Impact of contrast-enhanced mammography in surgical management of breast cancers for women with dense breasts: a dual-center, multi-disciplinary study in Asia.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of pre-operative contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) in breast cancer patients with dense breasts.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of 232 histologically proven breast cancers in 200 women (mean age: 53.4 years ± 10.

Development of U-Net Breast Density Segmentation Method for Fat-Sat MR Images Using Transfer Learning Based on Non-Fat-Sat Model.

To develop a U-net deep learning method for breast tissue segmentation on fat-sat T1-weighted (T1W) MRI using transfer learning (TL) from a model developed for non-fat-sat images. The training dataset (N = 126) was imaged on a 1.5 T MR scanner, and the independent testing dataset (N = 40) was imaged on a 3 T scanner, both using fat-sat T1W pulse sequence.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound features of breast capillary hemangioma: a case report and review of literature.

Breast capillary hemangioma is a rare benign vascular tumor. A 59-year-old asymptomatic woman underwent screening mammography and breast ultrasound. B-mode ultrasound revealed a lobulated, hypoechoic mass.

Architecture distortion score (ADS) in malignancy risk stratification of architecture distortion on contrast-enhanced digital mammography.

Objective: To develop a risk predictor model in evaluation of tomosynthesis-detected architectural distortion (AD) based on characteristics of contrast-enhanced digital mammography (CEDM).

Methods: Ninety-four AD lesions on CEDM in combination with tomosynthesis were retrospectively reviewed from 92 consecutive women (mean age, 52.4 years ± 7.

Kinetic patterns of benign and malignant breast lesions on contrast enhanced digital mammogram.

Purpose: To evaluate the kinetic patterns of benign and malignant breast lesions using contrast-enhanced digital mammogram (CEDM).

Methods: Women with suspicious breast lesions on mammography or ultrasound were enrolled. Single-view mediolateral oblique (MLO) CEDM of an affected breast was acquired at 2, 3, 4, 7, and 10 min after injection of contrast agent.

Breast cancer screening with digital breast tomosynthesis - 4 year experience and comparison with national data.

Background: To determine if mammography combined with digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), leads to superior performance in screening for breast cancer compared to digital mammography (DM) alone.

Methods: We retrospectively collected data from A) the results of population-based mammography-screening provided by the National Cancer Registry in Taiwan, and B) the results from all screening mammography performed with DBT from 2012 through 2015 at Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital (VGHKS) since the institution of DBT at the end of 2011. This was compared data from 3 years with DM performed prior to DBT implementation.

The Complication of Hepatic Artery Injuries of 1,304 Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage in a Single Institute.

Purpose: To determine frequency of and assess risk factors for hepatic artery (HA) injury during percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) and to discuss the technique and report the clinical outcome of embolization for HA injury.

Materials And Methods: Over a 14-year period (2002-2016), 1,304 PTBD procedures in 920 patients were recorded. The incidence of HA injury was determined, and possible associated risk factors were analyzed.

The use of a Colapinto TIPS Needle under cone-beam computed tomography guidance for true lumen re-entry in subintimal recanalization of chronic iliac artery occlusion.

Background: To report the technique and clinical outcome of subintimal re-entry in chronic iliac artery occlusion by using a Colapinto transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) needle under rotational angiography (cone-beam computed tomography; CT) imaging guidance.

Methods: Patients with chronic iliac artery occlusion with earlier failed attempts at conventional percutaneous recanalization during the past 5 years were enrolled in our study. In these patients, an ipsilateral femoral access route was routinely utilized in a retrograde fashion.

Endothelial cell colony forming units derived from malignant breast diseases are resistant to tumor necrosis factor-α-induced apoptosis.

Mobilisation of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) from the bone marrow is a crucial step in the formation of de novo blood vessels, and levels of peripheral blood EPCs have been shown to be elevated in certain malignant states. Using flow cytometry and a Hill-based colony forming unit (CFU) assay, the present study indicated that higher levels of CD34 and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) double-positive EPCs, as well as increased formation of endothelial cell colony-forming units (EC-CFUs) are associated with benign and malignant breast diseases, providing possible indicators for breast disease detection. Gene expression profiles revealed a genetic difference between CD34 VEGFR2 EPCs and EC-CFUs.

Easily recognizable sonographic patterns of ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast.

Background: Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a malignant proliferation of ductal epithelium confined by the basement membrane of the involved breast ducts. The aim of this study was to categorize positive findings of DCIS of the breast on sonography.

Methods: From 2007 to 2011, 100 pathologically proven DCIS lesions were evaluated.

Specific detection of CD133-positive tumor cells with iron oxide nanoparticles labeling using noninvasive molecular magnetic resonance imaging.

Background: The use of ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) nanoparticles to visualize cells has been applied clinically, showing the potential for monitoring cells in vivo with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). USPIO conjugated with anti-CD133 antibodies (USPIO-CD133 Ab) that recognize the CD133 molecule, a cancer stem cell marker in a variety of cancers, was studied as a novel and potent agent for MRI contrast enhancement of tumor cells.

Materials And Methods: Anti-CD133 antibodies were used to conjugate with USPIO via interaction of streptavidin and biotin for in vivo labeling of CD133-positive cells in xenografted tumors and N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU)-induced brain tumors.

Clinical evaluation of contrast-enhanced digital mammography and contrast enhanced tomosynthesis--Comparison to contrast-enhanced breast MRI.

Purpose: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of contrast-enhanced digital mammography (CEDM) and contrast-enhanced tomosynthesis (CET) to dynamic contrast enhanced breast MRI (DCE-MRI) using a multireader-multicase study.

Methods: Institutional review board approval and informed consents were obtained. Total 185 patients (mean age 51.

Clinical roles of breast 3T MRI, FDG PET/CT, and breast ultrasound for asymptomatic women with an abnormal screening mammogram.

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) show promise for molecular cancer imaging. We evaluated 3T MRI, FDG PET/CT, and ultrasound images for asymptomatic women with an abnormal screening mammogram.

Methods: The Institutional Review Board of Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital (Kaohsiung, Taiwan) approved the study.

FDG-PET/CT detection of very early breast cancer in women with breast microcalcification lesions found in mammography screening.

Introduction: To assess the efficacy of positron emission tomography/computed tomography with the glucose analogue 2-[(18) F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG-PET/CT) in Taiwanese women with early breast cancer detected by mammography screening.

Methods: Dual-time-point imaging of whole-body supine and breast prone scans using FDG-PET/CT were performed sequentially in the pre-operative stage.

Results: A total of 11,849 patients underwent screening mammography, of whom 1,209 (10.

The Impact of Flip Angle and TR on the Enhancement Ratio of Dynamic Gadobutrol-enhanced MR Imaging: In Vivo VX2 Tumor Model and Computer Simulation.

Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) is widely used to diagnose cancer and monitor therapy. The maximum enhancement ratio (ERmax) obtained from the curve of signal intensity over time could be a biomarker to distinguish cancer from normal tissue or benign tumors. We evaluated the impact of flip angle (FA) and repetition time (TR) on the ERmax values of dynamic gadobutrol-enhanced MR imaging, obtaining T1-weighted (T1W) MR imaging of VX2 tumors using 2-dimensional fast spoiled gradient echo (2D FSPGR) with various FAs (30°, 60° and 90°) at 1.

Gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI and sonoelastography: non-invasive assessments of chemoprevention of liver fibrosis in thioacetamide-induced rats with Sho-Saiko-To.

Background: This study aimed to compare the performance of gadoxetic acid -enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and sonoelastography in evaluating chemopreventive effects of Sho-Saiko-To (SST) in thioacetamide (TAA)-induced early liver fibrosis in rats.

Materials And Methods: Ten of Sprague-Dawley rats receiving TAA (200 mg/kg of body weight) intraperitoneal injection were divided into three groups: Group 1 (TAA only, n = 3), Group 2 (TAA +0.25 g/kg SST, n = 4) and Group 3 (TAA+1 g/kg SST, n = 3).

Discriminating pyogenic brain abscesses, necrotic glioblastomas, and necrotic metastatic brain tumors by means of susceptibility-weighted imaging.

Objectives: To investigate the feasibility of using susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) to discriminate abscesses and necrotic tumours.

Methods: Twenty-one patients with pyogenic abscesses, 21 patients with rim-enhancing glioblastomas and 23 patients with rim-enhancing metastases underwent SWI. Intralesional susceptibility signal (ILSS) was analyzed employing both qualitative (QL) and semi-quantitative (SQ) methods.

The outcome of a quality-controlled mammography screening program: experience from a population-based study in Taiwan.

Background: A greater policy of emphasis on the early detection and treatment of breast cancer is prevalent among developed countries. To raise the screening performance with a potentially decreased mortality rate, it is crucial to evaluate and analyze the screening outcome after implementation. We report the clinical outcome of an 8-year nationwide mammography screening in Taiwan to help share our statistical information on breast screening worldwide, especially in Asia.

Pharmaco-induced vasospasm therapy for acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding: a preliminary report.

Purpose: To report a novel technique and preliminary clinical outcomes in managing lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB).

Materials And Methods: Eighteen LGIB patients (11 men and 7 women, mean age: 66.2 years) were treated with artificially induced vasospasm therapy by semi-selective catheterization technique.

Ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme UBE2C is highly expressed in breast microcalcification lesions.

Ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme 2C (UBE2C) contributes to ubiquitin-mediated proteasome degradation of cell cycle progression in breast cancer. Microcalcification (MC) is the most common mammographic feature of early breast cancer. In this study, we evaluated whether UBE2C could be a tumor marker of early breast cancer with MC found on screening mammography.

Endovascular salvage of immature autogenous hemodialysis fistulas.

Purpose: To report the technical success and long-term clinical outcomes of immature arteriovenous fistula (AVF) after percutaneous angioplasty (PTA).

Materials And Methods: Patients with 58 immature AVF underwent PTA treatment in our institute during the past 9 years. Based on pretreatment ultrasound findings, the immature AVFs were categorized as stenosed, thrombosed, and obliterated type.