Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) guidance is helpful in reducing dose exposure to pediatric patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation of osteoid osteoma.

PURPOSE: To assess efficacy and safety of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in the radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of osteoid osteoma (OO) in children and adolescents, and to compare technical success, clinical success, radiation dose and procedure duration time of CBCT guidance to conventional computed tomography (CT) guidance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2015 and 2019, 53 consecutive percutaneous RFA were performed on pediatric patients with CBCT or conventional CT guidance, respectively, in 24 and 29 children and adolescents with 24-month follow-up. Dose area product (DAP) and dose length product (DLP) were recorded, respectively, for CBCT and conventional CT and converted to effective doses (ED). RESULTS: CBCT and conventional CT groups were similar in terms of patient age and weight, tumor size and tumor location. Technical success was achieved in all cases. Primary clinical success was 91.67% (22/24) for the CBCT group and 89.66% (26/29) for the conventional CT group. Mean DAP was 64.75Gycm2 (range 6.0-266.7). Mean DLP was 972.62mGycm (range 337-2344). ED was significantly lower in the CBCT group compared to the conventional CT group (0.34 mSv vs. 5.53 mSv, p = 0.0119). Procedure duration time was not significantly longer in the CBCT group (102.25 min vs. 92.34 min, p = 0.065). No major complication was registered. Minor complications were observed in 4 patients (2 in CBCT; 2 in conventional CT). CONCLUSIONS: Compared to conventional CT guidance, CBCT guidance for percutaneous OO ablation shows similar technical and clinical success rates, with reduced radiation dose and equivalent procedure duration time. This technique helps sparing dose exposure to pediatric patients.

A scoping review of retracted publications in anesthesiology.

CONTEXT: Fraudulent publication is a scourge of scientific research. OBJECTIVES: This scoping review was aimed at characterizing retracted publications for fraud or plagiarism in the field of anesthesia. Does the reputation of the journal (Quartile and Impact Factor, IF) protect the reader from the risk of having the manuscript he read withdrawn for fraud/plagiarism? METHODS/DESIGN: This scoping review was planned following the Joanna Briggs Institute recommendations. Data sources: PubMed and the Retraction Watch Database (http://retractiondatabase.org/RetractionSearch.aspx?). Study selection: All types of publications retracted. Data extraction: Year, first author nationality, journal name, journal category, IF, Quartile, H index. Data analysis: The association with Quartile and IF was investigated. RESULTS: No significant association between retraction of papers published in no-Quartile journals and retractions published in journals placed in the highest quartile. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of the surveillance in paper submission is not higher in journals of the first Quartile than in journals not placed in other Quartiles. (The protocol was prospectively registered in the Open Science Framework https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/TGKNE).

Imaging-guided radiofrequency ablation of osteoid osteoma in typical and atypical sites: Long term follow up.

PURPOSE: To assess efficacy and safety of imaging-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of Osteoid Osteoma (OO) in both typical and atypical sites. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between January 2014 and March 2019, 102 consecutive percutaneous RFA were performed and retrospectively reviewed. The procedures were performed using a RFA bipolar ablation system (Covidien, exposed tip of 0.7-1cm), under Computed Tomography (CT) guidance or using a navigation system (Masmec) under CT and Cone Beam CT (CBCT) guidance. Patients were followed up over 24 months. Clinical success and recurrences were considered on the base of established criteria. In patients with clinical failure and/or imaging evidence of relapse, retreatment was considered. RESULTS: Administered power per-procedure was ≤8 W (mean temperature, 90°C). The pre-procedure average value of visual analog scale (VAS) was 8.33+/-0.91. Primary and secondary success rate 96.08% (98/102) and100% (102/102), respectively. No major complication was described. Technical success was proved in every patient by CT scan acquisition after needle positioning. Relapse and tumour location were significantly correlated (p-value = 0.0165). The mean dose-length product was 751.55 mGycm2. Advanced bone healing was noted in 68 lesions after 1y-follow up and in 86 lesions after 2y-follow up. CONCLUSION: Imaging-guided percutaneous RFA is a highly effective technique for OO, both in typical and atypical sites. CT or CBCT guidance, navigation systems and operator experience grant the technical success, which is the most crucial parameter affecting outcome.

Surgical recurrence of solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura treated with microwave (MW) thermoablation: A case report.

Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) of the pleura is a rare neoplasm which is challenging for clinicians to treat and radiologists to diagnose. Herein, we report a case of recurrence of SFT of the pleura in a 77-year-old patient which was diagnosed and surgically treated on the first occasion in 2005. The patient had a recurrence in 2016 which was treated and then six months later, he again experienced chest pain and a further local recurrence was found. Taking into consideration the age and comorbidities of the patient, CT-guided percutaneous microwave-thermal ablation was preferrable to surgery and a safe and highly effective local ablative technique with few side-effects.

Yttrium-90 trans-arterial radioembolization in advanced-stage HCC: The impact of portal vein thrombosis on survival.

PURPOSE: Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is generally recognized as a prognostic factor in HCC. Our purpose is to assess and compare the survival of patients with PVT and without PVT, after Y-90 Trans-Arterial Radio-Embolization (TARE) of unresectable HCC, unresponsive to other loco-regional treatments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between November 2005 and November 2012, Y-90 resin-based TARE was performed in an IRB-approved prospective protocol, on 89 patients with unresectable HCC. 33/89 patients had PVT, the remaining 56 were resistant-to-cTACE or underwent TARE as a downstaging therapy. All patients were studied with Multi-Detector Computed Tomography (MDCT), angiography, 99mTc-MAA-scintigraphy and liver biopsy. Gastro-duodenal artery was embolized in most cases. Proton-Pump Inhibitors were administered to prevent gastritis and ulcers. χ2 test with Yates correction and log rank test were used to compare the two proportions and Kaplan-Meier survival curves, respectively. RESULTS: The average activity administered was 1.7 ± 0.4 GBq. After the treatment, CTCAE grade 2 adverse events occurred in 46% (41/89) patients: in particular, fever and abdominal pain were found in 25 and 16 patients, respectively. No major side-effect was observed. According to mRECIST criteria, partial response or complete response was found in 70% of patient three months after the treatment, and in 90.5% nine months after the treatment. No significant difference was found in survival of patients with PVT compared to those without PVT (p-value = 0.672). A complete regression of PVT was observed in almost half patients (13/27, 48.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Portal vein invasion does not affect survival in advanced stage HCC-patients undergoing TARE using Y-90 resin-based microspheres. Y90 procedure is associated with regression of portal vein tumor thrombus.

Evaluation of the current status of the eye lens radiation exposure in an Interventional Radiology department.

BACKGROUND: Following recent epidemiological studies, which showed tissue reactions from ionizing radiation at significantly lower doses, the 2013/59 EURATOM Directive of 5th December 2013 lowered the limit on the equivalent dose to the eye lens from 150 mSv to 20 mSv per year. Therefore, as a precautionary measure, it is considered appropriate to perform a timely dose monitoring by using specific dosimeters. OBJECTIVES: Analysis of the current state of the eye lens exposures during interventional procedures. The survey aimed at assessing the degree of information available to the exposed workers as regards lowering the dose limit in Interventional Radiology departments of some hospitals in Campania (Southern Italy). METHODS: The equivalent dose was assessed, over a period of 90 days, using specific Hp dosimeters(3), placed sideways with regard to prescription eye glasses. The level of awareness of the new dose limit among operators was assessed using a questionnaire. RESULTS: The values of the equivalent dose to the lens of the eye for the I and II Operators were found to be <150 mSv/year but for the I Operator a value of 54 mSv/year was obtained, ie higher than 20 mSv/year, that is the new limit of the equivalent dose according to 2013/59 EURATOM. The initial results of the questionnaire from 52 exposed workers, of which 46 (88%) were from exposure category A and 6 (12%) from category B, showed a low level of information (19%). CONCLUSIONS: The results highlight not only the importance of using specific devices for individual protection but also the importance of the level of training and information the exposed medical staff are given concerning the new regulations.