A variety of tests and imaging studies are necessary for the correct diagnosis of the EAS, but even then, up to 20% of cases present a covert or occult EAS syndrome. These cases require a prolonged follow-up, review, and repetition of diagnostic tests and scans.

Relationships between high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bacterial colonization, airway inflammation, or exacerbation indices are unknown. Fifty-four patients with COPD (mean [SD]: age, 69 [7] years; FEV(1), 0.96 [0.33] L; FEV(1) [percent predicted], 38.1 [13.9]%; FEV(1)/forced vital capacity [percent predicted], 40.9 [11.8]%; arterial partial pressure of oxygen, 8.77 [1.11] kPa; history of smoking, 50.5 [33.5] smoking pack-years) underwent HRCT scans of the chest to quantify the presence and extent of bronchiectasis or emphysema. Exacerbation indices were determined from diary cards over 2 years. Quantitative sputum bacteriology and cytokine measurements were performed. Twenty-seven of 54 patients (50%) had bronchiectasis on HRCT, most frequently in the lower lobes (18 of 54, 33.3%). Patients with bronchiectasis had higher levels of airway inflammatory cytokines (p = 0.001). Lower lobe bronchiectasis was associated with lower airway bacterial colonization (p = 0.004), higher sputum interleukin-8 levels (p = 0.001), and longer symptom recovery time at exacerbation (p = 0.001). No relationship was seen between exacerbation frequency and HRCT changes. Evidence of moderate lower lobe bronchiectasis on HRCT is common in COPD and is associated with more severe COPD exacerbations, lower airway bacterial colonization, and increased sputum inflammatory markers.

OBJECTIVE:To investigate visceral fat distribution in patients with schizophrenia. DESIGN: Cross sectional study using CT scanning in patients with drug-naive and drug-free schizophrenia. SUBJECTS: Fifteen (13 men and two women) subjects with schizophrenia (mean age 33.7 y; mean body mass index (BMI) ¼ 26.7 kg=m 2 ), and 15 age-and sex-matched controls (mean age 30.5 y; mean BMI ¼ 22.8 kg= 2 ). MEASUREMENTS: Various fatness and fat distribution parameters (by CT scanning and anthropometry) and 16:00 h plasma cortisol. RESULTS: In comparison to controls, patients with schizophrenia had central obesity and had significantly higher levels of plasma cortisol. Furthermore, previous neuroleptic exposure did not appear to influence these findings as both drug-naive and drug-free patients had equally high levels of visceral fat deposition. CONCLUSION: Central obesity is a well recognized risk factor in developing certain general medical conditions. This study shows that patients with schizophrenia have increased intra-abdominal fat which may provide one explanation for why they die prematurely. International Journal of Obesity (2002 Keywords: schizophrenia; cortisol; imaging IntroductionReduced life expectancy is a well recognized feature of psychiatric illness. 1 -3 With respect to schizophrenia, the precise reasons underlying this excessive mortality are as yet unknown. 4,5 However, it is clear that suicide cannot fully account for these findings. 6,7 A meta-analysis of the relevant literature by Harris and Barraclough found that 'unnatural' causes of death such as suicide and accidents were far more likely to occur than expected in patients with schizophrena. 8 However, the standardized mortality ratios for 'natural causes', such as cardiovascular illness, was also significantly increased, a finding which was supported by Allbeck 9 and Ruschena et al. 3 A number of reasons may explain the excessive death rate due to 'natural causes' observed in schizophrenia; these include psychosocial deprivation, an unhealthy lifestyle and psychotropic medication. 10 -12 Yet, the general medical illnesses which tend to occur in those suffering from schizophrenia form a cluster which is termed the metabolic syndrome. 13 Hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus and dyslipidaemias are the primary constituents of this syndrome and are associated with increased intra-abdominal fat deposition. 14,15 Abdominal fat distribution consists of two discrete depots, subcutaneous and visceral (intra-abdominal) and numerous variables can account for the pattern of body fat deposition observed in the general population. 16,17 Of note is the fact that cortisol has a marked effect on regional fat distribution, in that patients with Cushing's syndrome who have marked hypercortisolaemia, have increased visceral fat distribution as measured by computerized axial tomography (CT) scanning. 18,19 Indeed, reduction of plasma cortisol in this subgroup of patients leads to a decrease in intra-abdominal fat stores 20 and also a normalization of certain features...

Computed tomography (CT; unenhanced, followed by contrast-enhanced examinations) is the cornerstone of imaging of adrenal tumours. Attenuation values of !10 Hounsfield units on an unenhanced CT are practically diagnostic for adenomas. When lesions cannot be characterised adequately with CT, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation (with T1-and T2-weighted sequences and chemical shift and fat-suppression refinements) is sought.

Lymph node characterization with USPIO increases the sensitivity of MRI in the prediction of lymph node metastases, with no loss of specificity. This may greatly improve preoperative treatment planning.