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Previous studies have reported mixed results regarding whether the use of structured reporting (SR) leads to a change in interpretation times. The objective of this study was to quantify any change in interpretation times after the implementation of SR for multiple sclerosis (MS) follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain.Interpretation times before and after the transition to MS MRI SR were compared over a 5-year period. To control for changing practice patterns, a control group of non-MS (intracranial masses) reports not using SR was also assessed. In a secondary analysis, interpretation times for 2D and 3D MRI MS protocols after the initiation of SR were compared to determine whether increased image number with the 3D protocol affected interpretation times.Mean and median interpretation times before the initiation of SR for MS MRI were 11.0 and 8.0 minutes versus 8.5 and 6.0 minutes after the implementation of SR (p0.001). Although non-MS MRI interpretation times also decreased, an interaction analysis demonstrated that the decrease in MS interpretation times was significantly higher (p0.001). Mean and median interpretation times using 3D protocols were slighter increased compared to interpretation times with 2D protocols (p = 0.036).After the implementation of SR for MS follow-up MRI at our institution, interpretation times significantly decreased despite the increased number of images with some of the examinations due to the adoption of 3D protocols. The adoption of SR for MS MRI follow-up scans may improve radiologist efficiency.

We evaluated the influence of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) on the performance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for detection of Gleason grade group (GG) ≥2 prostate cancer, and on apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps.This single center, retrospective study included men who had MRI for initial detection or active surveillance of prostate cancer. The study group included 59 men who used for 5-ARIs for ≥12 months, and the control group included 59 men who were matched for both MRI indication and biopsy results. DeLong's test was used to compare the area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) for detection of GG ≥2 cancer between the groups. Wilcoxon rank sum test was used for comparison of lesions apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) metrics between the groups.MRI accuracy in the study group (AUC=0.778) was not significantly different compared to the control group (AUC=0.821; 95% CI for difference 0.22-0.13; p=0.636). In the control group, all ADC metrics were lower in lesions with GG ≥2 cancer on biopsy than in those with GG 1 cancer or negative results (p=0.001-0.01). In the study group, this difference was significant only when the mean ADC of the lesions was normalized by the ADC of urine (p=0.044).Long-term exposure to 5-ARIs does not seem to impair the detection of significant cancer on MRI but may affect the ability of ADC metrics to discriminate between lesions that harbor significant cancer and those that harbor insignificant cancer or benign tissue.

To describe the MRI features of deltoid tears and to evaluate tear characteristics in patient groups based on history of trauma and rotator cuff tear (RCT). The records of patients who underwent shoulder MRI at our institution between July 2007 and June 2018 were retrospectively reviewed to identify deltoid tears, and patients were divided into groups based on history of recent trauma and presence of RCT. Images were reviewed to identify the location and size of the deltoid tear; the presence or absence of RCT, muscle atrophy, tendon retraction, humeral head subluxation, soft tissue edema, and additional pathologies were also noted. Medical records were reviewed for information about history of steroid injection, previous rotator cuff surgery, and treatments used. Among 69 patients with deltoid tears (45 men; mean age, 65.2 years; range, 19–89 years), patients with RCTs and no trauma had the highest frequency of deltoid tears in the middle portion (p = 0.005). Only patients with RCTs had undergone steroid injection or rotator cuff surgery. Two patients had deltoid tear without RCT and without recent trauma; these patients demonstrated evidence of calcific tendinopathy and chronic subacromial-subdeltoid bursitis. The middle (acromial) portion of the deltoid is more frequently affected in patients with RCTs than in those with trauma. Although deltoid tears are commonly associated with RCT, calcific tendinopathy and chronic bursitis may also be seen in patients with deltoid tears.

Medical tests are procedures intended to detect, diagnose, characterize, or monitor a specific medical condition. Understanding the accuracy of a medical test is a critical part of informed decision-making in patient management, as it allows clinicians to appreciate the types of errors a medical test might be prone to making and how often it makes them. Designing a study to assess the performance of a medical test, however, presents unique challenges, from acquiring a reference standard to dealing with the complexities that arise when the test involves an interpretation by a human reader. This article provides an overview of design considerations in this context, including common biases and how to avoid them, statistical considerations, and reporting guidelines. A short list of questions is also provided, which can serve as a quick reference for anyone designing, implementing, or reviewing a study that intends to assess the performance of a medical test.

To identify clinical variables, including use of newer Viatorr TIPS endoprosthesis with controlled expansion (VCX) that may affect the occurrence and risk of hepatic encephalopathy after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation.A total of 376 patients who underwent TIPS creation at our institution between 2003 and 2018 were retrospectively identified. Of these patients, 71 received a Viatorr controlled expansion endoprosthesis and 305 received a Viatorr TIPS endoprosthesis (older version without controlled expansion). Multivariate regression analysis was used to identify factors predicting the occurrence of hepatic encephalopathy after TIPS creation; a Cox proportional hazard model was used to assess risk of HE through time to HE onset RESULTS: A total of 194 patients (52%) developed hepatic encephalopathy after TIPS creation, including 28 of 71 patients (39%) who received a VCX endoprosthesis. Older patient age and the use of Viatorr endoprosthesis without controlled expansion were significantly associated with the development of hepatic encephalopathy overall. Pre-TIPS pressure variables, patient age, plasma international normalized ratio, and model for end-stage liver disease score were risk factors for time to hepatic encephalopathy.Several variables are mild predictors of early hepatic encephalopathy development after TIPS creation, and the use of VCX endoprosthesis in TIPS creation is associated with a modest lower risk of hepatic encephalopathy. These preliminary findings should be considered in regard to patient selection, endoprosthesis selection, and post-transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt creation monitoring for the development of hepatic encephalopathy.

BackgroundPlacement of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is a relatively common procedure used to treat complications of portal hypertension. However, only limited data exist regarding the hospital-readmission rate after TIPS placement and no studies have addressed the causes of hospital readmission. We therefore sought to identify the 30-day hospital-readmission rate after TIPS placement at our institution and to determine potential causes and predictors of readmission.MethodsWe reviewed our electronic medical-records system at our institution between 2004 and 2017 to identify patients who had undergone primary TIPS placement with polytetrafluoroethylene-covered stents and to determine the 30-day readmission rate among these patients. A series of univariable logistic-regression models were fit to assess potential predictors of 30-day readmission.ResultsA total of 566 patients were included in the analysis. The 30-day readmission rate after TIPS placement was 36%. The most common causes for readmission were confusion (48%), infection (15%), bleeding (11%), and fluid overload (7%). A higher Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score corresponded with a higher rate of readmission (odds ratio associated with each 1-unit increase in MELD score: 1.06; 95% confidence interval: 1.02–1.09; P = 0.001). Other potential predictors, including indication for TIPS placement, were not significantly associated with a higher readmission rate.ConclusionsThe 30-day readmission rate after TIPS placement with covered stents is high, with nearly half of these readmissions due to hepatic encephalopathy—a known complication of TIPS placement. Novel interventions to help reduce the TIPS readmission rate should be prioritized in future research.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to evaluate patterns of vascular and lung parenchymal enhancement in patients with suspected chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) and in those with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) and compare those two groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively studied 186 thoracic DECT studies referred for evaluation of CTEPH or pulmonary hypertension. A total of 80 of these patients had a negative scan (control group), 13 had acute PE, and 53 had chronic thromboembolic disease (CTED)/CTEPH. Five different DECT-based parameters were evaluated that highlight patterns of vascular kinetics. Specifically, total DECT-based parenchymal attenuation in Hounsfield Unit (HU) (LungHU), percentage of perfused blood volume (PBV), peak enhancement of main pulmonary artery (PApeak in HU), maximum enhancement corresponding to 100 (PAmax), and the ratio of PApeak to LungHU were calculated. RESULTS Compared with patients with negative CT, patients with CTED/CTEPH tended to have lower LungHU (median: 27 vs. 38, P

BACKGROUND Prospective evidence to support mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for mild ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion (LVO) is lacking. There is uncertainty about using an invasive procedure in patients with mild symptoms. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the safety and feasibility of MT in patients with mild symptoms and LVO. METHODS Our single-arm prospective pilot study recruited patients with LVO and initial National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)

We sought to evaluate the correlation between MRI phenotypes of prostate cancer as defined by PI-RADS v2 and the Decipher Genomic Classifier (used to estimate the risk of early metastases). This single-center, retrospective study included 72 nonconsecutive men with prostate cancer who underwent MRI before radical prostatectomy performed between April 2014 and August 2017 and whose MRI registered lesions were microdissected from radical prostatectomy specimens and then profiled using Decipher (89 lesions; 23 MRI invisible [PI-RADS v2 scores ≤ 2] and 66 MRI visible [PI-RADS v2 scores ≥ 3]). Linear regression analysis was used to assess clinicopathologic and MRI predictors of Decipher results; correlation coefficients (r) were used to quantify these associations. AUC was used to determine whether PI-RADS v2 could accurately distinguish between low-risk (Decipher score

Introduction The determination of the precise location of unruptured paraclinoid aneurysms with respect to the dura is essential in order to establish the risk of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). In equivocal cases, current imaging modalities are often limited when trying to distinguish the precise relationship of these aneurysms with respect to the dura. We assessed the utility of vessel wall magnetic resonance (VW-MR) imaging in identifying the definitive location of unruptured paraclinoid aneurysms. Methods We performed an observational retrospective review using a prospective database of patients undergoing 3T VW-MR of the brain. We included patients that underwent VW-MR gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted black-blood sequences with fat suppression and saturation band to evaluate unruptured paraclinoid region aneurysms. The dural locations of the aneurysms were first identified on DSA or TOF-MRA and subsequently with VW-MR. The location of aneurysms on VW-MR were then compared qualitatively with the reference standard DSA/TOF-MRA by 2 neurovascular imaging experts. Results Fifteen patients with unruptured paraclinoid region aneurysms were imaged with VW-MR. The extradural or intradural locations of the aneurysms were determined in 80% of patients using VW-MR compared to 47% with DSA/MRA. Conclusions VW-MRI may be a feasible imaging technique for identifying the extradural or intradural location of unruptured paraclinoid aneurysms and may help guide management. Further larger studies may be warranted.

Background: Functional mitral regurgitation (MR) is associated with poor outcomes and the prognostic role of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) quantification of secondary MR has rarely been studied. We evaluated the associations between CMR-derived MR-fraction and adverse outcomes in non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) patients. Methods: We retrospectively studied 840 consecutive NICM patients undergoing CMR during 2001/4/1-2019/3/31. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression was performed for MR-fraction and two composite endpoints: primary (time to death, heart transplant and/or left ventricular assist device) and secondary (primary endpoint plus heart failure hospitalizations). Results: The cohort had mean age of 53.0±15.9 years, 319 (38.0) were female, and mean MR-fraction of 14±13% by CMR. There were 141 (16.8%) primary and 223 (26.5%) secondary endpoints over a mean follow-up of 3.6±3.0 years. Multivariable analyses results are shown in the Table. MR-fraction was independently associated with the primary and secondary endpoints with hazards ratios of 1.13 (95%CI 1.07-1.20) and 1.13 (95%CI 1.07-1.19) respectively per 5% increase in MR-fraction. MR-fraction provided stronger prognostic power compared to late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) in both models. Older age and diabetes were independently associated with both composite endpoints, while lower LVEF was independently associated with the secondary endpoint only. Conclusion: CMR quantification of functional MR is a powerful predictor of adverse outcomes and demonstrated stronger associations with poor prognosis compared to LGE and left ventricular remodeling in a large cohort of patients with NICM.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study is to assess CT-based markers predictive of the development of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) after acute pulmonary embolism. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Identified from a search of local registries, 48 patients who had CTEPH develop were included in the study group, and 113 patients who had complete resolution of acute pulmonary embolism were included in the control group. Baseline CT scans obtained at the time of the initial pulmonary embolism event were evaluated for the degree of clot-induced vessel obstruction, the quantitative Walsh score, the ratio of the right ventricle diameter to the left ventricle diameter, the right atrium diameter, the pulmonary artery diameter, right heart thrombus, pericardial effusion, lung infarction, and mosaic attenuation. Classification and regression tree analysis was used to create a decision tree. The decision tree was externally validated on an anonymized cohort of 50 control subjects and 50 patients with CTEPH. RESULTS. During univariable analysis, an increase in the degree occlusive clot on initial imaging, a decrease in the Walsh score, absence of pericardial effusion, presence of lung infarction, and the presence of mosaic attenuation were associated with an increased probability of CTEPH development. In the final decision tree, the occlusive nature of the clot remained. Two patients in the cohort used for external validation had nondiagnostic findings and were excluded. The decision process correctly classified 33% (16/48) of patients who had CTEPH develop and 86% (43/50) of patients who did not have CTEPH develop, for an odds ratio of 3.1 (95% CI, 1.1-8.3). CONCLUSION. The presence of an occlusive clot on initial imaging is associated with an increased probability of CTEPH development. Presence of mosaic attenuation and lung infarction may also predict CTEPH development, although additional studies are needed.

OBJECTIVE. The objective of our study was to compare morphologic and functional dual-energy CT (DECT) parameters in patients with chronic thromboembolic disease (CTED) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). MATERIALS AND METHODS. Using the local CTEPH registry, we identified 28 patients with CTED and 72 patients with CTEPH. On each DECT examination, a clot burden score was calculated by assigning the following scores for chronic changes by location: pulmonary trunk, 5; each main pulmonary artery (MPA), 4; each lobar branch, 3; each segmental branch, 2; and each subsegmental branch, 1. The total clot burden score was calculated by adding the individual scores from both lungs. Functional parameters were assessed using perfused blood volume (PBV) maps and included lung enhancement (in Hounsfield units), percentage of PBV, MPA peak enhancement (in Hounsfield units), maximum enhancement corresponding to 100, and the ratio of MPA peak enhancement to lung enhancement. A perfusion defect (PD) score was calculated by assigning 1 point to each segmental PD. Patients with CTED and patients with CTEPH were matched using propensity score matching to account for potential confounders. RESULTS. After matching, the CTEPH group showed a higher PD score than the CTED group and unilateral disease was more common in the CTED group than in the CTEPH group. In the unmatched sample, patients with CTED showed increased percentages of PBV for both lungs (PBV total) and for the right lung as compared with the CTEPH group (adjusted p = 0.040 and 0.028, respectively); after adjustment for clot burden, the difference between groups was still noted but was not statistically significant. No statistically significant differences were noted in the various functional DECT parameters after propensity score matching. CONCLUSION. Patients with CTED show anatomic and functional changes in the pulmonary vasculature and lung parenchyma similar to those seen in patients with CTEPH. Functional DECT parameters support the observation that CTED is an intermediate clinical phenotype in the population with chronic pulmonary embolism.

To evaluate the effect of enema and dietary restrictions on prostate MR image quality metrics and to assess inter-reader agreement for these metrics.This retrospective study included 195 men divided into groups based on their compliance with preparation instructions before prostate MRI (Enema + Diet, n = 98; Enema, n = 42; Diet, n = 35; Control [no compliance], n = 20). Four readers independently assessed six image quality metrics on a 5-point scale. Between-group comparisons were made using Wilcoxon rank sum test. Inter-reader agreement was calculated using Fleiss' kappa.Compared with the Control group, image quality with respect to rectal stool/gas, distortion of diffusion-weighted images, overall image quality, and confidence in assessment was higher in the Enema + Diet, Enema, and Diet groups (p 0.05 for all comparisons). The Enema + Diet and Enema groups had significantly higher scores than the Diet group for rectal stool/gas (p0.001 and 0.005, respectively). The Enema + Diet and Diet groups had higher scores than the Control group for rectal peristalsis (p = 0.027 and 0.009, respectively), but there were no significant differences in motion artifacts on T2-weighted images. Agreement among readers was fair, with kappa values ranging from 0.25 to 0.37.Enema and dietary restriction can improve the quality of prostate MRI by decreasing rectal distension and distortion of diffusion-weighted images and by increasing reader confidence in image assessment. Inter-reader agreement using subjective criteria for analysis of MRI quality is fair.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of obesity and iterative reconstruction on the ability to reduce exposure by studying the accuracy for detection of low‐contrast low‐attenuation (LCLA) liver lesions on computed tomography (CT) using a phantom model. Methods A phantom with four unique LCLA liver lesions (5‐ to 15‐mm spheres, –24 to –6 HU relative to 90‐HU background) was scanned without (“thin” phantom) and with (“obese” phantom) a 5‐cm thick fat‐attenuation ring at 150 mAs (thin phantom) and 450 mAs (obese phantom) standard exposures and at 33% and 67% exposure reductions. Images were reconstructed using standard filtered back projection (FBP) and with iterative reconstruction (Adaptive Model‐Based Iterative Reconstruction strength 3, ADMIRE). A noninferiority analysis of lesion detection was performed. Results Mean area under the curve (AUC) values for lesion detection were significantly higher for the thin phantom than for the obese phantom regardless of exposure level (P

To characterize the appearance, location, severity, and prevalence of focal glenoid retroversion on shoulder MRI in professional baseball pitchers versus age-matched controls. In this retrospective review, two musculoskeletal radiologists evaluated shoulder MRI examinations from 40 professional baseball pitchers and 40 age-matched controls. Images were scored for the presence of a focal posterior glenoid convexity and the clock face positions involved. A consensus interpretation was also performed. A third reader identified the presence of additional shoulder abnormalities. After consensus, 60% (24/40) of pitchers were found to have focal glenoid retroversion versus 20% (8/40) of controls (p = 0.001). The most apparent location was posterior or posterior-superior, from 7.75 o’clock to 10.5 o’clock (median, 9.75 o’clock; interquartile range, 9.25–10 o’clock). The median clock angle of involvement was greater in pitchers than in controls (30° vs. 0°; p

The aim of this brief report is to determine the safety and reliability of minimally invasive video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) resection without the aid of intraoperative fluoroscopy after computed tomography (CT)–guided microcoil localization of small peripheral pulmonary nodules. Twenty patients with peripheral lung nodules underwent percutaneous needle localization with a microcoil that was tagged back to the visceral pleural surface. Same-day VATS resection was performed without the use of intraoperative fluoroscopy. All 20 nodules were successfully localized in the CT procedure room, and all 20 nodules were resected with negative margins and no major complications.

Background Postoperative brain injury is a cause of mortality and morbidity in patients who undergo thoracic aortic replacement. Chronic microvascular white matter ischemic change (WMIC) has been shown to be associated with acute brain infarction in the general population. WMIC has also been shown to be an independent predictor of non-focal neurocognitive changes, generalized seizures, and temporary neurologic dysfunction in patients who undergo thoracic aortic replacement. The aim of this study is to determine if WMIC is a risk factor for acute brain infarction in patients who undergo thoracic aortic replacement. Methods A case-control study of patients who underwent thoracic aortic replacement between 2001 and 2014 were reviewed for neurological changes after surgery and acute brain infarction on postoperative diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Patients with neurological changes were matched with control patients who underwent thoracic aortic replacement and had postoperative neurological symptoms without acute brain infarctions. Acute infarction was re-assessed by reviewing DWI sequences on postoperative MRI. WMIC was assessed on FLAIR and T2WI sequences on both preoperative and postoperative MRI. Logistic regression was performed assessing the relationship of WMIC and acute ischemic infarction. Results 5171 patients underwent thoracic aortic replacement; 179 had postoperative neurological changes, and of those 53 patients had acute brain infarction on postoperative DWI. Patients with deep WMIC were more likely to have acute DWI infarctions after thoracic aortic replacement (P = 0.023). Conclusion Our matched retrospective case-controlled study shows deep WMIC to be a predictor of acute brain infarction on DWI after thoracic aortic replacement.

To determine the fat content of myxoid liposarcomas (MLS) on MRI and to identify any association between lipid content and survival. The fat percentage of MLS diagnosed between January 2006 and December 2016 at a single institution was assessed by two radiologists on preoperative MR images. A Cox proportional hazard model was used to determine any association between tumor fat percentage and survival time. Tumor fat percentage was the single predictor in the model. A significance level of 0.05 was used. The Kaplan–Meier estimator was also used to provide a nonparametric estimate of the survivor function within the entire sample and within two patient subgroups consists of lipid-rich and lipid-poor tumors. Lipid-rich tumors were defined as any tumors showing more than 20% of fat on MRI. A 20% cutoff was determined arbitrarily. Of the 43 cases identified through retrospective review, 8 tumors demonstrated ≥10% fat on MRI, and 4 tumors demonstrated ≥20% fat (highest fat percentage, 38%). There was no significant survival difference between patients with high tumor fat, which was defined as ≥20% fat, compared with those with little to no tumor fat. Myxoid liposarcomas may demonstrate a higher fat content on MRI than has previously been reported in the literature. Increased tumor fat percentage in lipid-rich tumors was not found to be associated with increased risk of death. Radiologists must be aware of the existence of MLS lesions with higher fat content.

We sought to determine whether there are ultrasound parameters that differ between knees with symptomatic fat pad synovial impingement and asymptomatic knees.A prospective study was performed in patients with clinical signs and symptoms of fat pad synovial impingement and asymptomatic controls. Eleven symptomatic knees and 10 asymptomatic controls were evaluated. Ultrasound imaging was performed before and after exercise. Evaluated parameters included largest fat lobule compressibility, subjective assessment of vascularity, largest vessel diameter, and subjective assessment of dynamic fat pad motion during flexion and extension. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to assess whether changes in these parameters were different between symptomatic and asymptomatic knees.Change in the largest vessel diameter was greater and trended toward dilation in asymptomatic knees compared to symptomatic knees (mean: 0.83 vs. -0.02; P0.001). No significant differences were observed between symptomatic and asymptomatic knees with respect to pre-exercise versus post-exercise states in subjective assessment of vascularity (P=0.131), fat pad motion (P=0.115), or percent change of the largest fat lobule (P=0.241). However, overall compressibility of the fat pad lobule was significantly diminished in the pre-exercise state in symptomatic knees compared to asymptomatic controls.This study demonstrated a statistically significant change in the largest vessel diameter from pre- to post-exercise states between symptomatic and asymptomatic knees, as well as abnormal pre-exercise fat lobule compressibility in symptomatic knees. These findings show promise that with further research, ultrasound could have clinical utility in diagnosing infrapatellar fat pad impingement.

Rational and Objectives This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic utility of breast imaging using transmission ultrasound. We present readers' accuracy in determining whether a breast lesion is a cyst versus a solid using transmission ultrasound as an adjunct to mammography. Materials and Methods This retrospective multi-reader, multi-case receiver operating characteristic study included 37 lesions seen on mammography and transmission ultrasound. Cyst cases were confirmed as cysts using their appearance on handheld ultrasound. Solid cases were confirmed as solids with pathology results. Fourteen readers performed blinded, randomized reads with mammography + quantitative transmission scan images, assigning both a confidence score (0–100) and a binary classification of cyst or solid. A 95% percentile bootstrap confidence interval (CI) was computed for the readers' mean receiver operating characteristic area, sensitivity, and specificity. Results Using the readers' binary classification of cyst or solid lesions, the mean sensitivity and specificity were 0.933 [95% CI: 0.837, 0.995] and 0.858 [95% CI: 0.701, 0.985], respectively. When the readers' confidence scores were used to distinguish a cyst versus solid, the mean receiver operating characteristic area was 0.920 [95% CI: 0.827, 0.985]. Conclusions Transmission ultrasound can provide an accurate assessment of a cyst versus a solid lesion in the breast. Prospective clinical trials will further delineate the role of transmission ultrasound as an adjunct to mammography to increase specificity in breast evaluation.

Purpose The goal of this study was to determine the predictive value of prostate-specific antigen density (PSAD) plus Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) category for the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer. Materials and Methods This retrospective study included 526 men without known prostate cancer (initial diagnosis group) and 133 men with prostate cancer grade group 1 (active surveillance group) who underwent magnetic resonance imaging–guided and/or systematic prostate biopsy procedures between August 2014 and October 2018. Prostate specific antigen (PSA), PSAD, and PI-RADS category were entered into logistic regression models for predicting clinically significant prostate cancer (grade group ≥2) at biopsy. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to assess model accuracy. Results The area under the curve (AUC) increased when PSAD was combined with PI-RADS in the initial diagnosis group (difference in AUC = 0.031; 95% confidence interval: 0.012, 0.050; P = 0.002) but not in the active surveillance group (difference in AUC = 0.016; 95% confidence interval: –0.040, 0.071; P = 0.579). When a PSAD threshold of 0.15 was applied, the frequency of clinically significant prostate cancer in patients with a PI-RADS score of 3 or lower decreased from 9.8% to 5.6% in the initial diagnosis group and from 10.7% to 2.7% in the active surveillance group. Conclusions The addition of PSAD improves the predictive performance of PI-RADS in men without known prostate cancer. A PSAD threshold of 0.15 can help to minimize the number of missed clinically significant prostate cancer cases in men with a PI-RADS score of 3 or lower who decide to defer biopsy.

Purpose We did a comparative analysis of matched and mismatched defects in pre- and post-operative V/Q scans in CTEPH patients. We correlated the number of these defects with pre-operative clinical and hemodynamic parameters. Methods This was a retrospective study on 27 patients with CTEPH who underwent surgery. Pre- and post-operative V/Q scans were graded for each lung segment as normal, matched or mismatched defect. Additional pre- and post-operative clinical and hemodynamic parameters that were collected include New York Heart Association functional class, six-minute walk distance in feet, N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide, forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity, diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide, pulmonary arterial pressure (systolic, diastolic and mean), right atrial pressure, cardiac output and cardiac index. Pulmonary vascular resistance was then calculated. Results On a segmental basis, 176 mismatched defects were noted in 27 patients, of which 111 improved post-surgery (63%). 22 of the 34 matched defects improved following surgery (64%). 31 new mismatched defects were observed. The number of pre-operative matched defects per patient ranged from 0 to 6. No statistically significant associations were observed between the number of pre-operative matched defects and pre-operative clinical parameters. No statistically significant associations were observed between the number of improved matched defects and the change in clinical parameters (pre- to post-surgery). Conclusion Both matched and mismatched defects on preoperative V/Q scans can show normalization post-surgery. The extent of matched defects on a preoperative V/Q scan does not correlate significantly with other clinical and hemodynamic parameters.

IMPORTANCE: Many studies have investigated the imaging findings showing sequelae of repetitive head trauma, with mixed results. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether fighters (boxers and mixed martial arts fighters) with cavum septum pellucidum (CSP) and cavum vergae (CV) have reduced volumes in various brain structures or worse clinical outcomes on cognitive and mood testing. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This cohort study assessed participants from the Professional Fighters Brain Health Study. Data were collected from April 14, 2011, to January 17, 2018, and were analyzed from September 1, 2018, to May 23, 2019. This study involved a referred sample of 476 active and retired professional fighters. Eligible participants were at least 18 years of age and had at least a fourth-grade reading level. Healthy age-matched controls with no history of trauma were also enrolled. EXPOSURES: Presence of CSP, CV, and their total (additive) length (CSPV length). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Information regarding depression, impulsivity, and sleepiness among study participants was obtained using the Patient Health Questionnaire depression scale, Barrett Impulsiveness Scale, and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Cognition was assessed using raw scores from CNS Vital Signs. Volumes of various brain structures were measured via magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: A total of 476 fighters (440 men, 36 women; mean [SD] age, 30.0 [8.2] years [range, 18-72 years]) and 63 control participants (57 men, 6 women; mean [SD] age, 30.8 [9.6] years [range, 18-58 years]) were enrolled in the study. Compared with fighters without CV, fighters with CV had significantly lower mean psychomotor speed (estimated difference, –11.3; 95% CI, –17.4 to –5.2; P = .004) and lower mean volumes in the supratentorium (estimated difference, –31 191 mm(3); 95% CI, –61 903 to –479 mm(3); P = .05) and other structures. Longer CSPV length was associated with lower processing speed (slope, –0.39; 95% CI, –0.49 to –0.28; P

ObjectiveDetermine the prognostic impact of scar quantification (scar %) by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in predicting heart failure admission, death and left ventricular (LV) function improvement following cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT), after controlling for the presence of left bundle branch block (LBBB), QRS duration (QRSd) and LV lead tip location and polarity.MethodsConsecutive patients who underwent CMR between 2002 and 2014 followed by CRT were included. The primary endpoint was death or heart failure admission. The secondary endpoint was change in ejection fraction (EF) ≥3 months after CRT. Cox proportional hazards, linear regression models and change in the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were used.ResultsA total of 84 patients were included (63% male, 51% with ischaemic cardiomyopathy). After adjusting for clinical factors, presence of LBBB and QRSd and LV lead tip location and polarity, greater scar % remained associated with a higher risk for clinical events (HR=1.06; 95% CI 1.02 to 1.10; pConclusionScar quantification by CMR has an incremental value in predicting response to CRT, in terms of heart failure admission, death and EF improvement, independent of the presence of LBBB, QRSd, LV lead tip location and polarity.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES:We sought to evaluate the correlation between MRI phenotypes of prostate cancer as defined by the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System version 2 (PI-RADS v2) and D...

Several recent studies have shown that patients presenting with mild acute ischemic stroke (mAIS) symptoms may have an unfavorable natural history. The presence of associated large vessel occlusion (LVO) may lead to even worse outcomes, but most mAIS patients are still excluded from acute stroke treatment (AST). A retrospective review of patients with acute ischemic stroke presenting to our institution between 2010 and 2014 was carried out. Inclusion criteria were mAIS (initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] ⩽7) due to LVO, presenting within 6hours from onset. Demographics, treatments and short-term outcomes were analyzed. Favorable 30day outcome was defined as modified Rankin Scale (mRS) ⩽2. Out of 2636 patients, 62 patients (median age 63years, 33 (53.2%) males) met inclusion criteria. The anterior circulation was involved in 74.1%. Median admission NIHSS and pre-admission mRS were 4 and 0, respectively. Twenty-three patients (71.8%) received AST (intravenous tissue plasminogen activator: 14, intra-arterial therapy: 4, both: 5). Favorable outcomes were 4.5 times higher in treated (78.3%) versus untreated (53.8%) patients (odds ratio 4.5, 95% confidence interval 1.26-19.2; p=0.028). None of the treated patients had symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. We demonstrate that a significant proportion of untreated mAIS patients with LVO have an unfavorable natural history. Our results suggest better outcomes in patients who receive early therapy rather than conservative management. The detection of LVO, even with mild clinical symptoms, may prompt rapid treatment considerations.

Introduction Mitral regurgitation (MR) resulting from a markedly dilated left ventricle (LV) is common in advanced heart failure patients undergoing LV assist device (LVAD) implant. Significant MR post-LVAD therapy can contribute to worsening pulmonary venous hypertension, right ventricular (RV) failure, morbidity and mortality. Our aim was to examine the impact of MR severity on survival outcomes in patients on LVAD support. Methods A single-center retrospective chart review was conducted for any patient with LVAD implant for demographic, clinical, and echocardiographic variables. Post-LVAD MR severity was used to categorize patients into minimal or significant MR groups. Significant (severe) MR was defined by the presence of EROA ≥0.4cm2, regurgitant volume ≥60ml, regurgitant fraction ≥50%, jet >40% of LA, or grade ≥2+. Results 270 patients (mean age 57 ± 12 years) were analyzed. The majority were male (84%), and had non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (60%), bridge-to-transplant LVAD therapy (52%), significant pre-implant MR (75%), and minimal post-LVAD MR (87%). Median survival time after LVAD implant was 5.96 vs 4.74 years among patients with minimal vs significant MR, respectively (p=0.50). No significant difference was seen between groups even after adjusting for age, gender and device indication (hazard ratio 1.49 [95% CI 0.91, 2.24], p=0.119). Median survival time post-LVAD was 4.90 vs 5.41 years among patients with vs without grade ≥1 MR improvement post-LVAD, respectively (p=0.30). Overall, 28 patients (45%) and 75 patients (36%) died in the respective significant and minimal MR cohorts post-LVAD. Conclusions In our cohort, a minority of patients had persistence of significant MR on LVAD support. Survival outcomes on LVAD support or as bridge to heart transplant did not differ based on MR severity post-LVAD implant. Future studies are warranted on the implications of post-LVAD MR severity on hospital readmission burden.

Optimizing MRI aortic flow quantification is crucial for accurately assessing valvular disease. We aimed at comparing the accuracy of a novel method of contouring systolic aortic forward flow to standard contouring methods at various aortic levels, in patients with aortic valve (AoV) disease.

298 Background: We sought to identify PSA density (PSAD) and Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data Systems (PI-RADS) category cut-offs that would allow deferring biopsy in men with suspicion for clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa). Methods: Our institution’s prostate MRI registry (n = 1718) was queried for patients who had MRI-guided biopsy (MRI-GB) and/or systematic biopsy (SB) performed after prostate MRI between January 2013 and October 2018 (n = 676). Patients in the diagnostic group (either biopsy naïve or with prior negative biopsy) and patients with PCa on active surveillance (AS) were considered eligible. PSA, PSAD, and PI-RADS category were entered into logistic regression models for predicting csPca (grade group [GG] ≥ 2) at biopsy. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to assess model accuracy and results were stratified by biopsy indication and PI-RADS categories. Results: Logistic regression models that combined PSAD and PI-RADS categories had the highest ROC’s in both the diagnostic and AS groups (AUC=0.830 and 0.778, respectively). For diagnostic group patients with PSAD ≤0.15, csPCa was found in 6/89 (6.7%) of negative MRI patients (i.e. PI-RADS ≤ 2), 4/90 (4.4%) of PI-RADS 3 patients, 59/159 (37%) of PI-RADS 4-5 patients. If a PSAD cutoff of ≤ 0.15 and PI-RADS category ≤ 3 MRI were used in combination as criteria for biopsy deferral, only 10/526 (1.9%) of patients would have had csPCa missed on subsequent biopsy. Among patients in the AS group with a negative MRI, 0/22(0%) and 3/8 (37.5%) had csPCA if the PSAD was ≤0.15 and >0.15, respectively. Conclusions: For the diagnostic group of patients undergoing prostate biopsy, PSAD cut off ≤0.15 is useful for deferring biopsy only in patients with a PI-RADS ≤ 3. Confirmatory biopsy in patients should be strongly considered before enrolling patients in AS even in the setting of a negative MRI if the PSAD is > 0.15.

Purpose Right ventricular dysfunction (RVD) and mitral regurgitation (MR) are associated with poor outcomes after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation, and residual MR post-implantation may be associated with poor RV outcomes. We sought to assess predictors of change in MR in patients implanted with continuous flow (CF) LVADs. Methods 286 patients implanted with CF-LVADs between Jan 2011 - Dec 2015 were analyzed. Demographic, laboratory, clinical and hemodynamic data were obtained from electronic records. Echocardiograms within 3-months prior to and within 3-months after surgery were reviewed. A total of 35 potential predictors of change in MR severity pre and post LVAD underwent initial univariable analysis. Variables with p Results Mean age was 57 (± 12) years, 84% were male, bean LVEF was 17 (± 6.4) %, and indexed left ventricular end diastolic volume (LVEDVi) was 130 (± 61) ml/m2. For changes in MR post-op, age, LVEDVi, indexed left atrial volume, degree of pre-op MR, diabetes mellitus, CKD, INTERMACS level, cardiac output, cardiac index, RV stroke work index, sphericity index, average mitral annular diameter, tenting area and coaptation length were identified. On multivariable analysis, LVEDVi and degree of pre-op MR were significant predictors (p = 0.010 and Conclusion For changes in degree of MR, higher pre-operative LVEDVi was associated with worse MR post-surgery, and more severe pre-op MR was associated with improvement in degree of MR post-operatively. These findings suggest pre-implant echocardiographtic assessment of LV size and MR severity can identify patients at increased risk of post-LVAD significant MR. Further analysis is needed to verify the findings of this exploratory study and to determine the effect on clinical outcomes.

To compare freehand scripting and semiautomated renal parenchymal volume measurements on preoperative or postoperative computed tomography scans and assess relationships between parenchymal volume loss and functional changes within the operated kidney after partial nephrectomy (PN).Fifty patients (16 solitary kidneys, 34 bilateral kidneys) with renal tumors managed by PN with necessary studies for analysis were included. Freehand scripting and semiautomated threshold-based analysis were performed before and 4-12 months after PN to obtain preoperative normal parenchymal volumes, projected residual parenchymal volumes, and actual postoperative volumes. Glomerular filtration rate was determined by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease 2 equation along with nuclear renal scan to provide split function for patients with 2 kidneys. Limits of agreement and Bland-Altman analyses were performed. The relationship between the amount of vascularized parenchyma preserved and renal function saved was correlated for each measurement method using Pearson correlation.The semiautomated method yielded estimates that were higher than freehand scripting by a mean of 14 cm(3) for estimation of preoperative normal parenchymal volume, 21 cm(3) for projected residual parenchymal volume, and 9 cm(3) for actual postoperative parenchymal volume. For the semiautomated method, correlation between the amount of normal parenchyma preserved and renal function saved was 0.52 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.28-0.69; P.001), and for the scripting method, correlation was 0.60 (95% CI, 0.39-0.76; P.001).Semiautomated and freehand scripting measurements of parenchymal volumes were relatively consistent before and after PN, although the semiautomated approach tended to yield volumes that were approximately 5%-10% higher on average. Measurement of parenchymal volume changes by both approaches correlated significantly with functional changes after PN.

Quantification of intra-access blood flow rate (BFR) is an important parameter for evaluating hemodialysis access patency in end-stage renal disease patients. In this study, we use bolus tracking method to compute BFR from clinical images obtained using digital subtraction angiography and evaluate the quantification accuracy versus thermodilution (TD) flow measurement using four different bolus transit time algorithms. We found that the cross-correlation method had the best overall accuracy with mean quantification error of 27+/-13% while all other methods had error >44%. The calculated BFR was dependent on frame rate and acquisition duration and the highest computational accuracy (83-115% of TD flow) was obtained for images with complete bolus flow-in and wash-out phases. The results of this investigation will be useful for developing flow measurement tool and preparing custom acquisition protocol for angiography suite.

The objective of this study was to measure the accuracy and interobserver agreement of the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System, version 2 (PI-RADSv2), for the characterization of prostate lesions on multiparametric MRI.This retrospective study included 170 men examined at a single institution between August 2014 and February 2015 on a 3-T MRI scanner. Study patients were found to have lesions concerning for prostate cancer that were targeted for MRI/transrectal ultrasound fusion biopsy. Two experienced readers independently assigned a PI-RADSv2 assessment category to the dominant lesion in each patient. The AUC was calculated to determine reader accuracy for the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer (Gleason score ≥ 3 + 4). The Cohen kappa statistic was used to quantify interobserver agreement.The prevalence of clinically significant prostate cancer was 0.36 (61/170 patients). The AUCs for readers 1 and 2 were 0.871 and 0.882, respectively. The AUCs were greater for peripheral zone lesions than for transition zone lesions. When a PI-RADSv2 assessment category ≥ 3 was considered positive, the agreement between readers was good overall (κ = 0.63) and was fair for transition zone lesions (κ = 0.53). When a PI-RADSv2 assessment category ≥ 4 was considered positive, the agreement was excellent overall (κ = 0.91) and was excellent for both peripheral zone lesions (κ = 0.91) and transition zone lesions (κ = 0.87).Two experienced readers were able to accurately identify patients with clinically significant prostate cancer using PI-RADSv2 with good interobserver agreement overall.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) were historically placed using uncovered bare-metal stents. Current practice has now shifted toward the use of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-covered stents, given the improved primary patency seen with these stents. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is any added value, such as overall survival or stent patency, when using covered stents versus uncovered stents in TIPS placement in a large cohort. From April 1995 to June 2012, a total of 744 consecutive adult patients underwent de novo TIPS placement (378 receiving uncovered stents, 366 receiving covered stents). Information was obtained on demographics, baseline clinical variables, and outcomes after TIPS placement. Data were collected, compared, and analyzed to assess outcomes including mortality, primary patency (determined via repeat intervention), and secondary patency (determined via ultrasound parameters). Covered stents were associated with significantly improved primary patency (P

The purpose of this study was to investigate and validate adaptation of a cardiovascular CT angiography contrast injection protocol for lower tube potential.Eighty-three patients evaluated for thoracic aortic disease with a 256-MDCT scanner were imaged at 120 kV (group 1) or 100 kV (group 2) with the same contrast protocol (90 mL iopromide 370 mg I/mL at 3.5 mL/s). A pharmacokinetic model was validated and used to simulate aortic attenuation in group 2 patients with 20%, 33%, and 44% reduction in contrast volume. A 44% volume reduction was applied to 50 additional patients who underwent imaging at 100 kV (group 3). Patient characteristics, scanning and radiation parameters, and objective and subjective image indexes were compared among groups.Group 2 patients had higher mean aortic blood attenuation (399±61 HU) than group 1 patients (281±48 HU) (p0.001) but similar image noise. Group 3 and group 1 patients had similar mean aortic attenuation and noise. Subjective assessment of image quality indicated that group 3 and group 1 had comparable percentages of images with good or excellent diagnostic confidence scores (reader 1, 98% vs 96%; reader 2, 96% vs 96%).Lower tube potential (100 kV) for cardiothoracic CT could be accompanied by a 44% reduction in contrast volume with satisfactory aortic blood-pool attenuation in most patients. More personalized adaptation of the contrast protocol that takes into account patient characteristics and tube potential is necessary to ensure sufficient contrast enhancement for all patients.

A. Background Functional popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (fPAES), a cause of exertional leg pain, has a clinical presentation and clinical findings that are often indistinguishable from those of other leg pain causes (1). This condition may also coexist and overlap in symptomatology with other leg pain causes, further complicating the diagnosis (2). Although fPAES is usually considered a rare cause of leg pain (3), the true incidence of this condition is unknown, and fPAES is likely underdiagnosed and underreported (4). A missed diagnosis may result in disease progression and the use of unnecessary invasive procedures (3), and untreated fPAES may lead to popliteal artery damage, embolization, and limb ischemia (5). Although a diagnostic method using a combination of dynamic ultrasound and MR imaging/MR angiography has been described for fPAES (5), to our knowledge, no investigational studies have been performed to assess the dynamic ultrasound findings in this entity. This study sought to evaluate the usefulness of dynamic plantar flexion and dorsiflexion of the calf and the effect on the popliteal artery Doppler waveform in patients with clinically suspected fPAES and no structural abnormality. B. Methods We performed a retrospective review of ultrasound studies in patients who presented with clinically suspected PAES over a 3-year period. The ultrasound studies consisted of an anatomic survey of the popliteal. Dynamic nonresistant dorsiflexion and plantar flexion evaluations of the popliteal artery plus spectral Doppler evaluations of the popliteal artery obtained in neutral, plantar flexion, and dorsiflexion positions were performed before and after patients exercised. Patients with anatomic abnormalities were excluded. The following parameters were assessed: The proportion of symptomatic knees versus asymptomatic knees in which plantar flexion and/or dorsiflexion of the foot resulted in popliteal artery compression. The peak systolic velocity (PSV) of the popliteal artery in all positions for knees with and knees without dynamic popliteal artery compression. The absolute value change in PSV of the popliteal artery from neutral to plantar flexion and from neutral to dorsiflexion in the pre- and postexercise state for knees with and knees without dynamic popliteal artery compression. ROC analysis for clustered data was used to assess the ability of PSV to distinguish between knees with and knees without arterial compression. C. Results A total of 88 knees (77 symptomatic, 11 asymptomatic) in 45 patients were included in the study. Dynamic arterial compression was observed in 38% (29/77) of symptomatic knees. No compression seen in asymptomatic knees. Both pre-exercise and postexercise knees with arterial compression had significantly higher absolute changes in PSV from neutral to plantar flexion versus knees without arterial compression (Table). There was a smaller significant change in PSV from neutral to dorsiflexion in the pre-exercise state. There was no significant change in PSV in the postexercise state from neutral to dorsiflexion or with respect to PSV values at any position between knees with and knees without arterial compression. D. Conclusions/Significance In patients with clinically suspected PAES without anatomic abnormality, dynamic ultrasound demonstrated compression of the popliteal artery in 38% of knees. No dynamic arterial compression was seen in asymptomatic knees. There was a significant elevation in PSV from neutral to plantar flexion in pre- and postexercise states and from pre-exercise neutral to dorsiflexion positions in knees with arterial compression versus knees without arterial compression. Tables [Table: see text] References Joy SM, Raudales R. Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome. Curr Sports Med Rep. 2015;14(5):364-367. Hislop M, Kennedy D, Cramp B, Dhupelia S. Functional popliteal artery entrapment syndrome: poorly understood and frequently missed? A review of clinical features, appropriate investigations, and treatment options. J Sports Med (Hindawi Publ Corp). 2014;2014:105953. Gaunder C, McKinney B, Rivera J. Popliteal artery entrapment or chronic exertional compartment syndrome? Case Rep Med. 2017;2017:6981047 Hislop M, Brideaux A, Dhupelia S. Functional popliteal artery entrapment syndrome: use of ultrasound guided Botox injection as a non-surgical treatment option. Skeletal Radiol. 2017;46(9):1241-1248. Williams C, Kennedy D, Bastian-Jordan M, Hislop M, Cramp B, Dhupelia S. A new diagnostic approach to popliteal artery entrapment syndrome. J Med Radiat Sci. 2015;62(3):226-229.

Background: High levels of humeral torsion allow baseball pitchers to achieve maximum external rotation in the late cocking phase of pitching with lower twisting and shear forces on the long head of the biceps tendon and rotator cuff tendons. Hypothesis: Humeral torsion is inversely related to the incidence and severity of shoulder injuries and other upper extremity injuries in professional baseball pitchers. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 25 professional pitchers from a single Major League Baseball organization were prospectively recruited into this study. Computed tomography (CT) was performed on dominant and nondominant humeri, and image data were processed with a 3-dimensional volume-rendering postprocessing program. The software program was then modified to model a simplified throwing motion and to measure potential internal impingement distances in a small subset of players. Players were followed for 2 years after CT, and the number of days missed from pitching activities was recorded as a measure of injury severity and incidence. Results: The mean dominant humeral torsion was 38.5° ± 8.9°; the mean nondominant humeral torsion was 27.6° ± 8.0°. The difference between dominant and nondominant torsions was significant ( P < .0001). Among the 11 pitchers (44%) injured during follow-up, 5 players had shoulder injuries, 7 had elbow injuries, and 2 had finger injuries. Dominant humeral torsion was a statistically significant predictor of severe injuries (≥30 days; P = .048) but not of milder injuries. Among injured players, higher numbers of days missed because of injury were strongly correlated with lower degrees of dominant humeral torsion ( r = −0.78; P = .005) and smaller differences between dominant and nondominant humeral torsions ( r = −0.59; P = .055). There was no significant association between the incidence of shoulder injury and minimum glenoid-tuberosity distance in the dominant or nondominant shoulder or degree of dominant glenoid version. Conclusion: A strong relationship was found between lower degrees of dominant humeral torsion and more severe upper extremity injuries as well as a trend relating lower side-to-side differences in torsion with more severe dominant upper extremity injuries. In addition, there was a higher incidence of severe injuries in players with lower degrees of dominant torsion. If future studies confirm these results, humeral torsion measurements could play a role in risk assessment in pitchers.

Purpose There have been an increasing number of studies involving ultra-high-field 7T of intracranial pathology, however, comprehensive clinical studies of neuropathology at 7T still remain limited. 7T has the advantage of a higher signal-to-noise ratio and a higher contrast-to-noise ratio, compared to current low field clinical MR scanners. We hypothesized 7T applied clinically, may improve detection and characterization of intracranial pathology. Materials and methods We performed an IRB-approved 7T prospective study of patients with neurological disease who previously had lower field 3T and 1.5T. All patients underwent 7T scans, using comparable clinical imaging protocols, with the aim of qualitatively comparing neurological lesions at 7T with 3T or 1.5T. To qualitatively assess lesion conspicuity at 7T compared with low field, 80-paired images were viewed by 10 experienced neuroradiologists and scored on a 5-point scale. Inter-rater agreement was characterized using a raw percent agreement and mean weighted kappa. Results One-hundred and four patients with known neurological disease have been scanned to date. Fifty-five patients with epilepsy, 18 patients with mild traumatic brain injury, 11 patients with known or suspected multiple sclerosis, 9 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, 4 patients with intracranial neoplasm, 2 patients with orbital melanoma, 2 patients with cortical infarcts, 2 patients with cavernous malformations, and 1 patient with cerebral amyloid angiopathy. From qualitative observations, we found better resolution and improved detection of lesions at 7T compared to 3T. There was a 55% raw inter-rater agreement that lesions were more conspicuous on 7T than 3T/1.5T, compared with a 6% agreement that lesions were more conspicuous on 3T/1.5T than 7T. Conclusion Our findings show that the primary clinical advantages of 7T magnets, which include higher signal-to-noise ratio, higher contrast-to-noise ratio, smaller voxels and stronger susceptibility contrast, may increase lesion conspicuity, detection and characterization compared to low field 1.5T and 3T. However, low field which detects a plethora of intracranial pathology remains the mainstay for diagnostic imaging until limitations at 7T are addressed and further evidence of utility provided.

Background: Given the differences in size, specific activity, and dosing methods for glass yttrium-90 microspheres ( 90 Y-glass) and resin 90 Y microspheres ( 90 Y-resin), these therapies may expose the liver to different amounts of radiation, thereby affecting their efficacy and tolerability. We aimed to compare the prescribed activity of 90 Y-glass and 90 Y-resin for real-world patients undergoing selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) for liver-dominant metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) and to assess efficacy and safety outcomes in these patients. Methods: We examined the records of 28 consecutive patients with unresectable colorectal liver metastases treated with SIRT between June 2008 and May 2011 at our institution. Using baseline CT and MR images, we calculated a projected activity as if we had used the other product and compared it to the actual prescribed activity of 90 Y-glass and 90 Y-resin for each SIRT treatment per manufacturer guidelines. Progression and adverse events were evaluated at follow up visits. Survival was analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: For 90 Y-glass treatments with a mean prescribed 90 Y activity of 1.77 GBq, the mean projected 90 Y-resin activity was 0.84 GBq. For 90 Y-resin treatments with a mean prescribed 90 Y activity of 1.05 GBq, the mean projected 90 Y-glass activity was 2.48 GBq. The median survival was 9.3 months versus 18.2 months for 90 Y-glass and 90 Y-resin, respectively (P=0.292). During the second year after SIRT, the hazard ratio of death for patients treated with 90 Y-glass versus 90 Y-resin was 4.0 (95% CI: 1.3, 12.3; P=0.017). No significant difference in progression, adverse events or liver toxicity was observed. Conclusions: Using manufacturer recommended guidelines, 90 Y-resin delivers significantly less activity than 90 Y-glass to patients with liver-dominant mCRC undergoing SIRT with no significant difference in adverse events and a trend toward improved survival.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of attenuation-based kilovoltage (kV) pair selection in dual source dual energy (DSDE)-pulmonary embolism (PE) protocol examinations on radiation dose savings and image quality. A prospective study was carried out on 118 patients with suspected PE. In patients in whom attenuation-based kV pair selection selected the 80/140Sn kV pair, the pre-scan 100/140Sn CTDIvol (computed tomography dose index volume) values were compared with the pre-scan 80/140Sn CTDIvol values. Subjective and objective image quality parameters were assessed. Attenuation-based kV pair selection switched to the 80/140Sn kV pair (“switched” cohort) in 63 out of 118 patients (53%). The mean 100/140Sn pre-scan CTDIvol was 8.8 mGy, while the mean 80/140Sn pre-scan CTDIvol was 7.5 mGy. The average estimated dose reduction for the “switched” cohort was 1.3 mGy (95% CI 1.2, 1.4; p