Management of ectopic variceal bleeding with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt: a systematic review of case reports.

Ectopic varices account for 5% of variceal bleedings and occur outside the gastro-esophageal region. This review evaluates the efficacy of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) for ectopic variceal management. A comprehensive search through PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase was conducted until January 16, 2023, using relevant keywords. Case reports and case series with fewer than 10 patients on TIPS for ectopic variceal management were included. The quality assessment followed the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist for case reports. This systematic review evaluated 43 studies involving 50 patients with ectopic varices undergoing TIPS. Patients had a mean age of 54.3 years, half were female, and two were pregnant. Alcoholic liver disease (48%) and hepatitis C infection (26%) were common causes of portal hypertension. Ascites and splenomegaly were reported in 32% and 28% of the patients, respectively. Rectal, oral, and stomal variceal bleeding accounted for 62%, 16%, and 22% of the patients, respectively. Ectopic varices were mainly located in the duodenum (28%) and rectum (26%) regions. Complications affected 42% of the patients, re-bleeding in eleven and hepatic encephalopathy in seven. The follow-up lasted 12 months on average, and finally, 5 received a liver transplant. Mortality post-TIPS was 18%. Despite complications and a notable mortality rate, favorable outcomes were observed in almost half of the patients with ectopic variceal bleeding managed with TIPS. Further research is warranted to refine strategies and improve patient outcomes.

Differentiating malignant from benign splenic lesions: a meta-analysis and pictorial review of imaging features.

OBJECTIVES: Splenic lesions might exhibit overlapping imaging features, varying from benign entities like cysts and hemangiomas to malignancies such as lymphoma and angiosarcoma. This meta-analysis aims to delineate imaging characteristics that distinguish malignant from benign splenic lesions. METHODS: Adhering to PRISMA guidelines, we searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for studies on imaging features differentiating malignant from benign splenic lesions. We extracted data on splenic pathology and imaging characteristics and assessed the methodological quality via QUADAS-2. Odds ratio meta-analyses were performed using STATA (Version 17.0, Stata Corp, College Station, TX). RESULTS: Portal phase hypoenhancement, hypovascular enhancement pattern, diffusion restriction, and late phase hypoenhancement, with odds ratios above 10, highly indicate malignancy. Other features suggestive of malignancy include solid morphology, lymphadenopathy, presence of perisplenic fluid, arterial hypoenhancement, hypoechogenicity on ultrasound, splenomegaly, and presence of multiple lesions. In contrast, cystic morphology, hypervascular-washout and hypervascular-persistent pattern of enhancement, late phase hyperenhancement, anechogenicity on ultrasound, portal phase hyperenhancement, well-defined borders, and calcification are in favour of benign pathology. CONCLUSION: The study underscores the critical role of contrast-enhanced and diffusion-weighted imaging in distinguishing malignant from benign splenic lesions, emphasizing the role of features like portal phase hypoenhancement and restricted diffusion in diagnosing malignancies. Additionally, the study emphasizes the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound, which allows for the visualization of key contrast-enhancement patterns without the risk of ionizing radiation exposure.

Machine learning approaches in the prediction of positive axillary lymph nodes post neoadjuvant chemotherapy using MRI, CT, or ultrasound: A systematic review.

Background and objective: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is a standard treatment approach for locally advanced breast cancer. Conventional imaging modalities, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and ultrasound, have been used for axillary lymph node evaluation which is crucial for treatment planning and prognostication. This systematic review aims to comprehensively examine the current research on applying machine learning algorithms for predicting positive axillary lymph nodes following neoadjuvant chemotherapy utilizing imaging modalities, including MRI, CT, and ultrasound. Methods: A systematic search was conducted across databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, to identify relevant studies published up to December 2023. Articles employing machine learning algorithms to predict positive axillary lymph nodes using MRI, CT, or ultrasound data after neoadjuvant chemotherapy were included. The review follows the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, encompassing data extraction and quality assessment. Results: Seven studies were included, comprising 1502 patients. Four studies used MRI, two used CT, and one applied ultrasound. Two studies developed deep-learning models, while five used classic machine-learning models mainly based on multiple regression. Across the studies, the models showed high predictive accuracy, with the best-performing models combining radiomics and clinical data. Conclusion: This systematic review demonstrated the potential of utilizing advanced data analysis techniques, such as deep learning radiomics, in improving the prediction of positive axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer patients following neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Diagnostic performance of different imaging modalities for splenic malignancies: A comparative meta-analysis.

Background and objectives: The spleen hosts both benign and malignant lesions. Despite multiple imaging modalities, the distinction between these lesions poses a diagnostic challenge, marked by varying diagnostic accuracy levels across methods. In this study, we aimed to evaluate and compare the diagnostic performance of various imaging techniques for detecting malignant splenic lesions. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Sciences databases for studies evaluating imaging techniques in detecting malignant splenic lesions. Data extraction included diagnostic accuracy metrics, and methodological quality was assessed using QUADAS-2. Diagnostic Test Accuracy meta-analyses were conducted using R (version: 4.2.1). Subgroup analyses and meta-regression were performed to compare different modalities and clinical settings. Results: Our study included 28 studies (pooled sample size: 2358), primarily using retrospective designs with histopathology as the reference standard. PET scan demonstrated the highest diagnostic accuracy (AUC: 92 %), demonstrating a sensitivity of 93 % (95 % CI: 80.4 % - 97.7 %) and a specificity of 82.8 % (95 % CI: 71.1 % - 90.4 %). Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), Contrast-enhanced CT scan, and contrast-enhanced MRI also showed impressive performance with AUCs of 91.4 %, 90.9 %, and 85.3 %, respectively. Differences among these modalities were not statistically significant, but they outperformed non-contrast-enhanced methods. PET and CEUS exhibited higher specificity for lymphoma cases compared to studies including other malignancies. Conclusion and clinical implications: Overall, PET emerges as the best modality for splenic malignancies, and CEUS and CE-MRI show promise as potential alternatives, notably due to their reduced radiation exposure. Further research is essential for precise malignancy differentiation.

Traumatic atlantoaxial rotatory fixation in adults: a systematic review of published cases.

Atlantoaxial rotatory fixation (AARF) in adults is a rare and clinically challenging condition characterized by a spectrum of etiological factors, predominantly attributed to traumatic and inflammatory pathologies within the craniovertebral region. Trauma is the most frequently identified cause within the adult population, with the first case report published in 1907. This study aims to conduct a systematic review that addresses the clinical presentations and management strategies relating to traumatic atlantoaxial rotatory fixation in adults. A comprehensive search of the PubMed database was executed, adhering to the PRISMA guidelines. The inclusion criteria encompassed case reports and series documenting AARF cases in individuals aged 18 and above, spanning database inception to July 2022. Studies not published in the English language were excluded. A total of 61 articles reporting cases of AARF in the adult population were included in the study. The mean age of affected individuals was 36.1 years (± 15.6), with a distribution of 46% females and 54% males. Predominant mechanisms of injury included motor vehicle accidents and falls, constituting 38% and 22% of cases, respectively. Among the classification systems employed, Fielding and Hawkins type I accounted for the majority at 63%, followed by type II at 10%, and type III at 4%. Conservative management was used for treatment in 65% of acute (65%) cases and 29% of chronic cases. Traumatic AARF is a rare phenomenon in the adult population, is more common in younger adults, and does not often present with neurologic deficits. Patients diagnosed acutely are more likely to be successfully treated with conservative management, while patients diagnosed chronically are less likely to be reduced with conservatively and often require surgical treatment. Surgery should be considered for patients with irreducible dislocations, ligamentous injuries, unstable associated fractures, and persistent pain resistant to conservative management.

Imaging the post-treatment pelvis with gynecologic cancers.

Gynecological malignancies, such as ovarian cancers, cervical cancers, and endometrial cancers, have a significant global impact. Women with gynecologic malignancies may receive a single or a combination of treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation-based therapies. Radiologists utilize various diagnostic imaging modalities to provide the surgeon with relevant information about the diagnosis, prognosis, optimal surgical strategy, and prospective post-treatment imaging. Computerized Tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be used initially to evaluate and detect post-treatment complications. Although CT is primarily used for staging, MRI is commonly used for a more accurate evaluation of a tumor's size and detection of local invasion. Complications such as hematoma, abscess, inclusion cyst, seroma, tumor thrombosis, anorectovaginal fistula, and gossypiboma may occur after the three primary treatments, and systems such as the genitourinary, gastrointestinal, neurological, and musculoskeletal may be affected. In order to distinguish between early-onset and late-onset complications following gynecological treatment, radiological findings of the most common post-treatment complications will be presented in this review.

Diagnostic yield of prenatal exome sequencing in the genetic screening of fetuses with brain anomalies detected by MRI and ultrasonography: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Brain anomalies (BAs) have been the focus of research, as they have a high impact on fetal health but therapeutic and diagnostic approaches are limited. OBJECTIVES: In this study, the application and efficiency of exome sequencing (ES) in detecting different cases of BAs in fetuses were evaluated and compared with chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA). SEARCH STRATEGY: To conduct this study, three databases including PubMed, Web of Science and Embase were utilised with the keywords 'prenatal', 'diagnoses', 'brain anomalies' and 'exome sequencing'. SELECTION CRITERIA: Studies were included based on the STARD checklist, for which the ES and CMA diagnostic yields were calculated. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Meta-analysis was performed on the included studies using a random-effects model and subgroup analysis to define the risk difference between them. MAIN RESULTS: We included 11 studies representing 779 fetuses that implemented ES along with imaging techniques. The pooled ES diagnostic yield in fetuses with BAs detected through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography was 26.53%, compared with 3.46% for CMA. The risk difference between ES and CMA for complex BAs was 0.36 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.24-0.47], which was higher than for single BAs (0.22; 95% CI 0.18-0.25]. CONCLUSIONS: ES is a useful method with a significantly higher diagnostic yield than CMA for genetic assessment of fetuses with complex BAs detected by imaging techniques. Moreover, ES could be applied to suspected fetuses with related family histories to predict congenital diseases with high efficiency.

Diagnostic accuracy of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI to differentiate benign from malignant breast lesions: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can reduce the need for unnecessary invasive diagnostic tests by nearly half. In this meta-analysis, we investigated the diagnostic accuracy of intravoxel incoherent motion modeling (IVIM) and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI in differentiating benign from malignant breast lesions. METHOD: We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus. We included English articles reporting diagnostic accuracy for both sequences in differentiating benign from malignant breast lesions. Articles were assessed by quality assessment of diagnostic accuracy studies-2 (QUADAS-2) questionnaire. We used a bivariate effects model for standardized mean difference (SMD) analysis and diagnostic test accuracy analysis. RESULTS: Ten studies with 537 patients and 707 (435 malignant and 272 benign) lesions were included. The D, f, Ktrans, and Kep mean values significantly differ between benign and malignant lesions. The pooled sensitivity (95 % confidence interval) and specificity were 86.2 % (77.9 %-91.7 %) and 70.3 % (56.5 %-81.1 %) for IVIM, and 93.8 % (85.3 %-97.5 %) and 68.1 % (52.7 %-80.4 %) for DCE, respectively. Combined IVIM and DCE depicted the highest area under the curve of 0.94, with a sensitivity and specificity of 91.8 % (82.8 %-96.3 %) and 87.6 % (73.8 %-94.7 %), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Combined IVIM and DCE had the highest diagnostic accuracy, and multiparametric MRI may help reduce unnecessary benign breast biopsy.