Prevalence and Clinical Implications of Incidental Aortic Arch Abnormalities on Contrast-Enhanced Neck MR Angiography: A Single-Center Experience.

Background and Objectives: Vascular abnormalities within the anatomical coverage are frequently encountered in imaging studies. The aortic arch is often overlooked as an anatomical blind spot, especially in neck magnetic resonance (MR) angiography. This study investigated the prevalence of incidental aortic arch abnormalities. We also estimated the potential clinical significance of aortic arch abnormalities as blind spots detected on contrast-enhanced neck MR angiography. Materials and Methods: Between February 2016 and March 2023, 348 patients were identified based on contrast-enhanced neck MR angiography reports. The clinical and radiological characteristics of the patients and the presence of additional imaging studies were assessed. The aortic arch abnormalities and coexisting non-aortic arterial abnormalities were classified into two categories according to their clinical significance. We performed the χ2 test and Fisher's exact test for group comparisons. Results: Of the 348 study patients, only 29 (8.3%) had clinically significant incidental aortic arch abnormalities. Among these 348 patients, 250 (71.8%) and 136 (39%) had intracranial and extracranial abnormalities, respectively; the clinically significant intracranial abnormalities in the two groups were 130 lesions (52.0%) and 38 lesions (27.9%), respectively. In addition, there was a significantly higher tendency of clinically significant aortic arch abnormalities (13/29, 44.8%) in the patients who had clinically significant coexisting non-aortic arterial abnormalities than in the other group (87/319, 27.3%) (p = 0.044). The patient groups with clinically significant intracranial or extracranial arterial abnormalities had higher rates of clinically significant aortic abnormalities (31.0% and 17.2%), but there was no statistical significance (p = 0.136). Conclusions: The incidence of clinically significant aortic arch abnormalities was 8.3% on neck MR angiography, with a significant association between aortic and coexisting non-aortic arterial abnormalities. The findings of this study could improve the understanding of incidental aortic arch lesions on neck MR angiography, which is of crucial clinical importance for radiologists to achieve accurate diagnoses and management.

MALT Lymphoma of the Tongue in a Patient with Sjögren's Syndrome: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a systemic chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of the exocrine glands, as well as oral and ocular dryness. Among the late complications, malignant lymphoma is the most serious complication of SS. The risk of lymphoma in patients with SS has been estimated to be approximately 7-19 times higher than that in a generally healthy population. Although various histologic subtypes of lymphoma can occur in patients with SS, mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma accounts for 48-75% of malignant lymphomas that are frequently located in the parotid gland. However, MALT lymphoma affecting the tongue in patients with SS is extremely rare. Here, we share our experience with a unique case of MALT lymphoma of the tongue, originating from the minor salivary gland tissue in a patient with SS. Through this case report, we emphasize that MALT lymphoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a tongue mass in patients with SS.

Prevalence and Clinical Implications of Incidentally Detected Parotid Lesions as Blind Spot on Brain MRI: A Single-Center Experience.

Background and objective: This study was conducted to assess the prevalence and clinical implications of parotid lesions detected incidentally during brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination. Materials and Methods: Between February 2016 and February 2021, we identified 86 lesions in the brain MRI reports of 84 patients that contained the words "parotid gland" or "PG". Of these, we finally included 49 lesions involving 45 patients following histopathological confirmation. Results: Based on the laboratory, radiological or histopathological findings, the prevalence of incidental parotid lesions was low (1.2%). Among the 45 study patients, 41 (91.1%) had unilateral lesions, and the majority of the lesions were located in the superficial lobe (40/49, 81.6%). The mean size of the parotid lesions was 1.3 cm ± 0.4 cm (range, 0.5 cm-2.8 cm). Of these, 46 parotid lesions (93.9%) were benign, whereas the remaining three lesions were malignant (6.1%). Conclusions: Despite the low prevalence and incidence of malignancy associated with incidental parotid lesions detected on brain MRI, the clinical implications are potentially significant. Therefore, clinical awareness and appropriate imaging work-up of these lesions are important for accurate diagnosis and timely management.

Dental amalgam exposure can elevate urinary mercury concentrations in children.

OBJECTIVES: Owing to its cost-effectiveness and operative convenience, dental amalgam remains in use as a restorative material for tooth caries in children in many countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between dental amalgam exposure and urinary mercury (U-Hg) concentrations in children. METHODS: In this longitudinal study, 463, 367 and 348 children, 8-11 years of age, were evaluated at baseline, and at the first and second follow-up visits, respectively. The interval between each survey was 6 months. For the oral examination and urine sample, the amalgam-filled tooth surface (TS), and U-Hg and creatinine concentrations of participants were determined, and the cumulative amalgam-filled TS and cumulative creatinine-adjusted U-Hg were calculated. To assess potential covariates, socio-demographic factors, oral health behaviour and dietary factors were surveyed by questionnaire. Data were analysed by the t-test, correlation analysis and mixed-model analysis. The statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 18.0. RESULTS: Children with more than one amalgam-filled TS exhibited significantly higher creatinine-adjusted U-Hg concentrations than those without, in all three survey periods (P < 0.001). The results for the current and cumulative amalgam-filled TS significantly correlated with those for the current and cumulative creatinine-adjusted U-Hg concentration, respectively, in all surveys (P < 0.001). In the repeated-measures mixed model analysis, current and cumulative amalgam-filled TS was significantly related to current and cumulative creatinine-adjusted U-Hg concentration, respectively (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Amalgam-filled TS was significantly correlated with U-Hg concentrations in children. Therefore, dental amalgam exposure can affect the systemic mercury concentration in children.

Genetic anticipation of familial breast cancer with or without BRCA mutation in the Korean population.

We investigated genetic anticipation of breast or ovarian cancer in patients with familial breast cancer. Among 201 patients with breast cancer who had a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, 95 families had affected familial members in the previous generation. Of these families, 2 were excluded because of insufficient data. From the 93 eligible families, 112 and 111 members were identified in the previous and proband generations, respectively. BRCA mutations were detected in 26 (28.0%) of the 93 probands. The median age at diagnosis of the first generation was 57 years and of the second generation was 40 years, which was a significant difference. The result from the mixed-effects model also demonstrated significant genetic anticipation (P < 0.0001). The expected age difference at onset of breast or ovarian cancer between the two generations was 17.06 years. BRCA mutation status did not influence the generational difference in age at diagnosis (17.99 vs. 16.62 y, P = 0.3973). Genetic counseling and early screening should be provided to women whose parent had a breast or ovarian cancer diagnosis.

Follicular thyroid carcinoma with predominantly cystic formation presenting initially with multiple distant metastases.

Primary malignancies presenting with multiple distant metastases include lung cancer, gastrointestinal malignancy, breast cancer, and prostatic cancer. Multiple distant metastases from follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) are uncommon. Cystic formation in FTC is an atypical finding in ultrasonography. The cystic formation of a thyroid nodule is usually considered a benign sonographic finding. We report the case of a 78-year-old man who presented with multiple distant metastases from an FTC with a predominantly cystic formation.

Associations between BRCA Mutations in High-Risk Breast Cancer Patients and Familial Cancers Other than Breast or Ovary.

PURPOSE: We investigated the relationship between BRCA mutations and the distribution of familial cancers other than breast or ovary in high-risk breast cancer patients. METHODS: PATIENTS WITH BREAST CANCER WHO HAD AT LEAST ONE OF THE FOLLOWING RISK FACTORS WERE ENROLLED: reported family history of breast or ovarian cancer; 40 years of age or younger age at diagnosis; bilateral breast cancer; or male gender. Genetic testing for BRCA mutation and questionnaires about personal and family histories of malignancies were performed. RESULTS: Among the 238 eligible patients, 49 (20.6%) patients had BRCA1/2 mutations, which were more frequent in patients with multiple risk factors (p<0.0001). There were 271 members of 156 (65.5%) families who had histories of other primary cancer. The distribution of the families was 119 (63.0%) and 37 (75.5%) in the BRCA-negative and positive group, respectively (p=0.0996). Multiple familial cancers occurred in 70 families, which were significantly more frequent in BRCA-positive families (p=0.0034). By ordinal logistic regression, the occurrence of multiple familial cancers was associated with BRCA mutations (p=0.0045), not with other risk factors. The most common site of disease was the stomach, which is the most common in nationwide. And the proportional incidence of pancreatic cancer (6.8%) was significantly higher than that of nationwide cancer statistics (2.4%, p=0.0137). CONCLUSION: BRCA mutations in high-risk breast cancer patients were associated with multiple risk factors and multiple family members with other primary cancers. Genetic counseling based on accurate information should be provided to families with BRCA mutation carriers.

Angioarchitecture of Spinal Dural Arteriovenous Fistula - Evaluation with 3D Rotational Angiography.

PURPOSE: The complex angioarchitecture of spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (SDAVFs) sometimes preclude angiographic analyses or superselective procedures. Therefore, the effectiveness of 3 dimensional rotational angiography (3DRA) as a detailed imaging technique for SDAVFs was evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of 57 patients with spinal vascular malformations, recent 13 SDAVF patients underwent 3DRA. The advantage of 3DRA compared to digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in imaging SDAVF was assessed. Angioarchitecture of SDAVF was focused on location, number, and course of feeders and draining vein. Appropriate angled views were also selected to reveal the segmental artery and feeders. RESULTS: 3DRA technique provided additional information for imaging evaluation of SDAVFs compared to DSA; the presence of multiple feeders, including their transdural portions, as well as their courses. The contralaterally angled anterior-oblique-caudal (spider) view showed the radicular feeder by separating the intercostal artery and the dorsal muscular branch. The bottom-to-up (tunnel) view was useful for revealing the location (ventral vs. dorsal) including sharp medial turn of the dural feeder. The dual mode, which displays both vessels and bones, revealed the course of the feeders and the fistula related to the spinal bony column. CONCLUSION: Because spinal vasculature overlaps in DSA, 3DRA revealed additional information for evaluations of the number and transdural course of fistular feeders in SDAVFs, and it offers working angles to obtain appropriate views.

Classification of nursing statements based on the ICNP, the HHCC, and the nursing process for use in electronic nursing records.

The purposes of this study were to identify nursing-phenomena-related statements and nursing-action- related statements for use in nursing records, to link nursing statements for the nursing process, to develop integrated nursing terms using the ICNP, to identify new terms for inclusion, and to group statements using the HHCC in a user interface. We extracted 5,133 nursing-phenomena-related statements and 3,844 nursing-action-related statements, with the former including 233 nursing diagnoses. A total of 2791 nursing terms were mapped and 287 new terms were developed. Synonyms of 827 standard nursing terms were extracted. We developed trees of nursing statements using the HHCC for the user interface in an electronic nursing record. The quality of nursing documentation and the nursing performance improved with the standardization process.

Integrated 18F-FDG PET/CT for the initial evaluation of cervical node level of patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma: comparison with ultrasound and contrast-enhanced CT.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of integrated 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT with ultrasonography (US) and contrast enhanced CT (CECT) alone in the initial evaluation of cervical lymph node levels of patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma. PATIENTS AND MEASUREMENTS: From July 2004 to March 2005, 26 consecutive patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma, confirmed by aspiration cytology analysis, underwent US, CECT and PET/CT. The sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of the US, CECT and PET/CT studies for the final status of 312 cervical node levels (levels I-V: 260, level VI: 52) were compared by employing a generalized estimating equation test. The final status of cervical node levels was determined by the surgical pathology and follow-up data. RESULTS: At all lymph node levels (levels I-VI), PET/CT showed a sensitivity of 30.4%, a specificity of 96.2% and a diagnostic accuracy of 86.9%. The corresponding values for US and CECT were 41.3%, 97.4%, 89.1% (US) and 34.8%, 96.2%, 87.2% (CECT). Considering only the lateral cervical node group (levels I-V), PET/CT showed a sensitivity of 50.0%, a specificity of 97.0% and a diagnostic accuracy of 92.3%. The corresponding values for US and CECT were 53.9%, 97.9%, 93.5% (US) and 42.3%, 96.6%, 91.2% (CECT). The diagnostic results for US, CECT and PET/CT upon initial evaluation of the cervical lymph nodes did not differ significantly on a level-by-level basis. CONCLUSION: Our preliminary results suggest that integrated PET/CT does not provide any additional benefit when compared to US and CECT for the initial evaluation of cervical node levels in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma.