Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging and clinical follow-up in patients with clinically suspected myocarditis after COVID-19 vaccination.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) findings and their relationship to longer-term clinical outcomes in patients with suspected myocarditis following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination. METHODS: Consecutive adult patients who underwent clinically indicated CMR for evaluation of suspected myocarditis following messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA)-based COVID-19 vaccination at a single center between 2021 and 2022 were retrospectively evaluated. Patients were classified based on the revised Lake Louise criteria for T1-based abnormalities (late gadolinium enhancement [LGE] or high T1 values) and T2-based abnormalities (regional T2-hyperintensity or high T2 values). RESULTS: Eighty-nine patients were included (64% [57/89] male, mean age 34 ± 13 years, 38% [32/89] mRNA-1273, and 62% [52/89] BNT162b2). On baseline CMR, 42 (47%) had at least one abnormality; 25 (28%) met both T1- and T2-criteria; 17 (19%) met T1-criteria but not T2-criteria; and 47 (53%) did not meet either. The interval between vaccination and CMR was shorter in those who met T1- and T2-criteria (28 days, IQR 8-69) compared to those who met T1-criteria only (110 days, IQR 66-255, p < 0.001) and those who did not meet either (120 days, interquartile range (IQR) 80-252, p < 0.001). In the subset of 21 patients who met both T1- and T2-criteria at baseline and had follow-up CMR, myocardial edema had resolved and left ventricular ejection fraction had normalized in all at median imaging follow-up of 214 days (IQR 132-304). However, minimal LGE persisted in 10 (48%). At median clinical follow-up of 232 days (IQR 156-405, n = 60), there were no adverse cardiac events. However, mild cardiac symptoms persisted in 7 (12%). CONCLUSION: In a cohort of patients who underwent clinically indicated CMR for suspected myocarditis following COVID-19 vaccination, 47% had at least one abnormality at baseline CMR. Detection of myocardial edema was associated with the timing of CMR after vaccination. There were no adverse cardiac events. However, minimal LGE persisted in 48% at follow-up.

Myocardial Inflammation on FDG PET/MRI and Clinical Outcomes in Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Participants after COVID-19 Vaccination.

Purpose: To evaluate potential cardiac sequelae of COVID-19 vaccination at 2-month follow-up and relate cardiac symptoms to myocardial tissue changes on fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/MRI, blood biomarkers, health-related quality of life, and adverse outcomes. Materials and Methods: In this prospective study (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04967807), a convenience sample of individuals aged ≥17 years were enrolled after COVID-19 vaccination and were categorized as symptomatic myocarditis (new cardiac symptoms within 14 days of vaccination and met diagnostic criteria for acute myocarditis), symptomatic no myocarditis (new cardiac symptoms but did not meet criteria for myocarditis), and asymptomatic (no new cardiac symptoms). Standardized evaluation was performed 2 months after vaccination, including cardiac fluorine 18 FDG PET/MRI, blood biomarkers, and health-related quality of life. Statistical analysis included Kruskal-Wallis and Fisher exact tests. Results: Fifty-four participants were evaluated a median of 72 days (IQR: 42, 91) after COVID-19 vaccination, 17 symptomatic with myocarditis (36±[SD]15 years, 13 males), 17 symptomatic without myocarditis (42±12 years, 7 males), and 20 asymptomatic (45±14 years, 9 males). No participants in the symptomatic without myocarditis or asymptomatic groups had focal FDG-uptake, myocardial edema or impaired ventricular function. Two participants with symptomatic myocarditis had focal FDG-uptake, and three had high T2 on MRI. Health-related quality of life was lower in the symptomatic myocarditis group than the asymptomatic group. There were no adverse cardiac events beyond myocarditis in any participant. Conclusions: At two-month follow-up, FDG PET/MRI showed evidence of myocardial inflammation in 2/17 participants diagnosed with acute myocarditis early after COVID-19 vaccination, but not in symptomatic and asymptomatic participants without acute myocarditis.Keywords: Myocarditis, Vaccination, COVID-19, PET/MRI, Cardiac MRI, FDG-PET.

Appearance of COVID-19 pneumonia on 1.5 T TrueFISP MRI.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance of 1.5 T true fast imaging with steady state precession (TrueFISP) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences for the detection and characterization of pulmonary abnormalities caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective single-center study, computed tomography (CT) and MRI scans of 20 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia were evaluated with regard to the distribution, opacity, and appearance of pulmonary lesions, as well as bronchial changes, pleural effusion, and thoracic lymphadenopathy. McNemar's test was used in order to compare the COVID-19-associated alterations seen on CT with those seen on MRI. RESULTS: Ground-glass opacities were better visualized on CT than on MRI (p = 0.031). We found no statistically significant differences between CT and MRI regarding the visualization/characterization of the following: consolidations; interlobular/intralobular septal thickening; the distribution or appearance of pulmonary abnormalities; bronchial pathologies; pleural effusion; and thoracic lymphadenopathy. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary abnormalities caused by COVID-19 pneumonia can be detected on TrueFISP MRI sequences and correspond to the patterns known from CT. Especially during the current pandemic, the portions of the lungs imaged on cardiac or abdominal MRI should be carefully evaluated to promote the identification and isolation of unexpected cases of COVID-19, thereby curbing further spread of the disease.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o desempenho da ressonância magnética (RM) de 1,5 T true fast imaging with steady state precession (TrueFISP) para detecção e caracterização de anormalidades pulmonares causadas por doença do coronavírus 2019 (COVID-19). MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Neste estudo retrospectivo unicêntrico, imagens de tomografia computadorizada (TC) e RM de 20 pacientes com pneumonia COVID-19 foram avaliadas em relação a distribuição, opacidade e forma das lesões pulmonares, anormalidades brônquicas, derrame pleural e linfadenopatia torácica. O teste de McNemar foi usado para comparar os achados associados à COVID-19 na TC e na RM. RESULTADOS: As opacidades em vidro fosco foram mais bem visualizadas na TC do que na RM (p = 0,031). Não foram encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significantes entre TC e RM em relação aos outros aspectos, ou seja, visualização de consolidações e espessamento septal interlobular/intralobular, distribuição ou forma de anormalidades pulmonares, doenças brônquicas, derrame pleural ou linfadenopatia torácica. CONCLUSÃO: As anomalias pulmonares causadas pela pneumonia por COVID-19 podem ser detectadas nas sequências TrueFISP e correspondem aos padrões conhecidos da TC. Especialmente em face da pandemia atual, as porções de imagem dos pulmões na RM cardíaca ou abdominal devem ser cuidadosamente avaliadas para apoiar a identificação e o isolamento de casos inesperados de COVID-19 e, assim, conter a disseminação.

Appearance of COVID-19 pneumonia on 1.5 T TrueFISP MRI / Aspectos da pneumonia por COVID-19 na ressonância magnética 1.5 T TrueFISP

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the performance of 1.5 T true fast imaging with steady state precession (TrueFISP) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences for the detection and characterization of pulmonary abnormalities caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Materials and Methods: In this retrospective single-center study, computed tomography (CT) and MRI scans of 20 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia were evaluated with regard to the distribution, opacity, and appearance of pulmonary lesions, as well as bronchial changes, pleural effusion, and thoracic lymphadenopathy. McNemar's test was used in order to compare the COVID-19-associated alterations seen on CT with those seen on MRI. Results: Ground-glass opacities were better visualized on CT than on MRI (p = 0.031). We found no statistically significant differences between CT and MRI regarding the visualization/characterization of the following: consolidations; interlobular/intralobular septal thickening; the distribution or appearance of pulmonary abnormalities; bronchial pathologies; pleural effusion; and thoracic lymphadenopathy. Conclusion: Pulmonary abnormalities caused by COVID-19 pneumonia can be detected on TrueFISP MRI sequences and correspond to the patterns known from CT. Especially during the current pandemic, the portions of the lungs imaged on cardiac or abdominal MRI should be carefully evaluated to promote the identification and isolation of unexpected cases of COVID-19, thereby curbing further spread of the disease.

Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar o desempenho da ressonância magnética (RM) de 1,5 T true fast imaging with steady state precession (TrueFISP) para detecção e caracterização de anormalidades pulmonares causadas por doença do coronavírus 2019 (COVID-19). Materiais e Métodos: Neste estudo retrospectivo unicêntrico, imagens de tomografia computadorizada (TC) e RM de 20 pacientes com pneumonia COVID-19 foram avaliadas em relação a distribuição, opacidade e forma das lesões pulmonares, anormalidades brônquicas, derrame pleural e linfadenopatia torácica. O teste de McNemar foi usado para comparar os achados associados à COVID-19 na TC e na RM. Resultados: As opacidades em vidro fosco foram mais bem visualizadas na TC do que na RM (p = 0,031). Não foram encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significantes entre TC e RM em relação aos outros aspectos, ou seja, visualização de consolidações e espessamento septal interlobular/intralobular, distribuição ou forma de anormalidades pulmonares, doenças brônquicas, derrame pleural ou linfadenopatia torácica. Conclusão: As anomalias pulmonares causadas pela pneumonia por COVID-19 podem ser detectadas nas sequências TrueFISP e correspondem aos padrões conhecidos da TC. Especialmente em face da pandemia atual, as porções de imagem dos pulmões na RM cardíaca ou abdominal devem ser cuidadosamente avaliadas para apoiar a identificação e o isolamento de casos inesperados de COVID-19 e, assim, conter a disseminação.

Benefits of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography for interventional procedures.

For evaluating unclear tumorous lesions, contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) is an important imaging modality in addition to contrast-enhanced computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, and may provide valuable insights into the microvascularization of tumors in dynamic examinations. In interventional procedures, CEUS can make a valuable contribution in pre-, peri-, and post-interventional settings, reduce radiation exposure and, under certain circumstances, decrease the number of interventions needed for patients.

Comparison of computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the evaluation of unclear renal lesions. / Vergleich von Computertomografie (CT), Magnetresonanztomografie (MRT) und kontrastverstärktem Ultraschall (CEUS) bei der Beurteilung unklarer Nierenläsionen.

PURPOSE: To compare the sensitivity and specificity of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the evaluation of unclear renal lesions to the histopathological outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 255 patients with a single unclear renal mass with initial imaging studies between 2005 and 2015 were included. Patient ages ranged from 18 to 86 with (mean age 62 years; SD ±â€Š13). CEUS (255 patients), CT (88 out of 255 patients; 34.5 %) and MRI (36 out of 255 patients; 14.1 %) were used for determining malignancy or benignancy and initial findings were correlated with the histopathological outcome. RESULTS: CEUS showed a sensitivity of 99.1 % (95 % confidence interval (CI): 96.7 %, 99.9 %), a specificity of 80.5 % (95 % CI: 65.1 %, 91.2 %), a positive predictive value (PPV) of 96.4 % (95 % CI: 93.0 %, 98.4 %) and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 94.3 % (95 % CI: 80.8 %, 99.3 %). CT showed a sensitivity of 97.1 % (95 % CI: 89.9 %, 99.6 %), a specificity of 47.4 % (95 % CI: 24.4 %, 71.1 %), a PPV of 87.0 % (95 % CI: 77.4 %, 93.6 %) and a NPV of 81.8 % (95 % CI: 48.2 %, 97.7 %). MRI showed a sensitivity of 96.4 % (95 % CI: 81.7 %, 99.9 %), a specificity of 75.0 % (95 % CI: 34.9 %, 96.8 %), a PPV of 93.1 % (95 % CI: 77.2 %, 99.2 %) and a NPV of 85.7 % (95 % CI: 42.1 %, 99.6 %). Out of the 212 malignant lesions a total of 130 clear cell renal carcinomas, 59 papillary renal cell carcinomas, 7 chromophobe renal cell carcinomas, 4 combined clear cell and papillary renal cell carcinomas and 12 other malignant lesions, e. g. metastases, were diagnosed. Out of the 43 benign lesions a total 10 angiomyolipomas, 3 oncocytomas, 8 benign renal cysts and 22 other benign lesions, e. g. renal adenomas were diagnosed. Using CEUS, 10 lesions were falsely identified as malignant or benign, whereas 8 lesions were false positive and 2 lesions false negative. CONCLUSION: CEUS is an useful method which can be additionally used to clinically differentiate between malignant and benign renal lesions. CEUS shows a comparable sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV to CT and MRI. In daily clinical routine, patients with contraindications for other imaging modalities can particularly benefit using this method. KEY POINTS: · Wide availability. · Safe applicability in patients with known renal insufficiency or allergies to iodine or gadolinium. · Comparable sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV to CT and MRT. · May lead to a reduction in interventional radiological or surgical interventions. CITATION FORMAT: · Marschner CA, Ruebenthaler J, Schwarze V et al. Comparison of computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the evaluation of unclear renal lesions. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2020; 192: 1053 - 1058.