Analyzing the learning curves of a novice and an experienced urologist for transrectal magnetic resonance imaging-ultrasound fusion prostate biopsy.

Background: The aim of the current study was to evaluate and compare the learning curves of transrectal magnetic resonance imaging-ultrasound fusion biopsy for two urologists with different backgrounds (Operator 1: experienced, self-trained and Operator 2: novice, trained by a mentor/MRI reading courses).

Methods: A cohort of 400 patients who underwent fusion prostate biopsy in our department was analyzed. The learning curves were assessed in terms of overall and clinically significant prostate cancer (PCa) detection rates, percentage of positive biopsy cores/targeted and the percentage of PCa tissue on positive targeted cores.

MRI-targeted prostate biopsy: the next step forward!

Aim: For decades, the gold standard technique for diagnosing prostate cancer was the 10 to 12 core systematic transrectal or transperineal biopsy, under ultrasound guidance. Over the past years, an increased rate of false negative results and detection of clinically insignificant prostate cancer has been noted, resulting into overdiagnosis and overtreatment. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the changes in diagnosis and management of prostate cancer brought by MRI-targeted prostate biopsy.

Systematic sampling during MRI-US fusion prostate biopsy can overcome errors of targeting-prospective single center experience after 300 cases in first biopsy setting.

Background: Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) and targeted biopsy have become an integral part of the diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa), as recommended by the European Association of Urology Guidelines. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the performance of MRI and MRI-transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) fusion prostate biopsy as first biopsy setting in a tertiary center.

Methods: A cohort of 300 patients was included in the current analysis.

Preoperative Predicting the WHO/ISUP Nuclear Grade of Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma by Computed Tomography-Based Radiomics Features.

Nuclear grade is important for treatment selection and prognosis in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). This study aimed to determine the ability of preoperative four-phase multiphasic multidetector computed tomography (MDCT)-based radiomics features to predict the WHO/ISUP nuclear grade. In all 102 patients with histologically confirmed ccRCC, the training set ( = 62) and validation set ( = 40) were randomly assigned.

Differentiation of Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma from other Renal Cell Carcinoma Subtypes and Benign Oncocytoma Using Quantitative MDCT Enhancement Parameters.

: The use of non-invasive techniques to predict the histological type of renal masses can avoid a renal mass biopsy, thus being of great clinical interest. The aim of our study was to assess if quantitative multiphasic multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) enhancement patterns of renal masses (malignant and benign) may be useful to enable lesion differentiation by their enhancement characteristics. : A total of 154 renal tumors were retrospectively analyzed with a four-phase MDCT protocol.

MRI-TRUS fusion guided prostate biopsy - initial experience and assessment of the role of contralateral lobe systematic biopsy.

Aims: To present our initial experience and results of MRI-TRUS fusion guided prostate biopsy and assess the role of contralateral lobe systematic biopsy.

Material And Method: A number of 119 patients with clinical or biochemical suspicion for prostate cancer (PCa) were included. All patients harbored at least one PIRADS score ≥ 3 lesion and underwent MRI-TRUS fusion guided biopsy, as well as a concurrent systematic biopsy.

Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse quantitative elastography: a new noninvasive technique for the evaluation of parotid glands. A preliminary study in controls and in patients with irradiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Aim: We aim to define the values of the shear wave velocity (SWV) in the normal parotid glands (PG) and to identify the modifications of tissue stiffness in patients with irradiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Material And Methods: Sixty normal parotid glands pertaining to 30 healthy volunteers and 40 pathological parotid glands pertaining to 20 patients who had had underwent radiation therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma were included in this study. The patients underwent a B mode ultrasonography examination and the volume of the parotid gland was determined.

Investigation of Renal Cell Carcinoma by Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound- Predictive Value of Time Intensity Curve Analysis in Establishing Local Tumor Invasion and Stage: A Pilot Study.

Purpose: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) allows for real-time examination of signal intensity changes in a region of interest (ROI) and quantification of contrast agent kinetics. This study assessed the predictive ability of time-intensity curve (TIC) parameters for local tumor invasion and T stage of renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Materials And Methods: Renal tumors in 41 patients were examined by CEUS.

Quantitative assessment of the masseter muscle's elasticity using Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse.

Aims: The study proposes Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) assessment of the masseter muscle elasticity in the healthy population and in patients who have undergone head and neck radiation therapy.

Patients And Methods: Twenty-five healthy controls constituted group A, and 13 patients who had underwent radiotherapy (35Gy minimum) formed group B. ARFI was performed bilaterally in the periphery (P) and the muscle center (C), in relaxation and contraction.

Solid parotid tumors: an individual and integrative analysis of various ultrasonographic criteria. A prospective and observational study.

Objectives: The purpose of the study is to identify and validate ultrasound criteria for parotid tumors evaluation, as well as to elaborate a multimodal, multi-criteria and integrative ultrasound approach for allowing tumor discrimination in a non-invasive manner.

Material And Method: Twenty patients with solid parotid tumors (12 benign, 8 malignant) were examined by ultrasound: real-time "grey scale" ultrasound, Doppler ultrasound, elastography, harmonic ultrasound imaging with i.v.

ARFI quantitative elastography of the submandibular glands. Normal measurements and the diagnosis value of the method in radiation submaxillitis.

Objectives: Evaluation of Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse Imaging (ARFI) elastography performance in predicting the elasticity of the submandibular glands in normal situations and after radiation therapy.

Material And Method: A number of 54 normal submandibular glands from 27 voluntary subjects and 33 pathological submandibular glands (radiation submaxillities) from 18 patients who had undergone radiation therapy for various cervical and facial oncological conditions were included in study. All the patients had undergone a B mode ultrasonography (Tissue Harmonic Imaging, 8-14 MHz) while the submandibular volume was determined and subsequently an ARFI examination while the shear wave velocity (SWV) was measured (in the central, peripheral and subcapsular areas, with the results expressed in m/s).

Contrast enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in the characterization of tumor microcirculation. Validation of the procedure in the animal experimental model.

Aim: The aims of this study are the development of a contrast enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) protocol for rats' evaluation and the assessment of the potential benefits of CEUS in Walker 256 tumor rats.

Material And Method: In the study were used 36 albino Wistar rats grafted subcutaneously with Walker 256 tumor. The implementation of the ultrasound (US) guided injection technique (30 subjects - group A) was performed between 4 to 8 weeks after implantation.

Appendicitis associated with intestinal malrotation: imaging diagnosis features. Case report.

Intestinal malrotation is a rare pathological situation consisting of non-rotation or incomplete rotation of the primitive intestine. Due to the abnormal caecal position inflicted by malrotation, diagnosis of acute appendicitis is difficult. Ultrasonography (US) and Computed Tomography (CT) are relevant and complementary imaging techniques for establishing an otherwise elusive diagnosis.