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INTRODUCTION: Technological advancements in computed tomography (CT) have enabled the frequent detection of small pulmonary nodules (PNs), especially in patients with an oncologic history. It is important the malignant versus benign etiology of PNs be determined. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the behavior and clinical/radiological characteristics of subcentimeter PNs detected by CT in oncologic patients. METHODS: An observational, longitudinal, retrospective and single-center study was conducted with a sample of 100 patients with a diagnosis of a primary malignant solid tumor outside of the lungs who developed indeterminate subcentimeter PNs (nâ¯=â¯251) detected on consecutive thoracic CT scans from 2015 to 2017. Follow-up CTs for each patients were examined in each of three periods (0-3 months, 3-6 months, and 6 months to 1â¯year). RESULTS: In our study sample, 28 patients (28 %) showed one or more signs suspicious of pulmonary metastasis, including ≥50 % PN growth, nodule growth followed by size reduction in patients undergoing chemotherapy, and the appearance of multiple nodules. The majority (56 %) of the PNs were detected during the 3-6-month follow-up CT scan. PNs with irregular, lobuled, or spiculated margins exhibited faster growth than PNs with regular, smooth margins. Malignancy of PNs was found to be significantly associated with being male, a primary colorectal cancer diagnosis, and advanced stage disease. CONCLUSION: Our findings reinforce the necessity of an individualized CT follow-up strategy for patients with an oncologic history, as well as the importance of early nodule screening, with the inter-scan interval being dependent on the primary neoplasm.
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The accurate diagnosis of pulmonary thromboembolism is essential to reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with the disease. The diagnosis of pulmonary thromboembolism is challenging because of the nonspecific nature of the clinical profile and the risk factors. Imaging methods provide the definitive diagnosis. Currently, the imaging method most commonly used in the evaluation of pulmonary thromboembolism is computed tomography. The recent development of dual-energy computed tomography has provided a promising tool for the evaluation of pulmonary perfusion through iodine mapping. In this article, we will review the importance of diagnosing pulmonary thromboembolism, as well as the imaging methods employed, primarily dual-energy computed tomography.
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Abstract The accurate diagnosis of pulmonary thromboembolism is essential to reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with the disease. The diagnosis of pulmonary thromboembolism is challenging because of the nonspecific nature of the clinical profile and the risk factors. Imaging methods provide the definitive diagnosis. Currently, the imaging method most commonly used in the evaluation of pulmonary thromboembolism is computed tomography. The recent development of dual-energy computed tomography has provided a promising tool for the evaluation of pulmonary perfusion through iodine mapping. In this article, we will review the importance of diagnosing pulmonary thromboembolism, as well as the imaging methods employed, primarily dual-energy computed tomography.
Resumo A acurácia no diagnóstico de tromboembolismo pulmonar é essencial para reduzir a morbimortalidade causada por esta enfermidade. Devido ao quadro clínico e fatores de risco inespecíficos, o diagnóstico de tromboembolismo pulmonar torna-se um desafio. Os métodos de imagem fornecem o diagnóstico definitivo, sendo a tomografia computadorizada o método mais utilizado atualmente. Nos últimos anos, houve o desenvolvimento da tomografia computadorizada com dupla energia e essa ferramenta tem se mostrado promissora para avaliação da perfusão pulmonar por meio do mapa de iodo. Neste artigo é feita revisão acerca da importância do diagnóstico de tromboembolismo pulmonar, bem como os métodos de imagem disponíveis, com ênfase na tomografia computadorizada com dupla energia.