Is non-contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging cost-effective for screening of hepatocellular carcinoma?

INTRODUCTION@#Ultrasonography (US) is the current standard of care for imaging surveillance in patients at risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been explored as an alternative, given the higher sensitivity of MRI, although this comes at a higher cost. We performed a cost-effective analysis comparing US and dual-sequence non-contrast-enhanced MRI (NCEMRI) for HCC surveillance in the local setting.@*METHODS@#Cost-effectiveness analysis of no surveillance, US surveillance and NCEMRI surveillance was performed using Markov modelling and microsimulation. At-risk patient cohort was simulated and followed up for 40 years to estimate the patients' disease status, direct medical costs and effectiveness. Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio were calculated.@*RESULTS@#Exactly 482,000 patients with an average age of 40 years were simulated and followed up for 40 years. The average total costs and QALYs for the three scenarios - no surveillance, US surveillance and NCEMRI surveillance - were SGD 1,193/7.460 QALYs, SGD 8,099/11.195 QALYs and SGD 9,720/11.366 QALYs, respectively.@*CONCLUSION@#Despite NCEMRI having a superior diagnostic accuracy, it is a less cost-effective strategy than US for HCC surveillance in the general at-risk population. Future local cost-effectiveness analyses should include stratifying surveillance methods with a variety of imaging techniques (US, NCEMRI, contrast-enhanced MRI) based on patients' risk profiles.

Volumetric Assessment of the Insula in a Normally Functioning Human Brain Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Evaluación Volumétrica de la Ínsula en un Cerebro Humano que Funciona Normalmente Utilizando Imágenes de Resonancia Magnética

SUMMARY: Volumetric assessment of brain structures is an important tool in neuroscience research and clinical practice. The volumetric measurement of normally functioning human brain helps detect age-related changes in some regions, which can be observed at varying degrees. This study aims to estimate the insular volume in the normally functioning human brain in both genders, different age groups, and side variations. A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted on 42 adult Sudanese participants in Al-Amal Hospital, Sudan, between May to August 2022, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and automatic brain segmentation through a software program (BrainSuite). The statistical difference in total insular volume on both sides of the cerebral hemisphere was small. The insular volume on the right side was greater in males, while the left side showed no difference between both genders. A statistically significant difference between males and females was found (p > 0.05), and no statistical difference in different age groups was found according to the one-way ANOVA test (p>0.05). Adult Sudanese males showed a larger insular volume than females. MRI can be used to morphometrically assess the insula to detect any pathological variations based on volume changes.

La evaluación volumétrica de las estructuras cerebrales es una herramienta importante en la investigación y la práctica clínica de la neurociencia. La medición volumétrica del cerebro humano, que funciona normalmente, ayuda a detectar cambios relacionados con la edad en algunas regiones, las cuales se pueden observar en diversos grados. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo estimar el volumen insular en el cerebro humano que funciona normalmente, en ambos sexos, de diferentes grupos de edad y sus variaciones laterales. Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo transversal en 42 participantes sudaneses adultos en el Hospital Al-Amal, Sudán, entre mayo y agosto de 2022, utilizando imágenes de resonancia magnética y segmentación automática del cerebro a través de un software (BrainSuite). Fue pequeña la diferencia estadística en el volumen insular total, en los hemisferios cerebrales. El volumen insular del lado derecho fue mayor en los hombres, mientras que el lado izquierdo no mostró diferencia entre ambos sexos. Se encontró una diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre hombres y mujeres (p > 0,05), y no se encontró diferencia estadística en los diferentes grupos de edad, según la prueba de ANOVA de una vía (p> 0,05). Los hombres sudaneses adultos mostraron un mayor volumen insular que las mujeres. La resonancia magnética se puede utilizar para evaluar morfométricamente la ínsula y para detectar cualquier variación patológica basada en cambios de volumen.

Enfermedad de Castleman unicéntrica, una causa infrecuente de masa cervical / Unicentric Castleman disease, an infrequent cause of cervical mass

La enfermedad de Castleman (EC) describe una serie de desórdenes linfoproliferativos de patrones histológicos similares, pero de etiologías, presentaciones clínicas y enfrentamientos notoriamente variables. Se presenta el caso de un paciente que consultó por masa cervical, cuyo estudio final concluyó EC unicéntrica, la cual se resolvió de forma quirúrgica. Además, se presenta una revisión actualizada del tema, con foco en la enfermedad unicéntrica.

Castleman's disease (CD) describes several lymphoproliferative disorders with similar histological patterns, but with notoriously variable etiologies, clinical presentations, and management. We present the case of a patient who consulted with cervical mass, whose final study concluded with unicentric CD, which was treated surgically. In addition, an updated review of the subject is presented, focusing on unicentric disease.

Diagnóstico de precisão das lesões mamárias / Accurate diagnosis of breast lesions

PONTOS-CHAVE As lesões mamárias compreendem uma ampla variedade de diagnósticos que apresentam comportamentos diversos. As lesões mamárias podem ser classificadas como lesões benignas, de potencial de malignidade indeterminado (B3), carcinoma in situ e carcinoma invasor. Na era da medicina personalizada, individualizar e obter um diagnóstico preciso faz grande diferença no desfecho final da paciente, principalmente no caso do câncer de mama. Exames de imagem direcionados e de qualidade, métodos de biópsia adequadamente selecionados e análises de anatomopatologia convencional, imuno-histoquímica e até molecular são determinantes no diagnóstico e no manejo das pacientes.

Infiltración del nervio óptico como forma inicial de recaída de la leucemia linfoblástica aguda / Optic nerve infiltration as an initial form of relapse of acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Introducción: La infiltración del nervio óptico como forma inicial de recaída de la leucemia linfoblástica aguda es rara, aunque altamente indicativa de que el sistema nervioso central está involucrado. Objetivo: Actualizar el conocimiento sobre infiltración del nervio óptico como forma inicial de recaída de la leucemia linfoblástica aguda. Métodos: Se realizó una revisión de las publicaciones más relevantes relacionadas con el tema durante los últimos años. La búsqueda y la localización de la información se apoyaron en la elección de palabras clave/descriptores que configuraron el perfil de búsqueda. Se utilizó el MeSH Database de PubMed. Se realizó una extensa revisión en Google Académico y otros megabuscadores de revisión sistemática mediante TripDatabase y Cochrane. Conclusiones: La infiltración directa de células tumorales y las alteraciones hematológicas propias de la enfermedad constituyen los mecanismos fundamentales de la fisiopatogenia. El edema del disco óptico es su signo oftalmoscópico más distintivo. La imagen por resonancia magnética de cráneo, el análisis citológico del fluido cerebroespinal y la biopsia de médula ósea negativas no deben excluir el diagnóstico. La terapia combinada que incluye la radiación localizada constituye una buena opción de tratamiento. Un número considerable de ojos recuperan su agudeza visual y muestran resolución del cuadro infiltrativo(AU)

Introduction: Optic nerve infiltration as an initial form of relapse of acute lymphoblastic leukemia is rare, although it is highly indicative of central nervous system involvement. Objective: To update the knowledge about optic nerve infiltration as an initial form of relapse of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Methods: A review of the most relevant publications related to the subject during the last years was carried out. The search and localization of information was supported by the choice of keywords/descriptors that configured the search profile. The MeSH Database of PubMed was used. An extensive review was performed in Google Scholar and other systematic review mega search engines using TripDatabase and Cochrane. Conclusions: Direct tumor cell infiltration and disease-specific hematologic alterations are the fundamental mechanisms of pathophysiology. Optic disc edema is the most distinctive ophthalmoscopic sign. Negative cranial magnetic resonance imaging, cytologic analysis of cerebrospinal fluid and bone marrow biopsy should not exclude the diagnosis. Combination therapy including localized radiation is a good treatment option. A considerable number of eyes recover visual acuity and show resolution of the infiltrative picture(AU)

Colesteatoma congénito: caso clínico y revisión de literatura / Congenital cholesteatoma: clinical case and literature review

El colesteatoma congénito (CC) es una lesión benigna de epitelio escamoso queratinizado que puede afectar diferentes aéreas del hueso temporal con predominio en el oído medio. El CC es una patología poco frecuente que se presenta en pacientes pediátricos y clínicamente se manifiesta como una lesión blanquecina detrás de un tímpano indemne. La mayoría de los pacientes no presenta historia de hipoacusia, otorrea, infección, perforación o cirugía otológica previa. Se analiza el caso de un prescolar con CC que consultó con trastorno de sueño sin sintomatología otológica, pero con otoscopía alterada como hallazgo clínico. En la resonancia magnética nuclear (RMN) con secuencia de difusión, se evidenciaron hallazgos sugerentes de lesión colesteatomatosa en oído medio. Se realizó tratamiento quirúrgico endoscópico combinado con remoción completa de la lesión compatible histológicamente con CC y reconstrucción funcional con prótesis inactiva con resultado auditivo satisfactorio. El CC requiere alta sospecha diagnóstica por pediatras y otorrinolaringólogos, siendo imprescindible realizar un examen físico acucioso que incluya otoscopía de rutina, aunque el paciente no manifieste síntomas otológicos. El tratamiento es quirúrgico y debe considerar uso de endoscópico para asegurar una extracción completa de la lesión. En algunos casos es requerido realizar una reconstrucción auditiva para asegurar un óptimo resultado funcional.

Congenital cholesteatoma (CC) is a benign lesion of keratinized squamous epithelium that can affect different areas of the temporal bone, predominantly in the middle ear. CC is a rare pathology that occurs in pediatric patients and clinically manifests as a white lesion behind an intact eardrum. Most patients do not have a history of hearing loss, otorrhea, infection, perforation, or previous otologic surgery. The following, is the case of an infant with CC who consulted with a sleep disorder without otological symptoms but with altered otoscopy as a clinical finding. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) with diffusion sequence with findings compatible with a cholesteatomatous lesion in the middle ear. Endoscopic surgical treatment was performed combined with complete removal of the lesion histologically compatible with CC and functional reconstruction with inactive prosthesis with satisfactory hearing results. CC requires high diagnostic suspicion by paediatrics and otorhinolaryngologists, and it is essential to perform a thorough physical examination that includes routine otoscopy even if the patient does not show otological symptoms. Treatment is surgical and endoscopic use should be considered to ensure complete removal of the lesion. In some cases, hearing reconstruction is required to ensure optimal functional results.

Una inusual causa de estrechez de la vía aérea laringotraqueal / An unusual cause of laryngotracheal airway narrowing

La enfermedad relacionada con inmunoglobulina (Ig) G4 es una enfermedad de reciente conocimiento que puede comprometer cualquier órgano teniendo preferencias por ciertas regiones del cuerpo, donde la región de cabeza y cuello es uno de sus principales puntos afectados, pudiendo comprometer tanto la órbita, glándulas salivales, glándulas lagrimales, glándula tiroides, cavidades paranasales, hueso temporal, faringe y laringe. Este último órgano es infrecuentemente comprometido, solo existiendo 12 casos registrados en la literatura antes de la publicación de este escrito. Presentamos un caso de una mujer de 49 años con historia de disnea frente a esfuerzo, diagnosticándose una estenosis subglótica la cual fue manejada quirúrgicamente con una reconstrucción laringotraqueal. En el estudio histopatológico se evidenció histología compatible con enfermedad relacionada con IgG4, por lo que se inició tratamiento médico con corticotera- pia oral por un lapso de 2 meses en conjunto con inmunología. Paciente luego de 4 años de seguimiento, no ha presentado recaídas, manteniendo un lumen subglótico adecuado.

Immunoglobulin (Ig) G4-related disease is a medical condition of recent knowledge that can compromise any organ, having preferences for certain regions of the body, where the head and neck region is one of the main affected points, being able to affect orbit, salivary glands, lacrimal glands, thyroid gland, paranasal cavities, temporal bone, pharynx and larynx. The latter is infrequently compromised, with only 12 cases registered in the literature before the publication of this writing. We present a case of a 49-year-old woman with a history of exertional dyspnea, diagnosed with a sub- glottic stenosis which was managed surgically with laryngotracheal reconstruction. The histopathological study revealed histology compatible with IgG4-related disease, so medical treatment with oral corticosteroid therapy was started for a period of 2 months in conjunction with immunology. After 4 years of follow-up, the patient has not presented relapses, maintaining an adequate subglottic lumen.

Tumor de Pott y absceso cerebral secundario a sinusitis aguda de foco dentario en paciente pediátrico / Pott's tumor and cerebral abscess secondary to acute sinusitis of dental focus in a pediatric patient

El tumor de Pott es una entidad rara, definida como un absceso subperióstico asociado a osteomielitis del hueso frontal. Suele presentarse como complicación de sinusitis aguda o crónica del seno frontal, y se describe con mayor incidencia en población pediátrica, siendo una complicación grave por su alta morbimortalidad. Se presenta a un paciente pediátrico con tumor de Pott y absceso cerebral posterior a una sinusitis aguda de foco odontogénico, en la que los pilares de tratamiento son drenaje quirúrgico precoz y antibioticoterapia prolongada. Se describe la clínica, manejo médico-quirúrgico y seguimiento posterior, ya que, en ausencia de antecedentes, se debe buscar dirigida- mente enfermedad periodontal y realizar un estudio de inmunodeficiencia primaria.

Pott's tumor is a rare entity, defined as a subperiosteal abscess associated with osteomyelitis of the frontal bone. It usually presents as a complication of acute or chronic sinusitis of the frontal sinus and it is described with a higher incidence in the pediatric population, being a serious complication due to its high morbidity and mortality. We present a pediatric patient with Pott's tumor and brain abscess after acute sinusitis of odontogenic focus, in which the pillars of treatment are an early surgical drainage and prolonged antibiotic therapy. The clinic, medical-surgical management and subsequent follow-up are described, since in the absence of antecedents, periodontal disease should be sought directly and a study of primary immunodeficiency performed.

Neumoencéfalo recurrente post quirúrgico, a raíz de dos casos / Post-surgical late pneumoencephalus, based on two cases

El neumoencéfalo es una patología que comúnmente se presenta después de cirugía neuroquirúrgica y ocasionalmente endonasal. Estos se suelen manejar de manera conservadora, sin embargo, se pueden asociar a distintas etiologías las cuales los hacen recurrir. En este reporte presentamos dos casos de neumoencéfalo tardío post quirúrgico asociado a fístulas de LCR de bajo flujo, donde se discute su clínica, etiología y manejo posterior.

Pneumocephalus is a pathology that commonly occurs after endonasal surgery, these are usually managed conservatively, however they can be associated with different etiologies which make them recur. In this report we present two cases of post-surgical late pneumocephalus associated with low-flow CSF fistulae, where its symptoms, etiology, and subsequent management are discussed.

Brain iron deposition increases in the bilateral substantia nigra of patients with medication-overuse headache: a quantitative susceptibility mapping analysis / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate iron accumulation level over the whole brain and explore the possible neuromechanism of medication-overuse headache (MOH) using quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM).@*METHODS@#Thirty-seven MOH patients and 27 normal control subjects were enrolled in the study for examinations with both a multiecho gradient echo magnetic resonance (MR) sequence and brain high resolution structural imaging. A voxel-based analysis was performed to detect the brain regions with altered iron deposition, and the quantitative susceptibility mapping values of the positive brain regions were extracted. Correlation analysis was performed between the susceptibility values and the clinical variables of the patients.@*RESULTS@#In patients with MOH, increased susceptibility values were found mainly in the bilateral substantia nigra (SN) (MNI coordinate: 8, -18, -14; -6, -16, -14) as compared with the normal control subjects (P < 0.001), but these alterations in iron deposition were not significantly correlated with the clinical variables of the patients (P > 0.05). The susceptibility value in the left SN had an area under curve (AUC) of 0.734, and at the cut-off value of 0.077, its diagnostic sensitivity was 72.97% and its specificity was 70.37% for distinguishing MOH from normal controls; The susceptibility value in the right SN had an AUC of 0.699 with a diagnostic sensitivity of 72.97% and a specificity of 62.96% at the cut-off value of 0.084.@*CONCLUSION@#Increased iron deposition occurs in the bilateral SN of MOH patients, which provides a new insight into the mechanism of mesocorticolimbic dopamine system dysfunction in MOH. QSM technique can be used as a non-invasive means for quantitative analysis of brain iron deposition in migraine neuroimaging.

MRI-derived radiomics models for diagnosis, aggressiveness, and prognosis evaluation in prostate cancer / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a pernicious tumor with high heterogeneity, which creates a conundrum for making a precise diagnosis and choosing an optimal treatment approach. Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mp-MRI) with anatomical and functional sequences has evolved as a routine and significant paradigm for the detection and characterization of PCa. Moreover, using radiomics to extract quantitative data has emerged as a promising field due to the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and image data processing. Radiomics acquires novel imaging biomarkers by extracting imaging signatures and establishes models for precise evaluation. Radiomics models provide a reliable and noninvasive alternative to aid in precision medicine, demonstrating advantages over traditional models based on clinicopathological parameters. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of related studies of radiomics in PCa, specifically around the development and validation of radiomics models using MRI-derived image features. The current landscape of the literature, focusing mainly on PCa detection, aggressiveness, and prognosis evaluation, is reviewed and summarized. Rather than studies that exclusively focus on image biomarker identification and method optimization, models with high potential for universal clinical implementation are identified. Furthermore, we delve deeper into the critical concerns that can be addressed by different models and the obstacles that may arise in a clinical scenario. This review will encourage researchers to design models based on actual clinical needs, as well as assist urologists in gaining a better understanding of the promising results yielded by radiomics.

Application of modified articular disc anchorage in treating the perforation and rupture of temporomandibular joint disc / 华西口腔医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#This study aimed to use modified articular disc anchorage in treating old irreducible temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc displacement with perforation and rupture, as well as to explore its efficacy.@*METHODS@#A total of 31 patients (34 sides) with 47 TMJ disc perforations who underwent surgical treatment in the Affiliated Stomatolo-gical Hospital of Nanchang University from January 2018 to December 2021 were selected. According to the location of disc perforation, it has five types: posterior disc perforation (typeⅠ), anterior disc perforation (typeⅡ), lateral disc perforation (type Ⅲ), composite disc perforation, and destruction disc perforation. The modified methods of disc anchoring were divided into two types according to the location of the perforation. TypesⅠandⅢ disc perforation were trea-ted by posterior anchoring method. For posterior ancho-ring, a screw was implanted into the posterolateral side of the condylar neck, and the disc was fixed on the screw by horizontal mattress suture. TypeⅡdisc perforation and compo-site disc perforation combined typeⅡperforation were treated by anterior and posterior double-anchoring method. For anterior anchoring, anchor screws or holes were placed at the anterior edge of the condylar neck, and horizontal mattress suture was performed at the posterior edge of the anterior perforation with an anchor wire. The articular disc was then fixed on the anchor screws or holes. For the posterior anchoring method, it was the same as the previous one. Paired t test was used to analyze the visual analog scale (VAS), maximum interincisal opening (MIO), and TMJ disorder index (CMI) of the patient before surgery and 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery. Disk-condyle position relationship by magnetic resonance imaging and postoperative quality of life in postoperative were analyzed.@*RESULTS@#The incidence of perforation was 41.2% (14/34) in typeⅠ, 11.8% (4/34) in typeⅡ, 8.8% (3/34) in typeⅢ, 29.4% (10/34) in composite type, and 8.8% (3/34) in destruction type. The VAS, MIO, and CMI at 3, 6 months after operation significantly improved compared with those before operation (P<0.05). The effective reduction rate of disc was 96.77% (30/31). The quality of life at 6 months after surgery was 47.22±2.13, and the rate of excellent evaluation was 96.4% (27/28).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Modified articular disc anchorage achieves a good curative effect for treating temporomandibular joint disc perforation and rupture. Nevertheless, its long-term effect requires further observation.

Characterization of brain deactivations elicited by transient painful and tactile stimuli using functional MRI / 生理学报

The aim of the present study was to explore the specific pattern of brain deactivation elicited by painful stimuli, in contrast with that elicited by tactile stimuli. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data were collected from 62 healthy subjects under painful and tactile stimuli with varying intensities. The brain deactivations under different conditions were identified using the general linear model. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to test whether there was a significant interaction between perceived stimulus intensity (factor 1: high intensity, low intensity) and stimulus modality (factor 2: pain, touch) on the brain deactivations. The results showed that there were significant interactions between stimulus intensity and stimulus modality on the deactivations of left medial superior frontal gyrus, left middle occipital gyrus, left superior frontal gyrus and right middle occipital gyrus (P < 0.05, Cluster-level FWE). The deactivations induced by painful stimuli with low perceived intensity (β = -3.38 ± 0.52) were significantly stronger than those induced by painful stimuli with high perceived intensity (β = -1.22 ± 0.54) (P < 0.001), whereas the differences between the deactivations induced by tactile stimuli with different perceived intensities were not statistically significant. In addition, there were no significant differences between the deactivations elicited by painful and tactile stimuli with the same stimulus intensities. These results suggest that there is a specific relationship between the deactivations induced by painful stimuli in multiple brain regions (such as the left medial superior frontal gyrus) and the stimulus intensity, providing evidence for a deeper understanding of the brain mechanisms underlying pain perception.

Shared and distinct abnormalities of brain magnetization transfer ratio in schizophrenia and major depressive disorder: a comparative voxel-based meta-analysis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Patients with schizophrenia (SCZ) and major depressive disorder (MDD) share significant clinical overlap, although it remains unknown to what extent this overlap reflects shared neural profiles. To identify the shared and specific abnormalities in SCZ and MDD, we performed a whole-brain voxel-based meta-analysis using magnetization transfer imaging, a technique that characterizes the macromolecular structural integrity of brain tissue in terms of the magnetization transfer ratio (MTR).@*METHODS@#A systematic search based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, International Scientific Index (ISI) Web of Science, and MEDLINE for relevant studies up to March 2022. Two researchers independently screened the articles. Rigorous scrutiny and data extraction were performed for the studies that met the inclusion criteria. Voxel-wise meta-analyses were conducted using anisotropic effect size-signed differential mapping with a unified template. Meta-regression was used to explore the potential effects of demographic and clinical characteristics.@*RESULTS@#A total of 15 studies with 17 datasets describing 365 SCZ patients, 224 MDD patients, and 550 healthy controls (HCs) were identified. The conjunction analysis showed that both disorders shared higher MTR than HC in the left cerebellum ( P =0.0006) and left fusiform gyrus ( P =0.0004). Additionally, SCZ patients showed disorder-specific lower MTR in the anterior cingulate/paracingulate gyrus, right superior temporal gyrus, and right superior frontal gyrus, and higher MTR in the left thalamus, precuneus/cuneus, posterior cingulate gyrus, and paracentral lobule; and MDD patients showed higher MTR in the left middle occipital region. Meta-regression showed no statistical significance in either group.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The results revealed a structural neural basis shared between SCZ and MDD patients, emphasizing the importance of shared neural substrates across psychopathology. Meanwhile, distinct disease-specific characteristics could have implications for future differential diagnosis and targeted treatment.

Effect of arteriosclerotic intracranial arterial vessel wall enhancement on downstream collateral flow / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#The effect of arteriosclerotic intracranial arterial vessel wall enhancement (IAVWE) on downstream collateral flow found in vessel wall imaging (VWI) is not clear. Regardless of the mechanism underlying IAVWE on VWI, damage to the patient's nervous system caused by IAVWE is likely achieved by affecting downstream cerebral blood flow. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of arteriosclerotic IAVWE on downstream collateral flow.@*METHODS@#The present study recruited 63 consecutive patients at the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2021 to November 2021 with underlying atherosclerotic diseases and unilateral middle cerebral artery (MCA) M1-segment stenosis who underwent an magnetic resonance scan within 3 days of symptom onset. The patients were divided into 4 groups according to IAVWE and the stenosis ratio (Group 1, n = 17; Group 2, n = 19; Group 3, n = 13; Group 4, n = 14), and downstream collateral flow was analyzed using three-dimensional pseudocontinuous arterial spin labeling (3D-pCASL) and RAPID software. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores of the patients were also recorded. Two-factor multivariate analysis of variance using Pillai's trace was used as the main statistical method.@*RESULTS@#No statistically significant difference was found in baseline demographic characteristics among the groups. IAVWE, but not the stenosis ratio, had a statistically significant significance on the late-arriving retrograde flow proportion (LARFP), hypoperfusion intensity ratio (HIR), and NIHSS scores ( F = 20.941, P <0.001, Pillai's trace statistic = 0.567). The between-subject effects test showed that IAVWE had a significant effect on the three dependent variables: LARFP ( R2 = 0.088, F = 10.899, P = 0.002), HIR ( R2 = 0.234, F = 29.354, P <0.001), and NIHSS ( R2 = 114.339, F = 33.338, P <0.001).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Arteriosclerotic IAVWE significantly reduced downstream collateral flow and affected relevant neurological deficits. It was an independent factor affecting downstream collateral flow and NIHSS scores, which should be a focus of future studies.@*TRIAL REGISTRATION@#ChiCTR.org.cn, ChiCTR2100053661.

Abnormal cortical surface-based spontaneous and functional connectivity in the whole brain in lifelong premature ejaculation patients / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

Recent research has highlighted structural and functional abnormalities in the cerebral cortex of patients with premature ejaculation (PE). These anomalies could play a pivotal role in the physiological mechanisms underlying PE. This study leveraged functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), a noninvasive technique, to explore these neural mechanisms. We conducted resting-state fMRI scans on 36 PE patients and 22 healthy controls (HC), and collected data on Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT) scores and intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT). Employing a surface-based regional homogeneity (ReHo) approach, we analyzed local neural synchronous spontaneous activity, diverging from previous studies that utilized a volume-based ReHo method. Areas with significant ReHo differences between PE and HC groups underwent surface-based functional connectivity (FC) analysis. Significant discrepancies in ReHo and FC across the cortical surface were observed in the PE cohort. Notably, PE patients exhibited decreased ReHo in the left triangular inferior frontal gyrus and enhanced ReHo in the right middle frontal gyrus. The latter showed heightened connectivity with the left lingual gyrus and the right orbital superior frontal gyrus. Furthermore, a correlation between ReHo and FC values with PEDT scores and IELT was found in the PE group. Our findings, derived from surface-based fMRI data, underscore specific brain regions linked to the neurobiological underpinnings of PE.

The combined role of MRI prostate and prostate health index in improving detection of significant prostate cancer in a screening population of Chinese men / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

Using prostate-specific antigen (PSA) for prostate cancer (PCa) screening led to overinvestigation and overdiagnosis of indolent PCa. We aimed to investigate the value of prostate health index (PHI) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) prostate in an Asian PCa screening program. Men aged 50-75 years were prospectively recruited from a community-based PSA screening program. Men with PSA 4.0-10.0 ng ml -1 had PHI result analyzed. MRI prostate was offered to men with PSA 4.0-50.0 ng ml -1 . A systematic prostate biopsy was offered to men with PSA 4.0-9.9 ng ml -1 and PHI ≥35, or PSA 10.0-50.0 ng ml -1 . Additional targeted prostate biopsy was offered if they had PI-RADS score ≥3. Clinically significant PCa (csPCa) was defined as the International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grade group (GG) ≥2 or ISUP GG 1 with involvement of ≥30% of total systematic cores. In total, 12.8% (196/1536) men had PSA ≥4.0 ng ml -1 . Among 194 men with PSA 4.0-50.0 ng ml -1 , 187 (96.4%) received MRI prostate. Among them, 28.3% (53/187) had PI-RADS ≥3 lesions. Moreover, 7.0% (107/1536) men were indicated for biopsy and 94.4% (101/107) men received biopsy. Among the men received biopsy, PCa, ISUP GG ≥2 PCa, and csPCa was diagnosed in 42 (41.6%), 24 (23.8%), and 34 (33.7%) men, respectively. Compared with PSA/PHI pathway in men with PSA 4.0-50.0 ng ml -1 , additional MRI increased diagnoses of PCa, ISUP GG ≥2 PCa, and csPCa by 21.2% (from 33 to 40), 22.2% (from 18 to 22), and 18.5% (from 27 to 32), respectively. The benefit of additional MRI was only observed in PSA 4.0-10.0 ng ml -1 , and the number of MRI needed to diagnose one additional ISUP GG ≥2 PCa was 20 in PHI ≥35 and 94 in PHI <35. Among them, 45.4% (89/196) men with PSA ≥4.0 ng ml -1 avoided unnecessary biopsy with the use of PHI and MRI. A screening algorithm with PSA, PHI, and MRI could effectively diagnose csPCa while reducing unnecessary biopsies. The benefit of MRI prostate was mainly observed in PSA 4.0-9.9 ng ml -1 and PHI ≥35 group. PHI was an important risk stratification step for PCa screening.

Expert consensus on MRI diagnosis of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B (version 2023) / 中华肝脏病杂志

Chronic hepatitis B is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the liver in China that frequently results in sustained damage to the liver parenchyma, followed by liver fibrosis, and ultimately progresses to unfavorable outcomes such as cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer. Liver fibrosis reversal can be achieved through early and effective intervention. Therefore, timely and accurate assessment of the degree of liver fibrosis is of great clinical significance for the treatment and prognosis assessment of patients with chronic hepatitis B. MRI plays a crucial role in the early assessment and monitoring of the therapeutic efficacy of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B. Currently, there is a lack of uniform consensus on MRI scanning protocols and related diagnostic thresholds for liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B, which is not conducive to practical clinical evaluation and application. This expert consensus is based on a full review of relevant domestic and international literature and the formulation of methodologies based on evidence-based medical guidelines and standards to develop recommendations for MRI scanning techniques and the diagnosis of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B, with a view to providing a clear basis for the clinical diagnosis.