Phillip M. Boiselle, MD

June 01, 2006

Abstract: Advances in CT technology afford the ability to create 3-dimensional (3-D) reconstructions of the airways in only a few minutes. The 2 basic types of 3-D reconstruction imaging methods are CT bronchography, which depicts the external surface of the airways and its relationship to adjacent structures, and virtual bronchoscopy, which allows the viewer to navigate the internal lumen of the airways by a means similar to conventional bronchoscopy. Although axial images are routinely used to evaluate the upper airways, multiplanar reformations in the coronal and sagittal planes also help evaluate upper airway pathology. Coronal multiplanar reformation images are useful in defining the anatomy of the larynx; sagittal images provide excellent delineation of the epiglottis, vallecula, and piriform sinuses. Axial images are the reference standard for assessing tracheal wall thickening and, therefore, may be particularly helpful in the differential diagnosis of tracheal stenosis. (J Respir Dis. 2006;27(6):266-273)

May 01, 2006

Abstract: The introduction of helical CT dramatically improved the quality of CT images of the airways and other thoracic structures. Multi-detector row CT scanners have made further improvements with respect to spatial resolution, speed, and anatomic coverage. Axial CT images provide valuable information about the airway lumen and wall and adjacent mediastinal and lung structures, but they are limited in their ability to assess airway stenoses and complex airway abnormalities. These limitations can be overcome by multiplanar and 3-dimensional reconstruction images. State-of-the-art scanners allow all of the central airways to be imaged in a few seconds. This speed is particularly valuable for patients who cannot tolerate longer breath-holds and patients who may have tracheomalacia or vocal cord paralysis. (J Respir Dis. 2006;27(5):192-196)

March 01, 2006

A 37-year-old man presented withnew-onset fever and abdominal painof several days’ duration. No respiratorysymptoms were reported.The patient had a history of multiplestab wounds to the abdomenand back, resulting in chronic backpain and a neurogenic bladder.During a previous hospital admission,he was treated for Enterobacterpyelonephritis with intravenousgentamicin for 12 days.

November 01, 2005

A 45-year-old man presented to the emergency department (ED) with fever and left-sided pleuritic chest pain. He had been in good health until 4 days earlier, when diffuse myalgias, weakness, and frontal headache developed. Two days later, these symptoms were accompanied by onset of fever (temperature, 39.4°C [103°F]) and left-sided pleuritic chest pain. He denied chills, rigors, shortness of breath, hemoptysis, and cough.

September 01, 2005

A 51-year-old man with a 20-year history of asthma and seasonal allergies presented with low-grade fever, progressive dyspnea on exertion, and wheezing that had persisted for 2 weeks. Four days earlier, he had been seen by his primary care physician and had started levofloxacin therapy. However, his respiratory symptoms had worsened, warranting hospitalization. He also reported pain in the abdomen and left flank and pain and swelling in the right metacarpophalangeal and right shoulder joints.

April 01, 2005

A 38-year-old man presented to the emergency department (ED) with a 2-week history of worsening shortness of breath and dry cough. He also complained of anorexia, a 14-kg (30-lb) weight loss over 3 months, pleuritic chest pain, and night sweats.