BMD accuracy errors specific to phantomless calibration of CT scans of the lumbar spine.

Opportunistic screening using existing CT images may be a new strategy to identify subjects at increased risk for osteoporotic fracture. Low bone mineral density (BMD) is a key parameter but routine clinical CT scans do not include a calibration phantom to calculate BMD from the measured CT values. An alternative is internal or phantomless calibration, which is based on the CT values of air and of internal tissues of the subject such as blood, muscle or adipose tissue. However, the composition and as a consequence the CT values of these so-called internal calibration materials vary among subjects, which introduces additional BMD accuracy errors compared to phantom based calibration. The objective of this study was to quantify these accuracy errors and to identify optimum combinations of internal calibration materials (IM) for BMD assessments in opportunistic screening. Based on the base material decomposition theory we demonstrate how BMD can be derived from the CT values of the internal calibration materials. 121 CT datasets of the lumbar spine form postmenopausal women were used to determine the population variance of blood assessed in the aorta or the inferior vena cava, skeletal muscle of the erector spinae or psoas, subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and air. The corresponding standard deviations were used for error propagation to determine phantomless calibration related BMD accuracy errors. Using a CT value of 150 HU, a typical value of trabecular bone, simulated BMD accuracy errors for most IM combinations containing air as one of the two base materials were below 5% or 6 mg/cm3. The lowest errors were determined for the combination of blood and air (<2 mg/cm3). The combination of blood and skeletal muscle resulted in higher errors (>10.5% or >12 mg/cm3) and is not recommended. Due to possible age-related differences in tissue composition, the selection of IMs is suggested to be adapted according to the measured subject. In younger subjects without significant aortic calcifications, air and blood of the aorta may be the best combination whereas in elderly subjects, air and SAT (error of 4%) may be preferable. The use of skeletal muscle as one of the two IMs is discouraged, in particular in elderly subjects because of varying fatty infiltration. A practical implementation of the internal calibration with different IM pairs confirmed the theoretical results. In summary, compared to a phantom based calibration the phantomless approach used for opportunistic screening creates additional BMD accuracy errors of 2% or more, dependent on the used internal reference tissues. The impact on fracture prediction still must be evaluated.

Evaluation of a Novel Content-Based Image Retrieval System for the Differentiation of Interstitial Lung Diseases in CT Examinations.

To evaluate the reader's diagnostic performance against the ground truth with and without the help of a novel content-based image retrieval system (CBIR) that retrieves images with similar CT patterns from a database of 79 different interstitial lung diseases. We evaluated three novice readers' and three resident physicians' (with at least three years of experience) diagnostic performance evaluating 50 different CTs featuring 10 different patterns (e.g., honeycombing, tree-in bud, ground glass, bronchiectasis, etc.) and 24 different diseases (sarcoidosis, UIP, NSIP, Aspergillosis, COVID-19 pneumonia etc.). The participants read the cases first without assistance (and without feedback regarding correctness), and with a 2-month interval in a random order with the assistance of the novel CBIR. To invoke the CBIR, a ROI is placed into the pathologic pattern by the reader and the system retrieves diseases with similar patterns. To further narrow the differential diagnosis, the readers can consult an integrated textbook and have the possibility of selecting high-level semantic features representing clinical information (chronic, infectious, smoking status, etc.). We analyzed readers' accuracy without and with CBIR assistance and further tested the hypothesis that the CBIR would help to improve diagnostic performance utilizing Wilcoxon signed rank test. The novice readers demonstrated an unassisted accuracy of 18/28/44%, and an assisted accuracy of 84/82/90%, respectively. The resident physicians demonstrated an unassisted accuracy of 56/56/70%, and an assisted accuracy of 94/90/96%, respectively. For each reader, as well as overall, Sign test demonstrated statistically significant (p < 0.01) difference between the unassisted and the assisted reads. For students and physicians, Chi²-test and Mann-Whitney-U test demonstrated statistically significant (p < 0.01) difference for unassisted reads and statistically insignificant (p > 0.01) difference for assisted reads. The evaluated CBIR relying on pattern analysis and featuring the option to filter the results of the CBIR by predominant characteristics of the diseases via selecting high-level semantic features helped to drastically improve novices' and resident physicians' accuracy in diagnosing interstitial lung diseases in CT.

Evaluation of CT-Guided Ultra-Low-Dose Protocol for Injection Guidance in Preparation of MR-Arthrography of the Shoulder and Hip Joints in Comparison to Conventional and Low-Dose Protocols.

To evaluate patients' radiation exposure undergoing CT-guided joint injection in preparation of MR-arthrography. We developed a novel ultra-low-dose protocol utilizing tin-filtration, performed it in 60 patients and compared the radiation exposure (DLP) and success rate to conventional protocol (26 cases) and low-dose protocol (37 cases). We evaluated 123 patients' radiation exposure undergoing CT-guided joint injection from 16 January-21 March. A total of 55 patients received CT-guided joint injections with various other examination protocols and were excluded from further investigation. In total, 56 patients received shoulder injection and 67 received hip injection with consecutive MR arthrography. The ultra-low-dose protocol was performed in 60 patients, the low-dose protocol in 37 patients and the conventional protocol in 26 patients. We compared the dose of the interventional scans for each protocol (DLP) and then evaluated success rate with MR-arthrography images as gold standard of intraarticular or extracapsular contrast injection. There were significant differences when comparing the DLP of the ultra-low-dose protocol (DLP 1.1 ± 0.39; p < 0.01) to the low dose protocol (DLP 5.3 ± 3.24; p < 0.01) as well as against the conventional protocol (DLP 22.9 ± 8.66; p < 0.01). The ultra-low-dose protocol exposed the patients to an average effective dose of 0.016 millisievert and resulted in a successful joint injection in all 60 patients. The low dose protocol as well as the conventional protocol were also successful in all patients. The presented ultra-low-dose CT-guided joint injection protocol for the preparation of MR-arthrography demonstrated to reduce patients' radiation dose in a way that it was less than the equivalent of the natural radiation exposure in Germany over 3 days-and thereby, negligible to the patient.

Cutting Staff Radiation Exposure and Improving Freedom of Motion during CT Interventions: Comparison of a Novel Workflow Utilizing a Radiation Protection Cabin versus Two Conventional Workflows.

This study aimed to evaluate the radiation exposure to the radiologist and the procedure time of prospectively matched CT interventions implementing three different workflows-the radiologist-(I) leaving the CT room during scanning; (II) wearing a lead apron and staying in the CT room; (III) staying in the CT room in a prototype radiation protection cabin without lead apron while utilizing a wireless remote control and a tablet. We prospectively evaluated the radiologist's radiation exposure utilizing an electronic personal dosimeter, the intervention time, and success in CT interventions matched to the three different workflows. We compared the interventional success, the patient's dose of the interventional scans in each workflow (total mAs and total DLP), the radiologist's personal dose (in µSV), and interventional time. To perform workflow III, a prototype of a radiation protection cabin, with 3 mm lead equivalent walls and a foot switch to operate the doors, was built in the CT examination room. Radiation exposure during the maximum tube output at 120 kV was measured by the local admission officials inside the cabin at the same level as in the technician's control room (below 0.5 µSv/h and 1 mSv/y). Further, to utilize the full potential of this novel workflow, a sterile packed remote control (to move the CT table and to trigger the radiation) and a sterile packed tablet anchored on the CT table (to plan and navigate during the CT intervention) were operated by the radiologist. There were 18 interventions performed in workflow I, 16 in workflow II, and 27 in workflow III. There were no significant differences in the intervention time (workflow I: 23 min ± 12, workflow II: 20 min ± 8, and workflow III: 21 min ± 10, p = 0.71) and the patient's dose (total DLP, p = 0.14). However, the personal dosimeter registered 0.17 ± 0.22 µSv for workflow II, while I and III both documented 0 µSv, displaying significant difference (p < 0.001). All workflows were performed completely and successfully in all cases. The new workflow has the potential to reduce interventional CT radiologists' radiation dose to zero while relieving them from working in a lead apron all day.

Scanned versus Fused-Reconstructed Oblique MR-Images for Assessment of the Tibiofibular Syndesmosis-Diagnostic PerFormance and Reader Agreement.

To evaluate the diagnostic performance and reader agreement of a novel MRI image fusion method enabling the reconstruction of oblique images for the assessment of the tibiofibular syndesmosis. We evaluated 40 magnetic resonance imaging examinations of patients with ankle sprains (16 with ruptures and 24 without) for the presence of anteroinferior tibiofibular ligament rupture. For all patients, we performed a fusion of standard two-dimensional transversal and coronal 3 mm PDw TSE images into an oblique-fusion reconstruction (OFR) and compared these against conventionally scanned oblique sequence for the evaluation of the tibiofibular syndesmosis. To evaluate diagnostic performance, two expert readers independently read the OFR images twice. We analyzed sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive values, accuracy, and agreement. Reader 1 misinterpreted one OFR as a false negative, demonstrating a sensitivity of 0.94 and specificity of 1.00, reader 2 demonstrated perfect accuracy. Intrareader agreement was almost perfect for reader 1 (α = 0.95) and was perfect for reader 2 (α = 1.00). Additionally, interreader agreement between all fusion sequence reads was almost perfect (α = 0.97). The proposed OFR enables reliable detection of anteroinferior tibiofibular ligament rupture with excellent inter- and intrareader agreement, making conventional scanning of oblique images redundant and supplies a method to retroactively create oblique images, e.g., from external examinations.

Virtual Computed Tomography Colonography: Evaluation of 2D and Virtual 3D Image Quality of Sub-mSv Examinations Enabled by Third-generation Dual Source Scanner Featuring Tin Filtering.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate two- and three-dimensional (2D and 3D) image quality of sub-milliSievert (mSv) computed tomography (CT) colonography utilizing a third-generation dual source CT scanner featuring a tin filter. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 26 consecutive patients who underwent third-generation dual source CT colonography, nine with the standard-dose clinical-scan protocol (SDP) and 17 with a low-dose protocol (LDP) featuring a tin filter. Radiation dose was evaluated by volume computed tomography dose index (CTDIvol), dose length product (DLP), effective dose (E), and size-specific dose estimate. Objective image quality was evaluated utilizing signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) derived from standardized placed regions of interest on the transverse 2D images and the ratio of SNR/CTDIvol (normalized SNR). Two radiologists in consensus assessed subjective image quality of the virtual 3D images. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in subjective image quality (P = .661). All examinations were rated "excellent" or "good" for diagnostic confidence. The mean total for DLP/E was 143.4 ± 29.8 mGy/3.00 ± 0.40 mSv in the SDP and therefore significantly higher than in the LDP with 36.9 ± 8.7 mGy/0.75 ± 0.16 mSv (P < .001). The SNR was 8.9 ± 2.1 in the SDP and 4.9 ± 0.8 in the LDP. CONCLUSIONS: Third-generation dual source CT featuring a tin filter enables consistent sub-mSv colonography without substantially impairing image quality.

Twelve-year survival and immune correlates in dendritic cell-vaccinated melanoma patients.

BACKGROUND: Reports on long-term (≥10 years) effects of cancer vaccines are missing. Therefore, in 2002, we initiated a phase I/II trial in cutaneous melanoma patients to further explore the immunogenicity of our DC vaccine and to establish its long-term toxicity and clinical benefit after a planned 10-year followup. METHODS: Monocyte-derived DCs matured by TNFα, IL-1ß, IL-6, and PGE2 and then loaded with 4 HLA class I and 6 class II-restricted tumor peptides were injected intradermally in high doses over 2 years. We performed serial immunomonitoring in all 53 evaluable patients. RESULTS: Vaccine-specific immune responses including high-affinity, IFNγ-producing CD4+ and lytic polyfunctional CD8+ T cells were de novo induced or boosted in most patients. Exposure of mature DCs to trimeric soluble CD40 ligand, unexpectedly, did not further enhance such immune responses, while keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) pulsing to provide unspecific CD4+ help promoted CD8+ T cell responses - notably, their longevity. An unexpected 19% of nonresectable metastatic melanoma patients are still alive after 11 years, a survival rate similar to that observed in ipilimumab-treated patients and achieved without any major (>grade 2) toxicity. Survival correlated significantly with the development of intense vaccine injection site reactions, and with blood eosinophilia after the first series of vaccinations, suggesting that prolonged survival was a consequence of DC vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term survival in advanced melanoma patients undergoing DC vaccination is similar to ipilimumab-treated patients and occurs upon induction of tumor-specific T cells, blood eosinophilia, and strong vaccine injection site reactions occurring after the initial vaccinations. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00053391. FUNDING: European Community, Sixth Framework Programme (Cancerimmunotherapy LSHC-CT-2006-518234; DC-THERA LSHB-CT-2004-512074), and German Research Foundation (CRC 643, C1, Z2).

Semi-automated De-identification of German Content Sensitive Reports for Big Data Analytics.

Purpose Projects involving collaborations between different institutions require data security via selective de-identification of words or phrases. A semi-automated de-identification tool was developed and evaluated on different types of medical reports natively and after adapting the algorithm to the text structure. Materials and Methods A semi-automated de-identification tool was developed and evaluated for its sensitivity and specificity in detecting sensitive content in written reports. Data from 4671 pathology reports (4105 + 566 in two different formats), 2804 medical reports, 1008 operation reports, and 6223 radiology reports of 1167 patients suffering from breast cancer were de-identified. The content was itemized into four categories: direct identifiers (name, address), indirect identifiers (date of birth/operation, medical ID, etc.), medical terms, and filler words. The software was tested natively (without training) in order to establish a baseline. The reports were manually edited and the model re-trained for the next test set. After manually editing 25, 50, 100, 250, 500 and if applicable 1000 reports of each type re-training was applied. Results In the native test, 61.3 % of direct and 80.8 % of the indirect identifiers were detected. The performance (P) increased to 91.4 % (P25), 96.7 % (P50), 99.5 % (P100), 99.6 % (P250), 99.7 % (P500) and 100 % (P1000) for direct identifiers and to 93.2 % (P25), 97.9 % (P50), 97.2 % (P100), 98.9 % (P250), 99.0 % (P500) and 99.3 % (P1000) for indirect identifiers. Without training, 5.3 % of medical terms were falsely flagged as critical data. The performance increased, after training, to 4.0 % (P25), 3.6 % (P50), 4.0 % (P100), 3.7 % (P250), 4.3 % (P500), and 3.1 % (P1000). Roughly 0.1 % of filler words were falsely flagged. Conclusion Training of the developed de-identification tool continuously improved its performance. Training with roughly 100 edited reports enables reliable detection and labeling of sensitive data in different types of medical reports. Key Points: · Collaborations between different institutions require de-identification of patients' data. · Software-based de-identification of content-sensitive reports grows in importance as a result of 'Big data'. · A de-identification software was developed and tested natively and after training. · The proposed de-identification software worked quite reliably, following training with roughly 100 edited reports. · A final check of the texts by an authorized person remains necessary. Citation Format · Seuss H, Dankerl P, Ihle M et al. Semi-automated De-identification of German Content Sensitive Reports for Big Data Analytics. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2017; 189: 661 - 671.

Evaluation of Rib Fractures on a Single-in-plane Image Reformation of the Rib Cage in CT Examinations.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of using a reformatted single-in-plane image reformation of the rib cage for the detection of rib fractures in computed tomography (CT) examinations, employing different levels of radiological experience. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 10 consecutive patients with and 10 patients without rib fractures, whose CT scans were reformatted to a single-in-plane image reformation of the rib cage. Eight readers (two radiologists, two residents in radiology, and four interns) independently evaluated the images for the presence of rib fractures using a reformatted single-in-plane image and a multi-planar image reformation. The time limit was 30 seconds for each read. A consensus of two radiologist readings was considered as the reference standard. Diagnostic performance (sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value [PPV], and negative predictive value [NPV]) was assessed and evaluated per rib and per location (anterior, lateral, posterior). To determine the time limit, we prospectively analyzed the average time it took radiologists to assess the rib cage, in a bone window setting, in 50 routine CT examinations. McNemar test was used to compare the diagnostic performances. RESULTS: Single image reformation was successful in all 20 patients. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV for the detection of rib fractures using the conventional multi-planar read were 77.5%, 99.2%, 89.9%, and 98.0% for radiologists; 46.3%, 99.7%, 92.5%, and 95.3% for residents; and 29.4%, 99.4%, 82.5%, and 93.9% for interns, respectively. Sensitivity, PPV, and NPV increased across all three groups of experience, using the reformatted single-in-plane image of the rib cage (radiologists: 85.0%, 98.6%, and 98.7%; residents: 80.0%, 92.8%, and 98.2%; interns: 66.9%, 89.9%, and 97.1%), whereas specificity did not change significantly (99.9%, 99.4%, and 99.3%). The diagnostic performance of the interns and residents was significantly better when evaluating the single-in-plane image reformations (P < .01). The diagnostic performance of the radiologists was better when evaluating the single-in-plane image reformations; however, there was no significant difference (statistical power: 0.32). CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic performance for the detection of rib fractures, using CT images that have been reformatted to a single-in-plane image, improves for readers from different educational levels when the evaluation time is restricted to 30 seconds or less.

Computer-aided evaluation of low-dose and low-contrast agent third-generation dual-source CT angiography prior to transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

PURPOSE: To evaluate the performance of computer-aided evaluation software for a comprehensive workup of patients prior to transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) using low-contrast agent and low radiation dose third-generation dual-source CT angiography. METHODS: We evaluated 30 consecutive patients scheduled for TAVI. All patients underwent ECG-triggered high-pitch dual-source CT angiography of the aortic root and aorta with a standardized contrast agent volume (30 ml Imeron350, flow rate 4 ml/s) and low-dose (100 kv/350 mAs) protocol. An expert (10 years of experience) manually evaluated aortic root and iliac access dimensions (distance between coronary ostia and aortic annulus, minimal/maximal diameters and area-derived diameter of the aortic annulus) and best CT-predicted fluoroscopic projection angle as the reference standard. Utilizing computer-aided software (syngo.via), the same pre-TAVI workup was performed and compared to the reference standard. RESULTS: Mean CTDI[Formula: see text] was 3.46 mGy and mean DLP 217.6 ± 12.1 mGy cm, corresponding to a mean effective dose of 3.7 ± 0.2 mSv. Computer-aided evaluation was successful in all but one patient. Compared to the reference standard, Bland-Altman analysis indicated very good agreement for the distances between aortic annulus and coronary ostia (RCA: mean difference 0.8 mm; 95 % CI 0.4-1.2 mm; LM: mean difference 0.9 mm; 95 % CI 0.5-1.3 mm); however, we demonstrated a systematic overestimation of annulus- derived diameter using the software (mean difference 44.4 mm[Formula: see text]; 95 % CI 30.4-58.3 mm[Formula: see text]). Based on respective annulus dimensions, the recommended prosthesis size (Edwards SAPIEN 3) matched in 26 out of the 29 patients (90 %). CT-derived fluoroscopic projection angles showed an excellent agreement for both methods. Out of 58 iliac arteries, 15 (25 %) arteries could not be segmented by the software. Preprocessing time of the software was 71 ± 11 s (range 51-96 s), and reading time with the software was 118 ± 31 s (range 68-201 s). CONCLUSION: In the workup of pre-TAVI CT angiography, computer-aided evaluation of low-contrast, low-dose examinations is feasible with good agreement and quick reading time. However, a systematic overestimation of the aortic annulus area is observed.

Osteoblastic lesion screening with an advanced post-processing package enabling in-plane rib reading in CT-images.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate screening and diagnostic accuracy for the detection of osteoblastic rib lesions using an advanced post-processing package enabling in-plane rib reading in CT-images. METHODS: We retrospectively assessed the CT-data of 60 consecutive prostate cancer patients by applying dedicated software enabling in-plane rib reading. Reading the conventional multiplanar reconstructions was considered to be the reference standard. To simulate clinical practice, the reader was given 10 s to screen for sclerotic rib lesions in each patient applying both approaches. Afterwards, every rib was evaluated individually with both approaches without a time limit. Sensitivities, specificities, positive/negative predictive values and the time needed for detection were calculated depending on the lesion's size (largest diameter < 5 mm, 5-10 mm, > 10 mm). RESULTS: In 53 of 60 patients, all ribs were properly displayed in plane, in five patients ribs were partially displayed correctly, and in two patients none of the ribs were displayed correctly. During the 10-s screening approach all patients with sclerotic rib lesions were correctly identified reading the in-plane images (including the patients without a correct rib segmentation), whereas 14 of 23 patients were correctly identified reading conventional multiplanar images. Overall screening sensitivity, specificity, and positive/negative predictive values were 100/27.0/46.0/100 %, respectively, for in-plane reading and 60.9/100/100/80.4 %, respectively, for multiplanar reading. Overall diagnostic (no time limit) sensitivity, specificity, and positive/negative predictive values of in-plane reading were 97.8/92.8/74.6/99.5 %, respectively. False positive results predominantly occurred for lesions <5 mm in size. CONCLUSIONS: In-plane reading of the ribs allows reliable detection of osteoblastic lesions for screening purposes. The limited specificity results from false positives predominantly occurring for small lesions.

Vertebral body fractures of unknown origin in cancer patients receiving MDCT: reporting by radiologists and awareness by clinicians.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate prevalence, radiological reporting and clinical management of pathologic vertebral body fractures (VBFs) of unknown origin in cancer patients receiving computed tomography (CT) examinations. METHODS: We investigated all CT examinations (over 1 year) of male and female patients with an underlying malignancy and an increased risk of osteoporosis (age 55-79 years) for the presence of VBFs. We evaluated midline sagittal CT-reformations of the spine for prevalence, fracture type, severity and location, the accuracy and style of radiological reporting, subsequent clinical management and documentation in hospital discharge letters. RESULTS: 848 patients were investigated. We found 143 VBFs in 94 (11 %) patients. 6, 49, and 45 % were grade 1, grade 2, and grade 3 fractures, respectively, while 20, 66, and 14 % were wedge, biconcave and crush fractures, respectively. 32 (34 %) radiological reports correctly classified VBFs as fractures, 25 (27 %) reports recognized VBFs, but did not type them, and VBFs were not described in 37 (39 %) reports. In 3 (3 %) patients further clinical work-up of VBFs was performed, while only 8 (9 %) hospital discharge letters contained the information of the presence of pathologic VBFs of unknown origin. CONCLUSIONS: VBFs of unknown origin appear frequently in cancer patients, however, clinical management and documentation was found in only few cases. Moreover, especially in cancer patients consistent radiological reporting of VBFs seems important, as aetiology of VBFs could be from osteoporosis, disease progression or oncological therapy, however, reporting is still performed inconsistently.

Effects on posture by different neuromuscular afferent stimulations and proprioceptive insoles: Rasterstereographic evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Proprioceptive neuromuscular stimulating insoles are increasingly applied in treating functional complaints, chronic pain, foot disorders and so on. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate rasterstereography as a tool in objectifying postural changes resulting from neuromuscular afferent stimulation and proprioceptive neuromuscular stimulating insoles and to compare the respective effects on posture. STUDY DESIGN: This is a prospective experimental study. METHODS: A total of 27 healthy volunteers were consecutively exposed to six different varying intense neuromuscular afferent stimulating test conditions at three different times. One test condition featured proprioceptive neuromuscular stimulating insoles. In each test condition, a sequence of 12 rasterstereographic recordings of back shape was documented. Changes between six different test conditions and over time for 14 posture characterising parameters were investigated, for example, trunk inclination, pelvic torsion, lateral deviation of the spine's amplitude or sagittal spinal curve. RESULTS: Standard deviation of our rasterstereographic measurements (±2.67 mm) was better than in most comparable reference values. Different neuromuscular stimuli were found to provoke significant changes to various posture parameters, including trunk inclination, pelvic torsion and so on ( each p < 0.001, F-tests). Proprioceptive neuromuscular stimulating insoles induced significant changes for parameter lateral deviation of the spine's amplitude (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Neuromuscular afferent stimulation and proprioceptive neuromuscular stimulating insoles induce postural changes, which can be detected reliably by rasterstereography. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: We demonstrated that rasterstereography - a radiation-free imaging modality - enables visualisation and documentation of subtle postural changes induced by varying intense neuromuscular afferent stimulation and the application of proprioceptive neuromuscular stimulating insoles.

Fine needle aspiration cytology of lymph nodes in breast cancer follow-up is a feasible alternative to watchful waiting and to histology.

BACKGROUND: Early detection of loco-regional breast cancer recurrence improves patients' overall survival, as treatment can be initiated or active treatment can be changed. If a suspicious lymph node is diagnosed during a follow-up exam, surgical excision is often performed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the minor invasive ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in sonomorphologically suspicious lymph nodes in breast cancer follow-up. METHODS: Between April 2010 and November 2012, we performed ultrasound-guided FNAC in 38 sonographically suspicious lymph nodes of 37 breast cancer follow-up patients. Cytological specimens were evaluated if the sample material was sufficient for diagnosis and if they contained cancer cells. Patients with negative cytology were followed up clinically and sonographically. To evaluate the diagnostic performance we calculated sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) for physical examination, the different sonomorphological malignancy criteria and FNAC. RESULTS: In 36/38 (94.7 %) lymph nodes, the pathologist had enough material to establish a final diagnosis; in 2/38 (5.3 %) lymph nodes, the probe material was non-evaluable during cytology, these 2 were excluded from further statistical evaluation. Cytology revealed malignancy in 21 lymph nodes and showed no evidence for malignancy in 15 lymph nodes. There was no evidence for malignant disease in follow-up exams in the 15 cytologically benign lymph nodes with an average follow-up time of 3 years. The diagnostic performances of physical examination and FNAC were: Sensitivity 52/100 %, specificity 88/100 %, PPV 85/100 %, NPV 60/100 %, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary results show that FNAC is a safe and fast diagnostic approach for the evaluation of suspicious lymph nodes in the follow-up of patients with breast cancer and, thus, together with follow-up represents a feasible alternative to surgery.

Isolated testicular pain mimicking ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm in a nonagenarian.

Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm commonly presents as acute abdominal or lower back pain and hemodynamic instability. We discuss the case of a 90-year-old patient who presented to the emergency unit with a 3-day history of left testicular pain. Ultrasound scan demonstrated and a computed tomography scan confirmed a 6 cm in diameter ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm with enlargement and hematoma of the left psoas muscle causing the symptoms. This atypical presentation highlights the need for clinical vigilance and emergency physician­performed ultrasound scan in the older patients with seemingly benign testicular symptoms.

Pediatric cardiac MRI: automated left-ventricular volumes and function analysis and effects of manual adjustments.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac MRI is an accurate and reproducible technique for the assessment of left ventricular volumes and function. The accuracy of automated segmentation and the effects of manual adjustments have not been determined in children. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate automated segmentation and the effects of manual adjustments for left ventricular parameter quantification in pediatric cardiac MR images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Left ventricular parameters were evaluated in 45 children with suspected myocarditis (age 13.4 ± 3.5 years, range 4-17 years) who underwent cardiac MRI. Dedicated software was used to automatically segment and adjust the parameters. Results of end-diastolic volume, end-systolic volume, stroke volume, myocardial mass, and ejection fraction were documented before and after apex/base adjustment and after apex/base/myocardial contour adjustment. RESULTS: The software successfully detected the left ventricle in 42 of 45 (93.3%) children; failures occurred in the smallest and youngest children. Of those 42 children, automatically segmented end-diastolic volume (EDV) was 151 ± 47 ml, and after apex/base adjustment it was 146 ± 45 ml, after apex/base/myocardial contour adjustment 146 ± 45 ml. The corresponding results for end-systolic volume (ESV) were 66 ± 32 ml, 63 ± 29 ml and 64 ± 28 ml; for stroke volume (SV) they were 85 ± 25 ml, 83 ± 23 ml and 83 ± 23 ml; for ejection fracture (EF) they were 57 ± 10%, 58 ± 9% and 58 ± 9%, and for myocardial mass (MM) they were 104 ± 31 g, 95 ± 31 g and 94 ± 30 g. Statistically significant differences were found when comparing the EDV/ESV/MM results, the EF results after apex/base adjustment and after apex/base/myocardial contour adjustment and the SV results (except for comparing the SVs after apex/base adjustment and after apex/base/myocardial contour adjustment). CONCLUSION: Automated segmentation for the evaluation of left ventricular parameters in pediatric MR images proved to be feasible. Automated segmentation + apex/base adjustment provided clinically acceptable parameters for the majority of cases.

Improving diagnostic accuracy in assessing pulmonary edema on bedside chest radiographs using a standardized scoring approach.

BACKGROUND: To assess the value of a score-based system which allows standardized evaluation of pulmonary edema on bedside chest radiographs (CXRs) under routine clinical conditions. METHODS: Seven experienced readers assessed bedside CXRs of ten patients with an extravascular lung water (EVLW)-value of ≤ 8 mL/kg (range: 4-8 mL/kg; indicates no pulmonary edema) and a series of ten patients with an EVLW-value of ≥ 15 mL/kg (range: 15-21 mL/kg; = indicates a pulmonary edema) with and without customized software which would permit a standardized assessment of the various indications of pulmonary edema. The software provides a score that identifies patients with and without pulmonary edema. EVLW-values were measured instantly after bedside CXR imaging using a pulse contour cardiac output (PiCCO) system and served as a reference standard. The patients were non-traumatic and not treated with diuretics or dobutamine during bedside CXR imaging and the PiCCO measurements. Mean sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value, the percentage of overall agreement and the free-marginal multirater kappa value was calculated for both the standard and the standardized score-based approach. The net reclassification index was calculated for each reader as well as for all readers. RESULTS: Evaluation of bedside CXRs by means of the score-based approach took longer (23 ± 12 seconds versus 7 ± 3 seconds without the use of the software) but improved radiologists' sensitivity (from 57 to 77%), specificity (from 90 to 100%) and the free-marginal multirater kappa value (from 0.34 to 0.68). The positive predictive value was raised from 85 to 100% and the negative predictive value from 68 to 81%. A net reclassification index of 0.3 (all readers) demonstrates an improvement in prediction performance gained by the score-based approach. The percentage of overall agreement was 67% with the standard approach and 84% with the software-based approach. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic accuracy of bedside CXRs to discriminate patients with elevated EVLW-values from those with a normal value can be improved with the use of a standardized score-based approach. The investigated system is freely available as a web-based application (accessible via: http://www.radiologie.uk-erlangen.de/aerzte-und-zuweiser/edema).

Evaluation of novice reader diagnostic performance in coronary CT angiography using an advanced cardiac software package.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this research was to evaluate whether a commercially available advanced cardiac software package for coronary CT angiography (CTA) interpretation may reliably assist inexperienced readers to screen for significant coronary artery stenoses. METHODS: Coronary CTA data sets of 61 consecutive patients with suspected coronary artery disease were evaluated by three novice readers with no experience in cardiac CT interpretation. In the first 15 patients, the novice readers were trained to use the advanced cardiac software package (includes automatic detection of coronary vessels, curved MPR and VRT reconstructions and a measurement too) knowing the results of an expert read. In the next 46 patients, the novice readers had to state whether there is a significant coronary artery stenosis ([Formula: see text]50 %) and if they are confident with their diagnosis. The results of the novice readers were compared to the expert read. RESULTS: The 46 coronary CTA data sets contained 184 vessels with 15 stenoses in 9 patients. On a per-vessel analysis, novice reader 1/2/3 demonstrated 60 %/100 %/ 93% sensitivity, and 98 %/90 %/86 % specificity. Per patient, the readers diagnosed 36/28/29 cases correctly as free of stenoses, 6/9/8 correctly as having at least one stenosis, missed 3/0/1 cases with a stenosis and overdiagnosed 1/9/8 patients. Cohen's kappa values for the three readers versus the expert were 0.60, 0.61 and 0.54. The three novice readers felt confident in the diagnosis of 36/33/30 patients. In these patients, they missed one significant stenosis, showed a sensitivity of 100 %/100 %/75 % and a specificity of 100 %/92 %/88 %. CONCLUSIONS: The evaluated advanced cardiac software package successfully assists novice readers in interpreting coronary CTA data sets especially in ruling out significant coronary artery stenosis.

Clinical evaluation of semi-automatic landmark-based lesion tracking software for CT-scans.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate a semi-automatic landmark-based lesion tracking software enabling navigation between RECIST lesions in baseline and follow-up CT-scans. METHODS: The software automatically detects 44 stable anatomical landmarks in each thoraco/abdominal/pelvic CT-scan, sets up a patient specific coordinate-system and cross-links the coordinate-systems of consecutive CT-scans. Accuracy of the software was evaluated on 96 RECIST lesions (target- and non-target lesions) in baseline and follow-up CT-scans of 32 oncologic patients (64 CT-scans). Patients had to present at least one thoracic, one abdominal and one pelvic RECIST lesion. Three radiologists determined the deviation between lesions' centre and the software's navigation result in consensus. RESULTS: The initial mean runtime of the system to synchronize baseline and follow-up examinations was 19.4 ± 1.2 seconds, with subsequent navigation to corresponding RECIST lesions facilitating in real-time. Mean vector length of the deviations between lesions' centre and the semi-automatic navigation result was 10.2 ± 5.1 mm without a substantial systematic error in any direction. Mean deviation in the cranio-caudal dimension was 5.4 ± 4.0 mm, in the lateral dimension 5.2 ± 3.9 mm and in the ventro-dorsal dimension 5.3 ± 4.0 mm. CONCLUSION: The investigated software accurately and reliably navigates between lesions in consecutive CT-scans in real-time, potentially accelerating and facilitating cancer staging.