Diagnostic value of using multiplanar reformation images

Abstract

Rationale:Pulmonary hamartomas are the most common benign tumor of the lung. Two types of pathologically similar hamartomas exist based on their location. These tumors have a low incidence, are rarely reported and frequently misdiagnosed because of lack of familiarity and/or understanding concerning their imaging features.Patient concerns:Seventeen patients received treatment between June 2007 and May 2013 and had complete medical records. All of them had different degrees of cough and expectoration. Other symptoms include fever (5 cases), hemoptysis (4 cases), chest pain (3 cases), shortness of breath (2 cases), and dyspnea (1 case).Diagnoses:These patients all have pathologically confirmed, and informed the diagnosis of endobronchial hamartoma.Interventions:Unenhanced and enhanced CT scans were performed using Toshiba Aquilion 64-slice and GE Lightspeed 64-slice CT scanners. The scan was performed from the superior thoracic aperture to the lateral costophrenic angle. The transaxial CT data was inserted into a Volume Wizard workstation to reconstruct images using MPR technique.Outcomes:The relationship between the location of the tumor and bronchi was clearly displayed on the axial images in only 2 patients. In all 17 patients, reconstructed MPR images were able to display the tumor parallel to the long axis of bronchi, thus facilitating in tumor identification and positioning along the bronchial tree.Lessons:MPR images are valuable tools in the diagnosis of endobronchial hamartomas. Chiefly, these reconstructions aid in the detection of intratumoral fat/calcification and clearly demonstrate the tumors relationship and effect with the adjacent bronchi.

An unusual tracheal foreign body in a middle-aged male with a 15-year history of coal use: a case report

“…CT with MPR can clearly indicate the anatomical relationship between the foreign body, the tracheal wall and its adjacent tissues, and accurately evaluate the severity of tracheal stenosis [ 10 ]. The golden standard for the diagnosis of airway foreign bodies is bronchoscopy, which can be not only a diagnostic tool but also an effective aid in removing tracheal foreign bodies [ 11 ]. Because the foreign body was relatively large, fixed, and inserting into the right thyroid, the fiberoptic bronchoscope failed to remove it.…”

CT-guided special approaches of drainage for intraabdominal and pelvic abscesses

“…With the rapid development of CT post-processing technology, MPR technique of multislice CT is breaking the limitation of conventional axial plane and can be used as a tool for achieving oblique approach. [ 19 , 20 ] The angio-CT system software could use an algorithm for super-rapid MPR to maintain the target position. Because it reconstructs 4 images (axial, sagittal, coronal, and oblique) and keeps the reference point with the previous image, we can see continuous images automatically without adjusting the position.…”

An unusual pneumonia

“…A CT scan of the thorax shows the same post-obstructive process and an endobronchial heterogeneous fatty, sometimes calcified, lesion without contrast enhancement [ 1 – 3 ]. Multiplanar reformation images may be helpful to detect intra-tumoural fat and calcification, and the relationship between the tumour and the bronchi [ 4 ]. On bronchoscopy it appears as an exophytic or polypoidal mass with a smooth well limited surface and without signs of submucosal infiltration [ 5 ].…”