Positive predictive value for malignancy of uncertain malignant potential (B3) breast lesions diagnosed on vacuum-assisted biopsy (VAB): is surgical excision still recommended?

PURPOSE: Breast lesions classified as of "uncertain malignant potential" represent a heterogeneous group of abnormalities with an increased risk of associated malignancy. Clinical management of B3 lesions diagnosed on vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB) is still challenging: surgical excision is no longer the only available treatment and VABB may be sufficient for therapeutic excision. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the positive predictive value (PPV) for malignancy in B3 lesions that underwent surgical excision, identifying possible upgrading predictive factors and characterizing the malignant lesions eventually diagnosed. These results are compared with a subset of patients with B3 lesions who underwent follow-up. METHODS: A total of 1250 VABBs were performed between January 2006 and December 2017 at our center. In total, 150 B3 cases were diagnosed and 68 of them underwent surgical excision. VABB findings were correlated with excision histology. A PPV for malignancy for each B3 subtype was derived. RESULTS: The overall PPV rate was 28%, with the highest upgrade rate for atypical ductal hyperplasia (41%), followed by classical lobular neoplasia (29%) and flat epithelial atypia (11%). Only two cases of carcinoma were detected in the follow-up cohort, both associated with atypical ductal hyperplasia at VABB. CONCLUSION: Open surgery is recommended in case of atypical ductal hyperplasia while, for other B3 lesions, excision with VABB only may be an acceptable alternative if radio-pathological correlation is assessed, if all microcalcifications have been removed by VABB, and if the lesion lacks high-risk cytological features. KEY POINTS: • Surgical treatment is strongly recommended in case of ADH, while the upgrade rate in case of pure FEA, especially following complete microcalcification removal by VABB, may be sufficiently low to advice surveillance as a management strategy. • The use of 11-G- or 8-G-needle VABB, resulting in possible complete diagnostic excision of the lesion, can be an acceptable alternative in case of RS, considering open surgery only for selected high-risk patients. • LN management is more controversial: surgical excision may be recommended following classical LN diagnosis on breast biopsy if an additional B3 lesion is concurrently detected while in the presence of isolated LN with adequate radiological-pathological correlation follow-up alone could be an acceptable option.

COVID-19 integrated imaging: our experience and literature review.

PURPOSE: To investigate the imaging features of emerging COVID-19 pneumonia on chest ultrasound, radiographs and computed tomography examinations performed at admission. In addition, we provide a review of the literature and compare our results with recent evidence regarding the imaging characteristics of this novel disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From March 17, 2020 to April 25, 2020, 23 patients with real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay confirmed COVID-19 were identified. All 23 patients were evaluated and admitted at San Giuseppe Moscati Hospital in Aversa, Italy. Multi-modality imaging findings were evaluated and compared. Literature research was conducted through a methodical search on PubMed. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients were included in the study. Chest transthoracic ultrasound (US), chest X-ray (CXR), and computed tomography (CT) were performed respectively in 11, 16 and 21 patients. Chest US findings were consistent with diffuse B lines (91%), subpleural consolidations (45%), and thickened pleural line (18%). CXR showed prevalent manifestations of consolidations (50%) and hazy increased opacities (37%). Typical CT features are bilateral and multilobar ground-glass opacities (GGO). Indeed GGO were present in 100% of our patients. Consolidations were visible in 76% of our study population. Notably both GGO and consolidations had a peripheral distribution in all our patients. Other CT imaging features included crazy-paving pattern, fibrous stripes, subpleural lines, architectural distortion, air bronchogram sign, vascular thickening and nodules. Our literature review identified thirty original studies supporting our imaging chest findings. CONCLUSIONS: At admission, COVID-19 pneumonia can manifest in chest imaging as B-lines and consolidations on US, hazy opacities and consolidations on CXR, multiple GGO and consolidations on CT scan.

Multi-parametric qualitative and quantitative MRI assessment as predictor of histological grading in previously treated meningiomas.

PURPOSE: Meningiomas are mainly benign tumors, though a considerable proportion shows aggressive behaviors histologically consistent with atypia/anaplasia. Histopathological grading is usually assessed through invasive procedures, which is not always feasible due to the inaccessibility of the lesion or to treatment contraindications. Therefore, we propose a multi-parametric MRI assessment as a predictor of meningioma histopathological grading. METHODS: Seventy-three patients with 74 histologically proven and previously treated meningiomas were retrospectively enrolled (42 WHO I, 24 WHO II, 8 WHO III) and studied with MRI including T2 TSE, FLAIR, Gradient Echo, DWI, and pre- and post-contrast T1 sequences. Lesion masks were segmented on post-contrast T1 sequences and rigidly registered to ADC maps to extract quantitative parameters from conventional DWI and intravoxel incoherent motion model assessing tumor perfusion. Two expert neuroradiologists assessed morphological features of meningiomas with semi-quantitative scores. RESULTS: Univariate analysis showed different distributions (p < 0.05) of quantitative diffusion parameters (Wilcoxon rank-sum test) and morphological features (Pearson's chi-square; Fisher's exact test) among meningiomas grouped in low-grade (WHO I) and higher grade forms (WHO II/III); the only exception consisted of the tumor-brain interface. A multivariate logistic regression, combining all parameters showing statistical significance in the univariate analysis, allowed discrimination between the groups of meningiomas with high sensitivity (0.968) and specificity (0.925). Heterogeneous contrast enhancement and low ADC were the best independent predictors of atypia and anaplasia. CONCLUSION: Our multi-parametric MRI assessment showed high sensitivity and specificity in predicting histological grading of meningiomas. Such an assessment may be clinically useful in characterizing lesions without histological diagnosis. Key points • When surgery and biopsy are not feasible, parameters obtained from both conventional and diffusion-weighted MRI can predict atypia and anaplasia in meningiomas with high sensitivity and specificity. • Low ADC values and heterogeneous contrast enhancement are the best predictors of higher grade meningioma.

Comparison between a new ultrasound probe with a capacitive micromachined transducer (CMUT) and a traditional one in musculoskeletal pathology.

BACKGROUND: The capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducer (CMUT) is a new ultrasound (US) probe manufactured by state-of-the-art cutting-edge semi-conductor micromachined electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) technology. PURPOSE: To demonstrate the peculiar characteristics of each probe and the limitations that should be improved. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was performed from March to April 2018. The only inclusion criterion was the presence of disease, so all patients with musculoskeletal, skin, and subcutaneous pathology were included. A total of 66 patients entered this study. The exams of each patient, with both probes, were evaluated retrospectively and independently by three radiologists. Panoramicity of the images, the definition of superficial structures (<2 cm of depth), the definition of deep structures (>2 cm), and Doppler signal were assessed. A 5-point scale was used for each parameter. RESULTS: A total of 89 pathologies were detected. The mean of score for 4G-CMUT was higher than L64 for the panoramicity of the images and the definition of the deep structures. Instead, the mean score for L64 was higher than for 4G-CMUT in the evaluation of superficial structures and Doppler signal. A statistically significant difference was found (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: CMUT is a breakthrough in US technology. It allows the use of a single probe for different US examinations. The musculoskeletal, skin, and subcutaneous US can be evaluated with a piezoelectric linear transducer or CMUT. In the present study, the overall diagnostic performance was similar. Improvements in CMUT will provide even more dynamic and flexible imaging capabilities by a transducer, with a wider bandwidth.

Acute epiploic appendagitis: ultrasound and computed tomography findings of a rare case of acute abdominal pain and the role of other imaging techniques.

PURPOSE: Acute epiploic appendagitis (EA) is a relatively rare, benign and local inflammatory disease involving the epiploic appendices. Unlike its mimics, EA is generally a self-limiting inflammatory disease and can be treated conservatively. CASE PRESENTATION: A 33-year-old Caucasian man presented to our emergency department with a sever and sharp left iliac fossa pain. He underwent abdominal X-ray, ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT) evaluations. CONCLUSION: We illustrate US and CT findings to increase the radiologists' awareness of this condition and to avoid diagnostic delay and unnecessary use of antibiotics, hospitalization and surgery.

Extrapelvic Sciatic Nerve Endometriosis, the Role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Case Report and Systematic Review.

Endometriosis (EN) is a common gynecological condition characterized by the presence of functional endometrium located outside the uterine cavity. Sciatic nerve (SN) is rarely affected by EN. Magnetic resonance imaging allows a direct visualization of the spinal and SN, and it is the modality of choice for the study of SN involvement in extrapelvic EN. We report a case of an endometrioma located in the right SN with a systematic review of the literature.

Go-BACK catheter for treatment of iliac artery chronic total occlusion: A case report.

The Go-BACK catheter is a novel device designed to be used for both intraluminal crossing or re-entry, into a vessel lumen from the subintimal space during subintimal angioplasty. It is reserved for cases where reentry has not been possible using conventional wire and catheter techniques. We report our experience in recanalization of the chronic total occlusions of the common iliac artery (CIA) using the Go-BACK catheter, in cases where other techniques were unsuccessful.

Non-rotator cuff calcific tendinopathy: ultrasonographic diagnosis and treatment.

Calcific tendinopathy is a condition that is related to the deposition of calcium, mostly hydroxyapatite crystals, within the tendons. The shoulder and the hip are commonly affected joints, but calcific tendinopathy may occur in any tendon of the body. While there is an extensive literature on the ultrasound diagnosis of calcific tendinopathy of the shoulder, there are only sporadic reports on other sites. This review combines the experience of our centers and a thorough analysis of the literature from the last 45 years (1972-2017) in order to highlight the localizations beyond the rotator cuff, their ultrasound characteristics and therapeutic possibilities.

COVID-19 pneumonia manifestations at the admission on chest ultrasound, radiographs, and CT: single-center study and comprehensive radiologic literature review.

PURPOSE: To investigate the imaging features of emerging COVID-19 pneumonia on chest ultrasound (US), radiographs (CXR) and computed tomography (CT) examinations performed at admission and to provide a comprehensive radiological literature review on ongoing radiological data from recent publications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective single-center study, we enrolled consecutive patients from February 15, 2020, to March 15, 2020, with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 hospitalized in Valduce Hospital (Como, Italy). Multi-modality imaging findings were evaluated and compared. Literature research was conducted through a methodical search on Pubmed and Embase databases. RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients (36 men, 22 women; age range, 18-98 years) were included in the study. Among these, chest US, CXR, and CT were performed respectively in twenty-two, thirty-two and forty-two patients. Lung US findings were consistent with diffuse B lines (100%) and subpleural consolidations (27.3%). CXR showed prevalent manifestations of consolidations (46.9%) and hazy increased opacities (37.5%). Typical CT features included bilateral and multilobar ground-glass opacities (GGO) with (59.5%) and without (35.7%) consolidations having a predominantly peripheral distribution (64.3%). Other imaging features included crazy paving pattern (57.1%), fibrous stripes (50%), subpleural lines (35.7%), architectural distortion (28.6%), air bronchogram sign (26.2%), vascular thickening (23.8%) and nodules (2.4%). Also, enlarged lymph nodes (14.3 %) and pleural effusion (7.1%) were observed. The literature review identified twenty-six original studies supporting our imaging chest findings. CONCLUSION: The spectrum of chest imaging manifestations of COVID-19 pneumonia upon admission includes B-lines and consolidations on US, consolidations and hazy increased opacities on CXR, and multifocal GGO with consolidations on CT.

Ultrasonido Pulmonar en COVID-19 / Lung Ultrasound in COVID-19

Resumen: La llegada de la pandemia COVID-19 originada por el virus SARS-CoV-2 ha requerido de una rápida respuesta de múltiples especialidades médicas, incluída la Imagenología. El Ultrasonido pulmonar es una técnica que previamente ha demostrado utilidad en otras patologías pulmonares, la cual ofrece alta disponibilidad, bajo costo, ausencia de radiaciones ionizantes y la posibilidad de evaluar al paciente in situ. En algunos de los países afectados más temprana e intensamente por la pandemia, como China e Italia, se ha utilizado como estudio imagenológico complementario para evaluación y seguimiento de los pacientes afectados por esta patología. Para obtener un resultado satisfactorio es necesario seleccionar el equipamiento, protección, desinfección y protocolo adecuados. Los hallazgos ecográficos descritos hasta el momento en la literatura son de carácter inespecífico, pero su combinación y distribución anatómica en un contexto clínico y epidemiológico compatible, los hacen sugerentes de esta enfermedad y permiten evaluar en forma seriada la evolución del cuadro. La literatura disponible es incipiente y es necesaria la generación de más evidencia para cuantificar adecuadamente el aporte de esta modalidad de estudio en los pacientes con COVID-19.

Abstract: The arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic originated by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has required a quick response by multiple medical specialties, including Imaging. Lung Ultrasound is an exam that has previously demonstrated its utility in other lung diseases, with high availability, low cost, absence of ionizing radiation and the possibility to have a bed-side assessment. In some of the countries that experienced earlier and more intense effects of the pandemic, as China and Italy, it has been used as an imaging modality for evaluation and follow-up for COVID-19 patients. In order to achieve a satisfactory result, adequate equipment, protection, disinfection and protocol must be chosen. The US findings described so far in the literature are nonspecific, but their combination and anatomical distribution in a compatible clinical and epidemiologic context, made them highly suggestive of this disease and allow for a serial follow-up. The current literature is scarce and more evidence is needed to truly estimate the usefulness of this imaging modality in the evaluation of COVID-19 patients.