MRI sliding sign: Using MRI to assess rectouterine mobility in pelvic endometriosis.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical excision of deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) is complex and associated with morbidity. Diagnostic imaging plays an important role in the preoperative workup. We sought to determine the utility of single sagittal T2-weighted MRI motion sequence in the preoperative assessment of pelvic mobility in patients with endometriosis. METHODS: An observational study at a single tertiary public referral centre in Australia. Eighty-one MRI studies from 1 May 2019 to 3 December 2019, were enrolled. Studies were included if they were performed to stage endometriosis, including a T2-weighted motion series, adequately covering a uterus, cervix and rectum. Fifty-seven studies met inclusion criteria. The reference standard was a contemporaneous transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) reporting on pelvic organ mobility. Three subspecialist radiologists were then blindly asked to identify, on the cine loop: rectouterine immobility, superficial endometriosis (pelvic bowel adhesions), rectosigmoid Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis (DIE). Fleiss' Kappa assessed interobserver agreement. Consensus MRI sensitivity and specificity were estimated against the reference standard (TVUS). RESULTS: Median age was 35 years (range 19-51). Forty-three cases had a contemporaneous TVUS; 14 reporting a sliding sign, 29 with fixed pelves. Interobserver agreement was 'substantial' (k = 0.79) for absent MRI sliding sign and 'almost perfect' (k = 0.90) for absence of DIE. Consensus MRI had 90% sensitivity (95% CI 73-98%) for pelvic immobility at TVUS (absent sliding sign). Interobserver agreement and consensus MRI sensitivity were higher for adhesions and immobility than normal findings. CONCLUSION: An MRI motion sequence can identify patients with pelvic adhesions and immobility, helping determine surgical difficulty when TVUS is not diagnostic.

Pelvic MRI staging of endometriosis at 3 T without patient preparation or anti-peristaltic: Diagnostic performance outcomes.

PURPOSE: Endometriosis is a disease of significant burden among pre-menopausal women characterised by the appearance of functional endometrial tissue in locations outside the uterus. Deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) is an invasion of the endometriotic lesion that exceeds 5 mm in depth into the peritoneum. In most cases, pelvic MRI is the imaging modality of choice for the pre-operative workup for DIE to guide surgery. The recommended standard for pelvic MRI images is at 1.5 T with patient preparations in the form of laxatives, anti-spasmodics and/or rectal contrast. However, there appears to be equally diagnostic quality imaging obtainable with a 3 T system using fast imaging acquisition without any patient preparation. This reduces imaging time, movement artefacts, is more comfortable for the patient and is easier for workflow coordination. This study aims to confirm that this approach reaches diagnostic performance outcomes comparable to reported international standards, particularly in the detection of endometriotic bowel lesions, in order to guide surgical pre-operative planning. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Pre-operative diagnostic radiology reports were identified by a search of the Radiology Information System (RIS) for all pelvic MRI studies performed at a tertiary referral centre, King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women, between January 2015 to April 2017 that contained the keyword "endometriosis". Reported sites of endometriotic deposits at MRI findings were tallied based on anatomical location and correlated to laparoscopic surgical report findings and/or pathology report as a reference standard. Pooled sensitivities and specificities were then calculated and compared with established studies. RESULTS: Ninety-eight MRI studies were identified, of which 76 identified DIE and 22 were normal studies. Sixty-one patients did not have a surgical or pathology record. Of the remainder who underwent laparoscopy, operative and/or pathology reports were obtainable in 37 female patients, with a median age of 35 years (range: 24 to 49 years). The average time interval from MRI report to surgical operation was 195 days (range: 5 to 563 days). Middle compartment estimated sensitivity was 79.4% (95% CI = (69.4%, 89.4%)), specificity 95.1% (95% CI = (91.2%, 98.9%)). Posterior compartment estimated sensitivity was 76.5% (95% CI = (66.4%, 86.6%)), specificity 99.4% (95% CI = (98.1%, 100%)). Overall sensitivity 76.9% (95% CI = (69.7%, 84.0%)), specificity 98.5% (95% CI = (97.3%, 99.6%)). Sensitivity and specificity of detecting bowel endometriosis were estimated to be 94.4% (95% CI = (83.9%, 100%) and 94.7% (84.7%, 100%)) respectively. CONCLUSION: Using a 3 T MRI system without patient preparation is feasible and achieves benchmark diagnostic performance outcomes in the pre-operative assessment for DIE, especially in detecting posterior compartment lesions and bowel DIE to correctly guide surgical planning.

The role of the follow-up chest radiograph in suspected non-accidental injury.

BACKGROUND: Rib fractures in children under the age of 2 years have a strong correlation with non-accidental injury (NAI). Follow-up radiographs can improve detection. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the value of the follow-up chest radiograph in suspected non-accidental injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included all children less than 2 years of age who were investigated for suspected NAI in our institution between January 1998 and October 2003. Prior to January 2000, only selected patients were asked to attend for a follow-up chest radiograph. From January 2000 onwards all children were asked to reattend. RESULTS: Of 200 children included in the study, 59 (29.5%) reattended for a follow-up chest radiograph. The follow-up film provided useful additional information in 7 (12%) of the 59 children. In two children rib fractures were noted only on the follow-up chest radiograph. In a further two patients additional rib fractures were noted. Additional dating information was obtained for two patients. For one child both additional fractures and dating information were noted. CONCLUSIONS: The follow-up chest radiograph provides useful information in children with suspected NAI and it is recommended that it should be included routinely in the imaging investigations of these children.