Background: Our study assesses the diagnostic value of different features extracted from high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) images of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. These features are investigated over a range of HRCT lung volume measurements (in Hounsfield Units) for which no prior study has yet been published. In particular, we provide a comparison of their diagnostic value at different Hounsfield Unit (HU) thresholds, including corresponding pulmonary functional tests. Methods: We consider thirty-two patients retrospectively for whom both HRCT examinations and spirometry tests were available. First, we analyse the HRCT histogram to extract quantitative lung fibrosis features. Next, we evaluate the relationship between pulmonary function and the HRCT features at selected HU thresholds, namely −200 HU, 0 HU, and +200 HU. We model the relationship using a Poisson approximation to identify the measure with the highest log-likelihood. Results: Our Poisson models reveal no difference at the −200 and 0 HU thresholds. However, inferential conclusions change at the +200 HU threshold. Among the HRCT features considered, the percentage of normally attenuated lung at −200 HU shows the most significant diagnostic utility. Conclusions: The percentage of normally attenuated lung can be used together with qualitative HRCT assessment and pulmonary function tests to enhance the idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) diagnostic process.

The assessment of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) using HRCT requires great experience and is limited by a significant inter-observer variability, even between trained radiologists. The evaluation of HRCT through automated quantitative analysis may hopefully solve this problem. The accuracy of CT-histogram derived indexes in the assessment of survival in IPF patients has been poorly studied. Forty-two patients with a diagnosis of IPF and a follow up time of 3 years were retrospectively collected; HRCT and Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) performed at diagnosis time were analysed; the extent of fibrotic disease was quantified on HRCT using kurtosis, skewness, Mean Lung Density (MLD), High attenuation areas (HAA%) and Fibrotic Areas (FA%). Univariate Cox regression was performed to assess hazard ratios for the explored variables and a multivariate model considering skewness, FVC, DLCO and age was created to test their prognostic value in assessing survival. Through ROC analysis, threshold values demonstrating the best sensitivity and specificity in predicting mortality were identified. They were used as cut-off points to graph Kaplan-Meier curves specific for the CT-indexes. Kurtosis, skewness, MLD, HAA% and FA% were good predictors of mortality (HR 0.44, 0.74, 1.01, 1.12, 1.06; p = 0.03, p = 0.01, p = 0.02, p = 0.02 and p = 0.017 respectively). Skewness demonstrated the lowest Akaike’s information criterion value (55.52), proving to be the best CT variable for prediction of mortality. Significant survival differences considering proposed cut-off points were also demonstrated according to kurtosis (p = 0.02), skewness (p = 0.005), MLD (p = 0.003), HAA% (p = 0.009) and FA% (p = 0.02) – obtained from quantitative HRCT analysis at diagnosis time. CT-histogram derived indexes may provide an accurate estimation of survival in IPF patients. They demonstrate a correlation with PFTs, highlighting their possible use in clinical practice.

Objective: Positron Emission Tomography (PET) with F-18-Fluoro-deoxy-glucose (FDG) emerged as a prognostic tool to predict treatment outcome in Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL). Moreover, a FDG-PET adapted strategy is currently assessed in clinical trial to minimize the toxic effect while maintaining the efficacy of treatment in HL. Purpose was to analyze the quantitative parameters to support the prognostic role of FDG-PET today based on the semi-quantitative Deauville 5-point Scale (D5-PS). Methods: This retrospective study included 53 patients diagnosed with advanced-stage HL between 2009 and 2014, enrolled in the PET response-adapted clinical trial HD 0607. FDG-PET was performed at baseline (PET0) and after two cycles of chemotherapy (PET2). Analysis was based on two main approaches: on the single lesion presenting the higher FDG uptake and on the five hottest lesions. Different metabolic parameters were analyzed. Patients were classified into responders and non-responders. Optimal cut-offs were derived from Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves. Results were correlated with Progression Free Survival (PFS) using Kaplan-Meier. Results: A 71% threshold in SUVmax reduction (Delta SUVmax) was found to be the best cutoff quantitative parameter able to identify responders vs. non-responders, also with a multivariate analysis, joining clinical data with SUVmax. After a mean follow-up of 34.2 months (95% CI, 26.2 to 39.1), the median PFS for non-responders was 8 months vs. not reached for responders. These results were superimposable to that obtained by an independent group of reviewers using the D5-PS. Conclusion: Semi-quantitative analysis by Delta SUVmax outperforms qualitative assessment by D5-PS in predicting treatment outcome in ABVD-treated advanced-stage HL.

Background: Rectal temperature measurement in cats, while crucial, can cause discomfort and stress. This study evaluated non-contact infrared thermometry as a less invasive alternative. Methods: A total of 95 cats were enrolled in this study. The cats were categorized into three age groups: Group I (n = 20 kittens, 2–6 months), Group II (n = 34 young cats, 7–24 months), and Group III (n = 41 adult cats, >24 months). Results: The mean rectal temperature in cats was approximately 38 °C, which was significantly higher than both ocular temperature (p < 0.0001) and auricular pinna temperature (p < 0001). No statistically significant difference was found between rectal and perineal temperatures, nor in body temperatures between the age groups. Ocular temperature (p < 0.05) and auricular temperature (p < 0.0001) were influenced by ambient temperature. Perineal infrared temperatures showed a strong correlation and low bias compared to rectal temperature and were not affected by ambient temperature. Conclusions: Non-contact infrared thermometry offers advantages for feline temperature monitoring. Perineal infrared temperatures appear to be a useful, non-invasive alternative to rectal measurements in cats.