Journal of thoracic imaging
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The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic implications of computed tomography (CT) and physiologic variables at baseline and on sequential evaluation in patients with fibrosing interstitial pneumonia. ⋯ The extent of honeycombing at baseline and its progression on follow-up CT are important determinants of rate of survival in patients with fibrosing interstitial pneumonia.
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A sternal cleft is a rare congenital and developmental disorder. In general, this disorder is associated with skeletal and extraskeletal abnormalities (eg, Cantrell syndrome), but isolated sternal clefts have also been reported. A sternal cleft with pectus excavatum is a rare congenital abnormality. We present a complete sternal cleft with right-sided clavicular hypoplasia and pectus excavatum in a 31-year-old female patient.
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Our aim was to investigate the incidence and characteristics of bronchial diverticula using multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) and to evaluate their association with smoking status. ⋯ Bronchial diverticula are frequently observed on chest MDCT scans and are associated with cigarette smoking.
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Mediastinal staging is of vital importance in the treatment planning of patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer who do not have distant metastases. Nodal assessment is often a challenge, however, and the limitations of staging methods are well recognized. Noninvasive studies can yield a presumptive clinical stage, but invasive tests are often necessary to determine the status of nodes in the absence of extensive mediastinal infiltration. ⋯ In some cases, these procedures offer the opportunity for a patient to receive both a tissue diagnosis and staging in one sitting. While their roles are debated and evolving, their availability is increasing and they are reducing the need for surgical staging. Radiologists contribute to the evaluation of patients who may benefit from these up-and-coming procedures and should become familiar with endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration and endobronchial ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration.