MR-guided focused ultrasound therapy of extra-abdominal desmoid tumors: a multicenter retrospective study of 105 patients

OBJECTIVE

To assess the safety and efficacy of magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) for the treatment extra-abdominal desmoids.

METHODS

A total of 105 patients with desmoid fibromatosis (79 females, 26 males; 35 ± 14 years) were treated with MRgFUS between 2011 and 2021 in three centers. Total and viable tumors were evaluated per patient at last follow-up after treatment. Response and progression-free survival (PFS) were assessed with (modified) response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST v.1.1 and mRECIST). Change in Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) pain and 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) scores were compared. Treatment-related adverse events were recorded.

RESULTS

The median initial tumor volume was 114 mL (IQR 314 mL). After MRgFUS, median total and viable tumor volume decreased to 51 mL (95% CI: 30-71 mL, n = 101, p < 0.0001) and 29 mL (95% CI: 17-57 mL, n = 88, p < 0.0001), respectively, at last follow-up (median: 15 months, 95% CI: 11-20 months). Based on total tumor measurements (RECIST), 86% (95% CI: 75-93%) had at least stable disease or better at last follow-up, but 50% (95% CI: 38-62%) of remaining viable nodules (mRECIST) progressed within the tumor. Median PFS was reached at 17 and 13 months for total and viable tumors, respectively. NRS decreased from 6 (IQR 3) to 3 (IQR 4) (p < 0.001). SF-36 scores improved (physical health (41 (IQR 15) to 46 (IQR 12); p = 0.05, and mental health (49 (IQR 17) to 53 (IQR 9); p = 0.02)). Complications occurred in 36%, most commonly 1st/2nd degree skin burns.

CONCLUSION

MRgFUS reduced tumor volume, reduced pain, and improved quality of life in this series of 105 patients with extra-abdominal desmoid fibromatosis.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT

Imaging-guided ablation is being increasingly used as an alternative to surgery, radiation, and medical therapy for the treatment of desmoid fibromatosis. MR-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound is an incisionless ablation technique that can be used to reduce tumor burden effectively and safely.

KEY POINTS

• Desmoid fibromatosis was treated with MR-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound in 105 patients. • MR-guided focused ultrasound ablation reduced tumor volume and pain and improved quality of life. • MR-guided focused ultrasound is a treatment option for patients with extra-abdominal desmoid tumors.

The Fetus with Ganglionic Eminence Abnormality: Head Size and Extracranial Sonographic Findings Predict Genetic Diagnoses and Postnatal Outcomes

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Ganglionic eminence abnormalities on fetal MR imaging are associated with cerebral malformations. Their presumed genetic basis and associated postnatal outcomes remain largely unknown. We aimed to elucidate these through a multicenter study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between January 2010 and June 2020, seven hospitals in 2 countries performing fetal MR imaging examinations identified fetal MR imaging studies demonstrating ganglionic eminence enlargement, cavitation, or both. Cases with no genetic diagnosis, no whole exome sequencing, or no outcome of a liveborn child were excluded. Head size was classified as large (fronto-occipital diameter > 95th centile), small (fronto-occipital diameter <5th centile), or normal.

RESULTS

Twenty-two fetuses with ganglionic eminence abnormalities were identified. Of 8 with large heads, 2 were diagnosed with MTOR mutations; 1 with PIK3CA mutation-producing megalencephaly, polymicrogyria, polydactyly, hydrocephalus (MPPH) syndrome; 3 with TSC mutations; 1 with megalencephaly capillary malformation syndrome; and 1 with hemimegalencephaly. Cardiac rhabdomyoma was present prenatally in all cases of TSC; mutation postaxial polydactyly accompanied megalencephaly capillary malformation and MPPH. Of 12 fetuses with small heads, 7 had TUBA1A mutations, 1 had a TUBB3 mutation, 2 had cobblestone lissencephaly postnatally with no genetic diagnosis, 1 had a PDHA1 mutation, and 1 had a fetal akinesia dyskinesia sequence with no pathogenic mutation on trio whole exome sequencing. One of the fetuses with a normal head size had an OPHN1 mutation with postnatal febrile seizures, and the other had peri-Sylvian polymicrogyria, seizures, and severe developmental delay but no explanatory mutation on whole exome sequencing.

CONCLUSIONS

Fetal head size and extracranial prenatal sonographic findings can refine the phenotype and facilitate genetic diagnosis when ganglionic eminence abnormality is diagnosed with MR imaging.

Multiparametric MR evaluation of uterine leiomyosarcoma and STUMP versus leiomyoma in symptomatic women planned for high frequency focussed ultrasound: accuracy of imaging parameters and interobserver agreement for identification of malignancy

OBJECTIVE

To assess accuracy of and interobserver agreement on multiparametric MR findings to distinguish uterine leiomyoma (LM) from uterine leiomyosarcoma (LMS) and soft tissue tumour of unknown malignant potential.

METHODS

Inclusion criteria: All females over 18 years with least one uterine mass measuring 5 cm or more in at least one of the three standard orthogonal dimensions on MR with histopathological confirmation of LM, LMS, or soft tissue tumour of unknown malignant potential (STUMP) in the 3 months following MR. Patients with LMS were drawn from a larger cohort being assessed for MR-guided focussed ultrasound (MRgFUS) suitability. Image evaluation: Assessed variables were: lesion margin, margin definition, T2 signal homogeneity, >50% of lesion with T2 signal brighter than myometrium, haemorrhage, restricted diffusion, contrast enhancement (CE), CE pattern, local lymphadenopathy and ascites.

RESULTS

32 LM, 10 LMS and 1 STUMP were evaluated. Ill-defined (p-value = 0.0003-0.0004) or irregular (p = 0.003-0.004) lesion margin, T2 hyperintensity >50% (p = 0.001-0.004), and peripheral CE (p = 0.02-0.05) were significantly more common in LMS/STUMP than LM for both radiologists. 10/11 (Reader 2) and 11/11 (Reader 1) LMS/STUMP displayed restricted diffusion but so did 63-80% of LM. Agreement was greatest for margin characteristics (κ = 0.73-0.81).

CONCLUSION

Irregular/ill-defined lesion margin best distinguished LMS/STUMP from LM with good interrater reliability.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

Assessment of agreement regarding MR parameters distinguishing LM from LMS and STUMP has not previously been undertaken in a cohort including a large number of patients with LMS. This will help inform evaluation of females considering minimally invasive LM treatment.

Clinical summary guide: reproduction in women with previous abdominopelvic radiotherapy or total body irradiation

STUDY QUESTION

What is the evidence to guide the management of women who wish to conceive following abdominopelvic radiotherapy (AP RT) or total body irradiation (TBI)?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Pregnancy is possible, even following higher doses of post-pubertal uterine radiation exposure; however, it is associated with adverse reproductive sequelae and pregnancies must be managed in a high-risk obstetric unit.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

In addition to primary ovarian insufficiency, female survivors who are treated with AP RT and TBI are at risk of damage to the uterus. This may impact on its function and manifest as adverse reproductive sequelae.

STUDY DESIGN SIZE DURATION

A review of the literature was carried out and a multidisciplinary working group provided expert opinion regarding assessment of the uterus and obstetric management.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS SETTING METHODS

Reproductive outcomes for postpubertal women with uterine radiation exposure in the form of AP RT or TBI were reviewed. This included Pubmed listed peer-reviewed publications from 1990 to 2019, and limited to English language..

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

The prepubertal uterus is much more vulnerable to the effects of radiation than after puberty. Almost all available information about the impact of radiation on the uterus comes from studies of radiation exposure during childhood or adolescence.An uncomplicated pregnancy is possible, even with doses as high as 54 Gy. Therefore, tumour treatment doses alone cannot at present be used to accurately predict uterine damage.

LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION

Much of the data cannot be readily extrapolated to adult women who have had uterine radiation and the publications concerning adult women treated with AP RT are largely limited to case reports.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

This analysis offers clinical guidance and assists with patient counselling. It is important to include patients who have undergone AP RT or TBI in prospective studies to provide further evidence regarding uterine function, pregnancy outcomes and correlation of imaging with clinical outcomes.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS

This study received no funding and there are no conflicts of interest.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

N/A.

Isolated uterine metastasis from a lung adenocarcinoma

A 65-year-old woman was referred with an incidental finding of a flurodeoxyglucose-avid uterine lesion, following excision of a local lung adenocarcinoma. MRI had features concerning for an atypical fibroid or smooth muscle tumour of uncertain malignant potential. She underwent a total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Histopathology demonstrated a leiomyoma infiltrated with adenocarcinoma consistent with a secondary lesion from the lung cancer. Among the small number of cases of uterine metastases of extra-pelvic primary cancers reported in the literature, those from lung cancers are very rare. Concerning features for an atypical fibroid included the patient's age and postmenopausal status, as well as positron emission tomography and MRI findings. A metastatic secondary cancer was not suspected. Diagnosis was only made after histopathological examination. This case represents a very unusual cause of a uterine mass. It demonstrates the importance of thorough preoperative work-up and accurate histopathological assessment.

Role of imaging in the routine management of endometrial cancer

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer in women today. It is surgically staged, and while surgery is the primary treatment modality, the identification of disease extent-in particular extrauterine spread-prior to surgery is important to optimize treatment decision making. Ultrasound and MRI are useful for evaluating the extent of local disease, while CT and PET are used for detecting lymph node or distant metastases. Diffusion-weighted MRI has also been used for detecting small metastatic deposits in lymph nodes and omentum. Extrauterine soft tissue involvement can be detected by ultrasound, CT, MRI, and PET. Recently, intraoperative visualization techniques, such as sentinel lymph node mapping, are increasingly used to avoid extensive surgical staging without compromising treatment. Imaging is also used for planning adjuvant treatment and detection of postoperative residual disease in high-risk patients, monitoring and detecting recurrent disease, and in post-treatment surveillance of asymptomatic patients with high risk of relapse.

Interobserver agreement and diagnostic performance of individual MRI criteria for diagnosis of placental adhesion disorders

AIM

To assess the diagnostic accuracy of several criteria for the diagnosis of placental adhesion disorder (PAD) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to assess interobserver agreement and reader accuracy based on years of interpretive experience.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Blinded evaluation of the placental MRI studies of 28 randomly selected women, 18 with PADs and 10 without PADs, was undertaken by three radiologists with 10, 5, and 2 years' experience in placental MRI interpretation. The presence of placenta praevia, dark intraplacental bands, heterogeneity, uterine bulging, "shaggy dog" appearance of the uterine serosa, subjective impression of extraplacental invasion, and dark intraplacental bands on diffusion-weighted imaging were assessed. Placental histology was reviewed blinded to the original reports and to MRI interpretation and this, along with clinical information at the time of delivery, formed the reference standard.

RESULTS

Dark intraplacental bands on T2-weighted imaging were the most sensitive and specific as well as the most agreed upon (kappa=0.7) criterion for PAD for the three readers. Assessment of uterine bulging (kappa=0.42) and placental heterogeneity (kappa=0.48) did not improve diagnostic accuracy. DWI improved sensitivity but decreased specificity for the least experienced reader and did not change sensitivity or specificity for the more experienced readers.

CONCLUSION

Assessment of the placenta for dark bands is the most sensitive, specific, and reproducible criterion for diagnosis of PADs using MRI.

Clinical 24 month experience of the first MRgFUS unit for treatment of uterine fibroids in Australia

AIM

To describe and evaluate treatment of uterine fibroids using Magnetic Resonance Guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS) during its first 24 months of use at The Royal Women's Hospital Melbourne.

METHODS

One hundred Victorian women were treated with MRgFUS using the ExAblate 2000 system. Treatment outcomes based on fibroid volume shrinkage measured at 4 and 12 months post-treatment and symptom severity score assessment (Symptom Severity Score Quality of Life - SSS-QOL) pre- and post- (4-6 weeks, 4, 6 and 12 months) treatment.

RESULTS

Mean non-perfused volume of the treated fibroids were 67% ± 25% (n = 100) immediately post-treatment. At 4 months post-treatment, the treated fibroids demonstrated an average volume reduction of 29% ± 32% (n = 74) and at 12 months 38% ± 45% (n = 32). Mean symptom severity scores (SSS-QOL) improved by 51% from 59 ± 21 (n = 97) at baseline to 29 ± 17 (n = 36) by 12 months.

CONCLUSION

From our experience, we believe there is a role for MRgFUS in the treatment of uterine fibroids in selected women.