Chest Imaging

Martine Remy-Jardin, MD, PhD

Ann N.C. Leung, MD

David A. Lynch, MB BCh

Imaging (primarily computerized tomography [CT] scanning) is increasingly central to the diagnosis and management of pulmonary disorders. Much has been learned since the last issue of Seminars in Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine that was dedicated to this topic, in 2014. We welcome Dr. Nishant Gupta's invitation to produce a new issue that will describe how imaging can help in the care of patients with lung disease.

This issue contains several articles on CT of diffuse lung disease. The topic of fibrotic lung disease is of increasing importance, given the availability of novel treatments for these conditions, and Dr. Sharma provides a clear outline of diagnosis and differential diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis. The diverse patterns of nonfibrotic lung disease are addressed by Drs. Lynch and Marrocchio. The commentary of Drs. Kusmirek and Meyer provides a useful guide to common and rare cystic lung diseases, showing how diagnoses can often be made without lung biopsy, in the correct clinical context. Dr. Desai shares the Brompton Hospital experience with connective tissue disease-related lung disease. Dr. Nishino provides a timely discussion of the variety of patterns of drug-induced lung disease, focusing on newer oncologic agents. Dr. Elicker provides a very helpful guide to imaging of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and small airway disease, with a focus on pattern-based diagnosis of small airway disease, and discussion of the role of CT in the management of COPD. Drs. Carroll and Kanne provide a comprehensive discussion of acute and chronic inhalational lung diseases, including a timely discussion of lung injury associated with the use of e-cigarette or vaping products.

Lung cancer remains a primary concern for pulmonologists. Drs. Lee and Kazerooni provide an update on screening for lung cancer. Drs. Nam and Goo provide a systematic system for the diagnosis and management of solid and nonsolid lung nodules. Drs. Archer, Truong, Shroff, Godoy, and Marom round off this section with a current approach to the staging of lung cancer.

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has helped us all understand the importance of imaging in acute care. In this regard, Drs. Toy, Seigel, and Rubinowitz discuss the role of imaging in the intensive care unit, while Drs. Ketai, Febbo, Busby, and Sheehan discuss imaging of COVID-19 and other infections. Drs. Remy-Jardin, Hutt, and Remy illustrate the importance of high-quality imaging in the diagnosis of chronic thromboembolic disease and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. In a glimpse of the future, Drs. Choe and Seo provide an understanding of how artificial intelligence can improve the diagnosis and care of patients with many types of lung disease.

We are extremely grateful to the international group of expert radiologists who have dedicated many hours to producing clear, well-illustrated, and authoritative articles for this issue, and we hope that they will be of value to the readers and their patients.

Publication History

Article published online:
28 November 2022