Prevalence of Mitral Annular Disjunction at Cardiac MRI: Results from a Multicenter Registry.

Purpose To determine the prevalence of mitral annular disjunction (MAD) in patients undergoing cardiac MRI for various clinical indications and to assess the association of MAD with arrhythmia, mitral valve prolapse (MVP), and myocardial alteration. Materials and Methods This study analyzed data from a retrospective observational registry of consecutive patients undergoing cardiac MRI for different clinical indications. Cardiac MRI examinations were performed from January 2019 to June 2019 at 13 Italian hospitals.

CT Coronary Angiography: Technical Approach and Atherosclerotic Plaque Characterization.

Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) currently represents a robust imaging technique for the detection, quantification and characterization of coronary atherosclerosis. However, CCTA remains a challenging task requiring both high spatial and temporal resolution to provide motion-free images of the coronary arteries. Several CCTA features, such as low attenuation, positive remodeling, spotty calcification, napkin-ring and high pericoronary fat attenuation index have been proved as associated to high-risk plaques.

A unique case of lymphoepithelioma-like HCC with osteoclast-like giant cells: CT imaging features with pathologic correlations.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary malignancy of the liver, with several histological variants being reported in literature. Hereby, we describe a case of a 77-year-old man with chronic liver disease referred to our department for performing a computed tomography (CT) due to a liver mass discovered at an abdominal ultrasound follow-up. At CT, a large, ill-defined lesion in the third hepatic segment was detected, characterized by progressive and delayed enhancement with minimal retraction of the hepatic capsule, associated with perihepatic adipose tissue inhomogeneity, mimicking a cholangiocarcinoma.

Advanced CMR Techniques in Anderson-Fabry Disease: State of the Art.

Anderson-Fabry disease (AFD) is a rare multisystem X-linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by α-galactosidase A enzyme deficiency. Long-term cardiac involvement in AFD results in left ventricular hypertrophy and myocardial fibrosis, inducing several complications, mainly arrhythmias, valvular dysfunction, and coronary artery disease. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) represents the predominant noninvasive imaging modality for the assessment of cardiac involvement in the AFD, being able to comprehensively assess cardiac regional anatomy, ventricular function as well as to provide tissue characterization.

Artificial intelligence and radiomics in magnetic resonance imaging of rectal cancer: a review.

Rectal cancer (RC) is one of the most common tumours worldwide in both males and females, with significant morbidity and mortality rates, and it accounts for approximately one-third of colorectal cancers (CRCs). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been demonstrated to be accurate in evaluating the tumour location and stage, mucin content, invasion depth, lymph node (LN) metastasis, extramural vascular invasion (EMVI), and involvement of the mesorectal fascia (MRF). However, these features alone remain insufficient to precisely guide treatment decisions.

Dual-Energy CT of the Heart: A Review.

Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) represents an emerging imaging technique which consists of the acquisition of two separate datasets utilizing two different X-ray spectra energies. Several cardiac DECT applications have been assessed, such as virtual monoenergetic images, virtual non-contrast reconstructions, and iodine myocardial perfusion maps, which are demonstrated to improve diagnostic accuracy and image quality while reducing both radiation and contrast media administration. This review will summarize the technical basis of DECT and review the principal cardiac applications currently adopted in clinical practice, exploring possible future applications.

Advanced cardiac imaging in the spectrum of COVID-19 related cardiovascular involvement.

Cardiovascular involvement is a common complication of COVID-19 infection and is associated to increased risk of unfavorable outcome. Advanced imaging modalities (coronary CT angiography and Cardiac Magnetic Resonance) play a crucial role in the diagnosis, follow-up and risk stratification of patients affected by COVID-19 pneumonia with suspected cardiovascular involvement. In the present manuscript we firstly review current knowledge on the mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 can trigger endothelial and myocardial damage.

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance native T1 mapping in Anderson-Fabry disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: T1 mapping is an established cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) technique that can characterize myocardial tissue. We aimed to determine the weighted mean native T1 values of Anderson-Fabry disease (AFD) patients and the standardized mean differences (SMD) as compared to healthy control subjects.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search of the PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases was conducted according to the PRISMA statement to retrieve original studies reporting myocardial native T1 values in AFD patients and healthy controls.

Global Left Ventricular Myocardial Work Efficiency in Heart Failure Patients with Cardiac Amyloidosis: Pathophysiological Implications and Role in Differential Diagnosis.

Introduction: Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is an infiltrative cardiomyopathy and a common cause of heart failure with preserved and mid-range ejection fraction (HFpEF and HFmrEF). Left ventricular (LV) systolic assessment is pivotal in differential diagnostic and prognostic stratification in CA. However, nondeformation and deformation-based parameters classically implied had many limitations.

Cardiac CT and MRI radiomics: systematic review of the literature and radiomics quality score assessment.

Objective: To systematically review and evaluate the methodological quality of studies using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) radiomics for cardiac applications.

Methods: Multiple medical literature archives (PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE) were systematically searched to retrieve original studies focused on cardiac MRI and CT radiomics applications. Two researchers in consensus assessed each investigation using the radiomics quality score (RQS).

The Role of New Imaging Technologies in the Diagnosis of Cardiac Amyloidosis.

Cardiac amyloidosis is an infiltrative disorder caused by transthyretin or immunoglobulin free light-chain deposition, which determines clinical disease with similar phenotype but different time course, prognosis and therapy. Multimodality imaging is the cornerstone for disease diagnosis and management. Multimodality imaging has revolutionized the approach to the disease favoring its awareness and simplifying its diagnosis, especially in ATTR cardiac amyloidosis.

Metastatic choriocarcinoma with hemorrhagic complications and spontaneous ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: A case report.

Gestational choriocarcinoma is a malignant trophoblastic tumor arising from any gestational event, even with a long latency period, generally in the reproductive female. It is associated with a high level of beta-human chorionic gonadotropin. Its primary site is usually the uterus but not all patients have a detectable lesion in this site.

A Rare Case of Solitary Fibrous Tumour of the Pelvis in an 18-Year-Old Young Man: CT and MRI Features with Pathologic Correlations.

Solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) are mesenchymal neoplasms of fibroblastic origin, even if commonly seen in the pleura, they can occur anywhere in the body. SFT presents as a slow growing, often asymptomatic mass, generally affecting middle-aged adults regardless of the sex. We report a rare case of an 18-year-old man referred to our institution to perform computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to investigate a pelvic mass incidentally discovered at abdominal ultrasound examination.

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging during the COVID-19 pandemic: A southern Italian single-center experience.

Purpose: We aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging studies performed during the lockdown imposed by the Italian Government from March 2020 to May 2020.

Materials And Method: We reviewed the number and the findings of CMR scans performed during the COVID-19 pandemic between March and May 2020 at University of Naples Federico II. The number and the findings of CMR studies acquired in the corresponding months of 2017, 2018 and 2019 were also assessed for direct comparison.

Significant functional mitral regurgitation affects left atrial function in heart failure patients: haemodynamic correlations and prognostic implications.

Aims: Functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) is a well-known pathophysiological factor in heart failure (HF) patients, and left atrial function (LAF) is a novel determinant of clinical status and outcome in this setting. However, little is known about the pathophysiological role of FMR on LAF in HFrEF patients. Aim of this study is to explore the possible interplay between the severity of FMR and LAF in heart failure with reduce ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients and their possible consequences.

The mitral-to-aortic flow-velocity integral ratio in the real world echocardiographic evaluation of functional mitral regurgitation before and after percutaneous repair.

Introduction: Percutaneous mitral valve repair (PMVR) using MitraClip system has emerged as a therapeutic option for patients with functional severe mitral regurgitation (FMR) at prohibitive risk for surgery. In this setting, the echocardiographic assessment of FMR severity is challenging because the traditional echocardiographic methods have important limitations. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy and reliability of a simple Doppler index, the mitral/aortic flow velocity integral ratio (MAVIR), to evaluate residual FMR severity after PMVR.

Recoordination of opposing walls drives the response to cardiac resynchronization therapy: a longitudinal study using a strain discoordination index.

Background And Aims: Intraventricular dyssynchrony has traditionally been studied by means of contraction delays between different myocardial segments. Recently, the discoordination of opposing wall contraction throughout the cardiac cycle has been proposed as a more faithful predictor of response. Aim of the current study was to evaluate which parameters - mechanical dyssynchrony or discoordination - normalize with left ventricular response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).