Asymmetric cavernous sinus enlargement: a novel finding in Sturge-Weber syndrome

Synthetic Post-Contrast Imaging through Artificial Intelligence: Clinical Applications of Virtual and Augmented Contrast Media

Contrast media are widely diffused in biomedical imaging, due to their relevance in the diagnosis of numerous disorders. However, the risk of adverse reactions, the concern of potential damage to sensitive organs, and the recently described brain deposition of gadolinium salts, limit the use of contrast media in clinical practice. In recent years, the application of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to biomedical imaging has led to the development of 'virtual' and 'augmented' contrasts. The idea behind these applications is to generate synthetic post-contrast images through AI computational modeling starting from the information available on other images acquired during the same scan. In these AI models, non-contrast images (virtual contrast) or low-dose post-contrast images (augmented contrast) are used as input data to generate synthetic post-contrast images, which are often undistinguishable from the native ones. In this review, we discuss the most recent advances of AI applications to biomedical imaging relative to synthetic contrast media.

Facial Port-Wine Stain Phenotypes Associated with Glaucoma Risk in Neonates

PURPOSE

To determine if the size and location of facial port-wine stains (PWS) can predict glaucoma risk in neonates.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

METHODS

Children with facial PWS who had undergone ophthalmologic examination within 4 weeks of their birth were included. Clinical information, including facial photographs, intraocular pressure, corneal diameter, optic disc cup-to-disc ratio, and Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS) diagnoses were collected. Based on facial photographs, PWS distribution, eyelid involvement, and PWS scores according to degree of involvement in each embryonic facial vasculature distribution (segment [S]1, S2 and S3) were evaluated.

RESULTS

Among the 34 patients, 7 (21%) had bilateral PWS lesions. Eighteen (53%) had diagnoses of glaucoma. The proportion of eyes showing PWS involving both S1 and S2 was the highest (n = 15, 37%), and the frequency of glaucoma diagnosis (n = 9, 60%) was also the greatest. In eyelid involvement analysis, among the 7 eyes with only lower-eyelid lesions, 5 (83%) had glaucoma. Among the 11 eyes with only upper-eyelid lesions, however, 2 (18%) had diagnoses of glaucoma. A logistic regression model showed that the significant factors associated with glaucoma risk were greater PWS scores in S2 (odds ratio [OR]: 3.604; 95% confidence interval: 1.078-12.050; P = .037) or lower-eyelid involvement (OR: 12.816; 95% CI: 1.698-96.744; P = .013).

CONCLUSIONS

Among the newborns with facial PWS, 1) a greater extent of birthmarks involving the S2 area, and 2) lesions including the lower eyelid were associated with higher risk of glaucoma development within the neonatal period.