Role of apparent diffusion coefficient measurement in differentiating histological subtypes of brain metastasis of lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of apparent diffusion coefficient of diffusion-weighted imaging in differentiating histological subtypes of brain metastasis of lung cancer. METHODS: Diffusion-weighted imaging of 158 patients (mean age: 61.2±10.68 years) with brain metastasis of lung cancer (36 small cell lung cancer and 122 non-small cell lung cancer) were retrospectively evaluated. The minimum and mean apparent diffusion coefficient values of the metastasis, apparent diffusion coefficient of edema around the metastasis, and apparent diffusion coefficient of contralateral brain parenchyma were measured. Normalized apparent diffusion coefficient was calculated by proportioning the mean apparent diffusion coefficient of the metastasis to the apparent diffusion coefficient of the contralateral brain parenchyma. Minimum and mean apparent diffusion coefficient of the metastasis, apparent diffusion coefficient of edema around metastasis, and normalized apparent diffusion coefficient were compared between small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer metastases. RESULTS: Minimum apparent diffusion coefficient, mean apparent diffusion coefficient, and normalized apparent diffusion coefficient values of small cell lung cancer metastases (0.43±0.19×10-3mm2/s, 0.63±0.20×10-3mm2/s, and 0.81 [0.55-1.44], respectively) were significantly lower than those of non-small cell lung cancer metastases (0.71±0.26×10-3mm2/s, 0.93±0.29×10-3mm2/s, and 1.30 [0.60-3.20], respectively; p<0.001). Mean apparent diffusion coefficient of edema of small cell lung cancer metastases (1.21±0.28×10-3mm2/s) was significantly lower than that of non-small cell lung cancer metastases (1.39±0.26×10-3mm2/s, p=0.020). The best cutoff values of minimum apparent diffusion coefficient, mean apparent diffusion coefficient, normalized apparent diffusion coefficient, and apparent diffusion coefficient of edema for the differentiation of small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer were found to be 0.56×10-3mm2/s, 0.82×10-3mm2/s, 1.085, and 1.21×10-3mm2/s, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, sensitivity, and specificity values were, respectively, 0.812, 80.6, and 73.8% for minimum apparent diffusion coefficient; 0.825, 91.7, and 61.5% for mean apparent diffusion coefficient; 0.845, 80.6, and 73.8% for normalized apparent diffusion coefficient; and 0.698, 75.0, and 67.7% for apparent diffusion coefficient of edema. CONCLUSIONS: Minimum apparent diffusion coefficient, mean apparent diffusion coefficient, normalized apparent diffusion coefficient, and apparent diffusion coefficient of edema around metastasis can differentiate histological subtypes of brain metastasis of lung cancer.

Role of apparent diffusion coefficient measurement in differentiating histological subtypes of brain metastasis of lung cancer

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of apparent diffusion coefficient of diffusion-weighted imaging in differentiating histological subtypes of brain metastasis of lung cancer. METHODS: Diffusion-weighted imaging of 158 patients (mean age: 61.2±10.68 years) with brain metastasis of lung cancer (36 small cell lung cancer and 122 non-small cell lung cancer) were retrospectively evaluated. The minimum and mean apparent diffusion coefficient values of the metastasis, apparent diffusion coefficient of edema around the metastasis, and apparent diffusion coefficient of contralateral brain parenchyma were measured. Normalized apparent diffusion coefficient was calculated by proportioning the mean apparent diffusion coefficient of the metastasis to the apparent diffusion coefficient of the contralateral brain parenchyma. Minimum and mean apparent diffusion coefficient of the metastasis, apparent diffusion coefficient of edema around metastasis, and normalized apparent diffusion coefficient were compared between small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer metastases. RESULTS: Minimum apparent diffusion coefficient, mean apparent diffusion coefficient, and normalized apparent diffusion coefficient values of small cell lung cancer metastases (0.43±0.19×10−3mm2/s, 0.63±0.20×10−3mm2/s, and 0.81 [0.55-1.44], respectively) were significantly lower than those of non-small cell lung cancer metastases (0.71±0.26×10−3mm2/s, 0.93±0.29×10−3mm2/s, and 1.30 [0.60-3.20], respectively; p<0.001). Mean apparent diffusion coefficient of edema of small cell lung cancer metastases (1.21±0.28×10−3mm2/s) was significantly lower than that of non-small cell lung cancer metastases (1.39±0.26×10−3mm2/s, p=0.020). The best cutoff values of minimum apparent diffusion coefficient, mean apparent diffusion coefficient, normalized apparent diffusion coefficient, and apparent diffusion coefficient of edema for the differentiation of small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer were found to be 0.56×10−3mm2/s, 0.82×10−3mm2/s, 1.085, and 1.21×10−3mm2/s, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, sensitivity, and specificity values were, respectively, 0.812, 80.6, and 73.8% for minimum apparent diffusion coefficient; 0.825, 91.7, and 61.5% for mean apparent diffusion coefficient; 0.845, 80.6, and 73.8% for normalized apparent diffusion coefficient; and 0.698, 75.0, and 67.7% for apparent diffusion coefficient of edema. CONCLUSIONS: Minimum apparent diffusion coefficient, mean apparent diffusion coefficient, normalized apparent diffusion coefficient, and apparent diffusion coefficient of edema around metastasis can differentiate histological subtypes of brain metastasis of lung cancer.

Quantitative T2 mapping of the sacroiliac joint cartilage at 3T in patients with axial spondyloarthropathies.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic value of T2 mapping of sacroiliac joint cartilage in patients with axial spondyloarthropathies (SpA). METHODS: Thirty-seven SpA patients and 43 controls (mean age: 36.5 ± 8.2; 20 men) prospectively underwent conventional MRI and T2 mapping of the sacroiliac joints at 3 T. SpA patients and their sacroiliac joints were categorized into active and inactive based on the presence of bone marrow edema on the conventional MRI. T2-relaxation times were measured by drawing six manual ROIs on the cartilaginous part of the joints. T2 values of the bilateral iliac and sacral joint cartilages for each patient (T2subject), iliac and sacral cartilages for each sacroiliac joint (T2joint), iliac cartilage (T2iliac), and sacral cartilage (T2sacral) were calculated and compared between SpA patients and controls, and active and inactive joints. RESULTS: The T2subject of SpA patients (50.48 ± 5.32 ms) was significantly higher than the T2subject of the controls (46.33 ± 3.30 ms, p < 0.001). Selecting an optimal T2subject cut-off value of 48.77 to differentiate SpA patients from controls revealed a sensitivity and a specificity of 62.2% and 81.4% respectively (AUC = 0.739). In SpA patients, T2joint, T2iliac, and T2sacral values of the inactive joints were not significantly different from those of the active joints (p = 0.088, p = 0.179, and p = 0.069). T2joint, T2iliac, and T2sacral values of the inactive joints of SpA patients were significantly higher than those of the controls (p = 0.012, p = 0.029, and p = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: T2 values of both active and inactive sacroiliac joint cartilages of SpA patients were increased. Thus, T2 mapping may be used in the diagnosis of SpA. KEY POINTS: • Sacroiliac cartilage T2 values of SpA patients increase compared to those of the non-SpA controls. • Sacroiliac cartilage T2 values of active and inactive joints of SpA patients increase compared to those of the non-SpA controls. • Sacroiliac cartilage T2 values of active and inactive joints of SpA patients do not show statistically significant difference.

Diffusion-weighted MRI at 3T in Endometrial Cancer: Correlation of Apparent Diffusion Coefficient with Histopathological Prognostic Parameters.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the value of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) for the differentiation of histological subtypes in endometrial cancer, and to assess if ADC values correlate with histopathological parameters. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ondokuz Mayis University between January 2016 and December 2019. METHODOLOGY: Eighty-three patients (mean age: 60.28 ± 9.07) with endometrial cancer underwent diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) at 3T before surgery. The mean ADC (ADCmean) and minimum ADC (ADCmin) values of the tumours were assessed to predict histological subtype of endometrial cancer, grade of tumour, presence of myometrial invasion, lower uterine segment involvement, cervical involvement, lymphovascular invasion, and lymph node metastasis. RESULTS: Sixty patients (72.3%) were diagnosed with endometrioid carcinoma, and 23 patients (27.7%) were diagnosed with non-endometrioid carcinoma. The median ADCmean/ADCmin of endometrioid and non-endometrioid tumours were 0.72/0.58 ×10-3 mm2/s and 0.82/0.63 ×10-3 mm2/s, respectively. ADCmean and ADCmin were significantly different between endometrioid and non-endometrioid tumours (p=0.016 and p=0.048). For the endometrioid carcinomas, ADCmean and ADCmin were significantly different between low-grade (G1 and G2) and high-grade (G3) tumours (ADCmean/ADCmin = 0.75/0.65 vs. 0.59/0.49 x10-3 mm2/s, p=0.010 and p=0.013). Myometrial invasion, lymphovascular invasion, cervical involvement, lower uterine involvement, serosal involvement and lymph node metastasis were not significantly associated with ADC values. CONCLUSION: ADC measurements were useful for differentiating endometrioid and non-endometrioid carcinomas. High-grade endometrioid carcinomas had significantly lower ADC values compared to low-grade ones. Key Words: Endometrial cancer, Diffusion-weighted MRI, Apparent diffusion coefficient, Prognostic factors, Histological grade.

The Effect of Breast Size and Density in Turkish Women on Radiation Dose in Full-Field Digital Mammography.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to look into the relationship between breast size and mammographic breast density in women and breast radiation dose on full-field digital mammography (FFDM), as well as the factors that influence radiation dose. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included a total of 2,060 FFDM images from 515 consecutive participants. The participants were divided into two groups: those exposed to high doses (>3 mGy) and those exposed to low doses (<3 mGy). Moreover, the researchers analyzed the relationship between mean glandular dose (MGD) of the breast and patient age, compressed breast thickness, compression force, mammographic breast composition, and mammographic breast size. RESULTS: The mean mammographic breast volume was 936.2 ± 425.2 (114.5-3,018) mL, and the mean compressed breast tissue thickness was 56.75 ± 10.44 mm. Moreover, the mean MGD in the high-dose group was 3.51 ± 0.48 mGy and 1.92 ± 0.56 mGy in the low-dose group. The high-dose group had greater breast thickness, diameters, volume, compression pressure, and surgical rate. However, the high-dose group was younger and had less dense breasts. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, the most important predictors of dose determination were breast thickness [odds ratio (OR): 1.178, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.156-1.200, p<0.001], history of previous surgery (OR: 2.210, 95% CI: 1.417-3.447, p<0.001), compression force (OR: 1.008, 95% CI: 1.004-1.013, p<0.001), and breast density (OR: 1.873, 95% CI: 1.359-2.580, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Women with larger breast volumes are subjected to higher doses of radiation. Therefore, breast-screening programs can be individualized to young women with larger breast volumes and women who have had breast-conserving surgery.

Whole-lesion ADC histogram analysis versus single-slice ADC measurement for the differentiation of benign and malignant soft tissue tumors.

PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare the diagnostic performances of whole-lesion apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) histogram analysis and single-slice ADC measurement in the differentiation of benign and malignant soft tissue tumors. METHODS: Fifty-three patients (mean age: 48.5 ± 21.4) with soft tissue tumors (27 benign and 26 malignant) were evaluated with diffusion-weighted MRI. Whole-lesion ADC histogram parameters (mean, median, 10th percentile, 90th percentile, minimum, maximum, range, mean absolute deviation, interquartile range, kurtosis, skewness, root mean squared, variance and inhomogeneity) of the lesions were measured using the whole solid tumor volume region of interest (ROI). In other sessions, five ROIs were manually drawn on the tumor slices, and mean ADC and minimum ADC of the measurements were calculated. Diagnostic accuracies of the two methods were assessed and compared. RESULTS: Mean, median, minimum, 10th percentile, 90th percentile, range, root mean squared and inhomogeneity of ADC histogram analysis, and mean ADC and minimum ADC of single-slice ADC measurement were significantly different between malignant and benign lesions (p < 0.001 - p = 0.002). Among the ADC histogram parameters, 10th percentile had the highest diagnostic performance (AUC = 0.825) followed by mean (AUC = 0.792) and median (AUC = 0.789). For the single-slice ADC measurement, the AUC of mean ADC and minimum ADC were 0.842 and 0.786, respectively. Mean ADC of single-slice measurement had a similar diagnostic performance with the 10th percentile, mean, and median of ADC histogram analysis (p = 0.070-1.000). CONCLUSIONS: Both whole-lesion ADC histogram analysis and single-slice ADC measurement can differentiate benign and malignant soft tissue tumors with similar diagnostic performances.

Peripancreatic Fluid Collections After Pancreas Transplant: Safety and Efficacy of Percutaneous Drainage.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of percutaneous drainage of peripancreatic fluid collections after pancreas transplant and to determine factors predicting a successful clinical outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS. This single-center retrospective study included 28 patients who underwent percutaneous drainage for peripancreatic collections after transplant between January 2008 and December 2018. Clinical success was defined as drainage resulting in resolution of symptoms. Primary clinical success was defined as symptom resolution after the initial drainage procedure, and secondary success was defined as symptom resolution after additional drainage procedures. Operative intervention or death was considered clinical failure. Patient, collection, and procedural factors were assessed for their potential impact on the clinical outcome. RESULTS. Clinical success was achieved in 23 of 28 drainage procedures (82.1%), with primary success in 15 procedures. Of the five patients with failed drainage procedures, three required pancreatectomies, one required surgical washout, and one died from a disseminated infection. The median duration of drainage in the clinical success group was 25 days (range, 3-136 days), and patients with longer drainage periods had more successful outcomes (p = .04). Graft pancreatitis was diagnosed in five patients (17.9%) and was not associated with drainage outcome (p = .21). Collections were positive for bacterial growth in 13 patients (46.4%) and were high in amylase in 12 (42.9%). We observed drainage failure in collections with polymicrobial growth and in the presence of fistulas (p = .05 and p = .07, respectively). Patients with successful outcomes had smaller collection volumes (p = .045). No complications attributed to drainage were encountered. CONCLUSION. Percutaneous drainage is safe and effective for management of peripancreatic fluid collections after pancreas transplant.

Does the SUVmax of FDG-PET/CT Correlate with the ADC Values of DWI in Musculoskeletal Malignancies?

PURPOSE: To evaluate the correlation of maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax) of 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) with the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) in musculoskeletal malignancies. METHODS: Institutional ethics committee approved this retrospective study. Twenty-seven patients (mean age: 44.85 ± 24.07; 17 men and 10 women) with a total of 29 musculoskeletal tumors underwent both FDG-PET/CT and DWI between January 2017 and March 2020. Region-of-interest (ROI)-based maximal standardized uptake values (SUVmax) of the tumors were measured on FDG-PET/CT images. Two radiologists measured lesions' mean and minimum apparent diffusion coefficient (ADCmean and ADCmin) using five distinct ROIs on DWI images. Pearson correlation analysis was used to assess the correlation between SUVmax and ADC values. RESULTS: There were 18 soft tissue tumors (62.1%) and 11 bone tumors (37.9%) with a mean maximum diameter of 9.4 ± 6.2 cm. The mean SUVmax, ADCmean and ADCmin of the whole lesions were 12.93 ± 9.63, 0.85 ± 0.28 × 10-3mm2/s and 0.61 ± 0.27 × 10-3mm2/s, respectively. SUVmax had a weak correlation with tumor maximum diameter (r = 0.378, p = 0.043), whereas ADCmean and ADCmin had none. There was strong inverse correlation between SUVmax and both ADCmean (r = -0.616, p < 0.001) and ADCmin (r = -0.638, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In musculoskeletal tumors, quantitative markers of FDG uptake and diffusion restriction strongly correlate.

The diagnostic value of ultrasound and shear wave elastography in the differentiation of benign and malignant soft tissue tumors.

AIM: To evaluate the diagnostic value of ultrasound (US) and shear wave elastography (SWE) in the differentiation of benign and malignant soft tissue tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A hundred and nine patients (mean age 43.3 ± 20.5, range 0-85; 64 men and 45 women) diagnosed with soft tissue tumors between August 2016 and January 2020 were evaluated with US and SWE. The stiffness of the lesions was measured as mean and maximum shear wave velocity (SWVmean and SWVmax) in meters/second (m/s). Two radiologists evaluated the US images independently and then reached a final consensus. Final diagnosis was obtained either by histopathological examination (core needle biopsy or surgery) or by follow-up. The diagnostic value of US and SWE in the differentiation of malignant and benign lesions was assessed. RESULTS: Pathology results revealed 37 malignant and 43 benign lesions. Twenty-nine lesions were benign based on follow-up criteria. Consensus US reading revealed 91.9% sensitivity and 72.2% specificity with almost perfect inter-observer agreement (κ = 0.802). Larger lesion size, male gender, advanced patient age, deep location, hypoechoic and hypervascular appearance, ill-defined margins, and presence of cystic area were associated with malignant diagnosis (p < 0.001, p = 0.010, p = 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.003, p < 0.001, p = 0.001, and p = 0.011, respectively). Median SWVmean and median SWVmax of malignant lesions (2.87 and 2.68) were not significantly different than those of the benign lesions (3.30 and 3.05; p = 0.271 and p = 0.402, respectively). CONCLUSION: US features can differentiate malignant and benign soft tissue tumors, whereas SWE did not contribute to the differentiation of soft tissue tumors.

Quantitative three-dimensional computed tomography analysis of sinus tympani volume in temporal bones with petrous apex pneumatization.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between sinus tympani volume and petrous apex pneumatization in this retrospective-archival temporal bone computed tomography study. METHODS: We included 46 temporal bones with pneumatized petrous apex from 26 patients and 52 temporal bones without petrous apex pneumatization from 26 other patients. Using OsiriX software for MacOS (version 3.8.1, Pixmeo), we measured the volumes from three-dimensional sinus tympani models and compared the sinus tympani volumes and depths between the temporal bones with and without pneumatized petrous apex. RESULTS: Among 150 patients totally reviewed, 26 (17.3%) had petrous apex pneumatization. The median sinus tympani volume was 16.05 (5.6-59.7) mm3 in temporal bones with pneumatized petrous apex and 8.7 (1.76-59.7) mm3in temporal bones without. The sinus tympani volume was significantly greater in temporal bones with pneumatized petrous apex compared to those without (p < 0.001). Additionally, temporal bones with pneumatized petrous apex had a significantly deeper sinus tympani [median depth = 2.17 (0-3.04) mm] compared to the temporal bones without [median depth = 1.69 (0-3.73) mm] (p = 0.045). We found that petrous apex pneumatization was associated with deeper and larger sinus tympani. CONCLUSION: Patients with pneumatized petrous apex had a greater sinus tympani volume associated with the increased risk of residual cholesteatoma.

Efficacy of Ultrasound and Shear Wave Elastography for the Diagnosis of Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the feasibility of ultrasound and shear wave elastography (SWE) in the diagnosis of breast cancer-related lymphedema. METHODS: Forty-one patients with a history of unilateral breast surgery and axillary dissection or sentinel lymph node excision were included in this prospective study. The patients were classified as having normal findings, latent lymphedema, and clinical lymphedema on the basis of a physical examination, lymphedema index scores, and limb circumference measurements. The thickness and stiffness of the cutaneous and subcutaneous tissue of the forearm and arm were measured by ultrasound and SWE. The thickness and stiffness of the cutaneous and subcutaneous tissue of the affected limb and contralateral limbs of the normal, latent lymphedema, and clinical lymphedema groups were compared. RESULTS: The mean age ± SD of the 41 patients was 55.42 ± 10.12 years. There were 15 patients with normal findings, 10 with latent lymphedema, and 16 with clinical lymphedema. In the latent lymphedema group, the thickness measurements of the cutaneous tissue of the affected forearm and the cutaneous and subcutaneous tissue of the affected arm were significantly greater than those of the contralateral forearm and arm (P = .034; P = .022; and P = .002, respectively), and the stiffness measurements of the cutaneous and subcutaneous tissue of the affected forearm were significantly greater than those of the contralateral forearm (P = .011; and P = .002). In the clinical lymphedema group, the thickness and stiffness measurements of the cutaneous and subcutaneous tissue of the affected forearm and arm were significantly greater than those of the contralateral limb (P < .001-P = .032). CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound and SWE are effective for diagnosing breast cancer-related lymphedema even at a latent stage.

Osteoid Osteoma of the Distal Phalanx of the Foot: An Atypical Location.

Osteoid osteoma is a benign tumor originating from osteoblasts, and it is mostly seen in long bones of lower limbs. The distal phalanx of the foot is an atypical location for an osteoid osteoma, and lesions occurring in this location may be a diagnostic challenge. A 22-year-old man presented with a complaint of severe pain on the second distal phalanx of his right foot. An osteoid osteoma was suspected after radiologic evaluation. The lesion was surgically excised and removed completely by curettage. Histopathologic evaluation confirmed the diagnosis of an osteoid osteoma. The patient was followed-up for a 9-month period without any symptoms or recurrence.

Subperiosteal hemorrhage due to a distal femoral physeal fracture in a neonate.

Femoral physeal fractures have been rarely reported as a birth-related injury. As the plain radiograph findings are variable, the diagnosis may be challenging. In this case report, we describe a male neonate presenting with periosteal elevation at the left distal femur. A radiological evaluation demonstrated posteromedial displacement of the distal femoral epiphysis. The final diagnosis was subperiosteal hemorrhage due to a distal femoral physeal fracture.

Shear wave versus strain elastography in the differentiation of benign and malignant breast lesions

Background/aim: To evaluate and compare the diagnostic performances of shear wave elastography (SWE) and strain elastography (SE) in the differentiation of benign and malignant breast lesions. Materials and methods: The current study included 87 breast lesions in 84 patients. The Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BIRADS) categories were determined with ultrasound features. The maximum shear wave velocity (SWV), mean SWV, maximum SWV to fat SWV ratio, and mean SWV to fat SWV ratio were measured using SWE. The strain ratio (SR) was calculated as the ratio of lesion strain to the adjacent fat strain using SE. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed to assess and compare the diagnostic performances of each parameter. Results: Forty-five benign and 42 malignant lesions were diagnosed. The sensitivity and specificity of the BIRADS classification was 100% and 35.6%, respectively. Selecting a cutoff SR value of 3.22 led to an 88.1% sensitivity and an 88.4% specificity (AUC: 0.913 [95% CI: 0.854­0.971], P < 0.001). Selecting cutoff maximum SWV value of 3.41 m/s led to an 88.1% sensitivity and an 86.7% specificity (AUC: 0.918 [95% CI: 0.858­0.978], P< 0.001). The diagnostic performance of the maximum SWV, mean SWV, and maximum SWV to fat SWV ratio were similar to the diagnostic performance of the SR (P = 1.00, P= 1.00, P= 0.629, respectively). Conclusion: SE and SWE are both feasible imaging modalities in the differentiation of malignant and benign breast lesions with similar diagnostic performances.

Management of Indiana pouch stones through a percutaneous approach: A single center experience.

OBJECTIVE: We present our experience of the treatment of reservoir stones using a percutaneous approach in patients with Indiana pouch urinary diversions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients who were treated percutaneously for Indiana pouch reservoir stones between January 2008 and December 2018 were identified from the hospital database, and their data were retrospectively analyzed. Patient charts were reviewed for stone burden, surgery details, and postoperative complications. The Indiana pouch was punctured under a direct ultrasound guidance, and a 30F sheath was placed into the pouch. A urologist removed the stones by inserting a rigid nephroscope through the sheath. A Foley catheter was left in the pouch through the percutaneous tract and opened to drainage. RESULTS: Seven patients (mean age: 47.3±14.7 years) were included. All patients were stone free after the procedure. The median stone number was 3 (range: 1-8). The mean maximum stone diameter was 24.4±4.9 mm (range: 19-33 mm). Six patients were successfully treated in one session, whereas 1 patient required two treatment sessions. The median postoperative hospital admission was 1 day (range: 1-5 days). The Foley catheters were removed after a median of 18 days (range: 10-19 days). No major complications were reported. CONCLUSION: The percutaneous approach for Indiana pouch reservoir stones treatment ensures direct and safe management without major periprocedural complications.

Can vessel diameters, diameter ratios, and vessel angles predict the development of anterior communicating artery aneurysms: A morphological analysis.

The anterior communicating artery (AcomA) junction is the most common location for cerebral aneurysms. This might because of increased vascular wall stress due to the complex structure of the junction. The aim of this study investigate the effect of morphological parameters in the development of AcomA aneurysms. This retrospective study was approved by the institutional ethics committee. A retrospective analysis of our hospital database was performed to identify patients with AcomA aneurysms. Patients with normal computed tomography angiography (CTA) examinations were enrolled in the study as the control group. The control group was similar to the patient group in gender and age. Morphological parameters (vessel diameters, vessel diameter ratios, and vessel angles) on the same side (ipsilateral) and on the opposite side (contralateral) of the patients with aneurysm, and morphological parameters of the control group were compared. A total of 171 subjects were involved in the study (86 patients with aneurysms and 85 patients in the control group). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that the ipsilateral A1-A2 angle (OR: 0.932; 95% CI: 0.903-0.961; p < 0.001), the ipsilateral A1/A2 vessel diameter ratio (OR: 27.725; 95% CI: 1.715-448.139; p = 0.019), and the contralateral internal carotid artery (ICA)/A1 ratio (OR: 11.817; 95% CI: 2.617-53.355; p = 0.001) were significant morphological predictors for developing an aneurysm. An increased contralateral ICA/A1 ratio, an increased ipsilateral A1/A2 vessel diameter ratio, and a narrow bifurcation angle are significant predictors for developing an aneurysm. Therefore, in patients with clinical risk factors these parameters may be interpreted as additional morphological risk factors for developing an aneurysm.

Efficiency of inferior petrosal sinus sampling in the diagnosis of Cushing's disease and comparison with magnetic resonance imaging.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to assess the efficiency of inferior petrosal sinus sampling (IPSS) in the diagnosis of adrenocorticotropic hormone-dependent Cushing's disease and to compare it with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: The diagnostic efficiency of IPSS in the differentiation of pituitary Cushing's disease from ectopic Cushing's disease was retrospectively evaluated in 37 patients who had IPSS in our clinic. Six patients were excluded from the study due to missing data. Hypophysis MRI examinations of 31 patients before IPSS were also evaluated. The contributions of MRI and IPSS to the detection of pituitary adenoma and the determination of lateralization were researched. RESULTS: Bilateral IPSS was successfully performed in 30 patients of the 31 patients in the study group. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of IPSS in differentiating between central and ectopic Cushing's syndrome before corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) stimulation were 93.3%, 100%, 100%, 33.3%, and 93%, respectively, whereas after CRH stimulation were 100%, 100%, 100%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. The accuracy of both the rates was significantly higher compared with MRI. CONCLUSION: IPSS has the highest diagnostic efficiency in differentiating central Cushing's disease from ectopic Cushing's disease.

Assessment of the association between pre-treatment and post-treatment left atrium size and severity of disease in patients with acute pulmonary embolism by using computed tomography pulmonary angiography.

INTRODUCTION: As far as we know, left atrium (LA) imaging findings of pre-treatment and post-treatment nonmassive, submassive and massive acute pulmonary embolism (APE) have not been reported in literature. The aim of this study is to assess LA sizes of nonmassive, submassive and massive APE before and after treatment with computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) and to research whether there are differences between groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty two adult APE patients (21 nonmassive, 31 submassive and 10 massive) who were diagnosed with CTPA and who had post-treatment follow-up images and recorded clinical information were included in the study. Pre-treatment and post-treatment LA sizes of all groups were measured by two radiologists independently. RESULT: The lowest pre-treatment LA size was found in massive APE and this difference was found to be statistically significant when compared with submassive (p= 0.001) and nonmassive (p< 0.001) groups. In addition, submassive APE patients were found to have lower LA size when compared with nonmassive APE patients (p= 0.006). In massive and submassive APE, post-treatment LA sizes were found to be statistically significantly higher when compared with pre-treatment (p< 0.001 for both groups). However, in nonmassive APE patients, pre-treatment and post-treatment LA size difference was not found to be statistically significant (p= 0.082). CONCLUSIONS: As the severity of APE increases, LA size decreases. Thus, a decrease LA size during APE can show increased APE severity. This study reported that LA size increased statistically in post-treatment massive and submassive APE patients when compared with pre-treatment. These results suggest that in APE patients, as a response to treatment, LA size can be an additional parameter reflecting the changes in cardiac morphology.