Single nucleotide variants in the CCL2, OAS1 and DPP9 genes and their association with the severity of COVID-19 in an Ecuadorian population.

COVID-19 has a broad clinical spectrum, ranging from asymptomatic-mild form to severe phenotype. The severity of COVID-19 is a complex trait influenced by various genetic and environmental factors. Ethnic differences have been observed in relation to COVID-19 severity during the pandemic. It is currently unknown whether genetic variations may contribute to the increased risk of severity observed in Latin-American individuals The aim of this study is to investigate the potential correlation between gene variants at CCL2, OAS1, and DPP9 genes and the severity of COVID-19 in a population from Quito, Ecuador. This observational case-control study was conducted at the Carrera de Biologia from the Universidad Central del Ecuador and the Hospital Quito Sur of the Instituto Ecuatoriano de Seguridad Social (Quito-SUR-IESS), Quito, Ecuador. Genotyping for gene variants at rs1024611 (A>G), rs10774671 (A>G), and rs10406145 (G>C) of CCL2, OAS1, and DPP9 genes was performed on 100 COVID-19 patients (43 with severe form and 57 asymptomatic-mild) using RFLP-PCR. The genotype distribution of all SNVs throughout the entire sample of 100 individuals showed Hardy Weinberg equilibrium (P=0.53, 0.35, and 0.4 for CCL2, OAS1, and DPP9, respectively). The HWE test did not find any statistically significant difference in genotype distribution between the study and control groups for any of the three SNVs. The multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that individuals with the GG of the CCL2 rs1024611 gene variant had an increased association with the severe COVID-19 phenotype in a recessive model (P = 0.0003, OR = 6.43, 95% CI 2.19-18.89) and for the OAS1 rs10774671 gene variant, the log-additive model showed a significant association with the severe phenotype of COVID-19 (P=0.0084, OR=3.85, 95% CI 1.33-11.12). Analysis of haplotype frequencies revealed that the coexistence of GAG at CCL2, OAS1, and DPP9 variants, respectively, in the same individual increased the presence of the severe COVID-19 phenotype (OR=2.273, 95% CI: 1.271-4.068, P=0.005305). The findings of the current study suggests that the ethnic background affects the allele and genotype frequencies of genes associated with the severity of COVID-19. The experience with COVID-19 has provided an opportunity to identify an ethnicity-based approach to recognize genetically high-risk individuals in different populations for emerging diseases.

Toward Equitable Precision Oncology: Monitoring Racial and Ethnic Inclusion in Genomics and Clinical Trials.

PURPOSE: Ethnic diversity in cancer research is crucial as race/ethnicity influences cancer incidence, survival, drug response, molecular pathways, and epigenetic phenomena. In 2018, we began a project to examine racial/ethnic diversity in cancer research, with a commitment to review these disparities every 4 years. This report is our second assessment, detailing the present state of racial/ethnic diversity in cancer genomics and clinical trials. METHODS: To study racial/ethnic inclusion in cancer genomics, we extracted ethnic records from all data sets available at cBioPortal (n = 125,128 patients) and cancer-related genome-wide association studies (n = 28,011,282 patients) between 2018 and 2022. Concerning clinical trials, we selected studies related to breast cancer (n = 125,518 patients, 181 studies), lung cancer (n = 34,329 patients, 119 studies), and colorectal cancer (n = 40,808 patients, 105 studies). RESULTS: In cancer genomics (N = 28,136,410), 3% of individuals lack racial/ethnic registries; tumor samples were collected predominantly from White patients (89.14%), followed by Asian (7%), African American (0.55%), and Hispanic (0.21%) patients and other populations (0.1%). In clinical trials (N = 200,655), data on race/ethnicity are missing for 60.14% of the participants; for individuals whose race/ethnicity was recorded, most were characterized as White (28.33%), followed by Asian (7.64%), African (1.79), other ethnicities (1.37), and Hispanic (0.73). Racial/ethnic representation significantly deviates from global ethnic proportions (P ≤ .001) across all data sets, with White patients outnumbering other ethnic groups by a factor of approximately 4-6. CONCLUSION: Our second update on racial/ethnic representation in cancer research highlights the persistent overrepresentation of White populations in cancer genomics and a notable absence of racial/ethnic information across clinical trials. To ensure more equitable and effective precision oncology, future efforts should address the reasons behind the insufficient representation of ethnically diverse populations in cancer research.

Management Impact of Metachronous Oligometastatic Disease Identified on 18F-Fluciclovine (Axumin™) PET/CT in Biochemically Recurrent Prostate Cancer.

PURPOSE: We assessed the incidence rate and management impact of oligometastatic disease detected on 18F-fluciclovine (Axumin™) PET/CT in men with first biochemical recurrence (BCR) of prostate cancer (PCA) after definitive primary therapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We retrospectively reviewed our clinical database for men with PCA who underwent 18F-fluciclovine PET/CT for imaging evaluation of BCR with negative or equivocal findings on conventional imaging. We included patients with up to and including 5 metastases (oligometastases) regardless of imaging evidence for local recurrence in the treated prostate bed. We examined the association between mean serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels with the number of oligometastases (non-parametric ANOVA) and between patients with or without local recurrence (Student t-test). The management impact of oligometastatic disease was tabulated. RESULTS: We identified 21 patients with oligometastases upon first BCR (PSA 0.2-56.8 ng/mL) out of 89 eligible patients. There was a significant difference (p = 0.04) in the mean PSA levels between patients with local recurrence (n = 12) and those without local recurrence (n = 9). In the subgroup of analysis of patients without local recurrence, there was no significant association between mean PSA level and number of oligometastases (p = 0.83). Distribution of oligometastases included 66.7% isolated nodal disease and 33.3% bone only. Twelve (57.1%) patients had change in management to include change in ADT, salvage therapy, or both. Treatment change was initiated in 62.5%, 28.6%, 66.7%, 100%, and 100% of patients with 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 oligometastatic lesions, respectively. CONCLUSION: The incidence rate of oligometastatic disease in men with first BCR of PCA undergoing 18F-fluciclovine PET/CT for imaging evaluation of BCR was 23.6% in our eligible patient population. There was no significant association between serum PSA level and the number of oligometastases. Treatment management was affected in 57.1% of patients with oligometastases.

COVID-19 pandemic revisited: lessons the radiology community has learned a year later.

For more than 1 year, COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every aspect of our lives. This paper reviews the major challenges that the radiology community faced over the past year and the impact the pandemic had on the radiology practice, radiologist-in-training education, and radiology research. The lessons learned from COVID-19 pandemic can help the radiology community to be prepared for future outbreaks and new pandemics, preserve good habits, enhance cancer screening programs, and adapt to the changes in radiology education and scientific meetings.

Management Impact of 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT in Neuroendocrine Tumors.

PURPOSE: The goal of our retrospective single tertiary academic medical center investigation was to examine the added diagnostic value and clinical impact of 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT in the therapeutic management of patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). METHODS: Imaging database was queried for all "PET-DOTATATE" examinations performed at our tertiary care academic institution using MONTAGE™. The patient's clinical history and recent prior imaging were reviewed. The additional diagnostic value and clinical management impact of 68Ga-DOTATATE were assessed through retrospective chart review. RESULTS: A total of 81 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT scans in 74 patients were found, and 11 patients were excluded from analysis as they had no prior imaging available for comparison, with resultant analysis cohort of 63 patients. Six patients had 2 or more 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT examinations. The most common primary diagnosis was undifferentiated NET (63.5%), followed by carcinoid (27.0%), paraganglioma (4.8%), insulinoma (3.2%), and pheochromocytoma (1.6%). The primary sites of disease from the most to the least common were the pancreas (36.5%), small bowel (22.2%), unknown primary (15.9%), lung (6.3%), large bowel (6.3%), and mesentery (4.8%), and other locations accounted for 7.9%. In patients who had prior imaging available for comparison, there were new lesions identified on 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT in 21 patients (33.3%) that were not identified on other prior imaging modalities. Of these patients, 5 underwent subsequent MRI and 1 had a repeat 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT to further characterize new lesions seen. Moreover, 15 patients (23.8%) had a change in treatment plan, including altering medical therapy in 9 patients, change in planned extent of surgical management in 5 patients, and cancelation of a planned primary tumor resection in 1 patient with metastatic disease. CONCLUSION: Our retrospective cohort demonstrated that 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT improves lesion detection over conventional imaging in 33.3% and impacts the therapeutic management in 23.8% of patients with NET.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia incidentally detected on coronary CT angiogram: a do-not-miss diagnosis.

Coronary CT angiograms are commonly performed for the evaluation of coronary artery disease and coronary arterial anatomy. However, extracardiac findings are frequently detected on these examinations and often can explain patients' underlying symptoms, having a significant impact on patient management. Here in, we discuss three cases of incidentally detected novel COVID-19-infected pneumonia (NCIP). This case series highlights the image findings in NCIP and emphasizes the importance of evaluating all organs in the field of view on coronary CT angiograms. In addition, with the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19 and exponentially increasing incidence throughout the world, this report stresses the need for including NCIP in the differential diagnosis of patients with typical image findings in at-risk populations, as early diagnosis is crucial for appropriate patient management and post-exposure recommendations.

Comparative prognostic implication of treatment response assessments in mCRPC: PERCIST 1.0, RECIST 1.1, and PSA response criteria.

Accurate appraisal of treatment response in metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) is challenging in view of remarkable tumor heterogeneity and the available choices among many established and novel therapeutic approaches. The purpose of this single-center prospective study was to evaluate the comparative prognostic utility of PERCIST 1.0 in predicting overall survival (OS) in patients with mCRPC compared to RECIST 1.1 and prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-based treatment response assessments. Methods: Patients with mCRPC were prospectively enrolled if they were beginning systemic medical therapy or transitioning to new systemic therapy after not responding to a prior treatment. All patients underwent a baseline 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/ computed tomography (PET/CT) prior to the initiation of treatment and again 4 months after the start of therapy. Patients' responses to treatment at 4 months compared to baseline were evaluated with RECIST 1.1, PERCIST 1.0 and PSA response criteria. The associations between patients' response categories and OS were evaluated. OS was defined as the duration in time between the date of baseline PET/CT to death from any cause. Patients with different response status were compared with logrank tests. Survival probabilities were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Patients with progressive disease by PSA response criteria at 4 months demonstrated significantly shorter OS (24-month OS probability: 18% ± 11%) compared to patients with stable disease, SD, (44% ± 19%, p=0.03) and complete response, CR, or partial response, PR, (53% ± 11%, p=0.03). RECIST 1.1 response criteria demonstrated a similar trend in OS, however no statistically significant differences were noted between patients with PD (25% ± 15%) compared to SD/non-CR, non-PD (54% ± 13%) and CR/PR (54% ± 14%) (p=0.13). PERCIST 1.0 criteria demonstrated significant differences in OS between responders, CMR/PMR (56% ± 12%), compared to SMD (38% ± 17%, p=0.03) and PMD (21% ± 10%, p=0.01). Patients with progressive disease by both PERICST 1.0 and PSA response criteria demonstrated significantly worse OS (24-month OS: 0%, 12-month OS: 31% ± 14%) compared to patients with progressive disease by either response criteria. Conclusion: PERCIST 1.0 may provide significant prognostic information for patients with mCRPC undergoing systemic chemotherapy, particularly when incorporated with PSA treatment response criteria.

Prospective evaluation of phosphorus-32 radiation synovectomy in patients with severe and chronic rheumatoid arthritis unresponsive to conventional medical treatment.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the efficacy of Phosphorus-32 radiation synovectomy in the treatment of patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) unresponsive to systematic or local medical therapy. METHODS: Twenty-three knees in 16 patients with severe chronic RA were prospectively treated by intra-articular installation of Phosphorus-32 and evaluated at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis index (WOMAC), visual analog scale (VAS), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), pain scale, and grade of joint effusion and tenderness were assessed. At the 12-month time interval, the treated knees were classified into four categories: excellent response (no symptoms), good response (significant reduction of symptoms), moderate response (slight decrease), and poor response (no change or worsening). RESULTS: Excellent response or good response was observed in 13/23 (56.5%) of the treated knees, moderate response in 2/23 (8.7%) of the treated knees, and poor response in 8/23 (34.8%) of the treated knees. The grades of effusion and tenderness were significantly decreased one-month posttreatment (P< 0.05); however, these changes did not persist at other time intervals (P > 0.05). There was a significant improvement in the HAQ, WOMAC, VAS, and pain scores at all time points compared with baseline, including at the 12-month time interval (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Phosphorus-32 radiosynovectomy is an effective therapeutic treatment for patients with RA of the knee unresponsive to conventional pharmacotherapy.

Treatment Response Assessment of Skeletal Metastases in Prostate Cancer with 18F-NaF PET/CT.

PURPOSE: To determine the utility of 18F-sodium fluoride positron emission tomography-computed tomography (18F-NaF PET/CT) in the imaging assessment of therapy response in men with osseous-only metastatic prostate cancer. METHODS: In this Institutional Review Board-approved single institution retrospective investigation, we evaluated 21 18F-NaF PET/CT scans performed in 14 patients with osseous metastatic disease from prostate cancer and no evidence of locally recurrent or soft-tissue metastatic disease who received chemohormonal therapy. Imaging-based qualitative and semi-quantitative parameters were defined and compared with changes in serum PSA level. RESULTS: Qualitative and semi-quantitative image-based assessments demonstrated > 80% concordance with good correlation (SUVmax κ = 0.71, SUVavg κ = 0.62, SUVsum κ = 0.62). Moderate correlation (κ = 0.43) was found between SUVmax and PSA-based treatment response assessments. There was no statistically significant correlation between PSA-based disease progression and semi-quantitative parameters. Qualitative imaging assessment was moderately correlated (κ = 0.52) with PSA in distinguishing responders and non-responders. CONCLUSION: 18F-NaF PET/CT is complementary to biochemical monitoring in patients with bone-only metastases from prostate cancer which can be helpful in subsequent treatment management decisions.

Peripheral Thyroid Nodule Calcifications on Sonography: Evaluation of Malignant Potential.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study is to assess the association of thyroid cancer with sonographic features of peripheral calcifications. MATERIALS AND METHODS. We retrospectively reviewed patients who had a total of 97 thyroid nodules with peripheral calcifications who underwent ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration from 2008 to 2018. Three board-certified radiologists evaluated the nodules for features of peripheral calcifications: the percentage of the nodule involved by peripheral calcifications, whether the calcifications were continuous or discontinuous, the visibility of internal components of the nodule, and the presence of extrusion of soft tissue beyond the calcifications. The correlation of peripheral calcification parameters with the rate of thyroid nodule malignancy was evaluated. In addition, the interobserver agreement between readers was assessed with Cohen kappa coefficient. RESULTS. Of the 97 nodules with peripheral calcifications, 27% (n = 26) were found to be malignant on biopsy. The continuity of peripheral calcifications, visibility of internal components, and extrusion of soft tissue beyond the calcification rim showed no significant association with benign or malignant nodules. Readers had good agreement on peripheral calcification continuity (κ = 0.63; 95% CI, 0.53-0.73) and moderate agreement on internal component visibility (κ = 0.43; 95% CI, 0.35-0.51) and percentage of the nodule involved by rim calcifications (κ = 0.52; 95% CI, 0.44-0.59). There was fair agreement for extranodular soft-tissue extrusion (κ = 0.32, 95% CI, 0.24-0.39). CONCLUSION. Peripheral rim calcifications are highly associated with malignancy. However, specific peripheral rim calcification features do not aid in distinguishing benign from malignant nodules, which may in part be caused by high interobserver variability.

Prediction of Time to Hormonal Treatment Failure in Metastatic Castration-Sensitive Prostate Cancer with 18F-FDG PET/CT.

The aim of this prospective investigation was to assess the association of 18F-FDG PET/CT with time to hormonal treatment failure (THTF) in men with metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer. Methods: 76 men with metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer recruited from 2005 to 2011 underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT and were followed prospectively for THTF, defined as treatment change to chemotherapy or death. Patients who had not switched to chemotherapy were censored at the last follow-up date (median of 36 mo; range, 12-108 mo). Cox regression analyses were performed to examine the association between PET/CT measurements: sum of SUVmax, maximum SUVmax, and average SUVmax for up to 10 of the most active lesions and THTF. Survival probabilities were based on the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: 43 patients had hormonal treatment failure, and 8 died without documented treatment failure. Median THTF was 26.5 mo (95% confidence interval [CI], 15.5-46.6 mo). The THTF-free probability at 5 y was 35% ± 6%. On univariate analysis, all PET parameters, including number of lesions, were statistically significant for THTF. In a reduced multivariate model accounting for clinical variables, only sum of SUVmax (hazard ratio, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.002-1.03; P = 0.024) and number of lesions (hazard ratio, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.08-1.29; P < 0.001) were independently associated with THTF. When sum of SUVmax was grouped into quartile ranges, there was a significantly worse survival probability for patients in the fourth-quartile range than in the first, with a univariate hazard ratio of 6.2 (95% CI, 2.8-13.6; P < 0.001). Conclusion: Sum of SUVmax and number of lesions derived from 18F-FDG PET/CT provide independent prognostic information on THTF in men with metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer.

The need for standardization of nuclear cardiology reporting and data system (NCAD-RADS): Learning from coronary artery disease (CAD), breast imaging (BI), liver imaging (LI), and prostate imaging (PI) RADS.

Newer structured reporting manners, the reporting and data system (RADS), have made vast steps in improving standardized and structured reporting, allowing better communication between radiologists and referring providers. This has been implemented in several fields: breast (BI-RADS), lung (Lung-RADS), liver (LI-RADS), thyroid (TI-RADS), prostate (PI-RADS), and in cardiovascular radiology (CAD-RADS). The field of nuclear cardiology began its efforts of standardization years ago; however, a widespread standardized reporting structure has not yet been adopted. Such an approach in nuclear cardiology, the nuclear cardiology reporting and data system (NCAD-RADS), will assist radiologists and treating clinicians in conveying and understanding reports and determining the appropriate next steps in management. By linking explicit findings to defined recommendations, patients will receive more consistent and appropriate care.

Advanced modalities of molecular imaging in precision medicine for musculoskeletal malignancies.

Musculoskeletal malignancies consist of a heterogenous group of mesenchymal tumors, often with high inter- and intratumoral heterogeneity. The early and accurate diagnosis of these malignancies can have a substantial impact on optimal treatment and quality of life for these patients. Several new applications and techniques have emerged in molecular imaging, including advances in multimodality imaging, the development of novel radiotracers, and advances in image analysis with radiomics and artificial intelligence. This review highlights the recent advances in molecular imaging modalities and the role of non-invasive imaging in evaluating tumor biology in the era of precision medicine.

PET Imaging of Peripheral Nerve Tumors.

PET has been founded as a useful technique in the staging, restaging, prognostication, and treatment planning for numerus cancers, with an incremental application in precision oncology. This paper summarized the current state-of-the-art application of PET/CT in the management of patients with peripheral nerve tumors. Furthermore, the potential clinical uses of emerging themes and technological advances are reviewed, consisting hybrid PET/MR imaging and alternative radiotracers for the application in peripheral nerve oncology.

Incidental Detection of Meningioma by 18F-FMAU PET/CT in a Patient With Suspected Prostate Cancer.

We report on an incidental detection of a meningioma on [F]-2'-fluoro-5-methyl-1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyluracil (F-FMAU) PET/CT scan that was performed during a prospective investigation of F-FMAU PET/CT for targeted biopsy of potential sites of tumor in men with suspected prostate cancer based on elevated prostate-specific antigen level. Neither prostate multiparamteric MRI nor F-FMAU PET/CT localized small volume Gleason 3 + 3 tumor deposits. However, an incidental focal high accumulation of F-FMAU was observed in high right parietal lobe that displayed characteristics of a meningioma on a subsequent brain MRI.

Pathologic correlation of transperineal in-bore 3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging-guided prostate biopsy samples with radical prostatectomy specimen.

PURPOSE: To determine the accuracy of in-bore transperineal 3-Tesla (T) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging-guided prostate biopsies for predicting final Gleason grades in patients who subsequently underwent radical prostatectomy (RP). METHODS: A retrospective review of men who underwent transperineal MR imaging-guided prostate biopsy (tpMRGB) with subsequent radical prostatectomy within 1 year was conducted from 2010 to 2015. All patients underwent a baseline 3-T multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) with endorectal coil and were selected for biopsy based on MR findings of a suspicious prostate lesion and high degree of clinical suspicion for cancer. Spearman correlation was performed to assess concordance between tpMRGB and final RP pathology among patients with and without previous transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided biopsies. RESULTS: A total of 24 men met all eligibility requirements, with a median age of 65 years (interquartile range [IQR] 11.7). The median time from biopsy to RP was 85 days (IQR 50.5). Final pathology revealed Gleason 3 + 4 = 7 in 12 patients, 4 + 3 = 7 in 10 patients, and 4 + 4 = 8 in 2 patients. A strong correlation (ρ: +0.75, p < 0.001) between tpMRGB and RP results was observed, with Gleason scores concordant in 17 cases (71%). 16 of the 24 patients underwent prior TRUS biopsies. Subsequent tpMRGB revealed Gleason upgrading in 88% of cases, which was concordant with RP Gleason scores in 69% of cases (ρ: +0.75, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Final Gleason scores diagnosed by tpMRGB at 3-T correlate strongly with final RP surgical pathology. This may facilitate prostate cancer diagnosis, particularly in patients with negative or low-grade TRUS biopsy results in whom clinically significant cancer is suspected or detected on mpMRI.

Hepatic radiofrequency ablation: markedly reduced systemic effects by modulating periablational inflammation via cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether celecoxib, a cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor, can potentiate hepatic radiofrequency ablation (RFA)-induced local cellular infiltration and distant tumour growth. METHODS: First, COX-2 expression was evaluated using immunohistochemistry in the local periablational rim 24 h after hepatic RFA without/with intraperitoneal celecoxib in normal Fisher 344 rat liver. Next, local cellular infiltration of macrophages, stellate cells, and hepatocyte proliferation were quantified in C57BL6 mice 3-7d after RFA without/with celecoxib. c-Met, HGF, and VEGF levels after RFA were also measured. Finally, distant tumour growth and proliferation (Ki67 and CD34) were observed in subcutaneous R3230 tumours after hepatic RFA with/without celecoxib. RESULTS: Hepatic RFA-induced local activation of COX-2 was significantly suppressed using celecoxib. Celecoxib also reduced RFA-associated a) increased c-Met expression at 24 h, b) HGF and VEGF levels at 72 h, c) periablational macrophage and stellate cells at 3d, and d) hepatocyte proliferation at 7d. Similarly, celecoxib with RFA reduced distant tumour growth, tumour cell proliferation, and tumour microvascular density to sham levels, compared to increases observed with hepatic RFA alone. CONCLUSIONS: Increased activation of COX-2 after hepatic RFA contributes to periablational cellular infiltration and inflammation-mediated distant tumour growth, which can be successfully suppressed with a COX-2 inhibitor. KEY POINTS: • Thermal ablation of liver tissue can increase local inflammation and COX-2 expression. • Ablation-induced local inflammation can contribute to stimulation of distant tumour growth. • Local COX-2 inhibition with celecoxib can block ablation-induced distant tumour growth.

Hepatic Thermal Ablation: Effect of Device and Heating Parameters on Local Tissue Reactions and Distant Tumor Growth.

Purpose To determine whether variable hepatic microwave ablation (MWA) can induce local inflammation and distant pro-oncogenic effects compared with hepatic radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in an animal model. Materials and Methods In this institutional Animal Care and Use Committee-approved study, F344 rats (150 gm, n = 96) with subcutaneous R3230 breast adenocarcinoma tumors had normal non-tumor-bearing liver treated with RFA (70°C × 5 minutes), rapid higher-power MWA (20 W × 15 seconds), slower lower-power MWA (5 W × 2 minutes), or a sham procedure (needle placement without energy) and were sacrificed at 6 hours to 7 days (four time points; six animals per arm per time point). Ablation settings produced 11.4 mm ± 0.8 of coagulation for all groups. Distant tumor growth rates were determined to 7 days after treatment. Liver heat shock protein (HSP) 70 levels (at 72 hours) and macrophages (CD68 at 7 days), tumor proliferative indexes (Ki-67 and CD34 at 7 days), and serum and tissue levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) at 6 hours, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) at 72 hours, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) at 72 hours after ablation were assessed. All data were expressed as means ± standard deviations and were compared by using two-tailed t tests and analysis of variance for selected group comparisons. Linear regression analysis of tumor growth curves was used to determine pre- and posttreatment growth curves on a per-tumor basis. Results At 7 days, hepatic ablations with 5-W MWA and RFA increased distant tumor size compared with 20-W MWA and the sham procedure (5-W MWA: 16.3 mm ± 1.1 and RFA: 16.3 mm ± 0.9 vs sham: 13.6 mm ± 1.3, P < .01, and 20-W MWA: 14.6 mm ± 0.9, P < .05). RFA and 5-W MWA increased postablation tumor growth rates compared with the 20-W MWA and sham arms (preablation growth rates range for all arms: 0.60-0.64 mm/d; postablation: RFA: 0.91 mm/d ± 0.11, 5-W MWA: 0.91 mm/d ± 0.14, P < .01 vs pretreatment; 20-W MWA: 0.69 mm/d ± 0.07, sham: 0.56 mm/d ± 1.15; P = .48 and .65, respectively). Tumor proliferation (Ki-67 percentage) was increased for 5-W MWA (82% ± 5) and RFA (79% ± 5), followed by 20-W MWA (65% ± 2), compared with sham (49% ± 5, P < .01). Likewise, distant tumor microvascular density was greater for 5-W MWA and RFA (P < .01 vs 20-W MWA and sham). Lower-energy MWA and RFA also resulted in increased HSP 70 expression and macrophages in the periablational rim (P < .05). Last, IL-6, HGF, and VEGF elevations were seen in 5-W MWA and RFA compared with 20-W MWA and sham (P < .05). Conclusion Although hepatic MWA can incite periablational inflammation and increased distant tumor growth similar to RFA in an animal tumor model, higher-power, faster heating protocols may potentially mitigate such undesired effects. © RSNA, 2016.

CT-detected traumatic small artery extremity injuries: surgery, embolize, or watch? A 10-year experience.

Advances in computed tomography (CT) angiography have increased the sensitivity and specificity of detecting small branch arterial injuries in the extremities of trauma patients. However, it is unclear whether these patients should undergo surgery, angioembolization, or conservative watchful waiting. We hypothesized that uncomplicated small arterial branch injuries can be managed successfully with watchful waiting. A 10-year retrospective review of extremity CT angiograms with search findings of arterial "active extravasation" or "pseudoaneurysm" was performed at a level 1 county trauma center. Subgroup analysis was performed on those with isolated extremity injury and those with concurrent injuries. A total of 31 patients had CT-detected active extravasation (84 %) or pseudoaneurysm (16 %), 71 % of which were isolated vascular injuries. Of the patients evaluated, 71 % (n = 22) were managed with watchful waiting, 19 % (n = 6) with angioembolization, and 10 % (n = 3) with surgery. Watchful waiting complications included progression to alternative treatment (n = 1) and blood transfusions (n = 2). Complications of surgery included the inability to find active bleeding (n = 1) and postoperative psychosis (n = 1). Complications of angioembolization were limited to a postprocedure blood transfusion (n = 1). Patients with isolated vascular injuries had an average length of stay of 2.9 days, with management averages of the following: 2.7 days with watchful waiting (n = 16), 3.3 days with angioembolization (n = 3), and 3.7 days with surgery (n = 3). CT angiography has greatly increased the reported incidence of traumatic arterial injury in the extremity. We propose that small branch arterial injuries in the extremities can be managed successfully with watchful waiting and do not often require immediate embolization.

CT-reconstructed three-dimensional printed models of the right subclavian artery and aorta define age-related changes and facilitate benchtop catheter testing.

BACKGROUND: Severe tortuosity of the right subclavian artery (RSCA) encountered during transradial cardiac catheterization can lead to longer procedures, increased fluoroscopy time, inability to engage the coronary artery ostia, and potentially procedural failure. Increasing age is strongly correlated with subclavian tortuosity; however, the magnitude and direction of age-related changes in aortic and subclavian artery anatomy have not been defined. METHODS: Chest computed tomography (CT) angiograms of 14 patients (6 age <45 years and 8 age ≥75 years) were evaluated for RSCA tortuosity. Measurements were taken along the midline of the vessel and compared to the straight distance traveled (index of tortuosity = straight distance/midline length). One normal and one tortuous subclavian were selected for three-dimensional printing and various catheters were benchtop tested on both models. RESULTS: The older group had longer (11.95 cm vs 9.6 cm; P<.01) and more tortuous subclavian arteries (lower index of tortuosity, 0.65 vs 0.76; P<.01) with more posterior unfolding (distance to most posterior aspect, 3.74 ± 0.77 cm vs 1.76 ± 0.58 cm; P<.001). Engagement of the coronary arteries of the normal model was significantly easier, with successful engagement of one or both coronaries with every catheter (n=7). Only 2 of 7 catheters (Radial Brachial and Extra Backup 3.0) were able to engage the coronary arteries in the tortuous model. CONCLUSION: Age is associated with elongation, tortuosity, and posterior unfolding of the RSCA. Three-dimensional printing of normal and tortuous arteries is feasible and shows potential to test differences between catheters.