The Added Value of Prostate Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Patient Selection.

INTRODUCTION: There has been a rapid increase in the utilization of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for prostate cancer detection. The objective of this study was to measure the increase in utilization of MRI before prostate biopsy and the effects on the distribution of Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RAD) scores and Gleason grades over a 5-year interval in an integrated health system. METHODS: The authors conducted a retrospective analysis of prostate MRI studies prior to biopsy in the calendar years of 2017 and 2022. Peak PI-RADS score, peak Gleason grade of suspected prostatic lesions, and the number of biopsy cores were collected from radiology reports and pathology reports from patients' electronic health records, respectively. All statistical tests were 2-tailed with a significance level set at p < 0.05. Categorical data analyses were performed using Mann-Whitney tests. Continuous data analyses were performed using t-tests. RESULTS: The total number of prostate MRIs and the number of MRIs with subsequent biopsy respectively increased by 178% and 215% over a 5-year interval (2017-2022). There was a higher proportion of MRI studies with an associated biopsy given a PI-RADS score of ≥ 3 (91%) and a Gleason grade of ≥ 7 (61%) in 2022 than in 2017 (PI-RADS: 75%; Gleason: 28%). CONCLUSIONS: Increased utilization of prostate MRI has been associated with a higher proportion of biopsies with high PI-RADS and Gleason scores consistent with improved patient selection in this integrated health system.

Comparison of Mammography AI Algorithms with a Clinical Risk Model for 5-year Breast Cancer Risk Prediction: An Observational Study.

Background Although several clinical breast cancer risk models are used to guide screening and prevention, they have only moderate discrimination. Purpose To compare selected existing mammography artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms and the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium (BCSC) risk model for prediction of 5-year risk. Materials and Methods This retrospective case-cohort study included data in women with a negative screening mammographic examination (no visible evidence of cancer) in 2016, who were followed until 2021 at Kaiser Permanente Northern California. Women with prior breast cancer or a highly penetrant gene mutation were excluded. Of the 324 009 eligible women, a random subcohort was selected, regardless of cancer status, to which all additional patients with breast cancer were added. The index screening mammographic examination was used as input for five AI algorithms to generate continuous scores that were compared with the BCSC clinical risk score. Risk estimates for incident breast cancer 0 to 5 years after the initial mammographic examination were calculated using a time-dependent area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Results The subcohort included 13 628 patients, of whom 193 had incident cancer. Incident cancers in eligible patients (additional 4391 of 324 009) were also included. For incident cancers at 0 to 5 years, the time-dependent AUC for BCSC was 0.61 (95% CI: 0.60, 0.62). AI algorithms had higher time-dependent AUCs than did BCSC, ranging from 0.63 to 0.67 (Bonferroni-adjusted P < .0016). Time-dependent AUCs for combined BCSC and AI models were slightly higher than AI alone (AI with BCSC time-dependent AUC range, 0.66-0.68; Bonferroni-adjusted P < .0016). Conclusion When using a negative screening examination, AI algorithms performed better than the BCSC risk model for predicting breast cancer risk at 0 to 5 years. Combined AI and BCSC models further improved prediction. © RSNA, 2023 Supplemental material is available for this article.

Harnessing the Electronic Medical Record to Improve the Utilization of Ultrasound Screening for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms.

PURPOSE: The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends one-time ultrasound screening to detect abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) in male smokers. Despite this recommendation, AAA screening is still underutilized. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of an electronic medical record (EMR) automated ordering program in increasing AAA screening at an integrated health care system. METHODS: This study was a retrospective chart review of patients who underwent ultrasound screening for AAA from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2021, at a geographically isolated integrated health care system. An automated ordering system was implemented in a stepwise fashion within our EMR beginning in March 2019. The number of ultrasound studies and the incidence of AAA were compared between manual referral and EMR automated ordering periods. RESULTS: A total of 4,176 patients met the inclusion criteria for this study, among whom 148 aneurysms were identified. There was an increase in the average number of monthly screening ultrasound studies performed during the automated ordering period compared with the manual referral period (105 vs 16.3 studies, P < .001). The incidence of AAA was lower in the automated ordering period compared with the manual referral period (3.2% vs 5.3%, P = .013). CONCLUSIONS: An EMR automated ordering program can increase the number of screening ultrasound studies performed for AAA, which may help clinicians identify more high-risk aneurysms requiring urgent repair.

Rapidly Destructive Hip Disease Following Intra-Articular Corticosteroid Injection of the Hip.

BACKGROUND: While recent reports have suggested that hip corticosteroid injections can hasten joint degeneration, there are few published data on the topic. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate for an association between corticosteroid injection and rapidly destructive hip disease (RDHD) and to determine the rate of, and risk factors for, occurrence. METHODS: This study was conducted in 2 parts. First, to assess for a potential association between hip corticosteroid injection and RDHD, a case-control analysis was performed. Patients who developed RDHD between 2013 and 2016 served as cases, whereas those who underwent total hip arthroplasty for diagnoses other than RDHD during the same period served as controls, and the exposure of interest was prior intra-articular hip corticosteroid injection. Second, in a retrospective cohort analysis, we analyzed all patients who received a fluoroscopically guided intra-articular hip corticosteroid injection at our institution from 2013 to 2016. The rate of post-injection RDHD was determined, and logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for occurrence. RESULTS: In the case-control analysis, hip corticosteroid injection was associated with the development of RDHD (adjusted odds ratio, 8.56 [95% confidence interval, 3.29 to 22.3], p < 0.0001). There was evidence of a dose-response curve, with the risk of RDHD increasing with injection dosage as well as with the number of injections received. In the retrospective cohort analysis, the rate of post-injection RDHD was 5.4% (37 of 688). Cases of post-injection RDHD were diagnosed at an average of 5.1 months following injection and were characterized by rapidly progressive joint-space narrowing, osteolysis, and collapse of the femoral head. CONCLUSIONS: This study documents an association between hip corticosteroid injection and RDHD. While the risk of RDHD following a single low-dose (≤40 mg) triamcinolone injection is low, the risk is higher following high-dose (≥80 mg) injection and multiple injections. These findings provide information that can be used to counsel patients about the risks associated with this common procedure. In addition, caution should be taken with intra-articular hip injections utilizing ≥80 mg of corticosteroid and multiple injections. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Effects of Implementing a Higher Threshold for Recommending Thyroid Biopsies on Malignancy Rates.

INTRODUCTION: We implemented a new thyroid nodule classification system in which a biopsy was recommended for thyroid lesions ≥ 1 cm with at least 2 or more suspicious features. METHODS: Three consecutive years of thyroid biopsies using the new classification system were reviewed for patient demographics, biopsy recommendation based on nodule size and imaging characteristics, and pathology results. The primary outcome was malignancy rates for thyroid biopsies. These results were compared to a 3-year historical data set. RESULTS: Review of thyroid biopsies from 2010 to 2012, prior to the implementation of current recommendations, revealed 996 thyroid biopsies with a malignancy rate of 12.8%. Subsequent to the new classification system in 2017, 483 thyroid biopsies were performed over the next 3 years with a malignancy rate of 21.9%. DISCUSSION: Implementation of the new classification system with a higher threshold for biopsy reduced our yearly biopsy volume by approximately 50% while also increasing our malignancy rate from 12.8% to 21.9%, which is more in line with published rates of malignancy. CONCLUSION: In a community setting performing less than 200 biopsies per year, the use of more stringent requirements for thyroid biopsy are necessary to achieve malignancy rates comparable to the published literature.

One-View Chest Radiograph for Initial Management of Most Ambulatory Patients with Rib Pain.

INTRODUCTION: Rib series are frequently ordered for ambulatory patients who complain of rib pain or have suffered chest trauma. However, the utility of rib series has been questioned in previous studies. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of rib series to a single view posteroanterior chest radiograph in the clinical management of most ambulatory patients with rib pain. METHODS: We reviewed all rib series for rib pain performed between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016, excluding patients with suspected bony metastasis, chest or rib deformities, and follow-up studies for prior rib series. We recorded any follow-up imaging and/or surgical intervention within 30 ± 7 days, fracture diagnosis, and complications relating to rib fractures. RESULTS: One thousand seven hundred ninety-one rib series were performed during the study period. Of these, 1168 (65.2%) rib series were performed because of trauma as reported in the clinical indication (trauma cohort). Six hundred twenty-three (34.8%) of the rib series were performed for clinical indications which did not specify acute trauma (nontrauma cohort). There were 323 (17.9%) rib series that resulted in a fracture diagnosis and 95 (5.3%) that resulted in a possible fracture diagnosis. There were 50 (2.8%) effusions, 7 (0.4%), pneumothoraces, and 1 (0.1%) hemothorax detected. Two patients, 1 each from the trauma and nontrauma cohorts, underwent subsequent intervention during the follow-up period. In both cases, the findings which led to the subsequent intervention could be seen on the initial posteroanterior chest radiograph. CONCLUSION: Single-view chest radiograph provides sufficient information for the clinical management of ambulatory patients with rib pain.

Appropriate Interval for Imaging Follow-up of Small Simple Pancreatic Cysts.

CONTEXT: The frequency at which patients should undergo follow-up imaging of small pancreatic cysts is problematic because different medical societies have different follow-up guidelines. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether short-term follow-up of small pancreatic cysts is necessary to detect pancreatic cancer or cystic neoplasia. DESIGN: We retrospectively reviewed all abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies obtained in a geographically isolated health maintenance organization between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2014, looking for pancreatic cysts. For each patient with one or more simple cysts, we recorded the size of the largest cyst. For patients with cysts, all their other computed tomography and MRI studies were reviewed to determine any change in size or morphology. The electronic medical record of every patient who underwent MRI was reviewed to determine development of pancreatic cancer. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Change in cyst size on images. RESULTS: Of 1946 patients, 342 were found to have at least 1 pancreatic cyst. A total of 228 patients had additional imaging from which to determine rates of change. The mean rate (standard deviation) of change for these cysts was 0.1 ± 2.0 mm/y. None of those cysts measuring 2 cm or smaller on MRI grew more than 5 mm in 2 years. CONCLUSION: Our data validate the clinical efficacy of obtaining follow-up imaging no sooner than 24 months after the initial detection of a simple pancreatic cyst 2 cm or smaller. Patients with cysts are more likely to have pancreatic cancer, but earlier follow-up imaging would not change their diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

Evaluation of Small Adrenal Incidental Nodules: Is Imaging Follow-Up Necessary?

INTRODUCTION: Low incidence of adrenal cortical carcinoma in the general adult population has prompted a reevaluation of current protocol for the assessment of adrenal incidentalomas. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether follow-up imaging for small (≤ 4 cm) incidental adrenal nodules is necessary for patients without known cancer. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients found to have an incidental adrenal nodule on abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan during a 27-month period. The electronic medical record was reviewed to determine clinical outcomes in all patients with a minimum of 3 years of follow-up (mean follow-up = 6.7 years). Patients with a known primary cancer were excluded from the analysis unless they had a prior CT scan that documented an incidental adrenal nodule. Unenhanced CT attenuation was measured for all nodules, if available. RESULTS: A total of 392 patients with an incidental adrenal nodule had a mean (standard deviation [SD]) clinical follow-up of 6.7 (2.7) years. There were 200 men and 192 women with a mean (SD) age of 66.0 (13.2) years. None of these patients developed primary adrenocortical carcinoma during the follow-up period.Two hundred forty of these patients also had a minimum 3 years of imaging follow-up (mean [SD], 6.4 [2.4] years; range, 3.1-13.6 years). There were 173 left-sided and 91 right-sided nodules on index CT scan. There was no significant difference in the mean (SD) rate of growth between left- and right-sided nodules (0.1 [0.8] mm/year vs 0.1 [0.8] mm/year, p = 0.58). Mean unenhanced CT attenuation of adrenal nodules did not affect the likelihood of adrenal malignancy during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Patients with small incidental adrenal nodules do not require additional imaging to exclude the possibility of adrenocortical carcinoma.

Four-year cumulative radiation exposure in patients undergoing computed tomography angiography for suspected pulmonary embolism.

Purpose. The objective of this study was to determine the estimated effective radiation dose of pulmonary CT angiography (CTA) for suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) contributing to total medical radiation exposure over a 4-year period. Materials and Methods. This investigation retrospectively reviewed 300 patients who presented to the emergency department and received a pulmonary CTA scan for suspected PE. We evaluated these patients' electronic medical record to determine their estimated radiation exposure to CT scans during the following four years. Using DLP to E conversion coefficients, we calculated the cumulative effective radiation dose each subject received. Results. A total of 900 CT scans were reviewed in this study. Pulmonary CTA delivered an average effective radiation dose of 10.7 ± 2.5 mSv and accounted for approximately 65% of subjects' 4-year cumulative medical radiation dose. Only 6.3% of subjects had a positive acute PE according to their radiology report. Conclusion. Pulmonary CTA accounted for the majority of subjects' medically related effective radiation dose over a 4-year period. With only a minority of subjects having positive findings for acute PE, increased efforts should be made to clinically assess pretest probability before the consideration of imaging.

Affiliation and control during marital disagreement, history of divorce, and asymptomatic coronary artery calcification in older couples.

OBJECTIVE: To examine behavioral observations of affiliation (ie, warmth versus hostility) and control (ie, dominance versus submissiveness) and prior divorce as predictors of coronary artery calcification (CAC) in older couples. In some but not all studies, marital disruption and low marital quality have been shown to confer risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). Inconsistencies might reflect limitations of self-reports of marital quality compared with behavioral observations. Also, aspects of marital quality related to CAD might differ for men and women. METHODS: Couples underwent computed tomography scans for CAC and marital assessments, including observations of laboratory-based disagreement. Participants were 154 couples (mean age, 63.5 years; mean length of marriage, 36.4 years) free of prior diagnosis of CAD. RESULTS: Controlling traditional risk factors, we found behavioral measures of affiliation (low warmth) accounted for 6.2% of variance in CAC for women, p < .01, but not for men. Controlling behavior (dominance) accounted for 6.0% of variance in CAC for men, p < .02, but not for women. Behavioral measures were related to self-reports of marital quality, but the latter were unrelated to CAC. History of divorce predicted CAC for men and women. CONCLUSIONS: History of divorce and behavioral--but not self-report--measures of marital quality were related to CAD, such that low warmth and high dominance conferred risk for women and men, respectively. Prior research might underestimate the role of marital quality in CAD by relying on global self-reports of this risk factor.

Associations of self-reports versus spouse ratings of negative affectivity, dominance, and affiliation with coronary artery disease: where should we look and who should we ask when studying personality and health?

OBJECTIVE: Aspects of negative affect and social behavior studied as risk factors for coronary heart disease are usually examined separately and through self-reports. Using structural models of these personality domains, we tested associations of self-reports and spouse ratings of anxiety, depressive symptoms, anger, affiliation and dominance with coronary artery disease (CAD). DESIGN: In 154 healthy older couples, the authors tested cross-sectional associations with CAD of three facets of negative affectivity and two dimensions of the Interpersonal Circumplex, (IPC) using scales derived from the NEO-PI-R. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: CAD was quantified as Agatston scores from CT scans of coronary artery calcification (CAC). RESULTS: Self-reports were generally unrelated to CAC, whereas spouse ratings were consistently associated, largely independent of potential confounds. When considered simultaneously, anxiety and anger were related to CAC but depression was not. When considered together, both dominance and (low) affiliation were related to CAC. CONCLUSIONS: Structural models of negative affectivity and social behavior can facilitate integrative study of psychosocial risk factors. Further, self-report measures of these traits might under-estimate related CHD risk.

On the mechanism of action of pneumatic compression devices: Combined magnetic resonance imaging and duplex ultrasound investigation.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the relationships between the interface pressure produced by intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) devices, the deformation of extremity tissues produced by this pressure, and changes in venous blood flow associated with this deformation by use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and duplex ultrasound (DUS) imaging in addition to the pressure measurement. METHODS: The calf garments of two IPC devices (WizAir, Medical Compression Systems, Inc, Ltd, Or-Akiva, Israel; VenaFlow, AirCast Inc, Summit, NJ) were tested in five healthy volunteers. The interface pressure was measured with Tactilus Human Body Interface sensor system (Sensor Products Inc, Madison, NJ). Changes in tissue volumes were assessed with MRI. Velocity and flow changes in the great saphenous vein (GSV) and femoral veins (FV) were evaluated by DUS scans. RESULTS: The spatial distribution of interface pressure differed substantially between the two devices. These differences were in the location and percentage of calf surface area to which different pressure was applied. Both devices produced the tissue compression consistent with each device's unique pattern of the interface pressure distribution. Compression by the IPC devices was associated with a measurable decrease in the volume of subcutaneous tissue under the garment, the total volume of superficial veins, and the volume of the GSV. No measurable changes occurred in subfascial volume of the calf. Compression was associated with significant increase in flow velocities in the GSV and FV. The increase of volume flow was significant in FV, but not in GSV. Comparing hemodynamic data with MRI data showed that the flow velocity increase in FV and GSV caused by IPC highly correlated with decrease in volume of superficial veins and subcutaneous tissue measured by MRI, but not with changes in subfascial volume. A single strongest predictor of venous flow increase was the change in subcutaneous veins volume. CONCLUSIONS: This methodology provides means for the investigation of relationships between the pressure in the garment, interface pressure, tissue deformation, and hemodynamic respond to IPC. The clinical efficacy of IPC should not be explicitly attributed to the magnitude of the pressure in the garment. Similar hemodynamic responses to IPC can be produced by different spatial distributions of pressure resulting in different patterns of tissue compression. Further investigation of biomechanical mechanisms of IPC is needed to guide the development of better engineering solutions for mechanical devices aimed at prevention of venous thrombosis.

Progression of coronary artery calcification in patients taking alendronate for osteoporosis.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: As with their actions on bone, bisphosphonates may play a role in coronary artery calcification (CAC) by inhibiting calcium resorption from plaque. The objective of this study was to determine whether the osteoporosis treatment agent alendronate accelerates the rate of CAC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was a pilot comparative analysis of 56 alendronate-treated patients with osteoporosis compared with 56 control subjects matched for age, sex, risk factors, and CAC scores and with a reference cohort that included 213 control subjects. Patients received alendronate sodium (10 mg daily) for a mean of 24 months and underwent annual assessment of CAC with electron-beam computed tomography and bone mineral density with dual x-ray absorptiometry. The principal outcome measure was the rate of change in CAC score in patients and control populations. RESULTS: There was significant progression of CAC in both alendronate-treated and matched-control groups (paired t test, P = .004 and .006, respectively) but no difference in the rates of CAC progression between the alendronate-treated patients and either the matched or reference control cohort. CONCLUSIONS: This small pilot study indicates that oral alendronate administration does not accelerate the rate of CAC, but a larger cohort should be studied to confirm these findings.

Calcium begets calcium: progression of coronary artery calcification in asymptomatic subjects.

PURPOSE: To test the hypothesis that the rate of coronary artery calcium progression is sex specific, namely, that it is greater in men than in women, and that it is age related, particularly in women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of the progression of coronary artery calcium in 217 consecutive asymptomatic subjects who underwent at least two electron-beam computed tomographic studies of the heart. Calcium in the distribution of the epicardial arteries was quantified by using both the conventional coronary artery calcium score (CCS) and the calcium volume score (CVS). Linear regression models were used to judge the joint influence of various risk factors, including sex and age, on rates of coronary artery calcium progression. RESULTS: This study included 103 women and 114 men. The mean interval between the subjects' first and last studies was 25 months +/- 11 (SD). Regression analyses clearly demonstrated that the amount of coronary artery calcium present at the initial study was the most important determinant of calcium progression. This was true when coronary artery calcium was quantified by using the conventional CCS (P <.001) or CVS (P <.001). Neither sex nor age was a significant predictor of coronary artery calcium progression. Among traditional risk factors, only hypertension (P =.02) and diabetes (P =.01) were significant independent factors for calcium progression. CONCLUSION: In asymptomatic subjects, the initial CCS and CVS were the most important factors that affected rate of coronary artery calcium progression. Neither age nor sex was as important as these factors in determination of coronary artery calcium progression.

Using a peptide inhibitor of the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa platelet receptor: initial experience in patients with acute peripheral arterial occlusions.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of eptifibatide, an inhibitor of the glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa platelet receptor, in the thrombolytic treatment of patients with acute peripheral arterial occlusive disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our experience with the use of a GP IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitor, eptifibatide, during thrombolysis in 17 patients with acute lower extremity arterial occlusions who also received intraarterial recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) and heparin. Four of the 17 patients received their loading dose of eptifibatide by direct intraarterial injection, whereas the remaining 13 received an IV loading dose. We compared their results with those of 11 other patients who received only rt-PA and heparin with respect to success and complication rates, duration of thrombolytic therapy, and total rt-PA dose. RESULTS: We found no significant difference in successful outcome (p = 1.00), major complications (p = 1.00), duration of therapy (p = 0.21), or total rt-PA dose (p = 0.67) between those who received eptifibatide and those who did not during thrombolytic therapy. However, those patients who received an intraarterial loading dose of eptifibatide required substantially less rt-PA (9.0 +/- 4.4 mg vs 38.9 +/- 30.7 mg) to achieve successful thrombolysis. CONCLUSION: The adjunctive use of a GP IIb/IIIa platelet receptor inhibitor during thrombolysis for arterial occlusions may decrease the total dose of rt-PA required for thrombolysis without compromising success or complication rates. A prospective randomized study is needed to confirm that inhibitors of the GP IIb/IIIa platelet receptor can facilitate thrombolytic therapy in patients with acute lower extremity arterial occlusions.