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Tomography (Ann Arbor, Mich.) Jun 2023This review has the purpose of illustrating schematically and comprehensively the key concepts for the beginner who approaches chest radiology for the first time. The... (Review)
Review
This review has the purpose of illustrating schematically and comprehensively the key concepts for the beginner who approaches chest radiology for the first time. The approach to thoracic imaging may be challenging for the beginner due to the wide spectrum of diseases, their overlap, and the complexity of radiological findings. The first step consists of the proper assessment of the basic imaging findings. This review is divided into three main districts (mediastinum, pleura, focal and diffuse diseases of the lung parenchyma): the main findings will be discussed in a clinical scenario. Radiological tips and tricks, and relative clinical background, will be provided to orient the beginner toward the differential diagnoses of the main thoracic diseases.
Topics: Humans; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Lung; Radiography, Thoracic; Lung Neoplasms; Radiology
PubMed: 37368547
DOI: 10.3390/tomography9030095 -
Mediastinum (Hong Kong, China) 2019Thymic malignancies may exhibit aggressive behavior such as invasion of adjacent structures and involvement of the pleura and pericardium. The role of imaging in the... (Review)
Review
Thymic malignancies may exhibit aggressive behavior such as invasion of adjacent structures and involvement of the pleura and pericardium. The role of imaging in the evaluation of primary thymic neoplasms is to properly assess tumor staging, with emphasis on the detection of local invasion and distant spread of disease, correctly identifying candidates for preoperative neoadjuvant therapy. Different imaging modalities are used in the initial investigation of thymic malignancies including chest radiography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET), in particular with [18F] fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). At this moment, CT is the most common imaging modality on the assessment of thymic malignancies. MRI has the benefit of no emission of damaging ionizing radiation reducing the radiation dose to the patient when compared with CT. For this reason, MRI has been playing an important role in the evaluation of tumor invasion and follow up imaging studies which becomes even more relevant in young patients or those patients with prior history of radiation therapy.
PubMed: 35118257
DOI: 10.21037/med.2019.06.05 -
BMC Medicine Apr 2022Organ-specific metastatic context has not been incorporated into the clinical practice of guiding programmed death-(ligand) 1 [PD-(L)1] blockade, due to a lack of...
BACKGROUND
Organ-specific metastatic context has not been incorporated into the clinical practice of guiding programmed death-(ligand) 1 [PD-(L)1] blockade, due to a lack of understanding of its predictive versus prognostic value. We aim at delineating and then incorporating both the predictive and prognostic effects of the metastatic-organ landscape to dissect PD-(L)1 blockade efficacy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
METHODS
A total of 2062 NSCLC patients from a double-arm randomized trial (OAK), two immunotherapy trials (FIR, BIRCH), and a real-world cohort (NFyy) were included. The metastatic organs were stratified into two categories based on their treatment-dependent predictive significance versus treatment-independent prognosis. A metastasis-based scoring system (METscore) was developed and validated for guiding PD-(L)1 blockade in clinical trials and real-world practice.
RESULTS
Patients harboring various organ-specific metastases presented significantly different responses to immunotherapy, and those with brain and adrenal gland metastases survived longer than others [overall survival (OS), p = 0.0105; progression-free survival (PFS), p = 0.0167]. In contrast, survival outcomes were similar in chemotherapy-treated patients regardless of metastatic sites (OS, p = 0.3742; PFS, p = 0.8242). Intriguingly, the immunotherapeutic predictive significance of the metastatic-organ landscape was specifically presented in PD-L1-positive populations (PD-L1 > 1%). Among them, a paradoxical coexistence of a favorable predictive effect coupled with an unfavorable prognostic effect was observed in metastases to adrenal glands, brain, and liver (category I organs), whereas metastases to bone, pleura, pleural effusion, and mediastinum yielded consistent unfavorable predictive and prognostic effects (category II organs). METscore was capable of integrating both predictive and prognostic effects of the entire landscape and dissected OS outcome of NSCLC patients received PD-(L)1 blockade (p < 0.0001) but not chemotherapy (p = 0.0805) in the OAK training cohort. Meanwhile, general performance of METscore was first validated in FIR (p = 0.0350) and BIRCH (p < 0.0001), and then in the real-world NFyy cohort (p = 0.0181). Notably, METscore was also applicable to patients received PD-(L)1 blockade as first-line treatment both in the clinical trials (OS, p = 0.0087; PFS, p = 0.0290) and in the real-world practice (OS, p = 0.0182; PFS, p = 0.0045).
CONCLUSIONS
Organ-specific metastatic landscape served as a potential predictor of immunotherapy, and METscore might enable noninvasive forecast of PD-(L)1 blockade efficacy using baseline radiologic assessments in advanced NSCLC.
Topics: B7-H1 Antigen; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Clinical Trials as Topic; Humans; Immunotherapy; Lung Neoplasms; Progression-Free Survival
PubMed: 35410334
DOI: 10.1186/s12916-022-02315-2 -
Mediastinum (Hong Kong, China) 2024The mediastinum is a complex, heterogeneous area, which leads vertically across the thoracic cavity between the bilateral mediastinal pleurae, connecting the head and... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
The mediastinum is a complex, heterogeneous area, which leads vertically across the thoracic cavity between the bilateral mediastinal pleurae, connecting the head and neck region with the thoracic cavity. Different classifications have been published to differentiate between the so-called mediastinal compartments while the most used classification surely is the 4-compartments Gray`s classification, dividing it into the superior, anterior, middle and posterior mediastinum. Mediastinal abnormalities include infections (mediastinitis) and solid or cystic mediastinal masses. These masses can be divided into benign and malignant lesions originating from mediastinal structures/organs or represent manifestations of metastatic disease, often metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This review aims to explore the different mediastinal pathologies along with indications and surgical approaches.
METHODS
We performed literature research in PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, and CINAHL databases. Only papers written in English were included.
KEY CONTENT AND FINDINGS
Depending on the indication for surgical intervention and the localization of the pathology, surgical approach may differ immensely. Mediastinal staging of lung cancer, primary lesions of the mediastinum, mediastinitis and traumatic mediastinal injuries display the most frequent indications for mediastinal surgery. Surgical approaches trend towards minimally invasive, video- or robotic-assisted techniques and are becoming increasingly refined to adapt to the special characteristics of the mediastinum. However, certain indications still require open access for best possible mediastinal exposure or oncological reasons.
CONCLUSIONS
To guide optimal surgical approach selection to the mediastinum, the following overview will present all published surgical approaches to the mediastinum and discuss their practical relevance and indications aiming to help surgeons in the management of patients with mediastinal pathologies who should undergo surgery.
PubMed: 38881816
DOI: 10.21037/med-23-71 -
Radiographics : a Review Publication of... Sep 2023Chest radiography continues to be the first-line imaging modality for evaluation of the chest. Interpretation is based on the understanding of complex three-dimensional... (Review)
Review
Chest radiography continues to be the first-line imaging modality for evaluation of the chest. Interpretation is based on the understanding of complex three-dimensional (3D) structural relationships, which are translated into a two-dimensional (2D) plane. These 2D projections form multiple "lines and stripes" on chest radiographs, representing the interfaces between the pulmonary parenchyma, pleura, and normal mediastinal structures. Given the subtlety of overlying tissue and the need to mentally synthesize planar images into three dimensions, structural relationships may be difficult to appreciate. An understanding of these relationships forms the basis of recognizing pathologic conditions and providing an accurate differential diagnosis, which can assist in targeted appropriate further workup. On a 2D radiograph, this means recognizing the normal lines and stripes as well as their appearance when effaced or displaced. Once this abnormality is identified, a focused differential diagnosis can be generated, which can be further narrowed on the basis of other factors, such as patient history or ancillary findings. Three-dimensional cinematic rendering is an innovative tool that can help radiologists grasp these anatomic relationships and discern subtle findings at radiography. This technique allows improved visualization of structures such as the pleura that are difficult to appreciate with traditional imaging modalities. The authors provide an updated review of lines and stripes on chest radiographs, using 3D cinematic rendering as a teaching tool. RSNA, 2023 Quiz questions for this article are available in the supplemental material.
Topics: Humans; Radiography; Diagnosis, Differential; Radiologists; Thorax
PubMed: 37590159
DOI: 10.1148/rg.230017 -
European Journal of Cardio-thoracic... Apr 2023Our goal was to evaluate the association between the distance of the tumour to the visceral pleura and the rate of local recurrence in patients surgically treated for...
OBJECTIVES
Our goal was to evaluate the association between the distance of the tumour to the visceral pleura and the rate of local recurrence in patients surgically treated for stage pI lung cancer.
METHODS
We conducted a single-centre retrospective review of 578 consecutive patients with clinical stage IA lung cancer who underwent a lobectomy or segmentectomy from January 2010 to December 2019. We excluded 107 patients with positive margins, previous lung cancer, neoadjuvant treatment and pathological stage II or higher status or for whom preoperative computed tomography (CT) scans were not available at the time of the study. The distance between the tumour and the closest visceral pleura area (fissure/mediastinum/lateral) was assessed by 2 independent investigators who used preoperative CT scans and multiplanar 3-dimensional reconstructions. An area under the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to determine the best threshold for the tumour/pleura distance. Then multivariable survival analyses were used to assess the relationship between local recurrence and this threshold in relation to other variables.
RESULTS
Local recurrence occurred in 27/471 patients (5.8%). A cut-off value of 5 mm between the tumour and the pleura was determined statistically. In the multivariable analysis, the local recurrence rate was significantly higher in patients with a tumour-to-pleura distance ≤5 mm compared to patients with a tumour-to-pleura distance >5 mm (8.5% vs 2.7%, hazard ratio 3.36, 95% confidence interval: 1.31-8.59, P = 0.012). Subgroup analyses of patients with pIA and tumour size ≤2 cm identified local recurrences in 4/78 patients treated with segmentectomy (5.1%), with a significantly higher occurrence with tumour-to-pleura distances ≤5 mm (11.4% vs 0%, P = 0.037), and in 16/292 patients treated with lobectomy (5.5%) without significant higher occurrence in tumour-to-pleura distances of ≤5 mm (7.7% vs 3.4%, P = 0.13).
CONCLUSIONS
The peripheral location of a lung tumour is associated with a higher rate of local recurrence and should be taken into account during preoperative planning when considering segmental versus lobar resection.
Topics: Humans; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Treatment Outcome; Pneumonectomy; Neoplasm Staging; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Lung Neoplasms; Pleural Neoplasms; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 37010510
DOI: 10.1093/ejcts/ezad130 -
Nuclear Medicine Communications Feb 2022To develop an 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/computed tomography (CT) scoring model based on metabolic and radiologic findings of the pleura and fluid to identify malignant...
OBJECTIVE
To develop an 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/computed tomography (CT) scoring model based on metabolic and radiologic findings of the pleura and fluid to identify malignant pleural effusion.
METHODS
The PET and CT findings from patients with pleural effusion in the derivation dataset were used to develop a scoring model. Then, the diagnostic accuracy of the predictive score was verified by the validation dataset.
RESULTS
Eight parameters independently predicting malignancy were retained in the scoring model, including pleural nodules or masses (4 points), focal pleural thickening (2 points), absence of pleural loculation (2 points), thickness of mediastinal pleura involvement ≥0.5 cm (2 points), maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of mediastinal pleura involvement ≥2.3 (2 points), thickness of nonmediastinal pleura involvement ≥0.5 cm (1 point), SUVmax of nonmediastinal pleura involvement ≥3.0 (1 point) and fluid SUVmax ≥1.6 (1 point). The operating characteristics of the PET/CT score were 0.958 area under the curve (AUC), 88.6% sensitivity, 91.2% specificity, 10.09 positive likelihood ratio and 0.13 negative likelihood ratio, with 6 points as the threshold. These values in the validation dataset were 0.947, 91.7%, 88.4%, 7.91 and 0.094, respectively. No difference was found in AUCs between the derivation and validation datasets (z = 0.517, P = 0.697). The negative predictive value was 99.4% in the score from 0 to 2, and the positive predictive value was 98.3% for patients with score between 9 and 15.
CONCLUSIONS
The PET/CT scoring model is a valuable strategy to help physicians to distinguish malignant-benign pleural effusion and stratify patients who will benefit from invasive procedures.
Topics: Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
PubMed: 34864810
DOI: 10.1097/MNM.0000000000001505 -
Radiology Jan 2024Background Pulmonary noncalcified nodules (NCNs) attached to the fissural or costal pleura with smooth margins and triangular or lentiform, oval, or semicircular (LOS)...
Background Pulmonary noncalcified nodules (NCNs) attached to the fissural or costal pleura with smooth margins and triangular or lentiform, oval, or semicircular (LOS) shapes at low-dose CT are recommended for annual follow-up instead of immediate workup. Purpose To determine whether management of mediastinal or diaphragmatic pleura-attached NCNs (M/DP-NCNs) with the same features as fissural or costal pleura-attached NCNs at low-dose CT can follow the same recommendations. Materials and Methods This retrospective study reviewed chest CT examinations in participants from two databases. Group A included 1451 participants who had lung cancer that was first present as a solid nodule with an average diameter of 3.0-30.0 mm. Group B included 345 consecutive participants from a lung cancer screening program who had at least one solid nodule with a diameter of 3.0-30.0 mm at baseline CT and underwent at least three follow-up CT examinations. Radiologists reviewed CT images to identify solid M/DP-NCNs, defined as nodules 0 mm in distance from the mediastinal or diaphragmatic pleura, and recorded average diameter, margin, and shape. General descriptive statistics were used. Results Among the 1451 participants with lung cancer in group A, 163 participants (median age, 68 years [IQR, 61.5-75.0 years]; 92 male participants) had 164 malignant M/DP-NCNs 3.0-30.0 mm in average diameter. None of the 164 malignant M/DP-NCNs had smooth margins and triangular or LOS shapes (upper limit of 95% CI of proportion, 0.02). Among the 345 consecutive screening participants in group B, 146 participants (median age, 65 years [IQR, 59-71 years]; 81 female participants) had 240 M/DP-NCNs with average diameter 3.0-30.0 mm. None of the M/DP-NCNs with smooth margins and triangular or LOS shapes were malignant after a median follow-up of 57.8 months (IQR, 46.3-68.1 months). Conclusion For solid M/DP-NCNs with smooth margins and triangular or LOS shapes at low-dose CT, the risk of lung cancer is extremely low, which supports the recommendation of Lung Imaging Reporting and Data System version 2022 for annual follow-up instead of immediate workup. © RSNA, 2024 See also the editorial by Goodman and Baruah in this issue.
Topics: Female; Male; Humans; Aged; Early Detection of Cancer; Lung Neoplasms; Pleura; Retrospective Studies; Multiple Pulmonary Nodules; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 38165250
DOI: 10.1148/radiol.231219 -
The American Journal of the Medical... Jul 2022Diffuse pulmonary lymphangiomatosis (DPL) is rare in adults. It is characterized by abnormal proliferation, dilatation, and thickening of the lymphatic channels in the... (Review)
Review
Diffuse pulmonary lymphangiomatosis (DPL) is rare in adults. It is characterized by abnormal proliferation, dilatation, and thickening of the lymphatic channels in the lungs, pleura, and mediastinal soft tissue. Here, we report a case of DPL in a young adult man with recurrent productive cough. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed bilateral interlobular septal and peribronchovascular thickening and mediastinal soft tissue infiltration. Lung biopsy through video-assisted thoracic surgery demonstrated proliferation and dilatation of irregular lymphatic spaces, lined by flattened endothelial cells that were positive for CD31, D2-40, and factor VIII-related antigen on immunohistochemical staining. After treatment with propranolol for six months, the chest CT showed improved interlobular septal and peribronchovascular thickening and a unilateral pleural effusion, which turned bloody. Radiologic features can suggest the diagnosis of DPL. Surgical biopsy with adequate section size is critical in the diagnosis. Propranolol might be an effective and safe therapeutic option for patients with DPL.
Topics: Endothelial Cells; Humans; Lung; Lung Diseases; Lymphangiectasis; Male; Propranolol; Young Adult
PubMed: 35405139
DOI: 10.1016/j.amjms.2022.03.015 -
Cancer Treatment and Research 2023There is no denying that many revolutions took place in the fight against cancer during the last decades. However, cancers have always managed to find new ways to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
There is no denying that many revolutions took place in the fight against cancer during the last decades. However, cancers have always managed to find new ways to challenge humankinds. Variable genomic epidemiology, socio-economic differences and limitations of widespread screening are the major concerns in cancer diagnosis and early treatment. A multidisciplinary approach is essentially to manage a cancer patient efficiently. Thoracic malignancies including lung cancers and pleural mesothelioma are accountable for little more than 11.6% of the global cancer burden [4]. Mesothelioma is one of the rare cancers, but concern is the incidences are increasing globally. However, the good news is first-line chemotherapy with the combination of immune checkpoints inhibitors (ICIs) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and mesothelioma has showed promising respond and improved overall survival (OS) in pivotal clinical trials [10]. ICIs are commonly referred as immunotherapy are antigens on the cancer cells, and inhibitors are the antibodies produce by the T cell defence system. By inhibiting immune checkpoints, the cancer cells become visible to be identified as abnormal cells and attack by the body's defence system [17]. The programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) and programmed death receptor ligand-1 (PD-L1) inhibitors are commonly used immune checkpoint blockers for anti-cancer treatment. PD-1/PD-L1 are proteins produced by immune cells and mimic by cancer cells that are implicated in inhibiting T cell response to regulate our immune system, which results tumour cells escaping the defence mechanism to achieve immune surveillance. Therefore, inhibiting immune checkpoints as well as monoclonal antibodies can lead to effective apoptosis of tumour cells [17]. Mesothelioma is an industrial disease caused by significant asbestos exposure. It is the cancer of the mesothelial tissue which presents in the lining of the mediastinum of pleura, pericardium and peritoneum, most commonly affected sites are pleura of the lung or chest wall lining [9] as route of asbestos exposure is inhalation. Calretinin is a calcium binding protein, typically over exposed in malignant mesotheliomas and the most useful marker even while initial changes take place [5]. On the other hand, Wilm's tumour 1 (WT-1) gene expression on the tumour cells can be related to prognosis as it can elicit immune response, thereby inhibit cell apoptosis. A systematic review and meta-analysis study conducted by Qi et al. has suggested that expression of WT-1 in a solid tumour is fatal however, it gives the tumour cell a feature of immune sensitivity which then acts positively towards the treatment with immunotherapy. Clinical significance of WT-1 oncogene in treatment is still hugely debatable and needs further attention [21]. Recently, Japan has reinstated Nivolumab in patients with chemo-refractory mesothelioma. According to NCCN guidelines, the salvage therapies include Pembrolizumab in PD-L1 positive patients and Nivolumab alone or with Ipilimumab in cancers irrespective of PD-L1 expression [9]. The checkpoint blockers have taken over the biomarker-based research and demonstrated impressive treatment options in immune sensitive and asbestos-related cancers. It can be expected that in near future the immune checkpoint inhibitors will be considered as approved first-line cancer treatment universally.
Topics: Humans; B7-H1 Antigen; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Immunotherapy; Lung Neoplasms; Mesothelioma; Mesothelioma, Malignant; Nivolumab; Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor; Receptors, Death Domain
PubMed: 37306905
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-27156-4_5