Color-coded circulation for visualizing swirling flow with a 3-dimensional helical stent in the superficial femoral artery.

Color-coded circulation is a display method that generates dynamic color-coded images based on the time of arrival of contrast agents using parametric imaging to create video displays. By cyclically displaying information in color according to the arrival time of the contrast agent at each pixel, anatomical blood vessel paths and blood flow information can be simultaneously visualized. Three-dimensional (3D) helical stents increase wall shear stress due to swirling flow and prevent intimal hyperplasia. To the best of our knowledge, there are no reports on the visualization of this swirling flow using color-coded circulation. Here, we report the use of color-coded circulation to visualize the swirling flow following the placement of a 3D helical stent in the left superficial femoral artery. Color-coded circulation may facilitate the evaluation of contrast agent distribution and blood flow, which may otherwise go undetected with digital subtraction angiography.

Successful revascularization of the occluded anterior tibial artery using ultrasound-guided puncture of the occluded dorsal pedal artery: A case report with literature review.

A bidirectional approach is necessary for treating critical limb ischemia with complex, multiple lesions. We report an ultrasound-guided bidirectional puncture through an occluded vessel to treat an obstruction extending from the anterior tibial artery to the dorsal foot artery in a patient with toe gangrene and rest pain. This technique effectively restored arterial patency and is a promising approach for managing challenging critical limb ischemia occlusions.

A case of gallbladder abscess caused by torsion that completely disappeared following drainage.

A woman in her 90s presented with loss of appetite, lower back pain, abdominal pain, and fever. Physical examination and subsequent blood tests indicated an inflammatory process, and computed tomography (CT) scans revealed gallbladder torsion with necrosis and abscess formation. The case involved successful management of this rare condition through percutaneous drainage without the need for surgical intervention, avoiding complications during follow-up. Remarkably, post-treatment CT showed complete resolution of the gallbladder abscess and the gallbladder itself was no longer visible. This case highlights the effectiveness of minimally invasive treatment for gallbladder torsion in elderly patients and underscores the potential for non-surgical intervention in managing complex abdominal conditions.

Evaluation of Local Vascular Perfusion in the Lower Extremities on Intravoxel Incoherent Motion Imaging before and after Endovascular Therapy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate improvement in local vascular perfusion of the lower limbs on intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) imaging after endovascular therapy (EVT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: IVIM imaging was performed on 20 lower limbs of 16 patients with lower extremity arterial diseases before and after EVT. To estimate IVIM, diffusion-weighted lower-limb axial images (number of slices = 25 and slice thickness = 3.5 mm) were acquired using different b values (0, 300, and 1000 s/mm2). IVIM imaging with the simplified IVIM techniques was performed. The perfusion-related coefficient (D* [10-3 mm2/s]), perfusion fraction (f [%]), and D*f product (10-3 mm2/s %) were calculated before and 2-3 days after EVT. The ankle brachial index (ABI), mean D* (10-3 mm2/s), mean f (%), and mean D*f product (10-3 mm2/s %) before and after EVT were compared. RESULTS: Successful revascularization was achieved in all cases. After EVT, the mean ABI significantly increased from 0.59 ± 0.19 to 0.87 ± 0.15 (p < 0.001, paired t test). The mean D* (10-3 mm2/s) (22.08 ± 3.26 versus 24.87 ± 2.65, p = 0.005, paired t test), and D*f product (10-3 mm2/s%) (551.03 ± 79.02 versus 634.55 ± 76.96, p = 0.002, paired t-test) of the lower limbs significantly increased after EVT, whereas f (%) (25.00 ± 1.28 versus 25.52 ± 1.61, p = 0.261, paired t-test) did not significantly increased after EVT. CONCLUSION: D* (10-3 mm2/s) and D*f product (10-3 mm2/s %) on IVIM imaging could evaluate improvement in local vascular perfusion of the lower limbs after EVT. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 4, Case Series.

Exploration of tumor size measurement methods in preoperative breast cancer assessment using whole-body silicon photomultiplier PET: feasibility and first results.

PURPOSE: Whole-body silicon photomultiplier positron emission tomography (WB SiPM PET) could be used to diagnose breast cancer spread before lumpectomy. We aimed to investigate the method of measuring the tumor size by WB SiPM PET as a basis for diagnosing breast cancer spread in the breast. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 35 breast cancer lesions in 32 patients who underwent WB SiPM PET/CT in the prone position as preoperative breast cancer examinations from September 2020 to March 2022. In all cases, a 20-mm spherical VOI was placed in the normal mammary gland to measure the mean standardised uptake value (SUVmean) and the standard deviation (SD) of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake. We prepared four types of candidates (SUVmean + 2 SD, SUVmean + 3 SD, 1.5 SUVmean + 2 SD, 1.5 SUVmean + 3 SD) for thresholds for delineating tumor contours on PET images. On the semiautomatic viewer soft, the maximum tumor sizes were measured at each of the four thresholds and compared with the pathological tumor sizes, including the extensive intraductal component (EIC). RESULTS: The lesion detection sensitivity was 97% for WB SiPM PET. PET detected 34 lesions, excluding 4-mm ductal carcinomas in situ (DCIS). PET measurements at the '1.5 SUVmean + 2 SD' threshold demonstrated values closest to the pathological tumor sizes, including EIC. Moreover, '1.5 SUVmean + 2 SD' had the highest concordance (63%). CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated that among various PET thresholds, the '1.5 SUVmean + 2 SD' threshold exhibited the best performance. However, even with this threshold, the concordance rate was limited to only 63%.

Acute abdomen by red degeneration of a parasitic leiomyoma: A case report and literature review.

A 43-year-old woman, with a history of uterine fibroids and multiple myomectomy, presented with acute lower abdominal pain. Computed tomography revealed multiple tumors, including a high-density mass in the left lower abdomen indicative of a parasitic leiomyoma undergoing red degeneration. This uncommon condition is due to acute occlusion, often caused by peripheral venous thrombosis at the fibroid edge. The diagnosis was corroborated by distinctive findings on magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography. Notably, high signal intensity on T1-weighted images (T1WI) suggested methemoglobin presence due to hemorrhagic infarction, whereas low signal intensity on T2-weighted images (T2WI) indicated deoxyhemoglobin. Symptom improvement followed treatment with analgesics. This case underscores the significance of considering parasitic myomas in the differential diagnosis of intraperitoneal tumors after myomectomy and proposes that vascular torsion from mechanical stress on the mobile mesentery may contribute to red degeneration in such tumors. In this report, we detail the imaging characteristics and clinical progression of red degeneration in a parasitic leiomyoma, emphasizing the importance of this diagnosis in patients with a history of uterine surgery.

Steerable-wire technique using high-flow steerable microcatheter and 0.025-inch guidewire.

A high-flow steerable microcatheter has been reported to be useful as a triaxial system. Moreover, the benefits of steerable microcatheters in acute-angle bifurcation vessel insertions and a compact coil-packing technique using intentional folding with a bendable catheter tip have been reported. However, research on the usefulness of a high-flow steerable catheter and 0.025-inch guidewire combination (steerable-wire) technique is lacking. Herein, we report a case of balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO) via the femoral venous approach to illustrate the usefulness of the steerable-wire technique. The steerable-wire technique facilitates the selection of the wire into the target vessel. The steerable-wire can be used instead of the 0.035-inch guidewire, which is versatile as other devices can follow the steerable wire.

Effects of CT-based attenuation correction on quantitative SPECT/CT of jawbone.

OBJECTIVE: With single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/computed tomography (CT) quantitative examinations, CT-based attenuation correction (CTAC) is considered necessary, though its effect on the quantitative values of an examined area close to the body surface, such as the jawbone, has not been elucidated. We performed an investigation to determine whether quantitative evaluation using a bone SPECT standalone device without CT is possible. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The calculated indices were maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and SUVpeak. Grouping was performed based on the presence or absence of CTAC. The CTAC group underwent CTAC, while the noAC group did not.Validation was performed using clinical data of patients who underwent a jawbone SPECT/CT examination. Becquerel calibration factor (BCF) is required for calculation of SUV, and was determined with values obtained with both phantom and syringe methods. The index for the uptake areas in each group was assessed using a paired t-test. RESULTS: Using BCF obtained with the phantom method, both SUVmax and SUVpeak were higher in the noAC group. In contrast, BCF obtained with the syringe method showed no significant difference between the CTAC and noAC groups in regard to SUVmax and SUVpeak. This tendency was found regardless of the device used. Also, a high correlation was observed between the groups for both devices (r=0.95 and 0.93). CONCLUSION: Our findings show that BCF obtained with a syringe method should be used when performing quantitative evaluation without CTAC. They also indicate that quantitative evaluation using a SPECT standalone device may be possible for jawbone SPECT/CT examinations.

Radiological Features of T1a Renal Cell Carcinoma on Axial Unenhanced Computed Tomography.

CT has become a commonly used diagnostic procedure in clinical practice, particularly in emergency healthcare delivery. Accordingly, the increase in CT usage has increased the likelihood of incidental detections (ID) of renal cell carcinomas (RCCs). This article discusses key points and limitations associated with the diagnosis and characterization of T1a RCC (≤4 cm in diameter) and shows how to improvise on the differentiation of T1a RCC with unenhanced CT (UE-CT). We retrospectively reviewed UE-CT findings of cases associated with the histopathologic diagnosis of T1a RCC and examined the discrimination capacity and radiological characteristics with regard to small RCCs (SRCCs). Detection and characterization of T1a RCC based on UE-CT are not easy in many cases due to limitations in CT findings, but there are notable radiological features to facilitate detection and differentiation. The growth pattern is important for the detection of SRCCs. Internal characteristic features (average attenuation, heterogeneity) are useful for the characterization of the RCC. In addition, CT image visualization techniques may help improve the detectability of RCCs on UE-CT. Radiological features are important in detecting SRCCs and facilitating further examination. In this study, we discuss some cases of T1a RCCs and evaluate the radiological characteristics of the tumors seen on UE-CT.

Massive spontaneous nontraumatic subcapsular hepatic hematoma treated using arterial embolization: A case report and review of the literature.

A nontraumatic and idiopathic spontaneous subcapsular hepatic hematoma is a rare but often fatal condition. Herein, we report a case of nontraumatic progressive massive subcapsular hepatic hematoma that straddled both liver lobes and was successfully treated by repeated arterial embolization. Following treatment, the hematoma did not progress.

Three-dimensional velocity vector image obtained via 4-dimensional flow magnetic resonance imaging for in-stent flow visualization in the superficial femoral artery.

The assessment of stent lumen patency via non-contrast-enhanced 2-dimensional time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography (2D TOF MRA) is complex due to stent-related artifacts. However, an imaging technique using the phase-contrast method, which can reduce susceptibility to artifact, is available. Herein, we report the use of 3-dimensional velocity vector image obtained via 4-dimensional flow magnetic resonance imaging (4D flow MRI) for in-stent flow visualization after stent development in the right superficial femoral artery. Hence, instead of 2D TOF MRA, 4D flow MRI using the phase-contrast method can be performed to assess stent lumen patency as it reduces stent-related artifacts.

Clinicoradiological Characteristics of Gastric Metastases: A Single Center Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND:  With recent advances in treatment, gastric metastases are increasingly becoming the subject of diagnostic imaging. On the other hand, it is difficult to detect gastric metastasis on CT finding images. PURPOSE:  To characterize the CT findings of gastric metastasis and investigate its treatment method and natural history in patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS:  We retrospectively reviewed the CT findings of 15 patients diagnosed with gastric metastasis between April 2003 and December 2019 in our hospital. The location, size, and shape of the tumors on CT were evaluated. Moreover, their medical records, characteristics, complications, treatment options, and natural course were evaluated. RESULTS:  Of the 15 patients with gastric metastasis, 9 were male and 6 were female. The median age was 74 (55-87) years. Gastric metastasis was diagnosed simultaneously with primary cancer in five patients. In other patients, the median interval time from the date of primary cancer diagnosis to gastric metastasis diagnosis was 27 (10-259) months. CT findings revealed that the gastric metastasis had a median size of 18 (12-135) mm and was mainly located in the middle third of the stomach. In addition, most patients had a submucosal tumor (SMT) pattern, followed by diffuse wall thickness and polypoid patterns (11 [73.3%], 3 [20.0%], and 1 [6.7%], respectively). The median time to death after gastric metastasis diagnosis was 112 (17-883) days. CONCLUSION:  The SMT pattern in the middle third of the stomach is the characteristic CT finding of gastric metastasis.

A multi-centre study of the effects of direct observation of hand hygiene practices on alcohol-based handrub consumption.

Introduction: The World Health Organization recommends monitoring alcohol-based handrub (ABHR) consumption and direct observation of hand hygiene practices to ensure compliance. In Japan monitoring of ABHR consumption is widely performed. However, direct observation is not common, particularly in small facilities and non-acute-care facilities. Hence, the current study aimed to evaluate the longitudinal effects of direct observation of hand hygiene practices and monitoring of ABHR consumption with provision of feedback to healthcare personnel on ABHR consumption and hand hygiene compliance. Methods: We conducted a 4-year prospective intervention study. Monitoring of ABHR consumption and direct observation of hand hygiene practices with monthly feedback to healthcare personnel was implemented in 17 facilities. These consisted of 11 acute-care facilities of varying sizes and six non-acute-care facilities. A generalized linear mixed model analysis was performed to assess factors associated with ABHR consumption. Results: All facilities implemented ABHR consumption monitoring within one month of starting the study. However, the mean time required to implement direct observation of hand hygiene practices was 24.7 (±19.1) months. The ABHR consumption increased significantly (P<0.0001) in all medical facilities after implementing the direct observation. Multivariable regression analysis showed the hospital ward type, duration of ABHR consumption monitoring, and duration of direct observation of hand hygiene practices were independently associated with ABHR consumption. Conclusions: Direct observation of hand hygiene practices with feedback should be implemented more widely in combination with ABHR consumption monitoring to help increase hand hygiene compliance.

Increased future liver function after modified associating liver partition and portal vein ligation/embolization for staged hepatectomy.

Background: The increasing ratio of functional future liver remnant (functional %FLR) after modified associating liver partition and portal vein ligation/embolization for staged hepatectomy (modified-ALPPS) compared with portal vein embolization (PVE) has not been comprehensively evaluated. Purpose: To compare the increasing ratio of functional %FLR between modified-ALPPS and PVE via technetium-99 m-galactosyl human serum albumin single-photon emission computed tomography (99mTc-GSA SPECT/CT) fusion imaging. Material and Methods: Seven and six patients underwent modified-ALPPS (modified-ALPPS group) and PVE (PVE group) from 2015 to 2019. The functional %FLR on 99 mTc-GSA SPECT/CT fusion imaging was assessed before and 1 week (modified-ALPPS group) and 3 weeks (PVE group) after each procedure. The increasing ratio of functional %FLR (functional %FLR ratio) was calculated and compared between the two groups. Moreover, the hypertrophy ratio of future liver remnant volume (FLRV ratio) and atrophy ratio of embolized liver volume (.ELV ratio) were evaluated. Results: The mean functional %FLR ratios of the modified-ALPPS group (1.47 ± 0.15) and the PVE group (1.49 ± 0.20) were comparable (p > .05). The median FLRV ratio of modified-ALPPS group (1.48) was higher than that of the PVE group (1.16), the median ELV ratio of the PVE group (0.81) was lower than that of the modified-ALPPS group (0.94), and the results significantly differed between the two groups (p < .05). Conclusion: The increasing ratio of functional %FLR was comparable between modified-ALPPS and PVE. Compared with PVE, ALPPS was associated with a higher hypertrophy rate of the remnant liver but a lower atrophy rate of the embolized liver.

Improvement in local vascular perfusion of the lower extremities on intravoxel incoherent motion imaging: A case report.

Intravoxel incoherent motion imaging has its improvement-evaluating ability in lower limb perfusion after endovascular therapy in individuals with lower extremity arterial disease. Here, we present a 70-year-old man with intermittent claudication of the left lower limb, whose microperfusion on intravoxel incoherent motion imaging improved after endovascular therapy. The patient underwent intravoxel incoherent motion imaging of the lower extremities pre- and postendovascular therapy. After endovascular therapy, the left ankle brachial index increased from 0.46 to 1.06. The mean perfusion-related coefficient (10-3 mm2/s) of the left lower limb increased from 19.70 ± 3.17 to 24.81 ± 3.41, and mean perfusion fraction (%) of the left lower limb slightly increased from 24.41 ± 0.96% to 25.20 ± 1.89% after endovascular therapy. Therefore, successful revascularization can improve microperfusion on intravoxel incoherent motion imaging in a patient with lower extremity arterial disease.

Inverted intercostal hernia of elastofibroma dorsi mimicking well-differentiated liposarcoma in the chest wall.

Elastofibroma dorsi is a well-known benign chest wall tumor. Herein, we present a case in which an elastofibroma protruded into the thoracic cavity, leading to inverted intercostal hernia. Imaging revealed a soft tissue mass containing fat, typical of elastofibroma dorsi; however, precise diagnosis was difficult owing to the location of this mass that protruded into the thoracic cavity. Liposarcoma had to be ruled out because it was a growing fat-containing mass. Considering that the tumor moved while the patient was undergoing computed tomography-guided biopsy in the prone position, a diagnosis of inverted intercostal hernia of elastofibroma dorsi was made. We report this case with a review of current literature.

Pseudohemothorax induced by residual contrast medium mimicking aortic dissection rupture.

Hemothorax is an urgent condition, and its accurate diagnosis and the identification of the cause are important. Herein, we report a case of a 74-year-old man with end-stage renal disease who was presented with high-concentration pleural effusion owing to residual contrast medium. The case required differentiation from hemothorax owing to an aortic dissection and its rupture. In patients with end-stage renal disease, noncontrast-enhanced computed tomography after contrast-enhanced computed tomography may result in high-concentration pleural effusion owing to the existence of residual contrast medium. This realization is important to determine whether high-concentration pleural effusion symptoms reflect an urgent hemothorax case possibly related to an imminent rupture of an aortic aneurysm or intrathoracic penetration of aortic dissection, and whether invasive procedures, such as thoracentesis, ought to be avoided.

T2 hypointense signal discovered incidentally at the posterior edge of the adenohypophysis on MRI: its prevalence and morphology and their relationship to age.

PURPOSE: T2 hypointense signal at the posterior edge of the adenohypophysis (T2HSPA) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is incidentally encountered. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and morphology of T2HSPA and their relationship to age. METHODS: A total of 212 cases between 3 and 88 years old were examined. Sagittal T2-weighted image (T2WI) was evaluated for the presence of T2HSPA, which classified by its morphology into two types (belt-like or nodal). The Wilcoxon rank sum test and chi-square test were used to evaluate the differences between the groups. The T2HSPA was extracted by ImageJ software and measured as a cross-sectional area (CSA) quantitatively by threshold setting. We examined the relationship between CSA of T2HSPA and age, and Spearman's correlation coefficients were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Of the 212 cases, 80 (37.7%) were identified with T2HSPA. The groups with T2HSPA were significantly younger than the groups without it (p = .01). Groups with belt-like T2HSPA were significantly younger than the groups with nodal T2HSPA (p = .01). There was a weak negative correlation between CSA of T2HSPA and age (p = .02). CONCLUSION: T2HSPAs were incidentally detected in 37.7% of all cases, tended to be more common in younger cases, and their morphology was related to age. They seem to have little clinical significance as they tend to decrease in size with age.

Osteoid osteoma of the rib with strong F-18 fluoro-deoxyglucose uptake mimicking osteoblastoma: a case report with literature review.

Osteoid osteoma is a benign osteoblastic bone lesion, characterized by nocturnal pain alleviated by salicylates or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. This tumor distinctly affects the long bones, typically the femur or tibia and is rarely located in the ribs. Usually, this tumor is usually diagnosed by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, but F-18 fluoro-deoxyglucose positron emission tomographic (FDG-PET)/computed tomography is usually negative and is not used for diagnosis. We recently encountered a case of an osteoid osteoma located in the rib of 44-year-old Asian male with strong FDG uptake as high as 12.0 at the maximum standardized uptake value at FDG-PET/computed tomography. His computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed osteosclerosis, bone marrow edema, and edema of surrounding tissues not only in the bone with nidus but also in the adjacent bone, and pathological findings showed strong infiltration munched radiology. Strong FDG uptake mimicking osteoblastoma. Osteoid osteoma with strong FDG uptake suggested a strong inflammatory response.

Quality of Life of Primary Aldosteronism Patients by Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists.

CONTEXT: Although primary aldosteronism (PA) reduces quality of life (QOL), there have been no reports on whether treatment with a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) improves QOL in Japanese PA patients. OBJECTIVE: Using the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), we compared the QOL of PA patients before and after treatment and evaluated whether the effectiveness of MRAs differs by sex and serum potassium level. METHODS: In 50 patients diagnosed with PA (with or without hypokalemia) and treated with an MRA, the SF-36 scores, blood pressure, and clinical features were assessed before, and 3 and 6 months after treatment. Separate analyses were also conducted for males and females. RESULTS: The normative mean SF-36 score of the healthy subjects was 50. The pretreatment Role-Physical (RP) (46.7 ± 1.8, P = .019), General Health (47.1 ± 1.3, P = .042), and Role-Emotional (47.2 ± 1.7, P = .045) SF-36 subscale scores of all PA patients were significantly lower than those of healthy subjects but were improved by MRA treatment. Females with PA had a lower RP score (45.1 ± 2.2, P = .008), which was not improved by MRA treatment (46.1 ± 2.4, P = .036). In addition, PA patients with hypokalemia had a lower Mental Health SF-36 subscale score (43.2 ± 4.4, P = .041), which was improved by treatment with an MRA. CONCLUSION: MRAs improved the QOL of Japanese PA patients, but female PA patients may be more resistant to MRAs.