Replication study of PD-L1 status prediction in NSCLC using PET/CT radiomics.

This study investigates the predictive capability of radiomics in determining programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression (>=1%) status in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients using a newly collected [18F]FDG PET/CT dataset. We aimed to replicate and validate the radiomics-based machine learning (ML) model proposed by Zhao et al. [1] predicting PD-L1 status from PET/CT-imaging.

Software-assisted structured reporting and semi-automated TNM classification for NSCLC staging in a multicenter proof of concept study.

Objectives: In this multi-center study, we proposed a structured reporting (SR) framework for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and developed a software-assisted tool to automatically translate image-based findings and annotations into TNM classifications. The aim of this study was to validate the software-assisted SR tool for NSCLC, assess its potential clinical impact in a proof-of-concept study, and evaluate current reporting standards in participating institutions.

Methods: A framework for SR and staging of NSCLC was developed in a multi-center collaboration.

ESR Essentials: role of PET/CT in neuroendocrine tumors-practice recommendations by the European Society for Hybrid, Molecular and Translational Imaging.

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN) originate from the secretory cells of the neuroendocrine system, with the majority arising in the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas. Given the heterogeneity in the biological behavior and morphological differentiation of these tumors, advanced imaging techniques are crucial for supporting the suspected diagnosis, accurate staging, and monitoring therapy. As most well-differentiated NEN demonstrate overexpression of somatostatin receptors (SSR) on the cell surface, SSR-directed PET/CT is considered the reference standard for imaging of this particular entity.

ESR Essentials: staging and restaging with FDG-PET/CT in oncology-practice recommendations by the European Society for Hybrid, Molecular and Translational Imaging.

Positron emission tomography (PET) stands as the paramount clinical molecular imaging modality, especially in oncology. Unlike conventional anatomical-morphological imaging methods such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), PET provides detailed visualizations of internal activity at the molecular and cellular levels. 18-fluorine-fluorodeoxyglucose ([F]FDG)-PET combined with contrast-enhanced CT (ceCT) significantly improves the detection of various cancers.

Novel intravascular tantalum oxide-based contrast agent achieves improved vascular contrast enhancement and conspicuity compared to Iopamidol in an animal multiphase CT protocol.

Background: To assess thoracic vascular computed tomography (CT) contrast enhancement of a novel intravenous tantalum oxide nanoparticle contrast agent (carboxybetaine zwitterionic tantalum oxide, TaCZ) compared to a conventional iodinated contrast agent (Iopamidol) in a rabbit multiphase protocol.

Methods: Five rabbits were scanned inside a human-torso-sized encasement on a clinical CT system at various scan delays after intravenous injection of 540 mg element (Ta or I) per kg of bodyweight of TaCZ or Iopamidol. Net contrast enhancement of various arteries and veins, as well as image noise, were measured.

PSMA-PET/CT response after metastasis-directed radiotherapy of bone oligometastases in prostate cancer.

Objective: Bone metastases are very common in advanced prostate cancer and can sensitively be detected utilizing PSMA-PET/CT. Therefore, our goal was to evaluate the suitability of PSMA-PET/CT-guided metastasis-directed external beam radiotherapy (MDT) as treatment option for patients with biochemical recurrence and oligometastatic bone lesions.

Materials & Methods: We retrospectively examined 32 prostate cancer patients with biochemical recurrence and PSMA-positive oligometastatic disease limited to the bone (n = 1-3).

Motivation and success factors in radiological research in Germany - results of a survey by the Methodology and Research Working Group of the German Radiological Society.

Investigation of motivation and identification of success factors in radiology research in Germany.Using a German online survey (54 questions, period: 3.5 months), demographic aspects, intrinsic and extrinsic success characteristics, as well as personal and organizational success factors were surveyed based on a career success model.

[Ga]Ga-FAPI-46 PET/CT for penile cancer - a feasibility study.

Purpose: Penile cancer is a rare entity and has a good prognosis in localized stage. Delayed surgical treatment of lymphatic disease is associated with poor overall survival but conventional imaging cannot detect occult lymph node metastasis sufficiently. Imaging cancer related fibroblasts has shown promising results as non-invasive staging tool in various tumor entities but has not yet been evaluated in penile cancer.

[Ga]Ga-FAPI-46 PET/CT for locoregional lymph node staging in urothelial carcinoma of the bladder prior to cystectomy: initial experiences from a pilot analysis.

Introduction: [ Ga]Ga-FAPI-46 PET/CT is a novel hybrid imaging method that previously showed additional diagnostic value in the assessment of distant urothelial carcinoma lesions. We hypothesized that patients with bladder cancer benefit from [ Ga]Ga-FAPI-46 PET/CT prior to radical cystectomy for locoregional lymph node staging.

Materials And Methods: Eighteen patients underwent [ Ga]Ga-FAPI-46 PET/CT for evaluation of lymph node (LN) status in predefined LN regions.

Identification of impactful imaging biomarker: Clinical applications for breast and prostate carcinoma.

Background: Imaging biomarkers are quantitative parameters from imaging modalities, which are collected noninvasively, allow conclusions about physiological and pathophysiological processes, and may consist of single (monoparametric) or multiple parameters (bi- or multiparametric).

Method: This review aims to present the state of the art for the quantification of multimodal and multiparametric imaging biomarkers. Here, the use of biomarkers using artificial intelligence will be addressed and the clinical application of imaging biomarkers in breast and prostate cancers will be explained.

Implementing Artificial Intelligence for Emergency Radiology Impacts Physicians' Knowledge and Perception: A Prospective Pre- and Post-Analysis.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of implementing an artificial intelligence (AI) solution for emergency radiology into clinical routine on physicians' perception and knowledge.

Materials And Methods: A prospective interventional survey was performed pre-implementation and 3 months post-implementation of an AI algorithm for fracture detection on radiographs in late 2022. Radiologists and traumatologists were asked about their knowledge and perception of AI on a 7-point Likert scale (-3, "strongly disagree"; +3, "strongly agree").

Artificial Intelligence in Oncological Hybrid Imaging.

Background:  Artificial intelligence (AI) applications have become increasingly relevant across a broad spectrum of settings in medical imaging. Due to the large amount of imaging data that is generated in oncological hybrid imaging, AI applications are desirable for lesion detection and characterization in primary staging, therapy monitoring, and recurrence detection. Given the rapid developments in machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) methods, the role of AI will have significant impact on the imaging workflow and will eventually improve clinical decision making and outcomes.

Reliability and practicability of PSMA-RADS 1.0 for structured reporting of PSMA-PET/CT scans in prostate cancer patients.

Objectives: As structured reporting is increasingly used in the evaluation of prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PSMA-PET/CT) for prostate cancer, there is a need to assess the reliability of these frameworks. This study aimed to evaluate the intra- and interreader agreement among readers with varying levels of experience using PSMA-RADS 1.0 for interpreting PSMA-PET/CT scans, even when blinded to clinical data, and therefore to determine the feasibility of implementing this reporting system in clinical practice.

Next-generation PET/CT imaging in meningioma-first clinical experiences using the novel SSTR-targeting peptide [F]SiTATE.

Background: Somatostatin-receptor (SSTR)-targeted PET/CT provides important clinical information in addition to standard imaging in meningioma patients. [F]SiTATE is a novel, F-labeled SSTR-targeting peptide with superior imaging properties according to preliminary data. We provide the first [F]SiTATE PET/CT data of a large cohort of meningioma patients.

Diagnostic performance of PET/CT in the detection of liver metastases in well-differentiated NETs.

Background: The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of somatostatin receptor (SSR)-PET/CT to liver MRI as reference standard in the evaluation of hepatic involvement in neuroendocrine tumors (NET).

Methods: An institutional database was screened for "SSR" imaging studies between 2006 and 2021. 1000 NET Patients (grade 1/2) with 2383 SSR-PET/CT studies and matching liver MRI in an interval of +3 months were identified.

Validation of the SSTR-RADS 1.0 for the structured interpretation of SSTR-PET/CT and treatment planning in neuroendocrine tumor (NET) patients.

Objectives: The recently proposed standardized reporting and data system for somatostatin receptor (SSTR)-targeted PET/CT SSTR-RADS 1.0 showed promising first results in the assessment of diagnosis and treatment planning with peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) in neuroendocrine tumors (NET). This study aimed to determine the intra- and interreader agreement of SSTR-RADS 1.

Comparison of somatostatin receptor expression in patients with neuroendocrine tumours with and without somatostatin analogue treatment imaged with [F]SiTATE.

Purpose: Somatostatin analogues (SSA) are frequently used in the treatment of neuroendocrine tumours. Recently, [F]SiTATE entered the field of somatostatin receptor (SSR) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) imaging. The purpose of this study was to compare the SSR-expression of differentiated gastroentero-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (GEP-NET) measured by [18F]SiTATE-PET/CT in patients with and without previous treatment with long-acting SSAs to evaluate if SSA treatment needs to be paused prior to [18F]SiTATE-PET/CT.

Artificial Intelligence in Oncological Hybrid Imaging.

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) applications have become increasingly relevant across a broad spectrum of settings in medical imaging. Due to the large amount of imaging data that is generated in oncological hybrid imaging, AI applications are desirable for lesion detection and characterization in primary staging, therapy monitoring, and recurrence detection. Given the rapid developments in machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) methods, the role of AI will have significant impact on the imaging workflow and will eventually improve clinical decision making and outcomes.

Attitudes and perceptions of radiologists towards online (virtual) oncologic multidisciplinary team meetings during the COVID-19 pandemic-a survey of the European Society of Oncologic Imaging (ESOI).

Objectives: To explore radiologists' opinions regarding the shift from in-person oncologic multidisciplinary team meetings (MDTMs) to online MDTMs. To assess the perceived impact of online MDTMs, and to evaluate clinical and technical aspects of online meetings.

Methods: An online questionnaire including 24 questions was e-mailed to all European Society of Oncologic Imaging (ESOI) members.

Preoperative Imaging with [F]-Fluorocholine PET/CT in Primary Hyperparathyroidism.

Primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) is a common endocrine disorder due to hyperfunctioning parathyroid glands. To date, the only curing therapy is surgical removal of the dysfunctional gland, making correct detection and localization crucial in order to perform a minimally invasive parathyroidectomy. F-Fluorocholine positron emission tomography/computed tomography (F-FCH PET/CT) has shown promising results for the detection of pHPT, suggesting superiority over conventional imaging with ultrasounds or scintigraphy.

Complicated Carotid Artery Plaques and Risk of Recurrent Ischemic Stroke or TIA.

Background: Complicated nonstenosing carotid artery plaques (CAPs) are an under-recognized cause of stroke.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine whether complicated CAP ipsilateral to acute ischemic anterior circulation stroke (icCAP) are associated with recurrent ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).

Methods: The CAPIAS (Carotid Plaque Imaging in Acute Stroke) multicenter study prospectively recruited patients with ischemic stroke restricted to the territory of a single carotid artery.

Semi-Automatic MRI Feature Assessment in Small- and Medium-Volume Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia after Prostatic Artery Embolization.

(1) Background: To assess the treatment response of benign prostatic syndrome (BPS) following prostatic artery embolization (PAE) using a semi-automatic software analysis of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features and clinical indexes. (2) Methods: Prospective, monocenter study of MRI and clinical data of n = 27 patients with symptomatic BPS before and (1, 6, 12 months) after PAE. MRI analysis was performed using a dedicated semi-automatic software for segmentation of the central and the total gland (CG, TG), respectively; signal intensities (SIs) of T1-weighted (T1w), T2-weighted (T2w), and diffusion-weighted images (DWI), as well as intravesical prostatic protrusion (IPP) and prostatic volumes (CGV, TGV), were evaluated at each time point.

Feasibility of [Ga]Ga-FAPI-46 PET/CT for detection of nodal and hematogenous spread in high-grade urothelial carcinoma.

Background: [Ga]Ga-FAPI-46 is a novel positron emission tomography (PET) ligand that targets fibroblast activation protein (FAP) expression as FAP inhibitor (FAPI) and could already show promising results in several tumor entities. It could be demonstrated that an increased FAP expression correlates with tumor aggressivity in urothelial carcinoma (UC). Given the limited value of [F]FDG in UC, [Ga]Ga-FAPI-46 could add diagnostic information in staging and response assessment in UC.