Ulnar neuropathy at the elbow: associations of pre-operative DTI parameters with clinical outcomes after cubital tunnel decompression.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether DTI parameters of the ulnar nerve at the elbow are associated with clinical outcomes in patients receiving cubital tunnel decompression (CTD) surgery for ulnar neuropathy. METHODS: This retrospective study included 21 patients with cubital tunnel syndrome who received CTD surgery between January 2019 and November 2020. All patients underwent pre-operative elbow MRI, including DTI. Region-of-interest analysis was performed on the ulnar nerve at three levels around the elbow: above (level 1), cubital tunnel (level 2), and below (level 3). Fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), radial diffusivity (RD), and axial diffusivity (AD) were calculated on three sections at each level. Clinical data on symptom improvement in respect to pain and tingling sensation after CTD were recorded. Logistic regression analysis was used to compare DTI parameters of the nerve at three levels and the entire nerve course between patients with and without symptom improvement after CTD. RESULTS: After CTD, 16 patients showed improvement in symptoms, but five did not. ROC analysis of DTI parameters showed that AUCs of FA, AD, and MD were higher at level 1 than at levels 2 and 3, with FA showing the highest AUC (level 1: FA, 0.7104 [95% CI, 0.5206-0.9002] vs AD, 0.6521 [95% CI, 0.4900-0.8142] vs MD, 0.6153 [95% CI, 0.4187-0.8119]). CONCLUSION: In patients who underwent CTD surgery for ulnar neuropathy at the elbow, the DTI parameters of FA, AD, and MD above the cubital tunnel level were associated with clinical outcomes, with FA showing the strongest associations. KEY POINTS: • After CTD surgery for ulnar neuropathy at the elbow, persistent symptoms may be observed, depending on symptom severity. • DTI parameters of the ulnar nerve at the elbow showed differences in their capacity for discriminating between patients with and without symptom improvement following CTD surgery, with this capacity depending on the nerve level at the elbow. • FA, AD, and MD measured above the cubital tunnel on pre-operative DTI may be associated with surgical outcomes, with FA showing the strongest association (AUC at level 1, 0.7104 [95% CI, 0.5206-0.9002]).

Diagnostic performance of computed tomography and diffusion-weighted imaging as first-line imaging modality according to the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) imaging algorithm for monoclonal plasma cell disorders.

BACKGROUND: The latest International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) guideline recommends low-dose whole-body (WB) computed tomography (CT) as the first-line imaging technique for the initial diagnosis of plasma cell disorders. PURPOSE: To evaluate diagnostic performances of CT and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) as the first-line imaging modalities and assess misclassification rates obtained following the guideline. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two independent radiologists analyzed CT (acquired as PET/CT) and DWI (3-T; b-values = 50 and 900 s/mm2) of patients newly diagnosed with plasma cell disorder, categorizing the number of bone lesions. Diagnostic performance of CT and DWI was compared using the McNemar test, and misclassification rates were calculated with a consensus WB-MRI reading as the reference standard. Differences in lesion number categories were assessed using marginal homogeneity and kappa statistics. RESULTS: Of 56 patients (36 men; mean age = 63.5 years), 39 had myeloma lesions. DWI showed slightly higher sensitivity for detecting myeloma lesions (97.4%) than CT (84.6%-92.3%; P > 0.05). CT showed significantly higher specificity (88.2%) than DWI (52.9%-58.8%; P<0.05). CT had a higher additional study requirement rate than DWI (7.7%-15.4% vs. 2.6%), but a lower unnecessary treatment rate (11.8% vs. 41.2%-47.1%). Both readers showed significant differences in categorization of the number of lesions on CT compared with the reference standard (P < 0.001), and one reader showed a significant difference on DWI (P = 0.006 and 0.098). CONCLUSION: CT interpreted according to the IMWG guideline is a diagnostically effective first-line modality with relatively high sensitivity and specificity. DWI alone may not be an acceptable first-line imaging modality because of low specificity.

Combined radiomics-clinical model to predict malignancy of vertebral compression fractures on CT.

OBJECTIVES: To develop and validate a combined radiomics-clinical model to predict malignancy of vertebral compression fractures on CT. METHODS: One hundred sixty-five patients with vertebral compression fractures were allocated to training (n = 110 [62 acute benign and 48 malignant fractures]) and validation (n = 55 [30 acute benign and 25 malignant fractures]) cohorts. Radiomics features (n = 144) were extracted from non-contrast-enhanced CT images. Radiomics score was constructed by applying least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression to reproducible features. A combined radiomics-clinical model was constructed by integrating significant clinical parameters with radiomics score using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Model performance was quantified in terms of discrimination and calibration. The model was internally validated on the independent data set. RESULTS: The combined radiomics-clinical model, composed of two significant clinical predictors (age and history of malignancy) and the radiomics score, showed good calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow test, p > 0.05) and discrimination in both training (AUC, 0.970) and validation (AUC, 0.948) cohorts. Discrimination performance of the combined model was higher than that of either the radiomics score (AUC, 0.941 in training cohort and 0.852 in validation cohort) or the clinical predictor model (AUC, 0.924 in training cohort and 0.849 in validation cohort). The model stratified patients into groups with low and high risk of malignant fracture with an accuracy of 98.2% in the training cohort and 90.9% in the validation cohort. CONCLUSIONS: The combined radiomics-clinical model integrating clinical parameters with radiomics score could predict malignancy in vertebral compression fractures on CT with high discriminatory ability. KEY POINTS: • A combined radiomics-clinical model was constructed to predict malignancy of vertebral compression fractures on CT by combining clinical parameters and radiomics features. • The model showed good calibration and discrimination in both training and validation cohorts. • The model showed high accuracy in the stratification of patients into groups with low and high risk of malignant vertebral compression fractures.

Diagnostic performance of plain radiography for sacroiliitis in patients with suspected axial spondyloarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Plain radiography serves a pivotal role in diagnosing axial spondyloarthritis. However, a broad range of diagnostic performance of plain radiography has been reported. PURPOSE: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to measure the diagnostic performance of plain radiography for sacroiliitis in patients suspected of having axial spondyloarthritis using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings as the reference standard. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Studies comparing radiography and MRI in the diagnosis of sacroiliitis in patients suspected of having axial spondyloarthritis were searched in PubMed and EMBASE. Additionally, studies analyzed SPondyloaArthritis Caught Early (SPACE), DEvenir des Spondylarthropathies Indifferenciées Récentes (DESIR), GErman Spondyloarthritis Inception Cohort (GESPIC), and South Swedish Arthritis Treatment Group (SSATG) cohorts were manually searched. Pooled sensitivity and specificity of radiography were calculated by using a bivariate random-effects model. Meta-regression analyses were performed to identify the sources of heterogeneity. RESULTS: Eight eligible studies with 1579 patients were included. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of radiography were 0.55 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.40-0.69) and 0.87 (95% CI = 0.72-0.95). The meta-regression analyses showed prospective study design and criteria for MRI positivity considering only active bone marrow edema were associated with lower sensitivity. CONCLUSION: The plain radiography showed low sensitivity and reasonable specificity in diagnosis of sacroiliitis in patients suspected of having axial spondyloarthritis.

Risk Factors for Diagnostic Failure of Ultrasound-Guided Core Needle Biopsy of Soft-Tissue Tumors Based on World Health Organization Classification Category and Biologic Potential.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic outcome of ultrasound (US)-guided core needle biopsy (CNB) of soft-tissue tumors and to assess the factors associated with significant diagnostic failure. MATERIALS AND METHODS. We performed a retrospective analysis of biopsy specimens obtained from patients with soft-tissue tumors of the extremities and superficial trunk who underwent both US-guided CNB and surgical resection. In accordance with the World Health Organization classification, biopsy results and findings from final histologic analysis of the surgically resected specimen (hereafter known as final histologic findings) were categorized in terms of biologic potential as benign, intermediate (locally aggressive), intermediate (rarely metastasizing), or malignant. Biopsy results were considered to show a significant diagnostic failure if they resulted in incorrect classification of biologic potential compared with final histologic findings, if results were indeterminate, or if nondiagnostic specimens were obtained. World Health Organization classification categories and the biologic potential of the tumors according to final histologic findings were assessed to identify any relationship with diagnostic failure of CNB, as were other tumor- and patient-related factors. RESULTS. Significant diagnostic failure was seen for 40 of 303 biopsies (13.20%). Multivariate analysis showed a significant association between diagnostic failure and adipocytic tumors (odds ratio [OR], 9.686; p = 0.037) or vascular tumors (OR, 40.115; p = 0.005); intermediate (rarely metastasizing) biologic potential (OR, 12.279; p = 0.001), or malignant biologic potential (OR, 5.668; p < 0.001); and discordance between radiologic and final histologic findings or indeterminacy of biologic potential (OR, 2.500; p = 0.034). CONCLUSION. The World Health Organization classification categories (adipocytic or vascular), biologic potential (intermediate [rarely metastasizing] or malignant), and discordance between radiologic and final histologic findings or indeterminacy of biologic potential were found to be independent risk factors for significant diagnostic failure of CNB of soft-tissue tumors.

Bone oxaloma-a localized manifestation of bone oxalosis.

Oxalosis is a metabolic disorder characterized by the accumulation of calcium oxalate deposits in various organ systems. Bone oxalosis is a systemic manifestation of oxalosis, in which calcium oxalate deposits accumulate in the skeletal system. This report describes a 69-year-old female patient who presented with right hip pain and was later found to have an osseous mass-like lesion in the right proximal femur, with radiographic findings resembling those of a benign bone tumor. CT-guided biopsy and surgical biopsy showed that the mass had pathologic findings typical of bone oxalosis. Because the patient had no predisposing factors for systemic oxalosis and had no hyperoxalemia or hyperoxaluria, she could be diagnosed with localized bone oxalate deposition disease or bone oxaloma rather than bone oxalosis. This is the first report of this clinical entity to present as a benign-appearing bone mass and without any predisposing systemic causes.

Distinguishing necrotizing from non-necrotizing fasciitis: a new predictive scoring integrating MRI in the LRINEC score.

OBJECTIVES: To develop and validate a scoring system integrating MRI and laboratory findings to differentiate necrotizing fasciitis (NF) from non-necrotizing fasciitis (non-NF). METHODS: This retrospective study included 144 subjects who underwent surgery in one of three tertiary referral centers for NF or cellulitis with non-NF. The development cohort consisted of 96 subjects (NF = 47; non-NF = 49) from one center, and the validation cohort consisted of 48 subjects (NF = 23; cellulitis with non-NF = 25) from two different centers. The Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis (LRINEC) scoring system and five MRI findings (thickening of the intermuscular deep fascia ≥ 3 mm, extensive involvement of the deep fascia, multi-compartmental involvement in one extremity, presence of gas, and contrast-enhancement pattern) were included in univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify independent predictors of NF. An additive scoring system was developed using the coefficients of the final regression model. Model performance was assessed for discrimination and calibration. The scoring system was externally validated. RESULT: The final scoring system consisted of three variables: thickening of the deep fascia ≥ 3 mm, multi-compartmental involvement, and LRINEC score. The new predictive model showed improved performance (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC], 0.862; positive and negative predictive values, 82% and 79%, respectively), compared with the LRINEC score alone (0.814, 77% and 67%, respectively). The model also showed good discrimination with the external validation dataset (AUC, 0.933). CONCLUSIONS: Differentiation of NF from severe cellulitis with non-NF can be achieved with the new predictive scoring system. KEY POINTS: • The new predictive scoring system integrating two MRI findings with the LRINEC score can help in the differentiation of necrotizing fasciitis from severe cellulitis with non-necrotizing fasciitis. • Thickening of the deep fascia ≥ 3 mm and multi-compartmental involvement were the most important MRI findings for the differentiation.

Added value of diffusion-weighted imaging to conventional MRI for predicting fascial involvement of soft tissue sarcomas.

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to evaluate the added value of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) to conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for predicting fascial involvement of soft tissue sarcomas located in close proximity to fascial boundaries. METHODS: This retrospective study included 29 patients with surgically resected soft tissue sarcomas located in proximity to deep fascia and with a curvilinear tail-like hyperintensity in the adjacent fascia on T2-weighted images. All patients underwent conventional MRI and DWI at 3.0 T and had detailed histologic reports on involvement of fascia. Two musculoskeletal radiologists with 21 and 1 year of experience independently reviewed conventional MRI and conventional imaging with added DWI. Readers scored their confidence for tumor involvement of fascia using a three-point scale. Diagnostic performance (area under the curve [Az]) of the two MRI sets was assessed with receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis. RESULT: Fascial involvement was present in 22/29 patients (75.9%). Both readers showed improvement in diagnostic performance with the addition of DWI (Az, from 0.545 to 0.792 and from 0.646 to 0.792 for reader 1 and reader 2, respectively). Adding DWI did not improve sensitivity or specificity for either reader (p > 0.05). Interobserver agreement for the confidence scores improved from fair to moderate with the addition of DWI (κ, from 0.390 to 0.560). CONCLUSIONS: Adding DWI to conventional MRI improved diagnostic performance on prediction of fascial involvement of soft tissue sarcomas located in proximity to fascia, without significant improvement in sensitivity or specificity. KEY POINTS: • Adding DWI to conventional MRI improved readers' confidence level for the prediction of fascial involvement of soft tissue sarcomas that are close to the deep fascia. • Addition of DWI also improved interobserver agreement. • Conversely, compared with conventional MRI, adding DWI did not significantly improve the sensitivity or specificity for the detection of fascial involvement.

Performance of a Deep Learning Algorithm in Detecting Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head on Digital Radiography: A Comparison With Assessments by Radiologists.

OBJECTIVE. The objective of our study was to compare the sensitivity of a deep learning (DL) algorithm with the assessments by radiologists in diagnosing osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) using digital radiography. MATERIALS AND METHODS. We performed a two-center, retrospective, noninferiority study of consecutive patients (≥ 16 years old) with a diagnosis of ONFH based on MR images. We investigated the following four datasets of unilaterally cropped hip anteroposterior radiographs: training (n = 1346), internal validation (n = 148), temporal external test (n = 148), and geographic external test (n = 250). Diagnostic performance was measured for a DL algorithm, a less experienced radiologist, and an experienced radiologist. Noninferiority analyses for sensitivity were performed for the DL algorithm and both radiologists. Subgroup analysis for precollapse and postcollapse ONFH was done. RESULTS. Overall, 1892 hips (1037 diseased and 855 normal) were included. Sensitivity and specificity for the temporal external test set were 84.8% and 91.3% for the DL algorithm, 77.6% and 100.0% for the less experienced radiologist, and 82.4% and 100.0% for the experienced radiologist. Sensitivity and specificity for the geographic external test set were 75.2% and 97.2% for the DL algorithm, 77.6% and 75.0% for the less experienced radiologist, and 78.0% and 86.1% for the experienced radiologist. The sensitivity of the DL algorithm was noninferior to that of the assessments by both radiologists. The DL algorithm was more sensitive for precollapse ONFH than the assessment by the less experienced radiologist in the temporal external test set (75.9% vs 57.4%; 95% CI of the difference, 4.5-32.8%). CONCLUSION. The sensitivity of the DL algorithm for diagnosing ONFH using digital radiography was noninferior to that of both less experienced and experienced radiologist assessments.

The pattern of idiopathic isolated teres minor atrophy with regard to its two-bundle anatomy.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to analyze the pattern of teres minor atrophy with regard to its two-bundle anatomy and to assess its association with clinical factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Shoulder MRIs performed between January and December 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Images were evaluated for the presence and pattern of isolated teres minor atrophy. Isolated teres minor atrophy was categorized into complete or partial pattern, and partial pattern was further classified according to the portion of the muscle that was predominantly affected. The medical records were reviewed to identify clinical factors associated with teres minor atrophy. RESULTS: Seventy-eight shoulders out of 1,264 (6.2%) showed isolated teres minor atrophy; complete pattern in 41.0%, and partial pattern in 59.0%. Most cases of partial pattern had predominant involvement of the medial-dorsal component (82.6%). There was no significant association between teres minor atrophy and previous trauma, shoulder instability, osteoarthritis, and previous operation. The history of shoulder instability was more frequently found in patients with isolated teres minor atrophy (6.4%), compared with the control group (2.6%), although the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Isolated teres minor atrophy may be either complete or partial, and the partial pattern may involve either the medial-dorsal or the lateral-ventral component of the muscle. The imaging findings of partial pattern teres minor atrophy indicate that the two muscle components may have separate innervation.

[Lumbar Facet Joint Injection: A Review of Efficacy and Safety]. / 요추 í›„ê´€ì ˆ 주사: ìž„ìƒì  ìœ ìš©ì„±ê³¼ ì•ˆì „ì„±ì— 대한 ê³ ì°°.

Facet joint arthrosis is a progressive degenerative disease that is frequently associated with other spinal degenerative disorders such as degenerative disc disease or spinal stenosis. Lumbar facet joint arthrosis can induce pain in the proximal lower extremities. However, symptoms and imaging findings of "facet joint syndrome" are not specific as they mimic the pain from herniated discs or nerve root compression. Currently, evidence for therapeutic intra-articular lumbar facet joint injections is still considered low, with a weak recommendation strength. Nevertheless, some studies have reported therapeutic effectiveness of facet joint injections. Moreover, the use of therapeutic facet joint injections in clinical practice has increased. This review article includes opinions based on the authors' experience with facet joint injections. This review primarily aimed to investigate the efficacy of lumbar facet joint injections and consider their associated safety aspects.

Enhancing local recurrence detection in patients with high-grade soft tissue sarcoma: value of short-term Ultrasonography added to post-operative MRI surveillance.

BACKGROUND: Limited data exist on the optimal postoperative surveillance protocol for high-grade soft tissue sarcoma, particularly regarding the optimal imaging modality and imaging interval for detecting local recurrence. This study aimed to assess the benefit of short-term postoperative ultrasonography (USG) for detecting local recurrence in patients with high-grade soft tissue sarcoma. METHODS: Patients with newly diagnosed high-grade soft tissue sarcoma who underwent surgical resection between January 2010 and June 2020 were included. Short-term USG was added to the follow-up protocol as a surveillance tool alongside routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The primary outcome was the additional detection rate of short-term USG compared with routine MRI surveillance for early local recurrence detection. Subgroup analysis was performed to evaluate factors influencing USG detection rate. The additional detection rate of short-term USG for detection of metastatic lymph nodes was also evaluated. The secondary outcome was the false referral rate of short-term USG. RESULTS: In total, 198 patients (mean age ± standard deviation: 52.1 ± 15.8 years; 94 women) were included. Local recurrence occurred in 20 patients (10.1%; 20/198). Short-term USG detected local recurrence in advance of routine MRI visits in 7 out of 198 patients, resulting in an additional detection rate of 3.5% (95% CI: 1.7-7.1%). Subgroup analysis showed no significant difference in the short-term USG detection rate based on initial tumor characteristics, and receipt of radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Short-term USG additionally detected five of seven patients with metastatic lymph nodes [2.5% (95% CI, 1.1-5.8%, 5/198)]. The false referral rate of short-term USG was 3.5% (95% CI: 1.7-7.1%; 7/198). CONCLUSIONS: Short-term USG as part of postoperative surveillance for high-grade soft tissue sarcoma can enhance early detection of local tumor recurrence and metastatic lymphadenopathy. Early detection of local tumor recurrence could lead to a prompt surgical resection and aid in local disease control.

Vertebral Venous Congestion That May Mimic Vertebral Metastasis on Contrast-Enhanced Chest Computed Tomography in Chemoport Inserted Patients.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of vertebral venous congestion (VVC) in patients with chemoport insertion, evaluate the imaging characteristics of nodular VVC, and identify the factors associated with VVC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective single-center study was based on follow-up contrast-enhanced chest computed tomography (CT) of 1412 adult patients who underwent chemoport insertion between January 2016 and December 2016. The prevalence of venous stenosis, reflux, and VVC were evaluated. The imaging features of nodular VVC, including specific locations within the vertebral body, were analyzed. To identify the factors associated with VVC, patients with VVC were compared with a subset of patients without VVC who had been followed up for > 3 years without developing VVC after chemoport insertion. Toward this, a multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: After excluding 333 patients, 1079 were analyzed (mean age ± standard deviation, 62.3 ± 11.6 years; 540 females). The prevalence of VVC was 5.8% (63/1079), with all patients (63/63) demonstrating vertebral venous reflux and 67% (42/63) with innominate vein stenosis. The median interval between chemoport insertion and VVC was 515 days (interquartile range, 204-881 days). The prevalence of nodular VVC was 1.5% (16/1079), with a mean size of 5.9 ± 3.1 mm and attenuation of 784 ± 162 HU. Nodular VVC tended to be located subcortically. Forty-four patients with VVC underwent CT examinations with contrast injections in both arms; the VVC disappeared in 70% (31/44) when the contrast was injected in the arm contralateral to the chemoport site. Bevacizumab use was independently associated with VVC (odds ratio, 3.45; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of VVC and nodular VVC was low in patients who underwent chemoport insertion. Nodular VVC was always accompanied by vertebral venous reflux and tended to be located subcortically. To avoid VVC, contrast injection in the arm contralateral to the chemoport site is preferred.

Long Hallucal Tendon Force Vectors and First Metatarsophalangeal Deformity After Hallux Valgus Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Recurrence is one of the most common complications following hallux valgus surgery. Moreover, hallux varus occurs in cases of overcorrection. We aimed to quantitatively measure, using radiographic examination, the dynamics of the soft tissues that act on deformities (recurrence of valgus and occurrence of varus) after the surgery. METHODS: This retrospective single-institution study included 60 patients (98 feet) who underwent hallux valgus surgery between 2009 and 2018. According to radiographic findings of the foot under weightbearing conditions at postoperative month 1, we examined the tendons' pathway and calculated the forces on the first metatarsophalangeal joint, which we termed the deformity force angle (DFA). We compared whether there was a significant difference in DFAs between the groups in which deformities occurred and those in which deformities did not occur after correction. In addition, the DFA was compared to known radiographic measurements of hallux valgus recurrence (hallux valgus angle, distal metatarsal articular angle, intermetatarsal angle, and sesamoid position) to assess association with recurrence. RESULTS: We observed a significant difference in the DFA between patients with and without hallux valgus recurrence (P < .001) and between those with and without hallux varus (P < .001) based on standing radiographs taken at a minimum of 6 months postoperation. For predicting the deformities, the areas under the curve were 0.863 (hallux valgus recurrence) and 0.831 (hallux varus occurrence), respectively, which was greater than other factors evaluated. The DFA values greater than 9.5 degrees and less than 5.5 degrees were associated with the recurrence of valgus and occurrence of varus, respectively. CONCLUSION: In our study, DFA was associated with hallux valgus recurrence when it exceeded 9.5 degrees and hallux varus when it was less than 5.5 degrees. Moreover, in the hallux valgus surgery we performed, a DFA from 5.5 to 9.5 degrees appeared to be a "safe zone" for preventing early deformity after surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, prognostic.

Appendiceal Visualization on 2-mSv CT vs. Conventional-Dose CT in Adolescents and Young Adults with Suspected Appendicitis: An Analysis of Large Pragmatic Randomized Trial Data.

OBJECTIVE: We compared appendiceal visualization on 2-mSv CT vs. conventional-dose CT (median 7 mSv) in adolescents and young adults and analyzed the undesirable clinical and diagnostic outcomes that followed appendiceal nonvisualization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 3074 patients aged 15-44 years (mean ± standard deviation, 28 ± 9 years; 1672 female) from 20 hospitals were randomized to the 2-mSv CT or conventional-dose CT group (1535 vs. 1539) from December 2013 through August 2016. A total of 161 radiologists from 20 institutions prospectively rated appendiceal visualization (grade 0, not identified; grade 1, unsure or partly visualized; and grade 2, clearly and entirely visualized) and the presence of appendicitis in these patients. The final diagnosis was based on CT imaging and surgical, pathologic, and clinical findings. We analyzed undesirable clinical or diagnostic outcomes, such as negative appendectomy, perforated appendicitis, more extensive than simple appendectomy, delay in patient management, or incorrect CT diagnosis, which followed appendiceal nonvisualization (defined as grade 0 or 1) and compared the outcomes between the two groups. RESULTS: In the 2-mSv CT and conventional-dose CT groups, appendiceal visualization was rated as grade 0 in 41 (2.7%) and 18 (1.2%) patients, respectively; grade 1 in 181 (11.8%) and 81 (5.3%) patients, respectively; and grade 2 in 1304 (85.0%) and 1421 (92.3%) patients, respectively (p < 0.001). Overall, undesirable outcomes were rare in both groups. Compared to the conventional-dose CT group, the 2-mSv CT group had slightly higher rates of perforated appendicitis (1.1% [17] vs. 0.5% [7], p = 0.06) and false-negative diagnoses (0.4% [6] vs. 0.0% [0], p = 0.01) following appendiceal nonvisualization. Otherwise, these two groups were comparable. CONCLUSION: The use of 2-mSv CT instead of conventional-dose CT impairs appendiceal visualization in more patients. However, appendiceal nonvisualization on 2-mSv CT rarely leads to undesirable clinical or diagnostic outcomes.

Prediction of the Acuity of Vertebral Compression Fractures on CT Using Radiologic and Radiomic Features.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To develop and validate prediction models to differentiate acute and chronic vertebral compression fractures based on radiologic and radiomic features on CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included acute and chronic compression fractures in patients who underwent both spine CT and MRI examinations. For each fractured vertebra, three CT findings ([1] cortical disruption, [2] hypoattenuating cleft or sclerotic line, and [3] relative bone marrow attenuation) were assessed by two radiologists. A radiomic score was built from 280 radiomic features extracted from non-contrast-enhanced CT images. Weighted multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to build a radiologic model based on CT findings and an integrated model combining the radiomic score and CT findings. Model performance was evaluated and compared. Models were externally validated using an independent test cohort. RESULTS: A total to 238 fractures (159 acute and 79 chronic) in 122 patients and 58 fractures (39 acute and 19 chronic) in 32 patients were included in the training and test cohorts, respectively. The AUC of the radiomic score was 0.95 in the training and 0.93 in the test cohorts. The AUC of the radiologic model was 0.89 in the training and 0.83 in the test cohorts. The discriminatory performance of the integrated model was significantly higher than the radiologic model in both the training (AUC, 0.97; p<0.01) and the test (AUC, 0.95; p=0.01) cohorts. CONCLUSION: Combining radiomics with radiologic findings significantly improved the performance of CT in determining the acuity of vertebral compression fractures.

Diagnostic accuracy and complication rate of image-guided percutaneous transthoracic needle lung biopsy for subsolid pulmonary nodules: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the diagnostic accuracy and complication rate of percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy (PTNB) for subsolid pulmonary nodules and sources of heterogeneity among reported results. METHODS: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane libraries (until November 7, 2020) for studies measuring the diagnostic accuracy of PTNB for subsolid pulmonary nodules. Pooled sensitivity and specificity of PTNB were calculated using a bivariate random-effects model. Bivariate meta-regression analyses were performed to identify sources of heterogeneity. Pooled overall and major complication rates were calculated. RESULTS: We included 744 biopsies from 685 patients (12 studies). The pooled sensitivity and specificity of PTNB for subsolid nodules were 90% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 85-94%) and 99% (95% CI: 92-100%), respectively. Mean age above 65 years was the only covariate significantly associated with higher sensitivity (93% vs 85%, p = 0.04). Core needle biopsy showed marginally higher sensitivity than fine-needle aspiration (93% vs 83%, p = 0.07). Pooled overall and major complication rate of PTNB were 43% (95% CI: 25-62%) and 0.1% (95% CI: 0-0.4%), respectively. Major complication rate was not different between fine-needle aspiration and core needle biopsy groups (p = 0.25). CONCLUSION: PTNB had acceptable performance and a low major complication rate in diagnosing subsolid pulmonary nodules. The only significant source of heterogeneity in reported sensitivities was a mean age above 65 years. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: This is the first meta-analysis attempting to systemically determine the cause of heterogeneity in the diagnostic accuracy and complication rate of PTNB for subsolid pulmonary nodules.

Differences between 3D isovoxel fat suppression VIBE MRI and CT models of proximal femur osseous anatomy: A preliminary study for bone tumor resection planning.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the osseous anatomy of the proximal femur extracted from a 3D-MRI volumetric interpolated breath-hold (VIBE) sequence using either a Dixon or water excitation (WE) fat suppression method, and to measure the overall difference using CT as a reference standard. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective study reviewed imaging of adult patients with hip pain who underwent 3D hip MRI and CT. A semi-automatically segmented CT model served as the reference standard, and MRI segmentation was performed manually for each unilateral hip joint. The differences between Dixon-VIBE-3D-MRI vs. CT, and WE-VIBE-3D-MRI vs. CT, were measured. Equivalence tests between Dixon-VIBE and WE-VIBE models were performed with a threshold of 0.1 mm. Bland-Altman plots and Lin's concordance-correlation coefficient were used to analyze the agreement between WE and Dixon sequences. Subgroup analyses were performed for the femoral head/neck, intertrochanteric, and femoral shaft areas. RESULTS: The mean and maximum differences between Dixon-VIBE-3D-MRI vs. CT were 0.2917 and 3.4908 mm, respectively, whereas for WE-VIBE-3D-MRI vs. CT they were 0.3162 and 3.1599 mm. The mean differences of the WE and Dixon methods were equivalent (P = 0.0292). However, the maximum difference was not equivalent between the two methods and it was higher in WE method. Lin's concordance-correlation coefficient showed poor agreement between Dixon and WE methods. The mean differences between the CT and 3D-MRI models were significantly higher in the femoral shaft area (P = 0.0004 for WE and P = 0.0015 for Dixon) than in the other areas. The maximum difference was greatest in the intertrochanteric area for both techniques. CONCLUSION: The difference between 3D-MR and CT models were acceptable with a maximal difference below 3.5mm. WE and Dixon fat suppression methods were equivalent. The mean difference was highest at the femoral shaft area, which was off-center from the magnetization field.

Comparison of core needle biopsy and fine-needle aspiration in diagnosis of ma lignant salivary gland neoplasm: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: In this meta-analysis, we compared the risk of obtaining nondiagnostic results and the diagnostic accuracy for detection of salivary gland malignancy between core needle biopsy (CNB) and fine-needle aspiration (FNA). METHODS: All published English-language studies comparing CNB and FNA diagnostic accuracy for salivary gland masses through December 2019 were searched. Pooled risk ratios (RRs) of nondiagnostic results, sensitivities, and specificities of CNB and FNA for salivary gland malignancy diagnosis were determined. Complication rates were compared. RESULTS: Six studies (1924 procedures) were quantitatively analyzed. CNB yielded significantly fewer nondiagnostic results (P < .001) and had significantly higher pooled sensitivity (P < .001) and specificity (P = .002) than FNA for differentiating malignant and benign salivary gland neoplasms. Hematoma occurred in 0.3% of CNB, while no complication occurred in FNA procedures. CONCLUSION: CNB yielded fewer nondiagnostic results and had superior diagnostic performance compared with FNA for detecting salivary gland malignancies.