Stroma-derived neoplasms and pseudoneoplastic lesions of the spleen: a select review of pathologic and CT/MRI findings.

A wide spectrum of benign and malignant primary mesenchymal tumors and tumor-like lesions of the spleen has been recently included under the umbrella term 'stroma-derived' neoplasms and tumor-like lesions. These include dendritic cell neoplasms such as follicular dendritic cell sarcoma, EBV-positive inflammatory follicular dendritic cell sarcoma, and fibroblastic reticular cell tumor; smooth muscle and myofibroblastic lesions such as inflammatory pseudotumor, EBV-associated smooth muscle tumor and undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma as well as a diverse spectrum of vascular and vascular-stromal tumors and tumor-like lesions. While some tumor and tumor-like lesions are unique to the spleen, others may also occur in diverse extra-splenic viscera. These tumors and tumor-like lesions demonstrate characteristic histopathology, immunocytochemistry and biological behavior. While cross-sectional imaging studies allow detection, staging and limited characterization of these splenic lesions, histopathological confirmation permits optimal management and surveillance strategies.

Non-gastrointestinal stromal tumor, mesenchymal neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract: a review of tumor genetics, pathology, and cross-sectional imaging findings.

There is a diverse group of non-gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), mesenchymal neoplasms of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract that demonstrate characteristic pathology and histogenesis as well as variable imaging findings and biological behavior. Recent advancements in tumor genetics have unveiled specific abnormalities associated with certain tumors, influencing their molecular pathogenesis, biology, response to treatment, and prognosis. Notably, giant fibrovascular polyps of the esophagus, identified through MDM2 gene amplifications, are now classified as liposarcomas. Some tumors exhibit distinctive patterns of disease distribution. Glomus tumors and plexiform fibromyxomas exhibit a pronounced affinity for the gastric antrum. In contrast, smooth muscle tumors within the GI tract are predominantly found in the esophagus and colorectum, surpassing the incidence of GISTs in these locations. Surgical resection suffices for symptomatic benign tumors; multimodality treatment may be necessary for frank sarcomas. This article aims to elucidate the cross-sectional imaging findings associated with a wide spectrum of these tumors, providing insights that align with their histopathological features.

Mucinous Rectal Adenocarcinoma-Challenges in Magnetic Resonance Imaging Interpretation.

ABSTRACT: Mucinous rectal cancer (MRC) is defined by the World Health Organization as an adenocarcinoma with greater than 50% mucin content. Classic teaching suggests that it carries a poorer prognosis than conventional rectal adenocarcinoma. This poorer prognosis is thought to be related to mucin dissecting through tissue planes at a higher rate, thus increasing the stage of disease at presentation. Developments in immunotherapy have bridged much of this prognostic gap in recent years. Magnetic resonance imaging is the leading modality in assessing the locoregional spread of rectal cancer. Mucinous rectal cancer carries unique imaging challenges when using this modality. Much of the difficulty lies in the inherent increased T2-weighted signal of mucin on magnetic resonance imaging. This creates difficulty in differentiating mucin from the adjacent background fat, making the detection of both the primary disease process as well as the locoregional spread challenging. Computed tomography scan can act as a valuable companion modality as mucin tends to be more apparent in the background fat. After therapy, diagnostic challenges remain. Mucin is frequently present, and distinguishing cellular from acellular mucin can be difficult. In this article, we will discuss each of these challenges and present examples of such situations and strategies that can be used to overcome them.

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Acute Onset Flank Pain-Suspicion of Stone Disease (Urolithiasis).

Noncontrast CT (NCCT) is the imaging study of choice for initial evaluation of patients with acute onset of flank pain and suspicion of stone disease without known prior stone disease. NCCT can reliably characterize the location and size of an offending ureteral calculus, identify complications, and diagnose alternative etiologies of abdominal pain. Although less sensitive in the detection of stones, ultrasound may have a role in evaluating for signs of obstruction. Radiography potentially has a role, although has been shown to be less sensitive than NCCT. For patients with known disease and recurrent symptoms of urolithiasis, NCCT remains the test of choice for evaluation. In pregnancy, given radiation concerns, ultrasound is recommended as the initial modality of choice with potential role for noncontrast MRI. In scenarios where stone disease suspected and initial NCCT is inconclusive, contrast-enhanced imaging, either with MRI or CT/CT urogram may be appropriate. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision process support the systematic analysis of the medical literature from peer reviewed journals. Established methodology principles such as Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE are adapted to evaluate the evidence. The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method User Manual provides the methodology to determine the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where peer reviewed literature is lacking or equivocal, experts may be the primary evidentiary source available to formulate a recommendation.

Tumefactive Nonneoplastic Proliferative Pseudotumors of the Kidneys and Urinary Tract: CT and MRI Findings with Histopathologic Correlation.

A diverse spectrum of pathologically distinct, nonneoplastic, proliferative conditions of the kidneys and urinary tract demonstrate a expansile growth pattern similar to that of neoplasms. The renal pseudotumors include myriad causes of infections as well as rare noninfectious causes such as sarcoidosis, amyloidosis, and immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD). Rare entities such as cystitis cystica, endometriosis, nephrogenic adenoma, and pseudosarcomatous myofibroblastic proliferation and distinct types of prostatitis comprise tumefactive nontumorous disorders that affect specific segments of the urinary tract. The pseudotumors of the kidneys and urinary tract demonstrate characteristic histopathologic and epidemiologic features, as well as protean clinical manifestations, natural history, and imaging findings. Many patients present with genitourinary tract-specific symptoms or systemic disease. Some cases may be incidentally discovered at imaging. Some entities such as perinephric myxoid pseudotumors, IgG4-RD, fibroepithelial polyp, and nephrogenic adenoma display specific anatomic localization and disease distribution. Imaging features of multisystem disorders such as tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, and IgG4-RD provide supportive evidence that may allow precise diagnosis. Fungal pyelonephritis, xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis, IgG4-RD, actinomycosis, and endometriosis show markedly low signal intensity on T2-weighted MR images. Although some pseudotumors exhibit characteristic imaging findings that permit correct diagnosis, laboratory correlation and histopathologic confirmation are required for definitive characterization in most cases. A high index of suspicion is a prerequisite for diagnosis. Accurate diagnosis is critical for instituting optimal management while preventing use of inappropriate therapies or interventions. Surveillance CT and MRI are frequently used for monitoring the response of pseudotumors to therapy. ©RSNA, 2023 Quiz questions for this article are available in the supplemental material.

Imaging of colon and rectal cancer.

Colon and rectal cancer imaging has traditionally been performed to assess for distant disease (typically lung and liver metastases) and to assess the resectability of the primary tumor. With technological and scientific advances in imaging and the evolution of treatment options, the role of imaging has expanded. Radiologists are now expected to provide a precise description of primary tumor invasion extent, including adjacent organ invasion, involvement of the surgical resection plane, extramural vascular invasion, lymphadenopathy, and response to neoadjuvant treatment, and to monitor for recurrence after clinical complete response.

A Multicenter Assessment of Interreader Reliability of LI-RADS Version 2018 for MRI and CT.

Background Various limitations have impacted research evaluating reader agreement for Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS). Purpose To assess reader agreement of LI-RADS in an international multicenter multireader setting using scrollable images. Materials and Methods This retrospective study used deidentified clinical multiphase CT and MRI and reports with at least one untreated observation from six institutions and three countries; only qualifying examinations were submitted. Examination dates were October 2017 to August 2018 at the coordinating center. One untreated observation per examination was randomly selected using observation identifiers, and its clinically assigned features were extracted from the report. The corresponding LI-RADS version 2018 category was computed as a rescored clinical read. Each examination was randomly assigned to two of 43 research readers who independently scored the observation. Agreement for an ordinal modified four-category LI-RADS scale (LR-1, definitely benign; LR-2, probably benign; LR-3, intermediate probability of malignancy; LR-4, probably hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC]; LR-5, definitely HCC; LR-M, probably malignant but not HCC specific; and LR-TIV, tumor in vein) was computed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Agreement was also computed for dichotomized malignancy (LR-4, LR-5, LR-M, and LR-TIV), LR-5, and LR-M. Agreement was compared between research-versus-research reads and research-versus-clinical reads. Results The study population consisted of 484 patients (mean age, 62 years ± 10 [SD]; 156 women; 93 CT examinations, 391 MRI examinations). ICCs for ordinal LI-RADS, dichotomized malignancy, LR-5, and LR-M were 0.68 (95% CI: 0.61, 0.73), 0.63 (95% CI: 0.55, 0.70), 0.58 (95% CI: 0.50, 0.66), and 0.46 (95% CI: 0.31, 0.61) respectively. Research-versus-research reader agreement was higher than research-versus-clinical agreement for modified four-category LI-RADS (ICC, 0.68 vs 0.62, respectively; P = .03) and for dichotomized malignancy (ICC, 0.63 vs 0.53, respectively; P = .005), but not for LR-5 (P = .14) or LR-M (P = .94). Conclusion There was moderate agreement for LI-RADS version 2018 overall. For some comparisons, research-versus-research reader agreement was higher than research-versus-clinical reader agreement, indicating differences between the clinical and research environments that warrant further study. © RSNA, 2023 Supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorials by Johnson and Galgano and Smith in this issue.

Liver Fibrosis, Fat, and Iron Evaluation with MRI and Fibrosis and Fat Evaluation with US: A Practical Guide for Radiologists.

Quantitative imaging biomarkers of liver disease measured by using MRI and US are emerging as important clinical tools in the management of patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). Because of their high accuracy and noninvasive nature, in many cases, these techniques have replaced liver biopsy for the diagnosis, quantitative staging, and treatment monitoring of patients with CLD. The most commonly evaluated imaging biomarkers are surrogates for liver fibrosis, fat, and iron. MR elastography is now routinely performed to evaluate for liver fibrosis and typically combined with MRI-based liver fat and iron quantification to exclude or grade hepatic steatosis and iron overload, respectively. US elastography is also widely performed to evaluate for liver fibrosis and has the advantage of lower equipment cost and greater availability compared with those of MRI. Emerging US fat quantification methods can be performed along with US elastography. The author group, consisting of members of the Society of Abdominal Radiology (SAR) Liver Fibrosis Disease-Focused Panel (DFP), the SAR Hepatic Iron Overload DFP, and the European Society of Radiology, review the basics of liver fibrosis, fat, and iron quantification with MRI and liver fibrosis and fat quantification with US. The authors cover technical requirements, typical case display, quality control and proper measurement technique and case interpretation guidelines, pitfalls, and confounding factors. The authors aim to provide a practical guide for radiologists interpreting these examinations. © RSNA, 2023 See the invited commentary by Ronot in this issue. Quiz questions for this article are available in the supplemental material.

Malignancy in pregnancy: Multimodality imaging and treatment.

The diagnosis of cancer is increasingly made in the pregnant population, thought to be from the increasing average age of pregnancy and the use of prenatal fetal noninvasive screening techniques, leading to incidental detection of cancer in the mother. Complex challenges are associated with imaging, diagnosis, staging, and treatment of cancers in this patient population, which require highly specialized interdisciplinary management. This report discusses the use of multimodality imaging and safety considerations in pregnant patients, reviews the current guidelines for ionizing radiation imaging techniques, and presents a series of commonly and uncommonly encountered cancers in pregnancy with current diagnostic imaging guidelines. The authors also discuss the role of multidisciplinary management and treatment options and provide an overview of therapy-related considerations in the age of novel anticancer therapies. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: The diagnosis and management of pregnant patients who have cancer are actively evolving as novel imaging techniques and anticancer therapies are being developed. Radiologically, there are inherent difficulties in balancing the minimization of fetal ionization while acquiring diagnostic quality imaging necessary for the diagnosis, staging, and treatment of maternal disease. Standardized imaging protocols are still being developed, with evolving imaging guidelines coupled with rapidly expanding research and development of novel anticancer therapies, which come with their side effects and complications. Caring for this patient population is especially challenging and requires specialized multidisciplinary attention.

Morphomolecular Classification Update on Hepatocellular Adenoma, Hepatocellular Carcinoma, and Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma.

Hepatocellular adenomas (HCAs), hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas (iCCAs) are a highly heterogeneous group of liver tumors with diverse pathomolecular features and prognoses. High-throughput gene sequencing techniques have allowed discovery of distinct genetic and molecular underpinnings of these tumors and identified distinct subtypes that demonstrate varied clinicobiologic behaviors, imaging findings, and complications. The combination of histopathologic findings and molecular profiling form the basis for the morphomolecular classification of liver tumors. Distinct HCA subtypes with characteristic imaging findings and complications include HNF1A-inactivated, inflammatory, ß-catenin-activated, ß-catenin-activated inflammatory, and sonic hedgehog HCAs. HCCs can be grouped into proliferative and nonproliferative subtypes. Proliferative HCCs include macrotrabecular-massive, TP53-mutated, scirrhous, clear cell, fibrolamellar, and sarcomatoid HCCs and combined HCC-cholangiocarcinoma. Steatohepatitic and ß-catenin-mutated HCCs constitute the nonproliferative subtypes. iCCAs are classified as small-duct and large-duct types on the basis of the level of bile duct involvement, with significant differences in pathogenesis, molecular signatures, imaging findings, and biologic behaviors. Cross-sectional imaging modalities, including multiphase CT and multiparametric MRI, play an essential role in diagnosis, staging, treatment response assessment, and surveillance. Select imaging phenotypes can be correlated with genetic abnormalities, and identification of surrogate imaging markers may help avoid genetic testing. Improved understanding of morphomolecular features of liver tumors has opened new areas of research in the targeted therapeutics and management guidelines. The purpose of this article is to review imaging findings of select morphomolecular subtypes of HCAs, HCCs, and iCCAs and discuss therapeutic and prognostic implications. Online supplemental material is available for this article. ©RSNA, 2022.

Anastomosing hemangioma: a current update on clinical, pathological and imaging features.

Anastomosing hemangioma (AH) is a rare, benign vascular neoplasm with distinctive histopathology and characteristic tumor distribution. AHs show marked proclivity to involve the kidneys, gonads and the retroperitoneal soft tissues; kidney is the most common target site often in the context of end stage renal disease. Recent studies have identified activating mutations of GNA genes that drive the molecular pathogenesis of AHs. AH appears as a solitary, well-circumscribed, hypervascular tumor that charters a benign course with an excellent prognosis. The purpose of this article is to provide a current update on clinical, pathological and imaging features of anastomotic hemangioma.

Mesenchymal Neoplasms of the Prostate and Seminal Vesicles: Spectrum of Disease with Radiologic-Pathologic Correlation.

There is a wide spectrum of benign and malignant mesenchymal neoplasms of the prostate, which account for less than 1% of all prostatic tumors. These include distinctive tumors that arise from the specialized prostatic stroma and site-agnostic neoplasms such as smooth muscle tumors, fibrous or myofibroblastic neoplasms, neurogenic tumors, vascular tumors, and a plethora of sarcomas. Select tumors show classic sites of origin within the prostate. While stromal tumors of uncertain malignant potential (STUMPs) commonly involve the peripheral zone at the prostate base, leiomyomas typically originate from the central prostate toward the apex. Some "prostatic" neoplasms such as gastrointestinal stromal tumors, solitary fibrous tumor (SFT), paragangliomas, and neurogenic tumors arise primarily from periprostatic soft tissues. Most mesenchymal tumors of the prostate and seminal vesicles manifest as large tumors that cause nonspecific symptoms; prostate-specific antigen level is not typically elevated. Diverse mesenchymal neoplasms demonstrate characteristic histopathologic and immunocytochemical features and variable cross-sectional imaging findings. While leiomyoma and SFT typically display low signal intensity on T2-weighted images, synovial sarcomas commonly show hemorrhage. Diagnosis is difficult because of the rarity and lack of awareness of the tumors and the significant overlap in histopathologic features. Select tumors show characteristic genetic abnormalities that allow the diagnosis to be established. For example, more than 90% of SFTs are characterized by a unique NAB2-STAT6 gene fusion, and more than 95% of synovial sarcomas are associated with a distinctive SYT-SSX chimeric transcript. Accurate diagnosis is imperative for optimal management owing to markedly different tumor biology as well as attendant therapeutic and prognostic implications. While STUMPs commonly recur, sarcomas typically charter an aggressive course with poor prognosis. Online supplemental material is available for this article. ©RSNA, 2022.

Retrospective CT/MRI Texture Analysis of Rapidly Progressive Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Rapidly progressive hepatocellular carcinoma (RPHCC) is a subset of hepatocellular carcinoma that demonstrates accelerated growth, and the radiographic features of RPHCC versus non-RPHCC have not been determined. The purpose of this retrospective study was to use baseline radiologic features and texture analysis for the accurate detection of RPHCC and subsequent improvement of clinical outcomes. We conducted a qualitative visual analysis and texture analysis, which selectively extracted and enhanced imaging features of different sizes and intensity variation including mean gray-level intensity (mean), standard deviation (SD), entropy, mean of the positive pixels (MPP), skewness, and kurtosis at each spatial scaling factor (SSF) value of RPHCC and non-RPHCC tumors in a computed tomography (CT) cohort of n = 11 RPHCC and n = 11 non-RPHCC and a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) cohort of n = 13 RPHCC and n = 10 non-RPHCC. There was a statistically significant difference across visual CT irregular margins p = 0.030 and CT texture features in SSF between RPHCC and non-RPHCC for SSF-6, coarse-texture scale, mean p = 0.023, SD p = 0.053, MPP p = 0.023. A composite score of mean SSF-6 binarized + SD SSF-6 binarized + MPP SSF-6 binarized + irregular margins was significantly different between RPHCC and non-RPHCC (p = 0.001). A composite score ≥3 identified RPHCC with a sensitivity of 81.8% and specificity of 81.8% (AUC = 0.884, p = 0.002). CT coarse-texture-scale features in combination with visually detected irregular margins were able to statistically differentiate between RPHCC and non-RPHCC. By developing an image-based, non-invasive diagnostic criterion, we created a composite score that can identify RPHCC patients at their early stages when they are still eligible for transplantation, improving the clinical course of patient care.

White paper of the Society of Abdominal Radiology hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosis disease-focused panel on LI-RADS v2018 for CT and MRI.

The Liver Imaging and Reporting Data System (LI-RADS) is a comprehensive system for standardizing the terminology, technique, interpretation, reporting, and data collection of liver imaging with the overarching goal of improving communication, clinical care, education, and research relating to patients at risk for or diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In 2018, the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) integrated LI-RADS into its clinical practice guidance for the imaging-based diagnosis of HCC. The harmonization between the AASLD and LI-RADS diagnostic imaging criteria required minor modifications to the recently released LI-RADS v2017 guidelines, necessitating a LI-RADS v2018 update. This article provides an overview of the key changes included in LI-RADS v2018 as well as a look at the LI-RADS v2018 diagnostic algorithm and criteria, technical recommendations, and management suggestions. Substantive changes in LI-RADS v2018 are the removal of the requirement for visibility on antecedent surveillance ultrasound for LI-RADS 5 (LR-5) categorization of 10-19 mm observations with nonrim arterial phase hyper-enhancement and nonperipheral "washout", and adoption of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network definition of threshold growth (≥ 50% size increase of a mass in ≤ 6 months). Nomenclatural changes in LI-RADS v2018 are the removal of -us and -g as LR-5 qualifiers.

Contrast Enhanced Harmonic Endoscopic Ultrasound: A Novel Approach for Diagnosis and Management of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors.

The histologic analysis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) is a common method to detect the mitotic activity and to subsequently determine the risk of GISTs for malignancy. The potential false negative error due to inadequate yield of specimens and actual determination of malignancy risk requires analysis of the whole tumor. We aimed to assess the role of contrast enhanced endoscopic ultrasound (CE-EUS) in the management of GISTs. Two authors individually did review of English literatures to identify nine peer-reviewed original articles using keywords- contrast endoscopic ultrasound, GIST and submucosal tumor. Studies were heterogeneous in their aims looking either at differentiating submucosal lesions from GISTs, estimating malignant potential of GISTs with histologic correlation or studying the role of angiogenesis in malignant risk stratification. CE-EUS had moderate to high efficacy in differentiating GISTs from alternative submucosal tumors. CE-EUS had a higher sensitivity than EUS-guided fine needle aspiration, contrast computed tomography and Doppler EUS for detection of neo-vascularity within the GISTs. However, the evidence of abnormal angiogenesis within GIST as a prognostic factor needs further validation. CE-EUS is a non-invasive modality, which can help differentiate GISTs and provide valuable assessment of their perfusion patterns to allow better prediction of their malignant potential but more experience is needed.

Computed tomography in ventral hernia diagnosis: have we improved? A quality improvement initiative.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies suggest that agreement between readers of computed tomography (CT) scans for the diagnosis of a ventral hernia (VH) is poor (32% agreement, κ = 0.21). Recommendations were developed by surgeons and radiologists after determining common reasons for disagreement among CT reviewers; however, the long-term effect of adoption of these recommendations has not been assessed. The aim of this quality improvement (QI) project was to determine whether the incorporation of recommendations developed by surgeons and radiologists improves agreement among reviewers of CT scans in diagnosing a VH. METHODS: A prospective cohort of patients, with a CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis in the past 1 y, attending a surgery clinic at a single institution was enrolled. Enrolled subjects underwent a standardized physical examination by a trained hernia surgeon to determine the likelihood of a clinical VH (no, indeterminate, or yes). The QI intervention was the distribution and implementation of previously described recommendations. After a year of intervention, independent radiologists assessed patients' CT scans for the presence or absence of a VH. Percent agreement and kappa were calculated to determine interobserver reliability. In-person discussion on scans with disagreement was held, and the results were used as a "gold standard" to calculate sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values for CT scan diagnosis of a VH. RESULTS: A total of 79 patients were included in the study. After QI intervention, seven radiologists agreed on 43% of the scans, and κ was 0.50 (P < 0.001). Agreement was highest among patients with a high clinical likelihood of a VH and lowest among patients with an indeterminate clinical likelihood. Sensitivity and specificity were 0.369 and 0.833, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: After the implementation of recommendations, there is improved agreement among radiologists reading CT scans for the diagnosis of a VH. However, there is substantial room for improvement, and CT scans for the diagnosis of VH is not ready for widespread use.

Tumors and Tumorlike Conditions of the Anal Canal and Perianal Region: MR Imaging Findings.

Tumors and tumorlike conditions of the anus and perianal region originate from the anal canal and anal margin or result from direct extension of tumors from adjacent organs. The anatomy of the anal canal is complex, and its different histologic characteristics can lead to diverse pathologic conditions. The anal canal extends from the anorectal junction to the anal verge. The World Health Organization classification of anal canal tumors includes (a) anal intraepithelial neoplasia, the precursor of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and (b) invasive tumors. Invasive tumors are further classified on the basis of cell type as epithelial tumors (SCC, adenocarcinoma, mucinous adenocarcinoma, small cell carcinoma, and undifferentiated carcinoma), nonepithelial tumors, carcinoid tumors, melanoma, and secondary tumors (direct spread from rectal, cervical, or prostate carcinoma). The anal margin, or perianal skin, lies outside the anal verge and encompasses a radius of 5 cm from the anal verge. Tumors in the anal margin are classified according to the World Health Organization classification of skin tumors. Anal margin tumors include SCC, anal intraepithelial neoplasia, also known as Bowen disease, adenocarcinoma and its precursor Paget disease, basal cell carcinoma, and verrucous carcinoma (Buschke-Löwenstein tumor), which is a rare variant of SCC. Imaging plays an important role in the evaluation, staging, and follow-up of patients with anal and perianal tumors. However, because of the overlap in imaging features among these diverse entities, a definitive diagnosis is best established at histopathologic examination. Nevertheless, familiarity with the pathogenesis, imaging features, and treatment of these tumors can aid radiologic diagnosis and guide appropriate patient treatment. (©)RSNA, 2016.

Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumors: Current Update.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a mesenchymal neoplasm of intermediate biological potential with a predilection for the lung and abdominopelvic region. IMT represents the neoplastic subset of the family of inflammatory pseudotumors, an umbrella term for spindle cell proliferations of uncertain histogenesis with a variable inflammatory component. IMTs show characteristic fasciitis-like, compact spindle cell and hypocellular fibrous histologic patterns and distinctive molecular features. Imaging findings reflect pathologic features and vary from an ill-defined, infiltrating lesion to a wellcircumscribed, soft tissue mass owing to variable inflammatory, stromal, and myofibroblastic components.

Reducing the Time From Diagnosis to Treatment of Patients With Stage II/III Rectal Cancer at a Large Public Hospital.

Curative-intent therapy for stage II/III rectal cancer is necessarily complex. Current guidelines by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommend preoperative concurrent chemoradiation followed by resection and additional adjuvant chemotherapy. We used standard quality improvement methodology to implement a cost-effective intervention that reduced the time from diagnosis to treatment of patients with stage II/III rectal cancer by approximately 30% in a large public hospital in Houston, Texas. Implementation of the program resulted in a reduction in time from pathologic diagnosis to treatment of 29% overall, from 62 to 44 days. These gains were cost neutral and resulted from improvements in scheduling and coordination of care alone. Our results suggest that: (1) quality improvement methodology can be successfully applied to multidisciplinary cancer care, (2) effective interventions can be cost neutral, and (3) effective strategies can overcome complexities such as having multiple sites of care, high staff turnover, and resource limitations.