CT Scoring Research Articles

High-Resolution CT Can Differentiate Between Alloimmune and Nonalloimmune Lung Disease Early After Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

The purpose of this study was to develop a simple semiquantitative high-resolution CT (HRCT) scoring system to differentiate alloimmune-mediated lung syndromes (allo-LS) from other lung diseases early after hematopoietic cell transplantation. Allo-LS should be differentiated from other abnormalities, such as infections and toxicity, because they are life threatening and require prompt and specific treatment. In 52 pediatric hematopoietic cell transplant recipients with early symptoms of pulmonary disease, a clinical diagnosis was made by an expert physician. HRCT studies were scored by two independent radiologists for various airway and parenchyma abnormalities. HRCT scores were compared with the final clinical diagnoses. Patients with allo-LS had significantly higher HRCT severity scores for ground-glass pattern and airtrapping compared with patients with nonalloimmune disease. A combined score was constructed (the "allo-score") that appeared to have good predictive capacity for clinical allo-LS (AUC = 0.82). HRCT scoring was reproducible for all items except airway wall thickening and septal thickening. A simple HRCT severity score can be helpful to differentiate allo-LS from other pulmonary complications early after hematopoietic cell transplantation.

Scoring of chest CT in children with cystic fibrosis: state of the art.

Chest CT has been proposed as a surrogate outcome measure in the evaluation of cystic fibrosis lung disease. Quantitative evaluation of chest CT findings requires application of a scoring system to derive numerical values. Several scoring systems are in use. These mostly rely on a subjective judgement of the severity and extent of various features of cystic fibrosis lung disease, including bronchiectasis, bronchial wall thickening, mucous plugging and air-trapping. Scores can subsequently be added to produce a total score. The precision or reproducibility of scoring systems has been assessed but with heterogeneous statistical approaches. Total scores appear to have high levels of reproducibility, but this might mask poorer levels of agreement for individual observations and component scores. It can also be questioned whether total scores are biologically meaningful, as compared to assessments of individual features. Various studies suggest that CT scores give an accurate indicator of the severity of disease, and CT scores might be the best predictors of long-term outcome, but data in this area are limited. CT scores are more sensitive than traditional lung-function indices such as FEV; however the lung clearance index, by multiple breath washout, appears to offer comparable sensitivity to CT. It is not clear whether CT scores are adequately responsive to changes in disease severity in the short to medium term; this is a challenge to the use of CT as a surrogate outcome measure for clinical trials of therapies specific to cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis scoring would benefit from greater levels of standardisation in terms of CT techniques, scoring system, training of observers and measures of reproducibility. Automated approaches to quantifying CT parameters might also offer improved precision. The benefits of chest CT must be weighed against the principal drawback of radiation exposure. The case for more widespread use of chest CT would be strengthened if precision of CT scoring were improved.

CT interpretation by ASPECTS in hyperacute ischemic stroke predicting functional outcomes

To determine whether the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Scores (ASPECTS) can predict posttreatment functional outcomes in hyperacute stroke patients who receive recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) treatment within 4.5 h. We studied 162 patients treated with rt-PA within 4.5 h of clinical onset. Of those, 29 patients (17.90 %) received rt-PA treatment between 3 and 4.5 h. Systematic CT scoring with the ASPECTS method was done. The primary outcome was the correlations between ASPECTS and the functional status at 3 months follow-up using the modified Rankin Scale. Clinical variables between those who received rt-PA treatment before and after 3 h were mostly comparable except the proportion of male gender. There were 116 patients (71.60 %) who were classified as independent. Time to receive CT scan or rt-PA treatment was not significantly associated with patients' functional status. Baseline NIHSS and ASPECTS scores were significant factors associated with dependent status or death at 3 months after rt-PA treatment. The adjusted odds ratios were 1.133 [95 % confidence interval (CI), 1.047-1.226] and 0.844 (95 % CI, 0.720-0.990), respectively. The ASPECTS predicts the functional status of acute stroke patients who received rt-PA treatment within the 4.5-h golden period.

Utility of ECG-gated MDCT to differentiate patients with ARVC/D from patients with ventricular tachyarrhythmias

BackgroundThe accuracy of electrocardiogram-gated CT for diagnosing arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia (ARVC/D) is uncertain. ObjectiveWe propose a comprehensive system for scoring characteristic CT findings to diagnose ARVC/D and discuss its utility. MethodsSeventy-seven patients (mean age, 43.1 years; 48 male) diagnosed with ARVC/D or with suspected ARVC/D on the basis of ventricular tachyarrhythmias underwent CT with and without contrast enhancement. We retrospectively graded characteristic CT findings (fatty tissue, bulging appearance, and dilatation of the right ventricle) as minor (1 point) or major (2 points) and then validated our scoring system’s utility for diagnosing ARVC/D with the use of the modified 2010 Task Force criteria as the reference standard. ResultsWe diagnosed 27 of 77 patients with ARVC/D (23 definite, 4 borderline), observing each CT finding more often in patients with ARVC/D than in patients without ARVC/D: fatty tissue, 74.1% versus 12.0%; bulging appearance, 74.1% versus 34.0%; and RV dilatation, 92.6% versus 44.0%. However, observation of each finding in both groups could cause false positive diagnosis. Recursive partitioning analysis showed the superiority of our CT scoring system over methods that used each CT finding and CT findings without fatty tissue for distinguishing ARVC/D and non-ARVC/D. For overall (definite and borderline) and definite ARVC/D diagnosis, sensitivities were 77.8% and 87.0%, specificities were 96.0% and 94.4%, positive predictive values were 91.3% and 87.0%, negative predictive values were 88.9% and 94.4%, and accuracies were 89.6% and 92.2%, respectively. ConclusionsOur CT scoring system showed excellent diagnostic ability and might aid differentiation of ARVC/D from ventricular tachyarrhythmias.

Abstract TP46: ASPECTS Performance in a Series of Patients Undergoing CT and MRI: Reader Agreement, Modality Agreement, and Outcome Prediction

Objective: To compare the performance of pre-treatment Alberta Stroke Program Early CT scoring (ASPECTS) using NCCT and MRI in a large endovascular therapy cohort. Methods: This is a DEFUSE 2 substudy. Prospectively enrolled patients underwent baseline CT, MRI and started endovascular therapy within 12 hours of stroke onset. Inclusion criteria for this analysis were evaluable pre-treatment NCCT, diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) and 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score. Two expert readers graded ischemic change on NCCT and DWI using the ASPECTS and were blinded to all clinical information except stroke side. ASPECTS scores were analyzed either full scale, trichotomized (0-4 vs. 5-7 vs. 8-10), or dichotomized (0-7 vs. 8-10). Good functional outcome was defined as a 90 day mRS of 0-2. Infarct volumes were calculated using rapid processing of perfusion and diffusion (RAPID) software. Results: 71 patients fulfilled our study criteria. Their mean age was 68±15 years, median NIHSS score was 17 (IQR 12-20), and 49% were female. There were 31 (44%) right-sided strokes. Reader and modality agreement are presented in the Table. Median (IQR) time between NCCT and MRI was 1.62 (1.14-2.38) hours. There was greater correlation of DWI ASPECTS with DWI volume (p<0.001) and functional outcome (p=0.001) than NCCT ASPECTS. DWI ASPECTS correlated with 90 day mRS with OR (95%) of: 12.3 (1.4-105) 8-10 vs.0-4; 4.0 (1.2-13.2) 8-10 vs. 5-7; 3.1 (0.3-30) 5-7 vs. 0-4; and 5.4 (1.8-16.2) 8-10 vs.0-7. NCCT ASPECTS did not correlate with mRS with OR (95%) of: 1.4(0.2-8.3) 8-10 vs. 0-4, 1.02(0.4-2.8) 8-10 vs. 5-7, 1.4(0.2-8.5) 5-7 vs. 0-4, and 1.1(0.4-2.9) 8-10 vs. 0-7. Conclusion: Inter-rater agreement on NCCT ASPECTS, as well agreement between NCCT and DWI ASPECTS, ranged from slight to moderate. DWI ASPECTS outperformed NCCT ASPECTS in correlation with DWI volume and predicting functional outcome at 90 days. These results may be influenced by differences in acquisition times for NCCT and MRI.

EFFECT OF MACROLIDE ON LUNG FUNCTION AND COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY (CT) SCORE IN NON-CYSTIC FIBROSIS BRONCHIECTASIS

Background: The few studies addressing the effect of macrolides in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB) range from no decline to significant improvement. There are no data evaluating macrolides on CT score.Objectives: To retrospectively evaluate the effect of initiation of macrolides on spirometry and HRCT in a NCFB population.Methods: We performed a word search in the electronic patient file data of the University Hospital of Leuven, Belgium, identifying all NCFB patients observed during a 41 month period and treated with macrolides. Records of all NCFB patients were manually reviewed, evaluating spirometry and CT scans, before and after/during macrolide treatment, treatment scheme, Pseudomonas status and other relevant data. CT scoring was done by using a modified version of the Brody score.Results: Evaluation of 131 patients showed a mean FEV1 improvement of 185 ml (p < 0.0001) or 7.7% (p < 0.0001) and a mean FVC improvement by 234 ml (p < 0.001) or 7.4% (p < 0.001). Smoking history, gender, Pseudomonas colonization and baseline lung function did not affect improvement in lung function. Patients with NCFB due to an immunodeficiency showed a significant larger macrolide-associated improvement in FEV1% (p = 0.0075) and FVC% (p = 0.0063) than patients with NCFB due to other causes. An improvement was noted in CT subscores for bronchiectasis (p = 0.0053), mucus plugging (p = 0.0256), peribronchial thickening (p = 0.0037), parenchyma (p = 0.026) and total modified Brody score (p = 0.001) after versus before macrolide therapy.Conclusion: Macrolides, as part of a multimodal and individualized therapy may significantly improve FVC, FEV1 and the modified Brody score in patients with NCFB, especially those with NCFB due to immunodeficiency.

Predictive values of APACHE-O, APACHE-II , ranson and balthazar CT scoring system on prognosis of acute pancreatitis

Objective To investigate the values of the APACHE O,APACHE-Ⅲ,Ranson and Balthazar CT(CTSI) scoring systems in predicting prognosis of severe acute pancreatitis.Methods Data were collected prospectively from 321 consecutive patients who were admitted into our hospital from 2005-01-01 to 2011-01-01 with acute pancreatitis (AP).The sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of the APACHE-O,APACHE-Ⅱ,Ranson,Balthazar CT scoring systems at different cut-off levels were calculated.The receiver-operating curves (ROC) for the prediction of severe AP in the early period were calculated using the APACHE-O,APACHE-Ⅱ,Ranson and Balthazar CT scores in different cut-off levels on hospital admission.The area under the curve (AUC) was used to compare the predictive accuracy.Using ROC curves,the values in predicting systemic complications,local complications and morbidities were also compared.Results At a cut-off point of 7,the APACHE O had a sensitivity of 95.4％,a specificity of 76.6％ and an overall accuracy of 79.4％.The Youden's index and the AUC of the APACHE-O score were 0.720 and 0.736,respectively.At a cut-off point of 8,the APACHE-Ⅱ had a sensitivity of 90.4％,a specificity of 81.0％ and an overall accuracy of 842.6％.The Youden's index and the AUC of the APACHE-Ⅱ were 0.714 and 0.699,respectively.At a cut-off point of 3,the Ranson had a sensitivity of 75.0％,a specificity of 78.1％ and an overall accuracy of 77.6％,respectively.The Youden’s index and the AUC of the Ranson were 0.531 and 0.703,respectively.At a cut-off point of 5,the CTSI had a sensitivity of 82.7％,a specificity of 91.4％ and an overall accuracy of 90.0％,respectively.The Youden's index and the AUC of the CTSI were 0.741 and 0.777,respectively.The CTSI system was the best in predicting local complications with a Youden’s index of 0.766,and an AUC of 0.777,respectively. At a cut-off point of 5,the CTSI had a sensitivity of 85.4％,a specificity of 91.2％ and an overall accuracy of 90.3％,respectively.The APACHE-O system was the best in predicting systematic complications with a Youden’s index of 0.789 and an AUC of 0.779,respectively.At a cut -off point of 8,the CTSI had a sensitivity of 91.1 ％,a specificity of 87.8％ and an overall accuracy of 88.2％,respectively.The CTSI system was the best in predicting local complications with a Youden’s index 0.952 and an AUC of 0.847,respectively.At a cut-off point of 8,the CTSI had a sensitivity of 100％,a specificity of 95.2％,and an overall accuracy of 95.3％,respectively.Conclusions The results suggested that the CTSI is the most useful system in predicting local complications and morbidities of severe AP in the early period.The APACHE-O is most useful in predicting systemic complications of severe AP. Key words: Pancreatitis; Acute necrotizing; Research design; Prognosis

A Combined Pulmonary-Radiology Workshop for Visual Evaluation of COPD: Study Design, Chest CT Findings and Concordance with Quantitative Evaluation

The purposes of this study were: to describe chest CT findings in normal non-smoking controls and cigarette smokers with and without COPD; to compare the prevalence of CT abnormalities with severity of COPD; and to evaluate concordance between visual and quantitative chest CT (QCT) scoring. Methods: Volumetric inspiratory and expiratory CT scans of 294 subjects, including normal non-smokers, smokers without COPD, and smokers with GOLD Stage I-IV COPD, were scored at a multi-reader workshop using a standardized worksheet. There were 58 observers (33 pulmonologists, 25 radiologists); each scan was scored by 9–11 observers. Interobserver agreement was calculated using kappa statistic. Median score of visual observations was compared with QCT measurements. Results: Interobserver agreement was moderate for the presence or absence of emphysema and for the presence of panlobular emphysema; fair for the presence of centrilobular, paraseptal, and bullous emphysema subtypes and for the presence of bronchial wall thickening; and poor for gas trapping, centrilobular nodularity, mosaic attenuation, and bronchial dilation. Agreement was similar for radiologists and pulmonologists. The prevalence on CT readings of most abnormalities (e.g. emphysema, bronchial wall thickening, mosaic attenuation, expiratory gas trapping) increased significantly with greater COPD severity, while the prevalence of centrilobular nodularity decreased. Concordances between visual scoring and quantitative scoring of emphysema, gas trapping and airway wall thickening were 75%, 87% and 65%, respectively. Conclusions: Despite substantial inter-observer variation, visual assessment of chest CT scans in cigarette smokers provides information regarding lung disease severity; visual scoring may be complementary to quantitative evaluation.

Spontaneously Healed Asymptomatic Pulmonary Tuberculosis

We investigated the relationships between spontaneously healed asymptomatic pulmonary tuberculosis (SHAPTB), airflow obstruction (AFO), and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings. We selected 82 participants with SHAPTB diagnosed by interferon-γ release assay and 8044 with normal chest radiographs (CXR). We applied a CT scoring system for the extent of tuberculous sequelae to correlate the HRCT findings with pulmonary function test. We compared the AFO prevalence between subjects with and without SHAPTB. The subjects with SHAPTB diagnosed by interferon-γ release assay had a significantly higher prevalence of AFO (13.4% [11/82]) than those with normal CXR (7.4% [595/8044]). The important HRCT findings that correlated with AFO were the number of lung segments with TB sequelae and the CT score for emphysema. The subjects with SHAPTB had a higher AFO prevalence than those with normal CXR, and the important HRCT findings correlated with AFO were the extent of tuberculous sequelae and emphysema.

Computer-aided detection scheme for identification of hypoattenuation of acute stroke in unenhanced CT

Our purpose in this study was to develop a computer-aided detection scheme for identification of hypoattenuation of acute stroke on unenhanced CT images to select patients for thrombolysis of acute stroke. This method is based on a z-score mapping method. The algorithm of the developed method consisted of five main steps: anatomic standardization, calculation of the z-score with a normal reference database, extraction of candidate voxels for hypoattenuation, feature extraction, and classification. The territory of the middle cerebral artery was divided into ten specified regions, according to a visually quantitative CT scoring system, the Alberta Stroke Programme Early CT Score (ASPECTS) method. Each of the ASPECTS-defined regions was classified as hypoattenuation or normality by linear discriminate analysis. The method was applied to 26 patients who had hypoattenuation areas (<6h). The performance of this scheme for classification of hypoattenuation was evaluated using a leave-one-case-out method. As a result, an average sensitivity of 89.7% and an average specificity of 85.2% for automatically classifying hypoattenuation regions in the lentiform nucleus and the insular regions were obtained, and the average accuracy for the classification of hypoattenuation per patient was 84.6% (range 55.6-100%). The newly developed method has the potential accurately to identify hypoattenuation of acute stroke in the ASPECTS-defined regions.

Outcome of endoscopic sinus surgery in patients with symptomatic chronic rhinosinusitis with minimal changes on computerised tomography.

This study was designed to assess the efficacy of functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) patients with minimal radiological findings, and based on one centre, prospective randomized controlled study, conducted in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi. All the CRS out-patients (>18years) refractory to 3weeks of medical therapy were radiologically evaluated with computerised tomographic scan (CT) of nose and paranasal sinuses. These patients were grouped based on CT scoring (Lund Mackay staging system): group A (CT score 0-6) and group B (CT score 7-24); with 35 patients in each group. All the patients underwent FESS using Messerklinger technique. Symptom scoring of all the patients was done using visual analog scale preoperatively and postoperatively at 1-, 3-, 6- and 12-month follow-up. CRS patients with minimal evidence of disease on CT showed statistically significant improvement in symptom scores after FESS. There was no significant difference noted in the overall symptom score improvement as well as for improvement in specific symptoms in both the groups. Further, there was no correlation between the pre-operative symptoms and CT scores. A good subjective outcome in terms of symptom improvement can be obtained with FESS in patients with CRS with minimal evidence of disease on CT.

Lung Clearance Index and HRCT are complementary markers of lung abnormalities in young children with CF

RationaleHigh resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is a more sensitive tool for detecting early cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease than either spirometry or plain radiography, but its relationship to other measures...

The value of CT score in predicting surgical methods and difficulty of hepatic cystic echinococcosis

Objective To evaluate the value of MSCT scores on surgery method selection and its difficulty estimation for hepatic cystic echinococcosis. Methods Based on the CT features of hepatic cystic echinococcosis ( HCE), an integral system including 7 items wasestablished. Images of preoperative CT examination performed on 71 cases of hepatic cystic echnococcosis were retrospectively analyzed by the integral system and compared with actual surgical. Total 93 cystic lesions were divided into 3 groups based on CT scores: Group A suitable for total cystectom (0 to 5 score), Group B suitable for subtotal cystectom (6 to 10 score), and Group C suitable forendocystectomy ( ≥11 scores, or4 score in one item). Spearman rank correlation was used to analyze the relationship between WHO classification of cystic echinococcosis and actual surgery methods, the relationship between operation mode forecasted by CT scores and actual surgery methods, the relationship between vessel scores of cyst and actual surgery methods, and that between biliary score of cyst and actual surgery methods. Fisher exact test and Chi-square test were used to evaluate the incidence of residual cavity in patients with different biliary scores. Results Thirty nine cysts got 0 to 5 scores, 45 cysts got 6 to 10 scores and 9 cysts got more than 10 scores. Total cystectom was performed on 30 cysts, subtotal cystectomy on 40 cysts and performed endocystectomy on 23 cysts, actually. Actual operation methods were correlated with that predicated by CT scores ( r = 0. 741, P ＜ 0. 01 ), and with vessels score and biliary score (r = 0. 587,0. 327 respectively,P ＜ 0. 01 ). The higher the biliary score, the higher the incidence of postoperative biliary tract complications. Conclusions Preoperative CT scoring was an easy and objective way to accurately predict the surgery methods and its difficulty for hepatic cystic cnechnococosis. Key words: Echnococcosis,hepatic; Tomography, X-ray computed; Comparative study

The use of 320 slice coronary CT in low risk ACS clinical decision pathway in the ED

Chest pain is an extremely common presentation to all Emergency Departments in the UK. Many Departments now run evidence-based pathways to exclude acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in low risk patients....

The Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score in Clinical Practice: What have We Learned?

The introduction of brain imaging with computed tomography revolutionised the treatment of patients with acute ischaemic stroke. With the visual differentiation of haemorrhagic stroke from ischaemic stroke, thrombolytic therapy became feasible. The Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score was devised to quantify the extent of early ischaemic changes in the middle cerebral artery territory on noncontrast computed tomography. With its systematic approach, the score is simple and reliable. However, the assessment of early ischaemic changes and Alberta Stroke Program Early CT scoring require training. The Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score is a strong predictor of functional outcome. Furthermore, the effectiveness of intraarterial thrombolysis in patients with middle cerebral artery occlusion shows effect modification by the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score. This review summarises the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score methodology. We illustrate current knowledge regarding Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score applied to clinical trials and comment on how Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score may facilitate clinical treatment decision making and future trial design. Moreover, we introduce a modification of the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score methodology that disregards isolated cortical swelling, i.e. focal brain swelling without associated parenchymal hypoattenuation, as early ischaemic changes in the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score system.

The spectrum of structural abnormalities on CT scans from patients with CF with severe advanced lung disease

Rationale:In cystic fibrosis (CF), lung disease is the predominant cause of morbidity and mortality. Little is known about the spectrum of structural abnormalities on CT scans from patients with CF...

Computed Tomography Evaluation of Intracranial Atherosclerosis in Chinese Patients with Transient Ischemic Attack or Minor Ischemic Stroke—Its Distribution and Association with Vascular Risk Factors

Intracranial atherosclerosis has been suggested to be common in Asians. We apply a semi-quantitative CT scoring system to evaluate the degree of intracranial atherosclerotic calcification and determine its distribution, severity, and the associated risk factors. The clinical outcome of these patients after a 3-year follow-up was also evaluated. Sixty consecutive patients diagnosed clinically to have either a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or minor ischemic stroke and underwent early computed tomographic angiography (CTA) were included into the prospective study. Two radiologists evaluated the axial CTA images for any calcification in the precavernous, cavernous and postcavernous segments of intracranial internal carotid artery (ICA), anterior, middle, and posterior cerebral as well as vertebrobasilar arteries, based on a standard CT scoring system for extent (0-4) and thickness (0-4). The composite CT score for extent and thickness of these vascular segments or vessels were recorded for all patients. The worst site (highest composite score) was chosen as the marker of the degree of intracranial atherosclerosis of each patient. The patients were then classified into mild, moderate, and severe groups, according to a composite CT score of 0-2, 3-5, and 6-8, respectively. These findings were gathered with clinical parameters and outcome after a 3-year follow-up period and corresponding statistical analyses were conducted. The most severely affected vessel was found to be intracranial internal carotid arteries, and severe, moderate, and mild atherosclerosis were present in 16 (26.67%), 30 (50%), and 14 (23.33%) patients, respectively. Using multiple logistic regression analysis, diabetes mellitus (odds ratio = 10.6, P value = .004), and age (odds ratio = 1.07, P value = .02) were found to be significant risk factors for severe intracranial atherosclerosis. Two patients in the severe group, 3 patients in the moderate group, and 1 patient in the mild group were found to have stroke or TIA after a 3-year follow-up, but there was no significant difference among the 3 groups. Significant intracranial atherosclerosis as determined by severe CT calcification was common in a cohort of Chinese patients with TIA and minor stroke. Age and diabetes mellitus were independent significant risk factors, and this CT calcification score might serve as an early indicator of intracranial atherosclerotic disease.

High-Resolution CT Findings of Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare Complex Pulmonary Disease: Correlation with Pulmonary Function Test Results

The purpose of our study was to analyze the high-resolution CT findings of the nodular bronchiectatic form of Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex (MAC) pulmonary disease and to correlate the extent of high-resolution CT findings with pulmonary function test (PFT) results. From January 2005 through December 2005, we identified 47 patients (mean age, 58 +/- 13 years; age range, 24-72 years; male-female ratio, 11:36) with the nodular bronchiectatic form of MAC pulmonary disease who underwent both high-resolution CT and PFTs. High-resolution CT findings were reviewed retrospectively in terms of the presence and extent of bronchiectasis, cellular or inflammatory bronchiolitis (centrilobular small nodules and tree-in-bud signs), cavity, nodule, and other findings. The extent of the abnormalities seen on high-resolution CT was scored by modifying the cystic fibrosis scoring system proposed by Helbich and coworkers. The scores were correlated with PFT results using Spearman's correlation coefficient. On high-resolution CT, the three most frequently observed patterns of parenchymal abnormalities were, in decreasing order of frequency, cellular bronchiolitis (n = 47, 100%), bronchiectasis (n = 46, 98%), and consolidation (n = 27, 57%). The total CT score showed a significant correlation with the residual volume-total lung capacity (RV/TLC) ratio (r = 0.572, p < 0.001), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1)) value (r = -0.426, p = 0.003), forced vital capacity (FVC) value (r = -0.360, p = 0.013), peak expiratory flow value (r = -0.352, p = 0.015), and peak expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of the forced vital capacity (FEF(25-75%)) (r = -0.289, p = 0.049). CT scoring of pulmonary abnormalities correlates with measures of functional impairment in patients with MAC pulmonary disease.

High-resolution computed tomography and scleroderma lung disease

High-resolution CT has now become an important part of the routine detection and evaluation of interstitial lung disease in SSc. CT now has a central role in the detection of interstitial disease, largely because other modalities have been unsatisfactory in this regard. Historically, CT has also been used to identify a high likelihood of reversible inflammatory disease in SSc, based upon studies in other diffuse lung diseases. However, accumulated evidence indicates that ground-glass attenuation on CT is not a reliable indicator of underlying alveolitis. Ground-glass attenuation on CT is common in SSc but reversible disease is found at surgical biopsy in a minority of cases, and is rare when ground glass is associated with reticular abnormalities or traction bronchiectasis. Furthermore, ground glass regresses inconsistently on serial CT evaluation, with or without treatment. CT is more useful in the staging of disease extent. Although formal CT scoring is not realistic in routine practice, rapid semi-quantitative estimation of disease extent on CT in combination with a forced vital capacity threshold has been used to stage disease as limited or extensive. The distinction between a higher and lower risk of progression of lung disease, made using this system, has important implications for both routine practice and the enrolment of higher risk patients in therapeutic studies.

Assessing the Validity of an Abdominal CT Scoring System in the Diagnosis of Encapsulating Peritoneal Sclerosis

Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) is a severe peritoneal fibrotic reaction in patients on long-term peritoneal dialysis (PD). The early clinical features may be nonspecific. The purpose of the study is to assess the reliability and diagnostic utility of abdominal CT scanning in the diagnosis of EPS. Abdominopelvic CT scans of 27 patients diagnosed with EPS on clinical and radiologic grounds in our unit from 1997 to 2006 were retrospectively analyzed. In addition, 35 control CT scans were scored: 15 from hemodialysis patients (HD controls) and 20 from patients on PD (PD controls). Scans were anonymized and scored independently by three radiologists. Inter-rater agreement was moderate to very good (kappa = 0.40 to 0.75) for peritoneal calcification, bowel distribution, bowel wall thickening, and bowel dilation but poorer for loculation of ascites and peritoneal thickening. There was a strongly significant difference between the total CT scan scores at EPS diagnosis and controls (P < 0.00001). Each individual parameter also showed significant differences between EPS and controls (P < 0.006). Bowel tethering and peritoneal calcification were the most specific parameters, and. loculation was the least discriminatory parameter. Interestingly, prediagnostic scans a median of 1.5 yr before EPS diagnosis were normal or near-normal in 9 of 13 EPS patients. CT scanning is a valid and reliable adjunct to the diagnosis of EPS but may not be useful as a screening tool, as the prediagnostic scans did not show abnormalities in many patients who subsequently developed EPS.