Features of median arcuate ligament syndrome in computed tomography angiography / 中华消化外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the features of median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) in computed tomography angiography (CTA).Methods:The retrospective and descriptive study was conducted. The clinical and imaging data of 56 patients with MALS who were admitted to Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine from November 2019 to October 2020 were collected. There were 30 males and 26 females, aged from 19 to 78 years, with a median age of 54 years. All 56 patients underwent CTA. Observation indicators: (1) CTA examination; (2) correlation analysis; (3) surgical situations. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD. Count data were described as absolute numbers or percentages. Spearman correlation analysis with test level of 0.05 was used to analyze the correlation between celiac trunk stenosis and the distance between the original location of celiac trunk and original location of superior mesenteric artery and the minimum distance of celiac trunk and superior mesenteric artery. Results:(1) CTA examination. ① Celiac trunk stenosis: results of cross sectional examina-tion of CTA showed that of 56 patients, there were 2 cases of celiac trunk occlusion, 10 cases of severe stenosis, 9 cases of moderate stenosis and 35 cases of mild stenosis. Results of sagittal examination of CTA showed that of 56 patients, there were 2 cases of celiac trunk occlusion, 21 cases of severe stenosis, 15 cases of moderate stenosis and 18 cases of mild stenosis. ② Examination of patients with different degree of vascular stenosis: according to the results of sagittal examination of CTA, the 2 cases with celiac trunk occlusion were negative for aneurysms, aortic dissection or vascular variations but positive for compensated varix of the anterior and posterior pancreatico-duodenal arches. Of the 21 cases with celiac trunk severe stenosis, 2 cases were positive for aneurysms, 1 case was positive for aortic dissection, 7 cases were positive for compensated varix of the anterior and posterior pancreaticoduodenal arches, 8 cases were positive for collateral circula-tions of anterior and posterior pancreaticoduodenal archs and 8 cases were positive for vascular variation. Of the 15 cases with celiac trunk moderate stenosis, 2 cases were positive for aneurysms, 3 cases were positive for aortic dissection, 2 cases were positive for compensated varix of the anterior and posterior pancreaticoduodenal arches, 4 cases were positive for collateral circulations of anterior and posterior pancreaticoduodenal archs and 7 cases were positive for vascular variation. Of the 18 cases with celiac trunk mild stenosis, 1 case was positive for aneurysms, 2 cases were positive for aortic dissection, 7 cases were positive for collateral circulations of the anterior and posterior pancreaticoduodenal arches, 6 cases were positive for vascular variation. All 56 patients were negative for ischemia of liver, spleen and stomach. ③ Original location of celiac trunk: of 56 patients, there were 43 cases had celiac trunk originated horizontally from the lower edge of T12 vertebral body, 2 cases had celiac trunk originated from the middle of T12 vertebral body, 1 case had celiac trunk originated from the upper part of T12 vertebral body, 7 cases had celiac trunk originated from the upper part of L1 vertebral body, 1 case had celiac trunk originated from the middle of L1 vertebral body and 2 cases had occluding celiac trunk. (2) Correlation analysis: results of sagittal observation on CTA examination showed the distance between the original location of celiac trunk and original location of superior mesenteric artery of the 56 patients was (6.0±4.0) mm. The distance between the original location of celiac trunk and original location of superior mesenteric artery of patients with celiac trunk mild, moderate or severe stenosis were (6.2±2.8)mm, (8.1±4.4)mm and (5.3±3.2)mm respectively. There were 23 cases of the 56 patients had the distance between the original location of celiac trunk and original location of superior mesenteric artery <5 mm. Results of correlation analysis showed that the degree of celiac trunk stenosis was not related to the distance between the original location of celiac trunk and original location of superior mesenteric artery ( r=?0.205, P>0.05). Results of sagittal observation on CTA examination showed the shortest distance between celiac trunk and superior mesenteric artery of the 56 patients was (3.8±2.4)mm. The shortest distance between celiac trunk and superior mesenteric artery of patients with celiac trunk mild, moderate or severe stenosis were (4.2±2.0)mm, (4.4±3.3)mm and (3.0±1.9)mm, respectively. There were 45 cases of the 56 patients had the shortest distance between celiac trunk and superior mesenteric artery <5 mm. Results of correlation analysis showed that the degree of celiac trunk stenosis was not related to the shortest distance between celiac trunk and superior mesenteric artery ( r=?0.249, P>0.05). (3) Surgical situations: of 56 patients, 2 cases were positive for clinical symptoms of abdominal pain, 54 cases were negative for clinical symptoms, 4 cases under-went surgical treatment and 52 cases not underwent surgical treatment. Of the 4 cases undergoing surgical treatment, 2 cases with abdominal pain were diagnosed as MALS by upper abdominal CTA. Celiac trunk of the 2 cases were severe stenosis and stents implantation under celiac arteriography were performed. Results of postoperative CTA showed celiac trunk was negative for obvious stenosis. The other 2 cases who were negative for clinical symptoms of MALS were planed to pancreaticoduo-denectomy for pancreatic head tumor. Results of preoperative CTA showed severe stenosis of celiac trunk and arterial bypass grafting was performed for the 2 cases during pancreaticoduodenectomy to alleviate liver ischemia caused by gastroduodenal artery ligation which would avoid the incidence of postoperative MALS associated complications. Result of postoperative CTA three-dimensional reconstruction showed the bypass vessel was unobstructed. Conclusion:Based on sagittal result of CTA examination, the stenosis of celiac trunk, the anatomical relationship between celiac trunk and arcuate ligament and the original location of celiac trunk of MALS patients can be evaluated.

Radiomics based on machine learning in predicting the long-term prognosis for triple-negative breast cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy / 中华放射学杂志

Objective:To explore the value of different radiomics models based on machine learning in predicting the risk of distant recurrence and metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer after neoadjuvant therapy.Methods:The clinical and imaging data of 150 patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) confirmed by histopathology were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgical resection from August 2011 to May 2017 in Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center and Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. One hundred and nine patients from Shanghai Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center were used as the training group, and 41 patients from Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine were used as the validation group. The features were extracted from dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) before treatment and were added with time domain features innovatively. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator cross validation and recursive feature elimination were applied to select features. Six different supervised machine learning algorithms (logistic regression, linear discriminant analysis, k-nearest neighbor, naive bayesian, decision tree, support vector machine) were used to predict the prognosis. ROC curve, accuracy and F1 measure were used to evaluate the performance of the six algorithms, and also verified by the validation group.Results:The support vector machine algorithm had the best predictive effect in the recurrence and metastasis model based on 15 features, with the highest area under curve (training group was 0.917, validation group was 0.859), and the highest accuracy rate (training group was 87.5%, validation group was 82.9%) and the highest F1 measure (training group was 0.800, validation group was 0.741). In addition, of the 15 imaging features, 12 were the time domain features and 3 were spatial features.Conclusion:With the help of the time domain features and machine learning algorithms, radiomics signatures based on preoperative DCE-MRI can help predict the distant prognosis for TNBC after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and provide support for clinical decision making and follow-up management.

Radiological features of non-small-cell lung cancer with brain metastases in a single center: an implication for the HA-WBRT approach / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective Whole brain radiotherapy ( WBRT) remains the primary treatment for patients with multiple brain metastases ( BM). Hippocampal avoidance WBRT ( HA-WBRT) offers the feasibility of less cognitive function impairment than conventional WBRT.WBRT yields better control rate of intracranial distant progression than stereotatic body radiotherapy (SBRT).This study aims to understand the distribution characteristics of BM within the cranial structures by analyzing imaging features and define the safe margin during HA-WBRT. Methods Clinical data of patients diagnosed with BM by enhanced MRI in Ruijin Hospital from July 2011 to July 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. The distance between the intracranial lesion closest to the hippocampus and the hippocampus was measured. Results A total of 146 patients (90 male and 56 female) with 630 BM lesions were reviewed. Sixty-four patients were diagnosed with non-small-cell lung cancer complicated with BM during the initial admission. In the other 82 patients, the average time from the initial diagnosis to the diagnosis of BM was (14.5±14. 3) months. In total,486 (77. 1％) BM lesions were situated beyond the tentorium. The average diameter of the largest intracranial lesion was (12.5± 10. 3) mm (95％CI:10. 8-14. 2). All 630 BM lesions were distributed as follows:138 (21. 9％) in the cerebellum, 182 ( 28. 9％) in the frontal lobe, 114 ( 18. 1％) in the temporal lobe, 78 (12. 4％) in the parietal lobe,87(12. 7％) in the occipital lobe,28(4. 4％) in the thalamus and 10(1. 6％) in the brainstem. The frequency of hippocampal involvement was 3. 4％(5 mm),4. 8％(10 mm) and 8. 2％(20 mm). The univariate and multivariate logistic analyses indicated that with the risk of hippocampal involvement in patients aged> 60 years was significantly increased (OR= 11. 576 P= 0. 042). Conclusions The probability of brain metastasis within 10 mm around the hippocampus is low. HA-WBRT can control the intracranial lesions and reduce cognitive impairment,which is a safe and feasible treatment method.

Preoperative diagnosis of pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging / 中华消化杂志

Objective To assess the value of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PNEN) and to analyze the factors influencing thepreoperative imaging diagnosis of PNEN.Methods From January 2016 to November 2016, patients with PNEN diagnosed by surgery and biopsy were collected. CT and MRI data of them were analyzed. The CT values or signal intensity of the lesions and the pancreatic parenchyma were measured and the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the lesion was calculated. Detecting sensitivity and diagnosis accuracy of CT and MRI were compared. Detecting sensitivity of different MRI sequences was also analyzed. Diagnosis accuracy of non-functional PNEN and functional PNEN was compared and analyzed. Lesion CNR was compared between arterial phase and portal venous phase of the contrast enhanced CT. The sensitivity, accuracy and constituent ratio were compared by nonparametric analysis. Independent sample t test and one-way analysis of variancewere performed for the quantitative parameters comparison. Results A total of 54 patients with 56 lesions of PNEN were included for two of whom had two lesions each. CT and MRI were both performed in 44 patients (46 lesions).Detecting sensitivity and diagnosis accuracy of CT were 97.8% (45/46) and87.0% (40/46), respectively. Detecting sensitivity of MRI were 97.8% (45/46) and89.1% (41/46), respectively. There was no significant difference in detecting sensitivity and diagnosis accuracy between CT and MRI (both P>0.05). The CNR of lesion in arterial phase was higher than that of portal venous phase(4.7±3.8 vs 3.4±2.5), and the difference was statistically significant (t=2.949, P<0.05). Detecting rates of T1 weighted imaging with fat suppression (T1WI-FS) image, T2 weighted imaging with fat suppression (T2WI-FS) image, diffusion weighted imagingand dynamic contrast enhanced T1WI-FS image were 90.0% (45/50), 88.0%(44/50), 86.0%(43/50), and 91.7% (44/48), respectively. There was no significant difference in detecting rate among these images sequences (Q=2.526, P=0.510). Tumor diameter in non-functional PNEN was significantly larger than that in functional PNEN ((2.9±1.6) cm vs (1.7±0.7) cm)(t=3.479,P<0.05). The overall diagnosis rate of non-functional PNEN with CT and MRI before operation was 70.8% (17/24), which was significantly lower than that of functional PNEN (100.0%, 31/31) (χ2=10.360，P=0.002).Conclusions CT and MRI are both sensitive in detectingPNEN, and they were two complementary modalities. CT image in arterial phase delineated the lesion better than that in portal venous phase. MRI images with different sequences can becomplementary and there is no significant difference in detecting sensitivity for PNEN among different sequences. CT and MRI play an equal rolein the diagnosis of PNEN before operation. Because of atypical CT and MRI findings, the diagnosis of non-functional PNEN is more difficult thanfunctional PNEN.

MRI in differential diagnosis of metastatic axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer / 中国介入影像与治疗学

Objective To explore the value of axillary MRI in differential diagnosis of metastatic axillary lymph nodes in patients with breast cancer.Methods Axillary MRI was performed in 44 breast cancer patients proved by pathology.Long axis,short axis,cortex thickness,ADC value,hilus,margin,perifocal fat gap,signal intensity on DWI,enhancement pattern and time-signal intensity curve were analyzed.The diagnostic ability of long axis,short axis,cortex thickness and ADC value were analyzed with ROC curves.Results Twenty-four patients (24/44,54.55 ％) were proved with metastases axillary lymph nodes,the other 20 patients (20/44,45.45％) were negative.Long axis,short axis,cortex thickness,ADC value,hilus absence,irregular margin,fuzzy perifocal fat gap,high signal intensity on DWI and heterogeneous enhancement showed statistically significant between patients with metastatic and without metastatic axillary lymph nodes (all P＜0.05).The area under ROC curve of long axis,short axis,cortex thickness and ADC value were 0.797,0.765,0.848,0.749 respectively.Conclusion MRI plays an important role in differential diagnosis of axillary lymph nodes me tastasis.The cortex thickness larger than 0.54 cm can help to predict metastatic axillary lymph nodes.

Differentiating Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma from Pancreatic Serous Cystadenoma, Mucinous Cystadenoma, and a Pseudocyst with Detailed Analysis of Cystic Features on CT Scans: a Preliminary Study

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether or not detailed cystic feature analysis on CT scans can assist in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) from serous cystadenoma (SCN), mucinous cystadenoma (MCN), and a pseudocyst. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study received Institutional Review Board approval and informed patient consent was waived. Electronic radiology and pathology databases were searched to identify patients with PDAC (n = 19), SCN (n = 26), MCN (n = 20) and a pseudocyst (n = 23) who underwent pancreatic CT imaging. The number, size, location, and contents of cysts, and the contour of the lesions were reviewed, in addition to the wall thickness, enhancement patterns, and other signs of pancreatic and peripancreatic involvement. Diagnosis was based on lesion resection (n = 82) or on a combination of cytological findings, biochemical markers, and tumor markers (n = 6). Fisher's exact test was used to analyze the results. RESULTS: A combination of the CT findings including irregular contour, multiple cysts, mural nodes, and localized thickening, had a relatively high sensitivity (74%) and specificity (75%) for differentiating PDAC from SCN, MCN, and pseudocysts (p < 0.05). Other CT findings such as location, greatest dimension, or the presence of calcification were not significantly different. CONCLUSION: The CT findings for PDAC are non-specific, but perhaps helpful for differentiation. PDAC should be included in the general differential diagnosis of pancreatic cystic neoplasms.

Comparison of diffusion tensor imaging and proton MR spectroscopy in the posterior cingulate of patients with Alzheimer disease / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To compare 1HMRS and DTI findings of Alzheimer disease (AD) patients and normal elderly controls. Methods Fifteen mild AD patients, 20 moderate to severe AD patients and 20 aging controlled normal subjects (CN) were recruited. MRS imaging and DTI were performed on a 1.5 T MRI scanner. A ROI was positioned in the posterior part of the cingulate. MRS data were processed and the metabolite ratios were estimated, including the ratios of NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr, mI/Cr. Comparing with the axial MRS location, we chose the same level to posit the ROIs on both sides of the posterior cingulated fibers on fractional anisotropy map (FA) and mean diffusivity map (MD). Mean spectroscopy data and DTI values for each groups were analysed with Mann-Whitney U non parametric test. Correlations between MRS and DTI values for AD groups were estimated using partial correlations test controlling for the age related bias. Results Compared to normal aging groups, mild AD group showed a significantly lower FA value in the left side of posterior cingulum bundle (0. 549±0. 056 vs 0. 517±0. 058,Z =2. 014,P <0. 05). Whereas, moderate to severe group versus mild AD group revealed significantly elevated MI) value and a decrease in FA value in the right side of posterior cingulate ( FA 0. 517 ± 0. 059 vs 0. 432 ± 0. 073, Z = 3. 216, P < 0. 01 ; MD (0.726±0.041) × 10-3 mm2/s vs (0.761±0.057) × 10-3 mm2/s,Z = 1.970,P <0.05) . Obvious increasing mI/Cr ratio was found in mild AD group ( 0. 61 ± 0. 07 vs 0. 68 ± 0. 12, Z = 2. 911, P < 0. 01 ). NAA/Cr ratio showed gradually decrease in AD groups. Partial correlations analysis revealed a positive correlation between ml/Cr ratio and left posterior cingulated FA value in mild AD group ( r = 0. 586, P < 0. 05) and negative correlation between NAA/Cr and MD value in the right side of posterior cingulated region ( r = - 0. 505, P < 0. 05 ). Conclusions These findings suggested that there were different regional and temporal pattern in different course of AD disease, resulting from axonal loss or gliosis. Combining MRS with DTI alternations could be a better potential indicator and could better explain the pathological changes in AD progression.

Assessment of liver fibrosis in different degree: preliminary study on multi-slice CT perfusion imaging / 中华消化杂志

Objective To evaluate the role of multi-slice CT (MSCT) perfusion in early diagnosis of liver fibrosis. Methods Thirty-three subjects underwent CT perfusion of the liver. Among whom, 11 subjects were volunteers without hepatic disease and the other 22 subjects were pathologically confirmed with liver fibrosis who were further divided into slight (n= 10) and severe (n=12)liver fibrosis according to the lshak system. Parameters of CT perfusion were measured and compared among three groups. Results The mean hepatic arterial fraction in controls, light and severe fibrosis tended to increase with the severity of liver fibrosis[(18. 49 ± 9. 69) %, (19. 92 ± 6.01) % and (21.31±7.47)% ,respectively], and the mean mean transit time tended to decrease with the severity of liver fibrosis [(13.80 ± 2. 60) s, (12.35 ± 1.31) s and (12.19 ± 3.33) s, there was no significant difference in all parameters between any two groups (P>0.05). Conclusions Quantitative measurement of hepatic blood supply can be obtained by CT perfusion. Some parameters will be helpful in staging fibrosis to a certain extent. But its clinical usefulness for the evaluation of the early diagnosis may not be affirmed yet.

Clinical study on volumetric variation of liver and spleen in liver fibrosis and cirrhosis / 中华消化杂志

Objective To assess the volumetric variation of liver and spleen in early diagnosis of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.Methods One hundred and thirty-seven subjects underwent dynamic enhanced examination of liver and spleen using multi-slice CT(MSCT).Forty potential living liver donors were served as controls.Sixty-three histologically proved fibrotic patients were divided into slight liver fibrosis(F≤2,n=44)and advanced liver fibrosis(F≥3,n=19)according to the Ishak system.Liver cirrhosis group consisted of 34 patients diagnosed clinically and radiologically.The measurement of total liver volume(TLV),right liver lobe volume(RV),left lateral liver segment volume(LLV),left medial liver segment volume(LMV),eaudate lobe volume(CV)and spleen volume(SV)were obtained bv MSCT.The ratios of segmental liver and SV to TLV were also calculated.Results The values of liver volumes(TLV,RV and LMV)reduced gradually among control(1470.38 cm3,933.34 cm3,216.20 cm3,respectively),slight liver fibrosis(1239.99 cm3,799.74 cm3,184.69 cm3,respectively),advanced liver fibrosis(1219.76 cm3,765.22 cm3,179.44 cm3,respectively)and cirrhosis(1078.21 cm3,543.73 cm3,163.12 cm3,respectively) groups.The volume of SV and the ratios of CV/TLV and SV/TLV increased gradually among control (256.29 cm3,3.09%,17.53%),slight liver fibrosis(284.41 cm3,3.20%,22.91%),advanced liver fibrosis(343.13 cm3,3.58%,28.80%)and cirrhosis(863.38 cm3,4.16%,82.91%)groups.There was significant difference among control,liver fibrosis and cirrhosis group in TLV,RV,LMV and SV/TLV(P＜0.05),but there was no significant difference in all parameters between the slight liver fibrosis group and the advanced liver fibrosis group(P＞0.05).There was significant correlation of TLV,LMV,SV,RV,CV/TLV,SV/TLV,RV/TLV and LLV/TLV with liver cirrhosis and its staging.Conclusion Variations in liver and spleen volume,the ratios of segmental liver and SV/TLV are correlated with the extent of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.which will be helpful in early detection of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.

The study of liver volume measurements by multi-slice spiral CT / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To compare the two liver volume measurements using multi-slice spiral CT (MSCT)for clinical reference.Methods Twenty-four patients with hepatic disease awaiting orthotopic liver transplantation underwent muhiphase MSCT of the upper abdomen.Liver volumes using two measurements(manual volume measurement and semi-automated volume measurement)before transplantation were compared with the actual liver volume(ALV)measured during transplantation by means of water displacement.Both measurements were timed.Correlation coefficient.one way ANOVA and Bland-Altman tests were used for statistical analysis.Results The mean liver volume estimated with the manual method and the semi-automated method were(1360±157)cm3 and(1345±152)cm3.respectively.The actual liver volume was(1307±153)cm3.There was no significant diffierence between the volumes measured using the three methods(F=0.032,P＞0.05).For all the patients,there Was significant correlation between liver volume measured by MSCT and the actual liver volume.There was a good correlation between the liver volume measured by manual method and the actual liver volume(r=0.976,P＜0.05),so did the correlation between the liver volume measured by semi-automated method and the actual liver volume (r=0.987,P＜0.05).And the semi-automated method took much shorter time[(9.2±1.8)min]compared with the manual method [(23.2±5.8)min ].Conclusion Semi-automated method provided acceptable measurements for liver volume.