Allergic-like Hypersensitivity Reactions to Gadolinium-based Contrast Agents: An 8-year Cohort Study of 154 539 Patients.

Background With the widespread use of gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs), the incidence of allergic-like hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) to GBCAs is increasing. Research on the incidence and risk factors for HSRs to GBCAs is needed for their safe use. Purpose To determine the incidence of acute and delayed reactions to GBCAs and to discuss the risk factors and strategies for the prevention of HSRs to GBCAs. Materials and Methods All cases of HSRs to contrast media that occurred at the Seoul National University Hospital from July 1, 2012, to June 30, 2020, were assessed. Information including age, sex, GBCA type, onset, and severity of HSRs was retrospectively analyzed. Results Among the 331070 cases of GBCA exposure in 154539 patients, 1304 cases of HSRs (0.4%) were reported. Acute HSRs accounted for 1178 cases (0.4%), while 126 cases (0.04%) were delayed HSRs. While both premedication (odds ratio [OR] = 0.7, P = .041) and changing the type of GBCA (OR = 0.2, P < .001) showed preventative effects in patients with a history of acute HSRs, only premedication (OR = 0.2, P = .016) significantly reduced the incidence of HSRs in patients with a history of delayed reactions. The risk of an HSR to GBCA was higher in those with a history of an HSR to iodinated contrast media (OR = 4.6, P < .001). Conclusion The rate of hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) to gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) was 0.4%. The absence of premedication, repeated exposures to the culprit GBCA, and a history of HSRs to iodinated contrast media and GBCAs were risk factors for HSRs to GBCAs. © RSNA, 2022 Online supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Kallmes and McDonald in this issue.

Prognostic implications of body composition change during primary treatment in patients with ovarian cancer: A retrospective study using an artificial intelligence-based volumetric technique.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of changes in body composition during primary treatment on survival outcomes in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). METHODS: We retrospectively identified patients diagnosed with EOC between 2010 and 2019. Using an artificial intelligence-based tool, the volumes of skeletal muscle, visceral fat, and subcutaneous fat were measured automatically at the waist level from pre-treatment and post-treatment computed tomography scans. Associations between changes in body mass index (BMI) and volume of each body composition component and survival outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 208 patients were included. A significant decrease in BMI and waist volumes of skeletal muscle and visceral fat was observed during the primary treatment. Patients with BMI loss ≥5% showed significantly worse progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) than those with BMI loss <5%. In multivariate analyses adjusting for clinicopathologic factors, BMI loss ≥5% was identified as an independent poor prognostic factor for PFS (adjusted HR, 1.565; 95% CI, 1.074-2.280; P = 0.020) and OS (adjusted HR, 2.754; 95% CI, 1.382-5.488; P = 0.004). Meanwhile, both muscle loss ≥10% and visceral fat loss ≥20% were associated with an increased mortality rate but did not affect disease recurrence. In multivariate analyses, muscle loss ≥10% (adjusted HR, 2.069; 95% CI, 1.055-4.058; P = 0.034) and visceral fat loss ≥20% (adjusted HR, 2.292; 95% CI, 1.023-5.133; P = 0.044) were poor prognostic factors for OS. Consistent results were observed in the advanced-stage disease subgroup (n = 173). CONCLUSIONS: Changes in BMI and waist volume of skeletal muscle and visceral fat were associated with survival outcomes in patients with EOC.

Evolution of Interferon-Gamma Release Assay Results and Submillisievert Chest CT Findings among Close Contacts of Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients.

BACKGROUND: Latent tuberculosis (TB) infection among TB contacts is diagnosed using plain chest radiography and interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs). However, plain chest radiographs often miss active TB, and the results of IGRA could fluctuate over time. The purpose of this study was to elucidate changes in the results of the serial IGRAs and in the findings of the serial submillisievert chest computed tomography (CT) scans among the close contacts of active pulmonary TB patients. METHODS: Patients age 20 or older with active pulmonary TB and their close contacts were invited to participate in this study. Two types of IGRA (QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube assay [QFT-GIT] and the T-SPOT.TB test [T-SPOT]) and submillisievert chest CT scanning were performed at baseline and at 3 and 12 months after enrollment. RESULTS: In total, 19 close contacts participated in this study. One was diagnosed with active pulmonary TB and was excluded from further analysis. At baseline, four of 18 contacts (22.2%) showed positive results for QFT-GIT and T-SPOT; there were no discordant results. During the follow-up, transient and permanent positive or negative conversions and discordant results between the two types of IGRAs were observed in some patients. Among the 17 contacts who underwent submillisievert chest CT scanning, calcified nodules were identified in seven (41.2%), noncalcified nodules in 14 (82.4%), and bronchiectasis in four (23.5%). Some nodules disappeared over time. CONCLUSION: The results of the QFT-GIT and T-SPOT assays and the CT images may change during 1 year of observation of close contacts of the active TB patients.

Immediate Mild Reactions to CT with Iodinated Contrast Media: Strategy of Contrast Media Readministration without Corticosteroids.

Purpose To evaluate premedication protocols involving administration of antihistamine and multidose corticosteroid that have been widely used in prevention of recurrent hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) to iodinated contrast media (ICM); an evidence-based optimal preventive strategy customized for patients with mild cases has not yet been established. Materials and Methods The outcomes of patients with mild HSR who subsequently underwent contrast material-enhanced computed tomography (CT) between January 2012 and December 2015 were analyzed. For premedication, 4 mg of chlorpheniramine was intravenously administered 30 minutes prior to reexposure to ICM. Logistic regression with generalized estimating equations was used to determine the relationship between premedication and recurrence rate. Results A total of 1178 patients with mild immediate HSR were reexposed to ICM 3533 times. Among these patients, 1056 patients experienced allergylike reactions and 122 patients developed gastrointestinal reactions. With reexposure to the culprit agent without premedication, the recurrence rate was 31.1% (85 of 273 examinations). The recurrence rate decreased to 12% (105 of 872 examinations; P < .001) by only changing the culprit agent and to 7.6% (148 of 1947 examinations; P < .001) by using the combination of changing the ICM and antihistamine premedication. Changing the ICM plus antihistamine premedication was also helpful in reducing the recurrence of gastrointestinal symptoms from 16.1% to 1.8% (P = .020). However, despite changing of the ICM, some combinations of ICM did not show a prophylactic effect. Conclusion A combination of changing the culprit agent and antihistamine premedication resulted in the best preventive outcome for patients with mild immediate HSR. The optimal choice of substitute ICM could be individualized according to the culprit agent.

Bioresorbable Electronic Stent Integrated with Therapeutic Nanoparticles for Endovascular Diseases.

Implantable endovascular devices such as bare metal, drug eluting, and bioresorbable stents have transformed interventional care by providing continuous structural and mechanical support to many peripheral, neural, and coronary arteries affected by blockage. Although effective in achieving immediate restoration of blood flow, the long-term re-endothelialization and inflammation induced by mechanical stents are difficult to diagnose or treat. Here we present nanomaterial designs and integration strategies for the bioresorbable electronic stent with drug-infused functionalized nanoparticles to enable flow sensing, temperature monitoring, data storage, wireless power/data transmission, inflammation suppression, localized drug delivery, and hyperthermia therapy. In vivo and ex vivo animal experiments as well as in vitro cell studies demonstrate the previously unrecognized potential for bioresorbable electronic implants coupled with bioinert therapeutic nanoparticles in the endovascular system.

Positive tuberculin skin test or interferon-gamma release assay in patients with radiographic lesion suggesting old healed tuberculosis.

Radiographic lesions suggesting old healed tuberculosis (TB) is considered a risk factor for the subsequent development of active TB. The aim of this study was to estimate the positive rates of tuberculin skin test (TST) and interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) in persons with old healed TB. Participants with lesions suggesting old healed TB on chest images and controls without such lesions were prospectively enrolled between January 1, 2010, and January 31, 2011. TST and the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube test (QFT-GIT) were performed. In total, 193 participants with old healed TB and 126 controls were recruited. The rates of positive TST and QFT-GIT among patients with old healed TB were 54.6% and 77.7%, respectively. The rates of positive TST and QFT-GIT among patients without old healed TB were 38.9% and 61.9%. Sixteen percent of participants with old healed TB showed negative results by both TST and QFT-GIT. The positive rate of TST waned among participants with old healed TB who were older than 60 yr, whereas QFT-GIT positivity was unaffected by age. The positive rates of TST and IGRA among participants with radiographic lesions suggesting old healed TB was higher than without those lesions. In addition, IGRA may be more accurate than TST for the detection of latent TB infection, especially in populations of individuals older than 60 yr.