Hybrid PET/MRI of large vessel vasculitis : Radiation dose compared to PET/CT with view on cumulative effective dose.

Background: The diagnosis of large vessel vasculitis (LVV) is often challenging due to the various clinical appearances and the low prevalence. Hybrid imaging by positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET/CT) is a highly relevant imaging modality for diagnostics and disease surveillance but may be associated with a significant amount of radiation dose especially in patients with complications.

Objective: The aim of this retrospective analysis was to compare the image quality and impact of hybrid imaging methods PET/CT and PET/MRI on the potential for dose reduction.

Mammography in combination with breast ultrasonography versus mammography for breast cancer screening in women at average risk.

Background: Screening mammography can detect breast cancer at an early stage. Supporters of adding ultrasonography to the screening regimen consider it a safe and inexpensive approach to reduce false-negative rates during screening. However, those opposed to it argue that performing supplemental ultrasonography will also increase the rate of false-positive findings and can lead to unnecessary biopsies and treatments.

RECIL versus Lugano for Treatment Response Assessment in FDG-Avid Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas: A Head-to-Head Comparison in 54 Patients.

The response evaluation criteria in lymphoma (RECIL) classification for lymphoma treatment response assessment was introduced in 2017, but it has not yet been compared to the established Lugano classification. Also, the value of the provisional "minor response" (MiR) category of RECIL is unclear. In 54 patients with FDG-avid non-Hodgkin lymphomas (41 diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCL) and 13 follicular lymphomas), [F]FDG-PET/CT-based response according to RECIL and Lugano was determined at interim and end-of-treatment (EOT) restaging.

PET/MRI versus PET/CT in oncology: a prospective single-center study of 330 examinations focusing on implications for patient management and cost considerations.

Purpose: PET/MRI has recently been introduced into clinical practice. We prospectively investigated the clinical impact of PET/MRI compared with PET/CT, in a mixed population of cancer patients, and performed an economic evaluation of PET/MRI.

Methods: Cancer patients referred for routine staging or follow-up by PET/CT underwent consecutive PET/CT and PET/MRI, using single applications of [F]FDG, [Ga]Ga-DOTANOC, or [F]FDOPA, depending on tumor histology.

Whole-Body [F]FDG-PET/MRI vs. [F]FDG-PET/CT in Malignant Melanoma.

Purpose: To assess the diagnostic performance of simultaneous whole-body 2-deoxy-2-[F]fluoro-D-glucose ([F]FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compared to [F]FDG PET/x-ray computed tomography (CT) for detection of distant metastatic disease in patients with malignant melanoma.

Procedures: We included patients with malignant melanoma who underwent a single injection [F]FDG dual-imaging protocol that included whole-body PET/CT and subsequent whole-body PET/MRI for staging or restaging purposes in a prospective setting. Images from both modalities were analyzed by two rater teams for the presence of metastatic lesions.

MRI and PET/MRI in hematologic malignancies.

The role of MRI differs considerably between the three main groups of hematological malignancies: lymphoma, leukemia, and myeloma. In myeloma, whole-body MRI (WB-MRI) is recognized as a highly sensitive test for the assessment of myeloma, and is also endorsed by clinical guidelines, especially for detection and staging. In lymphoma, WB-MRI is presently not recommended, and merely serves as an alternative technique to the current standard imaging test, [ F]FDG-PET/CT, especially in pediatric patients.

Is there a reliable size cut-off for splenic involvement in lymphoma? A [18F]FDG-PET controlled study.

Purpose: Aim of present study was to determine whether the currently recommended 13-cm cranio-caudal diameter cut-off on CT for assessment of splenic involvement in lymphoma offers adequate sensitivity and specificity.

Materials And Methods: Patients with histologically proven lymphoma who had undergone [18F]FDG-PET/CT before therapy were included. Cranio-caudal diameters of the spleen were measured on the CT component of PET/CT, and ROC analyses with calculation of respective areas under the curve (AUC) were used to determine cut-off values of cranio-caudal measurements with their respective sensitivities and specificities, using [18F]FDG-PET as the reference standard.

DWI-MRI CT in gastric MALT lymphoma-preliminary results in 19 patients.

Objective: To assess the diagnostic performance of [F] fluoro-2-desoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography/CT [(F) FDG-PET/CT] compared to diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI)-MRI of lesion detection in patients with non-FDG avid gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma.

Methods: 19 patients with histologically proven gastric MALT lymphoma were included in this prospective Institutional Review Board-approved study. Patients underwent [F]-FDG-PET/CT and consecutive MRI/DWI.

CT colonography: size reduction of submerged colorectal polyps due to electronic cleansing and CT-window settings.

Objectives: To assess whether electronic cleansing (EC) of tagged residue and different computed tomography (CT) windows influence the size of colorectal polyps in CT colonography (CTC).

Methods: A database of 894 colonoscopy-validated CTC datasets of a low-prevalence cohort was retrospectively reviewed to identify patients with polyps ≥6 mm that were entirely submerged in tagged residue. Ten radiologists independently measured the largest diameter of each polyp, two-dimensionally, before and after EC in colon, bone, and soft-tissue-windows, in randomised order.

Ultra-early response assessment in lymphoma treatment: [F]FDG PET/MR captures changes in glucose metabolism and cell density within the first 72 hours of treatment.

Purpose: To determine whether, in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) or non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), [F]FDG PET/MR can capture treatment effects within the first week after treatment initiation, and whether changes in glucose metabolism and cell density occur simultaneously.

Methods: Patients with histologically proven HL or NHL were included in this prospective IRB-approved study. Patients underwent [F]FDG PET/MR before, and then 48-72 h after (follow-up 1, FU-1) and 1 week after (FU-2) initiation of the first cycle of their respective standard chemotherapy (for HL) or immunochemotherapy (for NHL).

Does elevated glucose metabolism correlate with higher cell density in Neurofibromatosis type 1 associated peripheral nerve sheath tumors?

Purpose: To investigate whether elevated glucose metabolism in neurofibroma, determined by [F18]-FDG-PET, is correlated with cell density in MRI, as expressed through the apparent diffusion coefficient.

Materials And Methods: Patients diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 1 and peripheral nerve sheath tumors (PNST) were enrolled in this prospective, IRB-approved study. After a single [F18]-FDG injection, patients consecutively underwent [F18]-FDG-PET/CT and [F18]-FDG-PET/MRI on the same day.

Whole-Body 68Ga-DOTANOC PET/MRI Versus 68Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT in Patients With Neuroendocrine Tumors: A Prospective Study in 28 Patients.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic performance of simultaneous whole-body Ga-DOTANOC PET/MRI compared with Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT for detection of distant metastatic disease in patients with well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (NETs).

Methods: Patients with histologically proven, well-differentiated NET (G1 or G2) were included in this prospective, institutional review board-approved study. Patients underwent Ga-DOTANOC PET/CT and subsequent Ga-DOTANOC PET/MRI after a single tracer injection on the same day for staging or restaging purposes.

MR neurography of ulnar nerve entrapment at the cubital tunnel: a diffusion tensor imaging study.

Objectives: MR neurography, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and tractography at 3 Tesla were evaluated for the assessment of patients with ulnar neuropathy at the elbow (UNE).

Methods: Axial T2-weighted and single-shot DTI sequences (16 gradient encoding directions) were acquired, covering the cubital tunnel of 46 patients with clinically and electrodiagnostically confirmed UNE and 20 healthy controls. Cross-sectional area (CSA) was measured at the retrocondylar sulcus and FA and ADC values on each section along the ulnar nerve.

The role of imaging specialists as authors of systematic reviews on diagnostic and interventional imaging and its impact on scientific quality: report from the EuroAIM Evidence-based Radiology Working Group.

Purpose: To evaluate the inclusion of radiologists or nuclear medicine physicians (imaging specialists) as authors of systematic reviews (SRs) on imaging and imaging-guided diagnostic procedures and to determine the impact of imaging specialists' presence as authors on the overall quality of the reviews.

Materials And Methods: A MEDLINE and EMBASE search was performed for SRs of diagnostic and interventional image-guided procedures that were published from January 2001 to December 2010. SRs about procedures primarily performed by nonimaging specialists were excluded.

Imaging of a case of benign carotidynia with ultrasound, MRI and PET-CT.

We present a case of carotidynia that we believe supports its classification as a distinct inflammatory disease entity. Doppler sonography and cervical magnetic resonance imaging are appropriate imaging modalities for diagnosing presumed carotidynia.

Adjunct ultrasonography for breast cancer screening in women at average risk: a systematic review.

Background: Screening with mammography has the ability to detect breast cancer at an early stage but misses some cancers. Supporters of adjunct ultrasonography to the screening regimen argue that it might be a safe and inexpensive approach to reduce the false-negative rates of screening. Critics are concerned that adjunct ultrasonography will also increase the rate of false-positive findings and can lead to unnecessary biopsies and treatments in women at average risk.

Common anatomical variation in patients with idiopathic meralgia paresthetica: a high resolution ultrasound case-control study.

Background: Meralgia paresthetica (MP) is a mononeuropathy of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) characterized by pain, numbness or paresthesia on the anterolateral aspect of the thigh. Though several contributing factors have been identified, the cause of its idiopathic form still remains unclear. Anatomic and clinical studies have demonstrated a variable course for the LFCN and have suggested a contribution to the pathogenesis of MP.

Mammography in combination with breast ultrasonography versus mammography for breast cancer screening in women at average risk.

Background: Breast cancer is the most common malignant disease diagnosed in women worldwide. Screening with mammography has the ability to detect breast cancer at an early stage. The diagnostic accuracy of mammography screening largely depends on the radiographic density of the imaged breasts.

Fotemustine chemoembolization of hepatic metastases from uveal melanoma: a retrospective single-center analysis.

Objective: The purpose of the current study was to retrospectively evaluate response and survival in patients with hepatic metastasis from uveal melanoma treated by palliative transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) with fotemustine.

Materials And Methods: During the study period, 21 patients with hepatic metastases from uveal melanoma were treated by TACE. A series of TACE interventions (mean number per patient, 3.

Uterine artery embolization for the treatment of adenomyosis: a review.

During the past 10 years, uterine artery embolization (UAE) has been investigated as a possible therapy for adenomyosis. All publications available from 1999 through 2010 are included in this report. Levels of evidence and trial classifications were evaluated according to the guidelines developed by the United States Preventive Services Task Force.

Pre-operative serum C-reactive protein as independent prognostic factor for survival but not infection in patients with high-grade osteosarcoma.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate (a) whether pre-operative serum CRP is a predictor of survival in patients with high-grade osteosarcoma, (b) whether post-operative infection is a predictor of survival in these patients and (c) whether CRP is a predictor of post-operative infection, and especially deep prosthetic infection.

Methods: In this retrospective single-centre study, pre-operative serum CRP levels in 79 patients (37 females, 42 males; average age, 18 years; mean follow-up, 46 months) undergoing resection of an osteosarcoma were correlated with clinical data and survival.

Results: The mean pre-operative serum CRP level of all 79 patients was 0.

Perceptibility and quantification of in-stent stenosis with six peripheral arterial stent types in vitro: comparison of 16-MDCT angiography, 64-MDCT angiography, and MR angiography.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the perceptibility of 75% and 95% in-stent stenoses with CT angiography and MR angiography using six stent types in a phantom model.

Materials And Methods: Six different stent types were placed into tubes filled with contrast agent (ioversol or gadoteric acid), and nylon cylinders (8 mm diameter) bored in the central axis (2 and 4 mm) to mimic 75% and 95% stenoses were inserted into the stents inside the tubes. CT angiography (16- and 64-MDCT scanners using three different kernels at 120 and 140 kV) and MR angiography (1.

Long-term quality of life assessment among patients undergoing uterine fibroid embolization.

Objective: The purpose of this study was assessment of the long-term outcome of fibroid-associated quality of life among patients treated with uterine fibroid embolization.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective follow-up cohort study included all patients described in a 2006 publication. Analysis was performed with a questionnaire consisting of 49 questions about six topics.

Preoperative radiochemotherapy in the treatment of advanced oral cancer: outcome of 276 patients.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to review survival and locoregional control in patients with advanced oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma treated by multimodal therapy with preoperative radiochemotherapy and radical surgery.

Material: Retrospective cohort study.

Methods: Included in this analysis are 276 consecutive patients with UICC disease stages III and IV (T2: 13.