Radiogenomics in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma: Correlations Between Advanced CT Imaging (Texture Analysis) and MicroRNAs Expression.

Purpose: A relevant challenge for the improvement of clear cell renal cell carcinoma management could derive from the identification of novel molecular biomarkers that could greatly improve the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment choice of these neoplasms. In this study, we investigate whether quantitative parameters obtained from computed tomography texture analysis may correlate with the expression of selected oncogenic microRNAs.

Methods: In a retrospective single-center study, multiphasic computed tomography examination (with arterial, portal, and urographic phases) was performed on 20 patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma and computed tomography texture analysis parameters such as entropy, kurtosis, skewness, mean, and standard deviation of pixel distribution were measured using multiple filter settings.

A Population-Based Study on Myelodysplastic Syndromes in the Lazio Region (Italy), Medical Miscoding and 11-Year Mortality Follow-Up: the Gruppo Romano-Laziale Mielodisplasie Experience of Retrospective Multicentric Registry.

Data on Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) are difficult to collect by cancer registries because of the lack of reporting and the use of different classifications of the disease. In the Lazio Region, data from patients with a confirmed diagnosis of MDS, treated by a hematology center, have been collected since 2002 by the Gruppo Romano-Laziale Mielodisplasie (GROM-L) registry, the second MDS registry existing in Italy. This study aimed at evaluating MDS medical miscoding during hospitalizations, and patients' survival.

Global quantification of left ventricular myocardial perfusion at dynamic CT imaging: Prognostic value.

Background: There is no published data on the prognostic value of global myocardial perfusion values at stress dynamic CT myocardial perfusion imaging (CTMPI).

Methods: Data of 144 patients from 6 centers who had undergone coronary CT angiography (coronary CTA) and CTMPI were assessed. Coronary CTA studies were acquired at rest; CTMPI was performed under vasodilator stress.

Performance of diffusion-weighted imaging, perfusion imaging, and texture analysis in predicting tumoral response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in rectal cancer patients studied with 3T MR: initial experience.

Purpose: To determine the performance of texture analysis (TA), diffusion-weighted imaging, and perfusion MR (pMRI) in predicting tumoral response in patients treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT).

Methods: 12 consecutive patients (8 females, 4 males, 63.2 ± 13.

Semiautomated Global Quantification of Left Ventricular Myocardial Perfusion at Stress Dynamic CT:: Diagnostic Accuracy for Detection of Territorial Myocardial Perfusion Deficits Compared to Visual Assessment.

Rationale And Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of semiautomated global quantification of left ventricular myocardial perfusion derived from stress dynamic computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging (CTMPI) for detection of territorial perfusion deficits (PD).

Materials And Methods: Dynamic CTMPI datasets of 71 patients were analyzed using semiautomated volume-based software to calculate global myocardial blood flow (MBF), myocardial blood volume, and volume transfer constant. Optimal cutoff values to assess the diagnostic accuracy of these parameters for detection of one- to three-vessel territories with PD in comparison to visual analysis were calculated.

Approaches to ultra-low radiation dose coronary artery calcium scoring based on 3rd generation dual-source CT: A phantom study.

Objectives: To investigate to what extent 3rd generation dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) can reduce radiation dose in coronary artery calcium scoring.

Methods: Image acquisition was performed using a stationary calcification phantom. Prospectively electrocardiogram (ECG)-triggered 120 kV sequential, and 120 and Sn100 kV ultra-high pitch (UHP) acquisitions were performed with different tube currents (80, 60, 40, 20 mA).

HCV NS3 sequencing as a reliable and clinically useful tool for the assessment of genotype and resistance mutations for clinical samples with different HCV-RNA levels.

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the reliability and clinical utility of NS3 sequencing in hepatitis C virus (HCV) 1-infected patients who were candidates to start a PI-containing regimen.

Methods: NS3 protease sequencing was performed by in-house-developed HCV-1 subtype-specific protocols. Phylogenetic analysis was used to test sequencing reliability and concordance with previous genotype/subtype assignment by commercial genotyping assays.

Quantitative evaluation of beam-hardening artefact correction in dual-energy CT myocardial perfusion imaging.

Objectives: To assess quantitatively the impact of a novel reconstruction algorithm ("kernel") with beam-hardening correction (BHC) on beam-hardening artefacts of the myocardium at dual-energy CT myocardial perfusion imaging (DE-CTMPI).

Methods: Rest-series of DE-CTMPI examinations from 14 patients were retrospectively analyzed. Six image series were reconstructed for each patient: a) 100 kV, b) 140 kV, and c) linearly blended MIX0.

Effect of Automated Attenuation-based Tube Voltage Selection on Radiation Dose at CT: An Observational Study on a Global Scale.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of automated tube voltage selection (ATVS) on radiation dose at computed tomography (CT) worldwide encompassing all body regions and types of CT examinations.

Materials And Methods: No patient information was accessed; therefore, institutional review board approval was not sought. Data from 86 centers across the world were analyzed.

Dual-energy CT of the pancreas: improved carcinoma-to-pancreas contrast with a noise-optimized monoenergetic reconstruction algorithm.

Purpose: To evaluate a novel monoenergetic reconstruction algorithm (nMERA) with improved noise reduction for dual-energy CT (DECT) of pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Materials And Methods: Sixty patients with suspected pancreatic carcinoma underwent dual-source dual-energy CT with arterial phase. Images were reconstructed as linearly-blended 120-kV series (M_0.

State of the Art: Iterative CT Reconstruction Techniques.

Owing to recent advances in computing power, iterative reconstruction (IR) algorithms have become a clinically viable option in computed tomographic (CT) imaging. Substantial evidence is accumulating about the advantages of IR algorithms over established analytical methods, such as filtered back projection. IR improves image quality through cyclic image processing.

A non-contrast self-navigated 3-dimensional MR technique for aortic root and vascular access route assessment in the context of transcatheter aortic valve replacement: proof of concept.

Objectives: Due to the high prevalence of renal failure in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) candidates, a non-contrast MR technique is desirable for pre-procedural planning. We sought to evaluate the feasibility of a novel, non-contrast, free-breathing, self-navigated three-dimensional (SN3D) MR sequence for imaging the aorta from its root to the iliofemoral run-off in comparison to non-contrast two-dimensional-balanced steady-state free-precession (2D-bSSFP) imaging.

Methods: SN3D [field of view (FOV), 220-370 mm(3); slice thickness, 1.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: Imaging Techniques for Aortic Root Sizing.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is an increasingly used alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement in patients with severe aortic stenosis and prohibitive perioperative risk. Several studies have shown an improved clinical outcome and lower rate of complications with TAVR in this patient population. Furthermore, TAVR has shown promising results in patients at elevated risk from surgical aortic valve replacement.

Prevalence and distribution of colonic diverticula assessed with CT colonography (CTC).

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of colonic diverticula according to age, gender, distribution, disease extension and symptoms with CT colonography (CTC).

Methods: The study population included 1091 consecutive patients who underwent CTC. Patients with diverticula were retrospectively stratified according to age, gender, clinical symptoms and colonic segment involvement.

Impact of switching from lopinavir/ritonavir to boosted and un-boosted atazanavir on glucose metabolism: the ATAzanavir & GLUcose metabolism (ATAGLU) study.

Previous studies have reported that protease inhibitors (PIs) can contribute to glycaemic alterations. However, there are few trials examining the direct effect of a single PI. The objective of the study was to evaluate the modifications of glucose and lipid profiles after a switch from lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) to atazanavir, used as ritonavir-boosted (ATV/r) or un-boosted.

Diagnostic value of quantitative stenosis predictors with coronary CT angiography compared to invasive fractional flow reserve.

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of CCTA-derived stenosis predictors including CT-FFR for the detection of ischemia-inducing stenosis compared to invasive FFR.

Materials And Methods: Stenosis parameters were assessed using dual-source CT (DSCT). All patients underwent both CCTA and invasive FFR within 3 months and were retrospectively analyzed.

Prognostic value of epicardial fat volume measurements by computed tomography: a systematic review of the literature.

Objectives: To perform a systematic review of the growing body of literature evaluating the prognostic value of epicardial fat volume (EFV) quantified by cross-sectional imaging.

Methods: Two independent reviewers performed systematic searches on both PubMed and Scopus using search terms developed with a medical librarian. Peer-reviewed articles were selected based on the inclusion of outcome data, utilization of epicardial fat volume and sufficient reporting for analysis.

Influence of technical parameters on epicardial fat volume quantification at cardiac CT.

Objectives: To systematically analyze the influence of technical parameters on quantification of epicardial fat volume (EATV) at cardiac CT.

Methods: 153 routine cardiac CT data sets were analyzed using three-dimensional pericardial border delineation. Three image series were reconstructed per patient: (a) CTAD: coronary CT angiography (CTA), diastolic phase; (b) CTAS: coronary CTA, systolic phase; (c) CaScD: non-contrast CT, diastolic phase.

Technical prerequisites and imaging protocols for dynamic and dual energy myocardial perfusion imaging.

Coronary CT angiography (CCTA) is an established imaging technique used for the non-invasive morphological assessment of coronary artery disease. As in invasive coronary angiography, CCTA anatomical assessment of coronary stenosis does not adequately predict hemodynamic relevance. However, recent technical improvements provide the possibility of CT myocardial perfusion imaging (CTMPI).

Beyond stenosis detection: computed tomography approaches for determining the functional relevance of coronary artery disease.

Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is an established imaging technique for the noninvasive assessment of coronary arteries. However, CCTA remains a morphologic technique with the same limitations as invasive coronary angiography in evaluating the hemodynamic significance of coronary stenosis. Different computed tomography (CT) techniques for the functional analysis of coronary lesions have recently emerged, including static and dynamic CT myocardial perfusion imaging and CT-based fractional flow reserve and transluminal attenuation gradient methods.

Coronary computed tomographic angiography in clinical practice: state of the art.

In patients with stable chest pain, coronary CT angiography (CCTA) has demonstrated high accuracy in excluding coronary artery disease and CCTA findings carry prognostic significance for the occurrence of future cardiovascular events. Increasingly, CCTA has been adopted as a triage tool in patients with acute chest pain. In specific clinical scenarios, CCTA further represents a useful tool to exclude an ischemic etiology in patients with cardiac arrhythmias or newly diagnosed heart failure.

MDCT classification of steatotic liver: a multicentric analysis.

Purpose: Fatty liver disease is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in the western world. The aim of this study was to analyze steatotic liver characteristics using multidetector row computed tomography (CT) to identify reliable criteria to identify the steatosis and quantify its severity.

Patients And Methods: Multiphasic CT scans of 51 consecutive adults (36 men, mean age 57.