Image-guided multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging-transrectal ultrasound fusion biopsy augmented with a sextant versus an extended template random biopsy: Comparison of cancer detection rates, complication and functional outcomes.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of a novel fusion template "reduced six-core systemic template and multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging/transrectal ultrasound (mpMRI/TRUS) fusion targeted biopsy" (TBx+6c), with mpMRI/TRUS fusion-targeted biopsy and 12-core systematic biopsy template (TBx+12c) in the diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is an institutional review board approved single-center observational study involving adult men undergoing fusion-targeted biopsies for the diagnosis of PCa. Patients were sorted into cohorts of TBx+6c or TBx+12c based on the systematic biopsy template used. The study's main objective was to determine the cancer detection rate (CDR) for overall PCa and clinically significant PCa (csPCa) and the secondary objectives were to compare complication rates and functional outcome differences between the cohort. RESULTS: A total of 204 patients met study's inclusion criteria. TBx+6c group had 120 patients, while TBx+12c cohort had 84 patients. The groups had similar baseline characteristics and overall CDR in the TBx+6c cohort was 71.7% versus 79.8%, compared to the TBx+12c (p = 0.18) whereas, the csPCa detection rate in the TBx+6c group was 50.8% versus 54.8% in the TBx+12c group (p = 0.5). TBx+6c cohort had lower overall complication rate of 3% versus 13%, (p = 0.01) and ≥ grade 2 complication rates (1 (1%) vs. 3(4%), p = 0.03) compared to the TBx+12c cohort. There were no differences in IIEF-5 (p = 0.5) or IPSS (p = 0.1) scores at baseline and 2-weeks and 6-weeks post-biopsy. CONCLUSION: TBx+6c cohort, when compared to the TBx+12c cohort, demonstrated comparable diagnostic performance along with similar functional outcomes and lower complication rates. These results suggest the importance of further exploring the clinical implications of adopting a TBx+6c schema for PCa diagnosis in comparison to the widely used TBx+12c schema through a multicenter randomized controlled trial.

PI-QUAL version 2: an update of a standardised scoring system for the assessment of image quality of prostate MRI.

Multiparametric MRI is the optimal primary investigation when prostate cancer is suspected, and its ability to rule in and rule out clinically significant disease relies on high-quality anatomical and functional images. Avenues for achieving consistent high-quality acquisitions include meticulous patient preparation, scanner setup, optimised pulse sequences, personnel training, and artificial intelligence systems. The impact of these interventions on the final images needs to be quantified. The prostate imaging quality (PI-QUAL) scoring system was the first standardised quantification method that demonstrated the potential for clinical benefit by relating image quality to cancer detection ability by MRI. We present the updated version of PI-QUAL (PI-QUAL v2) which applies to prostate MRI performed with or without intravenous contrast medium using a simplified 3-point scale focused on critical technical and qualitative image parameters. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: High image quality is crucial for prostate MRI, and the updated version of the PI-QUAL score (PI-QUAL v2) aims to address the limitations of version 1. It is now applicable to both multiparametric MRI and MRI without intravenous contrast medium. KEY POINTS: High-quality images are essential for prostate cancer diagnosis and management using MRI. PI-QUAL v2 simplifies image assessment and expands its applicability to prostate MRI without contrast medium. PI-QUAL v2 focuses on critical technical and qualitative image parameters and emphasises T2-WI and DWI.

Patient-reported functional outcomes and oncological control after primary focal cryotherapy for clinically significant prostate cancer: A Phase II mandatory biopsy-monitored study.

INTRODUCTION: We report herein the impact of focal therapy (FT) on multi-domain functional outcomes in a Phase II prospective clinical trial (NCT04138914) in focal cryotherapy for clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa). METHODS: The primary outcome was the detection of a ≥5 point deterioration in any of the four main expanded prostate index composite (EPIC) functional domains. Pretreatment multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) and transperineal targeted and systematic saturation biopsy were used to select patients with prostate-specific antigen (PSA)≤20 ng/mL, Gleason grade group (GG) ≤4, mpMRI lesion volume ≤ 3 mL (for a single lesion) or ≤1.5 mL (where two lesions were present). Focal cryotherapy was performed with a minimum 5 mm margin around each target lesion. EPIC scores were obtained at baseline and posttreatment at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Mandatory repeat mpMRI and prostate biopsy were performed at 12 months to determine the infield and outfield recurrence. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients were recruited. The mean age was 68 years, with PSA of 7.3 ng/mL and PSA density of 0.19 ng/mL2 . No Clavien-Dindo ≥3 complications occurred. Transient worsening of EPIC urinary (mean diff 16.0, p < 0.001, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.8-23.6) and sexual function scores (mean diff 11.0, p:0.005, 95% CI: 4.0-17.7) were observed at 1-month posttreatment, with recovery by Month 3. A subgroup who had ablation extending to the neurovascular bundle had a trend to delayed recovery of sexual function to Month 6. At 12-month repeat mpMRI and biopsy, 22 patients (78.6%) had no detectable csPCa. Of the six patients (21.4%) who had csPCa recurrences, four were GG2, one GG3, and one GG4. Four patients underwent repeat FT, one underwent radical prostatectomy, while the remaining one patient with low-volume GG2 cancer opted for active surveillance. CONCLUSION: FT using cryotherapy was associated with a transient deterioration of urinary and sexual function with resolution at 3 months posttreatment and with reasonable early efficacy in well-selected csPCa patients.

A Faster Prostate MRI: Comparing a Novel Denoised, Single-Average T2 Sequence to the Conventional Multiaverage T2 Sequence Regarding Lesion Detection and PI-RADS Score Assessment.

BACKGROUND: The T2 w sequence is a standard component of a prostate MRI examination; however, it is time-consuming, requiring multiple signal averages to achieve acceptable image quality. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: To determine whether a denoised, single-average T2 sequence (T2 -R) is noninferior to the standard multiaverage T2 sequence (T2 -S) in terms of lesion detection and PI-RADS score assessment. STUDY TYPE: Retrospective. POPULATION: A total of 45 males (age range 60-75 years) who underwent clinically indicated prostate MRI examinations, 21 of whom had pathologically proven prostate cancer. FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: A 3 T; T2 w FSE, DWI with ADC maps, and dynamic contrast-enhanced images with color-coded perfusion maps. T2 -R images were created from the raw data utilizing a single "average" with iterative denoising. ASSESSMENT: Nine readers randomly assessed complete exams including T2 -R and T2 -S images in separate sessions. PI-RADS version 2.1 was used. All readers then compared the T2 -R and T2 -S images side by side to evaluate subjective preference. An additional detailed image quality assessment was performed by three senior level readers. STATISTICAL TESTS: Generalized linear mixed effects models for differences in lesion detection, image quality features, and overall preference between T2 -R and T2 -S sequences. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were used to assess reader agreement for all comparisons. A significance threshold of P = 0.05 was used for all statistical tests. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between sequences regarding identification of lesions with PI-RADS ≥3 (P = 0.10) or PI-RADS score (P = 0.77). Reader agreement was excellent for lesion identification (ICC = 0.84). There was no significant overall preference between the two sequences regarding image quality (P = 0.07, 95% CI: [-0.23, 0.01]). Reader agreement was good regarding sequence preference (ICC = 0.62). DATA CONCLUSION: Use of single-average, denoised T2 -weighted images was noninferior in prostate lesion detection or PI-RADS scoring when compared to standard multiaverage T2 -weighted images. EVIDENCE LEVEL: 3. TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 3.

Pericardial Adipose Tissue Volume and Left Ventricular Assist Device-Associated Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Pericardial adipose tissue (PAT) is associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes in those with and without established heart failure (HF). However, it is not known whether PAT is associated with adverse outcomes in patients with end-stage HF undergoing left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between PAT and LVAD-associated outcomes. METHODS AND RESULTS: We retrospectively measured computed tomography-derived PAT volumes in 77 consecutive adults who had available chest CT imaging prior to HeartMate 3 LVAD surgery between October 2015 and March 2019 at Duke University Hospital. Study groups were divided into above-median (≥219 cm3) and below-median (<219 cm3) PAT volume. Those with above-median PAT had a higher proportion of atrial fibrillation, chronic kidney disease and ischemic cardiomyopathy. Groups with above-median vs below-median PAT had similar Kaplan-Meier incidence rates over 2 years for (1) composite all-cause mortality, redo-LVAD surgery and cardiac transplantation (35.9 vs 32.2%; log-rank P = 0.65) and (2) composite incident hospitalizations for HF, gastrointestinal bleeding, LVAD-related infection, and stroke (61.5 vs 60.5%; log-rank P = 0.67). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with end-stage HF undergoing LVAD therapy, PAT is not associated with worse 2-year LVAD-related outcomes. The significance of regional adiposity vs obesity in LVAD patients warrants further investigation.

Prostate MRI Qualification: AJR Expert Panel Narrative Review.

Prostate MRI is now established as a first-line investigation for individuals presenting with suspected localized or locally advanced prostate cancer. Successful delivery of the MRI-directed pathway for prostate cancer diagnosis relies on high-quality imaging as well as the interpreting radiologist's experience and expertise. Radiologist certification in prostate MRI may help limit interreader variability, optimize outcomes, and provide individual radiologists with documentation of meeting predefined standards. This AJR Expert Panel Narrative Review summarizes existing certification proposals, recognizing variable progress across regions in establishing prostate MRI certification programs. To our knowledge, Germany is the only country with a prostate MRI certification process that is currently available for radiologists. However, prostate MRI certification programs have also recently been proposed in the United States and United Kingdom and by European professional society consensus panels. Recommended qualification processes entail a multifaceted approach, incorporating components such as minimum case numbers, peer learning, course participation, continuing medical education credits, and feedback from pathology results. Given the diversity in health care systems, including in the provision and availability of MRI services, national organizations will likely need to take independent approaches to certification and accreditation. The relevant professional organizations should begin developing these programs or continue existing plans for implementation.

Successful Diagnosis and Treatment of Occult Prostate Cancer Despite Multiple Negative Prostate Biopsies and Negative Prostate MRIs.

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) values above 100 ng/mL often suggest metastatic prostate cancer. We present the case of a patient with a PSA of 110 ng/mL, 4 negative prostate biopsies, and 4 negative prostate MRIs. After his fifth MRI revealed a PI-RADS 5 lesion, he underwent his fifth transrectal biopsy; this revealed Gleason 3 + 4 = 7. He was found to have organ-confined pT2 disease on subsequent radical prostatectomy pathology. This case highlights that there may be no PSA for which one can assume metastatic disease with certainty. Depending on life expectancy, patients with extremely elevated PSA may still warrant a full staging workup.

Implementation and Impact of a Risk-Stratified Prostate Cancer Screening Algorithm as a Clinical Decision Support Tool in a Primary Care Network.

BACKGROUND: Implementation methods of risk-stratified cancer screening guidance throughout a health care system remains understudied. OBJECTIVE: Conduct a preliminary analysis of the implementation of a risk-stratified prostate cancer screening algorithm in a single health care system. DESIGN: Comparison of men seen pre-implementation (2/1/2016-2/1/2017) vs. post-implementation (2/2/2017-2/21/2018). PARTICIPANTS: Men, aged 40-75 years, without a history of prostate cancer, who were seen by a primary care provider. INTERVENTIONS: The algorithm was integrated into two components in the electronic health record (EHR): in Health Maintenance as a personalized screening reminder and in tailored messages to providers that accompanied prostate-specific antigen (PSA) results. MAIN MEASURES: Primary outcomes: percent of men who met screening algorithm criteria; percent of men with a PSA result. Logistic repeated measures mixed models were used to test for differences in the proportion of individuals that met screening criteria in the pre- and post-implementation periods with age, race, family history, and PSA level included as covariates. KEY RESULTS: During the pre- and post-implementation periods, 49,053 and 49,980 men, respectively, were seen across 26 clinics (20.6% African American). The proportion of men who met screening algorithm criteria increased from 49.3% (pre-implementation) to 68.0% (post-implementation) (p < 0.001); this increase was observed across all races, age groups, and primary care clinics. Importantly, the percent of men who had a PSA did not change: 55.3% pre-implementation, 55.0% post-implementation. The adjusted odds of meeting algorithm-based screening was 6.5-times higher in the post-implementation period than in the pre-implementation period (95% confidence interval, 5.97 to 7.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this preliminary analysis, following implementation of an EHR-based algorithm, we observed a rapid change in practice with an increase in screening in higher-risk groups balanced with a decrease in screening in low-risk groups. Future efforts will evaluate costs and downstream outcomes of this strategy.

Intravascular Ultrasound-Guided Transvenous Biopsy of Abdominal and Pelvic Targets Difficult to Access by Percutaneous Needle Biopsy: Technique and Initial Clinical Experience.

PURPOSE: To report initial clinical experience with intravascular ultrasound (US)-guided transvenous biopsy (TVB) for perivascular target lesions in the abdomen and pelvis using side-viewing phased-array intracardiac echocardiography catheters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this single-institution, retrospective study, 48 patients underwent 50 intravascular US-guided TVB procedures for targets close to the inferior vena cava or iliac veins deemed difficult to access by conventional percutaneous needle biopsy (PNB). In all procedures, side-viewing phased-array intracardiac echocardiography intravascular US catheters and transjugular liver biopsy sets were inserted through separate jugular or femoral vein access sheaths, and 18-gauge core needle biopsy specimens were obtained under real-time intravascular US guidance. Diagnostic yield, diagnostic accuracy, and complications were analyzed. RESULTS: Intravascular US-guided TVB was diagnostic of malignancy in 40 of 50 procedures for a diagnostic yield of 80%. There were 5 procedures in which biopsy was correctly negative for malignancy, with a per-procedure diagnostic accuracy of 90% (45/50). Among the 5 false negatives, 2 patients underwent repeat intravascular US-guided TVB, which was diagnostic of malignancy for a per-patient diagnostic accuracy of 94% (45/48). There were 1 (2%) mild, 2 (4%) moderate, and 1 (2%) severe adverse events, with 1 moderate severity adverse event (venous thrombosis) directly attributable to the intravascular US-guided TVB technique. CONCLUSIONS: Intravascular US-guided TVB performed on difficult-to-approach perivascular targets in the abdomen and pelvis resulted in a high diagnostic accuracy, similar to accepted thresholds for PNB. Complication rates may be slightly higher but should be weighed relative to the risks of difficult PNB, surgical biopsy, or clinical management without biopsy.

Artificial Intelligence-assisted Prostate Cancer Diagnosis: Radiologic-Pathologic Correlation.

The classic prostate cancer (PCa) diagnostic pathway that is based on prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and the findings of digital rectal examination followed by systematic biopsy has shown multiple limitations. The use of multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) is now widely accepted in men with clinical suspicion for PCa. In addition, clinical information, PSA density, risk calculators, and genomic and other "omics" biomarkers are being used to improve risk stratification. On the basis of mpMRI and MRI-targeted biopsies (MRI-TBx), new diagnostic pathways have been established, aiming to improve the limitations of the classic diagnostic approach. However, these pathways still show limitations associated with mpMRI and MRI-TBx. Definitive PCa diagnosis is made on the basis of histopathologic Gleason grading, which has demonstrated an excellent correlation with clinical outcomes. However, Gleason grading is done subjectively by pathologists and involves poor reproducibility, and PCa may have a heterogeneous distribution of histologic patterns. Thus, important discrepancies persist between biopsy tumor grading and final whole-organ pathologic assessment after radical prostatectomy. PCa offers a unique opportunity to establish a real radiologic-pathologic correlation, as whole-mount radical prostatectomy specimens permit a complete spatial relationship with mpMRI. Artificial intelligence is increasingly being applied to radiologic and pathologic images to improve clinical accuracy and efficiency in PCa diagnosis. This review delineates current PCa diagnostic pathways, with a focus on the role of mpMRI, MRI-TBx, and pathologic analysis. An overview of the expected improvements in PCa diagnosis derived from the use of artificial intelligence, integrated radiologic-pathologic systems, and decision support tools for multidisciplinary teams is provided. An invited commentary by Purysko is available online. Online supplemental material is available for this article. ©RSNA, 2021.

Variability of the Positive Predictive Value of PI-RADS for Prostate MRI across 26 Centers: Experience of the Society of Abdominal Radiology Prostate Cancer Disease-focused Panel.

Background Prostate MRI is used widely in clinical care for guiding tissue sampling, active surveillance, and staging. The Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) helps provide a standardized probabilistic approach for identifying clinically significant prostate cancer. Despite widespread use, the variability in performance of prostate MRI across practices remains unknown. Purpose To estimate the positive predictive value (PPV) of PI-RADS for the detection of high-grade prostate cancer across imaging centers. Materials and Methods This retrospective cross-sectional study was compliant with the HIPAA. Twenty-six centers with members in the Society of Abdominal Radiology Prostate Cancer Disease-focused Panel submitted data from men with suspected or biopsy-proven untreated prostate cancer. MRI scans were obtained between January 2015 and April 2018. This was followed with targeted biopsy. Only men with at least one MRI lesion assigned a PI-RADS score of 2-5 were included. Outcome was prostate cancer with Gleason score (GS) greater than or equal to 3+4 (International Society of Urological Pathology grade group ≥2). A mixed-model logistic regression with institution and individuals as random effects was used to estimate overall PPVs. The variability of observed PPV of PI-RADS across imaging centers was described by using the median and interquartile range. Results The authors evaluated 3449 men (mean age, 65 years ± 8 [standard deviation]) with 5082 lesions. Biopsy results showed 1698 cancers with GS greater than or equal to 3+4 (International Society of Urological Pathology grade group ≥2) in 2082 men. Across all centers, the estimated PPV was 35% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 27%, 43%) for a PI-RADS score greater than or equal to 3 and 49% (95% CI: 40%, 58%) for a PI-RADS score greater than or equal to 4. The interquartile ranges of PPV at these same PI-RADS score thresholds were 27%-44% and 27%-48%, respectively. Conclusion The positive predictive value of the Prostate Imaging and Reporting Data System was low and varied widely across centers. © RSNA, 2020 Online supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Milot in this issue.

PI-RADS: Past, present, and future.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is extremely prevalent and is the most common noncutaneous malignancy and second-most common cause of cancer death in men. In the last decade, there has been dramatic growth in the use of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) for diagnosis and characterization of PCa. With the recent and marked surge in popularity in prostate imaging and, specifically, mpMRI, there has been an increased focus on structured reporting as a means by which to provide more actionable information to the referring clinician as well as to improve diagnostic performance with this technique. This work focuses on the evolution of the major structured reporting system in prostate mpMRI, Prostate Imaging Reporting And Data System (PI-RADS), from its initial proposal and establishment in 2012 as PI-RADS v. 1 to its most current iteration, PI-RADS v. 2.1. This will highlight the key elements that have changed between the versions as well as provide context and rationale for these changes. In addition, this work explores what future iterations of PI-RADS could look like based on current limitations of the system as well as explore areas for future growth of prostate mpMRI, including use of the system in active surveillance populations and in the posttreatment setting. Level of Evidence: 5 Technical Efficacy: Stage 5 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;52:33-53.

Correction to: Esophageal Function Tests are Not Associated with Barium Swallow Findings in Advanced Lung Disease.

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake. The shared first authorship information was missing in the published article. It has been given below. The first authorship is shared between Dr. Shai Posner and Kurren Mehta.

Esophageal Function Tests are Not Associated with Barium Swallow Findings in Advanced Lung Disease.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease and esophageal dysmotility are common in patients with advanced lung disease (ALD) and are associated with worse outcomes. Assessing esophageal function in these patients is relevant for determining pulmonary transplant eligibility and prognosticating post-transplant outcomes. Barium Swallow (BaS) is a non-invasive testing modality often performed as a complement to formal esophageal function tests (EFTs), but its role and clinical utility in this context is unknown. Therefore, we aimed to determine the relationship between BaS and EFTs with high-resolution manometry (HRM) and 24-h ambulatory pH-metry in patients with ALD. We performed a retrospective study of 226 consecutive patients undergoing evaluation for lung transplantation at a single center. All patients underwent EFTs and BaS independent of clinical history or symptoms per institutional protocol. Appropriate statistical tests were performed to evaluate the relationship between EFTs and BaS. Mucosal, reflux and motility findings were categorized. Abnormal motility was reported in 133 (59%) patients by BaS and 99 (44%) by HRM, with a significant difference in the proportions of patients with abnormal studies (p < 0.01). There were 7 (26%) patients with abnormal barium tablet passage who had normal HRM. The sensitivity (35%) and specificity (77%) for detecting pathologic reflux with BaS was poor. Inducibility of reflux and barium column height were not associated with pH-metry results. No clinically significant luminal irregularities were identified. In conclusion, while BaS can non-invasively assess esophageal mucosa, its findings are not associated with EFTs in patients with ALD.

LI-RADS: Diagnostic Performance of Hepatobiliary Phase Hypointensity and Major Imaging Features of LR-3 and LR-4 Lesions Measuring 10-19 mm With Arterial Phase Hyperenhancement.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to determine the diagnostic performance of hepatobiliary phase hypointensity and Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) major imaging features in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in hepatic lesions with arterial phase hyperenhancement (APHE) measuring 10-19 mm in patients at high risk of HCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS. A composite reference standard of pathologic analysis and imaging follow-up was used. The diagnostic performance (sensitivity and specificity) of hepatobiliary phase hypointensity and LI-RADS major imaging features other than APHE for the diagnosis of HCC was assessed and compared by means of a logistic regression model. RESULTS. This retrospective dual-institution study included 189 LI-RADS LR-3 and LR-4 lesions measuring 10-19 mm and having APHE in 144 consecutively registered patients (96 men, 48 women; mean age, 58 years). Hepatobiliary phase hypointensity had significantly higher sensitivity (84% [92/109], p < 0.00001) than major imaging features in the diagnosis of HCC but lower specificity (84% [67/80]; p = 0.01). However, hepatobiliary phase hypointensity in LR-3 observations measuring 10-19 mm and having APHE had moderately elevated sensitivity (73% [44/60]) and specificity (85%, 64/75). All three major imaging features had high specificity for the diagnosis of HCC, including 95% (76/80) for washout, 100% (80/80) for enhancing capsule, and 99% (79/80) for threshold growth. CONCLUSION. Major imaging features have high specificity for the diagnosis of HCC in lesions measuring 10-19 mm that have APHE. The finding of hepatobiliary phase hypointensity significantly improves sensitivity while moderately high specificity is maintained for the diagnosis of HCC in LR-3 lesions measuring 10-19 mm that exhibit APHE.

The future of perioperative therapy in advanced renal cell carcinoma: how can we PROSPER?

Patients with high-risk renal cell carcinoma (RCC) experience high rates of recurrence despite definitive surgical resection. Recent trials of adjuvant tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy have provided conflicting efficacy results at the cost of significant adverse events. PD-1 blockade via monoclonal antibodies has emerged as an effective disease-modifying treatment for metastatic RCC. There is emerging data across other solid tumors of the potential efficacy of neoadjuvant PD-1 blockade, and preclinical evidence supporting a neoadjuvant over adjuvant approach. PROSPER RCC is a Phase III, randomized trial evaluating whether perioperative nivolumab increases recurrence-free survival in patients with high-risk RCC undergoing nephrectomy. The neoadjuvant component, intended to prime the immune system for enhanced efficacy, distinguishes PROSPER from other purely adjuvant studies and permits highly clinically relevant translational studies.

Anterior gland focal cryoablation: proof-of-concept primary prostate cancer treatment in select men with localized anterior cancers detected by multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging.

BACKGROUND: Due to their location away from the nerve bundles, anterior prostate cancers (APC) represent a rational target for image-guided cryoablation. This report describes the feasibility and short-term outcomes of anterior focal cryosurgery. METHODS: A retrospective review between 2012 and 2016 of patients with clinically localized APC treated with anterior gland cryoablation was performed. Descriptive statistics were used to report: age, PSA, prostate volume, prostate cancer grade group (PGG), median time to follow-up, and changes in functional status measured with the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) score. RESULTS: A total of 17 patients underwent anterior focal cryoablation with a median follow-up of 15 months. Median age and PSA at diagnosis were 67 years and 8.7 ng/mL. Pre-operative PGG1 was identified in 12 (71%) men and PGG2 in 5 (29%) men. Median (IQR) lesion volume was 2 mL(0.86, 3.1). Preoperative median IIEF-5 and IPSS scores were 19.5 and 5, and decreased to 19 and 4, post-operatively. All patients remained continent with no change in sexual function. All post-procedure targeted biopsies of the treated cancers were negative. CONCLUSION: Our pilot study demonstrates the feasibility of treating APCs with image-guided targeted focal cryoablation as a good balance between short-term oncologic control and near complete preservation of genitourinary function. Further follow-up is necessary to examine the potential benefits long-term.

Three-dimensional localization and targeting of prostate cancer foci with imaging and histopathologic correlation: establishing a multidisciplinary team for quality improvement.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The current trend in image-based identification and characterization of prostate cancer (PCa) utilizing multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) has affected diagnostic and treatment planning in terms of targeted biopsy, risk stratification and prognostic evaluation, clinical management and follow-up. However, the accuracy of MRI to detect clinically significant disease is variable between different institutions. The role of quality control initiatives to increase the concordance between clinical-imaging-histopathological data and to improve accurate targeting of the suspicious lesions cannot be overemphasized. This article describes the approaches to correlate mpMRI findings with histopathology and the role of multidisciplinary teams for quality improvement and feedback interventions. RECENT FINDINGS: Validating the mpMRI and image-targeted fusion biopsy findings with prostatectomy specimen histopathology as the gold standard is essential for assessment of the concordance between clinical-imaging-histopathological data. Utilization of a MRI-derived patient-specific prostate mold enables a direct comparison between histopathological versus imaging characteristics of cancer foci in the same sectional plane of the specimen versus MRI. Furthermore, 'reverse fusion' technology provides the ability to audit the quality of targeting following fusion biopsy. SUMMARY: The development of a multidisciplinary team approach with group discussions, workflows to integrate and correlate clinical, imaging and histological data, as well as feedback and audit interventions can improve the quality of care when an image-based PCa diagnostic program is implemented. This needs to be executed at the local level to better understand each institutions' performance characteristics of mpMRI and image-targeted intervention.

Progression of Treated versus Untreated Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System Category 4 Masses after Transcatheter Arterial Embolization Therapy.

PURPOSE: To compare outcomes of treated vs untreated Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System category 4 (LR-4) masses after transcatheter arterial embolization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 167 patients undergoing embolization for HCC from January 2005 to December 2012, LR-4 masses were retrospectively identified on CT and MR imaging examinations performed before embolization. In 149 patients undergoing embolization from January 2013 to December 2016, masses prospectively classified as LR-4 were identified. In total, there were 81 LR-4 masses in 62 patients (16 women; mean age 62 y; range 29-83 y). Procedures were reviewed to determine whether LR-4 masses were within or outside the liver volume that received embolization during treatment of dominant masses. Time to progression to LR-5 and by modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST) was estimated for treated vs untreated LR-4 masses using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log rank test. RESULTS: LR-4 masses averaged 1.8 cm; 88%, 60%, 14%, and 14% demonstrated arterial phase hyperenhancement, washout, a capsule, and growth. Of LR-4 masses, 62 were within the liver volume that received embolization and considered treated, and 19 were outside and considered untreated. Response rates according to mRECIST were 37% vs 21% for treated vs untreated masses (P = .27). The 6- and 12-month rates of progression to LR-5 were 7% and 26% for treated masses vs 27% and 75% for untreated masses (P = .001). According to mRECIST, 7% and 27% of treated masses progressed vs 30% and 65% of untreated masses (P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: LR-4 masses that receive embolization in the setting of dominant masses elsewhere show lower rates of progression compared with untreated masses.