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Routine screening CT for the identification of COVID-19 pneumonia is currently not recommended by most radiology societies. However, the number of CTs performed in persons under investigation (PUI) for COVID-19 has increased. We also anticipate that some patients will have incidentally detected findings that could be attributable to COVID-19 pneumonia, requiring radiologists to decide whether or not to mention COVID-19 specifically as a differential diagnostic possibility. We aim to provide guidance to radiologists in reporting CT findings potentially attributable to COVID-19 pneumonia, including standardized language to reduce reporting variability when addressing the possibility of COVID-19. When typical or indeterminate features of COVID-19 pneumonia are present in endemic areas as an incidental finding, we recommend contacting the referring providers to discuss the likelihood of viral infection. These incidental findings do not necessarily need to be reported as COVID-19 pneumonia. In this setting, using the term “viral pneumonia” can be a reasonable and inclusive alternative. However, if one opts to use the term “COVID-19” in the incidental setting, consider the provided standardized reporting language. In addition, practice patterns may vary, and this document is meant to serve as a guide. Consultation with clinical colleagues at each institution is suggested to establish a consensus reporting approach. The goal of this expert consensus is to help radiologists recognize findings of COVID-19 pneumonia and aid their communication with other healthcare providers, assisting management of patients during this pandemic.

Editor’s Perspective What We Already Know about This Topic What This Article Tells Us That Is New Background Intraoperative lung-protective ventilation has been recommended to reduce postoperative pulmonary complications after abdominal surgery. Although the protective role of a more physiologic tidal volume has been established, the added protection afforded by positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) remains uncertain. The authors hypothesized that a low fixed PEEP might not fit all patients and that an individually titrated PEEP during anesthesia might improve lung function during and after surgery. Methods Forty patients were studied in the operating room (20 laparoscopic and 20 open-abdominal). They underwent elective abdominal surgery and were randomized to institutional PEEP (4 cm H2O) or electrical impedance tomography–guided PEEP (applied after recruitment maneuvers and targeted at minimizing lung collapse and hyperdistension, simultaneously). Patients were extubated without changing selected PEEP or fractional inspired oxygen tension while under anesthesia and submitted to chest computed tomography after extubation. Our primary goal was to individually identify the electrical impedance tomography–guided PEEP value producing the best compromise of lung collapse and hyperdistention. Results Electrical impedance tomography–guided PEEP varied markedly across individuals (median, 12 cm H2O; range, 6 to 16 cm H2O; 95% CI, 10–14). Compared with PEEP of 4 cm H2O, patients randomized to the electrical impedance tomography–guided strategy had less postoperative atelectasis (6.2 ± 4.1 vs. 10.8 ± 7.1% of lung tissue mass; P = 0.017) and lower intraoperative driving pressures (mean values during surgery of 8.0 ± 1.7 vs. 11.6 ± 3.8 cm H2O; P < 0.001). The electrical impedance tomography–guided PEEP arm had higher intraoperative oxygenation (435 ± 62 vs. 266 ± 76 mmHg for laparoscopic group; P < 0.001), while presenting equivalent hemodynamics (mean arterial pressure during surgery of 80 ± 14 vs. 78 ± 15 mmHg; P = 0.821). Conclusions PEEP requirements vary widely among patients receiving protective tidal volumes during anesthesia for abdominal surgery. Individualized PEEP settings could reduce postoperative atelectasis (measured by computed tomography) while improving intraoperative oxygenation and driving pressures, causing minimum side effects.

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) are rare, abnormal low resistance vascular structures that connect a pulmonary artery to a pulmonary vein, thereby bypassing the normal pulmonary capillary bed and resulting in an intrapulmonary right-to-left shunt. The spectrum of PAVMs extends from microscopic lesions causing profound hypoxemia and ground glass appearance on computed tomography (CT) but with normal catheter angiographic findings to classic pulmonary aneurysmal connections that abnormally connect pulmonary veins and arteries. These malformations most commonly are seen in hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). They are rarely due to secondary conditions such as post congenital heart disease surgery or hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS). The main complications of PAVM result from intrapulmonary shunt and include stroke, brain abscess, and hypoxemia. Local pulmonary complications include PAVM rupture leading to life-threatening hemoptysis or hemothorax. The preferred screening test for PAVM is transthoracic contrast echocardiography (TTCE). CT has become the gold standard imaging test to establish the presence of PAVM. Endovascular occlusion of the feeding artery is the treatment of choice. Collateralization and recanalization of PAVM following treatment may occur, and hence long term clinical and imaging follow-up is required to assess PAVM enlargement and PAVM reperfusion.

Although leukotriene receptor antagonist treatment reduces eosinophil accumulation induced by multiple antigen challenges, glucocorticoid treatment attenuates both eosinophil and mononuclear cell infiltration.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the United States, and accurate staging plays a vital role in determining prognosis and treatment. The recently revised eighth edition of the TNM staging system for lung cancer defines new T and M descriptors and updates stage groupings on the basis of substantial differences in survival. There are new T descriptors that are based on the findings at histopathologic examination, and T descriptors are reassigned on the basis of tumor size and extent. No changes were made to the N descriptors in the eighth edition of the TNM staging of lung cancer, because the four N categories that are based on the location of the diseased nodes can be used to consistently predict prognosis. The eighth edition includes a new M1b descriptor for patients with a single extrathoracic metastatic lesion in a single organ (M1b), because they have better survival and different treatment options, compared with those with multiple extrathoracic lesions (M1c). Examination with fluorine 18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT is the standard of care and is an integral part of the clinical staging of patients with lung cancer. To provide the treating physicians with accurate staging information, radiologists and nuclear medicine physicians should be aware of the updated classification system and should be cognizant of the site-specific strengths and limitations of FDG PET/CT. In this article, the eighth edition of the TNM staging system is reviewed, as well as the role of FDG PET/CT in the staging of non-small cell lung carcinoma. ©

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Detection of solid renal masses has increased in the last decades, although it has not resulted in significant mortality reduction from renal cell carcinoma. Consequently, efforts for improved lesion characterization have been pursued and incorporated in management algorithms, in order to distinguish clinically significant tumors from favorable or benign conditions. Concurrently, imaging methods have built a broad base of evidence supporting their role as useful tools not only in lesion detection, but also characterization. In addition, newer modalities, such as contrast enhanced ultrasound, and advanced applications of magnetic resonance imaging, are being investigated. The purpose of this paper is to review the current role of different imaging methods in the characterization of solid renal masses. MeshRenal cell carcinoma; Lymphoma; Angyomiolipoma; Renal oncocytoma; Ultrasound; X-ray computed tomography; Magnetic resonance imaging; Image-guided biopsy 1) IntroductionThe incidence of renal cancer has increased from 7.1 to 10.8 cases per 100,000 patients between 1983 and 2002, with most primary tumors initially diagnosed as incidental small renal masses (i.e., measuring less than or equal to 4 cm) during imaging studies performed for other clinical reasons. 1 Paradoxically, this increased in diagnosis has not been associated with better clinical outcomes, with a reported increase in mortality from 1.5 to 6.5 deaths per 100,000 patients within the same time interval. 2 Furthermore, the majority of incidentally detected tumors will either grow slowly 3 or not show detectable growth over time 4,5 . Therefore, cost-effective imaging strategies are necessary to identify clinically significant renal masses, which could evolve into life-threatening disease, while avoiding the unnecessary morbidity and financial costs associated with overtreatment of benign or favorable malignant conditions. * Corresponding author: ivan.pedrosa@utsouthwestern.edu. HHS Public Access Author Manuscript Author ManuscriptAuthor Manuscript Author ManuscriptThe first step in the workup of incidentally found renal masses is to differentiate benign cysts from solid masses. 6,7 Solid renal masses contain little or no fluid, and are composed predominantly of vascularized tissue (i.e., elements enhancing with the administration of exogenous contrast agents). 7 Despite its lower prevalence compared to cystic lesions, up to 90% of solid masses are reported malignant. [8][9][10] The risk of malignancy is influenced by size, occurring in approximately 50% for lesions smaller than 1 cm and more than 90% for masses greater than or equal to 7 cm. 8Solid malignant masses most frequently encountered in clinical practice are renal cell carcinoma (RCC), urothelial carcinoma, lymphoma, and metastasis, while the most frequently encountered benign solid renal masses are angiomyolipoma (AML), oncocytoma, and inflammatory pseudotumors/pseudolesions. This article provides a comprehensive comprehensive approach to the imaging findings of common malignant a...