Biparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging as an Adjunct to CA125 and HE4 to Improve Characterization of Large Ovarian Masses.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Aim of the present study was to assess the diagnostic value of unenhanced biparametric magnetic resonance imaging (Bp-MRI) as adjunct to CA125 and human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) in the characterization of large ovarian masses. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Bp-MRI and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) imaging of 53 patients with large ovarian masses were retrospectively analyzed and compared to histological diagnosis. The results of Bp-MRI and DCE were assessed by two readers in consensus for each technique individually compared to each other and then with HE4 and CA125. RESULTS: Sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive values and positive predictive values for Bp-MRI and DCE were 92.3%, 91.4%, 94.1%, 88.9% and 84.6%, 94.3%, 89.2%, 91.7%, respectively. Both Bp-MRI and DCE were significant predictors of outcome. Among biomarkers, HE4 was significant. Considering the area under receiver operating characteristic curve the model including Bp-MRI and HE4 was not significantly different from the model including DCE and HE4. CONCLUSION: Bp-MRI in addition to HE4, especially in women of pre-menopausal age, could improve the characterization of large ovarian masses.

Role of magnetic resonance imaging in the prenatal diagnosis of gastrointestinal fetal anomalies.

PURPOSE: This study was done to evaluate the role of fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the study of gastrointestinal malformations in comparison to prenatal ultrasound (US). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective (2010-2012) study of 38 fetal MRI scans was performed on 38 fetuses between 24 and 38 weeks of gestation. All the fetuses had a US diagnosis of gastrointestinal anomalies. T2-weighted HASTE, T1-weighted fast gradient echo, TrueFISP and diffusion-weighted images of the fetal abdomen were obtained on a 1.5-Tesla magnet. All fetal MRI diagnoses were compared with postnatal US findings, autopsy or surgical reports. RESULTS: Fetal MRI was able to confirm the sonographic findings in nine of 38 fetuses (23.7%), to provide additional information in 23 of 38 fetuses (60.6%), to exclude the US diagnosis in five cases (5.2%) and to change it in two cases (5.2%). It was not able to characterize a case of gastric duplication and a case of abdominal cystic lymphangioma (5.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Fetal MRI can be used as a complementary imaging modality to US in prenatal evaluation of gastrointestinal anomalies and can be considered a valuable tool not only for confirming or excluding but also for providing additional information to fetal ultrasonographic findings.

Burkitt's Lymphoma Presented as Advanced Ovarian Cancer without Evidence of Lymphadenopathy: CT and MRI Findings.

Burkitt's lymphoma is a rare non-Hodgkin's lymphoma which can occasionally involve the ovary and may cause confusion for the clinician since its presentation might mimic other much more frequent tumors. We present a case of a 23-year-old woman with sporadic Burkitt's lymphoma presented as advanced ovarian cancer with bilateral ovarian masses, peritoneal carcinomatosis, ascites, and marked elevation of CA-125. Liver involvement and atypical bone lesions, such as the cranial vault and the iliac wing, were also detected without evidence of lymphadenopathy. We describe the MRI and CT findings of simultaneous ovarian and bone lesions, which have never been reported in literature in a patient with Burkitt's lymphoma, before and after one cycle of chemotherapy. In evaluating any ovarian neoplasm in a young woman, Burkitt's lymphoma should be considered as a possibility, particularly if associated with bone lesions. MRI is the most useful tool to characterize the ovarian lesions and suggest the diagnosis before the histopathological results.

Role of foetal MRI in the evaluation of ischaemic-haemorrhagic lesions of the foetal brain.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to define the role of foetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in evaluating cerebral ischaemic-haemorrhagic lesions and the extension of parenchymal injuries. STUDY DESIGN: From September 2006 to September 2010, 271 foetal MRI have been performed on cases referred to us for ultrasound suspect of brain abnormalities or cytomegalovirus infection and Toxoplasma serum conversion. Foetal MRI was performed with a 1.5-T magnet system without mother sedation. RESULTS: Foetal MRI detected ischaemic-haemorrhagic lesions in 14 of 271 foetuses, consisting of 5% incidence. MRI confirmed the diagnosis in three of 14 cases with ultrasonography (US) suspect of ischaemic-haemorrhagic lesions associated with ventriculomegaly. In one of 14 cases with US findings of cerebellar haemorrhage, MRI confirmed the diagnosis and provided additional information regarding the parenchymal ischaemic injury. In eight of 14 cases with US suspect of ventriculomegaly (3), corpus callosum agenesis (2), hypoplasia of cerebellar vermis (1), holoprosencephaly (1) and spina bifida (1), MRI detected ischaemic and haemorrhagic lesions unidentified at US examination. In two of 14 foetuses with US suspect of intracerebral space-occupying lesion, MRI modified the diagnosis to extra-axial haematoma associated with dural sinus malformation. Results were compared with post-mortem findings or afterbirth imaging follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Foetal MRI is an additional imaging modality in the diagnosis of cerebral ischemic-haemorrhagic lesions, and it is useful in providing further information on the extension of the parenchymal injury and associated abnormalities, thus improving delivery management.

Beyond laparoscopy: 3-T magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of posterior cul-de-sac obliteration.

OBJECTIVES: Endometriosis is the ectopic localization of endometrial glands. Symptoms include a wide variety of chronic pelvic pain. Ovarian endometriosis represents the most frequent site of implantation followed by the Douglas pouch which is undepicted unless peritoneal fluid is present. Pelvic exams may be reported as normal in 40% of evaluations, although multiple nodularities are located in this region. Nowadays, laparoscopy represents the standard technique for endometriosis evaluation. However, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) remains the best noninvasive technique for the evaluation of pelvic lesions. According to the importance of a precise preoperative diagnosis of deep infiltrative endometriosis involving the Douglas pouch, we evaluated feasibility of a 3-T system in the evaluation of this particular region. METHODS: We enrolled 19 women coming with either ultrasound or anamnestic suspicion of endometriosis. Pelvic MRI examination was performed on the 3-T system. We applied a standard exam protocol including pulse sequences [single-shot fast spin echo (FSE)] and high-resolution T2W and T1W FSE sequences with and without FS. RESULTS: MRI diagnosed posterior cul-de-sac obliteration in 15/19 patients. MRI findings were compared with laparoscopy, thus obtaining the following statistical values: mean sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value, respectively, of 93%, 75%, 93% and 75%. Moreover, we calculated an interobserver agreement k value of 0.72 with a substantial degree of agreement between two radiologists of a sensitivity value of 93% and specificity value of 75%. CONCLUSIONS: Precise preoperative mapping of posterior cul-de-sac region is essential for a preoperative planning. In our work, the 3-T MRI was shown to be excellent in the evaluation of posterior cul-de-sac obliteration associated to an optimal evaluation of the uterosacral ligaments due to the higher contrast spatial resolution.

MRI and DWI: feasibility of DWI and ADC maps in the evaluation of placental changes during gestation.

OBJECTIVE: To establish if a correlation exists between apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values, obtained by diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and placental aging. METHOD: The study is divided into a retrospective phase and a prospective one.In the first phase, 145 pregnant women underwent fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for suspected disorders in several organs. We performed DWI (b value 0, 200 and 700 s/mm(2)) in all the fetuses, evaluating the patients in whom the whole placenta was visible.In the prospective phase, 50 women (52 fetuses) underwent MRI. We performed, in the same patient, two echo-planar sequences with b values of 0, 200 and 700, and 50, 200 and 700 s/mm(2), including the whole placenta.The ADC maps were calculated for all fetuses, divided into three groups based on gestational age (GA): group I: 20-26 weeks' gestation, II: 27-33, III: 34-40. RESULTS: In the retrospective phase, ADC values had a range from 1 to 2.4 mm(2)/s, showing a significant correlation between ADC values and GA.ADC values obtained by DWI with b value 0, 200 and 700 s/mm(2) had a range from 0.8 to 2.5 mm(2)/s, with an inverse correlation between ADC values and GA, whereas the ADC values with b value 50, 200 and 700 s/mm(2) did not show any statistical correlation (range: 1.5-1.7 mm(2)/s). CONCLUSION: DWI with ADC maps can not be considered markers for placental aging because they are affected by perfusional and circulatory motion.