Prediction of Pathologic Findings with MRI-Based Clinical Staging Using the Bayesian Network Modeling in Prostate Cancer: A Radiation Oncologist Perspective / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

Purpose@#This study aimed to develop a model for predicting pathologic extracapsular extension (ECE) and seminal vesicle invasion (SVI) while integrating magnetic resonance imaging-based T-staging (cTMRI, cT1c-cT3b). @*Materials and Methods@#A total of 1,915 who underwent radical prostatectomy between 2006-2016 met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. We performed a multivariate logistic regression analysis as well as Bayesian network (BN) modeling based on possible confounding factors. The BN model was internally validated using 5-fold validation. @*Results@#According to the multivariate logistic regression analysis, initial prostate-specific antigen (iPSA) (β=0.050, p < 0.001), percentage of positive biopsy cores (PPC) (β=0.033, p < 0.001), both lobe involvement on biopsy (β=0.359, p=0.009), Gleason score (β=0.358, p < 0.001), and cTMRI (β=0.259, p < 0.001) were significant factors for ECE. For SVI, iPSA (β=0.037, p < 0.001), PPC (β=0.024, p < 0.001), Gleason score (β=0.753, p < 0.001), and cTMRI (β=0.507, p < 0.001) showed statistical significance. BN models to predict ECE and SVI were also successfully established. The overall area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC)/accuracy of the BN models were 0.76/73.0% and 0.88/89.6% for ECE and SVI, respectively. According to internal comparison between the BN model and Roach formula, BN model had improved AUC values for predicting ECE (0.76 vs. 0.74, p=0.060) and SVI (0.88 vs. 0.84, p < 0.001). @*Conclusion@#Two models to predict pathologic ECE and SVI integrating cTMRI were established and installed on a separate website for public access to guide radiation oncologists.

Adrenal Morphology as an Indicator of Long-Term Disease Control in Adults with Classic 21-Hydroxylase Deficiency

Background@#Monitoring adults with classical 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21OHD) is challenging due to variation in clinical and laboratory settings. Moreover, guidelines for adrenal imaging in 21OHD are not yet available. We evaluated the relationship between adrenal morphology and disease control status in classical 21OHD. @*Methods@#This retrospective, cross-sectional study included 90 adult 21OHD patients and 270 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. We assessed adrenal volume, width, and tumor presence using abdominal computed tomography and evaluated correlations of adrenal volume and width with hormonal status. We investigated the diagnostic performance of adrenal volume and width for identifying well-controlled status in 21OHD patients (17α-hydroxyprogesterone [17-OHP] <10 ng/mL). @*Results@#The adrenal morphology of 21OHD patients showed hypertrophy (45.6%), normal size (42.2%), and hypotrophy (12.2%). Adrenal tumors were detected in 12 patients (13.3%). The adrenal volume and width of 21OHD patients were significantly larger than those of controls (18.2±12.2 mL vs. 7.1±2.0 mL, 4.7±1.9 mm vs. 3.3±0.5 mm, P<0.001 for both). The 17-OHP and androstenedione levels were highest in patients with adrenal hypertrophy, followed by those with normal adrenal glands and adrenal hypotrophy (P<0.05 for both). Adrenal volume and width correlated positively with adrenocorticotropic hormone, 17-OHP, 11β-hydroxytestosterone, progesterone sulfate, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in both sexes (r=0.33–0.95, P<0.05 for all). For identifying well-controlled patients, the optimal cut-off values of adrenal volume and width were 10.7 mL and 4 mm, respectively (area under the curve, 0.82–0.88; P<0.001 for both). @*Conclusion@#Adrenal volume and width may be reliable quantitative parameters for monitoring patients with classical 21OHD.

Analysis of Medical Use and Treatment Costs of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients Using National Patient Sample Data

Background@#With increasing economic evaluation studies on the treatment of or screening tools for liver diseases that cause hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), interest in the analysis of the medical utilization and costs of HCC treatment is increasing. Therefore, we aimed to estimate the medical utilization and costs of HCC patients, and calculate the cost of main procedures for HCC treatment, including liver transplant (LT), hepatic resection (HR), radiofrequency ablation (RFA), and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). @*Methods@#We analyzed claim data from January to December 2018 from the Health Insurance and Review and Assessment Service–National Patient Sample (HIRA-NPS-2018) dataset, including data of patients diagnosed with HCC (Korean Standard Classification of Diseases code C22.0) who had at least one inpatient claim for HCC. @*Results@#A total of 715 HCC patients were identified. In 2018, the yearly average medical cost per HCC patient was ₩18,460K (thousand), of which ₩14,870K was attributed to HCC. Among the total medical costs of HCC patients, the inpatient cost accounted for the largest portion of both the total medical and HCC-related costs. The major procedures of HCC treatment occurred most frequently in the order of TACE, RFA, HR, and LT. The average medical cost per treatment episode was the highest for LT (₩87,280K), followed by HR (₩10,026K), TACE (₩4,047K), and RFA (₩2,927K). @*Conclusion@#By identifying the medical costs of HCC patients and the costs of the main procedures of HCC treatment, our results provide basic information that could be utilized for cost estimation in liver disease-related economic evaluation studies.

Analysis of Medical Use and Treatment Costs of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients Using National Patient Sample Data

Background@#With increasing economic evaluation studies on the treatment of or screening tools for liver diseases that cause hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), interest in the analysis of the medical utilization and costs of HCC treatment is increasing. Therefore, we aimed to estimate the medical utilization and costs of HCC patients, and calculate the cost of main procedures for HCC treatment, including liver transplant (LT), hepatic resection (HR), radiofrequency ablation (RFA), and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). @*Methods@#We analyzed claim data from January to December 2018 from the Health Insurance and Review and Assessment Service–National Patient Sample (HIRA-NPS-2018) dataset, including data of patients diagnosed with HCC (Korean Standard Classification of Diseases code C22.0) who had at least one inpatient claim for HCC. @*Results@#A total of 715 HCC patients were identified. In 2018, the yearly average medical cost per HCC patient was ₩18,460K (thousand), of which ₩14,870K was attributed to HCC. Among the total medical costs of HCC patients, the inpatient cost accounted for the largest portion of both the total medical and HCC-related costs. The major procedures of HCC treatment occurred most frequently in the order of TACE, RFA, HR, and LT. The average medical cost per treatment episode was the highest for LT (₩87,280K), followed by HR (₩10,026K), TACE (₩4,047K), and RFA (₩2,927K). @*Conclusion@#By identifying the medical costs of HCC patients and the costs of the main procedures of HCC treatment, our results provide basic information that could be utilized for cost estimation in liver disease-related economic evaluation studies.

Diagnostic Performance of MRI for Assessing Parametrial Invasion in Cervical Cancer: A Head-to-Head Comparison between Oblique and True Axial T2-Weighted Images

OBJECTIVE: To directly compare the diagnostic performance of true and oblique axial T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) for assessing parametrial invasion (PMI) in cervical cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 71 women with treatment-naive cervical cancer who underwent MRI that included both oblique and true axial T2WI, followed by radical hysterectomy. Two blinded radiologists (Radiologist 1 and Radiologist 2) independently assessed the presence of PMI on both sequences using a 5-point Likert scale. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed, with a subgroup analysis for tumors sized > 2.5 cm and ≤ 2.5 cm in diameter. Inter-reader agreement was assessed with kappa (k) statistics. RESULTS: At hysterectomy, 15 patients (21.1%) had PMI. For Radiologist 1, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was greater for oblique axial than for true axial T2WI {0.941 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.858–0.983) vs. 0.917 (95% CI = 0.827–0.969), p = 0.027}. The difference was not significant for Radiologist 2 (0.879 [95% CI = 0.779–0.944] vs. 0.827 [95% CI = 0.719–0.906], p = 0.153). For tumors > 2.5 cm, AUC was greater with oblique than with true axial T2WI (0.906 vs. 0.860, p = 0.046 for Radiologist 1 and 0.839 vs. 0.765, p = 0.086 for Radiologist 2). Agreement between the radiologists was almost perfect for oblique axial T2WI (k = 0.810) and was substantial for true axial T2WI (k = 0.704). CONCLUSION: Oblique axial T2WI potentially provides greater diagnostic performance than true axial T2WI for determining PMI, particularly for tumors > 2.5 cm. The inter-reader agreement was greater with oblique axial T2WI.

Low-Tube-Voltage CT Urography Using Low-Concentration-Iodine Contrast Media and Iterative Reconstruction: A Multi-Institutional Randomized Controlled Trial for Comparison with Conventional CT Urography

OBJECTIVE: To compare the image quality of low-tube-voltage and low-iodine-concentration-contrast-medium (LVLC) computed tomography urography (CTU) with iterative reconstruction (IR) with that of conventional CTU. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective, multi-institutional, randomized controlled trial was performed at 16 hospitals using CT scanners from various vendors. Patients were randomly assigned to the following groups: 1) the LVLC-CTU (80 kVp and 240 mgI/mL) with IR group and 2) the conventional CTU (120 kVp and 350 mgI/mL) with filtered-back projection group. The overall diagnostic acceptability, sharpness, and noise were assessed. Additionally, the mean attenuation, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and figure of merit (FOM) in the urinary tract were evaluated. RESULTS: The study included 299 patients (LVLC-CTU group: 150 patients; conventional CTU group: 149 patients). The LVLC-CTU group had a significantly lower effective radiation dose (5.73 ± 4.04 vs. 8.43 ± 4.38 mSv) compared to the conventional CTU group. LVLC-CTU showed at least standard diagnostic acceptability (score ≥ 3), but it was non-inferior when compared to conventional CTU. The mean attenuation value, mean SNR, CNR, and FOM in all pre-defined segments of the urinary tract were significantly higher in the LVLC-CTU group than in the conventional CTU group. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic acceptability and quantitative image quality of LVLC-CTU with IR are not inferior to those of conventional CTU. Additionally, LVLC-CTU with IR is beneficial because both radiation exposure and total iodine load are reduced.

What MRI features suspect malignant pure mesenchymal uterine tumors rather than uterine leiomyoma with cystic degeneration? / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively assess conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features that differentiate malignant pure mesenchymal uterine tumors (MPMUT); endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS) and leiomyosarcoma (LMS) from uterine leiomyoma with cystic degeneration (ULCD). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed magnetic resonance (MR) images of 30 patients with ULCD, 18 with ESS, and 15 with LMS, to assess tumor location, margin, T2 signal intensity (SI), speckled appearance, and peripheral band using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: ULCD more frequently showed subserosal location (53.3%), well-defined margin (96.7%), and speckled appearance (90.0%) compared with ESS (0%, 33.3%, and 33.3%, respectively) or LMS (20.0%, 33.3%, and 60.0%, respectively). In quantitative T2 SI comparisons, the T2 SI ratio of the main solid tumor portion to gluteus maximus muscle differed significantly among the three groups, with ULCD showing a lower SI ratio (0.62) compared with ESS (2.44) and LMS (1.13). On multivariate analysis, an ill-defined margin (odds ratio [OR]=44.885; p=0.003) and high T2 SI (OR=4.396; p=0.046) were the significant MR differentiators. CONCLUSION: An ill-defined tumor margin and high T2 SI ratio of the main solid tumor-to-gluteus maximus muscle were useful MRI features in the differentiation of MPMUT from ULCD.

Use of Iterative Reconstruction and a Small Contrast Volume in Rabbit Kidney CT: Comparison with Conventional Protocol

PURPOSE@#To investigate the quality of rabbit kidney computed tomography (CT) images obtained using a small contrast volume and iterative reconstruction (IR).@*MATERIALS AND METHODS@#Twenty sedated rabbits were used. Four milliliters of contrast material and the IR technique were used for the study group. In the control group, 6 mL of contrast and the filtered back projection (FBP) technique were used. The image quality was evaluated by two radiologists in consensus. For qualitative image assessment, the sharpness, noise, texture, and streak artifacts were rated. For quantitative analysis, the CT attenuation values, image noise, signal-to-noise ratios (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratios (CNR), and figures of merit (FOM) were calculated.@*RESULTS@#Images obtained from the study group were sharper and contained less noise and fewer streak artifacts (all, p < 0.05) compared to those obtained from the control group. However, the texture of images from the study group was worse (p < 0.05). Although the CT attenuation values were comparable between the study and control groups, the image noise was considerably lower for the study group than that for the corresponding control group (all, p < 0.05). Thus, the SNR, CNR, and FOM were higher in the study group (all, p < 0.05) than in the control group.@*CONCLUSION@#The use of the IR technique and a small volume of contrast material yielded CT images with better qualities compared to those obtained using the FBP technique and conventional contrast volume in a rabbit model.

Value of sagittal color Doppler ultrasonography as a supplementary tool in the differential diagnosis of fetal cleft lip and palate

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and usefulness of sagittal color Doppler ultrasonography (CDUS) for the diagnosis of fetal cleft lip (CL) and cleft palate (CP). METHODS: We performed targeted ultrasonography on 25 fetuses with CL and CP, taking coronal and axial images of the upper lip and maxillary alveolar arch in each case. The existence of defects in and malalignment of the alveolus on the axial image, hard palate defects on the midsagittal image, and flow-through defects on CDUS taken during fetal breathing or swallowing were assessed. We compared the ultrasonography findings with postnatal findings in all fetuses. RESULTS: Alveolar defects were detected in 16 out of 17 cases with CP and four out of eight cases with CL. Alveolar malalignment and hard palate defects were detected in 11 out of 17 cases and 14 out of 17 cases with CP, respectively, but not detected in any cases with CL. Communicating flow through the palate defect was detected in 11 out of 17 cases of CL with CP. The accuracy of detection in axial scans of an alveolar defect and malalignment was 80% and 76%, respectively. Accuracy of detection of in mid-sagittal images of hard palate defect and flow was 80% and 86%, respectively. The overall diagnostic accuracy of combined axial and sagittal images with sagittal CDUS was 92%. CONCLUSION: Sagittal CDUS of the fetal hard palate is a feasible method to directly reveal hard palate bony defects and flow through defects, which may have additional value in the differential diagnosis of fetal CL and CP.

The diagnostic ability of an additional midline peripheral zone biopsy in transrectal ultrasonography-guided 12-core prostate biopsy to detect midline prostate cancer

PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic effect of adding a midline peripheral zone (PZ) biopsy to the 12-core biopsy protocol used to diagnose prostate cancer (PC), and to assess the clinical and pathologic characteristics of midline-positive PC in order to identify a potential subgroup of patients who would require midline PZ biopsy. METHODS: This study included 741 consecutive patients who underwent a transrectal ultrasonography-guided, 12-core prostate biopsy with an additional midline core biopsy between October 2012 and December 2013. We grouped patients by the presence or absence of PC and subdivided patients with PC based on the involvement of the midline core. The clinical characteristics of these groups were compared, including serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) concentrations, PSA density, and pathological features in the biopsy specimens. RESULTS: PC was detected in 289 patients (39.0%). Among the PC patients, 66 patients (22.8%) had midline PC. No patients were diagnosed with PC based only on a midline core. The Gleason scores, number of positive cores, tumor core length, serum PSA concentrations, and PSA density were significantly higher in patients with midline-positive PC (P<0.001). Furthermore, significant cancer was more frequent in the midline-positive group (98.5% vs. 78.0%). CONCLUSION: Patients showing a positive result for PC in a midline PZ biopsy were more likely to have multiple tumors or large-volume PC with a high tumor burden. However, our data indicated that an additional midline core biopsy is unlikely to be helpful in detecting occult midline PC.

Uterine artery pulsatility index in hypertensive pregnancies: When does the index normalize in the puerperium?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the uterine artery pulsatility index (UtA PI) of hypertensive pregnancies is higher than that of normal pregnancies in the puerperium, as well as in the antepartum period. METHODS: The UtA PI was measured in hypertensive (group 1) and normal pregnancies (group 2) during antepartum, immediate postpartum or late postpartum periods. Using the transvaginal approach, the bilateral uterine artery indices were measured. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-two women were enrolled: group 1, hypertensive disease in pregnancy (11 cases in antepartum, 13 cases in immediate postpartum and 10 cases in late postpartum period); group 2, normal pregnancies (32 cases in antepartum, 29 cases in immediate postpartum and 27 cases in late postpartum). In antepartum and immediate postpartum periods, the mean UtA PI and the proportion of cases with an early diastolic notch were higher in group 1 than in group 2 (antepartum mean UtA PI, 1.14 in group 1 vs. 0.68 in group 2, P<0.001; early diastolic notch, 46% vs. 9%, P<0.05; immediate postpartum mean UtA PI, 1.30 vs. 1.08, P<0.05; early diastolic notch, 85% vs. 48%, P<0.05). In late postpartum period, the mean value of UtA PI of group 1 was still higher than that of group 2, although the proportion of cases with an early diastolic notch was not different (mean UtA PI, 1.43 vs. 1.20, P<0.05; early diastolic notch, 60% vs. 52%, P=0.73). CONCLUSION: The UtA PI in hypertensive pregnancies was still higher than normal pregnancies in puerperal periods, suggesting that more than several weeks are required to resolve increased uterine artery vascular impedance.

An Alternative Triage Strategy Based on Preoperative MRI for Avoiding Trimodality Therapy in Stage IB Cervical Cancer / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: Adjuvant chemoradiation following primary surgery is frequently indicated in patients with stage IB cervical cancer. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based strategy in avoiding trimodality therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all patients with stage IB cervical cancer treated initially with primary surgery at Seoul National University Hospital. We suggest an alternative triage strategy in which the primary treatment modality is determined based on preoperative MRI findings. Using this strategy, primary surgery is only indicated when there is no evidence of parametrial involvement (PMI) and lymph node metastasis (LNM) in the MRI results; when there is evidence of either or both of these factors, primary chemoradiation is selected. Assuming that this strategy is applied to our cohort, we evaluate how the rate of trimodality therapy is affected. RESULTS: Of the 254 patients in our sample, 77 (30.3%) had at least one category 1 risk factor (PMI, LNM, positive resection margin) upon pathologic examination. If the MRI-based strategy had been applied to our cohort, 168 patients would have undergone primary surgery and 86 would have undergone primary chemoradiation. Only 25 patients (9.8%) would have required trimodality therapy based on an indication of at least one category 1 pathologic risk factor following radical hysterectomy. CONCLUSION: The inclusion of MRI in the decision-making process for primary treatment modality could have reduced the number of patients requiring trimodality therapy based on the indication of a category 1 risk factor from 30.3% to 9.8% in our cohort.

Imaging Findings of Common Benign Renal Tumors in the Era of Small Renal Masses: Differential Diagnosis from Small Renal Cell Carcinoma: Current Status and Future Perspectives

The prevalence of small renal masses (SRM) has risen, paralleling the increased usage of cross-sectional imaging. A large proportion of these SRMs are not malignant, and do not require invasive treatment such as nephrectomy. Therefore, differentation between early renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and benign SRM is critical to achieve proper management. This article reviews the radiological features of benign SRMs, with focus on two of the most common benign entities, angiomyolipoma and oncocytoma, in terms of their common imaging findings and differential features from RCC. Furthermore, the role of percutaneous biopsy is discussed as imaging is yet imperfect, therefore necessitating biopsy in certain circumstances to confirm the benignity of SRMs.

Erratum: Shear Wave Elastography for Detection of Prostate Cancer: A Preliminary Study

The publisher and authors would like to draw the reader's attention to an error.

Fetal tumors: prenatal ultrasonographic findings and clinical characteristics

The incidence of fetal tumors has been increased due to generalization of prenatal evaluation and improvement of imaging techniques. The early detection of a fetal tumor and understanding of its imaging features are very important for fetal, maternal, and neonatal care. Ultrasonography is usually used for the detection and differential diagnosis of fetal tumors, and magnetic resonance imaging is increasingly being used as a complementary study. Many fetal tumors have different clinical and imaging features compared with pediatric tumors. Although several fetal tumors may mimic other common anomalies, some specific imaging features may carry early accurate diagnosis of fetal tumors, which may alter the prenatal management of a pregnancy and the mode of delivery, and facilitate immediate postnatal treatment.

Usefulness of resistive index on spectral Doppler ultrasonography in the detection of renal cell carcinoma in patients with end-stage renal disease

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to explore the usefulness of the resistive index (RI) on spectral Doppler ultrasonography (US) in the detection of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). METHODS: Seventeen ESRD patients with kidneys in which renal masses were suspected in routine US were subjected. They underwent computed tomography scans and additional Doppler US for the characterization of the detected lesions. All underwent radical nephrectomy with the suspicion of RCC. Fourteen patients finally were included. RI measurements were conducted in the region of the suspected renal mass and the background renal parenchyma. The intraclass correlation coefficient was used to assess the reproducibility of the RI measurement. A paired t-test was used to compare the RI values between the renal mass and the background renal parenchyma (P<0.05). RESULTS: The RI values measured at the RCCs were significantly lower than those measured at the background renal parenchyma (0.41-0.65 vs. 0.75-0.89; P<0.001). The intrareader reproducibility proved to be excellent and good for the renal masses and the parenchyma, respectively (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: RI on spectral Doppler US is useful in detecting RCC in patients with ESRD. The RI values measured at the RCCs were significantly lower than those measured at the background renal parenchyma.

Shear Wave Elastography for Detection of Prostate Cancer: A Preliminary Study

OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic value of shear wave elastography (SWE) for prostate cancer detection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, 87 patients with the suspicion of prostate cancer (prostate-specific antigen > 4 ng/mL and abnormal digital rectal examination) underwent a protocol-based systematic 12-core biopsy followed by targeted biopsy at hypoechoic areas on grey-scale ultrasound. Prior to biopsy, SWE was performed by placing two circular 5 mm-sized regions of interest (ROIs) along the estimated biopsy tract in each sector and one ROI for hypoechoic lesions. SWE parameters, S (mean stiffness) and R (mean stiffness ratio), were calculated and compared regarding different histopathologic tissues and their accuracy for diagnosing prostate cancer was analyzed. SWE parameters were correlated with Gleason score and were compared between indolent ( or = 8) tissues in prostate cancer patients. RESULTS: Prostate cancer was detected in 7.5% of 1058 cores in 29.9% of 87 patients. Seven (43.8%) of 16 hypoechoic lesions were confirmed as prostate cancer. SWE parameters were significantly different among the histopathologic entities (p 43.9 kPa and 60.8%, 66.4%, and 0.653, respectively, for R > 3. Both, S and R showed a significant correlation with Gleason score (r > or = 0.296, p < or = 0.008) and were significantly different between indolent and aggressive prostate cancer (p < or = 0.006). CONCLUSION: Shear wave elastographic parameters are significantly different between prostate cancer and benign prostate tissue and correlate with Gleason score.

Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Patients Undergoing Intravenous Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography in Korea: A Multi-Institutional Study in 101487 Patients

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of known risk factors for contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) and their association with the actual occurrence of CIN in patients undergoing intravenous contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent CECT in 2008 were identified in the electronic medical records of 16 tertiary hospitals of Korea. Data on demographics, comorbidities, prescriptions and laboratory test results of patients were collected following a standard data extraction protocol. The baseline renal function was assessed using the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). We identified the prevalence of risk factors along the eGFR strata and evaluated their influence on the incidence of CIN, defined as a 0.5 mg/dL or 25% increase in serum creatinine after CECT. RESULTS: Of 432425 CECT examinations in 272136 patients, 140838 examinations in 101487 patients met the eligibility criteria for analysis. The mean age of the participants was 57.9 +/- 15.5 years; 25.1% of the patients were older than 70 years. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus was 11.9%, of hypertension 13.7%, of gout 0.55% and of heart failure was 1.7%. Preventive measures were used in 40238 CECT examinations (28.6%). The prevalence of risk factors and use of preventive measures increased as the renal function became worse. A CIN was occurred after 3103 (2.2%) CECT examinations, revealing a significant association with decreased eGFR, diabetes mellitus, and congestive heart failure after adjustment. CONCLUSION: Risk factors for CIN are prevalent among the patients undergoing CECT. Preventive measures were seemingly underutilized and a system is needed to improve preventive care.

Magnetic Resonance Evaluation of Mullerian Remnants in Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser Syndrome

OBJECTIVE: To analyze magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of Mullerian remnants in young females clinically suspected of Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome in a primary amenorrhea workup. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen young females underwent multiplanar T2- and transverse T1-weighted MRI at either a 1.5T or 3.0T MR imager. Two gynecologic radiologists reached consensus decisions for the evaluation of Mullerian remnants, vagina, ovaries, and associated findings. RESULTS: All cases had bilateral uterine buds in the pelvic cavity, with unilateral cavitation in two cases. The buds had an average long-axis diameter of 2.64 +/- 0.65 cm. In all cases, bilateral buds were connected with fibrous band-like structures. In 13 cases, the band-like structures converged at the midline or a paramedian triangular soft tissue lying above the bladder dome. The lower one-third of the vagina was identified in 14 cases. Fourteen cases showed bilateral normal ovaries near the uterine buds. One unilateral pelvic kidney, one unilateral renal agenesis, one mild scoliosis, and three lumbar sacralization cases were found as associated findings. CONCLUSION: Typical Mullerian remnants in MRKH syndrome consist of bilateral uterine buds connected by the fibrous band-like structures, which converge at the midline triangular soft tissue lying above the bladder dome.

Role of Ultrasound Volume Measurements of Testes in Evaluation of Infertile Men with Azoospermia

PURPOSE: The purpose of our study was to assess the usefulness of ultrasounddetermined testicular volume in the evaluation of the infertile men with azoospermia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A computerized search from October 2005 to June 2010 generated a list of 45 infertile men with azoospermia (mean age, 34 years; age range, 26-44 years) who underwent both scrotal ultrasound and testis biopsy. Ultrasounddetermined testicular volumes were compared between infertile men with obstructive azoospermia and those with non-obstructive azoospermia. RESULTS: Testicular volume for obstructive azoospermia ranged from 6.4 ml to 26.9 ml, with a median volume of 14.0 ml. This volume was significantly larger than that of those with non-obstructive azoospermia, which ranged from 1.0 ml to 12.8 ml, with a median volume of 6.1 ml (p < 0.001). The area under the ROC curve for distinguishing non-obstructive azoospermia from obstructive azoospermia using testicular volume was 0.91. A cutoff value of less than or equal to 11.4 ml could distinguish non-obstructive azoospermia from obstructive azoospermia, with a sensitivity of 94.1% (95% CI; 71.3-99.9%) and a specificity of 73.3% (95% CI; 54.1-87.7%). CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-determined testicular volume can be helpful in the differentiation of obstructive azoospermia from non-obstructive azoospermia.