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Background: Computed tomography (CT) is the preferred noninvasive method for the evaluation of osteitis in chronic sinusitis. Some scholars believe that the bone changes associated with chronic sinusitis always show high attenuation (high density) and are positively correlated with the severity of the disease. However, sinus bone remodeling is a complex process that may cause high or low attenuation. There have been few reports on the spread of osteitis. Therefore, additional research on sinus CT is necessary. Objective: To observe bony changes in chronic maxillary sinusitis (CMS) by CT and reveal the mechanism. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in 45 patients with unilateral CMS with bony changes in the sinus walls. The patients' clinical data and CT results were analyzed and compared between the affected and normal sides. We propose the location, involvement, attenuation, and thickness method to evaluate CMS with osteitis. Results: Of the 45 patients, 40 (88.9%), 2, 12, and 7 had posterior external, medial, anterior, and superior lesions, respectively. The nasal region, sphenoid bone, palatine bone, and zygomatic arch were involved in 3, 12, 8, and 18 (40%) patients, respectively. Computed tomography indicated high attenuation in 30 (75.0%) and low attenuation in 10 (25.0%) patients; 6 (15.0%) showed new bone marrow cavities. The bone thickness was significantly different between the affected and normal sides in 40 patients (P <.001), including members of both the high- and low-attenuation groups (high-attenuation group: P <.001; low-attenuation group: P <.01). However, there was no significant difference in the thickness of the affected side between the high- and low-attenuation groups (P >.05). Conclusions: Chronic rhinosinusitis with bony changes may occur in the maxillary sinus walls and spread to adjacent bones. Both increased and decreased attenuation may occur in these circumstances. Analyzing the CT features of bone changes in unilateral CMS can improve the accuracy of disease diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The interpretation of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) stenosis may be difficult among radiologists of different experience levels. Artificial intelligence (AI) may improve the diagnostic performance. Purpose: To investigate whether the diagnostic performance and time efficiency of radiologists with different levels of experience in interpreting CCTA images could be improved by using CCTA with AI assistance (CCTA-AI). Material and Methods: This analysis included 200 patients with complete CCTA and invasive coronary angiography (ICA) data, using ICA results as the reference. Eighteen radiologists were divided into three levels based on experience (Levels I, II, and III), and the three levels were divided into groups without (Groups 1, 2, and 3) and with (Groups 4, 5, and 6) AI assistance, totaling six groups (to avoid reader recall bias). The average sensitivity, specificity, NPV, PPV, and AUC were reported for the six groups and CCTA-AI at the patient, vessel, and segment levels. The interpretation time in the groups with and without CCTA-AI was recorded. Results: Compared to the corresponding group without CCTA-AI, the Level I group with CCTA-AI had improved sensitivity (75.0% vs. 83.0% on patient-based; P = 0.003). At Level III, the specificity was better with CCTA-AI. The median interpretation times for the groups with and without CCTA-AI were 413 and 615 s, respectively (P < 0.001). Conclusion: CCTA-AI could assist with and improve the diagnostic performance of radiologists with different experience levels, with Level I radiologists exhibiting improved sensitivity and Level III radiologists exhibiting improved specificity. The use of CCTA-AI could shorten the training time for radiologists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It is difficult to detect optic nerve changes in patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) before the development of optic neuropathy. Purpose: To detect changes in the intraorbital segment of the optic nerve in patients with TAO using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and determine any correlations with disease severity. Material and Methods: A total of 74 participants (17 normal, 22 mild, and 35 moderate-severe TAO) were organized to be given 3-T DTI to measure fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) for the orbital segments of their optic nerves. All underwent ophthalmological examinations for visual acuity, intraocular pressure, exophthalmos, and fundoscopy, and were assessed based on the Clinical Activity Score (CAS). Univariate analysis of variance and Pearson's correlation coefficients were carried out. Results: Patients with moderate-to-severe TAO had significantly lower FA values and higher MD values (P < 0.05). FA values were negatively correlated with CAS but had no obvious correlations with the degree of exophthalmos. MD values had no obvious correlations with CAS or the degree of exophthalmos. Conclusion: DTI parameters of the intraorbital optic nerves were significantly altered in moderate-to-severe patients before onset of clinical optic nerve dysfunction and may, therefore, be used as an imaging biomarker for assessing the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fever of unknown origin (FUO) and inflammation of unknown origin (IUO) are challenging medical problems. Previous studies have shown that 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) plays an important role in the diagnosis of FUO, but few studies have explored this diagnostic technique in relation to IUO.Purpose: To systematically review and perform a meta-analysis of published data on the diagnostic performance of PET/CT in the diagnosis of FUO and IUO.Material and Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines published in March 2018. Meta-analysis of diagnostic performance was performed using STATA 12.0 software. Subgroup analysis was performed by stratification based on study design, number of patients, geographic area, and final diagnosis based on 18F-FDG PET/CT. Meta-regression analyses were performed to recognize heterogeneity.Results: Our meta-analysis included 23 studies, comprising a total sample size of 1927 patients. The pooled diagnosis performance was calculated with a per-patient-based analysis: sensitivity = 0.84 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.79-0.89), specificity = 0.63 (95% CI = 0.49-0.75), positive likelihood ratio = 2.3 (95% CI = 1.5-3.4), negative likelihood ratio = 0.25 (95% CI = 0.16-0.38), diagnostic odds ratio = 9 (95% CI = 4.0-20), and AUC = 0.84 (95% CI = 0.81-0.87).Conclusion: In patients with non-specific symptoms and signs, 18F-FDG PET/CT is very helpful for recognizing and excluding diseases, directing further diagnostic decisions, and avoiding unnecessary invasive examinations. We recommend that 18F-FDG PET/CT should be considered among the first-line diagnostic tools for patients with FUO and IUO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sigmoid sinus wall reconstruction (SSWR) is a proven effective treatment for pulsatile tinnitus (PT) caused by sigmoid sinus wall dehiscence (SSWD) with or without sigmoid sinus diverticulum (SSD); however, comprehensive analysis of the postoperative imaging manifestations has not yet been reported.Purpose: To analyze temporal bone computed tomography (CT) imaging features following SSWR in patients with PT.Material and Methods: Following SSWR, temporal bone contrast-enhanced high-resolution CT (HRCT) images from 33 PT cases were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups based on follow-up interval: a short-interval group (≤18 months, 12 cases) and a long-interval group (>18 months, 21 cases). The mending material density and morphology was analyzed. Postoperative changes of the venous sinus were evaluated. Imaging manifestations of the normal temporal bone and mastoid air cells adjacent to the operative field were observed.Results: The order of CT values of mending materials was significantly lower in the short-interval group than in the long-interval group (Z = -4.716, P < 0.001); the incidence of complete newly remodeled cortical bone on the rim of the mending materials was significantly higher in the long-interval group than in the short-interval group ( P < 0.001). Eleven patients (33.3%) showed varying degrees of remnant SSWD. The mending materials and normal mastoid bone structure showed complete fusion (n = 12, 36.4%), partial fusion (n = 16, 48.5%), or complete separation (n = 5, 15.2%).Conclusion: Temporal bone contrast-enhanced HRCT can be used to observe imaging features of the mending materials, venous sinus, adjacent normal temporal bone and mastoid air cells following SSWR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Metastatic pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PCs/PGLs) show high germline mutation, and 18F-FDG and 68Ga-DOTA peptide positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging are recommended for the diagnosis of metastatic of PCs. However, there has been lack of direct comparison of the two modalities in the diagnosis of metastatic of PCs up to now.Purpose: To evaluate and compare the value of localization of 68Ga-somatostatin receptor analogs and 18F-FDG in the diagnosis of metastatic PCs/PGLs.Material and Methods: A comprehensive literature search of PubMed/MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines published in August 2016. We critically reviewed all studies based on the PICOS criteria. QUADAS-2 was used to evaluate the quality of the methodology of the included studies.Results: This meta-analysis included 17 studies (629 patients, average age [mean ± SD] = 42.7 ± 6.3 years). The pooled sensitivity and specificity of 18F-FDG and 68Ga peptides were 0.85 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.78-0.91) and 0.55 (95% CI = 0.37-0.73), and 0.95 (95% CI = 0.92-0.97) and 0.87 (95% CI = 0.63-0.96), respectively. The area under the sROC curves of the 18F-FDG and 68Ga peptides were 0.88 (95% CI = 0.85-0.91) and 0.78 (95% CI = 0.74-0.81), respectively. A subgroup analysis demonstrated that the difference at the per-lesion level and gene mutation level was significant.Conclusion: Compared to 18F-FDG PET/CT, the 68Ga-somatostatin receptor demonstrated good performance in the localization of metastatic PCs/PGLs, especially those with germline mutations. The use of the 68Ga-somatostatin receptor can be a new tool in the diagnosis of metastatic PCs/PGLs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background There are no established biomarkers predictive of the efficacy of treatment for ocular adnexal lymphoma (OAL). Purpose To evaluate the effectiveness of pretreatment dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in predicting the response of OAL to chemotherapy. Material and Methods Twenty-one patients, who were pathologically diagnosed with OAL, were retrospectively analyzed. According to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) response evaluation criteria for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, patients were divided into responders (n = 14) and non-responders (n = 7). The volume transfer constant (Ktrans), rate constant (Kep), extracellular extravascular volume fraction (Ve), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were computed. Two independent-sample tests were applied for statistical analysis. For significantly different parameters, receiver-operator characteristics curve analysis was performed. Results The Ktrans value (min-1), Kep value (min-1), and ADC value (10-3 mm2/s) were 0.76 ± 0.36 vs. 0.47 ± 0.18 (mean ± SD), 4.43 ± 1.29 vs. 3.14 ± 1.37, and 0.51 ± 0.12 vs. 0.66 ± 0.15, respectively, in the responders and non-responders groups. Significant differences were found between the two groups regarding these parameters ( P < 0.05). However, no significant difference was observed in Ve (min-1) between the groups ( P > 0.05). Ktrans, Kep, and ADC had a moderately predictive sensitivity or specificity. When Ktrans and ADC or the three parameters were combined, a considerably higher sensitivity (85.7%) and specificity (85.7%) with a significant discriminative accuracy (area under the curve = 0.929; P = 0.002) was found. Conclusion Ktrans, Kep, and ADC could potentially predict OAL response to chemotherapy. A combination of these DWI and DCE-MRI quantitative parameters might increase sensitivity and specificity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The persistent petrosquamosal sinus (PSS) is usually overlooked before or during otological surgeries, which may cause misdiagnosis or iatrogenic bleedings. Imaging characteristics have not been well summarized for PSS, especially for large consecutive cases. Purpose: To analyze the characteristics of PSS on high-resolution CT venography (HRCTV) in order to improve imaging diagnostic accuracy as well as to assist clinical management. Material and Methods: Five hundred and thirty-two consecutive patients with pulsatile tinnitus who underwent CT angiography and venography examinations in the last 4 years were reviewed. Thirty patients with PSS in 39 temporal bones (TBs) were identified by two radiologists' consensus. The characteristics of PSS were analyzed according to its embryological variations. Different types of PSS were divided according to the origin and course, respectively. Results: The average diameter of the PSS was 1.4 mm. Twenty-nine TBs (74%) had PSS origin from the dorsolateral surface of the transverse sinus before its junction with the superior petrosal sinus (Position A); three TBs (8%) had PSS origin from the ventroinferior surface of the transverse sinus after or before the junction (Position B or C); seven TBs (18%) had PSS without definite origin (Position D). Eighteen TBs (46%) had PSS course in a lateral bony canal/groove (lateral canal type); 15 TBs (38%) had PSS course in petrosquamosal fissure (PSF) (PSF type); six TBs (15%) had PSS course in both (lateral canal/PSF type). For other imaging findings, a branch entering the cranial part of PSS was identified in 10 TBs (26%); a vascular mass was formed in five TBs (13%); focal defect of bony wall was observed in seven TBs (18%). A postglenoid foramen (PGF) was detected in 25 TBs (64%). Conclusion: HRCTV can mostly identify the characteristics of PSS similar to its anatomic findings and the optimal imaging technique has the potential to improve its clinical management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although the imaging features of sigmoid sinus diverticulum induced pulsatile tinnitus (PT) have been presented in some extent, detailed imaging findings still have not been systematically evaluated and precise diagnostic radiographic criteria has not been established. Purpose: To examine the computed tomography (CT) characteristics of sigmoid sinus diverticulum accompanied with PT. Material and Methods: Fifteen PT patients with sigmoid sinus diverticula proven by surgery were recruited after consenting. CT images of 15 patients were obtained and analyzed, including features of diverticula, brain venous systems, integrity of the sigmoid plate, and the degree of temporal bone pneumatization. Results: Sigmoid sinus diverticulum was located on the same side of PT in 15 patients. Diverticula originated at the superior curve of the sigmoid sinus in 11 patients and the descending segment of the sigmoid sinus in four patients. Sigmoid sinus diverticula focally eroded into the adjacent mastoid air cells in 12 patients and mastoid cortex in three patients. Among eight patients with unilateral dominant brain venous systems, the diverticula were seen on the dominant side in seven patients and non-dominant side in one patient. In contrast, the other seven patients showed co-dominant brain venous systems, with three presenting diverticula on the right side and four on the left. More notably, dehiscent sigmoid plate on the PT side was demonstrated in all patients. In addition, temporal bone hyper-pneumatization was found in nine patients, good and moderate pneumatization in three patients, respectively. Conclusion: Dehiscent sigmoid plate and extensive temporal bone pneumatization are two important imaging characteristics of the PT induced by sigmoid sinus diverticulum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is an increasing frequency of requests for cochlear implantation (CI) in deaf children and more detailed image information is necessary for selecting appropriate candidates. Cochlear nerve deficiency (CND) is a contraindication to CI. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been used to evaluate the integrity of the cochlear nerve. The abnormalities of the cochlear nerve canal (CNC) and internal auditory canal (IAC) have been reported to be associated with CND. Purpose: To correlate CNC manifestation, size, and IAC diameter on high-resolution CT (HRCT) with CND diagnosed by MRI in children. Material and Methods: HRCT images from 35 sensorineurally deaf children who had normal cochlea but bilateral or unilateral CND diagnosed by MRI were studied retrospectively. The CNC and IAC manifestation and size were assessed and correlated with CND. Results: CND was diagnosed by MRI in 54/70 ears (77.1%). Thirty-two ears had an absent cochlear nerve (59.3%), while 22 ears had a small cochlear nerve (40.7%). The CNC diameter was <1.5 mm in 36 ears (66.7%). The CNC diameter ranged between 1.5 and 2.0 mm in seven ears (13.0%) and was >2.0 mm in 11 ears (20.4%). The IAC diameter was <3.0 mm in 25 ears (46.3%) and >3.0 mm in 29 ears (53.7%). Conclusion: The hypoplastic CNC might be more highly indicative of CND than that of a narrow IAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]