Treatment strategies for malignant pulmonary nodule: beyond lobectomy. Point-counterpoint.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Technological advancement in low-dose computed tomography resulted in an increased incidental discovery of early-stage lung cancer and multifocal ground glass opacity. The demand for parenchyma-preserving treatment strategies is greater now than ever. Pulmonary ablative therapy is a groundbreaking technique to offer local ablative treatment in a lung-sparing manner. It has become a promising technique in lung cancer management with its diverse applicability. In this article, we will review the current development of ablative therapy in lung and look into the future of this innovative technique. RECENT FINDINGS: Current literature suggests that ablative therapy offers comparable local disease control to other local therapies and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), with a low risk of complications. In particular, bronchoscopic microwave ablation (BMWA) has considerably fewer pleural-based complications due to the avoidance of pleural puncture. BMWA can be considered in the multidisciplinary treatment pathway as it allows re-ablation and allows SBRT after BMWA. SUMMARY: With the benefits which ablative therapy offers and its ability to incorporate into the multidisciplinary management pathway, we foresee ablative therapy, especially BMWA gaining significance in lung cancer treatment. Future directions on developing novel automated navigation platforms and the latest form of ablative energy would further enhance clinical outcomes for our patients.

Single Specialty-Operated Renal Stone Removal: Initial Experience from 3 Interventional Radiology Centers.

This retrospective analysis of the feasibility and safety of percutaneous renal stone removal using single-use flexible ureteroscopes was conducted at 3 academic centers. Twelve patients (58% men) underwent 14 percutaneous renal stone removal procedures between December 2021 and March 2023. All patients experienced symptom improvement and resolution of obstruction after stone removal. The procedural success rate was 92%. Only 1 patient required an additional stone removal procedure. No major adverse events occurred during or after the procedures. The percutaneous nephrostomy removal rate was 92%, with a median tube removal time of 5 weeks. The median procedural and pulsed fluoroscopy times were 106.5 and 16.3 minutes, respectively. Preliminary findings demonstrated that percutaneous renal stone removal using single-use endoscopes by interventional radiologists is feasible and safe.

Outcomes of repeat conventional transarterial chemoembolization in patients with liver metastases.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Although unlimited sessions of conventional transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE) may be performed for liver metastases, there is no data indicating when treatment becomes ineffective. This study aimed to determine the optimal number of repeat cTACE sessions for nonresponding patients before abandoning cTACE in patients with liver metastases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective, single-institutional analysis, patients with liver metastases from neuroendocrine tumors (NET), colorectal carcinoma (CRC), and lung cancer who underwent consecutive cTACE sessions from 2001 to 2015 were studied. Quantitative European Association for Study of the Liver (qEASL) criteria were utilized for response assessment. The association between the number of cTACE and 2-year, 5-year, and overall survival was evaluated to estimate the optimal number of cTACE for each survival outcome. RESULTS: Eighty-five patients underwent a total of 186 cTACE sessions for 117 liver metastases, of which 30.7 % responded to the first cTACE. For the target lesions that did not respond to the first, second, and third cTACE sessions, response rates after the second, third, and fourth cTACE sessions were 33.3 %, 23 %, and 25 %, respectively. The fourth cTACE session was the optimal number for 2-year survival (HR 0.40; 95 %CI: 0.16-0.97; p = 0.04), 5-year survival (HR 0.31; 95 %CI: 0.11-0.87; p = 0.02), and overall survival (HR 0.35; 95 %CI: 0.13-0.89; p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Repeat cTACE in the management of liver metastases from NET, CRC, and lung cancer was associated with improved patient survival. We recommend at least four cTACE sessions before switching to another treatment for nonresponding metastatic liver lesions.

Greater cost without greater benefit: The need to refine transfer criteria for patients with severe acute pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Appropriate and timely care is essential in the management of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). We hypothesized that transferred patients with SAP undergoing procedural intervention would have higher mortality compared to those managed directly at academic centers. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of Maryland's statewide claims database from 2009 to 2022 of adult patients admitted with a primary diagnosis of SAP (acute pancreatitis with organ failure). Patients were divided into three groups: those admitted directly from the emergency room to academic facilities (AD), non-academic facilities (NA), or transferred to academic facilities (TR). Procedural intervention included endoscopic, percutaneous image-guided, or surgical. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes were admission costs, length of stay (LOS), and intensive care unit (ICU) admission. RESULTS: There were 7,648 (48.9%) in the NA group, 6,682 (42.7%) in the AD group and 1,316 (8.4%) in the TR group. On regression analysis, odds of death were 0.57x lower in the NA group and 0.67x lower in the AD group compared to transfers (<0.001). Procedural intervention was not associated with increased mortality. Transferred patients had longer median LOS (11 vs NA = 5, AD = 6, p < 0.001), increased median cost of admission ($41k vs NA = $12k, AD = $17k, p < 0.001) and greater ICU admission (45.6% vs NA = 20.6%, AD = 23.9%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Transferred patients have greater burden of illness and cost of care without evidence of improved outcomes in the management of SAP regardless of procedural intervention. Transfer criteria for patients with SAP must be further refined to reduce unnecessary transfers.

The Role of Mechanical Thrombectomy for Acute Massive Pulmonary Embolism in a Patient With Unilateral Lung Transplant and Atrial Septal Defect.

PURPOSE: The risk of thromboembolic disease is high in patients with lung transplantation and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality with single healthy transplanted lung. We present a case involving successful endovascular management of life-threatening acute massive pulmonary embolism (PE) in a patient with single lung transplant and atrial septal defect (ASD). CASE REPORT: A 65-year-old man with a history of interstitial lung disease status post single left orthotopic lung transplant in 2012 presented with acute massive PE and clot burden in the pulmonary arteries of the transplanted left lung. Severe right heart dysfunction, hemodynamic instability, and requirement for vasopressors persisted post systemic thrombolytic therapy. As a result, the patient underwent successful endovascular mechanical thrombectomy with immediate improvement in oxygen saturation and hemodynamic status. The procedure was performed without adverse outcomes or paradoxical embolization despite the presence of ASD. The right heart dysfunction resolved, the patient was extubated the next day, and was discharged to home 2 days post procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular mechanical thrombectomy was safely used to treat acute massive PE in a single transplanted lung in the presence of ASD. CLINICAL IMPACT: Endovascular mechanical thrombectomy could be safely utilized to treat patients with lung transplant and acute massive or submassive pulmonary embolism. However, safely of mechanical thrombectomy should be determined in case-based scenarios and based on time interval from transplantation to when the thrombectomy is required.

Percutaneous Chemical and Mechanical Necrosectomy for Walled-Off Pancreatic Necrosis.

PURPOSE: To test the hypothesis that percutaneous combined chemical and mechanical necrosectomy using a Malecot anchor drain and an Arrow-Trerotola percutaneous thrombolytic device (PTD) in patients with walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WOPN) is feasible, safe, and effective compared with a control group undergoing mechanical necrosectomy alone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a retrospective analysis, patients with WOPN not amenable to endoscopic-guided cystogastrostomy placement were studied as case and control groups. The patients in the case group underwent percutaneous combined chemical (hydrogen peroxide 3%) and mechanical necrosectomy using a Malecot anchor drain and/or Arrow-Trerotola PTD from December 2020 to April 2022. The controls underwent mechanical necrosectomy alone without chemical necrosectomy. Clinical success was defined as complete resolution of the cavity on follow-up noncontrast computed tomography scans with subsequent drain removal. RESULTS: Thirteen patients in the case group and 11 patients in the control group underwent percutaneous drain placement followed by percutaneous combined chemical and mechanical necrosectomy (case group) or mechanical necrosectomy only (control group) for WOPN. Drain placement and necrosectomy were technically successful in all patients studied. One patient in the case group developed postprocedural sepsis because of communication between the cavity and the splenic vein. Another patient in the case group developed bleeding from a branch of the pancreaticoduodenal artery on postnecrosectomy day 9, which was successfully embolized by interventional radiology. No pancreaticocutaneous fistula was reported at the 3-month follow-up. The clinical success rates in the case and control groups were 100% and 38.4%, respectively (P = .003). CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous combined chemical and mechanical necrosectomy is a feasible, safe, and effective treatment of WOPN.

Percutaneous CT-Guided Cryoneurolysis of the Intercostobrachial Nerve for Management of Postmastectomy Pain Syndrome.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of intercostobrachial nerve (ICBN) cryoneurolysis for pain control in patients with postmastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen patients with PMPS were prospectively enrolled into this clinical trial after a positive response to a diagnostic computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous block of the ICBN. Participants subsequently underwent CT-guided percutaneous cryoneurolysis of the same nerve and were observed on postprocedural Days 10, 90, and 180. Pain scores, quality-of-life measurements, and global impression of change values were recorded before the procedure and at each follow-up point using established validated outcome instruments. RESULTS: Cryoneurolysis of the ICBN was technically successful in all 14 patients. The mean pain decreased significantly by 2.1 points at 10 days (P = .0451), by 2.4 points at 90 days (P = .0084), and by 2.9 points at 180 days (P = .0028) after cryoneurolysis. Pain interference with daily activities decreased significantly by 14.4 points after 10 days (P = .0161), by 16.2 points after 90 days (P = .0071), and by 20.7 points after 180 days (P = .0007). There were no procedure-related adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Cryoneurolysis of the ICBN in patients with PMPS was technically feasible and safe and resulted in a significant decrease in postmastectomy pain for up to 6 months in this small cohort.

REBOA: Expanding Applications From Traumatic Hemorrhage to Obstetrics and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, From the AJR Special Series on Emergency Radiology.

Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) has emerged over the past decade as a technique to control life-threatening hemorrhage and treat hemorrhagic shock, being increasingly used to treat noncompressible traumatic torso hemorrhage. Reports during this time also support the use of a REBOA device for an expanding range of indications including nontraumatic abdominal hemorrhage, postpartum hemorrhage, placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorder, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The strongest available evidence supports REBOA as a lifesaving adjunct to definitive surgical management in trauma and as a method to help avoid hysterectomy in select patients with postpartum hemorrhage or PAS disorder. In comparison with initial descriptions of complete REBOA inflation, techniques for partial REBOA inflation have been introduced to achieve hemodynamic stability while minimizing adverse events relating to reperfusion injuries. Fluoroscopy-free REBOA has been described in various settings, including trauma, obstetrics, and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. As the use of REBOA expands outside the trauma setting and into nontraumatic abdominal hemorrhage, obstetrics, and CPR, it is imperative for radiologists to become familiar with this technology, its proper placement, and its potential adverse sequelae.

New Developments in Image-Guided Percutaneous Irreversible Electroporation of Solid Tumors.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review will describe the various applications, benefits, risks, and approaches of conventional irreversible electroporation (IRE), as well as highlight the new technological developments of this procedure along with their clinical applications. RECENT FINDINGS: Minimally invasive image-guided percutaneous IRE ablation has emerged as a newer, non-thermal ablation technique for tumors in the solid organs, particularly within the liver, pancreas, kidney, and prostate. IRE allows for ablation near heat-sensitive structures, including major blood vessels and nerves, and is not susceptible to the heat sink effect. However, it is limited by certain requirements, such as the need for precise parallel placement of at least two probes with a maximum inter-probe distance of 2.5 cm to reduce the risk of arching phenomenon, the requirement for general anesthesia with muscle relaxant, and the need for cardiac synchronization. However, new technological advancements in the ablation system and image guidance tools have been introduced to improve the efficiency and efficacy of IRE. IRE is a safe and effective treatment option for solid tumor ablation within the liver, pancreas, kidney, and prostate. Compared with other ablation techniques, IRE has several advantages, such as the absence of heat sink effect and minimal injury to blood vessels and bile ducts while activating the immune system. Novel techniques such as H-FIRE, needle placement systems, and robotics have enhanced the accuracy and performance in placement of IRE probes. IRE can be especially beneficial when combined with chemotherapy, immunomodulation, and immunotherapy.

Optimization of the BCLC Staging System for Locoregional Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Using Quantitative Tumor Burden Imaging Biomarkers at MRI.

Background Patients with intermediate- and advanced-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represent a highly heterogeneous patient collective with substantial differences in overall survival. Purpose To evaluate enhancing tumor volume (ETV) and enhancing tumor burden (ETB) as new criteria within the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system for optimized allocation of patients with intermediate- and advanced-stage HCC to undergo transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). Materials and Methods In this retrospective study, 682 patients with HCC who underwent conventional TACE or TACE with drug-eluting beads from January 2000 to December 2014 were evaluated. Quantitative three-dimensional analysis of contrast-enhanced MRI was performed to determine thresholds of ETV and ETB (ratio of ETV to normal liver volume). Patients with ETV below 65 cm3 or ETB below 4% were reassigned to BCLC Bn, whereas patients with ETV or ETB above the determined cutoffs were restratified or remained in BCLC Cn by means of stepwise verification of the median overall survival (mOS). Results This study included 494 patients (median age, 62 years [IQR, 56-71 years]; 401 men). Originally, 123 patients were classified as BCLC B with mOS of 24.3 months (95% CI: 21.4, 32.9) and 371 patients as BCLC C with mOS of 11.9 months (95% CI: 10.5, 14.8). The mOS of all included patients (including the BCLC B and C groups) was 15 months (95% CI: 12.3, 17.2). A total of 152 patients with BCLC C tumors were restratified into a new BCLC Bn class, in which the mOS was then 25.1 months (95% CI: 21.8, 29.7; P < .001). The mOS of the remaining patients (ie, BCLC Cn group) (n = 222; ETV ≥65 cm3 or ETB ≥4%) was 8.4 months (95% CI: 6.1, 11.2). Conclusion Substratification of patients with intermediate- and advanced-stage hepatocellular carcinoma according to three-dimensional quantitative tumor burden identified patients with a survival benefit from transarterial chemoembolization before therapy. © RSNA, 2022 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Percutaneous Image-guided Cryoneurolysis: Applications and Techniques.

The expansion and dissemination of interventional cryoneurolysis in recent years has been fueled by the integration of advanced imaging guidance, the evolution of our understanding of neuropathologic processes after exposure of nerves to cold, and opportunities for its use beyond pain management. The clinical translation of cryoneurolysis through interventional radiology requires consideration of many factors, including (a) the supply and composition of target nerves, (b) the value of diagnostic injection with imaging guidance for confirmation, (c) the integration of advanced imaging guidance that allows safe ablation, (d) the difference between neoplastic and nonneoplastic causes of pain, (e) the phenomenon of percutaneously induced neuroregeneration, (f) the potential to manage conditions other than pain, (g) the consideration of protocols, (h) the limitations of current technology, and (i) the potential complications and adverse effects. Cryoneurolysis has societal and legislative endorsement as an effective nonopioid option for pain palliation. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved three new category III Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes specifically for the cryoablation of nerves with advanced imaging guidance. Interventional radiologists who are aware of nerve-directed strategies see eligible patients in their daily practice and have opportunities to bundle procedures (eg, celiac plexus block at the time of a biliary drain for pancreatic cancer with low bile duct obstruction), offering an avenue to serve the patient, reduce opioid dependence, allow faster discharge, and establish name recognition of interventional radiologists. Also, the ability to use CT to target deep structures accurately and swiftly, often with only local anesthesia, compared with the usual monitored anesthesia care in a surgical setting, may provide another avenue to build a cryoneurolysis practice. ©RSNA, 2022.

Cooled Radiofrequency Ablation for Chronic Joint Pain Secondary to Hip and Shoulder Osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the shoulder and hip is a leading cause of physical disability and mental distress. Traditional nonsurgical management alone is often unable to completely address the associated chronic joint pain. Moreover, a large number of patients are not eligible for joint replacement surgery owing to comorbidities or cost. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of articular sensory nerve fibers can disrupt the transmission of nociceptive signals by neurolysis, thereby providing long-term pain relief. A subtype of RFA, cooled RFA (CRFA), utilizes internally cooled electrodes to generate larger ablative zones compared with standard RFA techniques. Given the complex variable innervation of large joints such as the glenohumeral and hip joints, a larger ablative treatment zone, such as that provided by CRFA, is desired to capture a greater number of afferent nociceptive fibers. The suprascapular, axillary, and lateral pectoral nerve articular sensory branches are targeted during CRFA of the glenohumeral joint. The obturator and femoral nerve articular sensory branches are targeted during CRFA of the hip. CRFA is a promising tool in the interventionalist's arsenal for management of OA-related pain and symptoms, particularly in patients who cannot undergo, have long wait times until, or have persistent pain following joint replacement surgery. An invited commentary by Tomasian is available online. ©RSNA, 2022.

Acetazolamide enhanced drug-eluting beads: manipulating the hepatocellular carcinoma microenvironment.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver malignancy. Intra-arterial therapies such as drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) can be effective forms of locoregional treatment for HCC. Solid liver tumors such as HCC promote a biochemical tumor microenvironment (TME) that allows tumor recurrence. The TME creates an environmental acidic pH, which induces chemotherapy resistance and immunosuppression. To address TME acidity, pharmacological agents like acetazolamide could be combined with primary transarterial therapies to optimize HCC treatment. We present a case of a 51-year-old male with a history of alcoholic cirrhosis and recently diagnosed HCC who underwent DEB-TACE with acetazolamide, resulting in complete tumor response on 1.5, 4.5, and 7.5 months follow-up.

Identifying enhancement-based staging markers on baseline MRI in patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases undergoing intra-arterial tumor therapy.

OBJECTIVES: To determine if three-dimensional whole liver and baseline tumor enhancement features on MRI can serve as staging biomarkers and help predict survival of patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRCLM) more accurately than one-dimensional and non-enhancement-based features. METHODS: This retrospective study included 88 patients with CRCLM, treated with transarterial chemoembolization or Y90 transarterial radioembolization between 2001 and 2014. Semi-automated segmentations of up to three dominant lesions were performed on pre-treatment MRI to calculate total tumor volume (TTV) and total liver volumes (TLV). Quantitative 3D analysis was performed to calculate enhancing tumor volume (ETV), enhancing tumor burden (ETB, calculated as ETV/TLV), enhancing liver volume (ELV), and enhancing liver burden (ELB, calculated as ELV/TLV). Overall and enhancing tumor diameters were also measured. A modified Kaplan-Meier method was used to determine appropriate cutoff values for each metric. The predictive value of each parameter was assessed by Kaplan-Meier survival curves and univariable and multivariable cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS: All methods except whole liver (ELB, ELV) and one-dimensional/non-enhancement-based methods were independent predictors of survival. Multivariable analysis showed a HR of 2.1 (95% CI 1.3-3.4, p = 0.004) for enhancing tumor diameter, HR 1.7 (95% CI 1.1-2.8, p = 0.04) for TTV, HR 2.3 (95% CI 1.4-3.9, p < 0.001) for ETV, and HR 2.4 (95% CI 1.4-4.0, p = 0.001) for ETB. CONCLUSIONS: Tumor enhancement of CRCLM on baseline MRI is strongly associated with patient survival after intra-arterial therapy, suggesting that enhancing tumor volume and enhancing tumor burden are better prognostic indicators than non-enhancement-based and one-dimensional-based markers. KEY POINTS: • Tumor enhancement of colorectal cancer liver metastases on MRI prior to treatment with intra-arterial therapies is strongly associated with patient survival. • Three-dimensional, enhancement-based imaging biomarkers such as enhancing tumor volume and enhancing tumor burden may serve as the basis of a novel prognostic staging system for patients with liver-dominant colorectal cancer metastases.

A Solution to Academic Radiology's Experience With Solicitation E-mails From Predatory Journals.

OBJECTIVE. The objective of our study was to help academic researchers avoid predatory publishers by characterizing the problem with respect to radiology and medical imaging and to test an intervention to address aggressive e-mail solicitation. MATERIALS AND METHODS. In total, 803 faculty from 10 U.S. academic radiology departments and 193 faculty in the senior author's department were surveyed about their experiences with soliciting journals. To document the characteristics of these journals and their publishers, we retrospectively reviewed the academic institutional e-mail box of one radiologist over 51 days. Journals' bibliometric parameters were compared with those of established medical imaging journals offering open access publishing. We tested filters for selected syntax to identify spam e-mails during two time periods. RESULTS. Of 996 faculty, 206 responded (16% nationally, 42% locally). Most (98%) received e-mails from soliciting publishers. Only 7% published articles with these publishers. Submission reasons were invitations, fee waivers, and difficulty publishing elsewhere. Overall, 94 publishers sent 257 e-mails in 51 days, 50 of which offered publishing opportunities in 76 imaging journals. Six journals were indexed in PubMed, and two had verifiable impact factors. The six PubMed-indexed journals had a lower mean publication fee ($824) than top medical imaging journals ($3034) (p < 0.001) and had a shorter mean duration of existence (9.5 vs 49.0 years, respectively; p = 0.005). The e-mail filters captured 71% of soliciting e-mails during the initial 51-day period and 85% during the same period 1 year later. CONCLUSION. Soliciting publishers have little impact on scientific literature. Academicians can avoid soliciting e-mails with customized e-mail filters.

Use of Methotrexate in Gynecologic and Obstetric Practice: What the Radiologist Needs to Know.

Methotrexate (MTX) is the primary pharmaceutical agent that is used for management of disorders arising from trophoblastic tissue. Its widespread international use is mostly attributable to its noninvasive, safe, and effective characteristics as a treatment option for ectopic pregnancy (EP) and gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD), with the large added benefit of fertility preservation. Although the effects of MTX usage are well documented in the gynecologic and obstetric literature, there is a scarcity of radiologic literature on the subject. Depending on the type of EP, the route of MTX administration and dosage may vary. US plays an essential role in the diagnosis and differentiation of various types of EPs, pregnancy-related complications, and complications related to MTX therapy, as well as the assessment of eligibility criteria for MTX usage. A knowledge of expected imaging findings following MTX treatment, including variability in echogenicity and shape of the EP, size fluctuations, changes in vascularity and gestational sac content, and the extent of hemoperitoneum, is essential for appropriate patient management and avoidance of unnecessary invasive procedures. A recognition of sonographic findings associated with pregnancy progression and complications such as tubal or uterine rupture, severe hemorrhage, septic abortion, and development of arteriovenous communications ensures prompt patient surgical management. The authors discuss the use of MTX in the treatment of disorders arising from trophoblastic tissue (namely EP and GTD), its mechanism of action, its route of administration, and various treatment regimens. The authors also provide a focused discussion of the role of US in the detection and diagnosis of EP and GTD, the assessment of the eligibility criteria for MTX use, and the identification of the sonographic findings seen following MTX treatment, with specific emphasis on imaging findings associated with MTX treatment success and failure. Online supplemental material is available for this article. ©RSNA, 2021.

Catheter-directed therapies for pulmonary embolism: considerations for patients with patent foramen ovale.

Pulmonary embolism can be fatal, especially in high-risk patients who have contraindications to systemic thrombolysis or surgical embolectomy. For this population, interventionalists can provide catheter-directed therapies, including catheter-directed thrombolysis and thrombectomy, using a wide array of devices. Endovascular treatment of pulmonary embolism shows great promise through fractionated thrombolytic drug delivery, fragmentation, and aspiration mechanisms with thrombectomy devices. Although successful outcomes have been reported after using these treatments, evidence is especially limited in patients with both a patent foramen ovale (PFO) and acute pulmonary embolism. In patients with PFO, it is important to consider whether catheter-directed therapy is appropriate or whether surgical embolectomy should instead be performed. An increased risk of paradoxical embolus in these patients supports the use of diagnostic echocardiography with possible surgical closure of PFO after one episode of pulmonary embolism. Percutaneous PFO closure, which can be performed at the time of catheter-based therapy, theoretically reduces risk of future paradoxical embolization, although more data are needed before making a recommendation for this specific group of patients.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios as predictors of tumor response in hepatocellular carcinoma after DEB-TACE.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the predictive value of quantifiable imaging and inflammatory biomarkers in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) for the clinical outcome after drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) measured as volumetric tumor response and progression-free survival (PFS). METHODS: This retrospective study included 46 patients with treatment-naïve HCC who received DEB-TACE. Laboratory work-up prior to treatment included complete and differential blood count, liver function, and alpha-fetoprotein levels. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were correlated with radiomic features extracted from pretreatment contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and with tumor response according to quantitative European Association for the Study of the Liver (qEASL) criteria and progression-free survival (PFS) after DEB-TACE. Radiomic features included single nodular tumor growth measured as sphericity, dynamic contrast uptake behavior, arterial hyperenhancement, and homogeneity of contrast uptake. Statistics included univariate and multivariate linear regression, Cox regression, and Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: Accounting for laboratory and clinical parameters, high baseline NLR and PLR were predictive of poorer tumor response (p = 0.014 and p = 0.004) and shorter PFS (p = 0.002 and p < 0.001). When compared to baseline imaging, high NLR and PLR correlated with non-spherical tumor growth (p = 0.001 and p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study establishes the prognostic value of quantitative inflammatory biomarkers associated with aggressive non-spherical tumor growth and predictive of poorer tumor response and shorter PFS after DEB-TACE. KEY POINTS: • In treatment-naïve hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), high baseline platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) are associated with non-nodular tumor growth measured as low tumor sphericity. • High PLR and NLR are predictive of poorer volumetric enhancement-based tumor response and PFS after DEB-TACE in HCC. • This set of readily available, quantitative immunologic biomarkers can easily be implemented in clinical guidelines providing a paradigm to guide and monitor the personalized application of loco-regional therapies in HCC.

Predictors of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pneumonitis outcome based on computed tomography (CT) imaging obtained prior to hospitalization: a retrospective study.

PURPOSE: Computed tomography (CT) has been utilized as a diagnostic modality in the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), while some studies have also suggested a prognostic role for it. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic and prognostic value of computed tomography (CT) imaging in COVID-19 patients. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of fifty patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Twenty-seven patients survived, while 23 passed away. CT imaging was performed in all of the patients on the day of admission. Imaging findings were interpreted based on current guidelines by two expert radiologists. Imaging findings were compared between surviving and deceased patients. Lung scores were assigned to patients based on CT chest findings. Then, the receiver operating characteristic curve was used to determine cutoff values for lung scores. RESULTS: The common radiologic findings were ground-glass opacities (82%) and airspace consolidation (42%), respectively. Air bronchogram was more commonly seen in deceased patients (p = 0.04). Bilateral and multilobar involvement was more frequently found in deceased patients (p = 0.049 and 0.014, respectively). The mean number of involved lobes was 3.46 ± 1.80 lobes in surviving patients and 4.57 ± 0.60 lobes in the deceased patients (p = 0.009). The difference was statistically significant. The area under the curve for a lung score cutoff of 12 was 0.790. CONCLUSION: Air bronchogram and bilateral and multilobar involvement were more frequently seen in deceased patients and may suggest a poor outcome for COVID-19 pneumonia.