[Prediction of microvascular invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma based on multi-phase dynamic enhanced CT radiomics feature and multi-classifier hierarchical fusion model].

OBJECTIVE: To predict microvascular invasion (MVI) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using a model based on multiphase dynamic-enhanced CT (DCE-CT) radiomics feature and hierarchical fusion of multiple classifiers. METHODS: We retrospectively collected preoperative DCE-CT images from 111 patients with pathologically confirmed HCC in Guangzhou First People's Hospital between January, 2016 and April, 2020. The volume of interest was outlined in the early arterial phase, late arterial phase, portal venous phase and equilibrium phase, and radiomics features of these 4 phases were extracted. Seven classifiers based on different algorithms were trained using the filtered feature subsets to obtain multiple base classifiers under each phase. According to the hierarchical fusion strategy, a multi-criteria decision-making-based weight assignment algorithm was used for fusing each base classifier under the same phase with the model after extracting the phase information to obtain the prediction model. The proposed model was evaluated using a 5-fold cross-validation and assessed for area under the ROC curve (AUC), accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. The prediction model was also compared with the fusion models using a single phase or multiple phases, models based on a single phase with a single classifier, models with different base classifier diversities, and 8 classifier models based on other ensemble methods. RESULTS: The experimental results showed that the performance of the proposed model for predicting HCCMVI was optimal after incorporating the 4 phases and 7 classifiers, with AUC, accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of 0.828, 0.766, 0.877, and 0.648, respectively. Comparative experiments showed that this prediction model outperformed the models based on a single phase with a single classifier and other ensemble models. CONCLUSION: The proposed prediction model is effective for predicting MVI in HCC with superior performance to other models.

Prediction of preoperative microvascular invasion by dynamic radiomic analysis based on contrast-enhanced computed tomography.

PURPOSE: Microvascular invasion (MVI) is a common complication of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surgery, which is an important predictor of reduced surgical prognosis. This study aimed to develop a fully automated diagnostic model to predict pre-surgical MVI based on four-phase dynamic CT images. METHODS: A total of 140 patients with HCC from two centers were retrospectively included (training set, n = 98; testing set, n = 42). All CT phases were aligned to the portal venous phase, and were then used to train a deep-learning model for liver tumor segmentation. Radiomics features were extracted from the tumor areas of original CT phases and pairwise subtraction images, as well as peritumoral features. Lastly, linear discriminant analysis (LDA) models were trained based on clinical features, radiomics features, and hybrid features, respectively. Models were evaluated by area under curve (AUC), accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV). RESULTS: Overall, 86 and 54 patients with MVI- (age, 55.92 ± 9.62 years; 68 men) and MVI+ (age, 53.59 ± 11.47 years; 43 men) were included. Average dice coefficients of liver tumor segmentation were 0.89 and 0.82 in training and testing sets, respectively. The model based on radiomics (AUC = 0.865, 95% CI: 0.725-0.951) showed slightly better performance than that based on clinical features (AUC = 0.841, 95% CI: 0.696-0.936). The classification model based on hybrid features achieved better performance in both training (AUC = 0.955, 95% CI: 0.893-0.987) and testing sets (AUC = 0.913, 95% CI: 0.785-0.978), compared with models based on clinical and radiomics features (p-value < 0.05). Moreover, the hybrid model also provided the best accuracy (0.857), sensitivity (0.875), and NPV (0.917). CONCLUSION: The classification model based on multimodal intra- and peri-tumoral radiomics features can well predict HCC patients with MVI.

Analysis of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Perfusion Parameters for the Identification of Spinal Metastatic Tumors with Rich Blood Supply.

PURPOSE: To determine the reliability of dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) perfusion parameters for the evaluation of blood supply to spinal metastatic tumors. METHODS: A total of 36 patients with spinal metastasis who underwent dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance spinal perfusion imaging at Tianjin Hospital from December 2018 to December 2020 were reviewed. Subsequently, the patients underwent corresponding preoperative examination using digital subtraction angiography of the spine at the hospital and were divided into 2 groups accordingly. Differences in dynamic MRI perfusion parameters between the 2 groups were analyzed. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences between the 2 groups in the quantitative dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI perfusion parameters vascular permeability and plasma volume, as well as semi-quantitative peak enhancement and blood flow ratio parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Dynamic MRI perfusion may distinguish spinal metastatic lesions with rich blood supply from those with poor blood supply and may help clinicians identify patients that can benefit from invasive spinal angiography and preoperative embolization. This technique may also provide guidance on decision taking for surgery basing on dynamic MRI perfusion parameters.

Dynamic NIR Fluorescence Imaging and Machine Learning Framework for Stratifying High vs. Low Notch-Dll4 Expressing Host Microenvironment in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Delta like canonical notch ligand 4 (Dll4) expression levels in tumors are known to affect the efficacy of cancer therapies. This study aimed to develop a model to predict Dll4 expression levels in tumors using dynamic enhanced near-infrared (NIR) imaging with indocyanine green (ICG). Two rat-based consomic xenograft (CXM) strains of breast cancer with different Dll4 expression levels and eight congenic xenograft strains were studied. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to visualize and segment tumors, and modified PCA techniques identified and analyzed tumor and normal regions of interest (ROIs). The average NIR intensity for each ROI was calculated from pixel brightness at each time interval, yielding easily interpretable features including the slope of initial ICG uptake, time to peak perfusion, and rate of ICG intensity change after reaching half-maximum intensity. Machine learning algorithms were applied to select discriminative features for classification, and model performance was evaluated with a confusion matrix, receiver operating characteristic curve, and area under the curve. The selected machine learning methods accurately identified host Dll4 expression alterations with sensitivity and specificity above 90%. This may enable stratification of patients for Dll4 targeted therapies. NIR imaging with ICG can noninvasively assess Dll4 expression levels in tumors and aid in effective decision making for cancer therapy.

Diffusion-weighted and gadolinium-enhanced dynamic MRI in parotid gland tumors.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the value of diffusion-weighted imaging and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI for the diagnosis of parotid gland tumors. METHODS: Retrospective review of patients with surgically treated parotid tumors between January 2009 and June 2020, who underwent a preoperative parotid gland MRI including standard morphological sequences, diffusion-weighted echoplanar imaging with apparent diffusion coefficient measurement and T1-weighted gadolinium-enhanced dynamic MRI sequences with Fat Saturation. The lesion was classified between malignant vs benign and precisions regarding its histological type were given when possible. Imaging findings were compared with pathology results. RESULTS: Inclusion of 133 patients (mean age: 53 years). Multiparametric MRI had a sensitivity of 90.3%, a specificity of 77.5%, an overall accuracy of 80.5%, a positive predictive value of 54.9% and a negative predictive value of 96.3% to differentiate benign parotid tumor from malignant ones. Specificity (85.5%) and positive predictive value (67.6%) were improved for cases, where anatomical and functional MRI characteristics were conclusive and consistent with clinical findings. CONCLUSIONS: Combining diffusion-weighted and gadolinium-enhanced dynamic sequences, in addition to morphological ones enables high (> 90%) sensitivity to detect malignant parotid gland tumors. It also gives the possibility to characterize pleomorphic adenomas and Warthin tumors and to avoid fine-needle aspiration in cases of typical imaging presentation and reassuring clinical findings.

Application value of CT plain scan and dynamic enhanced scan in the diagnosis of solitary pulmonary nodules / 中国医师杂志

Objective:To explore the application value of computed tomography (CT) plain scan and dynamic enhanced scan in the diagnosis of solitary pulmonary nodules.Methods:The clinical data of 120 patients with solitary pulmonary nodules detected by physical examination in Baoding First Central Hospital from January 2018 to December 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. All patients were confirmed by surgery and pathology, including 77 benign lesions and 43 malignant lesions; All patients underwent CT plain scan and dynamic enhanced scan before operation. The accuracy of the two examination methods in the diagnosis of benign and malignant lesions of solitary pulmonary nodules was analyzed and compared. The detection rate of CT dynamic enhanced scan imaging characteristics (vacuole sign, ground glass sign, spinous sign, lobulation sign, hair prick sign, blood vessel cluster, pleural depression) of benign and malignant lesions of solitary pulmonary nodules was compared, and the diagnostic value of CT plain scan and dynamic enhanced scan in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant solitary pulmonary nodules was evaluated based on the results of surgical pathological diagnosis. The manifestations and characteristic curves of CT dynamic enhanced scan of solitary pulmonary nodules was analyzed.Results:The diagnostic accuracy of CT dynamic enhanced scan for solitary pulmonary nodules was 80.00% (96/120), which was higher than that of CT plain scan (63.33%) (76/120) ( P<0.05). The sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value of CT dynamic enhanced scan for the diagnosis of benign and malignant lesions of solitary pulmonary nodules were higher than those of CT plain scan (all P<0.05). Among the imaging characteristics of CT dynamic enhanced scans of malignant lesions, the ground glass sign, spinous process sign, lobulation sign, spiculation sign, vascular clustering and pleural indentation were detected more frequently than those of benign lesions (all P<0.05). Benign lesions usually showed homogeneous enhancement, and a few showed heterogeneous enhancement; Malignant nodules often showed uneven enhancement, and a few had even enhancement. The time density curves of dynamic enhanced CT values in the regions of interest of benign and malignant solitary pulmonary nodules were different. Conclusions:The value of dynamic enhanced CT scan in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant lesions of solitary pulmonary nodules is higher than that of CT plain scan, and the imaging features are obvious, with higher sensitivity and specificity, which is worthy of application.

Using arterial phase hyperenhancement on CT instead of gadoxetic acid arterial phase enhancement may improve the diagnostic performance for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: The diagnostic performance for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is hampered using gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging due to the high incidence of transient severe motion in arterial phase (AP). Dynamic contrast enhanced computed tomography (CT) imaging yield high detection rate for hepatic nodules in AP, and the combined use of CT arterial phase (CTAP) imaging with gadoxetic acid-enhanced MR imaging may improve the diagnostic performance for HCC. Thus, this study aimed to determine whether the combined use of CTAP and gadoxetic acid-enhanced MR imaging can improve the diagnostic performance for HCC based on various imaging diagnostic criteria. Methods: A total of 169 surgically histologically confirmed hepatic nodules (137 HCCs and 32 non-HCC-nodules) were retrospectively enrolled. Two different imaging protocol sets were reviewed: (I) full gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences; and (II) CTAP imaging combined with the gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI but excluding the MR imaging AP images. Three independent reviewers followed the 2018 Liver Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS), European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL), and 2018 Korean guidelines to characterize these heaptic nodules by reviewing the two imaging protocol sets and the diagnostic peformance were compared by using McNemar test. Results: The detection rate of AP hyperenhancement (APHE) was higher in CTAP than in the MR arterial phase (MRAP) for hepatic nodules (87.57% vs. 75.15%) and HCCs (97.08% vs. 82.48%) (all P<0.001). For the LI-RADS criteria, the Protocol-II increased the sensitivity to 75.91% from 70.80% of Protocol-I (P=0.016), with a minimal decrease of the specificity to 71.88% from 75.00% (P=1.000). For the EASL criteria, the numerical increases were found of Protocol-II than Protocol-I in both sensitivity (81.02% vs. 78.10%) and specificity (75.00% vs.71.88%), but with no statistical significance. For the Korean criteria, the Protocol-II increased the sensitivity to 94.89% from 83.21% of Protocol-I (P<0.001). The specificity increased to 65.63% from 62.50%, with no statistical significance (P=1.000). Conclusions: Using CTAP instead of gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRAP can improve the diagnostic sensitivity for HCC and also yields a comparable specificity. Thus, the combined use of CTAP and gadoxetic acid-enhanced MR imaging may improve the diagnostic performance for HCC.

Correlations between dynamic-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging quantitative parameters and postoperative recurrence or metastasis and clinicopathological features in breast cancer patients-a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Few related studies focused on the correlations between the quantitative parameters of dynamic-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the clinical pathological characteristics of patients with invasive breast cancer have been conducted to date. This study sought to explore the value of quantitative parameters of dynamic-enhanced MRI in predicting postoperative recurrence or metastasis in breast cancer patients and their correlations with clinical pathological features, so as to provide clinicians with understanding of MRI in breast cancer. Methods: From January 2016 to June 2017, 214 invasive breast cancer patients admitted to Affiliated Kunshan Hospital of Jiangsu University were retrospectively enrolled in this study. Dynamic-enhanced MRI was performed to analyze the relationship between quantitative parameters of dynamic-enhanced MRI and recurrence or metastasis, and analyze their correlations with clinical pathological features in patients with invasive breast cancer. Results: The apparent diffusion coefficient and peak time had certain diagnostic value for postoperative recurrence or metastasis in breast cancer patients, and the areas under the curve were 0.821 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.732-0.911; P<0.001] and 0.691 (95% CI: 0.609-0.774; P<0.001), respectively. An apparent diffusion coefficient <0.78×10-3 mm2/s, a peak time <167.50 s, tumor staging (T staging) ≥2, vascular tumor thrombus, and positive lymph nodes were risk factors for postoperative recurrence or metastasis in breast cancer patients (odds ratio: 19.768, 95% CI: 2.577-151.619, P=0.004; 5.708, 95% CI: 1.088-29.947, P=0.039; 122.474, 95% CI: 5.334-2,812.360, P=0.003; 28.304, 95% CI: 1.372-583.914, P=0.030; 314.407, 95% CI: 10.617-9,310.547, P=0.001), and high estrogen receptor (ER) expression was a protective factor for postoperative recurrence or metastasis in breast cancer patients (odds ratio: 0.056, 95% CI: 0.004-0.795, P=0.033). The apparent diffusion coefficient was related to the site of onset, T staging, vascular tumor thrombus, and positive lymph nodes in breast cancer patients (P<0.05). Peak time was related to a high nuclear-associated antigen Ki-67 index, high ER expression, and high progesterone receptor (PR) expression in breast cancer patients (P<0.05). Conclusions: The quantitative parameters of MRI were associated with clinical pathological characteristics and recurrence or metastasis in breast cancer after surgery.

Diagnostic test of dynamic computed tomography in early gastrointestinal lymphoma and precancerous lesions.

Background: In recent years, with the development of imaging technology, the accurate diagnosis of precancerous lesions of digestive system and early lymphoma has attracted wide attention in the medical field. Methods: In this study, 82 patients with gastrointestinal diseases, including 32 patients with early gastrointestinal lymphoma and 50 patients with gastrointestinal precancerous lesions, underwent dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scanning. The difference (δ1, δ2) and ratio (Q1, Q2) of density between arterial phase, portal phase and plain scan were measured and compared, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of the subjects was drawn. Results: The results showed no statistically significant differences in the general condition of patients or a difference for the results of the arterial phase δ1 and Q1 between the two groups (P>0.05). However, the portal venous phase δ2 and Q2 in the early lymphoma group and in precancerous lesion group were 29.50±6.05, 41.55±10.10 Hounsfield units (HU), and 1.70±0.05, 2.06±0.31, respectively. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) values for δ2 and Q2 to identify the two diseases were 0.755 and 0.878, respectively. When δ2 and Q2 were 35.63 and 1.86 HU, the specificity was 89.60% and 67.50%, and sensitivity was 89.60% and 64.90%, respectively. When the two indexes, δ2 and Q2, were combined, the specificity and sensitivity of diagnosis were 98.99% and 56.80%, respectively. Conclusions: Dynamic contrast-enhanced CT can effectively distinguish early gastrointestinal lymphoma from precancerous lesions and improve the diagnostic accuracy.

Triphasic dynamic enhanced computed tomography for differentiating cholesterol and adenomatous gallbladder polyps.

BACKGROUND: Triphasic dynamic enhanced computed tomography (CT) scans were acquired to identify cholesterol and adenomatous gallbladder (GB) polyps that were inaccurately diagnosed before surgery. PURPOSE: To evaluate the CT findings of 1.0- to 2.0-cm GB polyps for differentiating between cholesterol and adenomatous polyps. METHODS: Fifty-two patients with GB polyps were treated surgically from December 2017 to July 2020 and were retrospectively divided into 2 groups according to the postoperative pathologic results: a cholesterol group with 30 patients and an adenomatous group with 22 patients. Unenhanced and triphasic dynamic enhanced CT scans were performed for all the patients within 2 weeks before surgery. The CT image parameters were measured and analyzed by 2 senior radiologists blinded to the pathological diagnoses. RESULTS: Of the 22 patients in the adenomatous group, 77.3% were female and 22.7% were male, with a mean age of 53.5 years; among the 30 patients in the cholesterol group, 66.7% were female and 33.3% were male, with a median age of 50.1 years. The CT image parameters of all 52 patients with GB polyps were analyzed. Significant differences were found in the arterial phase CT values, portal venous phase CT values, delayed phase CT values, ∆CT1 values (portal venous phase CT minus delayed phase CT values), and ∆CT2 values (arterial phase CT minus delayed phase CT values) between the cholesterol and adenomatous polyp groups (p < 0.05). In differentiating the two groups, the ∆CT1 and ∆CT2 values were superior to the arterial, portal venous and delayed phase CT values regarding both sensitivity and specificity. CONCLUSION: The arterial phase CT values, portal venous phase CT values, delayed phase CT values, and ∆CT values (including ∆CT1 and ∆CT2) from triphasic dynamic enhanced CT scans can differentiate the nature of gallbladder polypoid lesions, with the ∆CT values having the highest sensitivity and specificity.

[Standardized screening and early imaging diagnosis strategies for hepatocellular carcinoma].

Standardized hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) screening is very important for early diagnosis. Chinese and international HCC clinical guidelines recommend regular ultrasound screening for high-risk patients. Noninvasive dynamic enhanced imaging technology should be selected for the positive screenin population to get the further diagnosis, including contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), dynamic contrast-enhanced CT, dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI and Gd-EOB-DTPA enhanced MRI (EOB MRI). In clinical practice, early diagnose of HCC relies on accurate identification and stratification of high-risk patients, and systematic approach based on dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging.

Cavernous Sinus Hemangioma: Imaging Diagnosis and Surgical Considerations.

BACKGROUND: Cavernous sinus hemangiomas (CSHs) are extraaxial vascular malformations that tend to bleed during surgery. METHODS: We reviewed 12 magnetic resonance imaging scans with CSH, 5 of them biopsy proven. RESULTS: In our review, CSH commonly presented as a lobulated mass with high, uniform signal intensity on T2-weighted images, a dumbbell shape, and a sellar extension. Two thirds presented a "filling-in" pattern of enhancement on dynamic imaging. These features should lead to a correct preoperative diagnosis, which is essential for surgical planning and avoiding hemorrhagic complications. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of low signal on T1, high signal on T2 and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery, no diffusion restriction and homogenous enhancement should place CSH at the top of the list of differential diagnoses. This is especially true when there is a "filling-in" pattern on dynamic or delayed imaging. Doing so may alert surgeons to the possibility of copious intraoperative bleeding and therefore avoid complications of hemorrhage.

Characterization and Management of Juxtaglomerular Cell Tumor: Analysis of 9 Cases and Literature Review

Aims: Juxtaglomerular cell tumor is a rare kidney tumor. This study aimed to report the clinic features of juxtaglomerular cell tumor and our treatment experience. Methods: The medical records of 9 juxtaglomerular cell tumor patients treated in our hospital from 1997 to 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical characteristics, immunohistochemical findings, treatments and outcomes were collected. Results: The mean age of 9 patients was 24±8.1 years (range: 18-37). All cases had symptoms of hypertension, hyperaldosteronism, high plasma renin, high plasma angiotensin II. Four cases had hypokalemia. The renal masses were found by enhanced contrast tomography in all patients. One case received ultrasound-guided ablation and was clinically diagnosed with juxtaglomerular cell tumor. Among the remaining 8 cases, 2 cases received nephrectomy while 6 underwent partial nephrectomy. The 8 cases were pathologically diagnosed with juxtaglomerular cell tumor. Immunohistochemical findings showed that juxtaglomerular cell tumor was positive for vimentin, CD34, and actin but negative for chromogranin A. After treatment, all the patients had normal levels of blood pressure, serum renin activity, potassium, and aldosterone. No patients had tumor progress or metastasis within a median follow-up period of 94 (range: 33-241) months. Conclusion: Hypertension combined with hyperaldosteronism and hypokalemia secondary to high plasma renin activity are the typical symptoms of juxtaglomerular cell tumor. Partial nephrectomy is an optimal treatment for juxtaglomerular cell tumor.

[Values of Minimal Apparent Diffusion Coefficient,Difference between Ratios of Apparent Diffusion Coefficients,and Dynamic Contrast-enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging Features in Diagnosing Breast Ductal Carcinoma In Situ with Microinvasion].

Objective To explore the values of minimal apparent diffusion coefficient(ADCMin),difference between ratios of apparent diffusion coefficients(ADCDR),and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging(DCE-MRI)in the treatment of breast ductal carcinoma in situ with microinvasion(DCIS-Mi).Methods Totally 27 patients with DCIS-Mi and 31 patients with breast ductal carcinoma in situ(DCIS)were collected in our hospital from October,2016 to June,2018.Philips Ingenia 3.0T superconducting magnetic resonance scanner and dedicated phase-controlled array surface coil were used for breast examinations.ADCMin and maximum apparent diffusion coefficient(ADCMax)were selected from multiple regions of interest(ROI)in the apparent diffusion coefficients(ADC)figure,and ADCDR was calculated.In addition,DCE-MRI characteristics were analyzed.Results The ADCMin of DCIS-Mi was significantly lower than that of DCIS[(1.15±0.03)×10 3 mm 2/s vs.(1.34±0.04)×10 -3 mm 2/s,t=-7.192,P=0.002],the ADCDR was significantly higher than that of DCIS[(0.32±0.03)×10 -3 mm 2/s vs.(0.18±0.08)×10 -3 mm 2/s,t=-10.228,P<0.001],and the early enhancement rate of DCIS-Mi was higher than that of DCIS[159.71(157.82,162.49)% vs.147.29(143.59,160.22)%,Z=-3.578,P=0.007].The background parenchymal enhancement of DCIS-Mi was moderate,severe,and non-lump-like,mainly segmental,and the internal enhancement was heterogeneous or clustered circular.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that non-internal characteristics of the mass,the edge of the mass,internal enhancement characteristics of the mass,time-intensity curve,early enhancement rate,ADCMin and ADCDR were the optimal variables for the diagnosis of DCIS-Mi,and the optimal variables were shown by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis:the area under curve,sensitivity and specificity of ADCMin,ADCDR,non-tumor internal enhancement,and tumor internal enhancement were higher,with the critical values being 1.12×10 -3 mm 2/s,0.31×10 -3 mm 2/s,1.50,and 1.50,respectively.Conclusion DCE-MRI combined with ADC value(especially ADCMin,ADCDR,non-mass internal enhancement,and mass internal enhancement)is helpful in differentiating breast DCIS-Mi and DCIS.

Values of Minimal Apparent Diffusion Coefficient,Difference between Ratios of Apparent Diffusion Coefficients,and Dynamic Contrast-enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging Features in Diagnosing Breast Ductal Carcinoma In Situ with Microinvasion / 中国医学科学院学报

To explore the values of minimal apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC),difference between ratios of apparent diffusion coefficients(ADC),and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging(DCE-MRI)in the treatment of breast ductal carcinoma in situ with microinvasion(DCIS-Mi). Totally 27 patients with DCIS-Mi and 31 patients with breast ductal carcinoma in situ(DCIS)were collected in our hospital from October,2016 to June,2018.Philips Ingenia 3.0T superconducting magnetic resonance scanner and dedicated phase-controlled array surface coil were used for breast examinations.ADC and maximum apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)were selected from multiple regions of interest(ROI)in the apparent diffusion coefficients(ADC)figure,and ADC was calculated.In addition,DCE-MRI characteristics were analyzed. The ADC of DCIS-Mi was significantly lower than that of DCIS[(1.15±0.03)×10 mm /s .(1.34±0.04)×10 mm /s,=-7.192,=0.002],the ADC was significantly higher than that of DCIS[(0.32±0.03)×10 mm /s .(0.18±0.08)×10 mm /s,=-10.228,<0.001],and the early enhancement rate of DCIS-Mi was higher than that of DCIS[159.71(157.82,162.49)% .147.29(143.59,160.22)%,=-3.578,=0.007].The background parenchymal enhancement of DCIS-Mi was moderate,severe,and non-lump-like,mainly segmental,and the internal enhancement was heterogeneous or clustered circular.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that non-internal characteristics of the mass,the edge of the mass,internal enhancement characteristics of the mass,time-intensity curve,early enhancement rate,ADC and ADC were the optimal variables for the diagnosis of DCIS-Mi,and the optimal variables were shown by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis:the area under curve,sensitivity and specificity of ADC,ADC,non-tumor internal enhancement,and tumor internal enhancement were higher,with the critical values being 1.12×10 mm /s,0.31×10 mm /s,1.50,and 1.50,respectively. DCE-MRI combined with ADC value(especially ADC,ADC,non-mass internal enhancement,and mass internal enhancement)is helpful in differentiating breast DCIS-Mi and DCIS.

Predicting prognosis of resected hepatocellular carcinoma by radiomics analysis with random survival forest.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To investigate the impact of random survival forest (RSF) classifier trained by radiomics features over the prediction of the overall survival of patients with resectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The dynamic computed tomography data of 127 patients (97 men, 30 women; mean age, 68 years) newly diagnosed with resectable HCC were retrospectively analyzed. After manually setting the region of interest to include the tumor within the slice at its maximum diameter, texture analyses were performed with or without a Laplacian of Gaussian filter. Using the extracted 96 histogram based texture features, RSFs were trained using 5-fold cross-validation to predict the individual risk for each patient on disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). The associations between individual risk and DFS or OS were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier analysis. The effects of the predicted individual risk and clinical variables upon OS were analyzed using a multivariate Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: Among the 96 histogram based texture features, RSF extracted 8 of high importance for DFS and 15 for OS. The RSF trained by these features distinguished two patient groups with high and low predicted individual risk (P=1.1×10-4 for DFS, 4.8×10-7 for OS). Based on the multivariate Cox proportional hazards model, high predicted individual risk (hazard ratio=1.06 per 1% increase, P=8.4×10-8) and vascular invasion (hazard ratio=1.74, P=0.039) were the only unfavorable prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of radiomics analysis and RSF might be useful in predicting the prognosis of patients with resectable HCC.

Clinical utility of dynamic-enhanced MRI in salivary gland tumors: retrospective study and literature review.

PURPOSE: To improve the diagnoses of the salivary gland tumors, a dynamic-enhanced MRI (dMRI) was investigated. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of 93 cases of salivary gland tumors. The histological diagnoses were obtained from all patients using a surgical specimen and/or an open biopsy specimen. The dMRI as well as fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and intraoperative frozen section (IFS) were analyzed. This study focused on the time-intensity curve (TIC) after injection, peak time (Tpeak), washout ratio (WR) as well as the gradient of enhancement and washout profile. RESULTS: The histological diagnoses included pleomorphic adenoma (PMA) in 53 cases, the Warthin tumors (WT) in 14 cases and malignant tumors (MT) in 26 cases. Incorrect diagnosis rate of FNAC and IFS were 5.2 and 8.3%, respectively. The TIC revealed differences among the three types of tumors. Tpeak as well as WR also revealed significant differences (p < 0.001). Tpeak were lower in order of WT, MT, PMA, respectively. WR of TICs at 30, 45 and 105 s after Tpeak were higher in order of WT, MT, PMA, respectively (p < 0.001). The gradient of increment and washout in the TIC curve was also an important parameter to distinguish the three types of tumors. In MT, the rapid enhancement pattern was found in high or intermediate histological grade tumors, whereas the slow enhancement pattern was exhibited in low grade tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that using Tpeak and WR, it is possible to distinguish between WT, PMA and MT. Additionally, a rapid enhancement pattern may be a potential marker for these tumors.

A comparative study of fluoroscopic triggering method and empirical delay method for Gd-EOB-DTPA dynamic enhanced MRI in the liver / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To compare the effect of fluoroscopic triggering method and empirical delay method on image quality in the liver Gd-EOB-DTPA dynamic enhanced MRI,and to investigate the value of fluoroscopic triggering method in Gd-EOB-DTPA dynamic enhanced MRI.Methods The patients underwent Gd-EOB-DTPA dynamic enhanced MRI were randomly divided into two groups according to the starting modes in the artery phase.Group A used fluoroscopic triggering method and group B used empirical delay method.Eliminating the images with severe respiratory motion artifacts,the quality of the remaining images in 78 cases of group A and 85 cases of group B were assessed in scores (excellent=5 scores;good=4 scores).Data was statistically analyzed with Mann-whitney tests,and P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results The excellent rate of the images in group A was 96.15% (75/78).The excellent rate of the images in group B was 67.06% (57/85).There were significant differences between the two groups in the excellent rate (χ2=27.889, P<0.001)and the image quality scores (Z=-4.747,P<0.001).Conclusion For the liver Gd-EOB-DTPA dynamic enhanced MRI, fluoroscopic triggering method is more likely to get better image quality and higher success rate in artery phase than empirical delay method,which indicates that fluoroscopic triggering method have obviously advantages in clinical applications.

A comparison of enhancement patterns on dynamic enhanced CT and survival between patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors with and without intratumoral fibrosis.

PURPOSE: To compare CT findings and survival between patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs) with and without fibrosis. METHODS: Forty-five pNET patients with intratumoral fibrosis (group A) were matched for age, gender, and tumor size and grade with 45 pNET patients without (group B), and CT images were retrospectively reviewed. Hounsfield units (HUs) of tumors in unenhanced, arterial and portal phases, HU ratio (tumor to normal parenchyma) in each phase, enhancement patterns, visible enhancement pattern changes, and survival were compared. RESULTS: Group A showed progressive enhancement patterns, while group B showed early enhancement and wash-out patterns (p < 0.05). HUs of tumors and HU ratio in the unenhanced phase were significantly higher in group A than group B (p ≤ 0.024), whereas those in the arterial phase were significantly lower in group A than group B (p ≤ 0.003). Peripheral to full or peripheral to peripheral enhancement change was more frequent in group A, while full to full enhancement change was more frequent in group B (p < 0.05). Group A showed significantly lower overall survival than group B (p = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS: pNETs with fibrosis showed a progressive enhancement pattern and worse overall survival than pNETs without, which showed an early enhancement and wash-out pattern.

Imaging features and clinicopathological manifestations of chromophobe cell renal carcinoma / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To investigate the imaging features and the relationship with pathological characteristics of chromophobe cell renal carcinoma (CCRC).Methods The clinicopatholocal manifestations and CT or MRI imaging findings were analyzed retro-spectively in 23 patients with surgically confirmed CCRC.The location,shape,size,density,border,blood supply and invasion of adjacent organs of CRCC,especially the dynamic enhanced mode,were mainly analyzed and compared with pathology.Results The 23 cases of CCRC showed unilateral single mass on CT and MRI scans,and 12 located in right kidney while 1 1 in left kidney.The size ranged from 27-330 mm in diameter,and round or oval-shaped soft tissue mass was observed.The boundaries of 1 6 cases were clear,and 3 cases of mass broke through renal capsule,3 invaded renal pelvis,perirenal fat,renal vein and inferior vena cava,2 ca-ses with retroperitoneal lymph node metastases.18 cases were scanned by CT and the mass presented as soft tissue density on plain CT (CT value 30-44 HU).6 cases were scanned by MRI with abnormalities presenting with iso or hypo-intense on the T1 WI,hy-per or hypo-intense on the T2 WI,and 2 cases of pseudocapsule were showed as circled hypointense on T2 WI.According to the dy-namic enhancement,23 cases of CCRC were divided into three type:(1 )Mild-to-moderate enhanced type(n= 14):including mild homogeneous strengthening (n=7)and mild heterogeneous strengthening (n=7);(2)Significantly enhanced type(n=7):including heterogeneous enhancement(n=6)and uniform enhancement(n=1);(3)Spokes shape or scar enhancement(n=2).The sample of CCRC was mainly solid and showed yellowish-brown or brown section.According to the situation of HE staining,the characteristic microscopic features were divided into three types:the typical,acidophil type and mixed type.Conclusion Combined imaging find-ings of CT dynamic enhanced mode can provide characteristic information for diagnosis of CCRC,and comprehensive analysis of the imaging findings will contribute to the diagnosis and differential diagnosis.