Pulmonary Adverse Events in Cancer Immunotherapy: Case Studies of CT Patterns.

Immune-checkpoint inhibitors have profoundly changed cancer treatment, improving the prognosis of many oncologic patients. However, despite the good efficacy of these drugs, their mechanism of action, which involves the activation of the immune system, can lead to immune-related adverse events, which may affect almost all organs. Pulmonary adverse events are relatively common, and potentially life-threatening complications may occur. The diagnosis is challenging due to the wide and non-specific spectrum of clinical and radiological manifestations. The role of the radiologist is to recognize and diagnose pulmonary immune-related adverse events, possibly even in the early stages, to estimate their extent and guide patients' management.

Abdominal Emergencies in Cancer Patients.

Abdominal emergencies in cancer patients encompass a wide spectrum of oncologic conditions caused directly by malignancies, paraneoplastic syndromes, reactions to the chemotherapy or often represent the first clinical manifestation of an unknown malignancy. Not rarely, clinical symptoms are the tip of an iceberg. In this scenario, the radiologist is asked to exclude the cause responsible for the patient's symptoms, to suggest the best way to manage and to rule out the underlying malignancy. In this article, we discuss some of the most common abdominal oncological emergencies that may be encountered in an emergency department.

Radiomics Applications in Spleen Imaging: A Systematic Review and Methodological Quality Assessment.

The spleen, often referred to as the "forgotten organ", plays numerous important roles in various diseases. Recently, there has been an increased interest in the application of radiomics in different areas of medical imaging. This systematic review aims to assess the current state of the art and evaluate the methodological quality of radiomics applications in spleen imaging. A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. All the studies were analyzed, and several characteristics, such as year of publication, research objectives, and number of patients, were collected. The methodological quality was evaluated using the radiomics quality score (RQS). Fourteen articles were ultimately included in this review. The majority of these articles were published in non-radiological journals (78%), utilized computed tomography (CT) for extracting radiomic features (71%), and involved not only the spleen but also other organs for feature extraction (71%). Overall, the included papers achieved an average RQS total score of 9.71 ± 6.37, corresponding to an RQS percentage of 27.77 ± 16.04. In conclusion, radiomics applications in spleen imaging demonstrate promising results in various clinical scenarios. However, despite all the included papers reporting positive outcomes, there is a lack of consistency in the methodological approaches employed.

Role of artificial intelligence in oncologic emergencies: a narrative review.

Oncologic emergencies are a wide spectrum of oncologic conditions caused directly by malignancies or their treatment. Oncologic emergencies may be classified according to the underlying physiopathology in metabolic, hematologic, and structural conditions. In the latter, radiologists have a pivotal role, through an accurate diagnosis useful to provide optimal patient care. Structural conditions may involve the central nervous system, thorax, or abdomen, and emergency radiologists have to know the characteristics imaging findings of each one of them. The number of oncologic emergencies is growing due to the increased incidence of malignancies in the general population and also to the improved survival of these patients thanks to the advances in cancer treatment. Artificial intelligence (AI) could be a solution to assist emergency radiologists with this rapidly increasing workload. To our knowledge, AI applications in the setting of the oncologic emergency are mostly underexplored, probably due to the relatively low number of oncologic emergencies and the difficulty in training algorithms. However, cancer emergencies are defined by the cause and not by a specific pattern of radiological symptoms and signs. Therefore, it can be expected that AI algorithms developed for the detection of these emergencies in the non-oncological field can be transferred to the clinical setting of oncologic emergency. In this review, a craniocaudal approach was followed and central nervous system, thoracic, and abdominal oncologic emergencies have been addressed regarding the AI applications reported in literature. Among the central nervous system emergencies, AI applications have been reported for brain herniation and spinal cord compression. In the thoracic district the addressed emergencies were pulmonary embolism, cardiac tamponade and pneumothorax. Pneumothorax was the most frequently described application for AI, to improve sensibility and to reduce the time-to-diagnosis. Finally, regarding abdominal emergencies, AI applications for abdominal hemorrhage, intestinal obstruction, intestinal perforation, and intestinal intussusception have been described.

Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography with Deep Learning Image Reconstruction: A Preliminary Study to Evaluate Radiation Exposure Reduction.

Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is a medical imaging technique that produces detailed images of the coronary arteries. Our work focuses on the optimization of the prospectively ECG-triggered scan technique, which delivers the radiation efficiently only during a fraction of the R-R interval, matching the aim of reducing radiation dose in this increasingly used radiological examination. In this work, we analyzed how the median DLP (Dose-Length Product) values for CCTA of our Center decreased significantly in recent times mainly due to a notable change in the technology used. We passed from a median DLP value of 1158 mGy·cm to 221 mGy·cm for the whole exam and from a value of 1140 mGy·cm to 204 mGy·cm if considering CCTA scanning only. The result was obtained through the association of important factors during the dose imaging optimization: technological improvement, acquisition technique, and image reconstruction algorithm intervention. The combination of these three factors allows us to perform a faster and more accurate prospective CCTA with a lower radiation dose. Our future aim is to tune the image quality through a detectability-based study, combining algorithm strength with automatic dose settings.

MDCT Diagnosis and Staging of Xanthogranulomatous Pyelonephritis.

Background: Benign nephrectomy to treat patients with renal inflammatory disease in cases of severe urinary infection represents a diagnostic and management challenge because of significant inflammatory, fibrotic, and infectious components. Among renal inflammatory diseases, fistulization and invasiveness to adjacent structures are some of the hallmarks of xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP). The aims of this study were as follows 1. to retrospectively determine key demographic and clinical features of XGP among benign nephrectomies; 2. to assess the CT preoperative diagnostic accuracy; and 3. to define the imaging characteristics of the CT stage. Material and Methods: A retrospective review of clinical, laboratory, and radiological features and operative methods of patients who underwent benign nephrectomy with histologically proven XGP was performed. Results: XPG was diagnosed in 18 patients over a 4-year (2018-2022) period. XGP represented 43.90% among benign nephrectomies. The mean age of the patients was 63 years, and the sex prevalence was higher in women (72.22%). Symptoms were vague and not specifically referrable to urinary tract disorders and unilateral (100%), with the left kidney affected in 61.11% of cases. Staghorn calculi and stone disease were the most common underlying cause (72.22%). All patients underwent CT. The preoperative CT imaging accuracy for renal inflammatory disease was 94.44% and indeterminate in 5.56%. A suspected diagnosis of XGP was formulated in 66.67% (12/18; 2 stage II/10 stage III), meanwhile, in 33.33% (6 patients with stage I), a non-specific diagnosis of renal inflammatory disease was formulated. CT was reported according to the Malek and Elder classification and staged in the stage I nephric form (33.33%), stage II perinephric form (11.11%), stage III paranephric form (55.56%). Conclusions: The CT diagnostic accuracy for kidney inflammatory disease was extremely high, whereas the suspected diagnosis of XGP was formulated preoperatively in only 66.67% of high-stage disease, where the hallmarks of invasiveness and fistulization of the pathology increased the diagnostic confidence.

CT-guided ozone mixture injection in treatment of symptomatic lumbar facet synovial cysts.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: To evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes, in terms of safety and efficacy, of a new treatment method for symptomatic lumbar facet synovial cysts (LFSC), based on ozone injection inside the cyst. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed clinical records and imaging studies of 77 patients who underwent CT-guided ozone treatment of symptomatic facet joint synovial cysts in our department over a 5-year span. Clinical outcome was assessed with Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) evaluations, obtained prior to the intervention and at 1-, 3-, 6- and 12-months follow-up. Follow-up MRI imaging at 6 and 12 months were obtained and confronted with the pre-procedural MRI to analyse cyst modification after the intervention. RESULTS: Ozone administration was technically successful in 100% of procedures; no immediate complications occurred. At 1 month evaluation, 92% of the patients referred partial or complete symptomatic response; 86% of patients at 3 months and 84% at 6 months confirmed symptoms improvement; final assessment, at 12 months after intervention, outlined overall significant clinical improvement in 81% of patients. During the 12 months of follow-up only 3 patients had a relapse of the cyst (at 6 months) that were retreated with a 100% success. CONCLUSIONS: CT-guided ozone therapy for symptomatic LFSC is a safe and innovative treatment option, with good clinical results at 12 months follow-up in a significative percentage of patients, thus reducing the need for invasive surgical interventions.

Vertebral Augmentation: Is It Time to Get Past the Pain? A Consensus Statement from the Sardinia Spine and Stroke Congress.

Vertebral augmentation has been used to treat painful vertebral compression fractures and metastatic lesions in millions of patients around the world. An international group of subject matter experts have considered the evidence, including but not limited to mortality. These considerations led them to ask whether it is appropriate to allow the subjective measure of pain to so dominate the clinical decision of whether to proceed with augmentation. The discussions that ensued are related below.

Update on Interventional Radiology of the Spine.

Interventional radiologists now perform spinal interventions routinely for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. New technologies for the management of spine pathologies have emerged with promising results in terms of safety and efficacy. Interventional radiology techniques in the spine include percutaneous biopsy and therapies for intervertebral disk herniation or spinal stenosis, facet and sacroiliac joint pathologies, vertebral and sacral fractures, and metastases. These techniques can also be easily combined one with the other or to further therapeutic approaches including systemic therapies, surgical approaches, and radiotherapy. This review provides a comprehensive overview of current percutaneous imaging-guided interventional radiology techniques in the spine. It will help readers become familiar with the most common indications, learn about different technical considerations during performance, and review the available evidence. Controversies concerning new products and technical approaches are also addressed.

Pseudoaneurysm of the aortic root following aortic valve endocarditis - a case with 2 rare life - threatening complications.

Infective endocarditis can have peri-annular spread and involve the valvular annulus and adjacent cardiac structures, leading to tissue necrosis and peri-annular abscess. This process may cause pseudoaneurysm formation and other rare and potentially life-threatening complications, so their identification and correct diagnosis are crucial. We describe a case of an 81-year-old woman, with a history of aortic valve replacement and worsening of symptoms, that presents at the imaging a pseudoaneurysm of the aortic root complicated at the same time by 2 life-threatening conditions: fistulization in the Right Ventricular Outflow Tract (RVOT) and the compression of Right Coronary Artery (RCA). This case underlines the importance of imaging, especially Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (CCTA), in the diagnosis and follow-up of infective endocarditis and its complications, especially in a patient not eligible for surgery.

Successful use of self-expandable metal stents in a case of iatrogenic tracheal rupture.

As an alternative treatment to immediate surgical repair, endotracheal stent placement has been recently proposed in cases of iatrogenic tracheal damages. We report a case of a 91-year-old male who developed sudden subcutaneous emphysema during a total laryngectomy for laryngeal carcinoma. A tracheal tear at the distal third of the posterior tracheal wall was endoscopically assessed about 2 cm above the carina; CT confirmed the breach approximately 4 cm in length with associated pneumomediastinum and bilateral pneumothorax. Two covered self-expandable metal stents were then coaxially released under fluoroscopic control to cover the defect, restoring the tracheal integrity and leading to a normal thoracic appearance at CT and X-ray after 72 hours.

Percutaneous management of bone metastases: state of the art, interventional strategies and joint position statement of the Italian College of MSK Radiology (ICoMSKR) and the Italian College of Interventional Radiology (ICIR).

Interventional radiology provides local management of bone metastases (BM) with a palliative intent in most cases, or with a curative intent in selected patients. Its role has rapidly expanded in the last decade, offering new treatment solutions often in combination with surgery, radiation therapy and medical treatments. The aim of the present paper is to increase awareness, acceptance and adoption of interventional radiology procedures for the treatment of BM; and to present the joint position of the Italian College of Musculoskeletal Radiology and the Italian College of Interventional Radiology.

New Implant-Based Technologies in the Spine.

Vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) may result in a kyphotic deformity which can cause potential systemic complications secondary to respiratory and gastrointestinal dysfunction. The use of implants in the spine for VCF treatment represents a paradigm shift away from cement injection on its own, aiming to combine the analgesic and stabilizing effect of injecting cement into the vertebral body with vertebral height restoration and kyphotic angle correction. Spine implants which can be used for VCF treatment include stents, jacks, PEEK cages and fracture reduction systems. Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) with neurogenic intermittent claudication is one of the most commonly occurring spinal conditions, usually affecting people older than 50, which can cause disability and a reducted quality of life. Percutaneous interspinous spacers for the relief of symptoms caused by spinal stenosis can be used in patients who are not surgical candidates. The purpose of this article is to describe the basic concepts of spinal implantation in patients with VCF or spinal stenosis. The role of biomechanics and the different types of implants will be described. Controversies concerning techniques and products will be addressed. Finally, the necessity for an individually tailored approach for the use of different implants in different cases and anatomic locations will be emphasized.

Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Radiofrequency for the Treatment of Morton's Neuroma.

PURPOSE: Morton's neuroma (MN) is a leading cause of disability. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of radiofrequency (RF) in patients with chronic pain refractory to conservative therapies. METHODS: Between September 2012 and December 2016, RF was performed on 52 patients. A sterile RF needle probe (22G, 5-cm needle with 10-mm electrode active tip) was inserted between the toes into the intermetatarsal space at the center of the lesion. Potential complications of the intervention and post-procedure care were examined. All patients provided written, informed consent. All percutaneous procedures were performed with the NeuroTherm® NT1100 (Neurotherm Inc., M.) device and using ultrasound guidance (Philips IU22). Continuous RF was performed with one cycle of 90 s and with the probe tip maintaining a temperature of 85 °C (impedance 95-210 mΩ). RESULTS: Mean VAS score before the procedures was 9.0 ± 0.6. A reduction of pain intensity was achieved after 1 week by RF (mean VAS scores 3.7 ± 0.9; p < 0.05), with a stabilization of the painful symptomatology in the following months and after 1 year of treatments (mean VAS scores 2.0 ± 0.4 after 12 months, p < 0.05). The FHSQ scores showed improved quality of life (QOL) in all patients at 6 months (p < 0.05) and 1 year (p < 0.05) of RF. No patients developed complications. CONCLUSIONS: RF is a safe, efficient, and minimally invasive technique for the treatment of symptomatic MN.

Percutaneous stabilization of lumbar spine: a literature review and new options in treating spine pain.

Vertebral fracture (VF) is a common condition with >160,000 patients affected every year in North America and most of them with affected lumbar vertebrae. The management of VF is well known and defined by many protocols related to associated clinical neurological symptoms, especially in case of the presence or absence of myelopathy or radicular deficit. In this article, we will explore the percutaneous stabilization of the lumbar spine by showing the newest approaches for this condition.