Features Found in Indocyanine Green-Based Fluorescence Optical Imaging of Inflammatory Diseases of the Hands.

Rheumatologists in Europe and the USA increasingly rely on fluorescence optical imaging (FOI, Xiralite) for the diagnosis of inflammatory diseases. Those include rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and osteoarthritis, among others. Indocyanine green (ICG)-based FOI allows visualization of impaired microcirculation caused by inflammation in both hands in one examination. Thousands of patients are now documented and most literature focuses on inflammatory arthritides, which affect synovial joints and their related structures, making it a powerful tool in the diagnostic process of early undifferentiated arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. However, it has become gradually clear that this technique has the potential to go even further than that. FOI allows visualization of other types of tissues. This means that FOI can also support the diagnostic process of vasculopathies, myositis, collagenoses, and other connective tissue diseases. This work summarizes the most prominent imaging features found in FOI examinations of inflammatory diseases, outlines the underlying anatomical structures, and introduces a nomenclature for the features and, thus, supports the idea that this tool is a useful part of the imaging repertoire in rheumatology clinical practice, particularly where other imaging methods are not easily available.

Diagnostic performance of MR black-blood thrombus imaging for cerebral venous thrombosis in real-world clinical practice.

OBJECTIVES: MR black-blood thrombus imaging (BTI) has been developed for the detection of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT). Yet, there is a lack of real-world data to verifying its clinical performance. This study aims to evaluate the performance of BTI in diagnosing and staging CVT in a 5-year period. METHODS: Patients suspected of CVT were enrolled between 2014 and 2019. Patients with or without BTI scans were classified into group A and group B, respectively. The prevalence of correct diagnosis of CVT and patients with evaluable clot age were compared. The diagnostic performance of BTI including sensitivity, specificity, and specific staging information was further analyzed. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty-one of the 308 patients suspected of CVT were eligible in the current study (114 in group A and 97 in group B), with 125 diagnosed by multidisciplinary teams to have CVTs (56 in group A, 69 in group B). The rate of correct diagnosis of CVT was higher in group A than that in group B (94.7% vs 60.8%, p < 0.001, x2 = 36.517) after adding BTI images. The percent of patients with evaluable staged segments between the two groups were 96.4% and 33.9%, respectively (x2 = 48.191, p < 0.001). BTI showed a sensitivity of 96.4% and 87.9% in the detection of CVT on per-patient and per-segment level, respectively. Up to 98.1% of all thrombosed segments could be staged by BTI and 59.6% of them were matched with clinical staging. CONCLUSIONS: In the actual clinical practice, BTI improves diagnostic confidence and has an excellent performance in confirming and staging CVT. KEY POINTS: • Black-blood thrombus imaging has good diagnostic performance in detecting cerebral venous thrombosis compared to traditional imaging methods with strong evidence in the actual clinical setting. • BTI helps clinicians to diagnose CVT with more accuracy and confidence, which can be served as a promising imaging examination. • BTI can also provide additional information of different thrombus ages objectively, the valuable reference for clinical strategy.

Perfil Clínico, Laboratorial e de Métodos de Imagem na Amiloidose Sistêmica em um Centro de Referência Cardiológico Brasileiro / Clinical, Laboratory, and Imaging Profile in Patients with Systemic Amyloidosis in a Brazilian Cardiology Referral Center

Resumo Fundamento Amiloidose sistêmica é uma doença com manifestações clínicas diversas. O diagnóstico envolve suspeita clínica, aliada a métodos complementares. Objetivo Descrever o perfil clínico, laboratorial, eletrocardiográfico e de imagem no acometimento cardíaco da amiloidose sistêmica. Métodos Estudo de uma amostra de conveniência, analisando dados clínicos, laboratoriais, eletrocardiográficos, ecocardiográficos, medicina nuclear e ressonância magnética. Considerou-se significância estatística quando p < 0,05. Resultados Avaliaram-se 105 pacientes (com mediana de idade de 66 anos), sendo 62 homens, dos quais 83 indivíduos apresentavam amiloidose por transtirretina (ATTR) e 22 amiloidose por cadeia leve (AL). Na ATTR, 68,7% eram de caráter hereditário (ATTRh) e 31,3% do tipo selvagem (ATTRw). As mutações mais prevalentes foram Val142Ile (45,6%) e Val50Met (40,3%). O tempo de início dos sintomas ao diagnóstico foi 0,54 e 2,15 anos nas formas AL e ATTR (p < 0,001), respectivamente. O acometimento cardíaco foi observado em 77,9% dos ATTR e 90,9% dos AL. Observaram-se alterações de condução atrioventricular em 20% e intraventricular em 27,6% dos pacientes, sendo 33,7 % na ATTR e 4,5% das AL (p = 0,006). A forma ATTRw apresentou mais arritmias atriais que os ATTRh (61,5% x 22,8%; p = 0,001). Ao ecocardiograma a mediana da espessura do septo na ATTRw x ATTRh x AL foi de 15 mm x 12 mm x 11 mm (p = 0,193). Observou-se BNP elevado em 89,5% dos indivíduos (mediana 249 ng/mL, IQR 597,7) e elevação da troponina em 43,2%. Conclusão Foi possível caracterizar, em nosso meio, o acometimento cardíaco na amiloidose sistêmica, em seus diferentes subtipos, através da história clínica e dos métodos diagnósticos descritos.

Abstract Background Systemic amyloidosis is a disease with heterogeneous clinical manifestations. Diagnosis depends on clinical suspicion combined with specific complementary methods. Objective To describe the clinical, laboratory, electrocardiographic, and imaging profile in patients with systemic amyloidosis with cardiac involvement. Methods This study was conducted with a convenience sample, analyzing clinical, laboratory, electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, nuclear medicine, and magnetic resonance data. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results A total of 105 patients were evaluated (median age of 66 years), 62 of whom were male. Of all patients, 83 had transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis, and 22 had light chain (AL) amyloidosis. With respect to ATTR cases, 68.7% were the hereditary form (ATTRh), and 31.3% were wild type (ATTRw). The most prevalent mutations were Val142Ile (45.6%) and Val50Met (40.3%). Time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis was 0.54 and 2.15 years, in the AL and ATTR forms, respectively (p < 0.001). Cardiac involvement was observed in 77.9% of patients with ATTR and in 90.9% of those with AL. Alterations were observed in atrioventricular and intraventricular conduction in 20% and 27.6% of patients, respectively, with 33.7% in ATTR and 4.5% in AL (p = 0.006). In the ATTRw form, there were more atrial arrhythmias than in ATTRh (61.5% versus 22.8%; p = 0.001). On echocardiogram, median septum thickness in ATTRw, ATTRh, and AL was 15 mm, 12 mm, and 11 mm, respectively (p = 0.193). Elevated BNP was observed in 89.5% of patients (median 249, ICR 597.7), and elevated troponin was observed in 43.2%. Conclusion In this setting, it was possible to characterize cardiac involvement in systemic amyloidosis in its different subtypes by means of clinical history and the diagnostic methods described.

Estratificação da Insuficiência Cardíaca Clínica através do Mapa T1 Nativo: Experiência de um Serviço de Referência / Clinical Heart Failure Stratification Through Native T1 Mapping: Experience of a Referral Service

Resumo Fundamento: Fibrose cardíaca difusa é fator importante na avaliação prognóstica dos pacientes com disfunção ventricular. Mapeamento T1 nativo pela ressonância magnética cardíaca (RMC) apresenta elevada sensibilidade e é considerado preditor independente de mortalidade por todas as causas e desenvolvimento de insuficiência cardíaca (IC) nos pacientes com cardiomiopatia. Objetivos: Avaliar aplicabilidade da avaliação com mapa T1 nativo em pacientes com IC em um hospital de referência de cardiologia e sua associação com parâmetros estruturais e perfil funcional. Métodos: Estudo transversal com pacientes adultos com IC classes funcionais NYHA I e II, isquêmicos e não isquêmicos, acompanhados em hospital de referência, que realizaram RMC. Os valores de T1 nativo foram analisados em relação a parâmetros estruturais, comorbidades, etiologia e categorização da IC pela fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo (FEVE). Análises foram realizadas com nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: Analisados 134 pacientes. Valores de T1 nativo elevados foram encontrados em pacientes com maior dilatação (1004,9 vs 1042,7ms, p=0,001), volume (1021,3 vs 1050,3ms, p<0,01) e disfunção ventricular (1010,1 vs 1053,4ms, p<0,001), mesmo quando analisados isoladamente os não isquêmicos. Pacientes classificados com IC com fração de ejeção reduzida apresentaram maiores valores T1 em relação aos com IC e fração de ejeção preservada (ICFEP) (992,7 vs 1054,1ms, p<0,001). Dos com ICFEP, 55,2% apresentavam T1 elevado. Conclusões: Mapeamento T1 por RMC é factível para avaliação da IC clínica. Houve associação direta entre maior valor nativo de T1 e menor fração de ejeção, maiores diâmetros e volumes do VE, independentemente da etiologia da IC.

Abstract Background: Diffuse cardiac fibrosis is an important factor in the prognostic assessment of patients with ventricular dysfunction. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) native T1 mapping is highly sensitive and considered an independent predictor of all-cause mortality and heart failure (HF) development in patients with cardiomyopathy. Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility of native T1 mapping assessment in patients with HF in a cardiology referral hospital and its association with structural parameters and functional profile. Methods: Cross-sectional study with adult patients with HF NYHA functional classes I and II, ischemic and non-ischemic, followed in a referral hospital, who underwent CMR. Native T1 values were analyzed for structural parameters, comorbidities, etiology, and categorization of HF by left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Analyses were performed with a significance level of 5%. Results: Enrollment of 134 patients. Elevated native T1 values were found in patients with greater dilation (1004.9 vs 1042.7ms, p = 0.001), ventricular volumes (1021.3 vs 1050.3ms, p <0.01) and ventricular dysfunction (1010.1 vs 1053.4ms, p <0.001), also present when the non-ischemic group was analyzed separately. Patients classified as HF with reduced ejection fraction had higher T1 values than those with HF and preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF) (992.7 vs 1054.1ms, p <0.001). Of those with HFPEF, 55.2% had higher T1. Conclusions: CMR T1 mapping is feasible for clinical HF evaluation. There was a direct association between higher native T1 values and lower ejection fraction, and with larger LV diameters and volumes, regardless of the etiology of HF.

Quality Improvement in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery: Age-Related Hearing Loss Measures.

BACKGROUND AND SIGNIFICANCE: There is a high and growing prevalence of age-related hearing loss (ARHL), defined as presbycusis or bilateral, symmetric sensorineural hearing loss in older adults. Due to the increasing prevalence of ARHL, the potential delays in its diagnosis and treatment, and the significant disability associated with ARHL, the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) convened a Measures Development Group (MDG) to develop quality measures (QMs) of clinical practice that could be incorporated into the AAO-HNSF's data registry Reg-ent. Although the AAO-HNSF has been engaged in robust clinical practice guideline development since 2006, the development of quality and performance measures is more recent. METHODS: We report the process, experience, and outcomes in developing a de novo QM set for ARHL in the absence of a preexisting clinical practice guideline on this topic. Steps include the MDG review of evidentiary literature on ARHL, followed by stakeholder discussions to develop measure specifications. Key considerations included discussion on the relative importance, usability, and feasibility of each measure within the Reg-ent or similar databases. RESULTS: The MDG created 4 QMs for the diagnosis and treatment of AHRL. These measures represent the AAO-HNSF's quality initiatives to develop evidence-based QMs and improve patient care and outcomes, and they are intended to assist providers in enhancing quality of care. CONCLUSION: Development of the ARHL measures is intended for clinicians to evaluate the patient perception, structure, process, and outcomes of care. This process represents a new stage in the AAO-HNSF's measure development efforts to facilitate future efforts in evidence-based QM.

Cardiac Amyloidosis for the Primary Care Provider: A Practical Review to Promote Earlier Recognition of Disease.

Cardiac amyloidosis is increasingly recognized as an underdiagnosed cause of heart failure. Diagnostic delays of up to 3 years from symptom onset may occur, and patients may be evaluated by more than 5 specialists prior to receiving the correct diagnosis. Newly available therapies improve clinical outcomes by preventing amyloid fibril deposition and are usually more effective in early stages of disease, making early diagnosis essential. Better awareness among primary care providers of the clinical presentation and modern treatment landscape is essential to improve timely diagnosis and early treatment of this disease. In this review, we provide practical guidance on the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic evaluation, and treatment of transthyretin and light chain cardiac amyloidosis to promote earlier disease recognition among primary care providers.

Diagnóstico imagenológico de neumonía por SARS-CoV-2 en pacientes con la Covid-19 / Imaging diagnosis of pneumonia by SARS-CoV-2 in patients with Covid-19

RESUMEN Fundamento: Los estudios imagenológicos son importantes en la evaluación del paciente con la Covid-19, las publicaciones sobre la aplicación de estos crecen y evolucionan cada día, lo cual trae consigo la inabarcable búsqueda de información verosímil. Objetivo: Analizar información actual disponible de hallazgos imagenológicos de neumonía por SARS-CoV-2, así como el papel y la idoneidad de los estudios de imagen para el mejor diagnóstico y seguimiento de pacientes en diversos contextos clínicos. Metodología: Se hizo una recopilación y revisión de la bibliografía nacional e internacional en un período de febrero a agosto de 2020. La estrategia de búsqueda adoptada fue la utilización de palabras clave o descriptores en español e inglés. Se revisaron 71 artículos de diferentes bases de datos y se utilizaron 42. Desarrollo: Se describen los signos imagenológicos en pacientes sospechosos y diagnosticados con neumonía por SARS-CoV-2, así como las ventajas y desventajas de los estudios imagenológicos más utilizados. Conclusiones: Los estudios de imagen juegan un papel relevante para la identificación e intervención temprana en pacientes de todas las edades con neumonía por SARS-CoV-2. Se propone valorar la utilización de la ecografía pulmonar en el contexto nacional a partir de las evidencias científicas encontradas.

ABSTRACT Background: Imaging studies are important in the evaluation of patient with Covid-19, publications on its application increase and evolve every day, so it results in the endless search of credible information. Objective: To analyze current available information on imaging findings of pneumonia by SARS-CoV-2, as well as the role and imaging studies suitability for the best diagnosis and monitoring of patients in several clinical contexts. Methodology: A compilation and review of the national and international bibliography from February to August 2020 was made. The search strategy was the use of keywords or descriptors in Spanish and English. 71 articles from different databases were reviewed and 42 were used. Development: Imaging signs were described in suspicious patients diagnosed with pneumonia by SARS-CoV-2, also the advantages and disadvantages of the most widely used imaging studies. Conclusions: Imaging studies play a relevant role in the early identification and intervention in patients of all ages with pneumonia by SARS-CoV-2. Based on the scientific evidence, it is proposed to assess the use of pulmonary ultrasound in the national context.

PET-Amyloid After Inconclusive Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers in Clinical Practice. Is it Necessary to Duplicate Procedures?

INTRODUCTION: In the absence of a gold standard for in vivo Alzheimer disease (AD) diagnosis, AD biomarkers such as cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers (CSF-B) and PET-Amyloid are considered diagnostically useful in clinical practice guidelines and have consensual appropriate use criteria (AUC). However, little evidence has been published on their utilization in the clinical setting or on approaches to mismatched results. The objective of this work was to evaluate the use of AD biomarkers in clinical practice, focusing on the implementation of PET-Amyloid in cases of inconclusive CSF-B. METHODS: This naturalistic, ambispective case series included patients fulfilling AUC for CSF-B and PET-Amyloid whose CSF-B results were non-diagnostic (target population), analyzing the diagnostic certainty, the treatment approach, and the relationship between CSF-B and PET-Amyloid results. RESULTS: Out of 2373 eligible patients, AD biomarkers were studied in 417 (17.6%), most frequently due to cognitive impairment in under 65-year-olds, using CSF-B in 311 patients and PET-Amyloid in 150. CSF-B results were non-diagnostic for 44 patients (52.3% male; aged 60.9±6.6 years), who then underwent PET-Amyloid study, which was positive in 31. A 'k' coefficient of 0.108 was obtained between CSF-B and PET-amyloid (54.5% concordance). In multivariate regression analysis, Aß42 was the only significant predictor (p= 0.018) of a positive PET-Amyloid result. In the target population, PETAmyloid increased diagnostic confidence by 53.7% (p <0.001) and modified the therapeutic approach in 36.4% of cases. CONCLUSION: These findings support the duplication of AD biomarkers and demonstrate that the implementation of PET-Amyloid provides an early and certain diagnosis to guide appropriate treatment.

Integral Velocidade-Tempo da Insuficiência Aórtica: Um Novo Marcador Ecocardiográfico na Avaliação da Gravidade da Insuficiência Aórtica / Velocity-Time Integral of Aortic Regurgitation: A Novel Echocardiographic Marker in the Evaluation of Aortic Regurgitation Severity

Resumo Fundamento A ecocardiografia é essencial para o diagnóstico e a quantificação da insuficiência aórtica (IA). A integral velocidade-tempo (IVT) do fluxo da IA pode estar relacionada à gravidade da IA. Objetivo Este estudo tem por objetivo avaliar se a IVT é um marcador ecocardiográfico de gravidade da IA. Métodos Foram incluídos todos os pacientes com IA nativa moderada ou grave e ritmo sinusal que visitaram o nosso laboratório de imagem entre janeiro e outubro de 2016. Todos os indivíduos foram submetidos a um ecocardiograma completo com medição da IVT da IA. A associação entre a IVT e a gravidade da IA foi analisada por regressão logística e modelos de regressão multivariada. Valores p<0,05 foram considerados estatisticamente significativos. Resultados Entre os 62 pacientes incluídos (68,5±14,9 anos; 64,5%: IA moderada; 35,5%: IA grave), a IVT foi maior em indivíduos com IA moderada em comparação àqueles com IA grave (2,2±0,5 m versus 1,9±0,5 m, p=0,01). Pacientes com IA grave apresentaram valores maiores de diâmetro diastólico final do ventrículo esquerdo (DDFVE) (56,1±7,1 mm versus 47,3±9,6 mm, p=0,001), volume diastólico final do ventrículo esquerdo (VDFVE) (171±36,5 mL versus 106±46,6 mL, p<0,001), orifício regurgitante efetivo (0,44±0,1 cm2 versus 0,18±0,1 cm2, p=0,002) e volume regurgitante (71,3±25,7 mL versus 42,5±10,9 mL, p=0,05), assim como menor fração de ejeção do ventrículo esquerdo (FEVE) (54,1±11,2% versus 63,2±13,3%, p=0,012). A IVT mostrou ser um marcador de gravidade da IA, independentemente do DDFVE, VDFVE e FEVE ( odds ratio 0,160, p=0,032) e da frequência cardíaca e pressão arterial diastólica (PAD) ( odds ratio 0,232, p=0,044). Conclusões A IVT do fluxo da IA apresentou associação inversa com a gravidade da IA, independentemente do diâmetro e volume do ventrículo esquerdo, frequência cardíaca, PAD e FEVE. A IVT pode ser um marcador de gravidade da IA em pacientes com IA nativa e ritmo sinusal. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)

Abstract Background Echocardiography is essential for the diagnosis and quantification of aortic regurgitation (AR). Velocity-time integral (VTI) of AR flow could be related to AR severity. Objective This study aims to assess whether VTI is an echocardiographic marker of AR severity. Methods We included all patients with moderate or severe native AR and sinus rhythm who visited our imaging laboratory from January to October 2016. All individuals underwent a complete echocardiogram with AR VTI measurement. The association between VTI and AR severity was analyzed by logistic regression and multivariate regression models. A p-value<0,05 was considered statistically significant. Results Among the 62 patients included (68.5±14.9 years old; 64.5%: moderate AR; 35.5%: severe AR), VTI was higher in individuals with moderate AR compared to those with severe AR (2.2±0.5 m vs. 1.9±0.5 m, p=0.01). Patients with severe AR presented greater values of left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) (56.1±7.1 mm vs. 47.3±9.6 mm, p=0.001), left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) (171±36.5 mL vs. 106±46.6 mL, p<0.001), effective regurgitant orifice (0.44±0.1 cm2vs. 0.18±0.1 cm2, p=0.002), and regurgitant volume (71.3±25.7 mL vs. 42.5±10.9 mL, p=0.05), as well as lower left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (54.1±11.2% vs. 63.2±13.3%, p=0.012). The VTI proved to be a marker of AR severity, irrespective of LVEDD, LVEDV, and LVEF (odds ratio 0.160, p=0.032) and of heart rate and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (odds ratio 0.232, p=0.044). Conclusions The VTI of AR flow was inversely associated with AR severity regardless of left ventricular diameter and volume, heart rate, DBP, and LVEF. VTI could be a marker of AR severity in patients with native AR and sinus rhythm. (Arq Bras Cardiol. 2020; [online].ahead print, PP.0-0)

[Research progress in imaging characteristics of precancerous nodules in hepatocellular carcinoma cells].

Hepatocarcinogenesis is a multi-step process in which detection of precancerous lesions and advanced hepatocellular carcinoma in its progressive stage is crucially important for predicting tumor behavior, estimating the extent of lesions, implementing the optimal treatment strategy, and improving the survival of patients. The rapid development and wide application of liver imaging technology, especially the application of hepatocyte-specific gadoxetate disodium MRI contrast agent (Gd-EOB-DTPA MRI), not only provide information on vascular changes of liver nodules and hepatocyte function, but also has become a precise diagnostic method for differentiating cirrhotic regenerative nodule (RN), low-grade dysplastic nodule (LGDN), high-grade dysplastic nodule (HGDN), early hepatocellular carcinoma and HCC. Hence, the risk for malignant progression is stratified. This review summarizes the value of Gd-EOB-DTPA MRI for early HCC diagnosis and analyzes the key concepts in the multi-step process of HCC development as well as the imaging manifestations of precancerous lesions that may eventually be transformed into typical HCC.

Research progress in imaging characteristics of precancerous nodules in hepatocellular carcinoma cells / 中华肝脏病杂志

Hepatocarcinogenesis is a multi-step process in which detection of precancerous lesions and advanced hepatocellular carcinoma in its progressive stage is crucially important for predicting tumor behavior, estimating the extent of lesions, implementing the optimal treatment strategy, and improving the survival of patients. The rapid development and wide application of liver imaging technology, especially the application of hepatocyte-specific gadoxetate disodium MRI contrast agent (Gd-EOB-DTPA MRI), not only provide information on vascular changes of liver nodules and hepatocyte function, but also has become a precise diagnostic method for differentiating cirrhotic regenerative nodule (RN), low-grade dysplastic nodule (LGDN), high-grade dysplastic nodule (HGDN), early hepatocellular carcinoma and HCC. Hence, the risk for malignant progression is stratified. This review summarizes the value of Gd-EOB-DTPA MRI for early HCC diagnosis and analyzes the key concepts in the multi-step process of HCC development as well as the imaging manifestations of precancerous lesions that may eventually be transformed into typical HCC.