MR Elastography Using the Gravitational Transducer.

MR elastography is a non-invasive imaging technique that provides quantitative maps of tissue biomechanical properties, i.e., elasticity and viscosity.

Noninvasive Grading of Liver Fibrosis Based on Texture Analysis From MRI-Derived Radiomics.

Given the increasing global prevalence of metabolic syndrome, this study aimed to assess the potential of MRI-derived radiomics in noninvasively grading fibrosis. The study included 79 prospectively enrolled participants who had undergone MRE due to known or suspected liver disease between November 2022 and September 2023. Among them, 48 patients were diagnosed with histopathologically confirmed liver fibrosis.

Age-dependent hypertrophy and fibrosis dynamics in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: Insights from longitudinal CMR studies.

Background: This study aims to evaluate the progression of morphological and functional alterations over time in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) using Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (CMR).

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with HCM who underwent serial CMR at 1.5 Tesla.

Malignancy predictors and treatment strategies for adult intestinal intussusception.

Intussusception in adult patients is a rare medical finding, which is accompanied by an underlying tumor in some cases. However, no accepted method has been established to identify patients at risk for tumor-related intussusception. This study aimed to identify imaging features as predictors for tumor-related intussusception.

Standardization of Dual-Energy CT Iodine Uptake of the Abdomen and Pelvis: Defining Reference Values in a Big Data Cohort.

To establish dual-energy-derived iodine density reference values in abdominopelvic organs in a large cohort of healthy subjects. : 597 patients who underwent portal venous phase dual-energy CT scans of the abdomen were retrospectively enrolled. Iodine distribution maps were reconstructed, and regions of interest measurements were placed in abdominal and pelvic structures to obtain absolute iodine values.

Carotid artery assessment in dual-source photon-counting CT: impact of low-energy virtual monoenergetic imaging on image quality, vascular contrast and diagnostic assessability.

Purpose: Preliminary dual-energy CT studies have shown that low-energy virtual monoenergetic (VMI) + reconstructions can provide superior image quality compared to standard 120 kV CTA series. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of low-energy VMI reconstructions on quantitative and qualitative image quality, vascular contrast, and diagnostic assessability of the carotid artery in patients undergoing photon-counting CTA examinations.

Materials And Methods: A total of 122 patients (67 male) who had undergone dual-source photon-counting CTA scans of the carotid artery were retrospectively analyzed in this study.

Assessment of thoracic disc degeneration using dual-energy CT-based collagen maps.

Background: We evaluated the role of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT)-based collagen maps in assessing thoracic disc degeneration.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent DECT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the thoracic spine within a 2-week period from July 2019 to October 2022. Thoracic disc degeneration was classified by three blinded radiologists into three Pfirrmann categories: no/mild (grade 1-2), moderate (grade 3-4), and severe (grade 5).

Epigenetic profiling of prostate cancer reveals potential prognostic signatures.

Purpose: While epigenetic profiling discovered biomarkers in several tumor entities, its application in prostate cancer is still limited. We explored DNA methylation-based deconvolution of benign and malignant prostate tissue for biomarker discovery and the potential of radiomics as a non-invasive surrogate.

Methods: We retrospectively included 30 patients (63 [58-79] years) with prostate cancer (PCa) who had a multiparametric MRI of the prostate before radical prostatectomy between 2014 and 2019.

Biomechanical Assessment of Liver Integrity: Prospective Evaluation of Mechanical Versus Acoustic MR Elastography.

Background: Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) can quantify tissue biomechanics noninvasively, including pathological hepatic states like metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis.

Purpose: To compare the performance of 2D/3D-MRE using the gravitational (GT) transducer concept with the current commercial acoustic (AC) solution utilizing a 2D-MRE approach. Additionally, quality index markers (QIs) were proposed to identify image pixels with sufficient quality for reliably estimating tissue biomechanics.

Accuracy and time efficiency of a novel deep learning algorithm for Intracranial Hemorrhage detection in CT Scans.

Purpose: To evaluate a deep learning-based pipeline using a Dense-UNet architecture for the assessment of acute intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) on non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT) head scans after traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study was conducted using a prototype algorithm that evaluated 502 NCCT head scans with ICH in context of TBI. Four board-certified radiologists evaluated in consensus the CT scans to establish the standard of reference for hemorrhage presence and type of ICH.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Dual-Energy CT-Derived Metrics for the Prediction of Osteoporosis-Associated Fractures.

Rationale And Objectives: This study aimed to compare the diagnostic value of dual-energy CT (DECT)-based volumetric material decomposition with that of Hounsfield units (HU)-based values and cortical thickness ratio for predicting the 2-year risk of osteoporosis-associated fractures.

Methods: The L1 vertebrae of 111 patients (55 men, 56 women; median age, 62 years) who underwent DECT between 01/2015 and 12/2018 were retrospectively analyzed. For phantomless bone mineral density (BMD) assessment, a specialized DECT postprocessing software employing material decomposition was utilized.

Small duct and large duct type intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma reveal distinct patterns of immune signatures.

Purpose: Dedicated gene signatures in small (SD-iCCA) and large (LD-iCCA) duct type intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma remain unknown. We performed immune profiling in SD- and LD-iCCA to identify novel biomarker candidates for personalized medicine.

Methods: Retrospectively, 19 iCCA patients with either SD-iCCA (n = 10, median age, 63.

Optimization of window settings for coronary arteries assessment using spectral CT-derived virtual monoenergetic imaging.

Purpose: To determine the optimal window setting for virtual monoenergetic images (VMI) reconstructed from dual-layer spectral coronary computed tomography angiography (DE-CCTA) datasets.

Material And Methods: 50 patients (30 males; mean age 61.1 ± 12.

Comparison of 96-kV and 120-kV cone-beam CT for the assessment of cochlear implants.

Background: To compare the diagnostic value of 120-kV with conventional 96-kV Cone-Beam CT (CBCT) of the temporal bone after cochlear implant (CI) surgery.

Methods: This retrospective study included CBCT scans after CI surgery between 06/17 and 01/18. CBCT allowed examinations with 96-kV or 120-kV; other parameters were the same.

Prostatic Artery Embolization: Lessons From 551 Procedures at a Single-Center.

Rationale And Objectives: This retrospective study evaluates the efficacy and safety of Prostatic Artery Embolization (PAE) for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) over five years at a single center, conducted by an experienced interventional radiologist.

Materials And Methods: We analyzed 551 PAE interventions from January 2019 to July 2023. Key metrics included patient demographics, procedural details (radiation exposure, particle size), complication rates, pre- and post-interventional prostatic volume (PV), Prostate-specific Antigen (PSA) levels, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), Quality of Life (QoL) scores and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) scores.

Optimizing resource allocation: Cost-effectiveness of specified D-dimer cut-offs in cancer patients with suspected venous thromboembolism.

An accurate diagnosis of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is crucial, given the potential for high mortality in undetected cases. Strategic D-dimer testing may aid in identifying low-risk patients, preventing overdiagnosis and reducing imaging costs. We conducted a retrospective, comparative analysis to assess the potential cost savings that could be achieved by adopting different approaches to determine the most effective D-dimer cut-off value in cancer patients with suspected VTE, compared to the commonly used rule-out cut-off level of 0.

Advancing Differentiation of Hepatic Metastases in Malignant Melanoma through Dual-Energy Computed Tomography Rho/Z Maps.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT)-based Rho/Z maps in differentiating between metastases and benign liver lesions in patients diagnosed with malignant melanoma compared to conventional CT value measurements.

Methods: This retrospective study included 73 patients (mean age, 70 ± 13 years; 43 m/30 w) suffering from malignant melanoma who had undergone third-generation DECT as part of tumor staging between December 2017 and December 2021. For this study, we measured Rho (electron density) and Z (effective atomic number) values as well as Hounsfield units (HUs) in hypodense liver lesions.

Predictive Value of Dual-Energy CT-Derived Metrics for the Use of Bone Substitutes in Distal Radius Fracture Surgery.

(1) Background: Low bone mineral density (BMD) is a significant risk factor for complicated surgery and leads to the increased use of bone substitutes in patients with distal radius fractures (DRFs). No accepted model has yet been established to predict the use of bone substitutes to facilitate preoperative planning. (2) Methods: Unenhanced dual-energy CT (DECT) images of DRFs were retrospectively acquired between March 2016 and September 2020 using the internal PACS system.

Coronary Artery Disease Assessment via On-Site CT Fractional Flow Reserve in Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Purpose To examine the clinical feasibility of workstation-based CT fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) for coronary artery disease (CAD) evaluation during preprocedural planning in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Materials and Methods In this retrospective single-center study, 434 patients scheduled for TAVR between 2018 and 2020 were screened for study inclusion; a relevant proportion of patients (35.0% [152 of 434]) was not suitable for evaluation due to insufficient imaging properties.

From pixels to prognosis: Imaging biomarkers for discrimination and outcome prediction of pulmonary embolism : Original Research Article.

Purpose: Recent advancements in medical imaging have transformed diagnostic assessments, offering exciting possibilities for extracting biomarker-based information. This study aims to investigate the capabilities of a machine learning classifier that incorporates dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) radiomics. The primary focus is on discerning and predicting outcomes related to pulmonary embolism (PE).