Multimodality imaging findings of infected endometriomas: "T1 signal reversal" as a potential diagnostic sign?

Endometrioma superinfection is a rare clinical entity that may cause diagnostic confusion and can be complicated by rupture, peritonitis, sepsis, and even death. Therefore, early diagnosis is crucial for appropriate patient management. Since clinical findings can be mild or nonspecific, radiological imaging is frequently used for diagnostic purposes. From a radiological perspective, it can be challenging to distinguish the presence of infection in an endometrioma. Complex cyst structure, wall thickening, increased peripheral vascularization, nondependent air bubbles, and surrounding inflammatory changes have been reported as potential US and CT findings suggestive of superinfection. On the other hand, there is a gap in the literature regarding MRI findings. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report in the literature to discuss MRI findings and temporal evolution of infected endometriomas. In this case report, we aim to present a patient with bilateral infected endometriomas at different stages, and to discuss the multimodality imaging findings, focusing specifically on the MRI. We defined 2 new MRI findings that may indicate the presence of superinfection in the early period. The first one was the "T1 signal reversal" seen in bilateral endometriomas. The second one, "progressive disappearance of T2 shading," was observed only in the right-sided lesion. These nonenhancing signal changes accompanied by increased lesion sizes during MRI follow-up were thought to represent a transition from blood to pus, and the percutaneous drainage of the right-sided endometrioma microbiologically confirmed our suspicion. In conclusion, MRI can be helpful in the early diagnosis of infected endometrioma due to its high soft tissue resolution. Percutaneous treatment may contribute to patient management as an alternative to surgical drainage.

Correlation of brain segmental volume changes with clinical parameters: a longitudinal study in multiple sclerosis patients.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the cranial volume differences from 15 different parts in the follow-up of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients and correlate them with clinical parameters. METHODS: Forty-seven patients with RRMS were included in the study. Patients were grouped into two categories; low Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) (< 3; group 1), and moderate-high EDSS (≥ 3; group 2). Patients were evaluated with Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA), Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and calculated Annualized Relapse Rate (ARR) scores. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed with a 1.5T MRI device (Magnetom AERA, Siemens, Erlangen, Germany) twice in a 1-year period. Volumetric analysis was performed by a free, automated, online MRI brain volumetry software. The differences in volumetric values between the two MRI scans were calculated and correlated with the demographic and clinical parameters of the patients. RESULTS: The number of attacks, disease duration, BDI, and FSS scores were higher in group 2; SDMT was higher in group 1. As expected, volumetric analyses have shown volume loss in total cerebral white matter in follow-up patients (p < 0.001). In addition, putaminal volume loss was related to a higher number of attacks. Besides, a negative relation between FSS with total amygdala volumes, a link between atrophy of globus pallidus and ARR, and BDI scores was found with the aid of network analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Apart from a visual demonstration of volume loss, cranial MRI with volumetric analysis has a great potential for revealing covert links between segmental volume changes and clinical parameters.

OBJETIVO: Medir as diferenças de dominância craniana de 15 regiões diferentes no seguimento de pacientes com esclerose múltipla recorrente-remitente (EMRR) e correlacioná-las com parâmetros clínicos. MéTODOS: Quarenta e sete pacientes com EMRR foram incluídos no estudo. Os pacientes foram agrupados em duas categorias; EDSS baixo (< 3; grupo 1) e EDSS médio-alto (≥ 3; grupo 2). Os pacientes foram avaliados com o Inventário de Depressão de Beck (BDI, na sigla em inglês), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA, na sigla em inglês), Symbol Digit Modality Tests (SDMT, na sigla em inglês), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS, na sigla em inglês) e taxa de ataque anual (ARR, na sigla em inglês). Duas ressonâncias magnéticas (RMs) foram feitas em um ano com um aparelho de imagem de 1,5 T MR (Magnetom AERA, Siemens, Erlangen, Alemanha). A análise de volume foi realizada com um software de medição mestre cerebral de RM gratuito e automatizado. As diferenças volumétricas entre os dois exames de RM foram calculadas e correlacionadas com os parâmetros demográficos e clínicos dos pacientes. RESULTADOS: Número de crises, duração da doença, escores BDI e FSS foram mais elevados no grupo 2; as pontuações do SDMT foram maiores no grupo 1. Como esperado, as análises volumétricas mostraram perda total de volume de substância branca no seguimento (p < 0,001). Além disso, a perda da dominância putaminal foi associada ao maior número de ataques. Além disso, uma relação negativa entre FSS e volume total da amígdala, e uma correlação entre ARR e BDI e atrofia do globo pálido foi determinada com a ajuda da análise de rede. CONCLUSõES: Além da demonstração visual da perda de volume, a RM com análise volumétrica tem grande potencial para revelar alterações segmentares dominantes e conexões ocultas entre parâmetros clínicos.

Correlation of brain segmental volume changes with clinical parameters: a longitudinal study in multiple sclerosis patients / Correlação das alterações do volume segmentar cerebral com parâmetros clínicos: um estudo longitudinal em pacientes com esclerose múltipla

Abstract Objective To measure the cranial volume differences from 15 different parts in the follow-up of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients and correlate them with clinical parameters. Methods Forty-seven patients with RRMS were included in the study. Patients were grouped into two categories; low Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) (< 3; group 1), and moderate-high EDSS (≥ 3; group 2). Patients were evaluated with Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA), Symbol Digit Modalities Test(SDMT), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and calculated Annualized Relapse Rate (ARR) scores. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed with a 1.5T MRI device (Magnetom AERA, Siemens, Erlangen, Germany) twice in a 1-year period. Volumetric analysis was performed by a free, automated, online MRI brain volumetry software. The differences in volumetric values between the two MRI scans were calculated and correlated with the demographic and clinical parameters of the patients. Results The number of attacks, disease duration, BDI, and FSS scores were higher in group 2; SDMT was higher in group 1. As expected, volumetric analyses have shown volume loss in total cerebral white matter in follow-up patients (p < 0.001). In addition, putaminal volume loss was related to a higher number of attacks. Besides, a negative relation between FSS with total amygdala volumes, a link between atrophy of globus pallidus and ARR, and BDI scores was found with the aid of network analysis. Conclusions Apart from a visual demonstration of volume loss, cranial MRI with volumetric analysis has a great potential for revealing covert links between segmental volume changes and clinical parameters.

Resumo Objetivo Medir as diferenças de dominância craniana de 15 regiões diferentes no seguimento de pacientes com esclerose múltipla recorrente-remitente (EMRR) e correlacioná-las com parâmetros clínicos. Métodos Quarenta e sete pacientes com EMRR foram incluídos no estudo. Os pacientes foram agrupados em duas categorias; EDSS baixo (< 3; grupo 1) e EDSS médio-alto (≥ 3; grupo 2). Os pacientes foram avaliados com o Inventário de Depressão de Beck (BDI, na sigla em inglês), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA, na sigla em inglês), Symbol Digit Modality Tests (SDMT, na sigla em inglês), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS, na sigla em inglês) e taxa de ataque anual (ARR, na sigla em inglês). Duas ressonâncias magnéticas (RMs) foram feitas em um ano com um aparelho de imagem de 1,5 T MR (Magnetom AERA, Siemens, Erlangen, Alemanha). A análise de volume foi realizada com um software de medição mestre cerebral de RM gratuito e automatizado. As diferenças volumétricas entre os dois exames de RM foram calculadas e correlacionadas com os parâmetros demográficos e clínicos dos pacientes. Resultados Número de crises, duração da doença, escores BDI e FSS foram mais elevados no grupo 2; as pontuações do SDMT foram maiores no grupo 1. Como esperado, as análises volumétricas mostraram perda total de volume de substância branca no seguimento (p < 0,001). Além disso, a perda da dominância putaminal foi associada ao maior número de ataques. Além disso, uma relação negativa entre FSS e volume total da amígdala, e uma correlação entre ARR e BDI e atrofia do globo pálido foi determinada com a ajuda da análise de rede. Conclusões Além da demonstração visual da perda de volume, a RM com análise volumétrica tem grande potencial para revelar alterações segmentares dominantes e conexões ocultas entre parâmetros clínicos.

The Importance of the Pathological Perspective in the Management of the Invasive Lobular Carcinoma.

Background: Invasive lobular carcinomas (ILC) account for 10-15% of all breast cancers and are the second most common histological form of breast cancer. They usually show a discohesive pattern of single cell infiltration, tend to be multifocal, and the tumor may not be accompanied by a stromal reaction. Because of these histological features, which are not common in other breast tumors, radiological detection of the tumor may be difficult, and its pathological evaluation in terms of size and spread is often problematic. The SSO-ASTRO guideline defines the negative surgical margin in breast-conserving surgeries as the absence of tumor detection on the ink. However, surgical margin assessment in invasive lobular carcinomas has not been much discussed from the pathological perspective. Methods: The study included 79 cases diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma by a Tru-cut biopsy where operated in our center between 2014 and 2021. Clinicopathological characteristics of the cases, results of an intraoperative frozen evaluation in cases that underwent conservative surgery, the necessity of re-excision and complementary mastectomy, and consistency in radiological and pathological response evaluation in cases receiving neoadjuvant treatment were questioned. Results: The tumor was multifocal in 37 (46.8%) cases and single tumor focus in 42 (53.2%) cases. When the entire patient population was evaluated, regardless of focality, mastectomy was performed in 27 patients (34.2%) and breast-conserving surgery (BCS) was performed in 52 patients (65.8%). Of the 52 patients who underwent BCS, 26 (50%) required an additional surgical procedure (cavity revision or completion mastectomy). There is a statistical relationship between tumor size and additional surgical intervention (p < 0.05). BCS was performed in 7 of 12 patients who were operated on after neoadjuvant treatment, but all of them were reoperated with the same or a second session and turned to mastectomy. Neoadjuvant treatment and the need for reoperation were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Additional surgical procedures were performed in 20 (44.4%) of 45 patients in BCS cases who did not receive neoadjuvant therapy. Conclusions: Diagnostic difficulties in the intraoperative frozen evaluation of invasive lobular carcinoma are due to the different histopathological patterns of the ILC. In our study, it was determined that large tumor size and neoadjuvant therapy increased the need for additional surgical procedures. It is thought that the pathological perspective is the determining factor in order to minimize the negative effects such as unsuccessful cosmesis, an additional surgical burden on the patient, and cost increase that may occur with additional surgical procedures; for this reason, new approaches should be discussed in the treatment planning of invasive lobular carcinoma cases.

Comparison of diagnostic accuracy of ACR-TIRADS, American Thyroid Association (ATA), and EU-TIRADS guidelines in detecting thyroid malignancy.

PURPOSE: This study aims to compare three guidelines according to their diagnostic accuracy in the management of thyroid nodules. METHODS: A total of 540 patients with 597 thyroid nodules were enrolled in this study. Sonographic images were classified and scored with the American Thyroid Association (ATA-2015), American College of Radiology (ACR), and European Thyroid Association (EU) Thyroid Imaging, Reporting, and Data Systems (ACR-TIRADS and EU-TIRADS) guidelines. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) was performed, and cytopathological results were reported with the Bethesda system. Outcomes of these three classification systems were then correlated with Bethesda results. RESULTS: FNAB procedures revealed a total of 447 benign and 45 malignant nodules. With guideline dedicated FNAB criteria; 38 malignant nodules could have been diagnosed with ATA-2015, which is followed by 34 nodules with ACR-TIRADS, and 31 nodules with EU-TIRADS. Nonetheless, 301 benign nodules would have been biopsied with ATA-2015, 143 benign nodules with ACR-TIRADS, 222 benign nodules with EU-TIRADS. The accuracy rate was found to be highest with ACR-TIRADS (59.93 %); while 55.20 % with ATA-2015 and 51.25 % with EU-TIRADS. The sensitivity and specificity ratios of these guidelines were as follows; ATA-2015 (82.22, 53.47), ACR-TIRADS (48.89, 60.63), and EU-TIRADS (86.67, 48.99). A total of 23 nodules (3.8 %) could not be classified with ATA-2015. CONCLUSION: Diagnostic strengths, unnecessary recommended FNAB rates, and categorization capabilities differ among various guidelines. Clinicians and interventional radiologists should keep in mind these features in the management of thyroid nodules.