Whole-Body MRI Is an Effective Imaging Modality for Hematological Malignancy Treatment Response Assessment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Imaging evaluation of lymphoma in pregnancy with review of clinical assessment and treatment options

Lymphoma-related malignancies can be categorized as Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) based on histologic characteristics. Although quite rare during pregnancy, HL and NHL are the fourth and fifth most common malignancies during the pregnancy period, respectively. Given the rarity of lymphoma among pregnant patients, radiologists are usually unfamiliar with the modifications required for staging and treatment of this population, even those who work at centers with busy obstetrical services. Therefore, this manuscript serves to not only review the abdominopelvic imaging features of lymphoma in pregnancy, but it also discusses topics including birthing parent and fetal lymphoma-related prognosis, both antenatal and postpartum, current concepts in the management of pregnancy-related lymphoma, as well as the current considerations regarding birthing parent onco-fertility.

The Diagnostic Efficiency of Quantitative Diffusion Weighted Imaging in Differentiating Medulloblastoma from Posterior Fossa Tumors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Medulloblastoma (MB) is considered the most common and highly malignant posterior fossa tumor (PFT) in children. The accurate preoperative diagnosis of MB is beneficial in choosing the appropriate surgical methods and treatment strategies. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) has improved the accuracy of differential diagnosis of posterior fossa tumors. Nonetheless, further studies are needed to confirm its value for clinical application. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of DWI in differentiating MB from other PFT. A literature search was conducted using databases PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science for studies reporting the diagnostic performance of DWI for PFT from January 2000 to January 2022. A bivariate random-effects model was employed to evaluate the pooled sensitivities and specificities. A univariable meta-regression analysis was used to assess relevant factors for heterogeneity, and subgroup analyses were performed. A total of 15 studies with 823 patients were eligible for data extraction. Overall pooled sensitivity and specificity of DWI were 0.94 (95% confident interval [CI]: 0.89-0.97) and 0.94 (95% CI: 0.90-0.96) respectively. The area under the curve (AUC) of DWI was 0.98 (95% CI: 0.96-0.99). Heterogeneity was found in the sensitivity (I² = 62.59%) and the specificity (I² = 35.94%). Magnetic field intensity, region of interest definition and DWI diagnostic parameters are the factors that affect the diagnostic performance of DWI. DWI has excellent diagnostic accuracy for differentiating MB from other PFT. Hence, it is necessary to set DWI as a routine examination sequence for posterior fossa tumors.