Structured reporting in radiologic education - Potential of different PI-RADS versions in prostate MRI controlled by in-bore MR-guided biopsies.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficiency of structured reporting in radiologic education - based on the example of different PI-RADS score versions for multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) of the prostate. METHODS: MpMRI of 688 prostate lesions in 180 patients were retrospectively reviewed by an experienced radiologist and by a student using PI-RADS V1 and V2. Data sets were reviewed for changes according to PI-RADS V2.1. The results were correlated with results obtained by MR-guided biopsy. Diagnostic potency was evaluated by ROC analysis. Sensitivity, specificity and correct-graded samples were evaluated for different cutpoints. The agreement between radiologist and student was determined for the aggregation of the PI-RADS score in three categories. The student's time needed for evaluation was measured. RESULTS: The area under curve of the ROC analysis was 0.782/0.788 (V1/V2) for the student and 0.841/0.833 (V1/V2) for the radiologist. The agreement between student and radiologist showed a Cohen's weighted κ coefficient of 0.495 for V1 and 0.518 for V2. Median student's time needed for score assessment was 4:34 min for PI-RADSv1 and 2:00 min for PI-RADSv2 (p < 0.001). Re-evaluation for V2.1 changed the category in 1.4% of all ratings. CONCLUSION: The capacity of prostate cancer detection using PI-RADS V1 and V2 is dependent on the reader's experience. The results from the two observers indicate that structured reporting using PI-RADS and, controlled by histopathology, can be a valuable and quantifiable tool in students' or residents' education. Herein, V2 was superior to V1 in terms of inter-observer agreement and time efficacy. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: Structured reporting can be a valuable and quantifiable tool in radiologic education. Structured reporting using PI-RADS can be used by a student with good performance. PI-RADS V2 is superior to V1 in terms of inter-observer agreement and time efficacy.

Correction to: Intraarticular application of autologous conditioned serum (ACS) reduces bone tunnel widening after ACL reconstructive surgery in a randomized controlled trial.

The Orthokine product used in the trial was donated by the manufacturer.

A novel Laser Navigation System reduces radiation exposure and improves accuracy and workflow of CT-guided spinal interventions: a prospective, randomized, controlled, clinical trial in comparison to conventional freehand puncture.

PURPOSE: Phantom model evaluation and prospective randomized clinical trial to assess the clinical feasibility and benefit of using a novel Laser Navigation System (LNS) in CT-guided epidural and perineural injections in comparison to the conventional freehand procedure. METHODS: The LNS guided puncture technique was compared to the standard CT-guided freehand treatment using a phantom model and a randomized clinical trial. Spinal injections were administered by an experienced interventional team to evaluate needle placement accuracy, treatment time and radiation exposure. RESULTS: In the LNS group of the phantom model study, the needle entrance point accuracy of 0.5mm (freehand 3.1mm), needle target point accuracy of 2.0mm (freehand 3.5mm), number of control CT slices of 1.4 (freehand 2.7) and needle placement time of 5min 4s (freehand: 9min 18s) showed significant improvements compared to freehand in 60 punctures. In the clinical trial the LNS group achieved needle entrance point accuracy of 1.3mm (freehand 4.6mm), needle angulation accuracy of 0.4° (freehand 2.3°), number of control CT slices of 1.1 (freehand 1.8) and needle placement time of 6min 54s (freehand 9min 00s), showing significant improvements compared to freehand in a total of 58 CT-guided interventions. CONCLUSION: The LNS group showed significantly improved results in both study designs. Both the phantom model evaluation and the clinical trial of spinal injections showed feasibility and efficacy of using the novel LNS. Even an experienced interventional team worked with it more precise, faster and with reduced radiation exposure.

Intraarticular application of autologous conditioned serum (ACS) reduces bone tunnel widening after ACL reconstructive surgery in a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: Pro-inflammatory cytokines play a pivotal role in osteoarthritis, as well as in bone tunnel widening after ACL reconstructive surgery. A new treatment option is to administer autologous conditioned serum (ACS) containing endogenous anti-inflammatory cytokines including IL-1Ra and growth factors (IGF-1, PDGF, and TGF-ß1, among others) in the liquid blood phase. The purpose of this trial was to establish whether the postoperative outcome could be affected by intraarticular application of ACS. METHODS: In a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial with two parallel groups, 62 patients were treated. Bone tunnel width was measured by CT scans, while clinical efficacy was assessed by patient-administered outcome instruments (WOMAC, IKDC 2000) up to 1 year following the ACL reconstruction in patients receiving either ACS (Group A) or placebo (Group B). We compared the levels and dynamics of IL-1ß concentrations in the synovial liquid and examined the correlation between the levels of IL-1ß at three different postoperative points. RESULTS: Bone tunnel enlargement was significantly less (6 months: 8%, 12 months: 13%) in Group A than in Group B (6 months: 31%, 12 months: 38%). Clinical outcomes (WOMAC, IKDC 2000) were consistently better in patients treated with ACS at all data points and for all outcome parameters, and there were statistically significant differences in the WOMAC stiffness subscale after 1 year. The decrease in IL-1ß synovial fluid concentration was more pronounced in the ACS group, and values were lower, to a statistically significant degree, in the ACS group at day 10. CONCLUSION: The intraarticular administration/injection of ACS results in decreased bone tunnel widening after ACL reconstructive surgery.

Localization of acupuncture points BL25 and BL26 using computed tomography.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to provide a metric description of acupuncture points BL25 and BL26, to investigate their relation to individual anatomical landmarks and structures, and to identify anatomical structures that are involved in needle manipulation during de qi. DESIGN: Fifty-eight (58) white patients with low-back pain received 107 needlings that were documented using computed tomography (CT). OUTCOME MEASURES: For each patient, the body-mass index (BMI) and the interscapular distance were measured. Using the CT scan, the following parameters were assessed: thickness of the soft tissue layer, distance of the puncture site and the needle tip to the vertebral line, distance of the needle tip to the body surface and the intermuscular space, and the needle depth in muscle tissue. RESULTS: The mean distance from the puncture site to the vertebral line was 3.5 +/- 0.5 cm for BL25 and 3.4 +/- 0.4 cm for BL26. The distance of the needle tip to the vertebral line was similar (3.4 +/- 0.5 cm for BL25 and 3.2 +/- 0.4 cm for BL26). The mean distance of the needle tip to the body surface was 4.1 +/- 0.9 cm at BL25 and 3.9 +/- 0.8 cm at BL26. The majority of the needle tips were located in the intermuscular region between the erector spinae and the transversospinal muscles. There was a significant correlation between the interscapular distance and the thickness of the soft tissue layer with the BMI at both acupuncture points. Nearly all parameters correlated with the BMI. At BL26, correlations between the distance of needle to the vertebral line and the BMI were not statistically significant but the scatter plots indicate a positive dependency. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show an association between de qi and needle location within the intermuscular septa. BL25 and BL26 are located as clusters in and around the intermuscular region of the erector spinae and the transversospinal muscles, with a distance to the vertebral line of 3.49 +/- 0.58 cm and 3.32 +/- 0.53 cm, respectively. Using proportional methods is relevant for the success of acupuncture therapy.

Image-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of spinal tumors.

PURPOSE: To evaluate retrospectively the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in patients with spinal tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-one patients (25 men, 16 women; age range, 46-82 years) with nonresectable primary or secondary tumor involvement of the spine unresponsive to chemo- and radiotherapy received RFA treatment. Two radiofrequency ablation systems, one with a cool-tip electrode and one with an expandable electrode catheter, were used. Both systems work impedance controlled with a power output of 150- 200 W. Each coagulation cycle lasted 12-15 min depending on tumor impedance. Several single RFA cycles of 15 min each were used for overlapping RFAs in tumors with diameters of more than 3 cm. Temperature was kept between 50 degrees C and 120 degrees C and was chosen according to spinal cord distance and patient heat tolerance during the ablation. Multi-slice computed tomography (CT) combined with C-arm fluoroscopy guided the intervention. Efficacy outcomes were assessed after about 6 weeks, 6 months, and more than 6 months using standardized questionnaires and indices regarding tumor pain, pain disability, functional activities, quality of life, neurological status, and tumor progression. RESULTS: RFA significantly reduced tumor-induced pain within 6 weeks, improved daily activities, and maintained quality of life. Mean time to tumor progression was 730+/-54 days (Kaplan-Meier estimate). No RFA-associated complications were reported. CONCLUSION: RFA of primary and secondary spinal tumors, which were unresponsive to chemo- and radiotherapy and prone to progression, is a safe, resource-saving, and highly effective percutaneous technique in patients with nonresectable spinal tumors.