CT Gray-Level Texture Analysis as a Quantitative Imaging Biomarker of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutation Status in Adenocarcinoma of the Lung.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the radiogenomic correlation between CT gray-level texture features and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation status in adenocarcinoma of the lung. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 25 patients with exon 19 short inframe deletion (exon 19) and 21 patients with exon 21 L858R point (exon 21) EGFR mutations among 125 patients with EGFR mutant adenocarcinoma of the lung. The randomly formed control group consisted of 20 patients selected from 126 patients with EGFR mutation-negative (wild-type) adenocarcinomas. Five gray-level texture features (contrast, correlation, inverse difference moment, angular second moment, and entropy) were analyzed. RESULTS: Contrast differentiated both exon 19 (p = 0.00027) and exon 21 (p = 0.00001) mutants from the wild type. Wild-type adenocarcinomas had high scores for contrast (mean, 1598.547) compared with EGFR mutants (mean, 679.463). Correlation differentiated both exon 19 (p = 0.017) and exon 21 (p = 0.0015) mutants from wild-type adenocarcinomas. Inverse difference moment differentiated exon 19 mutants from exon 21 mutants (p = 0.019) and both exon 19 (p = 0.044) and exon 21 (p = 0.00001) mutants from wild-type adenocarcinomas. Angular second moment and entropy were not associated with statistically significant differences between mutation statuses. CONCLUSION: Contrast, correlation, and inverse difference moment texture features correlate with EGFR mutation status in adenocarcinoma of the lung. Further investigation with larger prospective studies is needed to validate the role of CT gray-level texture analysis as a quantitative imaging biomarker.

(18)F-FDG PET/CT predicts survival in patients with inflammatory breast cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of (18)F-FDG PET/CT in predicting overall survival in inflammatory breast cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy. METHODS: Included in this retrospective study were 53 patients with inflammatory breast cancer who had at least two PET/CT studies including a baseline study before the start of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the effects on survival of the following factors: tumor maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) at baseline, preoperatively and at follow-up, decrease in tumor SUVmax, histological tumor type, grade, estrogen, progesterone, HER2/neu receptor status, and extent of disease at presentation including axillary nodal and distant metastases. RESULTS: By univariate analysis, survival was significantly associated with decrease in tumor SUVmax and tumor receptor status. Patients with decrease in tumor SUVmax had better survival (P = 0.02). Patients with a triple-negative tumor (P = 0.0006), a Her2/neu-negative tumor (P = 0.038) or an ER-negative tumor (P = 0.039) had worse survival. Multivariate analysis confirmed decrease in tumor SUVmax and triple-negative receptor status as significant predictors of survival. Every 10% decrease in tumor SUVmax from baseline translated to a 15% lower probability of death, and complete resolution of tumor FDG uptake translated to 80% lower probability of death (P = 0.014). Patients with a triple-negative tumor had 4.11 times higher probability of death (P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Decrease in tumor SUVmax is an independent predictor of survival in patients with inflammatory breast cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Further investigation with prospective studies is warranted to clarify its role in assessing response and altering therapy.

Effects of Near-infrared Laser Irradiation of Biodegradable Microspheres Containing Hollow Gold Nanospheres and Paclitaxel Administered Intraarterially in a Rabbit Liver Tumor Model.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of near-infrared (NIR) laser irradiation of microspheres (MS) containing hollow gold nanospheres (HAuNS) and paclitaxel (PTX) administered intraarterially in an animal model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For the ex vivo experiments, VX2 tumor-bearing rabbits underwent administration of MS-HAuNS or MS via the hepatic artery (HA). The animals were killed, the liver tumors were subjected to NIR irradiation, and temperature changes were estimated with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. For the in vivo study, VX2 tumor-bearing rabbits were randomly assigned to three groups: MS-HAuNS-PTX-plus-NIR, MS-HAuNS-PTX, and saline-plus-NIR. Laser irradiation was delivered at 1 hour and at 3 days after administration of saline or MS-HAuNS-PTX via the HA. Animals were euthanized, and tumors were analyzed for necrosis and apoptosis. Plasma samples were collected from the MS-HAuNS-PTX-plus-NIR animals for PTX analysis. RESULTS: Ex vivo experiments showed intratumoral heating in animals that received MS-HAuNS but no temperature change in animals that received MS. Animals treated with MS-HAuNS-PTX-plus-NIR showed a transient increase in plasma PTX levels after each NIR irradiation and significantly greater tumor necrosis than animals that received MS-HAuNS-PTX or saline-plus-NIR (44.9% vs 13.8% or 23.7%; P < .0001). The mean apoptotic index in the MS-HAuNS-PTX-plus-NIR group (5.01 ± 1.66) was significantly higher than the mean apoptotic index in the MS-HAuNS-PTX (2.99 ± 0.97) or saline-plus-NIR (1.96 ± 0.40) groups (P = .0013). CONCLUSIONS: NIR laser irradiation after MS-HAuNS-PTX administration results in intratumoral heating and increases the efficacy of treatment. Further studies are required to evaluate the optimal laser settings to maximize therapeutic efficacy.

Preoperative embolization of spinal tumors: variables affecting intraoperative blood loss after embolization.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative embolization of spinal tumors is often used to reduce blood loss from surgery. Intraoperative blood loss, even in patients who undergo embolization, is potentially multifactorial; embolization techniques, surgical procedures or tumor characteristics may affect intraoperative blood loss. PURPOSE: To retrospectively analyze factors affecting intraoperative blood loss in patients who had undergone spinal tumor embolization; and to assess the safety of the procedure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty-two patients (median age, 60 years) with a tumor involving the thoracic (n = 42) or lumbar (n = 20) spine underwent preoperative tumor embolization with particles. Multiple variables, including patient characteristics, tumor characteristics, embolization techniques, and surgical procedures, were evaluated with respect to intraoperative blood loss and transfusion requirement. Complications related to the embolization procedures were also recorded. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to analyze the variables affecting the intraoperative blood loss and transfusion requirement. RESULTS: Complete or near-complete tumor embolization was achieved in 47 patients. The average estimated blood loss (EBL) and packed red blood cells units transfused during surgery were 2554 mL (range, 250-11,000 mL) and 7 units (range, 0-28 units), respectively. Univariate analysis indicated tumor volume, surgical approach, and invasiveness of the spinal surgery to be significant variables affecting EBL. Tumor histology and extent, tumor vascularity, degree of embolization, and size of embolic particle did not affect operative blood loss. On multivariate analysis, invasiveness of the surgery was the only variable that influenced EBL. Two patients developed irreversible neurologic deficits following embolization. CONCLUSION: Embolization technique or completeness has a limited effect on operative blood loss after preoperative spinal tumor embolization. Operative blood loss from spinal surgery is dependent primarily on the invasiveness of the surgery. Although preoperative embolization is a relatively safe procedure, there remains a risk of cord ischemia.

Scrotal sonography revisited.

Sonography is the imaging modality of choice for the scrotum because it is simple, relatively inexpensive, and quick. Recent technological advances and transducer improvements have led to exquisite high-resolution detail in gray-scale as well as Doppler imaging. The purposes of this pictorial essay are to review the anatomy and embryology of the scrotal contents and to review the various scrotal and extrascrotal pathologic conditions, including acute scrotum, pediatric and adult testicular and extratesticular scrotal neoplasms, traumatic lesions, and miscellaneous other scrotal lesions.

Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma Component from an Adenosquamous Carcinoma of the Lung with Identical Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutations.

The case reported is a young "light" ex-smoker who initially had a localized adenosquamous carcinoma bearing an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) sensitizing mutation. He first recurred six months after initial treatment within the brain with a pure squamous histology and the same EGFR mutation. Surgical resection and radiation rendered him disease-free. Subsequent isolated recurrence within the lung eighteen months later was a pure adenocarcinoma, again with the same identified EGFR mutation. These histologic changes (from adenosquamous to pure squamous to pure adenocarcinoma) have been described but not before in the absence of any selection pressure with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors. This case points out the histologic "flexibility" of EGFR mutant lung cancers and the importance for appropriate molecular testing in nonsmokers with lung cancer of any histologic type.

Embolization of spinal tumors: vascular anatomy, indications, and technique.

Involvement of the spine by primary and secondary tumors can be associated with mechanical instability, pain, and neurologic complications, all of which can adversely affect a patient's quality of life. When surgical excision is planned, preoperative embolization of spinal tumors reduces intraoperative blood loss, making surgery safer and easier. Embolization of spinal tumors can also be used to palliate pain and improve neurologic symptoms in patients with unresectable tumors. A detailed knowledge of the spinal vascular anatomy is essential before performing spinal tumor embolization. Indications, contraindications, embolization technique, and potential complications must be fully understood to ensure a safe and effective procedure. Although the technique used may vary among operators and institutions, familiarity with embolization goals and strategies can ensure sufficient tumor devascularization.

Pictorial essay: multimodality imaging of metastases from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Surgical resection is the only curative therapy available for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Unfortunately, metastatic disease constitutes an absolute contraindication for surgery. Therefore, the detection of metastatic disease is a critical component of preoperative imaging of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are currently used for the preoperative evaluation of these patients. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography and ultrasonography may also be helpful in the detection of metastatic disease. This pictorial essay reviews the imaging findings of common and uncommon metastases from pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Complex venous anomalies: magnetic resonance imaging findings in a 5-year-old boy.

We report magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of a very unusual venous anomaly case. A 5-year-old boy who had surgical repair of coarctation of the thoracic aorta was referred to our department for evaluation of an enlarged venous structure anterior to the aorta, which had been noted during the surgery. Contrast enhanced dynamic MRI revealed partial anomalous pulmonary venous return to the left azygos vein, double inferior and superior vena cava with the left azygos continuation of the left superior vena cava. The recognition of venous anomalies allows correct planning of surgical and interventional procedures. MRI is a valuable imaging tool providing detailed anatomical information.