Diagnostic value of apparent diffusion coefficient of psoas muscles for evaluating complications in patients with Crohn's disease.

Aim: To assess the association of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of the psoas muscles and psoas muscle index (PMI) with the activity and behaviour of Crohn's disease (CD). Material and methods: This was a retrospective study of 88 CD patients who underwent magnetic resonance enterography. Patients were classified according to the Montreal Classification in uncomplicated (non-stricturing, non-penetrating, B1), and complicated (structuring [B2] and penetrating disease [B3]). At the level of the third lumbar vertebra, the ADC and PMI were estimated. CD activity was analysed using the Magnetic Resonance Index of Activity (MaRIA), and depending on its values patients were categorized as high or low activity. Additionally, the presence of creeping fat (CrF) was used to evaluate activity. ADC and PMI were using Student's t-test. Results: Our study included 47 males and 41 females (mean age of 38.69 ±14.4 years). The ADC in uncomplicated (B1, n = 45) and complicated disease (B2 + B3, n = 43) were 1.11 ±0.19 and 1.03 ±0.10 (10-3*mm2/s), respectively, (p = 0.02). ADC was significantly lower in patients with stricturing disease than in patients without strictures (1.02 ±0.11 and 1.10 ±0.18 [10-3 mm2/s], respectively, p = 0.01). The group with non-penetrating disease showed higher PMI than those with penetrating disease (5.71 ±1.88 vs. 4.42 ±1.55 cm2/m2, respectively, p = 0.10). There was no significant difference in PMI and ADC between patients with low and high MaRIA or positive and negative CrF. Conclusions: The ADC of the psoas muscles is significantly lower in CD patients with uncomplicated disease, particularly those with stricturing disease. Therefore, ADC can be considered as an imaging biomarker of myopathic changes in CD patients.

Association between sacroiliac joint forms and subchondral changes in patients with Crohn's disease.

AIM: To assess the relationship between anatomical variants of sacroiliac joint (SIJ) and subchondral changes detected in magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 60 CD patients, who were divided into two groups: with (n = 16) and without SIJ (n = 44) involvement, depending on the presence of inflammatory (bone marrow edema) and structural changes (sclerosis and erosions) in MRE. Anatomical variants of SIJ were assessed in CT of the abdomen and/or pelvis, distinguishing typical form with convex iliac surface and atypical forms. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to reveal an association between joint changes and forms. RESULTS: Our study included 60 patients (38 males; mean age 38.72 years ± 13.33). Patients with SIJ changes were older (p = .044). No significant differences in CD localization and behavior were found. The most common SIJ lesions were structural changes (in 75% of patients); the main atypical form was the iliosacral complex. The univariate and multivariate analyses showed a significant association of atypical forms with total subchondral changes (odds ratio [OR]: 3.429, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.043-11.268; p = .042; OR: 5.066, 95% CI: 1.273-20.167; p = .021, respectively), and with structural changes (OR: 4.185, 95% CI: 1.155-15.160; p = .029; OR: 5.986, 95% CI: 1.293-27.700; p = .022, respectively). CONCLUSION: Atypical forms of SIJ are a risk factor for the occurrence of structural joint changes in CD patients. An association between bone marrow edema and atypical forms was not found.

Pericardial Effusion Predicts Clinical Outcomes in Patients with COVID-19: A Nationwide Multicenter Study.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The prognostic role of pericardial effusion (PE) in Covid 19 is unclear. The aim of the present study was to estimate the prognostic role of PE in patients with Covid 19 in a large multicentre setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study is a part of the German multicenter project RACOON (Radiological Cooperative Network of the Covid 19 pandemic). The acquired sample comprises 1197 patients, 363 (30.3%) women and 834 (69.7%) men. In every case, chest computed tomography was analyzed for PE. Data about 30-day mortality, need for mechanical ventilation and need for intensive care unit (ICU) admission were collected. Data were evaluated by means of descriptive statistics. Group differences were calculated with Mann-Whitney test and Fisher exact test. Uni-and multivariable regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: Overall, 46.4% of the patients were admitted to ICU, mechanical lung ventilation was performed in 26.6% and 30-day mortality was 24%. PE was identified in 159 patients (13.3%). The presence of PE was associated with 30-day mortality: HR= 1.54, CI 95% (1.05; 2.23), p = 0.02 (univariable analysis), and HR= 1.60, CI 95% (1.03; 2.48), p = 0.03 (multivariable analysis). Furthermore, density of PE was associated with the need for intubation (OR=1.02, CI 95% (1.003; 1.05), p = 0.03) and the need for ICU admission (OR=1.03, CI 95% (1.005; 1.05), p = 0.01) in univariable regression analysis. The presence of PE was associated with 30-day mortality in male patients, HR= 1.56, CI 95%(1.01-2.43), p = 0.04 (multivariable analysis). In female patients, none of PE values predicted clinical outcomes. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of PE in Covid 19 is 13.3%. PE is an independent predictor of 30-day mortality in male patients with Covid 19. In female patients, PE plays no predictive role.

Clinical importance of thoracal lymphadenopathy in COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Thoracal lymphadenopathy may predict prognosis in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), albeit the reported data is inconclusive. The aim of the present analysis was to analyze the affected lymph node stations and the cumulative lymph node size derived from computed tomography (CT) for prediction of 30-day mortality in patients with COVID-19. METHODS: The clinical database was retrospectively screened for patients with COVID-19 between 2020 and 2022. Overall, 177 patients (63 female, 35.6%) were included into the analysis. Thoracal lymphadenopathy was defined by short axis diameter above 10 mm. Cumulative lymph node size of the largest lymph nodes was calculated and the amount of affected lymph node stations was quantified. RESULTS: Overall, 53 patients (29.9%) died within the 30-day observation period. 108 patients (61.0%) were admitted to the ICU and 91 patients needed to be intubated (51.4%). Overall, there were 130 patients with lymphadenopathy (73.4%). The mean number of affected lymph node levels were higher in non-survivors compared to survivors (mean, 4.0 vs 2.2, p < 0.001). The cumulative size was also higher in non-survivors compared to survivors (mean 55.9 mm versus 44.1 mm, p = 0.006). Presence of lymphadenopathy was associated with 30-day mortality in a multivariable analysis, OR = 2.99 (95% CI 1.20 - 7.43), p = 0.02. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracal lymphadenopathy comprising cumulative size and affected levels derived from CT images is associated with 30-day mortality in patients with COVID-19. COVID-19 patients presenting with thoracic lymphadenopathy should be considered as a risk group.

Parameters of body composition and creeping fat are associated with activity of Crohn's disease.

AIM: This study aimed at assessing body composition parameters, creeping fat (CrF), and Crohn's disease's (CD) activity based on the Magnetic Resonance Index of Activity (MaRIA). METHODS: 114 CD patients who underwent magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) between June 2010 and April 2020 were retrospectively assessed. The semi-automated body composition segmentation, the qualitative evaluation of CrF, and MaRIA were performed. Based on their MaRIA score, patients were divided into two groups: mild-to-moderate disease (MaRIA <11, n = 50) and severe disease (MaRIA ≥11, n = 64). MRE parameters were analyzed between both groups. Patients were dichotomized according to body composition categories and the presence of CrF. Univariate regression analyses were performed to investigate the association between dichotomized variables and severe disease. Significant variables were incorporated into the multivariate logistic regression model. RESULTS: The severe disease group exhibited higher serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels compared to the mild-to-moderate disease group (p ≤0.001). In the mild-to-moderate disease group, a higher proportion of patients had a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 (kg/m2) (32.0%) compared to the severe disease group (16.5%) (p = 0.04). The subcutaneous adipose tissue index (SATI) was significantly higher in the mild-to-moderate disease group (p = 0.04). The visceral to subcutaneous adipose tissue (VAT/SAT) ratio tended to be higher in the severe disease group (p = 0.09). There was no significant difference between both groups regarding total adipose tissue index (TATI) (p = 0.10), visceral adipose tissue index (VATI) (p = 0.51), intramuscular adipose tissue index (IMATI) (p = 0.38), skeletal muscle index (SMI) (p = 0.83), and sarcopenia (p = 0.75). In the multivariate analysis, CrF was significantly associated with severe disease (odds ratio [OR] 11.50, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.13-42.17; p ≤0.001). Additionally, a BMI ≥ 25 (kg/m2) was protective against severe disease (OR: 0.34, 95% CI 0.12-0.95; p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: CrF is significantly associated with CD activity.

Body Composition Predictors of Complicated Crohn's Disease.

BACKGROUND: High visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and creeping fat (CrF) in Crohn's disease (CD) have been widely recognized. The VAT to subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) ratio and sarcopenia have been associated with CD complications. Studies regarding the influence of body composition predictors on CD complications assessed with magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) are scarce. AIM: The aim of this study was to assess body composition parameters and CrF in opportunistic MRE as predictors of complicated CD. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 114 patients with inflammatory (n = 54) and complicated (n = 60) CD. The semiautomated assessment of body composition and the qualitative evaluation of CrF were performed. RESULTS: Body composition parameters did not differ between both groups regarding the body mass index (p = 0.50), total adipose tissue index (TATI) (p = 0.14), subcutaneous adipose tissue index (SATI) (p = 0.17), visceral adipose tissue index (VATI) (p = 0.33), VAT/SAT ratio (p = 0.77), intramuscular adipose tissue (p = 0.64), skeletal muscle index (p = 0.22), and sarcopenia (p = 0.50). 47 strictures, 18 fistulae, and seven abscesses were identified. Fistulae were more likely to occur in patients with CrF (odds ratio [OR] 5.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.76-14.56; p=<0.001) and high VAT/SAT ratio (OR: 3.82, 95% CI 1.34-10.85; p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Body composition measurements in CD patients displayed no statistically significant difference between the groups of inflammatory and complicated disease. Nonetheless, CD patients stratified in the group of high VAT/SAT ratio and the presence of CrF should be recognized as risk groups for the occurrence of fistulae.

Apparent diffusion coefficient for assessing Crohn's disease activity: a meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To analyze relationships betweenapparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and activity parameters of Crohn's disease, e.g., length and wall thickness, CRP, FCP, MaRIA, CDAI, SES-CD, histologic inflammatory activity score, and the histological fibrotic score, based upon published data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MEDLINE library, Scopus, and Embase databases were screened for association between ADC and activity parameters of Crohn's disease in patients with Crohn's disease up to Mai 2021. Overall, 21 studies with 1053 patients were identified. The following data were extracted from the literature: number of patients, correlation coefficients between ADC and length as well as wall thickness, CRP, FCP, MaRIA, CDAI, and SES-CD, inflammatory activity score, and fibrotic score. Associations between ADC and activity parameters were analyzed by Spearman's correlation coefficient. The studies' methodologic quality was evaluated by using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Studies (QUADAS 2) instrument, revealing a low risk of bias. RESULTS: In the overall sample, the pooled correlation coefficient between ADC and CDAI was -0.8 (95% CI = [-0.94; -0.65]), between ADC and MaRIA -0.66 (95% CI = [-0.79; -0.53]). A strong association was observed between ADC and SES-CD with a pooled correlation of -0.66 (95% CI = [-0.87; -0.46]). The pooled sensitivity to discriminate between involved and non-involved bowel segments was 0.89, with an area under the curve of 0.89 CONCLUSIONS: ADC showed strong inverse correlations with CDAI, MaRIA, and SES-CD scores. However, the role of ADC in assessing fibrotic changes in the bowel wall is limited. ADC can reflect acute inflammatory reactions but not systemic inflammation. KEY POINTS: • ADC value can reflect acute inflammatory reactions but not systemic inflammation. • ADC is inversely correlated with CDAI, MaRIA, and SES-CD. • The role of ADC in assessing fibrotic changes in the bowel wall is limited.

Low skeletal muscle mass in cholangiocarcinoma treated by surgical resection. A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: To date, the role of low skeletal muscle mass (LSMM) in cholangiocarcinoma (CC) is unclear. Our purpose was to analyze the influence of LSMM on survival in patients with CC treated by surgical resection. METHODS: MEDLINE, Cochrane, and SCOPUS databases were screened for associations between LSMM and survival in CC up to June 2021. Overall, 16 studies met the inclusion criteria. The methodological quality of the involved studies was analyzed using the QUADAS instrument. The meta-analysis was undertaken using RevMan 5.4 software. RESULTS: The prevalence of LSMM was 48.40%. LSMM was associated with lower overall survival (OS): HR = 2.44, 95%CI = (2.01-2.96) (simple regression); HR = 2.39, 95%CI = (1.83-3.13) (multiple regression). In extrahepatic CC, sarcopenic patients had lower OS, simple regression: HR = 2.11, 95%CI = (1.39-3.20); multiple regression: HR = 2.28, 95%CI = (1.41-3.70). In intrahepatic CC, LSMM predicted recurrence free survival: HR = 2.33, 95%CI = (1.93-2.81) (simple regression); HR = 2.23, 95%CI = (1.73-2.88) (multiple regression). LSMM predicted OS in intrahepatic CC, simple regression: HR = 2.69, 95%CI = (2.24-3.24); multiple regression: HR = 2.43, 95%CI = (1.73-3.41). CONCLUSION: LSMM is a risk factor for OS in patients with CC treated by surgical resection. LSMM is a predictor of RFS in patients with intrahepatic CC.