Radiology
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To test the hypothesis-given the increasing emphasis on quantitative computed tomographic (CT) phenotypes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-that a relationship exists between COPD exacerbation frequency and quantitative CT measures of emphysema and airway disease. ⋯ Greater lung emphysema and airway wall thickness were associated with COPD exacerbations, independent of the severity of airflow obstruction. Quantitative CT can help identify subgroups of patients with COPD who experience exacerbations for targeted research and therapy development for individual phenotypes.
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To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of ultrasonographically (US) guided percutaneous core biopsy of reticular infiltrations alone without mass in the mesentery and omentum at contrast material-enhanced abdominal computed tomography (CT). ⋯ US-guided percutaneous core biopsy is a feasible diagnostic method with high specificity for confirmative diagnosis of reticular infiltrations alone in the mesentery and omentum at contrast-enhanced CT.
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To evaluate short-acting bronchodilator effects in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by using hyperpolarized helium 3 (³He) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, spirometry, and plethysmography. ⋯ ³He MR imaging depicted significant improvements in the distribution of ³He gas after bronchodilator therapy in ex-smokers with COPD with and those without clinically important changes in FEV₁.