Assessment of quantitative zonal parameters of prostate gland in discrimination of normal, benign, and malignant conditions: are these the more reliable parameters in the diagnosis of prostate cancer?

OBJECTIVE: Prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment are increasing in current public healthcare programs. An improved resolution multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has shown the potential to enhance the detection and differentiation of this medical condition. In this study, MR perfusion parameters were investigated in different ages and diseases to differentiate clinically significant prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 2017 to December 2022, 72 consecutive patients, who had undergone multiparametric MR imaging were enrolled in this study. Four different patient groups were formed: (1) those with prostate cancer, (2) those with prostatitis, (3) those with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), and (4) a control group. Quantitative dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)-MRI pharmacokinetic parameters included Ktrans, Kep, Ve, and iAUG. Different measurements were obtained from both the peripheral and transitional zones (PZ and TZ, respectively). Means values were compared between groups based on a univariate analysis. RESULTS: Ktrans and Kep values in the PZ were found to be statistically significantly lower in the control group (p = 0. 003 and p = 0. 011, respectively). It was seen that Ktrans and Ve measurements obtained from PZ had a statistically significant determinant in detecting malignancy (p = 0. 013 and p = 0. 036, respectively). It was seen that Ktrans, Ve, and iAUG obtained from the TZ showed a statistically significant difference in prostate cancer (p = 0.025, p = 0.005, and p = 0. 011, respectively) in contrast to other cases. Peripheral Ve values were statistically significantly lower than those measured Ve values from the TZ in prostate cancer cases (p = 0.002) in contrast to the other cases. CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative DCE-MRI parameters may vary according to age, disease, and zonal anatomy. These differences may contribute to the diagnosis of clinically relevant prostate cancer.

Endometrial carcinoma detection with 3.0 Tesla imaging: which sequence is more useful.

OBJECTIVE: Detection of endometrial cancer (EC) is crucial in pre-operative EC management. The study aimed at determining the most reliable sequence in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation at the EC. Different sequences were compared using histopathological results as the gold standard. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, 62 women diagnosed with EC were examined using 3 Tesla MR and post-hysterectomy histopathological examination. The MRI protocol included diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), T2 weighted images, Dynamic Contrast T1 weighted images, and ZOOMit DWI. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps were also obtained. ADC maps were calculated for both DWI and ZOOMit DWI. All serial images were analyzed by endometrial distance to account for myometrial invasion and tumor size. All sequences and histopathological results were compared using the paired sample t-test. RESULTS: In all 32 women, post-hysterectomy histopathological confirmation was obtained. Mean myometrial invasion values were not significantly different after comparing DWI, ZOOM it DWI, and Dynamic contrast enhancement (DCE)-T1WI (p=0.054, p=0.039). The first strong correlation was found between DWI and ZOOMit DWI (0.943). The second was between ZOOMit DWI and DCE-T1 WI (0.949). Comparing each set of sequences, no statistically significant differences in tumor size (p > 0.05) were found. Also, no statistically significant differences between images and histopathological size were found. The ADC values of ZOOMit DWI indicated that this method detected significant differences between EC histological subtypes. CONCLUSIONS: Each sequence is essential and valuable, whereas priorities may vary depending on the desired information. The most valuable sequences for the myometrial invasion were ZOOMit and conventional DWI. T2WI and DCE T1 WI were more valuable sequences the size of EC.

Diffusion-weighted imaging of the liver in assessing chronic liver disease: effects of fat and iron deposition on ADC values.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to evaluate whether fat and iron affect the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of the liver parenchyma in the settings of fibrosis and inflammation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We evaluated the diffusion-weighted images (DWIs) of 58 patients with chronic liver disease and 48 control subjects. Liver specimens of patients were assessed for fibrosis, necroinflammation, iron, and steatosis. Liver ADCs, spleen ADCs, and normalized liver ADCs (defined as the ratio of the liver ADC to spleen ADC) values were analyzed after stratifying patients with either fibrosis stages or histology activity index (HAI) scores. The relationship between ADC values and histopathological findings was studied using multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS: The median liver and normalized liver ADC values were significantly lower in higher stages of fibrosis and HAI scores. Compared to the control group, patients with the highest stages of fibrosis and inflammation had significantly higher spleen ADCs. The effect of the fibrosis stage on liver ADC and normalized liver ADC values was significant in the setting of inflammation, whereas the degree of steatosis and iron grade did not affect these ADC values. CONCLUSIONS: ADC values can distinguish both later stages of liver fibrosis and inflammation. There is no significant effect of fat and iron on ADC values. Therefore, DWI may be reliable in evaluating liver fibrosis and inflammation.

Effect of surface flattening and phototherapy on shear bond strength immediately after bleaching with different modes of universal adhesive.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare to effect of phototherapy and surface flattening after immediately bleaching on the shear bond strength to bleached enamel. METHODS: Ninety-six human upper incisors were divided into 4 groups (n = 24). Group NB: no bleached, group P: phototherapy with YSGG laser, group F: 0.5 mm surface flattening, group PF: 0.5 mm surface flattening and phototherapy with Er;Cr:YSGG laser. Then, each group was assigned to 2 subgroups according to adhesive mode (n = 12) as; subgroup S (self-etching mode), subgroup T (total-etching mode) which are universal adhesives. All surface conditionings and restorations were performed with composite resin materials immediately after bleaching. Shear bond strength test was performed by using universal testing machine. The surfaces were also evaluated with SEM. The data were statistically analyzed with one-way ANOVA post-hoc Tukey tests. RESULTS: The lowest SBS values were achieved in FS (13.72 ± 2.29) while the highest ones in PT (28.01 ± 6.81). However, the differences were not significant (P > 0.05). All surface conditioning methods provided SBS values similar to the control (P > 0.05). All subgroups of self-etching mode were significantly lower than their total-etching counterparts (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that surface removal and phototherapy have a potential clinical application for eliminate to undesirable effect of bleaching treatment. Surface conditioning with either flattening and/or phototherapy may provide clinicians to restore bleached teeth at the same visit with bleaching and reduce chair-time.