Evaluation of Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) scoring system in predicting muscle invasion of bladder cancer

The Role of Maximal TURBT in Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: Balancing Benefits in Bladder Preservation and Beyond

Radical cystectomy with lymph node dissection and urinary diversion is the gold-standard treatment for non-metastatic muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). However, in patients who refuse cystectomy, or in whom cystectomy carries a high risk, bladder-preserving therapies remain potential options. Bladder preservation therapies can include maximal debulking transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT), concurrent chemoradiation therapy, followed by cystoscopy to assess response. At this time, maximal TURBT is recommended for patients prior to the initiation of chemoradiation therapy or in patients with residual bladder tumors after the completion of chemoradiation therapy. That being said, TURBT carries significant risks such as bladder perforation, bleeding, and infection, ultimately risking delayed systemic treatment. Hence, understanding its role within trimodal therapy is crucial to avoid undue suffering in patients. Herein, we review the current literature on the impact of debulking TURBT in non-metastatic MIBC.

Study on the recovery of bladder function in patients with cervical cancer after operation by portable ultrasound combined

BACKGROUND

Postoperative urination dysfunction is a common complication after surgery in patients with cervical cancer. Portable bladder ultrasound are commonly utilized in clinical practice for measuring residual urine volume. This study aimed to the effect of bladder function training combined with portable ultrasound monitoring on bladder function recovery in patients with cervical cancer after training.

METHODS

A total of 40 postoperative patients with cervical cancer were randomly divided into a control group (A) and an experimental group (B) of 20 cases each. Group A was given routine postoperative care, while group B was given bladder function training. Urgent urine bladder volume were taken twice daily after removal of the urinary catheter and monitored for five consecutive days. The difference of urgent urine bladder volume and bladder filling rate were compared by t-test and chi-square test respectively. The 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) was used to evaluate the quality of life of patients before and after intervention, and compared by Mann-Whitney U test.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in preoperative urgent urine volume between the two groups. After catheter removal, the bladder volume of patients in the B increased, while the bladder volume of patients in the A increased less and fluctuated greatly. The bladder filling rate in the A was significantly lower than that in the B (5/15 vs 17/18, p < 0.05). After intervention, the quality of life of the experimental group was better than that of the control group, including scores of general health, mental health, vitality, and physical role (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Postoperative cervical cancer patients trained to hold urine by portable ultrasound monitoring are able to recover bladder function.

Novel bladder-sparing approaches in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer

The pursuit of surgeons and oncologists in fulfilling the inherent desire of patients to retain their urinary bladder despite having muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) has sparked years of research and multiple debates, given its aggressive nature and the high risk of fatal metastatic recurrence. Historically, several approaches to bladder-sparing treatment have been explored, ranging from radical transurethral resection to concurrent chemoradiation. A less well-established approach involves a risk-adapted approach with local therapy deferred based on the clinical response to transurethral resection followed by systemic therapy. Each approach is associated with potential risks, benefits, and trade-offs. In this review, we aim to understand, navigate, and suggest future perspectives on bladder-sparing approaches in patients with MIBC.

Clinical application of bladder MRI and the Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System

Diagnostic work-up and risk stratification in patients with bladder cancer before and after treatment must be refined to optimize management and improve outcomes. MRI has been suggested as a non-invasive technique for bladder cancer staging and assessment of response to systemic therapy. The Vesical Imaging-Reporting And Data System (VI-RADS) was developed to standardize bladder MRI image acquisition, interpretation and reporting and enables accurate prediction of muscle-wall invasion of bladder cancer. MRI is available in many centres but is not yet recommended as a first-line test for bladder cancer owing to a lack of high-quality evidence. Consensus-based evidence on the use of MRI-VI-RADS for bladder cancer care is needed to serve as a benchmark for formulating guidelines and research agendas until further evidence from randomized trials becomes available.

Practical Guide to VI-RADS: MRI Protocols, Lesion Characterization, and Pitfalls

Urothelial carcinoma is the most common type of bladder cancer (BC), accounting for approximately 90% of all cases. Evaluating the depth of tumor invasion in the bladder wall (tumor staging) is essential for determining the treatment and prognosis in patients with BC. Neoadjuvant therapy followed by radical cystectomy is the most common treatment of localized muscle-invasive BC (MIBC). Therefore, it is vital to differentiate non-MIBC from MIBC. Transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) is the reference standard to determine the extent of tumor invasion into the bladder wall through tissue sampling. However, this diagnostic and therapeutic method may not adequately sample the muscularis propria, leading to a higher risk of residual disease, early recurrence, and tumor understaging in approximately 50% of patients during the initial TURBT. Multiparametric MRI can overcome some of the limitations of TURBT when evaluating BC, particularly regarding tumor staging. In this context, the Vesical Imaging Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) classification was developed to establish standards for bladder multiparametric MRI and interpretation. It uses a 5-point scale to assess the likelihood of detrusor muscle invasion. T2-weighted MR images are particularly useful as an initial guide, especially for categories 1-3, while the presence of muscular invasion is determined with diffusion-weighted and dynamic contrast-enhanced sequences. Diffusion-weighted imaging takes precedence as the dominant method when optimal image quality is achieved. The presence of a stalk or a thickened inner layer and no evidence of interruption of the signal intensity of the muscular layer are central for predicting a low likelihood of muscle invasion. ©RSNA, 2024 Test Your Knowledge questions for this article are available in the supplemental material. See the invited commentary by Hoegger in this issue.

A novel predict method for muscular invasion of bladder cancer based on 3D mp-MRI feature fusion

Objective. To assist urologist and radiologist in the preoperative diagnosis of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC), we proposed a combination models strategy (CMS) utilizing multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging.Approach. The CMS includes three components: image registration, image segmentation, and multisequence feature fusion. To ensure spatial structure consistency of T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging (DCE), a registration network based on patch sampling normalized mutual information was proposed to register DWI and DCE to T2WI. Moreover, to remove redundant information around the bladder, we employed a segmentation network to obtain the bladder and tumor regions from T2WI. Using the coordinate mapping from T2WI, we extracted these regions from DWI and DCE and integrated them into a three-branch dual-channel input. Finally, to fully fuse low-level and high-level features of T2WI, DWI, and DCE, we proposed a distributed multilayer fusion model for preoperative MIBC prediction with five-fold cross-validation.Main results. The study included 436 patients, of which 404 were for the internal cohort and 32 for external cohort. The MIBC was confirmed by pathological examination. In the internal cohort, the area under the curve, accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity achieved by our method were 0.928, 0.869, 0.753, and 0.929, respectively. For the urologist and radiologist, Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System score >3 was employed to determine MIBC. The urologist demonstrated an accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of 0.842, 0.737, and 0.895, respectively, while the radiologist achieved 0.871, 0.803, and 0.906, respectively. In the external cohort, the accuracy of our method was 0.831, which was higher than that of the urologist (0.781) and the radiologist (0.813).Significance. Our proposed method achieved better diagnostic performance than urologist and was comparable to senior radiologist. These results indicate that CMS can effectively assist junior urologists and radiologists in diagnosing preoperative MIBC.

Can magnetic resonance imaging differentiate muscle invasion (T2) and lamina propria invasion (T1) urothelial carcinoma of the bladder? A systematic review and meta-analysis of Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System accuracy

Background

Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) was developed as a structured reporting tool to anticipate the possibility of muscle invasion. This study is aimed to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of VI-RADS for discriminating T2 from T1 bladder cancer.

Materials and methods

Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Embase were searched on October 4, 2021, for studies with the following characteristics: (1) bladder cancer patient population, (2) VI-RADS as an index test, (3) retransurethral resection of bladder tumor/cystectomy as a reference, and (4) adequate VI-RADS score data for T1 and T2 lesions. The analyses were performed using the binary regression model of MIDAS in Stata.

Results

Six studies with 624 magnetic resonance imaging reports were included. The receiver operating characteristics curve for differentiation of T2 from T1 bladder cancer showed an area under the curve of 0.93 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.91-0.95) for a VI-RADS ≥3 and 0.75 (95% CI, 0.71-0.79) for a VI-RADS ≥4. A VI-RADS ≥3 showed high sensitivity of 93% (95% CI, 85%-97%), specificity of 61% (95% CI, 30%-86%), positive likelihood ratio of 2.4 (95% CI, 1.1-5.3), and negative likelihood ratio of 0.11 (95% CI, 0.05-0.24). A total of 10.4% of T2 lesions were scored as VI-RADS 2, while 10% of T1 lesions were scored as VI-RADS 4 or 5.

Conclusions

The VI-RADS ≥3 has high accuracy and sensitivity for detecting muscle invasion in borderline populations of T1 or T2 bladder cancer. Thus, the VI-RADS could be a good non-invasive screening test for the detection of T2 urothelial lesions.

Diagnostic performance of multiparametric MRI based Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) scoring in discriminating between non-muscle invasive and muscle invasive bladder cancer

Purpose

The purpose of the present study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) scoring system in predicting muscle infiltration of bladder cancer (BC) on a pre-operative multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI).

Methods

The prospective study enrolled patients with bladder lesions detected on a preliminary ultrasonography or cystoscopy. The patients underwent mpMRI on a 3T MRI scanner followed by surgery within 2 weeks. The tumours were assigned a VI-RADS score by 2 experienced abdominal radiologists. The VI-RADS score was compared with postoperative histopathological findings to confirm detrusor muscle infiltration. The diagnostic performance of VI-RADS for predicting muscle invasion was assessed by calculating sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and accuracy.

Results

A total of 60 patients were included in the study with a male: female ratio of 4.4 : 1. Transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) was performed in 47 (78.4%) and radical cystectomy in 13 (21.6%) patients. 19 (31.7%) had non-muscle invasive invasive BC (NMIBCa) and 41 (68.3%) had muscle invasive BC (MIBCa) on histopathology. There was a significant association between VI-RADS score and its components with muscle invasion (p < 0.05). A VI-RADS score of ≥ 3 had a sensitivity of 97.56% (95% CI: 0.87-0.99%), specificity of 73.68% (95% CI: 0.49-0.91), positive predictive value of 88.9% (95% CI: 0.79-0.94), negative predictive value of 93.33% (95% CI: 0.66-0.99), and diagnostic accuracy of 90% (95% CI: 0.80-0.96) for prediction of muscle invasion.

Conclusion

VI-RADS scoring system pre-operatively predicts the likelihood of muscle invasion in BC with a satisfactory diagnostic performance, and it should be incorporated in the diagnostic work-up of BC patients.

Development of a Molecular-Subtype-Associated Immune Prognostic Signature That Can Be Recognized by MRI Radiomics Features in Bladder Cancer

Background: Bladder cancer (BLCA) is highly heterogeneous with distinct molecular subtypes. This research aimed to investigate the heterogeneity of different molecular subtypes from a tumor microenvironment perspective and develop a molecular-subtype-associated immune prognostic signature that can be recognized by MRI radiomics features. Methods: Individuals with BLCA in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and IMvigor210 were classified into luminal and basal subtypes according to the UNC classification. The proportions of tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) were examined using The Cell Type Identification by Estimating Relative Subsets of RNA Transcripts algorithm. Immune-linked genes that were expressed differentially between luminal and basal subtypes and associated with prognosis were selected to develop the immune prognostic signature (IPS) and utilized for the classification of the selected individuals into low- and high-risk groups. Functional enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed on the IPS. The data from RNA-sequencing and MRI images of 111 BLCA samples in our center were utilized to construct a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) model for the prediction of patients’ IPSs. Results: Half of the TIICs showed differential distributions between the luminal and basal subtypes. IPS was highly associated with molecular subtypes, critical immune checkpoint gene expression, prognoses, and immunotherapy response. The prognostic value of the IPS was further verified through several validation data sets (GSE32894, GSE31684, GSE13507, and GSE48277) and meta-analysis. GSEA revealed that some oncogenic pathways were co-enriched in the group at high risk. A novel performance of a LASSO model developed as per ten radiomics features was achieved in terms of IPS prediction in both the validation (area under the curve (AUC): 0.810) and the training (AUC: 0.839) sets. Conclusions: Dysregulation of TIICs contributed to the heterogeneity between the luminal and basal subtypes. The IPS can facilitate molecular subtyping, prognostic evaluation, and personalized immunotherapy. A LASSO model developed as per the MRI radiomics features can predict the IPSs of affected individuals.

Is high accuracy of Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) sufficient for its implementation in the urological practice?

AIMS

Currently, the only method used to differentiate between MIBC and NMIBC is transurethral resection of the bladder tumour (TURBT). Magnetic resonance and Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) would allow for discrimination between NMIBC and MIBC. We evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of VI-RADS in the diagnosis of muscle-invasive bladder cancer and discuss its value in everyday urological practice.

METHODS

64 patients with bladder cancer (BC) were enrolled into this prospective study. Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) was performed before transurethral resection of the bladder tumour (TURBT) and evaluated using the VI-RADS score. Score were compared to histopathology results. We evaluated the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of this system using both cut-off VI-RADS ≥ 3 and ≥ 4.

RESULTS

Sensitivity of 92.3% (95%CI: 64.0; 99.8), specificity of 81.4% (95%CI: 69.1; 90.3), positive predictive value of 52.2% (95%CI: 30.6; 73.2) and negative predictive value of 98.0% (95%CI: 89.1; 99.9) was determined using cut off VI-RADS ≥ 3, while sensitivity of 76.9% (95%CI: 46.2; 95.0), specificity of 91.5% (95%CI: 81.3; 97.2), positive predictive value of 66.7% (95%CI: 38.4; 88.2), and negative predictive value of 94.7% (95%CI: 85.4; 98.9) was determined using cut-off VI-RADS ≥ 4. Based on our results, we consider the optimal cut-off point to be VI-RADS ≥ 3 with the overall prediction accuracy of 83.3% (95%CI: 72.7; 91.1).

CONCLUSIONS

We acknowledge that mpMRI provides valuable information with regard to BC staging, however, despite its high overall accuracy, we do not consider the VI-RADS could replace TURBT in discrimination between non-muscle invasive and MIBC.

Accuracy of actual stage prediction using Vesical Imaging Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) before radical cystectomy for urothelial carcinoma in SUPER-UC-Cx

Background

Previous studies using the Vesical Imaging Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) to predict muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) had some limitations. Most studies were performed with transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TUR-BT) specimens with few samples. This study was conducted to address these shortcomings and confirm the accuracy of VI-RADS for bladder cancer.

Methods

This study used data from the Seoul National University Prospectively Enrolled Registry for Urothelial Cancer-Radical Cystectomy (SUPER-UC-Cx). Patients who underwent multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mp-MRI) before radical cystectomy (RC) were included in this study between March 2020 and March 2022. All images were reported by radiologists and reviewed by two urologists. The patient characteristics and clinical information were blinded during the review. The performance of qualitative and quantitative variables in predicting muscle layer invasion or perivesical fat infiltration was verified by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

Results

Of 208 patients, 182 (87.5%) underwent mp-MRI before RC. Twenty-three patients with non-urothelial carcinoma, inappropriate MRI scans, and bladder filling were excluded. Cut-off for muscle invasion, VI-RADS score of 4 had the highest area under the curve (AUC) (sensitivity 0.84; specificity 0.93; accuracy 0.90; positive predictive value (PPV) 0.84; negative predictive value (NPV) 0.93, and AUC 0.88). Cut-off for perivesical fat invasion and VI-RADS score of 5 had the highest AUC (sensitivity, 0.78; specificity, 0.99; accuracy, 0.95; PPV, 0.96; NPV, 0.95; and AUC, 0.89).

Conclusions

VI-RADS is a good predictor of bladder cancer staging before RC and is especially helpful in predicting muscle invasion and perivesical fat infiltration.

To determine correlation between VIRADS scoring and pathological staging in bladder cancer: A prospective study and review of literature

The development of standardized reporting systems is of paramount importance in medical-imaging. Based on the "RADS" methodology, PIRADS and BI-RADS have been successfully used. The management of bladder cancer (BC) depends on the stage at the time of identification. Accurate assessment of the muscle-invasive stage can alter therapies that are radically different. MRI can accurately diagnose this in a standardized manner (Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System: VIRADS) and spare additional procedures. The aim of the study is to determine diagnostic accuracy of VIRADS scoring in evaluation of muscle invasiveness in patients with BC. This study was conducted in a single center over a period of 2 years from April 2020. A total of 76 patients with bladder SOL/diagnosed BC were included. Final VIRADS scoring was calculated and compared with histopathological report.76 patients were evaluated which included 64 males and 12 females. Most of the cases came under the VIRADS-II category (23, 30.26%) followed by VIRADS-V (17, 22.36%). VIRADS-I was reported in 14 cases (18.42%). A total of 8 cases (10.52 %) were reported as VIRADS III and 14 cases (18.42%) as VIRADS IV. VIRADS-III was taken as cut off and found to have a sensitivity of 94.44%, a specificity of 87.50%, a positive predictive value of 87.17% and a negative predictive value of 94.59%. Though number of cases are still less to accurately predict test characteristics of VIRADS, our results are consistent with previously done retrospective studies and VIRADS has got good correlation with pathological staging.

Seeing is Believing: State of the Art Imaging of Bladder Cancer

Imaging plays an important role in bladder cancer (BCa) diagnostic work-up. Ultrasound achieves an intermediate sensitivity in detecting urinary tract alterations and is considered a suboptimal imaging technique in diagnosis of BCa. CT urography accurately detects BCa in patients presenting with hematuria Multiparametric MRI achieves a very high rate of BCa detection and helps with accurate staging of patients; however, this modality is still not widely supported by international guidelines. The main applications of MRI are local tumor staging and differentiation between non-muscle-invasive BCa and muscle-invasive BCa. These applications led to development of Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) scoring system. The VI-RADS scoring system was developed in the setting of post-resection of primary bladder tumor and instillation of intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy; however validation of this system in the post-treatment setting showed promising results. The high risk of BCa recurrence leads to its application in the assessment of response to therapy and for disease surveillance after treatment. MRI is rapidly becoming a leading imaging modality in BCa diagnostic workup, assessment of response to therapies and for longitudinal surveillance, and plays an important role in BCa surgical and radiation therapy treatment planning.

A novel pathway to detect muscle-invasive bladder cancer based on integrated clinical features and VI-RADS score on MRI: results of a prospective multicenter study

PURPOSE

To determine the clinical, pathological, and radiological features, including the Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) score, independently correlating with muscle-invasive bladder cancer (BCa), in a multicentric national setting.

METHOD AND MATERIALS

Patients with BCa suspicion were offered magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before trans-urethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT). According to VI-RADS, a cutoff of ≥ 3 or ≥ 4 was assumed to define muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Trans-urethral resection of the tumor (TURBT) and/or cystectomy reports were compared with preoperative VI-RADS scores to assess accuracy of MRI for discriminating between non-muscle-invasive versus MIBC. Performance was assessed by ROC curve analysis. Two univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were implemented including clinical, pathological, radiological data, and VI-RADS categories to determine the variables with an independent effect on MIBC.

RESULTS

A final cohort of 139 patients was enrolled (median age 70 [IQR: 64, 76.5]). MRI showed sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy for MIBC diagnosis ranging from 83-93%, 80-92%, 67-81%, 93-96%, and 84-89% for the more experienced readers. The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.95 (0.91-0.99). In the multivariable logistic regression model, the VI-RADS score, using both a cutoff of 3 and 4 (P < .0001), hematuria (P = .007), tumor size (P = .013), and concomitant hydronephrosis (P = .027) were the variables correlating with a bladder cancer staged as ≥ T2. The inter-reader agreement was substantial (k = 0.814).

CONCLUSIONS

VI-RADS assessment scoring proved to be an independent predictor of muscle-invasiveness, which might implicate a shift toward a more aggressive selection approach of patients' at high risk of MIBC, according to a novel proposed predictive pathway.

Gender dimorphism in survival of patients with lymph node metastasis of bladder cancer

Background:

The effect of gender on the prognosis of bladder cancer (BCa) in different metastatic sites is insufficiently understood. We aimed to assess the impact and potential mechanisms of a combination of gender dimorphism and BCa metastasis sites on the risk of death.

Methods:

Independent predictors of overall survival and cancer-specific survival were analyzed after stratification by gender and metastasis sites from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Furthermore, gender-differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and function-enriched annotations for patients with lymph node metastasis (LNM) were identified from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. A gender-associated signature was constructed in TCGA and validated in the IMvigor210 trial, and the magnetic resonance imaging-based radiomics signature was developed in our center to predict the gender-associated signature.

Results:

In patients with metastatic BCa, the most common site of metastasis is bone in men and lung in women. Moreover, stratified by sex, LNM had a better prognosis in men than visceral metastasis, which was not observed in female. Similarly, stratified by the metastasis site, the prognosis of men in patients with LNM is better than that of women, which was not observed in visceral metastasis patients. Enrichment of DEGs between sexes in patients with LNM may be related to metastasis and tumor immunity, especially the role of neutrophils. Moreover, the gender-associated signature is related to the clinicopathological characteristics of patients, and patients in the high-risk group had worse survival outcomes, and higher susceptibility to cisplatin, docetaxel, camptothecin, and paclitaxel. A nomogram combined with the signature and clinical staging showed significant predictive power in survival prediction. Furthermore, patients with high radiomics scores had a strong tendency for high-risk group.

Conclusion:

These results may improve the understanding of the differences in tumor biology between sexes and thus provide additional evidence for individualized treatment in BCa.

VI-RADS score system - A primer for urologists

Bladder cancer (BCa) is one of the most common cancers worldwide and is also considered to be one of the most relapsing and aggressive neoplasms. About 30% of patients will present with muscle invasive disease, which is associated with a higher risk for metastatic disease. The aim of this article is to review the state of art imaging in Radiology, while providing a complete guide to urologists, with case examples, for the rationale of the development of the Vesical Imaging Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS), a scoring system emphasizing a standardized approach to multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging (mpMRI) acquisition, interpretation, and reporting for BCa. Also, we examine relevant external validation studies and the consolidated literature of mpMRI for bladder cancer. In addition, this article discusses some of the potential clinical implications of this scoring system for disease management and follow-up.

Biparametric magnetic resonance imaging assessment for detection of muscle-invasive bladder cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

To investigate if removing DCE from the Vesical Imaging Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) influences the diagnostic accuracy of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). We also explored using different reference standards on the MRI diagnostic performance.

METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Library, Embase, and PubMed databases to June 26, 2021. Pooled biparametric MRI (bpMRI, T2WI+DWI) and multiparametric MRI (mpMRI, T2WI+DWI+DCE) sensitivities and specificities and the diagnostic performances of these methods for MIBC were compared using different reference standards.

RESULTS

Seventeen studies with 2344 patients were finally included, of which 7 studies, including 1041 patients, reported the diagnostic performance of bpMRI. VI-RADS showed sensitivities and specificities of 0.91 (95% CI 0.87-0.94) and 0.86 (95% CI 0.77-0.91) at cutoff scores of 3, and 0.85 (95% CI 0.77-0.90) and 0.93 (95% CI 0.89-0.96) at cutoff scores of 4. BpMRI showed sensitivities and specificities of 0.90 (95% CI 0.69-0.97) and 0.90 (95% CI 0.81-0.95), and 0.84 (95% CI 0.78-0.88) and 0.97 (95% CI 0.87-0.99), respectively, for cutoff scores of 3 and 4. The sensitivities of bpMRI vs mpMRI for MIBC were not significantly different, but bpMRI was more specific than mpMRI at cutoff scores of 3 (p = 0.02) and 4 (p = 0.02). The VI-RADS studies using primary transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TURBT) as the reference standard had significantly higher sensitivities (p < 0.001) than those using secondary TURBT or radical cystectomy as the reference.

DATA CONCLUSION

BpMRI and conventional VI-RADS had similar diagnostic efficacies for MIBC. Since MRI overestimated MIBC diagnoses using primary TURBT as the reference standard, we recommend using secondary TURBT as the reference standard.

KEY POINTS

• Biparametric MRI without DCE had similar diagnostic efficacies for MIBC compared with conventional VI-RADS. • The sensitivity of VI-RADS was overestimated when referring to the primary TURBT results. • Biparametric MRI comprised of T2WI and DWI could be used for detecting MIBC in clinical practice.

Diagnostic accuracy of vesical imaging-reporting and data system (VI-RADS) for the detection of muscle-invasive bladder cancer: a meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) was proposed and considered as a standardized reporting criterion for bladder magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). VI-RADS could suggest the likelihood of muscle invasion based on the multiparametric MRI (mp-MRI) findings which contain five-point scores. The current study is designed to comprehensively and systematically evaluate the diagnostic performance of VI-RADS (score 3 and 4) for predicting muscle invasion.

METHODS

The Cochrane Library, Embase, and PubMed were searched comprehensively from inception to October 2021.

RESULTS

Finally, 19 studies incorporating 2900 patients were enrolled. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of VI-RADS 3 for predicting muscle invasion were 0.92 (95%CI 0.89-0.94) and 0.82 (95%CI 0.76-0.87), respectively. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of VI-RADS 4 were 0.78 (95%CI 0.72-0.83) and 0.96 (95%CI 0.93-0.97), respectively. And the area under the curve (AUCs) of VI-RADS 3 and 4 were all 0.94 (95%CI 0.92-0.96). No significant publication biases were not observed for VI-RADS 3 (P = 0.74) and 4 (P = 0.57).

CONCLUSION

The VI-RADS reveals a good diagnostic performance for predicting muscle invasive in bladder cancer, which also has good clinical utilities and applicability. And VI-RADS 3 and 4 as cutoff values provide similar overall diagnostic and could be selectively applied individually. Prospective studies with a large scale are further required to validate the accuracy of the VI-RADS score.

The accuracy of Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS): an updated comprehensive multi-institutional, multi-readers systematic review and meta-analysis from diagnostic evidence into future clinical recommendations

Purpose

To determine through a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis the cumulative diagnostic performance of vesical imaging-reporting and data system (VIRADS) to predict preoperative muscle-invasiveness among different institutions, readers, and optimal scoring accuracy thresholds.

Methods

PubMed, Cochrane and Embase were searched from inception up to May 2021. Sensitivity (Sn), Specificity (Sp) were first estimated and subsequently pooled using hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristics (HSROC) modeling for both cut-off ≥ 3 and ≥ 4 to predict muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Further sensitivity analysis, subgroup analysis and meta-regression were conducted to investigate contribution of moderators to heterogeneity.

Results

In total, n = 20 studies from 2019 to 2021 with n = 2477 patients by n = 53 genitourinary radiologists met the inclusion criteria. Pooled weighted Sn and Sp were 0.87 (95% CI 0.82–0.91) and 0.86 (95% CI 0.80–0.90) for cut-off ≥ 3 while 0.78 (95% CI 0.74–0.81) and 0.94 (95% CI 0.91–0.96) for cut-off ≥ 4. The area under the HSROC curve was 0.93 (95% CI 0.90–0.95) and 0.91 (95% CI 0.88–0.93) for cut-off ≥ 3 and ≥ 4, respectively. Meta-regression analyses showed no influence of clinical characteristics nor cumulative reader’s experience while study design and radiological characteristics were found to influence the estimated outcome.

Conclusion

We demonstrated excellent worldwide diagnostic performance of VI-RADS to determine pre-trans urethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) staging. Our findings corroborate wide reliability of VI-RADS accuracy also between different centers with varying experience underling the importance that standardization and reproducibility of VI-RADS may confer to multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) for preoperative BCa discrimination.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00345-022-03969-6.

Comparison of the diagnostic accuracy and validity of biparametric MRI and multiparametric MRI-based VI-RADS scoring in bladder cancer; is contrast material really necessary in detecting muscle invasion?

PURPOSE

(1) To evaluate the accuracy and validity of the biparametric MRI (bp-MRI), including T2-weigthed image (WI) and DWI sequences, and the availability of an alternative to the multiparametric MRI (mp-MRI), for the muscle-invasiveness assessment of bladder cancer (BC). (2) To evaluate the diagnostic performance and agreement of readers with different experiences in the abdominal imaging of using both protocols.

METHODS

Preoperative bladder mp-MRI was performed on 128 patients with a initial diagnosis of BC. Two sets of images, set 1 (bp-MRI) and set 2 (mp-MRI), were independently evaluated by both readers. Descriptive statistics, including sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and area under the curve (AUC), for VI-RADS scores were calculated using ≥ 4 as the cutoff for muscle invasion for each reader and image sets. Inter-reader agreement was evaluated using the Cohen's kappa coefficient.

RESULTS

The sensitivity ranged between 90.3-93.5% and 87.1-90.3%, specificity ranged between 96.6-99.1% and 91.6-96.6%, accuracy ranged between 96-97.3% and 91.3-94.6%, and AUC ranged between 0.947-0.951 and 0.919-0.921, for bp-MRI and mp-MRI, and reader 1 and reader 2, respectively. No significant differences were shown in diagnostic performance for either reader between both the protocols (p = 0.238 and 0.318). There was excellent agreement among the readers in the VI-RADS scores, using both protocols.

CONCLUSION

A bp-MRI protocol has a diagnostic accuracy comparable to an mp-MRI protocol for the detection of muscle-invasive BC using the VI-RADS criteria. Also, in both MRI protocols, the reader's experience does not appear to significantly affect diagnostic performance when using the VI-RADS criteria.

Accuracy and Challenges in the Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System for Staging Bladder Cancer

BACKGROUND

The Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) scoring system has been widely used to stage bladder cancer (BCa) since 2018.

PURPOSE

To describe the characteristics of cases with discordant T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) scores in patients with BCa and further verify the accuracy of the VI-RADS scoring system and the necessity of dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) sequence.

STUDY TYPE

Retrospective.

SUBJECTS

A total of 106 patients (include 16.5% female) with bladder cancer.

SEQUENCE

T2WI (fast spin echo), DWI (echo planer imaging), and DCE (gradient echo).

ASSESSMENT

Some cases are difficult to score according to the system, mainly when the T2WI (category 4) and DWI (category 2) sequence scores are discordant, termed the discordant group below. The complementary group will be termed concordant group. Each MRI sequence was reviewed respectively according to the 5-point VI-RADS scoring system by three observers. The diagnostic ability of sequences for evaluating muscle invasion by BCa was calculated using histopathology as the reference standards.

STATISTICAL TESTS

Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, DeLong test, intraclass correlation coefficient. A P value of 0.05 or less was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Fourteen cases (13.2%) had discordant VI-RADS scoring system. In the discordant group, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of DCE was 0.875, while the T2WI and DWI showed limited diagnostic performance (AUCs = 0.50). In the concordant group, there was no significant difference in diagnostic efficacy between the overall VI-RADS (AUC: 0.950) and the combination of T2WI and DWI (AUC: 0.946) (P = 0.56). Among all patients, the AUC of overall VIRADS was 0.939 with a 3 or greater cutoff value.

DATA CONCLUSION

The DCE was crucial in the discordant group for evaluating muscle-invasiveness, while DCE may not be necessary for the concordant group. The VI-RADS scoring system performed with overall good diagnostic performance in evaluating muscle-invasiveness in BCa patients.

EVIDENCE LEVEL

4 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 3.

Clinical validity of non-contrast-enhanced VI-RADS: prospective study using 3-T MRI with high-gradient magnetic field

OBJECTIVES

To develop a modified Vesical Imaging Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) without dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging (DCEI), termed "non-contrast-enhanced VI-RADS (NCE-VI-RADS)", and to assess the additive impact of denoising deep learning reconstruction (dDLR) on NCE-VI-RADS.

METHODS

From January 2019 through December 2020, 163 participants who underwent high-gradient 3-T MRI of the bladder were prospectively enrolled. In total, 108 participants with pathologically confirmed bladder cancer by transurethral resection were analyzed. Tumors were evaluated based on VI-RADS (scores 1-5) by two readers independently: an experienced radiologist (reader 1) and a senior radiology resident (reader 2). Conventional VI-RADS assessment included all three imaging types (T2-weighted imaging [T2WI], diffusion-weighted imaging [DWI], and dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging [DCEI]). Also evaluated were NCE-VI-RADS comprising only non-contrast-enhanced imaging types (T2WI and DWI), and "NCE-VI-RADS with dDLR" comprising T2WI processed with dDLR and DWI. All systems were assessed using receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis and simple and/or weighted κ statistics.

RESULTS

Muscle invasion was identified in 23/108 participants (21%). Area under the curve (AUC) values for diagnosing muscle invasion were as follows: conventional VI-RADS, 0.94 and 0.91; NCE-VI-RADS, 0.93 and 0.91; and "NCE-VI-RADS with dDLR", 0.96 and 0.93, for readers 1 and 2, respectively. Simple κ statistics indicated substantial agreement for NCE-VI-RADS and almost perfect agreement for conventional VI-RADS and "NCE-VI-RADS with dDLR" between the two readers.

CONCLUSION

NCE-VI-RADS achieved predictive accuracy for muscle invasion comparable to that of conventional VI-RADS. Additional use of dDLR improved the diagnostic accuracy of NCE-VI-RADS.

KEY POINTS

• Non-contrast-enhanced Vesical Imaging Reporting and Data System (NCE-VI-RADS) was developed to avoid risk related to gadolinium-based contrast agent administration. • NCE-VI-RADS had predictive accuracy for muscle invasion comparable to that of conventional VI-RADS. • The additional use of denoising deep learning reconstruction (dDLR) might further improve the diagnostic accuracy of NCE-VI-RADS.

VESICAL IMAGING-REPORTING AND DATA SYSTEM - A NEW APPROACH TO BLADDER CANCER STAGING

OBJECTIVE

The aim: To present the assumptions and to show the usefulness of Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) based on multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) in the diagnostic pathway management of patients with a bladder cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Materials and methods: The review is based on available literature from last 10 years from PubMed database and the Przegląd Urologiczny journal focusing on articles on VI-RADS. Overall, 18 articles were included. Presented magnetic resonance images come from the examinations of the patients who were diagnosed with bladder cancer from 2019 to 2021 at Department of Diagnostic Imaging in University Clinical Hospital in Opole, Poland.

CONCLUSION

Conclusions: The newly developed Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System has a potential to play a significant role in staging of the bladder cancer as a non-invasive, comprehensive, and effective diagnostic tool providing accurate information for differentiation non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) from muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). However more prospective studies should be conducted to validate this system in clinical practice.

Role of Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System in predicting muscle-invasive bladder cancer: A diagnostic meta-analysis

The objective of this study is to systematically evaluate the diagnostic performance of the Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System for predicting muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Embase, PubMed and Web of Science were systematically searched from 1 September 2018 to 30 July 2021 to include proper studies. We included studies that included data on Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System and their associated pathological findings, and we assessed their quality using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool. The pooled sensitivity and specificity were calculated and plotted using hierarchical summary receiver operating characterisijutic modeling. Meta-regression analysis was carried out to detect heterogeneity. A total of 20 studies with 2725 patients were included. When the cut-off point was 3, the pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.92 (0.89-0.94) and 0.85 (0.78-0.90), respectively, and 0.82 (0.75-0.88) and 0.95 (0.91-0.97), respectively, when the cut-off point was 4. The area under the curve was 0.95 and 0.95, respectively. Heterogeneity was substantially considerable in sensitivity and specificity. All subgroup variables, including patient number, study design, magnetic resonance imaging field strength, number of radiologists, surgery pattern, diffusion-weighted imaging, and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, contributed to sensitivity heterogeneity when the cut-off point was 3 and specificity heterogeneity when the cut-off point was 4. Multiple image acquisition plane of diffusion-weighted imaging achieved a higher sensitivity than single image acquisition plane of diffusion-weighted imaging in both the Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System 3 and 4 groups, and higher specificity in the Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System 4 group. Another significant source of heterogeneity was the cut-off point. The diagnostic performance of the Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System for predicting muscle-invasive bladder cancer was excellent in both cut-off points of the Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System 3 and 4. Multiple image acquisition planes of diffusion-weighted imaging should be given more attention in the Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System.

Diagnostic accuracy of vesical imaging-reporting and data system (VI-RADS) in suspected muscle invasive bladder cancer: A systematic review and diagnostic meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the accuracy of Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) in detection of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the available literature.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and EMBASE were searched up to 8 March 2021 for the studies evaluating the diagnostic performance of VI-RADS for the detection of MIBC. Inclusion criteria were patients with bladder cancer; index test of VI-RADS based on multiparametric MRI; reference test of histopathological findings from TURBT, re-TURBT, or cystectomy and study design of cohort. Case reports, review articles, and editorials were eliminated, as well as studies with insufficient knowledge to acquire TP, FP, FN, and TN values of VI-RADS. The MIDAS module of STATA was for statistical analysis. The heterogeneity was explored using subgroup analysis and meta-regression analysis.

RESULTS

Overall, 22 eligible studies, consisting of 2,576 participants and 5,414 MRI reports, were included in this meta-analysis. The area under curve (AUC) of VI-RADS at cut-point values of 3 and 4 were 0.93 (95%CI: 0.91, 0.95), 0.93 (95%CI: 0.90, 0.95), respectively. Based on Youden's J statistic, the optimal VI-RADS cutoff value for predicting MIBC was determined as 3 which granted a pooled sensitivity of 89% (95%CI: 87%, 91%; I²=48%) and a specificity of 84% (95%CI: 80%, 87%; I²=90%). Based on meta-regression, the sources of inter-study heterogeneity for VI-RADS ≥ 3 were the sample size > 70, study design, single-center vs multi-center, patient population characteristics (i.e., gender, age), reference standard, histology, magnetic strength, T2WI slice thickness, and the number of radiologists reporting the MRI results (P value ≤ 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The VI-RADS demonstrates consistently high diagnostic accuracy to predict MIBC. This scoring system could be applied in standard staging MRI reports of bladder cancer and can be incorporated into future MIBC work up guidelines.

Magnetic resonance imaging-based radiomics signature for preoperative prediction of Ki67 expression in bladder cancer

PURPOSE

The Ki67 expression is associated with the advanced clinicopathological features and poor prognosis in bladder cancer (BCa). We aimed to develop and validate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based radiomics signatures to preoperatively predict the Ki67 expression status in BCa.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

We retrospectively collected 179 BCa patients with Ki67 expression and preoperative MRI. Radiomics features were extracted from T2-weighted (T2WI) and dynamic contrast-enhancement (DCE) images. The synthetic minority over-sampling technique (SMOTE) was used to balance the minority group (low Ki67 expression group) in the training set. Minimum redundancy maximum relevance was used to identify the best features associated with Ki67 expression. Support vector machine and Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator algorithms (LASSO) were used to construct radiomics signatures in training and SMOTE-training sets, and diagnostic performance was assessed by the area under the curve (AUC) and accuracy. The decision curve analyses (DCA) and calibration curve and were used to investigate the clinical usefulness and calibration of radiomics signatures, respectively. The Kaplan-Meier test was performed to investigate the prognostic value of radiomics-predicted Ki67 expression status.

RESULTS

1218 radiomics features were extracted from T2WI and DCE images, respectively. The SMOTE-LASSO model based on nine features achieved the best predictive performance in the SMOTE-training (AUC, 0.859; accuracy, 80.3%) and validation sets (AUC, 0.819; accuracy, 81.5%) with a good calibration performance and clinical usefulness. Immunohistochemistry-based high Ki67 expression and radiomics-predicted high Ki67 expression based on the SMOTE-LASSO model were significantly associated with poor disease-free survival in training and validation sets (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The SMOTE-LASSO model could predict the Ki67 expression status and was associated with survival outcomes of the BCa patients, thereby may aid in clinical decision-making.

Integrating multiparametric MRI radiomics features and the Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) for bladder cancer grading

PURPOSE

Pathological grade is important for the treatment selection and outcome prediction in bladder cancer (BCa). We aimed to construct a radiomics-clinical nomogram to preoperatively differentiate high-grade BCa from low-grade BCa.

METHODS

A total of 185 BCa patients who received multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) before surgery between August 2014 and April 2020 were enrolled in our study. Radiomics features were extracted from the largest tumor located on dynamic contrast-enhancement and T2WI images. After feature selection, the synthetic minority over-sampling technique (SMOTE) was performed to balance the minority group (low-grade group). Radiomics signatures were constructed in the training set and assessed in the validation set. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were applied to build a nomogram.

RESULTS

The radiomics signature generated by the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator model achieved the optimal performance for BCa grading in both the SMOTE-balanced training [accuracy: 93.2%, area under the curve (AUC): 0.961] and validation sets (accuracy: 89.9%, AUC: 0.952). A radiomics-clinical nomogram incorporating the radiomics signature and the Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) score had novel calibration and discrimination both in the training (AUC: 0.956) and validation sets (AUC: 0.958). Decision curve analysis presented the clinical utility of the nomogram for decision-making.

CONCLUSIONS

The mpMRI-based radiomics signature had the potential to preoperatively predict the pathological grade of BCa. The proposed nomogram combining the radiomics signature with the VI-RADS score improved the diagnostic power, which may aid in clinical decision-making.

Abnormal deviation in the measurement of residual urine volume using a portable ultrasound bladder scanner: a case report

In addition to being suitable for the assessment of residual urine volume, the use of a portable bladder scanner can also assist medical staff in developing a reasonable urination plan. Portable scanners can help medical personnel to estimate the height and/or relaxation of the bladder neck for pelvic floor muscle training, assist in the efficacy evaluation of muscarinic antagonists in patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity, and even determine whether the urine in the bladder of pediatric patients meets the criteria for catheterization to obtain urine samples. However, in the case described herein, we encountered abnormal deviation between the data measured by a portal bladder scanner and actual catheterization. The patient was a 65-year-old male suffering spinal nerve dysfunction due to tuberculous meningitis. He had functional dysuria and a history of liver cirrhosis, accompanied by a large amount of ascites. We therefore deduced that the deviation in the scanning data was attributable to the ascites. After the patient’s ascites had resolved, the residual urine volume obtained via scanning evaluation was comparable to that obtained through catheterization. Our case shows that in the event of abnormal deviation in portable bladder scanner measurements, clinical judgements should be made based on the patient’s condition rather than the scanning results alone.

Detecting Muscle Invasion of Bladder Cancer Using a Proposed Magnetic Resonance Imaging Strategy

BACKGROUND

Accurate evaluation of the invasion depth of tumors with a Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) score of 3 is difficult.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the diagnostic performance of a new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) strategy based on the integration of the VI-RADS and tumor contact length (TCL) for the diagnosis of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC).

STUDY TYPE

Single center, retrospective.

SUBJECTS

A group of 179 patients with a mean age of 67 years (range, 24.0-96.0) underwent multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) before surgery, including 147 (82.1%) males and 32 (17.9%) females. Twenty-four (13.4%), 90 (50.3%), 43 (24.0%), 15 (8.4%), and 7 (3.9%) cases were Ta, T1, T2, T3, and T4, respectively.

FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE

A 1.5 T and 3.0 T, T2-weighted turbo spin-echo (TSE), single-shot echo-planar (SS-EPI), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and T1-weighted volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination (T1-VIBE).

ASSESSMENT

Three radiologists independently graded the VI-RADS score and measured the TCL on index lesion images. A proposed MRI strategy called VI-RADS_TCL was introduced by modifying the VI-RADS score, which was downgraded to VI-RADS 3F (equal to a VI-RADS score of 2) if VI-RADS = 3 and TCL < 3 cm.

STATISTICAL TESTS

Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square tests, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and 2 × 2 contingency tables were applied.

RESULTS

Inter-reader agreement values were 0.941 (95% CI, 0.924-0.955) and 0.934 (95% CI, 0.916-0.948) for the TCL and VI-RADS score. The TCL was significantly increased in the MIBC group (6.40-6.85 cm) compared with the NMIBC group (1.98-2.45 cm) (P < 0.05). The specificity and positive predictive values (PPV) of VI-RADS_TCL were 82.46%-87.72% and 90.91%-91.59%, which were significantly greater than VI-RADS score (P < 0.05). Additionally, 52.17%-55.88% NMIBC lesions with VI-RADS 3 were downgraded to 3F by using VI-RADS_TCL.

DATA CONCLUSION

The proposed MRI strategy could reduce the false-positive rate of lesions with a VI-RADS score of 3 while retaining sensitivity.

EVIDENCE LEVEL

4 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: 2.

Combining Multiparametric MRI Radiomics Signature With the Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) Score to Preoperatively Differentiate Muscle Invasion of Bladder Cancer

Background

The treatment and prognosis for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) and non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) are different. We aimed to construct a nomogram based on the multiparametric MRI (mpMRI) radiomics signature and the Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) score for the preoperative differentiation of MIBC from NMIBC.

Method

The retrospective study involved 185 pathologically confirmed bladder cancer (BCa) patients (training set: 129 patients, validation set: 56 patients) who received mpMRI before surgery between August 2014 to April 2020. A total of 2,436 radiomics features were quantitatively extracted from the largest lesion located on the axial T2WI and from dynamic contrast-enhancement images. The minimum redundancy maximum relevance (mRMR) algorithm was used for feature screening. The selected features were introduced to construct radiomics signatures using three classifiers, including least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), support vector machines (SVM) and random forest (RF) in the training set. The differentiation performances of the three classifiers were evaluated using the area under the curve (AUC) and accuracy. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to develop a nomogram based on the optimal radiomics signature and clinical characteristics. The performance of the radiomics signatures and the nomogram was assessed and validated in the validation set.

Results

Compared to the RF and SVM classifiers, the LASSO classifier had the best capacity for muscle invasive status differentiation in both the training (accuracy: 90.7%, AUC: 0.934) and validation sets (accuracy: 87.5%, AUC: 0.906). Incorporating the radiomics signature and VI-RADS score, the nomogram demonstrated better discrimination and calibration both in the training set (accuracy: 93.0%, AUC: 0.970) and validation set (accuracy: 89.3%, AUC: 0.943). Decision curve analysis showed the clinical usefulness of the nomogram.

Conclusions

The mpMRI radiomics signature may be useful for the preoperative differentiation of muscle-invasive status in BCa. The proposed nomogram integrating the radiomics signature with the VI-RADS score may further increase the differentiation power and improve clinical decision making.

VI-RADS score and tumor contact length in MRI: A potential method for the detection of muscle invasion in bladder cancer

BACKGROUND

Vesical Imaging Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) is a useful tool for evaluating muscle layer invasion of bladder cancer (BCa) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

PURPOSE

To evaluate the diagnostic performance of bladder MRI to detect the muscle layer invasion of BCa using VI-RADS score and quantitative MRI parameters.

METHODS

Preoperative bladder MRI was performed in 73 BCa patients. Two observers independently evaluated the MR blinded to histopathological data and classified the tumors according to VI-RADS criteria. Moreover, the quantitative parameters (maximum tumor diameter; Dmax, tumor contact length; TCL, and tumor apparent diffusion coefficient; ADC values) were independently measured by observers. The diagnostic performance of the VI-RADS score and quantitative values were evaluated by using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Interobserver agreement was evaluated using the weighted-kappa coefficient (κ).

RESULTS

For the VI-RADS score, the AUC (area under the curve) was 0.968 and accuracy was 90.4% for Observer 1, and AUC was 0.953, accuracy was 89% for Observer 2. The AUC of TCL, TCL/DMax, and ADC values was 0.918, 0.675, and 0.832. In patients with a VI-RADS score ≥ 3, when a threshold value of TCL > 19.5 mm is used as complementary to the VI-RADS score, the accuracy of MRI for Observer-1 increases 100% and 97.26% for Observer-2. There was a good-excellent agreement between the observers in assessing the VI-RADS scores and quantitative parameters.

CONCLUSION

Evaluation of bladder MRI using both VI-RADS criteria and TCL is successful and highly reproducible for detecting muscle layer invasion in patients with BCa.

Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging for bladder cancer: a comprehensive systematic review of the Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) performance and potential clinical applications

BACKGROUND

The Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) score is a novel standardized approach to image and report bladder cancer (BC) with multiparametric MRI (mpMRI).

OBJECTIVES

To describe and evaluate the performance of the VI-RADS score using mpMRI and assess its potential clinical applications and limitations.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted using the MEDLINE and EMBASE electronic bibliographic databases between June 2020 and December 2020. All reports deemed relevant to describe the VI-RADS score and assess its performance and applications were retrieved. Results presentation stands as narrative, purely descriptive synthesis based on aggregate studies data.

RESULTS

A total of 20 relevant studies were retrieved: three meta-analyses, five prospective studies, and twelve retrospective studies. The retrospective studies covered 1676 patients, while the prospective studies included a total number of 468 patients. Pooled sensitivity, specificity to differentiate muscle-invasive from non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer, ranged from 74.1% to 97.3%, and 77% to 100%, respectively. The chosen VI-RADS score thresholds for this discrimination varied across studies. The interreader agreement ranged from 0.73 to 0.95. Currently, the potential clinical applications of VI-RADS consist of initial BC risk stratification, assessment of neoadjuvant therapies response, and bladder sparing approaches, although further validation is required.

CONCLUSIONS

The VI-RADS score helps to discriminate muscle invasive from non-muscle invasive BC with good performance and reproducibility. A simple algorithm based on four basic questions may enhance its popularization. Further studies are required to validate the clinical applications.

VI-RADS for Bladder Cancer: Current Applications and Future Developments

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.