Feasibility of Low-Dose and Low-Contrast Media Volume Approach in Computed Tomography Cardiovascular Imaging Reconstructed with Model-Based Algorithm.

: To evaluate the dose reduction and image quality of low-dose, low-contrast media volume in computed tomography (CT) examinations reconstructed with the model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR) algorithm in comparison with the hybrid iterative (HIR) one. We prospectively enrolled a total of 401 patients referred for cardiovascular CT, evaluated with a 256-MDCT scan with a low kVp (80 kVp) reconstructed with an MBIR (study group) or a standard HIR protocol (100 kVp-control group) after injection of a fixed dose of contrast medium volume. Vessel contrast enhancement and image noise were measured by placing the region of interest (ROI) in the left ventricle, ascending aorta; left, right and circumflex coronary arteries; main, right and left pulmonary arteries; aortic arch; and abdominal aorta.

Artificial Intelligence Applied to Chest X-ray: A Reliable Tool to Assess the Differential Diagnosis of Lung Pneumonia in the Emergency Department.

Background: Considering the large number of patients with pulmonary symptoms admitted to the emergency department daily, it is essential to diagnose them correctly. It is necessary to quickly solve the differential diagnosis between COVID-19 and typical bacterial pneumonia to address them with the best management possible. In this setting, an artificial intelligence (AI) system can help radiologists detect pneumonia more quickly.

Spontaneous Soft Tissue Hematomas in Patients with Coagulation Impairment: Safety and Efficacy of Transarterial Embolization.

The aim of this study is to report the authors' experience of percutaneous transarterial embolization (TAE) in patients with spontaneous soft tissue hematomas (SSTH) and active bleeding with anticoagulation impairment. The study retrospectively identified 78 patients who received a diagnosis of SSTH by CT scan and underwent TAE between 2010 and 2019 in a single trauma center. The patients were stratified using Popov classification into categories: 2A, 2B, 2C, and 3.

Role of Imaging in the Management of Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Lung Involvement Admitted to the Emergency Department: A Systematic Review.

During the waves of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, emergency departments were overflowing with patients suffering with suspected medical or surgical issues. In these settings, healthcare staff should be able to deal with different medical and surgical scenarios while protecting themselves against the risk of contamination. Various strategies were used to overcome the most critical issues and guarantee quick and efficient diagnostic and therapeutic charts.

Principles and Applications of Dual-Layer Spectral CT in Gastrointestinal Imaging.

The advance in technology allows for the development of different CT scanners in the field of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT). In particular, a recently developed detector-based technology can collect data from different energy levels, thanks to its layers. The use of this system is suited for material decomposition with perfect spatial and temporal registration.

Imaging in Gastric Cancer: Current Practice and Future Perspectives.

Gastric cancer represents one of the most common oncological causes of death worldwide. In order to treat patients in the best possible way, the staging of gastric cancer should be accurate. In this regard, endoscopy ultrasound (EUS) has been considered the reference standard for tumor (T) and nodal (N) statuses in recent decades.

One-year pulmonary impairment after severe COVID-19: a prospective, multicenter follow-up study.

Background: Long-term pulmonary sequelae following hospitalization for SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia is largely unclear. The aim of this study was to identify and characterise pulmonary sequelae caused by SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia at 12-month from discharge.

Methods: In this multicentre, prospective, observational study, patients hospitalised for SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia and without prior diagnosis of structural lung diseases were stratified by maximum ventilatory support ("oxygen only", "continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)" and "invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV)") and followed up at 12 months from discharge.

Splenic artery aneurysm in obstetrical patients: A series of four cases with different clinical presentation and outcome.

Objective: To describe four consecutive cases of splenic artery aneurysm (SAA) with different clinical patterns of presentation among obstetrical patients.

Methods: A series of four cases of SAA diagnosed in pregnant or postpartum women at our University center between January 1998 and December 2020. Clinical and radiologic data were retrospectively obtained by reviewing paper and electronic medical records after acquiring patient's consent.

Compressive ultrasound can predict early pulmonary embolism onset in COVID patients.

Purpose: To evaluate the usefulness of compressive ultrasound (CUS) for the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients with SARS-CoV-2-related infection.

Methods: 112 hospitalized patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were retrospectively enrolled. CUS was performed within 2 days of admission and consisted in the assessment of the proximal and distal deep venous systems.

The Role of Core Biopsy versus Vacuum-Assisted Breast Biopsy In Primary Breast Angiosarcoma.

We report the case of a 45-year-old woman with a slow-growing palpable nodule on the left breast, confirmed as a well-defined opacity on mammography, corresponding to a 5 cm hyperechoic lesion on ultrasound, and considered, on the basis of clinical examination and radiological findings, to be consistent with a lipoma. One year later, the patient represented with an enlarged left breast mass and underwent further imaging investigation with subsequent diagnosis of primary breast angiosarcoma obtained via a Vacuum-Assisted Breast Biopsy. The patient developed metastatic disease and succumbed to the disease one year after definitive diagnosis.

Acute pulmonary embolism in hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2-related pneumonia: multicentric experience from Italian endemic area.

Purpose: To analyze pulmonary embolism (PE) on chest computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) in hospitalized patients affected by SARS-CoV-2, according to the severity of lung disease based both on temporal CT features changes and on CT-severity lung involvement (CT-severity score), along with the support of clinical and laboratory findings.

Methods: We retrospectively enrolled a total of 170 patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection who underwent CTPA examination for PE suspicion. Pulmonary arteries diameters, right ventricle/left ventricle (RV/LV) ratio, presence, absence, and distribution of PE, pulmonary artery obstructive index (PAO index), and lobe involvement were recorded.

Chest X-ray features of SARS-CoV-2 in the emergency department: a multicenter experience from northern Italian hospitals.

Objectives: To evaluate the imaging features of routine admission chest X-ray in patients referred for novel Coronavirus 2019 infection.

Methods: All patients referred to the emergency departments, RT-PCR positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection were evaluated. Demographic and clinical data were recorded.

Treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma beyond the Milan criteria. A weighted comparative study of surgical resection versus chemoembolization.

Background: Optimal treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) beyond the Milan criteria (MC) is debated. The aim of the study was to assess overall-survival (OS) and disease-free-survival (DFS) for HCC beyond MC when treated by trans-arterial-chemoembolization (TACE) or surgical resection (SR).

Method: between 2005 and 2015, all patients with a first diagnosis of HCC beyond MC(1 nodule>5 cm, or 3 nodules>3 cm without macrovascular invasion) were evaluated.

Virtual Guidance of Percutaneous Transthoracic Needle Biopsy with C-Arm Cone-Beam CT: Diagnostic Accuracy, Risk Factors and Effective Radiation Dose.

Purpose: C-arm cone-beam computed tomography-guided transthoracic lung core needle biopsy (CBCT-CNB) is a safe and accurate procedure for the evaluation of patients with pulmonary nodules. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance, complication rates and effective radiation dose of CBCT-CNB with virtual guidance.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively collected data regarding 375 CBCT-CNBs performed with virtual guidance (XperGuide-Philips Healthcare, Best, The Netherlands) from January 2010 to June 2015 on 355 patients (mean age, 68.

Evaluation of image quality and radiation dose saving comparing knowledge model-based iterative reconstruction on 80-kV CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) with hybrid iterative reconstruction on 100-kV CT.

Objectives: To evaluate dose reduction and image quality of 80-kV CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) reconstructed with knowledge model-based iterative reconstruction (IMR), and compared with 100-kV CTPA with hybrid iterative reconstruction (iDose).

Materials And Methods: One hundred and fifty-one patients were prospectively investigated for pulmonary embolism; a study group of 76 patients underwent low-kV setting (80 kV, automated mAs) CTPA study, while a control group of 75 patients underwent standard CTPA protocol (100 kV; automated mAs); all patients were examined on 256 MDCT scanner (Philips iCTelite). Study group images were reconstructed using IMR while the control group ones with iDose.

Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging With Gadolinium Ethoxybenzyl Diethylenetriamine Pentaacetic Acid for Quantitative Assessment of Vascular Effects on Hepatocellular-Carcinoma Lesions Treated by Transarterial Chemoembolization or Radiofrequency Ablation.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in evaluation of blood flow changes related to transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) procedures in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) lesions.

Methods: Fifty-four patients, with biopsy-proven HCC, who underwent TACE or RFA, were evaluated, 1 month after treatment, with upper abdominal MRI examination. Multiplanar T2-weighted, T1-weighted, and dynamic contrast-enhanced sequences were acquired.

Blood pressure responses to renal denervation precede and are independent of the sympathetic and baroreflex effects.

It is still largely unknown whether the neuroadrenergic responses to renal denervation (RD) are involved in its blood pressure (BP)-lowering effects and represent predictors of the BP responses to RD. In 15 treated true resistant hypertensives, we measured before and 15 days, 1, 3, and 6 months after RD clinic, ambulatory and beat-to-beat BP. Measurements included muscle sympathetic nerve traffic (MSNA), spontaneous baroreflex-MSNA sensitivity, and various humoral and metabolic variables.

C-arm cone-beam CT-guided transthoracic lung core needle biopsy as a standard diagnostic tool: an observational study.

C-arm cone-beam computed tomography (CT)-guided transthoracic lung core needle biopsy (CNB) is a safe and accurate procedure for the evaluation of patients with pulmonary nodules. This article will focus on the clinical features related to CNB in terms of diagnostic performance and complication rate. Moreover, the concept of categorizing pathological diagnosis into 4 categories, which could be used for clinical management, follow-up, and quality assurance is also introduced.