Magnetic resonance imaging biomarkers in hepatocellular carcinoma: association with response and circulating biomarkers after sunitinib therapy

Background: To investigate the hypothesis that MRI derived diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and perfusion (MRP) parameters are sensitive image biomarkers for monitoring early antiangiogenic effects and predicting progression free survival (PFS) in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: In this phase II clinical trial, 23 of 34 patients were included in the imaging and circulating biomarker study. DWI and MRP were performed at the baseline and at 2-weeks after initiation of sunitinib. The imaging protocol included an axial DWI sequence using b values of 50, 400 and 800 sec/mm2, and MRP using a series of coronal 3D-VIBE following 20 ml of Gd-DTPA at 2 ml/sec. These parameters were compared with clinical outcome and PFS at 6-months. Correlation between changes in MRI parameters and plasma biomarkers was also evaluated. Results: After 2-week of sunitinib, substantial Ktrans changes in HCC were observed from median baseline value 2.15 min−1 to 0.94 min−1 (P = 0.0001) with increases in median apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) from 0.88 × 10-3 mm2/s to 0.98 × 10-3 mm2/s (P = 0.0001). Tumor size remained unchanged by RECIST and mRECIST (both P > 0.05). Patients who showed larger drop in Ktrans and Kep at 2 weeks correlated with favorable clinical outcome, and higher baseline Ktrans and larger drop in EVF correlated with longer PFS (all P < 0.05). There was a significant association between a decrease in sVEGFR2 and the drop in Ktrans and Kep (P = 0.044, P = 0.030), and a significant and borderline association between decrease in TNF-α and the drop in Ktrans and Kep, respectively (P = 0.051, P = 0.035). Conclusion: In HCC, MRP may be a more sensitive biomarker in predicting early response and PFS following sunitinib than RECIST and mRECIST. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT0036130

Left and right ventricle assessment with Cardiac CT: validation study vs. Cardiac MR

Objectives To compare Magnetic Resonance (MR) and Computed Tomography (CT) for the assessment of left (LV) and right (RV) ventricular functional parameters. Methods Seventy nine patients underwent both Cardiac CT and Cardiac MR. Images were acquired using short axis (SAX) reconstructions for CT and 2D cine b-SSFP (balanced- steady state free precession) SAX sequence for MR, and evaluated using dedicated software. Results CT and MR images showed good agreement: LV EF (Ejection Fraction) (52±14% for CT vs. 52±14% for MR; r0 0.73; p>0.05); RV EF (47±12% for CT vs. 47±12% for MR; r00.74; p>0.05); LV EDV (End Diastolic Volume) (74± 21 ml/m 2 for CT vs. 76±25 ml/m 2 for MR; r00.59; p>0.05); RV EDV (84±25 ml/m 2 for CT vs. 80±23 ml/m 2 for MR; r0 0.58; p>0.05); LV ESV (End Systolic Volume)(37±19 ml/m 2 for CT vs. 38±23 ml/m 2 for MR; r00.76; p>0.05); RV ESV (46±21 ml/m 2 for CT vs. 43±18 ml/m 2 for MR; r00.70; p>0.05). Intra- and inter-observer variability were good, and the performance of CT was maintained for different EF subgroups. Conclusions Cardiac CT provides accurate and reproducible LVand RV volume parameters compared with MR, and can be considered as a reliable alternative for patients who are not suitable to undergo MR. Key Points • Cardiac-CT is able to provide Left and Right Ventricular function. • Cardiac-CT is accurate as MR for LV and RV volume assessment. • Cardiac-CT can provide accurate evaluation of coronary arteries and LV and RV function

Evaluation of gynecologic cancer with MR imaging, 18F-FDG PET/CT, and PET/MR imaging

MR imaging and (18)F-FDG PET/CT play central and complementary roles in the care of patients with gynecologic cancer. Because treatment often requires combinations of surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, imaging is central to triage and to determining prognosis. This article reviews the use of the 2 imaging modalities in the initial evaluation of 3 common cancers: uterine cervical, uterine endometrial, and epithelial ovarian. Imaging features that affect management are highlighted, as well as the relative strengths and weaknesses of the 2 modalities. Use of imaging after initial therapy to assess for recurrence and to plan salvage therapy is described. Newer functional and molecular techniques in MR imaging and PET are evaluated. Finally, we describe our initial experience with PET/MR imaging, an emerging technology that may prove to be a mainstay in personalized gynecologic cancer care

Pattern of osteophytes and enthesophytes in the proximal ulna: an anatomic, paleopathologic, and radiologic study

Objective: To develop a schematic segmentation of the proximal ulna in order to detect, assess the frequency, and characterize the bony outgrowths arising from the trochlea and from the radial notch of the ulna, to enable differentiation of osteophytes from enthesophytes. Materials and methods: Eighty well-preserved ulna specimens from the collection of the San Diego Museum of Man were analyzed by two musculoskeletal radiologists. The trochlea and the radial notch of the ulna simulate the shape of a clock quadrant. The proximal ulna was divided into 24 anatomic areas. The relationships of the joint capsule and insertions of tendons and ligaments onto these area were assessed by the two readers, and the resulting appearances of bony outgrowths were compared at visual inspection and on Radiographs. Results: The interobserver visual comparison was good in 17 areas out of 24, but poor correlation was found in 7 areas. In one case, difficulties in differentiating osteophytes originating from the brachialis muscle/ tendon (area 9) from an enthesophyte originating from the capsule insertion on the coronoid process (areas 2 or 3) occurredand between two different enthesophytes in a further case. Five cases had difficulties in defining differences in the grading system of the outgrowths. The percentage of outgrowths observed in each of the areas was globally high, especially in areas 9 and 10. On radiographs it was possible to observe irregularities in ten areas; in eight at a threshold of height of 2 mm (areas 1-4, 9, 10, 11, 14) and in two at a threshold of height of 3 mm (areas 5, 6). The two readers had the same difficulties in differentiating enthesophytes from osteophytes at radiographic and visual examination. Conclusion: Our segmentation scheme is reproducible and objective, and permitted the differentiation of the bony outgrowths arising from the proximal ulna into osteophytes and enthesophytes, which may be particularly useful for the in vivo assessment of abnormalities seen in elbow overuse syndromes

Nuclear Medicine Imaging in Pediatric Infection or Chronic Inflammatory Diseases

In this review article, we focus on the most recent applications of nuclear medicine techniques (mainly (99m)Tc/(111)In white blood cells (WBC) scan, [(18)F]-FDG-PET/CT, [(18)F]-FDG-PET/MRI, and (99m)Tc-IL-2 scintigraphy) in the study of children affected by peripheral bone osteomyelitis, fungal infections, inflammatory bowel diseases, and type 1 diabetes, owing to recent important published evidences of their role in the management of these diseases. For osteomyelitis in children, both bone scintigraphy and [(18)F]-FDG-PET have a major advantage of assessing the whole body in one imaging session to confirm or exclude multifocal involvement, whereas WBC scan has a limited role. In children with fungal infections, [(18)F]-FDG-PET can help in defining the best location for biopsy and can help in evaluating the extent of the infection and organs involved (also sites that were not yet clinically apparent), although its main role is for therapy monitoring. In inflammatory bowel diseases, and Crohn disease in particular, WBC scan has been successfully used for many years, but it is now used only in case of doubtful magnetic resonance (MR) or when MR cannot be performed and endoscopy is inconclusive. By contrast, there is an accumulating evidence of the role of [(18)F]-FDG-PET in management of children with Crohn disease, and PET/MR could be a versatile and innovative hybrid imaging technique that combines the metabolic information of PET with the high soft tissue resolution of MR, particularly for distinguishing fibrotic from active strictures. Finally, there are several new radiopharmaceuticals that specifically target inflammatory cells involved in the pathogenesis of insulitis aiming at developing new specific immunotherapies and to select children candidates to these treatments for improving their quality of life

MR-PET of the body: Early experience and insights

AbstractMR-PET is a novel imaging modality that combines anatomic and metabolic data acquisition, allowing for simultaneous depiction of morphological and functional abnormalities with an excellent soft tissue contrast and good spatial resolution; as well as accurate temporal and spatial image fusion; while substantially reducing radiation dose when compared with PET-CT.In this review, we will discuss MR-PET basic principles and technical challenges and limitations, explore some practical considerations, and cover the main clinical applications, while shedding some light on some of the future trends regarding this new imaging technique