Long-term outcomes of peritoneal dialysis started in infants below 6 months of age: An experience from two tertiary centres

BackgroundLittle data are available for infants who started renal replacement therapy before 6 months of age. Because of extra-renal comorbidities and uncertain outcomes, whether renal replacement therapy in neonates is justified remains debatable.MethodsWe performed a retrospective analysis of all patients who began chronic peritoneal dialysis below 6 months between 2007 and 2017 in two tertiary centres. Results are presented as median (min;max).ResultsSeventeen patients (10 boys) were included (8 prenatal diagnoses, 6 premies), with the following diagnoses: congenital anomalies of kidney and urinary tract (n = 9), oxalosis (n = 5), congenital nephrotic syndrome (n = 2) and renal vein thrombosis (n = 1). Five patients had associated comorbidities. At peritoneal dialysis initiation, age was 2.6 (0.1;5.9) months, height-standard deviation score (SDS) −1.3 (−5.7;1.6) and weight-SDS −1.4 (−3.6;0.6). Peritoneal dialysis duration was 12 (2;32) months, and at peritoneal dialysis discontinuation height-SDS was −1.0 (−4.3;0.7) weight-SDS −0.7 (−3.2;0.2), parathyroid hormone 123 (44;1540) ng/L, and hemoglobin 110 (73;174) g/L. During the first 6 months of peritoneal dialysis, the median time of hospitalisation stay was 69 (15;182) days. Ten patients presented a total of 27 peritonitis episodes. Reasons for peritoneal dialysis discontinuation were switch to hemodialysis (n = 6), transplantation (n = 6), recovery of renal function (n = 2) and death (n = 1). After a follow-up of 4.3 (1.7;10.3) years, 12 patients were transplanted, 2 patients were still on peritoneal dialysis, 2 patients were dialysis free with severe chronic kidney disease and 1 patient had died. Seven patients displayed neurodevelopmental delay, of whom five needed special schooling.ConclusionWe confirm that most infants starting peritoneal dialysis before 6 months of age will be successfully transplanted and will have a favourable growth outcome. Their quality of life will be impacted by recurrent hospitalisations and neurodevelopmental delay is frequent.     

COVID-19: A qualitative chest CT model to identify severe form of the disease

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to identify clinical and chest computed tomography (CT) features associated with a severe form of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and to propose a quick and easy to use model to identify patients at risk of a severe form.Materials and methodsA total of 158 patients with biologically confirmed COVID-19 who underwent a chest CT after the onset of the symptoms were included. There were 84 men and 74 women with a mean age of 68 ± 14 (SD) years (range: 24–96 years). There were 100 non-severe and 58 severe cases. Their clinical data were recorded and the first chest CT examination was reviewed using a computerized standardized report. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed in order to identify the risk factors associated with disease severity. Two models were built: one was based only on qualitative CT features and the other one included a semi-quantitative total CT score to replace the variable representing the extent of the disease. Areas under the ROC curves (AUC) of the two models were compared with DeLong's method.ResultsCentral involvement of lung parenchyma (P < 0.001), area of consolidation (P < 0.008), air bronchogram sign (P < 0.001), bronchiectasis (P < 0.001), traction bronchiectasis (P < 0.011), pleural effusion (P < 0.026), large involvement of either one of the upper lobes or of the middle lobe (P < 0.001) and total CT score ≥ 15 (P < 0.001) were more often observed in the severe group than in the non-severe group. No significant differences were found between the qualitative model (large involvement of either upper lobes or middle lobe [odd ratio (OR) = 2.473], central involvement [OR = 2.760], pleural effusion [OR = 2.699]) and the semi-quantitative model (total CT score ≥ 15 [OR = 3.342], central involvement [OR = 2.344], pleural effusion [OR = 2.754]) with AUC of 0.722 (95% CI: 0.638–0.806) vs. 0.739 (95% CI: 0.656–0.823), respectively (P = 0.209).ConclusionWe have developed a new qualitative chest CT-based multivariate model that provides independent risk factors associated with severe form of COVID-19.     

Cardiac magnetic resonance assessment of left ventricular dilatation in chronic severe left-sided regurgitations: comparison with standard echocardiography

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to investigate the potential additional value of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in the assessment of left ventricular (LV) dilatation and dysfunction by comparison to standard echocardiography in patients with chronic left-sided valvular regurgitation.Materials and methodsWe prospectively enrolled patients with chronic severe mitral regurgitation (MR) or aortic regurgitation (AR). They underwent standard echocardiography and CMR using aortic flow and LV-function sequences. LV dilatation or dysfunction was assessed with each technique, based on thresholds used for surgery indication. Reference regurgitation severity was defined following previously reported CMR-based regurgitant volume thresholds.ResultsA total of 71 patients with chronic severe MR (n = 44) or severe AR (n = 27) were prospectively included. There were 60 men and 11 women with a mean age of 61 ± 14 (SD) years (range: 18–83 years). CMR-based regurgitation severity was significantly greater in the LV dysfunction group when assessed with CMR (MR, P = 0.011; AR, P = 0.006) whereas it was not different when LV dysfunction was assessed using standard echocardiography. Among standard echocardiography and CMR volumetric indices, CMR-derived end-diastolic volume showed the best ability to predict regurgitation severity (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.78 for MR; AUC = 0.91 for AR). Diagnostic thresholds identified on receiver operating characteristics-curve analysis were lower than those of current European recommendations and closer to North-American guidelines.ConclusionCMR assessment of LV end-diastolic volume in chronic severe left-sided regurgitations is more reliably associated with CMR-based regurgitant volume by comparison with standard echocardiography diameter. CMR may provide useful evaluation before surgery decision for severe asymptomatic regurgitations.     

Candidates to salvage therapy after external-beam radiotherapy of prostate cancer: Predictors of local recurrence volume and metastasis-free survival

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to assess the predictors of metastasis-free survival (MFS) and of the volume of the local recurrence in patients with rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) serum level after radiotherapy for prostate cancer and referred for prostate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and biopsy in view of salvage treatment.Materials and methodsA total of 132 consecutive men (median age, 70 years; IQR, 66–77 years) with rising PSA after prostate radiotherapy who underwent prostate MRI and biopsy in view of salvage treatment between January 2010 and July 2017 were retrospectively evaluated at a single center. MFS predictors were assessed with Cox models. Predictors of the volume of the local recurrence (number of invaded prostate sectors at biopsy) were assessed using Poisson regression among variables available at PSA relapse.ResultsAt multivariate analysis, an initial Gleason score ≥ 8 (OR = 7 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2–40]; P = 0.03), a recent radiotherapy (OR = 17 [95% CI: 3.9–72]; P < 0.0001), the use of androgen deprivation therapy at PSA relapse (OR = 12.5 [95% CI: 2.8–57]; P = 0.001) and the number of invaded prostate sectors (OR = 1.5 [95% CI: 1.1–2]; P = 0.007) and maximum cancer core length (OR = 0.7 [95%CI: 0.6–0.9]; P = 0.002) at biopsy performed at PSA relapse were significant MFS predictors. The PSA level at relapse was significant independent predictor of the volume of local recurrence only when used as a continuous variable (P = 0.0002) but not when dichotomized using the nadir + 2 threshold (P = 0.41).ConclusionPathological and clinical factors can help predict MFS in patients with rising PSA after prostate radiotherapy and candidates to salvage treatment. The PSA level at relapse has strong influence on the local recurrence volume when used as a continuous variable.     

Radiofrequency ablation versus surgical resection for the treatment of oligometastatic lung disease

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to compare efficacy and tolerance between radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and surgery for the treatment of oligometastatic lung disease.Materials and methodsThis retrospective study reviewed patients treated in two institutions for up to 5 pulmonary metastases with a maximal diameter of 4 cm and without associated pleural involvement or thoracic lymphadenopathy. Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, treatment outcome, and length of hospital stay were compared between the two groups. Efficacy endpoints were overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and pulmonary or local tumor progression rates.ResultsAmong 204 patients identified, 78 patients (42 men, 36 women; mean age, 53.3 ± 14.9 [SD]; age range: 15–81 years) were treated surgically, while 126 patients (59 men, 67 women; mean age, 62.2 ± 10.8 [SD]; age range: 33–80 years) were treated by RFA. In the RFA cohort, patients were significantly older (P < 0.0001), with more extra-thoracic localisation (P = 0.015) and bilateral tumour burden (P = 0.0014). In comparison between surgery and RFA cohorts, respectively, the 1- and 3-year OS were 94.8 and 67.2% vs. 94 and 72.1% (P = 0.46), the 1- and 3-year PFS were 49.4% and 26.1% vs. 38.9% and 14.8% (P = 0.12), the pulmonary progression rates were 39.1% and 56% vs. 41.2% and 65.3% (P > 0.99), and the local tumour progression rates were 5.4% and 10.6% vs. 4.8% and 18.6% (P = 0.07). Tumour size > 2 cm was associated with a significantly higher local tumor progression in the RFA group (P = 0.010). Hospitalisation stay was significantly shorter in the RFA group (median of 3 days; IQR = 2 days; range: 2–12 days) than in the surgery group (median of 9 days; IQR = 2 days; range: 6–21 days) (P < 0.01).ConclusionRFA should be considered a minimally-invasive alternative with similar OS and PFS to surgery in the treatment of solitary or multiple lung metastases measuring less than 4 cm in diameter without associated pleural involvement or thoracic lymphadenopathy.     

Minimally invasive surgery for intradural spinal meningioma: A new standard? A comparative study between minimally invasive and open approaches

BackgroundSome authors used minimally invasive surgery (MIS) in the treatment of spinal cord tumor, but these studies had a small sample sizes and mixed extra- and intra-medullary tumors, resulting in confounding biases. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of MIS for spinal meningioma resection in comparison with open surgery (OS).MethodsConsecutive patients with spinal meningioma who received either MIS or OS were included. Data for extent of resection, functional outcome, postoperative morbidity and recurrence were collected.ResultsA total of 48 patients (with 51 spinal meningiomas) were included. Eighteen underwent MIS and 30 OS. Meningioma volume and location did not differ significantly between groups: tumors were predominantly thoracic (n = 39, 76.5%) and voluminous (occupying more than 50% of the spinal canal: n = 43, 84.3%). In the MIS group, patients were older (mean age: 66.5 vs. 56.4 years, P = 0.02) and more fragile (mean ASA score: 2.0 vs. 1.6, P = 0.06). In the MIS group, the surgical procedure was shorter (mean duration: 2.07 vs. 2.56 h, P = 0.04), blood loss lower (mean: 252 vs. 456 mL, P = 0.02), and hospital stay shorter (mean: 6.6 vs. 8.1 days). Surgery improved the modified McCormick scale (P < 0.0001) irrespective of the surgical technique. MIS led to no significant differences in extent of resection or postoperative morbidity. Mean follow-up was 46.6 months. At last follow-up, 91.7% (n = 44) of patients were free of progression; all cases of tumor progression (n = 4) occurred in the OS group.ConclusionsMIS outperformed OS in the management of intradural spinal meningioma, irrespective of location and volume. MIS appears to be particularly suitable for elderly and fragile patients.     

Impact of ultrasound speed choice on the quality of the second-trimester fetal ultrasound examination in obese women

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to assess the impact of the free choice of ultrasound propagation velocity on ultrasound image construction to improve the completion rate and anatomical quality of fetal second-trimester ultrasound examination in obese women.Materials and methodsThis repeated cross-sectional single-center study retrospectively collected second-trimester ultrasound images of 88 obese women. During the first period, ultrasound examinations were performed in 44 women (mean age, 31.4 ± 5.9 [SD] years; range: 21.1 - 45.3 years) applying only the standard 1540 m/s tissue ultrasound velocity (group 1). During the second period, ultrasound examinations were performed in other 44 women (mean age, 31.4 ± 5.1 [SD] years; range: 20.6 - 41.6 years) with the operator free to choose among three available velocity settings (1420 m/s, 1480 m/s or 1540 m/s) for the scanning planes for the morphological images (group 2). All women underwent mid-trimester ultrasound examination at 20 to 24 gestational weeks. Two observers assessed the examinations in both groups for completeness, quality, and duration of fetal ultrasound examinations.ResultsNo differences in age (P > 0.99), body mass index (P = 0.67), prevalence of previous cesarean delivery (P = 0.30) or gestational age at the second-trimester scan (P = 0.20) were found between the two groups. The mean cumulative duration of these ultrasound examinations was longer in group 1 than in group 2 (for both the complete (P = 0.04) and incomplete (P = 0.03) examinations). The quality of the anatomic images according to Salomon's criteria was less often acceptable in group 1 (5/44, 11.4%) than in group 2 (15/44, 34.1%) (P = 0.02).ConclusionFree choice of ultrasound velocity improves the overall performance of fetal second-trimester ultrasound examinations in obese women.     

Comparison of conventional magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion-weighted imaging in the differentiation of bone plasmacytoma from bone metastasis in the extremities

PurposeTo compare conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in the differentiation of bone plasmacytoma from bone metastasis in the extremities.Materials and methodsA total of 65 patients with 27 bone plasmacytomas (11 men; mean age, 63.6 ± 8.2 [SD] years) and 38 patients with bone metastases (20 men; mean age, 64.1 ± 11.5 [SD] years) were retrospectively included. Plasmacytomas and metastases were compared for size, peritumoral edema, signal intensity (SI), SI pattern, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values and standard deviation (SD) of ADC. Receiver operating characteristic analysis with area under the curve (AUC) was used to calculate sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of MRI and DWI for the diagnosis of plasmacytoma according to a defined cut-off value.ResultsOn conventional MRI, plasmacytomas showed less peritumoral edema (22% vs. 71%; P < 0.001), were more often hyperintense on T1-weighted image (48% vs. 18%; P = 0.022) and more homogeneous on T2-weighted image (78% vs. 26%; P < 0.001) and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images (70% vs. 25%; P = 0.001) than bone metastases. Mean ADC value and SD of ADC were significantly lower in bone plasmacytomas (760.1 ± 196.9 [SD] μm²/s and 161.5 ± 62.7 [SD], respectively) than in bone metastases (1214.2 ± 382.6 [SD] μm²/s and 277.0 ± 110.3 [SD], respectively) (P < 0.001). Using an ADC value ≤ 908.3 μm²/s, DWI yielded 88% sensitivity and 78% specificity for the diagnosis of plasmacytoma. ADC value yielded best area under the curve (AUC = 0.913), followed by SD of ADC (AUC = 0.814) and homogeneity on T2-weighted images (AUC = 0.757). The combination of conventional MRI and DWI (AUC = 0.894) showed improved diagnostic performance over conventional MRI alone (AUC= 0.843) for discriminating between plasmacytoma and metastasis.ConclusionConventional MRI in combination with DWI can be useful to discriminate between bone plasmacytoma and bone metastasis in the extremities.     

Reproducibility of LI-RADS treatment response algorithm for hepatocellular carcinoma after locoregional therapy

PurposeTo determine inter-reader agreement in categorizing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with locoregional therapy using the Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) treatment response (LR-TR) algorithm.Materials and methodsA total of 93 patients with a total of 112 HCC nodules that were treated using thermal ablation or transarterial chemoembolization were prospectively included. There were 79 men and 14 women with a mean age of 55 ± 2.6 (SD) years (range: 48–63 years). All patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination of the liver and MR images were analyzed by two independent observers. Treated HCC nodules were categorized into four groups according to LR-TR scoring system including: (i) LR-TR non-evaluable (treated, response not evaluable); (ii) LR-TR nonviable (treated, probably or definitively not viable); (iii) LR-TR equivocal (treated, equivocally viable) and (iv) LR-TR viable (treated, probably or definitively viable). The inter-observer agreement in LR-TR categorization was assessed using the kappa statistics.ResultsThere was excellent inter-observer agreement between the two reviewers for overall treated HCC according to LR-TR algorithm (kappa = 0.938; 95% CI: 0.89–1.00; P = 0.001) with 97.31% agreement. The LR-TR categories by both reviewers were non-viable (77/112; 69.6% and 76/112; 67.9%), viable (30/112; 26.8% and 32/112; 27.7%) and equivocal (5/112; 4.4% and 4/112; 3.6%). There was excellent inter-observer agreement for LR-TR nonviable (kappa = 0.938; 95% CI: 0.87–1.0; P = 0.001) with 97.3% agreement, LR-TR viable (kappa = 0.955; 95% CI: 0.89–1.00; P = 0.001) with 98.2% agreement and good inter-observer agreement for LR-TR equivocal (kappa = 0.700; 95% CI: 0.28–1.0; P = 0.001) with 97.3% agreement.ConclusionLR-TR algorithm conveys high degrees of inter-observer agreement for the evaluation of treatment response of HCC after thermal ablation and transarterial chemoembolization.     

Quantification of diffuse myocardial fibrosis using CMR extracellular volume fraction and serum biomarkers of collagen turnover with histologic quantification as standard of reference

PurposeTo compare the assessment of diffuse interstitial myocardial fibrosis in valvular diseases using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) extracellular volume fraction (ECV) quantification and serum biomarkers of collagen turnover using results of myocardial biopsy as standard of reference.Materials and methodsThis prospective monocentric study included consecutive patients before aortic valvular replacement. All patients underwent: i), 1.5 T CMR with pre and post contrast T₁ mapping sequence and ECV computation; ii), serum quantification of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) and iii), myocardial biopsies were collected during surgery to assess collagen volume fraction (CVF). Patients with coronary artery disease were excluded. Correlation between native T1, ECV, CVF and serum biomarkers were assessed using Pearson correlation test. Agreement between basal anteroseptal ECV with global ECV was assessed using Bland-Altman test.ResultsTwenty-one patients, 16 with aortic stenosis and 5 with aortic regurgitation were included. There were 12 men and 9 women with a mean age of 74.1 ± 6.8 (SD) years (range: 32–84 years). Mean global ECV value was 26.7 ± 2.7 (SD) % (range: 23.4–32.5%) and mean CVF value was 12.4 ± 9.7% (range: 3.2–25.7%). ECV assessed at the basal anteroseptal segment correlated moderately with CVF (r = 0.6; P = 0.0026). There was a strong correlation and agreement between basal anteroseptal ECV and global ECV, (r = 0.8; P < 0.0001; bias 5.4 ± 6.1%) but no correlation between global ECV and CVF (r = 0.5; P = 0.10). Global ECV poorly correlated with serum TIMP-1 (r = 0.4; P = 0.037) and MMP-2 (r = 0.4; P = 0.047). No correlation was found between serum biomarkers and basal anteroseptal- ECV or native T1.ConclusionIn patients with severe aortic valvulopathy, diffuse myocardial fibrosis assessed by anterosepto-basal ECV correlates with histological myocardial fibrosis. Anteroseptobasal ECV strongly correlates with global ECV, which poorly correlates with TIMP-1 and MMP-2, serum biomarkers involved in the progression of heart failure.     

Threshold for lateral meniscal body extrusion on MRI in middle-aged and elderly patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis

PurposeTo determine the MRI-based threshold of lateral meniscal body extrusion (LMBE) that are associated with meniscal damage, cartilage damage and radiological knee osteoarthritis (OA).Materials and methodsA total of 142 patients (59 men and 83 women) with a mean age of 57.2 ± 7.9 (SD) years (range: 41–77 years) with symptomatic knee OA were included. Radiological assessment was performed using the Kellgren-Lawrence scoring system. Meniscus and cartilage damage were assessed using the whole-organ magnetic resonance imaging score. Meniscal extrusion was quantified on coronal sections of intermediate-weighted MRI sequences. Differences between medial and lateral compartments in meniscal extrusion and incidence of tibiofemoral OA-related structural changes were assessed using Wilcoxon signed rank test and Bowker test. Receiver operating characteristic curves and Youden index were used for determining thresholds for meniscal extrusion.ResultsA total of 142 knees were assessed. Meniscal body extrusion distances between medial and lateral compartments were significantly different in the entire sample, and in subjects with and without radiological knee OA (P < 0.05 for all). The incidence of structural changes between medial and lateral compartments were significantly different (P = 0.003 for meniscal damage; P = 0.001 for femoral cartilage damage). Three mm and 2 mm were determined to be the optimal thresholds for medial and lateral meniscal body extrusion, respectively.ConclusionMedial and lateral meniscal body extrusion were associated with the incidence of OA-related knee structural changes in symptomatic patients with knee OA. A threshold of 2 mm for LMBE with respect to meniscal damage, cartilage damage and radiological knee OA was determined.     

Prediction of overall survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated with Y-90 radioembolization by imaging response criteria

PurposeTo evaluate the potential of imaging criteria in predicting overall survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after a first transcatheter arterial yttrium-90 radioembolization (TARE)Materials and methodsFrom October 2013 to July 2017, 37 patients with HCC were retrospectively included. There were 34 men and 3 women with a mean age of 60.5 ± 10.2 (SD) years (range: 32.7–78.9 years). Twenty-five patients (68%) were Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) C and 12 (32%) were BCLC B. Twenty-four primary index tumors (65%) were > 5 cm. Three radiologists evaluated tumor response on pre- and 4–7 months post-TARE magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography examinations, using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1, modified RECIST (mRECIST), European Association for Study of the Liver (EASL), volumetric RECIST (vRECIST), quantitative EASL (qEASL) and the Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System treatment response algorithm. Kaplan–Meier survival curves were used to compare responders and non-responders for each criterion. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard ratio (HR) analysis were used to identify covariates associated with overall survival. Fleiss kappa test was used to assess interobserver agreement.ResultsAt multivariate analysis, RECIST 1.1 (HR: 0.26; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.09–0.75; P = 0.01), mRECIST (HR: 0.22; 95% CI: 0.08–0.59; P = 0.003), EASL (HR: 0.22; 95% CI: 0.07–0.63; P = 0.005), and qEASL (HR: 0.30; 95% CI: 0.12–0.80; P = 0.02) showed a significant difference in overall survival between responders and nonresponders. RECIST 1.1 had the highest interobserver reproducibility.ConclusionRECIST and mRECIST seem to be the best compromise between reproducibility and ability to predict overall survival in patients with HCC treated with TARE.     

Arterial endofibrosis in endurance athletes: Prospective comparison of the diagnostic accuracy of intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography and computed tomography angiography

PurposeTo prospectively compare the diagnostic capabilities of computed tomography angiography (CTA) to those of digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in endurance athletes with suspicion of arterial endofibrosis.Materials and methodsForty-five athletes (39 men, 6 women; median age: 30 years, interquartile range: 23–42 years) prospectively underwent DSA and CTA without (n = 5) or with (n = 40) electrocardiogram gating. DSA was interpreted by a single expert (experience of 15 years). CTA was independently interpreted by three other readers (experience of 5–8 years). Readers assessed the presence and degree of stenoses on iliac and femoral arteries and the overall diagnosis (negative, uncertain, positive) of endofibrosis at the limb level. Sensitivities and specificities of DSA and CTA were estimated at the limb level using histological findings and long-term follow-up as reference, and compared using the McNemar test.ResultsFor diagnosing and quantifying stenoses, concordance between DSA and CTA was moderate-to-good for common and external iliac arteries, moderate for lateral circumflex arteries and poor-to-moderate for the other branches of the deep femoral artery. It was good for all readers for the overall diagnosis of endofibrosis. After long-term follow-up (median, 95 months; interquartile range: 7–109 months), DSA sensitivity and specificity were respectively 88.6% (39/44; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 76–95%) and 75% (24/32; 95% CI: 57.9–86.7%); CTA sensitivity and specificity were respectively 88.6% (39/44; 95% CI: 76–95%; P > 0.99) and 84.4% (27/32; 95% CI: 68.2–93.1%; P = 0.51), 86.3% (38/44; 95% CI: 73.3–93.6%; P > 0.99) and 75% (24/32; 95% CI: 57.9–86.7%; P > 0.99), and 84.1% (37/44; 95% CI: 70.6–92.1%; P = 0.68) and 75% (24/32; 95% CI: 57.9–86.7%; P > 0.99) for the three readers.ConclusionCTA shows performances similar to those of DSA in predicting the long-term diagnosis of endofibrosis in endurance athletes with suggestive symptoms.     

T2-weighted Dixon MRI of the spine: A feasibility study of quantitative vertebral bone marrow analysis

PurposeTo compare the measurements of fat fraction (FF) and in-phase vs. opposed-phase ratio between two-dimensional T2-weighted (T2W) spin-echo (SE) Dixon and three-dimensional (3D) T1-weighted (T1W) volume interpolated breath-hold examination (VIBE) Dixon sequences in malignant vertebral lesions and normal vertebral bone marrow.Materials and methodsThirty patients with focal vertebral malignancies (20 men, mean age, 67.3 ± 9.4 [SD] years; age range: 41–84 years) and 30 patients without malignant spinal disease (11 men, mean age, 70.1 ± 12.9 [SD]; age range: 53–93 years) were retrospectively included. Each patient underwent spine MRI at 1.5 Tesla including T2W SE and T1W VIBE 2-point Dixon sequences. Two readers independently performed 3D-volume of interest (VOI) and region of interest (ROI)-based FF and IO-ratio measurements of malignant lesions and normal vertebrae. Student t-test, Pearson correlation (r) test and two-way mixed model intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were used to compare measurements.ResultsT2W SE and T1W VIBE mean FF and IO-ratio were significantly smaller in malignancy compared to normal marrow, but there were significant differences of paired measurement mean values between T2W SE and T1W VIBE Dixon parameters in malignant lesions T2W SE VOI FF = 9%, T2W SE ROI FF = 7%, T2W SE IO-ratio = 4% vs. T1W VIBE VOI FF = 11%, T1W VIBE ROI FF = 9%, T1W VIBE IO-ratio = ?2%, and in normal vertebrae T2W SE VOI FF = 74%, T2W SE ROI FF = 77%, T2W SE IO-ratio = 51% vs. T1W VIBE VOI FF = 67%, T1W VIBE ROI FF = 73%, T1W VIBE IO-ratio = 58% (each P comparing the paired T2W TSE and T1W VIBE parameter, respectively < 0.001). There was excellent positive correlation between T2 W SE and T1 W VIBE-FF (r ≥ 0.99) and VOI and ROI FF measurements for each sequence (r ≥ 0.99). Inter-reader agreement was excellent for all measurements (ICC ≥ 0.94 for all).ConclusionCalculation of T2W SE Dixon derived FF is feasible and gave valid results that help discriminate between malignant vertebral lesions and normal vertebral bone marrow.     

Prediction of tumor grade and lymphovascular space invasion in endometrial adenocarcinoma with MR imaging-based radiomic analysis

PurposeTo evaluate the capabilities of two-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based texture analysis features, tumor volume, tumor short axis and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in predicting histopathological high-grade and lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) in endometrial adenocarcinoma.Materials and methodsSeventy-three women (mean age: 66 ± 11.5 [SD] years; range: 45–88 years) with endometrial adenocarcinoma who underwent MRI of the pelvis at 1.5-T before hysterectomy were retrospectively included. Texture analysis was performed using TexRAD® software on T2-weighted images and ADC maps. Primary outcomes were high-grade and LVSI prediction using histopathological analysis as standard of reference. After data reduction using ascending hierarchical classification analysis, a predictive model was obtained by stepwise multivariate logistic regression and performances were assessed using cross-validated receiver operator curve (ROC).ResultsA total of 72 texture features per tumor were computed. Texture model yielded 52% sensitivity and 75% specificity for the diagnosis of high-grade tumor (areas under ROC curve [AUC] = 0.64) and 71% sensitivity and 59% specificity for the diagnosis of LVSI (AUC = 0.59). Volumes and tumor short axis were greater for high-grade tumors (P = 0.0002 and P = 0.004, respectively) and for patients with LVSI (P = 0.004 and P = 0.0279, respectively). No differences in ADC values were found between high-grade and low-grade tumors and for LVSI. A tumor short axis ≥ 20 mm yielded 95% sensitivity and 75% specificity for the diagnosis of high-grade tumor (AUC = 0.86).ConclusionMRI-based texture analysis is of limited value to predict high grade and LVSI of endometrial adenocarcinoma. A tumor short axis ≥ 20 mm is the best predictor of high grade and LVSI.     

Tocilizumab controls bone turnover in early polymyalgia rheumatica

ObjectivesThis study explores changes in the bone homeostasis by testing the N-terminal collagen type I extension propeptide (PINP) marker for osteo-formation and the carboxy-terminal region of collagen type I (CTX-I) marker for osteo-resorption in patients taking tocilizumab for polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR).MethodsTwenty patients were included in the prospective open-label TENOR study (Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01713842) and received three monthly tocilizumab infusions, followed by corticosteroids starting at week (W) 12. PINP and CTX-I were tested at inclusion (W0), after tocilizumab but before steroid initiation (W12), at the end of the protocol (W24) and were compared to healthy controls. Information regarding disease activity, bone mineral density using scanographic bone attenuation correlation (SBAC), inflammatory parameters and interleukin (IL)-6 levels were collected during the follow-up of the patients.ResultsPMR patients were characterised by a reduction in bone mineral density and a higher level of CTX-I relative to healthy controls matched in age and sex at baseline. PINP levels increased at W12 (P < 0.001, versus W0) following tocilizumab introduction and CTX-I levels decreased at W24 and after steroid initiation (P = 0.001, versus W0). Such modifications explain the altered correlation observed between PINP and CTX-I at W0 (r = 0.255 at W0 versus r = 0.641 in healthy controls) and its correction after treatment (r = 0.760 at W12 and r = 0.767 at W24). Finally, greater changes in PINP were observed in patients whose circulating IL-6 levels decreased after tocilizumab therapy.ConclusionsControl of bone turnover, in part through the inhibition of the IL-6 axis, is observed during tocilizumab and subsequent steroid treatment of PMR.     

Synthetic MRI is not yet ready for morphologic and functional assessment of patellar cartilage at 1.5 Tesla

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to compare morphologic assessment and relaxometry of patellar hyaline cartilage between conventional sequences (fast spin-echo [FSE] T2-weighted fat-saturated and T2-mapping) and synthetic T2 short-TI inversion recovery (STIR) and T2 maps at 1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).MethodThe MRI examinations of the knee obtained at 1.5 T in 49 consecutive patients were retrospectively studied. There were 21 men and 28 women with a mean age of 45 ± 17.7 (SD) years (range: 18–88 years). Conventional and synthetic acquisitions were performed, including T2-weighted fat-saturated and T2-mapping sequences. Two radiologists independently compared patellar cartilage T2-relaxation time on conventional T2-mapping and synthetic T2-mapping images. A third radiologist evaluated the patellar cartilage morphology on conventional and synthetic T2-weighted images. The presence of artifacts was also assessed. Interobserver agreement for quantitative variables was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).ResultsIn vitro, conventional and synthetic T2 maps yielded similar mean T2 values 58.5 ± 2.3 (SD) ms and 58.8 ± 2.6 (SD) ms, respectively (P = 0.414) and 6% lower than the expected experimental values (P = 0.038). Synthetic images allowed for a 15% reduction in examination time compared to conventional images. On conventional sequences, patellar chondropathy was identified in 35 patients (35/49; 71%) with a mean chondropathy grade of 4.8 ± 4.8 (SD). On synthetic images, 28 patients (28/49; 57%) were diagnosed with patellar chondropathy, with a significant 14% difference (P = 0.009) and lower chondropathy scores (3.7 ± 4.9 [SD]) compared to conventional images. Motion artifacts were more frequently observed on synthetic images (18%) than on conventional ones (6%). The interobserver agreement was excellent for both conventional and synthetic T2 maps (ICC > 0.83). Mean cartilage T2 values were significantly greater on synthetic images (36.2 ± 3.8 [SD] ms; range: 29-46 ms) relative to conventional T2 maps (31.8 ± 4.1 [SD] ms; range: 26-49 ms) (P < 0.0001).ConclusionDespite a decrease in examination duration, synthetic images convey lower diagnostic performance for chondropathy, greater prevalence of motion artifacts, and an overestimation of T2 values compared to conventional MRI sequences.     

Single-source dual energy CT to assess myocardial extracellular volume fraction in aortic stenosis before transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI)

PurposeTo assess myocardial extracellular volume fraction (ECV) measurement provided by a single-source dual-energy computed tomography (SSDE-CT) acquisition added at the end of a routine CT examination before transcatether aortic valve implantation (TAVI) compared to cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Materials and methodsTwenty-one patients (10 men, 11 women; mean age, 86 ± 4.9 years [SD]; age range: 71–92 years) with severe aortic stenosis underwent standard pre-TAVI CT with additional cardiac SSDE-CT acquisition 7 minutes after intravenous administration of iodinated contrast material and myocardial MRI including pre- and post-contrast T1-maps. Myocardial ECV and standard deviation (σECV) were calculated in the 16-segments model. ECV provided by SSDE-CT was compared to ECV provided by MRI, which served as the reference. Analyses were performed on a per-segment basis and on a per-patient involving the mean value of the 16-segments.ResultsECV was slightly overestimated by SSDE-CT (29.9 ± 4.6 [SD] %; range: 20.9%–48.3%) compared to MRI (29.1 ± 3.9 [SD] %; range: 22.0%–50.7%) (P < 0.0001) with a bias and limits of agreement of +2.3% (95%CI: −16.1%– + 20.6%) and +2.5% (95%CI: −2.1%– + 7.1%) for per-segment and per-patient-analyses, respectively. Good (r = 0.81 for per-segment-analysis) to excellent (r = 0.97 for per-patient-analysis) linear relationships (both P < 0.0001) were obtained. The σECV was significantly higher at SSDE-CT (P < 0.0001). Additional radiation dose from CT was 1.89 ± 0.38 (SD) mSv (range: 1.48–2.47 mSv).ConclusionA single additional SSDE-CT acquisition added at the end of a standard pre-TAVI CT protocol can provide ECV measurement with good to excellent linear relationship with MRI.     

Postoperative spino-pelvic stereoradiography to predict adjacent segment disease

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to identify sagittal spinopelvic parameters predictive of adjacent segment disease (ASD) on postoperative whole spine weight-bearing stereoradiography.Materials and methodsA total of 84 patients with previous spinal fusion surgery and documented radiological follow-up with early weight-bearing postoperative whole spine stereoradiography (EOS® Imaging System) were retrospectively included. A pathological group of 42 patients (9 men, 33 women; mean age, 63.1 ± 11.5 [SD] years) who developed documented ASD (mean follow-up, 76.75 months; range: 31.5–158.5 months) was compared with a control group of 42 asymptomatic patients (7 men, 35 women; mean age, 60.9 ± 11.8 [SD] years) (mean follow-up, 115 months; range: 60–197 months) based on sagittal balance evaluation and routinely used spino-pelvic parameters. Comparisons were made using uni- and multivariate analyses.ResultsAt univariate analysis, patients with ASD had an anteriorly displaced sagittal vertical axis (CAM plumb line) and an inadequate lumbar lordosis (LL) in reference to pelvic incidence (PI) compared to controls. They also had higher C7 slope and C2-C7 offset. At multivariate analysis, C2-C7 offset (OR = 1.152; 95% CI: 1.056–1.256; P = 0.001) and a lack of LL (OR = 5.063; 95% CI: 1.139–22.498; P = 0.033) were significantly associated with ASD.ConclusionAnterior cervical imbalance, reflected by an increase in C2-C7 offset and insufficient restoration of LL are postoperative predictive factors of ASD on stereoradiography.     

Medial meniscal ossicles: Associated knee MRI findings in a multicenter case-control study

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to assess and compare the prevalence of meniscal, ligament and cartilage lesions on knee MRI in a series of age- and sex-matched patients with and without medial meniscal ossicle.Materials and methodsForty-two knee MRI examinations obtained in 42 patients (36 men, 6 women; mean age, 42.5 ± 22.2 [SD] years; range: 19–65 years) on which a medial meniscal ossicle was present were compared to 42 knee MRI examinations obtained in 42 age- and sex-matched patients (36 men, 6 women; mean age, 41.8 ± 20.6 [SD] years; range: 19–65 years) on which no medial meniscal ossicles were present. Two radiologists (R1, R2) blinded to the presence of meniscal ossicle by reading only the fat-saturated intermediate-weighted MR images separately assessed the presence of meniscal, ligament and cartilage lesions on these 84 knee MRI examinations. Prevalence of meniscal and ligament lesions and degree of cartilage degradation at MRI were compared between knees with and those without medial meniscal ossicle.ResultsIn knees with medial meniscal ossicle, R1 and R2 detected 33 (79%) and 38 (90%) medial meniscal lesions, respectively that involved the posterior root (n = 25/32 for R1/R2), the posterior horn (n = 19/14 for R1/R2) or the body (n = 8/10 for R1/R2). The prevalence of posterior root tear (60% [25/42]/76% [32/42] for R1/R2) and that of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) lesions (48% [20/42]/57% [24/42] for R1/R2) as well as the medial cartilage degradation score (3.35 ± 0.87 [SD] for R1 and 3.92 ± 0.78 [SD] for R2) were significantly greater in knees with than in knees without medial meniscal ossicle (root lesions: P < 0.01 for both readers; ACL lesions and medial cartilage score: P < 0.01 for both readers).ConclusionOn MRI examination, knees with a medial meniscal ossicle demonstrate a greater frequency of medial posterior root tear and of ACL lesions and a greater degree of medial femoro-tibial cartilage degradation by comparison with knees without medial ossicle.