection in findings of HRCT (X^2=4.7,P=0.003).Knodell histological activity index (KHAI) of 28/34 patients in whom liver biopsy was applied was 9.0±4.7.HRCT findings,PFT values and DLCO were not affected by KHAI in patients with HCV infection.In these patients,all the parameters were related with age. CONCLUSION:We suggest that chronic hepatitis C virus infection may cause pulmonary interstitial involvement without evident respiratory symptoms.

Pulmonary lymphoma: computed tomography features with pathologic correlation

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the CT and pathology features of pulmonary lymphoma and to improve the understanding of this disease. Methods: The CT findings of 23 cases with pulmonary lymphoma were retrospectively analyzed and correlated with histopathology. Results: Of the 23 cases with pulmonary lymphoma, there were Hodgkin lymphoma (5 cases) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (18 cases). Multiple lesions were assessed in 16 cases and single lesion in 7 cases. The imaging findings were classified into 3 types: lobar and segmental involvement type (9/23 cases, 39.13%), nodular or mass-like involvement type (8/23 cases, 34.78%) and mixed type (6/23 cases, 26.09%). Air bronchogram sign (14/23 cases, 60.8%), CT angiogram sign (12/23 cases, 52.17%), ground glass opacity nodules (3/23 cases, 13.04%) and lesion across pulmonary lobes (4/23,17.39%) were the characteristic features of pulmonary lymphoma. Conclusion: Relative characteristic CT features of pulmonary lymphoma could be revealed, which shows clinical significance in the diagnosis of the disease.

Spectral CT imaging parameters and Ki-67 labeling index in lung adenocarcinoma

Objective: To explore the correlation between the spectral computed tomography(CT) imaging parameters and the Ki-67 labeling index in lung adenocarcinoma.Methods: Spectral CT imaging parameters [iodine concentrations of lesions(ICLs) in the arterial phase(ICLa)and venous phase(ICLv), normalized IC in the aorta(NICa/NICv), slope of the spectral HU curve(λHUa/λHUv)and monochromatic CT number enhancement on 40 keV and 70 keV images(CT40 keVa/v, CT70keVa/v)] in 34 lung adenocarcinomas were analyzed, and common molecular markers, including the Ki-67 labeling index, were detected with immunohistochemistry. Different Ki-67 labeling indexes were measured and grouped into four grades according to the number of positive-stained cells(grade 0, ≤1%;1%<grade 1≤10%;10%<grade 2≤30%;and grade 3, >30%). One-way analysis of variance(ANOVA) was used to compare the four different grades, and the Bonferroni method was used to correct the P value for multiple comparisons. A Spearman correlation analysis was performed to further research a quantitative correlation between the Ki-67 labeling index and spectral CT imaging parameters.Results: CT40keVa, CT40 keVv, CT70keVa and CT70keVv increased as the grade increased, and CT70keVa and CT70keVv were statistically significant(P<0.05). These four parameters and the Ki-67 labeling index showed a moderate positive correlation with lung adenocarcinoma nodules. ICL, NIC and λHU in the arterial and venous phases were not significantly different among the four grades.Conclusions: The spectral CT imaging parameters CT40keVa, CT40keVv, CT70keVa and CT70keVv gradually increased with Ki-67 expression and showed a moderate positive correlation with lung adenocarcinomas.Therefore, spectral CT imaging parameter-enhanced monochromatic CT numbers at 70 keV may indicate the extent of proliferation of lung adenocarcinomas.

Current status of Radiologic Diagnosis for Mediastinal Lymph Node Metastases of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Retrospective Study of pN2 Cases

Objective: Advances in diagnostic imaging techniques, such as 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET), have led to greater accuracy in preoperative mediastinal staging for patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but surgical staging remains the “gold standard” for diagnosis. A proper understanding of the current accuracy of diagnostic imaging is needed for further improvements. Methods: Forty-three patients who underwent resection for NSCLC involving mediastinal lymph node (MLN) metastasis at our hospital between June 2003 and May 2011 were enrolled in this study. We conducted a retrospective study of the radiological and pathological findings for 53 metastatic MLNs in the 43 patients. Results: The preoperative imaging modality was computed tomography (CT) alone for 18 patients (22 MLNs) and CT and FDG-PET for 25 patients (31 MLNs). The sensitivities of CT and FDG-PET were 41.5% and 58.0%, respectively. The sensitivity of CT did not differ according to any clinicopathological factors, but the sensitivity of FDG-PET tended to be higher for primary tumors with high SUVmax values and for non-adenocarcinomas. In the lymph nodes, all micrometastatic foci ≤ 2 mm were PET-negative, but 4 lymph nodes with metastatic foci larger than 10 mm were also PET-negative. Conclusions: For the diagnostic imaging of MLN, FDG-PET has a greater sensitivity than contrast-enhanced CT based on “size criteria”, but it is still not sufficiently sensitive and is influenced by various factors. At present, histological confirmation of MLNs is necessary when making decisions regarding treatment plans and the type of surgical procedure that should be performed.

Integrated positron emission tomography and computed tomography in preoperative lymph node staging of non-small cell lung cancer

Background Integrated positron emission tomography and computed tomography （PET/CT） is increasingly used for the preoperative nodal staging of non-smail cell lung cancer （NSCLC）.The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of PET/CT in comparison with CT in detection of nodal metastasis and preoperative nodal staging in patients with NSCLC,and to analyze the causes of the PET/CT false-negative and false-positive results.Methods Consecutive patients with pathologically proven NSCLC who underwent staging using PET/CT from July 2008 to February 2012 were evaluated retrospectively.Nodal staging was pathologically confirmed on tissue specimens obtained at thoracotomy.The accuracy of PET/CT and CT in the assessment of intrathoracic nodal involvement was determined using histological results as the reference standard.Logistic regression was used to define the causes of the false-negative and false-positive results.Results A total of 528 lymph node stations were evaluated in 101 patients.Lymph nodes were positive for malignancy in 43 out of 101 patients （42.6%）,and 101 out of 528 nodal stations （19.2%）.PET/CT was significantly more accurate for nodal staging than CT.The sensitivity,specificity,positive and negative predictive values,and accuracy of PET/CT for detecting nodal metastasis were 51.5%,95.8%,74.3%,89.3%,and 87.3% and the corresponding data by CT were 45.5%,87.1%,45.5%,87.1%,and 79.2%,respectively.PET/CT confers significantly higher specificity,positive predictive value,and accuracy than CT in detecting nodal metastasis.False-negative results by PET/CT are significantly associated with smaller lymph node size,whereas false-positive results are related to a combination of inflammatory disorders and larger lymph node size.Conclusion PET/CT confers significantly higher accuracy than CT in nodal staging,and is more specific and accurate than CT in detecting nodal metastasis but has a low sensitivity and high false-negative rate.

基于CT GE Lung VCAR软件鉴别肺原位腺癌和微浸润腺癌

目的:利用GE Lung VCAR软件分析肺原位腺癌(AIS)与微浸润腺癌(MIA)的CT鉴别诊断要点。方法:收集2016年1月至2017年3月温州医科大学附属第一医院经病理证实的AIS患者50例、MIA患者55例。使用GE Lung VCAR软件对105例结节的CT图像进行三维后处理分析,比较2组结节实性成分及总体的左右径(LRD)、前后径(APD)、上下径(SID)、平均密度(DAVG)、非实性部分体积(VNS)、实性部分体积(V_S)、总体体积(V_T)、实性部分体积百分率(V_S%)以及形态学特征的差异,并与二维轴位CT图像肺窗下手动测量结节最大径的诊断效能进行比较,评估GE Lung VCAR软件的诊断价值。结果:AIS组与MIA组的二维手动测量最大径与软件分析获得结节实性部分及总体三径、V_S、V_T、V_S%、结节形态、毛刺征、结节与血管关系、累及血管根数的差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。GE Lung VCAR软件评估结节大小较手动测量诊断效能高;部分参数诊断效能由高到低分别为:累及血管根数、毛刺征、总体LRD、实性APD、V_T、V_S;最佳截断值分别为:累及3根血管、短毛刺征、总体LRD:14.5 mm、实性APD:8.5 mm、V_T:802 mm^3、V_S:133 mm^3。结论:GE Lung VCAR软件在肺结节CT诊断中具有较好实用价值,是鉴别AIS和MIA的一项有利工具。

Small intestinal lipomas:Diagnostic value of multi-slice CT enterography

AIM:To analyze the clinical and imaging features of the small intestinal lipomas and to evaluate the diagnostic value of multi-slice computed tomography(CT) enterography.METHODS:Fourteen cases(one had two intestinal lesions) of surgically confirmed lipomas of the small intestine were retrospectively analyzed.The location,size,clinical and radiological aspects were discussed.RESULTS:Twelve patients presented with abdominal pain,of whom three complained of paroxysmal colic.Melena or bloody stools was mentioned in five cases.One lesion was detected incidentally during routine physical examination.One lesion was found unexpectedly during the preoperational evaluation for cholecystitis.Examination of the abdomen revealed palpable masses in four cases.Precontrast CT scan showed round or oval well-defined hypo-intense intraluminal masses with the attenuation ranging from-130 HU to-60 HU.On contrast enhancement CT scan,no striking enhancement was seen.CONCLUSION:The small intestinal lipomas are rare and difficult to diagnose merely based on clinical manifestations,while the characteristic features at small intestinal CT enterography can help establish reliable prospective diagnoses.

Development and validation of a CT-based radiomics nomogram for preoperative prediction of tumor histologic grade in gastric adenocarcinoma

Objectives:To develop and validate a radiomics nomogram for preoperative prediction of tumor histologic grade in gastric adenocarcinoma(GA).Methods:This retrospective study enrolled 592 patients with clinicopathologically confirmed GA(low-grade:n=154;high-grade:n=438)from January 2008 to March 2018 who were divided into training(n=450)and validation(n=142)sets according to the time of computed tomography(CT)examination.Radiomic features were extracted from the portal venous phase CT images.The Mann-Whitney U test and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO)regression model were used for feature selection,data dimension reduction and radiomics signature construction.Multivariable logistic regression analysis was applied to develop the prediction model.The radiomics signature and independent clinicopathologic risk factors were incorporated and presented as a radiomics nomogram.The performance of the nomogram was assessed with respect to its calibration and discrimination.Results:A radiomics signature containing 12 selected features was significantly associated with the histologic grade of GA(P<0.001 for both training and validation sets).A nomogram including the radiomics signature and tumor location as predictors was developed.The model showed both good calibration and good discrimination,in which C-index in the training set,0.752[95%confidence interval(95%CI):0.701-0.803];C-index in the validation set,0.793(95%CI:0.711-0.874).Conclusions:This study developed a radiomics nomogram that incorporates tumor location and radiomics signatures,which can be useful in facilitating preoperative individualized prediction of histologic grade of GA.

The diagnostic rules of peripheral lung cancer preliminary study based on data mining technique

Objective： To discuss the clinical and imaging diagnostic rules of peripheral lung cancer by data mining technique, and to explore new ideas in the diagnosis of peripheral lung cancer, and to obtain early-stage technology and knowledge support of computer-aided detecting （CAD）. Methods： 58 cases of peripheral lung cancer confirmed by clinical pathology were collected. The data were imported into the database after the standardization of the clinical and CT findings attributes were identified. The data was studied comparatively based on Association Rules （AR） of the knowledge discovery process and the Rough Set （RS） reduction algorithm and Genetic Algorithm（GA） of the generic data analysis tool （ROSETTA）, respectively. Results： The genetic classification algorithm of ROSETTA generates 5 000 or so diagnosis rules. The RS reduction algorithm of Johnson＇s Algorithm generates 51 diagnosis rules and the AR algorithm generates 123 diagnosis rules. Three data mining methods basically consider gender, age, cough, location, lobulation sign, shape, ground-glass density attributes as the main basis for the diagnosis of peripheral lung cancer. Conclusion： These diagnosis rules for peripheral lung cancer with three data mining technology is same as clinical diagnostic rules, and these rules also can be used to build the knowledge base of expert system. This study demonstrated the potential values of data mining technology in clinical imaging diagnosis and differential diagnosis.

Ominous lung cavity “Tambourine sign”

Mucinous adenocarcinoma represents a rare subtype of adenocarcinoma of the lung, which is frequently invasive and has a poorer prognosis. Of its wide range of imaging appearances, air-space consolidation is the most frequent pattern while cavitary form has only rarely been reported. Despite imaging advancements, the differentiation of benign and malignant cavitary lung lesions sometimes remains imperfect. We propose "Tambourine" sign on computed tomography to raise the suspicion of mucinous adenocarcinoma in a lung cavity, under appropriate clinical settings. The sign indicates an irregular cavity with undistorted prominent thick walled bronchioles within the wall and draping along thereby resembling the musical instrument "tambourine". Adjacent ground glass and internal septations may also be seen.

Single-lung transplantation for pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis: A case report

BACKGROUND Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis(PAM)is a rare idiopathic lung disease characterized by the accumulation of innumerable microliths.Currently,effective therapeutics for PAM are not available,and the only treatment for end-stage lung disease is lung transplantation(LuTx).Further,there are few reports that focus on LuTx for the treatment of PAM,and the follow-up reports of postoperative imaging are even rarer.CASE SUMMARY A 52-year-old man presented to Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital in 2017 after experiencing shortness of breath and exacerbation.The patient was diagnosed with PAM and referred for single-LuTx(SLuTx)on March 14,2018.Preoperative imaging results from a chest X-ray demonstrated bilateral,diffuse,symmetrical,sandstorm-like radiopaque micronodules,and pneumothorax and a computed tomography scan revealed minute,calcified military nodules in both lungs.We performed a left SLuTx,and intraoperative pathology was consistent with PAM.One week after surgery,a chest X-ray revealed slight exudation of the left lung,and one month later,the left transplanted lung exhibited good dilation,mild pulmonary perfusion injury with local infection,and left pleural effusion.Fiberoptic bronchoscopy revealed left hyperplastic granulation at the left bronchial anastomosis.Multiple sputum cultures suggested the presence of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii.The last follow-up was conducted in April 2019;the patient recovered well.CONCLUSION This case presents the imaging findings of a patient with PAM before and after LuTx and confirms the effectiveness of LuTx for the treatment of this disease.

Large cell carcinoma of lung: analysis of CT signs and review of the literature

Objective: Large cell carcinoma of lung is a very rare tumor. The clinical characteristics and CT imaging feature of large cell carcinoma of lung were discussed in this article. Methods: Eight cases of large cell carcinoma of lung proven by post-operational pathology were retrospectively analyzed from 2000 to 2005 and the literature on it was reviewed. Results: All 8 cases were men. The average age of patients was 64.88 years. Seven cases were smokers. Six cases had obvious chest stuffy, short breath, thrill dry cough. Hereinto 3 cases had cardinal red blood sputum. CT images of large cell carcinoma of lung were represented as single and peripheral mass or nodule. The distribution of large cell carcinoma of lung was short of some rule. 75% focus had clear finitude. One case showed internal calcification and 2 cases showed cavity. They did not show internal fat density. Conclusion: Large cell carcinoma of lung is difficult to be diagnosed before operation. Its CT finding is nonspecific.

The Use of Multislice Spiral CT to Predict the Resectability of Central Lung Cancer： Correlation with Pathologic and Surgical Findings

OBJECTIVE To assess the accuracy of multi-slice spiral CT （MSCT） with imaging reconstruction in judging central pulmonary vascular involvement from central lung cancer, and to explore its ability to predict the resectability of lung cancer. METHODS MSCTs were conducted on 48 patients who were diagnosed preoperatively with central lung cancer. Images of pulmonary arteries and veins that might affect Iobectomy or pneumonectomy were reconstructed by means of imaging processing techniques. Then the relationship of the tumor to the vessels was assessed prospectively on both axial CT images and axial CT images plus reconstructed images（CT-RI） in comparison to subsequent pathologic and surgical findings. RESULTS MSCTs were obtained on all 48 patients whom 42 underwent thoracotomy, Iobectomy or pneumonectomy. Compared with the axial CT images, CT-RI was more accurate in judging the relationship of the central pulmonary vessels to the tumor based on subsequent pathologic 78 vessels studied and surgical findings （186 vessels studied）（0.01 〈P〈0.05）. The sensitivity and positive predictive value of unresectability of the vessels were all remarkably higher with CT-RI （P〈0.01）. CONCLUSION MSCT with imaging reconstruction can improve the recognition of neoplastic invasion of central pulmonary vessels. It can be used to predict preoperatively the resectability of central lung cancer and to plan surgery.

Attention Based Multi-Patched 3D-CNNs with Hybrid Fusion Architecture for Reducing False Positives during Lung Nodule Detection

In lung nodules there is a huge variation in structural properties like Shape, Surface Texture. Even the spatial properties vary, where they can be found attached to lung walls, blood vessels in complex non-homogenous lung structures. Moreover, the nodules are of small size at their early stage of development. This poses a serious challenge to develop a Computer aided diagnosis (CAD) system with better false positive reduction. Hence, to reduce the false positives per scan and to deal with the challenges mentioned, this paper proposes a set of three diverse 3D Attention based CNN architectures (3D ACNN) whose predictions on given low dose Volumetric Computed Tomography (CT) scans are fused to achieve more effective and reliable results. Attention mechanism is employed to selectively concentrate/weigh more on nodule specific features and less weight age over other irrelevant features. By using this attention based mechanism in CNN unlike traditional methods there was a significant gain in the classification performance. Contextual dependencies are also taken into account by giving three patches of different sizes surrounding the nodule as input to the ACNN architectures. The system is trained and validated using a publicly available LUNA16 dataset in a 10 fold cross validation approach where a competition performance metric (CPM) score of 0.931 is achieved. The experimental results demonstrate that either a single patch or a single architecture in a one-to-one fashion that is adopted in earlier methods cannot achieve a better performance and signifies the necessity of fusing different multi patched architectures. Though the proposed system is mainly designed for pulmonary nodule detection it can be easily extended to classification tasks of any other 3D medical diagnostic computed tomography images where there is a huge variation and uncertainty in classification.