Image-Guided Minimally Invasive Treatment Options for Degenerative Lumbar Spine Disease: A Practical Overview of Current Possibilities.

Lumbar back pain is one of the main causes of disability around the world. Most patients will complain of back pain at least once in their lifetime. The degenerative spine is considered the main cause and is extremely common in the elderly population. Consequently, treatment-related costs are a major burden to the healthcare system in developed and undeveloped countries. After the failure of conservative treatments or to avoid daily chronic drug intake, invasive treatments should be suggested. In a world where many patients reject surgery and prefer minimally invasive procedures, interventional radiology is pivotal in pain management and could represent a bridge between medical therapy and surgical treatment. We herein report the different image-guided procedures that can be used to manage degenerative spine-related low back pain. Particularly, we will focus on indications, different techniques, and treatment outcomes reported in the literature. This literature review focuses on the different minimally invasive percutaneous treatments currently available, underlining the central role of radiologists having the capability to use high-end imaging technology for diagnosis and subsequent treatment, allowing a global approach, reducing unnecessary surgeries and prolonged pain-reliever drug intake with their consequent related complications, improving patients' quality of life, and reducing the economic burden.

Transpedicular Contrast-enhanced CT-guided biopsy of the body and dens of the axis avoiding the trans-oral approach: Technical report and literature review.

This technical report illustrates the technique to perform computed tomography (CT)-guided bone biopsies in the body and dens of the axis (C2 vertebra) through a posterior transpedicular approach with the use of preoperative contrast-enhanced scans to highlight the course of the vertebral artery. The technique is presented through two exemplification cases: a pediatric patient with osteoblastoma and secondary aneurysmal bone cyst and one adult patient with melanoma metastasis. This case highlights the potential of the CT-guided posterolateral/transpedicular approach for performing safe and effective biopsies in the body and dens of C2, even in pediatric patients.

Osteopontin characterizes bile duct-associated macrophages and correlates with liver fibrosis severity in primary sclerosing cholangitis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is an immune-mediated cholestatic liver disease for which pharmacological treatment options are currently unavailable. PSC is strongly associated with colitis and a disruption of the gut-liver axis, and macrophages are involved in the pathogenesis of PSC. However, how gut-liver interactions and specific macrophage populations contribute to PSC is incompletely understood. APPROACH AND RESULTS: We investigated the impact of cholestasis and colitis on the hepatic and colonic microenvironment, and performed an in-depth characterization of hepatic macrophage dynamics and function in models of concomitant cholangitis and colitis. Cholestasis-induced fibrosis was characterized by depletion of resident KCs, and enrichment of monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages (MoMFs) in the liver. These MoMFs highly express triggering-receptor-expressed-on-myeloid-cells-2 ( Trem2 ) and osteopontin ( Spp1 ), markers assigned to hepatic bile duct-associated macrophages, and were enriched around the portal triad, which was confirmed in human PSC. Colitis induced monocyte/macrophage infiltration in the gut and liver, and enhanced cholestasis-induced MoMF- Trem2 and Spp1 upregulation, yet did not exacerbate liver fibrosis. Bone marrow chimeras showed that knockout of Spp1 in infiltrated MoMFs exacerbates inflammation in vivo and in vitro , while monoclonal antibody-mediated neutralization of SPP1 conferred protection in experimental PSC. In human PSC patients, serum osteopontin levels are elevated compared to control, and significantly increased in advanced stage PSC and might serve as a prognostic biomarker for liver transplant-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: Our data shed light on gut-liver axis perturbations and macrophage dynamics and function in PSC and highlight SPP1/OPN as a prognostic marker and future therapeutic target in PSC.

The New Ice Age of Musculoskeletal Intervention: Role of Percutaneous Cryoablation in Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors.

In the rapidly evolving field of interventional oncology, minimally invasive methods, including CT-guided cryoablation, play an increasingly important role in tumor treatment, notably in bone and soft tissue cancers. Cryoablation works using compressed gas-filled probes to freeze tumor cells to temperatures below -20 °C, exploiting the Joule-Thompson effect. This cooling causes cell destruction by forming intracellular ice crystals and disrupting blood flow through endothelial cell damage, leading to local ischemia and devascularization. Coupling this with CT technology enables precise tumor targeting, preserving healthy surrounding tissues and decreasing postoperative complications. This review reports the most important literature on CT-guided cryoablation's application in musculoskeletal oncology, including sarcoma, bone metastases, and bone and soft tissue benign primary tumors, reporting on the success rate, recurrence rate, complications, and technical aspects to maximize success for cryoablation in the musculoskeletal system.

Percutaneous CT-Guided Bone Biopsies: Indications, Feasibility and Diagnostic Yield in the Different Skeletal Sites-From the Skull to the Toe.

CT-guided bone biopsies are currently the diagnostic tool of choice for histopathological (and microbiological) diagnoses of skeletal lesions. Several research works have well-demonstrated their safety and feasibility in almost all skeletal regions. This comprehensive review article aims at summarizing the general concepts in regard to bone biopsy procedures, current clinical indications, the feasibility and the diagnostic yield in different skeletal sites, particularly in the most delicate and difficult-to-reach ones. The choice of the correct imaging guidance and factors affecting the diagnostic rate, as well as possible complications, will also be discussed. Since the diagnostic yield, technical difficulties, and complications risk of a CT-guided bone biopsy significantly vary depending on the different skeletal sites, subdivided analyses of different anatomical sites are provided. The information included in the current review article may be useful for clinicians assisting patients with possible bone neoplasms, as well as radiologists involved in the imaging diagnoses of skeletal lesions and/or in performing bone biopsies.

Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Bone Biopsy: Feasibility, Diagnostic Yield and Technical Notes.

While nowadays, CT-guided bone biopsy represents the gold standard tool for histopathological and microbiological diagnosis of skeletal lesions, the role of US-guided bone biopsy has not yet been fully explored. US-guided biopsy offers several advantages, such as the absence of ionizing radiation, fast acquisition time, as well as good intra-lesional echo, and structural and vascular characterization. Despite that, a consensus in regard to its applications in bone neoplasms has not been established. Indeed CT-guided technique (or fluoroscopic ones) still represents the standard choice in clinical practice. This review article aims to review the literature data about US-guided bone biopsy, underlying clinical-radiological indications, advantages of the procedure and future perspectives. Bone lesions taking the best advantages of the US-guided biopsy are osteolytic, determining the erosion of the overlying bone cortex and/or with an extraosseous soft-tissue component. Indeed, osteolytic lesions with extra-skeletal soft-tissue involvement represent a clear indication for US-guided biopsy. Moreover, even lytic bone lesions with cortical thinning and/or cortical disruption, especially located in the extremities or pelvis, can be safely sampled with US guidance with very good diagnostic yield. US-guided bone biopsy is proven to be fast, effective and safe. Additionally, it offers real-time needle evaluation, an advantage when compared to CT-guided bone biopsy. In the current clinical settings, it seems relevant to select the exact eligibility criteria for this imaging guidance since the effectiveness can vary depending on the type of lesion and body site involved.

Could Spinal Epidural Lipomatosis Be the Hallmark of Metabolic Syndrome on the Spine? A Literature Review with Emphasis on Etiology.

Spinal epidural lipomatosis is defined by an excessive amount of epidural fat in the spinal canal, usually in the lumbosacral tract: a well-known cause of lumbar pain and spinal stenosis with a possible wide range of neurological symptoms. Recent research data reveal that, nowadays, obesity has become the main cause of spinal epidural lipomatosis. Moreover, this condition was recently recognized as a previously unknown manifestation of metabolic syndrome. Radiological studies (CT and MRI) are the only tools that are able to diagnose the disease non-invasively. Indeed, radiologists play a key role in disease recognition, with subsequent possible implications on patients' systemic health assessments. Despite its clinical importance, the condition is still underreported and neglected. The current literature review summarizes all the main etiologies of spinal epidural lipomatosis, particularly regarding its linkage with metabolic syndrome. An overview of disease characteristics from diagnosis to treatment strategies is also provided.

CT-Guided Radiofrequency Thermal Ablation for the Treatment of Atypical, Early-Onset Osteoid Osteoma in Children Younger than 4 Years Old: Single-Institution Experience and Literature Review.

The aim of our study is to report our experience on CT-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for osteoid osteoma (OO) in children under 4 years of age and to review the literature regarding this atypical, early onset of the disease. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and radiological records of the patients treated with CT-guided RFA for OO at our institution (2006−2021), including those under 4 years of age. Data regarding technical success, clinical success, and biopsy diagnostic yield were collected. Moreover, we performed a literature review including previous articles on early-onset OO. We found only 12 patients that were under 4 years of age (12/842−1.4%) at the time of RFA treatment: 4 F and 8 M, mean age at the time of the treatment 35.3 months (range 22−46 months). The mean follow-up was 22.8 months (range 6−96 months). Technical success was achieved in all cases (12/12). In all patients (12/12), a complete remission of the pain symptoms was achieved at clinical follow-up controls. No recurrence of pain or complications were documented. The histopathological diagnosis was confirmed in 4 patients (4/12−33.3%). Moreover, we found another 9 articles in the literature with a main focus on early-onset OO (<4 years old), with a total of 12 patients included; 6 of those patients (6/12−50%) were treated with CT-guided RFA, with success reported 5 cases (5/6−83.3%). Our series of cases treated at a single institution, together with the existing data from the literature, confirms that CT-guided RFA is effective and safe for the treatment of osteoid osteoma, even in atypical, early onset in children under 4 years of age.

Modulating hepatic macrophages with annexin A1 in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and associated end-stage liver disease is a growing cause of concern throughout the Western world. It constitutes a significant clinical burden for which therapeutic approaches are very limited. Over the last years, considerable attention has therefore been paid to identifying potential therapeutic strategies to reduce this burden. Annexin A1 (AnxA1), a calcium-phospholipid binding protein, has been proposed to be a negative regulator of inflammation in the context of NASH. In a recent publication, Gadipudi, Ramavath, Provera et al. investigated the therapeutic potential of Annexin A1 treatment in preventing the progression of NASH. They demonstrate that treatment of mice with NASH with recombinant human AnxA1 can reduce inflammation and fibrosis without affecting steatosis or metabolic syndrome. This was proposed to be achieved through the modulation of the macrophage populations present in the liver. Here, we discuss the main findings of this work and raise some outstanding questions regarding the possible mechanisms involved and the functions of distinct macrophage populations in NASH.

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous irrigation of calcific tendinopathy outside the rotator cuff: short-term evaluation.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: While ultrasound-guided percutaneous irrigation for painful calcific tendinopathy (US-PICT) is the treatment of choice for the rotator cuff, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the treatment of this condition with atypical location. The purpose of our study is to assess if US-PICT can be applied safely and successfully in atypical sites, outside of the rotator cuff. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the US-PICT performed outside the rotator cuff, in the last 5 years in a single institution. A total of 16 patients have been included in this study. We collected the values of the numerical rating scale (NRS) for pain pre- and post-procedure (7 days and 3-month follow-up). Moreover, we assessed the imaging studies available pre- and post-procedure (ultrasound and plain radiography) to assess complications. RESULTS: In all the 16 patients (10F, 6 M; mean age 50.2; range 24-65-year-old), no complications have been observed during and after the procedures. The mean pain NRS before treatment was 8.7 (range 10-6) and dropped to 1.1 (6-0) after 1 week as well after 3 months 1.1 (6-0). The NRS pain reduction from baseline resulted to be statistically significant after 7 days and 3 months (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest the safety and efficacy of this procedure, underlining the great potential of US-PICT applied even in different atypical locations.

Underreporting of spinal epidural lipomatosis: A retrospective analysis of lumbosacral MRI examinations from different radiological settings.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the rate with which radiologists reported spinal epidural lipomatosis (SEL) when interpreting lumbosacral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 450 lumbosacral MRI examinations obtained in 450 patients were included (199 men, 251 women; mean age, 56.7 ± 13.5 [SD] years; age range: 18-91 years).  Three senior radiologists assessed and classified independently SEL on MRI according to the Borré grading system (Grade 1 to Grade 3). Depiction of SEL on MRI reports (i. e., reporting rate) and association with patients' symptoms were verified. RESULTS: SEL was found in 75/450 patients (prevalence = 16.7%), and classified as grade-1 (mild) in 49/75 (65.3%) patients, grade-2 (moderate) in 24/75 (32%), and grade-3 (severe) in 2/75 (2.7%). SEL was diagnosed on MRI report in 6/75 (8%) patients. SEL prevalence based on MRI reports was 1.3% (6/450), significantly lower than its actual prevalence based on MRI examinations (P < 0.0001). The reporting rate was 0% in grade-1 (0/19), 10.2% in grade-2 (5/49) and 50.0% in grade-3 (1/2), and variable on the radiologist subspecialty (10.0% among musculoskeletal radiologists, 11.1% among neuroradiologists, and 3.7% among generalists). SEL was considered as the only cause of symptoms in 7/75 patients (9.3%) and a concurrent cause in 9/75 (12%). CONCLUSION: SEL reporting rate is extremely low, leading to an important underestimation of disease prevalence. SEL diagnosis and grading should be refined to improve reports quality and subsequently patient care.

Spatial proteogenomics reveals distinct and evolutionarily conserved hepatic macrophage niches.

The liver is the largest solid organ in the body, yet it remains incompletely characterized. Here we present a spatial proteogenomic atlas of the healthy and obese human and murine liver combining single-cell CITE-seq, single-nuclei sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, and spatial proteomics. By integrating these multi-omic datasets, we provide validated strategies to reliably discriminate and localize all hepatic cells, including a population of lipid-associated macrophages (LAMs) at the bile ducts. We then align this atlas across seven species, revealing the conserved program of bona fide Kupffer cells and LAMs. We also uncover the respective spatially resolved cellular niches of these macrophages and the microenvironmental circuits driving their unique transcriptomic identities. We demonstrate that LAMs are induced by local lipid exposure, leading to their induction in steatotic regions of the murine and human liver, while Kupffer cell development crucially depends on their cross-talk with hepatic stellate cells via the evolutionarily conserved ALK1-BMP9/10 axis.

Imaging of calcific tendinopathy in atypical sites by ultrasound and conventional radiography: A pictorial essay.

Calcific tendinopathy (CT) is a very common condition caused by the deposition of calcium hydroxyapatite crystals in tendons and it can be an incidental finding or associated with severe pain. CT can be easily detected by first level exams such as traditional radiography and ultrasound (US), which provide information on the site, extent and composition of the calcific formation. Classically, the most affected site is represented by the rotator cuff tendons, in particular the supraspinatus tendon. In this pictorial essay we illustrate various unusual localizations of CT detected by US and plain radiography, in order to provide an overview with the aim of preventing diagnostic delays and consequently CT complications.

Soft Tissue Sarcomas: The Role of Quantitative MRI in Treatment Response Evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Although curative surgery remains the cornerstone of the therapeutic strategy in patients with soft tissue sarcomas (STS), neoadjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy (NART and NACT, respectively) are increasingly used to improve operability, surgical margins and patient outcome. The best imaging modality for locoregional assessment of STS is MRI but these tumors are mostly evaluated in a qualitative manner. OBJECTIVE: After an overview of the current standard of care regarding treatment for patients with locally advanced STS, this review aims to summarize the principles and limitations of (i) the current methods used to evaluate response to neoadjuvant treatment in clinical practice and clinical trials in STS (RECIST 1.1 and modified Choi criteria), (ii) quantitative MRI sequences (i.e., diffusion weighted imaging and dynamic contrast enhanced MRI), and (iii) texture analyses and (delta-) radiomics.

MRI Features and Clinical Significance of Spinal Epidural Lipomatosis: All You Should Know.

Spinal epidural lipomatosis (SEL) is defined as the abnormal accumulation of unencapsulated adipose tissue in the spinal epidural space. SEL can be asymptomatic or can cause a wide range of symptoms, the most common of which is neurogenic claudication. Several other neurological manifestations may also occur, above all myelopathy and radicular symptoms. The spinal level most frequently involved in patients with SEL is the lumbar one, followed by the thoracic one. Imaging plays a key role in the disease assessment. MRI is considered the most effective and sensitive modality for diagnosing and staging SEL. Anyway, also CT scan can diagnose SEL. The diagnosis may be incidental (in mild-moderate disease) or may be taken into account in cases with neurological symptoms (in moderate-severe disease). There are some recognized risk factors for SEL, the most common of which are exogenous steroid use and obesity. Recent studies have found an association between SEL and obesity, hyperlipidemia and liver fat deposition. As a matter of fact, SEL can be considered the spinal hallmark of metabolic syndrome. Risk factors control represents the initial treatment strategy in patients with SEL (e.g. weight loss, steroid therapy suspension). Surgical decompression may be required when conservative treatment fails or when the patient develops acute/severe neurological symptoms.

Vascular Proximity Increases the Risk of Local Recurrence in Soft-Tissue Sarcomas of the Thigh-A Retrospective MRI Study.

The aim of this study was to establish the prognostic effects of the proximity of the tumor to the main vessels in patients affected by soft tissue sarcomas (STS) of the thigh. A total of 529 adult patients with deeply seated STS of the thigh and popliteal fossa were included. Vascular proximity was defined on MRI: type 1 > 5 mm; type 2 ≤ 5 mm and >0 mm; type 3 close to the tumor; type 4 enclosed by the tumor. Proximity to major vessels type 1-2 had a local recurrence (LR) rate lower than type 3-4 (p < 0.001). In type 4, vascular by-pass reduced LR risk. On multivariate analysis infiltrative histotypes, high FNLCC grade, radiotherapy administration, and type 3-4 of proximity to major vessels were found to be independent prognostic factors for LR. We observed an augmented risk of recurrence, but not of survival as the tumor was near to the major vessels. When major vessels were found to be surrounded by the tumor on preoperative MRI, vascular resection and bypass reconstruction offered a better local control.

In matters of the heart, (cellular) communication is key.

To maintain cardiac output, the failing heart undergoes significant remodeling. However, the mechanisms regulating this remain unclear. In this issue of Immunity, Zaman et al. and Wong, Mohan, and Kopecky et al. uncover an interaction between resident cardiac macrophages and cardiomyocytes governing this process.

Skeletal Survey in Multiple Myeloma: Role of Imaging.

Bone disease is the hallmark of multiple myeloma. Skeletal lesions are evaluated to establish the diagnosis, to choose the therapies and also to assess the response to treatments. Due to this, imaging procedures play a key role in the management of multiple myeloma. For decades, conventional radiography has been the standard imaging modality. Subsequently, advances in the treatment of multiple myeloma have increased the need for an accurate evaluation of skeletal disease. The introduction of new high performant imaging tools, such as whole-body lowdose computed tomography, different types of magnetic resonance imaging studies, and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography, replaced the conventional radiography. In this review, we analyze the diagnostic potentials, indications of use, and applications of the imaging tools nowadays available. Whole-body low-dose CT should be considered as the imaging modality of choice for the initial assessment of multiple myeloma lytic bone lesions. MRI is the gold-standard for the detection of bone marrow involvement, while PET/CT is the preferred technique in the assessment of response to therapy. Both MRI and PET/CT are able to provide prognostic information.

Clinico-Radiological Features of Tumor-like Lesions of the Upper Limbs: don't worry about those lumps.

Tumor-like lesions of the upper limb are more frequent than malignant neoplastic lesions and they represent a wide and heterogeneous group of disorders. The combination of clinical evaluation and imaging is the first pivotal step to attempt a distinction between benign and malignant masses, since there are important implications for further management, such as the requirement for conservative or interventional treatment. The classification of these pseudo tumoral lumps remains arbitrary and is still a matter of debate, currently based on a conjunct clinico-radiologic approach. In this article, we review various types of tumor-like lesions of the upper limb in terms of imaging approach and related clinic features, proponing a descriptive classification, useful in clinical practice to recognize these disorders, and to avoid unnecessary or potentially harmful procedures.