The Role of Plain Radiography in Assessing Aborted Foetal Musculoskeletal Anomalies in Everyday Practice.

Conventional radiography is widely used for postmortem foetal imaging, but its role in diagnosing congenital anomalies is debated. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of X-rays in detecting skeletal abnormalities and guiding genetic analysis and counselling. This is a retrospective analysis of all post-abortion diagnostic imaging studies conducted at a centre serving a population of over 300,000 inhabitants from 2008 to 2023. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics. X-rays of 81 aborted foetuses (total of 308 projections; mean: 3.8 projections/examination; SD: 1.79) were included. We detected 137 skeletal anomalies. In seven cases (12.7%), skeletal anomalies identified through radiology were missed by prenatal sonography. The autopsy confirmed radiological data in all cases except for two radiological false positives. Additionally, radiology failed to identify a case of syndactyly, which was revealed by anatomopathology. X-ray is crucial for accurately classifying skeletal abnormalities, determining the causes of spontaneous abortion, and guiding the request for genetic counselling. Formal training for both technicians and radiologists, as well as multidisciplinary teamwork, is necessary to perform X-ray examinations on aborted foetuses and interpret the results effectively.

An annotated T2-weighted magnetic resonance image collection of testicular germ and non-germ cell tumors.

Testicular cancer is a rare tumor with a worldwide incidence that has increased over the last few decades. The majority of these tumors are testicular non-germ (TNGCTs) and germ cell tumors (TGCTs); the latter divided into two broad classes - seminomatous (SGCTs) and non-seminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCTs). Although ultrasonography (US) maintains a primary role in the diagnostic workup of scrotal pathology, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has emerged as the imaging modality recommended for challenging cases, providing additional information to clarify inconclusive/equivocal US. In this work we describe and publicly share a collection of 44 images of annotated T2-weighted MRI lesions from 42 patients. Given that testicular cancer is a rare tumor, we are confident that this collection can be used to validate statistical models and to further investigate TNGCT and TGCT peculiarities using medical imaging features.

[Unicentric Castleman disease: a blind lymph node.] / Malattia di Castleman unicentrica: un linfonodo nascosto.

The paper reports the case of a 13-year-old female adolescent presenting with persistent fever. She had no other significant symptoms or signs. Laboratory examinations showed mild anemia and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrosedimentation rate (ERS). The abdominal ultrasonography revealed para-aortic lymphadenopathy that was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) that showed no other locations. The patient underwent laparoscopic excision but complete removal was not possible due to the position of the mass. The histological exam documented unicentric Castleman's disease. After surgery a clinical improvement was assisted but with persistence of very high CPR, ERS and serum amyloid. According to guidelines, she was treated with tocilizumab achieving complete remission of indices of inflammation. In the case with symptomatic unresectable unicentric Castleman's disease treatment with anti-IL-6 agents should be considered.

The potential role of MR based radiomic biomarkers in the characterization of focal testicular lesions.

How to differentiate with MRI-based techniques testicular germ (TGCTs) and testicular non-germ cell tumors (TNGCTs) is still under debate and Radiomics may be the turning key. Our purpose is to investigate the performance of MRI-based Radiomics signatures for the preoperative prediction of testicular neoplasm histology. The aim is twofold: (i), differentiating TGCTs and TNGCTs status and (ii) differentiating seminomas (SGCTs) from non-seminomatous (NSGCTs). Forty-two patients with pathology-proven testicular neoplasms and referred for pre-treatment MRI, were retrospectively enrolled. Thirty-two out of 44 lesions were TGCTs. Twelve out of 44 were TNGCTs or other histologies. Two radiologists segmented the volume of interest on T2-weighted images. Approximately 500 imaging features were extracted. Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) was applied as method for variable selection. A linear model and a linear support vector machine (SVM) were trained with selected features to assess discrimination scores for the two endpoints. LASSO identified 3 features that were employed to build fivefold validated linear discriminant and linear SVM classifiers for the TGCT-TNGCT endpoint giving an overall accuracy of 89%. Four features were employed to build another SVM for the SGCT-SNGCT endpoint with an overall accuracy of 86%. The data obtained proved that T2-weighted-based Radiomics is a promising tool in the diagnostic workup of testicular neoplasms by discriminating germ cell from non-gem cell tumors, and seminomas from non-seminomas.

Current concepts in ablative procedures for primary benign liver lesions: a step forward to minimize the invasiveness of treatment when deemed necessary.

With increased use of medical imaging, the incidental detection of benign solid liver tumors has become more frequent. Facing with benign disease, the indications for surgery are still object of discussion in light of the stable natural course of most lesions and obvious drawbacks of any surgical intervention; therefore, in most situations, a conservative approach is recommended, and surgery is mainly reserved for those cases with persistent or worsening symptoms, or who are at risk for complications as malignant transformation. The advent of ablative techniques has widened the range of treatment options available to these patients, presenting as a valid alternative to resection in terms of safety and efficacy in selected cases, particularly in patients who are considered poor surgical candidates and with smaller lesions. This review outlines the role of percutaneous ablative methods for benign solid liver tumors that are encountered in adults, providing a per histology analysis of the existing evidence. The up-to-date strategies for management of the most common benign solid tumors are recapitulated.

Imaging of the scrotum: beyond sonography.

The aim of this article is to describe the role of second-level imaging techniques after an initial ultrasonography evaluation in the assessment of scrotal diseases. While ultrasonography remains central as the primary imaging modality for the evaluation of pathologic conditions of the scrotum, the role of magnetic resonance imaging continues to evolve: it can actually be valuable as a problem-solving tool when sonographic findings are equivocal or inconclusive. Magnetic resonance imaging of the scrotum may provide accurate detection and characterization of scrotal diseases, well depicting the precise location of scrotal masses (intratesticular or extratesticular) and reliably characterizing benign conditions simulating neoplastic processes, thus preventing unnecessary radical surgery. Advanced magnetic resonance techniques, most of all diffusion weighted imaging and magnetic resonance spectroscopy, play in the meanwhile a more significant role in evaluating scrotal diseases. TEACHING POINTS: • Multiparametric ultrasonography usually represents the initial imaging modality for approaching scrotal diseases. • MRI is well established as a problem-solving tool for inconclusive sonographic findings. • Advanced MRI techniques can be successfully applied in scrotal pathology assessment. • MRI is valuable in differentiating benign conditions from neoplastic processes. • CT plays a role in trauma assessment and cancer staging alongside PET/CT.