Background: Age-associated changes in the pulmonary system could be detected with imaging techniques. Widespread use of lung ultrasonography (US) requires characterization of a normal pattern. Objectives: To compare US and computed tomography (CT) findings in healthy subjects undergoing both techniques (with CT as the gold standard). Methods: We prospectively selected 59 subjects undergoing chest CT and US on the same day, without a history of smoking, respiratory symptoms, or known pulmonary pathologies. There were 44 patients in group 1 (age =60 years - elderly) and 15 patients in group 2 (age =50 years - young). Lung US was performed with a convex and a linear probe, and 10 chest areas per patient were analyzed. Convex and linear probe agreement was evaluated by means of the Cohen κ statistic; Fisher's exact test was used to compare categorical variables between groups. Results: Isolated B-lines were frequent in both group 1 (54.5%) and group 2 (40.0%); the number of chest areas positive for B-lines increased with age (16.1% in group 1 vs. 5.3% in group 2, p = 0.0028). In group 2, we found that 37.5% of subjects with B-lines had at least 1 chest area with multiple B-lines, but only 2 subjects had 2 or more. Moreover, in group 1 the chest CT documented a reticular pattern (2.3%), areas of increased density (9.1%), ground glass (6.8%), cysts (2.3%), bronchiectasis (22.7%), and bronchial thickening (6.8%); in group 2, only cysts (6.7%) and bronchiectasis (6.7%) were found. Conclusions: The senile lung is characterized by mild changes on CT and US. Chest areas positive for B-lines increase with age, and focal multiple B-lines can be found. However, diffuse patterns, especially in symptomatic subjects, suggest a different diagnosis.

Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) is a term used to describe the presence of submucosal and subserosal gas in the gastrointestinal tract. It can occur as a primary disease or, more commonly, secondary to various other causes ranging from benign conditions to fulminant diseases. We present four cases of benign PI in patients being treated for various types of cancer. They had no abdominal symptoms, the physical examination was normal and PI was an isolated incidental CT finding in the absence of other signs of bowel wall distress. A conservative non-surgical approach was advocated and follow-up imaging documented the resolution of PI. The radiologist should recognize this condition in order to help the oncologist to interpret its clinical significance and avoid unnecessary surgical procedures.

Pancake kidney is a very rare congenital anomaly involving complete fusion of medial renal parenchyma. The interface is devoid of any intervening septum. As described, the kidneys form a single lobulated mass in pelvic location. However, dual collecting systems are retained, and the shortened, anteriorly seated ureters enter the bladder normally. This condition is usually discovered incidentally but may confer a heightened susceptibility to recurrent urinary tract infections or stone formation, given the likelihood of anomalous collecting system rotation and the potential for ureteral stasis or obstruction. Excretory urography, the customary method of detection, has been replaced by ultrasonography, CT, MRI, and radionucleotide scanning. Herein, we present a male patient with a pelvic pancake kidney, never symptomatic. A conservative approach of regular follow up visits and laboratory testing was elected, thus avoiding any unnecessary investigations or extensive surgery.

Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) is a condition in which cystic collections of gas develop within the gastrointestinal wall, forming submucosal or subserosal “bubbles”. The radiologic manifestations are often dramatic and most notably are associated with life-threatening bowel ischaemia. PI may occur as a primary type but is usually secondary in nature, attributable to a wide spectrum of causes (benign and fulminant), ranging from immunosuppression to bowel infarction. Herein, we report a case of massive and extensive PI in a patient with small bowel ischaemia, having both benign and serious clinical origins.