Clinical utility of 18F-FDG-PET/MR for preoperative breast cancer staging.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the performance of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MR) for preoperative breast cancer staging. METHODS: Preoperative PET/MR exams of 58 consecutive women with breast cancer were retrospectively reviewed. Histology and mean follow-up of 26 months served as gold standard. Four experienced readers evaluated primary lesions, lymph nodes and distant metastases with contrast-enhanced MRI, qualitative/quantitative PET, and combined PET/MR. ROC curves were calculated for all modalities and their combinations. RESULTS: The study included 101 breast lesions (83 malignant, 18 benign) and 198 lymph node groups, (34 malignant, 164 benign). Two patients had distant metastases. Areas under the curve (AUC) for breast cancer were 0.9558, 0.8347 and 0.8855 with MRI, and with qualitative and quantitative PET/MR, respectively (p = 0.066). Sensitivity for primary cancers with MRI and quantitative PET/MR was 100 % and 77 % (p = 0.004), and for lymph nodes 88 % and 79 % (p = 0.25), respectively. Specificity for MRI and PET/MR for primary cancers was 67 % and 100 % (p = 0.03) and for lymph nodes 98 % and 100 % (p = 0.25). CONCLUSIONS: In breast cancer patients, MRI alone has the highest sensitivity for primary tumours. For nodal metastases, both MRI and PET/MR are highly specific. KEY POINTS: • MRI alone and PET/MR have a similar overall diagnostic performance. • MRI alone has a higher sensitivity than PET/MR for local tumour assessment. • Both MRI and PET/MR have a limited sensitivity for nodal metastases. • Positive lymph nodes on MRI or PET/MR do not require presurgical biopsy.

Concordance between core needle biopsy and surgical excision specimens for tumour hormone receptor profiling according to the 2011 St. Gallen Classification, in clinical practice.

To focus on and compare the tumor hormone receptor profiles on core needle biopsy (CNB) and subsequent surgical excision specimens in a large clinical series of invasive breast carcinoma patients, with regard to guidelines proposed at the St. Gallen International Expert Consensus on the Primary Therapy of Early Breast Cancer 2011. A total of 993 consecutive patients who had hormone receptors (HR) assays performed on both CNB and subsequent surgical excision specimens of invasive carcinomas were included (1,110 tumors). Concordant tumor HR profiles between CNB and surgical excision specimens were noted in 1,085 of 1,110 tumors (97.75%). Among 138 tumors considered negative on CNB (both HR assays <1%), 10 cases (7.2%) displayed an HR profile positive on surgical excision specimen. Discrepancies between CNBs and surgical excision specimens are very seldom noted. HR assay evaluation on surgical excision specimens should only be considered in patients when both HR assays are negative on CNBs.

Levator ani muscle complex: anatomic findings in nulliparous patients at thin-section MR imaging with double opacification.

PURPOSE: To determine levator ani muscle complex anatomic findings in nulliparous patients at magnetic resonance (MR) imaging examinations performed with opacification of the vagina and rectum with ultrasonographic gel. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The institutional review board approved this retrospective study, and the informed consent requirement was waived. Findings from pelvic MR imaging examinations with double opacification in 123 consecutive nulliparous patients (mean age, 32.13 years; age range, 17-45 years) who were suspected of having endometriosis were reviewed. The pubococcygeal muscles were analyzed on coronal sections obtained through the middle part of the vagina, perineal body, and anal canal. The puborectalis muscles were analyzed on coronal sections obtained through the perineal body. The iliococcygeal muscles were analyzed on coronal sections obtained through the rectum. Miscellaneous findings such as visibility of deep transverse muscles of the perineum, perineal body, and focal muscle defects were also noted. RESULTS: In 56% (69 of 123) of patients, at least one morphologic variant (thinning or aplasia) of a muscle of the levator ani complex was noted. Variants of puborectalis muscles were noted in 6% of patients. Variants of iliococcygeal muscles were noted in 13%. Variants of pubococcygeal muscles were noted in 32% at the anal canal level, in 49% at the perineal body level, and in 49% at the vaginal level. Variants of pubococcygeal muscles were noted on the left side in 53 patients (77% of pubococcygeal muscle variants). CONCLUSION: Numerous morphologic variants of the levator ani muscle complex are noted at coronal thin-section MR imaging with double opacification. Most involve the pubococcygeal muscle on the left side at perineal body and vaginal levels. Whether some of these anatomic findings may favor prolapse after vaginal birth may be questioned.

Role of sonography in the diagnostic workup of ovarian and adnexal masses except in pregnancy and during ovarian stimulation.

The main role of imaging is to provide a description of the appearance, size, and location of adnexal lesions and associated abnormalities. In some circumstances, the aggressive potential of an adnexal lesion may be suggested on the basis of the imaging findings, the age of the patient, and the clinical data.

Imaging of fractures of the lateral process of the talus, a frequently missed diagnosis.

Although if fractures of the lateral process of the talus (LPT) have been considered rare the widespread diffusion in snowboard practice has resulted in a dramatic increase in their frequency. If unrecognized they can result in secondary osteoarthritis of the ankle and/or talo-calcaneal joints and chronic pain and stiffness. Due to the complex anatomy of the region, these fractures are difficult to detect by standard radiographs. A high degree of suspicion is then necessary to diagnose them. Once suspected on the basis of physical examination and/or non concluding radiographs, computed tomography (CT) is the best modality to confirm the diagnosis and accurately appreciate the number of the fragments and their position which have therapeutic consequences (medical vs. surgical treatment). A better knowledge of these lesions seems necessary to the general radiologist to allow an early diagnosis in order to avoid chronic sequel. The purpose of this article is to report three additional cases of LPT fractures and discuss their pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment.

Pictorial review: rectosigmoid endometriosis on MRI with gel opacification after rectosigmoid colon cleansing.

Posterior deeply infiltrating endometriosis (PDIE) is an invalidating disorder that may involve the rectosigmoid colon. MRI with gel opacification after rectosigmoid colon cleansing improves visualization of rectosigmoid endometriosis. Nonetheless, the depth of bowel wall infiltration is still difficult to assess. In this regard, the use of high-frequency echoendoscope may be needed. Recognition of rectosigmoid endometriosis is important to establish a correct diagnosis and provide counseling and appropriate therapy.

Percutaneous CT-guided multisampling core needle biopsy of thoracic lesions.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the diagnostic yield and the complication rate of percutaneous CT-guided coaxial 18-gauge (1.25-mm diameter) multisampling (five samples) core needle biopsy (CNB) of suspected thoracic lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records of 75 consecutive patients (29 women, 46 men; age range, 33-92 years) who underwent percutaneous CT-guided adjustable coaxial 18-gauge multisampling (five samples) CNB of a suspected thoracic lesion (eight mediastinal lesions, two chest wall lesions, two pleural lesions, and 63 intrapulmonary lesions) were reviewed. RESULTS: Ninety-seven percent (73/75) of CNB specimens were considered adequate for a specific diagnosis by the histopathology staff. Diagnostic yield was 97% (95% confidence interval, 91-99%) (72/74) (number of correct diagnoses obtained at CNB / number of definitive diagnoses). There were 61 malignant lesions and 11 benign lesions. There was no false-negative result when CNB was considered adequate for a specific diagnosis by the histopathology staff. Pneumothorax occurred in 19% (12/63 intrapulmonary lesions). One patient required placement of a chest tube. Minor postbiopsy hemoptysis occurred and resolved spontaneously in 11% (7/63) of patients. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous CT-guided coaxial multisampling large CNB of suspected thoracic lesions, in a mainly cancer-based population, is an accurate procedure for a specific histologic diagnosis and has a low rate of complications.

Sonographic diagnosis of talar lateral process fracture.

The frequency of fractures of the lateral process of the talus (LPT) has markedly increased because of the expansion of snowboard activity. These lesions are difficult to diagnose, because they have aspecific signs, and standard radiographs do not show the fractures in 50% of cases. Sonography is used more and more in the assessment of ankle trauma, but it is rarely performed for detection of bone fractures. We report a case of a patient in which sonography directly showed an LPT fracture.

Ultrasound diagnosis of anterior iliopsoas impingement in total hip replacement.

Iliopsoas impingement syndrome, an infrequent complication of total hip replacement, has been rarely reported in the radiological literature. It follows chronic friction of the posterior aspect of the iliopsoas muscle and tendon against the acetabular cup, a piece of cement, or cup fixation screws. Clinical findings are non-specific and an imaging modality is required to diagnose the condition. Computed tomography (CT) is considered the gold standard imaging modality in evaluating iliopsoas impingement. We report a case of a patient in which the diagnosis was made by ultrasound and later confirmed by CT.