Magnetic resonance imaging of the cirrhotic liver: diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma and evaluation of response to treatment - Part 2.

In the second part of this review, we will describe the ancillary imaging features of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that can be seen on standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol, and on novel and emerging protocols such as diffusion weighted imaging and utilization of hepatocyte-specific/hepatobiliary contrast agent. We will also describe the morphologic sub-types of HCC, and give a simplified non-invasive diagnostic algorithm for HCC, followed by a brief description of the liver imaging reporting and data system (LI-RADS), and MRI assessment of tumor response following locoregional therapy.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the cirrhotic liver: diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma and evaluation of response to treatment - Part 1.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the modern gold standard for the noninvasive evaluation of the cirrhotic liver. The combination of arterial phase hyperenhancement and delayed wash-out allows a definitive diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with liver cirrhosis or chronic liver disease, without the requirement for confirmatory biopsy. That pattern is highly specific and has been endorsed in Western and Asian diagnostic guidelines.

Modified approach to the characterization of adrenal nodules using a standard abdominal magnetic resonance imaging protocol.

Objective: To describe a modified approach to the evaluation of adrenal nodules using a standard abdominal magnetic resonance imaging protocol.

Materials And Methods: Our sample comprised 149 subjects (collectively presenting with 132 adenomas and 40 nonadenomas). The adrenal signal intensity index was calculated.

Impact of Chronic Diseases and Multimorbidity on Health and Health Care Costs: The Additional Role of Musculoskeletal Disorders.

Objective: Chronic diseases are increasingly prevalent and often occur as multimorbidity. This study compares the impact of musculoskeletal disorders (MSKDs) on health and health care costs with other chronic diseases, and assesses the additional impact of MSKDs on these outcomes when occurring as part of multimorbidity.

Methods: A household survey in a random Dutch population sample (n = 8,904) yielded information on sociodemographics, presence of 9 physician-confirmed chronic diseases (i.

Work Outcome in Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis: Results From a 12-Year Followup of an International Study.

Objective: To understand the impact of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) on work disability (WD) over 12 years compared with the general population, and explore factors predicting adverse work outcome, defined as new partial WD or reduction in working hours.

Methods: Source of data was the Outcome Assessments in Ankylosing Spondylitis International Study, which includes patients from The Netherlands, France, and Belgium. Standardized WD rates over time compared to the general population were calculated using indirect standardization (Dutch patients only).

Hierarchy of Impairment of Spinal Mobility Measures in Ankylosing Spondylitis: Twelve-Year Data.

Objective: To investigate which spinal mobility measures (SMMs) are most frequently impaired in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), whether a hierarchy of impairment can be established, and whether assessing fewer measures sufficiently captures impairment in spinal mobility.

Methods: Patients from the Outcome in Ankylosing Spondylitis International Study were followed up for 12 years. SMMs were considered impaired when falling below predefined cutoffs, derived from normal individuals.