CT-derived radiomics predict the growth rate of renal tumours in von Hippel-Lindau syndrome.

AIM: To predict renal tumour growth patterns in von Hippel-Lindau syndrome by utilising radiomic features to assist in developing personalised surveillance plans leading to better patient outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study evaluated 78 renal tumours in 55 patients with histopathologically-confirmed clear cell renal cell carcinomas (ccRCCs), which were segmented and radiomics were extracted. Volumetric doubling time (VDT) classified the tumours into fast-growing (VDT <365 days) or slow-growing (VDT ≥365 days). Volumetric and diametric growth analyses were compared between the groups. Multiple logistic regression and random forest classifiers were used to select the best features and models based on their correlation and predictability of VDT. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients (mean age 42.2 ± 12.2 years, 27 men) with a mean time difference of 3.8 ± 2 years between the baseline and preoperative scans were studied. Twenty-five tumours were fast-growing (low VDT, i.e., <365 days), and 53 tumours were slow-growing (high VDT, i.e., ≥365 days). The median volumetric and diametric growth rates were 1.71 cm3/year and 0.31 cm/year. The best feature using univariate analysis was wavelet-HLL_glcm_ldmn (area under the receiver operating characteristic [ROC] curve [AUC] of 0.80, p<0.0001), and with the random forest classifier, it was log-sigma-0-5-mm-3D_glszm_ZonePercentage (AUC: 79). The AUC of the ROC curves using multiple logistic regression was 0.74, and with the random forest classifier was 0.73. CONCLUSION: Radiomic features correlated with VDT and were able to predict the growth pattern of renal tumours in patients with VHL syndrome.

Use of 3-Dimensional Volumetric Modeling of Adrenal Gland Size in Patients with Primary Pigmented Nodular Adrenocortical Disease.

Primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease (PPNAD) is a rare type of bilateral adrenal hyperplasia leading to hypercortisolemia. Adrenal nodularity is often appreciable with computed tomography (CT); however, accurate radiologic characterization of adrenal size in PPNAD has not been studied well. We used 3-dimensional (3D) volumetric analysis to characterize and compare adrenal size in PPNAD patients, with and without Cushing's syndrome (CS). Patients diagnosed with PPNAD and their family members with known mutations in PRKAR1A were screened. CT scans were used to create 3D models of each adrenal. Criteria for biochemical diagnosis of CS included loss of diurnal variation and/or elevated midnight cortisol levels, and paradoxical increase in urinary free cortisol and/or urinary 17-hydroxysteroids after dexamethasone administration. Forty-five patients with PPNAD (24 females, 27.8±17.6 years) and 8 controls (19±3 years) were evaluated. 3D volumetric modeling of adrenal glands was performed in all. Thirty-eight patients out of 45 (84.4%) had CS. Their mean adrenal volume was 8.1 cc±4.1, 7.2 cc±4.5 (p=0.643) for non-CS, and 8.0cc±1.6 for controls. Mean values were corrected for body surface area; 4.7 cc/kg/m(2)±2.2 for CS, and 3.9 cc/kg/m(2)±1.3 for non-CS (p=0.189). Adrenal volume and midnight cortisol in both groups was positively correlated, r=0.35, p=0.03. We conclude that adrenal volume measured by 3D CT in patients with PPNAD and CS was similar to those without CS, confirming empirical CT imaging-based observations. However, the association between adrenal volume and midnight cortisol levels may be used as a marker of who among patients with PPNAD may develop CS, something that routine CT cannot do.

Differentiation of myocardial scar from potential pitfalls and artefacts in delayed enhancement MRI.

Delayed enhancement cardiac magnetic resonance (DE-CMR) imaging is used increasingly to identify and quantify focal myocardial scar. Our objective is to describe factors used in the interpretation of DE-CMR images and to highlight potential pitfalls and artefacts that mimic myocardial scar. Inversion recovery gradient recalled echo sequence is commonly accepted as the standard of reference for DE-CMR. There are also alternative sequences that can be performed in a single breath-hold or with free breathing. Radiologists need to be aware of factors affecting image quality, and potential pitfalls and artefacts that may generate focal hyperintense areas that mimic myocardial scar.

Physical activity and physiological cardiac remodelling in a community setting: the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of physical activity with left ventricular structure and function in the general population in a community setting. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), a population-based study of subclinical atherosclerosis. PARTICIPANTS: A multiethnic sample of 4992 participants (aged 45-84 years; 52% female) free of clinically apparent cardiovascular disease. INTERVENTIONS: Physical activity induces beneficial physiological cardiac remodelling in a cross-sectional study of non-athlete individuals. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Left ventricular mass, volumes and function were assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Physical activity, defined as intentional exercise and total moderate and vigorous physical activity, was assessed by a standard semiquantitative questionnaire. RESULTS: Left ventricular mass and end-diastolic volume were positively associated with physical activity (eg, 1.4 g/m(2) (women) and 3.1 g/m(2) (men) greater left ventricular mass in the highest category of intentional exercise compared with individuals reporting no intentional exercise; p = 0.05 and p<0.001, respectively). Relationships were non-linear, with stronger positive associations at lower levels of physical activity (test for non-linearity; p = 0.02 and p = 0.03, respectively). Cardiac output and ejection fraction were unchanged with increased physical activity levels. Resting heart rate was lower in women and men with higher physical activity levels (eg, -2.6 beats/minute lower resting heart rate in the highest category of intentional exercise compared with individuals reporting no intentional exercise; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In a community-based population free of clinically apparent cardiovascular disease, higher physical activity levels were associated with proportionally greater left ventricular mass and end-diastolic volume and lower resting heart rate.