Fundamentals of Radiation Oncology for Treatment of Vertebral Metastases.

The fields of both radiology and radiation oncology have evolved considerably in the past few decades, resulting in an increased ability to delineate between tumor and normal tissue to precisely target and treat vertebral metastases with radiation therapy. These scientific advances have also led to improvements in assessing treatment response and diagnosing toxic effects related to radiation treatment. However, despite technological innovations yielding greatly improved rates of palliative relief and local control of osseous spinal metastases, radiation therapy can still lead to a number of acute and delayed posttreatment complications. Treatment-related adverse effects may include pain flare, esophageal toxic effects, dermatitis, vertebral compression fracture, radiation myelopathy, and myositis, among others. The authors provide an overview of the multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of spinal metastases, indications for surgical management versus radiation therapy, various radiation technologies and techniques (along with their applications for spinal metastases), and current principles of treatment planning for conventional and stereotactic radiation treatment. Different radiologic criteria for assessment of treatment response, recent advances in radiologic imaging, and both common and rare complications related to spinal irradiation are also discussed, along with the imaging characteristics of various adverse effects. Familiarity with these topics will not only assist the diagnostic radiologist in assessing treatment response and diagnosing treatment-related complications but will also allow more effective collaboration between diagnostic radiologists and radiation oncologists to guide management decisions and ensure high-quality patient care. ©RSNA, 2021.

The Challenges of Augmentation Mastopexy in the Massive Weight Loss Patient: Technical Considerations.

BACKGROUND: Augmentation mastopexy in the massive weight loss population is challenging because of poor skin elasticity and lack of inframammary support. Despite several large studies of augmentation mastopexy in the literature, few data exist regarding this unique patient population. The authors examine early postoperative ptosis, implant malposition, and strategies to optimize outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective review of massive weight loss patients who underwent augmentation mastopexy from 2003 to 2011 was performed to record age, body mass index, implant characteristics, postoperative ptosis, and implant malposition. RESULTS: Thirty patients were identified with a mean age of 44.8 ± 8.5 years, mean current body mass index of 26.1 ± 3.9 kg/m, and mean follow-up time of 283.5 days (range, 7 to 1095 days). Preoperatively, patients mostly presented with grade 3 ptosis (63.3 percent). Five patients (16.7 percent) developed postoperative ptosis within the first 3 months after surgery, with no increase after this time. Implant malposition increased significantly with time: 61.9 percent by 12 months (p = 0.006), with a median time for implant malposition of 160 days. Postoperative ptosis was significantly related to age (p = 0.039) and a larger left-side implant (p = 0.022). Implant malposition was significantly related to higher current body mass index (p = 0.047), but not to implant size. Two patients (6.6 percent) underwent revision procedures. CONCLUSION: Massive weight loss patients have an increased risk of early postoperative ptosis or implant malposition, reinforcing the need for appropriate preoperative counseling to manage patient expectations. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

Characteristics and Outcomes of Blood Product Transfusion During Critical Care Transport.

BACKGROUND: Civilian out-of-hospital transfusions have not been adequately studied. This study seeks to characterize patients receiving out-of-hospital blood product transfusion during critical care transport. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We studied patients transported by a regional critical care air-medical service who received blood products during transport. This service carries two units of uncrossmatched packed Red Blood Cells (pRBCs) on every transport in addition to blood obtained from referring facilities. The pRBC are administered according to a protocol for the treatment of hemorrhagic shock or based on medical command physician order. Transfusion amount was categorized into three groups based on the volume transfused (<350 mL, 350-700 mL, >700 mL). The association between prehospital transfusion and in-hospital outcomes (mortality, subsequent blood transfusion and emergent surgery) was estimated using logistic regression models, controlling for age, first systolic blood pressure, first heart rate, Glasgow Coma Score, time of transfer, and length of hospital admission. RESULTS: Among the 1,440 critical care transports with transfusions examined, 81% were for medical patients, being gastrointestinal hemorrhage the most common indication (26%, CI 24-28%). pRBC transfusions were associated with emergent surgery (OR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.31-2.52) and in-hospital transfusions (OR = 2.00, 95% CI = 1.46-2.76). Those with transfusions >700 mL were associated with emergent surgery (OR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.10-2.92) and mortality (OR = 2.11; 95% CI = 1.21-3.69). CONCLUSIONS: In this sample, the majority of patients receiving blood products during air-medical transport were transfused for medic conditions; gastrointestinal hemorrhage was the most common chief complaint. The pRBC transfusions were associated with emergent surgery and in-hospital transfusion. Transfusions of >700 mL were associated with mortality.

MDCT of endoleaks following endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Endovascular aneurysm repair has been used to repair abdominal aortic aneurysms but necessitates surveillance to diagnose the delayed possibility of endoleak formation. Multi-detector computer tomography (MDCT) of the abdomen is one imaging technique used to diagnose enlargement of the aneurysm sac that may be indicative of endoleaks. MDCT has a role in identifying the initial endoleak formation and providing signs suggestive of the specific endoleak subtype; thus it is necessary for radiologists to be familiar with the findings of endoleak seen on MDCT. In this pictorial review, we explore the various types of endoleaks and their appearance on MDCT.

Lower body lift after massive weight loss: autoaugmentation versus no augmentation.

BACKGROUND: Lower body lift procedures have increased in popularity to treat massive weight loss patients with redundant tissues of the buttocks. To date, no studies have specifically compared outcomes related to autoaugmentation versus no augmentation, complications, or patient satisfaction between these groups. METHODS: A retrospective review of 97 patients was performed to examine age, body mass index, length of stay, and complications. Patient satisfaction was assessed with a phone survey, and a blinded physician survey was used to assess aesthetics. RESULTS: Forty-two patients underwent autoaugmentation and 55 did not. The mean age of the patients was 46.1 years in the augmented group and 47.3 years in the nonaugmented group (p = 0.55); mean maximum body mass index was 52.1 versus 50.6 kg/m2, respectively (p = 0.42); mean current body mass index was 29.1 versus 27.7 kg/m2, respectively (p = 0.10); and mean change in body mass index was 23.1 versus 22.7 kg/m2, respectively (p = 0.81). Eighteen augmented patients (42.5 percent) had complications postoperatively compared with 11 nonaugmented patients (20 percent) (p = 0.012). Both groups would undergo the same procedure again and recommend it to a friend. Physicians repeatedly rated aesthetics of augmented buttocks higher than of nonaugmented buttocks (p ≤ 0.032). CONCLUSIONS: Autoaugmentation in lower body lift procedures has a higher rate of complications, primarily because of dehiscence. Despite physicians rating aesthetics higher for autoaugmented patients, patient satisfaction is similar between the groups; thus, fully informed patients should be able to decide between procedures. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.

Tuberculous peritonitis.

Tuberculous peritonitis is a serious condition with rising prevalence in recent years. It is especially common in those patients with risk factors such as an immunocompromised state, chronic kidney disease, or cirrhosis/liver disease. Spread is typically hematogenous from pulmonary foci. We report on a 34-year-old man who presented with initial complaints of cough, low-grade fevers, abdominal pain, and nausea/vomiting. Chest x-ray showed a cluster of nodular opacities on the right upper lobe, and a CT scan showed diffuse thickening and nodularity of the omentum with prominent mesenteric lymph nodes, consistent with tuberculous peritonitis.

Bilateral lower-extremity numbness and ataxia in a young female runner.

Inferior vena cava (IVC) absence is thought to have either embryologic or developmental etiologies, depending on the degree of absence. Entire absence of the IVC is thought to be due to embryologic insult, whereas recent studies propose that infrarenal IVC absence is developmental, secondary to perinatal thrombosis. Here we report on an adolescent woman with infrarenal absence of IVC and common iliac veins. Clinically, she presented with bilateral lower-extremity numbness and ataxia following strenuous exercise (running > 1 mile). Symptoms resolved with 30 seconds of rest. Radiographically, MRI revealed extensive collateral vasculature that had developed within the paravertebral soft tissues and epidural space of the spinal canal; these collaterals coursed through the neural foramina and caused moderate stenosis at L4/5 and L5/S1.