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BACKGROUND Prostate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is technically demanding, requiring high image quality to reach its full diagnostic potential. An automated method to identify diagnostically inadequate images could help optimize image quality. PURPOSE To develop a convolutional neural networks (CNNs) based analysis pipeline for the classification of prostate MRI image quality. STUDY TYPE Retrospective. SUBJECTS Three hundred sixteen prostate mpMRI scans and 312 men (median age 67). FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE A 3 T; fast spin echo T2WI, echo planar imaging DWI, ADC, gradient-echo dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE). ASSESSMENT MRI scans were reviewed by three genitourinary radiologists (V.P., M.D.M., S.C.) with 21, 12, and 5 years of experience, respectively. Sequences were labeled as high quality (Q1) or low quality (Q0) and used as the reference standard for all analyses. STATISTICAL TESTS Sequences were split into training, validation, and testing sets (869, 250, and 120 sequences, respectively). Inter-reader agreement was assessed with the Fleiss kappa. Following preprocessing and data augmentation, 28 CNNs were trained on MRI slices for each sequence. Model performance was assessed on both a per-slice and a per-sequence basis. A pairwise t-test was performed to compare performances of the classifiers. RESULTS The number of sequences labeled as Q0 or Q1 was 38 vs. 278 for T2WI, 43 vs. 273 for DWI, 41 vs. 275 for ADC, and 38 vs. 253 for DCE. Inter-reader agreement was almost perfect for T2WI and DCE and substantial for DWI and ADC. On the per-slice analysis, accuracy was 89.95% ± 0.02% for T2WI, 79.83% ± 0.04% for DWI, 76.64% ± 0.04% for ADC, 96.62% ± 0.01% for DCE. On the per-sequence analysis, accuracy was 100% ± 0.00% for T2WI, DWI, and DCE, and 92.31% ± 0.00% for ADC. The three best algorithms performed significantly better than the remaining ones on every sequence (P-value

BackgroundTissue clearing technologies have enabled remarkable advancements for in situ characterization of tissues and exploration of the three-dimensional (3D) relationships between cells, however, these studies have predominantly been performed in non-human tissues and correlative assessment with clinical imaging has yet to be explored. We sought to evaluate the feasibility of tissue clearing technologies for3Dimaging of intact human prostate and the mapping of structurally and molecularly preserved pathology data with multi-parametric volumetric MR imaging (mpMRI).MethodsWhole-mount prostates were processed with either hydrogel-based CLARITY or solvent-based iDISCO. The samples were stained with a nuclear dye or fluorescently labeled with antibodies against androgen receptor, alpha-methylacyl coenzyme-A racemase, or p63, and then imaged with 3D confocal microscopy. The apparent diffusion coefficientand Ktrans maps were computed from preoperative mpMRI.ResultsQuantitative analysis of cleared normal and tumor prostate tissue volumes displayed differences in 3D tissue architecture, marker-specific cell staining, and cell densities that were significantly correlated with mpMRI measurements in this initial, pilot cohort.Conclusions3D imaging of human prostate volumes following tissue clearing is a feasible technique for quantitative radiology-pathology correlation analysis with mpMRI and provides an opportunity to explore functional relationships between cellular structures and cross-sectional clinical imaging.

Objectives: To compare the detection rates of overall prostate cancer (PCa) and clinically significant PCa (csPCa) and the median percentage of cancer per biopsy core between MRI-guided In-bore and MRI-TRUS fusion-targeted biopsy (TBx). Methods: In this retrospective study, 223 patients who underwent prostate multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) and subsequent MR-directed biopsy were included. For PCa and csPCa detection rate (DR), contingency tables were tested via the Pearson’s chi-squared to explore the variance of the outcome distribution. The percentage of cancer per biopsy core was tested with a two-tailed Mann-Withney test. Results: One hundred and seventeen and 106 patients underwent MRI-TRUS fusion or MRI In-bore TBx, respectively. 402 MRI biopsy targets were identified, of which 206 (51.2%) were biopsied with the MRI-TRUS TBx and 196 (48.8%) with the MRI In-bore TBx technique. Per-patient PCa and csPCa detection rates were 140/223 (62.8%) and 97/223 (43.5%), respectively. PCa-DR was 73/117 (62.4%) and 67/106 (63.2%) for MRI-TRUS and MRI In-Bore TBx (p = 0.9), while csPCa detection rate reached 50/117 (42.7%) and 47/106 (44.3%), respectively (p = 0.81). The median per-patient percentage of malignant tissue within biopsy cores was 50% (IQR: 27–65%) for PCa and 60% (IQR: 35–68%) for csPCa, with a statistically significant difference between the techniques. Conclusion No statistically significant difference in the detection rate of MRI In-bore and MRI-TRUS fusion TBx was found. MRI In-bore TBx showed higher per-core percentage of malignant cells. Advances in knowledge MRI In-bore biopsy might impact risk stratification and patient management considering the higher per-core percentage of malignant cells, especially for patients eligible for active surveillance or focal therapy.

Objective To investigate the impact of an artificial intelligence (AI) software and quantitative ADC (qADC) on the inter-reader agreement, diagnostic performance, and reporting times of prostate biparametric MRI (bpMRI) for experienced and inexperienced readers. Materials and methods A total of 170 multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) of patients with suspicion of prostate cancer (PCa) were retrospectively reviewed by one experienced and one inexperienced reader three times, following a wash-out period. First, only the bpMRI sequences, including T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) sequences, and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps, were used. Then, bpMRI and quantitative ADC values were used. Lastly, bpMRI and the AI software were used. Inter-reader agreement between the two readers and between each reader and the mpMRI original reports was calculated. Detection rates and reporting times were calculated for each group. Results Inter-reader agreement with respect to mpMRI was moderate for bpMRI, Quantib, and qADC for both the inexperienced (weighted k of 0.42, 0.45, and 0.41, respectively) and the experienced radiologists (weighted k of 0.44, 0.46, and 0.42, respectively). Detection rate of PCa was similar between the inexperienced (0.24, 0.26, and 0.23) and the experienced reader (0.26, 0.27 and 0.27), for bpMRI, Quantib, and qADC, respectively. Reporting times were lower for Quantib (8.23, 7.11, and 9.87 min for the inexperienced reader and 5.62, 5.07, and 6.21 min for the experienced reader, for bpMRI, Quantib, and qADC, respectively). Conclusions AI and qADC did not have a significant impact on the diagnostic performance of both readers. The use of Quantib was associated with lower reporting times.

OBJECTIVES (I) To determine Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) score 5 accuracy in predicting locally advanced bladder cancer (BCa), so as to potentially identify those patients who could avoid the morbidity of deep transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) in favour of histological sampling-TUR prior to radical cystectomy (RC). (II) To explore the predictive value of VI-RADS score 5 on time-to-cystectomy (TTC) outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed patients' ineligible or refusing cisplatin-based combination neoadjuvant chemotherapy who underwent multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) of the bladder prior to staging TURBT followed by RC for muscle-invasive BCa. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV) were calculated for VI-RADS score 5 vs. score 2-4 cases to assess the accuracy of mpMRI for extravesical BCa detection (≥pT3). VI-RADS score performance was assessed by receiver operating characteristics curve analysis. A Κ statistic was calculated to estimate mpMRI and pathological diagnostic agreement. The risk of delayed TTC (i.e. time from initial BCa diagnosis of >3 months) was assessed using multivariable logistic regression model. RESULTS A total of 149 T2-T4a, cN0-M0 patients (VI-RADS score 5, n = 39 vs VI-RADS score 2-4, n = 110) were examined. VI-RADS score 5 demonstrated sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV, in detecting extravesical disease of 90.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 84-94.3), 98.1% (95% CI 94-99.6), 94.9% (95% CI 89.6-97.6) and 96.4% (95% CI 91.6-98.6), respectively. The area under the curve was 94.2% (95% CI 88.7-99.7) and inter-reader agreement was excellent (Κinter 0.89). The mean (SD) TTC was 4.2 (2.3) and 2.8 (1.1) months for score 5 vs 2-4, respectively (P

Purpose of review Accurate staging of bladder cancer is essential to guide appropriate management. In this review, we discuss the principles, applications and performance of multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) and PET-computer tomography (PET-CT) for local and distant staging of bladder cancer. Recent findings Bladder mpMRI has a high diagnostic performance in local staging of bladder cancer, superior to other imaging modalities. It can accurately differentiate muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) from non-MIBC (NMIBC), as well as ≤T2 from ≥T3 stages. mpMRI can be used to assess pelvic lymph nodes, although its sensitivity is relatively low. For the assessment of the upper urinary tract, CT urography is the imaging modality of choice. magnetic resonance urography is a viable alternative to CT in selected cases. Although PET-CT is accurate for nodal and distant staging of bladder cancer, there is no clear evidence on its superior diagnostic performance compared with contrast-enhanced CT. Summary mpMRI is the most accurate imaging modality for local staging of bladder cancer, capable to accurately distinguish MIBC from NMIBC. Nodal and distant staging relies primarily on contrast-enhanced CT.

Objectives We aimed to determine the interobserver reproducibility of the Prostate Cancer Radiological Estimation of Change in Sequential Evaluation (PRECISE) criteria for magnetic resonance imaging in patients on active surveillance (AS) for prostate cancer (PCa) at two different academic centres. Methods The PRECISE criteria score the likelihood of clinically significant change over time. The system is a 1-to-5 scale, where 1 or 2 implies regression of a previously visible lesion, 3 denotes stability and 4 or 5 indicates radiological progression. A retrospective analysis of 80 patients (40 from each centre) on AS with a biopsy-confirmed low- or intermediate-risk PCa (i.e. ≤ Gleason 3 + 4 and prostate-specific antigen ≤ 20 ng/ml) and ≥ 2 prostate MR scans was performed. Two blinded radiologists reported all scans independently and scored the likelihood of radiological change (PRECISE score) from the second scan onwards. Cohen’s κ coefficients and percent agreement were computed. Results Agreement was substantial both at a per-patient and a per-scan level (κ = 0.71 and 0.61; percent agreement = 79% and 81%, respectively) for each PRECISE score. The agreement was superior (κ = 0.83 and 0.67; percent agreement = 90% and 91%, respectively) when the PRECISE scores were grouped according to the absence/presence of radiological progression (PRECISE 1–3 vs 4–5). Higher inter-reader agreement was observed for the scans performed at University College London (UCL) (κ = 0.81 vs 0.55 on a per-patient level and κ = 0.70 vs 0.48 on a per-scan level, respectively). The discrepancies between institutions were less evident for percent agreement (80% vs 78% and 86% vs 75%, respectively). Conclusions Expert radiologists achieved substantial reproducibility for the PRECISE scoring system, especially when data were pooled together according to the absence/presence of radiological progression (PRECISE 1–3 vs 4–5). Key Points • Inter-reader agreement between two experienced prostate radiologists using the PRECISE criteria was substantial. • The agreement was higher when the PRECISE scores were grouped according to the absence/presence of radiological progression (i.e. PRECISE 1–3 vs PRECISE 4 and 5). • Higher inter-reader agreement was observed for the scans performed at UCL, but the discrepancies between institutions were less evident for percent agreement.

To evaluate the safety, efficacy, and clinical impact of preoperative cone-beam computed tomography (CT)-guided selective embolization of endophytic renal tumors with the fluorescent dye indocyanine green (ICG) and ethiodized oil in patients undergoing robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) using near-infrared fluorescence imaging (NIR-FI).Patients with renal endophytic tumors eligible for RAPN and transarterial embolization with ICG and ethiodized oil were prospectively enrolled. Technical success was defined as the completion of the embolization procedure. Radiographic success, defined as ethiodized oil accumulation in the nodule, was classified as poor, moderate, good, or optimal on the basis of postembolization cone-beam CT. Surgical visibility of the tumors during RAPN with the use of NIR-FI was classified as follows: (a) not visible, (b) visible with poorly defined margins, and (c) visible with well-defined margins.Forty-one patients underwent preoperative selective embolization. Technical success was 100%. Ethiodized oil accumulation on cone-beam CT was poor in 2 (4.9%), moderate in 6 (14.6%), good in 25 (61.0%), and optimal in 8 (19.5%) of 41 patients. During RAPN with NIR-FI, tumors were visible with well-defined margins in 26 (63.4%), visible with blurred margins in 14 (34.1%), and not visible in 1 (2.4%) of 41 cases. There were no adverse events following endovascular embolization.Preoperative transarterial superselective embolization of endophytic renal tumors with ICG and ethodized oil in patients undergoing RAPN is safe and effective, allowing accurate intraoperative visualization and resection of endophytic tumors.

Purpose The aim of the study was to prospectively evaluate the agreement between chest magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) and to assess the diagnostic performance of chest MRI relative to that of CT during the follow-up of patients recovered from coronavirus disease 2019. Materials and methods Fifty-two patients underwent both follow-up chest CT and MRI scans, evaluated for ground-glass opacities (GGOs), consolidation, interlobular septal thickening, fibrosis, pleural indentation, vessel enlargement, bronchiolar ectasia, and changes compared to prior CT scans. DWI/ADC was evaluated for signal abnormalities suspicious for inflammation. Agreement between CT and MRI was assessed with Cohen’s k and weighted k. Measures of diagnostic accuracy of MRI were calculated. Results The agreement between CT and MRI was almost perfect for consolidation (k = 1.00) and change from prior CT (k = 0.857); substantial for predominant pattern (k = 0.764) and interlobular septal thickening (k = 0.734); and poor for GGOs (k = 0.339), fibrosis (k = 0.224), pleural indentation (k = 0.231), and vessel enlargement (k = 0.339). Meanwhile, the sensitivity of MRI was high for GGOs (1.00), interlobular septal thickening (1.00), and consolidation (1.00) but poor for fibrotic changes (0.18), pleural indentation (0.23), and vessel enlargement (0.50) and the specificity was overall high. DWI was positive in 46.0% of cases. Conclusions The agreement between MRI and CT was overall good. MRI was very sensitive for GGOs, consolidation and interlobular septal thickening and overall specific for most findings. DWI could be a reputable imaging biomarker of inflammatory activity.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Phil liquid embolic agent in non-neurological embolization procedures. M&amp, M: Thirty-five patients with a mean age of 62.5 years underwent percutaneous embolization using Phil for the treatment of visceral arterial bleedings in 20/35 patients (including three gluteal, one bladder, two superior mesenteric, three epigastric, one deep femoral, five internal iliac, four intercostal, and one lingual arteries), splanchnic pseudoaneurysms in 11/35 patients (including three hepatic, five splenic, and three renal arteries), pancreatic bleeding metastasis in 1/35 patient, and gastric bleeding varices in 3/35 patients. Phil is composed of a non-adhesive copolymer dissolved in DMSO (Anhydrous Dimethyl Sulfoxide) with different viscosity. Procedures were performed slowly under continuous fluoroscopic guidance to avoid embolization of non-target vessels. Results: Clinical success was obtained with a single intervention in 34 cases (97.15%), while a repeated procedure was required in one case (2.85%). No technical complications nor non-target embolization occurred. A case of post-embolic syndrome was noted (2.85%) in one patient. DMSO administration-related pain was successfully controlled by medical therapy. Conclusion: Phil can be considered a safe and effective embolic agent for the treatment of non-neurologic bleeding.

The Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) has been introduced to provide preoperative bladder cancer staging and has proved to be reliable in assessing the presence of muscle invasion in the pre-TURBT (trans-urethral resection of bladder tumor). We aimed to assess through a systematic review and meta-analysis the inter-reader variability of VI-RADS criteria for discriminating non-muscle vs. muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC, MIBC). PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Embase were searched up until 30 July 2020. The Quality Appraisal of Diagnostic Reliability (QAREL) checklist was utilized to assess the quality of included studies and a pooled measure of inter-rater reliability (Cohen&rsquo, s Kappa [&kappa, ] and/or Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs)) was calculated. Further sensitivity analysis, subgroup analysis, and meta-regression were conducted to investigate the contribution of moderators to heterogeneity. In total, eight studies between 2018 and 2020, which evaluated a total of 1016 patients via 21 interpreting genitourinary (GU) radiologists, met inclusion criteria and were critically examined. No study was considered to be significantly flawed with publication bias. The pooled weighted mean &kappa, estimate was 0.83 (95%CI: 0.78&ndash, 0.88). Heterogeneity was present among the studies (Q = 185.92, d.f. = 7, p &lt, 0.001, I2 = 92.7%). Meta-regression analyses showed that the relative % of MIBC diagnosis and cumulative reader&rsquo, s experience to influence the estimated outcome (Coeff: 0.019, SE: 0.007, p= 0.003 and 0.036, SE: 0.009, p = 0.001). In the present study, we confirm excellent pooled inter-reader agreement of VI-RADS to discriminate NMIBC from MIBC underlying the importance that standardization and reproducibility of VI-RADS may confer to multiparametric magnetic resonance (mpMRI) for preoperative BCa staging.

Accurate staging of bladder cancer (BC) is critical, with local tumor staging directly influencing management decisions and affecting prognosis. However, clinical staging based on clinical examination, including cystoscopy and transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT), often understages patients compared to final pathology at radical cystectomy and lymph node (LN) dissection, mainly due to underestimation of the depth of local invasion and the presence of LN metastasis. MRI has now become established as the modality of choice for the local staging of BC and can be additionally utilized for the assessment of regional LN involvement and tumor spread to the pelvic bones and upper urinary tract (UUT). The recent development of the Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) recommendations has led to further improvements in bladder MRI, enabling standardization of image acquisition and reporting. Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) incorporating morphological and functional imaging has been proven to further improve the accuracy of primary and recurrent tumor detection and local staging, and has shown promise in predicting tumor aggressiveness and monitoring response to therapy. These sequences can also be utilized to perform radiomics, which has shown encouraging initial results in predicting BC grade and local stage. In this article, the current state of evidence supporting MRI in local, regional, and distant staging in patients with BC is reviewed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 TECHNICAL EFFICACY STAGE: 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;52:649-667.

Bladder cancer (BCa) is among the ten most frequent cancers globally. It is the tumor with the highest lifetime treatment-associated costs, and among the tumors with the heaviest impacts on postoperative quality of life. The purpose of this article is to review the current applications and future perspectives of the Vesical Imaging Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS). VI-RADS is a newly developed scoring system aimed at standardization of MRI acquisition, interpretation, and reporting for BCa. An insight will be given on the BCa natural history, current MRI applications for local BCa staging with assessment of muscle invasiveness, and clinical implications of the score for disease management. Future applications include risk stratification of nonmuscle invasive BCa, surveillance, and prediction and monitoring of therapy response. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 TECHNICAL EFFICACY STAGE: 2.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this article is to review the natural history and management of bladder cancer, with insight into MRI applications for the assessment of muscle invasiveness of bladder cancer using the newly developed Vesical Imaging Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) score. CONCLUSION. Multiparametric MRI and the VI-RADS score have been consistently validated across several different institutions as appropriate tools for local staging of bladder cancer and have been proven to contribute to the diagnostic workup and management of urinary bladder cancer.

To evaluate 2-year results of the Zilver PTX (Cook Medical, Bloomington, Indiana) drug-eluting stent (DES) for femoropopliteal peripheral artery disease (PAD) in patients with no continuous patent infrapopliteal runoff arteries compared with patients with ≥ 1 continuous patent runoff vessels.A retrospective analysis of patients with femoropopliteal PAD enrolled in the Zilver PTX Post-Market Surveillance Study in Japan was performed. There were no exclusion criteria. Outcomes, including freedom from target lesion revascularization (TLR), patency, and clinical benefit, for the no-runoff group (n = 54) were compared with the runoff group (n = 846).The 2 groups were similar in terms of demographics, lesion characteristics, and comorbidities (P.05). There was a higher incidence of critical limb ischemia in the no-runoff group compared with the runoff group (44.8% vs 19.7%; P.01). There were 3 amputations (5.6%) in the no-runoff group versus 7 amputations (0.8%) in the runoff group (P = .02). At 2 years, freedom from TLR rates were 81.3% versus 83.8% (P = .87), patency rates were 68.4% versus 70.7% (P = .95), and clinical benefit rates were 73.7% versus 80.0% (P = .16) in the no-runoff versus runoff group, respectively.Results in patients with no continuous patent tibial runoff were favorable through 2 years and similar to results for patients with ≥ 1 continuous patent runoff vessels, indicating that the Zilver PTX DES may be a valid treatment option for patients with these difficult-to-treat lesions.