The safety and response of CT guided percutaneous cryoablation for lung nodules by 17-gauge needles.

BACKGROUND: The safety and efficacy of 17-gauge needles used in CT-guided percutaneous cryoablation for lung nodules were explored in this study. The purpose of the study was to compare the findings with earlier research and multi-center clinical trials that used various needle sizes. METHODS: Between 2016 and 2020, a retrospective study was conducted with approval from the institutional review board. A total of 41 patients were enrolled, and 71 lung nodules were treated in 63 cryoablation procedures using local anesthesia. Complication rates were recorded, and overall survival rates as well as tumor progression-free rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Self-limited hemoptysis was caused by 12.9% of the procedures, and drainage was required for pneumothoraces resulting from 11.3% of them. The overall survival rates at one, two, three, and four years were 97%, 94%, 82%, and 67%, respectively. The tumor progression-free rates at one, two, three, and four years were 86.2%, 77%, 74%, and 65%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Cryoablation for lung nodules using 17-Gauge needles can achieve similar rates of survival and tumor control rates, similar or even lower complication rates as compared with other studies and multi-center trials using mixed sized needles.

Deep learning-based automatic left atrial appendage filling defects assessment on cardiac computed tomography for clinical and subclinical atrial fibrillation patients.

Rationale and objectives: Selecting region of interest (ROI) for left atrial appendage (LAA) filling defects assessment can be time consuming and prone to subjectivity. This study aimed to develop and validate a novel artificial intelligence (AI), deep learning (DL) based framework for automatic filling defects assessment on CT images for clinical and subclinical atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. Materials and methods: A total of 443,053 CT images were used for DL model development and testing. Images were analyzed by the AI framework and expert cardiologists/radiologists. The LAA segmentation performance was evaluated using Dice coefficient. The agreement between manual and automatic LAA ROI selections was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to assess filling defects based on the computed LAA to ascending aorta Hounsfield unit (HU) ratios. Results: A total of 210 patients (Group 1: subclinical AF, n = 105; Group 2: clinical AF with stroke, n = 35; Group 3: AF for catheter ablation, n = 70) were enrolled. The LAA volume segmentation achieved 0.931-0.945 Dice scores. The LAA ROI selection demonstrated excellent agreement (ICC ≥0.895, p < 0.001) with manual selection on the test sets. The automatic framework achieved an excellent AUC score of 0.979 in filling defects assessment. The ROC-derived optimal HU ratio threshold for filling defects detection was 0.561. Conclusion: The novel AI-based framework could accurately segment the LAA region and select ROIs while effectively avoiding trabeculae for filling defects assessment, achieving close-to-expert performance. This technique may help preemptively detect the potential thromboembolic risk for AF patients.

The impact of glycemic status on radiological manifestations of pulmonary tuberculosis in diabetic patients.

SETTING: Diabetes mellitus (DM) may increase risk of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and influence its radiological manifestations. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of glycemic status on radiological findings of PTB in diabetic patients. METHODS: Between January 2010 and December 2015, chest radiographs (CXRs) in consecutive 214 DM patients with culture-proved PTB and 123 available thoracic computed tomography (CT) scans were enrolled. An equal number of non-DM patients with similar demographics was included as the control group. Glycemic status was assessed by glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and a cutoff of 8% was used to further investigate radiological features of diabetic PTB. Two radiologists and one pulmonologist reviewed the chest images independently. RESULTS: Compared with non-DM patients, primary PTB pattern and extensive disease on CXRs as well as primary PTB pattern, large non-cavitary nodule, more than one cavity in a single lesion, unusual location, and all lobe involvement of lesions on thoracic CT scans were more common in DM patients. Furthermore, diabetics with HbA1c > 8% were more likely to exhibit unusual findings (P < 0.001), far advanced extensive lesions (P < 0.001) on CXRs, lymphadenopathy (P = 0.028), more than one cavity in a single lesion (P < 0.001) and all lobe involvement (P = 0.041) on thoracic CT scans. CONCLUSIONS: Glycemic status influenced radiological manifestations of diabetic PTB. Given an increased risk of atypical radiological presentations of PTB in DM patients, physicians should be alert and pay more attention to those with poor glycemic control.

Simultaneous head and facial computed tomography scans for assessing facial fractures in patients with traumatic brain injury.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) may have concomitant facial fractures. While most head injury patients receive head computed tomography (CT) scans for initial evaluation, the objective of our study was to investigate the value of simultaneous facial CT scans in assessing facial fractures in patients with TBI. METHODS: From January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015, 1649 consecutive patients presenting to our emergency department (ED) with a TBI who received CT scans using the protocol for head and facial bones were enrolled. The clinical data and CT images were reviewed via a standardized format. RESULTS: In our cohort, 200 patients (12.1%) had at least one facial fracture shown on the CT scans. Patients with facial fractures were more likely to have initial loss of consciousness (ILOC; p<0.001), a Glasgow coma scale of 8 or less (p<0.001), moderate or severe degrees of head injury severity scale (p<0.001), positive physical examination findings (p<0.001), and positive CT cranial abnormalities (p<0.001). A total of 166 (83.0%) patients with facial fractures required further facial CT scans instead of conventional head CT scans alone. Surgical intervention was mandatory in 73 (44.0%) of the 166 patients, who more frequently exhibited fractures of the lower third of the face (p<0.001) and orbital fractures (p=0.019). CONCLUSIONS: TBI patients with risk factors may have a higher probability of concomitant facial fractures. Fractures of the lower third of the face and orbit are easily overlooked in routine head CT scans but often require surgical intervention. Therefore, simultaneous head and facial CT scans are suggested in selected TBI patients.

Investigation of an optimized scanning protocol for the dentomaxillofacial region using 320-slice multidetector computed tomography.

OBJECTIVES: To propose an imaging protocol that provides satisfactory image quality for oral examination while minimizing radiation dosage using 320-slice multidetector CT (MDCT). METHODS: An anthropomorphic head phantom was scanned using 320 MDCT with protocols combining different scanning modes: volume scanning (whole or local) vs helical scanning (80- or 64-slice detectors); tube voltage settings (80 kVp, 120 kVp and 135 kVp); and tube current settings (60 mA, 80 mA, 100 mA and 120 mA). A total of six anatomical bone structures and three anatomical soft-tissue structures were assessed using quantitative and qualitative analysis in the three orthographic planes (axial, sagittal and coronal). A figure of merit (FOM) was used to determine the optimal imaging protocol in terms of tube voltage, tube current and scanning mode. RESULTS: The 80-kVp setting had the worst quantitative and qualitative results (both p < 0.001) compared with the 135-kVp and 120-kVp settings, especially for soft-tissue structures. A significant difference was noted for the scores obtained using a tube current between 120 mA and 60 mA by quantitative analysis, but not by qualitative analysis. Volume scans using either whole or local modes had a significantly higher FOM than helical scanning of 80 or 64 slices. CONCLUSIONS: In 320 MDCT, a protocol using 135 kVp, 80 mA and the volume-scanning mode (whole or local) offers adequate visualization of both soft-tissue and bone structures while keeping the radiation dose as low as possible. This may therefore be considered a first choice among a wide selection of scanning protocols for dentomaxillofacial CT.

Functional Remodeling of Both Atria is Associated with Occurrence of Stroke in Patients with Paroxysmal and Persistent Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: It is critical to recognize high risk patients who are prone to develop stroke in the management of atrial fibrillation (AF). The purpose of this study was to identify the determinants of AF related stroke by assessing the anatomical and functional remodeling of cardiac chambers. METHODS: We compared the cardiac structure and function of 28 consecutive patients with paroxysmal and persistent AF-related stroke with 69 patients with AF and 21 controls without stroke using contrast-enhanced 64-slice multi-detector computed tomography during sinus rhythm. RESULTS: The volume of left atrium (LA), LA appendage (LAA) and right atrium (RA) were significantly increased across the groups with sinus rhythm (SR), AF and AF-related stroke (p < 0.001 for each, respectively). The emptying fraction and booster-pump function of LA, LAA and RA were decreased across the groups (p < 0.001 for each). In addition, the left ventricular mass index was increased in AF related stroke (p = 0.003). Using multivariate analysis, increased age (p = 0.003), reduced booster-pump function of LA (p = 0.01), LAA (p < 0.001) and RA (p < 0.001) were shown to be independently associated with the occurrence of stroke. CONCLUSIONS: The dilatation and contractile dysfunction of both atria are related to the development of stroke in patients with paroxysmal and persistent AF. Our results suggested that the use of substrate-based assessment may help improve risk stratification of stroke in patients with AF.

The Abundance of Epicardial Adipose Tissue Surrounding Left Atrium Is Associated With the Occurrence of Stroke in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation.

Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is positively associated with risk factors for cardiovascular disease, but the role of EAT in the development of atrial fibrillation (AF)-related stroke and its association with the anatomical and functional remodeling of the left atrium (LA) have not been elucidated.This was a comparative cross-sectional study. Twenty-seven patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF and cardioembolic stroke were selected and compared with 68 age- and sex-matched AF patients without stroke. In addition, 20 controls without a history of AF or stroke were included. The periatrial EAT and the structural and functional properties of the LA and left ventricle were evaluated using contrast-enhanced 64-slice multidetector computed tomography during sinus rhythm. Total EAT around the LA was significantly increased across the groups (control vs AF vs AF-related stroke, P < 0.001). The volumes of the LA and the LA appendage (LAA) were also significantly increased across the 3 groups (P < 0.001 for each). The emptying fraction of the LA and LAA and the booster-pump function of the LA and LAA were all reduced across the 3 groups (P < 0.001 for all). In addition, the Hounsfield unit (HU) ratio of the LAA to the ascending aorta (LAA/AA) was also decreased in patients with stroke (P < 0.001). Furthermore, EAT had a negative correlation with the dynamic function of the LA, LAA, and the HU ratio. After a multivariate analysis, increased EAT (P < 0.001) was shown to be independently associated with the occurrence of AF-related stroke.Periatrial EAT was increased and was correlated with atrial dysfunction in patients with AF-related stroke. Hence, EAT assessment may potentially offer an incremental value for grading the risk of cardioembolic stroke in patients with AF.

Preoperative embolization of hypervascular pediatric brain tumors: evaluation of technical safety and outcome.

BACKGROUND: Surgical management of pediatric hypervascular brain tumors is challenging because of the risk of bleeding. We sought to evaluate the technical factors associated with safety and outcome of preoperative embolization of pediatric hypervascular brain tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight pediatric brain tumor patients received preoperative endovascular embolization during the past 8 years. The cases included four choroid plexus papillomas, one yolk sac tumor, one intraventricular meningioma, one astrocytoma, and one hemangioblastoma. Embolization was done by superselection of the feeding arteries with microcatheters followed by slow injection of either n-butyl 2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA) or tris-acryl gelatin microspheres (Embosphere). Surgery for tumor removal was done in the same session right after embolization in all but one patient. Blood loss during surgery and clinical outcome were recorded. RESULTS: Preoperative embolization was successfully done in all patients. Technical complication was noted in two patients. One patient developed bleeding while embolizing the tumor with Embospheres but was immediately embolized with NBCA without sequel. The other patient experienced tumor bleeding 4 h after embolization with Embospheres, and suffered left hemiparesis despite an emergency surgery. Surgical intervention was successfully done in all patients without procedure-related complication. Surgical blood loss ranged from 50 to 1,600 ml. CONCLUSION: Though associated with the risk of procedure-related bleeding, preoperative embolization of pediatric hypervascular brain tumors has high technical success rates and can enhance the surgical management. We suggest to perform the embolization and surgery in a single session and to use NBCA as the embolic agent to minimize the procedure-related risk.