Nodular Opacity

Abstract: PURPOSE To describe clinical and imaging characteristics of thoracolithiasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Medical records from our center from September 2005 to March 2007 were reviewed. A definitive diagnosis was made by multidetector-row computed tomography studies of the chest, which revealed in each patient an intrapleural calcified nodular opacity, which changed in intrapleural location on serial examinations. Eleven patients fulfilled this criteria. The images were analyzed by experienced radiologists, who focused on the distribution, size, and shape of the thoracolithiasis. RESULTS The incidence of thoracolithiasis was 0.086% (11 of 12,835 individuals). All the patients were asymptomatic and did not have any history of intrathoracic disease. The nodules ranged in size from 5 to 15 mm (median 8 mm), and were ovoid and smoothly marginated. Each nodule contained homogeneous diffuse calcification. Eight nodules occurred in the left pleural space and 3 in the right. Their locations varied, which included on the diaphragm, along the posterior chest wall of the lower lung, abutting the left cardiac margin, and near the paraspinal space of the lower thoracic spine. Each of the calcified pleural bodies changed in intrapleural location on follow-up computed tomography examination. CONCLUSIONS The calcified intrapleural nodular opacities of thoracolithiasis tended to be located inferiorly, presumably secondary to the effects of gravity, and they seemed to migrate freely within the pleural cavity.

Abstract: Pulmonary nodular lymphoid hyperplasia (NLH) is a term first suggested by Kradin and Mark to describe one or more pulmonary nodules or localized lung infiltrates consisting of reactive lymphoid proliferation. To date, there have been only a few cases of pulmonary NLH reported associated with autoimmune disorders. There is no case of NLH associated with Sjogren's syndrome from Korea in the medical literature. A 56-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with cough productive of sputum and chest tightness. The Computed tomography scans of the chest revealed multiple and well-defined peribronchiolar nodular opacities. A video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) biopsy was performed and the nodular opacity in the lung parenchyma was pathologically confirmed as NLH. Through meticulous review of patient's record, we found that she had been suffering from dry eye and dry mouth. The symptoms suggested Sjogren's syndrome, which was confirmed by specific laboratory tests including the Schirmer test, anti-nuclear antibody and anti-Ro/La antibody. The patient is followed regularly and has no further progression of symptoms.

Abstract: Salzmann's nodular corneal dystrophy differs from Groenouw's nodular corneal dystrophy in that the dystrophic nodules are larger and less numerous, the elevation of the nodules above the surface of the cornea is more pronounced, the disease appears in all decades of life, it predominantly affects the female sex, and it is not familial. The majority of the cases were unilateral at the time of their description, and almost always the diseased eyes showed evidence of repeated attacks of eczematous keratoconjunctivitis either in the form of the usual corneal opacities or in the form of eczematous pannus. E. Fuchs 1 also had observed the development of raised corneal areas in cases of eczematous keratoconjunctivitis, for in an article published in 1902, he stated: At times the areas of nodular opacity above the corneal surface resemble certain cases of old eczematous keratitis in which one or more of the persisting lesions