Development of RLK-Unet: a clinically favorable deep learning algorithm for brain metastasis detection and treatment response assessment.

Purpose/objectives: Previous deep learning (DL) algorithms for brain metastasis (BM) detection and segmentation have not been commonly used in clinics because they produce false-positive findings, require multiple sequences, and do not reflect physiological properties such as necrosis. The aim of this study was to develop a more clinically favorable DL algorithm (RLK-Unet) using a single sequence reflecting necrosis and apply it to automated treatment response assessment. Methods and materials: A total of 128 patients with 1339 BMs, who underwent BM magnetic resonance imaging using the contrast-enhanced 3D T1 weighted (T1WI) turbo spin-echo black blood sequence, were included in the development of the DL algorithm. Fifty-eight patients with 629 BMs were assessed for treatment response. The detection sensitivity, precision, Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), and agreement of treatment response assessments between neuroradiologists and RLK-Unet were assessed. Results: RLK-Unet demonstrated a sensitivity of 86.9% and a precision of 79.6% for BMs and had a DSC of 0.663. Segmentation performance was better in the subgroup with larger BMs (DSC, 0.843). The agreement in the response assessment for BMs between the radiologists and RLK-Unet was excellent (intraclass correlation, 0.84). Conclusion: RLK-Unet yielded accurate detection and segmentation of BM and could assist clinicians in treatment response assessment.

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid-dependent pseudothrombocytopenia associated with neuroendocrine carcinoma: A case report.

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid-dependent pseudothrombocytopenia (EDTA-PTCP) is an in vitro phenomenon of EDTA-induced platelet aggregation at room temperature. This phenomenon consists of platelet clumping due to anti-platelet antibodies in blood anticoagulated with EDTA. It has been reported in patients with various diseases, including sepsis, multiple myeloma, acute myocardial infarction and breast cancer. Since unrecognized EDTA-PTCP may lead to inappropriate treatment, it should always be considered as a possible cause in patients with low platelet counts. This study identified a case of transient EDTA-PTCP in a patient with neuroendocrine carcinoma of the stomach. In the present study, a 50-year-old male presented with epigastric pain and a weight loss of 15 kg. The patient presented with EDTA-PTCP and was diagnosed with neuroendocrine carcinoma of the stomach. Following systemic chemotherapy, the tumor showed a marked regression and the EDTA-PTCP disappeared. The mechanism by which this occurred is not clear but an association of EDTA-PTCP with neuroendocrine carcinoma is strongly suggested.