Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography

Our medical research library holds 14 studies published in Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography (1981–2018). Each entry links to the study's record on PubMed and, where there is one, to the publisher's page and a free full text. 14 have an abstract, the authors' own summary as PubMed records it: open "Abstract" to read it.

About the journal

• Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
• Published: 1977 to the present, United States
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0363-8715 (print), 1532-3145 (electronic)
• Its record in the NLM Catalog

2010s

• Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: Are There Imaging Characteristics Associated With Different Histologic Subtypes on Computed Tomography?. J.G. Escalon, K.A. Harrington, A.J. Plodkowski, et al. 2018;42(4):601-606. PubMed · Publisher · Free full text

  Abstract

  Objectives: Determine imaging characteristics specific to epithelioid (eMPM), sarcomatoid (sMPM), and biphasic (bMPM) subtypes of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) on computed tomography.

  Methods: Preoperative computed tomography scans of patients with MPM were retrospectively assessed for numerous features including primary affected side, volume loss, pleural thickness, pleural calcifications, pleural effusion, and lymphadenopathy.

  Results: One hundred twenty-five patients with MPM were included. Histologic subdivision was 97 eMPM (77%), 17 bMPM (14%), and 11 sMPM (9%). Nonepithelioid MPM (bMPM and sMPM) was more likely than eMPM to have calcified pleural plaques (P = 0.035). Analyzed separately, bMPM and sMPM each demonstrated calcified plaques more frequently than eMPM, and sMPM more often had internal mammary nodes; however, P values did not reach significance (P = 0.075 and 0.071, respectively).

  Conclusions: Calcified plaques are significantly more common in nonepithelioid subtypes compared with eMPM. Given the different prognoses and management of MPM subtypes, accurate noninvasive subtype classification is clinically vital.

• Unusual appearance of malignant peritoneal mesothelioma. A. Haberman. 2015;39(3):419-21. Case report PubMed · Publisher

  Abstract

  Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare and fatal cancer arising from the mesothelial cells lining the peritoneum. This typically occurs in men in their fifth and sixth decades, but can be seen in women and any age group. Pleural and extrapleural mesothelioma can arise in the setting of asbestos exposure, but other reported causes of MPM include exposure to silicate fibers and radiation therapy. Because it presents with vague symptoms such as abdominal pain, anorexia, and weight loss, it is generally advanced at diagnosis. This is a case of MPM that presented initially at contrast-enhanced computed tomography as a small focal lesion in the lesser sac, ultimately resulting in death from complications of the disease.

• Use of computed tomography and positron emission tomography/computed tomography for staging of local extent in patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma. T. Frauenfelder, P. Kestenholz, R. Hunziker, et al. 2015;39(2):160-5. PubMed · Publisher

  Abstract

  Purpose: The objective of this study was to determine the diagnostic value of computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET)/CT for staging of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) in patients undergoing induction chemotherapy.

  Methods: Sixty-two patients (median age, 61 years; female: n = 9) with proven MPM underwent CT after induction chemotherapy. Of these, 28 underwent additional PET/CT. Extrapleural pneumonectomy was performed for pathological TNM staging. Clinical TNM stage was assessed by 3 independent readers. Relative and absolute underestimation and overestimation were compared with pathological tumor stage. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for differentiation between stages T2 and T3 were assessed. Interobserver agreement between the readers was analyzed (κ).

  Results: Positron emission tomography/CT and CT underestimated T stage in up to 30% of the cases. Positron emission tomography/CT had a higher accuracy for tumor extent compared with CT (PET/CT: 0.92; CT: 0.84). The accuracy for nodal staging was higher for CT than for PET/CT (PET/CT: 0.78; CT: 0.87). Concerning International Mesothelioma Interest Group classification, PET/CT improved the accuracy of preoperative staging compared with CT (PET/CT: 0.91; CT: 0.82). Interobserver agreement was moderate for CT (0.48-0.62) and good for PET/CT (0.64-0.83) for T staging. For nodal staging, interobserver agreement was fair to moderate for CT and good for PET/CT (CT: 0.37-0.51; PET/CT: 0.73-0.76).

  Conclusions: Positron emission tomography/CT is more accurate and has a lower interobserver variability for clinical intrathoracic staging of MPM compared with CT. Nevertheless PET/CT underestimated tumor stage in a substantial number of cases, showing the need for a more accurate imaging technology or approach.

• Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) in workers previously exposed to asbestos: detection of parenchymal lung disease. M.C. Carrillo, S. Alturkistany, H. Roberts, et al. 2013;37(4):626-30. PubMed · Publisher

  Abstract

  Objectives: To evaluate the lungs of asymptomatic asbestos-exposed workers who were screened for lung cancer and mesothelioma using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) for parenchymal abnormalities.

  Methods: Three hundred fifteen baseline LDCT studies of the chest of participants with at least 20 years' exposure to asbestos or presence of pleural plaques before enrollment on chest radiographs were analyzed.

  Results: Three hundred fifteen subjects were studied. The mean age was 61.7 years, and the mean exposure to asbestos was 26.9 years. One hundred seventy-five (56%) participants had absence of parenchymal findings with a mean age of 58.7 years, mean exposure of 24.6 years, and a mean smoking pack years of 19. One hundred forty subjects (44%) had parenchymal findings (138 men and 2 women) with a mean age of 65.3 years, mean exposure of 29.73 years, and a mean smoking pack years of 21.5 years. Participants who had parenchymal manifestations were more likely to be older and have longer exposure to asbestos compared to participants who had no relevant parenchymal findings. There was no statistical difference in the mean smoking pack years between the groups with and without parenchymal findings.

  Conclusions: Low-dose CT could demonstrate parenchymal lung manifestations in this higher-risk asymptomatic group with prior exposure to asbestos in the setting of screening for lung cancer and mesothelioma. Individuals with longer exposure to asbestos and of higher age have more pulmonary abnormalities. The age and the latency of exposure play an important role given that the asbestos-related parenchymal abnormalities on LDCT were more prevalent in the elderly participants and with longer periods of exposure.

2000s

• Malignant pleural mesothelioma with heterologous osteoblastic elements: computed tomography, magnetic resonance, and positron emission tomography imaging characteristics of a rare tumor. R.A. Salgado, R. Corthouts, P.M. Parizel, et al. 2005;29(5):653-6. Case report PubMed · Publisher

  Abstract

  The imaging findings of a rare mixed type of malignant mesothelioma of the pleura with heterologous bone stroma in a patient without a previous history of asbestos exposure are reported. Imaging findings of this type of bone-forming pleural mesothelioma are scarcely reported in the literature, with only a few case reports describing findings on conventional radiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. To the best of our knowledge, no positron emission tomography imaging characteristics of this type of mesothelioma have been previously reported.

1990s

• Calcification as a sign of sarcomatous degeneration of malignant pleural mesotheliomas: a new CT finding. A. Raizon, A. Schwartz, W. Hix, et al. 1996;20(1):42-4. Case report PubMed · Publisher

  Abstract

  We present two cases demonstrating, on CT examination, heavily calcified mass lesions associated with malignant pleural mesothelioma in workers occupationally exposed to asbestos. These masses proved to be osteogenic sarcomatous degeneration within mesotheliomas. The observation of dense calcification within a pleural mass should raise a suspicion of osteosarcomatous degeneration if it is seen in conjunction with other classic signs of malignant pleural mesothelioma.

• CT findings in malignant pleural mesothelioma related to nonoccupational exposure to asbestos and fibrous zeolite (erionite). C. Erzen, M. Eryilmaz, F. Kalyoncu, et al. 1991;15(2):256-60. PubMed · Publisher

  Abstract

  Endemic malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) in Turkey is related to two mineral fibers, tremolite asbestos and fibrous zeolite (erionite). Thirteen cases of MPM from the Cappadocian area, where the soil is rich in erionite, and 29 cases of MPM, from villages whose occupants have high asbestos exposure, were examined by CT. The CT findings of the two groups of MPM were compared with respect to the configuration of the pleural lesions, stage of disease, fissural involvement, pleural effusion, presence of calcified pleural plaques, and chronic fibrosing pleuritis. In erionite-related MPM the pleural lesions were flat and smooth in 69.1%; in asbestos-related MPM the lesions were nodular in 55.1%. Stage IV disease, calcified pleural plaques, and chronic fibrosing pleuritis were more common in the erionite-related MPM. The rest of the findings were similar in both groups. The early radiological diagnosis of erionite-related MPM may be even more difficult because of the similarity of the pleural lesions to chronic fibrosing pleuritis.

• Transient subpleural curvilinear shadow caused by pulmonary congestion. K. Arai, T. Takashima, O. Matsui, et al. 1990;14(1):87-8. Case report PubMed · Publisher

  Abstract

  We present two cases of transient subpleural curvilinear shadows (SCSs) on CT caused by pulmonary congestion. Subpleural curvilinear shadows, which are usually visible in the middle or lower dorsal lung field on CT, have been reported as the initial finding of pulmonary fibrosis. But SCS is not a specific finding since pulmonary congestion may be one cause of it.

1980s

• CT demonstration of interlobar fissure calcification due to asbestos exposure. S.D. Rockoff. 1987;11(6):1066-8. Case report PubMed · Publisher

  Abstract

  This is the second report of calcification of the major fissure in asbestos-related pleural disease and the first in which CT was necessary to visualize its presence. This case illustrates that CT may have an additional important use in the radiologic evaluation of individuals who have had asbestos exposure.

• Computed tomography of malignant pleural mesothelioma. D.C. Grant, S.E. Seltzer, K.H. Antman, et al. 1983;7(4):626-32. PubMed · Publisher

  Abstract

  We tabulated the computed tomographic (CT) findings in 14 consecutive patients who had proven malignant pleural mesotheliomas and were studied over a 3-year period. We also staged the disease in these patients, all of whom were men, aged 40-75 years (mean, 59), and had been exposed to asbestos at work. Common presenting symptoms were shortness of breath or chest pain. Pleural thickening was found on the side of the tumor in all of the patients, characterized as nodular and circumferential (6/14 cases), plaque-like (4/14), or strictly nodular (4/14) in appearance. In addition, 86% of the patients demonstrated contralateral pleural thickening, but these lesions did not prove to be tumor deposits. Other common CT findings in the involved hemithorax included: pleural effusions (79% of cases), lung parenchymal disease (79%), decreased hemithorax size (62%), and pleural calcification (50%). Before the chest scans were performed, 13 patients were felt to have Stage I disease and one to have Stage IV. The CT information revised these opinions: four of the Stage I patients were assigned to Stage II (on the basis of chest wall involvement or enlarged hilar/mediastinal lymph nodes). Therapy was altered in these four cases. In two patients pericardial thickening was seen, but it was not possible to determine if this was due to tumor involvement. We conclude that CT can identify several abnormalities that are commonly associated with mesotheliomas. By demonstrating lesions not detectable on conventional imaging studies, CT may alter staging and therapy in many patients with this disease.

• Interlobar pleural plaque mimicking a lung nodule in a patient with asbestos exposure. W.R. Webb, C. Cooper, G. Gamsu. 1983;7(1):135-6. Case report PubMed · Publisher

  Abstract

  Computed tomography (CT) is generally superior to plain chest radiographs in differentiating pleural and pulmonary parenchymal lesions. We report a patient with asbestos exposure who had a rare interlobar pleural plaque involving the major fissure. In this patient CT suggested the presence of a lung nodule but the lateral chest radiograph indicated the correct diagnosis.

• Computed tomography in pulmonary pseudotumors and their relation to asbestos exposure. U. Tylén, U. Nilsson. 1982;6(2):229-37. PubMed · Publisher

  Abstract

  Twelve patients, nine of whom had histories of exposure to asbestos, were evaluated by chest roentgenography and computed tomography because of a pulmonary mass lesion. The lesion consisted of condensed atelectatic lung parenchyma surrounded by marked thickening of the pleura--a pulmonary pseudotumor. In most patients, the mass lesion was only part of a more extensive disease process with pleural plaques and parenchymal fibrosis. Computed tomography demonstrated the full extent of disease better than chest roentgenograms. Asbestos is stressed as a possible causative factor of these mass lesions.

• CT patterns of mesenteric disease. N.O. Whitley, M.E. Bohlman, L.P. Baker. 1982;6(3):490-6. PubMed · Publisher

  Abstract

  To evaluate the patterns of mesenteric disease as visualized by computed tomography (CT), we reviewed the scans of 370 patients whose primary diagnoses coincided with diseases known from the pathology literature to have frequent mesenteric involvement. Diagnoses included selected malignancies, inflammatory diseases, and traumatic injuries. Four general patterns of involvement of the mesentery were recognized: (a) rounded masses, (b) "cake-like" masses, (c) ill-defined masses, and (d) stellate mesentery. Of the malignancies reviewed, mesenteric involvement as visualized by CT occurred most commonly with ovarian carcinoma (20/52) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (41/134). The incidences of CT evidence of involvement of the mesentery with other common malignancies were carcinoma of the colon (8/68), carcinoma of the pancreas (5/21), and leukemia (5/19). Certain benign and malignant lesions of the mesentery do demonstrate unique CT patterns of involvement. Examples of the individual patterns in common and unusual disease states are illustrated.

• Pleural calcification in pancreatitis demonstrated by computed tomography. G.M. Bydder, L. Kreel. 1981;5(2):161-3. Case report PubMed · Publisher

  Abstract

  Three cases of pleural calcification associated with pancreatitis are reported, each of which showed bilateral basal curvilinear calcification. There was no known history of asbestos exposure. Although pleural effusion due to pancreatitis is well known, pleural calcification has not been recognized previously as a complication of this disease.

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