Uterine mesenchymal tumors: development and preliminary results of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) diagnostic algorithm.

PURPOSE: The aim of our study is to propose a diagnostic algorithm to guide MRI findings interpretation and malignancy risk stratification of uterine mesenchymal masses with a multiparametric step-by-step approach. METHODS: A non-interventional retrospective multicenter study was performed: Preoperative MRI of 54 uterine masses was retrospectively evaluated. Firstly, the performance of MRI with monoparametric and multiparametric approach was assessed. Reference standard for final diagnosis was surgical pathologic result (n = 53 patients) or at least 1-year MR imaging follow-up (n = 1 patient). Subsequently, a diagnostic algorithm was developed for MR interpretation, resulting in a Likert score from 1 to 5 predicting risk of malignancy of the uterine lesion. The accuracy and reproducibility of the MRI scoring system were then tested: 26 preoperative pelvic MRI were double-blind evaluated by a senior (SR) and junior radiologist (JR). Diagnostic performances and the agreement between the two readers with and without the application of the proposed algorithm were compared, using histological results as standard reference. RESULTS: Multiparametric approach showed the best diagnostic performance in terms of accuracy (94.44%,) and specificity (97.56%). DWI was confirmed as the most sensible parameter with a relative high specificity: low ADC values (mean 0.66) significantly correlated to uterine sarcomas diagnosis (p < 0.01). Proposed algorithm allowed to improve both JR and SR performance (algorithm-aided accuracy 88.46% and 96%, respectively) and determined a significant increase in inter-observer agreement, helping even the less-experienced radiologist in this difficult differential diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Uterine leiomyomas and sarcomas often show an overlap of clinical and imaging features. The application of a diagnostic algorithm can help radiologists to standardize their approach to a complex myometrial mass and to easily identify suspicious MRI features favoring malignancy.

How embryology knowledge can help radiologists in the differential diagnosis of canal of Nuck pathologies.

The Canal of Nuck (CN) is an anatomical structure which is often forgotten. It is the female equivalent of the male processus vaginalis and corresponds to a protrusion of parietal peritoneum that extends from the inguinal canal to labia majora. Radiologists rarely encounter patients with pathology of CN, especially in adult population. It is well known that CN diseases can occur in paediatric patient (especially younger than 5 years of age) and they are associated to high morbidity (for example ovarian hernia with high risk of incarceration and torsion). The aim of our work is to review embryology, anatomy and pathologies of the CN thanks to a multi modal approach-ultrasound (US), Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance imaging (MRI)-to make radiologists more aware of such conditions and guarantee a prompt and correct diagnosis not only in paediatric patients but also in the adult population.

The effects of mild germinal matrix-intraventricular haemorrhage on the developmental white matter microstructure of preterm neonates: a DTI study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate white matter (WM) microstructural changes in preterm neonates (PN) with mild germinal matrix-intraventricular haemorrhage (mGMH-IVH) (grades I and II) and no other associated MRI abnormalities, and correlate them with gestational age (GA) and neurodevelopmental outcome. METHODS: Tract-based spatial-statistics (TBSS) was performed on DTI of 103 patients studied at term-equivalent age, to compare diffusional parameters (fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), radial diffusivity (RD), axial diffusivity (AD)) between mGMH-IVH neonates (24/103) and controls matched by GA at birth and sex. The relationship between DTI abnormalities, GA and neurodevelopmental outcome assessed with Griffiths' Developmental Scale-Revised:0-2 was explored using TBSS and Spearman-correlation analysis (p < .05). RESULTS: Affected neonates had lower FA, higher RD and MD of the corpus callosum, limbic pathways and cerebellar tracts. Extremely preterm neonates (GA < 29 weeks) presented more severe microstructural impairment (higher RD and MD) in periventricular regions. Neonates of GA ≥ 29 weeks had milder WM alterations (lower FA), also in subcortical WM. DTI abnormalities were associated with poorer locomotor, eye-hand coordination and performance outcomes at 24 months. CONCLUSIONS: WM microstructural changes occur in PN with mGMH-IVH with a GA-dependent selective vulnerability of WM regions, and correlate with adverse neurodevelopmental outcome at 24 months. KEY POINTS: • DTI-TBSS analysis identifies WM microstructural changes in preterm neonates with mGMH-IVH. • Extremely preterm neonates with mGMH-IVH presented more severe impairment of WM microstructure. • Extremely preterm neonates with mGMH-IVH presented microstructural impairment of periventricular WM. • mGMH-IVH affects subcortical WM in preterm neonates with gestational age ≥ 29 weeks. • WM microstructural alterations are related to neurodevelopmental impairments at 24 months.

Moyamoya Vasculopathy in PHACE Syndrome: Six New Cases and Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: PHACE syndrome (Posterior fossa malformations, large cervicofacial infantile Hemangiomas, Arterial anomalies, aortic coarctation and Cardiac abnormalities, and Eye abnormalities) is a neurocutaneous disorder including posterior fossa malformations, hemangiomas, arterial lesions, cardiac defects, and eye abnormalities. PHACE arteriopathies may be progressive and recently have been categorized based on the risk of acute ischemic stroke, increasing attention to the potentially devastating consequences of cerebrovascular complications in this syndrome. In contrast, the natural history of arteriopathy in PHACE syndrome remains poorly understood. At the moment, there are no established surgical guidelines for high-risk vasculopathies, including quasi-moyamoya, in this syndrome. CASE DESCRIPTION: We described the clinicoradiologic features of a small series of 6 patients with PHACE syndrome and quasi-moyamoya (5 female, age range 4 months to 12 years), focusing on the clinical course and surgical outcome of 3 children who were treated with encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis and encephalomyosynangiosis. In addition, we reviewed the radiologic, clinical, and surgical aspects of moyamoya vasculopathy in PHACE syndrome, providing information on 15 additional published cases. CONCLUSIONS: Although the natural history of arteriopathy in PHACE syndrome is poorly understood, patients with high-risk vasculopathies, such as quasi-moyamoya disease, may benefit of revascularization by using encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis and encephalomyosynangiosis.

Diagnostic Approach to Pediatric Spine Disorders.

Understanding the developmental features of the pediatric spine and spinal cord, including embryologic steps and subsequent growth of the osteocartilaginous spine and contents is necessary for interpretation of the pathologic events that may affect the pediatric spine. MR imaging plays a crucial role in the diagnostic evaluation of patients suspected of harboring spinal abnormalities, whereas computed tomography and ultrasonography play a more limited, complementary role. This article discusses the embryologic and developmental anatomy features of the spine and spinal cord, together with some technical points and pitfalls, and the most common indications for pediatric spinal MR imaging.

Neuroimaging of Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases of the Pediatric Cerebellum and Brainstem.

Cerebellar involvement by infectious-inflammatory conditions is rare in children. Most patients present with acute ataxia, and are typically previously healthy, young (often preschool) children. Viral involvement is the most common cause and ranges from acute postinfectious ataxia to acute cerebellitis MR imaging plays a crucial role in the evaluation of patients suspected of harboring inflammatory-infectious involvement of the cerebellum and brainstem. Knowledge of the imaging features of these disorders and technical competence on pediatric MR imaging are necessary for a correct interpretation of findings, which in turn prompts further management.