Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System in prostate cancer staging and planning for radical prostatectomy.

INTRODUCTION: The Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) was mainly developed for the purposes of prostate cancer (PCa) detection. However, its widespread use suggests that it may play a role in a preoperative workup prior to endoscopic radical prostatectomy (ERP). AIM: To evaluate the prognostic value of PI-RADS in predicting extraprostatic extension (EPE) and its influence on surgical planning of ERP. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The analysis involved data of 154 consecutive prostate cancer patients, in whom multiparametric 3.0T magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) was performed before ERP. Standard descriptive assessment of mpMRI images was compared with the PI-RADS system with respect to prostate cancer staging and subsequent potential surgical template adjustment. RESULTS: PI-RADS significantly outperformed the standard way of mpMRI reporting in staging (AUC = 0.615 vs. 0.552, p = 0.036) with PI-RADS 5 established as the best threshold. After reevaluation of imaging, the initial surgical plan was modified based on mpMRI in terms of feasibility and extent of neurovascular bundle preservation during ERP on 96 (31.2%) sides, while on the remaining 212 (68.8%) sides the templates were left unchanged. Decisions based on mpMRI were not associated with increased risk of a positive surgical margin (PSM). CONCLUSIONS: The PI-RADS outperforms the standard staging method using mpMRI and may assist the decision-making process regarding the extent of resection during ERP without increasing the risk of PSM.

3.0-T multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging modifies the template of endoscopic, conventional radical prostatectomy in all cancer risk categories.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of 3.0-T multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) in preoperative staging of prostate cancer (PCa) and its influence on the extent of resection during endoscopic radical prostatectomy (ERP) among cancer risk groups. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data of 154 patients with PCa in whom mpMRI was performed prior to ERP between 2011 and 2015 were included. The initial decision whether to perform neurovascular bundle (NVB) sparing surgery was based on EAU guidelines. mpMRI images were reevaluated prior to prostatectomy to modify the surgical template. Imaging was compared with pathological reports to investigate the diagnostic performance of mpMRI. RESULTS: The surgical template was modified in 69 (44.8%) patients after reevaluation of mpMRI. More preserving NVB sparing was attempted in 17 (11.0%) men, in whom NVB would have been resected if mpMRI had not been available. More aggressive NVB resection was performed in 52 (33.8%) men, in whom innervation would have been spared if basing solely based on guidelines. Among all PCa risk groups mpMRI had an impact on the surgical template with more aggressive surgery in 63.0% and 33.3% of men in the low- and intermediate-risk group, respectively, and more preserving in 21.4% of the high-risk patients. The change in extent of resection was not correlated with a higher risk of positive surgical margins (p = 0.196). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative mpMRI exerts a significant impact on decision making concerning the extent of resection during ERP irrespective of the PCa risk group.

Assessment of long-term results of intracranial aneurysm clipping by means of computed tomography angiography.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the effectiveness of aneurysm clipping by computed tomography angiography (CTA) in a long-term follow-up. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The CTA examination was performed in 119 patients who had 143 aneurysms clipped. The examinations were performed 3 to 11 years (mean 6 years) after clipping using a GE Lightspeed PRO16 scanner. RESULTS: In all cases but one, good quality CTA images, suitable for evaluation of the arteries around the clip site, were obtained. Complete aneurysm closure without neck remnant or regrowth was confirmed in 137 (96%) aneurysms. In 4 (3%) cases, neck remnants were detected (2 on the anterior communicating artery [AComA] and 2 on the middle cerebral artery [MCA]). A total clip slippage from the aneurysm dome was revealed in 1 case. One case of aneurysm re-rupture was noted, 11 years after clipping. The rebleeding was caused by AComA aneurysm regrowth. Among these 6 patients with unsatisfactory clipping, 2 required further treatment and 4 remain under observation. Nineteen 'de novo' aneurysms in other locations were found in 14 (12%) patients. Summing up all of the pathological findings in the study group, there were 18 (15%) patients who needed further management including close surveillance or re-treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Computed tomography angiography is a simple and reliable method of aneurysm clipping evaluation. The long- term follow-up CTA confirmed the permanent and complete obliteration of 96% of the aneurysms. The rate of unsatisfactory aneurysm closure was 4%, but only 1.4% needed re-treatment during a mean follow-up of 6 years. The annual risk of aneurysm re-rupture was 0.1%.

[Staging of non-small cell lung cancer using CT and integrated PET-CT]. / Ocena zaawansowania niedrobnokomórkowego raka pluca metodatomografii komputerowej i pozytonowej tomografii emisyjnejskojarzonej z tomografia komputerowa

INTRODUCTION: Lung cancer is the leading cause of death from cancer in developed countries. Radiological imaging methods are the basic methods in early diagnosis of this disease. TNM classification is a very important tool for optimal treatment in non-small lung cancer (NSCLC). Conventional radiological techniques allow the evaluation of the stage on the basis of anatomical changes only, while PET-CT provides information about the biochemical processes that may precede anatomical changes. The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy and sensitivity of CT and PET-CT in the staging of NSCLC. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted on a group of 99 patients with NSCLC diagnosed at the Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases in the period from January 2008 to May 2010. CT and PET-CT were performed in all patients. Histological or cytological examination of the material obtained from biopsy, bronchoscopy, mediastinoscopy, and intraoperatively was the reference test. TNM classification was performed independently after CT and PET-CT. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: It has been shown that PET-CT is a more accurate and sensitive method than CT in the staging process in NSCLC. PET-CT allowed the correct classification of the T, N, M, and total TNM in, respectively, 97%, 95%, 99%, and 89% of cases, while for CT it was, respectively, 95%, 84%, 84%, and 68% (p = 0.0002).

[Unfortunate outcome of subsequent vascular complications in female patients assigned to percutaneous coronary intervention -- case report]. / Niekorzystny przebieg kolejnych powiklan naczyniowych u chorej poddanej zabiegowi planowej angioplastyki wiencowej -- opis przypadku.

We present a case of a 58-year-old female who underwent elective PCI of the left anterior descending coronary artery. The procedure was complicated by vessel dissections and myocardial infarction. Cardiogenic shock complicated acute coronary syndrome required intraaortic balloon pumping what led to descending aortic dissection successfully treated with stent-graft implantation. However, the patient died due to intractable cardiogenic shock.

Does saddle embolism influence short-term prognosis in patients with acute pulmonary embolism?

BACKGROUND: In some patients with acute pulmonary embolism (APE) thrombi may lodge at the levels of the bifurcation of pulmonary trunk and extend into both main pulmonary arteries, forming so-called saddle embolism (SE). AIM: To assess the incidence of SE and whether it is associated with an increased risk of complicated clinical course. METHODS: We studied 150 consecutive patients (94 females, 56 males) aged 63.6+/-16.7 years with APE confirmed with contrast enhanced spiral computed tomography or transesophageal echocardiography. RESULTS: SE was detected in 22 (14.7%) patients. Mean age (SE vs N-SE) was 64.3+/-17.4 vs 63.5+/-16.6 years, heart rate 100.8+/-14.1 beats/min vs 97.8+/-21.1 beats/min, systolic blood pressure 126.2+/-20.1 vs 127.1+/-23.3 mmHg and blood pulsoximetry 92 (68-98) vs 91 (30-98) % (all differences NS). In patients with SE, echocardiographic signs of the right ventricular overload, defined as right to left ventricular end - diastolic ratio >0.6 with right ventricular hypokinesia and/or maximal tricuspid peak systolic gradient >30 mmHg with shortened acceleration time of pulmonary ejection <80 ms, were more frequent (77.3% vs 51.6%, p=0.04), as was the mid-systolic deceleration of pulmonary ejection velocity (77.3% vs 49.2%, p=0.04). Mortality and complicated clinical course rates were similar in patients with SE or N-SE (mortality: 4.5% vs 13.3%, NS, and complicated clinical course: 34.4% vs 25.0%, NS). CONCLUSIONS: Saddle pulmonary embolism is frequent, especially in patients with echocardiographic signs of impaired pulmonary ejection pattern. Saddle embolism does not indicate unfavourable clinical outcome and probably should not influence treatment selection.