Radiation-Related Fractures after Radical Radiotherapy for Cervical and Endometrial Cancers: Are There Any Differences?

In this study, we reviewed CT/MRI scans and studied the rates of radiation-related fractures in subjects treated for cervical cancer (CC, 63 subjects) by radical radiotherapy (RT) and in subjects treated for endometrial cancer (EC, 64 subjects) by radical surgery and RT. The differences between bone density measured in L1 on pretreatment CT, age and body mass index (BMI) were evaluated. Despite significant differences in RT total dose, age, BMI, etc., between both groups, the rate of radiation-related fractures was similar: 28.6% of CC versus 26.6% of EC subjects. CC subjects with fractures were significantly older (62.4 ± 10.1 vs. 49.0 ± 12.4 years; p < 0.001), and their bone densities were significantly lower (106.3 ± 40.0 vs. 168.2 ± 49.5 HU; p < 0.001); no difference in BMI was found. EC subjects with fractures were without significant difference in age but had significantly lower bone densities (103.8 ± 29.0 vs. 133.8 ± 42.3 HU; p = 0.009) and BMIs (26.1 ± 4.9 vs. 31.8 ± 6.9 kg/m2; p = 0.003). Bone density strongly correlated with age (r = -0.755) only in CC subjects. Subjects with fractures from both groups had similarly low bone densities (106.3 ± 40.0 vs. 103.8 ± 29.0 HU; p = 0.829); however, no correlation between bone density and BMI was found. The rate of radiation-related fractures in both groups was clearly associated only with low pretreatment bone density, reflecting osteoporosis.

Robustness of radiomic features in 123I-ioflupane-dopamine transporter single-photon emission computer tomography scan.

Radiomic features are usually used to predict target variables such as the absence or presence of a disease, treatment response, or time to symptom progression. One of the potential clinical applications is in patients with Parkinson's disease. Robust radiomic features for this specific imaging method have not yet been identified, which is necessary for proper feature selection. Thus, we are assessing the robustness of radiomic features in dopamine transporter imaging (DaT). For this study, we made an anthropomorphic head phantom with tissue heterogeneity using a personal 3D printer (polylactide 82% infill); the bone was subsequently reproduced with plaster. A surgical cotton ball with radiotracer (123I-ioflupane) was inserted. Scans were performed on the two-detector hybrid camera with acquisition parameters corresponding to international guidelines for DaT single photon emission tomography (SPECT). Reconstruction of SPECT was performed on a clinical workstation with iterative algorithms. Open-source LifeX software was used to extract 134 radiomic features. Statistical analysis was made in RStudio using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and coefficient of variation (COV). Overall, radiomic features in different reconstruction parameters showed a moderate reproducibility rate (ICC = 0.636, p <0.01). Assessment of ICC and COV within CT attenuation correction (CTAC) and non-attenuation correction (NAC) groups and within particular feature classes showed an excellent reproducibility rate (ICC > 0.9, p < 0.01), except for an intensity-based NAC group, where radiomic features showed a good repeatability rate (ICC = 0.893, p <0.01). By our results, CTAC becomes the main threat to feature stability. However, many radiomic features were sensitive to the selected reconstruction algorithm irrespectively to the attenuation correction. Radiomic features extracted from DaT-SPECT showed moderate to excellent reproducibility rates. These results make them suitable for clinical practice and human studies, but awareness of feature selection should be held, as some radiomic features are more robust than others.

Comparison of dose length product and image quality of a biphasic whole-body polytrauma CT protocol with and without the automatic tube voltage selection.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: A significant source of man-made radiation is now linked to medical devices especially X-ray imaging based ones like CT scans which expose the body to cumulative ionizing radiation and thus attendant cancer risks. The aim of this study was to determine whether using a combination of Automatic Tube Current Modulation (ATCM) and Automatic Tube Voltage Selection (ATVS) during two-phase whole-body CT (2PWBCT) examinations would reduce the radiation dose while preserving the image quality. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a prospective, observational, single-centre study of 127 adult patients who had undergone the 2PWBCT polytraumatic protocol. All were examined on a Somatom Drive scanner (Siemens). The patients were divided into two groups: ATCM only (42 patients) and ATCM +ATVS (85 patients). Patients' arm positions during examination and the examination dose length product (DLP) values were recorded, as well the standard deviations (SD) of the density in reference areas on CT scans for the image quality assessment. The DLP values and image quality in the groups were compared using ANOVA. RESULTS: Mean Total DLP (in mGy*cm): ATCM only: 3337 +/-797, ATCM+ATVS: 3402 +/-830; P=0.674. No effect of arm position (P=0.586). Mean density SD values in reference areas (in HU) in ATCM only: 49 +/-45, 15 +/-6, 9 +/-2, 12 +/-4, 10 +/-3, in ATCM+ATVS: 48 +/-45, 17 +/-6, 11 +/-3, 15 +/-6, 12 +/-4. SD values was higher in ATCM+ATVS group (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Combination of ATVS and ATCM in polytraumatic 2PWBCT leads to no significant radiation load reduction compared with ATCM only but does lead to a slight degradation of image quality. The radiation load is significantly reduced if the patient has their arms behind the head when scanning, regardless of the activation of ATVS.

Early and late infarct growth rate in ischemic stroke patients after successful endovascular treatment in early time window: correlation of imaging and clinical factors with clinical outcome.

Background: The prospective study assessed infarct growth rate (IGR) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) with large vessel occlusion (LVO) after recanalization in early time window. Early IGR (EIGR) and late IGR (LIGR) were correlated with imaging and clinical data; we searched for outcome predictors. Methods: We included 71 consecutive patients. Subjects underwent computed tomography perfusion (CTP) for ischemic core volume assessment at 99.0 minutes (median) from stroke onset, recanalization was performed at 78.0 minutes (median) from CTP. Final infarct volume (FIV) was measured on 24±2 hours imaging follow-up. EIGR was calculated as the core volume/time between stroke onset and CTP; LIGR was calculated as FIV/time between CTP and imaging follow-up. Twenty-two subjects were assessed as poor outcome, 49 as good outcome. Group differences were tested by Mann-Whitney test and χ2 test. Bayesian logistic regression models were used to predict clinical outcome, Pearson correlations for the log-transformed predictors. Results: Subjects with poor outcome were older, median age 78.0 [interquartile range (IQR): 71.8, 83.8] versus 68.0 (IQR: 57.0, 73.0) years; 95% confidence interval (CI): 6.00 to 16.00; P<0.001. Their stroke severity scale was higher, median 19.0 (IQR: 16.0, 20.0) versus 15.5 (IQR: 10.8, 18.0); 95% CI: 1.00 to 6.00; P<0.001. They had higher EIGR, median 23.9 (IQR: 6.4, 104.0) versus 6.7 (IQR: 1.7, 13.0) mL/h; 95% CI: 3.26 to 53.68; P=0.002; and larger core, median 52.5 (IQR: 13.1, 148.5) versus 10.0 (IQR: 1.4, 20.0) mL; 95% CI: 11.00 to 81.00; P<0.001. In subjects with poor outcome, infarct growth continued after thrombectomy with LIGR 2.0 (IQR: 1.2, 9.7) versus 0.3 (IQR: 0.0, 0.7) mL/h; 95% CI: 1.10 to 6.10; P<0.001; resulting in larger FIV, median 186.5 (IQR: 49.3, 280.8) versus 18.5 (IQR: 8.0, 34.0) mL; 95% CI: 55.30 to 214.00; P<0.001. Strong correlations among predictors were found e.g., core and EIGR (r=0.942), LIGR and FIV (r=0.779), core and FIV (r=0.761). Clinical outcome was best predicted using data from later measurements as FIV and LIGR. Conclusions: Data from later measurements were more predictive, there was no major benefit to use growth over volume data.

CT Brain Perfusion in the Prediction of Final Infarct Volume: A Prospective Study of Different Software Settings for Acute Ischemic Core Calculation.

CT perfusion (CTP) is used for the evaluation of brain tissue viability in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). We studied the accuracy of three different syngo.via software (SW) settings for acute ischemic core estimation in predicting the final infarct volume (FIV). The ischemic core was defined as follows: Setting A: an area with cerebral blood flow (CBF) < 30% compared to the contralateral healthy hemisphere. Setting B: CBF < 20% compared to contralateral hemisphere. Setting C: area of cerebral blood volume (CBV) < 1.2 mL/100 mL. We studied 47 AIS patients (aged 68 ± 11.2 years) with large vessel occlusion in the anterior circulation, treated in the early time window (up to 6 h), who underwent technically successful endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). FIV was measured on MRI performed 24 ± 2 h after EVT. In general, all three settings correlated with each other; however, the absolute agreement between acute ischemic core volume on CTP and FIV on MRI was poor; intraclass correlation for all three settings was between 0.64 and 0.69, root mean square error of the individual observations was between 58.9 and 66.0. Our results suggest that using CTP syngo.via SW for prediction of FIV in AIS patients in the early time window is not appropriate.

Diagnosis of Ischemic Stroke: As Simple as Possible.

The absolute majority of strokes in high-income countries, roughly 91%, are of ischemic origin. This review is focused on acute ischemic stroke (AIS) with large vessel occlusion (LVO) in the anterior circulation, which is considered the most devastating subtype of AIS. Moreover, stroke survivors impose substantial direct and indirect costs of care as well as costs due to productivity loss. We review of diagnostic possibilities of individual imaging methods such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, and discuss their pros and cons in the imaging of AIS. The goals of non-invasive imaging in AIS are as follows: (a) to rule out intracranial hemorrhage and to quickly exclude hemorrhagic stroke and contraindications for intravenous thrombolysis; (b) to identify potential LVO and its localization and to quickly provide guidance for endovascular treatment; (c) to assess/estimate the volume or size of the ischemic core. We suggest fast diagnostic management, which is able to quickly satisfy the above-mentioned diagnostic goals in AIS with LVO.

A Morphologic Analysis of the Pubic Symphysis Using CT and MRI.

INTRODUCTION: The goal of this study was to investigate prevalence and morphometric parameters of pubic ligaments and the interpubic disk and its cavity using imaging methods for use in clinical medicine. METHODS: Pubic symphysis morphology was investigated in 652 patients (348 women and 304 men), from which 449 CT scans and 203 MR scans were available. The average age of men was 48 years and women 39 years. Investigated parameters included dimensions of the interpubic disk, visibility and width of the reinforcing ligaments, and visibility, dimensions, and location of the symphysial cavity. The results were compared with MR scans of 20 healthy volunteers and 21 dissected anatomic specimens. RESULTS: The craniocaudal, ventrodorsal, and mediolateral diameters of the pubic disk were 36 to 37.7, 14.8 to 15.2, and 2.2 to 4.2 mm in women and 42 to 42.3, 18.6 to 19, and 2.4 to 4.5 mm in men, respectively. Higher age correlated with shorter mediolateral diameter and larger craniocaudal and ventrodorsal diameters. The superior pubic ligament was visible in 93.1% of men (1.44 mm thick) and in 100% of women (1.7 mm); the inferior pubic ligament in 89.7% of men (1.74 mm) and 88% of women (1.95 mm), the anterior pubic ligament in 96.6% of men (1.5 mm) and 82% of women (1.34 mm); and the posterior pubic ligament in 65.5% of men (1.18 mm) and 63.7% of women (0.83 mm). A symphysial cavity was found in 24% of men and 22.9% of women, with craniocaudal, ventrodorsal, and mediolateral dimensions of 13, 10.7, and 3.2 mm in men and 9.5, 10.7, and 3 mm in women, respectively. CONCLUSION: The presented morphologic parameters provide an anatomic reference for diagnostics of pathologic conditions of the pubic symphysis. The following anatomic structures should be added to the official anatomic terminology: symphysial cavity (cavitas symphysialis), retropubic eminence (eminentia retropubica), anterior pubic ligament (ligamentum pubicum anterius), and posterior pubic ligament (ligamentum pubicum posterius). LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-III.

A pilot randomised trial of catheter-directed thrombolysis or standard anticoagulation for patients with intermediate-high risk acute pulmonary embolism.

BACKGROUND: Intermediate-high risk acute pulmonary embolism (PE) remains associated with substantial mortality despite anticoagulation therapy. AIMS: The aim of this randomised pilot study was to compare catheter-directed thrombolysis to standard anticoagulation therapy. METHODS: Intermediate-high risk acute PE patients were admitted to a tertiary care centre (November 2019 to April 2021) and randomised in a 1:1 ratio to catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) or standard anticoagulation. Two catheters were used for the infusion of alteplase (1 mg/hr/catheter; total dose 20 mg) in the CDT group. The primary efficacy endpoint targeted improvement of right ventricular (RV) function, a decrease in pulmonary pressure, and a reduction of thrombus burden. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients were included (12 in the CDT group and 11 in the standard care group). The primary efficacy endpoint was achieved more frequently in the CDT group than in the standard care group (7 of 12 patients vs 1 of 11 patients, p=0.0004). An RV/left ventricular ratio reduction ≥25% (evident on computed tomography angiography) was achieved in 7 of 12 patients in the CDT group vs 2 of 11 patients in the standard care group (p=0.03). A systolic pulmonary artery pressure decrease of ≥30% or normotension at 24 hrs after randomisation was present in 10 of 12 patients in the CDT group vs 2 of 11 patients in the standard care group (p=0.001). There was no intracranial or life-threatening bleeding (type 5 or 3c bleeding, according to the Bleeding Academic Research Consortium classification). CONCLUSIONS: CDT for intermediate-high risk acute PE appears to be safe and effective. Further research is warranted to assess clinical endpoints.

Late Radiation-Related Toxicities in Patients Treated for Early-Stage Cervical Carcinoma by Surgery and Adjuvant Radiotherapy: A Retrospective Imaging Study.

Surgical treatment is preferred therapy of early-stage cervical carcinoma. In the risk of cancer recurrence surgery is often followed by adjuvant radiotherapy. In our retrospective study we aimed at identifying late (≥6 months) and very late (≥5 years) radiation adverse effects on imaging scans as CT, PET/CT and MRI in patients who underwent successful treatment for cervical carcinoma by radical surgery combined with radiotherapy ± chemotherapy. We correlated imaging results with clinical manifestations. We selected young and middle-aged patients with long life expectancy, as late radiation-related toxicities may significantly affect their quality of life. Patients were selected from those who were primary diagnosed and treated between the years 1987-2011 and regularly visited our Oncology department in years 2011-2012. Following inclusion criteria were applied: age ≤55 years at diagnosis, clinical follow-up ≥5 years and at least one tomography scan ≥3 years after finished treatment. One hundred and three subjects were reviewed: 73 patients met all inclusion criteria, while 30 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria except for available tomography scan ≥3 years after therapy. The mean imaging follow-up was 11.2 ± 7.6 years and the mean clinical follow-up was 15.0 ± 6.9 years. In 20 (27%) subjects 27 cases grade I radiation-related toxicities were found; 9 (33%) of those 27 cases were clinically silent. In 14 (19%) females only grade I toxicities were observed. Grade III-IV toxicities were found in 5 (6.8%) subjects. No grade V toxicities were observed. We concluded that severe late side effects caused by radiotherapy were exceedingly rare in females successfully treated for early-stage cervical carcinoma, only 1 bilateral osteonecrosis, 2 cases of ileus, and 2 potentially radiation-induced tumors were found. The majority of radiation-related comorbidities found on imaging scans were clinically silent.

Silent strokes after thoracoscopic epicardial ablation and catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation: not all lesions are permanent on follow-up magnetic resonance imaging.

BACKGROUND: Invasive treatments for atrial fibrillation (AF) pose a risk of ischemic stroke due to periprocedural brain embolization, which may be manifest or silent. The primary aim of our study was to compare the rate of silent strokes after percutaneous catheter-based and thoracoscopic epicardial ablation for AF. The secondary aim was to evaluate the development of silent strokes over time. METHODS: We included 39 subjects (aged 64.1±8.9 years) treated for persistent symptomatic AF with thoracoscopic ablation and 30 subjects (aged 64.1±10.5 years) treated for paroxysmal or persistent symptomatic AF with catheter ablation. Subjects underwent brain MRI before and early after the ablation, moreover, the surgical group underwent late MRI 6 months after therapy. On early MRI, the presence of silent strokes and their number and size were evaluated. On late MRI, transformation of previously-detected acute ischemic lesions into chronic infarction or their reversibility were assessed. RESULTS: Initially, different chronic ischemic findings were found in 64% of patients from the surgical group and in 70% from catheter group. Early MRI results: acute ischemic lesions were detected in 2 (6.7%) subjects (overall 3 lesions sized <5 mm) in the catheter group and in 17 (43.6%) subjects in surgical group. Most subjects in the surgical group showed multiple lesions (88%); 195 lesions were detected, a median 6 (IQR 8) lesions per case. Eighty-two percent of lesions were <5 mm, 12% 5-10 mm, 5% 10-30 mm, and 2% were large territorial ischemia. Only 1 case was symptomatic, the rest were silent strokes. On late MRI, 53.5% of all acute lesions were reversible. Lesions <5 mm were reversible in 63.1% of cases, lesions 5-10 mm were reversible in 21.7% and all lesions larger than 10 mm persisted. In 29.4% of patients all acute ischemic lesions were fully reversible. CONCLUSIONS: Periprocedural silent strokes were significantly more common after thoracoscopic epicardial ablation compared to catheter ablation considering both the number of affected patients and number of lesions. The majority of acute ischemic brain lesions were small, up to 5 mm in diameter, roughly half of which were reversible. Reversibility of acute ischemic lesions decreased with size. However, in 29.4% of affected patients, all lesions were fully reversible.

The Efficacy and Safety of Hybrid Ablations for Atrial Fibrillation.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to comprehensively determine the procedural safety and midterm efficacy of hybrid ablations. BACKGROUND: Hybrid ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) (thoracoscopic ablation followed by catheter ablation) has been used for patients with nonparoxysmal AF; however, accurate data regarding efficacy and safety are still limited. METHODS: Patients with nonparoxysmal AF underwent thoracoscopic, off-pump ablation using the COBRA Fusion radiofrequency system (Estech) followed by a catheter ablation 3 months afterward. The safety of the procedure was assessed using sequential brain magnetic resonance and neuropsychological examinations at baseline (1 day before), postoperatively (2-4 days for brain magnetic resonance imaging or 1 month for neuropsychological examination), and at 9 months after the surgical procedure. Implantable loop recorders were used to detect arrhythmia recurrence. Arrhythmia-free survival (the primary efficacy endpoint) was defined as no episodes of AF or atrial tachycardia while off antiarrhythmic drugs, redo ablations or cardioversions. RESULTS: Fifty-nine patients (age: 62.5 ± 10.5 years) were enrolled, 37 (62.7%) were men, and the mean follow-up was 30.3 ± 10.8 months. Thoracoscopic ablation was successfully performed in 55 (93.2%) patients. On baseline magnetic resonance imaging, chronic ischemic brain lesions were present in 60.0% of patients. New ischemic lesions on postoperative magnetic resonance imaging were present in 44.4%. Major postoperative cognitive dysfunction was present in 27.0% and 17.6% at 1 and 9 months postoperatively, respectively. The probability of arrhythmia-free survival was 54.0% (95% CI: 41.3-66.8) at 1 year and 43.8% (95% CI: 30.7-57.0) at 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: The thoracoscopic ablation is associated with a high risk of silent cerebral ischemia. The midterm efficacy of hybrid ablations is moderate.

Twenty years of experience with less radical fertility-sparing surgery in early-stage cervical cancer: Oncological outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: The standard procedure in cervical cancer is radical hysterectomy (RH) and pelvic lymphadenectomy (PLND). Because of the increasing age of women at childbirth, fertility becomes a major challenge. We present 20 years of experience with two-step less radical fertility-sparing surgery in women with IA1, LVSI positive, IA2 and IB1 (<2 cm, infiltration less than half of stromal invasions. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Preoperative workout consisted of histopathological diagnosis and magnetic resonance imaging along with ultrasonographic volumetry. We then performed laparoscopic sentinel lymph node mapping (SLNM) with frozen section (FS) followed by PLND and "selective parametrectomy" (removal of afferent lymphatic channels from the paracervix) in case of a negative result. If verified by definitive histopathology, patients were treated by simple trachelectomy (IB1) or large cone (IA1/IA2) biopsy 1 week after primary surgery. RESULTS: From 1999 to 2018, 91 women were enrolled in the study (median age 29.1 years, range 21-40). Of these 91 women, 51 (56.0%) were nulliparous. The detection rate of SLNs was 100% per patient and the specific side detection rate 96.7%. Positive lymph nodes were diagnosed in nine cases (9.8%). These women then underwent RH. Fertility was spared in 80 women but 4 recurred locally (5.0%). The mortality rate was 0.0%. The median follow-up was 149 months. CONCLUSION: Less radical fertility-sparing surgery with SLNM is safe in cervical cancers <2 cm at the largest diameter and infiltrating less than half of the cervical stroma. The recurrence rate is acceptable with no mortality. Morbidity with this procedure is low. Extended and accurate follow-up is necessary and human papillomavirus - high risk (HPV-HR tests seem to be useful in such follow-up assessment.

Advanced cervical cancer in young women: imaging study of late and very late radiation-related side effects after successful treatment by combined radiotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Radical combined radiotherapy (RT) is a standard treatment for advanced cervical cancer. The aim of our study was to identify morphological late (≥6 months) and very late (≥5 years) radiation-related comorbidities on computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography/computerized tomography (PET/CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans in young females who survived ≥5 years since RT and were considered as successfully treated. Secondly, we studied a rate of clinically silent radiation-related toxicities apparent on imaging scans that might influenced on future well-being of survived females. Thirdly, we analyzed reasons why patients underwent imaging scans. METHODS: We included 41 subjects aged under 50 years (mean 41.8±7.2 years, median 41 years), who survived ≥5 years since RT, with at least one available imaging scan ≥3 years since RT. The mean time between RT and the last available scan was 12.3±7.9 years (median 9 years); the mean time of clinical follow-up was 15.4±7.1 years (median 14 years). RESULTS: Fourteen (34.1%) females underwent the first imaging scan in emergency situation and 27 (65.9%) patients due to variable chronic complaints. Grade III-V radiation-related comorbidities occurred in 19 (46.3%) females including one case of death due to radiation-induced osteosarcoma. In 14 of 19 patients, comorbidities were multiple. Four (9.8%) females suffered from life-threatening complications (grade IV): one from an uretero-arterial fistula with massive hematuria and 3 from bowel perforations. Eleven (26.8%) subjects suffered from bowel strictures with ileus development, they underwent mean 1.7±0.8 surgery (median 1.5). The mean time since RT to the first surgery for intestinal complications was 5.4±6.0 years (median 3 years), to the second 12.0±9.6 years (median 11.5 years) and to the third surgery 9.0±4.2 years (median 9 years). Late fistulas formations (vesico-recto-vaginal) were seen in 6 (14.6%) patients. Bone complications were diagnosed in 9 (22.0%) of treated females, one case of osteosarcoma included, 4 of 9 bone complications were clinically silent. In 5 (12.2%) subjects, toxicities grade III-IV first time manifested >5 years since RT, majority of them were multiple. The bowel perforation and fistulas formations were the earliest manifested grade III-IV toxicities, with median time 3 years since RT, the bone complications were the latest manifested with median time 16 years since RT. CONCLUSIONS: Our study is not able to bring information about the incidence of late and very late radiation related comorbidities, according to International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) recommendations patients are clinically followed only for 5 years and imaging cross-sectional scans are not recommended. However, our study shows that if females successfully treated for advanced cervical cancer report abdominal/pelvic clinical problems, it is highly probable their imaging scans will reveal late radiation related side-effects that may affect the rest of their life. It puts forward question whether females after radical RT should been regularly followed by cross-sectional imaging methods.

Appropriateness of CT pulmonary angiograms according to current diagnostic guidelines based on risk stratification: A retrospective single-center study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Assessment of appropriateness of CT pulmonary angiograms (CTPA) in patients with suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) is based on risk stratification algorithms such as simplified the Geneva Score (sGS) in combination with D-dimer blood tests. The aim of this study was to validate the diagnostic yield and appropriateness of CTPA examinations in accordance with 2014 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from 155 outpatients who underwent CTPA for clinical suspicion of PE were gathered from the radiology information system (RIS) and the clinical information system (CIS). We assessed the presence of sGS items and D-dimer blood test results in RIS from CTPA request forms and from clinical documentation in CIS. RESULTS: Based on the RIS, there were 2.6% patients with high (sGS≥3) and 97.4% patients with low pre-test PE probability (sGS<3), and CTPA indication was formally comprehendible in 75.5% using sGS and D-dimer blood tests. Based on RIS and CIS data in combination, there were 41.3% patients with high and 58.7% patients with low pre-test PE probability, and CTPA indication was formally comprehendible in 88.4%. Using RIS and CIS in combination, PE probability was upgraded from low to high probability in 39.7% compared with RIS alone. In 12.9%, there was a lack of data in RIS for CTPA justification. CONCLUSION: There is a high diagnostic yield when applying current diagnostic guidelines to our data. There was however a notable discrepancy between the data transferred to the CTPA request forms from the full clinical documentation, therefore not readily available for clinical decision making.

Is limited-coverage CT perfusion helpful in treatment decision-making in patients with acute ischemic stroke?

BACKGROUND: The initial core infarct volume predicts treatment outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to large vessel occlusion (LVO). According to the literature, CT perfusion (CTP) is able to evaluate cerebral parenchymal viability and assess the initial core in AIS. We prospectively studied whether limited-coverage CTP with automated core calculation correlates with the final infarct volume on follow-up non-enhanced CT (NECT) in patients successfully treated by mechanical thrombectomy. METHODS: We enrolled 31 stroke patients (20 women aged 74.4±12.9 years and 11 men aged 66±15.4 years; median initial NIHSS score 15.5) with occlusion of the medial cerebral artery and/or the internal carotid artery that were treated by successful mechanical thrombectomy. CTP performed in a 38.6 mm slab at the level of basal ganglia was included in the CT stroke protocol, but was not used to determine indication for mechanical thrombectomy. The infarction core volume based on CTP was automatically calculated using dedicated software with a threshold defined as cerebral blood flow <30% of the value in the contralateral healthy hemisphere. The final infarction volume was measured on 24-hour follow-up NECT in the same slab with respect to CTP. Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients and robust linear regression were used for comparison of both volumes, P values <0.05 were considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: The median time from stroke onset to CT was 77 minutes (range, 31-284 minutes), and the median time from CT to vessel recanalization was 95 minutes (range, 55-215 minutes). The mean CTP-calculated core infarct volume was 24.3±19.2 mL (median 19 mL, range 1-79 mL), while the mean final infarct volume was 21.5±39.5 mL (median 8 mL; range 0-210 mL). Only a weak relationship was found between the CTP-calculated core and final infarct volume [Pr(29) =0.32, P=0.078; rho =0.40, P=0.028]. Regression analysis showed CTP significantly overestimated lower volumes. CONCLUSIONS: In our prospective study, the infarction core calculated using limited-coverage CTP only weakly correlated with the final infarction volume measured on 24-hour follow-up NECT; moreover, CTP significantly overestimated lower volumes. Our results do not support the use of limited-coverage CTP for guiding treatment recommendations in patients with AIS.

Durable Response to Brentuximab Vedotin-Based Chemotherapy in Refractory Hodgkin Lymphoma with Central Nervous System (CNS) Involvement.

BACKGROUND CNS involvement in Hodgkin lymphoma is rare. Despite various treatment options, median overall survival is only 13 months after diagnosis of CNS involvement in relapsed/refractory HL. CASE REPORT A 29-year-old woman with classical HL (mixed cellularity) in clinical stage IIB was treated with multilineage chemotherapy and radiotherapy without achieving a sustained complete remission. Systemic and CNS progression of HL occurred at the age of 32 years and the patient received 2 cycles of brentuximab vedotin with bendamustine alternating with 2 cycles of high-dose methotrexate-based treatment and achieved partial remission. She then underwent autologous stem cell transplantation followed by brentuximab vedotin consolidation. The disease progressed and the patient died 6 months after the last dose of brentuximab vedotin. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated a durable response to brentuximab vedotin-based chemotherapy in a patient with refractory Hodgkin lymphoma with CNS involvement. Prognosis of these patients is poor and new treatment options are needed.

Comparison of Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) version 1 and version 2 and combination with apparent diffusion coefficient as a predictor of biopsy outcome.

PURPOSE: The main aim of the study was to compare the diagnostic performance of Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) versions 1 and 2 for detection of prostate carcinoma (PCa) and clinically significant prostate carcinoma (CSPCa). The second aim was to evaluate the potential benefit of adding the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and prostate specific antigen (PSA) density to the standard evaluation protocol. METHODS: A total of 167 consecutive patients with elevated PSA underwent magnetic resonance imaging. The images were evaluated prospectively using both versions of the PI-RADS and the results compared with 12-core template biopsy and magnetic resonance/transrectal ultrasound fusion biopsy. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves were compared for each scoring system using DeLong\'s test. The area under the curve (AUC) was calculated for ADC and PSA density for lesions scored 4. RESULTS: PI-RADS V2 had high discriminative ability for PCa prediction with an AUC of 0.824 (95% CI 0.763 to 0.885), compared to an AUC of 0.724 (95% CI 0.654 to 0.794) for PI-RADS V1 (p = 0.0335). ADC demonstrated a higher discriminative ability with an AUC of 0.702 (95% CI 0.548 to 0.856) in CSPCa prediction. Using the obtained ADC threshold of 828x10^-6 mm^2/s improved specificity to 86.73% with a sensitivity of 60.38%. CONCLUSION: PI-RADS version 2 exhibited significantly higher discriminative ability for PCa and CSPCa detection compared to PI-RADS version 1. Using the ADC can improve the tumor predictability of PI-RADS version 2 in lesions scored 4.