RöFo : Fortschritte auf dem Gebiete der Röntgenstrahlen und der Nuklearmedizin
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The Fleischner Society has published several recommendations for terms for thoracic imaging. The most recent glossary was released in 2008. One glossary in German language was published in 1996. This review provides an updated German glossary of terms for thoracic imaging. It closely adheres to the Fleischner Society terminology. In some instances adaptions to the usage of German language were necessary, as well as some additions of terms which were later defined or redefined. These deviations are summarized in a revision report. ⋯ The Fleischner Society has published a revised version of her glossary of terms for thoracic imaging in 2008. This paper presents a German adaption of this glossary. Some terms not contained in the original version have been added. The general use of the presented terminology in radiological reports is recommended.
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Pulmonary emphysema causes decrease in lung function due to irreversible dilatation of intrapulmonary air spaces, which is linked to high morbidity and mortality. Lung volume reduction (LVR) is an invasive therapeutical option for pulmonary emphysema in order to improve ventilation mechanics. LVR can be carried out by lung resection surgery or different minimally invasive endoscopical procedures. All LVR-options require mandatory preinterventional evaluation to detect hyperinflated dysfunctional lung areas as target structures for treatment. Quantitative computed tomography can determine the volume percentage of emphysematous lung and its topographical distribution based on the lung's radiodensity. Modern techniques allow for lobebased quantification that facilitates treatment planning. Clinical tests still play the most important role in post-interventional therapy monitoring, but CT is crucial in the detection of postoperative complications and foreshadows the method's high potential in sophisticated experimental studies. Within the last ten years, LVR with endobronchial valves has become an extensively researched minimally-invasive treatment option. However, this therapy is considerably complicated by the frequent occurrence of functional interlobar shunts. The presence of "collateral ventilation" has to be ruled out prior to valve implantations, as the presence of these extraanatomical connections between different lobes may jeopardize the success of therapy. Recent experimental studies evaluated the automatic detection of incomplete lobar fissures from CT scans, because they are considered to be a predictor for the existence of shunts. To date, these methods are yet to show acceptable results. ⋯ Today, surgical and various minimal invasive methods of lung volume reduction are in use. Radiological and nuclear medical examinations are helpful in the evaluation of an appropriate lung area. Imaging can detect periinterventional complications. Reduction of lung volume has not yet been conclusively proven to be effective and is a therapeutical option with little scientific evidence.