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Case Report Digital tomography in the diagnosis of a posterior pneumothorax in the intensive care unit
Shauni Wellekens1orcid, Nico Buls2orcid, Johan De Mey2orcid, Vincent Van Nieuwenhove3orcid, Jeroen Cant3orcid, Joop Jonckheer4orcid

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.2021.01802
Published online: June 10, 2022

1Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Brussels, Jette, Belgium

2Department of Radiology, University Hospital Brussels, Jette, Belgium

3Radiology Solutions R&D, Agfa NV, Mortsel, Belgium

4Department of Intensive Care Medicine, University Hospital Brussels, Jette, Belgium

Corresponding author: Shauni Wellekens Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Brussels, Laarbeeklaan 101, Jette 1090, Belgium Tel: +32-493500178, Fax: +32-493500178, Email: shauni.wellekens@gmail.com
• Received: December 24, 2021   • Revised: January 30, 2022   • Accepted: February 4, 2022

Copyright © 2022 The Korean Society of Critical Care Medicine

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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  • Portable chest radiography is a valuable tool in the intensive care unit. However, the supine position causes superposition of anatomical structures resulting in less reliable detection of certain abnormalities. Recently, a portable digital tomosynthesis (pDTS) prototype with a modified motorized X-ray device was developed. We aimed to compare the diagnostic value of pDTS to standard bedside chest radiography in the diagnosis of a posterior pneumothorax. A modified motorized X-ray device was developed to perform 15 radiographic projections while translating the X-ray tube 25 cm (10 cm ramp up and 15 cm during X-ray exposure) with a total radiation dose of 0.54 mSv. This new technique of pDTS was performed in addition to standard bedside chest X-ray in a patient with a confirmed posterior hydropneumothorax. The images were compared with the standard bedside chest X-ray and computed tomography (CT) images by two experienced radiologists. The posterior hydropneumothorax previously identified with CT was visible on tomosynthesis images but not with standard bedside imaging. Combining the digital tomosynthesis technique with the portable X-ray machine could increase the diagnostic value of bedside chest radiography for the diagnosis of posterior pneumothoraces while avoiding intrahospital transport and limiting radiation exposure compared to CT.
Pneumothorax is a common problem in adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients with a prevalence of 4%–15% in mechanically ventilated patients [1], and up to 50% in patients following chest trauma [2]. Currently, computed tomography (CT)-scan is the gold standard for both the diagnosis and assessing the size of the pneumothorax [3]. Recently, portable digital tomosynthesis (pDTS) prototype with a modified motorized X-ray device was developed [4]. pDTS is a technique where several low dose X-ray images are acquired with a motorized X-ray source which moves relative to a stationary detector. Subsequently, reconstruction algorithms are used to compute coronal section images through the area of interest. This technique may be able to improve the diagnostic value of bedside chest radiography due to its ability to distinguish overlapping anatomical structures. Chest digital tomosynthesis is a technique already available on a wall mounted flat panel or X-ray table, however, there is currently no pDTS available on the market [5].
We describe a case that highlights its potential in critically ill patients. This study was approved by our local Institutional Review Board (IRB No. 143202043138) and all patients or designated proxies provided written informed consent. Authors with no ties to Agfa Radiology Solutions had unrestricted control over the data during the study.
A 62-year-old man was admitted to the ICU following respiratory failure due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. His stay was further complicated by several ventilator acquired pneumonias and the requirement of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Due to respiratory deterioration on day 41 of hospital admission a CT thorax was performed which initially showed subcutaneous emphysema and a pneumomediastinum without evidence of a pneumothorax (Figure 1A). Respectively, 2 and 7 days later, a pneumothorax at the left apex as well as at the right apex was visualized on a standard bedside chest X-ray for which a chest drain was placed (Figure 1B-E). Twelve days after the initial CT scan a new CT scan was performed to re-evaluate the extent of the pneumothoraces after drain insertion. This showed an additional posterobasal hydropneumothorax on the right which was not visible on standard bedside chest X-ray (Figure 1F). Subsequently, an additional chest drain was inserted. Analysis of the fluid suggested an empyema for which antibiotics were initiated.
After the acute phase, on day 151 since admission, a portable DTS acquisition was performed in addition to the standard bed-side chest radiography with a prototype device (Agfa Radiology Solutions). Fifteen X-ray projections were made while translating the X-ray tube 25 cm with a synchronized motorized system (10 cm ramp up and 15 cm during X-ray exposure) with a total acquisition time of about 3.2 seconds. Subsequently images were reconstructed using the simultaneous iterative reconstruction technique (SIRT) algorithm using 25 iterations. The estimated effective radiation dose of the pDTS acquisition was 0.54 mSv (in comparison to a typical radiation dose of 0,1 mSv in standard chest radiography, and 6.2 mSv for chest CT) [6]. A radiological comparison was made between the pDTS images and the standard bedside chest X-ray by two experienced chest radiologists. A posterior (hydro)pneumothorax which had previously been identified with CT thorax appeared while scrolling through the tomosynthesis images (Figure 2A) but was not visible on the standard bedside radiography imaging (Figure 2B).
Portable chest radiography is a valuable tool frequently used in ICU, especially when the condition of the patient deteriorates. However, the supine position anteroposterior exam in a bedbound ICU patient with suboptimal positioning causes superposition of anatomical structures resulting in less reliable detection of certain abnormalities, such as a pneumothorax [7]. The presented case describes the potential diagnostic benefit of the pDTS technique compared to the standard portable chest X-ray. The combination of digital tomosynthesis technique with the already widely used portable X-ray machine could increase the diagnostic value of portable chest radiography in ICU as is presented in this case.
Ultrasound is a useful bedside radiological technique which, in the diagnosis of pneumothorax, has been shown to have a higher sensitivity and similar specificity compared to standard chest X-ray. However, the accuracy of ultrasound in the diagnosis of pneumothorax is operator-dependent and requires a critical care ultrasound-trained physician [8].
CT scan is currently the gold standard for the diagnosis and assessing the size of a pneumothorax. CT scan still has an advantage compared to pDTS with regards to assessing the size of a pneumothorax, as further studies are still required to assess the calibration of pDTS as well as the characterization of error margins of measurements. However, there are two major disadvantages of CT scan compared to pDTS. First, in order to perform a CT scan, the patient requires an intrahospital transport. This transport is associated with numerous risks and complications (up to 60%) [9]. Portable CT scanners, if available, are expensive and would require logistical adaptations to be utilized in the ICU setting. pDTS can be readily performed bedside, eliminating the risks associated with intrahospital transport of the patient, in turn also decreasing the risk of virus transmission in the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Secondly, pDTS is associated with a much lower radiation dose (0.54 mSv) than a chest CT scan (6.2 mSv) [6]. ICU patients have an important radiation exposure due to repetitive thorax radiography and CT scans [10]. Following the ALARA principle (as low as reasonably achievable), it is appropriate to limit radiation exposure in ICU patients. Using pDTS would reduce the cumulative radiation exposure if CT scan could be avoided.
Although the technique seems promising, further research is needed. In the ICU setting imaging is subject to respiration motion artefact. The application of a motion correction algorithm could therefore further improve image quality, however, this is subject to further research. Furthermore, it is necessary to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of this new technology. In order to do so, the comparison with CT scan, classic chest radiography and ultrasonography must be made in critically ill patients to assess the place of pDTS for the diagnosis of pneumothorax in the ICU setting.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Johan De Mey is a member of advisory board Agfa NV, Radiology Solutions, Mortsel, Belgium and Vincent Van Nieuwenhove and Jeroen Cant are employees of Agfa NV, Radiology Solutions, Mortsel, Belgium. No other potential conflicts of interest relevant to this article were reported.

AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS

Conceptualization: JDM, JJ, VVN, JC. Data curation: JJ. Formal analysis: JDM, JJ. Methodology: JDM, JJ, VVN, JC. Project administration: JDM. Writing–original draft: SW. Writing–review & editing: JJ, NB, JDM.

Figure 1.
(A) Computed tomography (CT) thorax on day 41 of admission showing subcutaneous emphysema and a pneumomediastinum (arrow). (B) Standard bedside chest X-ray. Arrow, pneumothorax at the left apex. (C) Standard bedside chest X-ray after drain insertion (left). Arrow, resolution of the pneumothorax at the left apex with drain in situ. (D) Standard bedside chest X-ray: pneumothorax at the right apex (arrow). (E) Standard bedside chest X-ray after drain insertion (right). Arrow, resolution of the pneumothorax at the right apex with drain in situ.
acc-2021-01802f1.jpg
Figure 2.
(A) Bedside portable digital tomosynthesis image showing a posterior pneumothorax on the right thorax (arrow). (B) Standard bedside chest radiography: no pneumothorax visible.
acc-2021-01802f2.jpg
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