Accuracy of contrast-enhanced CT in liver neoplasms in children under 2 years age.

BACKGROUND: Multiple differentials exist for pediatric liver tumors under 2 years. Accurate imaging diagnosis may obviate the need for tissue sampling in most cases. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the imaging features and diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography (CT) in liver tumors in children under 2 years. METHODS: Eighty-eight children under 2 years with treatment naive liver neoplasms and baseline contrast-enhanced CT were included in this institutional review board approved retrospective study. Two blinded onco-radiologists assessed these tumors in consensus. Findings assessed included enhancement pattern, lobulated appearance, cystic change, calcifications, central scar-like appearance, and metastases. The radiologists classified the lesion as hepatoblastoma, infantile hemangioma, mesenchymal hamartoma, rhabdoid tumor, or indeterminate, first based purely on imaging and then after alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) correlation. Multivariate analysis and methods of comparing means and frequencies were used for statistical analysis wherever applicable. Diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, and positive predictive values were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age of the sample was 11.4 months (95% CI, 10.9-11.8) with 50/88 (57%) boys. The study included 72 hepatoblastomas, 6 hemangiomas, 4 mesenchymal hamartomas, and 6 rhabdoid tumors. Presence of calcifications, multilobular pattern of arterial enhancement, lobulated morphology, and central scar-like appearance was significantly associated with hepatoblastomas (P-value < 0.05). Fourteen out of eighty-eight lesions were called indeterminate based on imaging alone; six lesions remained indeterminate after AFP correlation. Pure radiology-based diagnostic accuracy was 81.8% (95% CI, 72.2-89.2%), which increased to 92.1% (95% CI, 84.3-96.7%) (P-value > 0.05) after AFP correlation, with one hepatoblastoma misdiagnosed as a rhabdoid tumor. If indeterminate lesions were excluded for biopsy, the accuracy would be 98.8% (95% CI, 93.4-99.9%). CONCLUSION: CT had high accuracy for diagnosing liver neoplasms in the under 2-year age population after AFP correlation. Certain imaging features were significantly associated with the diagnosis of hepatoblastoma. A policy of biopsying only indeterminate lesions after CT and AFP correlation would avoid sampling in the majority of patients.

Treatment outcomes and prognostic factors in children with hepatoblastoma using a risk-stratified approach.

BACKGROUND: Not all the significant progress made in the management of children with hepatoblastoma (HB) has translated into improved outcomes in limited-resource settings. There are limited data on outcomes in children with HB from India. METHODS: All patients diagnosed with HB between July 2013 and December 2020 were risk-stratified and treated as per International Liver Tumor Strategy Group (SIOPEL). Patients with standard-risk HB received cisplatin monotherapy and those with high-risk HB received alternating cycles of cisplatin and the combination of carboplatin plus doxorubicin. Data regarding demographic details, chemotherapy, surgery, liver transplantation, outcomes, prognostic factors, and toxicity were collected. RESULTS: Of 157 patients with HB, 117 (74%) were high risk, 31 (20%) were standard risk, and nine (6%) unknown. Patients with standard-risk disease had excellent outcomes, with 3-year event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) of 96% and 100%, respectively. Among high-risk HB, six underwent orthotopic liver transplantation of which four were alive at last follow-up. The 3-year EFS and OS of patients with high-risk disease was 56% and 66%, respectively. Outcomes of patients with PRETEXT IV (3-year EFS: 42%, 3-year OS: 50%) and metastatic disease (3-year EFS: 30%, 3-year OS: 50%) were dismal. Patients with serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) reduction greater than 90% following two courses of chemotherapy had favorable outcomes; 3-year EFS: 80% versus 58% (p = .013) and 3-year OS: 95% vs. 68% (p < .01). Only two (6%) of 31 patients with relapse/refractory HB were alive at a median follow-up of 36 months, and both had received salvage chemotherapy and surgery. CONCLUSIONS: While children with standard-risk HB had excellent outcomes, those with high-risk disease continue to do poorly. Serial monitoring of serum AFP values is a cost-effective and reliable predictor of outcomes. Orthotopic liver transplantation remains a viable option for inoperable disease in resource-limited settings as well.

Prophylactic hydration to protect renal function from intravascular iodinated contrast material.

Nijssen EC, Rennenberg RJ, Nelemans PJ, Essers BA, Janssen MM, Vermeeren MA, van Ommen V, Wildberger JE. (Departments of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Internal Medicine, Epidemiology, Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Technology Assessment, and Cardiology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands.) Prophylactic hydration to protect renal function from intravascular iodinated contrast material in patients at high risk of contrast-induced nephropathy (AMACING): A prospective, randomised, phase 3, controlled, open-label, non-inferiority trial. Lancet 2017;389:1312-22.

Soft-Tissue Sarcomas: An Update for Radiologists Based on the Revised 2013 World Health Organization Classification.

OBJECTIVE: Soft-tissue sarcomas are a diverse group of malignancies, and our rapidly improving understanding of their molecular pathogenesis and treatment is leading to better clinical outcomes. The revised 2013 World Health Organization (WHO) classification of soft-tissue sarcomas introduced several important changes. We provide a comprehensive overview of the relevant changes for radiologists. CONCLUSION: Rapid advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis and molecular biology of soft-tissue sarcomas led to major revisions in the 2013 WHO classification. To provide optimal multidisciplinary patient care, radiologists must remain up-to-date with the latest developments in the field of soft-tissue sarcomas to best correlate the histologic and imaging features of the various types of tumors and understand the unique patterns of treatment response and disease recurrence.

Basal cell carcinoma: a comprehensive review for the radiologist.

OBJECTIVE. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common malignancy in the United States. The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive description of the clinicopathologic features, diagnostic workup, staging, treatment, and follow-up of BCC. CONCLUSION. Radiology plays an important role in the evaluation and staging of locally advanced and metastatic BCC. MRI is the modality of choice for assessing perineural disease and is equivalent or superior to CT for evaluating bony involvement. CT and PET/CT are used to evaluate metastatic disease.

Myxoid soft-tissue neoplasms: comprehensive update of the taxonomy and MRI features.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this article is to review the classification, clinical presentation, and histopathologic and MRI features of myxoid soft-tissue neoplasms. CONCLUSION. MRI is the modality of choice for characterization of myxoid soft-tissue tumors. A combination of imaging features (including certain characteristic signs), clinical features, and patient demographics can help the radiologist in coming to a specific diagnosis or in narrowing down the differential diagnoses.

Anti-VEGF molecular targeted therapies in common solid malignancies: comprehensive update for radiologists.

Angiogenesis is an essential component of the growth and dissemination of solid malignancies and is mediated by several proangiogenic factors. The most widely studied proangiogenic factor is vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). A major class of molecular targeted therapies (MTTs) inhibit the VEGF axis and are referred to as antiangiogenic MTTs. There are two main types of anti-VEGF MTTs: drugs targeting circulating VEGF and drugs interfering with the activity of the VEGF receptors. The cancers against which antiangiogenic MTTs have had the greatest effect are gliomas, non-small cell lung cancer, colorectal cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma, and gastrointestinal stromal tumor. These cancers respond to antiangiogenic MTTs in a different way than they respond to conventional chemotherapy. Instead of the traditional Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST), each of these cancers therefore requires its own individualized treatment response criteria (TRC). Examples of individualized TRC include the Response Assessment in Neuro-oncology (RANO) criteria for gliomas, modified RECIST for hepatocellular carcinoma, and Morphology, Attenuation, Size, and Structure (MASS) criteria for renal cell carcinoma. Furthermore, antiangiogenic MTTs have a unique spectrum of class-specific and drug-specific toxic effects, some of which can be detected at imaging. Increasing use of antiangiogenic MTTs in clinical practice necessitates that radiologists be aware of these drugs, their response patterns, and TRC as well as their toxic effect profiles.

MDCT of extranodal mantle cell lymphoma: a single institute experience.

OBJECTIVE: To study the pattern of extranodal and particularly gastrointestinal (GI) involvement of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) on MDCT MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this IRB-approved, HIPAA compliant retrospective study, MDCT features of 78 patients (62 males and 16 females, mean age 57 years) with MCL including 28 patients at presentation were reviewed. Clinical and histopathological (blastoid vs. non-blastoid) data were noted from medical records. RESULTS: Extranodal involvement was present in overall 51/78 patients on CT (65%), 18/28 (64%) patients at presentation. Spleen (21/78-27%) and bowel (19/78-24%) were the most common sites of extranodal involvement by MCL on imaging, followed by lungs (10/78-13%) and skin/subcutaneous tissue (9/78-12%). Bowel involvement was either in the form of endophytic polypoidal lesions (n = 11, mean size 3.1 cm), as focal mild bowel wall thickening (n = 5, mean thickness 1.4 cm), or as combination of the two (n = 3). Blastoid histology was present in 14/78 (24%) patients and was statistically associated with skin/subcutaneous involvement (p < 0.05; Fisher's exact t test). Median follow-up was 72 months during which 21 patients died with median survival of 48 months (26 months for blastoid histology vs. 47 months for non-blastoid histology). There was no statistical correlation between sites of involvement and survival. CONCLUSIONS: MCL has a predilection for extranodal disease, predominantly involving the spleen, bowel, lungs, and subcutaneous tissue. GI involvement on CT is in the form of endoluminal polypoidal lesions and mild bowel wall thickening. Skin/subcutaneous involvement was statistically more common with blastoid histology in our study.

Diagnosis and management of duodenal adenocarcinomas: a comprehensive review for the radiologist.

Duodenal adenocarcinomas are the most common duodenal tumors, and represent 15-25% of small bowel carcinomas. Their management differs from other small bowel tumors, with imaging playing a very important role. In this article, we provide a comprehensive review of the diagnosis and management of duodenal adenocarcinomas, emphasizing the role of the radiologist in the same.

Multimodality imaging of penile cancer: what radiologists need to know.

The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive update on the role of imaging in the diagnosis and management of penile cancer. Imaging plays a major role in the initial assessment, treatment planning, and follow-up of patients with penile carcinoma. MRI helps in assessing the T staging of the primary and in detecting local recurrence. PET/CT and CT are useful for detecting regional nodal and distant metastases.

Correlation of CT patterns of primary intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma at the time of presentation with the metastatic spread and clinical outcomes: retrospective study of 92 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To study the CT appearance and histopathology of mass-forming intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHCC) at presentation and correlate these features with metastatic disease and patient survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this IRB-approved, HIPAA compliant retrospective study, we reviewed pathology database of 459 patients with cholangiocarcinoma seen from 2004 through 2013 to identify 92 patients with IHCC (48 women, 44 men, mean age 61 years) who had CT scans of primary tumor available for review. All baseline and follow-up CT's were reviewed by two radiologists in consensus to record imaging characteristics and metastatic patterns. Clinical and histopathology data were obtained from electronic medical records. Imaging patterns and histopathology were analyzed for associations with metastatic spread and survival. RESULTS: Three distinct CT patterns of IHCC at presentation were identified: solitary dominant mass (type I IHCC, n = 34), dominant mass with satellite nodules in same segment (type II IHCC, n = 19), and multiple scattered hepatic lesions (type III IHCC, n = 39). Distant metastases developed in 49/92 patients (53%); 39 (42%) of which were present at diagnosis. Lungs (22/92; 24%), peritoneum (17/92; 18%), and bones (13/92; 14%) were most common metastatic sites. Type I IHCC had smaller size, lowest incidence of metastases at presentation, and best overall survival, while type III IHCC had shortest survival (p < 0.017). Poorly differentiated IHCC had higher proportion of osseous metastases (p = 0.042) and worse survival (p = 0.027). CONCLUSION: IHCC has three distinct CT patterns at presentation with different prognoses. Knowledge of these patterns can help radiologists to detect the extrahepatic disease and predict prognosis.

Evaluation of an Objective MRI-Based Tumor Regression Grade (mrTRG) Score and a Subjective Likert Score for Assessing Treatment Response in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancers-A Retrospective Study.

Purpose: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with the help of MRI-based tumor regression grade (mrTRG) score has been used as a tool to predict pathological tumor regression grade (pTRG) in patients of rectal cancer post-neoadjuvant chemoradiation. Our study aims to evaluate the ability of MRI in assessing treatment response comparing an objective mrTRG score and a subjective Likert score, with a focus on the ability to predict pathologic complete response (pCR). Methods: Post-treatment MRI studies were retrospectively reviewed for 170 consecutive cases of histopathologically proven rectal cancer after receiving neoadjuvant chemoradiation and prior to surgery by two oncoradiologists blinded to the eventual postoperative histopathology findings. An objective (mrTRG) and a subjective Likert score were assigned to all the cases. Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed to determine the ability of Likert scale and mrTRG to predict pCR, with postoperative histopathology being the gold standard. The optimal cutoff points on the scale of 1 to 5 were obtained for mrTRG and Likert scale with the greatest sum of sensitivity and specificity using the Youden Index. Results: The most accurate cutoff point for the mrTRG to predict complete response was 2.5 (using Youden index), with a sensitivity of 69.2%, specificity of 69.6%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 85.6%, negative predictive value (NPV) of 46.4%, and accuracy of 69.3%. The most accurate cutoff for the Likert scale to predict complete response was 3.5, with a sensitivity of 47.5%, specificity of 89.1%, PPV of 91.9%, NPV of 39.4%, and accuracy of 59%. mrTRG had a lower cutoff and was more accurate in predicting pCR compared to Likert score. Conclusion: An objective mrTRG was more accurate than a subjective Likert scale to predict complete response in our study.

Rectal cancer lexicon 2023 revised and updated consensus statement from the Society of Abdominal Radiology Colorectal and Anal Cancer Disease-Focused Panel.

The Society of Abdominal Radiology's Colorectal and Anal Cancer Disease-Focused Panel (DFP) first published a rectal cancer lexicon paper in 2019. Since that time, the DFP has published revised initial staging and restaging reporting templates, and a new SAR user guide to accompany the rectal MRI synoptic report (primary staging). This lexicon update summarizes interval developments, while conforming to the original lexicon 2019 format. Emphasis is placed on primary staging, treatment response, anatomic terminology, nodal staging, and the utility of specific sequences in the MRI protocol. A discussion of primary tumor staging reviews updates on tumor morphology and its clinical significance, T1 and T3 subclassifications and their clinical implications, T4a and T4b imaging findings/definitions, terminology updates on the use of MRF over CRM, and the conundrum of the external sphincter. A parallel section on treatment response reviews the clinical significance of near-complete response and introduces the lexicon of "regrowth" versus "recurrence". A review of relevant anatomy incorporates updated definitions and expert consensus of anatomic landmarks, including the NCCN's new definition of rectal upper margin and sigmoid take-off. A detailed review of nodal staging is also included, with attention to tumor location relative to the dentate line and locoregional lymph node designation, a new suggested size threshold for lateral lymph nodes and their indications for use, and imaging criteria used to differentiate tumor deposits from lymph nodes. Finally, new treatment terminologies such as organ preservation, TNT, TAMIS and watch-and-wait management are introduced. This 2023 version aims to serve as a concise set of up-to-date recommendations for radiologists, and discusses terminology, classification systems, MRI and clinical staging, and the evolving concepts in diagnosis and treatment of rectal cancer.

MRI in rectal cancer patients on 'watch and wait': patterns of response and their evolution.

PURPOSE: Evaluate MR patterns of response and their evolution in rectal cancer patients on watch and wait (WW). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 337 MRIs of 60 patients (median follow-up: 12 months; range: 6-49 months). Baseline MRIs (available in 34/60 patients) were evaluated for tumor morphology, location, thickness, circumferential involvement, nodal status and EMVI. First post-treatment MRIs (in all patients) were additionally evaluated for pattern of response on T2 and DWI. Change in post-treatment scar thickness and scar depth angle between the first and second post-treatment scans was also evaluated. Evolution of the response pattern/recurrence were evaluated till the last available scan. RESULTS: On the baseline scans, 20/34 (59%) patients had polypoidal tumor with 12/20 having ≤ 25% circumferential wall involvement. We saw five patterns of response-normalized rectal wall (2/60-3%), minimal fibrosis (23/60-38%), full thickness fibrosis (16/60-27%), irregular fibrosis (11/60-18%) and split scar (6/60-10%), with 2/60 (3%) showing possible residual disease. On the first post-treatment scans, 12/60 (20%) had restricted diffusion, with 3/12 having persistent restriction till last follow-up. Post-treatment fibrosis/split scar remained stable in 44/60 (73%) cases and improved further in the rest. 9/60 (15%) patients developed regrowth/recurrence. Patients with recurrence had < 10 mm scar thickness and < 21° change in scar angle between the first and second post-treatment MRIs. CONCLUSION: Most patients on WW protocol developed minimal or full thickness fibrosis, majority of which remained stable on follow-up.

Is There a Difference Between LI-RADS 3 to LI-RADS 5 Progression Assessment Using CT Versus MR? A Retrospective, Single-Center, Longitudinal Study of Patients Who Underwent 5082 Radiologic Examinations for Surveillance of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Over a 43-Month Period.

OBJECTIVE: The Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) has been widely applied to CT and MR liver observations in patients at high-risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We investigated the impact of CT vs MR in upgrading LI-RADS 3 to LI-RADS 5 observations using a large cohort of high-risk patients. METHODS: We performed a retrospective, longitudinal study of CT and MR radiographic reports (June 2013 - February 2017) with an assigned LI-RADS category. A final population of 757 individual scans and 212 high-risk patients had at least one LI-RADS 3 observation. Differences in observation time to progression between modalities were determined using uni- and multivariable analysis. RESULTS: Of the 212 patients with a LI-RADS 3 observation, 52 (25%) had progression to LI-RADS 5. Tp ranged from 64 - 818 days (median: 196 days). One hundred and three patients (49%) had MR and 109 patients (51%) had CT as their index study. Twenty-four patients with an MR index exam progressed to LI-RADS 5 during the follow-up interval, with progression rates of 22% (CI:13%-30%) at 1 year and 29% (CI:17%-40%) at 2 years. Twenty-eight patients with a CT index exam progressed to LI-RADS 5 during follow-up, with progression rates of 26% (CI:16%-35%) at 1 year and 31% (CI:19%-41%) at 2 years. Progression rates were not significantly different between patients whose LI-RADS 3 observation was initially diagnosed on MR vs CT (HR: 0.81, P = 0.44). DISCUSSION: MR and CT modalities are comparable for demonstrating progression from LI-RADS 3 to 5 for high risk patients.

Ambiguous Findings on Radiographs.

Findings with uncertain clinical significance are frequently encountered on radiographs. A structure or opacity visible on radiographs could be due to several causes ranging from artifact or external structure to malignancy or a life-threatening process. The approach that a radiologist chooses to address ambiguous findings can have a significant impact on a patient's health. In this article we discuss the causes and impact of ambiguous findings on radiographs. We also discuss the various strategies radiologists can adopt to maximize clinical value and, when needed, reach a definite diagnosis.

MRI features of signet ring rectal cancer.

PURPOSE: Signet Ring Rectal Cancer (SRRC) of rectum is rare high-grade subtype with poor prognosis and characteristic histopathology. We evaluated its imaging appearance and correlated its outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of the rectal MRIs of 97 patients with rectal SRRC, evaluating tumor morphology, T2 signal, length, location, pattern of tumor growth, nodal status and location, EMVI (extramural vascular invasion), site of metastases, and response to chemotherapy. The tumor signal on T2W images was categorized into intermediate, T2 hyperintense, and fluid/mucin bright. Imaging findings were correlated with risk of metastatic/ recurrent disease, disease-free survival, and overall survival. RESULTS: The median age of patients of SRRC in our study was 35 years and more frequently found in male patients. The common imaging features of SRRC were T2-hyperintense signal (63%), infiltrative growth pattern (76%), positive MR CRM (Circumferential Resection Margin on MRI) (84%), presence of EMVI (51%), and advanced T and N stage (97% and 84%, respectively). Peritoneum and nodes were the most common sites of metastases. Raised serum CEA (Carcino-embryonic Antigen) levels, positive MR CRM status, extramesorectal adenopathy, and advanced N stage had statistically significant predictive value for recurrence or metastases. Elevated serum CEA levels (p = 0.019) and intermediate T2 signal (p = 0.012) demonstrated significant independent association with poor overall survival, while advanced N stage (p = 0.033) demonstrated significant independent association with worse disease-free survival in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: SRRC affected young patients and demonstrated T2-hyperintense signal and subepithelial spread in an infiltrative pattern. Elevated CEA levels and T2-intermediate signal intensity are independent predictors for worse overall survival and advanced nodal stage is independent prognostic factor of poor disease-free survival. MRI rectum can pinpoint the pathology given the distinct MRI morphology and age of presentation.

Accuracy of MRI for nodal restaging in rectal cancer: a retrospective study of 166 cases.

AIM: Assessing metastatic mesorectal nodal involvement is a challenge in rectal cancer, especially in the post chemoradiation setting. We aim to assess the accuracy of MRI for nodal restaging and the validity of SAR criteria (≥ 5 mm size being metastatic). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an IRB-approved retrospective study of 166 patients with locally advanced rectal cancers, operated after neoadjuvant treatment. Two dedicated oncoradiologists reviewed the 166 post-chemoradiation presurgical MRIs in consensus. Nodal size and morphology (shape, margins, and signal intensity) were noted. The most accurate cut-off for size for predicting positive pN status was determined using the Youden index. RESULTS: MRI understaged 30/166 (18%) and overstaged 40/166 (24%) patients using the SAR criteria. The most accurate cut-off for node size was 5.5 mm, with a sensitivity of 75%, specificity of 60.2%, PPV of 40.7%, NPV of 86.9% (95% CI:78-92.5%), accuracy of 64.2%, and area under the curve (AUC) 0.657 (95% CI-0.524-0.79). Morphological characteristics were not significant to determine involvement, with positive nodes including 42% of round and 31% of oval nodes, 40% of heterogeneous and 45% of homogeneous nodes, and 31% irregularly marginated and 46% nodes with regular margins being positive on pathology. MRI was accurate in predicting pathology for mucinous nodes in 9/29 (31%) cases. Seven cases which were yN2 on MRI and yN0 on pathology demonstrated mucinous changes on MRI and had acellular mucin on histopathology. CONCLUSIONS: MRI has good negative predictive value, poor positive predictive value and moderate accuracy in nodal restaging. The cut-off of 5.5 mm demonstrated in our study is close to the SAR cut-off of 5 mm in the post-treatment setting. MRI accuracy is lower in patients with mucinous nodes.