Accuracy of MRI skeletal age estimation for subjects 12-19. Potential use for subjects of unknown age.

INTRODUCTION: In forensic practice, there is a growing need for accurate methods of age estimation, especially in the cases of young individuals of unknown age. Age can be estimated through somatic features that are universally considered associated with chronological age. Unfortunately, these features do not always coincide with the real chronological age: for these reasons that age determination is often very difficult. Our aim is to evaluate accuracy of skeletal age estimation using Tomei's MRI method in subjects between 12 and 19 years old for forensic purposes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two investigators analyzed MRI images of the left hand and wrist of 77 male and 74 female caucasian subjects, without chronic diseases or developmental disorders, whose age ranged from 12 to 19 years. Skeletal maturation was determined by two operators, who analyzed all MRI images separately, in blinded fashion to the chronological age. Inter-rater agreement was measured with Pearson (R (2)) coefficient. One of the examiners repeated the evaluation after 6 months, and intraobserver variation was analyzed. Bland-Altman plots were used to determine mean differences between skeletal and chronological age. RESULTS: Inter-rater agreement Pearson coefficient showed a good linear correlation, respectively, 0.98 and 0.97 in males and females. Bland-Altman analysis demonstrated that the differences between chronological and skeletal age are not significant. Spearman's correlation coefficient showed good correlation between skeletal and chronological age both in females (R (2) = 0.96) and in males (R (2) = 0.94). CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that MRI skeletal age is a reproducible method and has good correlation with chronological age.

Combined chemical shift imaging with early dynamic serial gadolinium-enhanced MRI in the characterization of adrenal lesions.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate early dynamic serial gadolinium-enhanced and chemical-shift imaging (CSI) MRI to distinguish benign from malignant adrenal tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between July 2007 and December 2011, 205 patients with 239 adrenal lesions (177 adenomas, 54 metastases, 5 pheochromocytomas, and 3 adrenal cortical carcinomas) underwent early dynamic serial gadolinium-enhanced MRI and CSI. CSI was assessed qualitatively and by calculating the adrenal index, and enhancement patterns were evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively. Statistical analyses were performed. RESULTS: Most adenomas exhibited either an arterial blush or homogeneous enhancement, whereas most metastases showed early peripheral or heterogeneous enhancement. Visualization of higher enhancement on arterial and venous phases enabled differentiation of adenomas from metastases in most cases. Moderate to high signal intensity drop on CSI was seen in 95.4% of adenomas and 14.8% of metastases. In lesions with this level of signal intensity drop, 87 of 88 lesions with a capillary blush were adenomas. Early dynamic serial imaging alone was a significant (p < 0.0001) indicator of nonadenoma (area under the curve [AUC], 0.912) with optimal sensitivity of 81% and specificity of 93% for differentiating adenomas from nonadenomas. Combined analysis (CSI and early dynamic serial imaging) was also significant (p < 0.0001 and p=0.0014, respectively) for diagnosing nonadenomas (AUC, 0.983) with optimal sensitivity of 94% and specificity of 98%. CONCLUSION: Early dynamic serial gadolinium-enhanced MRI aids in characterization of adrenal tumors, especially lesions that are categorized as indeterminate on the basis of CSI.

Hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma: a report from three university centers.

OBJECTIVE: To determine common imaging findings of hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma on magnetic resonance images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A search was made of three institutional databases between January 2000 and August 2012. Seven patients (mean age, 47 years; range, 21-66 years; 6 women) with pathology-confirmed diagnosis of hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma who had undergone magnetic resonance imaging were identified. None of the patients had received any treatment for hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma at the time of the initial magnetic resonance imaging examination. RESULTS: Hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma tumors appeared as focal masses in 7/7 patients, greater than 5 in number, with a coalescing lesion in 1/5, and peripheral localization in 6/7. Capsular retraction was present in 4/7, and was associated with peripherally located lesions. Early ring enhancement was appreciated in the majority of lesions in 7/7 patients. Centripetal progressive enhancement was shown in 5/7 patients on venous phase that exhibited a distinctive thick inner border of low signal on venous phase images, and a central core of delayed enhancement. Small lesions did not show this. CONCLUSION: The combination of multifocal round-configuration lesions that are predominantly peripheral and exhibit early peripheral ring enhancement and late appearance of an inner thick border of low signal and central core of high signal may represent an important feature for hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma.

OBJETIVO: Determinar os achados comuns de hemangioendotelioma epitelioide hepático em imagens de ressonância magnética. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Uma pesquisa foi feita em três bases de dados institucionais entre janeiro de 2000 e agosto de 2012. Sete pacientes (média de idade, 47 anos; variação, 21-66 anos; 6 mulheres) com diagnóstico confirmado por exame patológico de hemangioendotelioma epitelioide hepático submetidos a ressonância magnética foram identificados. Nenhum dos pacientes havia recebido tratamento para hemangioendotelioma epitelioide hepático antes do exame inicial por ressonância magnética. RESULTADOS: Tumores de hemangioendothelioma epitelioide hepático apareceram como massas focais, maiores que 5 em número, em 7/7 pacientes, com uma lesão coalescente em 1/5 e localização periférica em 6/7 pacientes. Retração capsular esteve presente em 4/7 pacientes e foi associada com lesões perifericamente localizadas. Realce precoce em anel foi visto na maioria das lesões, em 7/7 pacientes. Realce progressivo centrípeto foi demonstrado em 5/7 pacientes na fase venosa, que exibia uma borda interna espessa distinta de baixo sinal nas imagens de fase venosa e um núcleo central de realce tardio. As lesões pequenas não mostraram isso. CONCLUSÃO: A combinação de lesões de configuração arredondada multifocais que são predominantemente periféricas e exibem realce precoce em anel periférico e aparecimento tardio de uma borda espessa interna de baixo sinal e um núcleo central de alto sinal pode representar uma característica importante para hemangioendotelioma epitelioide hepático.

Hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma: a report from three university centers / Hemangioendotelioma epitelioide hepático: pesquisa em três centros universitários

Abstract Objective: To determine common imaging findings of hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma on magnetic resonance images. Materials and Methods: A search was made of three institutional databases between January 2000 and August 2012. Seven patients (mean age, 47 years; range, 21-66 years; 6 women) with pathology-confirmed diagnosis of hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma who had undergone magnetic resonance imaging were identified. None of the patients had received any treatment for hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma at the time of the initial magnetic resonance imaging examination. Results: Hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma tumors appeared as focal masses in 7/7 patients, greater than 5 in number, with a coalescing lesion in 1/5, and peripheral localization in 6/7. Capsular retraction was present in 4/7, and was associated with peripherally located lesions. Early ring enhancement was appreciated in the majority of lesions in 7/7 patients. Centripetal progressive enhancement was shown in 5/7 patients on venous phase that exhibited a distinctive thick inner border of low signal on venous phase images, and a central core of delayed enhancement. Small lesions did not show this. Conclusion: The combination of multifocal round-configuration lesions that are predominantly peripheral and exhibit early peripheral ring enhancement and late appearance of an inner thick border of low signal and central core of high signal may represent an important feature for hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma.

Resumo Objetivo: Determinar os achados comuns de hemangioendotelioma epitelioide hepático em imagens de ressonância magnética. Materiais e Métodos: Uma pesquisa foi feita em três bases de dados institucionais entre janeiro de 2000 e agosto de 2012. Sete pacientes (média de idade, 47 anos; variação, 21-66 anos; 6 mulheres) com diagnóstico confirmado por exame patológico de hemangioendotelioma epitelioide hepático submetidos a ressonância magnética foram identificados. Nenhum dos pacientes havia recebido tratamento para hemangioendotelioma epitelioide hepático antes do exame inicial por ressonância magnética. Resultados: Tumores de hemangioendothelioma epitelioide hepático apareceram como massas focais, maiores que 5 em número, em 7/7 pacientes, com uma lesão coalescente em 1/5 e localização periférica em 6/7 pacientes. Retração capsular esteve presente em 4/7 pacientes e foi associada com lesões perifericamente localizadas. Realce precoce em anel foi visto na maioria das lesões, em 7/7 pacientes. Realce progressivo centrípeto foi demonstrado em 5/7 pacientes na fase venosa, que exibia uma borda interna espessa distinta de baixo sinal nas imagens de fase venosa e um núcleo central de realce tardio. As lesões pequenas não mostraram isso. Conclusão: A combinação de lesões de configuração arredondada multifocais que são predominantemente periféricas e exibem realce precoce em anel periférico e aparecimento tardio de uma borda espessa interna de baixo sinal e um núcleo central de alto sinal pode representar uma característica importante para hemangioendotelioma epitelioide hepático.