Magnetic Resonance Imaging after Nasopharyngeal Endoscopic Resection and Skull Base Reconstruction

Background: Postoperative imaging after nasopharyngeal endoscopic resection (NER) and skull base reconstruction is quite challenging due to the complexity of the post-surgical and regional anatomy. Methods: In this retrospective observational study, we included patients treated with NER from 2009 to 2019 and submitted to Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) 6 and 12 months after surgery. A radiologist with 15 years of experience analyzed all MRI scans. Results: A total of 50 patients were considered in this study, 18 of whom were excluded due to imaging unavailability, and 16 of whom were not considered due to major complications and/or persistent disease. Sixteen patients were evaluated to identify the expected findings. Inflammatory changes were observed in 16/64 subsites, and regression of these changes was observed in 8/64 at 1 year. Fibrosis was observed in 5/64 subsites and was unmodified at 1 year. The nasoseptal flap showed homogeneous enhancement at 6 months (100%) and at 1 year. The temporo-parietal fascia flap (TPFF) showed a decrease in the T2- signal intensity of the mucosal layer in 57% of the patients at 1 year and a decrease in enhancement in 43%. Conclusions: Identifying the expected findings after NER and skull base reconstruction has a pivotal role in the identification of complications and recurrence.

The added value of radiomics in determining patient responsiveness to laryngeal preservation strategies

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Laryngeal cancer (LC) is a highly aggressive malignancy of the head and neck and represents about 1-2% of cancer worldwide.Treatment strategies for LC aim both to complete cancer removal and to preserve laryngeal function or maximize larynx retention.Predicting with high precision response to induction chemotherapy (IC) is one of the main fields of research when considering LC, since this could guide treatment strategies in locally advanced LC.

RECENT FINDINGS

Radiomics is a noninvasive method to extract quantitative data from the whole tumor using medical imaging. This signature could represent the underlying tumor heterogeneity and phenotype.During the last five years, some studies have highlighted the potential of radiomics in the pretreatment assessment of LC, in the prediction of response to IC, and in the early assessment of response to radiation therapy. Although these represent promising results, larger multicentric studies are demanded to validate the value of radiomics in this field.

SUMMARY

The role of radiomics in laryngeal preservation strategies is still to be defined. There are some early promising studies, but the lack of validation and larger multicentric studies limit the value of the papers published in the literature and its application in clinical practice.

CT and MR anatomy of the larynx and hypopharynx

Imaging of the larynx and hypopharynx is frequently requested to assess the extent of neoplasms beyond the field of view of endoscopic evaluation. The combination of optical and cross-sectional imaging allows tumors to be classified according to AJCC/UICC guidelines. A thorough understanding of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal anatomy is crucial to guide the radiological eye along the possible pathways of the spread of diseases and to guide differential diagnoses. Computed tomography (CT) has been the first cross-sectional imaging technique used to evaluate the larynx and hypopharynx; its spatial resolution combined with volumetric capability and the use of injectable contrast medium made CT the working horse in the assessment of neoplastic and inflammatory diseases. In the last two decades, magnetic resonance (MR) supported CT in the most challenging cases, when the optimal contrast resolution due to the multisequence portfolio is needed to assess the neoplastic involvement of laryngeal cartilages, paraglottic space(s), and extra laryngeal spread. The aim of this paper is to give a comprehensive radiological overview of larynx and hypopharynx complex anatomy, combining in vivo images, anatomical sections, and images of ex vivo specimens.

Multimodality imaging in cardio-oncology: the added value of CMR and CCTA

During the last 30 years, we have assisted to a great implementation in anticancer treatment with a subsequent increase of cancer survivors and decreased mortality. This has led to an ongoing interest about the possible therapy-related side-effects and their management to better guide patients therapy and surveillance in the chronic and long-term setting. As a consequence cardio-oncology was born, involving several different specialties, among which radiology plays a relevant role. Till the end of August 2022, when European Society of Cardiology (ESC) developed the first guidelines on cardio-oncology, no general indications existed to guide diagnosis and treatment of cancer therapy-related cardiovascular toxicity (CTR-CVT). They defined multimodality imaging role in primary and secondary prevention strategies, cancer treatment surveillance and early CTR-CVT identification and management. Cardiac computed tomography angiography (CCTA) has acquired a central role in coronary assessment, as far as coronary artery disease (CAD) exclusion is concerned; but on the side of this well-known application, it also started to be considered in left ventricular function evaluation, interstitial fibrosis quantification and cardiac perfusion studies. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), instead, has been acknowledged as the gold standard alternative to trans-thoracic echocardiography (TTE) poor acoustic window in quantification of heart function and strain modifications, as well as pre- and post-contrast tissue characterization by means of T1-T2 mapping, early Gadolinium enhancement (EGE), late Gadolinium enhancement (LGE) and extracellular volume (ECV) evaluation. Our review is intended to provide a focus on the actual role of CMR and CCTA in the setting of a better understanding of cardiotoxicity and to draw some possible future directions of cardiac imaging in this field, starting from the recently published ESC guidelines.

Magnetic resonance diagnosis of laryngeal chondritis after transoral laser microsurgery for laryngeal cancer

Objective

Laryngeal chondritis (LC) is a rare complication of carbon dioxide transoral laser microsurgery (CO₂ TOLMS) for laryngeal tumours and can pose a diagnostic challenge. Its magnetic resonance (MR) features have not been previously described. This study aims to characterise a cohort of patients who developed LC after CO₂ TOLMS and describe its clinical and MR findings.

Methods

Clinical records and MR images of all patients presenting with LC after CO₂ TOLMS between 2008 and 2022 were reviewed.

Results

Seven patients were analysed. Timing of LC diagnosis ranged from 1 to 8 months after CO₂ TOLMS. Four patients were symptomatic. Abnormal endoscopic findings included suspected tumour recurrence in 4 patients. MR documented focal or extensive signal changes involving the thyroid lamina and para-laryngeal space with T2 hyperintensity, T1 hypointensity and intense contrast enhancement (n = 7), and minimally reduced mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values (1.0-1.5 x 10^-3 mm²/s) (n = 6). A favourable clinical outcome was achieved in all patients.

Conclusions

LC after CO₂ TOLMS has a distinctive MR pattern. When tumour recurrence cannot be confidently excluded based on imaging, antibiotic therapy, close clinical and radiological follow-up and/or biopsy are recommended.

Adoption of Hybrid MRI-Linac Systems for the Treatment of Brain Tumors: A Systematic Review of the Current Literature Regarding Clinical and Technical Features

BACKGROUND

Possible advantages of magnetic resonance (MR)-guided radiation therapy (MRgRT) for the treatment of brain tumors include improved definition of treatment volumes and organs at risk (OARs) that could allow margin reductions, resulting in limited dose to the OARs and/or dose escalation to target volumes. Recently, hybrid systems integrating a linear accelerator and an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan (MRI-linacs, MRL) have been introduced, that could potentially lead to a fully MRI-based treatment workflow.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review of the published literature regarding the adoption of MRL for the treatment of primary or secondary brain tumors (last update November 3, 2022), retrieving a total of 2487 records; after a selection based on title and abstracts, the full text of 74 articles was analyzed, finally resulting in the 52 papers included in this review.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Several solutions have been implemented to achieve a paradigm shift from CT-based radiotherapy to MRgRT, such as the management of geometric integrity and the definition of synthetic CT models that estimate electron density. Multiple sequences have been optimized to acquire images with adequate quality with on-board MR scanner in limited times. Various sophisticated algorithms have been developed to compensate the impact of magnetic field on dose distribution and calculate daily adaptive plans in a few minutes with satisfactory dosimetric parameters for the treatment of primary brain tumors and cerebral metastases. Dosimetric studies and preliminary clinical experiences demonstrated the feasibility of treating brain lesions with MRL.

CONCLUSIONS

The adoption of an MRI-only workflow is feasible and could offer several advantages for the treatment of brain tumors, including superior image quality for lesions and OARs and the possibility to adapt the treatment plan on the basis of daily MRI. The growing body of clinical data will clarify the potential benefit in terms of toxicity and response to treatment.

247 HEPATIC T1-TIME, CARDIAC STRUCTURE, FUNCTION AND CARDIOVASCULAR OTUCOMES IN PATIENTS WITH HEART FAILURE WITH REDUCED EJECTION FRACTION UNDERGOING CARDIAC MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING

Aim

Liver damage is frequently encountered in patients with cardiovascular (CV) disease, due to congestion or metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). It has been shown that liver disease is associated with worse outcomes in patients with CV disease. Nevertheless, the association of liver disease with cardiac structure and function and CV events in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is poorly known.

Methods

We retrospectively enrolled consecutive patients with HFrEF undergoing Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (CMR) Imaging. In addition to standard cardiac T1-mapping, 3 regions of interest were also defined at the liver parenchyma. Patients were stratified according to hepatic T1 mapping. Linear regression analysis adjusted for demographics and clinical characteristics was performed to cross-sectionally examine the association between hepatic T1-time on CMR and measures of cardiac structure and function. The Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox regression analyses were performed to prospectively investigate the association between hepatic T1-time and the composite adverse outcome of hospitalization for HF or all-cause death.

Results

Overall, 106 HFrEF patients were included in the study (mean age 56 ± 14 years, 75% male). Mean hepatic T1-time was 558 ± 70 ms. In logistic regression analysis, left-ventricle (LV) end-diastolic volume (EDV) (p = 0.027), left atrial volume (LAV) (p = 0.015), right-ventricle (RV) EDV (p < 0.001) and RVEF (p = 0.035) were positively associated with hepatic T1-time. Over a mean follow-up of 5 ± 2 years, 32 patients (30%) experienced the composite outcome at a rate of 6.7 per 100 person-year. In Cox regression analysis, higher hepatic T1-time was independently associated with an increased risk of developing the composite outcome (adjusted-hazard ratio 1.07, 95% confidence interval: 1.01–1.12, p = 0.011). In particular, patients with a hepatic T1-time ≥558 ms had a higher risk of adverse outcomes compared to those with a hepatic T1-time <558 ms (log-rank p = 0.02).

Conclusion

Among HFrEF patients undergoing CMR, higher hepatic T1-time was significantly associated with poorer measures of cardiac size and function. Hepatic T1-time was also significantly associated with higher rates of hospitalization for HF or all-cause-mortality. This parameter may be useful to stratify HFrEF patients at risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes.

Magnetic resonance imaging to assess cartilage invasion in recurrent laryngeal carcinoma after transoral laser microsurgery

Objective

To evaluate the diagnostic performance of magnetic resonance (MR) with surface coils in assessing cartilage invasion in recurrent laryngeal carcinoma after carbon dioxide transoral laser microsurgery (CO₂ TOLMS).

Methods

Two expert head and neck radiologists assessed cartilage invasion (infiltrated or non-infiltrated) in submucosal recurrences of laryngeal carcinoma after CO₂ TOLMS: results were compared with histopathological report after salvage laryngectomy.

Results

Thirty patients met the inclusion criteria and 90 cartilages were assessed. Overall sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for cartilage infiltration were 76, 93, 72 and 94%, respectively; for thyroid cartilage, the values were 82, 79, 69 and 88% respectively; for cricoid cartilage, all values were 100%; and for arytenoids, the values were 33, 96, 56 and 93% respectively.

Conclusions

MR with surface coils was able to detect most thyroid and cricoid infiltration in the complex setting of post-CO₂ TOLMS laryngeal carcinoma recurrence. In particular, the optimal performance in assessing cricoid invasion can be valuable in choosing the most appropriate treatment among total laryngectomy, open partial horizontal laryngectomies and non-surgical strategies.

New Challenges in Evaluating Outcomes after Immunotherapy in Recurrent and/or Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

In many recurrent and/or metastatic cancers, the advent of immunotherapy opens up new scenarios of treatment response, with new phenomena, such as pseudoprogression and hyperprogression. Because of this, different immune-related response criteria have been developed, and new therapeutic strategies adopted, such as treatment beyond progression. Moreover, the role of progression-free survival as a surrogate has been questioned, and new surrogate endpoint hypotheses have arisen. A proper understanding of radiological imaging, an assessment of the biological events triggered by therapy, and the clinical evolution of the lesions and of the patient performance status are all factors that should be considered to guide the oncologist’s treatment choice. The primary aim of this article is to discuss how all these concepts apply to recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients when treated with immunotherapy.

Which role for chest x-ray score in predicting the outcome in COVID-19 pneumonia?

Objective

We aim to demonstrate that a chest X-ray (CXR) scoring system for COVID-19 patients correlates with patient outcome and has a prognostic value.

Methods

This retrospective study included CXRs of COVID-19 patients that reported the Brixia score, a semi-quantitative scoring system rating lung involvement from 0 to 18. The highest (H) and lowest (L) values were registered along with scores on admission (A) and end of hospitalization (E). The Brixia score was correlated with the outcome (death or discharge).

Results

A total of 953 patients met inclusion criteria. In total, 677/953 were discharged and 276/953 died during hospitalization. A total of 524/953 had one CXR and 429/953 had more than one CXR. H-score was significantly higher in deceased (median, 12; IQR 9–14) compared to that in discharged patients (median, 8; IQR 5–11) (p < 0.0001). In 429/953 patients with multiple CXR, A-score, L-score, and E-score were higher in deceased than in discharged patients (A-score 9 vs 8; p = 0.039; L-score 7 vs 5; p < 0.0003; E-score 12 vs 7; p < 0.0001). In the entire cohort, logistic regression showed a significant predictive value for age (p < 0.0001, OR 1.13), H-score (p < 0.0001, OR 1.25), and gender (p = 0.01, male OR 1.67). AUC was 0.863. In patients with ≥ 2 CXR, A-, L-, and E-scores correlated significantly with the outcome. Cox proportional hazards regression indicated age (p < 0.0001, HR 4.17), H-score (< 9, HR 0.36, p = 0.0012), and worsening of H-score vs A score > 3 (HR 1.57, p = 0.0227) as associated with worse outcome.

Conclusions

The Brixia score correlates strongly with disease severity and outcome; it may support the clinical decision-making, particularly in patients with moderate-to-severe signs and symptoms. The Brixia score should be incorporated in a prognostic model, which would be desirable, particularly in resource-constraint scenarios.

Key Points

• To demonstrate the importance of the Brixia score in assessing and monitoring COVID-19 lung involvement.

• The Brixia score strongly correlates with patient outcome and can be easily implemented in the routine reporting of CXR.

Hepatitis B virus antibody prevalence in anaesthetists

The prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis B virus (anti HBs or anti HBc) was 16.9 per cent in a group of anaesthetists, compared to 3.7 per cent in volunteer blood donors and 5.6 per cent of patients without hepatic infections. Professional risk factors such as treating a hepatitis B patient or working in a hospital laboratory, haemodialysis, an intensive care unit, or in oncology, did not correlate with antibody prevalence. Personal risk factors such as a history of a family member with hepatitis, or of receiving blood transfusion in the past were also not associated. A greater number of anaesthetists with a history of hepatitis in the past had antibodies, than those with no history (p less than 0.05). The country of origin may have been a contributing factor to antibody prevalence as highest positivity rates were found in subjects from Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe. One of 31 (3.2 per cent) seronegative subjects seroconverted over a four-year period. Results of testing in 1978 and 1982 revealed that 37 per cent of immune subjects possessed only anti HBc and at least one person positive for both markers on the first occasion was only anti HBc positive later. Laboratory testing, risk factors, and immunization for HBV should be examined in greater detail in larger populations of health care workers.