Diagnostic Accuracy of Integrating Ultrasound and Shear Wave Elastography in Assessing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Severity: a Prospective Observational Study.

Purpose: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common condition characterized by compression of the median nerve (MN) within the carpal tunnel. Accurate diagnosis and assessment of CTS severity are crucial for appropriate management decisions. This study aimed to investigate the combined diagnostic utility of B-mode ultrasound (US) and shear wave elastography (SWE) for assessing the severity of CTS in comparison to electrodiagnostic tests (EDT). Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted over 9-month periods at a tertiary care hospital. A total of 48 patients (36 females, 12 males; mean age 44 ± 10.9 years; age range 28-57 years) with clinically suspected CTS were enrolled. All patients underwent EDT, US, and SWE. Based on the EDT results, CTS cases were categorized into four groups: mild, moderate, severe, and negative. The cross-sectional area (CSA) and elasticity (E) of the MN were measured at the tunnel inlet (CSAu and Eu) and pronator quadratus region (CSAo and Eo). The differences (CSAu-CSAo and Eu-Eo) were calculated. The primary outcomes were the diagnostic performance of CSAu, CSAu-CSAo, Eu, and Eu-Eo in differentiating moderate/severe from mild/negative CTS compared to EDT findings. Secondary outcomes included a correlation of US/SWE parameters with EDT grades and between each other. ANOVA, correlation, regression, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed. Results: CSAu and CSAu-CSAo increased progressively with worsening CTS severity. E measurements were significantly higher in moderate-to-severe CTS compared to mild or negative cases. The combined metric of CSAu-CSAo at a 5 mm threshold exhibited enhanced performance, with a higher sensitivity (83.3%), specificity (100%), and area under the curve (AUC) (0.98), surpassing the results of CSAu when used independently. Similarly, the SWE measurements indicated that Eu-Eo at a 56.1kPa cutoff achieved an AUC of 0.95, with a sensitivity of 93.3% and specificity of 94.4%, outperforming the metrics for Eu when used alone, which had an AUC of 0.93, with identical sensitivity and specificity values (93.3% and 94.4%, respectively). Conclusion: The integration of ultrasound, shear wave elastography, and electrodiagnostic tests provides a comprehensive approach to evaluate anatomical and neurological changes and guide management decisions for CTS.

Comparative Evaluation of Chest Ultrasonography and Computed Tomography as Predictors of Malignant Pleural Effusion: A Prospective Study.

Malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is a manifestation of advanced cancer that requires a prompt and accurate diagnosis. Ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography (CT) are valuable imaging techniques for evaluating pleural effusions; however, their relative predictive ability for a malignant origin remains debatable. This prospective study aimed to compare chest US with CT findings as predictors of malignancy in patients with undiagnosed exudative pleural effusion. Fifty-four adults with undiagnosed exudative pleural effusions underwent comprehensive clinical evaluation including chest US, CT, and histopathologic biopsy. Blinded radiologists evaluated the US and CT images for features suggestive of malignancy, based on predefined criteria. Diagnostic performance measures were calculated using histopathology as a reference standard. Of the 54 patients, 33 (61.1%) had MPEs confirmed on biopsy. No significant differences between US and CT were found in detecting parietal pleural abnormalities, lung lesions, chest wall invasion, or liver metastasis. US outperformed CT in identifying diaphragmatic pleural thickening ≥10 mm (33.3% vs. 6.1%, p < 0.001) and nodularity (45.5% vs. 3%, p < 0.001), whereas CT was superior for mediastinal thickening (48.5% vs. 15.2%, p = 0.002). For diagnosing MPE, diaphragmatic nodularity detected by US had 45.5% sensitivity and 100% specificity, whereas CT mediastinal thickening had 48.5% sensitivity and 90.5% specificity. Both US and CT demonstrate reasonable diagnostic performance for detecting MPE, with particular imaging findings favoring a malignant origin. US may be advantageous for evaluating diaphragmatic pleural involvement, whereas CT is more sensitive to mediastinal abnormalities.

Predicting the Consistency of Pituitary Macroadenomas: The Utility of Diffusion-Weighted Imaging and Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Measurements for Surgical Planning.

Understanding the consistency of pituitary macroadenomas is crucial for neurosurgeons planning surgery. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the utility of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) as non-invasive imaging modalities for predicting the consistency of pituitary macroadenomas. This could contribute to appropriate surgical planning and therefore reduce the likelihood of incomplete resections. The study included 45 patients with pathologically confirmed pituitary macroadenomas. Conventional MRI sequences, DWIs, ADC maps, and pre- and post-contrast MRIs were performed. Two neuroradiologists assessed all of the images. Neurosurgeons assessed the consistency of the tumor macroscopically, and histopathologists examined it microscopically. The MRI findings were compared with postoperative data. According to the operative data, macroadenomas were divided into the two following categories based on their consistency: aspirable (n = 27) and non-aspirable tumors (n = 18). A statistically significant difference in DWI findings was found when comparing macroadenomas of different consistencies (p < 0.001). Most aspirable macroadenomas (66.7%) were hyperintense according to DWI and hypointense on ADC maps, whereas most non-aspirable macroadenomas (83.3%) were hypointense for DWI and hyperintense on ADC maps. At a cut-off value of 0.63 × 10-3 mm2/s, the ADC showed a sensitivity of 85.7% and a specificity of 75% for the detection of non-aspirable macroadenomas (AUC, 0.946). The study concluded that DWI should be routinely performed in conjunction with ADC measurements in the preoperative evaluation of pituitary macroadenomas. This approach may aid in surgical planning, ensure that appropriate techniques are utilized, and reduce the risk of incomplete resection.

Advanced strain elastography is a reliable approach for prostate cancer detection in patients with elevated PSA levels.

This study aimed to examine the validity and reproducibility of strain elastography (SE) for detecting prostate cancer (PCa) in patients with elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. The study included 107 patients with elevated PSA levels. All eligible patients underwent transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) with real-time elastography (RTE) to detect suspicious lesions. Two readers independently evaluated the lesions and assigned a strain ratio and elastography score to each lesion. Histopathology was used as a reference standard to estimate the validity of RTE in predicting malignant lesions. An intraclass correlation (ICC) was performed to detect reliability of the strain ratios and elastography scores. TRUS-guided biopsy detected malignancies in 64 (59.8%) patients. TRUS with RTE revealed 122 lesions. The strain ratio index (SRI) cut-off values to diagnose malignancy were 4.05 and 4.35, with sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 94.7%, 91.3%, and 93.4%, respectively. An elastography score > 3 was the best cut-off value for detecting malignancy. According to readers, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 91.3-94.7%, 89.5-93.4%, and 91.3-90.9%, respectively. Excellent inter-reader agreement was recorded for SRI and elastography scores, with ICC of 0.937 and 0.800, respectively. SE proves to be an efficient tool for detecting PCa with high accuracy in patients with elevated PSA levels.

Inter-observer Variability in the Analysis of CO-RADS Classification for COVID-19 Patients.

During the early stages of the pandemic, computed tomography (CT) of the chest, along with serological and clinical data, was frequently utilized in diagnosing COVID-19, particularly in regions facing challenges such as shortages of PCR kits. In these circumstances, CT scans played a crucial role in diagnosing COVID-19 and guiding patient management. The COVID-19 Reporting and Data System (CO-RADS) was established as a standardized reporting system for cases of COVID-19 pneumonia. Its implementation necessitates a high level of agreement among observers to prevent any potential confusion. This study aimed to assess the inter-observer agreement between physicians from different specialties with variable levels of experience in their CO-RADS scoring of CT chests for confirmed COVID-19 patients, and to assess the feasibility of applying this reporting system to those having little experience with it. All chest CT images of patients with positive RT-PCR tests for COVID-19 were retrospectively reviewed by seven observers. The observers were divided into three groups according to their type of specialty (three radiologists, three house officers, and one pulmonologist). The observers assessed each image and categorized the patients into five CO-RADS groups. A total of 630 participants were included in this study. The inter-observer agreement was almost perfect among the radiologists, substantial among a pulmonologist and the house officers, and moderate-to-substantial among the radiologists, the pulmonologist, and the house officers. There was substantial to almost perfect inter-observer agreement when reporting using the CO-RADS among observers with different experience levels. Although the inter-observer variability among the radiologists was high, it decreased compared to the pulmonologist and house officers. Radiologists, house officers, and pulmonologists applying the CO-RADS can accurately and promptly identify typical CT imaging features of lung involvement in COVID-19.

Assessment of Female Pelvic Pathologies: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Patients Undergoing Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Pelvic Assessment at the Maternity and Children Hospital, Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia.

Background and objectives Pelvic pathologies affect females in all age groups. They vary in size and location and can be wide in classification, such as masses, ectopic pregnancy, ovarian torsion, and ruptured ovarian follicles. Patients commonly present with gynecological complaints such as menstrual irregularities, abnormal pelvic bleeding, and infertility. Extra-gynecological symptoms such as dysuria and painful defecation can also manifest. To diagnose these pathologies, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and other imaging modalities can be useful alongside history and physical examination for early clinical diagnosis. Due to the importance of prevalence rate in predicting pathologies in a certain age and due to the lack of research studies on pelvic MRI studies in Qassim region, Saudi Arabia, this study aimed to demonstrate the wide spectrum of female pelvic pathologies that can be diagnosed using MRI in Qassim region, Saudi Arabia.  Methods and results A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients referred to the MRI Department for evaluation of female pelvic pathologies at the Department of Radiology at Maternity and Children Hospital in Buraydah, Qassim region, Saudi Arabia. A total of 325 patients were included in the study, with the majority being in the age group of 31-40 years. Fibroids were the most common pathology, being present in more than one-fifth of the study sample, followed by neoplastic growths and placental pathologies. Inflammatory pathologies were the least common pathologies, being present in approximately 5% of the participants. Statistically significant associations were found between the age groups, and the presence of anomalies (p = 0.009), existence of neoplastic changes (p < 0.001), presence of placental pathologies (p < 0.001), inflammatory changes (p = 0.025), and adenomyosis (p = 0.028). Conclusion MRI data offer important new information about the prevalence of various disorders among different age groups in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia. Younger age groups had much higher rates of anomalies, whereas older age groups had much lower rates. Adenomyosis and neoplastic alterations were more prevalent in the later age groups, but endometrioma was more prevalent in younger age groups. Placental pathologies were more prevalent in women in their middle years, while scar pregnancy was more prevalent in women between 31 and 40 years of age. Younger people, especially those between 16 and 20 years of age, were more likely to experience inflammatory alterations. In the younger age group, there was no discernible association between age and the prevalence of normal outcomes. These findings help us understand how different illnesses manifest differently as we get older and emphasize the value of taking aging into account when diagnosing and treating disorders.

The Impact of Adding Digital Breast Tomosynthesis to BI-RADS Categorization of Mammographically Equivocal Breast Lesions.

Digital mammography (DM) is the cornerstone of breast cancer detection. Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) is an advanced imaging technique used for diagnosing and screening breast lesions, particularly in dense breasts. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of combining DBT with DM on the BI-RADS categorization of equivocal breast lesions. We prospectively evaluated 148 females with equivocal BI-RADS breast lesions (BI-RADS 0, 3, and 4) with DM. All patients underwent DBT. Two experienced radiologists analyzed the lesions. They then assigned a BI-RADS category for each lesion according to the BI-RADS 2013 lexicon, using DM, DBT, and integrated DM and DBT. We compared the results based on major radiological characteristics, BI-RADS classification, and diagnostic accuracy, using the histopathological examination of the lesions as a reference standard. The total number of lesions was 178 on DBT and 159 on DM. Nineteen lesions were discovered using DBT and were missed by DM. The final diagnoses of 178 lesions were malignant (41.6%) and benign (58.4%). Compared to DM, DBT produced 34.8% downgrading and 32% upgrading of breast lesions. Compared with DM, DBT decreased the number of BI-RADS 4 and 3. All the upgraded BI-RADS 4 lesions were confirmed to be malignant. The combination of DM and DBT improves the diagnostic accuracy of BI-RADS for evaluating and characterizing mammographic equivocal breast lesions and allows for proper BI-RADS categorization.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Features of Rhino-Orbito-Cerebral Mucormycosis in Post-COVID-19 Patients: Radio-Pathological Correlation.

There has been a notable increase in rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is an invasive fungal infection with a fatal outcome. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a valuable tool for early diagnosis of ROCM and assists in the proper management of these cases. This study aimed to describe the characteristic MRI findings of ROCM in post-COVID-19 patients to help in the early diagnosis and management of these patients. This retrospective descriptive study was conducted at a single hospital and included 52 patients with COVID-19 and a histopathologically proven ROCM infection who were referred for an MRI of the paranasal sinuses (PNS) due to sino-orbital manifestations. Two radiologists reviewed all the MR images in consensus. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological examination. The maxillary sinus was the most commonly affected PNS (96.2%). In most patients (57.7%), multiple sinuses were involved with the black turbinate sign on postcontrast images. Extrasinus was evident in 43 patients with orbital involvement. The pterygopalatine fossa was involved in four patients. Three patients had cavernous sinus extension, two had pachymeningeal enhancement, and one had epidural collection. The alveolar margin was affected in two patients, and five patients had an extension to the cheek. The awareness of radiologists by the characteristic MRI features of ROCM in post-COVID-19 patients helps in early detection, early proper management, and prevention of morbid complications.

Precision Mapping of Intrahepatic Biliary Anatomy and Its Anatomical Variants Having a Normal Liver Using 2D and 3D MRCP.

Despite significant advances in hepatobiliary surgery, biliary injury and leakage remain typical postoperative complications. Thus, a precise depiction of the intrahepatic biliary anatomy and anatomical variant is crucial in preoperative evaluation. This study aimed to evaluate the precision of 2D and 3D magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in exact mapping of intrahepatic biliary anatomy and its variants anatomically in subjects with normal liver using intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) as a reference standard. Thirty-five subjects with normal liver activity were imaged via IOC and 3D MRCP. The findings were compared and statistically analyzed. Type I was observed in 23 subjects using IOC and 22 using MRCP. Type II was evident in 4 subjects via IOC and 6 via MRCP. Type III was observed equally by both modalities (4 subjects). Both modalities observed type IV in 3 subjects. The unclassified type was observed in a single subject via IOC and was missed in 3D MRCP. Accurate detection by MRCP of intrahepatic biliary anatomy and its anatomical variants was made in 33 subjects out of 35, with an accuracy of 94.3% and a sensitivity of 100%. In the remaining two subjects, MRCP results provided a false-positive pattern of trifurcation. MRCP competently maps the standard biliary anatomy.

Prevalence of Transient Osteoporosis of the Hip Among Patients Presenting With Hip Pain in a Major Tertiary Hospital in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: Transient osteoporosis of the hip, or acute bone marrow edema syndrome, is a rare condition characterized by a decrease in bone mineral density of the proximal femur, which resolves with conservative management over 6-24 months. At presentation, the patient complains of sudden onset of localized pain in the hip, which is aggravated by weight-bearing. However, the prevalence and risk factors for this condition are still unclear. Objective: This study aims to identify the prevalence of transient osteoporosis of the hip among patients who present with hip pain and underwent magnetic resonance imaging of the hip. METHOD: This is a retrospective investigation that involved collecting data from patients' records in a tertiary hospital in Saudi Arabia. Included candidates were patients who presented with hip pain, had an MRI done between 2016 and 2019 inclusive, and were older than 14 years. The collected data involved the age and gender of patients, the hip's affected side, and the diagnosis. Data analysis was executed through SPSS version 26 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). RESULTS: Three hundred and fourteen patients matched our inclusion criteria. The prevalence of transient osteoporosis of the hip was 2.5%. All of them were males and half were above 40 years, 50% had pain in the left side, and 75% had a small joint effusion. The femoral head was the most affected part of the joint in patients with transient osteoporosis of the hip. Among our patients, the most common cause of hip pain was gluteus medius tendonitis (12.9%), where 33.1% of patients with hip pain had normal examination and investigations, and 15.2% had more than one condition. Risk factors for transient osteoporosis of the hip are pain in the left hip joint (p-value=0.023) and an age between 41 and 50 years (p-value=0.012). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of transient osteoporosis of the hip is low, yet it requires confirmation by studies with a more robust design. Males older than 40 years and left-side hip pain are at higher risk.

Assessment of Paranasal Sinus Pathology in Patients Presenting for Brain MRI as Referred From General Practice or Neurologist Physicians.

Objective The aim of this study is to assess the incidence and kinds of paranasal sinus pathology in patients presenting for brain MRI as referred from general practice or neurologist physicians in Qassim region, Saudi Arabia. Methods This cross-sectional study included 210 patients with different neurological indications and presentations who underwent an MRI of the brain and were evaluated by the consultant radiologist for the presence of any paranasal sinuses pathologies such as mucosal thickening, retention cyst, opacification, and ostiomeatal complex obliteration. The analysis was carried out using the chi-square test. Results A total of 210 cases underwent brain MRI to evaluate clinically suspected brain disorders; there were 138 (65.7 %) males and 72 (34.3%) females. Mucosal thickening was the commonest pathological finding (111 cases, 52.9%). retention cysts were present in around 14.3%, meaning 30 cases, and partial opacification was present in around 10%, representing 21 cases. Total opacification was present in three (1.4%) cases. Also, ostiomeatal complex obliteration was present in three (1.4%) cases. Paranasal pathological findings were more in those aged ≤ 35 years, with 75 (35.7%) cases. mucosal thickening, partial opacification, total opacification, and ostiomeatal complex obliteration were more in males, whereas retention cysts were equal in both genders. Conclusion Pathological paranasal sinuses findings commonly occur at brain MRI during neurological disorder evaluation. These findings are usually benign, and mucosal thickening is the commonest. The majority of the pathological findings were observed in those aged ≤ 35 years and in the male gender. Detecting pathological findings in paranasal sinuses helps diagnose lesions unrelated to the suspected neurological disease.

Evaluation of the Keros Classification of Olfactory Fossa by CT Scan in Qassim Region.

Objective Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is now the most often utilized surgical procedure for treating chronic sinonasal disorders. Therefore, anatomical knowledge of its variations is required to avoid serious postoperative complications. Thus, careful preoperative examination for patients with a paranasal sinus CT scan is necessary. Our study aims to evaluate Keros types and their incidence by evaluating the olfactory fossa (OF) depth according to the Keros classification on paranasal sinus CT scans in the Qassim region. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted between January 2018 and January 2021 on 148 patients with an average age of 32.59 ± 6.1 who had a non-enhanced paranasal sinus CT scan evaluated by a consultant radiologist using the PACS (picture archiving and communication system) software. Statistical analysis was performed using the statistical software package SPSS version 25 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). The chi-square test was used to analyze the relationship between findings and patient characteristics. Also, a p-value of < 0.05 was kept in mind to indicate statistical significance. Results The average depth of the right olfactory fossa (OF) was 5.1 mm with a standard deviation of 1.756 while it was 5.28 on the left side with a standard deviation of 1.66. According to the Keros classification, out of a total of 296 OF, type 1 was found in 84 (28.4%), type 2 in 188 (63.5%), and type 3 in 24 (8.1%). Consequently, the majority of cases were of type 2. Also, we found that type 2 was the most common on both sides in males, whereas, in females, type 2 was the most common on the left side and type 1 on the right side. Conclusion The study of the Keros classification is significantly important to evaluate the anatomy of the anterior skull base and give the surgeon knowledge about the depth of the olfactory fossa. Thus, a preoperative CT scan of the paranasal sinus is critical to ensure that the surgical approach is properly planned and possible surgical complications related to the anatomy of this area can be prevented. Our study showed that Keros type II is the most common, followed by type I and then type III.