Fatty-marrow transformation following radiotherapy for pancreatic cancer detected using dual-energy computed tomography: A case report.

Bone damage, a late side effect of radiotherapy, occurs concurrently with the replacement of fat cells in the bone marrow, causing changes in bone composition. Changes in composition can affect bone quality and disease states, and reduced bone mass can reduce quality of life by increasing the risk of fractures. A 70-year-old woman presented to the orthopedic outpatient clinic with the chief complaint of lower-back pain. The patient reported no history of trauma but was in great pain and had difficulty walking. Since the patient had a history of pancreatic cancer, tumor-marker testing, bone scintigraphy, and dual-energy computed tomography were performed. Although the tumor-marker levels were normal, dual-energy computed tomography and bone scintigraphy revealed fresh compression fractures of the L1 and L3 vertebrae. In addition, dual-energy computed tomography material-discrimination analysis suggested high fat density in the L2 vertebral body. The patient had received approximately 30 Gy radiation to the L2 vertebral body for her pancreatic cancer, which resulted in fatty myelination in the bone. The diagnosis of fatty myelination is made on T1-weighted magnetic resonance images; however, diagnosis remains challenging because of the difficulty in assessing bone morphology on magnetic resonance images. Moreover, some patients are not candidates for magnetic resonance imaging. Dual-energy computed tomography-based material-discrimination analysis can visually depict changes in the bone marrow, and is a valuable diagnostic tool owing to its simplicity.

The Null technique as a novel, potential first-line method of device delivery for complicated lesions during percutaneous coronary intervention.

Aim: During percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), complicated lesions in the target coronary artery often hinder device delivery. Fluid lubricants have commonly been used to reduce friction between adjacent solid materials in manufacturing, thus achieving smoother action. This ex vivo experimental study examined whether a contrast medium could function as a fluid lubricant during PCI. Methods and results: We used two different coronary artery lesion models with distinct complexities made from silicon. Each model was fit into the ex vivo PCI-simulation system. This ex vivo laboratory equipment consisted of ordinary PCI instruments and an aorta model from the Valsalva sinus to the descending aorta. A Wolverine™ cutting balloon catheter was advanced through each lesion model via a guide catheter set into the system. The maximum force required to push the catheter through the lesion models was measured while the vessel system was filled with either normal saline or contrast medium. The maximum force required was significantly lower with the contrast medium (1.38 ± 0.21 N in the normal-saline condition vs. 0.92 ± 0.05 N in the contrast-medium condition in the lesion model A, p < 0.001; 1.30 ± 0.07 N in the normal-saline condition vs. 1.14 ± 0.04 N in the contrast-medium condition in the lesion model B, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The contrast medium for vessel system filling reduced the force required to push the devices through the lesion models. This contrast medium represents a potential candidate for a liquid lubricant to facilitate device delivery for complicated coronary lesions.

Spontaneous retroperitoneal hematoma: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous retroperitoneal hematoma is defined as bleeding in the retroperitoneal space without any triggers such as trauma, invasive procedures, and abdominal aortic aneurysm. CASE PRESENTATION: A 48-year-old Japanese man who experienced sudden abdominal pain, severe hypotension, and decreased hemoglobin was diagnosed with spontaneous retroperitoneal hematoma. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed massive left retroperitoneal hematoma; however, neither extravasation nor causative aneurysm was noted. Through conservative management with close monitoring, he was treated and discharged on the tenth hospital day without any morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous retroperitoneal hematoma treatment comprises conservative management, transcatheter arterial embolization, and surgical intervention. The mortality rate of spontaneous retroperitoneal hematoma is so high that the optimal treatment timing needs to be carefully judged on the basis of detailed evaluation, and management algorithm with clear criteria.

Adolescent Acute Pancreatitis Complicated With Pseudoaneurysms and Venous Thrombosis.

Vascular complications, such as pseudoaneurysms and thrombosis, are uncommon in pediatric acute pancreatitis (AP); hence, treatment experience remains limited. Here, we report a case of adolescent AP complicated with pseudoaneurysms and venous thrombosis simultaneously. Even after multiple endovascular embolizations for pseudoaneurysms, the patient experienced hemorrhagic shock resulting from pseudoaneurysm rupture after taking anticoagulants for thrombus. Inevitably, a total pancreatectomy was performed to prevent bleeding and control local complications. In AP, even among the pediatric population, a therapeutic dilemma between bleeding prevention and anticoagulation for thrombosis may occur. Despite the lack of experience with AP and its complications, a total pancreatectomy may become an alternative therapy for refractory AP or its complications.

Postendovascular Aneurysmal Repair Increase in Local Energy Loss for Fusiform Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Assessments With 4D flow MRI.

BACKGROUND: Although endovascular aneurysmal repair (EVAR) is a preferred treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) owing to its low invasiveness, its impact on the local hemodynamics has not been fully assessed. PURPOSE: To elucidate how EVAR affects the local hemodynamics in terms of energy loss (EL). STUDY TYPE: Prospective single-arm study. FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: A 3.0 T/4D flow MRI using a phase-contrast three-dimensional cine-gradient-echo sequence. POPULATION: A total of 13 consecutive patients (median [interquartile range] age: 77.0 [73.0, 78.8] years, 11 male) scheduled for EVAR as an initial treatment for fusiform AAA. ASSESSMENT: 4D flow MRI covering the abdominal aorta and bilateral common iliac arteries and the corresponding stent-graft (SG) lumen was performed before and after EVAR. Plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) was measured within 1 week before and 1 month after EVAR. The hemodynamic data, including mean velocity and the local EL, were compared pre-/post-EVAR. EL was correlated with AAA neck angle and with BNP. Patients were subdivided into deformed (N = 5) and undeformed SG subgroups (N = 8) and pre-/post-EVAR BNP compared in each. STATISTICS: Parametric or nonparametric methods. Spearman's rank correlation coefficients (r). The interobserver/intraobserver variabilities with Bland-Altman plots. A P value < 0.05 is considered significant. RESULTS: The mean velocity (cm/sec) at the AAA was five times greater after EVAR: 4.79 ± 0.32 vs. 0.91 ± 0.02. The total EL (mW) increased by 1.7 times after EVAR: 0.487 (0.420, 0.706) vs. 0.292 (0.192, 0.420). The total EL was proportional to the AAA neck angle pre-EVAR (r = 0.691) and post-EVAR (r = 0.718). BNP (pg/mL) was proportional to the total EL post-EVAR (r = 0.773). In the deformed SG group, EL (0.349 [0.261, 0.416]) increased 2.4-fold to 0.848 (0.597, 1.13), and the BNP 90.3 (53.6, 105) to 100 (67.2, 123) post-EVAR. CONCLUSION: The local EL showed a 1.7-fold increase after EVAR. The larger increase in the EL in the deformed SG group might be a potential concern for frail patients. EVIDENCE LEVEL: 1 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.

Hysteroscopic resection with temporary balloon catheter occlusion of bilateral internal iliac arteries for managing retained products of conception after spontaneous abortion: Two cases report.

Retained products of conception (RPOC) is a condition in which trophoblastic tissue remains in the uterus after pregnancy, causing massive hemorrhage in some cases. Though RPOC is commonly treated by intrauterine curettage or hysteroscopic resection uterine artery embolization or hysterectomy may be performed in case of massive bleeding. We experienced two cases of RPOC after surgery for missed abortion that failed to respond to conservative treatment and required surgical treatment. They were treated by hysteroscopic resection with temporary balloon catheter occlusion of bilateral internal iliac arteries for fertility preservation. After the balloon catheters were inflated, the reduction of blood flow to RPOC was observed under transvaginal ultrasound. In both cases, good visualization was maintained throughout the surgery with minimal bleeding. They were discharged the next day and resumed menstruation 1 month after surgery. This paper demonstrates the usefulness of this procedure as a minimally invasive and fertility-preserving surgery.

Pulmonary varix clearly demonstrated by 3D-CT before pulmonary angiography.

Pulmonary varix is a rare and usually asymptomatic localized dilation of a pulmonary vein. This disease should be distinguished from other pulmonary and mediastinal diseases, particularly pulmonary arteriovenous malformations. Herein, we encountered a case of pulmonary varix clearly demonstrated by 3-dimensional reconstructed computed tomography (3D-CT) which proved useful in its diagnosis. The 3D-CT enabled easy understanding of the vascular connections and confirmation of the absence of an inflow pulmonary artery. We also performed angiography which showed findings consistent with those obtained by the 3D-CT, thus confirming the diagnosis of pulmonary varix. After the diagnosis, the patient was followed up for several years without any treatment and she remained asymptomatic. On follow-up CT, the lesion remained unchanged.

mCRP as a Biomarker of Adult-Onset Still's Disease: Quantification of mCRP by ELISA.

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) is a dynamic protein that undergoes conformational changes between circulating native pentameric CRP (pCRP), pentameric symmetrical forms (pCRP*) and monomeric (or modified) CRP (mCRP) forms. mCRP exhibits strong pro-inflammatory activity and activates platelets, leukocytes, and endothelial cells. Abundant deposition of mCRP in inflamed tissues plays a role in several disease conditions, such as ischemia/reperfusion injury, Alzheimer's disease, and cardiovascular disease. Although pCRP is typically quantified rather than mCRP for clinical purposes, mCRP may be a more appropriate disease marker of inflammatory diseases. Therefore, simple methods for quantifying mCRP are needed. Methods: We developed a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to measure plasma levels of mCRP. Plasma mCRP concentration was measured in patients with adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) (n=20), polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) (n=20), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (n=30), infection (n=50), and in control subjects (n=30) using the developed ELISA. Results: We demonstrated that mCRP is elevated in some inflammatory autoimmune diseases, particularly AOSD. The mCRP concentration was also significantly higher among AOSD patients than RA, PMR patients and controls (477 ng/ml, 77 ng/ml, 186 ng/ml, and 1.2 ng/ml, respectively). Also, the mCRP (×1,000)/pCRP ratio was significantly higher among AOSD patients than RA, PMR, and infection patients (3.5, 0.6, 1,6, and 2.0, respectively). Conclusion: The plasma mCRP levels are elevated in some autoimmune diseases, particularly AOSD. The plasma mCRP levels may therefore be a potentially useful biomarker for AOSD.

Adrenocortical carcinoma with multiple liver metastases controlled by bland transarterial embolization and surgery resulting in long-term survival.

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare malignant tumor with a poor prognosis. Local recurrence or distant metastases occur in more than 50% of cases. Patients with metastases have limited treatment options, and <15% have a 5-year survival time. Herein, we describe a 44-year-old woman with ACC and who underwent retroperitoneal tumor resection. Multiple liver and lung metastases were found 1-year postresection. Mitotane therapy started as systemic treatment. Lung metastases were controlled but liver metastases were progressive. The liver metastases were treated by performing 2 resections and 6 bland transarterial embolization (bland TAE), and are presently controlled with only 2 liver metastases of <20 mm. The present case showed that bland TAE can achieve long-term prevention of the progression of liver metastases of ACC. The ultraselective bland TAE for selective embolization supported by the latest computed tomography analysis techniques during arteriography could minimize liver damage caused by embolization and allowed multiple treatments which prolonged survival. We conclude that bland TAE can be effective for controlling liver metastases of ACC.

Potential of PALBI-T score as a prognostic model for hepatocellular carcinoma in alcoholic liver disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: With the control of viral hepatitis, alcoholic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is becoming increasingly important in Japan. In alcoholic cirrhosis, the impact of portal hypertension is significant. Thus, it may be difficult to predict prognosis accurately with the reported prognostic scores. Here we propose the platelet-albumin-bilirubin tumor nodes metastasis (TNM) score (PALBI-T score) as a prognostic model for HCC in alcoholic liver disease, and investigate its usefulness. The PALBI-T score is an integrated score based on the TNM stage and PALBI grade including platelets, reflecting portal hypertension. METHODS: This study included 163 patients with alcoholic HCC treated at our Center from 1997 to 2018. We compared the prognostic prediction abilities of the Japan Integrated Staging (JIS) score, ALBI-T score, and PALBI-T score. The PALBI-T score was calculated similarly to the JIS and ALBI-T scores. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were calculated for predicting overall survival (OS). RESULTS: In predicting the 1-year survival, the JIS score had a larger AUC (AUC = 0.925) than the ALBI-T score (AUC = 0.895) and PALBI-T score (AUC = 0.891). On the other hand, there was no significant difference in predicting OS among the integrated scores. The PALBI-T score (AUC = 0.740) had the largest AUC, and the JIS score (AUC = 0.729) and ALBI-T score (AUC = 0.717) were not significantly different from the PALBI grade (AUC = 0.634). The PALBI grade reflected the degree of portal hypertension. CONCLUSION: In patients with alcoholic HCC, the Japan Integrated Staging score is useful for predicting short-term prognosis. The PALBI-T score, which reflects portal hypertension, appears to be a more valid prognostic score for predicting long-term prognosis.

Anti-Monomeric C-Reactive Protein Antibody Ameliorates Arthritis and Nephritis in Mice.

Conformation-specific Ags are ideal targets for mAb-based immunotherapy. Here, we demonstrate that the monomeric form of C-reactive protein (mCRP) is a specific therapeutic target for arthritis and nephritis in a murine model. Screening of >1800 anti-mCRP mAb clones identified 3C as a clone recognizing the monomeric, but not polymeric, form of CRP. The anti-mCRP mAb suppressed leukocyte infiltration in thioglycollate-induced peritonitis, attenuated rheumatoid arthritis symptoms in collagen Ab-induced arthritis model mice, and attenuated lupus nephritis symptoms in MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr lupus-prone model mice. These data suggest that the anti-mCRP mAb 3C has therapeutic potential against rheumatoid arthritis and lupus nephritis.

Light Chain Deposition Disease Diagnosed Using Computed Tomography-Guided Kidney Biopsy.

Light chain deposition disease (LCDD) is characterized by the deposition of monoclonal immunoglobulin light chains in the kidney, which can cause end-stage kidney disease if not treated. While kidney biopsy is required for definitive diagnosis, choosing an appropriate biopsy method may be problematic when examining patients with atrophic kidneys. A 66-year-old Japanese man was referred to our institution with a three-month history of leg edema. Clinical investigations revealed proteinuria levels of 7.5 g/day. CT-guided percutaneous kidney biopsy was selected as the biopsy method because atrophic kidneys were poorly visualized on ultrasonography. Kidney biopsy revealed nodular glomerulosclerosis, exclusive deposition of the κ chain, and powdery electron-dense deposits, all of which were indicative of LCDD. Bence-Jones protein was detected in the urine. The patient also had an abnormal serum-free light chain ratio. Bone marrow biopsy revealed multiple myeloma; therefore, the patient was diagnosed to have LCDD with multiple myeloma. The patient was treated with daratumumab, bortezomib, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone. After a one-year follow-up, the patient had hematological and renal responses without any treatment-related adverse effects. Our case demonstrates the effectiveness of daratumumab as a treatment for LCDD with nephrotic-range proteinuria. Additionally, we suggest that CT-guided kidney biopsy should be considered as a diagnostic test in patients with kidney atrophy when making a definitive diagnosis.

High false-negative rate of the anterior spinal artery by intercostobronchial trunk arteriography alone compared to CT during arteriography.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the frequencies of the anterior spinal arteries identified by CT during arteriography (CTA) and arteriography alone. METHODS: This retrospective study included 137 vessels in 83 patients who performed both bronchial arteriography and CTA and categorized them into three groups based on the catheter tip locations: intercostobronchial trunk (ICBT), bronchial artery (BA), and intercostal artery (ICA). The frequencies of anterior spinal artery identified by CTA and arteriography alone were compared for each group. RESULTS: ICBT, BA, and ICA groups were evaluated by CTA in 46, 79, and 12 vessels, respectively. By CTA evaluation, anterior spinal artery was identified in seven vessels (15.2%) in ICBT group, 0 in BA group and two (16.7%) in ICA group. The frequencies of anterior spinal artery were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in ICBT and ICA groups than in BA group. By arteriography evaluation alone, a faint anterior spinal artery was identified in two vessels (4.3%) in ICBT group, 0 in BA group, and 1 (8.3%) in ICA group. CONCLUSIONS: Anterior spinal artery branched only from the ICBT or ICA and not from the BA in both arteriography and CTA assessments. There was high false-negative rate (71%) of the anterior spinal artery by ICBT arteriography alone assessment compared to CTA assessment. This result explains one of the reasons that spinal ischemia occurs in arteriography-negative spinal artery cases. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: False-negative rate of anterior spinal artery was 71% (5/7) by intercostobronchial trunk arteriography alone assessment.

Gastric remnant reconstruction with left gastroepiploic artery supercharge after esophagectomy in a patient with an occluded right gastroepiploic artery: A technical and case report.

INTRODUCTION: Gastric remnant reconstruction is commonly used for esophagectomy reconstruction. However, standard reconstruction cannot be performed in some patients with a specific medical history. We report a case of esophagectomy and gastric remnant reconstruction with left gastroepiploic artery (LGEA) supercharge to treat esophageal cancer in a patient in whom the right gastroepiploic artery (RGEA) had previously been occluded. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 65-year-old man underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection for thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. He was diagnosed with pathological T1b cancer with lymphatic invasion and a positive horizontal margin, and needed curative resection. He had previously undergone RGEA embolization to treat a pseudoaneurysm caused by chronic pancreatitis. We successfully performed esophagectomy and gastric remnant reconstruction with preoperative left gastric artery embolization and intraoperative LGEA supercharge. DISCUSSION: An absent RGEA blood supply is not always a contraindication for gastric remnant reconstruction when the collateral blood flows are well developed and supercharge can maintain the blood supply to the gastric remnant. CONCLUSIONS: Gastric remnant reconstruction with preoperative selective arterial embolization and intraoperative supercharge represents one of the options for high-risk patients with an altered gastric blood supply.

Quantitative analysis of gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI for the differential diagnosis of focal liver lesions: Comparison between estimated intralesional gadoxetic acid retention by T1 mapping and conventional processing methods.

PURPOSE: To compare the estimated quantity of intratumor gadoxetic acid retention using T1 mapping of gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) versus conventional processing methods for the differential diagnosis of focal liver lesions. METHODS: Seventy patients with hepatic lesions (colorectal metastasis (CRM) [n = 28], hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) [n = 20], hemangioma [n = 12], and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) [n = 10]) underwent gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI, including pre- and post-contrast T1-weighted imaging and T1 mapping. Quantitative analyses included the lesion-to-liver signal intensity ratio (SIR) on hepatobiliary phase images, the pre- and post-contrast lesion T1 value difference (ΔT1 [ms]), and the lesion retention index (LRI [%]), which was the estimated intralesional gadoxetic acid retention calculated on pre- and post-contrast T1 maps using a two-compartment pharmacokinetic model. Results were compared between the four subcategories of focal liver lesions using the Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by the post-hoc Dunn's test and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis to distinguish between pairs of the four lesion subcategories. RESULTS: This study identified significant differences in the LRI of the four lesion subcategories (p <  0.01), without significant differences in ΔT1 or SIR. Post-hoc analysis demonstrated significant differences in CRM vs. hemangioma (p <  0.01), hemangioma vs. ICC (p <  0.01), and HCC vs. ICC (p =  0.047) for the LRI. CONCLUSIONS: The quantity of intratumor gadoxetic acid retention estimated using pre- and post- contrast T1 mapping could distinguish focal liver lesions, unlike conventional processing methods, and captured unique lesion characteristics.

Detection of arteriography-negative anterior spinal artery branching via intercostobronchial trunk confirmed by CT during intercostobronchial trunk arteriography: A case report.

Spinal cord ischemia is an important complication of bronchial artery embolization for hemoptysis. It has been reported even though a spinal artery was not visualized on arteriography. We could show a 67-year-old man with repeated hemoptysis. His hemoptysis gradually worsened and diagnosed with severe hemoptysis, and transarterial embolization was planned to stop the hemoptysis. An anterior spinal artery arising from intercostobronchial trunk confirmed by computed tomography during arteriography even though it was not visualized on arteriography. Great care should be taken with transarterial embolization via intercostobronchial trunk, potentially branching the spinal artery, even though it was not visualized on arteriography alone.

Investigation of the characteristics of headache due to unruptured intracranial vertebral artery dissection.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: It is sometimes difficult to diagnose intracranial vertebral artery dissection in patients with headache as the only symptom. Knowledge of the characteristics of the headache would facilitate the diagnosis. In this study, we aimed to clarify the characteristics of intracranial vertebral artery dissection-related headache using our original self-administered questionnaire. METHODS: Via the questionnaire, we ascertained headache characteristics and investigated whether they differed between two types of unruptured intracranial vertebral artery dissection, headache type and ischemic type, based on analysis of the responses. Then, we tried to validate the consistency of commonly used criteria for intracranial artery dissection by comparing them with our results. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients were analyzed. Our results identified the following seven headache characteristics in patients with intracranial vertebral artery dissection: (i) occurring in the occipitonuchal region (89%); (ii) unilateral (81%); (iii) pulsatile (70%); (iv) of acute onset (70%); (v) severe (73%); (vi) without nausea or vomiting (73%); and (vii) with concomitant clinical symptoms unrelated to ischemia (81%). Comparison of headache characteristics between the two types of intracranial vertebral artery dissection headache showed that the pain was significantly more severe in headache type than ischemic type intracranial vertebral artery dissection ( p = 0.01). Concomitant clinical symptoms occurred significantly more often in ischemic type than headache type intracranial vertebral artery dissection ( p = 0.03). Our results generally satisfied the established headache diagnostic criteria. CONCLUSION: The pain characteristics of headache type and ischemic type intracranial vertebral artery dissection shown in our study may facilitate its diagnosis.

Clinical investigation of chronic subdural hematoma with impending brain herniation on arrival.

Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) with brain herniation signs is rarely seen in the emergent department. As such, there are few cumulative data to analyze such cases. In this study, we evaluated the clinical features, risk factors, and rates of completion with impending brain herniation on arrival in a cohort study. We analyzed 492 consecutive patients with CSDH between January 2010 and October 2015. First, we analyzed the clinical factors and compared them between patients with or without brain herniation signs on admission. Second, we compared clinical factors between patients with or without completion of brain herniation after operation among patients who had brain herniation signs on arrival. Eleven (2.2%) patients showed brain herniation signs on arrival, and six patients (1.2%) progressed to complete brain herniation. Patients with brain herniation signs on arrival were significantly older (P = 0.03) and more frequently hospitalized with a concomitant illness (P < 0.0001). Niveau formation (P = 0.0005) and acute-on CSDH (P = 0.0001) on computed tomography were also more frequently seen in patients with brain herniation signs. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age older than 75 years (OR 2.16, P < 0.0001), niveau formation (OR 3.09, P < 0.0001), acute-on CSDH (OR 14, P < 0.0001), and admitted to another hospital (OR 52.6, P < 0.0001) were independent risk factors for having had brain herniation signs on arrival. On the other hand, having a history of head injury (P = 0.02) and disappearance of the ambient cistern (P = 0.0009) were significantly associated with completion of brain herniation. The prognosis was generally poor if the patient had presented with brain herniation signs on admission. Our results demonstrate that the diagnosis is often made late, despite hospitalization for a concomitant illness. When the elderly show mild disturbance of consciousness, physicians except neurosurgeons need to consider the possibility of CSDH regardless of a recent history of head injury.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Grading System for Preoperative Diagnosis of Leiomyomas and Uterine Smooth Muscle Tumors.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) grading system for preoperative differentiation between benign and variant-type uterine leiomyomas including smooth muscle tumors of uncertain malignant potential (STUMPs). DESIGN: Retrospective analysis (Canadian Task Force classification III). SETTING: Teaching hospital (Teine Keijinkai Hospital). PATIENTS: Three-hundred thirteen patient medical records were retrospectively reviewed if treated for uterine myomas and diagnosed with variant type leiomyomas or STUMPs (n = 27) or benign, typical leiomyomas (n = 286) and treated between January 2012 and December 2014. INTERVENTION: Uterine myoma classifications using MRI findings according to a 5-grade system (grades I-V) based on 3 elements. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Uterine myoma MRI classifications were based on 3 elements: T2-weighted imaging (high or low), diffusion-weighted imaging (high or low), and apparent diffusion coefficient values (high or low; apparent diffusion coefficient < 1.5 × 10-3 mm2/sec was considered low). Grades I to II were designated as typical or benign leiomyomas, grade III as degenerated leiomyomas, and grades IV to V as variant type leiomyomas or STUMPs. Accuracy levels were 98.9%, 100%, 94.3%, 58.8%, and 41.9% for grades I through V lesions, respectively. The grades were divided into 2 groups to discriminate benign leiomyomas and STUMPs (grades I-III were considered negative and grades IV-V positive). Grades IV to V scored 85.2% for sensitivity, 91.3% for specificity, 47.9% positive predictive value, 98.5% negative predictive value, a 9.745 positive likelihood ratio, and a .162 negative likelihood ratio. CONCLUSION: This novel MRI grading system for uterine myomas may be beneficial in differentiating benign leiomyomas from STUMPs or variant type leiomyomas and could be a future effective presurgical assessment tool.