Today’s radiographs belong to a 24-year-old woman with cough and fever. What do you see?
More images will be shown next Wednesday and the answer will be published on Friday.
Click here to see Monday images
Dear Friends,
Showing today CT images of the chest. What do you think?
Click here to see the new images
Click here to see the answer
Findings: Chest radiographs show air-space disease in the right lower lobe (A-B, arrows). There is marked widening of the right paratracheal line (A, red arrow) suggestive of mediastinal lymphadenopathy.
Axial CT with lung window shows RLL air-space disease without cavitation (C, arrow). Mediastinal window at different levels confirms enlarged paratracheal, subcarinal and neck lymph nodes with hypodense center (D-F, red arrows). These findings should suggest active tuberculosis as the first possibility.
Although TB usually affects upper lobes, isolated involvement of lower lobes occurs in about 7% of cases.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis was found in the sputum.
Final diagnosis: active TB.
Congratulations to Archanareddyt who was the first to make the diagnosis.
Teaching point: lymph nodes with hypodense center may occur in several processes (treated tumors, Whipple’s, etc.), but in the appropriate clinical situation, the first diagnostic consideration should be tuberculosis.
The leading case of this week’s Diploma has been provided by my good friend Jordi Andreu. Radiographs belong to an asymptomatic 48-year-old woman.
Diagnosis:
1. Neurogenic tumor
2. Pulmonary hamartoma
3. Pleural fibrous tumor
4. None of the above
What do you think? Come back on Friday to see the answer!
Click here to see the answer
Findings: PA chest radiograph shows a rounded opacity in the left apex (A, arrow). All diagnosis are possible, as the pulmonary apex is a narrow space and it is very difficult to determine the origin of a mass. The clue lies in the nodular opacities in the neck (A, circle) which raise the possibility of superimposed hair braid.
Unenhanced coronal CT (B) does not show any mass, confirming that the finding is artifactual.
Final diagnosis: superimposed hair braid simulating pulmonary disease
The purpose of this presentation is to discuss elements in or about the soft tissues of the chest wall that may simulate lung disease. Those related to the thoracic skeleton were shown in Diploma case # 57.
This Diploma complements the non-significant findings described in webinar eight.
I have classified them into three groups, the first one related to the soft tissues of the chest wall while the other two are external to the body:
Nipple shadows are seen in 3% to 10% of PA chest radiographs. In about 10% of these patients, the identification may raise doubts. Comparison with previous films will confirm the stability of the nodules (Fig. 1). In case of doubt, nipple markers should be placed. Routine use of nipple markers has been proposed in oncologic patients.
Fig. 1. 58-year-old man with typical bilateral nipple shadows (A, arrows), unchanged in comparison with a previous film (B, arrows). Nipples are well seen on axial CT in the same patient (C, arrows). Nowadays, patients may come with their own nipple markers! (D).
Unilateral enlarged nipple shadows are suspicious findings. Visual inspection should be done to confirm that the nipple is indeed enlarged (Fig. 2). Occasionally, a true lung nodule may simulate a nipple shadow, even with nipple markers. In such cases, CT will correct our error (Figs. 3-4)
Fig 2. 61-year-old woman with left pleuritic chest pain. PA chest film shows a small amount of left pleural fluid (A, white arrow) and a nodule at the right costophrenic angle (A, red arrow). Visual inspection showed a large right nipple as the cause of the false nodule. Two weeks later, the pleural effusion has disappeared, and the nipple shadow is no longer seen (B). Fig. 3. 54-year-old man with a renal tumor. PA film shows a nodule in the LLL (A, arrow) that simulates a nipple, even with a nipple marker (B, arrow). Axial CT shows a metastatic nodule in the LLL and a larger one in the RLL, not seen in the PA chest radiograph (insert, arrows).
Skin lesions
Skin lesions may also cause false lung nodules. Visual inspection of the chest will demonstrate them and confirm the diagnosis (Fig. 5). If there is any doubt, a marker can be used.
Fig. 5. Chest wart simulating a lung nodule in the PA film (A, arrow). Lateral film shows the wart in the skin of the anterior chest wall (B, arrow). The wart is higher in this view because the upheld arms elevate it.
Occasionally, a discrepancy in density between both breasts, usually related to previous surgery, may simulate pulmonary pathology (Fig 6).
Fig 6. 65-year-old woman with syncope. PA radiograph shows a rounded opacity in the right lung (A, arrow), suspected to be a pulmonary infiltrate. Axial CT (B) show normal lungs. The opacity is due to a superimposed right breast prosthesis (B-C, arrows).
Hair
In my experience, hair is a common cause of opacities in the lung apices (Fig 7).
Strands of loose hair may project over the upper lung, simulating linear fibrotic infiltrates (Fig 8). Rubber bands at the end of braids may be confused with pulmonary nodules (Fig. 9). A long braid may fool us and consider it intrapulmonary disease (Fig 10).
In most cases, the clue to the diagnosis lies in recognizing that the abnormality extends to the neck.
Fig. 7. Braid simulating an apical pulmonary nodule (A-B, arrows). The rubber band (A-B, red arrows) suggests the correct diagnosisFig. 8. Loose hair simulating a linear infiltrate or fibrosis in the right apex (A, white arrow). Note the same appearance in the lower neck (A, red arrow). The apex looks normal after the hair is lifted (B). The opaque rounded opacity that looks like a hair clasp (A-B yellow arrow) is a cervical disk prosthesis.Fig 9. Two patients with rubber bands at the end of a braid simulating pulmonary nodules (A-B, arrows). In both, the braids are visible in the neck (A-B, red arrows). Despite that, patient B was referred for a CT examination to evaluate a left lung nodule. Fig. 10. 25-year-old man with braided hair simulating a RUL infiltrate (A, arrow). The opacity extends to the neck, giving away the diagnosis (A, red arrow). After raising the braid, the chest looks normal (B). Remember that men also wear their hair long nowadays.
Clothing artifacts
Clothing artifacts occur when the technician does not ask patients to remove garments that have logos or images on them. This usually happens with women, out of respect for modesty (Figs. 11 and 12).
Fig. 11. 27-year-old woman with multiple miliary nodules in both lungs (A, circles). The opacities result from a jeweled panther on the shirt she was wearing (B). Fig 12. 45-year-old woman with previous breast carcinoma. PA radiograph shows small nodules in lower lungs (A, circles). Lateral view proves that the nodules are in a blouse (B, arrow)
Other types of body artifacts may cause dubious opacities in the chest radiograph (Figs 13 and 14)
Fig 13. 29-year-old man with a barely visible non-displaced fracture of the left clavicle (A, arrow), well demonstrated in the 3-D CT reconstruction (B). Components of the support brace for the fracture simulate enlarged upper lobe vessels (A, red arrows).
To end the presentation, in the last two months we have been acquainted with a new artifact: the wire in the face masks (Fig 14)
Fig 14. Routine chest radiograph during the Covid-19 scare. Notice the wire in the face mask (A-B, arrows)
Follow Dr. Pepe’s advice:
1. Unilateral nipple shadows may generate diagnostic problems.
2. If a hair artifact is suspected, look at the soft tissues of the neck.
3. Garments may create weird lung shadows.
Today’s case has been provided by my good friend Victor Pineda. Radiographs belong to a 36-year-old man with cough and fever. For comparison, I am including radiographs taken nine years earlier.
Diagnosis:
1. Chronic TB changes
2. Endobronchial lesion
3. Congenital lesion
4. None of the above
What do you see? More images will be shown on Wednesday. Come back on Friday to see the answer.
Click here to see the images posted on Monday
Showing coronal and axial CT images. What do you think?
Click here to see the CT images
Click here to see the answer
Findings: Pa radiograph shows a left ill-defined opacity that blurs the upper mediastinal contour (A, arrow) and the lower cardiac border (A, red arrow). In the lateral view there is a retro-sternal line that goes from top to bottom (B, arrows). The appearance is typical of marked LUL collapse, which has not changed in the last nine years. Therefore, the most likely diagnosis is a benign condition that occludes the origin of the LUL bronchus.
Enhanced axial and coronal CTs show marked irregularity of the origin of the LUL bronchus (C, arrow) due to a large mass with coarse calcification (C-D, circles) causing distal lobar collapse. The most likely diagnosis is a benign tumor, either carcinoid or hamartoma. Given the size of the mass and the higher frequency of carcinoid, I would favor this diagnosis. It was proved by biopsy and surgery.
Final diagnosis: endobronchial carcinoid with LUL collapse
Congratulations to Ahmed Al Ani who was the first to suggest the correct diagnosis in the plain film.
Teaching point: Detecting LUL collapse in chest radiographs is important because the great majority are secondary to bronchogenic carcinoma. This patient was lucky.
In the aftermath of the Covid-19 scare, I have elected to show a new “Meet the Examiner” presentation, with questions and answers similar to a real examination. You will get the final answer at the end of the presentation.
Take your time before seeking the answer.
This case starts with PA and lateral chest radiographs of a 63-year-old man with acute chest pain. Would you suspect pulmonary embolism?
1.Yes
2.No
3.Need a CT
Click here to see the answer
Findings: the most significant finding is a broad right descending pulmonary artery (A, arrow) with an abrupt cut-off (A, red arrow), a sign of embolus in the artery (Palla sign). Oligemia of the right lung is also visible (Westermark sign). Both signs are suggestive of pulmonary embolism, to be confirmed with enhanced CT.
An enlarged azygos vein is also seen (A, yellow arrow), as well as a bump in the para-aortic line (A, blue arrow)
Click here to see more images
Enhanced CT confirms multiple pulmonary emboli (C, arrows) as well as a large embolus in the right descending pulmonary artery responsible for the Palla sign (D, red arrow)
Caudal slices show a non-enhancing opacity in the lower mediastinum. What would be the most likely diagnosis?
1- Lymphangioma
2- Varices
3- Neurofibromatosis
4- Any of the above
Click here to see the answer
Findings: the serpiginous appearance of the opacity (E-F, red arrows) is compatible with all three diagnosis. Mediastinal varices are the most likely diagnosis because they are not unusual, and the top of the spleen appears to be enlarged (F, asterisk).
The varices are not opacified because the images were taken during the arterial phase.
Late images taken during the venous phase show enhancement of the varices (G, arrow). Coronal reconstruction confirms the splenomegaly and a whorl of varices (H, arrow) responsible for the bump of the para-aortic line in the PA radiograph. The varices (V) drain into an enlarged azygos vein (I, arrow). The increased flow explains the prominent azygos in the PA chest film.
Review of the clinical history discovered that the patient had cirrhosis of the liver.
Final diagnosis: mediastinal varices in a patient with liver cirrhosis and pulmonary embolism
Paraesophageal varices are not uncommon and are secondary to portal hypertension in patients with hepatic cirrhosis. When enlarged, they are visible as a lower middle mediastinal mass in about 8% of chest radiographs of cirrhotic patients.
They may be misdiagnosed in CT studies because they don´t enhance in the arterial phase, as happened in the case presented and in a second case shown below.
Click here to see the second case
58-year-old man with liver cirrhosis. PA radiograph shows widening of lower mediastinal lines, which are slightly undulated (A, arrows). There is increased opacity of the left upper quadrant of the abdomen and the lateral wall of the stomach is indented, suggesting splenomegaly. On the lateral view there is increased opacity of the middle lower mediastinum, with a suggestion of tubular structures (B, circle).
Enhanced axial CT (arterial phase) shows a non-enhancing mass in the middle mediastinum that looks like a cyst (C, arrows). Venous phase demonstrates multiple enhanced veins within the mass (D, arrows). The cirrhotic liver and the enlarged spleen are visible in the coronal CT (E) .
Dr. Pepe’s teaching points:
Remember that the mediastinum is composed mainly of vascular structures. When a mediastinal abnormality is present, always rule out a vascular origin (arterial or venous).
Today’s case has been provided by my good friend Alberto Villanueva. PA radiograph of a 55-year-old male, taken during a workup for rectal carcinoma.
Diagnosis:
1. Metastasis
2. Pericardial cyst
3. Carcinoma of the lung
4. None of the above
More images will be shown next Wednesday. What do you see?
Click here to see images shown on Monday
Dear Friends,
in my opinion it is difficult to determine in the plain film the origin of large masses adjacent to the mediastinum. I am showing today coronal and axial enhanced CTs.
What do you think?
Click here to see more images
Click here to see the answer
Findings: PA radiograph shows a rounded well-defined mass at the costophrenic angle in the lower left hemithorax (A, arrow). We can infer that the mass is anterior because is displacing the heart towards the right and it does not obliterate the para-aortic line.
In my opinion, when a large mass if adjacent to the midline it is difficult to determine whether it is mediastinal or pulmonary.
Coronal and axial enhanced CT show a solid mediastinal mass with areas of necrosis (B-C, arrows). The most common solid lesion in the cardiophrenic angle are enlarged lymph nodes, which usually are multiple and not very large. In big soft-tissue tumors of this area a thymic origin should be suspected. Although thymic tumors originate in the anterior superior mediastinum, they may slide down along the mediastinal planes and appear at the cardiophrenic angle in the lower mediastinum. Biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of thymoma.
Final diagnosis: mediastinal thymoma
Congratulations to Mohamed Abdulghaffarand MK who were the first to suggest the correct diagnosis
Teaching point: Remember that CT is very helpful in diagnosing cardiophrenic angle masses according to their radiographic density: fat (pericardial fat pad, Morgagni’s hernia); fluid (pericardial cyst) and soft-tissue ( lymphadenopahy and the occasional thymic tumour).
Today I am showing a preoperative PA radiograph in a 72-year-old woman.
Diagnosis:
1. Aortic elongation
2. Aortic dissection
3. Aortic aneurysm
4. Any of the above
What do you see?
Click here to see the answer
Findings: the obvious finding is elongation of the descending aorta. Usually, the diameter of the aorta cannot be determined in the plain film because only the outer wall is outlined by lung air, whereas the medial wall is obscured by the mediastinal structures.
In this case, the tortuous lower aorta projects the medial wall against the lung, allowing to measure the aortic diameter, which is increased (A, red line).
In the other hand, the ascending aorta is not prominent. This a negative finding against aortic elongation, which should involve the whole thoracic aorta.
Therefore, answers 1 and 4 can be excluded. To differentiate between answer 2 and 3 an enhanced CT is needed.
Click here to see more images
Enhanced CT was done. Axial and sagittal images are shown.
What would be your diagnosis?
1. Type B aortic dissection
2. Aneurysm with thrombus
3. Any of the above
Click here to see the answer
Findings: enhanced axial and coronal CT show a normal ascending aorta and a partially thrombosed dilated descending aorta. The fact that the outer wall is calcified (B-C, arrows) indicates that the intima is not displaced and rules out an aortic dissection. The correct diagnosis is aneurysm with partial thrombosis.
Final diagnosis: unsuspected aneurysm of descending aorta
I saw this case three days ago and thought it was a nice demonstration of a negative finding (lack of dilatation of ascending aorta) as mentioned in my last webinar.
As a result of the findings in the plain film, an enhanced CT demonstrated a partially thrombosed aneurysm and the patient was referred for vascular surgery.
This is the last vignette of the season. Since the pandemic is abating, I will resume next week the usual Caceres’ corner cases and Diploma presentations.
If you are Sci-Fi fans I recommend this week the novel “The windup girl” and the short stories collection “Pump six” by Paolo Bacigalupi.
Today’s radiographs belong to a 57-year-old woman with cough and fever. She had an osteosarcoma of the lower limb removed eight years earlier.
Diagnosis:
1. Carcinoma
2. Pneumonia
3. Tuberculosis
4. Any of the above
Click here to see the answer
Findings: PA chest shows haziness of left hemithorax, elevation of the left hilum (A, arrow) and luftsichel (A, red arrow), typical signs of LUL collapse. The collapse is confirmed by the marked displacement of the major fissure on the lateral view (B, arrows). At this point, the best diagnosis is an endobronchial lesion, most likely carcinoma
Click here to see more images
CT with and without contrast enhancement was done. What would be your diagnosis?
Findings: unenhanced CT demonstrates LUL collapse with coarse calcification that seems to follow the path of the bronchus (C, arrows). Enhanced CT shows a non-enhancing endobronchial lesion at the origin of the LUL (D, arrow).
Of the diagnosis offered, the coarse calcification makes carcinoma very unlikely and suggests a carcinoid tumor, although I would expect some enhancement after contrast injection. Given the previous history of osteogenic sarcoma, endobronchial metastases should be considered. I would vote against TB.
Bronchoscopy found a mass occluding the LUL bronchus. Biopsy returned the diagnosis of osteosarcoma.
Final diagnosis: endobronchial metastases from osteogenic sarcoma.
I am showing this unusual case because it is my first and probably my last case of endobronchial metastasis from osteogenic sarcoma. It is also unusual the prolonged span of time (eight years) between the removal of the primary and the appearance of the metastasis.
Remember that the most common cause of LUL collapse is first and foremost a carcinoma of the lung. Endobronchial metastases can give a similar appearance and are more common in tumors of breast, kidney and melanoma although they may occur in any type of tumor, as in the present case.
Today I am presenting the leading case of a new webinar entitled: “Sherlock Holmes and the curious finding in the chest radiograph”.
AP radiograph belongs to a newborn with respiratory distress.
Diagnosis:
1. Diaphragmatic hernia
2. Lung tumor
3. Pneumonia
4. None of the above
What do you see? Come back on Wednesday to see the answer and the webinar!
Click here to see the answer
Findings: at a first glance, the predominant abnormality is a large bump in the left hemidiaphragm (A, arrow), suggestive of localized eventration or hernia. However, there is and additional important finding: both humeri are not visible (A, circles).
This baby was born with a congenital absence of the arms (amelia).
I am showing this case to stress the importance of discovering so-called negative findings. Our training emphasizes the discovery of positive findings and forgets teaching us to detect structures that are absent, as this case proves.
My apologies for tricking you, but I was trying to prove my point. You can get more information about negative findings in today´s webinar.
Today’s radiographs belong to a 65-year-old woman with back pain. She was operated for myxoid liposarcoma of the lower limb seven years ago.
Do you see any abnormality?
If so, where is it?
1. Upper area
2. Middle area
3. Lower area
4. I don’t see it
Click here to see the answer
Findings: PA radiograph shows a double contour of the aortic knob (A, arrow) which indicates a superimposed mediastinal mass either in front or behind the knob. Lateral view shows increased opacity of the upper thoracic spine (B, circle), suggesting a posterior mass.
Click here to see more images
Unenhanced CT was done. What would be your diagnosis?
1. Neurogenic tumor
2. Metastasis
3. Neurenteric cyst
4. Any of the above
Click here to see the answer
Findings: coronal and axial unenhanced CT show a posterior mediastinal mass (C-D, arrows). Of the three possible diagnosis, I would choose neurogenic tumor/cyst, because they are frequent in the posterior mediastinum.
Click here to see more images
MRI was done. Would you change your diagnosis?
1. Neurogenic tumor
2. Metastasis
3. Neurenteric cyst
4. Any of the above
Click here to see the answer
Findings: MRI discovers that the vertebral body is affected (E-F, arrows). This makes neurogenic tumor unlikely. There are visible vessels within the mass, which excludes a cyst. Since myxoid liposarcomas metastasize to the spine, the best possibility is metastasis.
At surgery, a metastatic focus from liposarcoma was found.
Final diagnosis: Metastasis from liposarcoma
This is an interesting case because in the PA radiograph the abnormality is partially hidden by the aortic knob and can be difficult to see (remember to use checklists!).
As a chest radiologist occupying the lower strata of the totem pole, I confess my profound ignorance of liposarcomas. Surfing the Internet I have discovered several papers that state that myxoid liposarcoma metastasizes frequently to the spine and that MRI is the method of choice to demonstrate vertebral metastases in these cases.
Now I can transmit my new-found knowledge to you.
Recommendations for this week: two series, Goliath and Fleabag both of them in Amazon.
Today’s radiographs belong to a 32-year-old man with persistent cough. Non-smoker.
Diagnosis:
1. Bronchogenic carcinoma
2. Benign endobronchial tumor
3. Endobronchial TB
4. Any of the above
Click here to see the answer
Findings: PA shows a triangular opacity in the right upper lung (A, arrow), suggestive of RUL collapse. The collapsed lobe abuts against the major fissure in the lateral view (B, arrow).
The findings point to an obstructive lesion at the origin of the RUL bronchus. I would say that the most likely diagnosis is carcinoma, despite the age of the patient, because it is a common lesion, but I could not discard the other options. A CT is indicated.
Click here to see more images
Unenhanced CT was done. What would be your diagnosis?
1. Carcinoma
2. Benign endobronchial tumor
3. Tuberculosis
4. None of the above
Click here to know the answer
Findings: coronal reconstruction shows obstruction of the RUL (C, arrow). Unenhanced axial slice shows the collapsed lobe with rounded high-attenuation areas within it (D, circle).
Click here to see more images
Coronal reconstruction shows high-attenuation branching structures within the collapsed lobe which represent mucous impaction (E, circle). Dense mucus at CT is very characteristic of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), which is the most likely diagnosis.
ABPA is accompanied by chronic sinus disease and facial CT shows marked affectation of both maxillary sinuses (F).
Final diagnosis: RUL collapse secondary to mucous plugs in ABPA
After removal of the plugs by bronchoscopy, the chest shows marked improvement.
Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis is caused by hypersensitivity reaction to Aspergillus organisms. Excessive mucus production and abnormal ciliary function lead to mucoid impaction.
Radiologic manifestations include finger-in-glove images in a bronchial distribution They are related to plugging by hyphal masses with distal mucoid impaction. Occasionally, isolated lobar or segmental atelectasis may occur.
In approximately 30% of patients, the impacted mucus has high attenuation at CT
N.B. For those of you who noticed the similarity with case 232 (azygos lobe pneumonia), I should point some subtle but important differences between both cases:
In case 232 the fissure is convex (unusual in collapse). In the present case is straight.
In case 232 the fissure ends before reaching the hilum. In the present case the fissure ends in the hilum.
In case 232 the hilum is of normal size and the RUL artery is visible (arrow). In the present case the hilum is smaller because the RUL artery is included in the collapse.
