Diagnostic Performance of Dual-Energy CT for Detecting Painful Hip Prosthesis Loosening.

Background Revisions of hip prostheses are increasing, and conventional radiography (CR) is a primary tool for managing -complications. However, dual-energy CT (DECT) with virtual monoenergetic imaging is capable of reducing periprosthetic metal artifacts compared with standard CT. Purpose To compare the diagnostic performance of DECT and CR in detecting hip prosthesis loosening, using surgery as a reference for diagnosis. Materials and Methods This retrospective single-center study conducted between January 2018 and October 2020 included -consecutive patients with unilateral painful hip prostheses. Two independent readers (with 15 years and 4 years of experience) who were blinded to clinical findings evaluated CR and DECT images. At imaging, diagnosis of loosening prosthesis was made for -periprosthetic radiolucency greater than or equal to 2 mm wide or the presence of two or more secondary findings, including -periprosthetic osteolysis, angulation of the implant, fracture, or abnormal periosteal reaction. For each reader and for each imaging parameter, -sensitivity and specificity were calculated. The diagnostic performance of each imaging tool was compared by using the McNemar test. Interobserver agreements were calculated with Cohen κ statistics. Statistical software was used. Results Overall, 178 patients (mean age ± standard deviation, 74 years ± 20; 96 men) were included (121 undergoing surgery, 57 follow-up). Overall, 87 of 178 patients (49%) were diagnosed with a loosened prosthesis. DECT had higher sensitivity and specificity than CR for both reader 1 (94% [82 of 87 examinations; 95% CI: 87, 98] and 93% [85 of 91 examinations; 95% CI: 86, 97] vs 84% [73 of 87 examinations; 95% CI: 74, 91] and 91% [83 of 91 examinations; 95% CI: 83, 96], respectively; P < .001) and reader 2 (92% [80 of 87 examinations; 95% CI: 84, 97] and 95% [86 of 91 examinations; 95% CI: 88, 98] vs 80% [70 of 87 -examinations; 95% CI: 71, 88] and 91% [83 of 91 examinations; 95% CI: 83, 96], respectively; P = .001), with better interobserver agreement (κ, 0.88 [95% CI: 0.81, 0.95] vs 0.78 [95% CI: 0.69, 0.88]). Conclusion Dual-energy CT showed better diagnostic performance than conventional radiography in diagnosing hip prosthesis loosening. See also the editorial by Lutz in this issue. © RSNA, 2021.

Identification of pulmonary embolism: diagnostic accuracy of venous-phase dual-energy CT in comparison to pulmonary arteries CT angiography.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of venous-phase dual-energy computed tomography (VP-DECT) in the identification of PE compared with standard CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA). METHODS: This prospective IRB-approved study included 61 consecutive oncology patients (35 females, 26 males, mean age 66.91 years) examined by CTPA and VP-DECT. DECT data were post-processed on a SyngoVia workstation to obtain monoenergetic images (MEI+). The diagnosis of PE was based on the presence of any vascular perfusion defects. DECT images were evaluated independently by two radiologists (8 and 16 years of experience). A consensus reading of CTPA images (two senior radiologists, 18 and 24 years of experience) represented the reference for diagnosis. The diagnostic accuracy values of VP-DECT on a per-patient and per-lobe basis were assessed. Interobserver agreement was calculated using k-statistics. A value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Thirty of 61 patients (49.18%) were diagnosed with PE by CTPA, with 57/366 lobes being involved (15.57%). The sensitivity and specificity of the per-patient analysis of VP-DECT images were 90.0% (27/30) and 100% (31/31) respectively, for both readers. As concerns the per-lobe analysis, the sensitivity ranged from 100% for the right lower lobe to 50% for the left upper lobe for reader 1, and from 100% for the left upper lobe to 69.23% for the lingula for reader 2. The interobserver agreement ranged from 0.8671 (patients' analysis) to 0.6419 (lobes' analysis). CONCLUSION: VP-DECT could be considered an accurate imaging tool for diagnosing PE in a selected, high-prevalence population, compared with CTPA. KEY POINTS: • With regard to the patients' analysis, venous-phase DECT sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing pulmonary embolism were 90% and 100%, respectively, for both readers. • With regard to the lobes' analysis, the sensitivity ranged from 100 to 50%, for reader 1, and from 100 to 69.23%, for reader 2, respectively. • The sensitivity and specificity of lung perfusion maps obtained from venous DECT were 73.33% and 67.74% as concerns the patients' analysis and 71.92% and 75.72% as regards the lobes' analysis, respectively.

Identification of bone marrow edema of the knee: diagnostic accuracy of dual-energy CT in comparison with MRI.

BACKGROUND: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) in diagnosing bone marrow edema (BME) of the knee in traumatic and non-traumatic patients. METHODS: This prospective IRB approved study included 33 consecutive patients (20 males, 13 females; mean age of 52.2 years) evaluated with DECT (80 and 150 kV) and MRI within 6 days. Two experienced radiologists qualitatively and quantitatively evaluated DECT images. The accuracy values were calculated by using receiver operator curves (ROC) and area under the curve (AUC), using MRI as the reference standard. Inter-observer and intra-observer agreement were calculated with k-statistics. A p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: MRI depicted BME in 25/33 patients (75.7%). The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy of per-partition qualitative analysis were 92.9, 92.9, 78.2, 97.9, and 92.9%, for reader 1, and 88.2, 93.9, 79.8, 96.6, and 92.6%, for reader 2, respectively. The inter-observer agreement was substantial (k = 0.793) and the intra-observer agreement was near-perfect (k = 0.844). At the quantitative analysis, a significant difference (p < 0.001) was depicted between the density values of positive (mean 3.6 ± 25.3 HU) and negative cases (mean - 72.2 ± 45.1 HU). By using - 15 HU cutoff to identify BME, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy of DECT were 84.7, 93.6, 78.2, 95.7, and 91.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: DECT can accurately identify BME of the knee.

Identification of bone marrow edema around the ankle joint in non-traumatic patients: Diagnostic accuracy of dual-energy computed tomography.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of DECT in the identification of BME of the ankle in non-traumatic patients. METHODS: This prospective institutional review board approved study included 40 consecutive patients (21 males and 19 females, mean age 56.8 years, SD = 11.37) that were examined using DECT and MRI in the period between April 2019 and January 2020. Two radiologists (7 and 16 years of experience) evaluated the presence of BME on DECT mages. Diagnostic accuracy values for diagnosing BME on a per-patient and on a per-partition basis analysis were calculated for DECT images by two readers (R1 and R2, with 16 and 7 years of experience, respectively), using MRI as a gold-standard for diagnosis. Inter-observer agreements were calculated with k-statistics. A p-value of <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: MRI depicted BME in 29/40 patients (72.50%) and in 43/240 partitions (17.91%). The consensus reading by R1 and R2 of DECT images allowed us to achieve 89.7% sensitivity (26/29 patients) and 81.8% specificity (9/11 patients). Regarding the partitions-basis analysis, BME was depicted by DECT in 39/43 partitions (90.69% sensitivity), and ruled out in 189/197 partitions (95.93% specificity). Sensitivity and specificity for the most involved partitions (talar dome) were both 95%. The inter-observer agreement for patients' analysis was substantial (k = 0.697), whereas for the partitions' analysis, it ranged from substantial (k = 0.724) to near perfect (k = 0.950). CONCLUSIONS: DECT can accurately diagnose BME of the ankle in a cohort of non-traumatic patients.

Anosognosia for theory of mind deficits: A single case study and a review of the literature.

Being aware of one's own ability to interact socially is crucial to everyday life. After a brain injury, patients may lose their capacity to understand others' intentions and beliefs, that is, the Theory of Mind (ToM). To date, the debate on the association between ToM and other cognitive deficits (in particular executive functions and behavioural disorders) remains open and data regarding awareness of ToM deficits are meagre. By means of an ad-hoc neuropsychological battery of tests, we report on a patient who suffers from ToM deficits and is not aware of these disorders, although aware of his other symptoms. The study is accompanied by a review of the literature (PRISMA guidelines) demonstrating that ToM deficits are independent of executive functions. Furthermore, an advanced lesion analysis including tractography was executed. The results indicate that: i) ToM deficits can be specific and independent of other cognitive symptoms; ii) unawareness may be specific for ToM impairment and not involve other disorders and iii) the medial structures of the limbic, monitoring and attentional systems may be involved in anosognosia for ToM impairment.

Role of diffusion tensor imaging of sciatic nerve in symptomatic patients with inconclusive lumbar MRI.

OBJECTIVE: To assess fractional anisotropy (FA) of sciatic nerve roots within the pelvis by using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in patients suffering from sciatica with inconclusive lumbar MRI. METHODS: This IRB-approved prospective study included 32 consecutive subjects (11 males and 21 females; mean age 32.2 years) between September 2019 and February 2020. All patients underwent DTI (TR/TE 5800/97 ms; b = 1000; slice thickness 3,5 mm; directions = 20) on a 1.5 T scanner (Siemens Aera). Seventeen patients were symptomatic, whereas 15 patients served as control group. DTI data were analyzed by two radiologists (25 and 11 years of experience, respectively) blinded to clinical data. Each radiologist placed two ROIs on the nerve roots at three different levels. Diagnostic accuracy values of FA numbers were calculated by using receiver operator curves (ROC) and relative area under the curve (AUC), by using clinical findings as standard of reference. Inter-observer agreement was calculated with k-statistics. Paired T-test and Mann-Whitney test were used for comparison accordingly to data distribution. A value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Among the 17 symptomatic patients, FA values were significantly lower in the affected side at all levels (p < 0.05). The FA ratio (FA affected side/FA unaffected side) of symptomatic patients was significantly lower compared to control group at level 1 (p = 0.0005) and level 2 (p = 0.0006). Using a threshold of 0.90 for level 1 and 0.73 for level 2, 76 % and 71 % sensitivity and 100 % and 87 % specificity were achieved, respectively. CONCLUSION: DTI can quantitatively demonstrate sciatic nerve roots impairment within the pelvis.

Bone marrow edema around the hip in non-traumatic pain: dual-energy CT vs MRI.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) in identifying bone marrow edema (BME) around the hip joint in non-traumatic patients. METHODS: This prospective IRB-approved study was conducted between January 2019 and October 2019 and included 59 consecutive patients (18 males, 41 females; mean age 61.5 years, range 32-82) who were assessed by DECT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) within a 5-day period. Diagnostic accuracy values for diagnosing BME on a per-patient and on a per-partition-basis analysis were calculated for DECT images by two readers (R1 and R2, with 15 and 10 years of experience, respectively), using MRI as reference for diagnosis. Inter-observer agreements were calculated with k-statistics. A p value of < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: MRI depicted BME in 44/59 patients (74.58%), with the involvement of 83/708 (11.72%) partitions. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of R1 and R2 were 95.45% (42/44), 86.67% (13/15), and 93.22% (55/59) for R1, and 86.36% (38/44), 80.00% (12/15), and 84.75% (50/59) for R2. For both readers, the BME detection rate was higher in patients with severe edema (100%) in comparison to patients with mild edema (91.30% and 73.91%). In the partition-basis analysis, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy ranges were 33.3 to 100%, 91.84 to 100%, and 88.14 to 100%, respectively. The inter-observer agreement for patients' analysis was substantial (k = 0.7065), whereas for partition analysis ranged from fair (k = 0.2976) to near-perfect (k = 1.000). CONCLUSION: DECT can accurately identify BME around the hip joint, in comparison to MRI. KEY POINTS: • DECT can accurately identify bone marrow edema around the hip joint in a cohort of non-traumatic patients. • The detection of bone marrow edema by means of DECT may help the radiologist to identify associated findings, including avascular necrosis of the femoral head and insufficiency or stress fractures. • In cases of patients suffering from groin pain with bone marrow edema identified by DECT, the concurrent reading of high-resolution conventional CT images may increase the confidence of diagnosis and/or reduce the reading time.

Evaluation of glenoid labral tears: comparison between dual-energy CT arthrography and MR arthrography of the shoulder.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of dual-energy computed tomography arthrography (DE-CTA) and magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA) of the shoulder in depicting glenoid labral tears. METHODS: This prospective institutional review board-approved study included 47 consecutive patients (28 males, 19 females; mean age of 34.2 years) studied between January 2017 and October 2018. All patients underwent DE-CTA and MRA the same day. Two radiologists (25 and 11 years of experience, respectively), blinded to clinical data, evaluated the presence labral tears on virtual-blended 120 kV standard CTA and on DE-CTA images. A third radiologist (18 years of experience) evaluated the MRA images. Diagnostic accuracy values were calculated by using surgery as standard of reference. Inter-observer and intra-observer agreements were calculated with k statistics. A value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Surgery revealed the presence of labral tears in 38/47 patients (80.9%). Sensitivity and specificity values in diagnosing labral tears were 84.2% and 77.8% for MRA (Reader 3), 84.2% and 77.8% for CTA (Reader 1), 84.2% and 88.9% for CTA (Reader 2), 89.5% and 88.9% for DE-CTA (Reader 1), and 92.1% and 88.9% for DE-CTA (Reader 2). A nonsignificant increase in AUC values with respect to MRA was obtained by reading the CTA (p = 0.470) and DE-CTA dataset (p = 0.217), respectively. Inter-observer agreements were near perfect for CTA (k = 0.84) and substantial for DE-CTA reading (k = 0.76). Intra-observer agreements were near perfect both for CTA (k = 0.88) and for DE-CTA reading (k = 0.82). CONCLUSION: DE-CTA and MRA were not different in terms of diagnostic performance.

Radiographic and HRCT imaging findings of chronic pulmonary schistosomiasis: review of 10 consecutive cases.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the chest radiography (CR) and the high resolution CT (HRCT) imaging findings of chronic pulmonary schistosomiasis (CPS). METHODS AND MATERIALS: This retrospective study included 10 patients suffering from CPS, studied between September 2013 and October 2016 by using CR and HRCT. Images were reviewed by two experienced radiologists in consensus, blinded to clinical data. A p value < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: All the patients enrolled showed some abnormalities at HRCT, including lung consolidations, solid nodules, nodules with peri-nodular halo, ground-glass opacities, enlarged hilar lymph-nodes. Only seven patients showed findings at CR ( p = 0.001). At CT, none of the patients had significant pleural, vascular (pulmonary arteries) or cardiac findings. Post-therapy studies (mean interval 35 days) demonstrated the absence of residual disease in all patients. CONCLUSION: The imaging findings of CPS varied widely in our study population. HRCT may show signs which are occult on plain radiograph. All lesions disappeared after appropriate therapy at imaging follow-up studie.

Identification of bone marrow edema of the ankle: diagnostic accuracy of dual-energy CT in comparison with MRI.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) to identify bone marrow edema (BME) of the ankle. METHODS: This prospective institutional review board approved study included 40 consecutive patients (29 males and 11 females; mean age of 32.3 years) studied with DECT (80 kV and tin filter 150 kV) and MRI within 10 days. DECT data were post-processed for generating non-calcium images of the ankle. Two radiologists evaluated the presence of BME on color-coded maps. Diagnostic accuracy values for diagnosing BME were calculated for DECT maps (qualitative assessment) and for CT numbers (quantitative assessment) by using receiver operator curves and area under the curve (AUC), using MRI as the gold standard. Interobserver and intraobserver agreements were calculated with k-statistics. A p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: DECT depicted BME in 23/25 patients (92.0%). The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV, and accuracy achieved by evaluating the DECT images were 92.0, 86.6, 92.0, 84.6, and 90.0%, for reader 1 and 88.0, 86.6, 91.6, 78.6, and 87.5, for reader 2, respectively. The interobserver and intraobsever agreements were near perfect (k = 0.87 and k = 0.83, respectively). DECT numbers were significantly different between positive (mean - 12.6 ± 29.6 HU) and negative cases (mean - 64.2 ± 34.5 HU) with a p value < 0.001. By using - 20HU cutoff to identify BME (AUC of 0.896.), the sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV, and accuracy of the quantitative analysis were 88.0, 92.6, 95.7, 92.6, and 87.5%, respectively. CONCLUSION: DECT represents an accurate imaging tool for demonstration of BME of the ankle when compared to MRI.

Preoperative Imaging Evaluation after Downstaging of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: A Multi-Center Study.

INTRODUCTION: Evaluation of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) after chemoradiotherapy downstaging is challenging due to computed tomography (CT) overestimation of tumor extension and residual vascular involvement, limiting access to surgery to some patients with potentially resectable tumors. With this study, we wanted to assess which radiological findings are most reliable at pre-operative imaging in the evaluation of PDAC after chemoradiotherapy in order to achieve complete resection. METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled 71 patients with locally advanced and borderline resectable PDAC who underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Pre-operative CT or magnetic resonance (MR) have been evaluated by three radiologists to assess major qualitative and quantitative parameters of lesions. Accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity compared to anatomopathological results were evaluated for each parameter. Cohen's K-coefficient has been calculated to evaluate the inter-observer agreement (IOA). Both single and consensus lecture have been tested. Different dimensional cut-offs were tested to categorize tumors according to their major axis and to compare with anatomopathological diameter, tumor persistence, and margin infiltration. RESULTS: A 25 mm cut-off was 67% sensitive, 90% specific, and 77% accurate in assessing real tumor dimension. 25 mm cut-off reported a 64% sensitivity, 78% specificity, and 69% accuracy in assessing R0 resection. Each 5 mm increment of major axis dimension there is an odds ratio (OR) 1.79 (95% CI 1.13⁻2.80, p = 0.012) for R+ resection. Imaging presence of the perivascular cuff is not associated with tumor persistence and resection margin infiltration (p = 0.362). Lesion enhancement and pattern homogeneity were not accurate in determining tumor persistence. IOA was generally poor to fair, except for >25 mm cut-off classification where IOA was moderate. Diagnostic accuracy is superior in consensus lecture rather than single lecture. CONCLUSION: Imaging methods tend to underestimate PDAC resectability after neoadjuvant-CRT. IOA is poor to fair in evaluating most of the qualitative parameters of downstaged pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Surgery should be considered for downstaged borderline resectable PDACs, independently from perivascular cuff presence, especially for tumors smaller than 25 mm.

Identification of residual-recurrent cholesteatoma in operated ears: diagnostic accuracy of dual-energy CT and MRI.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) to identify residual-recurrent cholesteatoma using the second-look surgery as the reference standard. METHODS: This prospective, institutional review board-approved study included 19 consecutive patients (11 males and 8 females; mean age of 62.2, range 34-80 years). Since five patients were studied bilaterally, a total of 24 ears were evaluated with DECT and MRI between February 2017 and June 2018. Any abnormal middle ear attenuation on high-resolution CT images (HRCT) or DECT color-coded maps, and any abnormal signal on MRI images was evaluated by four experienced radiologists. Diagnostic accuracy values of HRCT, DECT maps and CT numbers (by using receiver operator curves) and MRI were compared. Interobserver and intraobserver agreement were calculated. RESULTS: Residual-recurrent cholesteatoma was diagnosed at surgery in 16/24 ears (66.6%). MRI and DECT revealed a total of 15/16 and 14/16 cholesteatomas, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV and accuracy of MRI and DECT were 93.7, 87.5, 93.7, 87.5, and 91.6% and 87.5, 87.5, 93.3, 87.5 and 87.5%, respectively. CT numbers were significantly different between positive (mean 57.6 HU, range - 65, 112 HU) and negative cases (mean 5.4 HU, range - 100, 66 HU) with p < 0.001. The interobserver and intraobserver agreement were k = 0.87 and k = 0.83, respectively. CONCLUSION: DECT may provide an accurate demonstration of residual-recurrent middle ear cholesteatoma.

Diagnostic accuracy of dual-energy CT and virtual non-calcium techniques to evaluate bone marrow edema in vertebral compression fractures.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate DECT diagnostic accuracy in the identification of vertebral bone marrow edema, using MRI as standard of reference. METHODS: This prospective institutional review board-approved study included 76 consecutive patients (29 males and 47 females; mean age 62.3, range 51-82 years) studied with DECT (90 kV and tin filter 150 kV) and MRI within 7 days. Three radiologists evaluated DECT (reader 1 and 2) and MRI images (reader 3). Diagnostic accuracy of the DECT maps (qualitative assessment) and of the CT numbers (quantitative assessment), interobserver and intraobserver agreements were calculated. RESULTS: MRI revealed 61 edematous vertebrae and 52 collapsed non-edematous vertebrae. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV and accuracy of the qualitative assessment of the DECT maps were 88.6, 92.3, 93.1, 87.3 and 90.3%, for reader 1, 90.2, 90.3, 91.6, 88.7 and 90.3, for reader 2, and 91.8, 90.4, 91.6, 90.4 and 91.1% for quantitative analysis, respectively. DECT numbers were significantly different between positive (mean - 23 HU, range - 189, 29 HU) and negative cases (mean - 126 HU, range - 321, - 66 HU) with p < 0.001. The ROC curve analysis revealed an AUC of 0.886 (95% confidence interval 0.722-0.913). The interobserver and intraobserver agreements were near perfect (k = 0.87 and k = 0.83, respectively). CONCLUSION: DECT represents an accurate imaging technique for demonstrating bone marrow edema in vertebral compression fracture, if compared to MRI.

Characterization of adrenal lesions using MDCT wash-out parameters: diagnostic accuracy of several combinations of intermediate and delayed phases.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of wash-out parameters calculated using multiple intermediate and delayed phases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study had institutional review board approval and informed consent was obtained from all patients. Between January 2012 and October 2016, 108 consecutive oncologic patients (59 males, 49 females, mean age 52.6 years; 129 diagnosed lesions) underwent multiphasic CT protocol including unenhanced (UE), arterial (AE), portal (PE), 5-min (DE-5) and the 15-min (DE-15) delayed phases of adrenal glands. All images were randomly reviewed in consensus by two radiologists experienced in abdominal CT, unaware of clinical or pathologic data. Location, size and density were recorded. Absolute wash-out, percentage wash-out (PWO) and percentage enhancement wash-out ratio were calculated. The thresholds yielding the best accuracy in differentiating adenomas from nonadenomas were retrospectively determined on the basis of ROC curves. The corresponding diagnostic accuracy values were calculated. Paired sample t test was used to assess differences among imaging parameters within subgroups. Student t test was applied to compare lesions between independent subgroups. p values ≤ 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: The final diagnosis included 82 adenomas (62 lipid-rich and 20 lipid-poor) and 47 nonadenomas (42 metastases, 3 pheochromocytomas, 2 carcinomas). All the 62 lipid-rich adenomas were correctly diagnosed as benign lesions on the basis of their UE attenuation < 10 HU. The PEAK attenuation was achieved during AE phase for 51/129 lesions (39.5%) and at the time of PE phase in 78/129 lesions (60.5%). The best overall accuracy in diagnosing adenomas (97.6%; 126/129 lesions correctly diagnosed) was obtained using 40% threshold for calculating PWO from PEAK to DE-15 scan. CONCLUSIONS: If only an intermediate phase is available, the 15-min delayed scan should be acquired to avoid any drop in diagnostic accuracy. The availability of two intermediate phase may be used to easy CT schedule by obviating the need to acquire a longer delayed phase.

When and how to treat women with HER2-positive, small (pT1a-b), node-negative breast cancer?

Small (pT1a-b), node-negative (pN0) breast cancer generally has a good prognosis. However, HER2-positive status is associated with an increased risk of relapse and decreased survival even in these tumors. Although there are only few data from prospective randomized trials, results of retrospective studies suggest adjuvant chemotherapy plus trastuzumab may improve outcomes of patients with pT1a-b pN0 HER2-positive breast cancer. On the other hand, trastuzumab is potentially associated with increased cardiac toxicity, especially when combined with anthracycline-based chemotherapy. A valid strategy for improving cardiac safety is the addition of trastuzumab to non-anthracycline chemotherapy, whereas a shorter duration of trastuzumab should be not routinely considered although might represent an option for selected patients at low risk of relapse and very high risk of cardiac events. Therefore, the choice of adjuvant treatment for patients with pT1a-b pN0 HER2-positive breast cancer should be done on individual basis, carefully weighing benefits and risks.

MR arthrography of the hip: evaluation of isotropic 3D intermediate-weighted FSE and hybrid GRE T1-weighted sequences.

PURPOSE: To compare the diagnostic performance of three-dimensional (3D) intermediate-weighted FSE (IW-3D) and 3D hybrid T1-weighted sequences (Hy-3D) and 2D fast-spin-echo sequences (FSE) in diagnosing chondral and labral lesions at 1.5 Tesla hip MR arthrography (MRA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Institutional review board approval was obtained and informed consent was waived. Ninety-two consecutive patients were evaluated. Chondral and labral lesions were retrospectively and independently evaluated by two radiologists. Intra-operative findings were used as the reference standard (arthroscopy = 73, open surgery = 19). Sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp), and accuracy (Acc) values that obtained were compared using McNemar test. A value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Inter-observer agreement was calculated using kappa statistics. RESULTS: Surgeons revealed 81 labrum and 44 chondral lesions, respectively. The highest Se, Sp, and Acc for Reader 1 were 96.3, 90.9, and 95.6%, respectively, in evaluating labral lesions (by reading 2D data set) and 90.9, 100, and 95.7% in evaluating chondral lesions (by reading IW-3D images). The highest Se, Sp, and Acc for Reader 2 were 93.8, 81.8, and 92.4% in evaluating labral lesions (using 2D images) and 88.6, 97.9, and 93.5%, respectively, in evaluating chondral lesions (using Hy-3D). The difference of diagnostic accuracy achieved was not significant (p > 0.05). A near-perfect inter-observer agreement was achieved by reading 2D data set (k = 0.88) and Hy-3D (k = 0.83) and IW-3D (k = 0.85). CONCLUSIONS: At 1.5 Tesla hip MRA, the accuracy of IW-3D and Hy-3D images was not significantly higher than the 2D sequences in evaluating acetabular labrum and chondral lesions.

Surprising complete response of intramedullary spinal cord metastasis from breast cancer: a case report and literature review.

PURPOSE: Intramedullary spinal cord metastases (ISCM) are considered rare but their incidence is rising. Most ISCM cases are recognized to occur in patients with stage IV lung cancer or breast cancer (BC). METHODS: We report a rare case of cervical BC-ISCM in 60-year-old woman, documented by magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography-computed tomography and treated with volumetric modulated arc therapy with daily image-guided radiation therapy (VMAT/IGRT). RESULTS: An unexpected clinical and radiologic complete response in absence of neurologic side effects was recorded 4 months after VMAT/IGRT. CONCLUSIONS: The present case report shows the feasibility of advanced RT and its optimal response in a case of ISCM from BC. Despite the short follow-up, in comparison with available literature data concerning the management of BC-ISCM, we found an early complete response, in contrast with other reported experiences.