Deep learning-based diffusion-weighted imaging vs. conventionally obtained diffusion-weighted imaging in prostate cancer extracapsular extension detection: a multicenter retrospective study.

Ovarian tumors in children and adolescents represent a diagnostically challenging and heterogeneous group of diseases. Accurate preoperative differentiation between benign and malignant lesions is essential for optimal treatment planning and preservation of reproductive potential. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays a key role in the evaluation of indeterminate adnexal masses; however, conventional morphological MRI features often overlap between benign and malignant tumors. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) may provide additional diagnostic information by reflecting tumor cellularity. This multicenter retrospective observational study included pediatric patients with suspected ovarian tumors examined at two tertiary referral centers between 2020 and 2025. A total of 152 patients with suspected ovarian tumors were initially evaluated by ultrasound, of whom 96 underwent pelvic MRI due to diagnostic uncertainty. Histopathological confirmation was available for all 96 patients who underwent MRI and served as the reference standard. Diffusion-weighted imaging with apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) mapping was performed in a subset of 32 patients. MRI assessment included analysis of tumor morphology, presence of solid components, contour characteristics, extracapsular extension, ascites, lymphadenopathy, and peritoneal deposits. Diagnostic performance of MRI and DWI was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Several morphological MRI features, including solid components, irregular margins, extracapsular growth, ascites, lymphadenopathy, and peritoneal deposits, were significantly more frequent in malignant tumors (p < 0.001). Tumor size and cystic–solid architecture alone were not reliable indicators of malignancy. ADC values of the solid tumor component were significantly lower in malignant compared with benign lesions (0.8 ± 0.09 × 10⁻³ mm²/s vs. 1.2 ± 0.13 × 10⁻³ mm²/s, p = 0.019). ROC analysis demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy of MRI based on morphological features (AUC = 0.94). The combined use of morphological MRI and DWI improved diagnostic performance, with a sensitivity of 91.0%, specificity of 88.0%, and overall accuracy of 89.0%. MRI is a highly informative modality for the evaluation of ovarian tumors in children and adolescents; however, conventional morphological criteria alone may be insufficient, particularly in early-stage malignant epithelial tumors. Diffusion-weighted imaging with quantitative ADC assessment may provide additional diagnostic information for differentiating benign and malignant ovarian tumors. A comprehensive MRI approach incorporating both morphological and functional parameters may enhance diagnostic confidence and support optimal clinical decision-making in pediatric patients.

Background: This study aimed at evaluating apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in the pre-treatment stages of NPC for establishing comparative quantitative parameters between children and adolescents compared to adults. Methods: A retrospective multicentric imaging study was conducted in three medical centers by collecting patient data over a 5-year timeframe. Patients were included in the study based on the following criteria: histopathologically proven carcinoma of the nasopharynx with all available medical records. The total sample included 20 patients (6 pediatric patients and 14 adults). A quantitative analysis of the ADC maps was performed. Two radiologists manually drew the region of interest (ROI) on ADC maps using the whole tumor on all magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) slices. The mean ADC was extracted for each patient and each radiologist's evaluation. Differences in ADC values between pediatric and adult patients were evaluated using an independent samples t-test, with normality and variance assumptions tested via the Shapiro-Wilk and Levene's tests, respectively. p-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: The mean ADC values extracted from the initial pre-treatment diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) data from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in children were 712.22 × 10-6 mm2/s, compared to adults in whom the mean ADC values were 877.34 × 10-6 mm2/s. We found a statistically significant difference between the mean ADC values of pediatric patients and adult patients, t (17.44) = -3.15, p = 0.006, with the mean ADC values of pediatric patients (M = 712.22, standard deviation [SD] = 57.03) being lower, on average, than the mean ADC values of adult patients (M = 877.34, SD = 175.25). Conclusions: Our results showed significantly lower ADC values in pediatric patients than in adults, independent of tumor T-stage. Additionally, early-stage tumors, particularly in children, tended to exhibit even lower ADC values, suggesting potential biological distinctions across age groups.

An integrated nomogram combining deep learning, Prostate Imaging–Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) scoring, and clinical variables for identification of clinically significant prostate cancer on biparametric MRI: a retrospective multicentre study

Disclosure: V. Balderrama-Brondani: None. R. Al-ward: None. K. Kiseljak-Vassiliades: None. L.M. Fishbein: None. D.A. Kirelik: None. O. Hamidi: None. R. Pishdad: None. H.K. Ghayee: None. M. Sukkari: None. S.S. Bedrose: None. A.H. Hamrahian: None. M.A. Habra: None. Background: Lipid-poor adrenal masses (LPAMs) with pre-contrast radiodensity &amp;gt;10 Hounsfield Units (HU) on computed tomography (CT) represent ∼25% of adrenal tumors. There is limited data about the natural history of LPAMs; therefore, we evaluated a large series of patients with LPAMs to describe the radiological and clinical features and outcomes of these cases. Methods: We conducted a multi-center retrospective cohort study of patients with LPAMs with a baseline diameter of 10-39 mm and derived from 6 institution members of the American-Australian-Asian Adrenal Alliance (A5). We excluded suspected or proven adrenal metastasis, pheochromocytoma, sarcoma, lymphoma, myelolipoma, infiltrative lesions, and adrenal hemorrhage, as well as patients with personal/familial history of genetic predisposition to adrenal neoplasms. The data is presented in percentage and median (range). Results: A total of 242 adrenal masses from 218 patients were evaluated, but only 225 (93%) masses met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. The age was 58 (23-92), and 61% were women. LPAMs were incidentally discovered in 155 (71.1%) cases, 32 (14.7%) cases were diagnosed due to hormonal overproduction, and 17 (7.8%) due to pain/mass effect. Forty-six (21.1%) patients were on surveillance for a history of extra adrenal malignancy. Masses were unilateral in 89.9% (left side, 57.1%), with size 21 (10-38) mm, with a pre-contrast density of 24 (11-136) HU. Absolute washout was reported in 107 LPAMs and was &amp;gt;60% in 73 (68.2%) cases. The follow-up time was 44.4 (0.9-241) months. Hormonal overproduction developed during the follow-up in 23 (10.5%) cases as follows: cortisol in 15 (6.9%), aldosterone in 4 (1.8%), and sex hormones in 3 (1.4%) cases. LPAM growth rate was 0.03 (-2.18-11.59) cm/year. Seventy-one masses (31.5%) underwent diagnostic procedures (surgery/biopsy) with adrenocortical adenoma (n=37; 52.1%) and adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) (n=25; 35.2%) being the two most common diagnoses. The tumor growth rate of pathologically confirmed adenomas was 0.03 (-0.30-10.50) cm/year, and of ACC was 1.31 (0.03-11.59) cm/year. A total of 154 (68.4%) LPAMs remained under surveillance at the end of the study, with a follow-up time of 51.8 (6-241) months and a tumor growth rate of 0.02 (-2.18-1.36) cm/year. Forty-five (20.6%) LPAMs decreased by 2 mm (1-13) during the study period. Cases that proved to be ACC had the most significant tumor growth rate over the study (p&amp;lt;0.001). The median time between the initial discovery of LPAM and the surgical resection of ACC cases was 34 (6-128) months. Conclusion: Our study showed that LPAMs carry significant malignant potential, and close long-term follow-up is warranted when surgical resection is not pursued. Prospective studies are critically needed to validate our findings and to establish high-risk molecular, imaging, and biochemical features associated with malignancy. Presentation: 6/2/2024

To compare diagnostic accuracy of T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with that of multiparametric (MP) MR imaging combining T2-weighted imaging with diffusion-weighted (DW) MR imaging, dynamic contrast material-enhanced (DCE) MR imaging, or both in the detection of locally recurrent prostate cancer (PCa) after radiation therapy (RT). This retrospective HIPAA-compliant study was approved by the institutional review board; informed consent was waived. Fifty-three men (median age, 70 years) suspected of having post-RT recurrence of PCa underwent MP MR imaging, including DW and DCE sequences, within 6 months after biopsy. Two readers independently evaluated the likelihood of PCa with a five-point scale for T2-weighted imaging alone, T2-weighted imaging with DW imaging, T2-weighted imaging with DCE imaging, and T2-weighted imaging with DW and DCE imaging, with at least a 4-week interval between evaluations. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were calculated. Interreader agreement was assessed, and quantitative parameters (apparent diffusion coefficient [ADC], volume transfer constant [K(trans)], and rate constant [k(ep)]) were assessed at sextant- and patient-based levels with generalized estimating equations and the Wilcoxon rank sum test, respectively. At biopsy, recurrence was present in 35 (66%) of 53 patients. In detection of recurrent PCa, T2-weighted imaging with DW imaging yielded higher AUCs (reader 1, 0.79-0.86; reader 2, 0.75-0.81) than T2-weighted imaging alone (reader 1, 0.63-0.67; reader 2, 0.46-0.49 [P ≤ .014 for all]). DCE sequences did not contribute significant incremental value to T2-weighted imaging with DW imaging (reader 1, P > .99; reader 2, P = .35). Interreader agreement was higher for combinations of MP MR imaging than for T2-weighted imaging alone (κ = 0.34-0.63 vs κ = 0.17-0.20). Medians of quantitative parameters differed significantly (P < .0001 to P = .0233) between benign tissue and PCa (ADC, 1.64 × 10(-3) mm(2)/sec vs 1.13 × 10(-3) mm(2)/sec; K(trans), 0.16 min(-1) vs 0.33 min(-1); k(ep), 0.36 min(-1) vs 0.62 min(-1)). MP MR imaging has greater accuracy in the detection of recurrent PCa after RT than T2-weighted imaging alone, with no additional benefit if DCE is added to T2-weighted imaging and DW imaging.

Tibial eminence fractures can occur in adults and are equivalent to an acute ACL rupture. The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare the therapeutic outcomes of ARIF versus ORIF in tibial eminence fractures. Our hypothesis was that ARIF does not offer better results. A retrospective national multicentric study was conducted in five university hospitals between 2010 and 2015. A total of 65 consecutive patients were included. 33 patients were treated with ARIF and 32 with ORIF. Clinical functional outcomes were assessed using the Lysholm score and IKDC score. Radiographic findings were recorded, and a statistical analysis carried out. IKDC score at the mean last follow-up of 68.8 ± 11.8months was significantly higher in the ORIF group with a mean difference of 20.2 points ± 8.9 (p = 0.028). There were early osteoarthritis findings in 12 patients (18.4%). At last follow-up, 7 patients (10.7%) presented complications. In this retrospective multicentric study, better functional outcomes were observed in the ORIF group. This difference needs to be carefully interpreted as many confounding factors exist. In terms of complications, the results for both ORIF and ARIF are similar at midterm follow-up. ORIF should remain gold standard for tibial eminence fracture treatment. III.

Diffusion-weighted imaging provides a novel contrast mechanism in magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and has a high sensitivity in the detection of changes in the local biologic environment. A significant advantage of diffusion-weighted MR imaging over conventional contrast material-enhanced MR imaging is its high sensitivity to change in the microscopic cellular environment without the need for intravenous contrast material injection. Approaches to the assessment of diffusion-weighted breast imaging findings include assessment of these data alone and interpretation of the data in conjunction with T2-weighted imaging findings. In addition, the analysis of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value can be undertaken either in isolation or in combination with diffusion-weighted and T2-weighted imaging. Most previous studies have evaluated ADC value alone; however, overlap in the ADC values of malignant and benign disease has been observed. This overlap may be partly due to selection of b value, which can influence the concomitant effect of perfusion and emphasize the contribution of multicomponent model influences. The simultaneous assessment of diffusion-weighted and T2-weighted imaging data and ADC value has the potential to improve specificity. In addition, the use of diffusion-weighted imaging in a standard breast MR imaging protocol may heighten sensitivity and thereby improve diagnostic accuracy. Standardization of diffusion-weighted imaging parameters is needed to allow comparison of multicenter studies and assessment of the clinical utility of diffusion-weighted imaging and ADC values in breast evaluation.

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) carries a high risk of recurrence despite aggressive medical management. The aim of our study is to present our initial experience with the Onyx Frontier™ balloon-mounted drug-eluting stent (Medtronic, Santa Rosa, CA) for AIS due to ICAD. We conducted a multicenter retrospective cohort study describing the technical feasibility, safety, and performance of using the Onyx Frontier™ balloon-mounted drug-eluting stent in patients with acute intracranial vessel occlusion due to ICAD across three comprehensive stroke centers in the United States. We included 23 patients in our study (mean age 67.3 [10.7]; females: n = 13/23, 56.5%). Most patients were Black (n = 14/23, 60.9%). The most common site of vessel occlusion was the M1 branch of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) (n = 14/23, 60.9%), followed by the vertebrobasilar system (n = 5/23, 21.7%), and the internal carotid artery (n = 3/23, 13.0%). Treatment with the Onyx Frontier™ stent was associated with a final mTICI score ≥2b for 100% of patients, with no vessel perforations or distal embolization. None of the patients had any restenosis or re-treatment over a median follow-up of 3.5 months (interquartile range [IQR] 7.8). All cases required a single stent except for one, where two were deployed. Transfemoral access was used in most cases (n = 18/23, 78.3%), with one in-hospital death due to access site complication (n = 1/23, 4.3%). This is the largest multicenter cohort study demonstrating the feasibility and safety of using the Onyx Frontier™ balloon-mounted zotarolimus-eluting stent to treat symptomatic AIS due to ICAD.

IntroductionFirearm related injuries and fatalities have been steadily increasing over the last two decades. 30,000 firearm-related traumatic brain injuries (TBI) occur in the United States yearly. Mortality remains greater than...

To explore the potential role of serum calcium levels at admission in the expansion of acute traumatic intracerebral hematoma (tICH) and to construct a novel nomogram to predict tICH expansion. In this multicenter retrospective study, 640 and 237 patients were included in the training and validation datasets, respectively. Risk factors for acute tICH expansion were selected by logistic regression analysis. Causal mediation and interaction analysis were used to explore the relationship between serum calcium promotion of tICH expansion and inflammatory response. Receiver operating characteristic, calibration and clinical decision curves were applied to estimate the performance of multivariate models. Low serum calcium level was strongly associated with acute tICH expansion in patients with brain contusion. There was no significant interaction of hypocalcemia across multiple subgroups including sex, age, and coagulation dysfunction. 24.5% of the mechanisms by which hypocalcemia promotes acute tICH expansion can be explained by an inflammatory response. The addition of serum calcium made the modified model (serum calcium plus basic model) more accurate than basic model with subdural hematoma, multihematoma fuzzy sign, time to baseline CT, level on Glasgow Coma Scale score, platelet count, baseline tICH volume ≥ 5 mL, and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio. Low serum calcium level is a novel risk factor for acute tICH expansion, the mechanism of which may be mediated in part through the response of immune cell. The online dynamic nomogram provides a user-friendly tool for the prediction of acute tICH expansion.

BACKGROUNDGastric cancer (GC) is a major global health challenge, and the treatment of proximal GC in particular presents unique clinical and surgical complexities. Currently, there is no consensus on whether proximal gastrectomy (PG) or total gastrectomy (TG) should be used for advanced proximal GC, and the choice of postoperative gastrointestinal reconstruction method remains controversial.AIMTo compare the short-term efficacy, long-term survival, and postoperative reflux outcomes of PG with tubular stomach reconstruction vs TG with Roux-en-Y reconstruction in patients with proximal GC following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in an effort to provide valuable insights for clinical decision-making regarding the optimal surgical approach.METHODSA multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted at two Chinese medical centers between December, 2012 and December, 2022. Patients with histologically confirmed proximal GC who received NACT followed by either PG with tubular stomach reconstruction or TG with Roux-en-Y reconstruction were included. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to balance baseline characteristics, and the primary endpoint was 5-year overall survival (OS). Secondary endpoints included recurrence-free survival (RFS), postoperative complications, and reflux severity.RESULTSAfter PSM, 244 patients (122 PG, 122 TG) were finally included and all baseline characteristics were comparable between groups. The PG group had a significantly shorter operation time compared to the TG group (189.50 vs 215.00 minutes, P < 0.001), with no differences in intraoperative blood loss or postoperative complications (19.68% vs 14.75%, P = 0.792). The 5-year OS rates were 52.7% vs 45.5% (P = 0.330), and 5-year RFS rates were 54.3% vs 47.6% (P = 0.356) for the PG and TG groups, respectively. Reflux symptoms (18.0% vs 31.1%, P = 0.017) and clinically significant reflux based on gastroesophageal reflux disease questionnaire scores ≥ 8 (7.4% vs 21.3%, P < 0.001) were significantly less frequent in the PG group. Multivariate analysis identified histological differentiation (HR = 2.98, 95%CI: 2.03-4.36, P < 0.001) and tumor size (HR = 0.26, 95%CI: 0.17-0.41 for tumors ≤ 4 cm, P < 0.001) as independent prognostic factors.CONCLUSIONPG with tubular stomach reconstruction is comparable to TG in terms of surgical safety and long-term oncological outcomes for proximal GC patients following NACT. Additionally, PG has the advantages of shorter operation time and lower rates of postoperative reflux, suggesting potential benefits for patient quality of life. Notably, the analysis of postoperative prognostic factors, including histological differentiation and tumor size, further informs clinical decision-making and highlights the importance of individualized treatment strategies.

Background:No studies to date have focused on the timing of pulmonary resection in patients with previous severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection. In the present study, the authors analyzed the surgical outcomes and evaluated the optimal time point of pulmonary resection surgery following SARS-CoV-2 infection.Materials and methods:In this multicenter retrospective cohort study, patients were divided into different groups according to the time interval between SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis and pulmonary resection. The primary outcome measure was postoperative complications within 30 days after surgery, which was investigated to determine the optimal time point of pulmonary resection. Logistic regression models were used to calculate the risk factors for postoperative complications.Results:In total, 400 patients were enrolled, and the postoperative pathologic examination of 322 (80.5%) patients showed lung cancer. As the interval between SARS-CoV-2 infection and pulmonary resection increased, the incidence of complications gradually decreased in each group. The incidence of grade ≥II complications was higher in the ≤2-week and 2-week to 4-week groups than in the 4-week to 6-week, 6-week to 8-week and >8-week groups [3 (21.4%), 17 (20.2%), 10 (10.6%), 13 (7.9%), and 3 (6.5%), respectively] (P<0.05). Multiclassification regression analysis showed that the risk of grade ≥II complications in the ≤2-week and 2-week to 4-week groups was significantly higher than that in the >8-week group [odds ratio (95% CI), 3.937 (1.072–14.459), P=0.039 and 3.069 (1.232–6.863), P=0.015]. The logistic regression analysis suggested that underlying disease, persistent SARS-CoV-2 symptoms, and surgical timing (≤4 weeks) were independent risk factors for complications of pulmonary resection after SARS-CoV-2 infection.Conclusion:Pulmonary resection should be delayed for at least 4 weeks following SARS-CoV-2 infection to reduce the risk of postoperative complications.

AimIn order to gain insight into the current prevailing practices regarding the limitation of life-sustaining treatment in intensive care units (ICUs) in Croatia, we assessed the frequency of limitation and provision of certain treatment modalities, as well as the associated patient and ICU-related factors.MethodsA multicenter retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in 17 ICUs in Croatia. We reviewed the medical records of patients deceased in 2017 and extracted data on demographic, clinical, and health care variables. A logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the associations between these variables and treatment modalities.ResultsThe study enrolled 1095 patients (55% male; mean age 69.9 ± 13.7). Analgesia and sedation were discontinued before the patient’s death in 23% and 34% of the cases, respectively. Patients older than 71 years were less often mechanically ventilated (P < 0.001), and less frequently received inotropes and vasoactive therapy (P = 0.002) than younger patients. Patients hospitalized in the ICU for less than 7 days less frequently had discontinuation of mechanical ventilation and inotropes and vasoactive therapy than patients hospitalized for 8 days and longer (P < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that ICU type was a crucial determinant, with multidisciplinary and surgical ICUs being associated with higher odds of intubation, mechanical ventilation, vasoactive and inotropic therapy, analgesia, and sedation.ConclusionOlder patients and those diagnosed with stroke and intracranial hemorrhage received fewer therapeutic modalities. All the observed treatment modalities were more frequently discontinued in patients who were hospitalized in the ICU for a prolonged time.

Short-term outcomes of robot-assisted ultralow anterior resection and robot-assisted rectectomy with transanal anastomosis for rectal cancer in Japan: A multicenter retrospective cohort study (ROSEMARY study).

BackgroundSepsis-induced myocardial injury is a serious complication of sepsis. QT prolongation is a proarrhythmic state which reflects myocardial injury in a group of heterogeneous disorders. However, the study on the clinical value of QT prolongation in sepsis is limited.MethodsWe aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and predictors of new-onset QT prolongation in sepsis and its impact on the outcome in a multicenter retrospective cohort study. Electrocardiographic and clinical data were collected from patients with sepsis from the wards and intensive care units of four centers after exclusion of QT-influencing medications and electrolyte abnormalities. Clinical outcomes were compared between patients with and without QT prolongation (QTc > 450 ms). Multivariate analysis was performed to ascertain whether QT prolongation was an independent predictor for 30-day mortality. The factors predicting QT prolongation in sepsis were also analyzed.ResultsNew-onset QT prolongation occurred in 235/1024 (22.9%) patients. The majority demonstrated similar pattern as type 1 long QT syndrome. Patients with QT prolongation had a higher 30-day in-hospital mortality (P < 0.001), which was also associated with increased tachyarrhythmias including paroxysmal atrial fibrillation or tachycardia (P < 0.001) and ventricular arrhythmia (P < 0.001) during hospitalization. QT prolongation independently predicted 30-day mortality (P = 0.044) after multivariate analysis. History of coronary artery disease (P = 0.001), septic shock (P = 0.008), acute respiratory (P < 0.001), heart (P = 0.021) and renal dysfunction (P = 0.013) were independent predictors of QT prolongation in sepsis.ConclusionsNew-onset QT prolongation in sepsis was associated with increased mortality as well as atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, which was predicted by disease severity and organ dysfunction.Graphical abstract