Pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis: a comparative study of computed tomography in children and adults.

PURPOSE: Langerhans cell histiocytosis is a rare idiopathic disorder, characterized by the infiltration of 1 or more organs by large mononuclear cells. It can develop at any age. Pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis (PLCH) is found more frequently and is better described in adults than in children. The PLCH findings on computed tomography (CT) scans include nodular opacities, thin-walled cysts (often bizarre in shape), and marked parenchymal fibrosis. The purpose of this study was to compare the chest CT findings between adults and children with PLCH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the chest CT findings in a series of 7 children and 12 adults. Two independent observers reviewed the CT studies of all cases, and then correlated their observations. Statistical analysis was done with the Fisher exact test. RESULTS: The mean ages were 8 years (3 mo to 16 y) for the pediatric group and 39 years (21 to 59 y) for the adults. Extrapulmonary disease was present in 3 (43%) children and 1 (8.3%) adult. All the adults reported smoking, and only 1 pediatric patient (16 y old) had a history of smoking. The CT findings were characterized by the presence of cysts, fibrosis, and nodules, with the findings being similar in size and appearance for both populations. However, the distribution was different; the subpleural parenchyma in the costophrenic recess was spared in the entire adult group, but not spared in any of the pediatric patients. CONCLUSIONS: The CT findings of PLCH were similar in the adult and the pediatric populations, with the exception that costophrenic recess subpleural parenchyma was spared in the adult group but demonstrated pathology in the pediatric group.

Pleural mesothelioma: sensitivity and incidence of needle track seeding after image-guided biopsy versus surgical biopsy.

PURPOSE: To retrospectively compare the sensitivity of image-guided core-needle biopsy, thoracoscopy, and thoracotomy in the diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma and to retrospectively determine the incidence of needle track seeding after these procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Institutional review board approval was obtained, and informed consent was not required. The study included 100 consecutive patients (81 men, 19 women; average age, 65.8 years) with pathologically proved malignant pleural mesothelioma who were treated between 1994 and 2002. A total of 23 core-needle biopsies were performed in 22 patients, and 11 of these biopsies were coupled with fine-needle aspiration biopsy. A coaxial technique was used, and biopsy was performed with fluoroscopic (12 biopsies), computed tomographic (10 biopsies), or ultrasonographic (one biopsy) guidance. Sixty-nine patients underwent surgical biopsy in the form of thoracoscopy (n = 51) and/or thoracotomy (n = 21). Patients were followed up clinically for any evidence of needle track seeding after image-guided or surgical procedures. The sensitivity of diagnostic procedures and the incidence of needle track seeding as a result of intervention were calculated. RESULTS: Sensitivity was 86% for image-guided core-needle biopsy, 94% for thoracoscopy, and 100% for thoracotomy. The incidence of needle track seeding was 4% for image-guided core-needle biopsy and 22% for surgical biopsy. CONCLUSION: Image-guided core-needle biopsy in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma has a lower incidence of needle track seeding than surgical biopsy and has a high sensitivity for diagnosis.

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis and end-stage pulmonary fibrosis: a rare association.

We present the high resolution CT features of marked pulmonary fibrosis in a patient known to have pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) confirmed on open lung biopsy. Significant fibrosis in PAP is an extremely rare occurrence with only a few case reports. Our case demonstrated a predominantly central distribution, which has not been described previously.

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary arterial hypertension: correlation of postoperative results of thromboendarterectomy with preoperative helical contrast-enhanced computed tomography.

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy is the treatment of choice for patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary arterial hypertension (CTEPH). Some patients do poorly after this procedure and may be better candidates for heart-lung transplant. The purpose of this study was to correlate preoperative findings on helical contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) with surgical outcome. METHODS: Thirty-seven patients (mean age 52.9, range 22-71) who underwent pulmonary thromboendarterectomy and had preoperative helical contrast-enhanced CT followed by High Resolution CT (HRCT) scans were included in the study. The CTs were evaluated for the presence of central and segmental disease and for the presence of mosaic perfusion pattern. RESULTS: The presence of central disease, as well as the presence of segmental disease, correlated negatively with the postoperative mean pulmonary arterial pressure [r(c) = -0.401, P = 0.015, r(s) = -0.38, P = 0.024)] and the pulmonary vascular resistance [(r(c) = -0.37, P = 0.027, r(s) = -0.39, P = 0.019]. No correlation was found between the clinical variables and the presence of mosaic perfusion pattern. CONCLUSION: Patients with CTEPH and evidence of chronic PE in the central or segmental pulmonary arteries have a better clinical outcome after pulmonary thromboendarterectomy than patients without these findings. The presence of mosaic perfusion pattern is not helpful in predicting postoperative outcome.