Automatic Urinary Stone Detection System for Abdominal Non-Enhanced CT Images Reduces the Burden on Radiologists.

To develop a fully automatic urinary stone detection system (kidney, ureter, and bladder) and to test it in a real clinical environment. The local institutional review board approved this retrospective single-center study that used non-enhanced abdominopelvic CT scans from patients admitted urology (uPatients) and emergency (ePatients). The uPatients were randomly divided into training and validation sets in a ratio of 3:1.

Assessment of Transplant Renal Artery Stenosis with Non-contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Angiography: Comparison with Digital Subtraction Angiography.

Rationale And Objectives: Early diagnosis of transplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS) is crucial for salvaging kidney function and improving patient prognosis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate image quality of non-contrast-enhanced MR angiography (NCE-MRA) and the value of NCE-MRA in evaluating TRAS compared to DSA.

Materials And Methods: In 60 patients with TRAS confirmed by DSA, the degree of TRAS was assessed using balanced triggered angiography non-contrast-enhanced (B-TRANCE) MR angiography and was compared to that of DSA.

Association between renal surface nodularity and increased adverse vascular event risk in patients with arterial hypertension.

Objective: To explore the association of renal surface nodularity (RSN) with the increased adverse vascular event (AVE) risk in patients with arterial hypertension.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included patients with arterial hypertension aged 18-60 years who underwent contrasted computed tomography (CT) of kidney from January 2012 to December 2020. The subjects were classified into AVE or not (non-AVE) matched with age (≤5 years) and sex.

Association of renal surface nodularity with arterial hypertension compared to normotensive patients.

Background: Renal surface nodularity (RSN) is a subclinical biomarker of renal injury and may be associated with arterial hypertension.

Purpose: To explore the association of RSN with arterial hypertension compared to normotensive patients.

Material And Methods: A total of 205 inpatients with or without high blood pressure (HBP vs.

Association between Quantitative Classification of Renal Surface Nodularity and Early Renal Injury in Patients with Arterial Hypertension.

Background: This study sought to explore the association between quantitative classification of renal surface nodularity (qRSN) based on computed tomography (CT) imaging and early renal injury (ERI) in patients with arterial hypertension.

Methods: A total of 143 patients with a history of hypertension were retrospectively enrolled; clinical information (age, sex, hypertension grade, and hypertension course), laboratory tests, and qRSN were collected or assessed. The subjects were divided into an ERI group ( = 60) or a control group (CP,  = 83) according to ERI diagnosis based on the following criteria: cystatin C > 1.

Susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) for evaluating renal dysfunction in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a preliminary study using SWI parameters and SWI-based texture features.

Background: Susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) could reflect tissue blood oxygen levels, and then whether it could be used to evaluate renal injury remains to be further studied. This study aimed to examine the performance of SWI parameters and SWI-based texture features in evaluating renal dysfunction of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: Forty-five patients with T2DM were included.

Value of Gd-EOB-DTPA-Enhanced MRI and Diffusion-Weighted Imaging in Detecting Residual Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Drug-Eluting Bead Transarterial Chemoembolization.

Rationale And Objectives: To investigate the value of gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in diagnosing residual hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE).

Materials And Methods: Sixty-two patients (50 men, 12 women; mean age, 56.8 ± 1.

Association of sclerostin with cardiovascular events and mortality in dialysis patients.

Sclerostin has been reported to be a novel biomarker associated with the bone-vascular axis. In this study, we determined the relationships between serum sclerostin and all-cause mortality, the prevalence of cardiovascular events (CVEs), and coronary artery calcifications (CACs) in dialysis patients. A total of 165 dialysis patients (84 hemodialysis [HD] and 81 peritoneal dialysis [PD]) were enrolled in this study.

Alterations of default mode functional connectivity in individuals with end-stage renal disease and mild cognitive impairment.

Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) occurs frequently in many end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients, may significantly worsen survival odds and prognosis. However, the exact neuropathological mechanisms of MCI combined with ESRD are not fully clear. This study examined functional connectivity (FC) alterations of the default-mode network (DMN) in individuals with ESRD and MCI.

Uterine arteriovenous malformation combined with iliac arteriovenous malformation diagnosed by contrast-enhanced ultrasound: A case report and review of the literature.

 Uterine arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is an extremely rare condition characterized by abnormal connections between veins and arteries. The atypical clinical manifestations and relatively low morbidity of AVM are conducive to missed diagnosis. The present study describes a case of a 47-year-old female patient with congenital uterine AVM followed by iatrogenic AVM.

Evaluation of renal dysfunction using texture analysis based on DWI, BOLD, and susceptibility-weighted imaging.

Objective: To explore the value of texture analysis based on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), blood oxygen level-dependent MRI (BOLD), and susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) in evaluating renal dysfunction.

Methods: Seventy-two patients (mean age 53.72 ± 13.

Renal Hypoxia: An Important Prognostic Marker in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease.

Background: Blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD)-MRI is a novel and noninvasive tool that can assess renal oxygenation. The R2* value is a parameter of tissue deoxyhemoglobin concentration detected by BOLD-MRI. The purpose of the current study was to determine the relationships between renal R2* values and clinical parameters and to determine whether renal R2* values were associated with the risk for progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD).

CT-based radiomic model predicts high grade of clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Purpose: To compare the predictive models that can incorporate a set of CT image features for preoperatively differentiating the high grade (Fuhrman III-IV) from low grade (Fuhrman I-II) clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).

Material And Methods: One hundred and fourteen patients with ccRCC treated with a partial or radical nephrectomy were enrolled in the training cohort. The six non-texture features, including Pseudocapsule, Round mass, maximal tumor diameter (Diameter), intratumoral artery (Artery), enhancement value of the tumor (TEV) and relative TEV (rTEV), were assessed for each tumor.

Novel Strategy for Preparing Dual-Modality Optical/PET Imaging Probes via Photo-Click Chemistry.

Preparation of small molecule based dual-modality probes remains a challenging task due to the complicated synthetic procedure. In this study, a novel concise and generic strategy for preparing dual-modality optical/PET imaging probes via photo-click chemistry was developed, in which the diazole photo-click linker functioned not only as a bridge between the targeting-ligand and the PET imaging moiety, but also as the fluorophore for optical imaging. A dual-modality AE105 peptidic probe was successfully generated via this strategy and subsequently applied in the fluorescent staining of U87MG cells and the (68)Ga based PET imaging of mice bearing U87MG xenograft.

Universal Molecular Scaffold for Facile Construction of Multivalent and Multimodal Imaging Probes.

Multivalent and multimodal imaging probes are rapidly emerging as powerful chemical tools for visualizing various biochemical processes. Herein, we described a bifunctional chelator (BFC)-based scaffold that can be used to construct such promising probes concisely. Compared to other reported similar scaffolds, this new BFC scaffold demonstrated two major advantages: (1) significantly simplified synthesis due to the use of this new BFC that can serve as chelator and linker simultaneously; (2) highly efficient synthesis rendered by using either click chemistry and/or total solid-phase synthesis.

Assessment of Blood Oxygen Level-Dependent Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Differentiating Renal Dysfunction From Control Group: Comparing T2* Histogram With Conventional Method.

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the potential of T2* histogram (HIST) in the analysis of blood oxygen level-dependent magnetic resonance imaging for differentiating a renal dysfunction group from a control group.

Methods: This study consisted of 13 control subjects and 20 patients with renal dysfunction. T2* maps were analyzed using both HIST and the conventional method.

Is low b-factors-based apparent diffusion coefficient helpful in assessing renal dysfunction?

Purpose: To investigate whether low b-factors-based apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) is helpful in assessing renal dysfunction.

Materials And Methods: Forty-four subjects were recruited, and classified as having severe renal injury group (sRI) or not (non-sRI) according to a threshold of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) = 30 ml/min/1.73 m(2).

Assessment of renal dysfunction with diffusion-weighted imaging: comparing intra-voxel incoherent motion (IVIM) with a mono-exponential model.

Background: Because renal dysfunction is a worldwide problem, accurate assessment is required for planning treatment and follow-up. Intra-voxel incoherent motion (IVIM) can isolate fast from slow water motion in well-perfused organs and may be helpful in assessing renal dysfunction.

Purpose: To determine the clinical value of IVIM in the assessment of renal dysfunction compared with a mono-exponential model.

Evaluation of Renal Oxygenation Level Changes after Water Loading Using Susceptibility-Weighted Imaging and T2* Mapping.

Objective: To assess the feasibility of susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) while monitoring changes in renal oxygenation level after water loading.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-two volunteers (age, 28.0 ± 2.

[Evaluation of signal noise ratio on analysis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma using DWI with multi-b values].

Objective: To explore the influence of signal noise ratio (SNR) on analysis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC) using DWI with multi-b values.

Methods: The images of 17 cases with CCRCC were analyzed, including 17 masses and 9 pure cysts. The signal intensity of the cysts and masses was measured separately on DWI for each b value.

Prediction of nuclear grade of clear cell renal cell carcinoma with MRI: intratumoral susceptibility signal intensity versus necrosis.

Background: End-stage renal disease and dialysis patients have a higher incidence of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) than the general population. Preoperatively evaluating the biological behavior of RCC plays an important role in treatment decision-making. Susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) can visualize the distribution of microvenous structures and hemorrhage without contrast materials.

Assessment of intratumoral micromorphology for patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma using susceptibility-weighted imaging.

Background: Multiple treatment options exist for the management of renal cell carcinomas. Preoperative evaluation of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CRCC) grades is important for deciding upon the appropriate method of therapy. We hypothesize that susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) is sensitive enough to detect intratumoral microvessles and microbleeding in renal cell carcinoma, which can be used to grade CRCC.

Evaluating hemorrhage in renal cell carcinoma using susceptibility weighted imaging.

Background: Intratumoral hemorrhage is a frequent occurrence in renal cell carcinoma and is an indicator of tumor subtype. We hypothesize that susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) is sensitive to hemorrhage in renal cell carcinoma and can give a more diagnostic image when compared to conventional imaging techniques.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective review of 32 patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma was evaluated.