Magnetic resonance imaging short protocols for intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) surveillance: The time has come.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: To analyze the diagnostic performance of three short magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocols for the follow-up of pancratic intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN). METHODS: Follow-up MRI examinations of 287 patients with IPMN performed in two centers were retrospectively retrieved. Four MRI protocols were identified as follows: T1-weighted (T1w), T2-weighted (T2w), and MRCP sequences (protocol 1); T1w, T2w, MRCP, and diffusion-weighted (DWI) sequences (protocol 2); T1w, T2w, MRCP, and post-contrast T1w-sequences (protocol 3); and a comprehensive protocol including all previous sequences (protocol 4). Three radiologists with different experience in abdominal imaging expressed their opinion upon the optimal patient's management upon the evaluation of each protocol. Intra-and inter-observer agreement and concordance with the clinical decision expressed by a pancreatic surgeon were calculated with Cohen's kappa test. RESULTS: 223 patients were included (66±10 years; 92 men, 131 women). 143 patients had branch-duct-IPMNs, 25 main-duct-IPMNs and 55 mixed-type-IPMNs. 79 patients underwent surgery, resulting in 52 high-grade dysplasia (HGD) and 27 low-grade dysplasia (LGD). Concordance for the expert reader between protocols 1, 2 and 3 and the actual clinical decision were 0.63, 0.72, and 0.74 respectively (95% CI, 0.53-0.73, 0.63-0.81, and 0.65-0.83). Inter-observer agreement between reader 1 and reader 2, reader 1 and reader 3, and reader 2 and reader 3 were: 0.71, 0.50, and 0.75 for protocol 1 (95% CI, 0.63-0.81, 0.40-0.60, and 0.66-0.84);0.68, 0.54, and 0.84 for protocol 2 (95% CI, 0.59-0.77, 0.44-0.64, and 0.76-0.91); and 0.77, 0.65, and 0.86 for protocol 3 (95% CI, 0.69-0.86, 0.55-0.74, and 0.80-0.93). CONCLUSIONS: Short MRI protocol is suitable for IPMN surveillance.

Quantitative Assessment of Lung Volumes and Enhancement in Patients with COVID-19: Role of Dual-Energy CT.

Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) has been used for detecting pulmonary embolism, but the role of lung perfusion DECT as a predictor of prognosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has not been defined yet. The aim of our study was to explore whether the enhancement pattern in COVID-19+ patients relates to the disease outcome. A secondary aim was to compare the lung volumes in two subgroups of patients. In this observational study, we considered all consecutive COVID-19+ patients who presented to the emergency room between January 2021 and December 2021 with respiratory symptoms (with mild to absent lung consolidation) and were studied by chest contrast-enhanced DECT to be eligible. Two experienced radiologists post-processed the images using the "lung-analysis" software (SyngoVia). Absolute and relative enhancement lung volumes were assessed. Patients were stratified in two subgroups depending on clinical outcome at 30 days: (i) good outcome (i.e., discharge, absence of clinical or imaging signs of disease); (ii) bad outcome (i.e., hospitalization, death). Patient sub-groups were compared using chi-square test or Fisher test for qualitative parameters, chi-square test or Spearman's Rho test for quantitative parameters, Students' t-test for parametric variables and Wilcoxon test for non-parametric variables. We enrolled 78 patients (45M), of whom, 16.7% had good outcomes. We did not observe any significant differences between the two groups, both in terms of the total enhancement evaluation (p = 0.679) and of the relative enhancement (p = 0.918). In contrast, the average lung volume of good outcome patients (mean value of 4262 mL) was significantly larger than that of bad outcome patients (mean value of 3577.8 mL), p = 0.0116. All COVID-19+ patients, with either good or bad outcomes, presented similar enhancement parameters and relative enhancements, underlining no differences in lung perfusion. Conversely, a significant drop in lung volume was identified in the bad outcome subgroup eligible compared to the good outcome subgroup.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of short biparametric magnetic resonance imaging protocol in men at risk of prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the cost-effectiveness of a short biparametric MRI (BP-MRI) with that of contrast-enhanced multiparametric MRI (MP-MRI) for the detection of prostate cancer in men with elevated prostatespecific antigen (PSA) levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We compared two diagnostic procedures for detection of prostate cancer (Pca), BP-MRI and MP-MRI, in terms of quality-adjusted life years (QALY), incremental costeffectiveness ratio (ICER) and net monetary benefit (NMB) for a hypothetical cohort of 10,000 patients. We compared two scenarios in which different protocols would be used for the early diagnosis of prostate cancer in relation to PSA values. Scenario 1. BP-MRI/MP-MRI yearly if > 3.0 ng/ml, every 2 years otherwise; Scenario 2. BP-MRI/MP-MRI yearly with age-dependent threshold 3.5 ng/ml (50-59 years), 4.5 ng/ml (60-69 years), 6.5 ng/ml (70-79 years). RESULTS: BP-MRI was more effective than the comparator in terms of cost (160.10 € vs 249.99€) QALYs (a mean of 9.12 vs 8.46), ICER (a mean of 232.45) and NMB (a mean of 273.439 vs 251.863). BP-MRI was dominant, being more effective and less expensive, with a lower social cost. Scenario 2 was more cost-effective compared to scenario 1. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirmed the hypothesis that a short bi-parametric MRI protocol represents a cost-efficient procedure, optimizing resources in a policy perspective.

Management of vertebral compression fractures: the role of dual-energy CT in clinical practice.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) in the management of vertebral compression fractures in clinical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective IRB-approved study included 497 consecutive patients with suspected acute vertebral fractures, imaged either by DECT (group 1) or MRI (group 2) before vertebroplasty. The site, number and type of fractures at imaging findings, and clinical outcome based on any change in pain (DELTA-VAS), before (VAS-pre) and after treatment (VAS-post), were determined and compared. Two radiologists evaluated DECT and MRI images (15 and 5 years of experience, respectively), and inter-observer and intra-observer agreement were calculated using k statistics. RESULTS: Both in the control group (n = 124) and in the group of patients treated by vertebroplasty (n = 373), the clinical outcome was not influenced by the imaging approach adopted, with a DELTA-VAS of 5.45 and 6.42 in the DECT group and 5.12 and 6.65 in the MRI group (p = 0.326; p = 0.44). In the group of treated patients, sex, age, lumbar fractures, multiple fractures, previous fractures, Genant grade, involvement of anterior apex or superior endplates, and increased spinal curvatures were similar (p = ns); however, dorsal fractures were more prevalent in group 1 (p = 0.0197). Before treatment, the mean VAS-pre was 8.74 in group 1 (DECT) and 8.65 in group 2 (MRI) (p = 0.301), whereas after treatment, the mean VAS-post value was 2.32 in group 1 (p = 0.0001), and 2.00 in group 2 (p = 0.0001). The DELTA-VAS was 6.42 in the group of patients imaged using DECT and 6.65 in the group imaged using MRI (p = 0.326). Inter-observer and intra-observer agreement were 0.85 and 0.89 for DECT, and 0.88 and 0.91 for MRI, respectively. CONCLUSION: The outcome of vertebral compression fracture management was no different between the two groups of patients studied.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of including contrast-enhanced ultrasound in management of pancreatic cystic neoplasms.

PURPOSE: Pancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCN) management consists of non-invasive imaging studies (CT, MRI), with a high resource burden. We aimed to determine the cost-effectiveness of including contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the management of PCN without risk features. MATERIALS AND METHODS: By using a decision-tree model in a hypothetical cohort of patients, we compared management strategy including CEUS with the latest Fukuoka consensus, European and Italian guidelines. Our strategy for BD-IPMN/MCN < 1 cm includes 1 CEUS annually. For those between 1 and 2 cm, it includes CEUS 4 times/year during the first year, then 3 times/year for 4 years and then annually. For those between 2 and 3 cm, it comprises MRI twice/year during the first one, then alternating 2 CEUS and 1 MRI yearly. RESULTS: CEUS surveillance is the dominant strategy in all scenarios. CEUS surveillance average cost is 1,984.72 €, mean QALY 11.79 and mean ICER 181.99 €. If willingness to pay is 30,000 €, 45% of patients undergone CEUS surveillance of BDIPMN/MCN < 1 cm would be within budget. CONCLUSION: Guidelines strategies are very effective, but costs are relatively high from a policy perspective. CEUS surveillance may be a cost-effective strategy yielding a nearly high QALYs, an acceptable ICER, and a lower cost.

Role of CT colonography in differentiating sigmoid cancer from chronic diverticular disease.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy of computed tomography colonography (CTC) in differentiating chronic diverticular disease from colorectal cancer (CRC), using morphological and textural parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 95 consecutive patients with histologically proven chronic diverticular disease (n = 53) or CRC (n = 42) who underwent CTC. One radiologist, unaware of histological findings, evaluated CTC studies for the presence of potential discriminators including: maximum thickness, involved segment length, shouldering phenomenon, growth pattern, diverticula, fascia thickening, fat tissue edema, loco-regional lymph nodes, mucosal pattern. Another radiologist performed volumetric texture analysis on the involved segment. RESULTS: Several qualitative imaging parameters resulted to significantly correlated with colorectal cancer, including absence of diverticula in the affected segment, straightened growth pattern and shouldering phenomenon. A maximum wall thickness/involved segment length ratio < 0.1 had 98% specificity and 47% sensitivity in identifying diverticular disease. Regarding first-order texture analysis parameters, kurtosis resulted to be significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Absence of diverticula, straightened growth pattern and shouldering phenomenon are significantly associated with CRC (71-91% sensitivity; 82-91%).

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.

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.

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.

Activity-Based Cost Analysis of Including Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) in the Diagnostic Pathway of Focal Pancreatic Lesions Detected by Abdominal Ultrasound.

PURPOSE: To perform an activity-based cost analysis of the inclusion of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the diagnostic pathway of newly detected focal pancreatic lesions revealed by abdominal ultrasound (US) in comparison to computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Over a 14-year period, 977 patients with newly detected focal pancreatic lesions on US and subsequently studied with CEUS and/or CT and MRI were included. The cost of equipment, materials and human resources for every imaging method was calculated. We analyzed the costs in different scenarios considering whether or not CT or MRI was required in the diagnostic pathway. The savings (R) were calculated by subtracting the differential cost of CEUS from the eliminated third-level exam (CCEUS: CEUS cost; CCT: CT cost; CMRI: MRI cost) compared to conventional ultrasound (CCEUS-CUS): R = CCT-(CCEUS-CUS) or R = CMRI-(CCEUS-CUS). RESULTS: Total costs were: US 28.39 €; CEUS 70.50 €; CT 106.23 €; MRI 219.61 €. In 388/563 patients CEUS characterized the pancreatic lesion as solid, with only CT being performed as a second-level investigation: the savings were 68 870.36 €. In 266/414 patients CEUS diagnosed lesions as cystic, with only MRI being performed as a second-level examination: the savings were 16 825.07 €. Considering the whole diagnostic pathway of the patients, the cost savings were 76 809.35 € for solid lesions and 26 242.49 € for cystic lesions, with overall savings of 103 051.84 €. CONCLUSION: CEUS represents a cost-effective imaging method for the differentiation of focal pancreatic lesions and could guide the selection of the best imaging modality for preoperative assessment, thereby optimizing resources and securing the diagnostic pathway.

CEUS versus CT Angiography in the follow-up of abdominal aortic endoprostheses: diagnostic accuracy and activity-based cost analysis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate diagnostic accuracy and to perform an activity-based cost analysis of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) compared to computed tomography (CT) during annual surveillance after abdominal aortic aneurysm repair with endovascular procedure (EVAR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 137 patients in post-EVAR follow-up over a 6-year period (average post-operatory follow-up without aneurysm sac volumetric reduction). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values, negative predictive values and accuracy were considered for CEUS using CT angiography (CTA) as reference standard. An activity-based cost analysis was performed to evaluate potential savings due to the introduction of CEUS as an alternative to CT, after the first year of postoperative negative controls. RESULTS: CEUS reported accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values, negative predictive values of 97.4, 96, 100, 100 and 93.1% in the detection and characterization of endoleaks. CEUS cost was € 84.7, and CTA cost was € 157.77, with a differential cost of € 73.07; using CEUS as an alternative to CT allowed a potential saving of 50.052,95 € during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: CEUS is an accurate and cheap imaging method in post-EVAR follow-up patients, and it could be considered as a valid alternative to CTA, after the first year of negative controls, reducing the number of unnecessary CT examinations.

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.

Relationships between cardiorespiratory fitness, metabolic control, and fat distribution in type 2 diabetes subjects.

Factors contributing to the reduced cardiorespiratory fitness typical of sedentary subjects with type 2 diabetes are still largely unknown. In this study, we assessed the relationships between cardiorespiratory fitness and abdominal and skeletal muscle fat content in 39 untrained type 2 diabetes subjects, 27 males and 12 females (mean ± SD age 56.5 ± 7.3 year, BMI 29.4 ± 4.7 kg/m(2)). Peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) and ventilatory threshold (VO2VT) were assessed by maximal cycle ergometer exercise test, insulin sensitivity by euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp, and body composition by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to evaluate visceral, total subcutaneous (SAT), superficial (SSAT) and deep sub-depots of subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue, and sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD), as well as femoral quadriceps skeletal muscle fat content. In univariate analysis, both VO2peak and VO2VT were inversely associated with BMI, total fat mass, SAT, SSAT, and sagittal abdominal diameter. VO2peak was also inversely associated with skeletal muscle fat content. A significant direct association was observed between VO2VT and insulin sensitivity. No associations between cardiorespiratory fitness parameters and metabolic profile data were found. In multivariable regression analysis, after adjusting for age and gender, VO2peak was independently predicted by higher HDL cholesterol, and lower SAD and skeletal muscle fat content (R (2) = 0.64, p < 0.001), whereas VO2VT was predicted only by sagittal abdominal diameter (R (2) = 0.48, p = 0.025). In conclusion, in untrained type 2 diabetes subjects, peak oxygen uptake is associated with sagittal abdominal diameter, skeletal muscle fat content, and HDL cholesterol levels. Future research should target these features in prospective intervention studies.

Anatomically asymmetrical runners move more asymmetrically at the same metabolic cost.

We hypothesized that, as occurring in cars, body structural asymmetries could generate asymmetry in the kinematics/dynamics of locomotion, ending up in a higher metabolic cost of transport, i.e. more 'fuel' needed to travel a given distance. Previous studies found the asymmetries in horses' body negatively correlated with galloping performance. In this investigation, we analyzed anatomical differences between the left and right lower limbs as a whole by performing 3D cross-correlation of Magnetic Resonance Images of 19 male runners, clustered as Untrained Runners, Occasional Runners and Skilled Runners. Running kinematics of their body centre of mass were obtained from the body segments coordinates measured by a 3D motion capture system at incremental running velocities on a treadmill. A recent mathematical procedure quantified the asymmetry of the body centre of mass trajectory between the left and right steps. During the same sessions, runners' metabolic consumption was measured and the cost of transport was calculated. No correlations were found between anatomical/kinematic variables and the metabolic cost of transport, regardless of the training experience. However, anatomical symmetry significant correlated to the kinematic symmetry, and the most trained subjects showed the highest level of kinematic symmetry during running. Results suggest that despite the significant effects of anatomical asymmetry on kinematics, either those changes are too small to affect economy or some plastic compensation in the locomotor system mitigates the hypothesized change in energy expenditure of running.

Both resistance training and aerobic training reduce hepatic fat content in type 2 diabetic subjects with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (the RAED2 Randomized Trial).

UNLABELLED: Although lifestyle interventions are considered the first-line therapy for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is extremely common in people with type 2 diabetes, no intervention studies have compared the effects of aerobic (AER) or resistance (RES) training on hepatic fat content in type 2 diabetic subjects with NAFLD. In this randomized controlled trial, we compared the 4-month effects of either AER or RES training on insulin sensitivity (by hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp), body composition (by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), as well as hepatic fat content and visceral (VAT), superficial (SSAT), and deep (DSAT) subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue (all quantified by an in-opposed-phase magnetic resonance imaging technique) in 31 sedentary adults with type 2 diabetes and NAFLD. After training, hepatic fat content was markedly reduced (P < 0.001), to a similar extent, in both the AER and the RES training groups (mean relative reduction from baseline [95% confidence interval] -32.8% [-58.20 to -7.52] versus -25.9% [-50.92 to -0.94], respectively). Additionally, hepatic steatosis (defined as hepatic fat content >5.56%) disappeared in about one-quarter of the patients in each intervention group (23.1% in the AER group and 23.5% in the RES group). Insulin sensitivity during euglycemic clamp was increased, whereas total body fat mass, VAT, SSAT, and hemoglobin A1c were reduced comparably in both intervention groups. CONCLUSION: This is the first randomized controlled study to demonstrate that resistance training and aerobic training are equally effective in reducing hepatic fat content among type 2 diabetic patients with NAFLD.

Metabolic effects of aerobic training and resistance training in type 2 diabetic subjects: a randomized controlled trial (the RAED2 study).

OBJECTIVE: To assess differences between the effects of aerobic and resistance training on HbA(1c) (primary outcome) and several metabolic risk factors in subjects with type 2 diabetes, and to identify predictors of exercise-induced metabolic improvement. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Type 2 diabetic patients (n = 40) were randomly assigned to aerobic training or resistance training. Before and after 4 months of intervention, metabolic phenotypes (including HbA(1c), glucose clamp-measured insulin sensitivity, and oral glucose tolerance test-assessed ß-cell function), body composition by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous (SAT) adipose tissue by magnetic resonance imaging, cardiorespiratory fitness, and muscular strength were measured. RESULTS: After training, increase in peak oxygen consumption (V(O(2peak))) was greater in the aerobic group (time-by-group interaction P = 0.045), whereas increase in strength was greater in the resistance group (time-by-group interaction P < 0.0001). HbA(1c) was similarly reduced in both groups (-0.40% [95% CI -0.61 to -0.18] vs. -0.35% [-0.59 to -0.10], respectively). Total and truncal fat, VAT, and SAT were also similarly reduced in both groups, whereas insulin sensitivity and lean limb mass were similarly increased. ß-Cell function showed no significant changes. In multivariate analyses, improvement in HbA(1c) after training was independently predicted by baseline HbA(1c) and by changes in V(O(2peak)) and truncal fat. CONCLUSIONS: Resistance training, similarly to aerobic training, improves metabolic features and insulin sensitivity and reduces abdominal fat in type 2 diabetic patients. Changes after training in V(O(2peak)) and truncal fat may be primary determinants of exercise-induced metabolic improvement.

Incidental adrenal lesions: Accuracy of quadriphasic contrast enhanced computed tomography in distinguishing adenomas from nonadenomas.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy in distinguishing adrenal adenomas from nonadenomas by means of quadriphasic CT exam, including unenhanced (UE), arterial enhanced (AE), portal enhanced (PE) and 5-min delayed enhanced (DE) CT scans. METHODS: This retrospective study had institutional review board approval; the need for informed consent was waived. From September 2007 to September 2009, 104 adrenal masses were evaluated in 87 patients (49 M, 38 F, mean age 58.4 years) undergoing UE, AE (35-s delay), PE (80-s delay) and DE (5-min delay) CT scans. The mean adrenal attenuation during all imaging phases was measured by two readers. The accuracy values of absolute unenhanced attenuation (UE), absolute wash-out (AWO), relative percentage wash-out (RPWO) and percentage enhancement wash-out (PEW) were assessed by using receiver operator curves (ROC) analysis. The overall accuracy of the quadriphasic protocol and other triphasic protocols were evaluated. A value of p≤0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The accuracy in characterizing adrenal lesions was 86.5% (90/104) for UE attenuation (≤10 HU threshold), 90.1% (82/91) for RPWO (≥30% threshold), 85.7% (78/91) for AWO (≥12 HU threshold) and 83.5% (76/91) for PEW (≥30% threshold), respectively. Quadriphasic CT (accuracy 97.1%, 101/104) performed better than triphasic CT including only AE scan (efficiency 90.0%, 94/104; p=0.011) and triphasic CT including only PE scan (efficiency 96.1%, 100/104; p=0.025). CONCLUSION: Quadriphasic CT protocol including 5-min DE scan may be used to characterize incidentally detected adrenal masses. RPWO represented the best wash-out parameter for characterizing adrenal lesions.