Prevalence of Atherosclerosis in Psoriatic Patients Detected with Epiaortic Color Doppler Ultrasound and Computed Tomography Angiography.

INTRODUCTION: Psoriasis (PsO), a chronic inflammatory, multisystemic, and multifactorial disease can cause endothelial dysfunction, artery calcification, and atherosclerotic disease. A higher incidence of vascular occlusive events has been observed in psoriatic patients compared to healthy controls, and multiple studies confirm the association between moderate-severe PsO and atherosclerosis, coronary artery calcification, and higher cardiovascular risk. OBJECTIVE: We sought to analyze atherosclerotic disease prevalence in epiaortic vessels of psoriatic and non-psoriatic patients to understand if PsO could represent an independent risk factor predisposing to atherosclerotic disease. METHODS: We evaluated 47 psoriatic patients without cardiovascular risk factors with color Doppler ultrasound (CDUS). If atheromatous plaques were detected, a computed tomography angiography (CTA) was performed. We evaluated 47 non-psoriatic patients without cardiovascular risk factors with CDUS. Atherosclerosis prevalence in both groups were statistically analyzed. CDUS performance was compared to CTA. RESULTS: In the psoriatic group (mean age 50.9 years), 6 had atheromatous plaques and 12 had an intima-media thickness (IMT) > 1 mm (overall prevalence of atherosclerotic disease: 38.2%). All plaques detected with CDUS were confirmed at CTA. In the control group (mean age 51.3 years), CDUS revealed atheromatous plaques in 4 patients and IMT > 1 mm in 4 ones (overall prevalence of 17%). The difference of atherosclerotic disease prevalence between the groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results highlight that PsO could be considered a predisposing factor for atherosclerotic disease development in epiaortic vessels, as it causes an increased IMT, that is also considered an independent cardiovascular risk factor.

Ultrasound-Guided Laser Ablation After Excisional Vacuum-Assisted Breast Biopsy for Small Malignant Breast Lesions: Preliminary Results.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this preliminary study is to evaluate the feasibility of the excisional ultrasound (US) guided vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VAE), followed by US-guided Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT) in the treatment of unifocal ductal breast carcinomas ≤ 1 cm and estimate the ablation rate analyzing the final histopathological results after subsequent surgical excision. METHODS: In a single session 11 female patients with unifocal less than a centimeter breast cancer underwent 2 different minimally invasive percutaneous US-guided techniques: a VAE breast biopsy with an 8 G needle to remove the lesion and, immediately after, a LITT ablation in the biopsy site. Four weeks later, all patients underwent radiological follow-up. Afterward, a systematic surgery was performed, the ablation rate was calculated, and iconographic and histological features were correlated. RESULTS: Average maximum diameter of the lesions was 7.6 mm (5-10 mm). No patient reported pain or discomfort during procedure. 1/11 patient (9.1%) reported an early minor complication (a small superficial skin burn). After surgical excision, the histopathological evaluation reported in 10/11 cases (90.9%) complete ablation of the target lesion. In only one case (9.1%) residual cancer was detected. The necrotic-hemorrhagic cavities showed a mean maximum diameter of 27.3 mm (20-35 mm). CONCLUSIONS: Laser ablation performed after excisional biopsy could be considered a valid alternative to surgical excision for the treatment of lesions ≤ 1 cm, if carried out by expert radiologists. The association of these minimally invasive percutaneous methods has proven to be reliable, fast, and safe with an ablation rate of 90.9% and excellent aesthetic results. RM and CESM are potentially able to quantifying treatment results and to follow-up the ablation effects.

Shear wave elastography and microvascular ultrasound in response evaluation to calcipotriol+betamethasone foam in plaque psoriasis.

Psoriasis (PsO) is a chronic skin disease. This study aims to evaluate clinical and subclinical response to calcipotriol+betamethasone foam, in patients with PsO, comparing, for the first time, data from microvascular ultrasound (MicroV) and shear wave elastography (SWE) with Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). METHODS: Between November 2018 and April 2019 in Tor Vergata Hospital (Roma, Italy), we enrolled 26 patients with PsO who were ageds 20-75 years, with PASI score ≥4, candidated for calcipotriol+betamethasone foam treatment. They underwent MicroV and SWE evaluation at baseline (T0) and after 4 weeks of treatment (T4). Clinical follow-up was carried on at T4, T8 and T12. Student's t-test (p values<0.05 statistically significant) was used to compare SWE and PASI values. RESULTS: At T0, SWE stiffness values of target plaques (61.5% on elbows, 23% knees, 7.7% sacrum,7.7% legs) were significantly higher than values under healthy skin. At T4, all patients showed a significant reduction of PASI; MicroV showed reduction in vascularisation of responsive plaques in 85% of cases, only in 15%, the vascularisation degree remained stable; and SWE values of target plaques were significantly lower compared with T0. Only in 7.7%, there was a relapse at T12. CONCLUSIONS: Calcipotriol+betamethasone foam is a very effective topical treatment in a short-medium term follow-up in patients with PsO. MicroV and SWE evaluate response to treatment (in term of plaque vascularisation and stiffness), so they could represent promising early indicators of therapeutic response and help the physician to establish a better clinical-therapeutic management of patients with PsO.

A Prospective Evaluation of Tru-Cut Biopsy and Fine-needle Aspiration Cytology in Male Breast Cancer Detection.

BACKGROUND: Male breast-cancer (MBC) is often diagnosed late. Our purpose was to evaluate fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) versus Tru-Cut biopsy (TCNB) in MBC diagnosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Men with suspicious breast lesions were prospectively enrolled; 54 met the inclusion criteria and underwent FNAC and TCNB. FNAC, TCNB and gold-standard results were compared. RESULTS: Unsatisfactory results were 11.1% after FNAC and none after TCNB (p=0.027). After gold-standard evaluation, the diagnosis of FNAC and TCNB was confirmed, respectively, in 63.0% and 98.1% and changed in 37.0% and 1.9% (p<0.001). The malignancy rate after FNAC, TCNB and surgery were, respectively, 25.9%, 33.3% and 35.1% (FNAC vs. TCNB p=0.5276, FNAC vs. surgery p=0.404; TCNB vs. surgery p=1). Among invasive carcinomas, 93.8% were identified by FNAC vs. 87.5% by TCNB (p=1); all ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) were detected after TCNB and none after FNAC (p=0.1). CONCLUSION: FNAC leads to a significantly higher number of inadequate samplings and seems to be subject to increased DCIS misdiagnoses. TCNB correlated better to the final histological report.

MR imaging-guided vacuum assisted breast biopsy: Radiological-pathological correlation and underestimation rate in pre-surgical assessment.

BACKGROUND: Magnetic Resonance(MR) guided percutaneous procedures(MRgVABB) have been developed and largely employed to reduce the need of surgical biopsies for suspicious lesions which can be detected only by MR(MR-only lesion). The present study aims to investigate correlation between imaging, histological features of MRgVABB and surgical specimens of MR-only lesions. METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled 56 patients with a total of 61 lesions. Each finding was defined as Mass-Enhancement(ME) or Non-ME(NME) and classified according to BI-RADS. MRgVABB and surgical data were collected. Concordance between MR, MRgVABB and open biopsy was calculated. Underestimation Rate(UR) of MRgVABB with surgery was obtained. RESULTS: B2 and B5b lesions were statistically associated with NME and ME, respectively. No statistical association was found to B3 nor to B5a with radiological features. UR was 10 %; underestimated lesions were strongly associated with the presence of a ME on MR imaging. Moreover, B3 lesions are associated with higher UR. CONCLUSION: Radiological features should influence patient management aiming to construct a correct diagnostic and therapeutic plan. When MR is prescribed for breast cancer staging for ME-MR-only lesions, we suggest surgical open biopsy instead of MRgVABB when upfront surgery is the treatment of choice.

The Effect of Coronavirus (COVID-19) on Breast Cancer Teamwork: A Multicentric Survey.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Despite the large amount of clinical data available of Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19), not many studies have been conducted about the psychological toll on Health Care Workers (HCWs). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this multicentric descriptive study, surveys were distributed among 4 different Breast Cancer Centers (BCC). BCCs were distinguished according to COVID-19 tertiary care hospital (COVID/No-COVID) and district prevalence (DP) (High vs. Low). DASS-21 score, PSS score and demographic data (age, sex, work) were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 51 HCWs were analyzed in the study. Age, work and sex did not demonstrate statistically significant values. Statistically significant distribution was found between DASS-21-stress score and COVID/No-COVID (p=0.043). No difference was found in the remaining DASS-21 and PSS scores, dividing the HCWs according to COVID-19-hospital and DP. CONCLUSION: Working in a COVID-19-hospital represents a factor that negatively affects psychosocial well-being. However, DP seems not to affect the psychosocial well-being of BCC HCWs. During the outbreak, psychological support for low risk HCWs should be provided regardless DP.

Evaluation of Ultrasound-guided 8-Gauge Vacuum-assisted Excision System for the Removal of US-detectable Breast Lesions.

AIM: To assess the ability of ultrasound (US)-guided vacuum-assisted breast excision (VAE) to remove Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) ≥3 breast lesions in order to analyze US features most frequently associated with complete excision. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 266 BI-RADS ≥3 lesions without microcalcifications underwent US-VAE. US-VAE and gold standard pathological results were compared. US features of lesions were analyzed. RESULTS: The complete excision rate was 93.61%; the VAE agreement rate was 99.62%. Circumscribed margins, regular shape, parallel orientation, and the absence of posterior features were favorable US features associated with complete excision. Lesions completely excised were: BI-RADS 3 ≤21.10 mm and BI-RADS 4 ≤18.70 mm with one unfavorable US characteristic, and BI-RADS 4 lesions ≤13.5 mm with two unfavorable US features hindered complete removal. Two atypical ductal hyperplasias (<10 mm, one unfavorable feature) and eight ductal carcinomas in situ (≤8.7 mm, one/two unfavorable features) were completely removed. CONCLUSION: US-VAE is highly accurate for diagnostic purpose and, in some cases, highly successful for complete lesion excision. This success also depends on the US characteristics and size of the lesion.

Reducing the Number of Unnecessary Percutaneous Biopsies: The Role of Second Opinion by Expert Breast Center Radiologists.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The research objectives of this study were the estimation of the number of misdiagnosed breast lesions by non-expert-center-breast-radiologists (NEBR) and the investigation of the discordant rate (DR) calculated between initial and second opinion. Moreover, this study evaluated the impact of second opinion and the factors associated with DR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 399 patients were sent to our Tertiary Breast Cancer (BC) Center to perform fine needle aspiration/core needle biopsy (FNAC/CNB) after external examination. Lesions were reclassified according to Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS). External examinations were classified as breast-expert, not-breast-expert and physicians as expert-center-breast-radiologists (EBR), NEBR, and non-radiologists (NR). Personal/family history of breast cancer (BC), breast-density and presence of prior imaging were collected. RESULTS: DR was 74.3%. After second opinion, FNAC/CNB was proposed in 25.7% of cases and 2 additional cancers were detected. About 59.5% of unnecessary FNAC/CNB were avoided. Dense breast, no prior imaging examination and BC family-history were associated with higher DR (p-value<0.001); personal BC-history was associated in NEBR evaluations (p-value=0.0383). CONCLUSION: Second opinion review of outside examinations at expert BC Center may decrease unneeded biopsy, reducing health-care costs.

Biomechanical properties of optic nerve and retrobulbar structures with 2D and 3D shear wave elastography in patients affected by glaucoma.

This study consists of an elastosonography evaluation of both eyes of 40 glaucomatous patients and 40 healthy subjects. We used shear wave elastography with a one-dimensional-array probe to capture two-dimensional images in order to study the optic nerve near the papilla, chorioretinal complex, lateral rectus muscle, and periorbital fat tissue. Furthermore, we used a two-dimensional array probe to capture three-dimensional images to study the optic nerve in toto with multilevel sampling. We obtained qualitative and quantitative data ("absolute" stiffness values). Then, we have investigated these tissue also measuring the "stiffness ratio" values. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05), between glaucomatous patients and healthy patients, were noted in "absolute" stiffness values in the two-dimensional analysis at the emergence of the optic nerve and chorioretinal complex, and in the three-dimensional analysis at the emergence of the optic nerve (level I°). This result was supported by the statistically significant differences in the "stiffness ratio" values between the optic nerve and the adjacent adipose tissue, obtained both in two- and three-dimensional analyses. Data were subsequently compared with diagnostic tests currently used for glaucoma, which showed a sensitivity of 83% and specificity of 80% relative to those of elastosonography. We propose the use of elastosonography to verify the existence of pathological changes in the mechanical and elastic properties of peri-ocular structures and their variations as a complementary tool in the diagnosis of glaucoma and for follow-up during treatment.

Recurrent MALT lymphoma presenting as renal calyceal-pelvic rupture. What is the cause of this break?

Urinary collecting system rupture is an uncommon condition that usually occurs with symptoms of acute abdomen, secondary to peritoneal irritation by urine leaking. We report a case of a 49-year-old man admitted to our emergency department because of a worsening deep lower abdominal pain started 3 days before. The abdominal computed tomography revealed urine extravasation suggesting for urinoma. Because of patient pathological history of lymphoma, despite its apparent state of remission, he underwent a positron emission tomography - computed tomography with 18[F]-FDG and magnetic resonance in order to rule out a recurrence. Imaging supported the diagnostic hypothesis of a lymphatic recurrence that had compressed "ab-extrinseco" the urinary tract so much to break it. Based on our experience we can suggest that nontraumatic calyceal-pelvic rupture is an extremely rare manifestation of an onset of lymphoma.

A Rare Case of Primary Uterine Non-Hodgkins's Lymphoma with Involvement of Right Ovary: Staging with 18F FDG PET/CT and Iodinated Contrast CT.

Primary uterine non-Hodgkin's lymphomas are extremely rare, and consequently, imaging findings of this disease have rarely been reported in the literature. We present fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (18[F] FDG) positron emission tomography/computerized tomography (CT) and iodinated contrast CT findings in a young patient with primary uterine non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma with right ovary involvement.

Probably Benign Breast Nodular Lesions (BI-RADS 3): Correlation between Ultrasound Features and Histologic Findings.

The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the validity of the BI-RADS system in ultrasound findings assigned to BI-RADS 3 category, using cytologic and histologic results as a benchmark. Our study population consisted of 122 ultrasound nodular lesions in 122 women who underwent fine-needle aspiration cytology and biopsy for probably benign lesions (Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System [BI-RADS] category 3). Contrary to what was previously reported in the literature (risk of malignancy of BI-RADS 3 <2%), malignancy was the outcome in seven of 122 cases (5.7%). Our study also found that the presence of a cellular component with a mobile fluid-fluid level in a cystic lesion and small (<3 mm) anechoic components in solid lesions is not always an indication of benignity. Our experience seems to indicate the need to consider the presence of non-homogeneous echoes in the corpuscular cyst and solid nodular lesions with cystic components as suspicious, especially in lesions with large dimensions. Therefore it would be necessary to conduct further studies to establish a dimensional criterion in the assessment of the malignant nature of the mentioned lesions. The management of probably benign nodular lesions should not only be guided by BI-RADS classification; it is also necessary to include clinical and anamnestic data and apply a multidisciplinary approach to select cases that require histologic verification instead of the usual follow-up.

Anomalous development of the inferior vena cava: Case reports of agenesis and hypoplasia.

We reported the cases of two adult male patients who were admitted to our emergency room with abdominal pain and dyspnea caused by gallstones and pulmonary embolism respectively. During the radiological investigations, as collateral findings, we found two anomalous development of the inferior vena cava. These conditions affect about 4% of population and, although asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic, are associated with thrombotic manifestations as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. The prompt recognition of these anomalies is necessary in order to prevent the complications associated with these conditions and to set the best therapy for patients.

Mediterranean diet and physical activity impact on metabolic syndrome among children and adolescents from Southern Italy: Contribution from the Calabrian Sierras Community Study (CSCS).

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of Mediterranean diet (MD) and physical activity on metabolic syndrome (MS) prevalence in children and adolescents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out in 863 boys and 780 girls, 6-14years old, from primary and secondary schools in a 14-town Southern Italian community. We modified the KIDMED questionnaire to adapt it to the local reality. RESULTS: Poor adherence to MD was seen in 18.4% of children and adolescents, while 81.6% had a medium-high compliance and the prevalence of MS was 6.6% and 3.7% respectively (OR: 1.8; 95% C.I.: 1.06-3.11; p=0.013). When participants had less physical activity, MS was more frequent as compared to those more active (5.3% versus 2.3%; OR: 2.3; 95% C.I.: 1.3-4.3; p=0.0068) which had a parallel counterpart when comparing those accustomed to seeing television for less or more than 5h per day and MS prevalence was 12.3% versus 3.8% (OR: 3.38; 95% C.I.: 1.66-6.86, p=0.0008), respectively. Finally, there was a specific abnormality in triglyceride levels, both in girls and boys, when participants were classified according to bad lifestyles, based on the combined evaluation of scarce adherence to MD and less extracurricular physical activity, accompanied by a 7-fold increased prevalence of MS as compared to those with the best lifestyle (11.0% versus 1.6%; p=0.025). CONCLUSIONS: There is an apparent importance of healthier lifestyle habits including physical activity and adherence to the MD also among children and adolescents.