Focal incidental upper abdominal findings on unenhanced chest computed tomography that do not require further imaging: a roadmap for the thoracic radiologist / Achados incidentais focais no abdome superior encontrados na tomografia computadorizada de tórax sem contraste que não requerem investigação adicional: roteiro para o radiologista torácico

Abstract Chest scans usually include the upper abdomen, leading radiologists to evaluate the upper abdominal structures. The aim of this article is to summarize the most common incidental upper abdominal findings that do not require further imaging or management in patients undergoing unenhanced computed tomography of the chest for the investigation of thoracic symptoms or diseases. We review common incidental findings of the liver, gallbladder, spleen, adrenal glands, kidney, and retroperitoneum, as well as findings that mimic other lesions. Thoracic radiologists should be aware of such typical findings and report when no further investigation is needed, thus avoiding unnecessary imaging examinations, protecting patients from additional medical interventions, and allaying patient concerns.

Resumo As tomografias de tórax geralmente incluem o abdome superior, o que implica a avaliação das estruturas abdominais superiores. Nosso objetivo é resumir os achados incidentais mais comuns do abdome superior que não requerem imagem ou tratamento adicional em pacientes submetidos a tomografia computadorizada de tórax sem contraste para investigar sintomas ou doenças torácicas. Achados incidentais comuns do fígado, vesícula biliar, baço, glândulas adrenais, rins, retroperitônio e alterações que podem mimetizar lesões nesses órgãos serão revisados. O radiologista torácico deve estar ciente de tais achados e relatar quando nenhuma investigação adicional for necessária, para evitar excesso de exames, especialmente com radiação ionizante, proteger os pacientes de intervenções médicas e de preocupações.

Interobserver agreement regarding the Fleischner Society diagnostic criteria for usual interstitial pneumonia patterns on computed tomography / Concordância interobservador nas categorias diagnósticas de pneumonia intersticial usual propostas pela Fleischner Society na tomografia computadorizada

Abstract 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.

Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar a concordância interobservador entre radiologistas para os critérios atuais da Fleischner Society para categorias diagnósticas de pneumonia intersticial usual (PIU) em tomografia computadorizada (TC). Materiais e Métodos: Cinco observadores categorizaram independentemente as imagens de TC de 44 pacientes com doença pulmonar intersticial que foram submetidos a biópsia pulmonar empregando as últimas categorias de diagnóstico da Sociedade Fleischner para UIP. Também foram avaliadas presença, extensão e distribuição dos achados de imagem mais relevantes, bem como a confiança no diagnóstico mais provável e em até três hipóteses diagnósticas. Resultados: Houve concordância moderada a alta para as categorias diagnósticas entre os observadores (κ = 0,59-0,61). A concordância interobservador para a pontuação binária foi alta (κ = 0,77-0,79), enquanto para a presença de faveolamento foi considerada de alta a muito alta (κ = 0,81-0,96). Houve concordância em uma das três hipóteses diagnósticas em apenas 36,4% dos casos. Baixa concordância foi encontrada para o diagnóstico mais provável (κ = 0,19-0,21). Conclusão: A concordância entre observadores para os critérios atuais de TC da Fleischner Society para UIP foi moderada a alta entre observadores com diferentes níveis de experiência. Houve baixa concordância nas hipóteses diagnósticas e quanto ao grau de confiança no diagnóstico primário.

Aneurysm and dissection in a patient with syphilitic aortitis

ABSTRACT In the antibiotic era, aortic aneurysm is a rare complication of syphilis, what makes the diagnostic assumption even more difficult. Nonetheless, this condition should be suspected in patients with aortic aneurysm. Reports of aortic dissection complicating syphilitic aortitis have been distinctly rare in the literature, and their cause-effect relationship has not been definitely established. In this case report, we present a 62-year-old woman with aortic aneurysm and dissection associated with an unexpected diagnosis of syphilitic aortitis.

Right aortic arch with aberrant left innominate artery arising from Kommerell's diverticulum / Arco aórtico à direita associado a artéria inominada esquerda aberrante originada de divertículo de Kommerell

Abstract We report a case of an uncommon thoracic aorta anomaly-right aortic arch with aberrant left innominate artery arising from Kommerell's diverticulum-that went undiagnosed until adulthood.

Resumo É apresentado o caso de uma rara anomalia da aorta torácica - arco aórtico à direita associado a artéria inominada esquerda aberrante com origem em divertículo de Kommerell -, com diagnóstico apenas na vida adulta.

Large aortic aneurysm and dissection in a patient with Marfan’s syndrome

Marfan’s syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder of connective tissue affecting approximately 1 in 5000 people. In individuals with this syndrome, more than 90% of deaths from known causes result from cardiovascular complications, such as aortic dissection, aortic regurgitation, and congestive cardiac failure. In this report, we present a patient with a large symptomatic aortic aneurysm and chronic dissection, severe aortic regurgitation and cardiomegaly, treated successfully with resection of the proximal aorta and placement of a mechanic aortic valved graft...

Cardiac involvement in Erdheim-Chester disease: a case report

Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a rare non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis of unknown etiology characterized by proliferation of lipid-containing foamy histiocytes affecting bones and potentially every organ. There is a wide clinical spectrum of the disease, ranging from asymptomatic bone or soft-tissue lesions to life-threatening systemic involvement. Although the initial descriptions published by Jakob Erdheim and William Chester in 1930 included a patient with right atrial infiltration on autopsy, cardiovascular involvement in ECD has only gained more recognition recently. In the present report, we describe a case with cardiac involvement, presenting with symptomatic heart failure and a cardiac mass assessed with echocardiogram and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

Unilateral pulmonary veins atresia: evaluation by computed tomography / Atresia unilateral das veias pulmonares: avaliação por tomografia computadorizada

Unilateral pulmonary vein atresia is a rare congenital condition. In addition to cardiac malformations or pulmonary hypertension, patients may present with recurrent pulmonary infections or hemoptysis in childhood or adolescence. The authors report a case where the typical findings of such condition were observed at computed tomography in an adult patient.

Medida da espessura das camadas íntima e média das artérias carótidas para avaliação do risco cardiovascular / Intima-media thickness measurement for cardiovascular risk assessment

A medida ultra-sonográfica da espessura das camadas íntima e média das artérias carótidas (EIMC) tem surgido como um teste de grande potencial para a avaliação não invasiva da doença aterosclerótica. Diversos estudos têm demonstrado a associação independente entre EIMC e incidência de doenças cerebrovascular e coronariana, tornando a medida uma ferramenta valiosa na avaliação da aterosclerose e também do risco cardiovascular. Além de se correlacionar com dano em órgão-alvo em pacientes hipertensos, a medida da EIMC auxilia na estratificação de risco cardiovascular, com valor aditivo aos métodos tradicionais, como o Escore de Framingham. Entretanto, apesar de ser um teste rápido, de baixo custo e com boa reprodutibilidade, não existe padronização da técnica nem limites de normalidade bem estabelecidos, o que dificulta a utilização do método na rotina clínica diária. Dentro de pouco tempo, novos estudos deverão estabelecer com maior precisão o definitivo papel da medida da EIMC narotina da avaliação do risco cardiovascular.