Role of multiparametric MRI in long-term surveillance following focal laser ablation of prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Determine the multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) appearance of the prostate following focal laser ablation (FLA) for PCa and to identify imaging characteristics associated with recurrent disease. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of patients who underwent FLA for low-intermediate risk PCa between 2010 and 2014 was performed. Early (median 4 months) and late mpMRI (median 49 months) follow-up were qualitatively assessed for T2-weighted, dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) and diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) appearances and also compared to corresponding PSA values and biopsy results. RESULTS: 55 cancers were treated in 54 men (mean age 61.0 years). Early mpMRI was performed in 30 (54.5%) patients while late follow-up mpMRI in 42 (84%). Ill-defined scarring with and without atrophy at the treatment site were the most common appearances. In patients with paired MRI and biopsy, one of four patients with clinically significant PCa on biopsy (≥GG2 or≥6 mm GG1) showed hyperenhancement or restricted diffusion at early follow-up. At late follow-up, positive biopsies were seen in 5/8 (63%) cases with hyperenhancement and 5/6 (83%) cases with restricted diffusion at the treatment site. PSA change was not associated with biopsy results at either time point. CONCLUSION: mpMRI is able to document the morphological and temporal changes following focal therapy. It has limited ability to detect recurrent disease in early months following treatment. Late-term mpMRI is sensitive at identifying patients with recurrent disease. Small sample size is, however, a limitation of the study. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: Implementing MRI in follow-up after FT may be useful in predicting residual or recurrent PCa and therefore provide reliable outcome data.

The reliability of the Greulich-Pyle method in bone age determination among Australian children.

INTRODUCTION: Bone age (BA) determination in skeletally immature children has been used as a measurement of growth for many years. The Greulich-Pyle (G&P) method of estimating BA is most commonly used. The standards used within this atlas were compiled from research conducted on normal white children in the United States, during the 1930s. The applicability of G&P beyond populations similar to its own can be variable. The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of G&P in BA determination among Australian children. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Hand X-rays of children under the age of 18, investigated for trauma, were recruited. Mean differences between BA, according to the standards of G&P, and chronological age (CA) were compared among all patients and subgroups according to age, gender and left versus right hand. RESULTS: Between January and December 2010, 654 children underwent hand X-rays, 406 of these were included (276 males and 130 females). Overall BA was 2.2 months less than CA (P-value = 0.005). BA of males and females was estimated to be 1.5 months (P-value = 0.142) and 3.7 months (P-value = 0.002) less than their CA respectively. No statistically significant difference was identified with intra-observer (P-value = 0.846) and inter-observer interpretations (P-value = 0.102). CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that the standards of G&P are an accurate means of BA determination in Australian children.

Adherence to Canadian C-Spine Rule in a regional hospital: a retrospective study of 406 cases.

INTRODUCTION: Cervical spine radiography may be over-utilised in an emergency department setting. The Canadian C-Spine Rule has been developed to reduce unnecessary radiography. Our aim was to retrospectively determine the proportion of cervical spine radiographs requested through the emergency department for trauma patients that were clinically indicated, according to the Canadian C-Spine Rule. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional survey conducted at a regional centre in Northern Queensland, Australia. All cervical spine radiographs for trauma, performed at the Mackay Base Hospital from 1 January 2009 to the 31 December 2009, were reviewed. The relevant patient charts were audited for evidence of indications for radiography. RESULTS: Of 406 patients in the study, 155 patients (38%) (95% confidence interval 33.3%, 42.7%) had cervical spine imaging performed that was not indicated according to the Canadian C-Spine Rule. None of these patients had a significant cervical spine injury on radiography. CONCLUSION: Applying the Canadian C-Spine Rule would have safely reduced the incidence of cervical spine radiography by 38%. This would also reduce costs, patient morbidity and radiation exposure.