Impact of Radiology Report Wording on Care of Patients With Acute Epiploic Appendagitis.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between the diagnostic certainty expressed by the wording of CT report impressions and subsequent use of standard treatment with analgesics versus nonstandard antibiotic administration in patients with acute epiploic appendagitis (EA). MATERIALS AND METHODS. Demographic, clinical, and radiologic data from a 10-year cohort of patients with acute EA were retrospectively analyzed and correlated with standard treatment with analgesics versus nonstandard treatment with antibiotics. A level of certainty was assigned to the CT report language based on the wording of the impression statements by two radiologists; their interreader agreement was assessed with kappa statistics. Bivariate analyses were performed to correlate all variables with antibiotic administration and to assess for collinearity. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify independent predictors of antibiotic use in patients with acute EA. RESULTS. Of 124 patients with CT-diagnosed acute EA, 22% (27/124) received antibiotic treatment. After the CT report impressions were evaluated, 27% (34/124) were categorized as low certainty and 73% (90/124) as high certainty (κ = 0.958, p < 0.001). Multivariate regression was significant (p < 0.001, Nagelkerke R2 = 0.249) and found CT report impressions' level of certainty (odds ratio [OR] = 6.1, p < 0.001) and evaluation in an outpatient clinic rather than an emergency department (ED) (OR = 4.4, p = 0.003) to be independent predictors of antibiotic administration for patients with acute EA. Outpatient presentation was also correlated with age, abdominal pain duration, and left-colonic involvement in the bivariate analysis (all p ≤ 0.01). CONCLUSION. The diagnostic certainty conveyed by the wording of CT report impressions correlated with antibiotic treatment decisions for patients with acute EA. Patients whose report impressions expressed low rather than high certainty were six times more likely to receive antibiotic therapy; patients evaluated at outpatient clinics rather than EDs were four times more likely.

Interim Positron Emission Tomography During Frontline Chemoimmunotherapy for Follicular Lymphoma.

While most patients with follicular lymphoma (FL) have excellent outcomes with frontline chemoimmunotherapy (CIT), a subset of patients will experience early progression, which is associated with poor subsequent outcomes. Novel biomarkers are needed to identify high-risk patients earlier. We hypothesized that interim positron emission tomography (PET) would predict progression-free survival (PFS) in this population. We retrospectively identified 128 patients with grade 1-3A FL who had an interim PET after 2-4 cycles of frontline CIT at 2 academic centers. PET scans were analyzed using Deauville score (DS) and change in maximum standardized uptake value (ΔSUVmax). Interim PET DS was a significant predictor of PFS (P < 0.003). Patients with a DS of 3 had outcomes similar to those of patients with a DS of 4, so were categorized as PET-positive for additional analyses. Interim PET remained a strong predictor of PFS (DS 3-5, hazard ratio [HR] 2.4, P = 0.006) in a multivariable analysis and was also an early predictor of both a positive end-of-treatment PET (P < 0.001) and progression of disease within 24 months (POD24) (P = 0.006). An optimal ΔSUVmax cutoff of 75% was selected using the bootstrap method. ΔSUVmax <75% was also a significant predictor of PFS on univariable and multivariable analyses (HR 2.8, P < 0.003). In a separate cohort of 50 patients with high-grade FL, interim PET interpreted using either DS (P < 0.001) or ΔSUVmax75% (P = 0.034) was also a significant predictor of inferior PFS. In conclusion, interim PET is an independent predictor of PFS and may be useful as a tool for response-adapted treatment strategies in FL.

Understanding the impact of 'cost' under MACRA: a neurointerventional imperative!

The cost of providing healthcare in the United States continues to rise. The Affordable Care Act created systems to test value-based alternative payments models. Traditionally, procedure-based specialists such as neurointerventionalists have largely functioned in, and are thus familiar with, the traditional Fee for Service system. Administrative charge data would suggest that neurointerventional surgery is an expensive specialty. The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act consolidated pre-existing federal performance programs in the Merit-based Incentive Payments System (MIPS), including a performance category called 'cost'. Understanding cost as a dimension that contributes to the value of care delivered is critical for succeeding in MIPS and offers a meaningful route for favorably bending the cost curve.

Visualization of a small hidden intracranial aneurysm during endovascular thrombectomy for acute MCA occlusion.

Spontaneous aneurysmal thrombosis as a cause for acute ischemic stroke is a rarely described complication of small unruptured intracranial aneurysms. We present an interesting case of a stroke in a woman with an occult acutely thrombosed middle cerebral artery bifurcation aneurysm that was found during successful thrombus aspiration of the occluded parent vessel. Although rare, small aneurysms have to be considered as a possible cause for a thrombotic vessel occlusion. Catheters and thrombectomy devices have to be used carefully while performing mechanical revascularization.

Embolization of intra-axial hypervascular tumors with Onyx: report of three cases.

Complete surgical resection of intra-axial hypervascular tumors located in the posterior fossa, in particular hemangioblastomas, may be challenging due to tumor location, mass effect and excessive bleeding. Embolization of these lesions can be done preoperatively or as a palliative measure in patients who are not surgical candidates. Preoperative embolization may reduce intraoperative blood loss, shorten surgical time and increase the chance of a complete resection. However, the safety and effectiveness of this procedure is still a matter of debate. Three cases of intra-axial hypervascular tumors in the posterior fossa (two confirmed hemangioblastomas) that were embolized using a non-adhesive liquid embolic agent (Onyx) are reported.

Wingspan experience in the treatment of symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic disease after antithrombotic failure.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Intracranial stenting with the Wingspan system has been used as a revascularization strategy in symptomatic patients with intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD). The latest results of the Stenting versus Aggressive Medical Therapy for Intracranial Artery Stenosis (SAMMPRIS) trial challenge this approach. Our experience in the treatment of symptomatic ICAD with the Wingspan system is reported. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent stenting for symptomatic ICAD were included in the analysis. Demographic data, periprocedural complications, long term radiological and clinical outcomes are reported. RESULTS: 46 lesions were treated in 45 patients. 13 patients (29%) presented with a transient ischemic attack and 32 (71%) with a stroke. 43 patients (95.5%) failed antithrombotic therapy at presentation. One (2%) symptomatic periprocedural (24 h) complication occurred. The 30 day incidence of stroke and vascular death was 6.6%--a fatal hemorrhagic stroke and two non-fatal hemorrhagic strokes. In-stent stenosis (≥50%) was seen in nine (42.8%) lesions, two were symptomatic. CONCLUSIONS: This cohort of patients with symptomatic ICAD who failed antithrombotic medications benefited from angioplasty and stenting with the Wingspan system.

Magnetic resonance findings of neurofibromatosis type 2: a case report.

Neurofibromatosis type 2 is an inherited autosomal dominant syndrome, characterized by multiple neoplasms of the central and peripheral nervous system associated with ocular abnormalities. The most common tumor associated with the disease is the vestibulocochlear schwannoma (VIII cranial nerve), and as many as 10% of patients with this tumor have neurofibromatosis type 2. In this report we aim to present a 34-year-old male who was seen for bilateral hearing loss. During his workup, which included cranial computer tomography, he was found to have multiple intracranial masses. Cranial and whole spine magnetic resonance imaging showed bilateral vestibulocochlear schwannoma, multiple meningiomas, and one intramedullary tumor. Based on clinical and imaging findings the diagnostic of neurofibromatosis type 2 was made.

Pulmonary amyloidosis with calcified nodules and masses - a six-year computed tomography follow-up: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary amyloidosis is an uncommon disease, characterized by extracellular deposition of fibrillary protein in the lungs. It appears in three forms: tracheobronchial, nodular pulmonary, and alveolar septal. There are few reports of long-term observation of primary pulmonary amyloidosis. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 47-year-old man who presented with fever, dyspnea, cough and hemoptysis. Chest radiograph and computed tomography revealed multiple pulmonary nodules and masses. The patient underwent open lung biopsy, which diagnosed pulmonary amyloidosis. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary nodular amyloidosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pulmonary nodules or masses.

Experiência preliminar com o uso da técnica de "remodelagem de colo" para tratamento endovascular de aneurismas complexos da artéria renal / A preliminary experiment utilizing ôaneurysm neck remodeling techniqueõ for managementof complex wide-necked renal artery aneurysms

OBJETIVO: Relatar os resultados preliminares da aplicação da técnica de "remodelagem do colo" no tratamento dos aneurismas de colo largo da artéria renal. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Cinco pacientes (três mulheres e dois homens, com idade média de 62 anos, intervalo de 49-72 anos) com aneurismas da artéria renal variando de 10 a 25 mm de diâmetro, de colo largo, foram tratados com técnicas de embolização assistidas por "remodelagem do colo" com balão durante o período de três anos. O microbalão era posicionado diante do colo do aneurisma e insuflado, temporariamente, durante a colocação das micromolas destacáveis no interior do aneurisma. RESULTADOS: O posicionamento do balão e a colocação das micromolas foram realizados com êxito em todos os casos. Oclusão completa do aneurisma, sem protrusão de micromolas ou obstrução do vaso parental, foi alcançada em todos os pacientes. CONCLUSÃO: Nossa experiência preliminar indica que a aplicação da técnica de "remodelagem do colo" no tratamento dos aneurismas de colo largo da artéria renal é tecnicamente viável e eficaz para o tratamento endovascular de aneurismas complexos da artéria renal, sem o sacrifício de qualquer ramo arterial.

OBJECTIVE: To report preliminary results of aneurysm neck remodeling in the management of wide-necked renal artery aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five patients (three women and two men between 49-72 years; mean age, 62 years) with wide-necked renal artery aneurysms measuring from 10 to 25 mm in diameter were submitted to balloon-assisted coil embolization along a three-year period. The micro-balloon was placed along the aneurysm neck and temporarily inflated for introduction of detachable microcoils into the aneurysmal sac. RESULTS: Balloon positioning and microcoil embolization were successfully completed in all of the cases with achievement of complete aneurysm occlusion without coil protrusion or parent vessel obstruction. CONCLUSION: The present preliminary experiment indicates that the "aneurysm neck remodeling" is technically feasible and effective in the management of complex renal artery aneurysms without sacrificing any arterial branch.