Altered biodistribution of [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TOC during somatostatin analogue treatment.

PURPOSE: The need for an interval between the administration of long-acting Somatostatin Receptor Analogues (SSA) and the [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TATE PET has been questioned based on recent literature in the new EANM guidelines. Here an earlier studies showed that SSA injection immediately before SSTR PET had minimal effect on normal organ and tumor uptake (1). However, data are scarce and there are (small) differences between [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TATE and [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TOC binding affinity, and it remains unknown whether these findings can be directly translated to scans with [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TOC as well. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of SSA use on the biodistribution in a subsequent [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TOC PET/CT and compare this intra-individually across several cycles of SSA treatments. METHODS: Retrospectively, 35 patients with NENs were included. [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TOC PET at staging and after the 1st and 2nd cycle of SSA were included. SUVmean and SUVmax of blood, visceral organs, primary tumor and two metastases were determined. Also, the interval between SSA therapy and the PET scan was registered. RESULTS: Treatment with SSA resulted in a significantly higher bloodpool activity and lower visceral tracer uptake. This effect was maintained after a 2nd cycle of SSA therapy. Furthermore, there was an inverse relationship between bloodpool tracer availability and visceral tracer binding and a positive correlation between bloodpool tracer availability and primary tumor tracer uptake. With an interval of up to 5 days, there was a significantly higher bloodpool activity than at longer intervals. CONCLUSION: Absolute comparison of the SUV on [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TOC PET should be done with caution as the altered biodistribution of the tracer after SSA treatment should be taken into account. We recommend not to perform a scan within the first 5 days after the injection of lanreotide.

Long-term safety of withholding standard prophylaxis in patients with moderate chronic kidney disease.

In the latest ESUR contrast media guidelines, standard prophylaxis is no longer recommended for patients with moderate chronic kidney disease (CKD). In the absence of solid evidence, guideline updates are often based on indirect evidence and expert opinion. Likewise, evidence supporting the withdrawal of standard prophylaxis in moderate CKD patients was scarce and mostly indirect, but did include one randomised controlled trial evaluating guideline-recommended standard prophylactic intravenous hydration against a group receiving no prophylaxis (A MAastricht Contrast-Induced Nephropathy Guideline (AMACING) trial). Since then, benefits of the updated guideline recommendation for patient and hospital burden have been numerated and were shown to be substantial. The current special report provides data on long-term safety from the AMACING randomised controlled trial. KEY POINTS: • In the latest version of ESUR clinical practice guidelines for safe use of contrast media, standard prophylaxis is no longer recommended for patients with moderate chronic kidney disease. • Benefits of this change in recommendations for patient and hospital burden have been numerated. The current report provides data on long-term safety from the AMACING randomised controlled trial. • No disadvantage of withholding prophylaxis could be discerned. Results suggest that, in this population, underlying disease is more relevant for survival and prognosis than contrast administration itself.

Atopic dermatitis: disease characteristics and comorbidities in smoking and non-smoking patients from the TREATgermany registry.

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with a multifactorial genesis including genetic predispositions and environmental risk and trigger factors. One of the latter possibly is smoking, indicated by an increased prevalence of AD in adults and children that are actively or passively exposed to cigarette smoke. OBJECTIVES: In this study, AD characteristics and its atopic comorbidities are compared in smoking and non-smoking AD patients. METHODS: TREATgermany is a non-interventional clinical registry which includes patients with moderate to severe AD in Germany. Baseline data of patients included in TREATgermany from inception in June 2016 to April 2020 in 39 sites across Germany was analysed comparing AD disease characteristics and comorbidities in smokers vs. non-smokers. RESULTS: Of 921 patients, 908 (male: 58.7%) with a mean age of 41.9 ± 14.4 reported their smoking status. The objective Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis (oSCORAD) did not differ between smokers (n = 352; 38.8%) and non-smokers, however, lesions' intensity of oozing/crusts and excoriations as well as patient global assessment scores (PGA) of AD severity were higher in smoking as opposed to non-smoking patients. Smokers reported a lower number of weeks with well-controlled AD and more severe pruritus than non-smokers. Total IgE levels were more elevated in smokers and they displayed a younger age at the initial diagnosis of bronchial asthma. After adjustment for potential confounders, the increased intensity of oozing/crusts, the reduced number of weeks with well-controlled AD and the greater pruritus remained different in smokers compared to non-smokers. In addition, smoking patients with adult-onset AD showed a 2.5 times higher chance of involvement of the feet. CONCLUSIONS: German registry data indicate that AD patients who smoke have a higher disease burden with a different distribution pattern of lesions in adult-onset AD.

Determining the optimal interval for imaging surveillance of ascending aortic aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular guidelines recommend (bi-)annual computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for surveillance of the diameter of thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs). However, no previous study has demonstrated the necessity for this approach. The current study aims to provide patient-specific intervals for imaging follow-up of non-syndromic TAAs. METHODS: A total of 332 patients with non-syndromic ascending aortic aneurysms were followed over a median period of 6.7 years. Diameters were assessed using all available imaging techniques (echocardiography, CT and MRI). Growth rates were calculated from the differences between the first and last examinations. The diagnostic accuracy of follow-up protocols was calculated as the percentage of subjects requiring pre-emptive surgery in whom timely identification would have occurred. RESULTS: The mean growth rate in our population was 0.2 ± 0.4 mm/year. The highest recorded growth rate was 2.0 mm/year, while 40.6% of patients showed no diameter expansion during follow-up. Females exhibited significantly higher growth rates than men (0.3 ± 0.5 vs 0.2 ± 0.4 mm/year, p = 0.007). Conversely, a bicuspid aortic valve was not associated with more rapid aortic growth. The optimal imaging protocol comprises triennial imaging of aneurysms 40-49 mm in diameter and yearly imaging of those measuring 50-54 mm. This strategy is as accurate as annual follow-up, but reduces the number of imaging examinations by 29.9%. CONCLUSIONS: In our population of patients with non-syndromic TAAs, we found aneurysm growth rates to be lower than those previously reported. Yearly imaging does not lead to changes in the management of small aneurysms. Thus, lower imaging frequencies might be a good alternative approach.

Impact on clinical practice of updated guidelines on iodinated contrast material: CINART.

OBJECTIVE: Guidelines on safe use of iodinated contrast material recommend intravenous prophylactic hydration to prevent post-contrast adverse (renal) effects. Recently, guidelines have been updated and standard prophylaxis is no longer recommended for the majority of patients. The current study aims to evaluate the consequences for clinical practice of the updated guidelines in terms of complications, hospitalisations, and costs. METHODS: The Contrast-Induced Nephropathy After Reduction of the prophylaxis Threshold (CINART) project is a retrospective observational study. All elective procedures with intravascular iodinated contrast administration at Maastricht University Medical Centre (UMC+) in patients aged > 18 years, formerly eligible for prophylaxis (eGFR 30-44 ml/min/1.73 m2 or eGFR 45-59 ml/min/1.73 m2 in combination with diabetes or > 1 predefined risk factor), and currently eligible for prophylaxis (eGFR < 30 ml/min/1.73 m2) were included. Data were used to calculate relative reductions in complications, hospitalisations, and costs associated with standard prophylactic intravenous hydration. CINART is registered with Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT03227835. RESULTS: Between July 1, 2017, and July 1, 2018, 1992 elective procedures with intravascular iodinated contrast in patients formerly and currently eligible for prophylaxis were identified: 1808 in patients formerly eligible for prophylaxis and 184 in patients currently eligible for prophylaxis. At Maastricht UMC+, guideline updates led to large relative reductions in numbers of complications of prophylaxis (e.g. symptomatic heart failure; - 89%), extra hospitalisations (- 93%), and costs (- 91%). CONCLUSION: Guideline updates have had a demonstrable impact on daily clinical practice benefiting patient, hospital, and health care budgets. Clinical practice varies between institutions and countries; therefore, a local estimation model is provided with which local impact on costs, hospitalisations, and complications can be calculated. KEY POINTS: • Clinical practice guidelines recommend prophylactic intravenous hydration to prevent post-contrast adverse outcomes such as contrast-induced acute kidney injury. • Clinical practice guidelines have recently been updated, and standard prophylaxis is no longer recommended for the majority of patients. • The guideline updates have a large impact on daily clinical practice: relative reductions at Maastricht UMC+ were - 89% prophylaxis complications, - 93% hospitalisations, and - 91% costs, and similar reductions are expected for Dutch and adherent European medical centres.

Evaluation of pressure-controlled mammography compression paddles with respect to force-controlled compression paddles in clinical practice.

OBJECTIVES: To reduce pain and discomfort associated with breast compression in mammography, a pressure-controlled compression paddle was recently introduced. The objective was to evaluate the pressure-controlled paddle by comparing it to the standard force-controlled paddle. METHODS: Differences of compressed breast thickness (CBT), compression force, compression pressure, and average glandular dose (AGD) between annual follow-up full-field digital mammography exams of 3188 patients were retrospectively examined. Two groups were compared: (1) force-force group (FF-group), both examinations were performed with the force-controlled paddle, and (2) force-pressure group (FP-group), only the follow-up examination was performed with the pressure-controlled paddle. In an additional group of patients, pain scores on a scale of 0 (no pain at all) to 10 (worst pain imaginable) were evaluated prospectively (n = 343) who were randomly assigned to either paddle. RESULTS: Median differences between follow-up exams in CBT, compression force, compression pressure, and AGD were for the FF- and FP-group respectively - 1.0 vs 0.0 mm (p < 0.001); 0.0 vs - 1.0 daN (p = 0.002); - 1.0 vs - 0.5 kPa (p = 0.005); and 0.05 vs - 0.02 mGy (p < 0.001). These differences were, although statistically significant, clinically non-relevant (defined as ΔCBT > ± 2 mm; Δforce > ± 2 daN; Δpressure > ± 1 kPa and ΔAGD > ± 0.1 mGy). The subanalysis dividing CBT into five categories revealed similar results. The median [interquartile range] pain scores were 6 [3, 7] and 5 [3, 7] for the force-controlled and pressure-controlled paddle, respectively, which was not significantly different (p = 0.113). CONCLUSIONS: We observed no clinically relevant differences in CBT, compression force, compression pressure, AGD, or pain score between the force- and pressure-controlled paddle. As such, we found no basis for preferring one paddle over the other. KEY POINTS: • The pressure-controlled paddle did not show any clinically relevant changes in breast compression parameters compared to the force-controlled paddle. • The pressure-controlled paddle did not lead to significant reduction in pain scores indicated by the patients compared to the force-controlled paddle. • A large variation in compression force and compression pressure was observed in mammography exams for the both the force- and pressure-controlled compression paddle.

Evaluation of single-view contrast-enhanced mammography as novel reading strategy: a non-inferiority feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: Guidelines recommend screening of high-risk women using breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) has matured, providing excellent diagnostic accuracy. To lower total radiation dose, evaluation of single-view (1 V) CEM exams might be considered instead of double-view (2 V) readings as an alternative reading strategy in women who cannot undergo MRI. METHODS: This retrospective non-inferiority feasibility study evaluates whether the use of 1 V results in an acceptable sensitivity for detecting breast cancer (non-inferiority margin, - 10%). CEM images from May 2013 to December 2017 were included. 1 V readings were performed by consensus opinion of three radiologists, followed by 2 V readings being performed after 6 weeks. Cases were considered "malignant" if the final BI-RADS score was ≥ 4, enabling calculation of sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Histopathological results or follow-up served as a gold standard. RESULTS: A total of 368 cases were evaluated. Mean follow-up for benign or negative cases was 20.9 months. Sensitivity decreased by 9.6% from 92.9 to 83.3% when only 1 V was used for evaluation (p < 0.001). The lower limit of the 90% confidence interval around the difference in sensitivity between 1 V and 2 V readings was - 15% and lies below the predefined non-inferiority margin of - 10%. Hence, non-inferiority of 1 V to 2 V reading cannot be concluded. AUC for 1 V was significantly lower, 0.861 versus 0.899 for 2 V (p = 0.0174). CONCLUSION: Non-inferiority of 1 V evaluations as an alternative reading strategy to standard 2 V evaluations could not be concluded. 1 V evaluations had lower diagnostic performance compared with 2 V evaluations. KEY POINTS: • To lower radiation exposure used in contrast-enhanced mammography, we studied a hypothetical alternative strategy: single-view readings (1 V) versus (standard) double-view readings (2 V). • Based on our predefined margin of - 10%, non-inferiority of 1 V could not be concluded. • 1 V evaluation is not recommended as an alternative reading strategy to lower CEM-related radiation exposure.

Microvasculature and intraplaque hemorrhage in atherosclerotic carotid lesions: a cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging study.

BACKGROUND: The presence of intraplaque haemorrhage (IPH) has been related to plaque rupture, is associated with plaque progression, and predicts cerebrovascular events. However, the mechanisms leading to IPH are not fully understood. The dominant view is that IPH is caused by leakage of erythrocytes from immature microvessels. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether there is an association between atherosclerotic plaque microvasculature and presence of IPH in a relatively large prospective cohort study of patients with symptomatic carotid plaque. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-two symptomatic patients with ≥2 mm carotid plaque underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) of the symptomatic carotid plaque for detection of IPH and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)-CMR for assessment of plaque microvasculature. Ktrans, an indicator of microvascular flow, density and leakiness, was estimated using pharmacokinetic modelling in the vessel wall and adventitia. Statistical analysis was performed using an independent samples T-test and binary logistic regression, correcting for clinical risk factors. RESULTS: A decreased vessel wall Ktrans was found for IPH positive patients (0.051 ± 0.011 min- 1 versus 0.058 ± 0.017 min- 1, p = 0.001). No significant difference in adventitial Ktrans was found in patients with and without IPH (0.057 ± 0.012 min- 1 and 0.057 ± 0.018 min- 1, respectively). Histological analysis in a subgroup of patients that underwent carotid endarterectomy demonstrated no significant difference in relative microvessel density between plaques without IPH (n = 8) and plaques with IPH (n = 15) (0.000333 ± 0.0000707 vs. and 0.000289 ± 0.0000439, p = 0.585). CONCLUSIONS: A reduced vessel wall Ktrans is found in the presence of IPH. Thus, we did not find a positive association between plaque microvasculature and IPH several weeks after a cerebrovascular event. Not only leaky plaque microvessels, but additional factors may contribute to IPH development. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01208025 . Registration date September 23, 2010. Retrospectively registered (first inclusion September 21, 2010). NCT01709045 , date of registration October 17, 2012. Retrospectively registered (first inclusion August 23, 2011).

Added value of dedicated axillary hybrid 18F-FDG PET/MRI for improved axillary nodal staging in clinically node-positive breast cancer patients: a feasibility study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the feasibility and potential added value of dedicated axillary 18F-FDG hybrid PET/MRI, compared to standard imaging modalities (i.e. ultrasound [US], MRI and PET/CT), for axillary nodal staging in clinically node-positive breast cancer. METHODS: Twelve patients with clinically node-positive breast cancer underwent axillary US and dedicated axillary hybrid 18F-FDG PET/MRI. Nine of the 12 patients also underwent whole-body PET/CT. Maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax) were measured for the primary breast tumor and the most FDG-avid axillary lymph node. A positive axillary lymph node on dedicated axillary hybrid PET/MRI was defined as a moderate to very intense FDG-avid lymph node. The diagnostic performance of dedicated axillary hybrid PET/MRI was calculated by comparing quantitative and its qualitative measurements to results of axillary US, MRI and PET/CT. The number of suspicious axillary lymph nodes was subdivided as follows: N0 (0 nodes), N1 (1-3 nodes), N2 (4-9 nodes) and N3 (≥ 10 nodes). RESULTS: According to dedicated axillary hybrid PET/MRI findings, seven patients were diagnosed with N1, four with N2 and one with N3. With regard to mean SUVmax, there was no significant difference in the primary tumor (9.0 [±5.0] vs. 8.6 [±5.7], p = 0.678) or the most FDG-avid axillary lymph node (7.8 [±5.3] vs. 7.7 [±4.3], p = 0.767) between dedicated axillary PET/MRI and PET/CT. Compared to standard imaging modalities, dedicated axillary hybrid PET/MRI resulted in changes in nodal status as follows: 40% compared to US, 75% compared to T2-weighted MRI, 40% compared to contrast-enhanced MRI, and 22% compared to PET/CT. CONCLUSIONS: Adding dedicated axillary 18F-FDG hybrid PET/MRI to diagnostic work-up may improve the diagnostic performance of axillary nodal staging in clinically node-positive breast cancer patients.

Diagnostic performance of gadofosveset-enhanced axillary MRI for nodal (re)staging in breast cancer patients: results of a validation study.

AIM: To evaluate diagnostic performance of gadofosveset (GDF)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in addition to T2-weighted (T2W) MRI for nodal (re)staging in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety patients underwent axillary T2W- and GDF-MRI. Two radiologists independently scored each lymph node; first on T2W-MRI, subsequently adjusting their score on GDF-MRI. Diagnostic performance parameters were calculated on node-by-node and patient-by-patient validation with histopathology as the reference standard. Furthermore, learning curve analysis for reading GDF-MRI was performed. RESULTS: In patient-by-patient validation, overall reader performances for T2W- and GDF-MRI were similar with area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) of 0.75 and 0.77 (p=0.731) for reader 1 and 0.79 and 0.72 (p=0.156) for reader 2. For node-by-node validation, AUC values of T2W- and GDF-MRI were 0.76 and 0.82 (p=0.018) and 0.77 and 0.77 (p=0.998) for reader 1 and 2. The AUC for reader 1 was 0.71 for first one-third of nodes evaluated, improving to 0.80 and 0.95 for the next and last one-third, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) improved from 38%, 89%, 56%, and 79% to 60%, 93%, 64%, and 92%. The AUC of reader 2 improved from 0.69 to 0.79. CONCLUSION: The present study confirmed that GDF-MRI, in addition to T2W-MRI, has potential as a non-invasive method for nodal (re)staging in breast cancer.

Visualisation of coronary venous anatomy by computed tomography angiography prior to cardiac resynchronisation therapy implantation.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to illustrate the additive value of computed tomography angiography (CTA) for visualisation of the coronary venous anatomy prior to cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) implantation. METHODS: Eighteen patients planned for CRT implantation were prospectively included. A specific CTA protocol designed for visualisation of the coronary veins was carried out on a third-generation dual-source CT platform. Coronary veins were semi-automatically segmented to construct a 3D model. CTA-derived coronary venous anatomy was compared with intra-procedural fluoroscopic angiography (FA) in right and left anterior oblique views. RESULTS: Coronary venous CTA was successfully performed in all 18 patients. CRT implantation and FA were performed in 15 patients. A total of 62 veins were visualised; the number of veins per patient was 3.8 (range: 2-5). Eighty-five per cent (53/62) of the veins were visualised on both CTA and FA, while 10% (6/62) were visualised on CTA only, and 5% (3/62) on FA only. Twenty-two veins were present on the lateral or inferolateral wall; of these, 95% (21/22) were visualised by CTA. A left-sided implantation was performed in 13 patients, while a right-sided implantation was performed in the remaining 2 patients because of a persistent left-sided superior vena cava with no left innominate vein on CTA. CONCLUSION: Imaging of the coronary veins by CTA using a designated protocol is technically feasible and facilitates the CRT implantation approach, potentially improving the outcome.

Presence and extent of cardiac computed tomography angiography defined coronary artery disease in patients presenting with syncope.

BACKGROUND: In syncope patients, presence of coronary artery disease (CAD) is associated with poor prognosis. However, data concerning CAD prevalence in syncope patients without known cardiovascular disease are lacking. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate presence and extent of CAD in syncope patients. METHODS: We included 142 consecutive patients presenting with syncope at the outpatient cardiology clinic who underwent coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography. Syncope type was ascertained by two reviewers, blinded for coronary CT angiography results. Of the patients, 49 had cardiac syncope (arrhythmia or structural cardiopulmonary disease) and 93 had non-cardiac syncope (reflex [neurally-mediated], orthostatic or of unknown cause). Cardiac syncope patients were compared with matched stable chest pain patients regarding age, gender, smoking status, diabetes mellitus type 2 and systolic blood pressure. RESULTS: Distribution of CAD presence and extent in cardiac and non-cardiac syncope patients was as follows: 72% versus 48% any CAD; 31% versus 26% mild, 8% versus 14% moderate and 33% versus 7% severe CAD. Compared with non-cardiac syncope, patients with cardiac syncope had a significantly higher CAD presence and extent (p = 0.001). Coronary calcium score, segment involvement and stenosis score were also higher in cardiac syncope patients (p-values ≤0.004). Compared to the chest pain control group, patients with cardiac syncope showed a higher, however, non-significant, prevalence of any CAD (72% versus 63%) and severe CAD (33% versus 19%). CONCLUSION: Patients with cardiac syncope show a high presence and extent of CAD in contrast to non-cardiac syncope patients. These results suggest that CAD may play an important role in the occurrence of cardiac syncope.

Contrast-enhanced spectral mammography in recalls from the Dutch breast cancer screening program: validation of results in a large multireader, multicase study.

OBJECTIVES: Contrast-enhanced spectral mammography (CESM) is a promising problem-solving tool in women referred from a breast cancer screening program. We aimed to study the validity of preliminary results of CESM using a larger panel of radiologists with different levels of CESM experience. METHODS: All women referred from the Dutch breast cancer screening program were eligible for CESM. 199 consecutive cases were viewed by ten radiologists. Four had extensive CESM experience, three had no CESM experience but were experienced breast radiologists, and three were residents. All readers provided a BI-RADS score for the low-energy CESM images first, after which the score could be adjusted when viewing the entire CESM exam. BI-RADS 1-3 were considered benign and BI-RADS 4-5 malignant. With this cutoff, we calculated sensitivity, specificity and area under the ROC curve. RESULTS: CESM increased diagnostic accuracy in all readers. The performance for all readers using CESM was: sensitivity 96.9 % (+3.9 %), specificity 69.7 % (+33.8 %) and area under the ROC curve 0.833 (+0.188). CONCLUSION: CESM is superior to conventional mammography, with excellent problem-solving capabilities in women referred from the breast cancer screening program. Previous results were confirmed even in a larger panel of readers with varying CESM experience. KEY POINTS: • CESM is consistently superior to conventional mammography • CESM increases diagnostic accuracy regardless of a reader's experience • CESM is an excellent problem-solving tool in recalls from screening programs.

[Diagnostics of acute pulmonary embolism : An update]. / Diagnostik der akuten Lungenembolie : Ein Update.

Pulmonary embolism is an acute and potentially life-threatening condition requiring a differentiated diagnostic algorithm. Assessment of the risk and clinical probability are of utmost importance in order to initiate early treatment or to reliably exclude a pulmonary embolism. Computed tomography of the pulmonary arteries (CTPA) has become the non-invasive gold standard for the diagnostic approach. Alternatively, scintigraphy can also be used. A negative CTPA excludes a pulmonary embolism with a high degree of probability. Furthermore, CTPA can supply additional information, such as estimation of the right ventricular strain (right ventricular dysfunction, RVD) or alternative diagnoses if pulmonary embolism has been ruled out as the primary cause of symptoms. An essential prerequisite is a high quality CTPA with sufficient contrast enhancement in the pulmonary arteries, avoidance of artifacts and optimization of both the radiation dosage as well as the amount of contrast medium, individually determined for each patient.

Evaluation of low-energy contrast-enhanced spectral mammography images by comparing them to full-field digital mammography using EUREF image quality criteria.

OBJECTIVE: Contrast-enhanced spectral mammography (CESM) examination results in a low-energy (LE) and contrast-enhanced image. The LE appears similar to a full-field digital mammogram (FFDM). Our aim was to evaluate LE CESM image quality by comparing it to FFDM using criteria defined by the European Reference Organization for Quality Assured Breast Screening and Diagnostic Services (EUREF). METHODS: A total of 147 cases with both FFDM and LE images were independently scored by two experienced radiologists using these (20) EUREF criteria. Contrast detail measurements were performed using a dedicated phantom. Differences in image quality scores, average glandular dose, and contrast detail measurements between LE and FFDM were tested for statistical significance. RESULTS: No significant differences in image quality scores were observed between LE and FFDM images for 17 out of 20 criteria. LE scored significantly lower on one criterion regarding the sharpness of the pectoral muscle (p < 0.001), and significantly better on two criteria on the visualization of micro-calcifications (p = 0.02 and p = 0.034). Dose and contrast detail measurements did not reveal any physical explanation for these observed differences. CONCLUSIONS: Low-energy CESM images are non-inferior to FFDM images. From this perspective FFDM can be omitted in patients with an indication for CESM. KEY POINTS: • Low-energy CESM images are non-inferior to FFDM images. • Micro-calcifications are significantly more visible on LE CESM than on FFDM. • There is no physical explanation for this improved visibility of micro-calcifications. • There is no need for an extra FFDM when CESM is indicated.

Right ventricular function in dilated cardiomyopathy and ischemic heart disease: assessment with non-invasive imaging.

BACKGROUND: Dilated cardiomyopathy and ischaemic heart disease can both lead to right ventricular (RV) dysfunction. Direct comparisons of the two entities regarding RV size and function using state-of-the-art imaging techniques have not yet been performed. We aimed to determine RV function and volume in dilated cardiomyopathy and ischaemic heart disease in relation to left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function and systolic pulmonary artery pressure. METHODS AND RESULTS: A well-characterised group (cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, echocardiography, coronary angiography and endomyocardial biopsy) of 46 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy was compared with LV ejection fraction (EF)-matched patients (n = 23) with ischaemic heart disease. Volumes and EF were determined with magnetic resonance imaging, diastolic LV function and pulmonary artery pressure with echocardiography. After multivariable linear regression, four factors independently influenced RVEF (R(2) = 0.51, p < 0.001): LVEF (r = 0.54, p < 0.001), ratio of peak early and peak atrial transmitral Doppler flow velocity as measure of LV filling pressure (r = - 0.52, p < 0.001) and tricuspid regurgitation flow velocity as measure of pulmonary artery pressure (r = - 0.38, p = 0.001). RVEF was significantly worse in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy compared with ischaemic heart disease: median 48 % (interquartile range (IQR) 37-55 %) versus 56 % (IQR 48-63 %), p < 0.05. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and ischaemic heart disease, RV function is determined by LV systolic and diastolic function, the underlying cause of LV dysfunction, and pulmonary artery pressure. It was demonstrated that RV function is more impaired in dilated cardiomyopathy.

The role of dual energy CT in differentiating between brain haemorrhage and contrast medium after mechanical revascularisation in acute ischaemic stroke.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the feasibility of dual energy computed tomography (DE-CT) in intra-arterially treated acute ischaemic stroke patients to discriminate between contrast extravasation and intracerebral haemorrhage. METHODS: Thirty consecutive acute ischaemic stroke patients following intra-arterial treatment were examined with DE-CT. Simultaneous imaging at 80 kV and 140 kV was employed with calculation of mixed images. Virtual unenhanced non-contrast (VNC) images and iodine overlay maps (IOM) were calculated using a dedicated brain haemorrhage algorithm. Mixed images alone, as "conventional CT", and DE-CT interpretations were evaluated and compared with follow-up CT. RESULTS: Eight patients were excluded owing to a lack of follow-up or loss of data. Mixed images showed intracerebral hyperdense areas in 19/22 patients. Both haemorrhage and residual contrast material were present in 1/22. IOM suggested contrast extravasation in 18/22 patients; in 16/18 patients this was confirmed at follow-up. The positive predictive value (PPV) of mixed imaging alone was 25 %, with a negative predictive value (NPV) of 91 % and accuracy of 63 %. The PPV for detection of haemorrhage with DE-CT was 100 %, with an NPV of 89 % and accuracy improved to 89 %. CONCLUSIONS: Dual energy computed tomography improves accuracy and diagnostic confidence in early differentiation between intracranial haemorrhage and contrast medium extravasation in acute stroke patients following intra-arterial revascularisation. KEY POINTS: • Contrast material and haemorrhage have similar density on conventional 120-kV CT. • Contrast material hinders interpretation of CT in stroke patients after recanalisation. • Iodine and haemorrhage have different attenuation at lower kVs. • Dual energy CT improves accuracy in early differentiation of haemorrhage and contrast extravasation. • Early differentiation between iodine and haemorrhage helps to initiate therapy promptly.

Magnetic resonance imaging-derived arterial peak flow in peripheral arterial disease: towards a standardized measurement.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the best location to measure the arterial peak flow (APF) in patients with peripheral arterial disease in order to facilitate clinical standardization. METHODS: Two hundred and fifty-nine patients with varying degrees of peripheral artery disease (PAD) and 48 patients without PAD were included. All patients underwent magnetic resonance phase-contrast imaging of the common femoral artery (CFA), superficial femoral artery (SFA), and popliteal artery (PA). APF values of patients with PAD were compared with patients with no PAD. The discriminative ability to identify PAD was evaluated by means of receiver-operator characteristic curves and the corresponding areas under the curve (AUC). RESULTS: Mean APF values in patients with PAD were reduced by 42%, 55% and 59% compared with non-PAD patients for the CFA, SFA, and PA, respectively (p < .01). The AUC's were 0.84, 0.92, and 0.93 for the CFA, SFA, and PA, respectively. CONCLUSION: The APF measured at the level of the PA shows the largest differences between patients with PAD and patients with no PAD and the best discriminative ability compared with the APF acquired in the CFA or SFA. The PA seems to be the most suitable level for standardized flow measurements in patients with PAD in order to obtain relevant functional information about the vascular status.

CTA with fluoroscopy image fusion guidance in endovascular complex aortic aneurysm repair.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of intraoperative guidance by means of live fluoroscopy image fusion with computed tomography angiography (CTA) on iodinated contrast material volume, procedure time, and fluoroscopy time in endovascular thoraco-abdominal aortic repair. METHODS: CTA with fluoroscopy image fusion road-mapping was prospectively evaluated in patients with complex aortic aneurysms who underwent fenestrated and/or branched endovascular repair (FEVAR/BEVAR). Total iodinated contrast material volume, overall procedure time, and fluoroscopy time were compared between the fusion group (n = 31) and case controls (n = 31). Reasons for potential fusion image inaccuracy were analyzed. RESULTS: Fusion imaging was feasible in all patients. Fusion image road-mapping was used for navigation and positioning of the devices and catheter guidance during access to target vessels. Iodinated contrast material volume and procedure time were significantly lower in the fusion group than in case controls (159 mL [95% CI 132-186 mL] vs. 199 mL [95% CI 170-229 mL], p = .037 and 5.2 hours [95% CI 4.5-5.9 hours] vs. 6.3 hours (95% CI 5.4-7.2 hours), p = .022). No significant differences in fluoroscopy time were observed (p = .38). Respiration-related vessel displacement, vessel elongation, and displacement by stiff devices as well as patient movement were identified as reasons for fusion image inaccuracy. CONCLUSION: Image fusion guidance provides added value in complex endovascular interventions. The technology significantly reduces iodinated contrast material dose and procedure time.