The Effects of Primary Tumor Location on Survival after Liver Resection for Colorectal Liver Metastasis in the Mediterranean Population.

(1) Background: There is an abundance of literature available on predictors of survival for patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) but minimal information available on the relationship between the primary tumor location and CRLM survival. The studies that focus on the primary tumor location and CRLM survival exhibit a great deal of controversy and inconsistency with regard to their results (some studies show statistically significant connections between the primary tumor location and prognosis versus other studies that find no significant relationship between these two factors). Furthermore, the majority of these studies have been conducted in the West and have studied more diverse and heterogenous populations, which may be a contributing factor to the conflicting results. (2) Methods: We included patients who underwent liver resection for CRLM between December 2004 and January 2019 at two university-affiliated medical centers in Israel: Carmel Medical Center (Haifa) and Rabin Medical Center (Petach Tikvah). Primary tumors located from the cecum up to and including the splenic flexure were labeled as right-sided primary tumors, whereas tumors located from the splenic flexure down to the anal verge were labeled as left-sided primary tumors. (3) Results: We identified a total of 501 patients. Of these patients, 225 had right-sided primary tumors and 276 had left-sided primary tumors. Patients with right-sided tumors were significantly older at the time of liver surgery compared to those with left-sided tumors (66.1 + 12.7 vs. 62 + 13.1, p = 0.002). Patients with left-sided tumors had slightly better overall survival rates than those with right-sided tumors. However, the differences were not statistically significant (57 vs. 50 months, p = 0.37 after liver surgery). (4) Conclusions: The primary tumor location does not significantly affect patient survival after liver resection for colorectal liver metastasis in the Mediterranean population.

Inappropriate CT examinations: how much, who and where? Insights from a clinical decision support system (CDSS) analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the appropriateness of Computed Tomography (CT) examinations, using the ESR-iGuide. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted in 2022 in a medium-sized acute care teaching hospital. A total of 278 consecutive cases of CT referral were included. For each imaging referral, the ESR-iGuide provided an appropriateness score using a scale of 1-9 and the Relative Radiation Level using a scale of 0-5. These were then compared with the appropriateness score and the radiation level of the recommended ESR-iGuide exam. DATA ANALYSIS: Pearson's chi-square test or Fisher exact test was used to explore the correlation between ESR-iGuide appropriateness level and physician, patients, and shift characteristics. A stepwise logistic regression model was used to capture the contribution of each of these factors. RESULTS: Most of exams performed were CT head (63.67%) or CT abdominal pelvis (23.74%). Seventy percent of the actual imaging referrals resulted in an ESR-iGuide score corresponding to "usually appropriate." The mean radiation level for actual exam was 3.2 ± 0.45 compared with 2.16 ± 1.56 for the recommended exam. When using a stepwise logistic regression for modeling the probability of non-appropriate score, both physician specialty and status were significant (p = 0.0011, p = 0.0192 respectively). Non-surgical and specialist physicians were more likely to order inappropriate exams than surgical physicians. CONCLUSIONS: ESR-iGuide software indicates a substantial rate of inappropriate exams of CT head and CT abdominal-pelvis and unnecessary radiation exposure mainly in the ED department. Inappropriate exams were found to be related to physicians' specialty and seniority. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: These findings underscore the urgent need for improved imaging referral practices to ensure appropriate healthcare delivery and effective resource management. Additionally, they highlight the potential benefits and necessity of integrating CDSS as a standard medical practice. By implementing CDSS, healthcare providers can make more informed decisions, leading to enhanced patient care, optimized resource allocation, and improved overall healthcare outcomes. KEY POINTS: • The overall mean of appropriateness for the actual exam according to the ESR-iGuide was 6.62 ± 2.69 on a scale of 0-9. • Seventy percent of the actual imaging referrals resulted in an ESR-iGuide score corresponding to "usually appropriate." • Inappropriate examination is related to both the specialty of the physician who requested the exam and the seniority status of the physician.

Short- and Long-Term Outcomes in Elderly Patients Following Hand-Assisted Laparoscopic Surgery for Colorectal Liver Metastasis.

(1) Background: Hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS) has engendered growing attention as a safe procedure for the resection of metastatic liver disease. However, there is little data available regarding the outcomes of HALS for colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) in patients over the age of 75. (2) Methods: We compare the short- and long-term outcomes of patients >75-years-old (defined in our study as "elderly patients" and referred to as group 1, G1), with patients <75-years-old (defined in our study as "younger patients" and referred to as group 2, G2). (3) Results: Of 145 patients, 28 were in G1 and 117 were in G2. The most common site of the primary tumor was the right colon in G1, and the left colon in G2 (p = 0.05). More patients in G1 underwent laparoscopic anterior segment resection compared with G2 (43% vs. 39% respectively) (p = 0.003). 53% of patients in G1 and 74% of patients in G2 completed neoadjuvant therapy (p = 0.04). The median size of the largest metastasis was 32 (IQR 19-52) mm in G1 and 20 (IQR 13-35) mm in G2 (p = 0.001). The rate of complications (Dindo-Clavien grade ≥ III) was slightly higher in G1 (p = 0.06). The overall 5-year survival was 30% in G1 and 52% in G2 (p = 0.12). (4) Conclusions: Hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery for colorectal liver metastasis is safe and effective in an elderly patient population.

The Role of Preoperative Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio as a Predictor for Incisional Hernias after Hand-Assisted Laparoscopic Liver Surgery for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer.

(1) Background: Hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery for liver resection is a globally established technique. In this study, we report on the incidence and risk factors for postoperative incisional hernia (IH) after hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery for colorectal liver metastasis. (2) Methods: This was retrospective analysis of 89 consecutive hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery for colorectal liver metastasis. (3) Results: Participants were 39 females and 50 males. Median age was 65 years, and in 63%, the BMI was ≥25. Postoperative complications were encountered in 18% of the patients. Seven patients (7.8%) had postoperative incisional hernia in the hand port site. There was significantly higher incidence of incisional hernia in overweight patients (BMI ≥ 25) (p = 0.04), and in cases with simultaneous liver and colon resection (p = 0.02). In univariant and multivariant analyses, simultaneous liver and colon resection (p = 0.004 and 0.03, respectively), and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio ≤ 200 (p = 0.03, 0.04, respectively) were both independent risk factors for developing postoperative incisional hernia. (4) Conclusions: Both simultaneous liver and colon resection, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio ≤ 200 are independent risk factors for postoperative incisional hernia after hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery for colorectal liver metastasis.

Hand-Assisted Laparoscopic Surgery Is Superior to Open Liver Resection for Colorectal Liver Metastases in the Posterosuperior Segments.

Introduction: Laparoscopic liver resections (LLR) of colorectal metastasis located in posterosuperior segments (1, 4A, 7 and 8) are challenging and highly demanding. The aim of our study is to determine the safety and feasibility of hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS) in the resections of the posterosuperior lesions and to compare the peri-operative, short-term and long-term outcomes with the open liver resection (OLR) approach. Methods and Results: A retrospective study of patients who underwent either HALS or OLR for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) located in the posterosuperior segments of the liver between 2008 and 2018 in two university affiliated medical centers. Results: A total of 187 patients were identified, of whom 78 underwent HALS and 109 underwent OLR. There was no difference between the HALS and OLR with regard to preoperative factors (age, primary CRC tumor location, number and anatomical distribution of liver metastasis, pre-operative neo-adjuvant treatment, operative time, blood transfusion rate, and resection margins positivity). On the other hand, HALS compared to OLR had a significantly shorter mean hospital stay (4 vs. 6 days; P = 0.003), and a lower total complications rate (25 vs. 47% P = 0.006). Both groups had no 30-day mortality. Also, patients who underwent HALS vs. OLR had similar liver metastases recurrence (55 vs. 51%. P = 0.65) and 5-year survival (47 vs. 45%. P = 0.72). Conclusions: HALS for mCRC located in posterosuperior liver segments is safe and feasible and it is a preferable approach due to its lower complication rate and shorter hospital stay while not compromising survival and disease recurrence.

Laparoscopic Versus Open Simultaneous Resection of Primary Colorectal Cancer and Associated Liver Metastases: A Comparative Retrospective Study.

PURPOSE: The aim was to compare the short-term and long-term outcomes of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) undergoing laparoscopic versus open colorectal resection with simultaneous resection for liver metastases. Currently there is a lack of studies that have investigated the oncosurgical aspects and the short and long-term outcomes from these procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of patients who underwent simultaneous resections for CRC and synchronous liver metastases between 2008 and 2019 in 2 university affiliated medical centers. RESULTS: Sixty-three patients were identified of whom 21 had successful laparoscopic simultaneous resections. In 43% of patients, the primary tumor was located in the right colon. The 3-year overall survival and disease-free survival rates were 87% and 48%, respectively. When compared with a separate control group of 42 patients who underwent conventional open resections, the laparoscopic approach was associated with an increased operative time (286 vs. 225 min, P=0.05), but a shorter hospital stay (6 vs. 8 d, P=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous laparoscopic colorectal and parenchymal sparing liver resection for metastatic CRC is safe, feasible, and it is a preferable approach because of better short-term outcome compared with open surgery while not compromising survival and disease recurrence.

Hand-assisted Laparoscopic Surgery for Colorectal Liver Metastasis: Analysis of Short-term and Long-term Results.

BACKGROUND: There is scant data regarding the outcomes of hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS) for colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM). The aim of this study is to report our experience and analyze the short-term and long-term results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of patients undergoing HALS for CRLM in 2 university affiliated medical centers. RESULTS: Two hundred and thirty-eight liver procedures were performed on 145 patients including 205 parenchymal sparing resections and 33 anatomic resections. The median number of metastases was 1 (range: 1 to 8), 38 patients (26.2%) had 3 or more metastases, and 41 patients (28.3 had a bi-lobar disease. The tumor size was 20 (2 to 90) mm, and 52 patients (36.6%) had a tumor larger than 30 mm. Nighty-nine patients (67.8%) received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. In 8 patients (5.5%) the laparoscopic liver resection was combined with ablation, and 16 patients (11%) underwent a synchronous resection of colorectal cancer. The median operative time, blood loss during surgery, and postoperative hospital stay were 163 minutes, 300 mL, and 4 days, respectively. The median modified Iwate complexity score was 4 (0 to 10) and the conversion rate to open surgery was 5.5%. The overall and major complication rates were 23.8% and 3.6%, respectively. The mortality rate was 0.7%. R0 resections were achieved in 91% of patients. Median overall survival for all the cohort (intend to treat) was 59 months, and the 8- and 10-year overall survival rates were 47.3% and 24.9%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that HALS is a safe and efficacious treatment for selected patients with CRLM.

Prostate cancer evaluation using PET quantification in 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/MR with attenuation correction of bones as a fifth compartment.

BACKGROUND: Tissues with low magnetic resonance (MR) signals, such as bones and lungs differ considerably in their attenuation properties, requiring special considerations for attenuation correction. We evaluated the impact of using the five-compartment segmentation model, which incorporates bones, in 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/MR studies in patients undergoing evaluation for prostate cancer. METHODS: Prostate cancer patients underwent dedicated prostate 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/MR followed by whole-body 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT. Coronal µmap images of the pelvis derived from four- and five-compartment segmentation models of magnetic resonance attenuation correction (MRAC) were produced. Standardized uptake values (SUV) calculated by the four and five-compartment MRAC models and by computed tomography attenuation correction (CTAC) were compared and correlated in normal prostate tissue, gluteus muscle, sacrum, intra-prostatic lesions and metastases (i.e., bone lesions and involved lymph nodes), and prostatic lesions to gluteus (L/G) ratio. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients (mean age 69.4±9.3 years) were included in the study. Twenty-five patients presented for prostate cancer staging and one patient was evaluated for recurrent disease. There was a statistically significant difference between SUVs of the gluteus, sacrum, prostatic lesions and normal prostate tissue measured by the four-compartment vs. the five-compartment MRAC models, with a medium effect size. Very good to good correlation between SUV measured using the four-compartment MRAC model and SUV measured using the five-compartment model were noted in all lesional and non-lesional areas. Very good to good correlation was noted between four-compartment MRAC and CTAC SUVs of prostatic lesions and L/G ratio and between five-compartment MRAC and CTAC SUVs of prostatic lesions, L/G ratio and metastatic lesions. CONCLUSIONS: 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/MR using the five-compartment segmentation model affects SUV measurements in prostate lesions and in the normal prostate and therefore patient follow-up studies must be conducted using the same segmentation model.

Hand-assisted Laparoscopic Repeat Hepatectomy for Secondary Liver Neoplasm.

BACKGROUND: Hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery is a widely accepted alternative to an open approach. The use of this technique in repeat liver resection is limited due to technical difficulties caused by postsurgical adhesions. We aimed to assess the feasibility and safety of hand-assisted laparoscopic repeat hepatectomy (HALRH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of the medical files of patients who had undergone HALRH between 2010 and 2017 in 2 university-affiliated medical centers. RESULTS: Sixteen patients with repeat hepatectomy were included with a median age of 67.5 years. The first liver resection was a traditional laparotomy for 9 patients and hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery for 7 patients. The conversion rate to open surgery was 6%. The median operative time, blood loss during surgery, and postoperative hospital stay were 166 minutes, 400 mL, and 7 days, respectively. R0 resections were achieved in 88% of patients. The median number of tumors and tumor size were 1 and of 25 mm, respectively. There were no mortalities or major complications postoperatively. For patients with colorectal liver metastases, the median follow-up and overall survival were 21 and 43 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest HALRH to be safe and feasible. Future ERAS guidelines should evaluate this approach for liver surgery.

Comparison between pelvic PSMA-PET/MR and whole-body PSMA-PET/CT for the initial evaluation of prostate cancer: a proof of concept study.

OBJECTIVES: Despite the advantages of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-PET/MR over PSMA-PET/CT, its relatively long scanning time and suboptimal PET attenuation correction necessitate careful assessment of the most appropriate setting for this type of study. We assessed lesion agreement between PSMA-PET/MR and PSMA-PET/CT in patients undergoing initial evaluation of prostate cancer. METHODS: This was a prospective study of consecutive patients with histological biopsy-proven prostate cancer who underwent pelvic PSMA-PET/MR followed by whole-body PSMA-PET/CT. All conspicuous PSMA-avid foci were counted on PSMA-PET/CT and PSMA-PET/MR with CT or MR correlation. Analysis was performed for intra-prostatic lesions, capsular invasion, seminal vesicle involvement and lymph node and bone involvement. Incidental and significant findings seen on PSMA-PET/CT outside the PSMA-PET/MR field of view were also analysed. Agreements between PSMA-PET/CT and PSMA-PET/MR findings were performed using Cohen's kappa test. RESULTS: Image analysis was performed on 140 patients (mean age, 67.3 ± 8.2 years). Agreement between PSMA PET/CT and PSMA-PET/MR was very good for intra-prostatic PSMA-avid foci (K = 0.85) and pelvic lymph nodes (K = 0.98), good for PSMA-avid bone metastases (K = 0.76) and fair for prostatic capsular invasion (K = 0.25) and seminal vesicle involvement (K = 0.31). Twelve patients (8.5%) had incidental findings and two patients (1.4%) had clinically significant findings. CONCLUSION: Limited pelvic PSMA-PET/MR has very good agreement with PET/CT regarding PSMA-avid prostatic, regional lymph nodes and bone lesions, and is superior to PET/CT with regard to capsular invasion and seminal vesicle involvement. KEY POINTS: • Limited pelvic PSMA-PET/MR is superior to whole-body PSMA-PET/CT in detecting extensions of localised disease, mainly due to the high soft tissue resolution of MR. • Limited pelvic PSMA-PET/MR may be useful for initial evaluation of histological biopsy-proven prostate cancer. • Further studies are warranted to evaluate limited pelvic PSMA-PET/MR for screening and active surveillance in selected populations.

Laparoscopic hand-assisted liver resection for tumours in the left lateral section.

CONTEXT: The role of the laparoscopic left lateral sectionectomy (LLLS) is debatable, and Level-1 data are lacking. AIMS: The aim of the study is to evaluate the feasibility and safety of this approach. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was a retrospective study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: From 2007 to 2014, patients undergoing LLLS were identified from two institutions. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Continuous variables were compared between groups with Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney test, as appropriate by type of distribution. Categorical variables were compared with Chi-square or Fisher's exact test, depending on the number of observations. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients were included in the study. The mean age was 63.5 + 13 years (range, 31-89), and the mean number of tumours was 1.7 + 1.5. Eleven (29%) patients underwent LLS combined with an additional liver resection (combined resections group). The mean duration of the operation and the mean estimated blood loss were significantly decreased in the LLS group compared to the combined resection group (101 + 71 min vs. 208 + 98 min and 216 + 217 ml vs. 450 + 223 ml;P < 0.05 for both, respectively). The major complications rate was 8% and no mortality occurred. CONCLUSIONS: In a subset of carefully selected cases, LLLS may provide the benefits of laparoscopy. This does not appear to compromise perioperative morbidity rates. We believe that this approach may serve as a training platform for surgical trainees.

Detection of Common Bile Duct Stones in Mild Acute Biliary Pancreatitis Using Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography.

BACKGROUND: All patients with mild acute biliary pancreatitis should undergo early cholecystectomy. Whether routine common bile duct (CBD) imaging should be employed before the surgical procedure in these patients is a matter of current controversy. The aim of this study was to investigate the rate of detection of CBD stones using magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) at different time intervals from admission. METHODS: From January 1, 2011, through December 31, 2016, 72 patients with acute biliary pancreatitis underwent MRCP. Fifty-six (n=56) of them with mild biliary pancreatitis met the study criteria. The patients were divided into two groups. Group A did not have stones in the CBD (n=45), and Group B had stones in the CBD (n=11). The time from admission to MRCP was divided into several periods (day 1 through day 180), and the presence of the CBD stones on MRCP was weighted against remoteness from admission. Liver chemistry profiles were compared between the groups on admission and before the MRCP. RESULTS: The cumulative rate of choledocholithiasis was 19.7% (Group B, n=11). Forty-five patients (Group A, n=45, 80.3%) did not have gallstones in the CBD. Eight patients with choledocholithiasis (8/56, 14.2%) were detected during the first 10 days from admission out of 27 patients. In patients who underwent MRCP between days 11 and 20, choledocholithiasis was found in two patients (2/56, 3.5%) and in one patient between days 21 and 30 (1/56, 1.8%). No stones were found in patients who underwent MRCP beyond 30 days from admission. Liver chemistry profiles did not show a significant difference in both groups. CBD dilatation was observed at presentation in 11 patients (n=11/56), 6 in Group A (6/45, 13.3%) and 5 in Group B (5/11, 45.5%) (p=0.016). CONCLUSIONS: Routine CBD evaluation should be encouraged after mild acute biliary pancreatitis. Early performance of MRCP gives high yield in selecting the patients for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) before cholecystectomy. A liver chemistry profile either on admission or before MRCP cannot predict the presence of CBD stones.

Quantitative characterisation of clinically significant intra-prostatic cancer by prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) expression and cell density on PSMA-11.

OBJECTIVES: To quantitatively characterize clinically significant intra-prostatic cancer (IPC) by prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) expression and cell density on PSMA-11 positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance (PET/MR). METHODS: Retrospective study approved by the institutional review board with informed written consent obtained. Patients with a solitary, biopsy-proven prostate cancer, Gleason score (GS) ≥7, presenting for initial evaluation by PET/computerised tomography (PET/CT), underwent early prostate PET/MR immediately after PSMA-11 tracer injection. PET/MR [MRI-based attenuation correction (MRAC)] and PET/CT [CT-based AC (CTAC)] maximal standardised uptake value (SUVmax) and minimal and mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADCmin, ADCmean; respectively) in normal prostatic tissue (NPT) were compared to IPC area. The relationship between SUVmax, ADCmin and ADCmean measurements was obtained. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients (mean age 69.5±5.0 years) were included in the analysis. Forty-four prostate areas were evaluated (22 IPC and 22 NPT). Median MRAC SUVmax of NPT was significantly lower than median MRAC SUVmax of IPC (p < 0.0001). Median ADCmin and ADCmean of NPT was significantly higher than median ADCmin and ADCmean of IPC (p < 0.0001). A very good correlation was found between MRAC SUVmax with CTAC SUVmax (rho = -0.843, p < 0.0001). A good inverse relationship was found between MRAC SUVmax and CTAC SUVmax with ADCmin (rho = -0.717, p < 0.0001 and -0.740, p < 0.0001; respectively; Z = 0.22, p = 0.82, NS) and with MRAC SUVmax and ADCmean (rho = -0.737, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: PET/MR SUVmax, ADCmin and ADCmean are distinct biomarkers able to differentiate between IPC and NPT in naïve prostate cancer patients with GS ≥ 7. KEY POINTS: • PSMA PET/MR metrics differentiate between normal and tumoural prostatic tissue. • A multi-parametric approach combining molecular and anatomical information might direct prostate biopsy. • PSMA PET/MR metrics are warranted for radiomics analysis.

18F-FDG PET/MR imaging of lymphoma nodal target lesions: Comparison of PET standardized uptake value (SUV) with MR apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC).

To compare positron emission tomography (PET) standardized uptake value (SUV) with magnetic resonance (MR) apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of nodal target lesions in patients with F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (FDG)-avid lymphomas by simultaneous PET/MR.Patients with histologically proven Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma underwent PET/MR limited field of view of FDG-avid target nodal lesions. For PET images, a region of interest (ROI) was drawn around the target nodal lesion and the SUVmax and SUVmean was measured. For MR ADC measurements a ROI was placed over the target nodal lesion on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and ADCmin and ADCmean (mean ADC) values within the ROI were recorded.Thirty-nine patients (19 women, 20 men; 13 patients with Hodgkin lymphoma and 26 with non-Hodgkin lymphoma) were included in the analysis. Sixty-six nodal lesions detected by PET/CT (19 PET-negative and 47 PET-positive) were analyzed by PET/MR. PET/MR quantitative assessments showed that ADCmin and ADCmean were accurate for discriminating positive from negative nodal lymphoma, with an AUC of 0.927 and 0.947, respectively. The ROC curve analysis of ADCmean versus SUVmax and SUVmean was not statistically significant (difference=0.044, P = .08 and difference = 0.045, P = .07; respectively). A substantial inverse association was observed between ADCmean with SUVmean and SUVmax (rho = -0.611; -0.607; P < .0001, respectively). A moderate inverse association was found between ADCmin with SUVmean and SUVmax (rho = -0.529, -0.520; P < .0001, respectively). Interobserver variability of quantitative assessment showed very good agreement for all variables (ICC>0.87).A significant correlation between ADCs and SUVs is found in FDG avid lymphomas. ADCmean is not inferior to PET SUV in discriminating positive and negative nodal lymphomas. Further larger studies are warranted to validate quantitative PET/MR for lymphoma patient management.

Correlation of 18F-FDG PET/MRE Metrics with Inflammatory Biomarkers in Patients with Crohn's Disease: A Pilot Study.

Background: To investigate the association between 18F-FDG (Fluorodeoxyglucose) PET (positron emission tomography)/MRE (magnetic resonance enterography) metrics with the inflammatory biomarkers fecal calprotectin and C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). Methods: This prospective pilot study was institutional review board (IRB) approved with informed consent obtained. Consecutive CD patients were referred to 18F-FDG PET/MRE. Patients in whom colonoscopy was performed and CRP and fecal calprotectin levels were measured were included. CRP and fecal calprotectin were regarded as positive for inflammation if they were greater than 0.5 mg/dl and 150 mcg/g, respectively. Correlation of quantitative variables was performed using the Pearson's correlation coefficient. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were drawn and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated to evaluate the accuracy of PET and MRE metrics in determining the presence of inflammation evaluated by calprotectin and CRP levels. Results: Analysis of 21 patients (16 women and 5 men, 43 ± 18 years) was performed. Magnetic resonance index of activity (MaRIA) score had an AUC of 0.63 associated with fecal calprotectin and CRP. Adding apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and metabolic inflammatory volume (MIV) to MaRIA score resulted in an AUC of 0.92 with a cutoff value of 447 resulting in 83% and 100% sensitivity and specificity, respectively. Conclusion: The addition of ADC and MIV to the MaRIA score increases the accuracy for discrimination of disease activity in patients with CD. Trial registration number is 2015062.

Hepatic 18F-FDG Uptake Measurements on PET/MR: Impact of Volume of Interest Location on Repeatability.

Background: To investigate same day 18F-FDG (Fluorodeoxyglucose) PET (Positron Emission Tomography)/MR (Magnetic Resonance) test-retest repeatability of Standardized Uptake Value measurements normalized for body weight (SUV) and lean body mass (SUL) in different locations in the liver. Methods: This prospective study was IRB approved with written informed consent obtained. 35 patients (20 women and 15 men, 61 ± 11.2 years) that performed a whole-body 18F-FDG PET/MR followed by liver-dedicated contrast-enhanced 18F-FDG PET/MR were included. SUV/L max, mean, and peak were measured inferior to, superior to, and at the right portal vein and in the left lobe of the liver. The coefficient of variation (CV) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were calculated and Bland-Altman plots were obtained. Results: The variability for SUV/L's measurements was lowest inferior to the portal vein (<9.2%) followed by measurements performed at the level of the portal vein (<14.6%). Conclusion: The area inferior to the portal vein is the most reliable location for hepatic 18F-FDG uptake measurements on PET/MR.

Reproducibility and repeatability of same-day two sequential FDG PET/MR and PET/CT.

BACKGROUND: To determine PET/CT and PET/MR reproducibility and PET/MR repeatability of fluorine 18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake measurements in tumors in cancer patients. METHODS: This IRB approved prospective study was performed between October 2015 and February 2016 in consecutive patients who performed same day PET/CT and two sequential PET/MR. Thirty three patients with visible tumors (N = 63) were included. SUV for body weight (SUV) and lean body mass (SUL) were obtained. Volume of interest (VOI) with a threshold of 40% was used and SUV/L's, metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and tumor to liver ratio (T/L) were calculated. Measurements were plotted in a scattered diagram to visually identify correlation, a regression line was drawn and the equation of the line was calculated. Bland-Altman plots expressed as percentages were constructed to assess the agreement between measurements. The maximal clinically acceptable limits range was defined as ±30%. RESULTS: Lesional SUV's, SUL's and MTV corrected to body weight (BW) and lean body mass (LBM) demonstrated strong positive linear correlation between PET/CT and PET/MR and between two sequential PET/MR. The 95% limits of agreement ranged from -27.7 to 17.5 with a mean of -5.1 and -27.6 to 17.9 with a mean of -4.9 for SUVpeak and SULpeak, respectively for sequential PET/MR. Other PET metrics demonstrated limits range that is above ±30% between PET/CT and PET/MR and between two sequential PET/MR. CONCLUSION: PET/MR SUV/L peak has a clinically acceptable repeatability performance and can be used to evaluate the response to treatment.

Radiation Exposure From Computed Tomography Of The Upper Limbs.

To investigate exposure to radiation we identified a cohort of 312 patients who underwent standardized CT of an upper limb within a three years period. The effective dose per dose length product coefficient was used to calculate the effective doses of radiation. Mean effective doses were as follows: shoulder CT, 10.83 (SD 6.36) mSv; wrist CT, 0.15 (SD 0.07) mSv; elbow CT performed with the arm above the head, 0.21 (SD 0.11) mSv and with the arm adjacent to the torso, 13.1 (SD 10.8) mSv. The corresponding lifetime attributable risk of cancer was 0.6/1000 for males and 0.73/1000 for females for shoulder CT and 0.75/1000 for males and 0.96/1000 for females for elbow CT with the arm adjacent to torso. The effective doses for CT scans of the wrist and of the elbow performed with the arm above the head were low. For elbow CT scans, elevating the arm above the head decreases the radiation doses.

The significance of paracardiac lymph-node enlargement in patients with newly diagnosed stage IIIC ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Extra-abdominal metastases in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) are relatively rare. Interpreting computed tomography (CT) scans, during initial work-up, little attention is focused on enlargement of paracardiac lymph nodes (PCLN) and their significance is not clear. We aimed to examine whether the presence of PCLN during initial diagnosis of EOC influences prognosis. METHODS: A retrospective study comparing patients with stage 3 EOC who were diagnosed with PCLN on CT scan during initial evaluation to stage 3C patients without PCLN. Scans were reviewed by a single radiologist for peritoneal involvement, distal metastases and presence of PCLN. Disease status at diagnosis, results of surgery, chemotherapy and response, disease-free interval (DFI) and overall survival (OS) were recorded. RESULTS: Thirty one patients with stage 3C EOC with PCLN on initial CT scan were included and compared with 41 controls. There was no significant difference between groups in abdominal optimal cytoreduction rate. Lower rates of complete response (CR) to initial treatment were detected in the study group (45.2% vs. 78.0%, p=.004). In survival analysis, the DFI for patients with PCLN was shorter (median 9.0 vs. 24.0 months, p=.0097) and overall survival was shorter (median 31.7 vs. 61.3 months, p=.001). Multivariate analysis showed that PCLN was significantly associated with a lower rate of CR, a shorter DFI and a shorter OS. CONCLUSION: The presence of enlarged PCLN at presentation appears to be associated with poor prognosis in stage 3C EOC. Further attention should be given to detection and follow-up of such findings when considering treatment.