Improved Visualization of Prostate Cancer Using Multichannel Computed Diffusion Images: Combining ADC and DWI.

(1) Background: For the peripheral zone of the prostate, diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) is the most important MRI technique; however, a high b-value image (hbDWI) must always be evaluated in conjunction with an apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) map. We aimed to unify the important contrast features of both a hbDWI and ADC in one single image, termed multichannel computed diffusion images (mcDI), and evaluate the values of these images in a retrospective clinical study; (2) Methods: Based on the 2D histograms of hbDWI and ADC images of 70 patients with histologically proven prostate cancer (PCa) in the peripheral zone, an algorithm was designed to generate the mcDI. Then, three radiologists evaluated the data of 56 other patients twice in three settings (T2w images +): (1) hbDWI and ADC; (2) mcDI; and (3) mcDI, hbDWI, and ADC.

Serum miRNAs Support the Indication for MRI-Ultrasound Fusion-Guided Biopsy of the Prostate in Patients with Low-PI-RADS Lesions.

Multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) and targeted biopsy of the prostate enhance the tumor detection rate. However, the prediction of clinically significant prostate cancer (PCa) is still limited. Our study tested the additional value of serum levels of selected miRNAs in combination with clinical and mpMRI information for PCa prediction and classification.

Image Quality and Detection of Small Focal Liver Lesions in Diffusion-Weighted Imaging: Comparison of Navigator Tracking and Free-Breathing Acquisition.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare intraindividual diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) of the liver acquired with free breathing (FB) versus navigator triggering (NT) for assessing small focal liver lesions (FLLs) in noncirrhotic patients.

Materials And Methods: Patients with known or suspected multiple FLLs were prospectively included, and spin-echo echo-planar DWI with NT and FB acquisition was performed (b-values, 50 and 800 s/mm2 [b50 and b800]). NT and FB DWI sequences with similar acquisitions times were used.

Potential for Radiation Dose Reduction in Dual-Source Computed Tomography of the Lung in the Pediatric and Adolescent Population Compared to Digital Radiography.

Low-dose dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) protocols for the evaluation of lung diseases in children and adolescents are of importance since this age group is particularly prone to radiation damage. The aim of this study was to evaluate image quality of low-dose DSCT of the lung and to assess the potential of radiation dose reduction compared to digital radiographs (DR). Three groups, each consisting of 19 patients, were examined with different DSCT protocols using tin prefiltration (Sn96/64/32 ref.

Scanned versus Fused-Reconstructed Oblique MR-Images for Assessment of the Tibiofibular Syndesmosis-Diagnostic PerFormance and Reader Agreement.

To evaluate the diagnostic performance and reader agreement of a novel MRI image fusion method enabling the reconstruction of oblique images for the assessment of the tibiofibular syndesmosis. We evaluated 40 magnetic resonance imaging examinations of patients with ankle sprains (16 with ruptures and 24 without) for the presence of anteroinferior tibiofibular ligament rupture. For all patients, we performed a fusion of standard two-dimensional transversal and coronal 3 mm PDw TSE images into an oblique-fusion reconstruction (OFR) and compared these against conventionally scanned oblique sequence for the evaluation of the tibiofibular syndesmosis.

Bioabsorbable Unsintered Hydroxyapatite/Poly-l-Lactic Acid Pin Fixation of Osteochondritis Dissecans in Adolescents: Initial Experiences.

Background: This study sought to retrospectively evaluate the clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) outcomes of u-HA/PLLA pin (u-HA/PLLA: hydroxyapatite/poly-L-lactic acid) pin fixation of unstable osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) lesions of the knee.

Methods: Seven adolescent patients (four females and three males) with arthroscopically unstable OCD lesions of the knee were included. The mean age at diagnosis was 13.

Computer-Aided Diagnosis in Multiparametric MRI of the Prostate: An Open-Access Online Tool for Lesion Classification with High Accuracy.

Computer-aided diagnosis (CADx) approaches could help to objectify reporting on prostate mpMRI, but their use in many cases is hampered due to common-built algorithms that are not publicly available. The aim of this study was to develop an open-access CADx algorithm with high accuracy for classification of suspicious lesions in mpMRI of the prostate. This retrospective study was approved by the local ethics commission, with waiver of informed consent.

Breast MRI texture analysis for prediction of BRCA-associated genetic risk.

Background: BRCA1/2 deleterious variants account for most of the hereditary breast and ovarian cancer cases. Prediction models and guidelines for the assessment of genetic risk rely heavily on criteria with high variability such as family cancer history. Here we investigated the efficacy of MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) texture features as a predictor for BRCA mutation status.

Dual-source computed tomography of the lung with spectral shaping and advanced iterative reconstruction: potential for maximum radiation dose reduction.

Background: Radiation dose at CT should be as low as possible without compromising diagnostic quality.

Objective: To assess the potential for maximum dose reduction of pediatric lung dual-source CT with spectral shaping and advanced iterative reconstruction (ADMIRE).

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed dual-source CT acquisitions in a full-dose group (FD: 100 kV, 64 reference mAs) and in three groups with spectral shaping and differing reference mAs values (Sn: 100 kV, 96/64/32 reference mAs), each group consisting of 16 patients (age mean 11.

Small direct right ventricular cardiac metastasis of osteosarcoma in a 10-year-old boy affirmed by cardiac MRI.

Background: Metastatic osteosarcoma with direct cardiac involvement is an exceptionally rare finding. Reliable detection of cardiac metastases is known to be crucial for patients therapy and prognosis.

Case Summary: In a 10-year-old boy affected by osteosarcoma of the left femur, a baseline Fluorine-18-fluorodeoxy-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (F-FDG PET/CT) was performed to assess the full extent of disease.

Automated volumetric radiomic analysis of breast cancer vascularization improves survival prediction in primary breast cancer.

To investigate whether automated volumetric radiomic analysis of breast cancer vascularization (VAV) can improve survival prediction in primary breast cancer. 314 consecutive patients with primary invasive breast cancer received standard clinical MRI before the initiation of treatment according to international recommendations. Diagnostic work-up, treatment, and follow-up was done at one tertiary care, academic breast-center (outcome: disease specific survival/DSS vs.

Implementation of machine learning into clinical breast MRI: Potential for objective and accurate decision-making in suspicious breast masses.

We investigated whether the integration of machine learning (ML) into MRI interpretation can provide accurate decision rules for the management of suspicious breast masses. A total of 173 consecutive patients with suspicious breast masses upon complementary assessment (BI-RADS IV/V: n = 100/76) received standardized breast MRI prior to histological verification. MRI findings were independently assessed by two observers (R1/R2: 5 years of experience/no experience in breast MRI) using six (semi-)quantitative imaging parameters.

A mixed waveform protocol for reduction of the cardiac motion artifact in black-blood diffusion-weighted imaging of the liver.

Objective: Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in the liver suffers from signal loss due to the cardiac motion artifact, especially in the left liver lobe. The purpose of this work was to improve the image quality of liver DWI in terms of cardiac motion artifact reduction and achievement of black-blood images in low b-value images.

Material And Methods: Ten healthy volunteers (age 20-31 years) underwent MRI examinations at 1.

Does higher field strength translate into better diagnostic accuracy? A prospective comparison of breast MRI at 3 and 1.5 Tesla.

Objective: We performed a prospective monocentric study to inter-individually compare the diagnostic accuracy of breast MRI at 1.5 T and 3 T.

Methods: During a consecutive period of 12 months all 982 patients receiving breast MRI according to standard indications (problem solving, preoperative staging) were randomized to one 3 T or 1.

Evaluation of ventricular septal defects using high pitch computed tomography angiography of the chest in children with complex congenital heart defects below one year of age.

Background: Aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of ventricular septal defects (VSD) using high pitch computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the chest in children below 1 year of age, compared to the intraoperative findings and echocardiography.

Methods: Out of 154 patients that underwent Dual-Source CTA of the chest using a high-pitch protocol at low tube voltages (70-80 kV), 55 underwent surgical repair of a VSD (median age 8 days, range 1-348 days). The margins of the VSDs and their relation to the surrounding structures were reproduced by en-face views using multiplanar reformations (MPR).

Improved visualization of peripherally inserted central catheters on chest radiographs of neonates using fractional multiscale image processing.

Background: Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) provide secure intravenous access for the delivery of life-sustaining medications and nutrition. They are commonly used in pediatrics. Confirmation of correct central catheter tip position is crucial.

Effect of Compression Garments on the Development of Edema and Soreness in Delayed-Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS).

Delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS), an ultrastructural muscle injury, is one of the most common reasons for impaired muscle performance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of sport compression garments on the development of exercise-induced intramuscular edema in the context of DOMS. DOMS was induced in 15 healthy participants.

Interobserver and intermodality agreement of standardized algorithms for non-invasive diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma in high-risk patients: CEUS-LI-RADS versus MRI-LI-RADS.

Objectives: We compared the interobserver agreement for the recently introduced contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)-based algorithm CEUS-LI-RADS (Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System) versus the well-established magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-LI-RADS for non-invasive diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in high-risk patients.

Methods: Focal liver lesions in 50 high-risk patients (mean age 66.2 ± 11.

Extent of simultaneous radiation dose and iodine reduction at stable image quality in computed tomography of the chest: A systematic approach using automated tube voltage adaption and iterative reconstructions.

Background: Aim of this study was to systematically combine tube voltage adaptation and iterative reconstructions for reduction of iodine and radiation dose.

Methods: Settings for the study protocol were evaluated in ex-ante trials to provide image quality that is comparable to a reference protocol at 120 kV with tube current modulation. Consecutive patients were randomized to undergo computed tomography (CT) of the chest using the study protocol (n = 62) or reference protocol (n = 50).

Advanced Modeled Iterative Reconstruction (ADMIRE) Facilitates Radiation Dose Reduction in Abdominal CT.

Rationale And Objectives: This study aimed to determine the potential degree of radiation dose reduction achievable using Advanced Modeled Iterative Reconstruction (ADMIRE) in abdominal computed tomography (CT) while maintaining image quality. Moreover, this study compared differences in image noise reduction of this iterative algorithm with radiation dose reduction.

Methods: Eleven consecutive patients scheduled for abdominal CT were scanned according to our institute's standard protocol (100 kV, 289 reference mAs).

Elevated tissue sodium deposition in patients with type 2 diabetes on hemodialysis detected by Na magnetic resonance imaging.

Long-term elevated blood sugar levels result in tissue matrix compositional changes in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM). We hypothesized that hemodialysis patients with T2DM might accumulate more tissue sodium than control hemodialysis patients. To test this, Na magnetic resonance imaging (Na MRI) was used to estimate sodium in skin and muscle tissue in hemodialysis patients with or without T2DM.

Virtual Computed Tomography Colonography: Evaluation of 2D and Virtual 3D Image Quality of Sub-mSv Examinations Enabled by Third-generation Dual Source Scanner Featuring Tin Filtering.

Rationale And Objectives: To evaluate two- and three-dimensional (2D and 3D) image quality of sub-milliSievert (mSv) computed tomography (CT) colonography utilizing a third-generation dual source CT scanner featuring a tin filter.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 26 consecutive patients who underwent third-generation dual source CT colonography, nine with the standard-dose clinical-scan protocol (SDP) and 17 with a low-dose protocol (LDP) featuring a tin filter. Radiation dose was evaluated by volume computed tomography dose index (CTDI), dose length product (DLP), effective dose (E), and size-specific dose estimate.

A new approach of three-dimensional guidance in paediatric cath lab: segmented and tessellated heart models for cardiovascular interventions in CHD.

Background: Optimal imaging is essential for catheter-based interventions in CHD. The three-dimensional models in volume-rendering technique currently in use are not standardised. This paper investigates the feasibility and impact of novel three-dimensional guidance with segmented and tessellated three-dimensional heart models in catheterisation of CHD.