Combined transarterial chemoembolization and thermal ablation in candidates to liver transplantation with hepatocellular carcinoma: pathological findings and post-transplant outcome.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluating the pathological response and the survival outcomes of combined thermal ablation (TA) and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) as a bridge or downstaging for liver transplantation (LT) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) > 3 cm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review encompassed 36 consecutive patients who underwent combined TA-TACE as bridging or downstaging before LT. Primary objectives included necrosis of the target lesion at explant pathology, post-LT overall survival (OS) and post-LT recurrence-free survival (RFS). For OS and RFS, a comparison with 170 patients subjected to TA alone for nodules <3 cm in size was also made. RESULTS: Out of the 36 patients, 63.9% underwent TA-TACE as bridging, while 36.1% required downstaging. The average node size was 4.25 cm. All cases were discussed in a multidisciplinary tumor board to assess the best treatment for each patient. Half received radiofrequency (RF), and the other half underwent microwave (MW). All nodes underwent drug-eluting beads (DEB) TACE with epirubicin. The mean necrosis percentage was 65.9% in the RF+TACE group and 83.3% in the MW+TACE group (p-value = 0.099). OS was 100% at 1 year, 100% at 3 years and 94.7% at 5 years. RFS was 97.2% at 1 year, 94.4% at 3 years and 90% at 5 years. Despite the different sizes of the lesions, OS and RFS did not show significant differences with the cohort of patients subjected to TA alone. CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights the effectiveness of combined TA-TACE for HCC>3 cm, particularly for bridging and downstaging to LT, achieving OS and RFS rates significantly exceeding 80% at 1, 3 and 5 years.

Assessment of post-thrombectomy brain hemorrhage in acute ischemic stroke with dual-energy CT: how reliable is it in clinical practice?

PURPOSE: Acute ischemic stroke is currently among the main causes of mortality in Western countries. The current guidelines suggest different flowcharts of diagnostic work-up and treatment modalities, including endovascular thrombectomy. Immediately after intra-arterial recanalization, a brain CT scan is usually performed to assess for the presence of peri-procedural complications; in this setting, it is very hard, if possible, to differentiate blood from iodinated contrast material, which is normally present in ischemic tissue because of BBB disruption. Dual-energy CT may be used for this purpose, exploiting its ability to discriminate different materials. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied 44 patients with acute ischemic stroke who were treated with endovascular recanalization at San Giovanni Bosco Hospital in Turin and were then scanned with DECT technology. Subsequent scan was used as standard, since iodine from contrast staining is usually reabsorbed in 24 h and blood persists longer. A χ2 test of independence was performed to examine the relationship between blood detected by DECT scan after the endovascular procedure and the presence of blood in the same areas on the following scans, with a significant result: χ2 (1, N = 37) = 10.7086, p = 0.0010. RESULTS: Patients with blood detected on DECT scans had a double chance of having hemorrhagic infarction in follow-up scans, (RR 2.02). The sensitivity and specificity of DECT were respectively 70% and 90%, with an overall diagnostic accuracy of 76% and a positive and negative predictive value, respectively, of 95% and 53%. CONCLUSION: Dual-energy CT scan after endovascular recanalization in ischemic stroke identifies early hemorrhagic infarction with excellent specificity and good overall diagnostic accuracy, representing a reliable diagnostic tool in everyday clinical practice.

Value of a short non-contrast CMR protocol in MINOCA.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of a short non-contrast CMR (ShtCMR) protocol relative to a matched standard comprehensive CMR (StdCMR) protocol in patients with myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective study included patients with a working diagnosis of MINOCA who underwent a StdCMR between January 2019 and December 2020. An expert and a non-expert reader performed a blinded reading with the ShtCMR (long-axis cine images, T2w-STIR, T1- and T2-mapping). A consensus reading of the StdCMR (reference standard) was performed at least 3 months after the ShtCMR reading session. Readers were asked to report the following: (1) diagnosis; (2) level of confidence in their diagnosis with the ShtCMR; (3) number of myocardial segments involved, and (4) functional parameters. RESULTS: A total of 179 patients were enrolled. The ShtCMR lasted 21 ± 9 min and the StdCMR 45 ± 11 min (p < 0.0001). ShtCMR allowed reaching the same diagnosis as StdCMR in 85% of patients when interpreted by expert readers (rising from 66% for poor confidence to 99% for good, p = 0.0001) and in 73% (p = 0.01) by non-expert ones (60% for poor vs 89% for good confidence, p = 0.0001). Overall, the ShtCMR overestimated the ejection fraction, underestimated cardiac volumes (p < 0.01), and underestimated the number of segments involved by pathology (p = 0.0008) when compared with the StdCMR. CONCLUSION: The ShtCMR was found to be a debatable alternative to the StdCMR in patients with MINOCA. Nevertheless, when an experienced reader reaches a good or very good diagnostic confidence using the ShtCMR, the reader may choose to stop the examination, reducing the length of the CMR without affecting the patient's diagnosis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: A short non-contrast CMR protocol may be a viable alternative to standard protocols in selected CMR studies of patients with MINOCA, allowing for faster diagnosis while reducing time and resources and increasing the number of patients who can be scanned. KEY POINTS: • The ShtCMR lasted 21 ± 9 min and the StdCMR 45 ± 11 min (p < 0.0001). • In 57% of patients with MINOCA, the experienced reader considers that contrast medium is probably not necessary for diagnosis without affecting the patient's diagnosis (99% of agreement rate between ShtCMR and StdCMR).

Asymptomatic Patients With Brugada ECG Pattern: Long-Term Prognosis From a Large Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Brugada syndrome poses significant challenges in terms of risk stratification and management, particularly for asymptomatic patients who comprise the majority of individuals exhibiting Brugada ECG pattern (BrECG). The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term prognosis of a large cohort of asymptomatic patients with BrECG. METHODS: Asymptomatic patients with BrECG (1149) were consecutively collected from 2 Italian centers and followed-up at least annually for 2 to 22 years. For the 539 asymptomatic patients (men, 433 [80%]; mean age, 46±13 years) with spontaneous type 1 documented on baseline ECG (87%) or 12-lead 24-hour Holter monitoring (13%), an electrophysiologic study (EPS) was proposed; for the 610 patients with drug-induced-only type 1 (men, 420 [69%]; mean age, 44±14 years), multiple ECGs and 12-lead Holter were advised in order to detect the occurrence of a spontaneous type-1 BrECG. Arrhythmic events were defined as sudden death or documented ventricular fibrillation or tachycardia. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 6 (4-9) years. Seventeen (1.5%) arrhythmic events occurred in the overall asymptomatic population (corresponding to an event-rate of 0.2% per year), including 16 of 539 (0.4% per year) in patients with spontaneous type-1 BrECG and 1 of 610 in those with drug-induced type-1 BrECG (0.03% per year; P<0.001). EPS was performed in 339 (63%) patients with spontaneous type-1 BrECG. Patients with spontaneous type-1 BrECG and positive EPS had significantly higher event rates than patients with negative EPS (7 of 103 [0.7% per year] versus 4 of 236 [0.2% per year]; P=0.025). Among 200 patients who declined EPS, 5 events (0.4% per year) occurred. There was 1 device-related death. CONCLUSIONS: The entire population of asymptomatic patients with BrECG exhibits a relatively low event rate per year, which is important in view of the long life expectancy of these young patients. The presence of spontaneous type-1 BrECG associated with positive EPS identifies a subgroup at higher risk. Asymptomatic patients with drug-induced-only BrECG have a minimal arrhythmic risk, but ongoing follow-up with 12-lead Holter monitoring is recommended to detect the appearance of spontaneous type-1 BrECG pattern.

The Role of Immediate Post-Procedural Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) in Predicting the Early Radiologic Response of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) Nodules to Drug-Eluting Bead Transarterial Chemoembolization (DEB-TACE).

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of unenhanced cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) performed at the end of drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) in predicting HCC nodules' early radiologic response to treatment, assessed using mRECIST criteria with a 30−60 day four-phase contrast-enhanced CT follow-up. Fifty-nine patients (81 lesions) subjected to DEB-TACE as exclusive treatment for HCC lesions (naive/relapse) between February 2020 and October 2021 were prospectively enrolled. In a post-interventional unenhanced CBCT procedure, two experienced radiologists evaluated for each lesion the overall intensity of the contrast media deposit, the homogeneity of the enhancement, and the presence of smooth and complete margins. The univariate analysis found that lesions with complete response (CR+) had a significantly higher incidence of clear and complete margins than CR− lesions (76.9% vs. 17.2%, p = 0.003) and a higher intensity score (67.3% vs. 27.6%, p = 0.0009). A Dmax <30 mm was significantly more common among CR+ than CR− lesions (92.3% vs. 69%, p = 0.01). These features were confirmed as significant predictors for CR+ by multivariate binary logistic regression. The homogeneity of the enhancement did not affect the DEB-TACE outcome. Post-interventional unenhanced CBCT is effective in predicting early radiological response to DEB-TACE, since the presence of an intense contrast media deposit with clear and complete margins in treated HCC lesions is associated with CR.

mEPE-score: a comprehensive grading system for predicting pathologic extraprostatic extension of prostate cancer at multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of the PI-RADS v2.1 multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) features in predicting extraprostatic extension (mEPE) of prostate cancer (PCa), as well as to develop and validate a comprehensive mpMRI-derived score (mEPE-score). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all consecutive patients admitted to two institutions for radical prostatectomy for PCa with available records of mpMRI performed between January 2015 and December 2020. Data from one institution was used for investigating diagnostic performance of each mEPE feature using radical prostatectomy specimens as benchmark. The results were implemented in a mEPE-score as follows: no mEPE features: 1; capsular abutment: 2; irregular or spiculated margin: 3; bulging prostatic contour, or asymmetry of the neurovascular bundles, or tumor-capsule interface > 1.0 cm: 4; ≥ 2 of the previous three parameters or measurable extraprostatic disease: 5. The performance of mEPE features was evaluated using the five diagnostic parameters and ROC curve analysis. RESULTS: Two-hundred patients were enrolled at site 1 and 76 at site 2. mEPE features had poor sensitivities ranging from 0.08 (0.00-0.15) to 0.71 (0.59-0.83), whereas specificity ranged from 0.68 (0.58-0.79) to 1.00. mEPE-score showed excellent discriminating ability (AUC > 0.8) and sensitivity = 0.82 and specificity = 0.77 with a threshold of 3. mEPE-score had AUC comparable to ESUR-score (p = 0.59 internal validation; p = 0.82 external validation), higher than or comparable to mEPE-grade (p = 0.04 internal validation; p = 0.58 external validation), and higher than early-and-late-EPE (p < 0.0001 internal and external validation). There were no significant differences between readers having different expertise with EPE-score (p = 0.32) or mEPE-grade (p = 0.45), but there were significant differences for ESUR-score (p = 0.02) and early-versus-late-EPE (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The individual mEPE features have low sensitivity and high specificity. The use of mEPE-score allows for consistent and reliable assessment for pathologic EPE. KEY POINTS: • Individual PI-RADS v2.1 mpMRI features had poor sensitivities ranging from 0.08 (0.00-0.15) to 0.71 (0.59-0.83), whereas Sp ranged from 0.68 (0.58-0.79) to 1.00. • mEPE-score is an all-inclusive score for the assessment of pEPE with excellent discriminating ability (i.e., AUC > 0.8) and Se = 0.82, Sp = 0.77, PPV = 0.74, and NPV = 0.84 with a threshold of 3. • The diagnostic performance of the expert reader and beginner reader with pEPE-score was comparable (p = 0.32).

Emergency room comprehensive assessment of demographic, radiological, laboratory and clinical data of patients with COVID-19: determination of its prognostic value for in-hospital mortality.

Mortality risk in COVID-19 patients is determined by several factors. The aim of our study was to adopt an integrated approach based on clinical, laboratory and chest x-ray (CXR) findings collected at the patient's admission to Emergency Room (ER) to identify prognostic factors. Retrospective study on 346 consecutive patients admitted to the ER of two North-Western Italy hospitals between March 9 and April 10, 2020 with clinical suspicion of COVID-19 confirmed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase reaction chain test (RT-PCR), CXR performed within 24 h (analyzed with two different scores) and recorded prognosis. Clinical and laboratory data were collected. Statistical analysis on the features of 83 in-hospital dead vs 263 recovered patients was performed with univariate (uBLR), multivariate binary logistic regression (mBLR) and ROC curve analysis. uBLR identified significant differences for several variables, most of them intertwined by multiple correlations. mBLR recognized as significant independent predictors for in-hospital mortality age > 75 years, C-reactive protein (CRP) > 60 mg/L, PaO2/FiO2 ratio (P/F) < 250 and CXR "Brixia score" > 7. Among the patients with at least two predictors, the in-hospital mortality rate was 58% against 6% for others [p < 0.0001; RR = 7.6 (4.4-13)]. Patients over 75 years had three other predictors in 35% cases against 10% for others [p < 0.0001, RR = 3.5 (1.9-6.4)]. The greatest risk of death from COVID-19 was age above 75 years, worsened by elevated CRP and CXR score and reduced P/F. Prompt determination of these data at admission to the emergency department could improve COVID-19 pretreatment risk stratification.

Prognostic risk factors for loss of patency after femoropopliteal bailout stenting with dual-component stent: results from the TIGRIS Italian Multicenter Registry.

PURPOSE: To identify the risk factors associated with patency loss after bailout stenting with third-generation hybrid heparin-bonded nitinol stent of the femoropopliteal segment. METHODS: Prospective, multicenter, single-arm registry including 156 patients (50 females, mean age 72 ± 11 years) subjected, from February 2017 to December 2018, to provisional stenting with Gore Tigris vascular stent of the distal superficial femoral artery, with or without involvement of the popliteal artery, in 9 different centers. The 194 lesions, with Rutherford score ≥ 3, were stented in case of recoil, dissection or residual stenosis not responding to percutaneous trans-luminal angioplasty (PTA). The follow-up (FU) was performed with clinical evaluation and duplex ultrasound (DUS) at 1, 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: The primary patency rate was 99(95%CI 98-100)% at 1 month, 86(80-92)% at 6 months and 81(74-88)% at-12 months. After patency loss, 13/23 (56.5%) patients were re-treated, yielding a primary assisted patency of 91(86-96)% at 6 months and 88(82-94)% at 12 months and a secondary patency of 94(90-98)% at 6 months and 90(84-95)% at 12 months. Rutherford score ≥ 4 (p = 0.03) and previous severe treatments (p = 0.01) were identified as risk factors for early patency loss during FU. The involvement of the popliteal artery was not an independent risk factor for loss of patency. CONCLUSIONS: The bailout stenting of the femoropopliteal segment with third-generation nitinol stents is a safe and effective option in case of recoil, dissection or residual stenosis not responding to PTA. Critical limb ischemia and history of previous major treatment at the same level are significant prognostic factors for patency loss during FU.

Feature tracking myocardial strain analysis in patients with bileaflet mitral valve prolapse: relationship with LGE and arrhythmias.

OBJECTIVES: Anatomical substrate and mechanical trigger co-act in arrhythmia's onset in patients with bileaflet mitral valve prolapse (bMVP). Feature tracking (FT) may improve risk stratification provided by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). The aim was to investigate differences in CMR and FT parameters in bMVP patients with and without complex arrhythmias (cVA and no-cVA). METHODS: In this retrospective study, 52 patients with bMVP underwent 1.5 T CMR and were classified either as no-cVA (n = 32; 12 males; 49.6 ± 17.4 years) or cVA (n = 20; 3 males; 44.7 ± 11.2 years), the latter group including 6 patients (1 male; 45.7 ± 12.7 years) with sustained ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation (SVT-FV). Twenty-four healthy volunteers (11 males, 36.2 ± 12.5 years) served as control. Curling, prolapse distance, mitral annulus disjunction (MAD), and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) were recorded and CMR-FT analysis performed. Statistical analysis included non-parametric tests and binary logistic regression. RESULTS: LGE and MAD distance were associated with cVA with an odds ratio (OR) of 8.51 for LGE (95% CI 1.76, 41.28; p = 0.008) and of 1.25 for MAD (95% CI 1.02, 1.54; p = 0.03). GLS 2D (- 11.65 ± 6.58 vs - 16.55 ± 5.09 1/s; p = 0.04), PSSR longitudinal 2D (0.04 ± 1.62 1/s vs - 1.06 ± 0.35 1/s; p = 0.0001), and PSSR radial 3D (3.95 ± 1.97 1/s vs 2.64 ± 1.03 1/s; p = 0.0001) were different for SVT-VF versus the others. PDSR circumferential 2D (1.10 ± 0.54 vs. 0.84 ± 0.34 1/s; p = 0.04) and 3D (0.94 ± 0.42 vs. 0.69 ± 0.17 1/s; p = 0.04) differed between patients with and without papillary muscle LGE. CONCLUSIONS: CMR-FT allowed identifying subtle myocardial deformation abnormalities in bMVP patients at risk of SVT-VF. LGE and MAD distance were associated with cVA. KEY POINTS: • CMR-FT allows identifying several subtle myocardial deformation abnormalities in bMVP patients, especially those involving the papillary muscle. • CMR-FT allows identifying subtle myocardial deformation abnormalities in bMVP patients at risk of SVT and VF. • In patients with bMVP, the stronger predictor of cVA is LGE (OR = 8.51; 95% CI 1.76, 41.28; p = 0.008), followed by MAD distance (OR = 1.25; 95% CI 1.02, 1.54; p = 0.03).

Quantitative assessment of HCC wash-out on CT is a predictor of early complete response to TACE.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the predictive value of four-phase contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) for early complete response (CR) to drug-eluting-bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE), with a particular focus on the quantitatively assessed wash-in and wash-out. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of preprocedural CECTs was performed for 129 HCC nodules consecutively subjected to DEB-TACE as first-line therapy. Lesion size, location, and margins were recorded. For the quantitative analysis, the following parameters were computed: contrast enhancement ratio (CER) and lesion-to-liver contrast ratio (LLC) as estimates of wash-in; absolute and relative wash-out (WOabs and WOrel) and delayed percentage attenuation ratio (DPAR) as estimates of wash-out. The early radiological response of each lesion was assessed by the mRECIST criteria and dichotomized in CR versus others (partial response, stable disease, and progressive disease). RESULTS: All quantitatively assessed wash-out variables had significantly higher rates for CR lesions (WOabs p = 0.01, WOrel p = 0.01, and DPAR p = 0.00002). However, only DPAR demonstrated an acceptable discriminating ability, quantified by AUC = 0.80 (95% CI0.73-0.88). In particular, nodules with DPAR ≥ 120 showed an odds ratio of 3.3(1.5-7.2) for CR (p = 0.0026). When accompanied by smooth lesion margins, DPAR ≥ 120 lesions showed a 78% CR rate at first follow-up imaging. No significative association with CR was found for quantitative wash-in estimates (CER and LLC). CONCLUSIONS: Based on preprocedural CECT, the quantitative assessment of HCC wash-out is useful in predicting early CR after DEB-TACE. Among the different formulas for wash-out quantification, DPAR has the best discriminating ability. When associated, DPAR ≥ 120 and smooth lesion margins are related to relatively high CR rates. KEY POINTS: • A high wash-out rate, quantitatively assessed during preprocedural four-phase contrast-enhanced CT (CECT), is a favorable predictor for early radiological complete response of HCC to drug-eluting-bead chemoembolization (DEB-TACE). • The arterial phase of CECT shows great dispersion of attenuation values among different lesions, even when a standardized protocol is used, limiting its usefulness for quantitative analyses. • Among the different formulas used to quantify the wash-out rate (absolute wash-out, relative wash-out, and delayed percentage attenuation ratio), the latter (DPAR), based only on the delayed phase, is the most predictive (AUC = 0.80), showing a significant association with complete response for values above 120.

Transperineal freehand multiparametric MRI fusion targeted biopsies under local anaesthesia for prostate cancer diagnosis: a multicentre prospective study of 1014 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the outcomes of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) transperineal targeted fusion biopsy (TPFBx) under local anaesthesia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We prospectively screened 1327 patients with a positive mpMRI undergoing TPFBx (targeted cores and systematic cores) under local anaesthesia, at two tertiary referral institutions, between September 2016 and May 2019, for inclusion in the present study. Primary outcomes were detection of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) defined as (1) International Society of Urological Pathologists (ISUP) grade >1 or ISUP grade 1 with >50% involvement of prostate cancer (PCa) in a single core or in >2 cores (D1) and (2) ISUP grade >1 PCa (D2). Secondary outcomes were: assessment of peri-procedural pain (numerical rating scale [NRS]) and procedure timings; erectile (International Index of Erectile Function) and urinary (International Prostate Symptom Score) function changes; and complications. We also investigated the value of systematic sampling and concordance with radical prostatectomy (RP). RESULTS: A total of 1014 patients were included, of whom csPCa was diagnosed in 39.4% (n = 400). The procedure was tolerable (NRS pain score 3.1 ± 2.3), with no impact on erectile (P = 0.45) or urinary (P = 0.58) function, and a low rate of complications (Clavien-Dindo grades 1 or 2, n = 8; grade >2, n = 0). No post-biopsy sepsis was recorded. Twenty-two men (95% confidence interval [CI] 17-29) needed to undergo additional systematic biopsy to diagnose one csPCa missed by targeted biopsies (D1). ISUP grade concordance of biopsies with RP was as follows: k = 0.40 (95% CI 0.31-0.49) for targeted cores alone and k = 0.65 (95% CI 0.57-0.72; P < 0.05) overall. CONCLUSIONS: The use of TPFBx under local anaesthesia yielded good csPCa detection and was feasible, quick, well tolerated and safe. Infectious risk was negligible. Addition of systematic to targeted cores may not be needed in all men, although it improves csPCa detection and concordance with RP.

Baseline chest X-ray in coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) patients: association with clinical and laboratory data.

PURPOSE: To assess the reliability of CXR and to describe CXR findings and clinical and laboratory characteristics associated with positive and negative CXR. METHODS: Retrospective two-center study on consecutive patients admitted to the emergency department of two north-western Italian hospitals in March 2020 with clinical suspicion of COVID-19 confirmed by RT-PCR and who underwent CXR within 24 h of the swab execution. 260 patients (61% male, 62.8 ± 15.8 year) were enrolled. CXRs were rated as positive (CXR+) or negative (CXR-), and features reported included presence and distribution of airspace opacities, pleural effusion and reduction in lung volumes. Clinical and laboratory data were collected. Statistical analysis was performed with nonparametric tests, binary logistic regression (BLR) and ROC curve analysis. RESULTS: Sensitivity of CXR was 61.1% (95%CI 55-67%) with a typical presence of bilateral (62.3%) airspace opacification, more often with a lower zone (88.7%) and peripheral (43.4%) distribution. At univariate analysis, several factors were found to differ significantly between CXR+ and CXR-. The BLR confirmed as significant predictors only lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), C-reactive protein (CRP) and interval between the onset of symptoms and the execution of CXR. The ROC curve procedure determined that CRX+ was associated with LDH > 500 UI/L (AUC = 0.878), CRP > 30 mg/L (AUC = 0.830) and interval between the onset of symptoms and the execution of CXR > 4 days (AUC = 0.75). The presence of two out of three of the above-mentioned predictors resulted in CXR+ in 92.5% of cases, whereas their absence in 7.4%. CONCLUSION: CXR has a low sensitivity. LDH, CRP and interval between the onset of symptoms and the execution of CXR are major predictors for a positive CXR.

Lesions of uncertain malignant potential of the breast (B3) on vacuum-assisted biopsy for microcalcifications: Predictors of malignancy.

PURPOSE: To investigate clinical, radiologic and pathologic features of B3 lesions diagnosed on VABB targeting microcalcifications, for identifying predictors of malignancy. METHOD: This retrospective multi-centre study included consecutive VABBs performed over a 10-year period on suspicious microcalcifications not associated with other radiological signs diagnosed as B3 on histology from VABB, with outcomes ascertained by surgical excision. Clinical, demographic, radiological and histological (B3 subcategory) data were collected. For statistical analysis (univariate and binary logistic regression), the primary outcome variable was the upgrade rate to malignancy after surgery. Predictors of upgrade to malignancy were identified from clinical, demographic, radiological and pathological variables (including B3 subcategory). RESULTS: Amongst 447 VABBs, there were 57(12.7 %) upgrades to malignancy at surgical histology (36 DCIS and 21 invasive cancer). At univariate analysis, variables significantly associated with increased risk of upgrade to malignancy were age>55 years (p = 0.01), lesion size>10 mm (p < 0.0001), BI-RADS 4b-c and 5 (p = 0.0001), and fine pleomorphic morphology (p = 0.002) of microcalcifications. Binary logistic regression confirmed as significant independent risk factors age, lesion size and BI-RADS category (p = 0.02, 0.02 and 0.0006 respectively). Amongst subcategories of B3 lesions, lobular neoplasia was significantly(p = 0.04) associated with upgrade, confirmed as an independent risk factor [p = 0.03, OR = 2.3(1.1-4.7)]. Flat epithelial atypia was significantly(p = 0.004) associated with reduced odds of upgrade, but binary logistic regression showed only borderline association [p = 0.052, OR = 0.4(0.2-1.01)]. CONCLUSIONS: Across B3 lesions diagnosed on histology from VABB of suspicious microcalcifications, older age, size>10 mm, BI-RADS category≥ 4b on imaging, and lobular neoplasia were risk factors for upgrade to malignancy. This information can be used to discuss patients' tailored management options.

Pain in Men Undergoing Transperineal Free-Hand Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging Fusion Targeted Biopsies under Local Anesthesia: Outcomes and Predictors from a Multicenter Study of 1,008 Patients.

PURPOSE: Several transperineal biopsy series have proven feasibility under local anesthesia. However, there is a lack of large analyses detailing pain outcomes and factors influencing pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2016 to 2019 we performed a multicenter prospective study in men undergoing multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging-transperineal fusion biopsies (target+systematic cores) under local anesthesia. Primary outcomes were 1) pain scores (assessed through a 0 to 10-point numeric rating scale) and 2) identification of factors associated with severe pain. The secondary outcome was to evaluate pain influence on clinically significant prostate cancer target cores detection. RESULTS: We included 1,008 men undergoing transperineal fusion biopsies under local anesthesia. Mean±SD numeric rating scale pain scores were 3.9±2.1 at local anesthesia administration and 3.1±2.3 when performing biopsies. Pain was not associated with lower clinically significant prostate cancer detection on targeted cores (p=0.23 and p=0.47 depending on clinically significant prostate cancer definition). On multivariate analysis age (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.94-0.99) and severe anxiety (OR 2.99, 95% CI 1.83-4.89) were a protective and risk factor, respectively, for severe biopsy pain. Procedural time was also associated with an increased risk of experiencing severe biopsy pain (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.00-1.08). If aiming to test the possible effects of anxiety preventive measures on pain, an anxiety cutoff greater than 6 on a numeric rating scale would decrease to 13% the number of patients being treated while identifying 56% of those experiencing severe pain. CONCLUSIONS: Transperineal fusion biopsies under local anesthesia result in moderate pain. Pain does not influence clinically significant prostate cancer target detection. Patient anxiety predicts pain. A numeric rating scale based anxiety assessment may be used to identify those at higher risk for experiencing severe pain in men undergoing transperineal fusion biopsies.

Accuracy of cardiac magnetic resonance generated 3D models of the aortic annulus compared to cardiovascular computed tomography generated 3D models.

To evaluate the accuracy of 3D models of the aortic-root generated from non-contrast cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). Data were retrospectively collected from 30 consecutive patients who underwent surgical aortic valve replacement and had available records of both intra-operative assessment and pre-surgery annulus assessment by cardiovascular computed tomography (CCT) and CMR. The 3D models were independently segmented, modelled and printed by two blinded "manufacturers". The measurements on the models were carried out by two cardiac surgeons with Hegar dilator. Data were analyzed with non-parametric tests. There was no significant intra- or inter-observer variability (p ≥ 0.13). The agreement between the diameter of the 3D model derived from CMR images and either the anatomical reference of the intraoperative measurement (p = 0.10, r = 0.97) or the radiological reference of the 3D model generated from CCT (p = 0.71, r = 0.92) was very good. The process of segmentation plus the post-processing was about 17 ± 2 min for a model created by CMR, significantly higher than a model created from CCT (7 ± 2 min; p < 0.001). The printing time for a single model did not differ between the two modalities (p = 0.61) and was less than 60 min. The cost for a single model was approximately 0.5 €. 3D models generated from non-contrast CMR performed well when compared to the anatomical reference standard and are comparable to the pair CCT derived models.

Emergency management of iatrogenic arterial injuries with a low-profile balloon-expandable stent-graft: Preliminary results.

Endovascular treatment of arterial injuries with stent-graft is a reliable alternative approach in patients not suitable for embolization or at high risk for surgery. The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy and the safety of the BeGraft stent-graft, a low-profile balloon expandable covered stent, for emergency endovascular treatment of iatrogenic arterial injuries.Between August 2015 and September 2018, 34 consecutive patients (mean age 71 ±â€Š12 years, 9 females) underwent implantation of BeGraft stent-grafts for iatrogenic arterial injuries (22 active bleedings, 11 pseudoaneurysms, and 1 enteric-iliac fistula). The primary endpoints were technical and clinical success and rates of major and minor complications. The secondary endpoint was the patency of the device during the follow-up. Imaging follow-up was performed by duplex ultrasound and/or computed tomography angiography (according to lesion site/target vessel), at 1-6-12-15 and 24 months.In all 34 patients (100%), the lesion or the defect was effectively excluded with a cumulative amount of 42 stent-grafts. The clinical success was documented in 30/34 patients (88.2%). Neither device- or procedure-related deaths, or major complications occurred. A minor complication was reported in 1 patient (2.9%), successfully treated during the same procedure. Thirty (88.2%) patients were available for a mean follow-up time of 390 ±â€Š168 days (minimum 184, maximum 770), with no observed loss of patency, yielding a 100% Kaplan-Meier cumulative survival patency function. The percentage of patent patients was 30/30 at 6 months, 22/22 at 12 months, and 5/5 at 15 months.Endovascular treatment of iatrogenic arterial injuries with the BeGraft stent-graft is minimally invasive and effective, with good patency rate at midterm follow-up.

Transperineal Free-hand mpMRI Fusion-targeted Biopsies Under Local Anesthesia: Technique and Feasibility From a Single-center Prospective Study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of "in-office" TPFBx under local anesthesia (LA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively screened for eligibility data of 724 consecutive men undergoing either TPFBx (target and systematic cores) or TPSBx (systematic cores only) from September 2016 to June 2018 due to suspicion of prostate cancer (CaP), according to predefined exclusion criteria. RESULTS: We included 459 men (TPFBx n = 279 including n = 338 mpMRI lesions, Pi-RADS 4 in 63.6%; TPSBx n = 180). Median procedural time and maximum pain were 19 minutes and 5 numeric rating scale (NRS) points; pain was highest at the time of LA. Only 1 major complication occurred (Clavien 3a). Hematuria and hematospermia were frequent (72.6% and 54.2%). Vaso-vagal reactions and AUR were rare (0.7% and 0.4%). No cases of UTI and 1 case of fever were recorded. No significant changes in erectile and urinary functions were noted from baseline compared to 40 days after TPFBx (P = .86 and P = .89). In comparison with TPSBx the sole differences were pain during prostatic sampling (P = .03), duration of hematospermia (P <.0001) and procedural time (P <.001) all higher for TPFBx. Clinically significant (cs) CaP was detected in n = 150 (53.8%) patients in the TPFBx group (34.9%, 51.7%, and 75% of Pirads 3, 4, and 5, respectively). Addition of systematic cores detected n = 25 csCaP that were missed by targeted cores (17.4% of all csCaP). CONCLUSION: TPFBx under LA are feasible, yielding high tolerability, low complications, no impact on erectile and urinary function and good csCaP detection. Addition of systematic to targeted cores remains recommended. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings.

Intraoperative breast specimen assessment in breast conserving surgery: comparison between standard mammography imaging and a remote radiological system.

OBJECTIVE: To compare standard specimen mammography (SSM) with remote intraoperative specimen mammography (ISM) assessment in breast conserving-surgery (BCS) based on operative times, intraoperative additional excision (IAE) and re-intervention rates. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We retrospectively compared 129 consecutive patients (136 lesions) who had BCS with SSM at our centre between 11/2011 and 02/2013 with 138 consecutive patients (144 lesions) who underwent BCS with ISM between 08/2014 and 02/2015.SSM or ISM were performed to confirm the target lesions within the excised specimen and margin adequacy. The utility of SMM and ISM was evaluated considering pathology as gold-standard, using χ2 or Fisher's exact tests for comparison of categorical variables, and non-parametric Mann-Whitney test for continuous variables. RESULTS: The two groups did not statistically differ for age (p = 0.20), lesion size (p = 0.29) and morphology (p = 0.82) or tumor histology type (p = 0.65). Intraoperative time was significantly longer (p < 0.00001) for SSM (132 ± 43 min) than for ISM (90 ± 42 min). The proportions requiring IAE did not significantly differ between SSM group (39/136 lesions (40%)) and ISM group (52/144 lesions (57%)) (p = 0.19), overall and in stratified analysis by mammographic features. Re-intervention rates were not statistically different between the two groups [SSM:19/136 (14%), ISM:13/144 (9%); p = 0.27]. CONCLUSION: The introduction of ISM in BCS significantly reduced surgical time but did not change IAE and re-intervention rates, highlighting facilitated communication between surgeons and radiologists. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: Compared to standard mammography imaging, the use of ISM significantly reduced surgical time.