Cardiac involvement in granulomatosis with polyangiitis: a magnetic resonance imaging study of 31 consecutive patients.

Objectives: Specific cardiac involvement in granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is probably underestimated since many of these conditions are subclinical. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and patterns of cardiac abnormalities detected by cardiac MRI (CMRI) in patients with GPA. Methods: Thirty-one consecutive patients with newly diagnosed or relapsing GPA underwent CMRI to assess morphological, functional, perfusion at rest and delayed enhancement abnormalities. Results: At least one abnormality was observed on CMRI for 19 of 31 patients (61%). Four patients (13%) had an impaired left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF). LV regional wall motion abnormalities were found in 11 patients (35%). Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) was detected in 10 of 31 patients (32%). LGE was mostly nodular ( n = 9). Myocardial early contrast enhancement was detected in 5 of the 31 patients (16%), which was systematically associated with LGE in the same territory. CMRI detected pericarditis in eight patients (26%). GPA with <18 months duration was associated with a higher LVEF ( P = 0.03), fewer CMRI abnormalities ( P = 0.04) and less LV hypokinesia ( P = 0.04) than GPA with a longer duration. Patients with recent-onset GPA had a higher LVEF ( P = 0.01) and less LV hypokinesia ( P = 0.006) than patients experiencing a relapse ( P = 0.02). Conclusion: CMR is an accurate technique for detecting heart involvement in GPA. This unique non-invasive technique may provide information with important clinical implications for the accurate early assessment of cardiac lesions in GPA patients and for detecting cumulative, irreversible damage. It may also have prognostic implications.

Comparative assessment of image quality for coronary CT angiography with iobitridol and two contrast agents with higher iodine concentrations: iopromide and iomeprol. A multicentre randomized double-blind trial.

OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate non-inferiority of iobitridol 350 for coronary CT angiography (CTA) compared to higher iodine content contrast media regarding rate of patients evaluable for the presence of coronary artery stenoses. METHODS: In this multicentre trial, 452 patients were randomized to receive iobitridol 350, iopromide 370 or iomeprol 400 and underwent coronary CTA using CT systems with 64-detector rows or more. Two core lab readers assessed 18 coronary segments per patient regarding image quality (score 0 = non diagnostic to 4 = excellent quality), vascular attenuation, signal and contrast to noise ratio (SNR, CNR). Patients were considered evaluable if no segment had a score of 0. RESULTS: Per-patient, the rate of fully evaluable CT scans was 92.1, 95.4 and 94.6 % for iobitridol, iopromide and iomeprol, respectively. Non-inferiority of iobitridol over the best comparator was demonstrated with a 95 % CI of the difference of [-8.8 to 2.1], with a pre-specified non-inferiority margin of -10 %. Although average attenuation increased with higher iodine concentrations, average SNR and CNR did not differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS: With current CT technology, iobitridol 350 mg iodine/ml is not inferior to contrast media with higher iodine concentrations in terms of image quality for coronary stenosis assessment. KEY POINTS: • Iodine concentration is an important parameter for image quality in coronary CTA. • Contrast enhancement must be balanced against the amount of iodine injected. • Iobitridol 350 is non-inferior compared to CM with higher iodine concentrations. • Higher attenuation with higher iodine concentrations, but no SNR or CNR differences.

Portal hypertension in patients with cirrhosis: indirect assessment of hepatic venous pressure gradient by measuring azygos flow with 2D-cine phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging.

OBJECTIVES: To measure azygos, portal and aortic flow by two-dimensional cine phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (2D-cine PC MRI), and to compare the MRI values to hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurements, in patients with cirrhosis. METHODS: Sixty-nine patients with cirrhosis were prospectively included. All patients underwent HVPG measurements, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and 2D-cine PC MRI measurements of azygos, portal and aortic blood flow. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were used to evaluate the correlation between the blood flow and HVPG. The performance of 2D-cine PC MRI to diagnose severe portal hypertension (HVPG ≥ 16 mmHg) was determined by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis, and area under the curves (AUC) were compared. RESULTS: Azygos and aortic flow values were associated with HVPG in univariate linear regression model. Azygos flow (p < 10(-3)), aortic flow (p = 0.001), age (p = 0.001) and presence of varices (p < 10(-3)) were independently associated with HVPG. Azygos flow (AUC = 0.96 (95 % CI [0.91-1.00]) had significantly higher AUC than aortic (AUC = 0.64 (95 % CI [0.51-0.77]) or portal blood flow (AUC = 0.40 (95 % CI [0.25-0.54]). CONCLUSIONS: 2D-cine PC MRI is a promising technique to evaluate significant portal hypertension in patients with cirrhosis. KEY POINTS: • Noninvasive HVPG assessment can be performed with MRI azygos flow. • Azygos MRI flow is an easy-to-measure marker to detect significant portal hypertension. • MRI flow is more specific that varice grade to detect portal hypertension.

Safety and Efficacy of Percutaneous Morton Neuroma Cryoneurolysis Under Ultrasound Guidance.

PURPOSE: To assess the technical success, safety and early efficacy of Morton neuroma (MN) cryoneurolysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of 54 consecutive patients with MN treated with cryoneurolysis after failure of conservative treatment, from September 2022 to June 2023. Outcomes measurements included technical success (defined a successful ultrasound-guided placement of the cryoprobe), procedural safety according to Cirse classification and change in 6 months post-procedure by pain numeric rating scale (pNRS). RESULTS: A total of 59 MN were treated during 55 procedures. Mean procedure duration was 47 min, all patients were discharged 2 h after the intervention. Technical success was 98.1%. No Cirse grade 3, 4 or 5 complication was reported. Three grade 2 complication occurred, including two chilblain-type lesions and one bone insufficiency fracture. At 6 months post-procedure, pNRS score was significantly decreased (2.7 ± 2.2 vs 7.1 ± 1.1) (p < 0.0001), with a mean score decrease of 4.1points. Thirty-two patients (60.4%) reported a complete pain relief, 15 (28.3%) a partial pain relief and 6 (11.3%) no pain relief, or increased pain. CONCLUSION: Cryoneurolysis seems to be safe for the treatment of Morton neuroma. Six-month pain relief is promising and needs to be confirmed at long term.

Churg-Strauss syndrome cardiac involvement evaluated by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and positron-emission tomography: a prospective study on 20 patients.

OBJECTIVE: Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) cardiac involvement is associated with a poor prognosis. Recently cardiac MRI (CMRI) has emerged as a promising technique to detect early CSS cardiac involvement. However, CMRI-detected myocardial delayed enhancement (MDE) could correspond to fibrosis or inflammation. Fluoro-2-deoxyglucose PET (FDG-PET) was previously used in other systemic diseases to distinguish between them. To determine whether the CMRI-MDE detected in CSS patients reflected fibrosis or myocardial inflammation, patients in CSS remission underwent FDG-PET. METHODS: Twenty consecutive CSS patients in remission (BVAS = 0) were recruited. Fourteen patients [eight men, six women; mean (S.D.) age 49 (9) years; mean disease duration 3.5 (2.9) years] with CMRI-detected MDE, and six patients [four men, two women; mean (S.D.) age 44 (15) years; mean disease duration 3.5 (5.3) years] with normal CMRI underwent FDG-PET. Segments with MDE on CMRI were analysed on FDG-PET images, with myocardial FDG hypofixation defining fibrosis and hyperfixation corresponding inflammation. RESULTS: Among the 14 patients with MDE on CMRI, FDG-PET showed 10 had hypofixation, 2 had hyperfixation and 2 had normal scans. CSS duration at the time of CMRI was shorter for patients with myocardial inflammation than in those with fibrosis. The six patients with normal CMRI had normal FDG-PET images. CONCLUSION: For CSS patients in remission, CMRI detected subclinical active myocardial lesions and could be recommended to assess cardiac involvement. However, because CMRI-detected MDE can reflect fibrosis or inflammation, FDG-PET might help to distinguish between the two.

CT antegrade colonography to assess proctectomy and temporary diverting ileostomy complications before early ileostomy takedown in patients with low rectal endometriosis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to describe an imaging method based on a CT technique, CT antegrade colonography, for the evaluation of low anastomosis and to evaluate the value of CT antegrade colonography before early ileostomy closure after proctectomy in low rectal endometriosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred ninety-five patients referred for low rectal endometriosis underwent proctectomy and were eligible for early ileostomy closure. All patients underwent standard antegrade fluoroscopy (n=77) or CT antegrade colonography (n=118) 8 days after surgery. The negative predictive values, positive predictive values, sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratio of standard antegrade fluoroscopy and CT antegrade colonography in detecting anastomotic leakage and abscesses were assessed. The reference standard for positive and negative examinations was based on clinical follow-up, imaging, surgical, or interventional procedure findings. RESULTS: Negative and positive predictive values for detecting anastomotic leakage were 100% (95% CI, 96.8-100%) and 100% (95% CI, 39.8-100%), respectively, for CT antegrade colonography and 98.6% (95% CI, 92.4-100%) and 100% (95% CI, 54.1-100%), respectively, for standard antegrade fluoroscopy. The negative and positive predictive values for detecting abscess were 100% (95% CI, 96.8-100%) and 100% (95% CI, 47.8-100%), respectively, for CT antegrade colonography and 97.3% (95% CI, 90.8-99.7%) and 100% (95% CI, 2.5-100%), respectively, for standard antegrade fluoroscopy. CONCLUSION: CT antegrade colonography may play a major role in the evaluation of low anastomosis protected by an ileostomy after proctectomy in low rectal endometriosis, leading to the development of a new strategy with early restoration of the intestinal continuity.

Prostate Artery Embolization: Challenges, Tips, Tricks, and Perspectives.

Prostatic artery embolization (PAE) consists of blocking the arteries supplying the prostate to treat benign prostate hypertrophia (BPH). Its effectiveness on both urinary symptoms and flowmetric parameters has now been amply demonstrated by around a hundred studies, including several randomized trials. The main advantage of this procedure is the very low rate of urinary and sexual sequelae, including ejaculatory, with an excellent tolerance profile. The arterial anatomy is a key element for the realization of PAE. Its knowledge makes it possible to anticipate obstacles and prevent potential complications related to nontarget embolization. Nontarget embolization can occur with a small intraprostatic shunt or reflux and has no consequences except some local inflammation symptoms that resolve in a couple of days. Nevertheless, some situations with large arterial shunts arising from the prostatic artery must be recognized (accessory rectal, bladder, or pudendal branches), and must imperatively be protected before embolization, at the risk of exposing oneself to otherwise ischemic complications that are more severe, such as bladder necrosis and skin or mucosal necrosis. This article offers a step-by-step review of the various anatomical and technical key points to ensure technical and clinical success, while avoiding the occurrence of adverse events.

Chronic liver disease: systemic and splanchnic venous flow mapping with optimized cine phase-contrast MR imaging validated in a phantom model and prospectively evaluated in patients.

PURPOSE: To validate magnetic resonance (MR) imaging cine phase-contrast blood flow mapping in vitro and in patients with chronic liver disease, with or without portal hypertension, and to assess the accuracy of azygos, splanchnic, and systemic blood flow measured with MR imaging in the detection of high-risk esophageal varices and compare these measurements with endoscopic evaluation, the reference standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The local ethics committee approved this study. Patients gave written informed consent. Two phantoms were used to validate the MR imaging phase-contrast flow sequence. Patients with liver cirrhosis (n = 59), chronic liver disease without cirrhosis (n = 12), and nodular regenerative hyperplasia (NRH) (n = 11), and healthy control subjects with no liver disease (n = 25) were included. The patients underwent upper digestive system endoscopy. Mean abdominal aorta, portal venous, and azygos blood flow was measured on MR images, which were reviewed by two blinded observers to determine the presence and grade of esophageal varices. The reproducibility and intra- and interobserver variability of the blood flow measurements were assessed with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). The performance of the MR blood flow measurements in staging high-risk varices was determined with receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. The correlation between MR visual analysis and endoscopic grading was assessed by using κ statistics. RESULTS: MR flow rate measurements had excellent correlations with actual flow values in vitro (ICC > 0.990 for phantoms 1 and 2). Mean aortic flow was significantly higher in patients with cirrhosis than in control subjects (P < .001). Mean azygos flow was significantly higher in patients with cirrhosis than in patients with chronic liver disease without cirrhosis (P = .005) and control subjects (P < .001). Low intra- and interobserver variability (ICC > 0.990 for each blood flow type) and high reproducibility (ICC > 0.850 for each blood flow type) were demonstrated. The optimal cutoff mean azygos flow value was 2.3 mL/sec for varices with grades of 2 or higher. CONCLUSION: MR imaging azygos flow measurement appears to be a promising technique for detecting high-risk esophageal varices in patients with portal hypertension.

VEGF pathway inhibition by anticancer agent sunitinib and susceptibility to atherosclerosis plaque disruption.

Patients treated with anti-VEGF agents are at increased risk for arterial thrombo-embolic events (ATEs). However, the pathophysiology of such acute vascular complications remains unclear. We report on a case of bowel infarction in a renal cancer patient treated with the anti-VEGF agent sunitinib. An abdominal CT-scan evidenced the rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque located at the emergence of the superior mesenteric artery. In view of this report, we suggest that evaluation of the risk of ATE in patients receiving anti-VEGF agents should include not only age and past history of ATE as suggested by previous studies, but also assessment of atherosclerotic lesions on CT-scan.

Pneumatosis intestinalis associated with treatment of cancer patients with the vascular growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors sorafenib and sunitinib.

Recently, pneumatosis intestinalis has been described in patients receiving bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody to VEGF-A. Pneumatosis intestinalis is a condition characterized by subserosal and submucosal gas-filled cysts in the gastrointestinal tract. We report on pneumatosis intestinalis in patients receiving oral anti-VEGF agents. Patients shared the following characteristics: long-term (> 4 months) exposure to anti-VEGF agents, lack of other factors predisposing to pneumatosis intestinalis, and lack of recent surgical intervention. Taken together, these observations suggest that pneumatosis intestinalis is a probable class-effect of anti-VEGF agents.

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in Churg-Strauss-syndrome. Impact of immunosuppressants on outcome assessed in a prospective study on 8 patients.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of immunosuppressive therapy on cardiac abnormalities observed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) in patients with Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS). METHODS: We studied 8 patients with CSS and myocardial involvement on initial CMR images, who underwent follow-up CMRI after 6 months of immunosuppressive therapy. RESULTS: Among the 8 patients (mean age: 43 years; 4 women), 7 had clinical cardiac signs at CSS onset (cardiac insufficiency, 3; angina pectoris, 2; atrial fibrillation, 1; and pericarditis, 1); 4 of them had myocardial-delayed enhancement, 2 had perfusion defects and 1 had both CMRI anomalies. The patient without clinical manifestations of heart disease had myocardial delayed enhancement on CMRI. After 6 months of therapy, CMR images normalised for the patient without clinical cardiac signs at diagnosis, and 3 symptomatic patients, and abnormalities had regressed for 2 other symptomatic patients. Theses 5 initially symptomatic patients became asymptomatic after immunosupressive treatment. The last 2 patients with cardiac insufficiency at CSS diagnosis are still symptomatic with unchanged CMRI abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: CMRI is a sensitive, non-invasive method to detect cardiac lesions in patients whose conventional investigations indicated no cardiac disease and to assess the extent of cardiac involvement in symptomatic patients. CMRI can help evaluate the therapeutic effect of immunosuppressants in CSS.

Cardiac Intravoxel Incoherent Motion Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging With T1 Mapping to Assess Myocardial Perfusion and Fibrosis in Systemic Sclerosis: Association With Cardiac Events From a Prospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: Myocardial involvement may occur during systemic sclerosis (SSc) and can lead to impaired myocardial contraction and/or arrhythmia. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used for noninvasive characterization of the myocardium. The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of cardiac MRI with intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and longitudinal relaxation time (T1) sequence mapping for assessment of myocardial microvascular and interstitium impairment in SSc. METHODS: In this single-center prospective cohort study, 40 consecutive patients with SSc and 20 healthy controls were assessed by cardiac MRI with IVIM DWI and T1 mapping sequences on a 3T scanning system. Images were analyzed independently by 2 assessors, and Bland-Altman plots were used to assess interreader concordance and reproducibility. Characteristics of the patients were compared according to quartiles of T1 and perfusion fraction (f-coefficient) values, using exact Cochran-Ermitage trend tests for qualitative variables and analysis of variance for quantitative variables. Kaplan-Meier cardiac events-free survival curves were plotted and compared with a log-rank test for trend. RESULTS: T1 values were higher in SSc patients than in healthy controls, and were higher in the diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc) subset (P = 0.02). Higher T1 values were associated with the immunologic pattern seen in patients with the dcSSc form (P = 0.0001), a higher modified Rodnan skin thickness score (MRSS) (P = 0.003), and a higher frequency of interstitial lung disease (P = 0.03). Moreover, higher T1 values were correlated with higher MRSS scores (r = +0.32, P = 0.04) and reduced forced vital capacity (r = -0.34, P = 0.048), and tended to be correlated with reduced total lung capacity (r = -0.30, P = 0.07). Lower f-coefficient values, as a measure of decreased tissue perfusion, were associated with less frequent use of vasodilators (P = 0.02 for angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and P = 0.06 for calcium-channel blockers) and more frequent use of glucocorticoids (P = 0.02). The f-coefficients were inversely correlated with the T1 values (r = -0.31, P = 0.02). Furthermore, higher T1 values were associated with higher incidence of cardiac events (log-rank test for trend P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Increased T1 values, potentially suggesting microscopic fibrosis, were observed more frequently in patients with dcSSc, and higher T1 values were associated with interstitial lung disease and more frequent cardiac events during follow-up. The results of this study show that cardiac MRI with T1 mapping sequences and IVIM DWI may be useful in assessing myocardial involvement in patients with SSc.

Coronary artery stenosis in high-risk patients: 64-section CT and coronary angiography--prospective study and analysis of discordance.

PURPOSE: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of multisection (64-section) computed tomography (CT) versus coronary angiography in detection of and assignment of grades for coronary artery stenoses in a high-risk population and to investigate causes for discordance between the two. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The protocol was approved by the local ethics committee. Patients gave informed consent. The study included 114 patients (103 men, 11 women; mean age, 63 years +/- 8.2 [standard deviation]) with potential myocardial ischemia. Multisection CT images were interpreted independently by two radiologists with unequal experience in reading coronary CT angiograms. Diagnostic performance of 64-section CT in detection of stenoses of 50% or more was assessed per patient, per artery, and per segment. Interrater agreement was assessed by using the Cohen kappa coefficient. Agreement between 64-section CT and coronary angiography for assigning grades to stenoses was assessed by using Bland-Altman analysis. RESULTS: Sixty-eight percent of patients had stenoses of 50% or more. Good interrater agreement was found, with kappa values of 0.77-0.85. For the most experienced radiologist, the sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio were 73.4%, 95.0%, 14.7, and 0.28 per segment, 95.2%, 94.7%, 18.0, and 0.05 per artery, and 100%, 89.2%, 9.26, and zero per patient, respectively. Discordance between 64-section CT and coronary angiography was related to either under- or overestimation of the degree of stenosis, anatomic misclassification, and coronary artery segments that were not assessable at 64-section CT. Bland-Altman analysis showed poor agreement, especially for intermediate stenosis (mean bias, 1.3%; 95% limits of agreement: -27.3%, 29.9%). CONCLUSION: Despite excellent sensitivity and negative likelihood ratios in a per-patient or per-vessel analysis, some coronary artery stenosis remained misdiagnosed with 64-section CT, resulting in limited sensitivity on a per-segment basis owing to anatomic discordance and failure to accurately quantify intermediate stenosis.

Left ventricular non-compaction in a patient with myotonic dystrophy type 2.

Cardiac involvement is frequent in myotonic dystrophy type 2 (DM2) with dilated cardiomyopathy and severe arrhythmias having been reported. Left ventricular non-compaction is a cardiomyopathy often associated with neuromuscular disorders. We report the case of a 61-year-old man with DM2 treated for 5 years for a suspected dilated cardiomyopathy. Echocardiography showed left ventricular non-compaction typical pattern, with prominent apical trabeculations and intertrabecular spaces perfused from ventricular cavity. MRI confirmed the diagnosis. Physicians should be aware of the risk of severe cardiac complications in DM2 patients. Left ventricular non-compaction diagnosis is often overlooked. Neurological examination should be performed in all patients with left ventricular non-compaction.

Rapidly reversible myocardial edema in patients with acromegaly: assessment with ultrafast T2 mapping in a single-breath-hold MRI sequence.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to use a single-breath-hold T2-mapping MRI sequence to evaluate the reversibility of myocardial edema in patients treated for acromegaly. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Before and after treatment, 15 patients with acromegaly underwent myocardial T2 mapping with an experimental single-breath-hold black-blood fast spin-echo sequence. Myocardial T2 mapping with both a multiple-breath-hold fast spinecho sequence and the experimental sequence also was performed on 14 volunteers. T2 relaxation times were calculated with a standard linear least-squares fit applied to myocardial signal intensity. The T2 relaxation times of patients were compared with those of volunteers and correlated with levels of serum growth hormone and insulinlike growth factor 1. Left ventricular function and mass index were determined with cine MRI. RESULTS: T2 values before treatment were higher in patients (71 +/- 12 milliseconds) than in volunteers (55.9 +/- 3.6 milliseconds) (p = 0.0003). These T2 values in patients decreased soon after treatment (57.6 +/- 6.6 milliseconds, p = 0.0007). This reduction correlates with successful reduction of levels of serum growth hormone and insulinlike growth factor 1. In volunteers, myocardial T2 values did not vary significantly between the single-breath-hold sequence and the multiple-breath-hold fast spin-echo sequence. In patients, myocardial mass and left ventricular function did not differ significantly before and after treatment. CONCLUSION: Patients with acromegaly have increased myocardial T2 values, which decrease soon after treatment, reflecting reversible myocardial edema. T2 value is more sensitive than left ventricular mass index in the detection of early reversal of acromegalic cardiomyopathy. These results highlight the potential role of MRI in direct assessment of the tissular effects of growth hormone and insulinlike growth factor 1 and in evaluation of the efficacy of treatment.

Complete hepatocellular carcinoma necrosis following sequential porto-arterial embolization.

Most patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are not eligible for curative treatment, which is resection or transplantation. Two recent series have emphasized the potential benefits of preoperative arterio-portal embolization prior to surgical resection of such tumours. This preoperative strategy offers a better disease free survival rate and a higher rate of total tumor necrosis. In case of non resectable HCC it is now widely accepted that transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) leads to a better survival when compared to conservative treatment. Thus, the question remains whether combined portal vein embolization (PVE) may enhance the proven efficiency of TACE in patients with unresectable HCC. We herein report the case of a 56-year-old cirrhotic woman with a voluminous HCC unsuitable for surgical resection. Yet, complete tumour necrosis and prolonged survival could be achieved after a combined porto-arterial embolization. This case emphasizes the potential synergistic effect of a combined arterio-portal embolization and the hypothetical survival benefit of such a procedure, in selected patients, with HCC not suitable for surgery or local ablative therapy.