The role of chest X-ray in the early diagnosis and staging of sarcoidosis: Is it really should be done? / El papel de la radiografía de tórax en el diagnóstico precoz y estadificación de la sarcoidosis: ¿realmente se debe hacer?

Background: Sarcoidosis is a chronic granulomatous disease characterized by non-caseating granuloma. The conventional chest X-ray (CXR) has important role in the diagnosis, staging and follow-up of disease. Computed tomography (CT) is a second-line imaging method used to determine the extent, complications and differential diagnosis of sarcoidosis. Objectives: To determine the role of CXR in the early diagnosis and staging of sarcoidosis and to compare with CT imaging. Methods: One hundred and nine sarcoidosis patients followed at a single center were included in the study. Demographic, radiological, and clinical data of 81 patients were obtained from a total of 109 patients, and the record data of these 81 patients were evaluated. Patients who could not be reached for all tests were excluded from the study. CXR and CT imaging taken at diagnosis were evaluated retrospectively independently from two radiologists and one rheumatologist. Results: Among 109 patients, eighty-one patients CXR and CT imaging taken at the same center has been reached. Among 81 sarcoidosis patients 23 (28.4%) were male, 58 (71.6%) were female. The mean patients age was 46.4 years and the mean disease duration was 3.8 years. CXR is regarded as normal at diagnosis in 30 patients (37%), while all of these patients had findings consistent with sarcoidosis on CT imaging. CT imaging are more superior than CXR in the early diagnosis and staging of sarcoidosis (p=0.001). Also CT imaging is more superior for detection of disease extent and complications. Conclusions: In this study, we observed that CT imaging outperforms CXR in terms of early detection and staging of sarcoidosis. The use of CT imaging is important for early diagnosis and staging of sarcoidosis. The low performance of CXR is a condition that requires the discussion of this method. Multicenter prospective study is needed in this regard.(AU)

Antecedentes: La sarcoidosis es una enfermedad granulomatosa crónica caracterizada por un granuloma no caseificante. La radiografía de tórax convencional (CXR) tiene un papel importante en el diagnóstico, estadificación y seguimiento de la enfermedad. La tomografía computarizada (TC) es un método de imagen de segunda línea que se utiliza para determinar la extensión, las complicaciones y el diagnóstico diferencial de la sarcoidosis. Objetivos: Determinar el papel de la radiografía de tórax en el diagnóstico temprano y la estadificación de la sarcoidosis y compararlo con la tomografía computarizada. Métodos: Se incluyeron en el estudio 109 pacientes con sarcoidosis seguidos en un solo centro. Se obtuvieron datos demográficos, radiológicos y clínicos de 81 sujetos de un total de 109 pacientes, y se evaluaron los datos de registro de estos 81 individuos. Los pacientes que no pudieron ser contactados para todas las pruebas fueron excluidos del estudio. Las imágenes de CXR y CT tomadas en el momento del diagnóstico fueron evaluadas retrospectivamente de forma independiente por 2 radiólogos y un reumatólogo. Resultados: De un total de 109 pacientes se han obtenido imágenes de CXR y CT, tomadas en el mismo centro, de 81 individuos. De esos 81 pacientes con sarcoidosis 23 (28,4%) eran hombres y 58 (71,6%) eran mujeres. La edad media de los pacientes fue de 46,4 años y la duración media de la enfermedad fue de 3,8 años. La CXR se considera normal en el momento del diagnóstico en 30 pacientes (37%), mientras que todos estos pacientes tenían hallazgos consistentes con sarcoidosis en la TC. La TC es superior a la radiografía de tórax en el diagnóstico temprano y la estadificación de la sarcoidosis (p=0,001) y en la detección de la extensión de la enfermedad y las complicaciones. Conclusiones: En este estudio observamos que la TC supera a la radiografía de tórax en términos de detección temprana y estadificación de la sarcoidosis...(AU)

The role of chest X-ray in the early diagnosis and staging of sarcoidosis: Is it really should be done?

BACKGROUND: Sarcoidosis is a chronic granulomatous disease characterized by non-caseating granuloma. The conventional chest X-ray (CXR) has important role in the diagnosis, staging and follow-up of disease. Computed tomography (CT) is a second-line imaging method used to determine the extent, complications and differential diagnosis of sarcoidosis. OBJECTIVES: To determine the role of CXR in the early diagnosis and staging of sarcoidosis and to compare with CT imaging. METHODS: One hundred and nine sarcoidosis patients followed at a single center were included in the study. Demographic, radiological, and clinical data of 81 patients were obtained from a total of 109 patients, and the record data of these 81 patients were evaluated. Patients who could not be reached for all tests were excluded from the study. CXR and CT imaging taken at diagnosis were evaluated retrospectively independently from two radiologists and one rheumatologist. RESULTS: Among 109 patients, eighty-one patients CXR and CT imaging taken at the same center has been reached. Among 81 sarcoidosis patients 23 (28.4%) were male, 58 (71.6%) were female. The mean patients age was 46.4 years and the mean disease duration was 3.8 years. CXR is regarded as normal at diagnosis in 30 patients (37%), while all of these patients had findings consistent with sarcoidosis on CT imaging. CT imaging are more superior than CXR in the early diagnosis and staging of sarcoidosis (p=0.001). Also CT imaging is more superior for detection of disease extent and complications. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we observed that CT imaging outperforms CXR in terms of early detection and staging of sarcoidosis. The use of CT imaging is important for early diagnosis and staging of sarcoidosis. The low performance of CXR is a condition that requires the discussion of this method. Multicenter prospective study is needed in this regard.

Does the Thymus Index Predict COVID-19 Severity?

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic is a global health emergency that is straining health care resources. Identifying patients likely to experience severe illness would allow more targeted use of resources. This study aimed to investigate the association between the thymus index (TI) on thorax computed tomography (CT) and prognosis in patients with COVID-19. METHODS: A multicenter, cross-sectional, retrospective study was conducted between March 17 and June 30, 2020, in patients with confirmed COVID-19. The patients' clinical history and laboratory data were collected after receiving a signed consent form. Four experienced radiologists who were blinded to each other and patient data performed image evaluation. The appearance of the thymus was assessed in each patient using 2 published systems, including the TI and thymic morphology. Exclusion criteria were lack of initial diagnostic thoracic CT, previous sternotomy, pregnancy, and inappropriate images for thymic evaluation. A total of 2588 patients with confirmed COVID-19 and 1231 of these with appropriate thoracic CT imaging were included. Multivariable analysis was performed to predict the risk of severe disease and mortality. RESULTS: The median age was 45 (interquartile range, 33-58) years; 52.2% were male. Two hundred forty-nine (20.2%) patients had severe disease, and 60 (4.9%) patients died. Thymus index was significantly associated with mortality and severe disease (odds ratios, 0.289 [95% confidence interval, 0.141-0.588; P = 0.001]; and 0.266 [95% confidence interval, 0.075-0.932; P = 0.038]), respectively. Perithymic lymphadenopathy on CT imaging had a significantly strong association with grades of TI in patients with severe disease and death ( V = 0.413 P = 0.017; and V = 0.261 P = 0.002, respectively). A morphologically assessable thymus increased the probability of survival by 17-fold and the absence of severe disease by 12-fold. CONCLUSION: Assessment of the thymus in patients with COVID-19 may provide useful prognostic data for both disease severity and mortality.

Usefulness of laboratory parameters and chest CT in the early diagnosis of COVID-19.

In the present study, the importance of laboratory parameters and CT findings in the early diagnosis of COVID-19 was investigated. To this end, 245 patients admitted between April 1st, and May 30th, 2020 with suspected COVID-19 were enrolled. The patients were divided into three groups according to chest CT findings and RT-PCR results. The non-COVID-19 group consisted of 71 patients with negative RT-PCR results and no chest CT findings. Ninety-five patients with positive RT-PCR results and negativechest CT findings were included in the COVID-19 group; 79 patients with positive RT-PCR results and chest CT findings consistent with COVID-19 manifestations were included in COVID-19 pneumonia group. Chest CT findings were positive in 45% of all COVID-19 patients. Patients with positive chest CT findings had mild (n=30), moderate (n=21) andor severe (n=28) lung involvement. In the COVID-19 group, CRP levels and the percentage of monocytes increased significantly. As disease progressed from mild to severe, CRP, LDH and ferritin levels gradually increased. In the ROC analysis, the area under the curve corresponding to the percentage value of monocytes (AUC=0.887) had a very good accuracy in predicting COVID-19 cases. The multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that CRP, LYM and % MONO were independent factors for COVID-19. Furthermore, the chest CT evaluation is a relevant tool in patients with clinical suspicion of COVID-19 pneumonia and negative RT-PCR results. In addition to decreased lymphocyte count, the increased percentage of monocytes may also guide the diagnosis.

The prevalence and extent of coronary atherosclerosis among patients with a zero calcium score and the influence of patient characteristics.

PURPOSE: Coronary artery calcium (CAC) is a specific indicator of and an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis; however, calcium scoring may miss noncalcified plaques, which may have clinical importance. The aim of this study was both to identify the presence and extent of coronary plaques during computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) in patients with a zero CAC score and to evaluate the effect of risk factors and symptom status on the presence of noncalcified plaques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, we analyzed the cases of 842 consecutive patients between October 2006 and November 2011. Of these patients, we included 357 with a zero calcium score in the study. Information regarding patient age, sex, coronary risk factors, and symptom status were recorded. Coronary calcium-scoring scans were followed by CTCA. The calcium scores were calculated, and the presence of noncalcified plaques and significant stenoses (>50% of vessel diameter) was evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 357 patients with a zero calcium score, 37 (10.36%) had atherosclerotic plaques; 9 patients (2.52%) had significant coronary stenosis. Among coronary risk factors, only diabetes mellitus was significantly correlated with any risk factors (presence of atherosclerosis and obstructive coronary artery disease; P = .030 and .013, respectively). CONCLUSION: Although CAC scoring is a safe and a reliable test to exclude obstructive coronary artery disease, the absence of CAC does not definitively exclude the presence of atherosclerosis. CTCA is a more appropriate method for determining the atheroma burden.

Coexistence of Ankylosing Spondylitis and Klinefelter's Syndrome.

Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by inflammatory lower back pain and morning stiffness and accompanied by spine and sacroiliac joint involvement. Klinefelter's syndrome is a genetic condition that only affects males. Affected males have an extra X chromosome. This paper reports a 30-years-old male on followup with the diagnosis of Klinefelters syndrome. The patient admitted with complaints of inflammatory lower back, and neck pain and morning stiffness and was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and salazopyrine treatment resulted in significant regression in his complaints.

Sarcoidosis Presenting as Löfgren's Syndrome with Myopathy.

A 34-year-old female patient, who had proximal muscle weakness for 8 months, presented with erythema nodosum lesions on the pretibial region in addition to pain, swelling, and movement restriction in both ankles for the last one month. Thoracic CT demonstrated hilar and mediastinal lymphadenopathy. She underwent mediastinoscopic lymph node biopsy; biopsy result was consistent with noncaseating granuloma. Serum angiotensin converting enzyme level and muscle enzymes have been elevated. Muscular MRI and EMG findings were consistent with myositis. Muscle biopsy was done, and myopathy was found. The patient was diagnosed with sarcoidosis, Löfgren's syndrome, and sarcoid myopathy. The patient displayed remarkable clinical and radiological regression after 6-month corticosteroid and MTX therapy.

Clinically Occult Pituitary Adenoma Can Appear as a Hypermetabolic Lesion on Whole Body FDG PET Imaging in a Patient with Lymphoma.

UNLABELLED: We report a case with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma with a focus of intense hypermetabolism in the sellar region in the primary staging and posttreatment whole body F-18 FDG PET. Further evaluation with magnetic resonance imaging after posttreatment FDG PET revealed a pituitary adenoma. Endocrinologic workup was normal consistent with nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma and endocrinologists decided to follow up the patient by yearly magnetic resonance imaging. This case demonstrates a nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma by whole body FDG PET and emphasizes the importance of pursuing incidental findings detected in the sella on PET imaging. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None declared.