Ablation of pulmonary neoplasms: review of literature and future perspectives.

Thermal ablation is a minimally invasive technology used to treat many types of tumors, including lung cancer. Specifically, lung ablation has been increasingly performed for unsurgical fit patients with both early-stage primi-tive lung cancer and pulmonary metastases. Image-guided available techniques include radiofrequency ablation, microwave ablation, cryoablation, laser ablation and irreversible electroporation. Aim of this review is to illustrate the major thermal ablation modalities, their indications and contraindications, complications, outcomes and notably the possible future challenges.

Percutaneous cervical coblation as therapeutic technique in the treatment of algo-dysfunctional pain of discal herniation.

OBJECTIVE: To confirm the validity of coblation nucleoplasty in reduction of cervical discogenic nature. STUDY DESIGN: In a monocentric prospective clinical observational study recruiting 20 patients, treated with percutaneous coblation for cervical discogenic pain in 16 months in our hospital, we have clinically evaluated 18 patients. The pain was scored with the Visual Analogic Scale (VAS) in a pre-procedural questionary, 3/4 monthly follow-up from treatment and, finally, in a long-term follow-up 2 years after procedure. RESULTS: The mean pre-procedural VAS score was 7.9 ± 1.6 (95%-Confidence Interval 7.198-8.634), while the mean post-procedural score after 3-4 months has been 2.5 ± 3.1 (95%-Confidence Interval 1.089-3.965) and 2.5 ± 2.5 (95%-Confidence Interval 1.367-3.687) after 2 years. Among 18 patients, in the shortly post-treatment follow-up, nine had a complete pain relief, four had a > 50% VAS reduction, two hada < 50% VAS reduction, three did not have any variation of VAS; after 2 years, six patients had a total pain resolution, eight had a > 50% VAS reduction, two hada < 50% VAS reduction, two did not have any benefit. No peri- and post-procedural complication has been observed. CONCLUSIONS: In a spite of a little sample, our results showed coblation as a valid therapeutic option to reduce cervical discogenic pain in medicine-refractory patients, as an alternative or a previous choice before a more invasive surgical treatment.

LI-RADS to categorize liver nodules in patients at risk of HCC: tool or a gadget in daily practice?

PURPOSE: To determine the effectiveness of liver reporting and data system (LI-RADS) to diagnose hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to retrospectively evaluate its impact on the adopted therapeutic strategy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Preoperative imaging of 40 of 350 patients (median age 66, 31 M/9 F) submitted to liver resection for suspected HCC, between January 2008 and August 2019, has been retrospectively analyzed by two radiologists with different expertise, according to CT/MRI LI-RADS® v2018, both blinded to clinical and pathological results and untrained to using aforementioned scoring system. RESULTS: The perfect agreement between the readers was about 62.5% (25/40) (Cohen k: 0.41), better for LR-5 category (16/25) and higher in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) investigations (68%; 13/19), which has been demonstrated the modality of choice for diagnosis of high probable and certain HCC, with arterial phase hyperenhancement as the most sensitive and accurate major feature. Compared to final histology, LR4 and LR5 scores assigned by senior radiologist reached sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV, PNV) and diagnostic accuracy of 90,9%, 29,0%, 93,8%, 62,5% and 87,5%, respectively, slightly higher than junior's ones. Misdiagnosis of HCC was done by both radiologists in the same two patients: 1 primary hepatic lymphoma (PHL) and 1 regenerative liver nodule (RLN). If LI-RADS would have been applied at the time of pre-surgical imaging, treatment planning would be modified in 10% of patients (4/40); the patient scheduled as LR-3 and finally resulted a focal nodular hyperplasia would have avoided liver resection. CONCLUSIONS: Application of LI-RADS, especially on MRI, may provide a more accurate evaluation of suspected HCC. PHL and RLN are the Achille's heels according to our experience.

Interventional Radiology ex-machina: impact of Artificial Intelligence on practice.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a branch of Informatics that uses algorithms to tirelessly process data, understand its meaning and provide the desired outcome, continuously redefining its logic. AI was mainly introduced via artificial neural networks, developed in the early 1950s, and with its evolution into "computational learning models." Machine Learning analyzes and extracts features in larger data after exposure to examples; Deep Learning uses neural networks in order to extract meaningful patterns from imaging data, even deciphering that which would otherwise be beyond human perception. Thus, AI has the potential to revolutionize the healthcare systems and clinical practice of doctors all over the world. This is especially true for radiologists, who are integral to diagnostic medicine, helping to customize treatments and triage resources with maximum effectiveness. Related in spirit to Artificial intelligence are Augmented Reality, mixed reality, or Virtual Reality, which are able to enhance accuracy of minimally invasive treatments in image guided therapies by Interventional Radiologists. The potential applications of AI in IR go beyond computer vision and diagnosis, to include screening and modeling of patient selection, predictive tools for treatment planning and navigation, and training tools. Although no new technology is widely embraced, AI may provide opportunities to enhance radiology service and improve patient care, if studied, validated, and applied appropriately.

A Morphological and Quantitative Analysis of Lung CT Scan in Patients With Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and in Cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema.

BACKGROUND: The acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and cardiogenic pulmonary edema (CPE) are both characterized by an increase in lung edema that can be measured by computed tomography (CT). The aim of this study was to compare possible differences between patients with ARDS and CPE in the morphologic pattern, the aeration, and the amount and distribution of edema within the lung. METHODS: Lung CT was performed at a mean positive end-expiratory pressure level of 5 cm H2O in both groups. The morphological evaluation was performed by two radiologists, while the quantitative evaluation was performed by a dedicated software. RESULTS: A total of 60 patients with ARDS (20 mild, 20 moderate, 20 severe) and 20 patients with CPE were enrolled. The ground-glass attenuation regions were similarly present among the groups, 8 (40%), 8 (40%), 14 (70%), and 10 (50%), while the airspace consolidations were significantly more present in ARDS. The lung gas volume was significantly lower in severe ARDS compared to CPE (830 [462] vs 1120 [832] mL). Moving from the nondependent to the dependent lung regions, the not inflated lung tissue significantly increased, while the well inflated tissue decreased (ρ = 0.96-1.00, P < .0001). Significant differences were found between ARDS and CPE mostly in dependent regions. In severe ARDS, the estimated edema was significantly higher, compared to CPE (757 [740] vs 532 [637] g). CONCLUSIONS: Both ARDS and CPE are characterized by a similar presence of ground-glass attenuation and different airspace consolidation regions. Acute respiratory distress syndrome has a higher amount of not inflated tissue and lower amount of well inflated tissue. However, the overall regional distribution is similar within the lung.

Segmented lordotic angles to assess lumbosacral transitional vertebra on EOS.

PURPOSE: To test the vertical posterior vertebral angles (VPVA) of the most caudal lumbar segments measured on EOS to identify and classify the lumbosacral transitional vertebra (LSTV). METHODS: We reviewed the EOS examinations of 906 patients to measure the VPVA at the most caudal lumbar segment (cVPVA) and at the immediately proximal segment (pVPVA), with dVPVA being the result of their difference. Mann-Whitney, Chi-square, and ROC curve statistics were used. RESULTS: 172/906 patients (19%) had LSTV (112 females, mean age: 43 ± 21 years), and 89/172 had type I LSTV (52%), 42/172 type II (24%), 33/172 type III (19%), and 8/172 type IV (5%). The cVPVA and dVPVA in non-articulated patients were significantly higher than those of patients with LSTV, patients with only accessory articulations, and patients with only bony fusion (all p < .001). The cVPVA and dVPVA in L5 sacralization were significantly higher than in S1 lumbarization (p < .001). The following optimal cutoff was found: cVPVA of 28.2° (AUC = 0.797) and dVPVA of 11.1° (AUC = 0.782) to identify LSTV; cVPVA of 28.2° (AUC = 0.665) and dVPVA of 8° (AUC = 0.718) to identify type II LSTV; cVPVA of 25.5° (AUC = 0.797) and dVPVA of - 7.5° (AUC = 0.831) to identify type III-IV LSTV; cVPVA of 20.4° (AUC = 0.693) and dVPVA of - 1.8° (AUC = 0.665) to differentiate type II from III-IV LSTV; cVPVA of 17.9° (AUC = 0.741) and dVPVA of - 4.5° (AUC = 0.774) to differentiate L5 sacralization from S1 lumbarization. CONCLUSION: The cVPVA and dVPVA measured on EOS showed good diagnostic performance to identify LSTV, to correctly classify it, and to differentiate L5 sacralization from S1 lumbarization.

Global and Regional Diagnostic Accuracy of Lung Ultrasound Compared to CT in Patients With Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: Lung CT is the reference imaging technique for acute respiratory distress syndrome, but requires transportation outside the intensive care and x-ray exposure. Lung ultrasound is a promising, inexpensive, radiation-free, tool for bedside imaging. Aim of the present study was to compare the global and regional diagnostic accuracy of lung ultrasound and CT scan. DESIGN: A prospective, observational study. SETTING: Intensive care and radiology departments of a University hospital. PATIENTS: Thirty-two sedated, paralyzed acute respiratory distress syndrome patients (age 65 ± 14 yr, body mass index 25.9 ± 6.5 kg/m, and PaO2/FIO2 139 ± 47). INTERVENTIONS: Lung CT scan and lung ultrasound were performed at positive end-expiratory pressure 5 cm H2O. A standardized assessment of six regions per hemithorax was used; each region was classified for the presence of normal aeration, alveolar-interstitial syndrome, consolidation, and pleural effusion. Agreement between the two techniques was calculated, and diagnostic variables were assessed for lung ultrasound using lung CT as a reference. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Global agreement between lung ultrasound and CT ranged from 0.640 (0.391-0.889) to 0.934 (0.605-1.000) and was on average 0.775 (0.577-0.973). The overall sensitivity and specificity of lung ultrasound ranged from 82.7% to 92.3% and from 90.2% to 98.6%, respectively. Similar results were found with regional analysis. The diagnostic accuracy of lung ultrasound was significantly higher when those patterns not reaching the pleural surface were excluded (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve: alveolar-interstitial syndrome 0.854 [0.821-0.887] vs 0.903 [0.852-0.954]; p = 0.049 and consolidation 0.851 [0.818-0.884] vs 0.896 [0.862-0.929]; p = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS: Lung ultrasound is a reproducible, sensitive, and specific tool, which allows for bedside detections of the morphologic patterns in acute respiratory distress syndrome. The presence of deep lung alterations may impact the diagnostic performance of this technique.

Bleeding of Perivascular Spaces in Midbrain of a Young Patient With Head Trauma.

Perivascular spaces (PVSs) surrounding the walls of arteries, arterioles, and venules are a common finding in brain imaging. Even if they do not directly communicate with subarachnoid spaces, there are some cases in which subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and intracerebral hematomas extend to the PVSs by leakage of the leptomeninges. In this report, we present a case of enlargement and bleeding of PVSs in the midbrain of a young woman with head trauma, without evident SAH or intracerebral hematomas.

Lifesaving embolization in a massive lumbar artery bleeding: Interventional radiology management.

Vertebral fractures are the most frequent fractures associated with osteoporosis. Thus far, there are no reported cases in literature analyzing intervertebral bleeding as a result of an osteoporotic vertebral fracture. The authors report a case of an 85-year-old woman in hemorrhagic shock for an unusual vertebral fracture causing a massive bleeding, which was contained by the vertebral ligament system inside the body of L4, treated with an endovascular approach. Since there are no guidelines for a treatment for the case mentioned above or similar, our aim is to describe a possible approach to a potentially life-threatening rare event.

Radiological pattern in ARDS patients: partitioned respiratory mechanics, gas exchange and lung recruitability.

BACKGROUND: The ARDS is characterized by different degrees of impairment in oxygenation and distribution of the lung disease. Two radiological patterns have been described: a focal and a diffuse one. These two patterns could present significant differences both in gas exchange and in the response to a recruitment maneuver. At the present time, it is not known if the focal and the diffuse pattern could be characterized by a difference in the lung and chest wall mechanical characteristics. Our aims were to investigate, at two levels of PEEP, if focal vs. diffuse ARDS patterns could be characterized by different lung CT characteristics, partitioned respiratory mechanics and lung recruitability. METHODS: CT patterns were analyzed by two radiologists and were classified as focal or diffuse. The changes from 5 to 15 cmH2O in blood gas analysis and partitioned respiratory mechanics were analyzed. Lung CT scan was performed at 5 and 45 cmH2O of PEEP to evaluate lung recruitability. RESULTS: One-hundred and ten patients showed a diffuse pattern, while 58 showed a focal pattern. At 5 cmH2O of PEEP, the driving pressure and the elastance, both the respiratory system and of the lung, were significantly higher in the diffuse pattern compared to the focal (14 [11-16] vs 11 [9-15 cmH2O; 28 [23-34] vs 21 [17-27] cmH2O/L; 22 [17-28] vs 14 [12-19] cmH2O/L). By increasing PEEP, the driving pressure and the respiratory system elastance significantly decreased in diffuse pattern, while they increased or did not change in the focal pattern (Δ15-5: - 1 [- 2 to 1] vs 0 [- 1 to 2]; - 1 [- 4 to 2] vs 1 [- 2 to 5]). At 5 cmH2O of PEEP, the diffuse pattern had a lower lung gas (743 [537-984] vs 1222 [918-1974] mL) and higher lung weight (1618 [1388-2001] vs 1222 [1059-1394] g) compared to focal pattern. The lung recruitability was significantly higher in diffuse compared to focal pattern 21% [13-29] vs 11% [6-16]. Considering the median of lung recruitability of the whole population (16.1%), the recruiters were 65% and 22% in the diffuse and focal pattern, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: An early identification of lung morphology can be useful to choose the ventilatory setting. A diffuse pattern has a better response to the increase of PEEP and to the recruitment maneuver.

Pulmonary embolism in COVID-19: Ventilation and perfusion computed tomography.

This is an illustrated case about CT ventilation and perfusion in Covid patient.

Image-guided percutaneous mechanical disc decompression for herniated discs: a technical note.

Interventional radiology plays a key role in the treatment of symptomatic herniations of intervertebral discs. Through image-guided techniques, it is possible to use minimally invasive procedures with a percutaneous approach that are usually proposed before classic surgery. Thanks to imaging guidance, it is possible to significantly increase accuracy and decrease complication rates. The pivotal principle of these mini-invasive techniques is to remove a small amount of volume of the nucleus of the intervertebral disc which results in a significant reduction in intradiscal pressure; allowing for a consequent reduction in compression of the nervous structures that generate spinal pain. However, it must be considered that this type of treatment is only addressed to contained disc herniations previously diagnosed with a suitable neuroimaging examination. There are different types of treatment using a variety of chemical, thermal or mechanical processes that result in partial removal of the nucleus pulposus. The purpose of this technical note is to illustrate mechanical disc decompression treatment via a percutaneous approach using the DISKOM device (DISKOM percutaneous discectomy probe, Biopsybell, Mirandola, Italy). Indications, complications and various methods of use are described in relation to the different levels of the spine to be treated.

Use of perfusional CBCT imaging for intraprocedural evaluation of endovascular treatment in patients with diabetic foot: a concept paper.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most common metabolic diseases worldwide; its global burden has increased rapidly over the past decade, enough to be considered a public health emergency in many countries. Diabetic foot disease and, particularly diabetic foot ulceration, is the major complication of DM: through a skin damage of the foot, with a loss of epithelial tissue, it can deepen to muscles and bones and lead to the amputation of the lower limbs. Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in patients with diabetes, manifests like a diffuse macroangiopathic multi-segmental involvement of the lower limb vessels, also connected to a damage of collateral circulation; it may also display characteristic microaneurysms and tortuosity in distal arteries. As validation method, Bold-MRI is used. The diabetic foot should be handled with a multidisciplinary team approach, as its management requires systemic and localized treatments, pain control, monitoring of cardiovascular risk factors and other comorbidities. CBCT is an emerging medical imaging technique with the original feature of divergent radiation, forming a cone, in contrast with the spiral slicing of conventional CT, and has become increasingly important in treatment planning and diagnosis: from small anatomical areas, such as implantology, to the world of interventional radiology, with a wide range of applications: as guidance for biopsies or ablation treatments. The aim of this project is to evaluate the usefulness of perfusion CBCT imaging, obtained during endovascular revascularization, for intraprocedural evaluation of endovascular treatment in patients with diabetic foot.

Interventional radiology management of high flow priapism: review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: High-flow priapism is a persistent partial penile tumescence, related to high flow arterial blood into the corpora. In the treatment of high flow priapism, super-selective embolization is considered treatment of choice when conservative treatment fails as reported in the "EAU Guidelines on Priapism", but there are only few series reporting the outcome, the efficacy of different embolic materials and these studies are uncontrolled and relatively small. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to review the literature to outline the state of the art of this interventional treatment and to analyse the outcome of the different embolic agents. METHODS: Through Medline database we searched all the English-language published articles related to priapism. Keywords were chosen according to MeSH terms. We selected case-series from 1990 to 2020 including at least five cases of high-flow priapism.The variables extracted from the selected articles were: number of patients, mean age, diagnostic imaging modality, mono or bilateral involvement of the arteries, embolization material, technical success, clinical success, complications, recurrence rate and type of reintervention, mean follow up, onset of erectile dysfunction. RESULTS: We analyzed 11 papers.A total of 117 patients, mean age of 30 years, were studied during a period of 8 to 72 months. Technical success average was 99%, varying from 93 to 100%. Clinical success average was 88%, varying from 56 to 100%. After two or more treatments, resolution of priapism was obtained in all patients. No major adverse events registered. Recurrence rate of 21%(25/117) was observed, and only 4 pts underwent surgery. A total of 17 pts (15%) developed erectile dysfunction (ED). CONCLUSION: Our data suggested comparable outcomes using different types of materials.In line with the last evidences we suggest that the choice of the embolic material should be selected basing on the expertise of the operator, the characteristic of the fistula and characteristic of the patients.

Efficacy, safety and usability of bronchial artery embolization using a new anti-reflux microcatheter in the management of haemoptysis.

PURPOSE: Haemoptysis (Hp) is a potentially life-threatening medical condition. We investigated the safety, efficacy and usability of bronchial artery embolization using a new anti-reflux microcatheter in patients with haemoptysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was held as a single-center retrospective study. Four patients underwent bronchial arterial embolization, using the new microcatheter. Then, we evalueted technical success, immediate clinical success, haemoptysis recurrance rate and safety in reducing reflux complications. Conclusion Bronchial artery embolization for hemoptysis with the new microcatheter is a safe and effective method with high technical and clinical success rates. Short and medium-term results are excellent.

Prostatic artery embolization in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: perfusion cone-beam CT to evaluate planning and treatment response.

This proof of concept is to evaluate the utility of perfusion cone-beam computed tomography (CT) in patients undergoing prostatic artery (PA) embolization (PAE) for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with moderate or severe-grade lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). PAE is a novel minimally invasive therapy and is both safe and effective procedure with low risks and high technical successes, making this procedure as the best alternative to surgery. A lot of technical changes would compromise clinical outcomes after procedure, including a variable prostate vascular anatomy, thin PA, and extensive atherosclerotic disease. The purpose of our study is to exploit the advantages of Perfusion Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) that could impact treatment and help interventional radiologists for treatment planning, diagnosis and for assessing the technical feasibility during PAE, mitigating the risk of nontarget embolization and suggesting clinical outcomes. Qualitative and quantitative clinical pre- and post-treatment values will be compared, to reach the best possible results.

In-bore MRI targeted biopsy.

Clinical suspicion of Prostate Cancer (PCa) is largely based on increased prostate specific antigen (PSA) level and/or abnormal digital rectal examination (DRE) and/or positive imaging and, up today, biopsy is mandatory to confirm the diagnosis. The old model consisted of Standard Biopsy (SBx), that is random sampling of the prostate gland under ultrasound guidance (TRUS), in subjects with clinical suspicion of PCa. This involves the risk of not diagnosing a high percentage of tumors (up to 30%) and of an incorrect risk stratification. Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging (mpMRI) has transformed the diagnostic pathway of PCa, not only as an imaging method for detecting suspicious lesions, but also as an intraprocedural guidance for Target Biopsy (MRI-TBx), thus bridging the diagnostic gap. Several single and multicenter randomized trials, such as PROMIS, MRI first, PRECISION and that reported by Van der Leest et al. have confirmed the superiority of the "MRI pathway", consisting of mpMRI and MRI-TBx of suspicious lesions, over the "standard pathway" of SBx in all patients with elevated PSA and/or positive DRE. MRI-TBx appears to be advantageous in reducing the overall number of biopsies performed, as well as in reducing the diagnosis of clinically insignificant disease while maintaining or improving the diagnosis of clinically significant PCa (cs-PCa). Moreover, it shows a reduction in the diagnosis of ins-PCa, and therefore, of overdiagnosis, when using MRI-TBx without sacrificing performance in the diagnosis of cs-PCa.

Clinical and instrumental assessment of herniated discs after nucleoplasty: a preliminary study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The therapy for low back pain boasts different approaches; one of these is nucleoplasty. We wanted to assess the effectiveness of nucleoplasty both by clinical response both by MR imaging evaluation, including even extrusions larger than one third of the spinal canal. METHODS: Fifty-seven patients were treated with nucleoplasty in our hospital, 11 of these patients accepted both clinical and MRI evaluation after six months from treatment. The clinical evaluation was performed with Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) of pain, scored before and after the procedure. MRI evaluation consisted of analysing some imaging parameters of disc protrusions before and after the treatment. RESULTS: In 10 out of 11 (91%) patients, VAS was reduced and only 1 out of 11 (9%) had the same pain after procedure. The mean of decrease of VAS score was 64%. In our population 8/11 (72%) patients had a herniation larger than 1/3 of the sagittal diameter of spinal canal and 100% of them had an improvement with a mean VAS reduction value of 75%. With MRI evaluation, the mean percentage of expulsion before and after treatment was respectively 40% and 34%. The expulsion decreased in 7/13 discs, remained equal in 4/13, and increased in 2/13 discs. Among the 9 larger protrusions, 3 didn't change, 6 reduced with a decrease mean value of 13%. Other MRI parameters didn't change significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary experience supports the success of coblation on pain relief, aiming to show progressively that this treatment is suitable even in case of great extrusions, which are generally treated only with surgical approach. It's not clear the usefulness of MRI control yet, even if in most of cases we could have found a certain reduction of expulsion degree.