Native BK Polyomavirus Nephropathy in an Orthotopic Heart Transplant Patient.

BK polyomavirus nephropathy (BKVN) is a common cause of nephropathy in kidney transplant patients and is typically seen within the first year after transplantation. BK polyomavirus nephropathy can occur in the native kidneys of patients with nonrenal solid-organ transplants (NRSOT). However, this is rare, especially outside the early post-transplant period, and BKVN is not usually considered in the differential diagnosis for acute kidney injury in NRSOT patients. We present a case of a 75-year-old man who had undergone orthotopic heart transplant 13 years prior with stable allograft function who developed progressive renal dysfunction in the setting of recent unilateral obstructive nephrolithiasis requiring ureteral stenting. Kidney biopsy demonstrated evidence of polyomavirus nephritis. Serum BK viral load was elevated. Despite reducing immunosuppression and initiating leflunomide, viral clearance was never achieved. The patient experienced progressive failure to thrive before ultimately transitioning to hospice care and dying. The intensity of immunosuppression is a well-known risk factor for viral replication; ureteral stenting has also been associated with BKVN. However, since clinical manifestations of BK viral infections often include a genitourinary (GU) tract pathology, it is important for clinicians to consider BKVN in patients with NRSOT with progressive renal dysfunction, especially in the clinical context of known GU disease.

Beta-Blocker Use Is Associated With Worse Relapse-Free Survival in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer.

PURPOSE: Although beta-blockers (BBs) have been hypothesized to exert a beneficial effect on cancer survival through inhibition of beta-adrenergic signaling pathways, clinical data on this issue have been inconsistent. We investigated the impact of BBs on survival outcomes and efficacy of immunotherapy in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), melanoma, or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin (skin SCC), independent of comorbidity status or cancer treatment regimen. METHODS: Patients (N = 4,192) younger than 65 years with HNSCC, NSCLC, melanoma, or skin SCC treated at MD Anderson Cancer Center from 2010 to 2021 were included. Overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and disease-free survival (DFS) were calculated. Kaplan-Meier and multivariate analyses adjusting for age, sex, TNM staging, comorbidities, and treatment modalities were performed to assess the effect of BBs on survival outcomes. RESULTS: In patients with HNSCC (n = 682), BB use was associated with worse OS and DFS (OS: adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.67; 95% CI, 1.06 to 2.62; P = .027; DFS: aHR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.06 to 2.63; P = .027), with DSS trending to significance (DSS: aHR, 1.52; 95% CI, 0.96 to 2.41; P = .072). Negative effects of BBs were not observed in the patients with NSCLC (n = 2,037), melanoma (n = 1,331), or skin SCC (n = 123). Furthermore, decreased response to cancer treatment was observed in patients with HNSCC with BB use (aHR, 2.47; 95% CI, 1.14 to 5.38; P = .022). CONCLUSION: The effect of BBs on cancer survival outcomes is heterogeneous and varies according to cancer type and immunotherapy status. In this study, BB intake was associated with worse DSS and DFS in patients with head and neck cancer not treated with immunotherapy, but not in patients with NSCLC or skin cancer.

Dual-Energy CT for the Detection of Portal Vein Thrombosis: Improved Diagnostic Performance Using Virtual Monoenergetic Reconstructions.

Purpose: To investigate the diagnostic performance of noise-optimized virtual monoenergetic images (VMI+) in dual-energy CT (DECT) of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) compared to standard reconstructions. Method: This retrospective, single-center study included 107 patients (68 men; mean age, 60.1 ± 10.7 years) with malignant or cirrhotic liver disease and suspected PVT who had undergone contrast-enhanced portal-phase DECT of the abdomen. Linearly blended (M_0.6) and virtual monoenergetic images were calculated using both standard VMI and noise-optimized VMI+ algorithms in 20 keV increments from 40 to 100 keV. Quantitative measurements were performed in the portal vein for objective contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) calculation. The image series showing the greatest CNR were further assessed for subjective image quality and diagnostic accuracy of PVT detection by two blinded radiologists. Results: PVT was present in 38 subjects. VMI+ reconstructions at 40 keV revealed the best objective image quality (CNR, 9.6 ± 4.3) compared to all other image reconstructions (p < 0.01). In the standard VMI series, CNR peaked at 60 keV (CNR, 4.7 ± 2.1). Qualitative image parameters showed the highest image quality rating scores for the 60 keV VMI+ series (median, 4) (p ≤ 0.03). The greatest diagnostic accuracy for the diagnosis of PVT was found for the 40 keV VMI+ series (sensitivity, 96%; specificity, 96%) compared to M_0.6 images (sensitivity, 87%; specificity, 92%), 60 keV VMI (sensitivity, 87%; specificity, 97%), and 60 keV VMI+ reconstructions (sensitivity, 92%; specificity, 97%) (p ≤ 0.01). Conclusions: Low-keV VMI+ reconstructions resulted in significantly improved diagnostic performance for the detection of PVT compared to other DECT reconstruction algorithms.

State-Level Social Vulnerability Index and Healthcare Access in Patients With Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (from the BRFSS Survey).

We analyzed the association between social vulnerability index (SVI) and healthcare access among patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Using cross-sectional data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System 2016 to 2019, we identified measures related to healthcare access in individuals with ASCVD, which included healthcare coverage, presence of primary care clinician, duration since last routine checkup, delay in access to healthcare, inability to see doctor because of cost, and cost-related medication nonadherence. We analyzed the association of state-level SVI (higher SVI denotes higher social vulnerability) and healthcare access using multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models. The study population comprised 203,347 individuals aged 18 years or older who reported a history of ASCVD. In a multivariable-adjusted analysis, prevalence odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for participants residing in states in the third tertile of SVI compared with those in the first tertile (used as reference) were as follows: absence of healthcare coverage = 1.03 (0.85 to 1.24), absence of primary care clinician = 1.33 (1.12 to 1.58), >1 year since last routine checkup = 1.09 (0.96 to 1.23), delay in access to healthcare = 1.39 (1.18, 1.63), inability to see a doctor because of cost = 1.21 (1.06 to 1.40), and cost-related medication nonadherence = 1.10 (0.83 to 1.47). In conclusion, SVI is associated with healthcare access in those with pre-existing ASCVD. Due to the ability of SVI to simultaneously and holistically capture many of the factors of social determinants of health, SVI can be a useful measure for identifying high-risk populations.

Diffusion-Weighted MR Imaging of Primary and Secondary Lung Cancer: Predictive Value for Response to Transpulmonary Chemoembolization and Transarterial Chemoperfusion.

PURPOSE: To examine predictive value of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) for response of patients with primary and secondary lung neoplasms undergoing transpulmonary chemoembolization (TPCE) and transarterial chemoperfusion (TACP) treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-one patients (mean age ± SD 64 ± 12.4 y) with 42 lung target lesions (13 primary and 29 secondary) underwent DWI and subsequent ADC analysis on a 1.5T MR imaging scanner before and 30.3 days ± 6.4 after first session of TPCE or TACP. After 3.1 treatment sessions ± 1.4 performed in 2- to 4-week intervals, morphologic response was analyzed by comparing tumor diameter and volume before and after treatment on unenhanced T1-weighted MR images. On a per-lesion basis, response was classified according to Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors. RESULTS: Threshold ADC increase of 20.7% indicated volume response with 88% sensitivity and 78% specificity (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.84). Differences between ADC changes in volume response groups were significant (P = .002). AUC for volume response predicted by ADC before treatment was 0.77. Median ADC before treatment and mean ADC change were 1.09 × 10-3 mm2/second and 0.36 × 10-3 mm2/second ± 0.23, 1.45 × 10-3 mm2/second and 0.14 × 10-3 mm2/second ± 0.16, and 1.30 × 10-3 mm2/second and 0.06 × 10-3 mm2/second ± 0.19 in partial response, stable disease, and progressive disease groups. In primary lung cancer lesions, strong negative correlation of ADC change with change in diameter (ρ = -.87, P < .001) and volume (ρ = -.66, P = .016) was found. In metastases, respective correlation coefficients were ρ = -.18 (P = .356) and ρ = -.35 (P = .061). CONCLUSIONS: ADC quantification shows considerable diagnostic value for predicting response and monitoring TPCE and TACP treatment of patients with primary and secondary lung neoplasms.

Iodine quantification based on rest / stress perfusion dual energy CT to differentiate ischemic, infarcted and normal myocardium.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the potential of rest-stress DECT iodine quantification to discriminate between normal, ischemic, and infarcted myocardium. METHODS: Patients who underwent rest-stress DECT on a 2nd generation dual-source system and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) were retrospectively included from a prospective study cohort. CMR was performed to identify ischemic and infarcted myocardium and categorize patients into ischemic, infarcted, and control groups. Controls were analyzed on a per-slice and per-segment basis. Regions of interest (ROIs) were placed in ischemic and infarcted areas based on CMR. Additionally, ROIs were placed in the septal area to assess normal and remote myocardium. RESULTS: We included 42 patients: 10 ischemic, 17 infarcted, and 15 controls. Iodine concentrations showed no significant between segments in controls. Iodine concentrations for normal myocardium increased significantly from rest to stress (median 3.7 mg/mL (interquartile range 3.5-3.9) vs. 4.5 mg/mL (4.3-4.9)) (p < 0.001). Iodine concentrations in diseased myocardium were significantly lower than in normal myocardium; 1.3 mg/mL (0.9-1.8) and 0.6 mg/mL (0.4-0.8) at rest and stress in ischemic myocardium, and 0.3 mg/mL (0.3-0.5) and 0.5 mg/mL (0.5-0.7) at rest and stress in infarcted myocardium (p < 0.005 and p < 0.001). At rest only, iodine concentrations were significantly lower in infarcted vs. ischemic myocardium (p < 0.001). The optimal threshold for differentiating diseased from normal myocardium was 2.5 mg/mL and 2.1 mg/mL for rest and stress (AUC 1.00). To discriminate ischemic from infarcted myocardium, the optimal threshold was 1.0 mg/ml (AUC 0.944) at rest. CONCLUSION: DECT iodine concentration from rest-stress imaging can potentially differentiate between normal, ischemic, and infarcted myocardium.

Survival of patients with non-resectable, chemotherapy-resistant colorectal cancer liver metastases undergoing conventional lipiodol-based transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE) palliatively versus neoadjuvantly prior to percutaneous thermal ablation.

PURPOSE: To determine overall (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) for cTACE alone and in combination with percutaneous thermal ablation in patients with non-resectable, chemotherapy-resistant colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRLM). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 452 patients undergoing 2654 repetitive cTACE treatments of CRLM. 233 patients were treated palliatively using only cTACE, whereas 219 patients were treated with cTACE in a neoadjuvant intend with subsequent thermal ablation (either microwave ablation or laser-induced thermotherapy). The chemotherapeutics agents used, in either single-, double-, or triple-combinations, included MitomycinC, Gemcitabine, Irinotecan, and Cisplatin. Several factors were analysed to determine their prognostic value in terms of OS and PFS. RESULTS: Palliative use of cTACE resulted in a median OS and PFS of 12.6 and 5.9 months, whereas the neoadjuvant use of cTACE showed a median OS and PFS of 25.8 and 10.8 months. The differences in OS and PFS between the two groups were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Extrahepatic metastases were a significant prognostic factor in the OS and PFS analysis of the palliative and neoadjuvant group. In addition, number, location, and mean size of metastases were significant prognostic factors for OS and PFS in the neoadjuvant group. Sex, primary tumor location, T- and N-parameters of the TNM staging system, time of liver metastases appearance, ablation method, and patient age did not significantly impact OS and PFS in either patient group. The most distinct response to cTACE was observed in metastases that were treated with a triple-combination of chemotherapeutics (p = 0.021). CONCLUSION: cTACE is an effective treatment option in advanced non-resectable CRLM. Chemoembolization followed by ablation further increases survival rates. A triple combination of chemotherapeutics improves response to cTACE.

High-pitch low-voltage CT coronary artery calcium scoring with tin filtration: accuracy and radiation dose reduction.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate diagnostic accuracy and radiation dose of high-pitch CT coronary artery calcium scoring (CACS) with tin filtration (Sn100kVp) versus standard 120kVp high-pitch acquisition. METHODS: 78 patients (58% male, 61.5±9.1 years) were prospectively enrolled. Subjects underwent clinical 120kVp high-pitch CACS using third-generation dual-source CT followed by additional high-pitch Sn100kVp acquisition. Agatston scores, calcium volume scores, Agatston score categories, percentile-based risk categorization and radiation metrics were compared. RESULTS: 61/78 patients showed coronary calcifications. Median Agatston scores were 34.9 [0.7-197.1] and 41.7 [0.7-207.2] and calcium volume scores were 34.1 [0.7-218.0] for Sn100kVp and 35.7 [1.1-221.0] for 120kVp acquisitions, respectively (both p<0.0001). Bland-Altman analysis revealed underestimated Agatston scores and calcium volume scores with Sn100kVp versus 120kVp acquisitions (mean difference: 16.4 and 11.5). However, Agatston score categories and percentile-based risk categories showed excellent agreement (ĸ=0.98 and ĸ=0.99). Image noise was 25.8±4.4HU and 16.6±2.9HU in Sn100kVp and 120kVp scans, respectively (p<0.0001). Dose-length-product was 9.9±4.8mGy*cm and 40.9±14.4mGy*cm with Sn100kVp and 120kVp scans, respectively (p<0.0001). This resulted in significant effective radiation dose reduction (0.13±0.07mSv vs. 0.57±0.2mSv, p<0.0001) for Sn100kVp acquisitions. CONCLUSION: CACS using high-pitch low-voltage tin-filtered acquisitions demonstrates excellent agreement in Agatston score and percentile-based cardiac risk categorization with standard 120kVp high-pitch acquisitions. Furthermore, radiation dose was significantly reduced by 78% while maintaining accurate risk prediction. KEY POINTS: • Coronary artery calcium scoring with tin filtration reduces radiation dose by 78%. • There is excellent correlation between high-pitch Sn100kVp and standard 120kVp acquisitions. • Excellent agreement regarding Agatston score categories and percentile-based risk categorization was achieved. • No cardiac risk reclassifications were observed using Sn100kVp coronary artery calcium scoring.

Microwave ablation of pancreatic tumors.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical performance of percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) for treatment of locally-advanced-pancreatic-cancer (LAPC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-two MWA sessions (August 2015-March 2017) in 20 patients with primary pancreatic cancer (13 men, 7 women, mean-age: 59.9 ± 8.6 years, range: 46-73 years), who had given informed consent, were retrospectively evaluated. All procedures were performed percutaneously under CT-guidance using the same high-frequency (2.45-GHz) MWA device. Tumor location and diameter, ablation diameter and volume, roundness, duration, technical success and efficacy, output energy, complications, and local tumor progression defined as a tumor focus connected to the edge of a previously technically efficient ablation zone were collected. RESULTS: Seventeen pancreatic malignant tumors (77.3%) were located in the pancreatic head and five (22.7%) in the pancreatic tail. Initial Mean Tumor Diameter was 30 ± 6 mm. Technical success and efficacy were idem (100%). No major complications occurred. Two patients (9.1%) showed minor complications of severe local pain related to MWA. Post-ablation diameter was on average 34.4 ± 5.8 mm. Mean ablation volume was 7.8 ± 3.8 cm³. The mean transverse roundness index was 0.74 ± 0.14. Mean ablation time was 2.6 ± 0.96 min. The mean applied energy per treatment was 9627 ± 3953 J. Local tumor progression was documented in one case (10%) of the 10/22 available three-month follow-up imaging studies. CONCLUSION: High-frequency (2.45 GHz) microwave ablation (MWA) for treatment of unresectable and non-metastatic locally-advanced-pancreatic-cancer (LAPC) shows promising results regarding feasibility and safety of percutaneous approach after short-term follow-up and should be further evaluated.