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Source localisation and real-time dose verification are at the forefront of medical research in brachytherapy, an oncological radiotherapy procedure based on radioactive sources implanted in the patient body. The ORIGIN project aims to respond to this medical community's need by targeting the development of a multi-point dose mapping system based on fibre sensors integrating a small volume of scintillating material into the tip and interfaced with silicon photomultipliers operated in counting mode. In this paper, a novel method for the selection of the optimal silicon photomultipliers to be used is presented, as well as a laboratory characterisation based on dosimetric figures of merit. More specifically, a technique exploiting the optical cross-talk to maintain the detector linearity in high-rate conditions is demonstrated. Lastly, it is shown that the ORIGIN system complies with the TG43-U1 protocol in high and low dose rate pre-clinical trials with actual brachytherapy sources, an essential requirement for assessing the proposed system as a dosimeter and comparing the performance of the system prototype against the ORIGIN project specifications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess the diagnostic performance of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) for the discrimination of complete responder (CR) from the non-complete responder (n-CR) in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) undergoing chemotherapy and radiation (CRT). Material and methods: Between December 2009 and January 2014, 32 patients (33 lesions: one patient had two synchronous lesions) were enrolled in this retrospective study. All patients underwent a pre- and post-CRT conventional MRI study completed with DWI. For both data sets (T2-weighted and DWI), the pre- and post-CRT tumour volume (VT2; VDWI) and the tumour volume reduction ratio (ΔV%) were determined as well as pre- and post-CRT apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and ADC change (ΔADC%). Histopathological findings were the standard of reference. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to compare performance of T2-weighted and DWI volumetry, as well as ADC. Results: The area under the ROC curve (AUC) revealed a good accuracy of pre- and post-CRT values of VT2 (0.86; 0.91) and VDWI (0.82; 1.00) as well as those of ΔVT2% (0.84) and ΔVDWI% (1.00) for the CR assessment, with no statistical difference. The AUC of pre- and post-CRT ADC (0.53; 0.54) and that of ΔADC% (0.58) were significantly lower. Conclusions: Both post-CRT VDWI and ΔVDWI% (AUC = 1) are very accurate for the assessment of the CR, in spite of no significant differences in comparison to the conventional post-CRT VT2 (AUC = 0.91) and ΔVT2% (AUC = 0.84). On the contrary, both ADC and ΔADC% values are not reliable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine the accuracy of MDCT in the evaluation of blunt surgically relevant bowel and/or mesenteric injuries (BMIs) using single specific CT signs together with specific pairs of nonspecific signs.Methods: Fifty-four patients examined with MDCT were divided into two groups: a ‘surgical’ group of 20 patients—which underwent surgery for blunt BMIs—and a control group of 34 ‘nonsurgical’ trauma patients. Two radiologists with different experience performed a double-blind retrospective evaluation of the images, classifying the patients in the two groups by using only single specific signs; then, the images were reviewed in consensus with a third radiologist and sensitivity and specificity were calculated. Subsequently, the frequency of every single sign and of every possible combination of nonspecific signs in the two groups was registered, to find combinations present only in the surgical group; sensitivity and specificity were calculated by using even those specific combinations.Results: At the first consensual evaluation, sensitivity and specificity were 75 and 100%, respectively. Two combinations of nonspecific signs (focal wall thickening + extraluminal air; focal wall thickening + seat belt sign) were found only in surgical patients that did not present any single specific sign: Sensitivity calculated adding those two combinations was 95%, without a decrease in specificity.Conclusions: MDCT is an accurate technique in the evaluation of blunt surgically relevant BMIs. The single specific CT signs were sufficient for the diagnosis in only 75% of the cases; adding the two specific combinations allowed an increase in sensitivity of 20%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the variations in aortic diameters and long-term results in patients who underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for acute blunt traumatic thoracic aortic injuries (BTTAIs). Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 23 patients with a mean age of 39 years (range: 17-74 years) who underwent TEVAR for BTTAI between October 2000 and November 2014. All of the patients underwent computed tomography angiography (CTA) before hospital discharge as a baseline imaging for the subsequent follow-up examinations. The technical success, overall survival, and complications were evaluated. Furthermore, the aortic diameters outside of the stent-graft (1 cm proximal and 1 cm distal to the stent-graft) and the aortic diameters within the stent-graft (2 cm distal to the proximal end and 2 cm proximal to the distal end) were assessed. The diameters at baseline on CTA were compared with those of the latest available follow-up examination. Results: Technical success was 100% with a mean follow-up of 65.4 months (range: 12-171 months). No death was registered, and 2 (8.7%) of 23 endograft-related complications (1 stent-graft distal infolding and 1 endoleak 2 and 4 months after the procedure, respectively) were observed. An increase in aortic diameter either proximal or distal to the stent-graft (mean value 0.7 and 0.5 mm, respectively) or within the stent-graft (mean value of 0.5 mm for both proximal and distal diameters) was registered (mean follow-up at 65.4 months, range: 12-171 months). Conclusion: Aortic dilatation following TEVAR for BTTAI is minimal during long-term follow-up. Endovascular treatment represents a durable and safe option in acute BTTAIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Critically ill patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) may suffer from different painful stimuli, but the assessment of pain is difficult because most of them are almost sedated and unable to self-report. Thus, it is important to optimize evaluation of pain in these patients. The main aim of this study was to compare two commonly used scales for pain evaluation: Critical Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT) and Behavioral Pain Scale (BPS), in both conscious and unconscious patients. Secondary aims were (1) to identifying the most relevant parameters to determine pain scales changes during nursing procedures, (2) to compare both pain scales with visual analog scale (VAS), and (3) to identify the best combination of scales for evaluation of pain in patients unable to communicate. Methods: In this observational study, 101 patients were evaluated for a total of 303 consecutive observations during 3 days after ICU admission. Measurements with both scales were obtained 1 min before, during, and 20 min after nursing procedures in both conscious (n.41) and unconscious (n.60) patients; furthermore, VAS was recorded when possible in conscious patients only. We calculated criterion and discriminant validity to both scales (Wilcoxon, Spearman rank correlation coefficients). The accuracy of individual scales was evaluated. The sensitivity and the specificity of CPOT and BPS scores were assessed. Kappa coefficients with the quadratic weight were used to reflect agreement between the two scales, and we calculated the effect size to identify the strength of a phenomenon. Results: CPOT and BPS showed a good criterion and discriminant validity (p < 0.0001). BPS was found to be more specific (91.7 %) than CPOT (70.8 %), but less sensitive (BPS 62.7 %, CPOT 76.5 %). COPT and BPS scores were significantly correlated with VAS (p < 0.0001). The combination of BPS and CPOT resulted in better sensitivity 80.4 %. Facial expression was the main parameter to determine pain scales changes effect size = 1.4. Conclusions: In critically ill mechanically ventilated patients, both CPOT and BPS can be used for assessment of pain intensity with different sensitivity and specificity. The combination of both BPS and CPOT might result in improved accuracy to detect pain compared to scales alone. Trial registration: NCT01669486 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: To improve the heat and humidification that can be achieved with a heat-and moisture exchanger (HME), a hybrid active (ie, adds heat and water) HME, the Hygrovent Gold, was developed. We evaluated in vitro the performance of the Hygrovent Gold. METHODS: We tested the Hygrovent Gold (with and without its supplemental heat and moisture options activated), the Hygrobac, and the Hygrovent S. We measured the absolute humidity, using a test lung ventilated at minute volumes of 5, 10, and 15 L/min, in normothermic (expired temperature 34°C) and hypothermic (expired temperature 28°C) conditions. We also measured the HMEs' flow resistance and weight after 24 h and 48 h. RESULTS: In its active mode the Hygrovent Gold provided the highest absolute humidity, independent of minute volume, in both normothermia and hypothermia. The respective normothermia and hypothermia absolute humidity values at 10 L/min were 36.3 ± 1.3 mg/L and 27.1 ± 1.0 mg/L with the active Hygrovent Gold, 33.9 ± 0.5 mg/L and 24.2 ± 0.8 mg/L with the passive Hygrovent Gold, 33.8 ± 0.56 mg/L and 24.4 ± 0.4 mg/L with the Hygrobac, and 33.9 ± 0.8 mg/L and 24.6 ± 0.6 mg/L with the Hygrovent S. The efficiency of the tested HMEs did not change over time. At 24 h and 48 h the increase in weight and flow resistance was highest in the active Hygrovent Gold. CONCLUSIONS: The passive Hygrovent Gold provided adequate heat and moisture in normothermia, but the active Hygrovent Gold provided the highest humidity, in both normothermia and hypothermia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a heterogeneous disease. The immunohistochemistry-based algorithms for the determination of the cell of origin of DLBCL have been proposed as a practical method to validate and surrogate results obtained by gene expression profiling. We studied 71 patients with primary nodal DLBCL at diagnosis, who received anthracycline-based therapy with or without rituximab. Immunohistochemistry was performed using anti-CD10, Bcl-6, MUM1 and Bcl-2 antibodies in order to assess the ontogenic profile of neoplastic cells and to verify its relation with clinical outcome. Survival data were analysed using an explorative Cox model. The immunohistochemistry-based algorithms for the determination of the cell of origin of DLBCL were not associated with prognosis. By contrast, Bcl-6 expression was associated with a longer lymphoma-free survival while immunoreactivities for MUM1 or Bcl-2 were not significantly related to patient outcome. Bcl-6 expression alone proved to be a prognostic marker in primary nodal DLBCL and seemed to be more reliable to predict clinical outcome in these disorders than the immunohistochemical algorithms for the detection of the germinal centre/non-germinal centre immunophenotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of our paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of Radiofrequency Thermal Ablation (RFA) of liver metastasis from breast cancer and its impact on survival. Thirteen female patients (range: 36-82 years, media 54.5 years) underwent RFA for the treatment of 21 liver metastases from breast cancer. The procedures were performed under US guidance using a RF 2000 or RF 3000 generator system and Le Veen monopolar needle electrodes. Follow up was carried-out by CT after 1,3,6,12 months. Technical success was 100%. No major or minor complications occurred at the end of the procedure. One month technique effectiveness was 95% (20 /21 lack of enhancement in the ablated tumor was observed). The mean overall survival after RFA was 10.9 months. Mean survival was calculated after the initial diagnosis of breast cancer and was 90.92 months. In conclusion, RFA appears to be a useful adjunct to systemic chemotherapy and/or ormonotherapy, in the loco-regional treatment of hepatic metastases from breast cancer. RFA may also be a less invasive alternative to surgery in the loco-regional treatment of liver metastases from breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]