The multidisciplinary team for gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours: the radiologist's challenge.

Background Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (GEP-NETs) are a heterogeneous group of tumours. An effective diagnosis requires a multimodal approach that combines evaluation of clinical symptoms, hormonelevels, radiological and nuclear imaging, and histological confirmation. Imaging plays a critical role in NETs diagnosis, prognosis and management, so the radiologists are important members of the multidisciplinary team.

Diagnostic performance of gadoxetic acid-enhanced liver MRI versus multidetector CT in the assessment of colorectal liver metastases compared to hepatic resection.

Background: Imaging is an essential tool in the management of patients with Colorectal cancer (CRC) by helping evaluate number and sites of metastases, determine resectability, assess response to treatment, detect drug toxicities and recurrences. Although multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) is the first tool used for staging and patient's surveillance, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most reliable imaging modality that allows to assess liver metastases. Our purpose is to compare the diagnostic performance of gadoxetic acid-(Gd-EOB) enhanced liver MRI and contrast-enhanced MDCT in the detection of liver metastasis from colorectal cancer (mCRC).

Iodixanol versus iopromide in cancer patients: Evidence from a randomized clinical trial.

To assess the safety profile of iso-osmolar contrast medium (CM) versus low osmolar CM in cancer patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) >60 ml/min. In this multicenter, blind trial of patients seeking a chest-abdomen-pelvis contrast enhanced computed tomography (CT) with iodated CM, participants were centrally randomized to iodixanol or iopromide. Contrast induced nephropathy (CIN) at 24 and/or 72 hr were our primary outcomes.

Multidetector computer tomography in the pancreatic adenocarcinoma assessment: an update.

Ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas is one of the most aggressive forms of cancer, with only a minority of cases being resectable at the moment of their diagnosis. The accurate detection and characterization of pancreatic carcinoma is very important for patient management. Multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) has become the cross-sectional modality of choice in the diagnosis, staging, treatment planning, and follow-up of patients with pancreatic tumors.

A randomized phase 3 study on the optimization of the combination of bevacizumab with FOLFOX/OXXEL in the treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer-OBELICS (Optimization of BEvacizumab scheduLIng within Chemotherapy Scheme).

Background: Despite the improvements in diagnosis and treatment, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second cause of cancer deaths in both sexes. Therefore, research in this field remains of great interest. The approval of bevacizumab, a humanized anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) monoclonal antibody, in combination with a fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy in the treatment of metastatic CRC has changed the oncology practice in this disease.

Irreversible electroporation of hepatocellular carcinoma: preliminary report on the diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance, computer tomography, and contrast-enhanced ultrasound in evaluation of the ablated area.

Objective: Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a new ablation modality. Our purpose was to describe the effectiveness and the safety of the treatment and to evaluate the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) diagnostic accuracy in HCC patients treated with IRE at 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-up.

Materials And Methods: In an 18-month period, we treated 24 HCC lesions in 20 patients unfit for surgery.

Surveillance of HCC Patients after Liver RFA: Role of MRI with Hepatospecific Contrast versus Three-Phase CT Scan-Experience of High Volume Oncologic Institute.

Purpose. To compare the diagnostic accuracy of hepatospecific contrast-enhanced MRI versus triple-phase CT scan after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. Methods.

Early PET/CT scan is more effective than RECIST in predicting outcome of patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer treated with preoperative chemotherapy plus bevacizumab.

Unlabelled: Markers predictive of treatment effect might be useful to improve the treatment of patients with metastatic solid tumors. Particularly, early changes in tumor metabolism measured by PET/CT with (18)F-FDG could predict the efficacy of treatment better than standard dimensional Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors (RECIST) response.

Methods: We performed PET/CT evaluation before and after 1 cycle of treatment in patients with resectable liver metastases from colorectal cancer, within a phase 2 trial of preoperative FOLFIRI plus bevacizumab.

Intraluminal gel ultrasound and eco-color doppler: new tools for the study of colorectal cancer in mice.

Aim: Azoxymethane (AOM) is a potent carcinogen that induces colorectal cancer in mice. Intraluminal gel ultrasound is a technique based on the injection of gel into the rectum. This technique allows the colon to be straightened and to visualize and identify tumours.

Complications of biliary and gastrointestinal stents: MDCT of the cancer patient.

Objective: The goal of this article is to discuss and show the common complications of biliary and gastrointestinal stents as depicted by MDCT in cancer patients. Major complications include stent misplacement or displacement, bleeding, obstruction, perforation, stent fracture or collapse, and infection. This topic encompasses several relevant issues, including interpretative difficulties, therapeutic decisions, and potential malpractice concerns.

Thrombosis and cancer: spectrum of multidetector CT findings in oncologic patients with thromboembolic disease. A pictorial review.

This article is a reasoned pictorial review illustrating the many faces of thrombotic and embolic disease developing in the cancer patient. From a clinical point of view, we particularly point out the importance of properly identifying this occurrence in its various presentations. From a radiological point of view, special emphasis is given to the wide spectrum of multidetector CT findings, to the clues of benign and malignant thrombus diagnosis, and to the potential interpretative pitfalls.

Central venous device-related thrombosis as imaged with MDCT in oncologic patients: prevalence and findings.

Background: Venous thrombosis is a common occurrence in cancer patients, developing spontaneously or in combination with indwelling central venous devices (CVD).

Purpose: To analyze the multidetector CT (MDCT) prevalence, appearance, and significance of catheter-related thoracic venous thrombosis in oncologic patients and to determine the percentage of thrombi identified in the original reports.

Material And Methods: Five hundred consecutive patients were considered.

Esophageal injuries: spectrum of multidetector row CT findings.

Background: Aim of this study is to illustrate the multidetector row computed tomographic findings related to oesophageal injuries and their significance for therapeutic decisions.

Method: From April 2002 to April 2005 we studied 16 patients with suspected oesophageal injury. Ten patients underwent standard chest radiograph, while five patients with suspected foreign body ingestion were submitted to cervical plain film and gastrografin swallow study.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours: Pictorial review.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) are the most common mesenchymal tumours of the alimentary tract. They normally involve the stomach, the small bowel, or the colon. Localisation within the oesophagus, rectum, mesentery, omentum, or retroperitoneum is less common.

Role of Spiral and Multislice Computed Tomography in the evaluation of traumatic and spontaneous oesophageal perforation. Our experience.

Purpose: To assess the role CT in the evaluation of traumatic and spontaneous oesophageal perforation.

Materials And Methods: From March 2001 to May 2003, we studied 12 patients (7 males and 5 females; age range: 25-66 years, mean age: 43.5 years) with suspected oesophageal perforation due to motor-vehicle accidents (4 cases), stab wound (one case), post-intubation (2 cases), foreign body ingestion (2 cases) and spontaneous (3 cases).

Pictorial essay: common and uncommon CT features of acute pelvic pain in the woman.

Acute pelvic pain in women is a frequent cause of emergency hospital admission. Because the source may be either gynaecological or non-gynaecologic and because of the complex anatomy of the pelvic area, the differential diagnosis of the underlying disease is extensive. In such cases ultrasonography is the procedure of choice, as it leads to a diagnosis in most cases.

Blunt trauma to the gastrointestinal tract and mesentery: is there a role for helical CT in the decision-making process?

The CT diagnosis of bowel and mesenteric injuries is difficult and warrants optimal technique and skilled interpretation. We retrospectively reviewed 36 consecutive patients with blunt traumatic injuries to the bowel and mesentery at our regional level I trauma center during the past 3 years. Physical examination, laboratory, Computed tomographic (CT), and intraoperative findings were compared.