MRI features associated with HCC histologic subtypes: a western American and European bicenter study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate if preoperative MRI can predict the most frequent HCC subtypes in North American and European patients treated with surgical resection. METHODS: A total of 119 HCCs in 97 patients were included in the North American group and 191 HCCs in 176 patients were included in the European group. Lesion subtyping was based on morphologic features and immuno-histopathological analysis. Two radiologists reviewed preoperative MRI and evaluated the presence of imaging features including LI-RADS major and ancillary features to identify clinical, biologic, and imaging features associated with the main HCC subtypes. RESULTS: Sixty-four percent of HCCs were conventional. The most frequent subtypes were macrotrabecular-massive (MTM-15%) and steatohepatitic (13%). Necrosis (OR = 3.32; 95% CI: 1.39, 7.89; p = .0064) and observation size (OR = 1.011; 95% CI: 1.0022, 1.019; p = .014) were independent predictors of MTM-HCC. Fat in mass (OR = 15.07; 95% CI: 6.57, 34.57; p < .0001), tumor size (OR = 0.97; 95% CI: 0.96, 0.99; p = .0037), and absence of chronic HCV infection (OR = 0.24; 95% CI: 0.084, 0.67; p = .0068) were independent predictors of steatohepatitic HCC. Independent predictors of conventional HCCs were viral C hepatitis (OR = 3.20; 95% CI: 1.62, 6.34; p = .0008), absence of fat (OR = 0.25; 95% CI: 0.12, 0.52; p = .0002), absence of tumor in vein (OR = 0.34; 95% CI: 0.13, 0.84; p = .020), and higher tumor-to-liver ADC ratio (OR = 1.96; 95% CI: 1.14, 3.35; p = .014) CONCLUSION: MRI is useful in predicting the most frequent HCC subtypes even in cohorts with different distributions of liver disease etiologies and tumor subtypes which might have future treatment and management implications. KEY POINTS: • Representation of both liver disease etiologies and HCC subtypes differed between the North American and European cohorts of patients. • Retrospective two-center study showed that liver MRI is useful in predicting the most frequent HCC subtypes.

Large Regenerative Nodules and Focal Nodular Hyperplasia-Like Lesions: Definition, Pathogenesis, and Imaging Findings.

Focal nodular hyperplasia-like (FNH-like) nodules are hepatocellular lesions with similar radiologic and pathologic features as typical FNH but occur within an abnormal liver. They arise due to alteration of hepatic vasculature at both the microscopic and macroscopic levels. Although these nodules are not thought to have malignant potential, their imaging features overlap with premalignant and malignant lesions including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and arise in patients who may be at risk for HCC, posing a diagnostic and management dilemma. It is important to consider these benign entities when reviewing liver imaging of patients at risk for HCC to reduce unnecessary interventions.

Advanced MR Imaging Techniques for Pancreas Imaging.

Advances in MR imaging with optimization of hardware, software, and techniques have allowed for an increased role of MR in the identification and characterization of pancreatic disorders. Diffusion-weighted imaging improves the detection and staging of pancreatic neoplasms and aides in the evaluation of acute, chronic and autoimmune pancreatitis. The use of secretin-enhanced MR cholangiography improves the detection of morphologic ductal anomalies, and assists in the characterization of pancreatic cystic lesions and evaluation of acute and chronic pancreatitis. Emerging MR techniques such as MR perfusion, T1 mapping/relaxometry, and MR elastography show promise in further evaluating pancreatic diseases.

Differentiation of Papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma Subtypes on MRI: Qualitative and Texture Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine whether quantitative texture analysis of MR images would improve the ability to distinguish papillary renal cell carcinoma (RCC) subtypes, compared with analysis of qualitative MRI features alone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 47 pathologically proven papillary RCC tumors were retrospectively evaluated, with 31 (66%) classified as type 1 tumors and 16 (34%) classified as type 2 tumors. MR images were reviewed by two readers to determine tumor size, signal intensity, heterogeneity, enhancement pattern, margins, perilesional stranding, vein thrombosis, and metastasis. Quantitative texture analysis of gray-scale images was performed. A logistic regression was derived from qualitative and quantitative features. Model performance was compared with and without texture features. RESULTS: The significant qualitative MR features noted were necrosis, enhancement appearance, perilesional stranding, and metastasis. A multivariable model based on qualitative features did not identify any factor as an independent predictor of a type 2 tumor. The logistic regression model for predicting papillary RCCs on the basis of qualitative and quantitative analysis identified probability of the 2D volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination (VIBE) sequence (AUC value, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.77-0.98) as an independent predictor of a type 2 tumor. No difference in the model AUC value was noted when texture features were included in the analysis; however, the model had increased sensitivity and an improved predictive value without loss of specificity. CONCLUSION: The addition of texture analysis to analysis of conventional qualitative MRI features increased the probability of predicting a type 2 papillary RCC tumor, which may be clinically important.

Reminiscing on Remnants: Imaging of Meckel Diverticulum and Its Complications in Adults.

OBJECTIVE: Meckel diverticulum may become symptomatic if it is complicated by hemorrhage, intestinal obstruction, diverticulitis, or tumor. Although classically described in children, it is often missed in adults because of lack of suspicion and difficulty in detection. The purpose of this article is to review the imaging findings and management of Meckel diverticulum and its complications. CONCLUSION: Although it is infrequently encountered incidentally, Meckel diverticulum should be considered especially when interpreting examinations for abdominal pain, small-bowel obstruction, and gastrointestinal bleeding.

Cessão temporária de útero: aspectos éticos e ordenamento jurídico vigente / Surrogate motherhood: ethical aspects and established juridical order

Maternidade de substituição é a técnica de reprodução assistida que consiste na inseminação artificial ou fertilização in vitro, em que uma mulher (doadora) gera um bebê com intenção de entregá-lo para outra mulher (receptora), solicitante do procedimento. Apesar de ser uma prática antiga, com relatos de casos na Bíblia, não há, atualmente, legislação que regulamente a prática no Brasil. Há opiniões controversas por todo o mundo - entre os países que permitem a prática e os que a proíbem e ainda entre os que se mostram ambíguos frente ao assunto. Na tentativa de estabelecer critérios para a prática, o Conselho Federal de Medicina instituiu normas éticas no que diz respeito à gratuidade da doação e à necessidade de parentesco entre as partes, além de limitar os procedimentos às situações nas quais há um problema médico que impossibilite a solicitante de gerar um filho. Trata-se de uma situação complexa, envolvendo muitos indivíduos, além de ser uma questão não somente legal, mas sobretudo ética. Esta revisão visou estimular e dar subsídios à reflexão por parte dos médicos ginecologistas que se deparam com essa questão em seu dia a dia

Surrogate motherhood is an assisted reproduction technique that consists of artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization, in which a woman (donor) generates a child with the intention of giving his/her to another woman (receiver), who is the solicitant of the procedure. Although it is an ancient practice, with cases related in the Bible, it does not have, nowadays, a legislation that regulates its practice in Brazil. There are controversial opinions in the entire world: among countries that allow the practice and those that forbid it, besides the countries that are ambiguous about the subject. In the attempt to establish criteria for this practice, the Brazilian Federal Medical Council instituted ethical rules that concern the gratuitousness of the donation and the need for kinship between the parts, and limited the procedures to the situations in which there is a medical problem that disables the solicitant to generate a child. This is a complex situation, which involves many individuals, and it is not only a legal issue, but also an ethical one. This review intended to stimulate and give subsidies for reflexion of gynecologists, which have to face this issue