Single shot lymphoscintigraphy in breast cancer: Effective single tracer sentinel node detection protocol with reduction in procedural pain.

PURPOSE: Variation in protocols for axillary sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping exists. We strive to evaluate the effectiveness of reduction in number of injections on reducing procedural pain, while maintaining nodal detection. METHODS: Over 7 years, the number of periareolar injections performed was reduced stepwise from 4 to 1. This was analyzed for SLN detection and patients' subjective perceived pain. RESULTS: 828 patients with invasive breast cancer who underwent SLN mapping were included. Laterality of breast injection site included 326 (39.4%) in the right breast, 354 (42.8%) in the left breast and 148 (17.9%) in bilateral breasts. In patients who had 4 injection sites in a unilateral breast (n = 143), the reported pain score was 4.3 ± 2.4. Patients with 3 injections (n = 163), 2 injections (n = 163) and 1 injection (n = 211) in a breast reported pain scores of 3.4 ± 2.4, 3.2 ± 2.2, and 2.9 ± 2.6, respectively. In patients who had bilateral sentinel node procedures, those with 4 injections in each breast for a total of 8 injections (n = 37) reported a pain score of 5.7 ± 2.4. Patients with 3 (n = 51), 2 (n = 31) and 1 (n = 39) injection(s) in each breast reported perceived pain of 4.8 ± 2.8, 3.7 ± 2.7 and 3.5 ± 1.9, respectively. Incremental decreased pain scores were achieved with decreasing number of injections (p < 0.001). Nodal detection was maintained. CONCLUSION: A single periareolar subdermal injection site reduces periprocedural pain while maintaining nodal detection.

Contrast-enhanced US in Pediatric Patients: Overview of Bowel Applications.

Contrast material-enhanced US is a technique that is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the characterization of liver lesions and intravesicular applications in children; however, contrast-enhanced US has several other pediatric applications in clinical practice. The most common application is for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Contrast-enhanced US can be used to diagnose IBD, distinguish regions of active or chronic inflammation of the bowel wall, and evaluate associated complications such as abscesses, fistulas, and strictures. Dynamic contrast material evaluation provides qualitative and quantitative information about mural and mesenteric blood flow, which is essential in the determination of disease activity in these patients. It also has the potential to provide a means of monitoring the response to therapy beyond endoscopy or MR enterography. In addition to its use for IBD, contrast-enhanced US can be used to assess for bowel perfusion when problem solving in patients with necrotizing enterocolitis, neonatal bowel infarction, or intussusception. It is a useful imaging technique to fortify diagnoses that may otherwise be indeterminate, such as appendicitis, epiploic appendagitis, intraluminal bowel masses, and complex cysts. Finally, innovative applications such as shear-wave elastography have the potential to provide information about the stiffness of the bowel wall. Online supplemental material is available for this article. ©RSNA, 2020 See discussion on this article by Watson and Humphries.

Does obtaining an initial magnetic resonance imaging decrease the reamputation rates in the diabetic foot?

OBJECTIVE: Diabetes mellitus (DM) through its over glycosylation of neurovascular structures and resultant peripheral neuropathy continues to be the major risk factor for pedal amputation. Repetitive trauma to the insensate foot results in diabetic foot ulcers, which are at high risk to develop osteomyelitis. Many patients who present with diabetic foot complications will undergo one or more pedal amputations during the course of their disease. The purpose of this study was to determine if obtaining an initial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), prior to the first amputation, is associated with a decreased rate of reamputation in the diabetic foot. Our hypothesis was that the rate of reamputation may be associated with underutilization of obtaining an initial MRI, useful in presurgical planning. This study was designed to determine whether there was an association between the reamputation rate in diabetic patients and utilization of MRI in the presurgical planning and prior to initial forefoot amputations. METHODS: Following approval by our institutional review board, our study design consisted of a retrospective cohort analysis of 413 patients at Staten Island University Hospital, a 700-bed tertiary referral center between 2008 and 2013 who underwent an initial great toe (hallux) amputation. Of the 413 patients with a hallux amputation, there were 368 eligible patients who had a history of DM with documented hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) within 3 months of the initial first ray (hallux and first metatarsal) amputation and available radiographic data. Statistical analysis compared the incidence rates of reamputation between patients who underwent initial MRI and those who did not obtain an initial MRI prior to their first amputation. The reamputation rate was compared after adjustment for age, gender, ethnicity, HbA1c, cardiovascular disease, hypoalbuminemia, smoking, body mass index, and prior antibiotic treatment. RESULTS: The results of our statistical analysis failed to reveal a significant association between obtaining an initial MRI and the reamputation rate. We did, however, find a statistical association between obtaining an early MRI and decreased mortality rates. DISCUSSION: Obtaining an early MRI was not associated with the reamputation rate incidence in the treatment of the diabetic foot. It did, however, have a statistically significant association with the mortality rate as demonstrated by the increased survival rate in patients undergoing MRI prior to initial amputation.

Childhood asymmetrical labium majus enlargement sonographic and MR imaging appearances.

BACKGROUND: Childhood asymmetrical labium majus enlargement (CALME) has been described sparsely in recent surgery, pathology, pediatric and gynecology literature; however, no comprehensive description from a radiology perspective has been developed. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this case series is to describe the imaging findings of CALME and to review the current understanding of this recently described clinical entity with regard to clinical presentation, pathophysiology, differential diagnosis and treatment options. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of 3 girls, ages 5-7 years, who presented for imaging evaluation with subsequent pathologically proven CALME. Each child's clinical history, length of symptoms, imaging appearance and pathological findings were reviewed. RESULTS: All three girls presented with unilateral enlargement of the labium majus (two right-side, one left-side) with no history of trauma or other inciting cause. Two girls had painless labial enlargement that was recognized for weeks, and one had similar symptoms for 1 year prior to presentation. One girl was evaluated initially with sonography, and all three children underwent MR imaging. Sonographic evaluation showed asymmetrical labial enlargement without a definable mass. In each girl, the MR imaging findings were characterized by relatively ill-defined T1-weighted hypointense signal, T2-weighted hypo- to isointense signal with interspersed hyperintense septae, and heterogeneous patchy and feathery strands of enhancement on post-contrast imaging. Biopsy from each child showed benign fibrous tissue with intervening mature fibroadipose tissue, vessels and nerves without findings of inflammation or neoplasia. CONCLUSION: The MR imaging appearance of CALME is consistent. Recognition and appreciation of this unique pediatric entity by the radiologist may be essential for appropriate diagnosis and can help to guide therapy. Current preferred treatment approach is conservative.