Critical analysis of major and ancillary features of LI-RADS v2018 in the differentiation of small (≤ 2 cm) hepatocellular carcinoma from dysplastic nodules with gadobenate dimeglumine-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance of major features, ancillary features, and categories of Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) version 2018 at magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the differentiation of small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from dysplastic nodules (DNs). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included cirrhotic patients with pathologically proven untreated HCCs and DNs (≤ 2 cm) and liver MR imaging performed with gadobenate dimeglumine contrast agent within 3 months before pathological analysis, between 2015 and 2018. 37 patients with 43 observations (17 HCCs and 26 DNs) met the inclusion criteria. Two radiologists assessed major and ancillary imaging features for each liver observation and assigned a LI-RADS v2018 category in consensus. Estimates of diagnostic performance of major features, ancillary features, and LI-RADS categories were assessed based on their sensitivity, specificity, positive (PPV), and negative predictive values (NPV). RESULTS: Major features (nonrim arterial phase hyperenhancement, nonperipheral "washout", and enhancing "capsule") had a sensitivity of 94.1%, 88.2%, and 41.2%, and a specificity of 57.7%, 42.3%, and 88.5% for HCC, respectively. Ancillary features (hepatobiliary phase hypointensity, mild-moderate T2 hyperintensity, restricted diffusion, and fat in the lesion more than adjacent liver) had a sensitivity of 94.1%, 64.7%, 58.8%, and 11.8%, and a specificity of 26.9%, 61.5%, 65.4%, and 76.9% for HCC, respectively. The LR-5 category (determined by using major features only vs. the combination of major and ancillary features) had a sensitivity of 88.2% at both evaluations and a specificity of 76.9% and 80.8% for HCC, respectively. The combination of LR-4, LR-5 categories (determined by using major features only vs. the combination of major and ancillary features) had a sensitivity of 94.1% at both interpretations and a specificity of 65.4% and 26.9% for HCC, respectively. The use of ancillary features modified LI-RADS category in 25.6% of observations (11/43), predominantly upgraded from LR-3 to LR4 (10/11), increasing the proportion of low-grade DNs and high-grade DNs categorized as LR-4 (from 15.4% to 61.5% and from 7.7% to 46.1%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The added value of ancillary features in combination with major features is limited for the non-invasive diagnosis of small HCC; however, their use modifies the final category in a substantial proportion of observations from LR-3 to LR-4, thus allowing possible changes in the management of patients at risk for HCC.

Brain DSC MR Perfusion in Children: A Clinical Feasibility Study Using Different Technical Standards of Contrast Administration.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Dynamic susceptibility contrast MR perfusion imaging has limited results in children due to difficulties in reproducing technical standards derived from adults. This prospective, multicenter study aimed to determine DSC feasibility and quality in children using custom administration of a standard dose of gadolinium. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-three consecutive children with brain tumors underwent DSC perfusion with a standard dose of gadobutrol administered by an automated power injector. The location and size of intravenous catheters and gadobutrol volume and flow rates were reported, and local and/or systemic adverse effects were recorded. DSC was qualitatively evaluated by CBV maps and signal intensity-time curves and quantitatively by the percentage of signal drop and full width at half-maximum, and the data were compared with the standards reported for adults. Quantitative data were grouped by flow rate, and differences among groups were assessed by analysis of covariance and tested for statistical significance with a t test. RESULTS: No local or systemic adverse events were recorded independent of catheter location (63 arm, 14 hand, 6 foot), size (24-18 ga), and flow rates (1-5 mL/s). High-quality CBV maps and signal intensity-time curves were achieved in all patients, and quantitative evaluations were equal or superior to those reported for adults. No significant differences (P ≥ .05) were identified among the higher-flow-rate groups in the quantitative data. CONCLUSIONS: A custom administration of a standard dose of gadobutrol allows safe and high-quality DSC MR perfusion imaging in children.

Usefulness of automated breast volume scanner (ABVS) for monitoring tumor response to neoadjuvant treatment in breast cancer patients: preliminary results.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the accuracy of Automated Breast Volume Scanner (ABVS) compared to handheld ultrasound (HHUS) for monitoring tumor response to neoadjuvant treatment (NAT) in breast cancer (BC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: All the patients submitted to biopsy in our Institution, from January 2017 to May 2017, proven invasive BC and eligible for NAT, were enrolled in this prospective study. The participants underwent ABVS, HHUS, dynamic contrast-enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (DCE-MRI) and mammography at the beginning of NAT and ABVS, HHUS and DCE-MRI at the halfway point of therapy and before the surgery. DCE-MRI was considered the standard of reference. Two breast radiologists (R1, R2), with fifteen and five years of experience in breast imaging, independently assigned a visibility score (ordinal 5-point scale) to ABVS, HHUS, and DCE-MRI. Diagnostic performance of ABVS and HHUS as measured by sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) was calculated. Correlations between ABVS and MRI, and between HHUS and MRI were analyzed using Pearson's correlation test. RESULTS: A total of 21 patients were enrolled. 189 examinations were performed. The comparison between ABVS and DCE-MRI was similar for the both readers: ABVS had a sensitivity of 63,16%, specificity of 83,58%, PPV of 76,60%, NPV of 72,73%, accuracy of 74,19% (R1) and a sensitivity of 54.54%, specificity of 85.51%, PPV of 75%, NPV of 70,24%, accuracy of 71.77% (R2). The comparison between HHUS and DCE-MRI showed that HHUS had a sensitivity of 63,16 %, specificity of 83,58%, PPV of 76,60%, NPV of 72,73%, accuracy of 74,19% (R1) and a sensitivity of 36.84%, specificity of 85.07%, PPV of 67.74%, NPV of 61.29%, accuracy of 62.90% (R2). The calculated Pearson's correlation coefficient r values were 7.8 for HHUS vs. DCE-MRI and 28.5 for ABVS vs. DCE-MRI (R1) and 7.8 for HHUS vs. DCE-MRI and 22.4 for ABVS vs. DCE-MRI (R2). Statistical significance of ABVS and HHUS was p < 0.0001 and 0.005 < p < 0.01, respectively (R1, R2). CONCLUSIONS: DCE-MRI is recommended for the tumor response assessment. ABVS, a product of the biotechnology development, providing reproducible images, in addition to DCE-MRI, can be a potentially useful tool for the monitoring of response to NAT.

Imaging assessment of portal venous system: pictorial essay of normal anatomy, anatomic variants and congenital anomalies.

The purpose of this pictorial essay is to describe anatomic variants and congenital anomalies of portal venous system and related liver parenchymal alterations. The imaging findings of some of these entities have been previously described in other articles, however this work encompasses all congenital anomalies of portal venous system with attention to their features on various imaging modalities; in particular we illustrated with detailed pictures all the main portal vein variants, congenital extra- and intra-hepatic porto-systemic venous shunts and portal vein aneurysm. Variants of portal branches and intrahepatic portosystemic shunts are quite uncommon, however, when present, they should be recognized before performing surgery or interventional procedures. Congenital absence of the portal vein is an important finding as the complete loss of portal perfusion predisposes the liver to focal or diffuse hyperplastic or dysplastic changes. Portal vein aneurysm is a rare clinical entity that can affect intra- and extra-hepatic portal branches; although usually asymptomatic, thrombosis can occur. Awareness of congenital variants of portal venous system among radiologists should allow a more confident diagnosis and permit an accurate planning of surgical procedures and percutaneous interventions; identification of portal system anomalies also suggest an accurate evaluation of associated hepatic parenchymal anomalies such as nodular regenerative hyperplasia, focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH), and adenomas with high risk of malignant transformation.

A new score predicting intraprocedural risk in patients undergoing CT-guided percutaneous needle pulmonary biopsy (CATH-score).

OBJECTIVE: To develop a new score (CATH-score) for predicting intra-procedural risk in patients undergoing CT-guided percutaneous needle pulmonary biopsy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 100 CT-guided lung biopsies performed with a 18 Gauge (G) needle (Pilot Group) were reviewed to analyse patient-, lesion- and procedure-related variables to identify risk factors for procedural complications (pneumothorax and parenchymal bleeding) and diagnosis failure. A scoring system for predicting complications and choosing the right needle (16 G, 18 G, 21 G) was developed using risk factors weighting and prospectively applied to 153 consecutive biopsies (CATH-score Group); complications and diagnostic rates obtained were compared with a group of patients (Control Group) that underwent lung biopsy; in this group of patients the choice of the calliper of the needle was based on the operator experience. RESULTS: lesion diameter (p=0.03), central location of lesion (p=0.02), centrilobular emphysema (p=0.04) and trans-pulmonary needle route (p=0.002) were associated with a higher complications rate in Pilot Group and were selected as risk factors to include in the CATH-score definition. Risk factors "cut-off" values were identified (Receiver Operating Characteristics curves) and risk-stratification groups were classified as follows: low (16 G, score 1), intermediate (18 G, score 2), and high procedural risk score (21 G, score 3). CATH-score usage limited complications rate despite a higher number of 16 G needle employed, with a diagnostic performance rising respect to Control Group. CONCLUSIONS: CATH-score seems to be a valuable tool for predicting the risk of complications and choosing the right needle, in order to increase diagnostic performance in patients undergoing TTNA.

A peculiar case of diffuse hemangiomatosis of the left hepatic lobe in an asymptomatic adult patient: case report and literature review.

We report a rare case of diffuse hepatic hemangiomatosis (DHH) of the left hepatic lobe coexistent with giant hepatic hemangioma and without extra-hepatic involvement in an asymptomatic adult patient. Liver hemangiomas are the most common benign liver tumors. However, DHH without extra-hepatic involvement has rarely been reported in adults. Furthermore, giant hepatic hemangioma coexistent with DHH is even uncommon, although an association between hemangiomatosis and giant hepatic hemangiomas may be supposed. In this peculiar case, we observed an exclusive and widespread involvement of the left hepatic lobe with a sharp boundary between normal and altered liver parenchyma running along Cantlie's line.

Minocycline hydrochloride as a soft sclerotizing agent for symptomatic simple renal and hepatic cysts.

OBJECTIVE: To present the results of our ten-year case series in simple hepatic and renal cysts sclerosis using minocycline hydrochloride as a sclerotizing agent, evaluating the effectiveness, the safety and the feasibility of this agent for percutaneous sclerotherapy for symptomatic cysts. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated our archives of patients treated (54 patients with 60 renal cysts, 21 patients with 24 hepatic cysts) for symptomatic abdominal cysts. These patients were treated with ultrasound guided drainage and subsequent minocycline hydrochloride instillation. In large or recurrent cysts, we repeated the treatment for the second time. The patients were evaluated at 6 and 12 months; some patients underwent later, additional examinations and we also reviewed these exams for any eventual long-term relapse. RESULTS: The percentage of sclerosis success was found to be 100% for hepatic cysts and 86% for renal cysts. We also found that minimal complications were encountered. CONCLUSIONS: Minocycline hydrochloride has proven to be an effective sclerotizing agent. In our cases, symptoms disappeared in 100% of patients with hepatic cysts and in 93% of patients with renal cysts. It is also a safe sclerotizing agent, as demonstrated by the few complications encountered. Percutaneous sclerosis with Minocycline hydrochloride is a very effective and promising nonsurgical treatment for patients with symptomatic simple cysts, and it can be performed without major complications.

Outcome of radiosurgery treatment with a linear accelerator in patients with trigeminal neuralgia. / Resultados de la aplicación de radiocirugía con acelerador lineal en pacientes con neuralgia del trigémino.

INTRODUCTION: An overview of the effectiveness of radiosurgery in patients diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia with an analysis of potential predictors of good outcome. METHODS: All patients treated with linear accelerator radiosurgery between 2004 and 2011 were analysed. A dose of 60Gy dose was administered 1 to 2mm from the root entry zone with a maximum isodose of 20% delivered to the brainstem. Clinical results for pain control and any side effects were analysed at 12 and 36 months (BNI score). RESULTS: The study included 71 patients (mean follow-up 50.5 months). Pain improvement at 12 months was observed in 68.11% of the total (28.98% with BNI score i-ii; 39.12% with BNI score iii) and at 36 months in 58.21% (23.88% BNI score i-ii; 34.32% BNI score iii). Average recovery time was 3.69 months and the relapse rate was 44.68%. Patients with typical pain displayed statistically significant differences in improvement rates at 12 and at 36 months (P<047 and P<.002). Onset of improvement was analysed using Kaplan-Meyer plots. Statistically significant differences were observed between patients with typical and atypical pain at 36 months (P<.012) in Kaplan-Meyer plots. Side effects were recorded in 15 patients (20.89%), including 9 cases of facial numbness (13.43%); only 2 cases were clinically relevant (2.98%). CONCLUSION: According to our results, radiosurgery is an effective treatment for trigeminal neuralgia, with few side effects. Typical pain seems to be a good predictor of pain relief.

An update on clinical applications of hepatospecific contrast media in magnetic resonance imaging of liver parenchyma.

Hepatobiliary-specific contrast agents are now widely used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of liver parenchyma. As extracellular fluid agents, they provide informations regarding lesion vascularity and their use in the hepatobiliary or delayed phase (DPI), and give additional data regarding hepatocyte presence and function. The aim of this article is to review the recent literature about MRI using hepatobiliary-specific contrast agents and to discuss benefits and limits of their clinical applications. Since November 2008, hepatobiliary contrast agents were routinely employed in our Institution for the characterization of equivocal liver lesions detected by other imaging modalities, and for the evaluation of hepatic nodules in liver cirrhosis. The informations provided are particularly relevant for the detection of metastases, for the differentiation between focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) and hepatocellular adenoma (HCA), and for the detection and differentiation between dysplastic nodules (DNs) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the cirrhotic liver. The role in the cirrhosis grading and the quantification of liver function is still controversial. Finally, their biliary excretion allows evaluation of anatomy and function of the biliary tree. According to our and reported data, hepatobiliary contrast agents are able to improve liver lesions detection and characterization; their introduction in clinical practice has improved MRI diagnostic efficacy/accuracy, allowing to decrease the number of invasive diagnostic procedures.

Enhancement patterns of intrahepatic mass-forming cholangiocarcinoma at multiphasic computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging and correlation with clinicopathologic features.

OBJECTIVE: Incidence of intrahepatic mass-forming cholangiocarcinoma (IMCC) is increasing worldwide, especially in patients with chronic liver disease. The small and the histologically well-differentiated IMCCs in chronic liver disease could be arterially hypervascular lesions with/without washout on computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), mimicking typical hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of this work is to evaluate contrast enhancement (CE) patterns of IMCCs at quadri-phasic multidetector CT (4-MDCT) and MRI, using imaging-clinicopathologic correlation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The 4-MDCT and MR images of 56 histologically confirmed IMCCs were retrospectively evaluated for tumor morphology and enhancement features. Enhancement pattern was defined according to the behavior of the nodule in arterial (AP), portal venous (PVP) and equilibrium phases (EP), and dynamic pattern was described according to enhancement progression throughout the different phases. Arterial and dynamic enhancement patterns were correlated with chronic liver disease, tumor size and histological differentiation. RESULTS: Most of the nodules were peripherally hyperenhancing (50%) on AP, and partially hyperenhancing on PVP (67.9%) and EP (80.3%). Forty-six (82.1%) IMCCs showed progressive CE, 7 (12.5%) stable CE and 3 (5.4%) wash-out. In normal liver there were 34 nodules with progressive and 3 with stable CE, whereas in chronic liver disease there were 12 IMCCs with progressive, 4 with stable and 3 with washout pattern (p = 0.01); IMCCs with progressive CE were more differentiated than IMCCs with stable CE and wash-out (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The most prevalent enhancement pattern of IMCCs was arterial rim enhancement followed by progressive and concentric filling. The stable and the washout patterns were more frequent in poorly differentiated IMCCs. Contrast washout was observed only in IMCCs emerging in chronic liver disease with a risk of misdiagnosis with HCC.

Electrospinning of poly(lactic acid)/polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane nanocomposites and their potential in chondrogenic tissue regeneration.

The study was conducted to evaluate the cytocompatibility and hydrolytic degradability of the new poly(lactic acid)/polyethylene glycol-polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (peg-POSS/PLLA) nanocomposite as potential material for cartilage regeneration. PLLA scaffolds containing 0 to 5% of peg-POSS were fabricated by electrospinning. Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC's) were cultured in vitro to evaluate the cytocompatibility of the new nanocomposite material. Hydrolytic degradation studies were also carried out to analyze the mass loss rate of the nanocomposites through time. The addition of the peg-POSS to the PLLA did not affect the processability of the nanocomposite by electrospinning. It was also observed that peg-POSS did not show any relevant change in fibers morphology, concluding that it was well dispersed. However, addition of peg-POSS caused noticeable decrease in mean fiber diameter, which made the specific surface area of the scaffold to rise. hMSC's were able to attach, to proliferate, and to differentiate into chondrocytes in a similar way onto the different types of electrospun peg-POSS/PLLA and pure PLLA scaffolds, showing that the peg-POSS as nano-additive does not exhibit any cytotoxicity. The hydrolytic degradation rate of the material was lower when peg-POSS was added, showing a higher durability of the nanocomposites through time. Results demonstrate that the addition of peg-POSS to the PLLA scaffolds does not affect its cytocompatibility to obtain hyaline cartilage from hMSC's.

PDGFR-A is a therapeutic target in alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma.

Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma is an aggressive skeletal muscle cancer of childhood. Our initial studies of rhabdomyosarcoma gene expression for patients enrolled in a national clinical trial suggested that platelet-derived growth factor receptor A (PDGFR-A) may be a mediator of disease progression and metastasis. Using our conditional mouse tumor models that authentically recapitulate the primary mutations and metastatic progression of alveolar rhabdomyosarcomas in humans, we found by immunoblotting and immunokinase assays that PDGFR-A and its downstream effectors, mitogen-activated protein kinase and Akt, were highly activated in both primary and metastatic tumors. Inhibition of PDGFR-A by RNA interference, small molecule inhibitor or neutralizing antibody had a dramatic effect on tumor cell growth both in vitro and in vivo, although resistance evolved in one-third of tumors. These results establish proof-of-principal for PDGFR-A as a therapeutic target in alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma.

Conservative treatment of isolated fractures of the medial malleolus.

Between 1992 and 2000, 57 patients with 57 isolated fractures of the medial malleolus were treated conservatively by immobilisation in a cast. The results were assessed by examination, radiography and completion of the short form-36 questionnaire and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot score. Of the 57 fractures 55 healed without further treatment. The mean combined dorsi- and plantar flexion was 52.3 degrees (25 degrees to 82 degrees ) and the mean short form-36 and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society scores 48.1 (28 to 60) and 89.8 (69 to 100), respectively. At review there was no evidence of medial instability, dermatological complications, malalignment of the mortise or of post-traumatic arthritis. Isolated fractures of the medial malleolus can obtain high rates of union and good functional results with conservative treatment. Operation should be reserved for bi- or trimalleolar fractures, open fractures, injuries which compromise the skin or those involving the plafond or for patients who develop painful nonunion.

Extra-articular extrusion of an osteochondral fragment of the talar dome.

Osteochondral fractures of the talus are uncommon. They are classified according to Berndt and Harty, as progressing in severity through four stages. This classification, however, does not address extra-articular extrusion of the osteochondral fragment. We report an osteochondral lesion of the talar dome which presented as an extruded extra-articular fragment in a closed injury of the ankle. This type of lesion may offer a continuation to the four original stages. Clinicians should be aware that this pattern of fracture can occur, and thus allow a more accurate diagnosis and the provision of some aid in the treatment of these injuries.