Preoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy MRI characteristics favouring pathologic complete response in patients with rectal cancer: Usefulness of MR T2-stage as an ancillary finding for predicting pathologic complete response.

Introduction: This study sought to assess preoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based findings according to a structured MRI report template for primary staging of rectal cancer, and to evaluate the prognostic relevance of the pre-CRT MRI-based findings in patients with rectal cancer after CRT.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated pre- and post-CRT MRI data of patients with pathologically proven rectal adenocarcinoma, between January 2008 and October 2019. Image interpretation was performed independently by two radiologists and each reviewer assessed the cancer characteristics on MRI, based on the structured MRI report for primary staging.

Effectiveness of percutaneous lumbar foraminoplasty in patients with lumbar foraminal spinal stenosis accompanying redundant nerve root syndrome: A retrospective observational study.

The clinical outcomes of redundant nerve root syndrome (RNRS) in patients with lumbar foraminal spinal stenosis (LFSS) are currently unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the postprocedural outcomes of RNRS in LFSS after percutaneous lumbar foraminoplasty (PLF) and identify the factors associated with RNRS by comparative analysis between patients with and without RNRS.Patients with LFSS who underwent PLF were retrospectively analyzed.

Chronic inflammation-related radiological findings of gallbladder adenomyomatosis.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess radiological findings of adenomyomatosis advancing to chronic inflammation to differentiate between adenomyomatosis with and without chronic inflammation.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively identified 79 patients with pathologically proven adenomyomatosis without (n = 10) or with chronic inflammation (n = 69), who underwent computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) followed by surgery. MRI analysis included evaluation of GB wall-thickening type, presence and location of intramural cysts, and presence of stones.

Usefulness of histologic differences and perivascular infiltration for preoperative T staging of advanced gastric cancer using computed tomography.

Purpose: This study aimed to determine whether histologic differences and perivascular infiltration are useful for clinical T staging of advanced gastric cancer (AGC).

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study included 160 patients with pathologically confirmed AGC who had available preoperative stomach computed tomography (CT). Using stomach CT, they were classified according to standard T stage, histologic T stage, and perivascular T stage.

Effects of nicardipine on the onset time and intubation conditions of rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade.

Study Objective: The objective of this study was to identify the effects of nicardipine on neuromuscular blockade of rocuronium, such as the onset time and intubation conditions, using a nicardipine dose that attenuates cardiovascular responses during endotracheal intubation.

Design: Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical comparison was used as the design of this study

Setting: The study was conducted at the operating room of a university hospital.

Patients: Participants of this study comprise 78 American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status 1 and 2 patients, aged 18 to 60 years who were undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia.

Epithelioid hemangioendotheliomas with TFE3 gene translocations are compossible with CAMTA1 gene rearrangements.

Epithelioid hemangioendotheliomas (EHEs) are vascular tumors of intermediate malignancy that can undergo high-grade malignant transformations. EHEs have been characterized by tumor-specific WW domain-containing transcription regulator 1(WWTR1)-calmodulin-binding transcription activator 1 (CAMTA1) translocations, and recently, a novel Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1)-transcription factor E3 (TFE3) gene fusion was identified in EHEs. In this study, we examined the expression levels of TFE3 and CAMTA1 via immunohistochemical staining and identified chromosomal alterations using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assays and RT-PCR tests.

Impact of Bowel Preparation Quality on Adenoma Identification During Colonoscopy and Optimal Timing of Surveillance.

Background: All present guidelines regarding surveillance intervals after index colonoscopy are based on optimal bowel preparation. However, the appropriate timing of repeat colonoscopy after suboptimal bowel preparation is not clear.

Aims: To determine the appropriate timing of repeat colonoscopy following index colonoscopy with suboptimal bowel preparation.

Comparison of etomidate and propofol on intubating conditions and the onset time associated with cisatracurium administration.

Background: This study compared intubating conditions and the onset time associated with administration of cisatracurium, a nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocker with a relatively slow onset, according to prior injection of one of two intravenous anesthetic agents: propofol or etomidate.

Methods: Forty-six female patients, undergoing general anesthesia and endotracheal intubation for elective surgery, were randomized to two groups; group P were administered propofol (2 mg/kg) prior to cisatracurium (0.2 mg/kg); group E were administered etomidate (0.

Added value of arterial enhancement fraction color maps for the characterization of small hepatic low-attenuating lesions in patients with colorectal cancer.

Objective: To assess the added value of arterial enhancement fraction (AEF) color maps for the differentiation of small metastases from hepatic benign lesions.

Subjects And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 46 patients with colorectal cancer who underwent multiphasic liver CT imaging and had low-attenuating liver lesions smaller than 3 cm (123 total lesions; metastasis: benign = 32:91). AEF color maps of the liver were created from multiphasic liver CT images using dedicated software.

CT differentiation of 1-2-cm gallbladder polyps: benign vs malignant.

Purpose: To evaluate MDCT findings of 1-2-cm sized gallbladder (GB) polyps for differentiation between benign and malignant polyps.

Methods: Institutional review board approval was obtained, and informed consent was waived. Portal venous phase CT scans of 1-2-cm sized GB polyps caused by various pathologic conditions were retrospectively reviewed by two blinded observers.

Epithelial wound healing after cataract surgery comparing two different topical fluoroquinolones.

Purpose: To compare the epithelial wound healing response of two preservative-free fluoroquinolones, moxifloxacin and levofloxacin, in patients who underwent cataract surgery.

Materials And Methods: In this prospective, evaluator-masked, randomized clinical trial, 59 eyes of 50 patients who underwent cataract surgery were enrolled. Patients were randomized to receive moxifloxacin 0.

Differential diagnosis of left-sided abdominal pain: primary epiploic appendagitis vs colonic diverticulitis.

Aim: To investigate the clinical characteristics of left primary epiploic appendagitis and to compare them with those of left colonic diverticulitis.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records and radiologic images of the patients who presented with left-sided acute abdominal pain and had computer tomography (CT) performed at the time of presentation showing radiological signs of left primary epiploic appendagitis (PEA) or left acute colonic diverticulitis (ACD) between January 2001 and December 2011. A total of 53 consecutive patients were enrolled and evaluated.

Diagnostic role of computed tomographic enterography differentiating crohn disease from intestinal tuberculosis.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic role of computed tomographic enterography (CTE) in distinguishing Crohn disease (CD) from intestinal tuberculosis (ITB).

Materials And Methods: From January 2006 to August 2011, a total of 81 consecutive patients (64 patients with CD and 17 patients with ITB) who received CTE on the initial workup were included. In CTE, degree of bowel involvement (number and length), mural change (mural hyperenhancement, stratification, wall thickening, and distribution), adjacent mesenteric change (comb sign, fibrofatty proliferation, fistula, abscess, and lymphadenopathy), and peritoneal change (peritoneal thickening and ascites) were assessed.

Added value of subtraction imaging in detecting arterial enhancement in small (<3 cm) hepatic nodules on dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI in patients at high risk of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objectives: To determine the importance of arterial enhancement in diagnosing small (<3 cm) hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) and to evaluate the added value of dynamic subtraction magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting arterial enhancement in small (<3 cm) hepatic nodules in high-risk patients.

Methods: Eighty-six patients with 135 pathologically confirmed small (<3 cm) hepatic nodules (104 HCCs, 31 benign nodules) underwent MRI before curative surgery. Arterial enhancement was determined by three methods: (1) visual assessment of the arterial phase alone, (2) visual comparison of the arterial phase with the unenhanced phase and (3) additional review of subtraction images.

Changes of clinical manifestation of granular corneal deposits because of recurrent corneal erosion in granular corneal dystrophy types 1 and 2.

Purpose: To elucidate changes of clinical manifestation of granular corneal deposits after recurrent corneal erosion in granular corneal dystrophy types 1 and 2 (GCD1 and GCD2).

Methods: Six patients (5 patients with GCD2 and 1 with GCD1) were included. Slit-lamp photographs of all patients and Fourier domain optical coherence tomography images of 3 available patients were analyzed.

Response evaluation in patients with colorectal liver metastases: RECIST version 1.1 versus modified CT criteria.

Objective: Our retrospective study compared Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1 with modified CT criteria to determine their respective utilities as a prognostic indicator. Using both sets of criteria, we compared treatment responses of patients with colorectal liver metastases treated with bevacizumab-containing chemotherapy with those of patients treated with chemotherapy alone.

Enhancement patterns of hepatocellular carcinoma after transarterial chemoembolization using drug-eluting beads on arterial phase CT images: a pilot retrospective study.

Objective: The purpose of this article is to assess CT enhancement patterns of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) within 1 month after transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) using drug-eluting beads and to determine whether enhancement patterns may be useful for predicting local tumor progression.

Materials And Methods: Forty-one patients with 50 HCCs underwent CT within 1 month after TACE with drug-eluting beads. Two blinded readers independently reviewed the arterial phase images and classified enhancement patterns as follows: no enhancement, peripheral ring enhancement, and peripheral nodulelike enhancement.

Extremely varied phenotypes in granular corneal dystrophy type 2 heterozygotes.

Purpose: To investigate the phenotypic variability of patients bearing the heterozygous R124H mutation in the TGFBI (transforming growth factor-beta-induced) gene that causes granular corneal dystrophy type 2 (GCD2).

Methods: We describe the phenotypic range of GCD2 heterozygotes for the common R124H mutation in TGFBI; seven with an extremely mild phenotype and six with an extremely severe phenotype. Detailed slit-lamp photographs of these patients were generated.

Prediction of the histopathological grade of hepatocellular carcinoma using qualitative diffusion-weighted, dynamic, and hepatobiliary phase MRI.

Objectives: To investigate the effectiveness of qualitative diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), subtraction of unenhanced from arterial phase images, and hepatobiliary phase (HBP) images in estimating the histopathological grade of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance images of 175 patients with 201 surgically resected HCCs. The signal intensity and its relationship with histopathological grade were assessed for each sequence and a combination of sequences.

Quantitative evaluation of liver cirrhosis using T1 relaxation time with 3 tesla MRI before and after oxygen inhalation.

Purpose: To quantify liver T1 relaxation times before and after oxygen inhalation in patients with and without liver cirrhosis using a 3 Tesla (T) MRI.

Materials And Methods: Institutional Review Board approval and written informed consent were obtained. Ninety-two noncirrhotic patients and 87 patients with hepatitis B viral liver cirrhosis (72 Child-Pugh class A and 15 Child-Pugh class B or C) underwent MRI with a 3.

A rare case of a signet ring cell carcinoma of the colon mimicking a juvenile polyp.

Primary signet ring cell carcinoma (SRC) of colon at early stage is quite rare. Only 26 cases were reported until now. We report an early stage of primary SRC which was misdiagnosed as a juvenile polyp and treated with polypectomy followed by surgical resection.

The effects of lifestyle modification on symptoms and quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: a prospective observational study.

Background/aims: Although notably common, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has no specific cure. Lifestyle modification may be as important as medication; however, few studies support the effectiveness of such modifications. We performed this observational study of IBS patients to explore further the role of lifestyle changes in treatment.

Comparison of gadoxetic acid-enhanced dynamic imaging and diffusion-weighted imaging for the preoperative evaluation of colorectal liver metastases.

Purpose: To retrospectively compare the diagnostic accuracy for the detection of colorectal liver metastases between gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI (EOB-MRI) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) on 3.0 Tesla (T) system, and then to determine whether a combination of the two techniques may improve the diagnostic performance.

Materials And Methods: Forty-seven patients underwent MR imaging at 3.