Imaging assessment of conjunctival goblet cells in dry eye disease.

Dry eye disease (DED) is a widespread, multifactorial, and chronic disorder of the ocular surface with disruption of tear film homeostasis as its core trait. Conjunctival goblet cells (CGCs) are specialised secretory cells found in the conjunctival epithelium that participate in tear film formation by secreting mucin. Changes in both the structure and function of CGCs are hallmarks of DED, and imaging assessment of CGCs is important for the diagnosis, classification, and severity evaluation of DED. Existing imaging methods include conjunctival biopsy, conjunctival impression cytology and in vivo confocal microscopy, which can be used to assess the morphology, distribution, and density of the CGCs. Recently, moxifloxacin-based fluorescence microscopy has emerged as a novel technique that enables efficient, non-invasive and in vivo imaging of CGCs. This article presents a comprehensive overview of both the structure and function of CGCs and their alterations in the context of DED, as well as current methods of CGCs imaging assessment. Additionally, potential directions for the visual evaluation of CGCs are discussed.

Hemodynamics, anatomy, and outcomes of quadricuspid aortic valves: Multimodality imaging assessment.

BACKGROUND: Quadricuspid aortic valve (QAV) is a rare congenital heart disease with a limited body of literature. This retrospective cohort study investigates QAV morphology, function, and clinical outcomes. METHODS: Echocardiography was used to assess valvular function. Morphological characteristics such as phenotypes, raphe, regurgitant orifice area (ROA), and aortic dilation (diameter >40 â€‹mm) were assessed by cardiac CT. Patients were followed up for the combined event of all-cause death and aortic valve replacement (AVR). RESULTS: Ninety QAV patients (screened from 322385 CT scans) were included (mean age 55.2 â€‹± â€‹13.6 years, 61.1 â€‹% male). Isolated significant aortic regurgitation (AR) was present in 75.6 â€‹% of patients. The cohort was dominated by type I (four equal leaflets, 37.8 â€‹%) and type II (3 larger and 1 smaller leaflets, 42.2 â€‹%) QAV. Fused raphe was present in 26.7 â€‹% of patients. ROACT was correlated with AR severity and aortic dilation (41.1 â€‹%, n â€‹= â€‹37). Among patients without AVR at baseline (n â€‹= â€‹60), one died and 17 underwent AVR during a median follow-up of 35.0 months (IQR:17.3-62.8). ROACT was associated with an increasing risk of combined event (as a categorical variable with a cut-off of 21.4 â€‹mm2, HR â€‹= â€‹4.25, 95%CI 1.49-12.17, p â€‹= â€‹0.007; as a continuous variable (per mm2 increment), HR â€‹= â€‹1.04, 95%CI 1.01-1.07, p â€‹= â€‹0.003). Additionally, ROACT had incremental prognostic value when added to the AR severity model (area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve increased from 86.8 to 88.4, p â€‹= â€‹0.004). CONCLUSION: QAV is characterized by variable anatomy, progressive AR, concomitant cusp fusion and aortic enlargement. ROACT may be a potential ancillary prognostic marker in patients with QAV.

Proposed imaging assessment score for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage correlated with prognosis: Shinshu Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage score.

BACKGROUND: Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) imaging has been shown to correlate with prognosis. However, no numerical index of bleeding severity has been established. This study aimed to propose a new simple scoring system for computed tomography imaging of aSAH and to confirm its effectiveness in retrospective and prospective studies. METHODS: We devised an image evaluation system as an objective index. This system was established by scoring six items, with a maximum total of 19 points. Using this score, named the Shinshu Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Score (S-score), we performed a retrospective study of 210 patients with aSAH at a single institution to confirm its efficacy. Age and World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies grades were adopted as other verification items, and the modified Rankin Scale was used for prognostic evaluation. A multicenter prospective study was then conducted to examine the function of the score by examining 214 patients with aSAH. RESULTS: In the retrospective study, the threshold of the S-score between good and poor prognoses was 9/19 points. The area under the curve by receiver operating characteristic analysis of the S-score was 0.819, suggesting efficacy, with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.291 (1.077-1.547). In the prospective study, the judgment capability of the S-score was evaluated with a sensitivity of 0.674, specificity of 0.881, positive predictive value of 0.789, negative predictive value of 0.804, false-positive ratio of 0.119, false-negative ratio of 0.325, positive likelihood ratio of 6.072, and negative likelihood ratio of 1.369. S-score showed a significant difference in prognosis. The OR was 1.183 (1.009-1.388). CONCLUSIONS: The scoring system could contribute to patient prognosis assessment. S-score and its prognostic formulas may serve as an objective source of information in the development of clinical medicine.

Ultrasound Microvessel Visualization in Cervical Cancer: Association Between Novel Ultrasound Techniques and Histologic Microvessel Densities.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the work described here was to evaluate the feasibility of superb microvascular imaging (SMI) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2)-targeted microbubble (MBVEGFR2)-based ultrasound molecular imaging (USMI) for visualizing microvessels in cervical cancer. METHODS: Hela cells were used to establish subcutaneous cervical cancer models. SMI and MBVEGFR2-based USMI were performed, and the results were compared with intratumoral microvessel density (MVD) in four groups based on tumor diameter (<3 mm, 3-5 mm, 5-7 mm and ≥7 mm). The vascularization index (VI, %) was evaluated for SMI, and the normalized intensity difference (NID) for USMI. RESULTS: Tumors with diameters ranging from 3 to 5 mm had the highest VI (39.07 ± 1.58) in SMI, and VI significantly decreased with increasing tumor size (all p values <0.001). The strongest signal intensity was observed in very early tumors (d < 3 mm: 43.80 ± 3.58%) after MBVEGFR2 administration; the NID gradually decreased with increasing diameter of tumors (all p values = 0.007). However, no significant differences were observed in NID after administration of non-targeted (control) microbubbles (MBCon) (all p values = 0.125). MBVEGFR2-based USMI had the strongest correlation with MVD in displaying microvessels of cervical cancer compared with SMI and MBCon (R2 = 0.78 vs. R2 = 0.40 and R2 = 0.38). CONCLUSION: These findings validate the superiority and accuracy of MBVEGFR2-based USMI for microvessel imaging and monitoring of angiogenesis in cervical cancer compared with SMI and MBCon. Nonetheless, SMI remains an alternative to microvessel imaging when ultrasonic contrast agent use is contraindicated.

Diagnosis and treatment of a left atrial myxoma originating from an atrial septal defect closure device: a case report.

Background: Ostium secundum atrial septal defect (osASD) is a common congenital heart disease and transcatheter closure is the preferred treatment. Late device-related complications include thrombosis and infective endocarditis (IE). Cardiac tumours are exceedingly rare. The aetiology of a mass attached to an osASD closure device can be challenging to diagnose. Case summary: A 74-year-old man with atrial fibrillation was hospitalized for evaluating a left atrial mass discovered incidentally 4 months earlier. The mass was attached to the left disc of an osASD closure device implanted 3 years before. No shrinkage of the mass was observed despite optimal intensity of anticoagulation. We describe the diagnostic workup and management of the mass that at surgery turned out to be a myxoma. Discussion: A left atrial mass attached to an osASD closure device raises the suspect of device-related complications. Poor endothelialisation may promote device thrombosis or IE. Cardiac tumours (CT) are rare, and myxoma is the most common primary CT in adults. Although no clear relationship exists between the implantation of an osASD closure device and a myxoma, the development of this tumour is a possible occurrence. Echocardiography and cardiovascular magnetic resonance play a key role in the differential diagnosis between a thrombus and a myxoma, usually identifying distinctive mass features. Nevertheless, sometimes non-invasive imaging may be inconclusive, and surgery is necessary to make a definitive diagnosis.

Imaging assessment of toxicity related to immune checkpoint inhibitors.

In recent years, a wide range of cancer immunotherapies have been developed and have become increasingly important in cancer treatment across multiple oncologic diseases. In particular, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) offer promising options to improve patient outcomes. However, a major limitation of these treatments consists in the development of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) occurring in potentially any organ system and affecting up to 76% of the patients. The most frequent toxicities involve the skin, gastrointestinal tract, and endocrine system. Although mostly manageable, potentially life-threatening events, particularly due to neuro-, cardiac, and pulmonary toxicity, occur in up to 30% and 55% of the patients treated with ICI-monotherapy or -combination therapy, respectively. Imaging, in particular computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG-PET/CT), plays an important role in the detection and characterization of these irAEs. In some patients, irAEs can even be detected on imaging before the onset of clinical symptoms. In this context, it is particularly important to distinguish irAEs from true disease progression and specific immunotherapy related response patterns, such as pseudoprogression. In addition, there are irAEs which might be easily confused with other pathologies such as infection or metastasis. However, many imaging findings, such as in immune-related pneumonitis, are nonspecific. Thus, accurate diagnosis may be delayed underling the importance for adequate imaging features characterization in the appropriate clinical setting in order to provide timely and efficient patient management. 18F-FDG-PET/CT and radiomics have demonstrated to reliably detect these toxicities and potentially have predictive value for identifying patients at risk of developing irAEs. The purpose of this article is to provide a review of the main immunotherapy-related toxicities and discuss their characteristics on imaging.

Peripheral bare-metal stent implantation for a very-late stenosis of an aortic-left main Cabrol graft: a case report.

Background: The surgical ascending aorta repair according to the Cabrol procedure involves the interposition of a prosthetic conduit between the aortic prosthesis and the native coronary ostia. Previous cases of the Cabrol conduit stenosis have been described, most of which presented as acute coronary syndromes due to thrombotic occlusion of the graft. Case summary: We present a case of stable exertional angina due to very-late stenosis of the coronary prosthetic conduit, successfully treated with trans-femoral percutaneous angioplasty and off-label implantation of a balloon-expandable bare-metal stent designed for peripheral artery disease. The multimodality imaging approach gave an essential contribution both to the assessment of the lesion and to the procedural planning. Despite the concerns about long-term results, a peripheral bare-metal stent was preferred over a standard coronary drug-eluting stent due to the remarkable dimension of the Cabrol conduit. Three years after the procedure, the patient is free from angina, and coronary computed tomography showed no significative luminal loss of the stent. Conclusion: Elective angioplasty of a Cabrol graft requires a careful planning through a multimodality stenosis assessment. Conventional coronary stents can be not large enough to ensure adequate apposition to the wide prosthetic conduit and peripheral bare-metal stents may be taken into consideration, at the price of unknown long-term outcomes.

Differential frequency in imaging-based outcome measurement: Bias in real-world oncology comparative-effectiveness studies.

BACKGROUND: Comparative-effectiveness studies using real-world data (RWD) can be susceptible to surveillance bias. In solid tumor oncology studies, analyses of endpoints such as progression-free survival (PFS) are based on progression events detected by imaging assessments. This study aimed to evaluate the potential bias introduced by differential imaging assessment frequency when using electronic health record (EHR)-derived data to investigate the comparative effectiveness of cancer therapies. METHODS: Using a nationwide de-identified EHR-derived database, we first analyzed imaging assessment frequency patterns in patients diagnosed with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (aNSCLC). We used those RWD inputs to develop a discrete event simulation model of two treatments where disease progression was the outcome and PFS was the endpoint. Using this model, we induced bias with differential imaging assessment timing and quantified its effect on observed versus true treatment effectiveness. We assessed percent bias in the estimated hazard ratio (HR). RESULTS: The frequency of assessments differed by cancer treatment types. In simulated comparative-effectiveness studies, PFS HRs estimated using real-world imaging assessment frequencies differed from the true HR by less than 10% in all scenarios (range: 0.4% to -9.6%). The greatest risk of biased effect estimates was found comparing treatments with widely different imaging frequencies, most exaggerated in disease settings where time to progression is very short. CONCLUSIONS: This study provided evidence that the frequency of imaging assessments to detect disease progression can differ by treatment type in real-world patients with cancer and may induce some bias in comparative-effectiveness studies in some situations.

Normalize the imaging diagnosis of cerebral small vessel disease / 中华神经科杂志

The diagnosis of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is highly dependent on neuroimaging, and its imaging changes include lacune, lacunar infarction, white matter hyperintensity (WMH), perivascular space (PVS), cerebral microbleed, etc. In previous studies, the definitions of these imaging changes were quite different, resulting in misdiagnosis of lacuna, WMH and PVS. This comment will summarize the clinical, imaging, and pathological characteristics of CSVD, sort out the process and effectiveness of the gradually normalized diagnostic standards, and propose errors that should be avoided, aiming to improve the accuracy and consistency of clinical diagnosis and research.

Multi-Modal Analysis of Resting-State fMRI Data in mTBI Patients and Association With Neuropsychological Outcomes.

Various cognitive disorders have been reported for mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) patients during the acute stage. This acute stage provides an opportunity for clinicians to optimize treatment protocols, which are based on the evaluation of brain structural connectivity. So far, most brain functional magnetic resonance imaging studies are focused on moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). In this study, we prospectively collected resting state data on 50 mTBI within 3 days of injury and 50 healthy volunteers and analyzed them using Amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF), Regional Homogeneity (ReHo), graph theory methods and behavior measure, to explore the dysfunctional brain regions in acute mTBI. In our study, a total of 50 patients suffering <3 days mTBI and 50 healthy subjects were tested in rs-fMRI, as well as under neuropsychological examinations including the Wechsler Intelligence Scale and Stroop Color and Word Test. The correlation analysis was conducted between graph theoretic parameters and neuropsychological results. For the mTBI group, the ReHo of the inferior temporal gyrus and the cerebellum superior are significantly lower than in the control group, and the ALFF of the left insula, the cerebellum inferior, and the middle occipital gyrus were significantly higher than in the control group, which implies the dysfunctionality usually observed in Parkinson's disease. Executive function disorder was significantly correlated with the global efficiencies of the dorsolateral superior frontal gyrus and the anterior cingulate cortex, which is consistent with the literature: the acute mTBI patients demonstrate abnormality in terms of motor speed, association, information processing speed, attention, and short-term memory function. Correlation analysis between the neuropsychological outcomes and the network efficiency for the mTBI group indicates that executive dysfunction might be caused by local brain changes. Our data support the idea that the cerebral internal network has compensatory reactions in response to sudden pathological and neurophysiological changes. In the future, multimode rs-fMRI analysis could be a valuable tool for evaluating dysfunctional brain regions after mTBI.

Cross-Polarization Optical Coherence Tomography for Brain Tumor Imaging.

This paper considers valuable visual assessment criteria for distinguishing between tumorous and non-tumorous tissues, intraoperatively, using cross-polarization OCT (CP OCT)-OCT with a functional extension, that enables detection of the polarization properties of the tissues in addition to their conventional light scattering. Materials and Methods: The study was performed on 176 ex vivo human specimens obtained from 30 glioma patients. To measure the degree to which the typical parameters of CP OCT images can be matched to the actual histology, 100 images of tumors and white matter were selected for visual analysis to be undertaken by three "single-blinded" investigators. An evaluation of the inter-rater reliability between the investigators was performed. Application of the identified visual CP OCT criteria for intraoperative use was performed during brain tumor resection in 17 patients. Results: The CP OCT image parameters that can typically be used for visual assessment were separated: (1) signal intensity; (2) homogeneity of intensity; (3) attenuation rate; (4) uniformity of attenuation. The degree of match between the CP OCT images and the histology of the specimens was significant for the parameters "signal intensity" in both polarizations, and "homogeneity of intensity" as well as the "uniformity of attenuation" in co-polarization. A test based on the identified criteria showed a diagnostic accuracy of 87-88%. Intraoperative in vivo CP OCT images of white matter and tumors have similar signals to ex vivo ones, whereas the cortex in vivo is characterized by indicative vertical striations arising from the "shadows" of the blood vessels; these are not seen in ex vivo images or in the case of tumor invasion. Conclusion: Visual assessment of CP OCT images enables tumorous and non-tumorous tissues to be distinguished. The most powerful aspect of CP OCT images that can be used as a criterion for differentiation between tumorous tissue and white matter is the signal intensity. In distinguishing white matter from tumors the diagnostic accuracy using the identified visual CP OCT criteria was 87-88%. As the CP OCT data is easily associated with intraoperative neurophysiological and neuronavigation findings this can provide valuable complementary information for the neurosurgeon tumor resection.

[Revolution CT hepatic perfusion imaging assessment of peripheral infiltration zone of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the blood supply and metabolism in the marginal area of foci of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis by quantitative perfusion parameters. METHODS: Thirty patients with hepatic alveolar echinococcosis were scanned with the Revolution CT and the images were analyzed. The perfusion parameters, such as the bloodflow (BF), time to peak (TTP), blood volume (BV), mean transit time (MTT) and hepatic arterial fraction (HAF) were compared among different groups. RESULTS: The BF, TTP, BV and MTT values of the peripheral infiltration zone and the values of the surrounding normal liver tissues were significantly different (F = 24.579, 8.343, 20.535 and 21.843, all P<0.05), but the HAF values of the peripheral infiltration zone and the values of the surrounding normal liver tissues were not significantly different in the hepatic alveolar echinococcosis patients (F = 2.621, P> 0.05) . CONCLUSIONS: The whole hepatic perfusion Revolution CT can accurately and quantitatively analyze the alveolar echinococcosis foci, especially the peripheral infiltration zone, which has important guiding significance for the formulation of surgical plan.

Revolution CT hepatic perfusion imaging assessment of peripheral infiltration zone of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To analyze the blood supply and metabolism in the marginal area of foci of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis by quantitative perfusion parameters. Methods Thirty patients with hepatic alveolar echinococcosis were scanned with the Revolution CT and the images were analyzed. The perfusion parameters, such as the bloodflow (BF), time to peak (TTP), blood volume (BV), mean transit time (MTT) and hepatic arterial fraction (HAF) were compared among different groups. Results The BF, TTP, BV and MTT values of the peripheral infiltration zone and the values of the surrounding normal liver tissues were significantly different (F = 24.579, 8.343, 20.535 and 21.843, all P<0.05), but the HAF values of the peripheral infiltration zone and the values of the surrounding normal liver tissues were not significantly different in the hepatic alveolar echinococcosis patients (F = 2.621, P> 0.05) . Conclusion The whole hepatic perfusion Revolution CT can accurately and quantitatively analyze the alveolar echinococcosis foci, especially the peripheral infiltration zone, which has important guiding significance for the formulation of surgical plan.

Revolution CT hepatic perfusion imaging assessment of peripheral infiltration zone of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To analyze the blood supply and metabolism in the marginal area of foci of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis by quantitative perfusion parameters. Methods Thirty patients with hepatic alveolar echinococcosis were scanned with the Revolution CT and the images were analyzed. The perfusion parameters, such as the bloodflow (BF), time to peak (TTP), blood volume (BV), mean transit time (MTT) and hepatic arterial fraction (HAF) were compared among different groups. Results The BF, TTP, BV and MTT values of the peripheral infiltration zone and the values of the surrounding normal liver tissues were significantly different (F = 24.579, 8.343, 20.535 and 21.843, all P<0.05), but the HAF values of the peripheral infiltration zone and the values of the surrounding normal liver tissues were not significantly different in the hepatic alveolar echinococcosis patients (F = 2.621, P> 0.05) . Conclusion The whole hepatic perfusion Revolution CT can accurately and quantitatively analyze the alveolar echinococcosis foci, especially the peripheral infiltration zone, which has important guiding significance for the formulation of surgical plan.

Preoperative assessment of stapes implantations of the vibrant SoundBridge for congenital aural atresia patients.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to retrospectively analyze the imaging characteristics of patients with congenital aural atresia who underwent Vibrant Soundbridge implantation, and to investigate the importance of preoperative evaluation of vibroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 16 patients with bilateral congenital aural atresia aged 6-25 years (mean age, 14.7 years). All patients underwent Vibrant Soundbridge implantations. RESULTS: Among the 16 patients, 15 successfully underwent stapes implantation. The average height of the stapes of these 15 patients was 2.93 mm, which was significantly different from that of the control group with normal hearing (p ≤ .001). The average distance between the tympanic segment of the facial nerve and the stapes was 1.41 mm in patients in whom the oval window was occluded by the displaced facial nerve. In the non-occluded group, the average distance was 2.00 mm. No significant difference was observed between the two groups (p = .08). CONCLUSION: The distance between the facial nerve and stapes, as well as the height of the stapes, could be important predictors of successful stapes implantation of Vibrant Soundbridge.

Diagnostic performance of magnetic resonance imaging and 3D endoanal ultrasound in detection, staging and assessment post treatment, in anal cancer.

We compared Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and 3D Endoanal Ultrasound (EAUS) imaging performance to confirm anal carcinoma and to monitor treatment response.58 patients with anal cancer were retrospectively enrolled. All patients underwent clinical examination, anoscopic examination; EAUS and contrast-enhanced MRI study before and after treatment. Four radiologists evaluated the presence of lesions, using a 4-point confidence scale, features of the lesion and nodes on EAUS images, T1-weighted (T1-W), T2-weighted (T2-W) and diffusion-weighted images (DWI) signal intensity (SI), the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) map for nodes and lesion, as well as enhancement pattern during dynamic MRI were assessed.All lesions were detected by EAUS while MRI detected 93.1% of anal cancer. MRI showed a good correlation with EAUS, anoscopy and clinical examination. The residual tissue not showed significant difference in EAUS assessment and T2-W SI in pre and post treatment. We found significant difference in dynamic study, in SI of DWI, in ADC map and values among responder's patients in pre and post treatment. The neoplastic nodes were hypoecoic on EAUS, with hyperintense signal on T2-W sequences and hypointense signal on T1-W. The neoplastic nodes showed SI on DWI sequences and ADC value similar to anal cancer. We found significant difference in nodes status in pre and post therapy on DWI data.3D EAUS and MRI are accurate techniques in anal cancer staging, although EAUS is more accurate than MRI for T1 stage. MRI allows correct detection of neoplastic nodes and can properly stratify patients into responders or non responders.

Quantitative radiological evaluation of interaction of lumbar vertebral bone marrow fat, bone mineral density and age / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To explore the change patterns in the lumbar vertebral bone marrow fat content with age, analyze the interactions between lumbar vertebral bone marrow fat content, bone mineral density (BMD), and age, and compare the difference of lumbar vertebral bone marrow fat content between males and females in the same age groups. Methods According to the statistical sample size requirements that the minimum sample size of each group was 18, thus, we prospectively recruited healthy volunteers who met the inclusion criteria. Among them, there were 139 males and females, with age range of 21-70 years old. According to age, the patients were divided into group 1 (21-30-yr), group 2 (31-40-yr), group 3 (41-50-yr), group 4 (51-60-yr), and group 5 (61-70-yr). Quantitative computed tomography (QCT) was used to measure the lumbar vertebral BMD, and MR mDIXON-Quant technique was used to measure the marrow fat content of L3 lumbar vertebra. We compared the difference of lumbar vertebral bone marrow fat content and BMD between different age groups in males and females using one-way ANOVA, and compared the difference of lumbar vertebral bone marrow fat content and BMD between males and females in the same age groups using t-test. Correlation analysis was conducted between bone marrow fat content, BMD and age. Results Lumbar vertebral bone marrow fat content was generally increasing with the age. There were significant differences in the fat content of bone marrow at different age groups (male, F=13.598, P=0.000;female, F=73.419, P=0.000). Before the age of 50 years, lumbar vertebral bone marrow fat content in females was lower than one in males, and there was a significant difference between group 2 [females,(29.7± 7.1)%-(36.1 ± 6.6)%, males,(34.1 ± 8.4)%-(39.9 ± 5.9)%;21-30-yr, t=1.984, P=0.053;31-40-yr, t=5.699, P=0.000;41-50-yr, t=2.017, P=0.050]. Females older than 50 years had a higher marrow fat content than males, and there was a significant difference between group 5 [females,(48.3±8.8)%-(52.5±8.2)%, males, (45.5 ± 8.1)%-(46.2 ± 7.4)%;51-60-yr, t=-0.914, P=0.365;61-70-yr, t=-3.400, P=0.001]. For males, bone marrow fat content was positively correlated with age (r=0.527, P<0.05), and negatively correlated with BMD (r=-0.730, adjusted for age r=-0.584, P<0.05). For females, bone marrow fat content was positively correlated with age (r=0.761, P<0.05), and negatively correlated with BMD (r=-0.809, adjusted for age r=-0.473, P<0.05). Conclusions Lumbar vertebral bone marrow fat content was generally increasing with the age. Bone marrow fat content was positively correlated with age and negatively correlated with BMD for males and females.

Quantitative radiological evaluation of interaction of lumbar vertebral bone marrow fat, bone mineral density and age / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To explore the change patterns in the lumbar vertebral bone marrow fat content with age, analyze the interactions between lumbar vertebral bone marrow fat content, bone mineral density (BMD), and age, and compare the difference of lumbar vertebral bone marrow fat content between males and females in the same age groups. Methods According to the statistical sample size requirements that the minimum sample size of each group was 18, thus, we prospectively recruited healthy volunteers who met the inclusion criteria. Among them, there were 139 males and females, with age range of 21-70 years old. According to age, the patients were divided into group 1 (21-30-yr), group 2 (31-40-yr), group 3 (41-50-yr), group 4 (51-60-yr), and group 5 (61-70-yr). Quantitative computed tomography (QCT) was used to measure the lumbar vertebral BMD, and MR mDIXON-Quant technique was used to measure the marrow fat content of L3 lumbar vertebra. We compared the difference of lumbar vertebral bone marrow fat content and BMD between different age groups in males and females using one-way ANOVA, and compared the difference of lumbar vertebral bone marrow fat content and BMD between males and females in the same age groups using t-test. Correlation analysis was conducted between bone marrow fat content, BMD and age. Results Lumbar vertebral bone marrow fat content was generally increasing with the age. There were significant differences in the fat content of bone marrow at different age groups (male, F=13.598, P=0.000;female, F=73.419, P=0.000). Before the age of 50 years, lumbar vertebral bone marrow fat content in females was lower than one in males, and there was a significant difference between group 2 [females,(29.7± 7.1)%-(36.1 ± 6.6)%, males,(34.1 ± 8.4)%-(39.9 ± 5.9)%;21-30-yr, t=1.984, P=0.053;31-40-yr, t=5.699, P=0.000;41-50-yr, t=2.017, P=0.050]. Females older than 50 years had a higher marrow fat content than males, and there was a significant difference between group 5 [females,(48.3±8.8)%-(52.5±8.2)%, males, (45.5 ± 8.1)%-(46.2 ± 7.4)%;51-60-yr, t=-0.914, P=0.365;61-70-yr, t=-3.400, P=0.001]. For males, bone marrow fat content was positively correlated with age (r=0.527, P<0.05), and negatively correlated with BMD (r=-0.730, adjusted for age r=-0.584, P<0.05). For females, bone marrow fat content was positively correlated with age (r=0.761, P<0.05), and negatively correlated with BMD (r=-0.809, adjusted for age r=-0.473, P<0.05). Conclusions Lumbar vertebral bone marrow fat content was generally increasing with the age. Bone marrow fat content was positively correlated with age and negatively correlated with BMD for males and females.

Radiological assessment of anal cancer: an overview and update.

Anal cancer is uncommon neoplasm with an incidence of 2 new cases per 100,000 per year in the USA, accounting approximately 0.4 % of all tumors and 2.5 % of gastrointestinal malignancies. An early detection of the anal cancer is crucial for the patient management, whereas the diagnosis at an early stage allows conservative management with sphincter sparing, on the contrary a delays in diagnosis might lead to an advance cancer stage at presentation with worst survival. According to National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Anal Carcinoma guidelines the patients should be subjected to a careful clinical examination, including a digital rectal examination (DRE), an anoscopic examination, and palpation of inguinal nodes. The guidelines recommended for the assessment of T stage, only a clinical examination, while the role of imaging techniques, as Magnetic Resonance imaging (MRI) is limited to the identification of regional nodes. Instead, the endoanal ultrasound (EAUS) is not recommended. This paper presents an overview and some updates about 3D EAUS and MRI in detection, staging and assessment post therapy of anal cancer patients.

Current Concepts in Total Ankle Replacement for Radiologists: Complications.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to review current concepts of total ankle replacement from an imaging perspective. The emphasis is on the reported complications and their imaging features in relation to current understanding of how and why these failures occur. CONCLUSION: Total ankle replacement has become mainstream surgical treatment of disabling ankle arthritis. With the many types of prostheses available for sale in the United States, rapid growth in the number of procedures can be expected with concomitant growth in the number of complications. Knowledge gained through experience with the more common hip and knee prostheses can generally be applied to ankle prostheses. Some complications are unique to the ankle, and some are unique to specific ankle prostheses.