Nivolumab as a Promising Treatment Option for Metastatic Salivary Duct Carcinoma.

Salivary duct carcinomas (SDC) of the parotid gland are rarely occurring highly malignant tumors. A 65-year-old man presented with a preauricular mass. After surgical treatment and histologic examination, the findings were interpreted as a squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) metastasis of the parotid gland deriving from a cancer of unknown primary DD primary SCC of the parotid gland. Adjuvant platinum-based radiochemotherapy was administered in domo. However, re-staging revealed multiple size-progressive pulmonary round lesions. After resection and histological examination of a pulmonary mass and in synopsis with the primary tumor, the initial diagnosis of SCC was revised to SDC of the parotid gland. With positive HER-2 status, off-label trastuzumab/docetaxel was initiated in an individual healing attempt, during which the pulmonary metastases showed clear progression. Consequently, the patient received immunotherapy with nivolumab according to his negative PD-L1 status. After 57 cycles of nivolumab, the patient presents with partial remission and in good condition. We report, for the first time, a robust response of metastatic SDC to checkpoint inhibition with nivolumab without additional radiotherapy.

Intraarticular Osteoid Osteoma: MRI Characteristics and Clinical Presentation Before and After Radiofrequency Ablation Compared to Extraarticular Osteoid Osteoma. / Das intraartikuläre Osteoidosteom: MRT-Charakteristik und klinisches Erscheinungsbild vor und nach Radiofrequenzablation im Vergleich zum extraartikulären Osteoidosteom.

PURPOSE: To determine MRI characteristics and the clinical presentation of intraarticular osteoid osteomas (OO) before and after treatment with CT-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) compared with extraarticular osteoid osteomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a retrospective study, n = 21 patients with an intraarticular OO were matched with a control group of n = 21 patients with an extraarticular OO at a comparable anatomical position. All patients underwent CT-guided RFA and preinterventional MRI. In n = 31 cases, follow-up MR imaging was available. MR images were analyzed for morphologic features: effusion and synovitis, bone marrow edema (BME), soft tissue edema, periosteal reaction as well as T1 / T2 signal and contrast enhancement of the nidus. Recorded clinical parameters included the initial diagnosis, the course of pain symptoms after RFA and the incidence of complications. RESULTS: The nidus was detectable in all patients on MRI. BME had the highest sensitivity in both intra- and extraarticular OO (100 %). Effusion and synovitis were only observed in the intraarticular OO group (n = 21) with a perfect sensitivity and specificity (100 %) and a high negative predictive value (85 %). Soft tissue edema was significantly more present in patients with intraarticular OO (p = 0.0143). No significant differences were present regarding periosteal reaction, T1/T2 signal and contrast enhancement of the nidus (p > 0.05). BME, contrast enhancement, soft tissue edema, periosteal reaction, effusion and synovitis, if preexisting, always decreased after RFA. In 66.7 % of patients with intraarticular OO, a false initial diagnosis was made (extraarticular: 19 %). All patients were free of pain after intervention. Complications following the RFA procedure did not occur. CONCLUSION: MRI demonstrates the nidus and thus the OO in all cases regardless of the location. The characteristic MRI morphology of an intraarticular OO includes synovitis and joint effusion, which are always present and differentiate with perfect sensitivity/specificity from an extraarticular OO. In both intra- and extraarticular OOs pathologic MRI changes at least decreased or completely normalized and the clinical results after RFA were excellent. KEY POINTS: · MRI is excellently suited for the diagnosis of intra- and extraarticular OOs.. · Joint effusion and synovitis distinguish both forms with perfect sensitivity and specificity.. · All MRI changes, which indicate activity, decreased after successful RFA.. · The clinical results after RFA are excellent in both forms.. CITATION FORMAT: · Germann T, Weber M, Lehner B et al. Intraarticular Osteoid Osteoma: MRI Characteristics and Clinical Presentation Before and After Radiofrequency Ablation Compared to Extraarticular Osteoid Osteoma. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2020; 192: 1190 - 1198.

Impact of MRI, CT, and Clinical Characteristics on Microbial Pathogen Detection Using CT-Guided Biopsy for Suspected Spondylodiscitis.

Spondylodiscitis accounts for 2-7% of osteomyelitis cases and is characterized by pain, systemic inflammation, and permanent neurological deficits. We aimed to identify imaging characteristics and clinical parameters to successfully predict microbiological pathogens by computed tomography (CT)-guided biopsy in suspected spondylodiscitis cases. Forty consecutive patients (mean age 65.1 years) with suspected spondylodiscitis underwent CT-guided biopsy. CT features (non-sclerotic endplate erosions (NSEs)), magnetic resonance criteria (paravertebral/epidural abscess (PA/EA) formation), and clinical data (C-reactive protein (CRP) > 50 mg/L) were assessed for their predictive potential. NSEs were detected in 6/11 (54.5%) and 1/29(3.4%) patients with positive and negative microbiology, respectively. PA and EA, respectively, were present in 7/11(63.6%) and 3/11 patients with positive microbiology and 7/29 (24.1%) and 2/29 patients with negative microbiology. CRP > 50 was observed in 7/11 (63.6%) and in 7/29 (24.1%) patients with positive and negative microbiology, respectively. Three double combinations possessed near-perfect specificity (PA + NSE, 100%; PA + CRP > 50, 96.6%; NSE + CRP > 50, 96.6%). The top three Youden indices included combinations with NSE. Since CT/magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and CRP are routinely used to evaluate spondylodiscitis, the presented diagnostic criteria and combinations can aid decision-making for biopsy.

Retrospective analysis of 51 intralesionally treated cases with progressed giant cell tumor of the bone: local adjuvant use of hydrogen peroxide reduces the risk for tumor recurrence.

BACKGROUND: Giant cell tumor of the bone (GCT) has high local recurrence rates and the prognosis is hard to predict. We therefore retrospectively analyzed clinical outcome and recurrences of 51 GCT cases focusing on the effects of adjuvant local use of hydrogen peroxide. METHODS: The series enclosed 51 advanced GCT cases of the upper and lower extremities (n = 27 Campanacci grade III; n = 24 grade II; n = 39 surgery at our institution, n = 12 elsewhere). Mean follow-up was 88.3 (± 62.0) months. Surgical details, histology, metastases, recurrences, and interview-based data on satisfaction and function including the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score were evaluated. It was investigated whether hydrogen peroxide was additionally used or not to clean the tumor cavity after curettage as we hypothesized influence on recurrences. To analyze the underlying mechanisms, GCT-derived stromal cell lines were cultured in vitro and tested for cell viability and apoptosis after treatment with hydrogen peroxide. Statistical analysis was performed with Student's t tests, analysis of variance (ANOVA) with post hoc testing, Mann-Whitney U tests, chi-square tests, Kaplan-Meier analysis, and multivariate Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: The whole series had 21 recurrences (41%). Eleven recurrences were found (28%) after surgery at our institution. Kaplan-Meier analysis of cumulative recurrence-free survival revealed at 2 years follow-up 69% (72%, only our institution) and at 10 years follow-up 54% (68%, only our institution). Intralesional resection was performed by vigorous curettage, burring, and defect filling with either polymethylmethacrylate bone cement (n = 45) or cancellous bone from the iliac crest (n = 6). Univariate chi-square analysis showed significantly lower recurrence rate after bone cement filling (2.3-fold, p = 0.024). Cleaning of the lesion cavity with hydrogen peroxide significantly reduced recurrence rate (whole collective 2.9-fold, p = 0.004; our institution 2.8-fold, p = 0.04) and significantly increased cumulative recurrence-free survival rate (whole collective at 10 years follow-up 74% versus 31%, p = 0.002; our institution 79% versus 48%, p = 0.02) compared to cases without hydrogen peroxide treatment. In multivariate analysis, significant risk factors for recurrence were pathological fracture (hazard ratio 3.7; p = 0.04), high mitosis rate (hazard ratio 15.6; p = 0.01), and lack of hydrogen peroxide use (hazard ratio 6.0; p = 0.02). In vitro cell culture analyses found apoptotic nature of hydrogen peroxide induced GCT cell death. CONCLUSIONS: The present series proved for the first time that additional cleaning of the tumor cavity with hydrogen peroxide before defect filling significantly reduced recurrence rate and significantly increased recurrence-free survival in advanced but intralesionally treated GCT cases.

Predictive value of perfusion defects on dual energy CTA in the absence of thromboembolic clots.

BACKGROUND: To determine the predictive value of volumetrically measured lung perfusion defects (PDvol) and right ventricular dysfunction on dual-energy computed tomography angiography (DE-CTA) for predicting all cause mortality in patients suspected of pulmonary embolism (PE) but without evident thromboembolic clot on CTA. METHODS: 448 patients underwent DE-CTA on a 64-channel DSCT system between January 2007 and December 2012 for suspected PE, of which 115 were without detectable thromboembolic clot on CTA. Diagnostic performance for identifying patients at risk of dying was evaluated using ROC analysis. All-cause mortality was assessed via the hospital electronic medical records and/or consultation of the patient or the patient's primary care physician via phone call interviews. Sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio and area under the curve (AUC) were determined for PDvol (volume of perfusion defects/total lung volume), transverse right ventricular to left ventricular diameter ratios (RV/LV) and for the combination of both tests. RESULTS: Mortality was 38% within the investigated time period of 6 months. Patients who died had significantly higher PDvol (PDvol 28 ± 13% vs. 19 ± 12%, p < 0.001) and a non-significant difference in transverse RV/LV ratio (1.14 ± 0.37 vs. 1.06 ± 0.22, p = 0.159). The AUC was 0.71 for PDvol, 0.53 for RV/LV ratio, and 0.67 for the combination of PDvol and RV/LV ratio. PDvol remained a significant predictor after correcting for age. CONCLUSIONS: In the absence of thromboembolic clots, PDvol at DE-CTA appears to be predictive for all cause mortality.

3D-modeling of the spine using EOS imaging system: Inter-reader reproducibility and reliability.

OBJECTIVES: To retrospectively assess the interreader reproducibility and reliability of EOS 3D full spine reconstructions in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). METHODS: 73 patients with mean age of 17 years and a moderate AIS (median Cobb Angle 18.2°) obtained low-dose standing biplanar radiographs with EOS. Two independent readers performed "full spine" 3D reconstructions of the spine with the "full-spine" method adjusting the bone contour of every thoracic and lumbar vertebra (Th1-L5). Interreader reproducibility was assessed regarding rotation of every single vertebra in the coronal (i.e. frontal), sagittal (i.e. lateral), and axial plane, T1/T12 kyphosis, T4/T12 kyphosis, L1/L5 lordosis, L1/S1 lordosis and pelvic parameters. Radiation exposure, scan-time and 3D reconstruction time were recorded. RESULTS: Interclass correlation (ICC) ranged between 0.83 and 0.98 for frontal vertebral rotation, between 0.94 and 0.99 for lateral vertebral rotation and between 0.51 and 0.88 for axial vertebral rotation. ICC was 0.92 for T1/T12 kyphosis, 0.95 for T4/T12 kyphosis, 0.90 for L1/L5 lordosis, 0.85 for L1/S1 lordosis, 0.97 for pelvic incidence, 0.96 for sacral slope, 0.98 for sagittal pelvic tilt and 0.94 for lateral pelvic tilt. The mean time for reconstruction was 14.9 minutes (reader 1: 14.6 minutes, reader 2: 15.2 minutes, p<0.0001). The mean total absorbed dose was 593.4µGy ±212.3 per patient. CONCLUSION: EOS "full spine" 3D angle measurement of vertebral rotation proved to be reliable and was performed in an acceptable reconstruction time. Interreader reproducibility of axial rotation was limited to some degree in the upper and middle thoracic spine due the obtuse angulation of the pedicles and the processi spinosi in the frontal view somewhat complicating their delineation.

CT-Guided Biopsy in Suspected Spondylodiscitis--The Association of Paravertebral Inflammation with Microbial Pathogen Detection.

OBJECTIVES: To search for imaging characteristics distinguishing patients with successful from those with futile microbiological pathogen detection by CT-guided biopsy in suspected spondylodiscitis. METHODS: 34 consecutive patients with suspected spondylodiscitis underwent CT-guided biopsy for pathogen detection. MR-images were assessed for inflammatory infiltration of disks, adjacent vertebrae, epidural and paravertebral space. CT-images were reviewed for arrosion of adjacent end plates and reduced disk height. Biopsy samples were sent for microbiological examination in 34/34 patients, and for additional histological analysis in 28/34 patients. RESULTS: Paravertebral infiltration was present in all 10/10 patients with positive microbiology and occurred in only 12/24 patients with negative microbiology, resulting in a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 50% for pathogen detection. Despite its limited sensitivities, epidural infiltration and paravertebral abscesses showed considerably higher specificities of 83.3% and 90.9%, respectively. Paravertebral infiltration was more extensive in patients with positive as compared to negative microbiology (p = 0.002). Even though sensitivities for pathogen detection were also high in case of vertebral and disk infiltration, or end plate arrosion, specificities remained below 10%. CONCLUSIONS: Inflammatory infiltration of the paravertebral space indicated successful pathogen detection by CT-guided biopsy. Specificity was increased by the additional occurrence of epidural infiltration or paravertebral abscesses.