Tips and tricks for a correct interpretation of contrast-enhanced ultrasound.

Although contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is a widespread and easily manageable technique, image interpretation errors can occur due to the operator's inexperience and/or lack of knowledge of the frequent pitfalls, which may cause uncertain diagnosis and misdiagnosis. Indeed, knowledge of the basic physical and technical principles of ultrasound is needed both to understand sonographic image findings and to evaluate the potential and limits of the method. Like the B-mode ultrasound, the quality of the CEUS examination is also subject not only to the adequate manual skill of the operator but also to his/her deep knowledge of the technique which improves the quality of the image helping avoid misleading artifacts. In this review, the main parameters influencing a CEUS examination will be described by taking into account the most common errors and pitfalls and their possible solutions.

Cardiac Masses and Pseudomasses: An Overview about Diagnostic Imaging and Clinical Background.

A cardiac lesion detected at ultrasonography might turn out to be a normal structure, a benign tumor or rarely a malignancy, and lesion characterization is very important to appropriately manage the lesion itself. The exact relationship of the mass with coronary arteries and the knowledge of possible concomitant coronary artery disease are necessary preoperative information. Moreover, the increasingly performed coronary CT angiography to evaluate non-invasively coronary artery disease leads to a rising number of incidental findings. Therefore, CT and MRI are frequently performed imaging modalities when echocardiography is deemed insufficient to evaluate a lesion. A brief comprehensive overview about diagnostic radiological imaging and the clinical background of cardiac masses and pseudomasses is reported.

Prognostic role of the MRI-based involvement of superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of the involvement of the superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle (SPCM) evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on outcome in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCCs). METHODS: A retrospective study including consecutive patients with OPSCC treated with curative intent. RESULTS: A total of 82 consecutive patients with OPSCC met inclusion criteria. At multivariate analysis, patients with SPCM infiltration were at significantly higher risk of death (HR: 3.37, CI: 1.21-9.38) and progression (HR: 3.39, CI: 1.38-8.32). In a multivariate model conditioned on HPV status, a significantly higher risk of death and progression was observed by combining both SPCM and HPV status with patients harboring an HPV-negative OPSCC with SPCM infiltration showing the poorest outcome. CONCLUSION: MRI evidence of SPCM involvement significantly and independently increases the risk of death and progression in subjects with OPSCC. Considering both MRI-assessed SPCM infiltration and HPV status significantly improved risk stratification in these malignancies.

Severity of lung involvement on chest X-rays in SARS-coronavirus-2 infected patients as a possible tool to predict clinical progression: an observational retrospective analysis of the relationship between radiological, clinical, and laboratory data / Gravidade do comprometimento pulmonar em radiografias de tórax de pacientes infectados por SARS-coronavirus-2 como possível ferramenta para prever a evolução clínica: análise retrospectiva observacional da relação entre dados radiológicos, clínicos e laboratoriais

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of a chest X-ray (CXR) score and of clinical and laboratory data in predicting the clinical course of patients with SARS coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Methods: This is a pilot multicenter retrospective study including patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection admitted to the ERs in three hospitals in Italy between February and March of 2020. Two radiologists independently evaluated the baseline CXR of the patients using a semi-quantitative score to determine the severity of lung involvement: a score of 0 represented no lung involvement, whereas scores of 1 to 4 represented the first (less severe) to the fourth (more severe) quartiles regarding the severity of lung involvement. Relevant clinical and laboratory data were collected. The outcome of patients was defined as severe if noninvasive ventilation (NIV) or intubation was necessary, or if the patient died. Results: Our sample comprised 140 patients. Most of the patients were symptomatic (132/138; 95.7%), and 133/140 patients (95.0%) presented with opacities on CXR at admission. Of the 140 patients, 7 (5.0%) showed no lung involvement, whereas 58 (41.4%), 31 (22.1%), 26 (18.6%), and 18 (12.9%), respectively, scored 1, 2, 3, and 4. In our sample, 66 patients underwent NIV or intubation, 37 of whom scored 1 or 2 on baseline CXR, and 28 patients died. Conclusions: The severity score based on CXR seems to be able to predict the clinical progression in cases that scored 0, 3, or 4. However, the score alone cannot predict the clinical progression in patients with mild-to-moderate parenchymal involvement (scores 1 and 2).

RESUMO Objetivo: Investigar a acurácia diagnóstica de um escore de radiografia de tórax (RxT) e também de dados clínicos e laboratoriais na previsão da evolução clínica de pacientes com infecção por SARS coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Métodos: Estudo piloto multicêntrico retrospectivo incluindo pacientes com infecção por SARS-CoV-2 internados nos PSs de três hospitais na Itália entre fevereiro e março de 2020. Dois radiologistas avaliaram as RxT iniciais dos pacientes de forma independente utilizando um escore semiquantitativo para determinar a gravidade do comprometimento pulmonar: escore 0 representava ausência de comprometimento pulmonar, enquanto escores de 1 a 4 representavam o primeiro (menos grave) ao quarto (mais grave) quartil de gravidade do comprometimento pulmonar. Coletaram-se dados clínicos e laboratoriais relevantes. O desfecho dos pacientes foi definido como grave se foi necessária ventilação não invasiva (VNI) ou intubação ou se o paciente faleceu. Resultados: Nossa amostra foi composta por 140 pacientes. A maioria era sintomática (132/138; 95,7%), e 133/140 (95,0%) apresentavam opacidades na RxT da admissão. Dos 140 pacientes, 7 (5,0%) não apresentavam comprometimento pulmonar, enquanto 58 (41,4%), 31 (22,1%), 26 (18,6%) e 18 (12,9%), respectivamente, receberam escore 1, 2, 3 e 4. Em nossa amostra, 66 pacientes foram submetidos a VNI ou intubação, 37 dos quais receberam escore 1 ou 2 na RxT inicial, e 28 pacientes faleceram. Conclusões: O escore de gravidade baseado em RxT parece ser capaz de prever a evolução clínica em casos com escore 0, 3 ou 4. No entanto, o escore isoladamente não consegue prever a evolução clínica de pacientes com comprometimento leve a moderado do parênquima (escores 1 e 2).