Five simultaneous artificial intelligence data challenges on ultrasound, CT, and MRI.

PURPOSE: The goal of this data challenge was to create a structured dynamic with the following objectives: (1) teach radiologists the new rules of General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), while building a large multicentric prospective database of ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) and MRI patient images; (2) build a network including radiologists, researchers, start-ups, large companies, and students from engineering schools, and; (3) provide all French stakeholders working together during 5 data challenges with a secured framework, offering a realistic picture of the benefits and concerns in October 2018. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Relevant clinical questions were chosen by the Société Francaise de Radiologie. The challenge was designed to respect all French ethical and data protection constraints. Multidisciplinary teams with at least one radiologist, one engineering student, and a company and/or research lab were gathered using different networks, and clinical databases were created accordingly. RESULTS: Five challenges were launched: detection of meniscal tears on MRI, segmentation of renal cortex on CT, detection and characterization of liver lesions on ultrasound, detection of breast lesions on MRI, and characterization of thyroid cartilage lesions on CT. A total of 5,170 images within 4 months were provided for the challenge by 46 radiology services. Twenty-six multidisciplinary teams with 181 contestants worked for one month on the challenges. Three challenges, meniscal tears, renal cortex, and liver lesions, resulted in an accuracy>90%. The fourth challenge (breast) reached 82% and the lastone (thyroid) 70%. CONCLUSION: Theses five challenges were able to gather a large community of radiologists, engineers, researchers, and companies in a very short period of time. The accurate results of three of the five modalities suggest that artificial intelligence is a promising tool in these radiology modalities.

Dynamic MR defecography of the posterior compartment: Comparison with conventional X-ray defecography.

PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to compare conventional X-ray defecography and dynamic magnetic resonance (MR) defecography in the diagnosis of pelvic floor prolapse of the posterior compartment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty women with a mean age of 65.5 years (range: 53-72 years) who underwent X-ray defecography and MR defecography for clinical suspicion of posterior compartment dysfunction, were included in this retrospective study. X-ray defecography and dynamic MR defecography were reviewed separately for the presence of pelvic organ prolapse. The results of the combination of X-ray defecography and MR defecography were used as the standard of reference. Differences in sensitivities between X-ray defecography and MR defecography were compared using the McNemar test. RESULTS: With the gold standard, we evidenced a total of 22 cases of peritoneocele (17 elytroceles, 3 hedroceles and 2 elytroceles+hedroceles), including 15 cases of enterocele, 28 patients with rectocele including 16 that retained contrast, 37 cases of rectal prolapse, and 11 cases of anismus. The sensitivities of X-ray defecography were 90.9% for the diagnosis of peritoneocele, 71.4% for rectocele, 81.1% for rectal prolapse and 63.6% for anismus. The sensitivities of MR defecography for the same diagnoses were 86.4%, 78.6%, 62.2% and 63.6%, respectively. For all these pathologies, no significant differences between X-ray defecography and MR defecography were found. CONCLUSION: Dynamic MR defecography is equivalent to X-ray defecography for the diagnosis of abnormalities of the posterior compartment of the pelvic floor.

Postoperative pelvic pain: An imaging approach.

Postoperative pelvic pain after gynecological surgery is a readily detected but unspecific sign of complication. Imaging as a complement to physical examination helps establish the etiological diagnosis. In the context of emergency surgery, vascular, urinary and digestive injuries constitute the most frequent intraoperative complications. During the follow-up of patients who had undergone pelvic surgery, imaging should be performed to detect recurrent disease, postoperative fibrosis, adhesions and more specific complications related to prosthetic material. Current guidelines recommend using pelvic ultrasonography as the first line imaging modality whereas the use of pelvic computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging should be restricted to specific situations, depending on local availability of equipment and suspected disease.

Overview of digital breast tomosynthesis: Clinical cases, benefits and disadvantages.

In France, the national breast cancer-screening program is based on mammography combined with clinical breast examination, and sometimes breast ultrasound for patients with high breast density. Digital breast tomosynthesis is a currently assessed 3D imaging technique in which angular projections of the stationary compressed breast are acquired automatically. When combined with mammography, clinicians can review both conventional (2D) as well as three-dimensional (3D) data. The purpose of this article is to review recent reports on this new breast imaging technique and complements this information with our personal experience. The main advantages of tomosynthesis are that it facilitates the detection and characterization of breast lesions, as well as the diagnosis of occult lesions in dense breasts. However, to do this, patients are exposed to higher levels of radiation than with 2D mammography. In France, the indications for tomosynthesis and its use in breast cancer-screening (individual and organized) are yet to be defined, as is its role in the diagnosis and staging of breast cancer (multiple lesions). Further studies assessing in particular the combined reconstruction of the 2D view using 3D tomosynthesis data acquired during a single breast compression event, and therefore reducing patient exposure to radiation, are expected to provide valuable insight.

[Hedrocele, an unknown pelvic organ prolapse]. / Mise au point sur l'hédrocèle, un trouble de la statique pelvienne méconnu.

Pelvic floor disorders are frequent and source of symptoms which can be invalidating for patients. Between them, hedrocele is a pathology often unknown and clinically difficult to diagnose. It is a herniation of fat pad, small bowel or sigmoid colon in the recto-uterine pouch (cul-de-sac of Douglas) exercising a mass effect on the anterior wall of the rectum. Pelvic magnetic resonance imaging with morphological sequences and dynamic sequences in thrust can be very useful, allowing a comprehensive study of pelvic floor dysfunction and confirming the complete diagnosis, especially before surgery. We suggest you some examples to illustrate this pathology in order to emphasize the importance of its diagnosis, especially preoperative. A better understanding of this pelvic floor dysfunction would improve the care of patients.

Dual-energy contrast-enhanced digital mammography in routine clinical practice in 2013.

To date, analysis of the vascularisation of breast lesions mainly relies on MR imaging. However, the accessibility of MRI is sometimes limited and has led to the development of new means of imaging, such as dual-energy contrast-enhanced mammography, which provides data on the vascularisation of the breast along with the usual morphological information. The purpose of this paper is to present this new imaging technique as well as the recent references, illustrated by clinical reports derived from our everyday practice to focus on the advantages and disadvantages of this new breast exploration. Dual-energy contrast-enhanced mammography is a recent, seemingly promising technique, in the management of breast cancer. The main advantages consist of its easy installation, the good tolerance and the comfort in the interpretation of difficult to read mammograms. However, the indications and the role of dual-energy contrast-enhanced mammography still have to be determined within the diagnostic strategy of breast tumours. New studies are expected, especially to compare dual-energy contrast-enhanced mammography with breast MRI.

[Atypical polypoid adenomyoma: retrospective study about 8 cases from Jeanne-de-Flandre Hospital between 1996 and 2008]. / Adénomyome polypoïde atypique: série rétrospective de 8 cas survenus à l'hôpital Jeanne-de-Flandre entre 1996 et 2008.

OBJECTIVES: To propose a therapeutic approach and follow-up of patients with atypical polypoid adenomyoma (APA) wishing to remain fertile. PATIENTS AND METHOD: We are presenting a retrospective study of eight APA cases. RESULTS: Two patients immediately received radical treatment, and one patient had an endometrial thermocoagulation. The remaining five patients received a conservative treatment with ultrasound and hysteroscopic monitoring. Among them, two had full-term pregnancies, one is being treated for infertility, in one case, the APA disappeared after three hysteroscopy-curettages and macroprogestative treatment. Lastly, one of our patients died from an aggressive endometrioid ovarian bilateral tumour associated with an endometrial adenocarcinoma. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Radical treatment is necessary for cases of APA in women no longer wishing to remain fertile. For those wishing to remain fertile, we can offer a conservative treatment once they have been informed regarding the associated risk of relapse, degeneration, and ovarian lesions which necessitate stricter follow-up.

Value of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI for tissue characterization of ovarian teratomas: correlation with histopathology.

AIM: To analyse the value of double contrast-enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in addition to conventional MRI to characterize ovarian teratomas subtypes with histological correlation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2005 to December 2008, 38 women undergoing MRI and subsequent resection of ovarian teratomas were identified [40 mature cystic teratomas (MCT), two struma ovarii, three immature teratomas]. MRI images were analysed blindly by two radiologists according to morphological and vascular abnormalities. An experienced histopathologist reviewed all slides to determine the presence and histological composition of Rokitansky protuberances. RESULTS: Thirty-one MCT (77%) had at least one small, regular Rokitansky protuberance presenting at an acute angle with the cyst wall. Ten out of 31 MCT did not display any enhancement on contrast-enhanced MRI related to sebaceous glands, adipose lobules, keratin, and pilosebaceous adnexa at histology. Three different time-intensity curve (TIC), types 1, 2, and 3, were related to presence of smooth muscular cells and fibrous, neuroglial, or thyroid tissue, respectively, found at histology of MCT. Type 3 TIC was also present in one struma ovarii and two immature teratomas. CONCLUSION: TIC types are related to the specific content of the solid tissue of ovarian teratomas but cannot be used to differentiate benign and malignant ovarian teratomas.

[Management of ovarian cysts during pregnancy: Lille's experience and literature review]. / Prise en charge des kystes de l'ovaire pendant la grossesse: expérience lilloise et revue de la littérature.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to evaluate the practice of Lille in the management of ovarian cyst during pregnancy and to compare our results with data from the literature. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was a retrospective cohort of Lille University Hospital between 1st January 2007 and 31st December 2010. The inclusion was based on the ultrasound diagnosis of an ovarian cyst greater or equal to 30mm during pregnancy. Obstetrical and neonatal data, surgical techniques and indications were analyzed. RESULTS: Seventy-one patients had a diagnosis of ovarian cyst during pregnancy, i.e., 0.35% of pregnancies followed at the University Hospital of Lille during the study period. The diagnosis took place in the first quarter in the majority of cases, at 12.30±6.99 weeks of amenorrhea (WA). Most often, the ovarian cyst is monitored during pregnancy, which has been strictly the case in 63.38% of cysts (45 patients). Fourteen patients had to be operated during pregnancy (19.72%). There were 7 emergency interventions and 7 programmed intrapartum interventions. Five intrapartum laparoscopies were performed at a mean term of 14.75±2.63 WA, and 9 laparotomies were performed at a mean term of 18.88±4.57 WA. Twelve ovarian mass surgeries were performed per caesarean section. Operated cysts are most often organic cysts (74.39%). No malignancies were observed, and 3 cases of borderline tumors were diagnosed. There were no obstetrical or neonatal complications. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: A simple monitoring is possible if the cyst is benign, less than 6cm and does not change. Surgery is required in an emergency or in case of suspicious signs of complications or malignancy. Laparoscopy can be widely used until the 2nd quarter. Lille's attitude respects the recommendations is consistent with the literature.

Comparison of 3D and 2D FSE T2-weighted MRI in the diagnosis of deep pelvic endometriosis: preliminary results.

AIM: To evaluate image quality and diagnostic accuracy of two- (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the evaluation of deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and ten consecutive patients with suspicion of endometriosis were recruited at two institutions over a 5-month period. Twenty-three women underwent surgery, 18 had DIE at histology. Two readers independently evaluated 3D and 2D MRI for image quality and diagnosis of DIE. Descriptive analysis, chi-square test for categorical or nominal variables, McNemar test for comparison between 3D and 2D T2-weighted MRI, and weighted "statistics" for intra- and interobserver agreement were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Both readers found that 3D yielded significantly lower image quality than 2D MRI (p < 0.0001). Acquisition time for 3D was significantly shorter than 2D MRI (p < 0.01). 3D offered similar accuracy to diagnose DIE compared to 2D MRI. For all locations of endometriosis, a high or variable intra-observer agreement was observed for reader 1 and 2, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a lower overall image quality, 3D provides significant time saving and similar accuracy than multiplanar 2D MRI in the diagnosis of specific DIE locations.

An update on adenomyosis.

Adenomyosis is a common benign uterine pathology that is defined by the presence of islands of ectopic endometrial tissue within the myometrium. It is asymptomatic in one third of cases, but when there are clinical signs they remain non-specific. It can often be misdiagnosed on sonography as it may be taken to be multiple uterine leiomyomata or endometrial thickening, both of which have a different prognosis and treatment. Adenomyosis is often associated with hormone-dependent pelvic lesions (myoma, endometriosis, or endometrial hyperplasia). It is less commonly connected to infertility or obstetrical complications and indeed any direct relationship remains controversial. The purpose of imaging is to make the diagnosis, to determine the extent of spread (focal or diffuse, superficial or deep adenomyosis, adenomyoma), and to check whether there is any associated disease, in particular endometriosis. The aim of this article is to provide assistance in recognising adenomyosis on imaging and to identify the pathologies that are commonly associated with it in order to guide the therapeutic management of symptomatic patients. Pelvic ultrasonography is the first line investigation. Sonohysterography can assist with diagnosis in some cases (pseudothickening of the endometrium seen on sonography). MRI may be used in addition to sonography to back up the diagnosis and to look for any associated disease.

Polycystic ovaries at ultrasound: normal variant or silent polycystic ovary syndrome?

OBJECTIVE: It is not known whether polycystic ovaries (PCO) are an ovarian appearance without pathological meaning or whether they share with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) the same ovarian follicle abnormality. There are few studies including strictly selected women with PCO but without other criteria of PCOS. In order to address these issues, we compared hormonal, metabolic and ultrasound parameters obtained from patients with PCO only, patients with PCOS and controls. METHODS: This was a comparative analysis including three age-matched groups of 95 patients, who were included consecutively in a database: controls, patients with sonographic PCO but no symptoms (PCO group) and patients with PCOS. A clinical examination, fasting serum sampling and pelvic ultrasound examination were performed between cycle days 2 and 5 and results were compared between groups. RESULTS: The median serum anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) level in the PCO group was intermediate between that in controls and that in the PCOS group (33.6 pmol/L, 19.8 pmol/L and 63.3 pmol/L, respectively), the differences being significant after adjustment for follicle number (P < 0.05), while the mean androgen serum level in the PCO group was similar to that in the control group and significantly lower than that in the PCOS group (P < 0.05) (median serum testosterone levels: 0.90 nmol/L, 0.79 nmol/L and 1.39 nmol/L; median androstenedione levels: 5.25 nmol/L, 4.37 nmol/L and 6.09 nmol/L, respectively). Body mass index, waist circumference and insulin levels had no effect on these differences. CONCLUSION: PCO is an abnormal condition, affected women showing no evidence of hyperandrogenism but having higher AMH serum levels compared with controls, suggesting a granulosa cell abnormality in PCO similar to that observed in PCOS. The absence of hyperandrogenism in PCO does not seem linked to the metabolic status.

[About two cases of intra-uterine incarceration post-vacuum aspiration: diagnosis and management]. / À propos de deux cas d'incarcérations endo-utérines post-curetage aspiratif: diagnostic et prise en charge.

We report two cases of endo-uterine incarceration occurred after vacuum aspiration. In the first case, it is a sigmoid fringe incarceration in a patient asymptomatic. In the second case, it is a fallopian incarceration whose diagnosis was made during an infertility evaluation. The hysterography, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging have confirmed these diagnoses. The treatment of these incarcerations was surgical and realized in two steps by hysteroscopy combined with laparoscopy. Monitoring by hysterography and hysteroscopy after three months has been proposed to assess the impact on future fertility.

Diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): revisiting the threshold values of follicle count on ultrasound and of the serum AMH level for the definition of polycystic ovaries.

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovarian morphology (PCOM) at ultrasound is currently used in the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). We hypothesized that the previously proposed threshold value of 12 as an excessive number of follicles per ovary (FN) is no longer appropriate because of current technological developments. In this study, we have revisited the thresholds for FN and for the serum Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) level (a possible surrogate for FN) for the definition of PCOM. METHODS: Clinical, hormonal and ultrasound data were consecutively recorded in 240 patients referred to our department between 2008 and 2010 for exploration of hyperandrogenism (HA), menstrual disorders and/or infertility. RESULTS: According to only their symptoms, patients were grouped as: non-PCOS without HA and with ovulatory cycles (group 1, n = 105), presumption of PCOS with only HA or only oligo-anovulation (group 2, n = 73) and PCOS with HA and oligo-anovulation (group 3, n = 62). By cluster analysis using androgens, LH, FSH, AMH, FN and ovarian volume, group 1 appeared to be constituted of two homogeneous clusters, most likely a non-PCOM non-PCOS subgroup (n = 66) and a PCOM, non-PCOS (i.e. asymptomatic) subgroup (n = 39). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was applied to distinguish the non-PCOM non-PCO members of group 1 and to group 3. For FN and serum AMH respectively, the areas under the curve were 0.949 and 0.973 and the best compromise between sensitivity (81 and 92%) and specificity (92 and 97%) was obtained with a threshold values of 19 follicles and 35 pmol/l (5 ng/ml). CONCLUSIONS: For the definition of PCOM, the former threshold of >12 for FN is no longer valid. A serum AMH >35 pmol/l (or >5 ng/ml) appears to be more sensitive and specific than a FN >19 and should be therefore included in the current diagnostic classifications for PCOS.

[Computerized cardiotocography and short-term variation in management of obstetric cholestasis: a useful tool?]. / Intérêt de la variabilité à court terme dans la surveillance de la cholestase gravidique.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate active management of obstetric cholestasis by comparing correlation between bile acid concentrations and computerized cardiotocography (Short-term variation [STV]). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective analytic study about 51 obstetric cholestasis between January 2001 and August 2009. Demographic characteristics, bile acid concentrations and STV data were recorded since diagnosis to pregnancy with evaluation of fetal outcome. RESULTS: There were no statistical correlation between bile acid concentrations, STV data and fetal outcome. Patients with cholestasis diagnosed in second trimester delivered 12 days earlier than cholestasis diagnosed in third trimester (p=0.0012). Delivery before 37 weeks was found in 37.2% of cases. There were no perinatal deaths. Sixty percent had a recurrent obstetric cholestasis. CONCLUSION: Further works are necessary to study the exact pathogeny of obstetric cholestasis in order to determinate the best surveillance.

[Twenty-two cases of uterine carcinosarcomas]. / À propos de 22 cas de carcinosarcomes utérins.

OBJECTIVES: Twenty-two uterine carcinosarcomas were treated and followed in two centers over 10 years. We wanted to describe them and review the literature on the subject. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We describe all uterine carcinosarcomas treated in Lille, over 10 years, both in department of gynecology, Hospital Jeanne-de-Flandre (11 patients), and in department of gynecologic oncology of Centre Oscar-Lambret (11 patients). RESULTS: For the 22 patients included, we give age at time of diagnosis, body mass index, pre and post surgical histology, details of surgical treatment, adjuvant treatment and evolution of the pathology. Mean age at time of diagnosis was 69.6. Sixty-eight percent of patients had overweight or obesity. Revealing symptoms were in 91% of cases post-menopausal meno- or metrorrhagias. Preoperatively, histology had an important number of false negative and, 57% of diagnoses were ignored in our study. All patients had first intention surgery, only 54% were yet at an early stage. Sixteen had association radiotherapy, eight of chemotherapy, two declined any adjuvant treatment. Ten patients died with a mean survival of 12.9 months, eight had a good evolution still at 35 months, two had recent pelvic relapse, two were lost to follow-up. CONCLUSION: Uterine carcinosarcomas are rare, aggressive, yet not very well known tumors. First line treatment will be surgery with peritoneal cytology, hysterectomy, bilateral adnexectomy, pelvic and sometimes lumbo-aortic lymphadenectomy, omentectomy, peritoneal biopsies. Adjuvant chemotherapy has shown its interest in this type of tumor. Radiotherapy is still debated.

Which morphological investigations and how to interpret them to make the diagnosis of PCOS?

The need for a calibrated imaging of polycystic ovaries (PCO) is now stronger than ever since the consensus conference held in Rotterdam in 2003. However, imaging PCO is not an easy procedure and it requires a thorough technical and medical background. The two-dimensional (2-D) ultrasonography (U/S) remains the standard for imaging PCO and the current consensus definition of PCO determined at the joint ASRM/ESHRE consensus meeting on PCOS rests on this technique: either 12 or more follicles measuring 2 to 9mm in diameter and/or increased ovarian volume (>10cm(3)). However, these thresholds need being revisited with the use of the new machines that have better spatial resolution and with the advent of the 3-D U/S. Doppler study and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are seldom useful for diagnosis but may be interesting for clinical research.

[Mature and immature ovarian teratomas: US, CT and MR imaging features]. / Tératomes ovariens matures et immatures: caractéristiques en échographie, TDM et IRM.

Mature cystic ovarian teratomas, also called dermoid cysts, are one of the most frequent ovarian tumors of younger female patients and are suggested when a fat-containing cystic tumor is identified on imaging. However, the presence of fat is not pathognomonic for dermoid cyst, and it may also be identified in immature teratomas, whose prognosis and treatment are different. Some imaging features are helpful to differentiate between both tumors, including th epresence of enhancement on CT and MRI. Knowledge of the imaging features of these tumors allows for a confident diagnosis to be made in most cases. A few rare and less typical imaging features should also be recognized.

[Breast cancer and pregnancy]. / Cancer du sein et grossesse.

UNLABELLED: As maternal age at the time of pregnancy continues to increase and the incidence of breast cancer is raising, the incidence of pregnancy associated with breast cancer can be expected to increase. A review of the literature was performed to help identify optimal treatment strategies. METHODS: a search of electronic databases between 1967 and the present identifies studies reporting breast cancer associated with pregnancy. There is a paucity of prospective studies regarding diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer during pregnancy. Women diagnosed with breast cancer during pregnancy have similar disease characteristics to age-matched controls. Current evidence suggests that diagnosis may be carried out with limitations regarding staging. Surgical treatment may be performed as for the non-pregnant women. Radiotherapy and endocrine or antibody treatment should be postponed until after delivery. Chemotherapy is allowed after the first trimester. Breast cancer in pregnancy is an uncommon phenomenon but one which poses dilemmas for patients and their physicians. A multidisciplinary approach is recommended for optimal clinical decision making. But physicians should be aggressive in the workup of breast symptoms in the pregnant population to expedite diagnosis.

Anatomic and biometric study of the acromioclavicular joint by ultrasound.

The aim of this study was to describe the normal ultrasound anatomy of acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) and to establish ultrasound biometric criteria of this joint. Thirty healthy volunteers (16 men, 14 women) underwent a bilateral ultrasound examination of the ACJ in both planes (superior, anterosuperior) by two different observers. Six measurements were evaluated on the ACJ. The morphological appearance was also studied. Five morphological types of the ACJ were identified. No significant biometric difference was found between the observers, the planes, the dominant and the non-dominant side, and between men and women (except for the deep joint space distance). However, the variability of the ACJ made this biometric study difficult. The maximum distance between the joint capsule and the deep joint space through the superior plane, seemed to be a reproducible measurement with the best confidence interval.