RSNA | Journals

Fleischner Society: Glossary of Terms for Thoracic Imaging

A new pictorial glossary of terms for thoracic imaging compiled by members of the Fleischner Society appears in the March issue of Radiology (RSNA.org/radiology). The first-of-its-kind pictorial glossary—which replaces glossaries published in 1984 and 1996 for thoracic radiography and CT, respectively—has the potential to reduce variability in reporting and facilitate better research.

A magnified chest radiograph shows miliary pattern. On chest radiographs, the miliary pattern consists of profuse tiny, discrete, rounded pulmonary opacities (≤3 mm in diameter) that are generally uniform in size and diffusely distributed throughout the lungs. Radiology 2008;246:697–722 © RSNA, 2008. All rights reserved. Printed with permission.

On the writing committee for the glossary were David M. Hansell, M.D., F.R.C.P., F.R.C.R., Alexander A. Bankier, M.D., Heber MacMahon, M.B., B.Ch., B.A.O., Theresa C. McLoud, M.D., Nestor L. Müller, M.D., Ph.D., and Jacques Remy, M.D. The committee notes that the impetus to combine and update the previous versions came from the recognition that with recent developments in imaging, new words have arrived and others have become obsolete and the meaning of some terms has changed.

The latest glossary is not intended to be exhaustive, the committee adds, but to concentrate on terms whose meaning may be problematic.

In addition to adding and pictorial examples (chest radiographs and CT scans) for most terms, the latest glossary adds brief descriptions of idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIPs). The committee members note that their decision to include IIP vignettes was based on the perception that, despite recent scrutiny and reclassification, IIPs remain a confusing group of diseases.

"We hope that this glossary of terms will be helpful and it is presented in the spirit of the sentiment of Edward J. Huth that 'scientific writing calls for precision as much in naming things and concepts as in presenting data,'" the committee writes. 

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Vascular and Biliary Variants in the Liver: Implications for Liver Surgery

Modern noninvasive diagnostic imaging techniques such as multidetector CT (MDCT) and MR imaging have replaced conventional angiography and endoscopic cholangiography for accurate preoperative evaluation of the hepatic vascular and biliary anatomy, allowing the best therapeutic approach with reduction of complications and identification of the anatomy requiring special attention at surgery.

In an article in the March-April issue of RadioGraphics (RSNA.org/radiographics), Onofrio A. Catalano, M.D., of Massachusetts General Hospital, and colleagues:

• Discuss the relevant surgical steps in living donor liver transplantation, hepatic tumorectomy and placement of hepatic intraarterial pumps

• Identify the normal and variant hepatic arterial, hepatic venous, portal venous and bile duct anatomy

• Describe the variant hepatic vascular and biliary anatomy relevant to hepatic surgery

"MDCT and MR imaging with MR cholangiopancreatography, with image postprocessing, provide excellent delineation of hepatic vascular and biliary anatomy relevant to surgery," the authors conclude. "They help determine the best hepatectomy plane to avoid transecting major venous branches and identify patients in whom additional surgical steps will be required. Preoperative knowledge of hepatic vascular and biliary anatomic variants is mandatory for surgical planning and to help reduce postoperative complications in both the donor and the recipient."