An Innovative Non-Linear Prediction Model for Clinical Benefit in Women with Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Using Baseline FDG-PET/CT and Clinical Data.

Objectives: We aimed to develop a novel non-linear statistical model integrating primary tumor features on baseline [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT), molecular subtype, and clinical data for treatment benefit prediction in women with newly diagnosed breast cancer using innovative statistical techniques, as opposed to conventional methodological approaches. Methods: In this single-center retrospective study, we conducted a comprehensive assessment of women newly diagnosed with breast cancer who had undergone a FDG-PET/CT scan for staging prior to treatment. Primary tumor (PT) volume, maximum and mean standardized uptake value (SUVmax and SUVmean), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) were measured on PET/CT. Clinical data including clinical staging (TNM) but also PT anatomical site, histology, receptor status, proliferation index, and molecular subtype were obtained from the medical records. Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and clinical benefit (CB) were assessed as endpoints. A logistic generalized additive model was chosen as the statistical approach to assess the impact of all listed variables on CB. Results: 70 women with newly diagnosed breast cancer (mean age 63.3 ± 15.4 years) were included. The most common location of breast cancer was the upper outer quadrant (40.0%) in the left breast (52.9%). An invasive ductal adenocarcinoma (88.6%) with a high tumor proliferation index (mean ki-67 expression 35.1 ± 24.5%) and molecular subtype B (51.4%) was by far the most detected breast tumor. Most PTs displayed on hybrid imaging a greater volume (12.8 ± 30.4 cm3) with hypermetabolism (mean ± SD of PT maximum SUVmax, SUVmean, MTV, and TLG, respectively: 8.1 ± 7.2, 4.9 ± 4.4, 12.7 ± 30.4, and 47.4 ± 80.2). Higher PT volume (p < 0.01), SUVmax (p = 0.04), SUVmean (p = 0.03), and MTV (<0.01) significantly compromised CB. A considerable majority of patients survived throughout this period (92.8%), while five women died (7.2%). In fact, the OS was 31.7 ± 14.2 months and PFS was 30.2 ± 14.1 months. A multivariate prediction model for CB with excellent accuracy could be developed using age, body mass index (BMI), T, M, PT TLG, and PT volume as predictive parameters. PT volume and PT TLG demonstrated a significant influence on CB in lower ranges; however, beyond a specific cutoff value (respectively, 29.52 cm3 for PT volume and 161.95 cm3 for PT TLG), their impact on CB only reached negligible levels. Ultimately, the absence of distant metastasis M displayed a strong positive impact on CB far ahead of the tumor size T (standardized average estimate 0.88 vs. 0.4). Conclusions: Our results emphasized the pivotal role played by FDG-PET/CT prior to treatment in forecasting treatment outcomes in women newly diagnosed with breast cancer. Nevertheless, careful consideration is required when selecting the methodological approach, as our innovative statistical techniques unveiled non-linear influences of predictive biomarkers on treatment benefit, highlighting also the importance of early breast cancer diagnosis.

Predictive Value of Total Metabolic Tumor Burden Prior to Treatment in NSCLC Patients Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibition.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess the predictive value of the total metabolic tumor burden prior to treatment in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). METHODS: Pre-treatment 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scans performed in two consecutive years for staging in adult patients with confirmed NSCLC were considered. Volume, maximum/mean standardized uptake value (SUVmax/SUVmean), metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) were assessed per delineated malignant lesion (including primary tumor, regional lymph nodes and distant metastases) in addition to the morphology of the primary tumor and clinical data. Total metabolic tumor burden was captured by totalMTV and totalTLG. Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and clinical benefit (CB) were used as endpoints for response to treatment. RESULTS: A total of 125 NSCLC patients were included. Osseous metastases were the most frequent distant metastases (n = 17), followed by thoracal distant metastases (pulmonal = 14 and pleural = 13). Total metabolic tumor burden prior to treatment was significantly higher in patients treated with ICIs (mean totalMTV ± standard deviation (SD) 72.2 ± 78.7; mean totalTLG ± SD 462.2 ± 538.9) compared to those without ICI treatment (mean totalMTV ± SD 58.1 ± 233.8; mean totalTLG ± SD 290.0 ± 784.2). Among the patients who received ICIs, a solid morphology of the primary tumor on imaging prior to treatment was the strongest outcome predictor for OS (Hazard ratio HR 28.04, p < 0.01), PFS (HR 30.89, p < 0.01) and CB (parameter estimation PE 3.46, p < 0.01), followed by the metabolic features of the primary tumor. Interestingly, total metabolic tumor burden prior to immunotherapy showed a negligible impact on OS (p = 0.04) and PFS (p = 0.01) after treatment given the hazard ratios of 1.00, but also on CB (p = 0.01) given the PE < 0.01. Overall, biomarkers on pre-treatment PET/CT scans showed greater predictive power in patients receiving ICIs, compared to patients without ICI treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Morphological and metabolic properties of the primary tumors prior to treatment in advanced NSCLC patients treated with ICI showed great outcome prediction performances, as opposed to the pre-treatment total metabolic tumor burdens, captured by totalMTV and totalTLG, both with negligible impact on OS, PFS and CB. However, the outcome prediction performance of the total metabolic tumor burden might be influenced by the value itself (e.g., poorer prediction performance at very high or very low values of total metabolic tumor burden). Further studies including subgroup analysis with regards to different values of total metabolic tumor burden and their respective outcome prediction performances might be needed.

Additional Primary Tumors Detected Incidentally on FDG PET/CT at Staging in Patients with First Diagnosis of NSCLC: Frequency, Impact on Patient Management and Survival.

We aimed to assess the frequency of additional primary malignancies detected incidentally on [18F]fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) at staging in NSCLC patients. Moreover, their impact on patient management and survival was assessed. Consecutive NSCLC patients with available staging FDG-PET/CT between 2020 and 2021 were retrospectively enrolled. We reported whether further investigations of suspicious findings presumably not related to NSCLC were recommended and performed after FDG-PET/CT. Any additional imaging, surgery or multimodal management was considered as an impact on patient management. Patient survival was defined using overall survival OS and progression-free survival PFS. A total of 125 NSCLC patients were included, while 26 findings in 26 different patients were suspicious for an additional malignancy on FDG-PET/CT at staging. The most frequent anatomical site was the colon. A total of 54.2% of all additional suspicious lesions turned out to be malignant. Almost every malignant finding had an impact on patient management. No significant differences were found between NSCLC patients with suspicious findings versus no suspicious findings with regards to their survival. FDG-PET/CT performed for staging might be a valuable tool to identify additional primary tumors in NSCLC patients. Identification of additional primary tumors might have substantial implications for patient management. An early detection together with interdisciplinary patient management could prevent a worsening of survival compared to patients with NSCLC only.

Locked down and divided: political orientation moderates the effects of considering a future lockdown.

To slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus, some U.S. State governments restricted public activity by implementing lockdowns. The possibility remains that lockdowns may need to be implemented in the future, whether to combat novel strains of COVID-19 or entirely different viruses. The present experiment tested whether thinking about a future lockdown affects people's attitudes toward institutions. We found that conservative participants who thought about a future lockdown reported less intention to adhere to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and less trust in the government compared to conservative participants in a control condition. We also found that liberal participants who thought about a future lockdown reported more trust in the government and the CDC, compared to liberal participants in a control condition. These findings suggest that merely considering a future lockdown affects people's intended adherence and institutional trust. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12144-022-04208-2.

Predictive Value of Baseline FDG-PET/CT for the Durable Response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibition in NSCLC Patients Using the Morphological and Metabolic Features of Primary Tumors.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the predictive value of baseline 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) for durable responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) by linking the morphological and metabolic features of primary tumors (PTs) in nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Methods: For the purpose of this single-center study, the imaging data of the patients with a first diagnosis of NSCLC and an available baseline FDG-PET/CT between 2020 and 2021 were retrospectively assessed. The baseline characteristics were collected based on clinical reports and interdisciplinary tumor board documentation. The metabolic (such as standardized uptake value SUV maximum and mean (SUVmax, SUV mean), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), total lesion glycolysis (TLG)) and morphological (such as volume, morphology, margin, and presence of lymphangiosis through imaging) features of all the PTs were retrospectively assessed using FDG-PET/CT. Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), clinical benefit (CB) and mortality rate were used as endpoints to define the long-term response to therapy. A backward, stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed in order to define the best model for predicting lasting responses to treatment. Statistical significance was assumed at p < 0.05. Results: A total of 125 patients (median age ± standard deviation (SD) 72.0 ± 9.5 years) were enrolled: 64 men (51.2%) and 61 women (48.8%). Adenocarcinoma was by far the most common histological subtype of NSCLC (47.2%). At the initial diagnosis, the vast majority of all the included patients showed either locally advanced disease (34.4%) or metastatic disease (36.8%). Fifty patients were treated with ICIs either as a first-line (20%) or second-line (20%) therapy, while 75 patients did not receive ICIs. The median values ± SD of PT SUVmax, mean, MTV, and TLG were respectively 10.1 ± 6.0, 6.1 ± 3.5, 13.5 ± 30.7, and 71.4 ± 247.7. The median volume of PT ± SD was 13.7 ± 30.7 cm3. The PTs were most frequently solid (86.4%) with irregular margins (76.8%). Furthermore, in one out of five cases, the morphological evidence of lymphangiosis was seen through imaging (n = 25). The median follow-up ± SD was 18.93 ± 6.98 months. The median values ± SD of OS and PFS were, respectively, 14.80 ± 8.68 months and 14.03 ± 9.02 months. Age, PT volume, SUVmax, TLG, the presence of lymphangiosis features through imaging, and clinical stage IV were very strong long-term outcome predictors of patients treated with ICIs, while no significant outcome predictors could be found for the cohort with no ICI treatment. The optimal cut-off values were determined for PT volume (26.94 cm3) and SUVmax (15.05). Finally, 58% of NSCLC patients treated with ICIs had a CB vs. 78.7% of patients in the cohort with no ICI treatment. However, almost all patients treated with ICIs and with disease progression over time died (mortality in the case of disease progression 95% vs. 62.5% in the cohort without ICIs). Conclusion: Baseline FDG-PET/CT could be used to predict a durable response to ICIs in NSCLC patients. Age, clinical stage IV, lymphangiosis features through imaging, PT volume (thus PT MTV due to a previously demonstrated linear correlation), PT SUVmax, and TLG were very strong long-term outcome predictors. Our results highlight the importance of linking clinical data, as much as morphological features, to the metabolic parameters of primary tumors in a multivariate outcome-predicting model using baseline FDG-PET/CT.

Genomic analysis of focal nodular hyperplasia with associated hepatocellular carcinoma unveils its malignant potential: a case report.

Background: Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) is typically considered a benign tumor of the liver without malignant potential. The co-occurrence of FNH and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been reported in rare cases. In this study we sought to investigate the clonal relationship between these lesions in a patient with FNH-HCC co-occurrence. Methods: A 74-year-old female patient underwent liver tumor resection. The resected nodule was subjected to histologic analyses using hematoxylin and eosin stain and immunohistochemistry. DNA extracted from microdissected FNH and HCC regions was subjected to whole exome sequencing. Clonality analysis were performed using PyClone. Results: Histologic analysis reveals that the nodule consists of an FNH and two adjoining HCC components with distinct histopathological features. Immunophenotypic characterization and genomic analyses suggest that the FNH is clonally related to the HCC components, and is composed of multiple clones at diagnosis, that are likely to have progressed to HCC through clonal selection and/or the acquisition of additional genetic events. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, our work is the first study showing a clonal relationship between FNH and HCC. We show that FNH may possess the capability to undergo malignant transformation and to progress to HCC in very rare cases.

Automatic determination of differential coronary artery motion minima for cardiac computed tomography optimal phase selection.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Selecting the optimal phase for coronary artery evaluation can be challenging, especially at higher heart rates, given that the optimal phase may differ for each of the coronary arteries. This study aimed to evaluate a novel vessel-specific algorithm which automatically outputs the minimum motion phase per coronary artery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 44 patients who underwent 256-slice cardiac computed tomography for evaluation of chest pain. End-systolic and mid-diastolic minimal motion phases were automatically calculated by a previously validated global motion algorithm and by a new vessel-specific algorithm which calculates the minimum motion for each of the three main coronary arteries, separately. Two readers blindly evaluated all coronary segments for image quality. Median scores per coronary artery were compared by the Wilcoxon signed rank test. RESULTS: The variation, per patient, between the optimal phases of the three coronary arteries was 5.0 ± 4.5% (1%-22%) for end systole and 4.8 ± 4.1% (0%-19%) for mid diastole. The mean image quality scores per coronary artery were 4.0 ± 0.61 for the vessel-specific approach and 3.80 ± 0.69 for the global phase selection (P < .001). Overall, 46 of 122 arteries had a better score with the vessel-specific approach and five with the standard global approach. Interreader agreement was substantial (k = 0.72). CONCLUSIONS: This study has shown that multiple phases are required to ensure optimal image quality for all three coronary arteries and that a vessel-specific phase selection algorithm achieves superior results to the standard global approach.

Quantitative analysis of myopic chorioretinal degeneration using a novel computer software program.

To quantify the fundus color on digital color fundus photographs as a surrogate of myopic chorioretinal degeneration in myopic subjects using a novel computer software program. In this cross-sectional study, the following details were recorded in 152 eyes of 78 myopic subjects: Snellen visual acuity, refractive status, ocular biometric parameters, intraocular pressure, color fundus photography, and myopic chorioretinal degeneration index (MCDI) using an automated computer program. The mean age of the subjects was 32.58 ± 11.12 years (range, 21-62 years). Subjects with aged ≥40 years had a significantly higher MCDI when compared with subjects with aged <40 years (MCDI: age ≥ 40 = 0.519; age < 40 = 0.462, P = 0.000). The MCDI demonstrated a statistically significant and positive relationship with axial length (r = 0.47, P = 0.000) and lens thickness (r = 0.26, P = 0.023). A significant positive relationship was observed between the MCDI and visual acuity (r = 0.30, P = 0.007). The MCDI represents an objective technique for quantitative assessment of chorioretinal degenerative changes in myopic subjects. Older myopic subjects with a relatively higher MCDI and longer axial length may represent a high-risk population who have an increased likelihood of developing visually consequential complications of myopia.

Quantification of aortic valve area at 256-slice computed tomography: comparison with transesophageal echocardiography and cardiac catheterization in subjects with high-grade aortic valve stenosis prior to percutaneous valve replacement.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare planimetric aortic valve area (AVA) measurements from 256-slice CT to those derived from transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and cardiac catheterization in high-risk subjects with known high-grade calcified aortic stenosis. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The study included 26 subjects (10 males, mean age: 79±6; range, 61-88 years). All subjects were clinically referred for aortic valve imaging prior to percutaneous aortic valve replacement from April 2008 to March 2009. Two radiologists, blinded to the results of TEE and cardiac catheterization, independently selected the systolic cardiac phase of maximum aortic valve area and independently performed manual CT AVA planimetry for all subjects. Repeated AVA measurements were made to establish CT intra- and interobserver repeatability. In addition, the image quality of the aortic valve was rated by both observers. Aortic valve calcification was also quantified. RESULTS: All 26 subjects had a high-grade aortic valve stenosis (systolic opening area <1.0 cm(2)) via CT-based planimetry, with a mean AVA of 0.62±0.18. In four subjects, TEE planimetry was precluded due to severe aortic valve calcification, but CT-planimetry was successfully performed with a mean AVA of 0.46±0.23 cm(2). Mean aortic valve calcium mass score was 563.8±526.2 mg. Aortic valve area by CT was not correlated with aortic valve calcium mass score. A bias and limits of agreement among CT and TEE, CT and cardiac catheterization, and TEE and cardiac catheterization were -0.07 [-0.37 to 0.24], 0.03 [-0.49 to 0.55], 0.12 [-0.39 to 0.63]cm(2), respectively. Differences in AVA among CT and TEE or cardiac catheterization did not differ systematically over the range of measurements and were not correlated with aortic valve calcium mass score. CONCLUSION: Planimetric aortic valve area measurements from 256-slice CT agree well with those derived from TEE and cardiac catheterization in high-risk subjects with known high-grade calcified aortic stenosis.

Coronary plaque imaging with 256-slice multidetector computed tomography: interobserver variability of volumetric lesion parameters with semiautomatic plaque analysis software.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential clinical value of coronary plaque imaging with a new generation CT scanner and the interobserver variability of coronary plaque assessment with a new semiautomatic plaque analysis application. Thirty-five isolated plaques of the left anterior descending coronary artery from 35 patients were evaluated with a new semiautomatic plaque analysis application. All patients were scanned with a 256-slice MDCT scanner (Brilliance iCT, Philips Healthcare, Cleveland OH, USA). Two independent observers evaluated lesion volume, maximum plaque burden, lesion CT number mean and standard deviation, and relative lesion composition. We found 10 noncalcified, 16 mixed, and 9 calcified lesions in our study cohort. Relative interobserver bias and variability for lesion volume were -37%, -13%, -49%, -44% and 28%, 16%, 37%, and 90% for all, noncalcified, mixed, and calcified lesions, respectively. Absolute interobserver bias and variability for relative lesion composition were 1.2%, 0.5%, 1.5%, 1.3% and 3.3%, 4.5%, 7.0%, and 4.4% for all, noncalcified, mixed, and calcified lesions, respectively. While mixed and calcified lesions demonstrated a high degree of lesion volume interobserver variability, noncalcified lesions had a lower degree of lesion volume interobserver variability. In addition, relative noncalcified lesion composition had a very low interobserver variability. Therefore, there may a role for MDCT in serial noncalcified plaque assessment with semiautomatic analysis software.

Prospectively gated axial CT coronary angiography: comparison of image quality and effective radiation dose between 64- and 256-slice CT.

PURPOSE: To compare image quality and effective radiation dose for prospectively gated axial CT coronary angiography on 64- and 256-slice CT. METHODS: The patient cohort consisted of 80 consecutive patients undergoing imaging with 256-slice CT and 80 patients with 64-slice CT. The two patient groups were demographically matched according to age, gender, body mass index and heart rate. For both groups, two observers independently assessed image quality for all coronary segments on a five-point ordinal scale. The two groups were compared with regard to image quality and effective radiation dose. Image quality scores less than 3 were considered non-diagnostic. RESULTS: Mean effective radiation dose did not significantly differ between the two groups (3.4 +/- 0.8 mSv in both groups; p > 0.1). Vessel-based image quality was significantly better in patients undergoing 256-slice CT compared with those undergoing 64-slice CT (p < 0.001). The proportion of assessable coronary segments significantly increased from 95.6% in the 64-slice group to 98.9% in the 256-slice group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Prospectively gated axial CT coronary angiography performed on 256-slice CT provides significantly improved and more stable image quality at an equivalent effective radiation dose compared with 64-slice CT.

Pitfalls in abdominal diffusion-weighted imaging: how predictive is restricted water diffusion for malignancy.

OBJECTIVE: As diffusion-weighted imaging is increasingly implemented into routine protocols of abdominal MRI, abnormal findings in expected and unexpected locations become more common. The aim of our retrospective study was to investigate the specificity of restricted diffusion in differentiation of benign from malignant abdominal disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred thirty consecutively registered patients underwent abdominal MRI including diffusion-weighted imaging (single-shot spin-echo echo-planar sequence) with b values of 0, 150, 500, and 1,000 s/mm(2). Lesions were detected by two blinded readers using only the images with a b value of 1,000 s/mm(2), and representative apparent diffusion coefficients were measured. Lymph nodes were not documented. RESULTS: Fifty-two of the 230 patients had a total of 55 lesions with restricted diffusion (23.9%). The mean apparent diffusion coefficient was 809 mm(2)/s. Forty-three lesions (78.2%) were malignant. The 12 benign lesions were liver hemangioma, liver adenoma, autoimmune pancreatitis, pancreatic teratoma, two abscesses, three cases of inflammatory bowel wall thickening due to Crohn's disease, Bartholin cyst, hemorrhagic ovarian cyst, and renal Rosai-Dorfman disease. CONCLUSION: Restricted diffusion is generally considered to be associated with malignant tumors because of the high cellularity of these tumors. However, in interpretation of diffusion-weighted images, it should be kept in mind that a number of benign lesions, as many as 22% in our cohort, can exhibit restricted diffusion on images with high b values, thus mimicking malignant lesions.

Multidetector computed tomography coronary angiography: sublingual nitroglycerine improves image quality significantly because of peripheral coronary vasodilatation.

PURPOSE: In this study, we investigated the influence of sublingual nitroglycerine (NTG) on the peripheral diameter, intraluminal contrast agent density, and image quality of coronary arteries during computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty patients with sublingual NTG application were matched to 30 patients without NTG. The diameters of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), the left circumflex coronary artery and the right coronary artery were measured at 1-, 4-, and 8-cm length of each vessel as well as the intraluminal contrast agent density along the LAD. Vessel diameters and contrast attenuation at 4 and 8 cm were referenced against the values at 1 cm and processed as percentage reduction. Image quality of the posterior descending artery was assessed subjectively by 2 independent observers. RESULTS: The percentage of peripheral vessel diameter reduction and the peripheral attenuation of contrast agent density for all measured coronary arteries was significantly smaller in the group with NTG administration. The image quality of the posterior descending artery was significantly higher in the group with NTG. CONCLUSIONS: Sublingual administration of NTG before CTCA results in improved diagnostic image quality because of a significant dilatation and improved intraluminal contrast agent density of the peripheral vessels.

Coronary MR imaging: navigator echo biofeedback increases navigator efficiency--initial experience.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate whether a respiratory biofeedback system could increase navigator efficiency and maintain image quality compared to conventional respiratory-gated magnetic resonance coronary angiography (MRCA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen healthy volunteers underwent MRCA using three different respiratory-gating protocols. A conventional expiratory free-breathing (FB) sequence was compared to two approaches using navigator echo biofeedback (NEB), a midinspiratory approach (NEBin) and an expiratory approach (NEBex). Navigator data reflecting the position of the diaphragm relative to a 3-mm gating window were made available to the subject using a video projector in combination with a Plexiglas screen and mirror goggles. Image quality was graded by two radiologists in consensus using a visual score ranging from 1 (not visible) to 4 (excellent vessel depiction). RESULTS: The NEB approaches improved navigator efficiency (71.1% with NEBex and 68.0% with NEBin vs 42.2% with FB), thus reducing total imaging time. This difference was statistically significant (P(NEBin)=.007; P(NEBex)=.001). Image quality in the NEBex group was comparable to that in the FB group (median score, 2.44 vs 2.52), but it proved to be significantly lower (median score, 1.94 vs 2.52) for the right coronary artery and the left anterior descending coronary artery in the NEBin group. CONCLUSION: NEB maintains image quality and significantly increases navigator efficiency, thereby decreasing total imaging time by about 40% compared to a conventional FB acquisition strategy.

Prospectively gated axial CT coronary angiography: preliminary experiences with a novel low-dose technique.

To assess image quality and radiation exposure with prospectively gated axial CT coronary angiography (PGA) compared to retrospectively gated helical techniques (RGH). Forty patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) and a stable heart rate below 65 bpm underwent CT coronary angiography (CTCA) using a 64-channel CT system. The patient cohort consisted of 20 consecutive patients examined using a PGA technique and 20 patients examined using a standard RGH technique. Both groups were matched demographically according to age, gender, body mass index, and heart rate. For both groups, two independent observers assessed image quality for all coronary segments on an ordinal scale from 1 (nonassessable) to 5 (excellent quality). Image quality and radiation exposure were compared between patient groups. There were no significant differences in vessel-based image quality between the two groups (P > 0.05). Mean (+/- SD) effective radiation exposure in the PGA group was 3.7 +/- 0.8 mSv compared to 18.9 +/- 3.8 mSv in the RGH group without ECG-based tube current modulation (P < 0.001). Preliminary experience shows PGA technique to be a promising approach for CTCA resulting in a substantial reduction in radiation exposure with image quality comparable to that of standard RGH technique.

Multienergy photon-counting K-edge imaging: potential for improved luminal depiction in vascular imaging.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether spectral computed tomography (CT) has the potential to improve luminal depiction by differentiating among intravascular gadolinium-based contrast agent, calcified plaque, and stent material by using the characteristic k edge of gadolinium. A preclinical spectral CT scanner with a photon-counting detector and six energy threshold levels was used to scan a phantom vessel. A partially occluded stent was simulated by using a calcified plaque isoattenuated to a surrounding gadolinium chelate solution. The reconstructed images showed an effective isolation of the gadolinium with subsequent clear depiction of the perfused vessel lumen. The calcified plaque and the stent material are suppressed.

Objective evaluation of vessel attenuation in multidetector-row computed tomographic pulmonary angiography using high-density contrast material for the detection of pulmonary embolism.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the pulmonary vessel enhancement obtainable using high-density contrast material and saline flushing with automated bolus tracking for multidetector-row computed tomographic (MDCT) pulmonary angiography in a routine clinical setting. METHODS: Attenuation values of pulmonary vessels were retrospectively measured in 51 CT scans performed on a 40-channel MDCT for unselected emergency patients with clinically suspected pulmonary embolism. RESULTS: Mean vascular attenuation measured 326.7 +/- 104 Hounsfield units (HU) in the pulmonary trunk and 299.1 +/- 102 HU in the left distal lower lobe artery. Mean vascular attenuation values in the distal lower lobe artery were equal or higher than 150 HU for 94.1% (48/51) of patients. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the combination of high-density contrast media and saline flushing with automated bolus tracking on a fast CT scanner reliably results in a homogenously high attenuation of pulmonary vessels, allowing precise delineation of clots down to the subsegmental level in MDCT pulmonary angiography.

Bowel preparation for CT-colonography: comparison of two different cleansing protocols.

OBJECTIVE: Comparison of cleansing effects and colonic distension observed with two polyethyleneglycol-solution (PEG) containing bowel preparation techniques prior to CT-colonography (CTC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and three patients that received CTC in our institution were retrospectively evaluated. Fifty-one patients received preparation 1 (BP1; based on a GoLytely formulation+bisacodyl), 52 preparation 2 (BP2; based on a NuLytely formulation+bisacodyl). On multi-planar-reformatted (MPR) images, fluid residuals and colon distension were assessed in five colonic segments, from the ascending colon to the rectum. RESULTS: On average, significantly (p<0.001) lower fluid residuals were assesses when using BP2 regardless of the patient position. In prone position, a significantly lower fluid level was observed in the sigmoid using bowel preparation 2. The average maximum diameter measured for the whole colon was 5.2+/-0.6 cm in prone position and 4.8+/-0.6 cm in the supine position in BP1 (p<0.01). In BP2 the average maximum diameter measured for the whole colon was 5.3+/-0.6 cm in prone position and 4.7+/-0.5 cm in supine position, respectively (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Overall, lower fluid residuals were scored using BP2. In both preparation groups we achieved better colonic distension in prone position. We were not able to distend the sigmoid better when insufflating air during patient repositioning.

Noninvasive detection of coronary artery stenosis using 16-slice spiral CT: a comparison with selective X-ray coronary angiography.

The role of 16-slice spiral CT was evaluated in the diagnosis of coronary stenosis, with selective X-ray coronary angiography (SCA) serving as the reference standard. Sixty-five patients who were suspected of having coronary heart disease, without percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty or coronary bypass-grafting, were investigated using 16-slice CT. Eight patients with pre-scan heart rate of more than 80 beats/min were given beta-blockers. After the retrospectively ECG-gated axial imaging reconstruction, volume redering (VR), multi-planar reconstruction (MPR), curved MPR and maximum intensity projection (MIP) were used to reconstruct. Every segment of coronary artery with a diameter > or = 1.5 mm was assessed, and the presence on CT with a stenosis exceeding 50% diameter reduction was compared with that on SCA. The reasons which lead to some segments unevaluable were analysed. Compared with SCA, 93% coronary segments and 94% main branches were evaluable. Residual cardiac motion artifacts, severe calcification and poor opacification made 58%, 28% and 14% of the remaining 60 segments unevaluable respectively. Without routine administration of beta-blockers, good coronary imaging quality can be acquired using 16-slice spiral CT. It is a reliable noninvasive method for detection of obstructive coronary artery disease.