MR Enterography in Crohn's Disease: Comparison of Contrast Imaging with Diffusion-weighted Imaging and a special Form of Color Coding. / MR-Enterografie bei Morbus Crohn: Vergleich der Kontrastbildgebung mit diffusionsgewichteter Bildgebung und einer besonderen Form der Farbcodierung.

PURPOSE: We compared contrast-enhanced MR enterography with diffusion-weighted sequences to evaluate the validity of diffusion-weighted sequences for activity assessment in Crohn's disease compared to endoscopy. In addition, we investigated a new color-coded image post-processing technique in comparison with standard sequences and endoscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Included were 197 MR enterographies (2015-2017) performed by using standardized examination protocols. The intestine was divided into 7 segments, which were compared separately. The accuracy of the MR examinations with regard to disease activity was validated using the Seo and MaRIA score and endoscopy findings. In addition, the image data were post-processed using a color-coded evaluation method (DCE tool on OsiriX). RESULTS: The comparison between contrast-enhanced and diffusion-weighted sequences showed a highly significant correlation for all bowel sections with a mean Spearman correlation coefficient of 0.876 (0.809-0.928). The color-coded image post-processing showed a sensitivity of 83.2 % and a specificity of 70.5 % in comparison with the MaRIA score. In comparison to endoscopy, a sensitivity of 81.3 % and a specificity of 70.5 %. In comparison with endoscopy, the MaRIA score showed a sensitivity of 80.2 % and a specificity of 84.0 % at a cut-off of 7. The visual score according to Seo showed a sensitivity of 85.7 % with a specificity of 77.0 % in the contrast-weighted examination and a sensitivity of 87.9 % and a specificity of 71.8 % for diffusion weighted images. CONCLUSION: Diffusion-weighted sequences are as good as contrast-weighted sequences for assessing inflammatory activity in Crohn's disease. Contrast is often helpful for assessing complications, but this was not the purpose of this study. Visual imaging using color-coded data sets was similarly good at detecting inflammation. KEY POINTS: · MR enterography is possible without contrast using diffusion-weighted imaging with comparable high informative value.. · Inflammatory activity in MR correlates sufficiently well with endoscopy. · The MaRIA and Seo scores are comparable in their validity.. · The colored representation of inflamed bowel sections is a promising technique.. CITATION FORMAT: · Jakob M, Backes M, Schaefer C et al. MR Enterography in Crohn's Disease: Comparison of Contrast Imaging with Diffusion-weighted Imaging and a special Form of Color Coding. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2022; 194: 1119 - 1131.

Performance of the Edwards Sapien 3 Ultra Transcatheter Aortic Valve System in Patients With Aortic Stenosis and Annulus Diameter in Proximity to Valve Size.

OBJECTIVES: The new Sapien 3 Ultra (S3U) transcatheter heart valve (Edwards Lifesciences) was designed with the intention to improve paravalvular sealing. In patients with an annulus size in proximity to the prosthesis size, little or no oversizing of the transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) prosthesis may lead to paravalvular regurgitation. Thus, this study was designed to assess valve performance in such patients. METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled 30 consecutive patients with symptomatic high-grade aortic stenosis scheduled for transfemoral TAVI between October 2019 and May 2020. Comprehensive computed tomography angiography for TAVI planning included standard measurements and quantification of calcification of the aortic valve. All patients had an aortic annular size in proximity to the valve size (maximum <15%) and received an S3U valve. Before discharge, paravalvular leakage was assessed via transthoracic echocardiography with an operator blinded to the TAVI results. In addition, 30-day outcome was assessed. RESULTS: The S3U was implanted in all patients without any procedural complications. One patient received a 20 mm S3U valve, 18 received 23 mm S3U valves, and 11 received 26 mm S3U valves; the annular sizes were 19.7 mm, 22.9 ± 0.2 mm, and 25.8 ± 0.2 mm, respectively. Quantification of calcification of the aortic valve revealed significant calcifications with a median Agatston score of 2571 AU (interquartile range, 1685-3467 AU). Postprocedural transthoracic echocardiography showed an excellent result in all but 2 patients. In the latter, aortic insufficiency grade I was seen. Thirty-day survival was 96.7%. CONCLUSIONS: The new S3U valve shows excellent performance in patients with high-grade aortic stenosis and annular size in proximity to the valve size, even in presence of significant valvular calcification.

C-reactive protein levels in combination with abdominal CT scans is a useful tool to predict the macroscopic appearance in late-stage EPS patients prior to surgery.

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) is based on clinical symptoms, radiologic findings, and macroscopic or histological criteria. Two diagnostic scores for radiologic findings in computed tomography (CT) scans of patients with EPS have been established in the past (by Tarzi et al and Vlijm et al). The macroscopic appearance of EPS has previously been separated into three types. The use of CT scan as a tool to predict different macroscopic phenotypes, leading to specific surgical techniques and different medical treatment, has not yet been investigated. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 30 patients with late-stage EPS who underwent major surgery with peritonectomy and enterolysis. The preoperative CT scans were scored according to the two aforementioned established diagnostic CT scores. The macroscopic phenotype, surgical procedure, and laboratory values at the time of surgery were evaluated. CT findings in the different macroscopic phenotypes were analyzed. RESULTS: All patients had highly predictive CT scores for EPS. The macroscopic Type III had significantly higher CT scores compared with the other macroscopic phenotypes. Patients with macroscopic Type I had significantly higher C-reactive protein values compared to EPS Type III. Operation time was significantly longer, and repeated surgery and intraoperative complications were more frequent in EPS Type I compared with EPS Type III (P<0.05). Using the CT score and CRP level, the sensitivities for prediction of EPS I and III were 78% and 87% with corresponding specificities of 67% and 93%. CONCLUSION: Abdominal CT scans might help to identify patients with a higher risk of complications and provide important information for the surgical intervention prior to surgery.

Extra cardiac findings in cardiovascular MR: why cardiologists and radiologists should read together.

PURPOSE: To assess prevalence and significance of extra cardiac findings (ECF) in clinical routine cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) studies reported by cardiologists alone versus cardiologist and radiologist working together. METHODS: One-thousand-seventy-four consecutive patients presenting at our institution for CMR work-up of multiple cardiovascular disease entities were enrolled retrospectively in two groups (cardiologists reading alone vs. cardiologists and radiologist reading together). RESULTS: In 1,074 routine CMR studies a total of 357 ECF's were identified in 235 patients yielding a prevalence of 21.9 %. Of these 357 ECF's more than one-third were previously known. In the remaining 223 previously unknown findings 118 (52.9 %) were considered as major ECF's (92 patients), and 105 (47.1 %) were considered as minor ECF's (69 patients). Cardiologists reading alone reported 23 previously unknown ECF's in 23 patients, versus 200 previously unknown ECF in 138 patients by cardiologists and radiologists working together, p < 0.0001. Nevertheless, highly significant ECF's with major prognostic implications, such as the initial diagnosis of malignancy in an individual with no history of cancer, are extremely rare (n = 3, 0.3 %). Cardiologists alone, as well as cardiologists and radiologists working together seem to do well with reporting of such extremely important ECF's. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of all ECF's was 21.9 %, and 14.9 % of previously unknown ECF's, respectively. However, the prevalence of highly significant ECF's was low. Joint reading with cardiologists and radiologists may increase the number of ECF's detected in CMR studies, but it remains unclear if this could result in an improved long-term outcome of patients undergoing routine CMR.

Cerebral lesions in patients with connective tissue diseases and systemic vasculitides: are there specific patterns?

This study was performed to evaluate whether specific patterns of cerebral lesions can be identified in different rheumatic disease entities. In 132 patients with different connective tissue diseases and vasculitides (systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE], systemic sclerosis [SSc], mixed connective tissue disease [MCTD], Wegener's granulomatosis [WG], immunocomplex vasculitides, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome [APS]), cerebral magnetic resonance imaging scans were performed. Patients were examined clinically, and laboratory parameters including autoantibodies were determined. Distinct distibution patterns could be identified; in WG, most lesions were seen in the cortex, the periventricular region, basal ganglia, and pons. In both SSc and MCTD, highest numbers of lesions could be detected in the corticomedullary junction. In APS, basal ganglia and periventricular white matter were involved predominantly. Generally, the maximum score of cerebral lesions correlated significantly with patients' age. Pathological values for antinuclear antibodies and increased levels of antiphospholipid antibodies were significantly correlated with the presence of cerebral lesions. WG patients and patients with other vasculitides most frequently showed neurological abnormalities. This study in patients with different rheumatic diseases showed distinct distribution patterns of cerebral lesions, which might help to differentiate between them.

Abdominal MRI after enteroclysis or with oral contrast in patients with suspected or proven Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Diagnostic results of magnetic resonance (MR) enteroclysis correlate highly with those from conventional enteroclysis; nevertheless, intubation of the patient and positioning of an intestinal tube is still necessary for the examination, which is often remembered as the most embarrassing part of the examination by the patient. A more comfortable and highly sensitive examination of the small bowel therefore would increase patient acceptance for recurring examinations, which are often necessary, for example, in patients with Crohn's disease. This study evaluates the diagnostic efficacy of abdominal MR imaging (MRI) of the small bowel after drinking contrast agent only compared with conventional enteroclysis and abdominal MRI performed after enteroclysis in patients with suspected or proven Crohn's disease. METHODS: Twenty-one patients with Crohn's disease referred for conventional enteroclysis underwent abdominal MRI after enteroclysis. Additionally, 1 to 3 days before or after these examinations, abdominal MRI was performed using only orally administered contrast. All MRI examinations were performed using a 1.5T scanner. RESULTS: All pathological findings on conventional enteroclysis were shown correctly with MRI after enteroclysis and MRI after oral contrast only. Additional information by MRI was obtained in 6 of 21 patients. No statistically significant differences were found in assessing the diagnostic efficacy of the 3 examinations. CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal MRI with oral contrast only can be used as a diagnostic tool for evaluation of the small bowel in patients with Crohn's disease and has the potential to replace conventional enteroclysis as follow-up.

3D modeling and virtual endoscopy of the small bowel based on magnetic resonance imaging in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Small bowel MRI (MR imaging) is a new imaging modality that excellently depicts small intestine pathology in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Virtual endoscopy based on sectional imaging is a recently introduced technique to create endoscopy like views. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of virtual small bowel endoscopy based on MR imaging in patients with Crohn disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty consecutive patients with Crohn disease were scanned after oral application of pineapple juice for contrasting the small bowel. Dedicated high resolution T1 weighted 3D-FLASH sequences with fat suppression were used for volume scanning. Volume-rendered 3D models of the small bowel were created and virtual endoscopy was performed. The feasibility and quality of this new visualization method was assessed. RESULTS: In nine of 30 patients virtual endoscopy was considered as good quality (flight through the entire small bowel was possible, typical folds were revealed). In 18 patients fair quality (at least 4/5 of the small bowel were depicted adequately) was assessed. In three of 30 patients virtual endoscopy was not sufficiently possible because of inadequate bowel filling or breathing artifacts. Three fistulae diagnosed on 2D MRI were visualized on the virtual endoscopic view. CONCLUSION: Virtual endoscopy of the small bowel is feasible based on high resolution MR imaging. Vivid insight views and 3D models provide an interesting addition to sectional MR findings.