Assessment of atherosclerotic plaque morphology using contrast-enhanced ultrasound and its impact on primary cardiovascular events following simultaneous carotid endarterectomy and coronary artery bypass grafting.

OBJECTIVE: The incidence of stroke after on-pump cardiac surgery during the perioperative period can affect up to 2% of patients, and is frequently linked to carotid artery disease. Notably, in patients with significant unilateral carotid artery stenosis of 80%-99%, the risk of stroke reaches 4%. Among individuals undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), 3% to 10% exhibit significant carotid artery stenosis. To mitigate the risk of stroke and mortality, patients can undergo either simultaneous or staged carotid endarterectomy and CABG. The aim of this study was to assess whether early postoperative complications, including stroke, following simultaneous CABG/CAE procedures, correlate with morphological attributes of carotid plaque, assessed via contrast-enhanced ultrasound. METHODS: A single centre retrospective analysis was performed including 62 patients who underwent simultaneous CABG/CEA between 2019 and 2022. Our study excluded patients who underwent staged carotid endarterectomy and CABG procedures, off-pump CABG, or those necessitating urgent CABG. Our analysis focused on patients meeting elective CABG criteria, diagnosed with symptomatic triple-vessel or left main trunk coronary artery disease (CAD), alongside asymptomatic carotid stenosis (a. carotis internae) exceeding 70% or symptomatic ipsilateral carotid stenosis surpassing 50%. The extent of contralateral carotid artery stenosis was not taken into account. Prior to the CEA/CABG procedure, each patient underwent contrast-enhanced ultrasound to assess atherosclerotic lesions, which were classified using Nakamura et al.'s classification. Among the patients, 37.1% exhibited no neovascularisation within the atherosclerotic plaque, 56.5% showed insignificant neovascularisation, and 6.5% displayed notable neovascularization within the plaque. Our study aimed to establish a connection between the degree of plaque vascularisation identified through contrast-enhanced ultrasound and subsequent postoperative complications. RESULTS: Upon evaluating postoperative complications occurring within 30 days after the surgery and the plaque morphology identified through contrast-enhanced ultrasound, a statistically significant correlation was observed between a higher grade of plaque vascularisation and the occurrence of ischaemic stroke (r = 0.329, p = .008). Monte Carlo calculations of the Chi-square test indicated a significant association between a higher grade of plaque vascularisation and the presence of peripheral artery disease (χ2 = 15.175, lls = 2, p = .003). CONCLUSION: Within 30 days of surgery, a significant correlation exists between the occurrence of ischaemic stroke following carotid endarterectomy subsequent to CABG and the presence of a higher grade plaque vascularisation as identified by contrast-enhanced ultrasound.

Prognostic Value of Tumor Volume, Tumor Volume Reduction Rate and Magnetic Resonance Tumor Regression Grade in Rectal Cancer.

Background and Objectives: Rectal cancer poses significant treatment challenges, especially in advanced stages. Radiologic assessment, particularly with MRI, is critical for surgeons and oncologists to understand tumor dynamics and tailor treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes. The purpose of this study was to correlate MRI-based tumor volumetric and tumor regression grade analysis in patients with advanced rectal cancer, assessing the impact of preoperative chemotherapy (CT) alone or chemoradiotherapy (CRT) on surgical technique choices. Materials and Methods: Between 2015 and 2022, a prospective study was enrolled, including a cohort of 89 patients diagnosed with rectal cancer at stage II or III. The participants were divided into two distinct therapy groups, ensuring an equal distribution with a ratio of 1:1. The initial group was treated with the contemporary preoperative chemotherapy protocol FOLFOX4. In contrast, the alternative group received conventional preoperative chemoradiotherapy. Before surgery, each patient underwent a rectal MRI scan at 1.5 T, including T2-weighted and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) sequences. Results: The CT group showed a 36.52% tumor volume reduction rate (TVRR), and the CRT group showed 54.87%, with varying magnetic resonance and pathological tumor regression grades (mrTRG and pTRG). Analysis revealed a significant interaction between mrTRG and tumor volumetrics (volume and VRR) in both groups, especially CRT, underscoring the complexity of tumor response. Both treatment groups had similar initial tumor volumes, with CRT displaying a higher TVRR, particularly in higher pathological TRG (3/4) cases. This interaction and the strong correlation between mrTRG and pTRG suggest mrTRG's role as a non-invasive predictor for treatment response, highlighting the need for personalized treatment plans. Conclusions: Rectal tumor volume, volume reduction rate, and mrTRG are not just abstract measures; they are concrete indicators that have a direct and practical impact on surgical decision-making, planning, and prognosis, ultimately influencing the quality of care and life expectancy of patients with rectal cancer.

Prostatic Artery Embolization as a Treatment Option for Symptomatic Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Results from the Prospective Follow-Up Study in Lithuania.

Background: The endovascular treatment of symptomatic benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH) by prostatic artery embolization (PAE) is one of the new treatments proposed. PAE is a minimally invasive alternative that has been shown to successfully treat lower urinary tract symptoms in BPH patients by causing infarction and necrosis of hyperplastic adenomatous tissue, which decompresses urethral impingement and improves obstructive symptoms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and efficacy of PAE in relieving symptoms in patients with symptomatic BPH. Materials and Methods: The material for the study was collected from 2019 to 2022. A total of 70 men with BPH and PAE were studied. Patients underwent an urological examination to measure the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), Quality of Life score (QoL), International Index of Erectile Function short form (IIEF-5), uroflowmetry with Qmax, prostatic volume (PV), and post-void residual volume (PVR) measurements. Statistical analysis for dependent samples was applied. Measured parameters at 2 months and 6 months follow-up were compared to baseline. Results: At baseline, the age of the male (N = 70) subjects was 74 ± 9.6 years with a median of 73.8, but fluctuated from 53 to 90 years. The mean of PV was almost 111 mL and the Qmax was close to 7.7 mL/s. The average PVR was 107.6 mL. The IPSS score mean was 21.3 points and the QoL score was 4.53 points. The IIEF-5 questionnaire score was almost 1.8 points, which shows severe erectile dysfunction. The mean value of the PSA level was 5.8 ng/mL. After 2 and 6 months of PAE, all indicators and scores except erectile function significantly improved. Conclusions: The outcomes of our study show promising results for patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia after PAE. The main prostate-related parameters (PV, Qmax, PVR, IPSS) improved significantly 6 months after embolization.

Diagnostic Approaches to Adult-Type Diffuse Glial Tumors: Comparative Literature and Clinical Practice Study.

Gliomas are the most frequent intrinsic central nervous system tumors. The new 2021 WHO Classification of Central Nervous System Tumors brought significant changes into the classification of gliomas, that underline the role of molecular diagnostics, with the adult-type diffuse glial tumors now identified primarily by their biomarkers rather than histology. The status of the isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) 1 or 2 describes tumors at their molecular level and together with the presence or absence of 1p/19q codeletion are the most important biomarkers used for the classification of adult-type diffuse glial tumors. In recent years terminology has also changed. IDH-mutant, as previously known, is diagnostically used as astrocytoma and IDH-wildtype is used as glioblastoma. A comprehensive understanding of these tumors not only gives patients a more proper treatment and better prognosis but also highlights new difficulties. MR imaging is of the utmost importance for diagnosing and supervising the response to treatment. By monitoring the tumor on followup exams better results can be achieved. Correlations are seen between tumor diagnostic and clinical manifestation and surgical administration, followup care, oncologic treatment, and outcomes. Minimal resection site use of functional imaging (fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) have become indispensable tools in invasive treatment. Perfusion imaging provides insightful information about the vascularity of the tumor, spectroscopy shows metabolic activity, and nuclear medicine imaging displays tumor metabolism. To accommodate better treatment the differentiation of pseudoprogression, pseudoresponse, or radiation necrosis is needed. In this report, we present a literature review of diagnostics of gliomas, the differences in their imaging features, and our radiology's departments accumulated experience concerning gliomas.

MRI Evaluation of Rectal Cancer Lymph Node Staging Using Apparent Diffusion Coefficient.

Introduction Colorectal cancer is the third most diagnosed cancer globally. Lymph node metastases significantly affect prognosis, emphasizing the importance of early detection and management. Despite significant advances in conventional MRI's role in staging, improvements in advanced functional imaging such as diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in identifying lymph node metastases persist. Objectives The aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) MRI in evaluating lymph node staging in rectal cancer. Patients and methods In a prospective study, 89 patients with stage II-III rectal cancer were grouped into two treatments: pre-operative FOLFOX4 chemotherapy and standard pre-operative chemoradiotherapy. All underwent 1.5T MRI, with T2-weighted and DWI sequences. A radiologist defined regions of interest on the tumor, lymph nodes, and intact rectal wall to calculate ADC values. Results Rectal cancer ADC's receiver operating characteristic curve had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.688 (P < 0.001), with optimal ADC cutoff at 0.99 x 10-3 mm2/s (sensitivity: 75%, specificity: 83%). For lymph nodes, AUC was 0.508 (P < 0.001), with a cutoff of 0.9 x 10-3 mm2/s (sensitivity: 78%, specificity: 67%). No correlation between tumor and lymph node ADC values was observed. In chemotherapy patients, "healthy" inguinal lymph nodes had higher ADC values than affected ones pre-treatment (P = 0.001), a disparity fading post-treatment (P = 0.313). For chemoradiotherapy patients, the ADC difference persisted pre and post-treatment (P = 0.001). Conclusion The study of ADC-MRI showed different ADC values between tumors and lymph nodes and highlighted ADC differences between treatment groups. Notably, no correlation was observed between tumor and lymph node ADC values. However, differences were apparent when comparing "healthy" inguinal nodes with lymph nodes affected by cancer.

Small Renal Masses without Gross Fat: What Is the Role of Contrast-Enhanced MDCT?

Increased detection of small renal masses (SRMs) has encouraged research for non-invasive diagnostic tools capable of adequately differentiating malignant vs. benign SRMs and the type of the tumour. Multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) has been suggested as an alternative to intervention, therefore, it is important to determine both the capabilities and limitations of MDCT for SRM evaluation. In our study, two abdominal radiologists retrospectively blindly assessed MDCT scan images of 98 patients with incidentally detected lipid-poor SRMs that did not present as definitely aggressive lesions on CT. Radiological conclusions were compared to histopathological findings of materials obtained during surgery that were assumed as the gold standard. The probability (odds ratio (OR)) in regression analyses, sensitivity (SE), and specificity (SP) of predetermined SRM characteristics were calculated. Correct differentiation between malignant vs. benign SRMs was detected in 70.4% of cases, with more accurate identification of malignant (73%) in comparison to benign (65.7%) lesions. The radiological conclusions of SRM type matched histopathological findings in 56.1%. Central scarring (OR 10.6, p = 0.001), diameter of lesion (OR 2.4, p = 0.003), and homogeneous accumulation of contrast medium (OR 3.4, p = 0.03) significantly influenced the accuracy of malignant diagnosis. SE and SP of these parameters varied from 20.6% to 91.3% and 22.9% to 74.3%, respectively. In conclusion, MDCT is able to correctly differentiate malignant versus uncharacteristic benign SRMs in more than 2/3 of cases. However, frequency of the correct histopathological SRM type MDCT identification remains low.

Variations in CT Utilization, Protocols, and Radiation Doses in COVID-19 Pneumonia: Results from 28 Countries in the IAEA Study.

Background There is lack of guidance on specific CT protocols for imaging patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. Purpose To assess international variations in CT utilization, protocols, and radiation doses in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Materials and Methods In this retrospective data collection study, the International Atomic Energy Agency coordinated a survey between May and July 2020 regarding CT utilization, protocols, and radiation doses from 62 health care sites in 34 countries across five continents for CT examinations performed in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. The questionnaire obtained information on local prevalence, method of diagnosis, most frequent imaging, indications for CT, and specific policies on use of CT in COVID-19 pneumonia. Collected data included general information (patient age, weight, clinical indication), CT equipment (CT make and model, year of installation, number of detector rows), scan protocols (body region, scan phases, tube current and potential), and radiation dose descriptors (CT dose index and dose length product). Descriptive statistics and generalized estimating equations were performed. Results Data from 782 patients (median age, 59 years [interquartile range, 15 years]) from 54 health care sites in 28 countries were evaluated. Less than one-half of the health care sites used CT for initial diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia and three-fourths used CT for assessing disease severity. CT dose index varied based on CT vendors (7-11 mGy; P < .001), number of detector rows (8-9 mGy; P < .001), year of CT installation (7-10 mGy; P = .006), and reconstruction techniques (7-10 mGy; P = .03). Multiphase chest CT examinations performed at 20% of sites (11 of 54) were associated with higher dose length product compared with single-phase chest CT examinations performed in 80% of sites (43 of 54) (P = .008). Conclusion CT use, scan protocols, and radiation doses in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 pneumonia showed wide variation across health care sites within the same and between different countries. Many patients were imaged multiple times and/or with multiphase CT scan protocols. © RSNA, 2021 Online supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Lee in this issue.

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance enterocolonography in assessing Crohn disease activity.

INTRODUCTION: Diffusion­weighted magnetic resonance imaging has the potential to identify inflamed bowel segments in patients with Crohn disease (CD). OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine diffusion­weighted imaging (DWI) value to predict active CD and compare apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) with endoscopic and conventional indices of magnetic resonance imaging of CD activity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Overall, 229 patients with suspected and diagnosed CD prospectively underwent magnetic resonance enterocolonography (MR­EC) with DWI sequence and ileocolonoscopy. The magnetic resonance activity index (MaRIA), Clermont index, and CD endoscopic index of severity (CDEIS) were calculated. RESULTS: The clinical diagnosis of CD was confirmed in 100 out of 229 patients. A DWI score of 2 or higher had 96.9% sensitivity and 82.3% specificity for diagnosing CD. A threshold ADC value of 1.3 × 10-3 mm2/s could distinguish between normal and inflamed bowel segments with a sensitivity of 73.8% and a specificity of 98%. For the MaRIA, a threshold ADC value of 1.32 × 10-3 mm2/s with a sensitivity of 97.9% and a specificity of 97.8% was established. There were significant differences in the DWI scores and ADC values comparing patients with inactive, mild, and moderate-to-severe disease (P <0.01). ADCs inversely correlated with the MaRIAglobal (r = -0.69; P = 0.001), Clermontglobal (r = -0.722; P = 0.001), and CDEIS (r = -0.69; P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: DWI is a valuable tool that is capable of identifying inflamed bowel segments as accurately as the conventional MaRIA score and of discriminating between mild and moderate-to-severe CD.

Identification of Cardiac MRI and Bio-Marker Thresholds for One-Year Survival in Pre-Capillary Pulmonary Hypertension: Prospective Study.

Background and objectives: Non-invasive imaging of the heart has an important place in the diagnosis and management of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The aim of this study was to establish the thresholds of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI)-derived biventricular deformation, function parameters, and levels of N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) for the prediction of survival of pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension (PHprecap) patients. Materials and Methods: In total, 64 incident PHprecap cases, who underwent CMRI, were consecutively enrolled in a prospective cohort study. Patients underwent a systemic evaluation, including measurement of NT-proBNP, two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography, six-minute walk test (6MWT), CMRI with feature tracking (FT), and right-heart catheterization (RHC). Patients were divided into two groups according to one-year survival (survival and non-survival groups). Survival analysis was performed. Results: One-year survival was 79.6%. The distribution between age, sex, mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP), New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class, and 6MWT did not differ between the groups. Survival was significantly lower in the PAH group associated with connective tissue disease (CTD-PAH), where 44% (n = 4) of patients died during the first year. Univariate analysis revealed that severely reduced right-ventricle (RV) ejection fraction (EF) <25.5%, left-ventricle global longitudinal strain (LV GLS) >-14.18%, and right pulmonary artery (RPA) relative area change (RAC) <19%, and severely increased NT-proBNP level >1738 (ng/L) indicate an increased risk of death in PHprecap patients. Conclusions: Impaired RV systolic function and LV global longitudinal strain, decrease of pulmonary artery distensibility, and CTD-PAH etiology, together with high NT-proBNP level, impair prognosis in pre-capillary PH patients. These findings are important for the risk stratification and management of pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension patients.

Correction to: Pilot study of the multicentre DISCHARGE trial: image quality and protocol adherence results of computed tomography and invasive coronary angiography.

The original version of this article, published on 16 December 2019, unfortunately contained two mistakes.

Pilot study of the multicentre DISCHARGE Trial: image quality and protocol adherence results of computed tomography and invasive coronary angiography.

OBJECTIVE: To implement detailed EU cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) quality criteria in the multicentre DISCHARGE trial (FP72007-2013, EC-GA 603266), we reviewed image quality and adherence to CCTA protocol and to the recommendations of invasive coronary angiography (ICA) in a pilot study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From every clinical centre, imaging datasets of three patients per arm were assessed for adherence to the inclusion/exclusion criteria of the pilot study, predefined standards for the CCTA protocol and ICA recommendations, image quality and non-diagnostic (NDX) rate. These parameters were compared via multinomial regression and ANOVA. If a site did not reach the minimum quality level, additional datasets had to be sent before entering into the final accepted database (FADB). RESULTS: We analysed 226 cases (150 CCTA/76 ICA). The inclusion/exclusion criteria were not met by 6 of the 226 (2.7%) datasets. The predefined standard was not met by 13 of 76 ICA datasets (17.1%). This percentage decreased between the initial CCTA database and the FADB (multinomial regression, 53 of 70 vs 17 of 75 [76%] vs [23%]). The signal-to-noise ratio and contrast-to-noise ratio of the FADB did not improve significantly (ANOVA, p = 0.20; p = 0.09). The CTA NDX rate was reduced, but not significantly (initial CCTA database 15 of 70 [21.4%]) and FADB 9 of 75 [12%]; p = 0.13). CONCLUSION: We were able to increase conformity to the inclusion/exclusion criteria and CCTA protocol, improve image quality and decrease the CCTA NDX rate by implementing EU CCTA quality criteria and ICA recommendations. KEY POINTS: • Failure to meet protocol adherence in cardiac CTA was high in the pilot study (77.6%). • Image quality varies between sites and can be improved by feedback given by the core lab. • Conformance with new EU cardiac CT quality criteria might render cardiac CTA findings more consistent and comparable.

Impact of the 2014 International Society of Urological Pathology Grading System on Concept of High-Risk Prostate Cancer: Comparison of Long-Term Oncological Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Radical Prostatectomy.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the new International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grading system, biochemical recurrence (BCR), clinical progression (CP) and cancer related death (CRD) after open radical prostatectomy (RP) and determine whether the 2014 ISUP grading system influences the concept of high-risk prostate cancer (HRPCa). Patients and Methods: A total of 1,754 men who underwent RP from 2005 to 2017 were identified from a database at a single tertiary institution. Histopathology reports were reassessed according to the 2014 ISUP grading system. All preoperative, pathological, and clinical follow-up data were obtained. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression, Kaplan-Meier and log-rank analyses were performed. Results: At a median (quartiles) follow-up of 83 (48-123) months, 446 men (25.4%) had BCR, 77 (4.4%) had CP and 39 (2.2%) died from cancer. Grade groups 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 were detected in 404 (23%), 931 (53.1%), 200 (11.4%), 93 (5.3%), and 126 (7.2%), respectively. 10-year biochemical progression free survival difference between Grade group 3 and 4 was minor but significant (log-rank p = 0.045). There was no difference between Grade groups 3 and 4 comparing 10-year clinical progression free and 10-year cancer specific survival: p = 0.82 and p = 0.39, respectively. Group 5 had the worst survival rates in comparison with other groups (from p < 0.005 to p < 0.0001) in all survival analyses. Pathological stage (hazard ratio (HR) 2.6, p < 0.001), positive surgical margins (HR 2.2, p < 0.0001) and Grade group (HR 10.4, p < 0.0001) were independent predictors for BCR. Stage and Grade group were detected as independent predictors for CP-HR 6.0, p < 0.0001 and HR 35.6, p < 0.0001, respectively. Only Grade group 5 (HR 12.9, p = 0.001) and pT3b (HR 5.9, p = 0.001) independently predicted CRD. Conclusions: The new ISUP 2014 grading system is the most significant independent predictor for BCR, CP, and CRD. Grade group 3 and 4 had similar long-term disease progression survival rates and could potentially be stratified in the same risk group. High-risk cancer associated only with group 5.

Lemann Index for Assessment of Crohn's Disease: Correlation with the Quality of Life, Endoscopic Disease Activity, Magnetic Resonance Index of Activity and C- Reactive Protein.

AIM: Crohn's disease (CD) is characterized by continuing inflammation and progressive gut damage. Despite many scoring indices of CD, there is a lack of more global assessment tools for the evaluation of the total disease impact on the gut. METHODS: Fift y-three adult patients with proven CD underwent magnetic resonance enterocolonography (MR-EC), colonoscopy, and clinical activity assessment, including CRP. Quality of life was assessed using IBDQ. MR-EC was used to evaluate the Magnetic Resonance Index of Activity (MaRIA- global (G)) and the Lemann Index (LI). The CD Endoscopic Index of Severity (CDEIS) was used to score the endoscopic activity of the disease. RESULTS: A signifi cant correlation between the LI and IBDQ was found (r=-0.812, P<0.01). LI and MaRIA-G correlated moderately, while the LI did not correlate significantly with CRP and CDEIS. For the detection of endoscopically active CD, MaRIA-G was more sensitive and specific (83.3%; 73.3%) compared to the LI (66.7%; 60.0%). There was a moderate correlation between CRP and MaRIA-G, as well as CRP and CDEIS (r=0.496; r=0.527,<0.01). CONCLUSION: A signifi cant negative correlation between the LI and quality of life, measured by IBDQ, was found in our study, suggesting that the LI could resemble more global features of the disease, besides inflammatory activity of the gut.

CT- and MRI-Based Assessment of Body Composition and Pancreatic Fibrosis Reveals High Incidence of Clinically Significant Metabolic Changes That Affect the Quality of Life and Treatment Outcomes of Patients with Chronic Pancreatitis and Pancreatic Cancer.

Background and Objectives: Both chronic pancreatitis (CP) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) may lead to cachexia, sarcopenia, and osteoporosis due to different mechanisms. Neither patient gender, age, nor body weight are good predictors of these metabolic changes having a significant negative impact on the quality of life (QOL) and treatment outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate radiological changes in body composition and to compare them with manifestations of exocrine and endocrine pancreatic insufficiency, body mass, and QOL among patients with CP and PDAC. Materials and Methods: Prospectively collected data of 100 patients with diagnosed CP or PDAC were used for analysis. All patients underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) was used to assess QOL. Diabetes and changes in fecal elastase-1 were also assessed. Results: There was no significant difference in skeletal muscle mass (SMM) among patients with CP and PDAC (p = 0.85). Significantly more underweight patients had low SMM (p = 0.002). Patients with CP had more pronounced pancreatic fibrosis (PF) (p < 0.001). Data showed a significant relationship between a high degree of PF and occurrence of diabetes (p = 0.006) and low fecal elastase-1 levels (p = 0.013). A statistically significant lower QOL was determined in patients with PF ≥ 50% and in the CP group. Conclusions: Sarcopenia and osteoporosis/osteopenia are highly prevalent among patients with chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer, and CT- and MRI-based assessment of body composition and pancreatic fibrosis could be a potentially useful tool for routine detection of these significant metabolic changes.

Amphotericin B Penetrates into the Central Nervous System Through Focal Disruption of the Blood Brain Barrier in Experimental Hematogenous Candida Meningoencephalitis.

Hematogenous Candida meningoencephalitis (HCME) is a life-threatening complication of neonates and immunocompromised children. Amphotericin B (AmB) shows poor permeability and low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations, but is effective in treatment of HCME. In order to better understand the mechanism of CNS penetration of AmB, we hypothesized that AmB may achieve focally higher concentrations in infected CNS lesions. An in vitro BBB model was serially infected with C. albicans. Liposomal AmB (LAMB) or deoxycholate AmB (DAMB) at 5 µg/ml were then provided, vascular and CNS compartments were sampled 4h later. For in vivo correlation, rabbits with experimental HCME received a single dose of DAMB 1 mg/kg or LAMB 5 mg/kg, and were euthanized after 1, 3, 6 and 24h. Evans blue solution (2%) 2 ml/kg administered IV one hour prior to euthanasia stained infected regions of tissue but not histologically normal areas. AmB concentrations in stained and unstained tissue regions were measured using UPLC. For selected rabbits, MRI scans performed on days 1-7 postinoculation were acquired before and after IV bolus Gd-DTPA at 15min intervals through 2h post-injection. The greatest degree of penetration of DAMB and LAMB through the in vitro BBB occurred after 24h of exposure (P=0.0022). In vivo the concentrations of LAMB and DAMB in brain abscesses were 4.35±0.59 and 3.14±0.89-times higher vs. normal tissue (P≤0.019). MRI scans demonstrated that Gd-DTPA accumulated in infected areas with disrupted BBB. Localized BBB disruption in HCME allows high concentrations of AmB within infected tissues, despite the presence of low CSF concentrations.

Prognostic Value of Left Ventricular Function and Mechanics in Pulmonary Hypertension: A Pilot Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking Study.

Background and objective: Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) - based feature tracking (FT) can detect left ventricular (LV) strain abnormalities in pulmonary hypertension (PH) patients, but little is known about the prognostic value of LV function and mechanics in PH patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate LV systolic function by conventional CMR and LV global strains by CMR-based FT analysis in precapillary PH patients, thereby defining the prognostic value of LV function and mechanics. Methods: We prospectively enrolled 43 patients with precapillary PH (mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) 55.91 ± 15.87 mmHg, pulmonary arterial wedge pressure (PAWP) ≤15 mmHg) referred to CMR for PH evaluation. Using FT software, the LV global longitudinal strain (GLS) and global circumferential strain (GCS), also right ventricular (RV) GLS were analyzed. Results: Patients were classified into two groups according to survival (survival/non-survival). LV GLS was significantly reduced in the non-survival group (-12.4% [-19.0⁻(-7.8)] vs. -18.4% [-22.5⁻(-15.5)], p = 0.009). By ROC curve analysis, LV GLS > -14.2% (CI: 3.229 to 37.301, p < 0.001) was found to be robust predictor of mortality in PH patients. Univariable analysis using the Cox model showed that severely reduced LV GLS > -14.2%, with good sensitivity (77.8%) and high specificity (93.5%) indicated an increase of the risk of death by 11-fold. LV GLS significantly correlated in PH patients with RV ESVI (r = 0.322, p = 0.035), RV EF (r = 0.444, p < 0.003). Conclusions: LV systolic function and LV global longitudinal strain measurements using CMR-FT correlates with RV dysfunction and is associated with poor clinical outcomes in precapillary PH patients.

Comparison of segmented thermal images versus a CT scanning for detection of maxillofacial pathology.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate thermal images (TIs) by using an algorithm for optimized region of interest (ROI) and image segmentation, in order to find zones of the facial skin surface with asymmetrical temperature, and to test consistency with CT findings, to detect maxillofacial pathologies (i.e. tumours). METHODS: The following steps for the TI evaluation were applied: data acquisition/pre-processing of frontal face and mouth projection, detection of face and mouth external contour, finding face and mouth symmetry axis, calculation of differences in average and maximal temperatures between left and right face and mouth sides, image segmentation of the selected ROI, and evaluation of diagnostic accuracy by comparing the TI results with CT findings. RESULTS: In healthy subjects, the average temperature difference between left/right sides of facial and mouth ROI was negligible (0.02 ± 0.21 °C and 0.05 ± 0.19 °C, respectively; n = 23). In the presence of tumour, the average temperature difference was higher in corresponding TIs (0.47 ± 0.1 °C and 0.66 ± 0.1 °C, for facial and mouth ROI, respectively; n = 19, p < 0.05). For large tumours, thermal asymmetry in the corresponding TI is easily detected, and image segmentation is optional for finding the affected zone. For small or deeply localized tumours, segmentation of the mouth cavity of the ROI was required for the detection of hot and cold spots. CONCLUSIONS: Asymmetrical temperature zones and their location as detected from thermal images coincide well with the presence and localization of maxillofacial pathologies (i.e. tumours) established by CT. However, accurate information could often be obtained only after application of image segmentation algorithm to the selected ROI.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging as a Valid Noninvasive Tool for the Assessment of Pancreatic Fibrosis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the noninvasive assessment of pancreatic fibrosis (PF). METHODS: Fifty-two patients who underwent surgical resection of the pancreas, histological examination of resection margins, preoperative abdominal MRI, and fecal elastase-1 test were enrolled in the study. Pancreatic tissue was identified on the MRI T1-, T2-, and diffusion-weighted imaging sequences. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) was measured at the expected resection margin of the pancreas. RESULTS: There was a significant negative correlation between the ADC mean and histologically determined PF (r = -0.752, P = 0.001). For equal to or greater than 25% of PF, the ADC cutoff value was 1.331 or less, with a sensitivity of 77% and specificity of 88%. The unenhanced T1-weighted signal intensity ratio (T1SI) cutoff value was 172.1 or less. For equal to or greater than 50% of PF, the ADC cutoff value was 1.316 or less with a sensitivity of 85% and specificity of 88%. The highest sensitivity was obtained by combining ADC and T1SI values. CONCLUSIONS: Combining both the ADC and T1SI measurement allows the detection of early PF with good sensitivity and specificity. Magnetic resonance imaging has the advantage of being noninvasive and widely used in the clinical setting, thus making our results easily transferable to routine clinical practice.

Assessment of radiographers' competences from the perspectives of radiographers and radiologists: a cross-sectional survey in Lithuania.

BACKGROUND: Assessing radiographers' clinical competence is of major importance in all medical imaging departments, and is a fundamental prerequisite for guaranteeing professional standards in both nursing care and radiography. Despite the fact that self-assessment has been reported to be the most common form of competence evaluation only several studies defining the radiographers' self-assessment of clinical competencies were identified. The aim of the study was to evaluate radiographers' professional competence from the perspectives of radiographers and radiologists by applying the Radiographers' Competence Scale (RCS). METHODS: The study was conducted in university hospitals of Lithuania. We used the original instrument designed by Swedish researchers - the Radiographers' Competence Scale (RCS) consisting of two domains: A "Nurse-initiated care" and B "Technical and radiographic processes". The study involved in all 397 respondents; radiographers (250) and radiologists (147) working in departments of diagnostic radiology. Each competence was evaluated twice - the level on a 10-point scale, and the frequency of practical application on a 6-point scale. RESULTS: The overall level of the radiographers' competence and the frequency of its use in practice were evaluated high or very high by both respondent groups. The radiographers attributed the highest evaluations to such competences as "Encouraging and supporting the patient" and "Collaborating with other radiographers", while the lowest evaluations were attributed to "Guiding the patient's relatives" and "Empowering the patient by involving him/her in the examination and treatment" competences. The radiologists attributed the highest evaluations to such competences as "Collaborating with radiologists" and "Independent carrying out of the radiologist's prescriptions", while the lowest evaluations - to the same competences as the radiographers did. Irrespectively of the work experience and age, the radiographers gave significantly higher ratings to all competences that the radiologists did (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Both groups of the respondents attributed high or very high evaluations to the competences in both the "Nurse-initiated care" and the "Technical and radiographic processes" domains.

The value of ultrasonography and Doppler sonography in prognosticating long-term outcomes among full-term newborns with perinatal asphyxia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the correlation of hypoxic-ischemic (HI) brain injury in full-term neonates detected via ultrasonography (USG) and blood flow parameters evaluated via Doppler sonography (DS) with long-term outcomes of mental and neuromotor development at the age of 1-year. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 125 full-term neonates (78 subjects of case group and 47 subjects of control group) were studied. During the first five days of life, the subjects daily underwent cerebral USG and DS. At the age of 1-year the neuromotor condition and mental development was evaluated. RESULTS: The HI injury groups detected during USG significantly correlated with the mental development groups (r=0.3; P=0.01) and the neurological evaluation groups (r=0.3; P<0.001). In the presence of brain swelling (edema) and thalamus and/or basal ganglia (E/T/BG) injury, USG demonstrated high accuracy values when prognosticating spastic quadriparesis and severe mental development impairment in 1-year-old subjects: sensitivity - 100%, specificity - 93-100%, positive predictive value (PPV) - 60-100%, and NPV - 100%. In subjects with spastic quadriparesis, mean end-diastolic velocity (Vd) values were significantly higher (P≤0.05), and mean resistive index (RI) values were significantly lower (P<0.05) than those in subjects with normal neuromotor development. In subjects with severe mental retardation, mean Vd values in ACA were statistically significantly higher, and mean RI values in ACA and ACM were statistically significantly lower than those in subjects with normal mental development. CONCLUSIONS: Hypoxic-ischemic brain changes detected during ultrasonography and cerebral blood flow parameters associated with long-term outcomes of mental and neuromotor development at the age of 1-year.