Does the Addition of Mutations of CTNNB1 S45F to Clinical Factors Allow Prediction of Local Recurrence in Patients With a Desmoid Tumor? A Local Recurrence Risk Model.

BACKGROUND: The initial approach to the treatment of desmoid tumors has changed from surgical resection to watchful waiting. However, surgery is still sometimes considered for some patients, and it is likely that a few patients would benefit from tumor removal if the likelihood of local recurrence could be predicted. However, to our knowledge, there is no tool that can provide guidance on this for clinicians at the point of care. QUESTION/PURPOSE: We sought to explore whether a combined molecular and clinical prognostic model for relapse in patients with desmoid tumors treated with surgery would allow us to identify patients who might do well with surgical excision. METHODS: This was a retrospective, single-center study of 107 patients with desmoid tumors who were surgically treated between January 1980 and December 2015, with a median follow-up of 106 months (range 7 to 337 months). We correlated clinical variables (age, tumor size, and localization) and CTNNB1 gene mutations with recurrence-free survival. Recurrence-free survival was estimated using a Kaplan-Meier curve. Univariate and multivariable analyses of time to local recurrence were performed using Cox regression models. A final nomogram model was constructed according to the final fitted Cox model. The predictive performance of the model was evaluated using measures of calibration and discrimination: calibration plot and the Harrell C-statistic, also known as the concordance index, in which values near 0.5 represent a random prediction and values near 1 represent the best model predictions. RESULTS: The multivariable analysis showed that S45F mutations (hazard ratio 5.25 [95% confidence interval 2.27 to 12.15]; p < 0.001) and tumor in the extremities (HR 3.15 [95% CI 1.35 to 7.33]; p = 0.008) were associated with a higher risk of local recurrence. Based on these risk factors, we created a model; we observed that patients considered to be at high risk of local recurrence as defined by having one or two factors associated with recurrence (extremity tumors and S45F mutation) had an HR of 8.4 compared with patients who had no such factors (95% CI 2.84 to 24.6; p < 0.001). From these data and based on the multivariable Cox models, we also developed a nomogram to estimate the individual risk of relapse after surgical resection. The model had a concordance index of 0.75, or moderate discrimination. CONCLUSION: CTNNB1 S45F mutations combined with other clinical variables are a potential prognostic biomarker associated with the risk of relapse in patients with desmoid tumors. The developed nomogram is simple to use and, if validated, could be incorporated into clinical practice to identify patients at high risk of relapse among patients opting for surgical excision and thus help clinicians and patients in decision-making. A large multicenter study is necessary to validate our model and explore its applicability. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic study.

The management of a breast unit during the COVID-19 emergency: a local experience.

Introduction: Since breast imaging requires very close contact with patients, a protocol is needed to perform safe daily screening activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods: Patients were triaged and separated into three different clinical scenarios by performing a telephone questionnaire before each diagnostic exam or a nasopharyngeal swab before every recovery. Specific procedures for each scenario are described. Results: From July to October 2020, 994 exams were performed. A total of 16 cancers and 7 suspected COVID-19 patients were identified. No medical staff were infected. Conclusion: This protocol is an example of the practical use of guidelines applied to a breast unit to assist specialists in preventing COVID-19 infection and optimizing resources for breast cancer diagnosis.

Lay abstract On March 11th, 2020, the WHO officially declared the COVID-19 infection pandemic. Since breast cancer represents the most frequent cancer in women of all ages, and breast imaging examinations require very close contact with patients, a protocol was designed to optimize the management of patients and healthcare workers, performing strict COVID-19 screening and avoiding any impairment of survival of patients with breast cancer. Patients were separated into three different clinical scenarios (non-COVID-19 patients, suspected COVID-19 patients and confirmed COVID-19 patients) by performing a telephone questionnaire before each diagnostic exam or a nasopharyngeal swab before every recovery. Specific procedures for each scenario are described. Confirmed or suspected patients are rescheduled if not urgent. From July to October 2020, 994 exams were performed. A total of 16 cancers and 7 suspected COVID-19 patients were identified. No medical staff were infected. This study demonstrates efficacy in terms of continuity in the provision of an essential level of care in a breast cancer screening and ambulatory setting, providing an example of the practical use of guidelines applied to a breast unit, to assist specialists in preventing COVID-19 infection and optimizing resources for breast cancer diagnosis.

Brazilian consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of extremities soft tissue sarcomas.

INTRODUCTION: Soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) are rare tumors and constitute only 1% of all tumors in adults. Indeed, due to their rarity, most cases in Brazil are not treated according to primary international guidelines. METHODS: This consensus addresses the treatment of STSs in the extremities. It was made by workgroups from Brazilian Societies of Surgical Oncology, Orthopaedics, Clinical Oncology, Pathology, Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, and Radiation Oncology. The workgroups based their arguments on the best level of evidence in the literature and recommendations were made according to diagnosis, staging, and treatment of STSs. A meeting was held with all the invited experts and the topics were presented individually with the definition of the degree of recommendation, based on the levels of evidence in the literature. RESULTS: Risk factors and epidemiology were described as well as the pathological aspects and imaging. All recommendations are described with the degree of recommendation and levels of evidence. CONCLUSION: Recommendations based on the best literature regional aspects were made to guide professionals who treat STS. Separate consensus on specific treatments for retroperitoneal, visceral, trunk, head and neck sarcomas, and gastrointestinal stromal tumor, are not contemplated into this consensus.

The role of CEUS in the assessment of haemodynamically stable patients with blunt abdominal trauma.

Computed tomography (CT) still represents the preferred imaging method in the assessment of patients presenting with multiple trauma. Nevertheless, in patients with low-energy abdominal trauma, the use of CT is debated because of the possible unnecessary radiation exposure. Accordingly, conventional ultrasound (US) imaging has been increasingly employed as the initial imaging modality in the workup of minor traumatic emergency conditions. Focused assessment with sonography for trauma is widely used to detect free intra-abdominal fluid, but its role is controversial, because the absence of free fluid does not exclude the presence of injuries to abdominal organ. Injection of an ultrasound contrast agent (UCA) may give the radiologist relevant additional information to that obtained with conventional US. Thus, in trauma patients, following early assessment with conventional US imaging, a contrast-enhanced US (CEUS) can provide a more reliable evaluation of solid organ injuries and related vascular complications, including active bleeding, pseudoaneurysms, and artero-venous fistulas. CEUS cannot replace abdominal CT, but it represents a noninvasive and repeatable imaging tool capable of providing a reliable assessment of trauma severity and expedite the patient's treatment.

Diagnostic imaging in pediatric polytrauma management.

Trauma is the cause of over 45% of deaths in children aged 1 to 14 years. Since multiple injuries are common among children, the emergency physician has to assess all the organs of a high-energy injured child, independent of mechanism of the trauma. Even if the principles of polytrauma management are identical both in children and in adults, the optimal pediatric patient care requires a specific understanding of some important anatomical, physiological, and psychological differences that play a significant role in the assessment and management of a pediatric patient. Emergency Radiology already plays a crucial role in the diagnostic process of a polytraumatized child according to the primary survey, through the use of multiple imaging modalities. Radiological and Ultrasound examinations play a basic role in the hemodynamically unstable patients. In the hemodynamically stable patients whole-body CT scanning is the most immediate radiological procedure that allows the examination of all the body parts of a polytraumatized child, reducing the number of minor injuries that might otherwise be neglected.

The use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in blunt abdominal trauma: advantages and limitations.

Computed tomography (CT) is the imaging method of choice in the assessment of multiple trauma patients. However, in patients who suffered from low-energy abdominal trauma, the use of CT is controversial, since the probability of injury is low and therefore most of the studies are normal. Thus, conventional US imaging has increasingly been employed as the initial imaging modality in the work-up of minor traumatic emergency condition. More recently, the introduction of a new contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) technique, using second-generation ultrasound contrast agents, has led to a notable increase in the diagnostic accuracy of US in many organs. Therefore, in trauma patients, following assessment with conventional US imaging, a CEUS exam can be performed, to provide a more reliable assessment of solid organ injuries. CEUS has the potential to detect active bleeding from a variety of traumatic origins. Similar to CT, active extravasation is considered when there is evidence of contrast agent collection with echogenicity similar to that of an adjacent vessel. On the other hand, at least some drawbacks have to be addressed, including operator competence and reduced panoramic view. Moreover, CEUS, like conventional US imaging, cannot depict some lesions, such as diaphragmatic ruptures, bowel, and mesenteric traumatic injuries. This technique represents a non-invasive and repeatable method that can be performed at patient's bedside and is therefore extremely helpful for the follow-up of solid organs traumas managed conservatively, especially in pediatric patients and women of fertile age. Moreover, it may reduce the number of CT scans and expedite patient discharge.

Tumor thickness as an independent risk factor of early recurrence in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma.

The aim is to determine if tumor thickness is a risk factor related to the development of early recurrences in surgically treated oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Retrospective cohort study conducted at Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo (ICESP). Fifty-seven patients with oral cavity SCC (excluding lip tumors and patients previously submitted to any treatment) were analyzed regarding the occurrence of an early disease progression (locoregional or distant metastasis) within the first 12 months after initial treatment. Tumor thickness and other histological characteristics related to the development of recurrence up to 1 year after treatment were tested. Results demonstrated that tumor thickness greater than 10 mm (P = 0.034), as well as angiolymphatic invasion (P = 0.001), perineural invasion (P = 0.041) and lymph-node metastasis (P = 0.021) was associated with a worse 12-month disease-free survival (Log-Rank test). In multivariate analysis, tumor thickness greater than 10 mm emerged as an independent risk factor for early recurrence in oral cavity tumors (HR = 3.4, 95% CI: 1.005-11.690; P = 0.049--Cox regression). Post-operative radiotherapy seems to be a protective factor for early recurrences in patients with tumor thickness greater than 10 mm (P = 0.017--Log-Rank test; HR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.12-0.87, P = 0.026--Cox regression). The results of the present research suggest that tumor thickness greater than 10 mm may be an independent adverse factor for early progression of surgically treated oral cavity SCC. Adjuvant therapies, in particular post-operative radiotherapy, should be advocated in this group of patients, regardless of the co-existence of other well-described histological risk factors.

CLINICAL AND EPIDEMIOLOGIC EVALUATION OF DESMOID TUMORS IN A BRAZILIAN SARCOMA REFERENCE CENTER.

Introduction: Desmoid Tumors (DT) are rare neoplasms with higher incidence in younger women. Methods: Retrospective, single-center analysis of patients with DT. Variables were age, sex, biopsy, treatment and recurrence. The disease-free survival (DFS) was calculated with the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: 242 patients were evaluated, mean age was 34 years, 70.7% women, 44.4% originated in the trunk/abdomen and 54.5% had size > 5cm. Surgery was performed in 70.2%, 31% with negative margin and only 57% with previous biopsy. Recurrence rate was 38% and 1,2,5-year DFS was 75.3%, 64.2%, 57.8%, respectively. Size (p = 0.018) and tumor location in the dorsum (p = 0.001), extremities (p = 0.003) and pelvis (p = 0.003) were related to higher relapse rate. Conclusion: our data reinforces the need to gather data from real world practice and the importance of awareness of DT and medical education about DT behavior and best approach due to the high rates of surgery and elevated number of patients treated without biopsy. Level of Evidence III; Retrospective Comparative Study.

Introdução: Os tumores desmóides (TD) são neoplasias raras com maior incidência em mulheres jovens. Métodos: Trata-se de uma análise retrospectiva, em um único centro, de pacientes com TD. As variáveis foram idade, sexo, biópsia, tratamento e recorrência. A sobrevida livre de doença (SLD) foi calculada pelo método de Kaplan-Meier. Resultados: Foram avaliados 242 pacientes, com idade média de 34 anos, 70,7% mulheres, 44,4% com origem no tronco/abdômen e 54,5% com tamanho > 5 cm. A cirurgia foi realizada em 70,2%, 31% com margem negativa e apenas 57% com biópsia prévia. A taxa de recorrência foi de 38% e a SLD de 1, 2 e 5 anos foi de 75,3%, 64,2% e 57,8%, respectivamente. O tamanho (p = 0,018) e a localização do tumor no dorso (p = 0,001), nas extremidades (p = 0,003) e na pelve (p = 0,003) foram relacionados a uma maior taxa de recidiva. Conclusão: Nossos dados reforçam a necessidade de coletar dados da prática do cenário real e a importância da conscientização da TD e da educação médica sobre o comportamento da TD e a melhor abordagem, devido às altas taxas de cirurgia e ao elevado número de pacientes tratados sem biópsia. Nível de Evidência III; Estudo Comparativo Retrospectivo.

Mammography in Breast Disease Screening and Diagnosis.

Female breasts can suffer from a wide spectrum of pathologies, ranging from inflammatory diseases to benign and malignant tumors [...].

Breast Density Evaluation According to BI-RADS 5th Edition on Digital Breast Tomosynthesis: AI Automated Assessment Versus Human Visual Assessment.

BACKGROUND: The assessment of breast density is one of the main goals of radiologists because the masking effect of dense fibroglandular tissue may affect the mammographic identification of lesions. The BI-RADS 5th Edition has revised the mammographic breast density categories, focusing on a qualitative evaluation rather than a quantitative one. Our purpose is to compare the concordance of the automatic classification of breast density with the visual assessment according to the latest available classification. METHODS: A sample of 1075 digital breast tomosynthesis images from women aged between 40 and 86 years (58 ± 7.1) was retrospectively analyzed by three independent readers according to the BI-RADS 5th Edition. Automated breast density assessment was performed on digital breast tomosynthesis images with the Quantra software version 2.2.3. Interobserver agreement was assessed with kappa statistics. The distributions of breast density categories were compared and correlated with age. RESULTS: The agreement on breast density categories was substantial to almost perfect between radiologists (κ = 0.63-0.83), moderate to substantial between radiologists and the Quantra software (κ = 0.44-0.78), and the consensus of radiologists and the Quantra software (κ = 0.60-0.77). Comparing the assessment for dense and non-dense breasts, the agreement was almost perfect in the screening age range without a statistically significant difference between concordant and discordant cases when compared by age. CONCLUSIONS: The categorization proposed by the Quantra software has shown a good agreement with the radiological evaluations, even though it did not completely reflect the visual assessment. Thus, clinical decisions regarding supplemental screening should be based on the radiologist's perceived masking effect rather than the data produced exclusively by the Quantra software.

Practical Challenges of DBT-Guided VABB: Harms and Benefits, from Literature to Clinical Experience.

Vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB) guided by digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) represents one of the best instruments to obtain a histological diagnosis of suspicious lesions with no ultrasound correlation or those which are visible only on DBT. After a review of the literature, we retrospectively analyzed the DBT-guided VABBs performed from 2019 to 2022 at our department. Descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation and χ2 test were used to compare distributions of age, breast density (BD) and early performance measures including histopathology. We used kappa statistics to evaluate the agreement between histological assessment and diagnosis. Finally, we compared our experience to the literature to provide indications for clinical practice. We included 85 women aged 41-84 years old. We identified 37 breast cancers (BC), 26 stage 0 and 11 stage IA. 67.5% of BC was diagnosed in women with high BD. The agreement between VABB and surgery was 0.92 (k value, 95% CI: 0.76-1.08). We found a statistically significant inverse correlation between age and BD. The post-procedural clip was correctly positioned in 88.2%. The post-procedural hematoma rate was 14.1%. No infection or hemorrhage were recorded. When executed correctly, DBT-guided VABB represents a safe and minimally invasive technique with high histopathological concordance, for detecting nonpalpable lesions without ultrasound correlation.

Enhanced morbidity of pectoralis major myocutaneous flap used for salvage after previously failed oncological treatment and unsuccessful reconstructive head and neck surgery.

INTRODUCTION: The reconstruction of complex cervicofacial defects arising from surgical treatment for cancer is a real challenge for head and neck surgeons, especially in salvage reconstruction surgery and/or failed previous reconstruction. The pectoralis major myocutaneous flap (PMMF) has been widely used in these specific situations due to its reliability and low rate of failure or complications. OBJECTIVES: Identify factors that determine complications and influence the final outcome of the reconstructions with PMMF in salvage cancer surgery or in salvage reconstruction. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was used to evaluate a sample including 17 surgical patients treated over a period of ten years that met the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Reconstruction was successful in 13 cases (76.5%), with two cases of partial flap loss and no case of total loss. Complications occurred in 13 cases (76.5%) and were specifically related to the flap in nine instances (52.9%). An association was identified between the development of major complications and reconstruction of the hypopharynx (P = 0.013) as well as in patients submitted to surgery in association with radiation therapy as a previous cancer treatment (P = 0.002). The former condition is also associated with major reconstruction failure (P = 0.018). An even lower incidence of major complications was noted in patients under the age of 53 (P = 0.044). CONCLUSION: Older patients, with hypopharyngeal defects and submitted to previous surgery plus radiation therapy, presented a higher risk of complications and reconstruction failure with PMMF.

Consequences of the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on breast cancer at a single Italian institution.

Aim: To evaluate the local impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on breast cancer (BC) care, with particular attention to the economical and psychological consequences of the possible delay of new diagnoses and treatments. Methods: Three years' activity (from 2019 to 2021) has been compared. The number of BCs diagnosed from the total amount of mammographic and ultrasound (US) examinations performed in women aged more than 40 years old has been considered. A Pearson's chi-squared test was performed to verify differences between results. Statistical significance was set at P ≤ 0.01. Results: A statistically significant difference was found in the number of BC diagnosed between screening and ambulatory care patients in both the 2019-2020 (χ2 = 24.93, P < 0.01) and 2019-2021 (χ2 = 29.93, P < 0.01) comparisons. No statistically significant difference was found in the data recorded between 2020 and 2021 (χ2 = 2.35, P > 0.01). By evaluating the specific age groups for each year, a statistically significant difference (P < 0.01) was found in the number of BC diagnosed in screening patients aged 50-69 years old in both 2019-2020 and 2019-2021 comparisons. The percentages of early BC diagnosed in 2019, 2020, and 2021 were 80.9%, 91.7%, and 89.8%, respectively. The adherence rates to screening in 2019, 2020, and 2021 were 67.5%, 45.2%, and 56.9%, respectively. Conclusions: Results showed a reduction of new diagnoses in the screening range during the pandemic in comparison with the previous period. The high percentage of early BC would seem to have prevented worsening outcomes. Nevertheless, women who have not undergone screening could present a more advanced stage disease in the following years. Consequently, the evaluation of possible solutions to guarantee an essential level of care with the purpose to avoid worsening patients' outcomes and the increase in healthcare costs is mandatory.

Reconstruction with Unconventional Endoprostheses after Resection of Primary Distal Femoral Bone Tumors: Implant Survival and Functional Outcomes.

Objective To evaluate the survival time, the failure rate and its causes, and the functional results of cemented endoprostheses, with a polyethylene body, used after resection of primary bone tumors of the distal femur. Methods A retrospective study including 93 primary and 77 review procedures performed between 1987 and 2014. Survival was obtained by the Kaplan Meyer analysis, and the risk factors for implant failure were assessed through the Cox proportional risk model. The causes of endoprosthesis failure were classified according to Henderson et al. into five types: soft-tissue failure, aseptic loosening, structural fracture, infection, and tumor recurrence. The functional evaluation was performed using the functional classification system of the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) of bone sarcomas of the lower extremity, Brazilian version (MSTS-BR). Results Osteosarcoma was the most common diagnosis; 64.5% of the patients were younger than 20 years of age; the mean follow-up was of 124.3 months. The failure rate of the primary implant was of 54.8%, and the mean survival was of 123 months. The estimated survival of the primary implant was of 63.6%, 43.5%, 24.1%, and 14.5% in 5, 10, 15, and 20 years respectively. The most common cause of failure was type 2 (37.3%). Age ≤ 26 years and right side were risk factors for failure. The mean MSTS-BR score was of 20.7 (range: 14 to 27). Conclusion The results obtained for the failure rate and survival of the implant are in accordance with those of the literature, so the procedure herein studied is adequate and yields satisfactory functional results, even in the long term.

The impact of sentinel lymph node biopsy on the quality of life in patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Sentinel lymph node biopsy is a proven method for staging the neck in patients with early oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma because it results in less comorbidity than the traditional method of selective neck dissection, with the same oncological results. However, the real effect of that method on the quality of life of such patients remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to evaluate the quality of life of patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma T1/T2N0 submitted to sentinel lymph node biopsy compared to those that received selective neck dissection. METHODS: Cross-sectional study including 24 patients, after a 36 month follow-up, 15 of them submitted to the sentinel lymph node biopsy and 9 to selective neck dissection. All patients answered the University of Washington quality of life questionnaire. RESULTS: The evaluation of the questionnaires showed a late worsening of the domains appearance (p=0.035) and chewing (p=0.041), as well as a decrease of about 10% of general quality of life (p=0.025) in patients undergoing selective neck dissection ​​in comparison to those undergoing sentinel lymph node biopsy. CONCLUSION: Patients with early-stage oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma undergoing sentinel lymph node biopsy presented better late results of general quality of life, mainly regarding appearance and chewing, when compared to patients submitted to selective neck dissection.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy for early squamous cell carcinoma of the lip and oral cavity: Real-world experience in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy and oncological results of sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with early lip and oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in a real-world scenario. METHODS: Retrospective study including seven Brazilian centers. RESULTS: Four-hundred and seven cN0 patients were accrued for 20 years. The rate of occult metastasis was 23.1% and 22 patients (5.4%) had regional failure. We found, for 5 years of follow-up, 85.3% of regional recurrence-free survival; 77.1% of disease-free survival; 73.7% of overall survival; and 86.7% of disease-specific survival. The rate of false-negative cases was 5.4%. CONCLUSION: In a real-world scenario, sentinel lymph node biopsy for patients with SCC of the lip and oral cavity proved feasible in different settings and to be oncologically safe, with similar rates of occult lymph node metastasis and false-negative cases, when compared to elective neck dissection, and with similar long-term survival to that reported historically.

Male Breast Cancer Review. A Rare Case of Pure DCIS: Imaging Protocol, Radiomics and Management.

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of male breast is a rare lesion, often associated with invasive carcinoma. When the in situ component is present in pure form, histological grade is usually low or intermediate. Imaging is difficult as gynaecomastia is often present and can mask underlying findings. We report a rare case of pure high-grade DCIS in a young male patient, with associated intraductal papilloma and atypical ductal hyperplasia. Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) showed an area of architectural distortion at the union of outer quadrants of the left breast without gynaecomastia. Triple assessment suggested performing a nipple-sparing mastectomy, which revealed the presence of a focal area of high-grade DCIS of 2 mm. DCIS, even of high grade, is difficult to detect with mammography and even more rare, especially when associated with other proliferative lesions. DBT with 2D synthetic reconstruction is useful as the imaging step of a triple assessment and it should be performed in both symptomatic and asymptomatic high-risk men to differentiate between malignant and benign lesions. We propose a diagnostic model to early detect breast cancer in men, optimizing resources according to efficiency, effectiveness and economy, and look forward to radiomics as a powerful tool to help radiologists.

Breast Cancer Screening during COVID-19 Emergency: Patients and Department Management in a Local Experience.

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 public health emergency, our breast cancer screening activities have been interrupted. In June 2020, they resumed, calling for mandatory safe procedures to properly manage patients and staff. METHODS: A protocol supporting medical activities in breast cancer screening was created, based on six relevant articles published in the literature and in the following National and International guidelines for COVID-19 prevention. The patient population, consisting of both screening and breast ambulatory patients, was classified into one of four categories: 1. Non-COVID-19 patient; 2. Confirmed COVID-19 in an asymptomatic screening patient; 3. suspected COVID-19 in symptomatic or confirmed breast cancer; 4. Confirmed COVID-19 in symptomatic or confirmed breast cancer. The day before the radiological exam, patients are screened for COVID-19 infection through a telephone questionnaire. At a subsequent in person appointment, the body temperature is checked and depending on the clinical scenario at stake, the scenario-specific procedures for medical and paramedical staff are adopted. RESULTS: In total, 203 mammograms, 76 breast ultrasound exams, 4 core needle biopsies, and 6 vacuum-assisted breast biopsies were performed in one month. Neither medical nor paramedical staff were infected on any of these occasions. CONCLUSION: Our department organization model can represent a case of implementation of National and International guidelines applied in a breast cancer screening program, assisting hospital personnel into COVID-19 infection prevention.

Basal ganglia calcification: a Fahr's disease case report.

Idiopathic basal ganglia calcification (IBGC), known as Fahr's disease, is a rare neurological disorder characterized by metabolic, biochemical, neuroradiological and neuropsychiatric alterations caused by symmetrical and bilateral intracranial calcifications. The disease has, in most cases, an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance and genetic heterogeneity. Overlap of neuropsychiatric symptoms is common with movement disorders accounted for 55% of the manifestation. Here we present the case of a 58-year-old woman, presenting to the emergency department because of an accidental fall. Her past medical history was unremarkable and she denied any neurological symptoms a part from insomnia and anxiety. Patient was sent to the emergency department to perform a Brain Computed Tomography (CT) exam that showed bilateral symmetrical calcifications in cerebellar white matter, the corpus striatum, the posterior thalami, and the centrum semiovale of both cerebral hemispheres. Beeing a case of IBGC without relevant symptoms, diagnosis was mainly obtained thanks to the characteristics features of CT examination.

Radiomic features of breast parenchyma: assessing differences between FOR PROCESSING and FOR PRESENTATION digital mammography.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the similarity and differences of radiomics features on full field digital mammography (FFDM) in FOR PROCESSING and FOR PRESENTATION data. METHODS: 165 consecutive women who underwent FFDM were included. Breasts have been segmented into "dense" and "non-dense" area using the software LIBRA. Segmentation of both FOR PROCESSING and FOR PRESENTATION images have been evaluated by Bland-Altman, Dice index and Cohen's kappa analysis. 74 textural features were computed: 18 features of First Order (FO), 24 features of Gray Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM), 16 features of Gray Level Run Length Matrix (GLRLM) and 16 features of Gray Level Size Zone Matrix (GLSZM). Paired Wilcoxon test, Spearman's rank correlation, intraclass correlation and canonical correlation have been used. Bilateral symmetry and percent density (PD) were also evaluated. RESULTS: Segmentation from FOR PROCESSING and FOR PRESENTATION gave very different results. Bilateral symmetry was higher when evaluated on features computed using FOR PROCESSING images. All features showed a positive Spearman's correlation coefficient and many FOR-PROCESSING features were moderately or strongly correlated to their corresponding FOR-PRESENTATION counterpart. As regards the correlation analysis between PD and textural features from FOR-PRESENTATION a moderate correlation was obtained only for Gray Level Non Uniformity from GLRLM both on "dense" and "non dense" area; as regards correlation between PD and features from FOR-PROCESSING a moderate correlation was observed only for Maximal Correlation Coefficient from GLCM both on "dense" and "non dense" area. CONCLUSIONS: Texture features from FOR PROCESSING mammograms seem to be most suitable for assessing breast density.