Gallbladder reporting and data system (GB-RADS) for risk stratification of gallbladder wall thickening on ultrasonography:an international expert consensus

The Gallbladder Reporting and Data System (GB-RADS) ultrasound (US) risk stratification is proposed to improve consistency in US interpretations, reporting, and assessment of risk of malignancy in gallbladder wall thickening in non-acute setting. It was developed based on a systematic review of the literature and the consensus of an international multidisciplinary committee comprising expert radiologists, gastroenterologists, gastrointestinal surgeons, surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, and pathologists using modified Delphi method. For risk stratification, the GB-RADS system recommends six categories (GB-RADS 0–5) of gallbladder wall thickening with gradually increasing risk of malignancy. GB-RADS is based on gallbladder wall features on US including symmetry and extent (focal vs. circumferential) of involvement, layered appearance, intramural features (including intramural cysts and echogenic foci), and interface with the liver. GB-RADS represents the first collaborative effort at risk stratifying the gallbladder wall thickening. This concept is in line with the other US-based risk stratification systems which have been shown to increase the accuracy of detection of malignant lesions and improve management. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]

Genomic Relationships, Novel Loci, and Pleiotropic Mechanisms across Eight Psychiatric Disorders

Genetic influences on psychiatric disorders transcend diagnostic boundaries, suggesting substantial pleiotropy of contributing loci. However, the nature and mechanisms of these pleiotropic effects remain unclear. We performed analyses of 232,964 cases and 494,162 controls from genome-wide studies of anorexia nervosa, attention-deficit/hyper-activity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, bipolar disorder, major depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, and Tourette syndrome. Genetic correlation analyses revealed a meaningful structure within the eight disorders, identifying three groups of inter-related disorders. Meta-analysis across these eight disorders detected 109 loci associated with at least two psychiatric disorders, including 23 loci with pleiotropic effects on four or more disorders and 11 loci with antagonistic effects on multiple disorders. The pleiotropic loci are located within genes that show heightened expression in the brain throughout the lifespan, beginning prenatally in the second trimester, and play prominent roles in neurodevelopmental processes. These findings have important implications for psychiatric nosology, drug development, and risk prediction.Peer reviewe

Diagnostic Value of MRI in Placental Adhesive Disorders in Pregnancy

Background The spectrum of placental adhesive disorders (PAD) forms an important cause for emergency cesarean hysterectomy, requiring an accurate prenatal diagnosis for optimal obstetric management. Purpose The aim of this study was to assess the utility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to identify the individual MRI features that are most useful in the evaluation of PAD. Materials and Methods This was a retrospective review of the MRI of 24 women with abnormal placentation, confirmed using histopathology/intraoperative findings as the reference standard. Patients were categorized as negative or positive for PAD (placenta accreta, increta, and percreta) on MRI and compared with the reference standard. We assessed the diagnostic performance of MRI and the features that best correlated with the presence of PAD. Results Among the 24 women (mean age: 29.8 years) with risk factors, 16 had PAD (6 accreta, 7 increta, and 3 percreta). There was a history of previous lower segment cesarean section and placenta previa in 14 (87.5%). MRI could identify the presence of PAD in all (100% sensitivity) and its absence in three out of eight patients (37.5% specificity). The features with highest sensitivity were intraplacental dark bands (100%), myometrial thinning/loss of interface with myometrium (100%), placental heterogeneity (75%), and uterine contour abnormality (75%). Conclusion MRI is an important modality for the investigation of PAD in suspected cases, with excellent sensitivity and good accuracy. Identifying the presence of risk factors, low-signal-intensity bands, and thinning/loss of placental–myometrial interface will aid in its diagnosis

MRI findings in cranial eumycetoma

Cranial eumycetoma (CE) due to direct inoculation of Madurella grisea into the scalp is extremely rare. We describe a case of CE caused by direct inoculation of M. grisea with the characteristic MRI findings of the “dot-in-circle” sign and a conglomeration of multiple, extremely hypointense “dots.

How hypothyroidism affects the ovaries

A 15-year-old girl who was previously diagnosed to have primary hypothyroidism presented to the outpatient department in our tertiary care centre in Southern India with abdominal distension and pedal oedema. On evaluation, she was found to have elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and CA 125 levels, enlarged multicystic ovaries, ascites, and pleural and pericardial effusions. A diagnosis of spontaneous ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (SOHSS) was made based on the characteristic soap bubble-like imaging appearance of ovaries in the background of hypothyroidism and she was started on thyroxine. At her three-month follow-up, the patient’s biochemical parameters normalised with reduced ovarian volume and resolution of other imaging findings. SOHSS needs to be considered in patients with hypothyroidism and characteristic multicystic ovarian enlargement

Diagnosis and Outcomes of Appendicitis Complicating Pregnancy in a Tertiary Care Centre-A 10 year Experience

Introduction: Appendicitis in pregnancy is rare and its diagnosis is a challenge as the clinical presentation may be altered in pregnancy. Early diagnosis of appendicitis is vital for a favourable pregnancy outcome. Aim: To study clinical features, radiological findings, surgical, histopathological and pregnancy outcomes in cases of acute appendicitis complicating pregnancy. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in Christian Medical College and Hospital, a Tertiary Care Centre in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tamil Nadu, India. We reviewed the medical records and computerized database of a large tertiary care center between January 2007 and December 2016 years and retrieved 34 cases of appendicitis complicating pregnancy. During this period there were 1,23,938 deliveries in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and a total of 632 women had undergone appendicectomy, in the Department of Surgery. The details of the demography, clinical presentation, lab investigations, imaging, surgical findings, treatment, pathology and pregnancy outcomes were assessed and collated from case notes. Standard clinical, radiological and laboratory diagnostic criteria were used to establish the diagnosis of appendicitis. Categorical variables were summarised as frequencies and percentages. Quantitative variables were summarised as mean and standard deviation for normally distributed variable or median and IQR for skewed variables. Diagnostic accuracy were given with 95% confidence interval. Results: Mean gestational age at diagnosis was 18 weeks. Mean duration between onset of pain to admission was 1.77±1.08 days. The average MANTRELS score comprising of symptoms, signs and laboratory findings was 5. Ultrasound imaging was done for all cases. Thirty two women underwent surgery. Two women were managed conservatively. Thirty one women had histopathological findings of the appendix. The sensitivity of ultrasound was 87% (95% CI: 66.4% - 97.2%), and specificity was 100%. The positive predictive value was 100% and negative predictive value was 40%. Conclusion: Clinical judgment complemented with ultrasound imaging is optimal in diagnosis of appendicitis. Patients presented within one to two days of abdominal pain at a mean gestational age of 18 weeks. Most women had appendicectomy within 2.5 days of onset of symptoms with favourable perinatal outcome

Imaging Approach to Portal Hypertension

Increase in portal venous pressure (termed portal hypertension) is seen in a variety of liver diseases. Imaging tests are useful to detect portal hypertension and identify its cause. Noninvasive tests like abdominal ultrasound and Doppler studies are routinely done in clinical practice for this indication. Cross-sectional studies like computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are especially useful to delineate morphological abnormalities in the liver. Invasive tests like assessment of hepatic venous pressure gradient are done less frequently for specific indications. Distinctive imaging findings help differentiate the different causes of portal hypertension like cirrhosis and vascular liver disorders like noncirrhotic portal hypertension, extrahepatic portal venous obstruction, and Budd–Chiari syndrome. Radiological interventions are increasingly used to treat complications of portal hypertension like refractory ascites or refractory bleeding from gastroesophageal varices