Renal cell carcinoma: Associations between tumor imaging features and epidemiological risk factors.

Purpose: To investigate associations between imaging features of tumors and age, gender and body mass index (BMI) in patients with renal cell carcinoma.

Method: This IRB-approved, HIPAA-compliant study included 1348 patients with histopathologically confirmed renal cell carcinoma of the clear cell subtype (ccRCC, n = 904) or non-clear cell subtype (n = 444), who underwent pre-treatment CT imaging less than 180 days before nephrectomy between 1999 and 2011. Two radiologists independently, retrospectively analyzed all imaging studies and identified features (necrosis, renal vein invasion, contact with renal sinus fat, multicystic appearance and nodular enhancement), which were then correlated with patient age, gender and BMI at time of surgery.

Differentiation of Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma From Other Renal Cortical Tumors by Use of a Quantitative Multiparametric MRI Approach.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop a quantitative multiparametric MRI approach to differentiating clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) from other renal cortical tumors.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study included 119 patients with 124 histopathologically confirmed renal cortical tumors who underwent preoperative MRI including DWI, contrast-enhanced, and chemical-shift sequences before nephrectomy. Two radiologists independently assessed each tumor volumetrically, and apparent diffusion coefficient values, parameters from multiphasic contrast-enhanced MRI (peak enhancement, upslope, downslope, AUC), and chemical-shift indexes were calculated.

Increased interreader agreement in diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma using an adapted LI-RADS algorithm.

Purpose: To evaluate a simplified Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) algorithm to improve interreader agreement while maintaining diagnostic performance for HCC.

Materials And Methods: MRI scans of 84 cirrhotic patients with 104 distinct liver observations were retrospectively selected to equivocally match each of the LI-RADS grades (LR1-5) using histopathology and imaging follow up as standard of reference. Four independent radiologists categorized all observations as benign (LR1-2) or potentially malignant (LR3-5) and determined LI-RADS based imaging features including observation size, arterial phase hyperenhancement, washout, capsule appearance and threshold growth for LR3-5 observations and timed their readouts.

MiR-99b-5p expression and response to tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment in clear cell renal cell carcinoma patients.

A number of treatments targeting VEGF or mTOR pathways have been approved for metastatic clear cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (ccRCC), but the majority of patients show disease progression after first line therapy with a very low rate of complete or long-term responders. It has been shown that miRs may play a role in prediction of treatment response in various cancer types. The aim of our study was to identify a miR signature predictive for RCC patients' response to antiangiogenic tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment in the first line therapy.

Reliability, Validity, and Reader Acceptance of LI-RADS-An In-depth Analysis.

Rationale And Objectives: This study aimed to analyze interreader agreement and diagnostic accuracy of Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) in comparison to a nonstandardized 5-point scale and to assess reader acceptance of LI-RADS for clinical routine.

Materials And Methods: Eighty-four consecutive patients at risk for hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent liver magnetic resonance imaging were included in this Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act-compliant retrospective study. Four readers rated the likelihood of hepatocellular carcinoma for 104 liver observations using LI-RADS criteria and a 5-point Likert scale (LIKERT) based on subjective impression in two separate reading sessions.

Renal cell carcinoma: A nomogram for the CT imaging-inclusive prediction of indolent, non-clear cell renal cortical tumours.

Aim: To develop a nomogram from clinical and computed tomography (CT) data for pre-treatment identification of indolent renal cortical tumours.

Patients And Methods: A total of 1201 consecutive patients underwent dedicated contrast-enhanced CT prior to nephrectomy for a renal cortical tumour between January 2000 and July 2011. Two radiologists evaluated all tumours on CT for size, necrosis, calcification, contour, renal vein invasion, collecting system invasion, contact with renal sinus fat, multicystic tumour architecture, nodular enhancement, and the degree of nephrographic phase enhancement.

Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma: Associations Between CT Features and Patient Survival.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate associations between CT features and survival in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).

Materials And Methods: The study included 763 patients with histopathologically confirmed ccRCC who underwent preoperative contrast-enhanced CT between 1999 and 2011. Imaging features, both qualitative (cystic tumor, necrosis, tumor contact with renal sinus, renal vein invasion, peritumoral stranding, and peritumoral neovascularity) and quantitative (maximal tumor diameter and distance from the tumor to the renal sinus), were evaluated.

An Arterial Based Complexity (ABC) Scoring System to Assess the Morbidity Profile of Partial Nephrectomy.

Background: Tumor characteristics affect surgical complexity and outcomes of partial nephrectomy (PN).

Objective: To develop an Arterial Based Complexity (ABC) scoring system to predict morbidity of PN.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Four readers independently scored contrast-enhanced computed tomography images of 179 patients who underwent PN.

Can renal hemangiomas be diagnosed preoperatively?

Background: Renal hemangiomas are rare benign tumors seldom distinguished from malignant tumors preoperatively.

Objectives: To describe the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) experience with diagnosing and treating renal hemangiomas, and to explore possible clinical and radiologic features that can aid in diagnosing renal hemangiomas preoperatively.

Methods: Patients with renal hemangiomas treated at MSKCC were identified in our prospectively collected renal tumor database.

Intradiverticular bladder cancer: CT imaging features and their association with clinical outcomes.

Objectives: To evaluate if computed tomographic (CT) features of intradiverticular bladder cancer can predict clinical outcome.

Methods: Retrospective study of 34 patients with intradiverticular bladder cancer. Two radiologists independently evaluated all CT exams.

Association between visceral and subcutaneous adiposity and clinicopathological outcomes in non-metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Introduction: Visceral adiposity has been inconsistently associated with clinicopathologic features and outcomes of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC); however, most studies were conducted in non-Western populations. We evaluated the associations between visceral and subcutaneous adiposity and clinicopathological characteristics of non-metastatic ccRCC patients in a Western population.

Methods: The medical records of 220 surgically treated ccRCC patients with documented preoperative body mass index (BMI) and computed tomography (CT) scans were retrospectively reviewed.

Distinguishing infected from noninfected abdominal fluid collections after surgery: an imaging, clinical, and laboratory-based scoring system.

Objectives: Mortality from abdominal abscesses ranges from 30% in treated cases up to 80% to 100% in patients with undrained or nonoperated abscesses. Various computed tomographic (CT) imaging features have been suggested to indicate infection of postoperative abdominal fluid collections; however, features are nonspecific and substantial overlap between infected and noninfected collections exists. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a scoring system on the basis of CT imaging findings as well as laboratory and clinical parameters for distinguishing infected from noninfected abdominal fluid collections after surgery.

Assessing the length of the mandibular ramus and the condylar process: a comparison of OPG, CBCT, CT, MRI, and lateral cephalometric measurements.

Background/objectives: To compare different imaging procedures [cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), orthopantomography (OPG), and lateral cephalometry (LC)] for assessing the mandibular height [ramus height (RH)] and condylar process (CondProc) length as they reflect mandibular growth.

Materials/methods: The RH and CondProc of eight cadaver heads (each side separately) were measured using CBCT, CT, MRI, OPG, and LC. They were measured twice by two independent observers parallel to the posterior border of the mandibular ramus.

Interobserver variability of R.E.N.A.L., PADUA, and centrality index nephrometry score systems.

Purpose: To assess interobserver variability of R.E.N.

CT of renal cell carcinoma: assessment of collecting system invasion.

Objective: Although renal collecting system invasion is not considered in the current TNM staging system, this finding may be relevant in terms of treatment planning and prognosis. The objective of this study was to investigate the frequency of collecting system invasion in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and to assess the diagnostic performance of excretory phase CT for the assessment of collecting system invasion.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 261 patients (171 men and 90 women; average age, 61 years; age range, 32-86 years) who underwent CT before nephrectomy for RCC between November 2008 and July 2011 at a single institution.

Role of CT in the assessment of muscular venous branch invasion in patients with renal cell carcinoma.

Objective: The purpose of this article is to determine whether the relationship between a renal cell carcinoma and the renal sinus fat on contrast-enhanced CT could predict muscular venous branch invasion and the type of surgery needed.

Materials And Methods: A total of 115 consecutive patients underwent pre-operative contrast-enhanced CT between August 2011 and December 2011. Without access to histopathologic information, on nephrographic phase contrast-enhanced CT images, two radiologists independently determined whether the renal tumor was in contact with the renal sinus fat or separated from the renal sinus fat.

Radiogenomics of clear cell renal cell carcinoma: associations between CT imaging features and mutations.

Purpose: To investigate associations between computed tomographic (CT) features of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and mutations in VHL, PBRM1, SETD2, KDM5C, or BAP1 genes.

Materials And Methods: The institutional review board approved this retrospective, hypothesis-generating study of 233 patients with clear cell RCC and waived the informed consent requirement. The study was HIPAA compliant.

Split-bolus dual-energy CT urography: protocol optimization and diagnostic performance for the detection of urinary stones.

Purpose: Prospective protocol optimization, determination of image quality and diagnostic performance of virtual non-enhanced images (VNEI) derived from split-bolus dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) urography in patients with urinary stones.

Methods: IRB-approved, prospective study of 100 patients who, after written informed consent, underwent single-energy, non-enhanced CT and split-bolus, contrast-enhanced DECT (30 + 50 mL of contrast media; combined nephro-urographic acquisition). DECT was performed using setting A (80/140 kVp) in the first 20, and setting B (100/140 kVp) in the second 20 patients.

Renal cell carcinoma: role of MR imaging in the assessment of muscular venous branch invasion.

Purpose: To assess diagnostic performance and interreader agreement of tumor-to-sinus distance measurements and visual assessment of renal sinus fat invasion at T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging as predictors of muscular venous branch invasion (MVBI) in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Materials And Methods: The institutional review board approved this retrospective study and waived the informed consent requirement. The study was HIPAA compliant.

Illusions of fusions: assessing cervical vertebral fusion on lateral cephalograms, multidetector computed tomographs, and cone-beam computed tomographs.

Introduction: The aims of this study were to compare lateral cephalograms with other radiologic methods for diagnosing suspected fusions of the cervical spine and to validate the assessment of congenital fusions and osteoarthritic changes against the anatomic truth.

Methods: Four cadaver heads were selected with fusion of vertebrae C2 and C3 seen on a lateral cephalogram. Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) were performed and assessed by 5 general radiologists and 5 oral radiologists, respectively.

MR imaging of renal cortical tumours: qualitative and quantitative chemical shift imaging parameters.

Objectives: To assess qualitative and quantitative chemical shift MRI parameters of renal cortical tumours.

Methods: A total of 251 consecutive patients underwent 1.5-T MRI before nephrectomy.

Computed tomography of the spleen: how to interpret the hypodense lesion.

Background: As the largest single lymphatic organ in the human body, the spleen is responsible for central immunological and haematological tasks. Therefore, the spleen can be subject to a wide range of pathologic disorders. Computed tomography (CT) represents the most widely applied cross-sectional abdominal imaging technique and is considered the imaging modality of choice for the evaluation of numerous abdominal pathological conditions.

Automated attenuation-based kilovoltage selection: preliminary observations in patients after endovascular aneurysm repair of the abdominal aorta.

Objective: The objective of our study was to assess prospectively the impact of automated attenuation-based kilovoltage selection on image quality and radiation dose in patients undergoing body CT angiography (CTA) after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) of the abdominal aorta.

Subjects And Methods: Thirty-five patients (five women, 30 men; mean age ± SD, 69 ± 13 years; mean body mass index ± SD, 27.3 ± 4.

Low-dose CT of the lung: potential value of iterative reconstructions.

Objectives: To prospectively assess the impact of sinogram-affirmed iterative reconstruction (SAFIRE) on image quality of nonenhanced low-dose lung CT as compared to filtered back projection (FBP).

Methods: Nonenhanced low-dose chest CT (tube current-time product: 30 mAs) was performed on 30 patients at 100 kVp and on 30 patients at 80 kVp. Images were reconstructed with FBP and SAFIRE.

A systematic approach for analysis, interpretation, and reporting of coronary CTA studies.

Over the past years, the number of coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) studies performed worldwide has been steadily increasing. Performing a coronary CTA study with appropriate protocols tailored to the individual patient and clinical question is mandatory to obtain an image quality that is diagnostic for the study purpose. This process can be considered the primary mainstay of each coronary CTA study.