Design of a magnetic resonance imaging-based screening program for early diagnosis of prostate cancer: preliminary results of a randomized controlled trial-Prostate Cancer Secondary Screening in Sapienza (PROSA).

OBJECTIVES: The main objective is to propose an MRI-based screening protocol, investigating the role of MRI without the injection of contrast media (bi-parametric MRI, bpMRI) as a secondary prevention test for prostate cancer (PCa) early diagnosis, comparing MRI with the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test. For this reason, preliminary results of Prostate Cancer Secondary Screening in Sapienza (PROSA) are presented, to investigate the efficiency of an MRI-based screening protocol. PROSA is a prospective, randomized, single-center study. To date, 351 men have been enrolled and blindly randomized into two different arms: (A) Men underwent a bpMRI regardless of their PSA values (175); (B) Men followed as per clinical practice: those with increased PSA (61) were referred to bpMRI, while those with normal PSA (112) were not. Men who screened positive on MRI were directed to MR-directed targeted biopsy. On arm A, 4 clinically significant PCa have been detected, while none was found on arm B (p = 0.046). To evaluate the efficiency of the screening protocol, we calculated the experimental event rate (EER, 3.6%), control event rate (CER, 1.2%.), absolute risk reduction (ARR, 2.5%), and number needed to treat (NNT, 40.3). PROSA represents an interesting experience in the field of imaging-based PCa screening. The preliminary data from this trial highlight the promising role of non-contrast MRI as a screening tool for early detection of PCa. Further data will finally validate the most appropriate screening program. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: PROSA depicts an interesting experience in the field of research focused on imaging-based prostate cancer screening. Its preliminary data highlight the promising role of non-contrast MRI as a screening tool for early detection of PCa. KEY POINTS: • Promotion of an MRI-based screening protocol, investigating the role of non-contrast MRI as a secondary prevention test for prostate cancer early diagnosis, comparing MRI with PSA test. • Prostate Cancer Secondary Screening in Sapienza (PROSA) represents an interesting experience in the field of research focused on imaging-based prostate cancer screening; its preliminary results indicate that it is possible to use non-contrast MRI as a screening tool for early detection of PCa. • This new approach to PCa screening could facilitate the early diagnosis of clinically significant prostate cancer while reducing the number of unnecessary prostate biopsies and the detection of clinically insignificant prostate cancer.

What the urologist needs to know before radical prostatectomy: MRI effective support to pre-surgery planning.

BACKGROUND: Radical prostatectomy (RP) is recommended in case of localized or locally advanced prostate cancer (PCa), but it can lead to side effects, including urinary incontinence (UI) and erectile dysfunction (ED). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is recommended for PCa diagnosis and staging, but it can also improve preoperative risk-stratification. PURPOSE: This nonsystematic review aims to provide an overview on factors involved in RP side effects, highlighting anatomical and pathological aspects that could be included in a structured report. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Considering UI evaluation, MR can investigate membranous urethra length (MUL), prostate volume, the urethral sphincter complex, and the presence of prostate median lobe. Longer MUL measurement based on MRI is linked to a higher likelihood of achieving continence restoration. For ED assessment, MRI and diffusion tensor imaging identify the neurovascular bundle and they can aid in surgery planning. Finally, MRI can precisely describe extra-prostatic extension, prostate apex characteristics and lymph-node involvement, providing valuable preoperative information for PCa treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Anatomical principals structures involved in RP side effects can be assessed with MR. A standardized MR report detailing these structures could assist urologists in planning optimal and tailored surgical techniques, reducing complications, and improving patients' care.

Common and Uncommon CT Findings in CVID-Related GL-ILD: Correlations with Clinical Parameters, Therapeutic Decisions and Potential Implications in the Differential Diagnosis.

PURPOSE: To investigate computed tomography (CT) findings of Granulomatous Lymphocytic Interstitial Lung Disease (GL-ILD) in Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID), also in comparison with non-GL-ILD abnormalities, correlating GL-ILD features with functional/immunological parameters and looking for GL-ILD therapy predictive elements. METHODS: CT features of 38 GL-ILD and 38 matched non-GL-ILD subjects were retrospectively described. Correlations of GL-ILD features with functional/immunological features were assessed. A logistic regression was performed to find a predictive model of GL-ILD therapeutic decisions. RESULTS: Most common GL-ILD CT findings were bronchiectasis, non-perilymphatic nodules, consolidations, Ground Glass Opacities (GGO), bands and enlarged lymphnodes. GL-ILD was usually predominant in lower fields. Multiple small nodules (≤10 mm), consolidations, reticulations and fibrotic ILD are more indicative of GL-ILD. Bronchiectasis, GGO, Reticulations and fibrotic ILD correlated with decreased lung performance. Bronchiectasis, GGO and fibrotic ILD were associated with low IgA levels, whereas high CD4+ T cells percentage was related to GGO. Twenty out of 38 patients underwent GL-ILD therapy. A model combining Marginal Zone (MZ) B cells percentage, IgA levels, lower field consolidations and lymphnodes enlargement showed a good discriminatory capacity with regards to GL-ILD treatment. CONCLUSIONS: GL-ILD is a lower field predominant disease, commonly characterized by bronchiectasis, non-perilymphatic small nodules, consolidations, GGO and bands. Multiple small nodules, consolidations, reticulations and fibrotic ILD may suggest the presence of GL-ILD in CVID. MZ B cells percentage, IgA levels at diagnosis, lower field consolidations and mediastinal lymphnodes enlargement may predict the need of a specific GL-ILD therapy.

Low cancer yield in PI-RADS 3 upgraded to 4 by dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI: is it time to reconsider scoring categorization?

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate MRI diagnostic performance in detecting clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) in peripheral-zone PI-RADS 4 lesions, comparing those with clearly restricted diffusion (DWI-score 4), and those with equivocal diffusion pattern (DWI-score 3) and positive dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI. METHODS: This observational prospective study enrolled 389 men referred to MRI and, if positive (PI-RADS 3 with PSA-density [PSAD] ≥ 0.15 ng/mL/mL, 4 and 5), to MRI-directed biopsy. Lesions with DWI-score 3 and positive DCE were classified as "PI-RADS 3up," instead of PI-RADS 4. Univariable and multivariable analyses were implemented to determine features correlated to csPCa detection. RESULTS: Prevalence of csPCa was 14.5% and 53.3% in PI-RADS categories 3up and 4, respectively (p < 0.001). MRI showed a sensitivity of 100.0%, specificity 40.9%, PPV 46.5%, NPV 100.0%, and accuracy 60.9% for csPCa detection. Modifying the threshold to consider MRI positive and to indicate biopsy (same as previously described, but PI-RADS 3up only when associated with elevated PSAD), the sensitivity changed to 93.9%, specificity 57.2%, PPV 53.0%, NPV 94.8%, and accuracy 69.7%. Age (p < 0.001), PSAD (p < 0.001), positive DWI (p < 0.001), and PI-RADS score (p = 0.04) resulted in independent predictors of csPCa. CONCLUSIONS: Most cases of PI-RADS 3up were false-positives, suggesting that upgrading peripheral lesions with DWI-score 3 to PI-RADS 4 because of positive DCE has a detrimental effect on MRI accuracy, decreasing the true prevalence of csPCa in the PI-RADS 4 category. PI-RADS 3up should not be upgraded and directed to biopsy only if associated with increased PSAD. KEY POINTS: • As per PI-RADS v2.1 recommendations, in case of a peripheral zone lesion with equivocal diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI score 3), but positive dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI, the overall PI-RADS score should be upgraded to 4. • The current PI-RADS recommendation of upgrading PI-RADS 3 lesions of the peripheral zone to PI-RADS 4 because of positive DCE decreased clinically significant prostate cancer detection rate in our series. • According to our results, the most accurate threshold for setting indication to prostate biopsy is PI-RADS 3 or PI-RADS 3 with positive DCE both associated with increased PSA density.

The Role of Pulmonary Function Testing and Lung Imaging in the Long-Term Follow-Up of Patients with COVID-19 Pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: Post-COVID-19 Interstitial Lung Disease (PC-ILD) is characterized by fibrotic-like signs at high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and pulmonary function tests (PFTs) abnormalities after SARS-CoV-2 infection. It is still not clear how frequent these tests should be performed to rule out long-term consequences of COVID-19 pneumonia. OBJECTIVES: The aims of our study were to evaluate the incidence and risk factors of PC-ILD and possibly to propose a long-term follow-up program. METHOD: One-hundred patients, hospitalized in our ward for moderate to critical COVID-19, underwent two follow-up visits at three and 15 months in which PFTs and HRCT were performed. RESULTS: At the 15-month follow-up, 8% of patients showed residual radiological and functional signs consistent with PC-ILD. All but one of these patients had already demonstrated PFTs and HRCT alterations at first follow-up visit, and the last 1 patient showed worsening of lung function during follow-up. These findings highlight the negative predictive value of PFTs at 3-month follow-up for the development of PC-ILD. Aging, severity of COVID-19, and degree of pulmonary involvement during acute infection proved to be significant risk factors for developing PC-ILD. CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlights the importance of PFTs in the long-term follow-up of patients affected by moderate to critical COVID-19 pneumonia. Further studies are needed to confirm our hypothesis that HRCT should be performed only in patients with PFTs abnormalities.

VI-RADS for Bladder Cancer: Current Applications and Future Developments.

Bladder cancer (BCa) is among the ten most frequent cancers globally. It is the tumor with the highest lifetime treatment-associated costs, and among the tumors with the heaviest impacts on postoperative quality of life. The purpose of this article is to review the current applications and future perspectives of the Vesical Imaging Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS). VI-RADS is a newly developed scoring system aimed at standardization of MRI acquisition, interpretation, and reporting for BCa. An insight will be given on the BCa natural history, current MRI applications for local BCa staging with assessment of muscle invasiveness, and clinical implications of the score for disease management. Future applications include risk stratification of nonmuscle invasive BCa, surveillance, and prediction and monitoring of therapy response. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 TECHNICAL EFFICACY STAGE: 2.

Convolutional Neural Networks for Automated Classification of Prostate Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging Based on Image Quality.

BACKGROUND: Prostate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is technically demanding, requiring high image quality to reach its full diagnostic potential. An automated method to identify diagnostically inadequate images could help optimize image quality. PURPOSE: To develop a convolutional neural networks (CNNs) based analysis pipeline for the classification of prostate MRI image quality. STUDY TYPE: Retrospective. SUBJECTS: Three hundred sixteen prostate mpMRI scans and 312 men (median age 67). FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: A 3 T; fast spin echo T2WI, echo planar imaging DWI, ADC, gradient-echo dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE). ASSESSMENT: MRI scans were reviewed by three genitourinary radiologists (V.P., M.D.M., S.C.) with 21, 12, and 5 years of experience, respectively. Sequences were labeled as high quality (Q1) or low quality (Q0) and used as the reference standard for all analyses. STATISTICAL TESTS: Sequences were split into training, validation, and testing sets (869, 250, and 120 sequences, respectively). Inter-reader agreement was assessed with the Fleiss kappa. Following preprocessing and data augmentation, 28 CNNs were trained on MRI slices for each sequence. Model performance was assessed on both a per-slice and a per-sequence basis. A pairwise t-test was performed to compare performances of the classifiers. RESULTS: The number of sequences labeled as Q0 or Q1 was 38 vs. 278 for T2WI, 43 vs. 273 for DWI, 41 vs. 275 for ADC, and 38 vs. 253 for DCE. Inter-reader agreement was almost perfect for T2WI and DCE and substantial for DWI and ADC. On the per-slice analysis, accuracy was 89.95% ± 0.02% for T2WI, 79.83% ± 0.04% for DWI, 76.64% ± 0.04% for ADC, 96.62% ± 0.01% for DCE. On the per-sequence analysis, accuracy was 100% ± 0.00% for T2WI, DWI, and DCE, and 92.31% ± 0.00% for ADC. The three best algorithms performed significantly better than the remaining ones on every sequence (P-value < 0.05). DATA CONCLUSION: CNNs achieved high accuracy in classifying prostate MRI image quality on an individual-slice basis and almost perfect accuracy when classifying the entire sequences. EVIDENCE LEVEL: 4 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 1.

The accuracy of Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS): an updated comprehensive multi-institutional, multi-readers systematic review and meta-analysis from diagnostic evidence into future clinical recommendations.

PURPOSE: To determine through a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis the cumulative diagnostic performance of vesical imaging-reporting and data system (VIRADS) to predict preoperative muscle-invasiveness among different institutions, readers, and optimal scoring accuracy thresholds. METHODS: PubMed, Cochrane and Embase were searched from inception up to May 2021. Sensitivity (Sn), Specificity (Sp) were first estimated and subsequently pooled using hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristics (HSROC) modeling for both cut-off ≥ 3 and ≥ 4 to predict muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Further sensitivity analysis, subgroup analysis and meta-regression were conducted to investigate contribution of moderators to heterogeneity. RESULTS: In total, n = 20 studies from 2019 to 2021 with n = 2477 patients by n = 53 genitourinary radiologists met the inclusion criteria. Pooled weighted Sn and Sp were 0.87 (95% CI 0.82-0.91) and 0.86 (95% CI 0.80-0.90) for cut-off ≥ 3 while 0.78 (95% CI 0.74-0.81) and 0.94 (95% CI 0.91-0.96) for cut-off ≥ 4. The area under the HSROC curve was 0.93 (95% CI 0.90-0.95) and 0.91 (95% CI 0.88-0.93) for cut-off ≥ 3 and ≥ 4, respectively. Meta-regression analyses showed no influence of clinical characteristics nor cumulative reader's experience while study design and radiological characteristics were found to influence the estimated outcome. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated excellent worldwide diagnostic performance of VI-RADS to determine pre-trans urethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) staging. Our findings corroborate wide reliability of VI-RADS accuracy also between different centers with varying experience underling the importance that standardization and reproducibility of VI-RADS may confer to multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) for preoperative BCa discrimination.

The learning curve in bladder MRI using VI-RADS assessment score during an interactive dedicated training program.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of an interactive training program on the learning curve of radiology residents for bladder MRI interpretation using the VI-RADS score. METHODS: Three radiology residents with minimal experience in bladder MRI served as readers. They blindly evaluated 200 studies divided into 4 subsets of 50 cases over a 3-month period. After 2 months, the first subset was reassessed, resulting in a total of 250 evaluations. An interactive training program was provided and included educational lessons and case-based practice. The learning curve was constructed by plotting mean agreement as the ratio of correct evaluations per batch. Inter-reader agreement and diagnostic performance analysis were performed with kappa statistics and ROC analysis. RESULTS: As for the VI-RADS scoring agreement, the kappa differences between pre-training and post-training evaluation of the same group of cases were 0.555 to 0.852 for reader 1, 0.522 to 0.695 for reader 2, and 0.481 to 0.794 for reader 3. Using VI-RADS ≥ 3 as cut-off for muscle invasion, sensitivity ranged from 84 to 89% and specificity from 91 to 94%, while the AUCs from 0.89 (95% CI:0.84, 0.94) to 0.90 (95% CI:0.86, 0.95). Mean evaluation time decreased from 5.21 ± 1.12 to 3.52 ± 0.69 min in subsets 1 and 5. Mean grade of confidence improved from 3.31 ± 0.93 to 4.21 ± 0.69, in subsets 1 and 5. CONCLUSION: An interactive dedicated education program on bladder MRI and the VI-RADS score led to a significant increase in readers' diagnostic performance over time, with a general improvement observed after 100-150 cases. KEY POINTS: • After the first educational lesson and 100 cases were interpreted, the concordance on VI-RADS scoring between the residents and the experienced radiologist was significantly higher. • An increase in the grade of confidence was experienced after 100 cases. • We found a decrease in the evaluation time after 150 cases.

The use of MRI in urothelial carcinoma.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To conduct a nonsystematic review of the existing literature to investigate the role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in urothelial carcinomas (UCs). RECENT FINDINGS: Imaging is becoming progressively more crucial in local and distant staging of UCs, especially in cases of bladder cancer (BCa). The primary objective of imaging in patients with BCa is to detect lesions and distinguish T1 from T2 stages, since the treatment varies significantly. SUMMARY: The applicability of MRI in the management of UCs has been investigated, particularly focusing on the new evidence on multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) of the bladder and Vesical Imaging-Reporting And Data System score for the description of BCa and discussing the possible utility of MRI for upper tract urothelial carcinomas . Imaging modalities, in particular CT and MRI, are essential tools for the local and distant staging of UCs. MpMRI of the bladder and VI-RADS score accurately define the risk of muscle invasiveness, promoting tailored therapeutic planning. Moreover, mpMRI has also been included in patients' follow-up and in the assessment of response to systematic therapy. MRI utility and possible application in upper tract urothelial carcinomas cases are yet to be discovered.

Biparametric prostate MRI: impact of a deep learning-based software and of quantitative ADC values on the inter-reader agreement of experienced and inexperienced readers.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of an artificial intelligence (AI) software and quantitative ADC (qADC) on the inter-reader agreement, diagnostic performance, and reporting times of prostate biparametric MRI (bpMRI) for experienced and inexperienced readers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 170 multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) of patients with suspicion of prostate cancer (PCa) were retrospectively reviewed by one experienced and one inexperienced reader three times, following a wash-out period. First, only the bpMRI sequences, including T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) sequences, and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps, were used. Then, bpMRI and quantitative ADC values were used. Lastly, bpMRI and the AI software were used. Inter-reader agreement between the two readers and between each reader and the mpMRI original reports was calculated. Detection rates and reporting times were calculated for each group. RESULTS: Inter-reader agreement with respect to mpMRI was moderate for bpMRI, Quantib, and qADC for both the inexperienced (weighted k of 0.42, 0.45, and 0.41, respectively) and the experienced radiologists (weighted k of 0.44, 0.46, and 0.42, respectively). Detection rate of PCa was similar between the inexperienced (0.24, 0.26, and 0.23) and the experienced reader (0.26, 0.27 and 0.27), for bpMRI, Quantib, and qADC, respectively. Reporting times were lower for Quantib (8.23, 7.11, and 9.87 min for the inexperienced reader and 5.62, 5.07, and 6.21 min for the experienced reader, for bpMRI, Quantib, and qADC, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: AI and qADC did not have a significant impact on the diagnostic performance of both readers. The use of Quantib was associated with lower reporting times.

Cross-sectional analysis of follow-up chest MRI and chest CT scans in patients previously affected by COVID-19.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to prospectively evaluate the agreement between chest magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) and to assess the diagnostic performance of chest MRI relative to that of CT during the follow-up of patients recovered from coronavirus disease 2019. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-two patients underwent both follow-up chest CT and MRI scans, evaluated for ground-glass opacities (GGOs), consolidation, interlobular septal thickening, fibrosis, pleural indentation, vessel enlargement, bronchiolar ectasia, and changes compared to prior CT scans. DWI/ADC was evaluated for signal abnormalities suspicious for inflammation. Agreement between CT and MRI was assessed with Cohen's k and weighted k. Measures of diagnostic accuracy of MRI were calculated. RESULTS: The agreement between CT and MRI was almost perfect for consolidation (k = 1.00) and change from prior CT (k = 0.857); substantial for predominant pattern (k = 0.764) and interlobular septal thickening (k = 0.734); and poor for GGOs (k = 0.339), fibrosis (k = 0.224), pleural indentation (k = 0.231), and vessel enlargement (k = 0.339). Meanwhile, the sensitivity of MRI was high for GGOs (1.00), interlobular septal thickening (1.00), and consolidation (1.00) but poor for fibrotic changes (0.18), pleural indentation (0.23), and vessel enlargement (0.50) and the specificity was overall high. DWI was positive in 46.0% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: The agreement between MRI and CT was overall good. MRI was very sensitive for GGOs, consolidation and interlobular septal thickening and overall specific for most findings. DWI could be a reputable imaging biomarker of inflammatory activity.

Attitudes towards physician-nurse collaboration in a primary care team-based setting: Survey-based research conducted in the chronic care units of the Tuscany region of Italy.

Across the world, multidisciplinary teamwork has become an essential component in the care of patients with chronic conditions--the Chronic Care Units (CCUs) in the Italian region of Tuscany are no exception to this new era of collaboration. We sought to explore the attitudes towards collaboration of general practitioners (GPs) and nurses within the CCUs using the Jefferson Scale of Attitudes towards Physician-Nurse Collaboration (JSAPNC). The survey was sent electronically to 218 GPs and 46 nurses of 23 CCUs in two Local Health Authorities of Tuscany. A higher JSAPNC score is indicative of a more positive attitude towards physician-nurse collaboration. JSAPNC scores were calculated for both totals and by three factors: "shared education and collaboration," "caring versus curing," and "physician authority." A total of 133 healthcare professionals (94 GPs and 39 nurses) responded (response rate = 51.5%). Nurses reported significantly more positive attitudes towards collaboration than GPs (52.5 vs. 44.0, p < 0.01). This trend was also found in each of the three factors. This information adds to the scarce literature on nurse-physician collaboration in the primary care setting and highlights the need for considerable improvement given the rise of team-based outpatient care models.

MRI for risk stratification of muscle invasion by upper tract urothelial carcinoma: a feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is recommended in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) only when computed tomography (CT) is contraindicated. However, CT does not allow distinguishing ureter wall layers, making impossible to assess muscle invasion, a factor contributing to differentiate high- from low-risk UTUCs, which require different therapeutic approaches. We investigated the feasibility of MRI assessment of UTUC muscle invasion. METHODS: From June 2022 to March 2023, we prospectively enrolled patients suspected of UTUC, i.e., with positive urinary tract ultrasound and/or ureteroscopy, or positive urinary cytology and/or hematuria but negative cystoscopy and bladder ultrasound at two Italian centers. They underwent CT followed by MRI (≤ 24 h apart), independently reported by two experienced radiologists, blinded from histopathology results. After imaging confirmation, they all underwent nephroureterectomy and histopathology analysis. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), accuracy, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were calculated. RESULTS: Thirty-nine lesions were detected in 30 patients on both CT and MRI. Muscle-invasive UTUC prevalence was 81% (21/26) among patients with MRI suspicion and 8% (1/13) among those without MRI suspicion (p < 0.001). Considering the assessment of muscle-layer invasion, the more experienced reader achieved 95% sensitivity (95% confidence interval 82-100), 71% specificity (47-88), 81% PPV (63-93), 92% NPV (70-100), 85% accuracy (67-96), and 0.84 AUC (0.70-0.98). Inter-reader agreement was substantial (κ = 0.73). CONCLUSIONS: MRI showed a promising diagnostic performance for the assessment of UTUC risk of muscle invasion. RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Resulting feasible both in technical and clinical terms, MRI could be helpful for upper tract urothelial carcinomas pre-operative risk stratification, to allow a personalized patients' management. These results play in favor of promoting preoperative MRI for UTUC, as already proven for bladder cancer. KEY POINTS: • Muscle invasion is a crucial information for tailored treatments of upper tract urothelial carcinomas. • CT does not distinguish ureter wall layers, making muscle invasion risk assessment not feasible. • MRI was shown to reliably diagnose muscle-layer invasion by upper tract urothelial carcinomas (sensitivity 95%, specificity 71%).

Prospective Validation Study of a Novel Integrated Pathway Based on Clinical Features, Magnetic Resonance Imaging Biomarkers, and MicroRNAs for Early Detection of Prostate Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most diagnosed cancer in men, with an increasing need to integrate noninvasive imaging and circulating microRNAs beyond prostate-specific antigen for screening and early detection. OBJECTIVE: To validate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) biomarkers and circulating microRNAs as triage tests for patients directed to prostate biopsy, and to test different diagnostic pathways to compare their performance on patients' outcome, in terms of unnecessary biopsy avoidance. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A prospective single-center cohort study, enrolling patients with PCa suspicion who underwent MRI, MRI-directed fusion biopsy (MRDB), and circulating microRNAs, was conducted. A network-based analysis was used to identify MRI biomarkers and microRNA drivers of clinically significant PCa. INTERVENTION: MRI, MRDB, and blood sampling. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The decision curve analysis was exploited to assess the performance of the proposed diagnostic pathways and to quantify their benefit in terms of biopsy avoidance. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Overall, 261 men were enrolled and underwent MRDB for PCa detection. A total of 178 patients represented the entire cohort: 55 (30.9%) were negative for PCa, 39 (21.9%) had grade group (GG) 1 PCa, and 84 (47.2%) had GG >1 PCa. The proposed integrated pathway, including clinical data, MRI biomarkers, and microRNAs, provided the best net benefit with a biopsy avoidance rate of about 20% at a low disease probability. The main limitation is the monocentric design in a referral center. CONCLUSIONS: The integrated pathway represents a validated model that sees MRI biomarkers and microRNAs as a prebiopsy triage of patients at a risk for clinically significant PCa. The proposed pathway showed the highest net benefit in terms of unnecessary biopsy avoidance. PATIENT SUMMARY: The proposed integrated pathway for early detection of prostate cancer (PCa) allows accurate patient allocation to biopsy and patients' stratification into risk group categories, reducing overdiagnosis and overtreatment of clinically insignificant PCa.

Ventilatory efficiency in long-term dyspnoeic patients following COVID-19 pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: Long COVID is defined as persistency of symptoms, such as exertional dyspnea, twelve weeks after recovery from SARS-CoV-2 infection. OBJECTIVES: To investigate ventilatory efficiency by the use of cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in patients with exertional dyspnea despite normal basal spirometry after 18 (T18) and 36 months (T36) from COVID-19 pneumonia. METHODS: One hundred patients with moderate-critical COVID-19 were prospectively enrolled in our Long COVID program. Medical history, physical examination and lung high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) were obtained at hospitalization (T0), 3 (T3) and 15 months (T15). All HRCTs were revised using a semi-quantitative CT severity score (CSS). Pulmonary function tests were obtained at T3 and T15. CPET was performed in a subset of patients with residual dyspnea (mMRC ≥ 1), at T18 and at T36. RESULTS: Remarkably, at CPET, ventilatory efficiency was reduced both at T18 (V'E/V'CO2 slope = 31.4±3.9 SD) and T36 (V'E/V'CO2 slope = 31.28±3.70 SD). Furthermore, we identified positive correlations between V'E/V'CO2 slope at T18 and T36 and both percentage of involvement and CSS at HRCT at T0, T3 and T15. Also, negative linear correlations were found between V'E/V'CO2 slope at T18 and T36 and DLCO at T3 and T15. CONCLUSIONS: At eighteen months from COVID-19 pneumonia, 20 % of subjects still complains of exertional dyspnea. At CPET this may be explained by persistently reduced ventilatory efficiency, possibly related to the degree of lung parenchymal involvement in the acute phase of infection, likely reflecting a damage in the pulmonary circulation.

Stability, Higgs boson mass, and new physics.

Assuming that the particle with mass ∼126 GeV discovered at LHC is the standard model Higgs boson, we find that the stability of the electroweak (EW) vacuum strongly depends on new physics interaction at the Planck scale MP, despite of the fact that they are higher-dimensional interactions, apparently suppressed by inverse powers of MP. In particular, for the present experimental values of the top and Higgs boson masses, if τ is the lifetime of the EW vacuum, new physics can turn τ from τ≫TU to τ≪TU, where TU is the age of the Universe, thus, weakening the conclusions of the so called metastability scenario.

Seeing is Believing: State of the Art Imaging of Bladder Cancer.

Imaging plays an important role in bladder cancer (BCa) diagnostic work-up. Ultrasound achieves an intermediate sensitivity in detecting urinary tract alterations and is considered a suboptimal imaging technique in diagnosis of BCa. CT urography accurately detects BCa in patients presenting with hematuria Multiparametric MRI achieves a very high rate of BCa detection and helps with accurate staging of patients; however, this modality is still not widely supported by international guidelines. The main applications of MRI are local tumor staging and differentiation between non-muscle-invasive BCa and muscle-invasive BCa. These applications led to development of Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) scoring system. The VI-RADS scoring system was developed in the setting of post-resection of primary bladder tumor and instillation of intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy; however validation of this system in the post-treatment setting showed promising results. The high risk of BCa recurrence leads to its application in the assessment of response to therapy and for disease surveillance after treatment. MRI is rapidly becoming a leading imaging modality in BCa diagnostic workup, assessment of response to therapies and for longitudinal surveillance, and plays an important role in BCa surgical and radiation therapy treatment planning.

Standardization of Body Composition Status in Patients with Advanced Urothelial Tumors: The Role of a CT-Based AI-Powered Software for the Assessment of Sarcopenia and Patient Outcome Correlation.

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia is a well know prognostic factor in oncology, influencing patients' quality of life and survival. We aimed to investigate the role of sarcopenia, assessed by a Computed Tomography (CT)-based artificial intelligence (AI)-powered-software, as a predictor of objective clinical benefit in advanced urothelial tumors and its correlations with oncological outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively searched patients with advanced urothelial tumors, treated with systemic platinum-based chemotherapy and an available total body CT, performed before and after therapy. An AI-powered software was applied to CT to obtain the Skeletal Muscle Index (SMI-L3), derived from the area of the psoas, long spine, and abdominal muscles, at the level of L3 on CT axial images. Logistic and Cox-regression modeling was implemented to explore the association of sarcopenic status and anthropometric features to the clinical benefit rate and survival endpoints. RESULTS: 97 patients were included, 66 with bladder cancer and 31 with upper-tract urothelial carcinoma. Clinical benefit outcomes showed a linear positive association with all the observed body composition variables variations. The chances of not experiencing disease progression were positively associated with ∆_SMI-L3, ∆_psoas, and ∆_long spine muscle when they ranged from ~10-20% up to ~45-55%. Greater survival chances were matched by patients achieving a wider ∆_SMI-L3, ∆_abdominal and ∆_long spine muscle. CONCLUSIONS: A CT-based AI-powered software body composition and sarcopenia analysis provide prognostic assessments for objective clinical benefits and oncological outcomes.

Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) for assessment of response to systemic therapy for bladder cancer: preliminary report.

PURPOSE: The Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) criteria are expanding, providing fine differentiation of bladder wall layers involvement. We aimed to explore the feasibility of a novel categorical scoring, the Neoadjuvant chemotherapy VI-RADS (nacVI-RADS) for radiologic assessment of response (RaR), to define the spectrum of treatment response among patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). METHODS: Ten consecutive patients diagnosed with non-metastatic MIBC were prospectively enrolled and addressed to NAC and underwent mpMRI before staging resection and after the chemotherapy cycles. The follow-up MRI assessment was performed using the nacVI-RADS algorithm for evaluation of response to therapy. NacVI-RADS categorically define complete RaR, based on prior VI-RADS score, presence of residual disease, tumor size, and infiltration of the muscularis propria. RESULTS: NacVI-RADS categories were able to match all the final radical cystectomy pathology both for complete pT0 responders and for the patients defined as partial or minimal responders, who only showed some RaR inter-scoring class downstaging. CONCLUSION: This report is the preliminary evidence of the feasibility of nacVI-RADS criteria. These findings might lead to possible paradigmatic shifts for cancer-specific survival risk assessment and to possibly drive the therapeutic decision through active surveillance programs, bladder-sparing modalities, or to the standard of care.