Assessing pediatric ileocolonic Crohn's disease activity based on global MR enterography scores.

Objectives: This study was aimed at correlating a magnetic resonance index of activity (MaRIA) and a magnetic resonance enterography global score (MEGS) with activity indexes in a paediatric population with Crohn's disease (CD).

Methods: This retrospective study included 32 paediatric patients (median age 14.5 years, 18 male) with proven CD who underwent magnetic resonance enterography (MRE).

Optimal follow-up intervals in active surveillance of renal masses in patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease.

Objectives: To estimate an optimal follow-up (FU) interval for von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) patients with renal masses (RMs) by determining tumour growth rates from growth curves.

Methods: Thirty lesions (47.6%) were classified as solid tumours (STs) and 33 (52.

Therapeutic impact of (18)F-FDG PET/CT in recurrent differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

Purpose: (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) has proved effective in detecting recurrent or metastatic differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) in the follow-up of operated DTC patients with high thyroglobulin (Tg) levels and negative findings on radioiodine whole-body scan. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the impact of PET/CT on the planning of appropriate treatment for known recurrent disease in operated DTC patients.

Materials And Methods: The study concerned 44 consecutive DTC patients (36 papillary, 8 follicular), who underwent total thyroidectomy and thyroid remnant ablation with (131)I and PET/CT.

Comparison between anatomical cross-sectional imaging and 18F-FDG PET/CT in the staging, restaging, treatment response, and long-term surveillance of squamous cell head and neck cancer: a systematic literature overview.

The outcome of head and neck squamous cell cancer depends primarily on its prompt diagnosis and treatment. Unfortunately, in many cases ominous prognostic factors such as lymph node metastases or osteomandibular extension are present at the time of diagnosis. We review the relative efficacy of contrast-enhanced computed tomography (ceCT), MRI, and F-fluorodeoxyglucose (F-FDG) PET/computed tomography (CT) in the early detection of head and neck squamous cell cancer, as well as its impact on treatment management and outcomes.

Combination of one-view digital breast tomosynthesis with one-view digital mammography versus standard two-view digital mammography: per lesion analysis.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical value of combining one-view mammography (cranio-caudal, CC) with the complementary view tomosynthesis (mediolateral-oblique, MLO) in comparison to standard two-view mammography (MX) in terms of both lesion detection and characterization.

Methods: A free-response receiver operating characteristic (FROC) experiment was conducted independently by six breast radiologists, obtaining data from 463 breasts of 250 patients. Differences in mean lesion detection fraction (LDF) and mean lesion characterization fraction (LCF) were analysed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) to compare clinical performance of the combination of techniques to standard two-view digital mammography.

Spirometer-controlled cine magnetic resonance imaging used to diagnose tracheobronchomalacia in paediatric patients.

Tracheobronchomalacia (TBM) is defined as an excessive collapse of the intrathoracic trachea. Bronchoscopy is the gold standard for diagnosing TBM; however it has major disadvantages, such as general anaesthesia. Cine computed tomography (CT) is a noninvasive alternative used to diagnose TBM, but its use in children is restricted by ionising radiation.

Positron emission tomography/computed tomography and esophageal cancer in the clinical practice: How does it affect the prognosis?

Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in staging of esophageal cancer and to evaluate the prognostic role of metabolic parameters before and after neo-adjuvant treatment.

Settings And Design: Mono-institutional retrospective study.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 29 patients who underwent PET/CT at initial staging and after neo-adjuvant therapy.

Utility of choline positron emission tomography/computed tomography for lymph node involvement identification in intermediate- to high-risk prostate cancer: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis.

Context: Determination of tumour involvement of regional lymph nodes in patients with prostate cancer (PCa) is of key importance for the proper planning of treatment.

Objectives: To provide a critical overview of published reports and to perform a meta-analysis about the diagnostic performance of 18F-choline and 11C-choline positron emission tomography (PET) or PET/computed tomography (CT) in the lymph node staging of PCa.

Evidence Acquisition: A Medline, Web of Knowledge, and Google Scholar search was carried out to select English-language articles published before January 2012 that discussed the diagnostic performance of choline PET to individualise lymph node disease at initial staging in PCa patients.

Comparison of 18F-FDG positron emission tomography/computed tomography and computed tomography in patients with already-treated breast cancer: diagnostic and prognostic implications.

Aim: The purpose of the study was to assess the comparison of 18F-FDG PET/CT and CT in patients with breast cancer (BC) already treated with primary therapy, in evaluating the diagnostic and prognostic values.

Methods: We retrospectively studied 190 patients (187 women and 3 men, mean age 61±11 years) with previous BC (all stages) after surgery and other primary treatments. They underwent within three months CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT examinations for the evaluation of disease status.

Performance comparison of single-view digital breast tomosynthesis plus single-view digital mammography with two-view digital mammography.

Objective: To determine the performance of combined single-view mediolateral oblique (MLO) digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) plus single-view cranio-caudal (CC) mammography (MX) compared with that of standard two-view digital mammography.

Methods: A multi-reader multi-case (MRMC) receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) study was conducted, involving six breast radiologists. Two hundred fifty patients underwent bilateral MX and DBT imaging.

Comparison between CT volume measurement and histopathological assessment of response to neoadjuvant therapy in rectal cancer.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare volume measurements on computed tomography (CT) images with histopathological assessments of chemoradiotherapy (CRT)-induced tumor regression in locally advanced rectal cancer (RC).

Methods: In 25 patients (13 males, 12 females; median age, 63 years; age range, 44-79 years) with locally advanced RC treated with preoperative CRT and surgery, two radiologists measured tumor volume on CT images before and after CRT. CT-based tumor volumetry and the modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (mRECISTs) were compared with T and N downstaging after CRT, and with the tumor regression grade (TRG).

Early bone marrow metastasis detection: the additional value of FDG-PET/CT vs. CT imaging.

Objective: To assess the addition value of ¹⁸F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) vs. CT in detecting early metastatic deposits in bone marrow (BM).

Methods: From January 2009 to December 2010, 198 consecutive patients (88 male, 110 female; median age: 64 years) were retrospectively examined.

Indeterminate pulmonary nodules on CT images in breast cancer patient: the additional value of 18F-FDG PET/CT.

Aim: To assess the potential role of 18F-Fluorodeoxiglucose (FDG) Positron Emission Tomography (PET)/Computed Tomography (CT) in characterizing indeterminate lung nodules detected at CT scan in patients previously treated for a breast cancer (BC).

Materials And Methods: Twenty-nine consecutive BC patients (28 females, mean age 65 ± 12 years) with evidence of indeterminate lung nodules at contrast-enhanced CT (CECT) scan (lesions with axial diameter ≥8 mm) were retrospectively analysed: all patients underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT within a mean 2 ± 1 months from CECT imaging. PET/CT was considered positive in the presence of abnormal FDG uptake in the pulmonary nodules and/or in other organs.

Tumor marker-guided PET in breast cancer patients-a recipe for a perfect wedding: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Early detection of breast cancer (BC) recurrence is a fundamental issue during follow-up. Although the utilization of new therapeutic protocols aimed at reducing the recurrence risk is defined, the diagnostic approach for early detection remains to be clarified. We aim to provide a critical overview of recently published reports and perform a meta-analysis on the use of tumor markers in BC patients as a guide for fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET) imaging.

Significance of pulmonary nodules in patients with colorectal cancer.

Objectives: Radiographically small pulmonary nodules (PNs) in patients with colorectal cancer are troublesome because their discovery raises concern about metastases. This study sought to establish the appropriate timing of radiological follow-up for PNs detected at initial staging evaluation of colorectal carcinoma patients.

Methods: The medical records of 376 consecutive colorectal cancer patients who underwent curative surgery and had baseline and follow-up chest X-rays (CXR) and computed tomography (CT) were reviewed.

Optical and multimodal peptide-based probes for in vivo molecular imaging.

Molecular imaging consists of non-invasive monitoring of spatial-temporal distribution of molecular or cellular processes, and may be used for early disease detection and real-time monitoring of therapeutic responses. Several strategies have been developed over the last two decades. Early attempts used monoclonal antibodies or antibody fragments and, although specific targeting was achieved, these probes was largely unsuccessful.

Comparison of preoperative and surgical measurements of Zenker's diverticulum.

Background: Zenker's diverticulum (ZD) may be treated with a variety of endoscopic or open surgical techniques; the choice of treatment depends partly on the size of the diverticulum. The purpose of this study was to correlate ZD measurements obtained preoperatively and during surgery.

Methods: From March 2006 to November 2008, 20 consecutive patients (19 males; median age 64.

Trans-arterial chemoembolization of metastatic colorectal carcinoma to the liver adopting DC Bead®, drug-eluting bead loaded with irinotecan: results of a phase II clinical study.

Unlabelled: Trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is a promising locoregional therapy for the treatment of primary hepatic tumors and liver metastases. The aim of the study was to define the activity and outcome of using DC Bead, drug-eluting bead, a spherical embolic device capable of being loaded with irinotecan.

Patients And Methods: We conducted a double institutional, single arm, phase II clinical study to evaluate TACE adopting this device in 82 patients presenting with metastatic colorectal carcinoma to the liver after failing chemotherapy.

Synovial sarcoma: CT imaging of a rare primary malignant tumour of the thorax.

Purpose: This paper presents computed tomography (CT) features of three patients with primary synovial sarcoma of the lung (PSSL) who came to our attention and underwent surgery; reviews of the literature on this rare thoracic tumour are also presented.

Materials And Methods: The patients, all men, with a mean age of 58 years, underwent clinical and radiological re-evaluation after receiving a histological diagnosis. None of the patients had multifocal disease or other concomitant neoplasms.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy--radiological assessment of fundus size and sleeve voiding.

Background: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is now considered an effective bariatric procedure (American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery statement). We attempted to assess the size of the gastric fundus remaining after LSG and gastric voiding rate (fast/slow) by radiological upper gastrointestinal series (UGS) with a water-soluble contrast medium (CM). The findings were compared with weight loss data.

Prospective assessment of imaging after preoperative chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer.

Background: The aim of the study was to assess the accuracy of imaging techniques in predicting pathologic tumor (ypT), node (ypN) stages and the circumferential resection margin (ypCRM) status of rectal cancers after preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT).

Methods: Using pelvic computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and endorectal ultrasound (ERUS), 90 consecutive patients with locally advanced mid-to-low rectal cancer were prospectively assessed. Postirradiation T and N stages and infiltration of the CRM, as assessed by CT, MRI and ERUS, were compared with histopathologic findings.

Correlation of microvascular fractal dimension with positron emission tomography [(11)C]-methionine uptake in glioblastoma multiforme: preliminary findings.

Neuroradiological and metabolic imaging is a fundamental diagnostic procedure in the assessment of patients with primary and metastatic brain tumors. The correlation between objective parameters capable of quantifying the neoplastic angioarchitecture and imaging data may improve our understanding of the underlying physiopathology and make it possible to evaluate treatment efficacy in brain tumors. Only a few studies have so far correlated the quantitative parameters measuring the neovascularity of brain tumors with the metabolic profiles measured by means of amino acid uptake in positron emission tomography (PET) scans.

Anal endosonography and fistulography for fistula-in-ano.

Purpose: In this study, a comparison was made of the accuracy and clinical usefulness of anal endosonography and fistulography in the preoperative classification of fistulas-in-ano.

Materials And Methods: A total of 113 patients with a clinical diagnosis of cryptoglandular fistula-in-ano who were awaiting surgery were included in this retrospective review. Patients were preoperatively investigated by anal endosonography and/or modified fistulography by inserting a Foley catheter into the rectum and a metal ring close to the anus.

Autonomic dysfunction in Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. A paraneoplastic syndrome?

We wanted to determine whether autonomic dysfunction in patients with lymphoma is related to chemotherapy or represent a paraneoplastic syndrome. 40 patients with current or cured Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin lymphoma and 40 healthy controls, matched for age, gender, hypertension and diabetes mellitus underwent autonomic evaluation (Deep Breath, Valsalva Maneuver, Hand Grip, Lying to Standing, Tilt Test). Current patients also suffering from diabetes or hypertension, or still on chemotherapy revealed autonomic changes, while cured or healthy subjects did not.

Digital breast tomosynthesis versus digital mammography: a clinical performance study.

Objective: To compare the clinical performance of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) with that of full-field digital mammography (FFDM) in a diagnostic population.

Methods: The study enrolled 200 consenting women who had at least one breast lesion discovered by mammography and/or ultrasound classified as doubtful or suspicious or probably malignant. They underwent tomosynthesis in one view [mediolateral oblique (MLO)] of both breasts at a dose comparable to that of standard screen-film mammography in two views [craniocaudal (CC) and MLO].