Artificial intelligence solution to accelerate the acquisition of MRI images: Impact on the therapeutic care in oncology in radiology and radiotherapy departments.

PURPOSE: MRI is essential in the management of brain tumours. However, long waiting times reduce patient accessibility. Reducing acquisition time could improve access but at the cost of spatial resolution and diagnostic quality. A commercially available artificial intelligence (AI) solution, SubtleMR™, can increase the resolution of acquired images. The objective of this prospective study was to evaluate the impact of this algorithm that halves the acquisition time on the detectability of brain lesions in radiology and radiotherapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The T1/T2 MRI of 33 patients with brain metastases or meningiomas were analysed. Images acquired quickly have a matrix divided by two which halves the acquisition time. The visual quality and lesion detectability of the AI images were evaluated by radiologists and radiation oncologist as well as pixel intensity and lesions size. RESULTS: The subjective quality of the image is lower for the AI images compared to the reference images. However, the analysis of lesion detectability shows a specificity of 1 and a sensitivity of 0.92 and 0.77 for radiology and radiotherapy respectively. Undetected lesions on the IA image are lesions with a diameter less than 4mm and statistically low average gadolinium-enhancement contrast. CONCLUSION: It is possible to reduce MRI acquisition times by half using the commercial algorithm to restore the characteristics of the image and obtain good specificity and sensitivity for lesions with a diameter greater than 4mm.

Radiotherapy of sinonasal cancers.

We present the update of the recommendations of the French society of radiotherapy and oncology on the indications and the technical methods of carrying out radiotherapy of sinonasal cancers. Sinonasal cancers (nasal fossae and sinus) account for 3 to 5% of all cancers of the head and neck. They include carcinomas, mucosal melanomas, sarcomas and lymphomas. The management of sinonasal cancers is multidisciplinary but less standardized than that of squamous cell carcinomas of the upper aerodigestive tract. As such, patients with sinonasal tumors can benefit from the expertise of the French expertise network for rare ENT cancers (Refcor). Knowledge of sinonasal tumour characteristics (histology, grade, risk of lymph node involvement, molecular characterization, type of surgery) is critical to the determination of target volumes. An update of multidisciplinary indications and recommendations for radiotherapy in terms of techniques, target volumes and radiotherapy fractionation of the French society of radiotherapy and oncology (SFRO) was reported in this manuscript.

Histosurgical mapping of endoscopic endonasal surgery of sinonasal tumours to improve radiotherapy guidance.

PURPOSE: Endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES) is becoming a standard for most malignant sinonasal tumours. Margin analysis after piecemeal resection is complex and optimally relies on accurate histosurgical mapping. Postoperative radiotherapy may be adapted based on margin assessment mapping to reduce the dose to some sinonasal subvolumes. We assessed the use of histosurgical mapping by radiation oncologists (RO). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A French practice survey was performed across 29 ENT expert RO (2 did not answer) regarding integration of information on EES, as well as quality of operative and pathology reportsto refine radiotherapy planning after EES. This was assessed through an electronic questionnaire. RESULTS: EES was ubiquitously performed in France. Operative and pathology reports yielded accurate description of EES samples according to 66.7% of interviewed RO. Accuracy of margin assessment was however insufficient according to more than 40.0% of RO. Additional margins/biopsies of the operative bed were available in 55.2% (16/29) of the centres. In the absence of additional margins, quality of resection after EES was considered as microscopically incomplete in 48.3% or dubious in 48.3% of RO. As performed, histosurgical mapping allowed radiotherapy dose and volumes adaptation according to 26.3% of RO only. CONCLUSIONS: Standardized histosurgical mapping with margin and additional margin analysis could be more systematic. Advantages of accurate EES reporting could be dose painting radiotherapy to further decrease morbidity in sinonasal tumours.

[Diagnosis of malnutrition in the elderly by dual energy absorptiometry]. / Diagnostic de la dénutrition chez les personnes âgées par l'absorptiométrie biénergétique.

OBJECTIVES: Denutrition is a frequent condition in elderly persons and may have major consequences. A noninvasive investigation, whole body dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, should allow, by direct measurement of body composition, early and reliable diagnosis of denutrition. This study was conducted to elaborate a diagnostic tool using this exam and to test its validity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A global index of denutrition was proposed combining anthropometric, biological criteria, and the Mini Nutritional Assessment scale. Two agreement analyses were made between classical diagnostic criteria of nutritional status and body fat and fat free mass assessed by anthropometry and absorptiometry. An association between nutritional status and body absorptiometric composition were studied with univariate analysis followed by a multivariate logistic regression model. This model allowed an elaboration of a nutritional absorptiometric index (NAI). RESULTS: One hundred one elderly subjects were included. Twenty-three were considered to be in a state of denutrition. Agreement was poor between anthropometric and biological diagnostic criteria of denutrition. It was good between the different masses assess by anthropometry and absorptiometry. Subjects in a state of denutrition had significantly lower body fat and lower fat free mass. The fat free mass index (fat free mass divided by the square height) and body fat were entered into a logistic model and composed the NAI, which showed good diagnostic validity in terms of specificity and sensitivity. DISCUSSION: Absorptiometry appears to be a simple reliable diagnostic tool for assessing denutrition in elderly persons in routine practice. Further studies are required and should lead to a confirmation of the interest of these absorptiometric indexes.

[Skin location of multiple myeloma mimicking a vascular tumor]. / Localisations cutanées pseudo-vasculaires d'un myélome multiple.

INTRODUCTION: Cutaneous location of multiple myeloma is rare, and generally develops as a consequence of direct spread from an underlying bony focus of the disease. Metastatic skin lesions without adjacent bone involvement are uncommon. The prognosis is very poor. CASE REPORT: A 74-year-old man consulted for a hemorrhagic cutaneous nodule localized on the left inguinal area. This patient had been treated for five months for a stage I IgG lambda multiple myeloma. The histopathologic examination of the lesion showed a predominantly nodular configuration made up of masses of atypical cells with numerous hemorrhagic areas. The diagnosis of cutaneous metastasis of multiple myeloma was confirmed by the positivity of the cells for anti-IgG lambda antibodies. DISCUSSION: Cutaneous involvement in multiple myeloma without extension from underlying bony focus is exceptional. The lesions generally consist of firm, erythematous nodules involving the neck and lower extremities. To our knowledge, we present here the first case mimicking clinically and histologically a malignant vascular proliferation.

[Monitoring anticoagulant treatment with the KEM-O-MAT 2HP autoanalyzer]. / Surveillance des traitements anticoagulants par automate KEM-O-MAT 2 HP.

Synthetic chromogenic substrates were adapted to KEM-O-MAT 2HP for an automated monitoring of anticoagulant treatments, determination of factor X (S 2337) in oral anticoagulation, anti-Xa (Hepachrom) and anti-lla (S 2238) activities of heparin in prophylactic and curative heparin therapies. In all cases, these methods revealed high sensitivity, reproducibility, and a good correlation of their results with those of classical clotting assays. The present cost of synthetic substrates seriously limits the potential value of chromogenic assays for routine controls. However, the development of automated amidolytic techniques should provide an easier standardization in the laboratory control of anticoagulant treatments.

Stress fractures of the heads of the metatarsals. A new cause of metatarsal pain.

We report 16 cases of epiphyseal metatarsal stress fractures in 11 patients. Four patients had osteoporosis and two of these four were under fluoride therapy. Three of the fractures occurred upon resumption of weight-bearing. The fractures were distributed over the five rays; seven fractures were located to the second metatarsal. Manifestations were acute focal metatarsal pain, diffuse edema of the forefoot and inflammatory metatarsophalangeal arthropathy. Delayed, transient visualization of a linear area of epiphyseal sclerosis occurred in 14 cases. Radionuclide bone scans consistently showed early accumulation of the tracer in the metatarsal head. The focus of increased activity extended to the shaft in three cases. The main differential diagnoses are second ray syndrome, metatarsophalangeal arthritis, focal radial reflex sympathetic dystrophy of the foot and osteonecrosis of the metatarsal heads. The clinical and roentgenographic outcome was consistently favorable after one month without weight-bearing. These fractures can simulate, complicate, induce (two cases), reflex sympathetic dystrophy of the foot or occur concomitantly with (two cases).

Transient vertebral osteosclerosis due to osteoporosis.

Diffuse uniform vertebral osteosclerosis in vertebra affected by osteoporotic crush fracture, without osteonecrosis is reported. Multiple fissure-fractures were seen upon magnetic resonance imaging.