Generative Adversarial Network-Based Image Conversion Among Different Computed Tomography Protocols and Vendors: Effects on Accuracy and Variability in Quantifying Regional Disease Patterns of Interstitial Lung Disease

Objective@#To assess whether computed tomography (CT) conversion across different scan parameters and manufacturers using a routable generative adversarial network (RouteGAN) can improve the accuracy and variability in quantifying interstitial lung disease (ILD) using a deep learning-based automated software. @*Materials and Methods@#This study included patients with ILD who underwent thin-section CT. Unmatched CT images obtained using scanners from four manufacturers (vendors A-D), standard- or low-radiation doses, and sharp or medium kernels were classified into groups 1–7 according to acquisition conditions. CT images in groups 2–7 were converted into the target CT sty le (Group 1: vendor A, standard dose, and sharp kernel) using a RouteGAN. ILD was quantified on original and converted CT images using a deep learning-based software (Aview, Coreline Soft). The accuracy of quantification was analyzed using the dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and pixel-wise overlap accuracy metrics against manual quantification by a radiologist. Five radiologists evaluated quantification accuracy using a 10-point visual scoring system. @*Results@#Three hundred and fifty CT slices from 150 patients (mean age: 67.6 ± 10.7 years; 56 females) were included. The overlap accuracies for quantifying total abnormalities in groups 2–7 improved after CT conversion (original vs. converted: 0.63vs. 0.68 for DSC, 0.66 vs. 0.70 for pixel-wise recall, and 0.68 vs. 0.73 for pixel-wise precision; P < 0.002 for all). The DSCs of fibrosis score, honeycombing, and reticulation significantly increased after CT conversion (0.32 vs. 0.64, 0.19 vs. 0.47, and 0.23 vs. 0.54, P < 0.002 for all), whereas those of ground-glass opacity, consolidation, and emphysema did not change significantly or decreased slightly. The radiologists’ scores were significantly higher (P < 0.001) and less variable on converted CT. @*Conclusion@#CT conversion using a RouteGAN can improve the accuracy and variability of CT images obtained using different scan parameters and manufacturers in deep learning-based quantification of ILD.

Atypical Presentation of Chronic Granulomatous Disease in a Neonate with a Pulmonary Granuloma Mimicking a Tumor: A Case Report

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is an uncommon primary immune deficiency caused by phagocytes defective in oxygen metabolite production. It results in recurrent bacterial or fungal infections. Herein, we present a case of CGD with a large pulmonary granuloma in a neonate and review the imaging findings. The patient was a 24-day-old neonate admitted to the hospital with fever. A round opacified lesion was identified on the chest radiograph. Subsequent CT and MRI revealed a round mass with heterogeneous enhancement in the right lower lobe. There were foci of diffusion restriction in the mass. Surgical biopsy of the mass revealed chronic granuloma. Finally, the neonate was diagnosed with CGD caused by mutation of the gp91phox gene. Herein, we present the clinical and imaging findings of this unusual case of CGD.

Risk Prediction Model for Lung Cancer Screening

Lung cancer screening in high-risk subjects using low-dose CT can reduce mortality by 20%. Current evidence suggests that the development of a risk prediction model for lung cancer is one of the major advances in lung cancer screening. Herein, we review the technical requirements for evaluating different risk prediction models. Moreover, we describe the major lung cancer risk prediction models reported, and the results of lung cancer screening using these models.

Gastrointestinal Gas and Abdominal Fat Quantity Measured by Three-Dimensional Abdominal Computed Tomography in Patients with Functional Bloating / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to assess whether increased intestinal gas or fat content in the abdominal cavity is related to abdominal bloating, using three-dimensional abdominal computed tomography scan. METHODS: Twenty-nine healthy individuals without abdominal bloating and organic disease (15 women; mean age, 49 years; range of age, 23–73 years) and 30 patients with chronic recurrent abdominal bloating-diagnosed with functional bloating (10 women; mean age, 53 years; range of age, 35–75 years) - participated in this study. The mean values of measured parameters were compared using independent sample t-test. RESULTS: The mean volume of total colon gas in bloated patients was similar to that in control subjects. The distribution of intra-abdominal gas was also similar between the two groups. However, the amount of gas in the transverse colon tended to be significantly higher in patients with bloating than in controls (p=0.06). Body mass index was similar between the two groups (23.4±3.2 kg/m2 and 22.3±3.1 kg/m2, respectively). Moreover, no significant differences with respect to circumferential area, subcutaneous fat, visceral fat area, and total fat area were found between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Bloating might not just be the result of gastrointestinal gas or intra-abdominal fat. Other contributing factors, such as localized abnormality in gas distribution and visceral hypersensitivity, may be involved.

Four Cases of Metastasectomy for Pulmonary Metastasis of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma / 대한내과학회지

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a rare cancer with a relatively poor prognosis because patients tend to be diagnosed in the advanced stage. Distant metastases have been recognized to be a major cause of treatment failure. However, because long-term survival has been reported in patients with lung metastasis alone, an aggressive approach to treatment for this group of patients should be considered. We report four cases of metastasectomy for pulmonary metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The metastatic lesions were confined to the lung with or without regional lymph nodes. The patients underwent a pulmonary metastasectomy following adjuvant chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy, and all patients are now disease-free.

Emphysema as a Risk Factor for the Outcome of Surgical Resection of Lung Cancer

It is unclear whether emphysema, regardless of airflow limitation, is a predictive factor associated with survival after lung cancer resection. Therefore, we investigated whether emphysema was a risk factor associated with the outcome after resection for lung cancer. This study enrolled 237 patients with non small cell lung cancer with stage I or II who had surgical removal. Patient outcome was analyzed based on emphysema. Emphysema was found in 43.4% of all patients. Patients with emphysema were predominantly men and smokers, and had a lower body mass index than the patients without emphysema. The patients without emphysema (n=133) survived longer (mean 51.2+/-3.0 vs. 40.6+/-3.1 months, P=0.042) than those with emphysema (n=104). The univariate analysis showed a younger age, higher FEV1/FVC, higher body mass index, cancer stage I, and a lower emphysema score were significant predictors of better survival. The multivariate analysis revealed a younger age, higher body mass index, and cancer stage I were independent parameters associated with better survival, however, emphysema was not. This study suggests that unfavorable outcomes after surgical resection of lung cancer should not be attributed to emphysema itself.

Intrathoracic Desmoid Tumor: A Case Report and Radiological Evaluation

Desmoid tumors are rare soft tissue tumors arising from the fascia or from musculoaponeurotic structures. They are commonly seen in the extremities, but are rarely found in the thorax. Thoracic desmoid tumors commonly arise from the chest wall and rarely in the thoracic cavity. Imaging diagnosis of an intrathoracic desmoid tumor is difficult because there are no specific imaging findings for a desmoid tumor that can be differentiated from the various tumors of the chest wall, including a solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura. All desmoid tumor cells show negative immunohistochemical staining for CD34 in pathological specimen, a feature that makes it possible to differentiate a desmoid tumor from a solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura. Desmoid tumors are locally aggressive and the rate of local recurrence is very high. Consequently, wide radical resection is required and a preoperative accurate diagnosis of desmoid tumors is warranted. We describe the radiological findings of various imaging studies for an intrathoracic desmoid tumor. Our findings should facilitate a proper diagnosis of desmoid tumors.

A Case of Endoscopically Treated Jejunal Bleeding from Polyarteritis Nodosa / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Polyarteritis nodosa is a necrotizing vasculitis of the small and medium-sized arteries of multiple organ systems. The common symptoms of gastrointestinal involvement are abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. However, the symptoms at presentation are sometimes non-specific and vague. The well-known complications of gastrointestinal involvement are mucosal ulceration, bowel infarction, perforation, cholecystitis and hepatitis. We describe a case of a 6-year-old male with jejunal bleeding who was diagnosed with polyarteritis nodosa by angiography. After controlling the systemic symptoms with immunosuppressants and steroids, jejunal bleeding occurred. The jejunal bleeding was treated endoscopically with a hemoclip and increasing the immunosuppressant dose. Generally, massive gastrointestinal bleeding in a patient with polyarteritis nodosa is treated surgically. In this case, the jejunal bleeding was controlled with an endoscope because the bleeding site was located within reach of the endoscope, and systemic symptoms subsided with medication. There is no report of gastrointestinal bleeding from the polyarteritis nodosa in a child in Korea. Therefore, we report this case with a review of the relevant literature.

Dieulafoy's Lesion of Jejunum: Presenting Small Bowel Mass and Stricture

Dieulafoy's lesion is an uncommon cause of gastrointestinal bleeding. Hemorrhage occurs through mucosal erosion from an abnormally dilated submucosal artery. Although Dieulafoy's lesion is usually located in the stomach, it may occur anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract. We report here on a case of jejunal Dieulafoy's lesion presenting as a mass and short segment stricture on CT and enteroclysis.