Percutaneous preoperative embolization with onyx in the management of a carotid body tumor: A case report.

Carotid body tumors (CBTs) are rare, hypervascular neuroendocrine neoplasms that can lead to significant complications during surgical resection due to the high risk of bleeding. We present the case of a 64-year-old male with a palpable neck mass on the left side, diagnosed as a CBT through imaging studies. Given the tumor's increasing size and rich vascularization, percutaneous preoperative embolization with Onyx under ultrasound and angiographic guide, was performed to minimize intraoperative complications. Forty-eight hours later, the tumor was surgically resected with minimal blood loss and no injury to cranial nerves or the carotid bifurcation.

Intramedullary cavernous malformation: A case report.

Cavernous malformations are rare vascular anomalies of the central nervous system, occurring in the spinal cord in just 5% of cases. Despite being documented in the literature, intramedullary cavernous malformations are exceedingly rare and often challenging to distinguish from other intramedullary lesions. We report a case of a 42-year-old patient with back pain, right-sided dysesthesias, and impaired proprioception in the distal limbs for approximately 3 months. Magnetic resonance imaging, crucial for differential diagnosis, identified intramedullary cavernous malformations at T11-12. Several conditions can hide the real cause of back pain; however, magnetic resonance imaging can reveal common conditions (such as discal hernia) and rare findings like cavernous malformations. Magnetic resonance imaging remains the study of choice for diagnosing and characterizing intramedullary cavernous malformations.

The role of superior hemorrhoidal vein ectasia in the preoperative staging of rectal cancer.

Objective: The prognosis of colorectal cancer has continuously improved in recent years thanks to continuous progress in both the therapeutic and diagnostic fields. The specific objective of this study is to contribute to the diagnostic field through the evaluation of the correlation between superior hemorrhoidal vein (SHV) ectasia detected on computed tomography (CT) and Tumor (T), Node (N), and distant metastasis (M) examination and mesorectal fascia (MRF) invasion in the preoperative staging of rectal cancer. Methods: Between January 2018 and April 2022, 46 patients with histopathological diagnosis of rectal cancer were retrospectively enrolled, and the diameter of the SHV was evaluated by CT examination. The cutoff value for SHV diameter used is 3.7 mm. The diameter was measured at the level of S2 during portal venous phase after 4× image zoom to reduce the interobserver variability. The parameters evaluated were tumor location, detection of MRF infiltration (defined as the distance < 1 mm between the tumor margins and the fascia), SHV diameter, detection of mesorectal perilesional lymph nodes, and detection of metastasis. Results: A total of 67.39% (31/46) of patients had SHV ectasia. All patients with MRF infiltration (4/46, 7.14%) presented SHV ectasia (average diameter of 4.4 mm), and SHV was significantly related with the development of liver metastases at the moment of primary staging and during follow-up. Conclusion: SHV ectasia may be related to metastasis and MRF involvement; therefore, it could become a tool for preoperative staging of rectal cancer.

Role of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance in Cardiac Amyloidosis: A Narrative Review.

Amyloidosis is a rare infiltrative condition resulting from the extracellular accumulation of amyloid fibrils at the cardiac level. It can be an acquired condition or due to genetic mutations. With the progression of imaging technologies, a non-invasive diagnosis was proposed. In this study, we discuss the role of CMR in cardiac amyloidosis, focusing on the two most common subtypes (AL and ATTR), waiting for evidence-based guidelines to be published.

Quantitative ADC: An Additional Tool in the Evaluation of Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer is one of the most common tumors among the male population. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), standardized by the PI-RADS version 2.1 scoring system, has a fundamental role in detecting prostate cancer and evaluating its aggressiveness. Diffusion-weighted imaging sequences and apparent diffusion coefficient values, in particular, are considered fundamental for the detection and characterization of lesions. In 2016 the International Society of Urological Pathology introduced a new anatomopathological 5-grade scoring system for prostate cancer. The aim of this study is to evaluate the correlation between quantitative apparent diffusion coefficient values (ADC) derived from diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) sequences and the International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) and PI-RADS groups. Our retrospective study included 143 patients with 154 suspicious lesions, observed on prostate magnetic resonance imaging and compared with the histological results of the biopsy. We observed that ADC values can aid in discriminating between not clinically significant (ISUP 1) and clinically significant (ISUP 2-5) prostate cancers. In fact, ADC values were lower in ISUP 5 lesions than in negative lesions. We also found a correlation between ADC values and PI-RADS groups; we noted lower ADC values in the PI-RADS 5 and PI-RADS 4 groups than in the PI-RADS 3 group. In conclusion, quantitative apparent diffusion coefficient values can be useful to assess the aggressiveness of prostate cancer.

Applications of new radiological scores: the Node-rads in colon cancer staging.

PURPOSE: The study focuses on the evaluation of the new Node Reporting and Data System 1.0 (Node-rads) scoring accuracy in the assessment of metastatic lymph nodes (LN) in patients with colon carcinoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From April 2021 to May 2022, retrospective chart reviews were performed on 67 preoperative CT (Computed Tomography) of patients undergoing excisional surgery for colon cancer at the Polyclinic of Bari, Italy. Primary endpoints were to assess lymph node size and configuration to express the likelihood of a metastatic site adopting the Node-rads score system, whose categories of risk are defined from 1 (very low) to 5 (very high). The nodal postsurgical histological evaluation was the gold standard. The relationship between Node-rads score, LN size, configuration criteria (texture, border and shape) and the presence of histological metastases was statistically evaluated. RESULTS: All surgical specimens examined had correlation with Node-rads score. They were significantly more likely to present nodes micrometastasis those patients with (a) spherical LN shape (82.8%), (b) with lymph node necrosis (100%), (c) irregular borders (87%) and (d) the LN short axis more than 10 mm (61.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Our experience highlights how the Node-rads system proposes an intuitive and effective definition of criteria to standardize the lymph node radiological reports in colon cancer disease. Further studies are needed to streamline the classification of the nodal and peripheral LN in all the oncological imaging.

Multimodal study of pelvic splenosis: a rare cause of abdominal pain.

We present a rare case of pelvic splenosis, in a 46-year-old man, with a previous history of partial splenectomy, complaining of nonspecific pain in the lower abdominal quadrants. Splenosis is a benign acquired condition, defined as a heterotopic autotransplantation of splenic tissue in other compartments of the body, caused by rupture of the splenic capsule following trauma or splenectomy. Splenosis is often asymptomatic and incidentally found and does not require treatment. Surgery is indicated only in patients presenting with symptoms or complications. In our case, the multimodal imaging study (ultrasound, MRI, CT, and scintigraphy) allowed a correct differential diagnosis without resorting to invasive procedures, susceptible to complications.

CT pulmonary angiography appropriateness in a single emergency department: does the use of revised Geneva score matter?

PURPOSE: To assess the percentage of computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) procedures that could have been avoided by methodical application of the Revised Geneva Score (RGS) coupled with age-adjusted D-dimer cut-offs rather than only clinical judgment in Emergency Department patients with suspected pulmonary embolism (PE). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between November 2019 and May 2020, 437 patients with suspected PE based on symptoms and D-dimer test were included in this study. All patients underwent to CTPA. For each patient, we retrospectively calculated the age-adjusted D-dimer cut-offs and the RGS in the original version. Finally, CT images were retrospectively reviewed, and the presence of PE was recorded. RESULTS: In total, 43 (9.84%) CTPA could have been avoided by use of RGS coupled with age-adjusted D-dimer cut-offs. Prevalence of PE was 14.87%. From the analysis of 43 inappropriate CTPA, 24 (55.81%) of patients did not show any thoracic signs, two (4.65%) of patients had PE, and the remaining patients had alternative thoracic findings. CONCLUSION: The study showed good prevalence of PE diagnoses in our department using only physician assessment, although 9.84% CTPA could have been avoided by methodical application of RGS coupled with age-adjusted D-dimer cut-offs.

Safety and effectiveness of ultrasound-guided percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage: a multicenter experience.

AIMS: Aim of this study is to describe a multicenter experience on percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) performed with ultrasound-guidance to access the biliary tree, focusing on safety, effectiveness and radiation dose exposure; differences between right- and left-sided approaches have been also evaluated. METHODS: This is a multicenter prospective single-arm observational study conducted on patients affected by biliary tree stenosis/occlusion with jaundice and endoscopically inaccessible. The procedures have been performed puncturing the biliary system under US guidance and crossing the stenosis/occlusion under fluoroscopy. Beam-on time and X-ray dose have been evaluated. RESULTS: 117 patients affected by biliary tree stenosis/occlusion not manageable with an endoscopic approach have been included in this analysis. The biliary stenosis/occlusion was malignant in 90.8% and benign in 9.2%. Technical success, considered as positioning of a drainage tube into the biliary tree, was 100%. Overall clinical success, considered as decrease in total bilirubin level after a single procedure, was 95.7%. The overall mean number of liver punctures to catheterize the biliary tree was 1.57. The mean total beam-on time was 570.4 s; the mean dose-area product was 37.25 Gy cm2. No statistical significant differences were observed in terms of technical and dosimetry results according to right-sided and left-sided procedures. Complications rate recorded up to 30 days follow-up was 10.8%, all of minor grades. CONCLUSIONS: In this series US guidance to access the biliary tree for PTBD was a safe and effective technique with an acceptable low-grade complications rate; the reported radiation dose is low.

Percutaneous Computed Tomography-Guided Lung Biopsies using a Virtual Navigation Guidance: Our Experience.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a virtual CT-guided navigation system (Sirio-MASMEC Biomed) in performing lung biopsies, with greater attention to lesions smaller than 1 cm, compared to the traditional procedure. METHODS: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of our Institute. Two hundred patients were prospectively selected. Of these, 100 were subjected to percutaneous procedure with the use of Sirio and 100 to traditional CT-guided percutaneous procedure. The two methods were compared in terms of absorbed dose, procedure time, complications, and number of non-diagnostic specimens (diagnostic success). RESULTS: Sirio has shown a significant reduction in the absorbed dose and procedure times (p < 0.05), with a lower incidence of complications compared to the traditional procedure. Sirio has also allowed to carry out biopsies of lesions' diameter ≤10 mm, obtaining fewer non diagnostic specimens thus resulting more effective in terms of diagnostic success. CONCLUSIONS: The use of Sirio in sampling biopsy showed a statistically significant reduction in terms of performed scans and procedural time with lower incidence of post-procedural complications compared to the traditional percutaneous procedure, especially for lesions ≤10 mm. The best diagnostic result, the reduction of the dose absorbed and procedural complications makes the procedures more reliable, safety and less invasive. In addition, the reduction of execution time will increase the number of daily interventional procedures improving clinical management.

Comparison between CT Net enhancement and PET/CT SUV for N staging of gastric cancer: A case series.

BACKGROUND: The therapeutic approach of gastric cancer strictly depends on TNM staging mainly provided by CT and PET/CT. However, the lymph node size criterion as detected by MDCT causes a poor differential diagnosis between reactive and metastatic enlarged lymph nodes with low specificity values. Our study aims to compare 320-row CT Net enhancement and fluorine-18 fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (F-FDG PET/CT) SUV for N staging of gastric cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 45 patients with histologically proven gastric cancer underwent CT and F-FDG PET/CT. Two radiologists in consensus evaluated all images and calculated the CT Net enhancement and F-FDG PET/CT SUV for N staging, having the histological findings as the reference standard. CT and F-FDG PET/CT sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic accuracy, positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) were evaluated and compared by using the Mc Nemar test. RESULTS: The histological examination revealed nodal metastases in 29/45 cases (64%). CT Net enhancement obtained sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV and NPV of 90%, 81%, 87%, 90% and 81%, respectively. F-FDG PET/CT SUV obtained sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV and NPV of 66%, 88%, 73%, 90% and 58%, respectively. No statistically significant difference between the two imaging modalities was found (p = 0.1). CONCLUSION: CT Net enhancement represents an accurate tool for N staging of gastric cancer and could be considered as the CT corresponding quantitative parameter of F-FDG PET/CT SUV. It could be applied in the clinical practice for differentiating reactive lymph nodes from metastatic ones improving accuracy and specificity of CT.

Prognostic value of Tissue Transition Projection 3D transparent wall CT reconstructions in bowel ischemia.

BACKGROUND: Multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) represents the gold standard in patients with acute abdomen syndrome and suspected bowel ischemia. It provides a correct diagnosis and contributes to appropriate treatment planning. This study aims to evaluate the role of 3D Tissue Transition Projection (TTP) transparent wall CT reconstruction for detecting the degree of bowel dilatation and to correlate this finding with the aetiology and prognosis in patients affected by mesenteric infarction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-seven patients affected by bowel infarction due to vascular obstruction (arterial in 66% of cases, venous in 34%) were assessed by MDCT examination searching for the degree of bowel dilatation (subdivided into 4 groups: entire small bowel (SB); ≥50% of SB; < 50% of SB; large bowel only). Two blinded radiologists evaluated TTP 3D transparent wall and multi-planar reconstructions. Chi square test was used to correlate CT findings with the disease course and the mortality rate. Cohen's kappa statistics was used in order to assess inter-observer agreement. RESULTS: The overall mortality rate was 64%, with a 90% value for arterial forms and 10% in case of venous infarctions. The entire SB (n = 10) or a ≥50% SB dilatation (n = 16) correlated with poor prognosis in all cases (p < 0.05); a <50% SB dilatation (n = 16) correlated with good prognosis in 87.5% of cases (p < 0.05). A large bowel only dilatation (n = 5) did not show a significant prognostic value (p = 0.13). Almost perfect agreement between the two readers was found (k = 0.84). CONCLUSION: MDCT offers different reconstruction software for diagnosing bowel ischemia. 3D TTP transparent wall reconstructions represent a rapid and automatic tool for identifying loop dilatation, which significantly correlates with an arterial aetiology and poor prognosis.

Metastatic breast disease from cutaneous malignant melanoma.

INTRODUCTION: Malignant melanoma is one of the most rapidly increasing cancer in the world. Breast metastases from melanoma are uncommon but could reflect a widespread disease. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We report a case of malignant widespread melanoma presenting with bilateral breast nodules in a 39 year-old pre-menopausal Caucasian woman with an history of cutaneous melanoma of the trunk. Breast clinical examination revealed the presence of a hard and mobile lump located on the left breast. Ultrasound detected two bilateral nodules corresponding to oval opacities with well-defined edges and without calcifications or architectural distortion on mammography. Fine needle aspiration cytology performed on both breast nodules confirmed that the breast lesions were metastases from primary cutaneous malignant melanoma. A total-body CT examination detected brain, lung and abdominal lymph nodes metastases. DISCUSSION: The breast represents an uncommon site of metastatic disease from extra-mammary tumors. Imaging features of breast metastases from melanoma usually do not allow a differential diagnosis with breast primary tumors. Breast metastases may be asymptomatic or palpable as dense and well-circumscribed nodules. Breast metastases indicate a widespread disease and should lead to avoid aggressive surgical procedures because of the poor prognosis of patients affected by metastatic melanoma. CONCLUSION: The detection of bilateral breast metastases from melanoma is highly suggestive of metastatic multi-organ disease and could be useful to address the therapeutic approach.