IVC filter retrieval: a multicenter proposal of two score systems to predict application of complex technique and procedural outcome.

PURPOSE: Aim of this study was to identify preprocedural parameters, which may predict the application of a complex IVC filter retrieval technique and estimate the procedural outcome by applying two dedicated score systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective multicenter analysis, data concerning patient, filter and procedure characteristics were retrieved from January 2018 to March 2020. Patients were evaluated according to the retrieval technique (standard vs. complex) and the procedural outcome (success vs. failure). Significant differences among these groups were evaluated, and two score systems were developed to predict the application of a complex retrieval technique and the procedural outcome. RESULTS: One hundred and sixteen IVC filters were retrieved in 116 patients. In 98 subjects, the filter was retrieved with a standard procedure (Standard group, 84.5% vs. Complex group, 15.5%), while in 106 patients the procedure was successful (Success group, 91.4% vs. Failure group, 8.6%). Statistically significant differences were noted in terms of embedded filter hook, filter apex tilt, angle between filter axis and IVC, caval wall penetration, dwelling time and procedural time. Two score 0-5 points to predict the need for a complex retrieval technique and the procedural outcome were developed, with a prognostic accuracy of 88.8% and 91.4%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Significant differences were appreciable analyzing the sample data comparing both the retrieval technique applied and the procedural outcome. Two predictive scores were developed to assess the need for applying a complex retrieval technique and to estimate the procedural outcome.

Low PI-RADS assessment category excludes extraprostatic extension (≥pT3a) of prostate cancer: a histology-validated study including 301 operated patients.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether low PI-RADS v2 assessment categories are effective at excluding extraprostatic extension (EPE) of prostate cancer (≥pT3a PCa). METHODS: The local institutional ethics committee approved this retrospective analysis of 301 consecutive PCa patients. Patients were classified as low- or intermediate/high-risk based on clinical parameters and underwent pre-surgical multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging. A PI-RADS v2 assessment category and ESUR EPE score were assigned for each lesion by two readers working in consensus. Histopathologic analysis of the whole-mount radical prostatectomy specimen was the reference standard. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the association of PI-RADS v2 assessment category with final histology ≥pT3a PCa. RESULTS: For a PI-RADS v2 assessment category threshold of 3, the overall performance for ruling out (sensitivity, negative predictive value, negative likelihood ratio) ≥pT3a PCa was 99%/98%/0.04 and was similar in both the low-risk (96%/97%/0.12; N = 137) and the intermediate/high-risk groups (100%/100%/0.0; N = 164). In univariate analysis, all clinical and tumor characteristics except age were significantly associated with ≥pT3a PCa. In multivariate analysis, PI-RADS v2 assessment categories ≤ 3 had a protective effect relative to categories 4 and 5. The inclusion of ESUR EPE score improved the AUC of ≥pT3a PCa prediction (from 0.73 to 0.86, p = 0.04 in the overall cohort). The impact of PI-RADS v2 assessment category is reflected in a nomogram derived on the basis of our cohort. CONCLUSIONS: In our cohort, low PI-RADS v2 assessment categories of 3 or less confidently ruled out the presence of ≥pT3a PCa irrespective of clinical risk group. KEY POINTS: • Our analysis of 301 mp-MRI and RARP specimens showed that the addition of PI-RADS v2 assessment categories to clinical parameters improves the exclusion of ≥pT3a (extraprostatic) prostate cancer. • PI-RADS v2 assessment categories of 1 to 3 are useful for excluding ≥pT3a prostate cancer with a NPV of 98%; such patients can be considered as candidates for less invasive approaches. • The ability to exclude ≥pT3a prostate cancer may improve confidence in choosing nerve-sparing surgery or in avoiding pelvic nodal dissections, and similarly for patients undergoing radiotherapy, in adopting short-course adjuvant hormonal therapy or foregoing prophylactic nodal irradiation.

Metastatic and non-metastatic lymph nodes: quantification and different distribution of iodine uptake assessed by dual-energy CT.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate quantification of iodine uptake in metastatic and non-metastatic lymph nodes (LNs) by dual-energy CT (DECT) and to assess if the distribution of iodine within LNs at DECT correlates with the pathological structure. METHODS: Ninety LNs from 37 patients (23 with lung and 14 with gynaecological malignancies) were retrospectively selected. Information of LNs sent for statistical analysis included Hounsfield units (HU) at different energy levels; decomposition material densities fat-iodine, iodine-fat, iodine-water, water-iodine. Statistical analysis included evaluation of interobserver variability, material decomposition densities and spatial HU distribution within LNs. RESULTS: Interobserver agreement was excellent. There was a significant difference in iodine-fat and iodine-water decompositions comparing metastatic and non-metastatic LNs (p < 0.001); fat-iodine and water-iodine did not show significant differences. HU distribution showed a significant gradient from centre to periphery within non-metastatic LNs that was significant up to 20-30% from the centre, whereas metastatic LNs showed a more homogeneous distribution of HU, with no significant gradient. CONCLUSIONS: DECT demonstrated a lower iodine uptake in metastatic compared to non-metastatic LNs. Moreover, the internal iodine distribution showed an evident gradient of iodine distribution from centre to periphery in non-metastatic LNs, and a more homogeneous distribution within metastatic LNs, which corresponded to the pathological structure. KEY POINTS: • This study demonstrated a lower iodine uptake in metastatic than non-metastatic LNs. • Internal distribution of HU was different between metastatic and non-metastatic lymph nodes. • The intranodal iodine distribution disclosed a remarkable correlation with the histological LN structure.

Evaluation of deep myometrial invasion in endometrial cancer patients: is dual-energy CT an option?

OBJECTIVES: Assessment of deep (>50%) myometrial invasion by dual-energy CT (DECT) and Trans-Vaginal US (TVUS) in patients with endometrial cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled patients with endometrial cancer who underwent DECT and TVUS for pre-surgical staging. Three sets of images were evaluated: 70 keV (routine CT images), 50 keV, and iodine-water reconstructions. The gold standard was pathology after surgery. The agreement between the different imaging modalities and the gold standard was estimated. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for each imaging modality were evaluated with 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients were included. Median time from CT and TVUS to surgery was 23 and 18 days, respectively. The best agreement between evaluation of myometrial infiltration and the gold standard was 0.88 (0.72, 1.00) for the 50 keV images; the worst agreement was 0.43 (0.00, 0.88) for the 70 keV images. CT iodine reconstructions and US agreement were comparable. Specificity, sensitivity and accuracy were 0.91, 1.00, 0.94; 0.57, 0.86, 0.71; 0.82, 1.00, 0.87; 0.91, 0.77, 0.86 for 50 keV, 70 keV, iodine reconstructions and ultrasound, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: DECT is a promising tool for assessment of myometrial invasion in endometrial cancer patients, with a special focus on 50 keV images.

Genicular Artery Embolization: A New Tool for the Management of Refractory Osteoarthritis-Related Knee Pain.

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is a prevalent cause of chronic pain and disability, particularly affecting women. While traditionally attributed to chronic wear and tear, recent evidence highlights multifactorial pathogenesis involving low-grade inflammation and neoangiogenesis. Current therapeutic options include physical therapy, pharmacotherapy, and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, a subset of patients remain symptomatic despite conservative measures, necessitating the development of minimally invasive interventions. Genicular artery embolization (GAE) emerges as a promising option, targeting neovascularization and inflammatory processes in OA. This paper reviews the pathophysiological basis, patient selection criteria, procedural details, and outcomes of GAE. Notably, GAE demonstrates efficacy in relieving knee pain and improving function in patients refractory to conventional therapy. While further research is warranted to elucidate its long-term outcomes and compare it with existing modalities, GAE represents a novel approach in the management of symptomatic knee OA, potentially delaying or obviating the need for surgical intervention. Here, we synthesize the relevant literature, technical details of the procedure, and future perspectives. Moreover, the success of GAE prompts the exploration of transarterial embolization in other musculoskeletal conditions, underscoring the evolving role of interventional radiology in personalized pain management strategies.

Guidelines on the diagnosis, treatment and management of visceral and renal arteries aneurysms: a joint assessment by the Italian Societies of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery (SICVE) and Medical and Interventional Radiology (SIRM).

The objective of these Guidelines is to provide recommendations for the classification, indication, treatment and management of patients suffering from aneurysmal pathology of the visceral and renal arteries. The methodology applied was the GRADE-SIGN version, and followed the instructions of the AGREE quality of reporting checklist. Clinical questions, structured according to the PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome) model, were formulated, and systematic literature reviews were carried out according to them. Selected articles were evaluated through specific methodological checklists. Considered Judgments were compiled for each clinical question in which the characteristics of the body of available evidence were evaluated in order to establish recommendations. Overall, 79 clinical practice recommendations were proposed. Indications for treatment and therapeutic options were discussed for each arterial district, as well as follow-up and medical management, in both candidate patients for conservative therapy and patients who underwent treatment. The recommendations provided by these guidelines simplify and improve decision-making processes and diagnostic-therapeutic pathways of patients with visceral and renal arteries aneurysms. Their widespread use is recommended.

Successful treatment of acute spleno-porto-mesenteric vein thrombosis after ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine. A case report.

Several cases of deep venous thrombosis in people who had recently received Vaxzevria (previously known as COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca) have recently been reported, mainly presenting as cerebral vein/cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. This syndrome has been termed "vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT)". Acute spleno-porto-mesenteric vein thrombosis is an uncommon but serious condition with potential sequelae, such as small-bowel gangrene and end-stage liver failure. We describe a case of concomitant thrombosis of portal, superior mesenteric and splenic veins in a young female patient with no other risk factors who received Vaxzevria (previously ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine, AstraZeneca) 17 days before. The diagnostic workup and the successful endovascular treatment and systemic anticoagulation management is reported.

The role of lung ultrasound as a frontline diagnostic tool in the era of COVID-19 outbreak.

The diffusion of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) worldwide prompted the World Health Organization to declare the status of pandemic. The molecular diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection is based on the detection of viral RNA on different biological specimens. Unfortunately, the test may require several hours to be performed. In the present study, we evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of lung point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) for SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia in a cohort of symptomatic patients admitted to one emergency department (ED) in a high-prevalence setting. This retrospective study enrolled all patients who visited one ED with suspected respiratory infection in March 2020. All the patients were tested (usually twice if the first was negative) for SARS-CoV-2 on ED admission. The reference standard was considered positive if at least one specimen was positive. If all the specimens tested negative, the reference was considered negative. Diagnostic accuracy was evaluated using sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value. Of the 444 symptomatic patients who were admitted to the ED in the study period, the result of the lung POCUS test was available for 384 (86.5%). The sensitivity of the test was 92.0% (95% CI 88.2-94.9%), and the specificity was 64.9% (95% CI 54.6-74.4%). We observed a prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection of 74.7%. In this setting, the positive and negative predicted values were 88.6% (95% CI 84.4-92.0) and 73.3% (95% CI 62.6-82.2%), respectively. Lung POCUS is a sensitive first-line screening tool for ED patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Endometrial cancer: an overview of novelties in treatment and related imaging keypoints for local staging.

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynaecologic malignancy in developed countries and its incidence is increasing. First-level treatment, if no contraindicated, is based on surgery. Pre-operative imaging is needed for evaluation of local extent and detection of distant metastases in order to guide treatment planning. Radiological evaluation, based on transvaginal ultrasound, MR and CT, can make the difference in disease management, paying special attention to assessment of entity of myometrial invasion, cervical stromal extension, and assessment of lymph nodal involvement and distant metastases.

Pulmonary ground-glass opacity: computed tomography features, histopathology and molecular pathology.

The incidence of pulmonary ground-glass opacity (GGO) lesions is increasing as a result of the widespread use of multislice spiral computed tomography (CT) and the low-dose CT screening for lung cancer detection. Besides benign lesions, GGOs can be a specific type of lung adenocarcinomas or their preinvasive lesions. Evaluation of pulmonary GGO and investigation of the correlation between CT imaging features and lung adenocarcinoma subtypes or driver genes can be helpful in confirming the diagnosis and in guiding the clinical management. Our review focuses on the pathologic characteristics of GGO detected at CT, involving histopathology and molecular pathology.