The ethical matrix as a method for involving people living with disease and the wider public (PPI) in near-term artificial intelligence research.

INTRODUCTION: The rapid pace of research in the field of Artificial Intelligence in medicine has associated risks for near-term AI. Ethical considerations of the use of AI in medicine remain a subject of much debate. Concurrently, the Involvement of People living with disease and the Public (PPI) in research is becoming mandatory in the EU and UK. The goal of this research was to elucidate the important values for our relevant stakeholders: People with MS, Radiologists, neurologists, Registered Healthcare Practitioners and Computer Scientists concerning AI in radiology and synthesize these in an ethical matrix. METHODS: An ethical matrix workshop co-designed with a patient expert. The workshop yielded a survey which was disseminated to the professional societies of the relevant stakeholders. Quantitative data were analysed using the Pingouin 0.53 python package. Qualitative data were examined with word frequency analysis and analysed for themes with grounded theory with a patient expert. RESULTS: 184 participants were recruited, (54, 60, 17, 12, 41 respectively). There were significant (p < 0.00001) differences in age, gender and ethnicity between groups. Key themes emerging from our results were the importance fast and accurate results, explanations over model performance and the significance of maintaining personal connections and choice. These themes were used to construct the ethical matrix. CONCLUSION: The ethical matrix is a useful tool for PPI and stakeholder engagement with particular advantages for near-term AI in the pandemic era. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: We have produced an ethical matrix that allows for the inclusion of stakeholder opinion in medical AI research design.

Prevalence of significant pathology on MRI of brain and orbits in patients presenting with visual disturbance.

PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to determine the frequency and variety of abnormalities detected on MRI studies of the brain and orbits (MRBO), in patients referred for investigation of visual disturbance from a tertiary ophthalmology centre in Ireland. A secondary objective was to assess the various imaging pathologies identified in this cohort of patients. METHODS: The inclusion criteria were patients who underwent an Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain or MRI brain and orbits over a 12-month period for investigation of first episode of visual disturbance, who were over 18 years of age, with visual disturbance of unknown aetiology. Statistical analysis was performed to calculate the percentage of abnormalities and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). Additionally, logistic regression was used to investigate any association between age, gender and the pathologies which presented. RESULTS: 135 MRI brain and orbit examinations fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Abnormalities were identified on 86 of the 135 examinations (63.7%; 95% CI: 55.3% to 71.3%). Nonspecific T2 hyperintensities were identified on 28 (20.7%) of the examinations, 13 (9.6%) examinations showed images suggestive of demyelination and 11 (8.1%) showed optic neuropathy. The logistic regression analysis showed no evidence of an association between age (p = 0.223), gender (p = 0.307) and abnormalities in this study. CONCLUSION: This represents a relatively high detection rate of abnormalities on MRBO when compared with similar studies and shows the important role MRI has in patients with a visual disturbance.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome with Lilliputian hallucinations secondary to Takayasu's arteritis.

Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES) is a rare complication of Takayasu's Arteritis. A 54-year-old, right-handed woman presented with Lilliputian visual hallucinations, postprandial abdominal pain, blurred vision and headaches. She then had a tonic-clonic seizure. Neuroimaging revealed characteristic white matter oedema of the occipital lobes, in keeping with PRES. Renal infarcts and abnormalities of the abdominal aorta, subclavian, mesenteric, and internal carotid arteries were demonstrated on further imaging. The combination of hypertension, absent peripheral pulses, postprandial claudication, and imaging abnormalities of the aorta as well as its branches, lead to the diagnosis of PRES secondary to Takayasu's Arteritis. Treatment with oral steroids resulted in complete resolution of the patient's symptoms and abnormalities found on CT and MRI brain imaging. Takayasu's Arteritis is a rare vasculitis, more common in women and PRES is an unusual complication. Symptoms of PRES may include headache, seizures, hallucinations, confusion, and altered consciousness. Risk factors for PRES include; pregnancy, immunosuppression, renal disease, hypertension and rheumatological disorders. Vasogenic oedema in affected lobes, most often occipital, is characteristic of PRES on neuroimaging. Prompt treatment of PRES can avoid catastrophic consequences such as death and can achieve complete resolution of symptoms and imaging abnormalities.

The accuracy of standard multiple sclerosis MRI brain sequences for the diagnosis of optic neuropathy.

BACKGROUND: Detection of optic neuropathy on MRI has potential implications for the diagnosis and management of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the accuracy of T2 sagittal MRI brain for detection of optic neuropathy, compared to coronal STIR orbit. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Retrospective single-center blinded diagnostic accuracy study of 100 consecutive patients who underwent both T2 sagittal brain and coronal STIR orbit MRI. All were performed on 1.5T scanners. T2 sagittal slice thickness was 4 mm for the first 50 patients (group1) and 3 mm for the second 50 (group2). The MRIs were reviewed in a blinded fashion to determine the presence of optic neuropathy. Coronal STIR orbit sequences were considered the diagnostic reference standard. RESULTS: The sensitivity of T2 sagittal brain imaging for ON was 44% in group 1 and 85% in group 2 (p = 0.007). The specificities were 98% and 97% respectively (p = 0.9). Sensitivity was poorest for evaluation of the intraorbital nerve segment (56% grp1, 69% grp2, p = 0.4). CONCLUSION: T2 sagittal MRI brain has high specificity for the detection of optic neuropathy when compared to coronal STIR orbit. Sensitivity is increased when slice thickness is reduced, but remains poor for evaluation of the intraorbital segment.

Cognitive dysfunction in early multiple sclerosis: a review.

Cognitive impairment is a common and disabling feature of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), including early MS, and may even pre-date any physical symptoms. It contributes even more to withdrawal from work than physical disability. Here, we provide an overview of cognitive impairment in MS, particularly in early MS where it is most commonly under-reported and under-treated. We address the presenting features of CI, its impact on quality of life, and its validated assessments (in particular the use of Brief International Cognitive Assessment in MS for use in a clinical setting). We review the insights radiology has given us into the pathogenesis of cognitive impairment in MS, particularly in early CI and in cognitively preserved MS patients. We review current treatments for cognitive impairment, primarily cognitive rehabilitation. We address the evidence for its associated co-morbidities, which may exacerbate or trigger CI, and should therefore be addressed early in the disease course (smoking, alcohol, mood, fatigue and potential co-existing sleep disorders, exercise, and vitamin D). The article supports the importance for early recognition and management of cognitive impairment in MS, before it becomes an established and irreversible entity.

Correction to: MRI and multiple sclerosis-the evolving role of MRI in the diagnosis and management of MS: a clinician's perspective.

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake. The presentation of Table 1 was incorrectly captured. The Publisher regrets that it introduced errors to Table 1 during the typesetting of the article. The original article has been corrected.

MRI and multiple sclerosis-the evolving role of MRI in the diagnosis and management of MS: a clinician's perspective.

The diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) is based on a history consistent with demyelination of the central nervous system and corresponding physical signs on examination. However, this diagnosis is supported radiologically using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). At present, MRI serves as the most reliable and widely available biomarker for the practising clinician to measure disease activity and treatment response in MS. As MRI remains central to both the diagnosis and management of MS, this paper provides proposed guidelines for its use in routine clinical practice.

The Diagnostic Accuracy of Contrast-Enhanced CT of the Neck for the Investigation of Sialolithiasis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Sialolithiasis is a common benign pathology affecting the salivary glands but it is unclear if contrast-enhanced CT, which is commonly used for investigation of head and neck pathology, can identify calculi as accurately as noncontrast CT. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of contrast-enhanced CT of the neck in the diagnosis of sialolithiasis compared with noncontrast CT of the neck used as the criterion standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective, case-control study of 92 consecutive cases in 90 patients who underwent both noncontrast CT of the neck and contrast-enhanced CT of the neck in 2 tertiary referral centers from January 2011 to December 2015 for investigation of sialolithiasis. Axial 3-mm-section images were assessed by a fellowship-trained diagnostic neuroradiologist and diagnostic neuroradiology fellow in consensus. Blinded assessment of the contrast-enhanced CT of the neck was performed first, followed by noncontrast CT of the neck after a 2-week interval. The presence or absence of a stone and stone location and size were documented. Statistical analysis was undertaken to assess the agreement between CT protocols and calculate the sensitivity and specificity of contrast-enhanced CT of the neck. RESULTS: Fifty calculi were identified on noncontrast CT of the neck in 31 cases; and 48 calculi, in 31 cases on contrast-enhanced CT of the neck. No calculi were identified in the remaining 61 cases. The sensitivity and specificity of contrast-enhanced CT of the neck in the detection of sialolithiasis was 96% (95% CI, 86.3%-99.5%) and 100% (95% CI, 94.1%-100%), respectively. The positive predictive value of contrast-enhanced CT of the neck was 100% (95% CI, 92.6%-100%), and the negative predictive value was 96.8% (95% CI, 89%-99.6%). The accuracy of contrast-enhanced CT of the neck in diagnosing the presence or absence of salivary calculi was 98%. CONCLUSIONS: Contrast-enhanced CT of the neck is accurate in the detection of sialolithiasis, with no difference in diagnostic accuracy compared with noncontrast CT of the neck.

Neurosarcoidosis: clinical presentations and changing treatment patterns in an Irish Caucasian population.

BACKGROUND: The clinical manifestations of neurosarcoidosis are highly variable and it should be considered as a potential differential diagnosis in any neurological presentation. AIM: This study was designed to describe the clinical, diagnostic, and treatment patterns and functional outcome in a Caucasian neurosarcoidosis population. DESIGN: A retrospective analysis was performed on prospectively recorded data in patients attending our neurology clinic between 2008 and 2014 with a diagnosis of definite or probable neurosarcoidosis according to Zajiek criteria. METHODS: Detailed clinical features, baseline demographic data, results of investigations, treatment type and duration, and clinical outcomes were collated. RESULTS: Eleven patients were identified (55% men) with mean age 39 years (range 21-63). Four had a prior history of systemic sarcoidosis leading to earlier diagnosis (6.7 vs 13.1 months). Six were found to have evidence of systemic sarcoidosis on further investigation and one was biopsy proven isolated neurosarcoidosis. The commonest site of CNS involvement was the cranial nerves (64%), and headache (45%) was the most frequent presenting symptom. MRI abnormalities included leptomeningeal enhancement, white matter lesions, acute arteritis, spinal cord lesion, and cauda equina enhancement. The commonest CSF finding was raised protein (n = 6) and a lymphocytic pleocytosis (n = 7). Serum ACE was only elevated in three cases. Ten patients were treated with both corticosteroids and steroid-sparing agents 8 of whom went into remission. CONCLUSIONS: This series highlights the diverse nature of neurosarcoidosis. Early introduction of aggressive therapy with corticosteroids and steroid-sparing agents appears to improve clinical outcome.

PET imaging of subclinical seizure associated with intracranial cavernous malformations.

We present the case of a subclinical seizure identified during positron emission tomography with 18-fluorodeoxyglucose in a patient with cavernous malformations.

Minimally Invasive Diagnosis of Secondary Intracranial Lymphoma.

Diffuse large B cell lymphomas (DLBCL) are an aggressive group of non-Hodgkin lymphoid malignancies which have diverse presentation and can have high mortality. Central nervous system relapse is rare but has poor survival. We present the diagnosis of primary mandibular DLBCL and a unique minimally invasive diagnosis of secondary intracranial recurrence. This case highlights the manifold radiological contributions to the diagnosis and management of lymphoma.

Clinical Consensus Guidelines on the Application of Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers for Alzheimer's Disease Diagnosis: Recommendations of the Irish Network for Biomarkers in Neurodegeneration.

It is accepted that a lumbar puncture (LP) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarker analysis support the routine diagnostic work-up for the differential diagnosis of dementia due to Alzheimer's disease (AD) within certain patient cohorts1. These tests, which measure CSF protein concentrations of amyloid-ß42 (Aß42), total tau (t-tau) and phospho tau (p-tau), were recently validated, accredited and made available clinically for the first time in Ireland. A working group, comprising Irish clinical and scientific researchers, met to review a) the validation results; b) international consensus opinions, and c) research and clinical evidence as to the clinical utility of CSF biomarker analysis for AD dementia diagnosis. The outcome of this meeting was the formulation of a consensus statement paper for the benefit of health care professionals involved in the diagnosis and management of dementia to ensure appropriate use of these biomarker tests in clinical settings in Ireland.

Lemierre's syndrome, the forgotten disease.

Lemierre's syndrome is a rare and potentially fatal entity affecting otherwise healthy and young adults. The infection originates in the throat and spreads via a septic trombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein, with development of distant septic emboli. This clinical picture is characteristic but many clinicians are unaware of the condition and diagnosis is often delayed with potentially fatal consequences.