Value of MRI biliary score and liver/muscle ratio in evaluating the pathological grade of liver fibrosis / 临床肝胆病杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the value of biliary score and hepatic signal intensity-to-muscle signal intensity ratio （HMR） obtained by multiphase contrast-enhanced MRI scan using Gd-EOB-DTPA in evaluating the pathological grade of liver fibrosis. MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed for the MRI and clinical data of 51 patients with chronic hepatitis B liver fibrosis in Wuming Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi Medical University from January 2020 to May 2023. The 51 patients with liver fibrosis were divided into low-grade group （S1-S2） and high-grade group （S3-S4）. GE Architact 3.0T MR scanner was used to perform MRI scans， including routine plain scan and contrast-enhanced scan at arterial phase， portal venous phase， delayed phase， hepatobiliary phase， and excretory phase， and biliary score and HMR were measured for the patients with different grades of liver fibrosis. The t-test was used for comparison of continuous data between groups， and the chi-square test or the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. The receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curve was plotted to evaluate the value of MRI indicators in determining the pathological grade of liver fibrosis. ResultsAmong the 51 patients with liver fibrosis， there were 30 patients in the low-grade group and 21 in the high-grade group. Compared with the high-grade group， the low-grade group had significantly higher biliary score （3.67±0.55 vs 2.57±0.75， t=6.05， P<0.001） and HMR at portal venous phase （2.38±0.76 vs 1.97±0.18， t=2.41， P=0.020）， delayed phase （2.48±0.70 vs 1.99±0.27， t=3.09， P=0.003）， and hepatobiliary phase （4.10±0.63 vs 3.16±0.47， t=5.81， P<0.001）. The above indicators had an area under the ROC curve （AUC） of 0.86， 0.79， 0.82， and 0.88， respectively， in distinguishing low- and high-grade liver fibrosis， with a positive rate of 70%， 63.3%， 83.3%， and 96.7%， respectively， and a negative rate of 90%， 95.2%， 74.1%， and 100%， respectively， in the diagnosis of high-grade liver fibrosis. Biliary score combined HMR had an AUC of 0.95， with a positive rate of 85.7% and a negative rate of 96.7%. ConclusionBiliary score and HMR at hepatobiliary phase obtained by multiphase contrast-enhanced MRI scan using Gd-EOB-DTPA has a relatively high diagnostic efficacy in distinguishing between low- and high-grade liver fibrosis and a certain guiding value for the diagnosis and treatment of liver fibrosis in clinical practice.

Comparing the predictive value of parameters extracted from circular ROIs with whole liver histogram on Gd-EOB-DTPA enhanced MRI for postoperative liver failure in focal liver lesions / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective:To compare the predictive value of parameters extracted from circular region-of-interest (ROI) with whole-liver histogram on gadoxetic acid disodium (Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced T 1 map for postoperative liver failure in patients with liver focal lesions. Methods:The data of patients who underwent Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI for focal liver lesions in Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University from March 2016 to March 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. Forty patients were enrolled, including 30 males and 10 females, aged (56.6±12.1) years. According to the occurrence of postoperative liver failure, forty patients were divided into liver failure group ( n=14) and control group ( n=26). The parameters extracted from circular ROIs and whole liver histogram on T 1 map before Gd-EOB-DTPA enhancement and in hepatobiliary phase (HBP) were compared between the two groups. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the value of these parameters in predicting postoperative liver failure. Results:The mean, standard deviation, median and 95% quantile of T 1 HBP in histogram parameters of liver failure group were significantly higher than those of control group (all P<0.05). The three parameters extracted from circular ROIs were not effective in predicting liver failure after hepatectomy (all P>0.05). Among all the liver histogram parameters, the area under the ROC curve of the 95% quantile before T 1 enhancement for predicting postoperative liver failure was 0.702 (95% CI: 0.523-0.881), the standard deviation of T 1 HBP was 0.739 (95% CI: 0.568-0.910), and the 95% quantile of T 1 HBP was 0.721 (95% CI: 0.540-0.903). The predictive efficacy were good (all P<0.05). Among them, the predictive performance of T 1 HBP standard deviation was the best, the area under the ROC curve was 0.739, the sensitivity was 85.7%, the specificity was 57.7%, and the best threshold was 54.8 ms. Conclusions:When Gd-EOB-DTPA enhanced T 1 mapping is used to predict postoperative liver failure in patients with focal liver lesions, the whole-liver histogram analysis is superior to the conventional circular ROI-based statistical method.

The predictive model of microvascular invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma established based on multimodality imaging / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective:To explore the risk factors of microvascular invasion (MVI) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and to predict MVI preoperatively, non-invasively and accurately.Methods:A total of 150 HCC patients (183 HCC lesions) were retrospectively collected in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi′an Jiaotong University from January 2016 to June 2022.The clinical data and hematological data, gray-scale ultrasonography (US), contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS), enhanced magnetic resonance imaging with gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (EOB-MRI) and pathological data of these patients were recorded. According to the pathological diagnosis of MVI, the lesions were divided into MVI (+ ) group and MVI (-) group. The indicators between the two groups were compared. All 183 lesions were put into the training set, and the prediction model with nomogram was constructed according to the risk factors of MVI selected by multivariate Logistic regression. The internal verification was carried out by ten-fold cross-validation method.Results:There were significant statistical differences in the following parameters between MVI (+ ) group ( n=109) and MVI (-) group ( n=74) (all P<0.05). These were cirrhosis, serological parameters (alpha-fetoprotein, albumin, total bilirubin), qualitative indexes of US (size, boundary, internal echo), qualitative indexes of CEUS (hyper/iso/hypovascularity of lesions in arterial phase, portal phase, and delayed phase compared with hepatic parenchyma), and quantitative indexes of EOB-MRI [post enhancement rate (post ratio) and gadolinium disodium rate (EOB ratio)] calculated mainly in terms of lesions and surrounding liver parenchyma in hepatobiliary phase and unenhanced T1 images). Finally, cirrhosis of patients, the size, boundary, internal echo of lesions in US; arterial phase (AP), portal phase (PP), post-vascular phase (PVP) features in CEUS; the EOB rate and post rate of EOB-MRI entered the prediction model of MVI. The training set exhibited good calibration and net gain rate. The areas under the ROC curve for the training set and the validation set were 0.981 and 0.961, respectively, while the diagnostic accuracy were 92.9% and 85.8%, respectively. Conclusions:The model constructed mainly by multimodality imaging methods can achieve favorable predictive performance for MVI, which provides valuable ideas for noninvasively predicting the incidence of MVI and optimizing the MVI-related treatment of MVI in HCC patients.

Value of Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI for prediction of the pathological grade and early recurrence rate of hepatocellular carcinoma / 中国基层医药

Objective:To investigate the value of gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced MRI in predicting the pathological grade and early recurrence rate of hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods:The imaging data, pathological data, and follow-up data of 90 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI examination and surgical treatment in People's Hospital of Baise from January 2016 to October 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The correlation between the signal intensity of contrast-enhanced MRI and postoperative pathological grade was analyzed. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed to investigate the effects of the signal characteristics of hepatobiliary lesions on the early recurrence rate of hepatocellular carcinoma.Results:A total of 59 (65.56%) patients showed low-intensity signals and 31 (34.44%) patients showed mixed-intensity signals. High-intensity signal was not found in any patients. The signal intensity of the hepatobiliary phase was significantly correlated with the pathological grade of the tumor ( χ2 = 2.26, P = 0.040) and tumor size ( t = 3.10, P = 0.033). The early recurrence rate of hepatocellular carcinoma was significantly higher in patients exhibiting mixed-intensity signals than that in patients exhibiting low-intensity signals ( χ2 = 2.25, P = 0.041). Conclusion:Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI in the hepatobiliary phase with different signal intensities has the potential to predict the pathological grade and early recurrence rate of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Risk factor analysis of hepatocellular carcinoma with vessels encapsulating tumor clusters and the application value of its risk scoring model / 中华消化外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the risk factor of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with vessels encapsulating tumor clusters (VETC) and the application value of its risk scoring model.Methods:The retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 149 patients with HCC who were admitted to two medical centers, including 97 cases in the Jiangnan University Medical Center and 52 cases in the Affiliated Xingtai People′s Hospital of Hebei Medical University, from January 2017 to April 2020 were collected. There were 116 males and 33 females, aged (58±12)years. There were 74 cases with VETC and 75 cases without VETC. Observation indica-tors: (1) clinical characteristics of patients with and without VETC; (2) imaging features of patients with and without VETC; (3) multivariable analysis of HCC patients with VETC; (4) construction of VETC related risk scoring model and its performance evaluation; (5) postoperative early tumor recurrence of patients with and without VETC who were confirmed by risk scoring model and histopathological examination. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was conducted using the t test. Count data were described as absolutes, and comparison between groups was conducted using the chi-square test and continuous correction chi-square test. Variables of clinical and imaging characteristics with statistically signifi-cant were included in the multivariate analysis. Multivariate analysis was conducted using the Logistic regression model of backward stepwise selection. VETC related risk scoring model was constructed based on the results of Logistic regression model. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn, and the area under curve (AUC), the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and their 95% confidence interval ( CI) were calculated. The maximizing Youden index was the optimal cutoff value for VETC prediction. The Hosmer Lemeshow goodness of fit test was used to assess the consistency between VETC risk scoring model predicted VTEC status and the true VETC status. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival rates and draw survival curves. The Log-rank test was used for survival analysis. Results:(1) Clinical characteristics of patients with and without VETC. Cases with postoperative albumin <36 g/L were 57 in patients with VETC, versus 68 in patients without VETC, respectively, showing a significant difference between them ( χ2=5.13, P<0.05). (2) Imaging features of patients with and without VETC. Cases with lesion imaging presence as nonperipheral washout, cases with lesion imaging presence as mosaic architecture, cases with lesion imaging presence as intratumoral hemorrhage, cases with lesion imaging presence as corona enhancement, cases with lesion imaging presence as non-smooth tumor margin, cases with lesion imaging presence as peritumoral enhancement in arterial phase, cases with lesion imaging presence as intratumoral arteries, cases with lesion imaging presence as peritumoral hypointensity in hepatobiliary phase, cases with lesion imaging enhancement type as uniform low enhancement, uniform high enhance-ment, heterogeneous enhancement with septations and heterogeneous enhancement with irregular ring-like structures, cases with intratumoral necrosis or ischemic, cases with tumor diameter >5 cm were 73, 35, 33, 15, 39, 28, 42, 27, 4, 5, 27, 38, 45, 46 in patients with VETC, versus 64, 16, 13, 3, 19, 15, 9, 13, 9, 35, 5, 26, 10, 10 in patients without VETC, respectively, showing significant differences in the above indicators between them ( χ2=8.92, 11.15, 12.97, 9.28, 11.74, 5.77, 33.14, 6.96, 41.79, 36.05, 37.86, P<0.05). (3) Multivariable analysis of patients with VETC. Results of multivariable analysis showed that lesion imaging enhancement as heterogeneous enhancement with septations, lesion imaging enhancement as heterogeneous enhancement with irregular ring-like structures, intratumoral necrosis or ischemia and tumor diameter >5 cm were independent risk factors influen-cing patients with VETC ( odds ratio=4.18, 7.62, 4.23, 4.08, 95% CI as 1.60?11.60, 2.00?31.70, 1.71?10.90, 1.60?10.80), P<0.05). (4) Construction of VETC related risk scoring model and its performance evaluation. The VETC related risk scoring model was constructed as (heterogeneous enhancement with septations, presence: 1.0, absence: 0)+(heterogeneous enhancement with irregular ring-like structures, presence: 1.5, absence: 0)+(intratumoral necrosis or ischemia, presence: 1.0, absence: 0)+(main tumor diameter >5 cm, presence: 1.0, absence: 0). The AUC, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of VETC related risk scoring model were 0.86 (95% CI as 0.80?0.92), 79.7% (95% CI as 69.2%?87.3%), 80.0% (95% CI as 69.6%?87.5%) and 79.9% (95% CI as 72.7%?85.5%), respectively. Results of Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit test showed a good consistency between VETC risk scoring model predicted VETC status and true VETC status ( P>0.05). (5) Postoperative early tumor recurrence of patients with and without VETC who were confirmed by risk scoring model and histopathological examination. All 149 patients were followed up for 29(range, 26?35)months. The time to tumor recurrence and 2-year cumulative tumor recurrence rate of 149 patients were 29(range, 24?33)months and 43.0%, respectively. The 2-year tumor cumulative recurrence rate of patients with and without VETC predicted by risk scoring model was 47.8% and 37.9%, respectively, showing a significant difference between ( χ2=3.90, P<0.05). The 2-year cumulative tumor recurrence rate of patients with and without VETC confirmed by postoperative histopathological examination was 47.4% and 38.1%, respectively, showing a significant difference between ( χ2=4.20, P<0.05). Conclusions:Lesion imaging enhancement as heterogeneous enhancement with septations or irregular ring-like structures, intratumoral necrosis or ischemia and tumor diameter >5 cm are independent risk factors influen-cing HCC patients with VETC. The proposed risk scoring model based on those three risk factors achieves an optimal preoperative diagnostic performance.

A case report of middle ear cholesteatoma complicated with labyrinthine fistulaand delayed endolymphatic hydrops / 临床耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Delayed endolymphatic hydrops （DEH） is a rare disease that causes vertigo and is often misdiagnosed as other vertigo diseases. This article reports on a patient with vertigo who was easily misdiagnosed. The patient was a middle ear cholesteatoma complicated by labyrinthine fistula （LF）; however, his vertigo was episodic vertigo, which could not be explained solely by LF causing labyrinthitis. The possibility of endolymphatic hydrops was suspected, which was confirmed by inner ear magnetic resonance gadolinium imaging. This is the first reported case of middle ear cholesteatoma complicated by LF and DEH. The patient underwent surgical resection of the cholesteatoma and three semicircular canal obstructions at the same time. During two years postoperative follow-up, the patient did not experience a recurrence of vertigo. When diagnosing vertigo diseases, a careful history of vertigo is of utmost importance.

Consensus on whole-process pharmaceutical care for gadolinium-based contrast agents / 中国药房

In order to promote the rational clinical use of gadolinium-based contrast agents （GBCA） and to provide a reference for physicians to prescribe such contrast agents and for pharmacists to review prescriptions， the consensus working group launched the preparation project of “Consensus on whole-process pharmaceutical care for GBCA” according to domestic and foreign guidelines and consensus. The Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University took the lead and cooperated with clinical experts and pharmaceutical experts from several domestic medical institutions to discuss and summarize the basic pharmacological effect of GBCA， types， pharmacokinetics， pharmacodynamics， indications， contraindications， precautions， usage and dosage， adverse drug reactions， and finally forms the consensus. The main contents of this consensus include an overview of various types of GBCA， rational clinical use of drugs， security management and whole-process pharmaceutical care process， etc.， for reference by physicians and pharmacists in medical institutions at all levels.

Radiación y medios de contraste en embarazo y lactancia: lo que el clínico necesita saber / Radiation and contrast media in pregnancy and lactation: what the clinician needs to know

Introducción: el uso de técnicas de imagenología es habitual e incluso indispensable en algunos procesos diagnósticos. Sin embargo, su indicación en mujeres embarazadas y en período de lactancia es controvertida. Objetivo: presentar una revisión narrativa sobre los riesgos asociados al uso de imágenes con radiación y medio de contraste en embarazo y periodo de lactancia, con énfasis en las recomendaciones y aplicaciones clínicas que el médico tratante debe tener presente al momento de su indicación. Métodos: se realizó una revisión bibliográfica de la literatura relevante sobre los riesgos y consideraciones especiales del uso de medios de contraste en el embarazo y lactancia. Resultados: los riesgos de la radiación ionizante sobre el feto varían de acuerdo al estadio del embarazo, por lo que la indicación del estudio debe ponderar los riesgos y beneficios. En las dosis clínicas en embarazo y lactancia, el uso de contraste yodado como basados en gadolinio no tienen efectos deletéreos en la salud de la madre ni la del feto. Sin embargo, las sociedades internacionales recomiendan limitar su uso. Conclusión: si bien la indicación de estudios de imagen que utilizan radiación ionizante en el embarazo y lactancia es seguro, el médico clínico debe conocer los posibles riesgos de la radiación ionizante en este grupo de pacientes. Respecto a los medios de contraste, el único efecto adverso reportado es la disfunción tiroidea transitoria en hijos de madres que recibieron medios de contraste yodado.

Introduction: the use of imaging techniques is essential in some diagnostic processes. However, its indication in pregnant and lac-tating women is controversial. Objective: To present a narrative review of the risks associated with using images with radiation and contrast media in pregnancy and lactation. Emphasis will be put on the recommendations and clinical applications that the physician must consider before its indication. Methods: a bibliographic review of the relevant literature on the risks and special considerations of contrast media in pregnancy and lactation was performed. Results: the risks of ionising radiation on the fetus vary according to the stage of pregnancy, so the indication of the study must balance the risks and benefits. The use of iodinated and gadolinium-based con-trast agents in clinical doses in pregnancy and lactation has no effects on the health of the mother or the fetus. However, international societies recommend limiting its use. Conclusion: Although the indication for imaging studies using ionising radiation in pregnancy and lactation is safe, the clinician must be aware of the possible risks of ionising radiation in this group of patients. The only adverse effect reported is transient thyroid dysfunction in children of mothers who received iodinated contrast media.

Audio-vestibular and radiological analysis in Meniere's disease

Abstract Objective: Intravenous gadolinium-enhanced inner ear magnetic resonance imaging (IV Gd-enhanced inner ear MRI) is a new technique for diagnosing Meniere's disease (MD). Vestibular tests have also long been used forMD, but which tests should be included in the oto-neurological test battery remains controversial. The evaluation method to be used to confirm the clinical diagnosis in MD is not clear. This study aimed to examine the results of vestibular tests and IV Gd-enhanced inner ear MRI in individuals diagnosed with unilateral definite Meniere's disease. Methods: IV Gd-enhanced inner ear MRI (Endolymphatic Hydrops [EH] and Perilymphatic Enhancement [PE]), conventional audiometry (0.25-8kHz), video Head Impulse Test (vHIT), cervical Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potential (cVEMP), air caloric test, and dizziness handicap inventory were applied to 16 adult patients diagnosed with unilateral definite MD. Results: Among the patients with definite MD, EH (cochlear and/or vestibular) was identified in 93.7% and 68.7% of the symptomatic and the asymptomatic ears, respectively. There was a positive correlation between the hearing thresholds at 2, 4, 6 and 8 kHz and the degree of cochlear EH (p < 0.05). PE (cochlear and/or vestibular) was observed in 37.5% of the asymptomatic and symptomatic ears. The sensitivity of the vestibular test battery (vHIT, cVEMP, and caloric test) was 100% and its specificity was 50%, while the sensitivity of the IV Gd-enhanced inner ear MRI (EH and PE together) was 93.8% and the specificity was 81.3%. Conclusion: MRI had higher sensitivity and specificity than the vestibular test battery. PE or vHIT alone was not considered to be reliable in the diagnosis of MD. In suspected MD, the clinical history, hearing tests, and IV Gd-enhanced inner ear MRI are sufficient for diagnosis. If MRI technique is not possible, vestibular tests (caloric test and cVEMP, not vHIT) can provide reliable results when evaluated together.

Correlation of serum ST2 levels with severity of diastolic dysfunction on echocardiography and findings on cardiac MRI in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Objective: The aim of the present study was to find a correlation of serum Suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (ST2) levels with severity of diastolic dysfunction on echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) patients. Methods: Fifty patients aged _x0001_18 years fulfilling diagnostic criteria for HFpEF were included. ST2 levels, 2D echocardiography and CMRI were performed. Left ventricular ejection fraction, E/A, Septal E/E’, left atrial volume index (LAVI), tricuspid regurgitation (TR), assessment of diastolic dysfunction, T1 mapping in milliseconds and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) in percentage were noted. The primary outcome measure was to study correlation of ST2 levels with severity of diastolic dysfunction, whereas the secondary outcome measures were to study correlation of ST2 levels with native T1 mapping and LGE on CMRI. Results: ST2 levels showed statistically significant and positive correlation with E/E’ (r ¼ 0.837), peak TR velocity (r ¼ 0.373), LAVI (r ¼ 0.74), E/A (r ¼ 0.420), and T1 values in milliseconds (r ¼ 0.619). There was no statistically significant correlation between ST2 level and LGE in % (r ¼ 0.145). The median ST2 levels in patients with E/E’ > 14 and E/E’ 14 were 110.8 and 36.1 respectively (p-value < 0.05). The mean ST2 levels were significantly higher in patients who had diastolic dysfunction grade III (126.4) and New York Heart Association class IV (133.3). Conclusions: Evaluation of ST2 adds important information to support the diagnosis of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in patients with HFpEF

Ultrasmall nanoprobe in MR/CT bimodal imaging for tumor angiogenesis / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective:To fabricate tAu@glutathione(GSH)@Gd nanoprobe for tumor angiogenesis bimodal (MR/CT) imaging, and evaluate its characteristics and potential for MR/CT imaging in vivo. Methods:The tAu@GSH@Gd nanoprobes were constructed by encapsulating Au and Gd atoms into the GSH shell with cyclic asparagine-glycine-arginine (cNGR) peptide conjugation. EMT-6 BALB/c mice subcutaneous transplantation tumor models were established ( n=30) and divided into blank control group (saline), control group (Au@GSH@Gd nanoparticles) and experimental group (tAu@GSH@Gd nanoprobes) ( n=10 in each group). In vivo MR/CT imaging and distribution study were performed at different time points after tail intravenously injection. Relative MR signal value and relative CT value of tumor site and main organs in mice were used to evaluate MR/CT imaging property and biological distribution. After that, tumor tissues were collected for silver staining to study the accumulation of Au@GSH@Gd nanoparticles and tAu@GSH@Gd nanoprobes. Independent-sample t test was used for data analysis. Results:The tAu@GSH@Gd nanoprobes were (6.40±0.22) nm with high T 1 relaxation efficiency ((36.91±0.07) mmol·L -1·s -1). MR/CT imaging of tAu@GSH@Gd nanoprobes showed good performance in vitro. In vivo MR/CT imaging demonstrated MR/CT imaging of tumor was significantly enhanced by tAu@GSH@Gd nanoprobes after 2 h post injection. The strongest enhancement was observed at 24 h, with an increased relative MR signal value from 1.04±0.12 (before injection) to 1.84±0.26 ( t=12.61, P=0.006), and increased relative CT value from 1.01±0.04 (before injection) to 1.95±0.05 ( t=15.34, P=0.004). The highest MR/CT effect in control group appeared at 16 h, with the relative MR signal value of 1.50±0.06 and the relative CT value of 1.53±0.10, which were significantly lower than those in experimental group (1.84±0.26 and 1.95±0.05; t values: 5.35 and 16.46, both P<0.05). Distribution in normal tissues showed that most of tAu@GSH@Gd nanoprobes were metabolized through the kidneys. Tissue silver staining experiment verified the tumor angiogenesis targeting effect. Conclusion:The tAu@GSH@Gd nanoprobes exhibit favorable tumor angiogenesis target MR/CT imaging ability, providing a new design concept and basis for assessing tumor angiogenesis.

Comparison of the detection rates of colorectal cancer liver metastasis using different MRI sequences and enhanced CT / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective:To study the detection rates of using different MRI sequences and enhanced CT in colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRLM).Methods:The imaging data of CRLM patients who were treated at Peking University Third Hospital from March 2018 to September 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Sixty-six CRLM lesions with a maximum diameter ≤10 mm were selected. Different MRI sequences such as T 1 weighted imaging (T 1WI), T 2 weighted imaging (T 2WI), diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), dynamic enhanced phase of MRI (MR-Dyn), gadolinium-etoxybenzyl-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA), enhanced hepatobiliary phase of MRI (HBP) and CT enhancement phase (CT-Dyn) were reviewed independently to determine whether the target lesions were detected. The pathological results were used as the gold standard. Paired chi-square test was used to compare the detection rate of CRLM in each group. Results:Among the 66 liver metastases, 15, 31, 55, 21, 56 and 20 were detected by T 1WI, T 2WI, DWI, MR-Dyn, HBP and CT-Dyn, respectively. Their detection rates were 22.7%, 47.0%, 83.3%, 31.8%, 84.8% and 30.3%, respectively. The detection rates of HBP and DWI were higher than those of T 2WI, MR-Dyn, CT-Dyn and T 1WI, respectively (all P<0.05). The detection rate of T 2WI was higher than that of MR-Dyn, CT-Dyn and T 1WI (all P<0.05). The detection efficiencies of non-contrast MRI and Gd-EOB-DTPA enhanced MRI for CRLM were highly consistent ( Kappa=0.745). Conclusions:The detection rates of HBP, DWI and T 2WI for CRLM were high. Non-contrast MRI could replace Gd-EOB-DTPA enhanced MRI for detection of large CRLM.

Preparation of no-carrier-added 161Tb by lanthanide resin / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective:To produce 161Tb from enriched 160Gd 2O 3 isotope-enriched target material and realize domestic production of the novel medical isotope 161Tb. Methods:The 160Gd 2O 3 isotope-enriched target material was irradiated with neutrons by the China Mianyang Research Reactor (CMRR). The no-carrier-added 161Tb product was obtained after the processes of target broken, sample dissolution, separation and purification with lanthanide (LN) resin and solution replacement with diglycolamide (DGA) column. Various key indicators such as γ spectral purity, metal impurity content, specific activity, radiochemical purity, and radioactive concentration were used to conduct the quality inspection and the control of 161Tb products. Results:161TbCl 3 of 33.4 GBq was obtained in a single time with the radioactive concentration of 16.8 GBq/ml, nuclear purity more than 99.9%, and radiochemical purity of 99.2%. Metal impurity content was met the established standards, with the specific activity of 6.02×10 17 Bq/mol. The radiochemical purities of 161Tb labeling with 1, 4, 7, 10-tetraazacyclododecane-1, 4, 7, 10-tetraacetic acid- D-Phe1-Tyr3-Thr8-octreotide (DOTATATE) after 0 and 72 h were 100% and 95.8% respectively. Conclusion:The preparation of no-carrier-added 161Tb by using LN resin has the advantages of high separation performance and high sample loading, which has great significance in the field of medical isotope preparation and lays a good nuclide guarantee for the research and development of domestic 161Tb-labeled drugs.

Relação entre o Realce Tardio pelo Gadolínio e os Parâmetros de Repolarização Ventricular em Pacientes com Insuficiência Cardíaca com Fração de Ejeção Reduzida / Relationship between Late Gadolinium Enhancement and Ventricular Repolarization Parameters in Heart Failure Patients with Reduced Ejection Fraction

Resumo Fundamento A insuficiência cardíaca com fração de ejeção reduzida (ICFEr) é uma doença de alta prevalência que requer hospitalizações repetidas e causa morbimortalidade significativa. Portanto, o reconhecimento precoce de preditores de resultados desfavoráveis é essencial para o manejo do paciente. Objetivo O objetivo do presente estudo é investigar a relação entre realce tardio pelo gadolínio (RTG) detectado por ressonância magnética cardíaca (RMC) e os parâmetros de repolarização, como o intervalo QT corrigido (QTc), intervalo Tp-e, ângulo QRS-T frontal detectado pelo eletrocardiograma (ECG) de 12 derivações na ICFEr. Método Neste estudo observacional, retrospectivo, de centro único, foram incluídos 97 pacientes consecutivos com ICFEr submetidos à RMC. A população do estudo foi dividida em dois grupos, de acordo com a presença de RTG. Foram registradas medidas ecocardiográficas e de RMC e características demográficas. Os intervalos QTc, intervalos Tp-e, e ângulos QRS-T frontais foram calculados a partir do ECG. Um valor de p <0,05 foi considerado estatisticamente significativo. Resultados O RTG foi detectado em 52 (53,6%) de 97 pacientes com ICFEr. Os intervalos QTc (p=0,001), intervalos Tp-e (p<0,001), e os ângulos QRS-T frontais (p<0,001) foram significativamente maiores no grupo RTG quando comparados ao grupo não-RTG. Na análise de regressão univariada realizada para investigar os preditores de RTG na ICFEr, todos os três parâmetros de repolarização alcançaram valores significativos, mas na análise multivariada o único parâmetro de repolarização que permaneceu significativo foi o intervalo Tp-e (OR = 1,085 IC 95% 1,032-1,140, p=0,001). Conclusão Com o prolongamento do intervalo Tp-e, pode-se prever a presença de fibrose miocárdica, a qual é um substrato arritmogênico, em pacientes com ICFEr.

Abstract Background Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is a highly prevalent disease that requires repeating hospitalizations, causes significant morbidity and mortality. Therefore, early recognition of poor outcome predictors is essential for patient management. Objective The aim of the present study is to investigate the relationship between late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) detected by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and repolarization parameters such as corrected QT (QTc) interval, Tp-e interval, frontal QRS-T angle detected by 12 lead electrocardiograph (ECG) in HFrEF. Method In this single-center, retrospective observational study included 97 consecutive HFrEF patients who had CMR scan. Study population was divided into two groups according to the presence of LGE. Echocardiographic and CMR measurements and demographic features were recorded. QTc intervals, Tp-e intervals, frontal QRS-T angles were calculated from the ECG. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results LGE was detected in 52 (53.6%) out of 97 HFrEF patients. QTc intervals (p=0.001), Tp-e intervals (p<0.001), frontal QRS-T angles (p<0.001) were found to be significantly higher in LGE group when compared to non-LGE group. In univariate regression analysis which was performed to investigate the predictors of LGE in HFrEF, all three repolarization parameters were reached significant values but in multivariate analysis the only repolarization parameter remained significant was Tp-e interval (OR=1.085 95% CI 1.032-1.140, p=0.001). Conclusion With the prolongation of the Tp-e interval, the presence of myocardial fibrosis which is an arrhythmogenic substrate, can be predicted in patients with HFrEF.

Physicians with self-diagnosed gadolinium deposition disease: a case series / Médicos com doença de deposição de gadolínio autodiagnosticada: relato de série

Abstract Objective: The objective of this study was to allow physicians with self-diagnosed gadolinium deposition disease symptoms to report their own experience. Materials and Methods: Nine physicians (seven females), with a mean age of 50.5 ± 8.3 years, participated in this case series. Nationalities were American (n = 6), British, Portuguese, and Romanian. Medical practices included internal medicine (n = 2), trauma surgery, ophthalmology, gastroenterology, psychiatry, family medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, and general practice. Results: Genetically, eight of the physicians were of central European origin. Underlying autoimmune conditions were present in four. Symptoms developed after a single injection in one physician and after multiple injections in eight. The precipitating agent was gadobenate dimeglumine in four physicians, gadobutrol in three, gadoterate meglumine in one, and gadopentetate dimeglumine in one. The most consistent symptoms were a burning sensation, brain fog, fatigue, distal paresthesia, fasciculations, headache, and insomnia. Eight of the physicians were compelled to change their practice of medicine. Conclusion: In the various physicians, gadolinium deposition disease showed common features and had a substantial impact on daily activity. Physicians are educated reporters on disease, so their personal descriptions should spark interest in further research.

Resumo Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi possibilitar que médicos com sintomas de doença de deposição de gadolínio autodiagnosticada relatassem sua própria experiência. Materiais e Métodos: Nove médicos (sete mulheres), com média de idade de 50,5 ± 8,3 anos, participaram desta série de casos. As nacionalidades foram americana (n = 6), britânica, portuguesa e romena. As práticas médicas incluíram medicina interna (n = 2), traumatologia, oftalmologia, gastroenterologia, psiquiatria, medicina de família, ginecologia/obstetrícia e clínica geral. Resultados: Geneticamente, oito dos médicos tinham origem europeia central. Condições autoimunes subjacentes estavam presentes em quatro médicos. Os sintomas se desenvolveram após uma única injeção em um médico e após várias injeções em oito. O agente precipitante foi gadobenato dimeglumina em quatro médicos, gadobutrol em três, gadoterato meglumina em um e gadopentetato dimeglumina em um. Os sintomas mais consistentes foram sensação de queimação, confusão mental, fadiga, parestesia distal, fasciculações, cefaleia e insônia. Oito dos médicos foram forçados a alterar a sua prática médica. Conclusão: Em vários médicos, a doença de deposição de gadolínio mostrou características comuns e teve um impacto substancial na atividade diária. Os médicos são repórteres treinados sobre doenças, assim, suas descrições pessoais devem despertar interesse em pesquisas futuras.

Clinical value of gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylanetriaminepentaacetic acid enhanced MRI in the preoperative diagnosis of macrotrabecular-massive hepatocellular carcinoma / 中华消化外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinical value of gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethy-lanetriaminepentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the preoperative diagnosis of macrotrabecular-massive hepatocellular carcinoma (MTM-HCC).Methods:The diagnostic test was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 150 HCC patients who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University from January 2019 to December 2020 were collected. There were 116 males and 34 females, aged (53±10)years. There were 38 MTM-HCC patients and 112 non-macrotrabecular-massive hepatocellular carcinoma (nMTM-HCC) patients. All patients received Gd-EOB-DTPA enhanced MRI examination. Observation indicators: (1) clinicopathological features of MTM-HCC and nMTM-HCC; (2) imaging features of MTM-HCC and nMTM-HCC; (3) imaging features for diagnosis of MTM-HCC. The normality test of continuous data was analyzed by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Measurement data with normal distribution and homoscedasticity were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was analyzed using the independent sample t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M( P25, P75), and comparison between groups was analyzed using Mann-Whitney U test. Count data were described as absolute numbers, and comparison between groups was analyzed using the chi-square test. Multivariate analysis was conducted using the Logistic regression model. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate diagnostic value of indicators, and Delong test was used for comparison. Results:(1) Clinicopathological features of MTM-HCC and nMTM-HCC: the alpha-fetoprotein and cases with microvascular invasion were 329 μg/L(20 μg/L,1 034 μg/L) and 24 for MTM-HCC patients, versus 25 μg/L(8 μg/L,200 μg/L) and 31 for nMTM-HCC patients, showing significant differences between the two groups ( Z=-3.306, χ2=15.380, P<0.05). (2) Imaging features of MTM-HCC and nMTM-HCC: cases with regular morphology of tumor, intra-tumoral fat, arterial phase peritumoral enhancement, complete capsule, intratumoral necrosis or ischemia, peritumoral hypointense at hepatobiliary phase (HBP) were 6, 4, 20, 5, 28, 17 for MTM-HCC patients, versus 44, 40, 21, 43, 26, 11 for nMTM-HCC patients, showing significant differences between the two groups ( χ2=7.049, 8.684, 16.399, 8.303, 31.368, 22.783, P<0.05). (3) Imaging features for diagnosis of MTM-HCC. ① Results of multivariate analysis showed that intratumoral fat, intratumoral necrosis or ischemia were independent predictors for MTM-HCC ( hazard ratio=4.033,0.215, 95% confidence interval as 1.196-13.603, 0.079-0.588, P<0.05). ② Diagnostic efficacy: the arear under ROC curve, sensitivity and specificity of intratumoral fat combined with intratumoral necrosis or ischemia for diagnosis of MTM-HCC were 0.799(95% confidence interval as 0.718-0.880, P<0.05), 73.7%, 76.8%. The above indicators of intratumoral fat for diagnosis of MTM-HCC were 0.626(95% confidence interval as 0.530-0.721, P<0.05), 89.5%, 35.7%. The above indicators of intratumoral necrosis or ischemia for diagnosis of MTM-HCC were 0.752(95% confidence interval as 0.659-0.845, P<0.05), 73.7%, 76.8%. There were significant differences in the diagnostic efficacy between the intratumoral fat combined with intratumoral necrosis or ischemia and single intratumoral fat, between the intratumoral fat combined with intratumoral necrosis or ischemia and single intratumoral necrosis or ischemia, respectively ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Intratumoral fat, intratumoral necrosis or ischemia on Gd-EOB-DTPA MRI are independent predictors for MTM-HCC. The two combined features has higher diagnostic efficacy. Gd-EOB-DTPA MRI can be used for pre-operative diagnosis of MTM-HCC.

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance in the Assessment of Chagas Disease and its Complications

Abstract The well-known occurrence of Chagas disease in endemic areas has become a worldwide problem, and cardiac magnetic resonance allows the early detection of cardiac involvement and complications of this disease. Cardiac magnetic resonance is a useful tool in all phases of Chagas disease, and new promising techniques using T1 mapping and extracellular volume measurements are able to detect cardiac involvement even earlier than conventional techniques.

An initial investigation of serum cytokine levels in patients with gadolinium retention / Uma investigação inicial dos níveis séricos de citocinas em pacientes com retenção de gadolínio

Abstract Objective: To determine whether individuals with proposed gadolinium deposition disease (GDD) have elevated serum levels of pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic cytokines, and whether specific cytokines are correlated with certain symptoms. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four participants recruited between May 2016 and June 2017 met GDD diagnostic criteria. The 64 control subjects provided serum samples before prophylactic flu vaccination. Serum cytokine levels were obtained with Luminex serum cytokine assay using eBiosciences/Affymetrix human 62-plex kits. Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were performed to assess the difference between the median fluorescence intensity values for the participants and the control group. Generalized linear models were built to evaluate the association between each cytokine of interest and selected participant symptoms. Results: Serum levels of 14 cytokines, including nine pro-inflammatory cytokines, were statistically significantly elevated compared to controls (p ≤ 0.05). Hypotheses regarding pro-fibrotic cytokines and cytokine links to specific symptoms' intensity were not confirmed. Conclusion: The statistically significantly elevated cytokines may be markers of susceptibility to GDD or agents of symptom induction. These findings suggest that individuals developing symptoms characteristic of GDD after a contrast-assisted magnetic resonance imaging should be studied to investigate whether gadolinium retention and elevated cytokines may be related to their symptoms.

Resumo Objetivo: Determinar se indivíduos com doença de deposição de gadolínio (DDG) apresentam níveis séricos elevados de citocinas pró-inflamatórias e pró-fibróticas e se citocinas específicas estão correlacionadas com determinados sintomas. Materiais e Métodos: Vinte e quatro participantes recrutados entre maio/2016 e junho/2017 cumpriram os critérios de diagnóstico de DDG. Amostras de soro de 64 indivíduos controles foram obtidas antes de vacinação profilática contra a gripe. Os níveis de citocinas séricas foram mensurados com o ensaio Luminex usando kits 62-plex humanos. Foram realizados testes de Wilcoxon para avaliar a diferença dos valores médios de intensidade de fluorescência entre os participantes e o grupo controle. Foram construídos modelos lineares generalizados para avaliar a associação entre cada citocina de interesse e os sintomas dos participantes selecionados. Resultados: Níveis séricos de 14 citocinas, incluindo 9 citocinas pró-inflamatórias, foram estatisticamente significantes em comparação aos controles (p ≤ 0,05). Hipóteses sobre as citocinas pró-fibróticas e associação das citocinas com a intensidade de sintomas específicos não foram confirmadas. Conclusão: Citocinas estatisticamente elevadas podem ser marcadores de suscetibilidade para DDG ou agentes de indução de sintomas. Esses achados sugerem que indivíduos que desenvolvem sintomas da DDG após ressonância magnética com contraste devem ser estudados para investigar se a retenção de gadolínio e citocinas elevadas podem estar relacionadas aos seus sintomas.

Practical recommendations for the safe use of gadolinium in magnetic resonance imaging: a Delphi expert panel study / Recomendações práticas na segurança do uso de gadolínio na ressonância magnética: resultados de um painel Delphi com especialistas

Abstract Objective: To assess the practical aspects of the use of various gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) by radiologists. Materials and Methods: Ten experienced radiologists from different regions of Brazil participated in a Delphi panel querying their use of various GBCAs, including linear and macrocyclic classes (1.0 and 0.5 M), in terms of the choice of agent, volume and dosage of the agents, and associated safety concerns. Results: The response rate was 100% for all questions. GBCAs are safe in terms of acute adverse reactions, and nephrogenic systemic fibrosis is rare. The deposition of gadolinium in the brain and other tissues is a concern among the experts. Macrocyclic agents are preferable to linear agents; an injection volume below 0.1 mL/kg of a 1.0 M agent could result in good-quality images with additional long-term safety, but there is no published evidence to support this recommendation. The majority of experts preferred not to administer GBCAs to pregnant patients. Conclusion: When choosing a GBCA, it is important to consider the characteristics of the gadolinium deposition in patient tissues and minimize potential risks. Furthermore, medical education programs are needed to increase the awareness of the potential risks of gadolinium deposition and thus avoid instances of overexposure to the contrast agent.

Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar aspectos práticos do uso de agentes de contraste à base de gadolínio (gadolinium-based contrast agents - GBCAs) por médicos especialistas em radiologia. Materiais e Métodos: Dez radiologistas de diferentes regiões do Brasil foram convidados a participar de um painel Delphi com perguntas sobre o uso de GBCAs lineares e macrocíclicos (1,0 e 0,5 M), em termos de dosagem, volume injetado e preocupações relacionadas à segurança. Resultados: A taxa de resposta foi de 100% para todas as perguntas. GBCAs são seguros em relação a reações adversas agudas, e os casos de fibrose nefrogênica sistêmica são raros. O depósito de gadolínio no cérebro e em outros tecidos é uma preocupação de todo o painel. Agentes macrocíclicos são preferíveis aos lineares. Um volume menor que 0,1 mL/kg injetado de contraste macrocíclico 1,0 M poderia oferecer imagem com boa qualidade e benefício adicional em longo prazo, entretanto, não há evidências publicadas que apóiem tal recomendação. A maioria prefere não administrar GBCA em gestantes. Conclusão: É importante considerar as características de deposição e minimizar potenciais riscos ao se escolher um GBCA. Ações de educação médica são necessárias para a conscientização dos potenciais riscos da presença de gadolínio em longo prazo e evitar a sobre-exposição ao agente de contraste.

Gadolinium-enhanced MRI reveals dynamic development of endolymphatic hydrops in Ménières disease / Ressonância magnética com gadolínio revela o desenvolvimento dinâmico da hidropsia endolinfática na doença de Ménière

Abstract Introduction: Meniere's disease is associated with impaired hearing, tinnitus, vertigo, and aural fullness. Many anatomical studies have suggested idiopathic endolymphatic hydrops as the pathological basis of Meniere's disease, which now can be visualized by using gadolinium -enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of the inner ear. Objective: To investigate the development of endolymphatic hydrops in Meniere's disease by monitoring the vestibules and cochleae of affected patients. Methods: Inner ears of 178 patients with definite unilateral Meniere's disease diagnosis were visualized by 3-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery and three-dimensional real inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging following bilateral gadolinium intratympanic injection. The scans were used to evaluate the presence and degree of endolymphatic hydrops in the vestibules and cochlear structures, including the cochlear apical turn, the cochlear middle turn, and the cochlear basal turn. The correlation of endolymphatic hydrops occurrence between the various parts of the inner ear was determined. Results: Symptomatic endolymphatic hydrops was detected on the affected side in all patients, whereas asymptomatic endolymphatic hydrops was detected on the unaffected contra-lateral side in 32 patients (18.0%). On the affected side, the cochlear apical turn and the cochlear middle turn demonstrated significantly higher rates of endolymphatic hydrops than the cochlear basal turn and the vestibule. The severity of endolymphatic hydrops gradually decreased from the cochlear apical turn to the cochlear basal turn. On the contra lateral side, the incidence and degree of the detected asymptomatic endolymphatic hydrops were significantly greater in the cochleae than in the vestibules (p < 0.05), with no significant difference detected between the cochlear turns. Conclusion: Progression of endolymphatic hydrops appears to be directional, initiated in the cochlea. The order of endolymphatic hydrops severity gradually decreases from the cochlear apical turn to the cochlear basal turn and then to the vestibule. Endolymphatic hydrops in the vestibule is associated with symptomatic Meniere's disease.

Resumo Introdução: A doença de Ménière está associada a deficiência auditiva, zumbido, vertigem e plenitude auricular. Muitos estudos anatômicos sugerem hidropsia endolinfática idiopática como a base patológica da doença, que agora pode ser visualizada através de estudo por imagem da orelha interna por ressonância magnética com gadolínio. Objetivo: Investigar o desenvolvimento da hidropsia endolinfática na doença de Ménière com monitoramento dos vestíbulos e das cócleas dos pacientes afetados. Métodos: Orelhas internas de 178 pacientes com diagnóstico definitivo de doença de Ménière unilateral foram visualizados através de imagem de recuperação de inversão atenuada por fluidos em ressonância magnética tridimensional, 3-D FLAIR, e por inversão real após injeção intratimpânica bilateral de gadolínio. Os exames foram usados para avaliar a presença e o grau de hidropsia endolinfática nos vestíbulos e nas estruturas cocleares, inclusive o giro coclear apical, o giro coclear médio e o giro coclear basal. A correlação da ocorrência de hidropsia endolinfática entre as várias partes da orelha interna foi determinada. Resultados: Hidropsia endolinfática sintomática foi detectada no lado afetado em todos os pacientes, enquanto hidropsia endolinfática assintomática foi detectada no lado contralateral não afetado em 32 pacientes (18,0%). No lado afetado, o giro apical da cóclea e o giro coclear médio demonstraram taxas significativamente mais altas de hidropsia endolinfática do que o giro basal e o vestíbulo. A gravidade da hidropsia endolinfática diminuiu gradualmente do giro apical da cóclea para o giro basal. No lado contralateral, a incidência e o grau da hidropsia endolinfática assintomática detectada foram significantemente maiores nas cócleas do que nos vestíbulos (p < 0,05), sem diferença significante entre os giros cocleares. Conclusões: A progressão da hidropsia endolinfática parece ser direcional, iniciando-se na cóclea. A sua ordem da gravidade diminui gradualmente do giro apical da cóclea para o giro basal e, em seguida, para o vestíbulo. A hidropsia endolinfática no vestíbulo está associada à doença de Ménière sintomática.