Imaging

Those who care for patients with pulmonary, critical care or sleep disorders rely heavily on chest radiology and pathology to determine diagnoses. The Southwest Journal of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep publishes case-based articles with characteristic chest imaging and related pathology.

The editor of this section will oversee and coordinate the publication of a core of the most important chest imaging topics. In doing so, they encourage the submission of unsolicited manuscripts. It cannot be overemphasized that both radiologic and pathologic images must be of excellent quality. As a rule, 600 DPI is sufficient for radiographic and pathologic images. Taking pictures of plain chest radiographs and CT scans with a digital camera is strongly discouraged. The figures should be cited in the text and numbered consecutively. The stain used for pathology specimens and magnification should be mentioned in the figure legend. Those who care for patients with pulmonary, critical care or sleep disorders rely heavily on chest radiology and pathology to determine diagnoses. The Southwest Journal of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep publishes case-based articles with characteristic chest imaging and related pathology. The editor of this section will oversee and coordinate the publication of a core of the most important chest imaging topics. In doing so, they encourage the submission of unsolicited manuscripts. It cannot be overemphasized that both radiologic and pathologic images must be of excellent quality. As a rule, 600 DPI is sufficient for radiographic and pathologic images. Taking pictures of plain chest radiographs and CT scans with a digital camera is strongly discouraged. The figures should be cited in the text and numbered consecutively. The stain used for pathology specimens and magnification should be mentioned in the figure legend.

Rick Robbins, M.D. 1/4/16 Rick Robbins, M.D. 1/4/16

January 2016 Imaging Case of the Month

Michael B. Gotway, MD

Department of Radiology

Mayo Clinic Arizona

Scottsdale, AZ

Imaging Case of the Month CME Information

Members of the Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and California Thoracic Societies and the Mayo Clinic are able to receive 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Completion of an evaluation form is required to receive credit and a link is provided on the last panel of the activity.

0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™

Estimated time to complete this activity: 0.25 hours

Lead Author(s): Michael B. Gotway, MD. All Faculty, CME Planning Committee Members, and the CME Office Reviewers have disclosed that they do not have any relevant financial relationships with commercial interests that would constitute a conflict of interest concerning this CME activity.

Learning Objectives:
As a result of this activity I will be better able to:

Correctly interpret and identify clinical practices supported by the highest quality available evidence.
Will be better able to establsh the optimal evaluation leading to a correct diagnosis for patients with pulmonary, critical care and sleep disorders.
Will improve the translation of the most current clinical information into the delivery of high quality care for patients.
Will integrate new treatment options in discussing available treatment alternatives for patients with pulmonary, critical care and sleep related disorders.

Learning Format: Case-based, interactive online course, including mandatory assessment questions (number of questions varies by case). Please also read the Technical Requirements.

CME Sponsor: University of Arizona College of Medicine at the Arizona Health Sciences Center.

Current Approval Period: January 1, 2015-December 31, 2016

Financial Support Received: None.

Clinical History: A 44 year-old man presented with refractory heart failure following the relatively asymptomatic detection of severe aortic regurgitation at auscultation 11 years earlier. When the valvular disease was discovered, the patient’s left ventricular ejection fraction was 25%. He underwent open aortic valvular replacement and his systolic function stabilized on medication in the years that followed, but eventually his cardiac function deteriorated further and he was listed for cardiac transplant.

As part of the pre – transplant evaluation frontal and lateral chest radiography (Figure 1) was performed.

Figure 1. Frontal (A) and lateral (B) chest radiography.

Which of the following statements regarding the chest radiograph is most accurate? (Click on the correct answer to proceed to the second of six panels)

Cite as: Gotway MB. January 2016 imaging case of the month. Southwest J Pulm Crit Care. 2016;12(1):13-9. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13175/swjpcc001-16 PDF

Rick Robbins, M.D. 5/8/12 Rick Robbins, M.D. 5/8/12

May 2012 Imaging Case of the Month

Michael B. Gotway, MD

Associate Editor, Imaging

Clinical History: A 71-year-old man with a 20-pack-year history of smoking presented with complaints of cough. A chest radiograph (Figure 1) was performed.

Figure 1: Frontal and lateral chest radiography shows a medially located mass projected over the thoracic aorta on the frontal projection (A), residing posteriorly over the thoracic spine on the lateral projection (B). The lesion does not show visible calcification, and is non-specific in appearance.

Which of the differential diagnostic considerations listed below is the least likely consideration for the appearance of the lesion on the chest radiograph?

Reference as: Gotway MB. May 2012 imaging case of the month. Southwest J Pulm Crit Care 2012:4:155-62. (Click here for a PDF version of the case)