Evolution of prostate MRI: from multiparametric standard to less-is-better and different-is better strategies

Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) has become the standard of care to achieve accurate and reproducible diagnosis of prostate cancer. However, mpMRI is quite demanding in terms of technical rigour, patient's tolerability and safety, expertise in interpretation, and costs. This paper reviews the main technical strategies proposed as less-is-better solutions for clinical practice (non-contrast biparametric MRI, reduction of acquisition time, abbreviated protocols, computer-aided diagnosis systems), discussing them in the light of the available evidence and of the concurrent evolution of Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS). We also summarised research results on those advanced techniques representing an alternative different-is-better line of the still ongoing evolution of prostate MRI (quantitative diffusion-weighted imaging, quantitative dynamic contrast enhancement, intravoxel incoherent motion, diffusion tensor imaging, diffusional kurtosis imaging, restriction spectrum imaging, radiomics analysis, hybrid positron emission tomography/MRI)

Structured report improves radiology residents’ performance in reporting chest high-resolution computed tomography: a study in patients with connective tissue disease

PURPOSETo evaluate the performance of radiology residents (RRs) when using a dedicated structured report (SR) template for chest HRCT in patients with suspected connective tissue disease-interstitial lung disease (CTD-ILD), compared to the traditional narrative report (NR).METHODSWe retrospectively evaluated 50 HRCT exams in patients with suspected CTD-ILD. A chest-devoted radiologist reported all the HRCT exams as the reference standard, pointing out pulmonary fibrosis findings (i.e., honeycombing, traction bronchiectasis, reticulation, and volume loss), presence and pattern of ILD, and possible other diagnoses. We divided four RRs into two groups according to their expertise level. In each group, RRs reported all HRCT examinations alternatively with NR or SR, noting each report's reporting time. The Cohen's Kappa, Wilcoxon, and McNemar tests were used for statistical analysis.RESULTSRegarding the pulmonary fibrosis findings, we found higher agreement between RRs and the reference standard reader when using SR than NR, regardless of their expertise level, except for volume loss.RRs' accuracy for "other diagnosis" was higher when using SR than NR, moving from 0.48 to 0.66 in the novel group (p = 0.035) and from 0.44 to 0.80 in the expertise group (p < 0.001). No differences in accuracy were found between ILD presence and ILD pattern. The reporting time was significantly lower (p = 0.001) when using SR than NR.CONCLUSIONSR is of value in increasing the reporting of critical chest HRCT findings in the complex CTD-ILD scenario and should be used early and systematically during the residency

Prostate MRI and PSMA-PET in the Primary Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer

Over the last years, prostate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has gained a key role in the primary diagnosis of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa). While a negative MRI can avoid unnecessary prostate biopsies and the overdiagnosis of indolent cancers, a positive examination triggers biopsy samples targeted to suspicious imaging findings, thus increasing the diagnosis of csPCa with a sensitivity and negative predictive value of around 90%. The limitations of MRI, including suboptimal positive predictive values, are fueling debate on how to stratify biopsy decisions and management based on patient risk and how to correctly estimate it with clinical and/or imaging findings. In this setting, “next-generation imaging” imaging based on radiolabeled Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA)-Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is expanding its indications both in the setting of primary staging (intermediate-to-high risk patients) and primary diagnosis (e.g., increasing the sensitivity of MRI or acting as a problem-solving tool for indeterminate MRI cases). This review summarizes the current main evidence on the role of prostate MRI and PSMA-PET as tools for the primary diagnosis of csPCa, and the different possible interaction pathways in this setting

Evolution of incidental branch-duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas: A study with magnetic resonance imaging cholangiopancreatography

7AIM: To investigate the type and timing of evolution of incidentally found branch-duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (bd-IPMN) of the pancreas addressed to magnetic resonance imaging cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) follow-up. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 72 patients who underwent, over the period 2006-2016, a total of 318 MRCPs (mean 4.4) to follow-up incidental, presumed bd-IPMN without signs of malignancy, found or confirmed at a baseline MRCP examination. Median follow-up time was 48.5 mo (range 13-95 mo). MRCPs were acquired on 1.5T and/or 3.0T systems using 2D and/ or 3D technique. Image analysis assessed the rates of occurrence over the follow-up of the following outcomes: (1) imaging evolution, defined as any change in cysts number and/or size and/or appearance; and (2) alert findings, defined as worrisome features and/or high risk stigmata (e.g., thick septa, parietal thickening, mural nodules and involvement of the main pancreatic duct). Time to outcomes was described with the Kaplan-Meir approach. Cox regression model was used to investigate clinical or initial MRCP findings predicting cysts changes. RESULTS: We found a total of 343 cysts (per-patient mean 5.1) with average size of 8.5 mm (range 5-25 mm). Imaging evolution was observed in 32/72 patients (44.4%; 95%CI: 32-9-56.6), involving 47/343 cysts (13.7%). There was a main trend towards small ( 0.01). CONCLUSION: Changes in MRCP appearance of incidental bd-IPNM were frequent over the follow-up (44.4%), with relatively rare (8.3%) occurrence of non-malignant alert findings that prompted further diagnostic steps. Changes occurred at a wide interval of time and were unpredictable, suggesting that imaging followup should be not discontinued, though MRCPs might be considerably delayed without a significant risk of missing malignancy.openopenGirometti, Rossano; Pravisani, Riccardo; Intini, Sergio Giuseppe; Isola, Miriam; Cereser, Lorenzo; Risaliti, Andrea; Zuiani, ChiaraGirometti, Rossano; Pravisani, Riccardo; Intini, Sergio Giuseppe; Isola, Miriam; Cereser, Lorenzo; Risaliti, Andrea; Zuiani, Chiar

Can multiparametric MRI replace Roach equations in staging prostate cancer before external beam radiation therapy?

Purpose To investigate the agreement between Roach equations (RE) and multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) in assessing the T-stage of prostate cancer (PCa). Materials and methods Seventy-three patients with biopsy-proven PCa and previous RE assessment prospectively underwent mpMRI on a 3.0T magnet before external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). Using Cohen\u2019s kappa statistic, we assessed the agreement between RE and mpMRI in defining the T-stage ( 65T3 vs.T\u2005 64\u20052) and risk category according to the National comprehensive cancer network criteria ( 64intermediate vs. 65high). We also calculated sensitivity and specificity for 65T3 stage in an additional group of thirty-seven patients with post-prostatectomy histological examination (mpMRI validation group). Results The agreement between RE and mpMRI in assessing the T stage and risk category was moderate (k\u2005=\u20050.53 and 0.56, respectively). mpMRI changed the T stage and risk category in 21.9% (95%C.I. 13.4\u201333-4) and 20.5% (95%C.I. 12.3\u201331.9), respectively, prevalently downstaging PCa compared to RE. Sensitivity and specificity for 65T3 stage in the mpMRI validation group were 81.8% (95%C.I. 65.1\u201391.9) and 88.5% (72.8\u201396.1). Conclusion RE and mpMRI show moderate agreement only in assessing the T-stage of PCa, translating into an mpMRI-induced change in risk assessment in about one fifth of patients. As supported by high sensitivity/specificity for 65T3 stage in the validation group, the discrepancy we found is in favour of mpMRI as a tool to stage PCa before ERBT

Chest multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in patients with suspected acute pulmonary embolism: diagnostic yield and proportion of other clinically relevant findings

PURPOSE: The authors evaluated the diagnostic yield of chest multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in acute pulmonary embolism (PE) and the proportion of other clinically relevant findings in a large cohort of consecutive inpatients and patients referred from the emergency department (outpatients). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 327 radiological reports of chest MDCT scans performed for suspected acute PE in 327 patients (158 men, 169 women; mean age 69 years, standard deviation 17.33 years; 233 inpatients, 94 outpatients) were retrospectively evaluated and classified into four categories: 1, positive for PE; 2, negative for PE but positive for other findings requiring specific and immediate intervention; 3, completely negative or positive for findings with a potential for significant morbidity requiring specific action on follow-up; 4, indeterminate. The distribution of findings by categories among the entire population and inpatients and outpatients separately was calculated (chi-square test, \u3b1=0.05). RESULTS: In the entire population, the diagnostic yield (i.e. proportion of cases classified as category 1) was 20.2% (66/327). Proportions of cases classified as categories 2, 3 and 4 were 27.5% (90/327), 44.3% (145/327) and 7.9% (26/327), respectively. No statistically significant difference was found between inpatients and outpatients (p=0.193). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with suspected acute PE, chest MDCT provides evidence of conditions requiring immediate and specific intervention (i.e. categories 1 and 2) in nearly 50% of cases, without differences between inpatients and outpatients

Unveiling the Potential of Venn Diagrams as a Helpful Tool for Clinical Reasoning:An Illustrative Case-based Discussion

Venn diagrams graphically represent a cognitive approach that can assist in highlighting information shared by different data sets while eliminating nonoverlapping conditions. When applied to clinical reasoning, such an approach helps physicians visually focus on data pertaining to differential diagnoses. We present and discuss a 3-step reasoning pathway derived from a real-life case in which we used Venn diagrams to diagnose drug-related pneumonitis in a 67-year-old man with advanced bladder cancer and nodular lung findings at chest CT. This education paper supports using Venn diagrams in Radiology

Radiation Recall Pneumonitis Anticipates Bilateral Immune-Induced Pneumonitis in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Radiation recall pneumonitis (RRP) is a rare inflammatory reaction that occurs in previously irradiated fields, and it may be caused by various triggering agents. Immunotherapy has been reported to potentially be one of these triggers. However, precise mechanisms and specific treatments have not been explored yet due to a lack of data in this setting. Here, we report a case of a patient who received radiation therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy for non-small cell lung cancer. He developed first radiation recall pneumonitis and subsequently immune-checkpoint inhibitor-induced pneumonitis (IIP). After presenting the case, we discuss the currently available literature on RRP and the challenges of differential diagnosis between RRP, IIP, and other forms of pneumonitis. We believe that this case is of particular clinical value since it highlights the importance of including RRP in a differential diagnosis of lung consolidation during immunotherapy. Furthermore, it suggests that RRP might anticipate more extensive ICI-induced pneumonitis

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia at chest High-resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT)in non-HIV immunocompromised patients: Spectrum of findings and mimickers

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) has emerged as a main issue in non Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) immunocompromised hosts, exposing patients to high mortality rates, especially when the diagnosis is delayed. Since microbiological confirmation is often unfeasible or difficult to obtain, High-resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) represents a main tool for guiding the diagnosis in the appropriate clinical scenario. Nevertheless, radiologists must be aware that PJP at HRCT is a multifaceted process, with a variety of common and less frequent findings, along with a broad spectrum of infectious (e.g., viral and certain fungal and bacterial pneumonias) and non-infectious (e.g., pulmonary oedema, diffuse alveolar haemorrhage, and drug toxicity) differential diagnoses.In this review we resume background clinical information on PJP in non-HIV immunocompromised patients, illustrate both typical and less frequent HRCT findings, and present the spectrum of infectious and non-infectious mimickers at HRCT, highlighting the similarities with PJP and providing clues for the differential diagnosis