ECETOC TRAv3: An In-depth Comparison of Publicly Available Measurement Data Sets With Modelled Estimates of Occupational Inhalation Exposure to Chemicals.

In this study, 129 exposure situations (ESs) with six or more measured inhalation exposures to dust from solids or vapour from liquids in occupational settings were compared with modelled European Centre of Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals (ECETOC) targeted risk assessment tool, version 3 (TRAv3) estimates. The measurement data were extracted from previously published studies examining TRAv3 performance and pooled into a curated database. The comparison exercise focussed on the vapour exposure scenarios, as there were too few dust scenarios for a meaningful analysis of any required model corrections.

The ECETOC-Targeted Risk Assessment Tool for Worker Exposure Estimation in REACH Registration Dossiers of Chemical Substances-Current Developments.

(1) Background: The ECETOC Targeted Risk Assessment (TRA) tool is widely used for estimation of worker exposure levels in the development of dossiers for REACH registration of manufactured or imported chemical substances in Europe. A number of studies have been published since 2010 in which the exposure estimates of the tool are compared with workplace exposure measurement results and in some instances an underestimation of exposure was reported. The quality and results of these studies are being reviewed by ECETOC.

The Additional Value of Ultrafast DCE-MRI to DWI-MRI and 18F-FDG-PET to Detect Occult Primary Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

To evaluate diagnostic accuracy of qualitative analysis and interobserver agreement of single ultrafast-DCE, DWI or F-FDG-PET and the combination of modalities for the detection of unknown primary tumor (UPT) in patients presenting with cervical lymph node metastasis from squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Between 2014-2019, patients with histologically proven cervical lymph node metastasis of UPT SCC were prospectively included and underwent DWI, ultrafast-DCE, and F-FDG-PET/CT. Qualitative assessment was performed by two observers per modality.

Predictive value of quantitative F-FDG-PET radiomics analysis in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Radiomics is aimed at image-based tumor phenotyping, enabling application within clinical-decision-support-systems to improve diagnostic accuracy and allow for personalized treatment. The purpose was to identify predictive 18-fluor-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (F-FDG) positron-emission tomography (PET) radiomic features to predict recurrence, distant metastasis, and overall survival in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treated with chemoradiotherapy.

Methods: Between 2012 and 2018, 103 retrospectively (training cohort) and 71 consecutively included patients (validation cohort) underwent F-FDG-PET/CT imaging.

Multiparametric functional MRI and F-FDG-PET for survival prediction in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treated with (chemo)radiation.

Objectives: To assess (I) correlations between diffusion-weighted (DWI), intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM), dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI, and F-FDG-PET/CT imaging parameters capturing tumor characteristics and (II) their predictive value of locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treated with (chemo)radiotherapy.

Methods: Between 2014 and 2018, patients with histopathologically proven HNSCC, planned for curative (chemo) radiotherapy, were prospectively included. Pretreatment clinical, anatomical, and functional imaging parameters (obtained by DWI/IVIM, DCE-MRI, and F-FDG-PET/CT) were extracted for primary tumors (PT) and lymph node metastases.

Adherence to pretreatment and intratreatment imaging of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients undergoing (chemo) radiotherapy in a research setting.

Purpose: The emerge of improved personalized treatment adaptations and outcome prediction is accompanied with increasing non-invasive assessments in early treatment phase, leading to increased patient burden. This study assessed the adherence of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) to undergo pretreatment and research-related intratreatment imaging, and assessed which factors caused drop-out.

Method: Between 2013 and 2019, advanced-staged HNSCC patients were prospectively included, underwent (chemo) radiotherapy with curative intent and planned for both pre-treatment and intratreatment sequential 18F-FDG-PET/CT, 18F-FDG-PET/MRI and thereafter MRI (including DWI/DCE).

Viral encephalitis associated with rituximab maintenance therapy: two cases and a review of literature.

Rituximab is increasingly used in the treatment of CD20-positive B-cell-mediated disease. Prolonged use may cause B-cell dysfunction, dose-dependent T-cell dysfunction, and hypogammaglobulinaemia and result in severe non-neutropenic infections. We present two cases of viral encephalitis in patients treated with rituximab maintenance therapy: one patient presented with deafness; the other patient with paroxysmal light flashes, apraxia, and weakness.

Predictive value of quantitative diffusion-weighted imaging and 18-F-FDG-PET in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treated by (chemo)radiotherapy.

Background And Purpose: In head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) (chemo)radiotherapy is increasingly used to preserve organ functionality. The purpose of this study was to identify predictive pretreatment DWI- and F-FDG-PET/CT-parameters for treatment failure (TF), locoregional recurrence (LR) and death in HNSCC patients treated by (chemo)radiotherapy.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively included 134 histologically proven HNSCC patients treated with (chemo)radiotherapy between 2012-2017.

Functional imaging early during (chemo)radiotherapy for response prediction in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma; a systematic review.

This systematic review gives an extensive overview of the current state of functional imaging during (chemo)radiotherapy to predict locoregional control (LRC) and overall survival (OS) for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched for literature until April 2018 assessing the predictive performance of functional imaging (computed tomography perfusion (CTp), MRI and positron-emission tomography (PET)) within 4 weeks after (chemo)radiotherapy initiation. Fifty-two studies (CTp: n = 4, MRI: n = 19, PET: n = 26, MRI/PET: n = 3) were included involving 1623 patients.

Use of Diffusion-Weighted Imaging and F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography Combined With Computed Tomography in the Response Assessment for (Chemo)radiotherapy in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Aims: Our purpose was to assess the diagnostic accuracy and prognostic value of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (F-FDG-PET/CT) carried out 3-6 months after (chemo)radiotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Materials And Methods: For this retrospective cohort study we included 82 patients with advanced-stage head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treated between 2012 and 2015. Primary tumours and lymph nodes were assessed separately.

Diagnostic value of diffusion-weighted imaging and F-FDG-PET/CT for the detection of unknown primary head and neck cancer in patients presenting with cervical metastasis.

Background And Purpose: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) may present with cervical metastases without an apparent primary tumor. Detecting the primary tumor results in more targeted treatment. Acquisition of DWI is improving with less artifacts and image distortion.

Detection of residual head and neck squamous cell carcinoma after (chemo)radiotherapy: a pilot study assessing the value of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging as an adjunct to PET-CT using F-FDG.

Objective: Diagnosing residual malignancy after (chemo)radiotherapy presents a diagnostic challenge because of overlapping symptoms and imaging characteristics. We assessed the added diagnostic value of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) to positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (PET-CT) in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) with residual fluorodeoxyglucose (F-FDG) uptake at the primary tumor site 3 months after (chemo)radiotherapy.

Study Design: For this retrospective study from January 2010 to June 2012, 22 cases (median patient age of 61 years; range 41-77 years) were included for analysis.

Intravoxel incoherent motion magnetic resonance imaging in head and neck cancer: A systematic review of the diagnostic and prognostic value.

Intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) imaging is increasingly applied in the assessment of head and neck cancer (HNC). Our purpose was to determine the diagnostic and prognostic performance of IVIM in HNC by performing a critical review of the literature. Pubmed and EMBASE were searched until May 2016.

Spontaneous regression of hepatocellular carcinoma in a Caucasian male patient: A case report and review of the literature.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary hepatic cancer. As it often presents at an advanced stage, it generally has a poor prognosis. Spontaneous regression is a rare finding in HCC, and is often associated with tumour ischemia or a systemic inflammatory response.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Intraocular Tumor Size Measured with MR Imaging in the Prediction of Postlaminar Optic Nerve Invasion and Massive Choroidal Invasion of Retinoblastoma.

Purpose To assess the correlation of intraocular retinoblastoma tumor size measured with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the prediction of histopathologically determined metastatic risk factors (postlaminar optic nerve invasion and massive choroidal invasion). Materials and Methods The ethics committee approved this retrospective multicenter study with a waiver of informed consent. The study population included 370 consecutive patients with retinoblastoma (375 eyes) who underwent baseline MR imaging, followed by primary enucleation from 1993 through 2014.

Contrast-enhanced perfusion magnetic resonance imaging for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a systematic review.

This systematic review gives an extensive overview of the current state of perfusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Pubmed and Embase were searched for literature until July 2014 assessing the diagnostic and prognostic performance of perfusion-weighted MRI in HNSCC. Twenty-one diagnostic and 12 prognostic studies were included for qualitative analysis.

Predictive value of diffusion-weighted imaging without and with including contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in image analysis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Objectives: To assess disease-free survival (DFS) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treated with (chemo)radiotherapy ([C]RT).

Methods: Pretreatment MR-images of 78 patients were retrospectively studied. Apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) were calculated with two sets of two b-values: 0-750s/mm(2) (ADC750) and 0-1000s/mm(2) (ADC1000).

Diffusion-weighted imaging of the head and neck in healthy subjects: reproducibility of ADC values in different MRI systems and repeat sessions.

Background And Purpose: DWI is typically performed with EPI sequences in single-center studies. The purpose of this study was to determine the reproducibility of ADC values in the head and neck region in healthy subjects. In addition, the reproducibility of ADC values in different tissues was assessed to identify the most suitable reference tissue.

Diffusion-weighted EPI- and HASTE-MRI and 18F-FDG-PET-CT early during chemoradiotherapy in advanced head and neck cancer.

Main Problem: Diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) has potential to predict chemoradiotherapy (CRT) response in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and is generally performed using echo-planar imaging (EPI). However, EPI-DWI is susceptible to geometric distortions. Half-fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin-echo (HASTE)-DWI may be an alternative.

Whole-body-MR imaging including DWIBS in the work-up of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a feasibility study.

Objectives: To assess the feasibility of whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI) including diffusion-weighted whole-body imaging with background-body-signal-suppression (DWIBS) for the evaluation of distant malignancies in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC); and to compare WB-MRI findings with (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ((18)F-FDG-PET/CT) and chest-CT.

Methods: Thirty-three patients with high risk for metastatic spread (26 males; range 48-79 years, mean age 63 ± 7.9 years (mean ± standard deviation) years) were prospectively included with a follow-up of six months.

ECETOC TRA version 3: capturing and consolidating the experiences of REACH.

The ECETOC Targeted Risk Assessment (TRA) model is intended to evaluate the nature of human and environmental exposures and risks arising from the manufacture and use of chemicals and version 2 has been extensively applied to develop Chemical Safety Assessments for substances registered under Phase 1 of REACH. In order to maintain the model, ECETOC solicited suggestions from TRA users arising from their experiences gained from its use in the 2009-2011 period. TRA users identified 16 different ways in which the worker exposure predictions of the TRA might be further improved at the technical level.

Diagnostic performance of magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography for advanced retinoblastoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: To determine and compare the diagnostic performance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) for the diagnosis of tumor extent in advanced retinoblastoma, using histopathologic analysis as the reference standard.

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Participants: Patients with advanced retinoblastoma who underwent MRI, CT, or both for the detection of tumor extent from published diagnostic accuracy studies.

Generic exposure scenarios: their development, application, and interpretation under REACH.

The European Union Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Regulation (EC 1907/2006) places significant new obligations on the manufacturers or importers (M/Is) of chemicals in Europe. It also places new responsibilities on downstream users (DUs) of these chemicals i.e.

Indoor air pollution and its effect on pulmonary function of adult non-smoking women: I. Exposure estimates for nitrogen dioxide and passive smoking.

The potential effects of indoor NO2 and tobacco smoke on the respiratory system were studied using pulmonary function data from a longitudinal study. In 1982, NO2 was measured in 163 homes of non-smoking adult women and detailed information on smoking inside the house was gathered over the period 1965-1982. Personal exposure to NO2 was calculated from the measured levels and the activity pattern of the study population (range 11-139 micrograms NO2/m3).