A Novel Physical Examination Test for Ischiofemoral Impingement: Validation With Magnetic Resonance Imaging Correlation.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to propose and validate a novel physical examination test for ischiofemoral impingement with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) correlation. METHODS: We prospectively studied 24 women with buttock (deep gluteal) pain and 27 asymptomatic women. Each group underwent a 2-stage physical examination test that featured hip adduction-external rotation-extension and knee flexion. Visual analog scale pain scores were noted just before and during test stages on both sides. The MRI findings of the ischiofemoral impingement were evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively. RESULTS: Mean ages were 56.0 and 55.2 years (P = 0.797), and mean body mass indexes were 29.1 and 28.8 kg/m2 (P = 0.817) in symptomatic and asymptomatic groups, respectively. Ischiofemoral spaces were significantly narrower (P < 0.001), ischial angles were wider (P < 0.001, right; P = 0.002, left), and soft tissue edema at the ischiofemoral space was more common (P < 0.001) in the symptomatic group, which also had higher pretest visual analog scale scores (P < 0.001) that increased significantly during both upright standing (P = 0.003, right; P < 0.001, left) and recumbent (P < 0.001 for both sides) stages of the physical examination test. CONCLUSIONS: A novel physical examination test significantly increases symptoms of ischiofemoral impingement with positive MRI correlation.

Ischiofemoral Space on MRI in an Asymptomatic Population: Normative Width Measurements and Soft Tissue Signal Variations.

OBJECTIVES: To make normative width measurements of the ischiofemoral (IF) space in an asymptomatic population and to record soft tissue MRI signal variations within the IF space in order to determine whether such variations are associated with IF space dimensions. METHODS: Normative width measurements of the IF space were prospectively made in 418 hips on 1.5 T MR images of 209 asymptomatic volunteers. Quantitative and qualitative assessments of the IF soft tissues including the quadratus femoris (QF) muscle were also made. RESULTS: The mean IF space width was 2.56 ± 0.75 cm (right, 2.60 ± 0.75 cm; left, 2.53 ± 0.75 cm). Soft tissue MRI signal abnormalities were present within the IF space in 19 (9.1 %) of 209 volunteers. Soft tissue abnormalities within the IF space included oedema (3/209, 1.4 %) of the QF and/or surrounding soft tissue, and only fatty infiltration (16/209, 7.7 %) of the QF. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral IF spaces are asymmetrical in asymptomatic persons. There is ≥10 % of width difference between right and left IF spaces in approximately half of asymptomatic individuals. Fatty infiltration and oedema can be present at the IF space in a small portion of the asymptomatic population, who also have narrower IF spaces than those without soft tissue MRI signal abnormalities. KEY POINTS: • Bilateral IF spaces are commonly asymmetrical in asymptomatic individuals. • MRI signal abnormalities can be observed within IF space in asymptomatic people. • Abnormal quantitative/qualitative MRI findings are not necessarily related to IF impingement.

Evaluation of abdominal computed tomography findings in patients with COVID-19: a multicenter study

PURPOSE: To evaluate the frequency of abdominal computed tomography (CT) findings in patients with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) and interrogate the relationship between abdominal CT findings and patient demographic features, clinical findings, and laboratory test results as well as the CT atherosclerosis score in the abdominal aorta. METHODS: This study was designed as a multicenter retrospective study. The abdominal CT findings of 1.181 patients with positive abdominal symptoms from 26 tertiary medical centers with a positive polymerase chain-reaction test for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 were reviewed. The frequency of ischemic and non-ischemic CT findings as well as the association between CT findings, clinical features, and abdominal aortic calcific atherosclerosis score (AA-CAS) were recorded. RESULTS: Ischemic and non-ischemic abdominal CT findings were detected in 240 (20.3%) and 328 (27.7%) patients, respectively. In 147 patients (12.4%), intra-abdominal malignancy was present. The most frequent ischemic abdominal CT findings were bowel wall thickening (n = 120; 10.2%) and perivascular infiltration (n = 40; 3.4%). As for non-ischemic findings, colitis (n = 91; 7.7%) and small bowel inflammation (n = 73; 6.2%) constituted the most frequent disease processes. The duration of hospital stay was found to be higher in patients with abdominal CT findings than in patients without any positive findings (13.8 ± 13 vs. 10.4 ± 12.8 days, P < 0.001). The frequency of abdominal CT findings was significantly higher in patients who did not survive the infection than in patients who were discharged after recovery (41.7% vs. 27.4%, P < 0.001). Increased AA-CAS was found to be associated with a higher risk of ischemic conditions in abdominal CT examinations. CONCLUSION: Abdominal symptoms in patients with COVID-19 are usually associated with positive CT findings. The presence of ischemic findings on CT correlates with poor COVID-19 outcomes. A high AA-CAS is associated with abdominal ischemic findings in patients with COVID-19.

Radiomics in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Radiomics is an emerging field that extracts high-throughput imaging data from different types of images to build models and predict clinical outcomes ina non-invasive manner. This field currently is in the initial growth phase and lacks standardized evaluation criteria but remains a very promising tool for the future todevelop suitable biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment response assessments. The analysis of hepatocellular carcinoma by radiomics will contribute toearly diagnosis and treatment of tumors and improve survival and cure rates. AIM: Herein, we aimed to provide an up-to-date overview of the principles of radiomics specifically regarding hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and discuss the current challenges and future advancements of radiomics for HCC.

The Assessment of Hepatosteatosis in Living-Donor Liver Transplant: Comparison of Liver Attenuation Index and Histopathologic Results.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to determine the diagnostic value of computed tomography densitometry in the quantification of hepatosteatosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-one potential liver donors, ranging in age from 19 to 52 years (mean age: 32.4 years ± 10.2), participated in the study. The mean hepatic attenuation and mean splenic attenuation were determined using regions of interest measurements. The difference between the mean hepatic attenuation and mean splenic attenuation (or liver attenuation index), with liver attenuation index = mean hepatic attenuation - mean splenic attenuation were calculated. Computed tomography densitometric parameters were correlated with histopathologic results. RESULTS: From the histopathologic analysis, the degree of macrovesicular hepatosteatosis was 0% to 8% (mean: 1.1% ± 2%). Seven donors (13.7%) had a degree of macrovesicular steatosis of > 5%, and 12 donors (23.5%) had ≥ 2%. Of the 29 normal donors with histopathologic verification, computed tomography densitometry predicted ≤ 5% of the hepatosteatosis in 27 donors, and ≤ 2% hepatosteatosis in 2 subjects. The liver attenuation index was significantly correlated to the histopathologic results. The mathematical relation between liver attenuation index and the degree of histopathologic hepatosteatosis was calculated using the least-squares methods, which provided quadratic polynomials. CONCLUSIONS: Computed tomography densitometry is a rapid, robust, noninvasive technique for the assessment of hepatosteatosis. When used in conjunction with clinically stable reference measurements of spleen, the density measurements of liver correctly predicted the presence of fatty infiltration with significant sensitivity (77%) and specificity (75%). This technique, which was refined during the course of our liver transplant program, minimizes the need for highly invasive percutaneous liver biopsies.

No mortality or pancreatic fistula after full-thickness suture pancreaticogastrostomy in 39 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy is considered the standard operation for periampullary tumors. Despite major advances in pancreatic surgery, pancreatic fistula is still an important cause of morbidity and mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Meticulous surgical technique and proper reconstruction of the pancreas are essential to prevent pancreatic fistula. Pancreaticogastrostomy is a safe method for reconstruction of the pancreas after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Regardless of pancreatic texture or duct diameter, the reconstruction is performed by passing full-thickness sutures through both the anterior and posterior sides of the pancreas. In this study, we report 39 cases of reconstruction with pancreaticogastrostomy after pancreaticoduodenectomy without mortality or pancreatic fistula.