Accelerating breast MRI acquisition with generative AI models.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the use of the score-based diffusion model to accelerate breast MRI reconstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We trained a score-based model on 9549 MRI examinations of the female breast and employed it to reconstruct undersampled MRI images with undersampling factors of 2, 5, and 20. Images were evaluated by two experienced radiologists who rated the images based on their overall quality and diagnostic value on an independent test set of 100 additional MRI examinations. RESULTS: The score-based model produces MRI images of high quality and diagnostic value. Both T1- and T2-weighted MRI images could be reconstructed to a high degree of accuracy. Two radiologists rated the images as almost indistinguishable from the original images (rating 4 or 5 on a scale of 5) in 100% (radiologist 1) and 99% (radiologist 2) of cases when the acceleration factor was 2. This fraction dropped to 88% and 70% for an acceleration factor of 5 and to 5% and 21% with an extreme acceleration factor of 20. CONCLUSION: Score-based models can reconstruct MRI images at high fidelity, even at comparatively high acceleration factors, but further work on a larger scale of images is needed to ensure that diagnostic quality holds. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: The number of MRI examinations of the breast is expected to rise with MRI screening recommended for women with dense breasts. Accelerated image acquisition methods can help in making this examination more accessible. KEY POINTS: Accelerating breast MRI reconstruction remains a significant challenge in clinical settings. Score-based diffusion models can achieve near-perfect reconstruction for moderate undersampling factors. Faster breast MRI scans with maintained image quality could revolutionize clinic workflows and patient experience.

Photon-counting versus Dual-Source CT of Congenital Heart Defects in Neonates and Infants: Initial Experience.

Background Photon-counting CT (PCCT) has been shown to improve cardiovascular CT imaging in adults. Data in neonates, infants, and young children under the age of 3 years are missing. Purpose To compare image quality and radiation dose of ultrahigh-pitch PCCT with that of ultrahigh-pitch dual-source CT (DSCT) in children suspected of having congenital heart defects. Materials and Methods This is a prospective analysis of existing clinical CT studies in children suspected of having congenital heart defects who underwent contrast-enhanced PCCT or DSCT in the heart and thoracic aorta between January 2019 and October 2022. CT dose index and dose-length product were used to calculate effective radiation dose. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were calculated by standardized region-of-interest analysis. SNR and CNR dose ratios were calculated. Visual image quality was assessed by four independent readers on a five-point scale: 5, excellent or absent; 4, good or minimal; 3, moderate; 2, limited or substantial; and 1, poor or massive. Results Contrast-enhanced PCCT (n = 30) or DSCT (n = 84) was performed in 113 children (55 female and 58 male participants; median age, 66 days [IQR, 15-270]; median height, 56 cm [IQR, 52-67]; and median weight, 4.5 kg [IQR, 3.4-7.1]). A diagnostic image quality score of at least 3 was obtained in 29 of 30 (97%) with PCCT versus 65 of 84 (77%) with DSCT. Mean overall image quality ratings were higher for PCCT versus DSCT (4.17 vs 3.16, respectively; P < .001). SNR and CNR were higher for PCCT versus DSCT with SNR (46.3 ± 16.3 vs 29.9 ± 15.3, respectively; P = .007) and CNR (62.0 ± 50.3 vs 37.2 ± 20.8, respectively; P = .001). Mean effective radiation doses were similar for PCCT and DSCT (0.50 mSv vs 0.52 mSv; P = .47). Conclusion At a similar radiation dose, PCCT offers a higher SNR and CNR and thus better cardiovascular imaging quality than DSCT in children suspected of having cardiac heart defects. © RSNA, 2023.

Liver Phenotypes of European Adults Heterozygous or Homozygous for Pi∗Z Variant of AAT (Pi∗MZ vs Pi∗ZZ genotype) and Noncarriers.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Homozygosity for the Pi∗Z variant of the gene that encodes the alpha-1 antitrypsin peptide (AAT), called the Pi∗ZZ genotype, causes a liver and lung disease called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. Heterozygosity (the Pi∗MZ genotype) is a risk factor for cirrhosis in individuals with liver disease. Up to 4% of Europeans have the Pi∗MZ genotype; we compared features of adults with and without Pi∗MZ genotype among persons without preexisting liver disease. METHODS: We analyzed data from the European Alpha-1 Liver Cohort, from 419 adults with the Pi∗MZ genotype, 309 adults with the Pi∗ZZ genotype, and 284 individuals without the variant (noncarriers). All underwent a comprehensive evaluation; liver stiffness measurements (LSMs) were made by transient elastography. Liver biopsies were analyzed to define histologic and biochemical features associated with the Pi∗Z variant. Levels of serum transaminases were retrieved from 444,642 participants, available in the United Kingdom biobank. RESULTS: In the UK biobank database, levels of serum transaminases were increased in subjects with the Pi∗MZ genotype compared with noncarriers. In the Alpha-1 Liver Cohort, adults with Pi∗MZ had lower levels of gamma-glutamyl transferase in serum and lower LSMs than adults with the Pi∗ZZ variant, but these were higher than in noncarriers. Ten percent of subjects with the Pi∗MZ genotype vs 4% of noncarriers had LSMs of 7.1 kPa or more (adjusted odds ratio, 4.8; 95% confidence interval, 2.0-11.8). Obesity and diabetes were the most important factors associated with LSMs ≥7.1 kPa in subjects with the Pi∗MZ genotype. AAT inclusions were detected in liver biopsies of 63% of subjects with the Pi∗MZ genotype, vs 97% of subjects with the Pi∗ZZ genotype, and increased with liver fibrosis stages. Subjects with the Pi∗MZ genotype did not have increased hepatic levels of AAT, whereas levels of insoluble AAT varied among individuals. CONCLUSIONS: Adults with the Pi∗MZ genotype have lower levels of serum transaminases, fewer AAT inclusions in liver, and lower liver stiffness than adults with the Pi∗ZZ genotype, but higher than adults without the Pi∗Z variant. These findings should help determine risk of subjects with the Pi∗MZ genotype and aid in counseling.

Digital breast tomosynthesis-guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy: initial experiences and comparison with prone stereotactic vacuum-assisted biopsy.

PURPOSE: To use digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT)-guided vacuum-assisted biopsy (VAB) to sample target lesions identified at full-field digital screening mammography and compare clinical performance with that of prone stereotactic (PS) VAB. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this institutional review board-approved study, 205 patients with 216 mammographic findings suspicious for cancer were scheduled to undergo mammography-guided VAB. Written informed consent was obtained. PS VAB was performed in 159 patients with 165 target lesions. DBT VAB was performed in 46 consecutive patients with 51 target lesions. Tissue-sampling methods and materials (9-gauge needles) were the same with both systems. For calcifications, specimen radiographs were obtained, and for masses or architectural distortions, control mammography or DBT was performed to confirm adequate target lesion sampling. χ(2) and Student t tests were used to compare biopsy time, and the Fisher exact test was used to compare lesion type distribution for DBT versus PS VAB. RESULTS: Technical success was achieved in 51 of 51 lesions (100%) with DBT VAB versus 154 of 165 lesions (93%) with PS VAB. In one of 11 lesions in which PS VAB failed, DBT VAB was performed successfully. Mean time to complete VAB was 13 minutes ± 3.7 for DBT VAB versus 29 minutes ± 10.1 for PS VAB (P < .0001). Reidentifying and targeting lesions during PS VAB took longer than it did during DBT VAB (P < .0001). Tissue sampling took about the same time for PS VAB and DBT VAB (P = .067). Significantly more "low-contrast" (ie, uncalcified) target lesions were biopsied with DBT VAB (13 of 51 lesions) versus PS VAB (nine of 165 lesions) (P < .0002). No major complications were observed with either system. One patient who underwent DBT VAB in the sitting position and one patient who underwent PS VAB developed self-limiting vasovagal reactions. CONCLUSION: Clinical performance of DBT VAB was significantly superior to PS VAB. Because DBT VAB allows use of the full detector size for imaging and provides immediate lesion depth information without requiring triangulation, it facilitates target lesion reidentification and sampling of even low-contrast targets, such as uncalcified masses.

Rivaroxaban versus vitamin K antagonist treatment on the progression of coronary calcification: the IRIVASC-trial.

Vitamin K antagonists (VKA) remain the only option of anticoagulation for people with mechanical valve replacement and due to their wider availability and lower acquisition costs, VKA's remain widely used in low- and middle-income countries. It has been suggested that prolonged use of VKAs can increase the development of vascular and valvular calcification, though this effect has not been examined in larger randomized prospective trials. This investigator-initiated multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label interventional trial randomized patients with baseline coronary or valvular calcification and an indication for prolonged oral anticoagulation therapy to Marcumar or Rivaroxaban. Patients were followed-up through repeat coronary computed tomographies to measure the progression of coronary and valvular calcification for up to 24 months. 192 patients were randomized between 2013 and 2018 to receive either Rivaroxaban or Marcumar and followed for up to 24 months. Coronary calcification significantly increased over time although there was no significant difference in progression between the groups after 12 and 24 months as measured by the Agatston score [360.7 (90.2; 1075.3) vs 380.4 (136.4; 1546.9) p = 0.69], the volume score [295.8 (93.0; 995.3) vs 335.5 (128.7; 1316.9) p = 0.95] and the mass score [58.5 (15.9; 172.0) vs 71.1 (24.8; 257.3) p = 0.5]. Dephosphorylated, uncarboxylated matrix Gla Protein (Dp-ucMGP) significantly decreased in the VKA group [Δ dp-uc MGP - 95.2 (- 554.1; 156.0) vs 231.3 (- 59.7; 388.1) p < 0.001]. There does not appear to be a relevant effect of vitamin K inhibition by the vitamin K antagonist marcumar upon coronary calcification.

Asbestos Surveillance Program Aachen (ASPA): Cancer mortality among asbestos exposed power industry workers.

BACKGROUND: The time between initial asbestos exposure and asbestos-related disease can span several decades. The Asbestos Surveillance Program aims to detect early asbestos-related diseases in a cohort of 8,565 power industry workers formerly exposed to asbestos. RESEARCH QUESTION: How does asbestos exposure patterns affect cancer mortality and the duration of latency until death? METHODS: A mortality follow-up was conducted with available vital status for 8,476 participants (99 %) and available death certificates for 89.9 % of deceased participants. Standardised mortality ratios (SMR) were calculated for asbestos-related cancers. The SMR of mesothelioma and lung cancer were stratified by exposure duration, cumulative asbestos exposure and smoking. The effect of age at first exposure, cumulative asbestos exposure and smoking on the duration of latency until death was examined using multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS: The mortality risk of mesothelioma (n = 104) increased with cumulative asbestos exposure but not with exposure duration; the highest mortality (SMR: 23.20; 95 % CI: 17.62-29.99) was observed in participants who performed activities with short extremely high exposures (steam turbine revisions). Lung cancer mortality (n = 215) was not increased (SMR: 1.03; 95 % CI: 0.89-1.17). Median latency until death was 46 (15-63) years for mesothelioma and 44 (15-70) years for lung cancer and deaths occurred between age 64 and 82 years. Latency until death was not influenced by age at first exposure, cumulative exposure, or smoking. CONCLUSION: Cumulative dose seems to be more appropriate than exposure duration for estimating the risk of mesothelioma death. Additionally, exposure with high cumulative doses in short time should be considered. Since only lung cancer mortality, not incidence, was recorded in this study, lung cancer risk associated with asbestos exposure could not be assessed and the lung cancer mortality was lower than expected probably due to screening effects and improved treatments. The critical time window of death from asbestos-related cancer is between the seventh and ninth decade of life. Future studies should further explore the concept of latency, especially since large ranges are reported throughout the literature.

Photon-Counting Versus Dual-Source CT for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Planning.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular CT is required for planning transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). PURPOSE: To compare image quality, suitability for TAVI planning, and radiation dose of photon-counting CT (PCCT) with that of dual-source CT (DSCT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study on consecutive TAVI candidates with aortic valve stenosis who underwent contrast-enhanced aorto-ilio-femoral PCCT and/or DSCT between 01/2022 and 07/2023. Signal-to-noise (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were calculated by standardized ROI analysis. Image quality and suitability for TAVI planning were assessed by four independent expert readers (two cardiac radiologists, two cardiologists) on a 5-point-scale. CT dose index (CTDI) and dose-length-product (DLP) were used to calculate effective radiation dose (eRD). RESULTS: 300 patients (136 female, median age: 81 years, IQR: 76-84) underwent 302 CT examinations, with PCCT in 202, DSCT in 100; two patients underwent both. Although SNR and CNR were significantly lower in PCCT vs. DSCT images (33.0 ± 10.5 vs. 47.3 ± 16.4 and 47.3 ± 14.8 vs. 59.3 ± 21.9, P < .001, respectively), visual image quality was higher in PCCT vs. DSCT (4.8 vs. 3.3, P < .001), with moderate overall interreader agreement among radiologists and among cardiologists (κ = 0.60, respectively). Image quality was rated as "excellent" in 160/202 (79.2%) of PCCT vs. 5/100 (5%) of DSCT cases. Readers found images suitable to depict the aortic valve hinge points and to map the femoral access path in 99% of PCCT vs. 85% of DSCT (P < 0.01), with suitability ranked significantly higher in PCCT vs. DSCT (4.8 vs. 3.3, P < .001). Mean CTDI and DLP, and thus eRD, were significantly lower for PCCT vs. DSCT (22.4 vs. 62.9; 519.4 vs. 895.5, and 8.8 ± 4.5 mSv vs. 15.3 ± 5.8 mSv; all P < .001). CONCLUSION: PCCT improves image quality, effectively avoids non-diagnostic CT imaging for TAVI planning, and is associated with a lower radiation dose compared to state-of-the-art DSCT. Radiologists and cardiologists found PCCT images more suitable for TAVI planning.

Abbreviated MRI for Comprehensive Regional Lymph Node Staging during Pre-Operative Breast MRI.

BACKGROUND: The detection of regional lymph node metastases (LNM), in particular significant LNM (≥N2), is important to guide treatment decisions in women with breast cancer. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a coronal pulse sequence as part of pre-operative breast MRI is useful to identify women without significant LNM. MATERIAL: Retrospective study between January 2017 and December 2019 on 414 consecutive women with breast cancer who underwent pre-operative breast MRI on a 1.5 T system. For lymph node (LN) staging, a coronal pre-contrast non-fat-suppressed T1-weighted TSE sequence was acquired with the system's built-in body coil, covering the chest wall; acquisition time 3:12 min. Two radiologists rated the likelihood of LNM on a 3-point scale (absent/possible/present). Validation was obtained by histology from sentinel LN biopsy, axillary LN dissection, and/or PET/CT. RESULTS: 368/414 women were staged to have no or non-significant LNM (pN0 in 282/414, pN1 in 86/414), and significant LNM (≥pN2) in 46/414. For identification of women with significant LNM, MRI was true-positive in 42/46, false-negative in 4/46, true-negative in 327/368, and false-positive in 41/83, the latter mostly caused by women with N1-disease (38/41), yielding an NPV and PPV for significant LNM of 98.8% [95%-CI: 97.0-100%] and 50.6% [43.1-58.1%], respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A 3 min coronal T1-weighted pulse sequence covering the chest wall as part of pre-operative breast MRI is useful to rule out significant LNM with high NPV. Where MRI staging is positive for significant LNM, additional work-up is indicated to improve the distinction of N1 and N2 disease.

Impact of Multiparametric MRI (mMRI) on the Therapeutic Management of Adnexal Masses Detected with Transvaginal Ultrasound (TVUS): An Interdisciplinary Management Approach.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Adnexal masses detected incidentally at transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) are a common and still challenging diagnostic problem. The primary goal of further imaging is an accurate tissue characterization so an optimal treatment plan can be devised including surgery only for lesions that are indeterminate or malignant. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the diagnostic utility of complementary multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mMRI) for treatment planning in patients with adnexal masses, and to assess how it ultimately correlates with subsequent histopathologic findings. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 126 women (mean age: 54.6 years) with indeterminate adnexal masses underwent mMRI at 3T in addition to TVUS and testing to determine their CA-125 levels. The mMRI protocol consisted of a high-resolution T2-TSE in three planes, diffusion weighted images and dynamic contrast enhanced. First the character of the adnexal mass and the associated management decision (follow-up, laparoscopy or laparotomy) were assessed independently for each diagnostic method (TVUS + CA-125 and mMRI). All methods were then assessed in synopsis. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of each diagnostic method alone and in combination were calculated. The standard of reference was either final histology in women who underwent surgery or follow-up of at least 24 months in women who underwent follow-up. RESULTS: In 67.5% (85/126) of all patients, the adnexal mass was benign; a malignant tumor was diagnosed in 28.6% (36/126) and a borderline tumor in the remaining 4% (5/126) of patients. The diagnostic indices were as follows for TVUS + CA 125 alone, mMRI alone and all three methods combined: sensitivity 86% (31/36), 97% (35/36), and 100% (36/36); specificity 32% (29/90), 83% (75/90), and 80% (68/90); PPV 34% (31/91), 70% (35/50), and 74% (40/54); and NPV 65% (29/44), 98% (75/76), and 100% (72/72). Complementary use of mMRI changed the therapeutic management decision in 34% (41/126) of all patients. In 40.7% (37/91) of patients for whom surgery had been recommended based on TVUS + CA-125, MRI revealed a typical benign finding such that those patients underwent follow-up instead of surgery. None of the examined masses exhibited (tumor) progression or malignancy during the follow-up period. A laparotomy was performed instead of a laparoscopy in 8.7% (11/126) based on the mMRI result. CONCLUSION: MRI helps significantly improve sensitivity and specificity of diagnosis in patients with indeterminate adnexal masses detected at TVUS. Its diagnostic information revised the planned treatment in more than one-third of women.

Feasibility study of 2D Dixon-Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting (MRF) of breast cancer.

Purpose: Application of MRF to evaluate the feasibility of 2D Dixon blurring-corrected MRF (2DDb-cMRF) to differentiate breast cancer (BC) from normal fibroglandular tissue (FGT). Methods: Prospective study on 14 patients with unilateral BC on 1.5 T system/axial T2w-TSE sequence, 2DDb-cMRF, B1 map, dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) T1-w GE-series. Mean T1 and T2 values and standard deviations were computed in the BC-/FGT-ROI on pre-/post-contrast MRF-maps and their differences were tested by two-tailed student t-test.Accuracy and repeatability of MRF were evaluated in a phantom experiment with gelatin with Primovist surrounded by fat.The T1 reduction between pre-/post-contrast MRF-maps was correlated to DCE signal enhancement in the last image post-contrast through the Pearson´s correlation coefficient (r) and for the phantom validation experiment through the Lin's concordance correlation coefficient (CCC).Visual evaluation of cancers on MRF-Maps was performed by rating each MRF-Map by 3 radiologists. Results: T1- and T2-MRF values of BC vs. FGT were for T1 and T2 pre-contrast respectively: 1147 ± 1 ms vs. 1052 ± 9 ms (p = 0.007) and 83 ± 1 ms vs. 73 ± 1 ms (p = 0.03); post-contrast respectively: 367.3 ± 121.5 ms vs. 690.3 ± 200.3 ms (p = 0.0005) and 76.9 ± 11.5 ms vs. 69.8 ± 15.2 ms (p = 0.12). r was positive (FGT r = 0.7; BC r = 0.6). CCC was 0.999 for T1 and 0.994 for T2. In the T1- and T2-MRF-Maps before contrast respectively (7,7,8)/14 and (5,9,8)/14 cancers were visible to the readers; afterwards, (11,12,12)/14 and (5,6,11)/14. Conclusions: MRF is promising for distinction between BC and FGT as well as for analyzing pre-/post-contrast T1 changes. However, its potential for differential diagnosis warrants further studies.

Influence of rivaroxaban compared to vitamin K antagonist treatment upon development of cardiovascular calcification in patients with atrial fibrillation and/or pulmonary embolism.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin K antagonists (VKA) such as warfarin or phenprocoumon have been the mainstay of therapy for long-term oral anticoagulant therapy (OAT) in patients with atrial fibrillation or with pulmonary embolism. Due to interferences with matrix Gla-protein, an important vitamin K-dependent local calcification inhibitor in cardiovascular structures, VKA antagonists stimulate cardiovascular calcification (CVC). In contrast, rivaroxaban, a nonvitamin K-dependent oral anticoagulant (NOAC), should be neutral in terms of CVC. We seek to investigate these potential differences in CVC development between VKA versus NOACs in a randomized controlled trial (RCT). METHODS: The influence of rivaroxaban compared to vitamin K antagonist treatment upon development of cardiovascular calcification in patients with atrial fibrillation and/or pulmonary embolism trial (NCT02066662) is a multicenter, prospective RCT with a two-arm, open-label study design. The primary endpoint is the progression of coronary and aortic valve calcification (quantified as calcification volume score) as assessed by cardiac computed tomography (CT) at 24 months in patients either treated by rivaroxaban or VKA. A total of 192 patients were randomized in a 1:1 fashion. The main inclusion criteria were the presence of atrial fibrillation and/or pulmonary embolism with the indication for OAT and pre-existent coronary calcification. The development of CVC will be assessed by follow-up CT at 12 and 24 months. RESULTS: In total 192 patients (median age 70, 72% male) were enrolled over a period of 5 years and followed up for 2 years.

Evaluation of Current Symptoms in Postoperative Achilles Tendons: A Multimodal Ultrasound Study.

(1) Background: It is unknown which imaging parameters are associated with clinical persistent symptoms in postoperative Achilles tendons. This study used B-Mode, Power Doppler (PD-US), Ultrasound Tissue Characterization (UTC) and Shear Wave Elastography (SWE) to investigate which imaging parameters are associated with persistent symptoms in postoperative Achilles tendon tissue. (2) Methods: Retrospective, cross-sectional, multimodal imaging study. Based on the VISA-A score, postoperative tendons were assigned to two groups: 1. asymptomatic (VISA-A ≥ 90, n = 18); 2. symptomatic (VISA-A < 90, n = 10). The following imaging parameters were analyzed: UTC (echo type I, II, III, IV), B-Mode (diameter, cross sectional area, calcification, fiber irregularity), PD-US (Öhberg score) and SWE (SWE 3 mm, SWE area) using a t-test and a Mann-Whitney U test. (3) Results: SWE and PD-US showed significantly reduced elasticity and increased neovascularization in symptomatic tendons (SWE 3 mm p = 0.031, SWE area p = 0.046, Öhberg score p < 0.001). The only significant correlation between imaging parameters and the VISA-A score was assessed for SWE 3 mm (r = 0.378; p = 0.047) and the Öhberg score (r = -0.737; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Symptomatic postoperative Achilles tendons showed increased neovascularization and lower SWE values than asymptomatic ones. Future studies should examine the diagnostic accuracy of PD-US and SWE in detecting current symptoms in postoperative Achilles tendons.

Multimodal Ultrasound Versus MRI for the Diagnosis and Monitoring of Achilles Tendinopathy: A Prospective Longitudinal Study.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis and monitoring of Achilles tendinopathy with imaging are challenging. There is a lack of studies comparing the diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), brightness mode ultrasound (B-mode), and power Doppler ultrasound with recent technologies such as ultrasound tissue characterization (UTC) and shear wave elastography (SWE). PURPOSE: To assess whether SWE and UTC, which offer quantitative values, show a superior diagnostic accuracy and capacity to detect structural improvement in Achilles tendinopathy compared with MRI, B-mode, or power Doppler. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: Patients with insertional (n = 28) and midportion (n = 38) Achilles tendinopathy were evaluated at baseline and 6-month follow-up using MRI, B-mode, power Doppler, SWE, and UTC. Asymptomatic controls (n = 37) were evaluated at T 0. Diagnostic accuracy was analyzed based on a quantitative receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis with quantitative cutoff values (anteroposterior diameter, Öhberg score, UTC echo type, Young modulus) and by semiquantitative Likert scale-based assessment of experienced physicians. RESULTS: For diagnosing insertional Achilles tendinopathy, semiquantitative MRI and power Doppler were most favorable (diagnostic accuracy, 95%), while the cross-sectional area of MRI revealed 89% accuracy in the ROC analyses (area under the curve [AUC], 0.911; P < .001). For diagnosing midportion Achilles tendinopathy, semiquantitative MRI and B-mode were most favorable (diagnostic accuracy, 87%), while UTC echo types 3 and 4 revealed 86% and 87% accuracy, respectively, in the ROC analyses (AUC, 0.911 and 0.941, respectively; P < .001). However, for quantitative and semiquantitative evaluation of diagnostic accuracy in both insertional and midportion Achilles tendinopathy, there was no significant difference in favor of one imaging modality over the others. Compared with baseline, only SWE showed a significant change at the 6-month follow-up (P = .003-.035), but there were only fair to poor monitoring accuracies of 71% (insertion) and 60% (midportion). However, compared with the other modalities, the monitoring accuracy of SWE was significantly higher (P = .002-.039). CONCLUSION: There was no statistically significant difference in favor of one imaging modality over the others, but MRI revealed the highest overall diagnostic accuracy for the diagnosis of both insertional and midportion Achilles tendinopathy.

Line- and Point-Focused Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy for Achilles Tendinopathy: A Placebo-Controlled RCT Study.

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is a widely considered treatment option for Achilles tendinopathy. Line-focused ESWT is a novel technique treating a larger tendon area than point-focused ESWT. Monitoring capacities of clinical symptoms with ultrasound under ESWT treatment are unknown. HYPOTHESIS: Point- and line-focused ESWT have a superior outcome than placebo ESWT. ESWT leads to morphological tendon changes detectable with ultrasound. STUDY DESIGN: Single-blinded placebo-controlled randomized contolled trial. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 1. METHODS: The study was conducted in 3 cohorts, namely ESWT point (n = 21), ESWT line (n = 24), and ESWT placebo (n = 21). Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment-Achilles (VISA-A) score was measured before the intervention (T0), after 6 weeks (T1), and after 24 weeks (T2). All cohorts performed daily physiotherapy for 24 weeks and received 4 sessions of point-focused, line-focused, or placebo ESWT in the first 6 weeks. Ultrasound was performed with B-mode, power Doppler, shear wave elastography (SWE) at T0 and T2 and with ultrasound tissue characterization (UTC) at T0, T1, and T2. Data were analyzed with a mixed analysis of variance and t test. RESULTS: There was a significant VISA-A improvement over time for all groups (P < 0.001). ESWT point had the strongest VISA-A score improvement +23 (ESWT line: +18; ESWT placebo: +15), but there was no significant interaction between time and any of the groups: F(4, 116) = 1.393; P = 0.24. UTC, power Doppler, and B-mode could not show significant alterations over time. SWE revealed a significant increase of elastic properties for ESWT point in the insertion (t = -3.113, P = 0.03) and midportion (t = -2.627, P = 0.02) over time. CONCLUSION: There is a significant VISA-A score improvement for all study groups without a statistically significant benefit for ESWT point or ESWT line compared with ESWT placebo. Tendon adaptation could only be detected with SWE for ESWT point. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The present study could not detect any statistically relevant effect of ESWT compared to placebo. SWE is able to demonstrate tendon adaptation.

Eccentric and Isometric Exercises in Achilles Tendinopathy Evaluated by the VISA-A Score and Shear Wave Elastography.

BACKGROUND: Apart from eccentric exercises (EE), isometric exercises (ISO) might be a treatment option for Achilles tendinopathy. Shear wave elastography (SWE) provides information for diagnosis and for monitoring tissue elasticity, which is altered in symptomatic tendons. HYPOTHESIS: Isometric exercises will have a beneficial effect on patients' outcome scores. Based on SWE, insertional and midportion tendon parts will differ in their elastic properties according to current symptoms. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 2. METHODS: Group 1 (EE; n = 20; 12 males, 8 females; mean age, 52 ± 8.98 years) and group 2 (EE + ISO; n = 22; 15 males, 7 females; mean age, 47 ± 15.11 years) performed exercises for 3 months. Measurement points were before exercises were initiated as well as after 1 and 3 months using the Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment-Achilles (VISA-A) score, American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society score, and SWE (insertion and midportion). RESULTS: Both groups improved significantly, but there were no significant interindividual differences (VISA-A; P = 0.362) between group 1 (n = 15; +15 VISA-A) and group 2 (n = 15; +15 VISA-A). The symptomatic insertion (symptomatic, 136.89 kPa; asymptomatic, 174.68 kPa; P = 0.045) and the symptomatic midportion of the Achilles tendon (symptomatic, 184.40 kPa; asymptomatic, 215.41 kPa; P = 0.039) had significantly lower Young modulus compared with the asymptomatic tendons. The midportion location had significantly higher Young modulus than the insertional part of the tendon (P = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Isometric exercises do not have additional benefit when combined with eccentric exercises, as assessed over a 3-month intervention period. SWE is able to distinguish between insertional and midportion tendon parts in a symptomatic and asymptomatic state. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The present study shows no additional effect of ISO when added to baseline EE in treating Achilles tendinopathy. Different elastic properties of the insertional and midportion tendon have to be taken into consideration when rating a tendon as pathologic.

Shear wave elastography for treatment monitoring of plantar fasciitis.

BACKGROUND: Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain. Monitoring therapy effects is challenging with conventional B-mode ultrasound. Shear wave elastography (SWE) provides important diagnostic information beyond B-mode, with typically lower tissue stiffness in symptomatic plantar fascia. Up to now little is known about SWE features for therapy monitoring in plantar fasciitis. We evaluated the clinical effects of a 3-month physical therapy based treatment and its influence on B-mode and SWE ultrasound findings in patients suffering from plantar fasciitis, correlating ultrasound findings to score-based symptom development. METHODS: Prospective, IRB-approved clinical study in plantar fasciitis patients undergoing a 3-month physical therapy based treatment. Measurement time points were before (T0), after 1 (T1) and 3 (T2) months of treatment, consisting of clinical orthopedic (FFI, AOFAS-Score) and multimodal radiologic sonographic examinations (B-mode/SWE) using a high-resolution linear 18-MHz probe. RESULTS: A total of 33 patients with 43 symptomatic plantar fascia were included. We found a significant (P<0.001) clinical score improvement (AOFAS +14, FFI-Pain -21, FFI-Function -18) between T0 and T2. Mean initial thickness (T0) of symptomatic plantar fascia was 4.2 (±1.2) mm, compared to 3.2 (±0.7) mm at the asymptomatic contralateral side (P<0.001). No significant thickness changes were seen at T1 (4.2±1.1 mm) and T2 (4.5±1.3 mm), even though clinical scores improved significantly. Mean initial stiffness (T0) of symptomatic plantar fascia was 59.57 (±43.3) kPa, compared to 83.23 (±47.3) kPa at the asymptomatic contralateral side (P<0.001). In contrast to B-mode ultrasound, SWE values increased significantly between T0 (59.6±43.3 kPa), T1 (82.6±47.3 kPa) and T2 (102.5±47.2 kPa) (P<0.001-0.009), with positive correlations for AOFAS/FFI-Pain/Function scores (r=0.285-0.473, P<0.001-0.002). CONCLUSIONS: A physical therapy based treatment relieves plantar fasciitis symptoms during a 3-month period. In line with symptom reduction, stiffness (Young's-moduli) of plantar fascia increased significantly, while B-mode ultrasound revealed no measurable changes during the healing process. Shear wave elastography was able to quantify plantar fascia pathologies and their recovery under therapy.

Anterior knee pain after total knee arthroplasty: A multifactorial analysis.

PURPOSE: Dissatisfaction and an impaired quality of life after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is often associated with postsurgical anterior knee pain (AKP). The underlying pathological mechanisms are not yet fully understood. Therefore, a multifactorial approach encompassing clinical and radiological parameters seemed reasonable and promising to investigate postsurgical AKP. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 25 patients without and 25 patients with postsurgical AKP after unilateral TKA were randomly recruited from a larger cohort of patients. Multiple clinical and radiological parameters-including real-time shear wave elastography (SWE) to measure the patellar and quadriceps tendon elasticity-were acquired and subsequently associated with AKP. For statistical analysis, SPSS (IBM, version 25) was used. RESULTS: In total 50 participants (58.0% men, mean age 63.42 years, mean body mass index 29.75 kg/m2), having different prosthetic designs implanted, were included. Independently of key covariates, the strength of the quadriceps muscle (p = 0.021), a thinner inlay (p = 0.041), and a lower position of the patella (p = 0.041) were associated with AKP. Although no correlation with AKP was found (p = 0.346, resp. p = 0.154), we observed significantly decreased Young's modulus of the patellar and quadriceps tendons for the involved knee compared to the uninvolved knee (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, quadriceps muscle strength, inlay thickness, and the patella position might be of particular relevance in avoiding postsurgical AKP. Future studies with larger sample sizes are needed to clarify the impact of quadriceps muscle strength and the postoperative patella position as well as the role of SWE as a personalized modifiable prediction marker.

Virtual Monoenergetic Images (VMI+) in Dual-Source Dual-Energy CT Venography (DSDE-CTV) of the Lower Extremity Prior to Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG): A Feasibility Study.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the image quality and suitability of Dual-Source Dual-Energy CT venography (DSDE-CTV) with asynchronous virtual monoenergetic images (VMI+) of the entire lower extremity in the context of pre-surgical assessment of complex cases prior to coronary bypass graft as a feasibility study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen consecutive patients, consisting of 5 females and 10 males with an average age of 52 ± 17 years underwent DSDE-CTV from the pubic symphysis to the ankles after intravenous injection of an iodinated contrast medium. DSDE-CTV was acquired with tube voltages of 80 kVp and sn140 kVp. Single spectrum images (A - 80 kVp; B - 140 kVp) as well as a linearly blended mixed data set (M_0.6) were reconstructed. By postprocessing, an VMI+ dataset at 40 keV was generated. Objective image quality parameters of the deep and superficial veins of thigh, knee, and calves were measured separately for each location. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were calculated. Additionally, subjective image quality was assessed independently by two radiologists. RESULTS: Mean vascular attenuation was 73.9 ± 17.8 HU at B, 113.7 ± 42.2 HU at M_0.6, 119.4 ± 45.5 HU at A, and 201.0 ± 89.7 HU at VMI+. Mean CNR was 6.7 ± 2.0 at 140 keV, 9.25 ± 2.3 in the M_0.6 datasets, 8.7 ± 3.0 at 80 keV, and 12.9 ± 4.3 at 40 keV. Attenuation values were approximately doubled when compared to the reference standard (M_0.6) with significantly improved SNR and CNR (p < 0.05). Subjective image quality scores were highest for VMI+ datasets (4.1 ± 0.5) and lowest for B datasets (2.3 ± 0.37), however differences between VMI+ datasets and M_0.6 datasets did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Postprocessing of dual-energy CTV with VMI+ significantly increases attenuation of veins and markedly improves SNR and CNR values, thereby improving the diagnostic quality of CTV for the evaluation of deep and superficial veins of the entire lower limb prior to coronary bypass graft.

Shear Wave Elastography (SWE) for the Evaluation of Patients with Plantar Fasciitis.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The current imaging standard for diagnosing plantar fasciitis is B-Mode ultrasound (B-US). The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic potential of Shear Wave Elastography (SWE) and the correlation of clinical scores to elastographic parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diagnostic case-control study with n = 82 plantar fascia (PF). PF were divided into three subgroups: (1) symptomatic PF (n = 39); (2) control group of unilateral asymptomatic PF (n = 23); (3) bilateral asymptomatic PF (n = 20). Reference standard for positive findings in B-US was a PF thickness greater than 4 mm. For SWE tissue elasticity (Young's modulus kPa; shear wave speed m/s) was measured at Location 1: directly at the calcaneus; Location 2: +1 cm distal of the calcaneus and Location 3: central part of the calcaneus. Sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy as well as correlation to American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Score (AOFAS) and Food Functional Index (FFI) were determined. RESULTS: Symptomatic PF are thicker (4.2 mm, n = 39) than asymptomatic (3.0 mm, n = 43) (p < 0.001). Thickness of the PF (n = 82) correlated poorly to clinical scores (p = 0.001): FFI-pain (r = 0.349); FFI-function (r = 0.381); AOFAS (r = -0.387). Cut-off point for positive SWE finding was 51.5 kPa (4.14 m/s). Symptomatic PF (31.9 kPa, 3.26 m/s, n = 39) differ significantly from asymptomatic PF (93.3 kPa, 5.58 m/s, n = 43) with significant differences at L1 between all groups (p < 0.001). Correlation between Young's modulus (n = 82) and clinical scores was strong (p < 0.001): FFI-pain (r = -0.595); FFI-function (r = -0.567); AOFAS (r = 0.623,). B-US: sensitivity (61%), specificity (95%); SWE sensitivity (85%), specificity (83%). The combination of SWE and B-US increases the sensitivity (100%) with a diagnostic accuracy of 90%. CONCLUSION: Based on our results, we could show that SWE can improve the diagnostic accuracy in patients with plantar fasciitis compared to B-US. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

Intra individual comparison of unilateral Achilles tendinopathy using B-mode, power Doppler, ultrasound tissue characterization and shear wave elastography.

BACKGROUND: The asymptomatic side of unilateral Achilles tendinopathy (AT) is used as a reference in ultrasound. However, this procedure has not been evaluated in a comparative analysis using B-mode (B-US), power Doppler (PD-US), ultrasound tissue characterization (UTC) and shear wave elastography (SWE). METHODS: Retrospective cross-sectional study. Tendons were assigned to 3 groups: 1) asymptomatic side of unilateral AT N.=55; 2) symptomatic side of unilateral AT N.=55; and 3) young reference group N.=29. The following parameters were analyzed separately for the insertion and midportion: UTC (echo type I, II, III, IV), B-US (diameter, cross sectional area), PD-US (Öhberg Score) and SWE (SWE 3 mm, SWE area) using a Wilcoxon Test (group 1 vs. 2) and a Kruskal-Wallis Test (group 1 vs. 2 vs. 3). RESULTS: The Wilcoxon Test making an isolated comparison between group 1 vs. 2 revealed a significant difference for all parameters of B-US, PD-US, UTC and SWE (P<0.001, P=0.042), except for the insertion in UTC. However, in the overall analysis including the reference group, the Kruskal-Wallis Test could only detect a significant difference between group 1 vs. 2 for PD-US (P<0.001). Thus, group 1 and 2 had significantly more pathological parameters in B-US (P<0.001, P=0.027), SWE (P<0.001, P=0.008) and UTC (type I, III, IV P<0.001) in both, insertion and midportion, compared to the reference group. CONCLUSIONS: The asymptomatic side of unilateral AT seems to show subclinical tendons alterations in B-US, SWE and UTC in comparison to a young and healthy control group. The asymptomatic side of unilateral AT especially with detectable neovascularization might be at risk for future symptoms. Further studies must examine whether the asymptomatic side can still serve as a reference for intra individual comparison in clinical evaluation.