ABSTRACT
Background Recent guidelines have emphasized the use of medical management, early diagnosis, and a multidisciplinary team to effectively treat patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI). Previous literature briefly highlighted the current racial disparities in its intervention. Herein, we analyze the trend over a 14-year time period to investigate whether the disparities gap in CLI management is closing. Methods and Results The National Inpatient Sample was queried between 2005 and 2018 for hospitalizations involving CLI. Nontraumatic amputations and revascularization were identified. Utilization trends of these procedures were compared between races (White, Black, Hispanic, Asian and Pacific Islander, Native American, and Other). Multivariable regression assessed differences in race regarding procedure usage. There were 6 904 562 admissions involving CLI in the 14-year study period. The rate of admissions in White patients who received any revascularization decreased by 0.23% (P<0.001) and decreased by 0.25% (P=0.025) for Asian and Pacific Islander patients. Among all patients, the annual rate of admission in White patients who received any amputation increased by 0.21% (P<0.001), increased by 0.19% (P=0.001) for Hispanic patients, and increased by 0.19% (P=0.012) for the Other race patients. Admissions involving Black, Hispanic, Asian and Pacific Islander, or Other race patients had higher odds of receiving any revascularization compared with White patients. All races had higher odds of receiving major amputation compared with White patients. Conclusions Our analysis highlights disparities in CLI treatment in our nationally representative sample. Non-White patients are more likely to receive invasive treatments, including major amputations and revascularization for CLI, compared with White patients.
Subject(s)
Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia , Healthcare Disparities , Humans , Amputation, Surgical , Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia/ethnology , Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia/surgery , Inpatients , Racial Groups , EthnicityABSTRACT
Video 1Endoscopic approach for management of dropped gallstones using percutaneous cholangioscopy.
ABSTRACT
Telehealth enables the remote delivery of health care through telecommunication technologies and has substantially affected the evolving medical landscape. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the utilization of telehealth as health care professionals were forced to limit face-to-face in-person visits. It has been shown that information delivery, diagnosis, disease monitoring, and follow-up care can be conducted remotely, resulting in considerable changes specific to cardiovascular disease management. Despite increasing telehealth utilization, several factors such as technological infrastructure, reimbursement, and limited patient digital literacy can hinder the adoption of remote care. This scientific statement reviews definitions pertinent to telehealth discussions, summarizes the effect of telehealth utilization on cardiovascular and peripheral vascular disease care, and identifies obstacles to the adoption of telehealth that need to be addressed to improve health care accessibility and equity.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Cardiovascular Diseases , Telemedicine , United States , Humans , American Heart Association , Pandemics , Telemedicine/methodsABSTRACT
PURPOSE Fibrin sheaths are a significant cause of dialysis catheter dysfunction. This study aimed to determine the role of anticoagulation, antiplatelet medications, and other factors in delaying fibrin sheath formation. METHODS An institutional review board-approved retrospective review of all patients treated for tunneled dialysis catheter fibrin sheaths from January 2014 to January 2020 was undertaken. All catheters were symmetric tipped, 14.5 F in diameter, and placed via the internal jugular vein. Seventy patients with venographically confirmed fibrin sheaths that developed after de novo catheter placement were identified. Recurrent fibrin sheaths were excluded. The impact of anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy, as well as statin therapy, catheter side (right or left), hematocrit, platelet count, prothrombin time (PT), and international normalized ratio (INR), on the time to fibrin sheath formation was determined. RESULTS Patients on anticoagulation had a longer median catheter implantation time of 109.2 days (interquartile range (IQR): 29.3-178.5 days) compared to 80.7 days (IQR: 28.0-168.6 days) among patients not on anticoagulation. Catheter dwell time among patients taking antiplatelet therapy was 86.0 days (IQR: 31.5-160.7 days) versus 74.4 days (IQR: 27.5-202.4 days) for patients not on antiplatelet medication. Patients taking statins versus those not taking statins had median catheter dwell times of 97.5 days (IQR: 27.5-138.5 days) and 62.4 days (IQR: 29.9-259.6 days), respectively. Time to fibrin sheath formation was not significantly associated with hematocrit (P =.16), platelet count (0.12), PT (P =.51), or INR (P =.74). CONCLUSION Anticoagulation has no significant benefit in delaying sheath formation in patients with tunneled dialysis catheters. Hematologic and coagulation parameters at the time of catheter placement were also not associated with catheter dwell time.
Subject(s)
Catheterization, Central Venous , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors , Humans , Renal Dialysis/adverse effects , Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Catheters, Indwelling/adverse effects , Fibrin , Retrospective Studies , Anticoagulants/therapeutic use , Catheterization, Central Venous/adverse effectsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) are occasionally placed in the great saphenous vein (GSV) and anterior accessory great saphenous vein (AAGSV) in patients with inadequate upper extremity veins or contraindications to upper extremity placement. Outcomes on the placement of PICCs in these veins are limited. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine technical success and safety of GSV/AAGSV PICCs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study that reviewed all GSV/AAGSV PICC placements between January 2011 and December 2019. A total of 29 PICC placements procedures were identified. The electronic medical record was queried for demographic, procedural, and complication data. Technical success was defined by whether the vein could be accessed and a PICC could be placed. Catheter-associated infections, dislodgement or migration, malfunction, and PICC-associated thrombosis were recorded. RESULTS: Technical success of placement was 100%. Twenty-one (72%) catheters were placed in the GSV in the mid to upper thigh and eight (28%) were placed in the AAGSV. The median PICC dwell time was 13 days with a range of 3-155 days. PICC-associated complications occurred after 11 (37.9%) placements. Line associated infection was the most common complication (17.2%). CONCLUSION: Due to a high complication rate, GSV/AAGSV PICC placement should be considered only when upper extremity or cervical PICC placement is not feasible or contraindicated.
Subject(s)
Catheterization, Central Venous , Catheterization, Peripheral , Catheterization, Central Venous/adverse effects , Catheterization, Central Venous/methods , Catheterization, Peripheral/adverse effects , Catheterization, Peripheral/methods , Catheters , Humans , Retrospective Studies , Saphenous Vein/diagnostic imagingABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To determine long-term renal function outcomes after renal cryoablation complicated by major hemorrhage requiring transarterial embolization compared to patients who underwent uncomplicated renal cryoablation without major hemorrhage. METHODS: Utilizing a matched cohort study design, retrospective review identified 23 patients who underwent percutaneous image-guided renal cryoablation complicated by major hemorrhage requiring ipsilateral transarterial embolization (TAE group) and a control group of 23 patients who underwent uncomplicated renal cryoablation matched 1:1 by age, gender and RENAL Nephrometry score at a single institution from 1/1/2005 to 12/31/2019. Primary outcome parameters included change in creatinine (mg/dl) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (ml/min/1.73 m2; eGFR) from baseline and were compared between TAE and control group using a paired t-test. RESULTS: There was a significantly higher proportion of patients on pre-ablation anticoagulation in the TAE v. control group (30% v. 4%; p = 0.047), but all patients were off anticoagulation and with normal coagulation parameters at the time of cryoablation. Otherwise there were no significant differences in clinical, renal tumor, Charlson co-morbidity index, baseline renal function or cryoablation parameters between the TAE and control group. In the post-ablation period, there was trend toward greater increase in creatinine from baseline to worst post-ablation creatinine in the TAE v. the control group (+ 0.5 ± 0.7 mg/dl v. 0.2 ± 0.1 mg/dl; p = 0.056). However, at a mean follow-up of 42.7 ± 35.7 months, there was no significant difference between the TAE and control group in creatinine (p = 0.68), eGFR (p = 0.60) or change from baseline in creatinine (p = 0.28), eGFR (p = 0.80) or CKD stage (p = 0.74). No patient required initiation of hemodialysis. CONCLUSION: Selective transarterial embolization for post-renal cryoablation hemorrhage does not significantly affect long-term renal function compared to cryoablation alone. Pre-ablation anticoagulation despite normal coagulation at time of ablation may be a risk factor for post-ablation hemorrhage, and warrants further evaluation when considering pre-ablation embolization.
Subject(s)
Cryosurgery , Kidney Neoplasms , Cohort Studies , Hemorrhage , Humans , Kidney/diagnostic imaging , Kidney/physiology , Kidney Neoplasms/surgery , Retrospective Studies , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
The hemodialysis population continues to grow. Although procedures for dialysis have existed for >60 years, significant challenges with vascular access to support hemodialysis persist. Failure of arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) to mature, loss of AVF and graft patency, thrombosis, and infection hinder long-term access, and add extra health care costs and patient morbidity. There have been numerous innovations over the last decade aimed at addressing the issues. In this study, we review the literature and summarize the recent evolution of drug delivery, graft development, minimally invasive AVF creation, and stem-cell therapy for hemodialysis access.
Subject(s)
Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical , Kidney Failure, Chronic , Health Care Costs , Humans , Kidney Failure, Chronic/therapy , Renal Dialysis/methods , Vascular PatencyABSTRACT
This study aimed to better define the safety and efficacy of transjugular renal biopsy (TJRB) based on published studies. Seventeen published articles were included (1,321 biopsies). Complications were classified as major if they resulted in blood transfusion or additional invasive procedures. All other bleeding complications were considered minor. Diagnostic tissue was obtained in 1,193 procedures (90.3%). The total incidence of bleeding complications among 15 articles with complete data was 202 of 892 procedures (22.6%): 162 (18.2%) minor and 40 (4.5 %) major. These results show that TJRB is a feasible procedure for obtaining renal tissue for diagnosis and that most complications are self-limiting.
Subject(s)
Biopsy , Kidney Diseases/pathology , Kidney/pathology , Biopsy/adverse effects , Female , Hemorrhage/epidemiology , Humans , Incidence , Male , Middle Aged , Predictive Value of Tests , Risk Assessment , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE: Primary patency is variable with arteriovenous fistulas, and many patients require angiographic procedures to obtain patency. Accordingly, we determined postintervention patency rates and contributing factors for fistula failure following intervention to establish secondary patency in non-dialysis-dependent patients with advanced chronic kidney disease following creation of an arteriovenous fistula. STUDY DESIGN: Observational study from a single referral center. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: 210 non-dialysis-dependent patients with advanced chronic kidney disease who underwent upper-extremity fistula creation for anticipated dialysis between October 1995 and January 2015 and who required subsequent endovascular therapy to establish or maintain patency were reviewed. EXPOSURE: Endovascular therapy for dialysis arteriovenous fistula primary patency failure. OUTCOMES: Postintervention patency duration following endovascular therapy. ANALYTICAL APPROACH: Descriptive study with outcomes determined using Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: Multiple fistula configurations were reviewed: 138 (65.7%) brachiocephalic, 39 (18.6%) radiocephalic, 30 (14.3%) brachiobasilic, 2 (1.0%) ulnocephalic, and 1 (0.5%) radiobasilic. There were 261 initial stenoses treated. Postintervention primary patency is defined as the time from the index intervention to repeat intervention for stenosis. Postintervention primary-assisted patency is the time from the index intervention to thrombectomy for fistula thrombosis or change in modality. Postintervention secondary patency is the time from the index intervention to fistula abandonment. Median postintervention primary patency, postintervention primary-assisted patency, and secondary patency were 2.7, 3.2, and 3.6 years, respectively. The overall 1-year primary, primary-assisted, and secondary patency rates in this cohort were 53.0%, 87.7%, and 83.5%, respectively. Compared with radiocephalic fistulas, brachiocephalic fistulas had higher risk for postintervention primary patency loss (HR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.13-3.20; P = 0.02). LIMITATIONS: Dialysis fistula revascularization techniques varied. CONCLUSIONS: The radiocephalic fistula configuration had the best postintervention primary patency in this cohort. Postintervention primary-assisted patency and secondary patency were not significantly different among different fistula configurations.
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Purpose: Task-based image quality assessment using model observers (MOs) is an effective approach to radiation dose and scanning protocol optimization in computed tomography (CT) imaging, once the correlation between MOs and radiologists can be established in well-defined clinically relevant tasks. Conventional MO studies were typically simplified to detection, classification, or localization tasks using tissue-mimicking phantoms, as traditional MOs cannot be readily used in complex anatomical background. However, anatomical variability can affect human diagnostic performance. Approach: To address this challenge, we developed a deep-learning-based MO (DL-MO) for localization tasks and validated in a lung nodule detection task, using previously validated projection-based lesion-/noise-insertion techniques. The DL-MO performance was compared with 4 radiologist readers over 12 experimental conditions, involving varying radiation dose levels, nodule sizes, nodule types, and reconstruction types. Each condition consisted of 100 trials (i.e., 30 images per trial) generated from a patient cohort of 50 cases. DL-MO was trained using small image volume-of-interests extracted across the entire volume of training cases. For each testing trial, the nodule searching of DL-MO was confined to a 3-mm thick volume to improve computational efficiency, and radiologist readers were tasked to review the entire volume. Results: A strong correlation between DL-MO and human readers was observed (Pearson's correlation coefficient: 0.980 with a 95% confidence interval of [0.924, 0.994]). The averaged performance bias between DL-MO and human readers was 0.57%. Conclusion: The experimental results indicated the potential of using the proposed DL-MO for diagnostic image quality assessment in realistic chest CT tasks.
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PURPOSE: To determine the impact of renal function trajectory, defined as the change in renal function over time before and after renal artery stent placement, on long-term risk for renal replacement therapy (RRT) and mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFRs) 6-12 months before renal artery stent placement, at the time of intervention, and 6-12 months after intervention were determined in 398 patients. The effect of eGFR change before and after renal artery stent placement was calculated. Cox proportional-hazards ratio was used to determine the risks for RRT and all-cause mortality. RESULTS: The risk for RRT was significantly influenced by eGFR change from the time of intervention to follow-up at 6-12 month after treatment (P = .02). In addition, among patients with a postintervention eGFR ≤ 40 mL/min/1.73 m2, for every 1 unit of eGFR increase, there was a significant decrease in RRT and all-cause mortality (P < .001 and P < .001, respectively). Secondary parameters that increased RRT risk included diabetes at the time of intervention (P = .03), increased baseline proteinuria (P < .001), and stage 4 or 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD; P = .01 and P = .003, respectively). Multivariate analysis demonstrated higher all-cause mortality rates among patients with diabetes at the time of intervention (P = .009). CONCLUSIONS: Postintervention eGFR trajectory improvement approaching 40 mL/min/1.73 m2 was associated with decreased RRT and mortality risk. These findings suggest that patients with advanced CKD and renal artery stenosis may benefit from revascularization regardless of their preinterventional renal function measurement.
Subject(s)
Endovascular Procedures , Glomerular Filtration Rate , Kidney/blood supply , Kidney/physiopathology , Renal Artery Obstruction/therapy , Renal Replacement Therapy , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Endovascular Procedures/adverse effects , Endovascular Procedures/instrumentation , Endovascular Procedures/mortality , Female , Humans , Male , Recovery of Function , Renal Artery Obstruction/diagnostic imaging , Renal Artery Obstruction/mortality , Renal Artery Obstruction/physiopathology , Renal Replacement Therapy/adverse effects , Renal Replacement Therapy/mortality , Retrospective Studies , Risk Assessment , Risk Factors , Stents , Time Factors , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
There are >12 million patients with peripheral artery disease in the United States. The most severe form of peripheral artery disease is critical limb ischemia (CLI). The diagnosis and management of CLI is often challenging. Ethnic differences in comorbidities and presentation of CLI exist. Compared with white patients, black and Hispanic patients have higher prevalence rates of diabetes mellitus and chronic renal disease and are more likely to present with gangrene, whereas white patients are more likely to present with ulcers and rest pain. A thorough evaluation of limb perfusion is important in the diagnosis of CLI because it can not only enable timely diagnosis but also reduce unnecessary invasive procedures in patients with adequate blood flow or among those with other causes for ulcers, including venous, neuropathic, or pressure changes. This scientific statement discusses the current tests and technologies for noninvasive assessment of limb perfusion, including the ankle-brachial index, toe-brachial index, and other perfusion technologies. In addition, limitations of the current technologies along with opportunities for improvement, research, and reducing disparities in health care for patients with CLI are discussed.
Subject(s)
Extremities/pathology , Ischemia/diagnosis , Peripheral Arterial Disease/diagnosis , American Heart Association , Ankle Brachial Index , Equipment and Supplies , Ethnicity , Evidence-Based Medicine , Extremities/blood supply , Healthcare Disparities , Humans , Ischemia/epidemiology , Peripheral Arterial Disease/epidemiology , Regional Blood Flow , United States/epidemiologyABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To determine primary rates in small-diameter renal arteries, including complex bifurcation lesions, treated with drug-eluting stents (DES) in patients with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective single-institution study. A total of 37 patients with 39 stented renal arteries were included. Patient and procedural data were obtained from the electronic medical record. Survival free from restenosis was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method with patients stratified into two groups based on renal artery diameters (≤ 3.5 mm or > 3.5 mm). Univariate Cox proportional models were used to estimate hazard ratios associated with clinical and angiographic variables. RESULTS: Average renal artery diameter at time of treatment was 3.4 mm ± 0.4 mm. The median survival free from restenosis was 992 days, with 11 out of 37 (29.7%) developing an in-stent restenosis. Renal arteries < 3.5 mm in diameter had similar patency rates as renal arteries > 3.5 mm (P = 0.33). The 1-, 2-, and 5-year patency rates were 71%, 63%, and 38%, respectively. History of stroke was the only comorbidity to portend a significantly greater rate of restenosis (hazard ratio 3.77; 95%CI, 1.05-13.6; P = 0.04). Medications did not statistically alter the risk of restenosis. CONCLUSION: Revascularization of renal arteries with DES achieved similar primary patency rates irrespective of renal artery diameter. Stent configuration was not associated with time to renal replacement therapy or all-cause mortality. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3, Cohort Study.
Subject(s)
Atherosclerosis/epidemiology , Atherosclerosis/therapy , Drug-Eluting Stents , Renal Artery Obstruction/epidemiology , Renal Artery Obstruction/therapy , Renal Artery/pathology , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Atherosclerosis/pathology , Cohort Studies , Constriction, Pathologic , Female , Humans , Kaplan-Meier Estimate , Male , Middle Aged , Proportional Hazards Models , Recurrence , Renal Artery Obstruction/pathology , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors , Time , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article was to provide a combined pathologic and radiologic review of previous pathologically diagnosed facial nerve "hemangiomas" to confirm that these lesions are most characteristic of venous malformations rather than neoplasms. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective radiologic, clinical, and histopathologic review of all patients with a previous pathologically diagnosed facial nerve hemangioma of the temporal bone who underwent computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were included. A consensus radiologic review for characteristic features and pathologic analysis was performed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A panel of 4 neuroradiologists retrospectively analyzed CT and MRI exams for 11 facial nerve hemangiomas and provided a consensus agreement on the characteristic imaging features. Concurrently, two neuropathologists reevaluated archived tissue specimens from these lesions and applied additional immunohistochemical and histochemical stains including D240, CD31, smooth muscle actin (SMA), Verhoeff Van Gieson (VVG) and glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1). RESULTS: Lesions were composed of dilated vascular spaces with a simple, CD31-positive endothelial lining and a smooth muscle component. All lesions were negative for markers found in arterial and lymphatic malformations and infantile hemangiomas. They had characteristic radiologic features previously ascribed to facial nerve hemangiomas. Namely, these lesions are typically T1 isointense or hypointense and T2 hyperintense relative to cerebral cortex and heterogeneously enhance on MRI. Bony canal expansion and erosion, intralesional calcification, and intracranial extension are common. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of this radiologic and pathologic review, these lesions are best characterized as venous malformations. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.
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PURPOSE: To determine the effects of left gastric artery embolization (LGAE) on computed tomography (CT) body composition change. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen overweight or obese patients who had abdominal CT scans before and after LGAE for gastric bleeding were retrospectively reviewed. Body composition analysis was performed with semiautomated imaging processing algorithms (MATLAB 13.0, Math Works, MA). Adipose tissue and lean skeletal muscle were measured using threshold attenuation values. Total body fat index (BFI), subcutaneous fat index (SFI), visceral fat index (VFI), intramuscular fat index (IMFI), and skeletal muscle index (SMI) were determined ([tissue area (cm)]2/[height (m)]2). Excess body weight (EBW) was determined based on the Lorentz formula for ideal body weight. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 1.5 ± 0.8 months. Following LGAE, patients experienced significantly decreased body weight (p = 0.003), BMI (p = 0.005), EBW (p = 0.003), BFI (p = 0.03), SFI (p = 0.03), and SMI (p < 0.001). Changes in VFI and IMFI did not significantly change (p = 0.13 and p = 0.83, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who underwent LGAE had significant unintended weight loss as a result of decreased body fat and skeletal muscle. Body composition analysis can readily assess the extent of fat loss and identify muscle wasting.
Subject(s)
Body Composition/physiology , Embolization, Therapeutic/methods , Gastric Artery/physiopathology , Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/complications , Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/therapy , Overweight/complications , Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods , Female , Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/physiopathology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Obesity/complications , Retrospective Studies , Weight Loss/physiologyABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To determine if there is a correlation between intrahepatic tumor volume and future liver remnant (FLR) hypertrophy after portal vein embolization (PVE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-four consecutive patients with hepatocellular carcinoma or metastatic colorectal cancer who underwent PVE from 2009 to 2017 and who had complete imaging follow-up were retrospectively reviewed. To maximize the accuracy of tumor volume measurements, 11 patients were excluded for having more than 5 intrahepatic tumors. Volumetric analyses of the patient livers before and after PVE, as well as pre-embolization intrahepatic tumor burden, were performed. RESULTS: A significant inverse correlation was observed between tumor volume and FLR hypertrophy after PVE (Spearman ρ = -0.53, P = .002). Initial FLR volume was also inversely correlated with subsequent hypertrophy (P = .01). Fourteen patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy 1 month prior to intervention. The number of chemotherapy cycles did not affect hypertrophy (P = .57). Patients with cirrhosis experienced less FLR hypertrophy than patients without cirrhosis (P = .02). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with large intrahepatic tumor burden may experience limited FLR hypertrophy.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/therapy , Embolization, Therapeutic/methods , Liver Neoplasms/therapy , Liver Regeneration , Portal Vein , Adult , Aged , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/diagnostic imaging , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology , Colorectal Neoplasms/pathology , Embolization, Therapeutic/adverse effects , Female , Humans , Hypertrophy , Liver Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Liver Neoplasms/pathology , Liver Neoplasms/secondary , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Middle Aged , Organ Size , Retrospective Studies , Time Factors , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Treatment Outcome , Tumor BurdenABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: There is no accurate method distinguishing different types of pulmonary nodules. PURPOSE: To investigate whether multiparametric 3T MRI biomarkers can distinguish malignant from benign pulmonary nodules, differentiate different types of neoplasms, and compare MRI-derived measurements with values from commonly used noninvasive imaging modalities. STUDY TYPE: Prospective. SUBJECTS: Sixty-eight adults with pulmonary nodules undergoing resection. SEQUENCES: Respiratory triggered diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), periodically rotated overlapping parallel lines with enhanced reconstruction (PROPELLER) fat saturated T2 -weighted imaging, T1 -weighted 3D volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination (VIBE) using CAIPIRINHA (controlled aliasing in parallel imaging results in a higher acceleration). ASSESSMENT/STATISTICS: Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), T1 , T2 , T1 and T2 normalized to muscle (T1 /M and T2 /M), and dynamic contrast enhancement (DCE) values were compared with histology to determine whether they could distinguish malignant from benign nodules and discern primary from secondary malignancies using logistic regression. Predictability of primary neoplasm types was assessed using two-sample t-tests. MRI values were compared with positron emission tomography / computed tomography (PET/CT) to examine if they correlated with standardized uptake value (SUV) or CT Hounsfield unit (HU). Intra- and interreader agreements were assessed using intraclass correlations. RESULTS: Forty-nine of 74 nodules were malignant. There was a significant association between ADC and malignancy (odds ratio 4.47, P < 0.05). ADC ≥1.3 µm2 /ms predicted malignancy. ADC, T1 , and T2 together predicted malignancy (P = 0.003). No MRI parameter distinguished primary from metastatic neoplasms. T2 predicted PET positivity (P = 0.016). T2 and T1 /M correlated with SUV (P < 0.05). Of 18 PET-negative malignant nodules, 12 (67%) had an ADC ≥1.3 µm2 /ms. With the exception of T2 , all noncontrast MRI parameters distinguished adenocarcinomas from carcinoid tumors (P < 0.05). T1 , T2 , T1 /M, and T2 /M correlated with HU and therefore can predict nodule density. Combined with ADC, washout enhancement, arrival time (AT), peak enhancement intensity (PEI), Ktrans , Kep , Ve collectively were predictive of malignancy (P = 0.012). Combined washin, washout, time to peak (TTP), AT, and PEI values predicted malignancy (P = 0.043). There was good observer agreement for most noncontrast MRI biomarkers. DATA CONCLUSION: MRI can contribute to pulmonary nodule analysis. Multiparametric MRI might be better than individual MRI biomarkers in pulmonary nodule risk stratification. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018.
Subject(s)
Lung Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Multiple Pulmonary Nodules/diagnostic imaging , Solitary Pulmonary Nodule/diagnostic imaging , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted , Female , Humans , Image Processing, Computer-Assisted , Lung Neoplasms/surgery , Male , Middle Aged , Multiple Pulmonary Nodules/surgery , Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography , Risk , Solitary Pulmonary Nodule/surgeryABSTRACT
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) management is exceptionally challenging. Despite advances in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies, long-term vessel patency and limb salvage rates are limited. Patients with PAD frequently require extensive workup with noninvasive tests and imaging to delineate their disease and help guide appropriate management. Ultrasound and computed tomography are commonly ordered in the workup of PAD. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), on the other hand, is less often acknowledged as a useful tool in this disease. Nevertheless, MRI is an important test that can effectively characterize atherosclerotic plaque, assess vessel patency in highly calcified disease, and measure lower extremity perfusion.
Subject(s)
Peripheral Arterial Disease , Humans , Limb Salvage , Lower Extremity , Magnetic Resonance Angiography , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Vascular PatencyABSTRACT
A 72-year-old male presented with refractory ascites secondary to portal vein occlusion with cavernomatous transformation following pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple procedure). Due to the unfavorable anatomy, transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt was not an option. However, given patency of the spleno-mesenteric confluence and absence of the pancreatic head after the Whipple procedure, a splenomeso-caval shunt was successfully created using a transjugular-transsplenic rendezvous technique.