Soft tissue tumor imaging in adults: European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology-Guidelines 2023-overview, and primary local imaging: how and where?

OBJECTIVES: Early, accurate diagnosis is crucial for the prognosis of patients with soft tissue sarcomas. To this end, standardization of imaging algorithms, technical requirements, and reporting is therefore a prerequisite. Since the first European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology (ESSR) consensus in 2015, technical achievements, further insights into specific entities, and the revised WHO-classification (2020) and AJCC staging system (2017) made an update necessary. The guidelines are intended to support radiologists in their decision-making and contribute to interdisciplinary tumor board discussions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A validated Delphi method based on peer-reviewed literature was used to derive consensus among a panel of 46 specialized musculoskeletal radiologists from 12 European countries. Statements were scored online by level of agreement (0 to 10) during two iterative rounds. Either "group consensus," "group agreement," or "lack of agreement" was achieved. RESULTS: Eight sections were defined that finally contained 145 statements with comments. Overall, group consensus was reached in 95.9%, and group agreement in 4.1%. This communication contains the first part consisting of the imaging algorithm for suspected soft tissue tumors, methods for local imaging, and the role of tumor centers. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound represents the initial triage imaging modality for accessible and small tumors. MRI is the modality of choice for the characterization and local staging of most soft tissue tumors. CT is indicated in special situations. In suspicious or likely malignant tumors, a specialist tumor center should be contacted for referral or teleradiologic second opinion. This should be done before performing a biopsy, without exception. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The updated ESSR soft tissue tumor imaging guidelines aim to provide best practice expert consensus for standardized imaging, to support radiologists in their decision-making, and to improve examination comparability both in individual patients and in future studies on individualized strategies. KEY POINTS: • Ultrasound remains the best initial triage imaging modality for accessible and small suspected soft tissue tumors. • MRI is the modality of choice for the characterization and local staging of soft tissue tumors in most cases; CT is indicated in special situations. Suspicious or likely malignant tumors should undergo biopsy. • In patients with large, indeterminate or suspicious tumors, a tumor reference center should be contacted for referral or teleradiologic second opinion; this must be done before a biopsy.

Prognostic impact of abdominal lymph node involvement in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

OBJECTIVE: The prognostic value of site of nodal involvement in diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCL) is mainly unknown. We aimed to determine the prognostic significance of nodal abdominal involvement in relation to tumour cell markers and clinical characteristics of 249 DLBCL patients in a retrospective single-centre study. METHODS: Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and thorax revealed pathologically enlarged abdominal lymph nodes in 156 patients, while in 93 patients there were no pathologically enlarged lymph nodes in the abdomen. In 81 cases, the diagnosis of DLBCL was verified by histopathological biopsy obtained from abdominal lymph node. RESULTS: Patients with abdominal nodal disease had inferior lymphoma-specific survival (P = .04) and presented with higher age-adjusted IPI (P < .001), lactate dehydrogenase (P < .001) and more often advanced stage (P < .001), bulky disease (P < .001), B symptoms (P < .001), and double expression of MYC and BCL2 (P = .02) compared to patients without nodal abdominal involvement, but less often extranodal involvement (P < .02). The worst outcome was observed in those where the abdominal nodal involvement was verified by histopathological biopsy. CONCLUSION: Diffuse large B-cell lymphomas patients with abdominal nodal disease had inferior outcome and more aggressive behaviour, reflected both in clinical and biological characteristics.

Imaging assessment of children presenting with suspected or known juvenile idiopathic arthritis: ESSR-ESPR points to consider.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common paediatric rheumatic disease. It represents a group of heterogenous inflammatory disorders with unknown origin and is a diagnosis of exclusion in which imaging plays an important role. JIA is defined as arthritis of one or more joints that begins before the age of 16 years, persists for more than 6 weeks and is of unknown aetiology and pathophysiology. The clinical goal is early suppression of inflammation to prevent irreversible joint damage which has shifted the emphasis from detecting established joint damage to proactively detecting inflammatory change. This drives the need for imaging techniques that are more sensitive than conventional radiography in the evaluation of inflammatory processes as well as early osteochondral change. Physical examination has limited reliability, even if performed by an experienced clinician, emphasising the importance of imaging to aid in clinical decision-making. On behalf of the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology (ESSR) arthritis subcommittee and the European Society of Paediatric Radiology (ESPR) musculoskeletal imaging taskforce, based on literature review and/or expert opinion, we discuss paediatric-specific imaging characteristics of the most commonly involved, in literature best documented and clinically important joints in JIA, namely the temporomandibular joints (TMJs), spine, sacroiliac (SI) joints, wrists, hips and knees, followed by a clinically applicable point to consider for each joint. We will also touch upon controversies in the current literature that remain to be resolved with ongoing research. KEY POINTS: • Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common chronic paediatric rheumatic disease and, in JIA imaging, is increasingly important to aid in clinical decision-making. • Conventional radiographs have a lower sensitivity and specificity for detection of disease activity and early destructive change, as compared to MRI or ultrasound. Nonetheless, radiography remains important, particularly in narrowing the differential diagnosis and evaluating growth disturbances. • Mainly in peripheral joints, ultrasound can be helpful for assessment of inflammation and guiding joint injections. In JIA, MRI is the most validated technique. MRI should be considered as the modality of choice to assess the axial skeleton or where the clinical presentation overlaps with JIA.

Ten Commandments for the Diagnosis of Bone Tumors.

The diagnosis of tumors and tumorlike lesions of bone is a routine part of both general and specialist radiologic practices. The spectrum of disorders ranges from the small incidental lesion to the potentially life-limiting malignancies whether primary or secondary. In this review, authored by experts from several European orthopaedic oncology centers, we present a collection of pieces of advice in the form of 10 commandments. Adherence in daily practice to this guidance should help minimize adverse patient experiences and outcomes.

Image-guided Sports Medicine and Musculoskeletal Tumor Interventions: A Patient-Centered Model.

The spectrum of effective musculoskeletal (MSK) interventions is broadening and rapidly evolving. Increasing demands incite a perpetual need to optimize services and interventions by maximizing the diagnostic and therapeutic yield, reducing exposure to ionizing radiation, increasing cost efficiency, as well as identifying and promoting effective procedures to excel in patient satisfaction ratings and outcomes. MSK interventions for the treatment of oncological conditions, and conditions related to sports injury can be performed with different imaging modalities; however, there is usually one optimal image guidance modality for each procedure and individual patient. We describe our patient-centered workflow as a model of care that incorporates state-of-the-art imaging techniques, up-to-date evidence, and value-based practices with the intent of optimizing procedural success and outcomes at a patient-specific level. This model contrasts interventionalist- and imaging modality-centered practices, where procedures are performed based on local preference and selective availability of imaging modality or interventionalists. We discuss rationales, benefits, and limitations of fluoroscopy, ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging procedure guidance for a broad range of image-guided MSK interventions to diagnose and treat sports and tumor-related conditions.

Sports Imaging of Team Handball Injuries.

Team handball is a fast high-scoring indoor contact sport with > 20 million registered players who are organized in > 150 federations worldwide. The combination of complex and unique biomechanics of handball throwing, permitted body tackles and blocks, and illegal fouls contribute to team handball ranging among the four athletic sports that carry the highest risks of injury. The categories include a broad range of acute and overuse injuries that most commonly occur in the shoulder, knee, and ankle. In concert with sports medicine, physicians, surgeons, physical therapists, and radiologists consult in the care of handball players through the appropriate use and expert interpretations of radiography, ultrasonography, CT, and MRI studies to facilitate diagnosis, characterization, and healing of a broad spectrum of acute, complex, concomitant, chronic, and overuse injuries. This article is based on published data and the author team's cumulative experience in playing and caring for handball players in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Switzerland, and Spain. The article reviews and illustrates the spectrum of common handball injuries and highlights the contributions of sports imaging for diagnosis and management.

Interventional Techniques for Bone and Musculoskeletal Soft Tissue Tumors: Current Practices and Future Directions - Part I. Ablation.

Musculoskeletal (MSK) image-guided oncologic intervention is an established field within radiology. Numerous studies have described its clinical benefits, safety, cost effectiveness, patient satisfaction, and improved quality of life, thereby establishing image-guided oncologic intervention as a preferred pathway in treating patients presenting with specific benign MSK tumors. But there is a paradigm shift on the horizon because these techniques may also support established pillars (surgery, systemic treatment, radiotherapy) in the treatment of malignant MSK tumors. Unlike benign tumors, where they are used as primary therapy lines with curative intent, such interventions can be selected for malignant tumors as adjuvant treatment in painful or unstable bone or soft tissue lesions or as more palliative therapy strategies. Using examples from our clinical practices, we elaborate on the benefits of applying a multidisciplinary approach (traditionally involving MSK radiologists, oncologists, orthopaedic surgeons, microbiologists, pathologists, physiotherapists, and pain management experts), ideally within a sarcoma treatment center to deliver a patient-specific therapy plan and illustrate methods to assess the benefits of this model of care.In this article, we review the current repertoire of ablation techniques, demonstrate why such procedures offer value-based alternatives to conventional treatments of specific tumors, and reflect on future directions. Additionally, we review the advantages and limitations of each technique and offer guidance to improve outcomes.

Interventional Techniques for Bone and Musculoskeletal Soft Tissue Tumors: Current Practices and Future Directions - Part II. Stabilization.

Percutaneous image-guided oncologic interventions have rapidly evolved over the last two decades as an independent strategy or used within a first-, second-, or even third-line strategy in the treatment of musculoskeletal (MSK) tumors. Abundant mostly nonrandomized publications have described the safety, efficacy, and reproducibility of implementing percutaneous therapies both with curative and palliative intent. In this article, we continue to share our experience in bone and MSK soft tissue interventions focusing on stabilization and combined ablation and stabilization. We propose a pathway and explore future directions of image-guided interventional oncology related to skeletal disease. We reflect on the advantages and limitations of each technique and offer guidance and pearls to improve outcomes. Representing patterns from our practices, we demonstrate the role of collaborative working within a multidisciplinary team, ideally within a dedicated tumor treatment center, to deliver patient-specific therapy plans that are value based and favored by patients when given the choice.

Skeletal Radiology: the year in review 2016.

A look back at Skeletal Radiology in 2016 reveals a sizable number of publications that significantly advanced the state of knowledge about diseases of the musculoskeletal system. This review summarizes the content of some of the most intriguing papers of the year.

Recommendations of the ESSR Arthritis Subcommittee on Ultrasonography in Inflammatory Joint Disease.

This article presents the recommendations of the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology Arthritis Subcommittee on the use of ultrasonography (US) in rheumatic disease, focused on the examination of joints in the adult population. The recommended examination technique and protocols used in a radiologic work-up are discussed. The main US features that can lead to a final diagnosis in the most common rheumatic diseases are addressed. The differential diagnosis that should be considered at image interpretation is presented. The role of US in interventional procedures and clinically important recent developments is also discussed.

Recommendations of the ESSR Arthritis Subcommittee for the Use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Musculoskeletal Rheumatic Diseases.

This article presents the recommendations of the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology Arthritis Subcommittee regarding the standards of the use of MRI in the diagnosis of musculoskeletal rheumatic diseases. The recommendations discuss (1) the role of MRI in current classification criteria of musculoskeletal rheumatic diseases (including early diagnosis of inflammation, disease follow-up, and identification of disease complications); (2) the impact of MRI on the diagnosis of axial and peripheral spondyloarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and juvenile spondyloarthritis; (3) MRI protocols for the axial and peripheral joints; (4) MRI interpretation and reporting for axial and peripheral joints; and finally, (5) methods for assessing MR images including quantitative, semiquantitative, and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI studies.

Imaging and interpretation of axial spondylarthritis: the radiologist's perspective--consensus of the Arthritis Subcommittee of the ESSR.

This article reflects the radiologist's perspective on the imaging and interpretation of axial spondylarthritis (SpA). The arthritis subcommittee of the European Society of Skeletal Radiology provides a consensus for the following questions: When and how should we image? How should we analyze the images? How should we interpret the imaging findings? To answer these questions, we address the indications in imaging axial SpA and the different imaging techniques, with a special focus on magnetic resonance imaging protocols. The value of different imaging modalities is discussed. For adequate image analysis, knowledge of the anatomy and the pathologic changes in chronic and acute inflammation of the sacroiliac joints and the spine is mandatory. Differential diagnoses of inflammatory lesions of the sacroiliac joints and the spine are addressed due to their importance in image interpretation.

Whole-body diffusion-weighted imaging compared with FDG-PET/CT in staging of lymphoma patients.

BACKGROUND: Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) has become increasingly valuable in lymph node imaging, yet the clinical utility of this technique in the staging of lymphoma has not been established. PURPOSE: To compare whole-body DWI with FDG-PET/CT in the staging of lymphoma patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-one patients, eight with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and 23 with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (18 aggressive and five indolent) underwent both whole-body DWI, whole-body MRI (T1W and T2W-STIR) and FDG-PET/CT. Lesions on whole-body DWI were only considered positive if they correlated with lesions on T1W and T2W-STIR images. The staging given by each technique was compared, according to the Ann Arbor staging system. Differences in staging were solved using biopsy results, and clinical and CT follow-ups as standard of reference. RESULTS: The staging was the same for DWI and FDG-PET/CT in 28 (90.3%) patients and different in three (9.7%). Of the 28 patients with the same staging, 11 had stage IV in both techniques and 17 had stages 0-III. No HL or aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients had different staging. Three indolent small lymphocytic lymphoma/chronic lymphocytic leukemia (SLL/CLL) lymphoma had higher staging with DWI when compared with FDG-PET/CT. One small subcutaneous breast lymphoma was not seen but all other extranodal sites were detected by both techniques. CONCLUSION: Whole-body DWI is a promising technique for staging of both (aggressive and indolent) non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and HL.

Interobserver and intraobserver variability in the response evaluation of cancer therapy according to RECIST and WHO-criteria.

BACKGROUND: Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST) and WHO-criteria are used to evaluate treatment effects in clinical trials. The purpose of this study was to examine interobserver and intraobserver variations in radiological response assessment using these criteria. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-nine patients were eligible. Each patient's series of CT images were reviewed. Each patient was classified into one of four categories according RECIST and WHO-criteria. To examine interobserver variation, response classifications were independently obtained by two radiologists. One radiologist repeated the procedure on two additional different occasions to examine intraobserver variation. Kappa statistics was applied to examine agreement. RESULTS: Interobserver variation using RECIST and WHO-criteria were 0.53 (95% CI 0.33-0.72) and 0.60 (0.39-0.80), respectively. Response rates (RR) according to RECIST obtained by reader A and reader B were 33% and 21%, respectively. RR according to WHO-criteria obtained by reader A and reader B were 33% and 23% respectively. Intraobserver variation using RECIST and WHO-criteria ranged between 0.76-0.96 and 0.86-0.91, respectively. CONCLUSION: Radiological tumor response evaluation according to RECIST and WHO-criteria are subject to considerable inter- and intraobserver variability. Efforts are necessary to reduce inconsistencies from current response evaluation criteria.

Elimination of stabilised hyaluronan from the knee joint in healthy men.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the elimination of stabilised hyaluronan following intra-articular injection into the knee joint. DESIGN: This was a single-centre, single-dose study in healthy human volunteers. PARTICIPANTS: Six healthy men, aged 28 to 47 (mean 38) years, were enrolled in the study. METHODS: Subjects received a single intra-articular injection (3ml; 20 mg/ml) of (131)I-labelled non-animal stabilised hyaluronic acid (NASHA). Radioactivity in the knee, blood, urine and over the liver was measured with gamma counters for 3 weeks post-injection; magnetic resonance and gamma camera imaging of the knee were also performed at 24 hours post-injection. Radioactivity uptake data were tested for conformity of fit to different mathematical models. RESULTS: Elimination of (131)I-labelled NASHA from the knee was characterised by a fast initial phase and a slow late phase, and conformed to a three-exponential-function model with elimination half-lives of 1.5 hours, 1.5 days and 4 weeks. Radioactivity distribution within the knee joint was homogenous, and no local leakage was observed. Hepatic radioactivity uptake was low, but significantly above background levels, for the first 2 days post-injection, before declining to background levels. Visual imaging indicated an increase in intra-articular fluid volume at 24 hours post-injection. CONCLUSIONS: The elimination kinetics of (131)I-labelled NASHA from the human knee joint were described by three distinct phases, with half-times of 1.5 hours, 1.5 days and 4 weeks. Most likely, the last value reflects the true half-life of NASHA following intra-articular injection since the labelling method used causes minimal modification of hyaluronan.

Selection of chemotherapy by ex vivo assessment of tumor sensitivity to cytotoxic drugs: results of a clinical trial.

The feasibility of tumor sampling followed by ex vivo assessment of drug sensitivity, using the short-term fluorometric microculture cytotoxicty assay (FMCA), for selection of chemotherapy was investigated prospectively in patients with advanced cancer not amenable to standard treatment. Taxol (175 mg/m2 every 3 wk) was given to patients with tumor samples being low drug resistant (LDR) to Taxol ex vivo, to patients with no LDR drug, and if other drugs were unsuitable. The remaining patients received the most optimal drug(s) based on the FMCA results. Gastrointestinal cancer was dominating among the 61 eligible patients. Tumor sampling was safely performed in 75% by ultrasound-guided core biopsy. Eighty-two percent of the patients had Taxol. Five patients (8%) had a partial remission and 18 (30%) had stable disease. Tumor response was poorly predicted, probably because the Taxol excipient Cremophor EL is cytotoxic exclusively ex vivo. However, patients with tumor cells being LDR to at least one drug ex vivo lived significantly longer than those with no such drug.