Acute kidney injury from contrast-enhanced CT procedures in patients with cancer: white paper to highlight its clinical relevance and discuss applicable preventive strategies.

Patients with cancer are subjected to several imaging examinations which frequently require the administration of contrast medium (CM). However, it has been estimated that acute kidney injury (AKI) due to the injection of iodinated CM accounts for 11% of all cases of AKI, and it is reported in up to 2% of all CT examinations. Remarkably, the risks of developing AKI are increased in the elderly, in patients with chronic kidney disease or diabetes, and with dehydration or administration of nephrotoxic chemotherapeutics. Given the common occurrence of postcontrast acute kidney injury (PC-AKI) in clinical practice, primary care physicians and all specialists involved in managing patients with cancer should be aware of the strategies to reduce the risk of this event. In 2018, a panel of four experts from the specialties of radiology, oncology and nephrology were speakers at the annual meeting of the Italian Society of Medical Radiology (Società Italiana di Radiologia Medica e Interventistica), with the aim of commenting on existing evidence and providing their experience on the incidence and management of PC-AKI in patients with cancer. The discussion represented the basis for this white paper, which is intended to be a practical guide organised by statements describing methods to reduce renal injury risks related to CM-enhanced CT examinations in patients with cancer.

[ANMCO/SICI-GISE/SIC/SIECVI/SIRM Consensus document: Appropriateness of multimodality imaging in cardiovascular disease]. / Documento di consenso ANMCO/SICI-GISE/SIC/SIECVI/SIRM: Appropriatezza dell'imaging multimodale nelle patologie cardiovascolari.

The complexity of cardiovascular diseases has led to an extensive use of technological instruments and the development of multimodality imaging. This extensive use of different cardiovascular imaging tests in the same patient has increased costs and waiting times.The concept of appropriateness has changed over time. Appropriateness criteria address the need for specific cardiovascular imaging tests in well-defined clinical scenarios, and define the kind of cardiovascular imaging that is appropriated for each clinical scenario in different stages of the disease. The concept of appropriateness criteria has replaced the old idea of appropriate use criteria and reflects the increasing effort of the international Scientific Societies to create and review in a critical way the management of diagnostic tests used by clinicians.The aim of this Italian consensus document is to address the use of multimodality imaging in the diagnosis and management of the major cardiovascular clinical scenarios, taking into consideration not only the international guidelines and scientific documents already published, but also the reality of Italian laws as well as the various professional profiles involved in patient management and availability of technological diagnostic instruments.

[ANMCO/SIC/GISE/ARCA/SIRM Consensus document: Description of coronary atherosclerosis for diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic purposes]. / Documento di consenso intersocietario ANMCO/SIC/GISE/ARCA/SIRM: Descrizione dell'aterosclerosi coronarica ai fini diagnostici, prognostici e terapeutici.

Both conventional coronary angiography and cardiac computed tomography have greatly improved our diagnostic and prognostic evaluation of patients with either suspected or confirmed coronary artery disease. Although several other tools can provide information about coronary anatomy or function, invasive coronary angiography and, more recently, coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) are the most commonly used imaging modalities. Coronary atherosclerosis is the most common disease of the coronary arteries and its presence identifies patients at increased risk of events. As a matter of fact, coronary atherosclerosis represents the major determinant for the occurrence of events and the development of ischemic heart disease. Coronary atherosclerosis can translate into plaques that may eventually progress to critical stenosis causing myocardial ischemia. More commonly, atherosclerotic lesions are non-obstructive. Their presence, number and extent negatively affect prognosis independently of other mechanisms. In order to improve prognosis, optimal medical therapy should be initiated to halt disease progression and/or to stabilize atherosclerotic plaques. It is therefore of paramount importance to describe the presence of atherosclerotic lesions well beyond those lesions potentially or undoubtedly capable of inducing myocardial ischemia. These latter lesions may in fact benefit from an interventional or surgical treatment. However, most events are caused by non-obstructive lesions that may often be missed.In common practice, the description of coronary anatomy is not structured in a universal model and each Center applies its own (albeit arbitrary) rules. This consensus document is a collaborative work of some of the major Italian Scientific Societies to offer scientific support to those healthcare professionals who, at different levels, report on coronary anatomy or receive the description of coronary anatomy of patients. After a brief description of the available techniques used to explore the coronary anatomy, the best available evidence in support of a detailed description of coronary atherosclerosis is summarized. In order to promote a useful translation of the information into practice, several recommendations for the correct reporting of coronary anatomy and the suggested treatment for the different clinical scenarios are provided. The aim of this consensus document is to refine the description of coronary anatomy as offered by both invasive coronary angiography and CCTA to improve risk stratification of patients undergoing coronary imaging in clinical practice and to select the most appropriate treatment for improving cardiovascular outcomes.

Dematerialisation of patient's informed consent in radiology: insights on current status and radiologists' opinion from an Italian online survey.

PURPOSE: To assess the current status of patient's informed consent (PIC) management at radiological centres and the overall opinion of radiologist active members of the Italian Society of Medical Radiology (SIRM) about PIC dematerialisation through an online survey. METHODS AND MATERIALS: All members were invited to join the survey as an initiative by the Imaging Informatics Chapter of SIRM. The survey consisted of 11 multiple-choice questions about participants' demographics, current local modalities of PIC acquisition and storage, perceived advantages and disadvantages of PIC dematerialisation over conventional paper-based PIC, and overall opinion about PIC dematerialisation. RESULTS: A total of 1791 radiologists (amounting to 17.4% of active SIRM members for the year 2016) joined the survey. Perceived advantages of PIC dematerialisation were easier and faster PIC recovery (96.5%), safer storage and conservation (94.5%), and reduced costs (90.7%). Conversely, the need to create dedicated areas for PIC acquisition inside each radiological unit (64.0%) and to gain preliminary approval for the use of advanced digital signature tools from patients (51.8%) were seen as potential disadvantages. Overall, 94.5% of respondents had a positive opinion about PIC dematerialisation. CONCLUSION: Radiologists were mostly favourable to PIC dematerialisation. However, concerns were raised that its practical implementation might face hurdles due to its complexity in current real life working conditions.

Management of incidental pulmonary nodule in CT: a survey by the Italian College of Chest Radiology.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to present the results of the Italian survey on the management of pulmonary nodules incidentally identified at computed tomography (CT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: An online electronic survey, consisting of 23 multiple-choice questions, was created using the SurveyMonkey web-based tool. The questionnaire was developed by the Board of the Italian College of Chest Radiology of the Italian Society of Medical and Interventional Radiology (SIRM) and by an experienced group of Italian Academic Chest Radiologists. The link to the online electronic survey was submitted by email to all the SIRM members. RESULTS: A total of 767 radiologists, corresponding to 7.5% of all the SIRM members, participated in the online survey. The majority of participants (92%) routinely describe the attenuation of pulmonary nodules in the report, and 84.1% recommend the further follow-up, with 92.7% of respondents taking CT nodule morphological features into consideration. The 57.7% of participants adhere to the Fleischner Society guidelines for the management of incidental pulmonary nodules. However, 56.6% and 75.6% of respondents have a more cautious approach than that recommended by the guidelines and tend to use a shorter follow-up for both solid and ground-glass nodules, respectively. Finally, 94.5% of participants favor congresses and refresher courses dedicated to insights on lung nodule diagnosis and management. CONCLUSIONS: This survey demonstrates that the management of pulmonary nodules incidentally detected on CT is still complex and controversial. The majority of SIRM members express a need for an update on this topic.

Organizational and welfare mode of breast centers network: a survey of Sicilian radiologists.

The European Society of Breast Cancer Specialists has created quality indicators for breast units to establish the minimum standards of care for patients. In Italy, each region differs, indeed, in terms of health care and services warranted to patients suffering from breast cancer. Since Sicilian Regional Administration today is still disregarding implementation of the provisions contained in the proposal of the Ministry of Health entitled "Guidelines on Organizational and Health Care Methods of Breast Centers Network" in November 2015 the Sicilian Regional Group of the Italian Society of Radiology (SIRM) decided to carry out a survey to see the position of the Sicilian Healthcare System and define the gap to bridge over. Sicilian breast imaging radiologists were asked to fill in a questionnaire concerning the type of job relationship (public or private sector), qualification (Manager, Department Manager, Freelancer) and years of experience on breast imaging. With regard to technological requirements, were answered the questions about the number, type, age and completeness of accessories of the equipment supplied in the Sicilian healthcare facilities. The data showed that over 64% of breast imagers in Sicilian centers work in breast units, whereas only 18% are involved in screening programs. A majority of radiologists (81%) working in the breast health care system is very experienced (more than 10 years of experience in the field). The result provided concerning the medical and technical staff demonstrates an uneven situation, but overall an inadequate value compared with the required guidelines especially in interventional procedures. The aim of this paper is to illustrate the method used and the results obtained. These data have to be shared with policy makers to enhance quality improvement in Sicilian Breast Center Network.

Left ventricular reverse remodeling after transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a cardiovascular magnetic resonance study.

BACKGROUND: In patients with severe aortic stenosis, left ventricular hypertrophy is associated with increased myocardial stiffness and dysfunction linked to cardiac morbidity and mortality. We aimed at systematically investigating the degree of left ventricular mass regression and changes in left ventricular function six months after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). METHODS: Left ventricular mass indexed to body surface area (LVMi), end diastolic volume indexed to body surface area (LVEDVi), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and stroke volume (SV) were investigated by CMR before and six months after TAVI in patients with severe aortic stenosis and contraindications for surgical aortic valve replacement. RESULTS: Twenty-sevent patients had paired CMR at baseline and at 6-month follow-up (N=27), with a mean age of 80.7±5.2 years. LVMi decreased from 84.5±25.2 g/m2 at baseline to 69.4±18.4 g/m2 at six months follow-up (P<0.001). LVEDVi (87.2±30.1 ml /m2vs 86.4±22.3 ml/m2; P=0.84), LVEF (61.5±14.5% vs 65.1±7.2%, P=0.08) and SV (89.2±22 ml vs 94.7±26.5 ml; P=0.25) did not change significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Based on CMR, significant left ventricular reverse remodeling occurs six months after TAVI.

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance for the assessment of patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Before trans-catheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), assessment of cardiac function and accurate measurement of the aortic root are key to determine the correct size and type of the prosthesis. The aim of this study was to compare cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) and trans-thoracic echocardiography (TTE) for the assessment of aortic valve measurements and left ventricular function in high-risk elderly patients submitted to TAVI. METHODS: Consecutive patients with severe aortic stenosis and contraindications for surgical aortic valve replacement were screened from April 2009 to January 2011 and imaged with TTE and CMR. RESULTS: Patients who underwent both TTE and CMR (n = 49) had a mean age of 80.8 ± 4.8 years and a mean logistic EuroSCORE of 14.9 ± 9.3%. There was a good correlation between TTE and CMR in terms of annulus size (R2 = 0.48, p < 0.001), left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) diameter (R2 = 0.62, p < 0.001) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (R2 = 0.47, p < 0.001) and a moderate correlation in terms of aortic valve area (AVA) (R2 = 0.24, p < 0.001). CMR generally tended to report larger values than TTE for all measurements. The Bland-Altman test indicated that the 95% limits of agreement between TTE and CMR ranged from -5.6 mm to + 1.0 mm for annulus size, from -0.45 mm to + 0.25 mm for LVOT, from -0.45 mm2 to + 0.25 mm2 for AVA and from -29.2% to 13.2% for LVEF. CONCLUSIONS: In elderly patients candidates to TAVI, CMR represents a viable complement to transthoracic echocardiography.

Prevalence of "high-riding" superior pericardial recesses on thin-section 16-MDCT scans.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of "high-riding" superior pericardial recess (HRSPR) on thin-section (1 mm) 16-multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) scans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three hundred and fourteen consecutive chest CT scans obtained with a thin-section 16 MDCT were retrospectively evaluated. The prevalence and characteristic of HRSPR were analyzed. RESULTS: HRSPR was depicted in 21 patients (11 men and 10 women) (6.6%) who ranged in age from 28 to 72 years (mean age, 57 years). The extended recesses were rounded/oval shaped in five patients and triangular, spindle, half moon or irregular shaped in the other 16 patients. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest as HRSPRs are more frequently and better depicted on thinsection MDCT scans, and this improves the capability to distinguish this superior extension of the superior aortic recess from abnormal findings such as lymphadenopathy, cystic lesions, and aortic dissection.