Patient satisfaction with ultrasound, whole-body CT and whole-body diffusion-weighted MRI for pre-operative ovarian cancer staging: a multicenter prospective cross-sectional survey

BACKGROUND

In addition to the diagnostic accuracy of imaging methods, patient-reported satisfaction with imaging methods is important.

OBJECTIVE

To report a secondary outcome of the prospective international multicenter Imaging Study in Advanced ovArian Cancer (ISAAC Study), detailing patients' experience with abdomino-pelvic ultrasound, whole-body contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT), and whole-body diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (WB-DWI/MRI) for pre-operative ovarian cancer work-up.

METHODS

In total, 144 patients with suspected ovarian cancer at four institutions in two countries (Italy, Czech Republic) underwent ultrasound, CT, and WB-DWI/MRI for pre-operative work-up between January 2020 and November 2022. After having undergone all three examinations, the patients filled in a questionnaire evaluating their overall experience and experience in five domains: preparation before the examination, duration of examination, noise during the procedure, radiation load of CT, and surrounding space. Pain perception, examination-related patient-perceived unexpected, unpleasant, or dangerous events ('adverse events'), and preferred method were also noted.

RESULTS

Ultrasound was the preferred method by 49% (70/144) of responders, followed by CT (38%, 55/144), and WB-DWI/MRI (13%, 19/144) (p<0.001). The poorest experience in all domains was reported for WB-DWI/MRI, which was also associated with the largest number of patients who reported adverse events (eg, dyspnea). Patients reported higher levels of pain during the ultrasound examination than during CT and WB-DWI/MRI (p<0.001): 78% (112/144) reported no pain or mild pain, 19% (27/144) moderate pain, and 3% (5/144) reported severe pain (pain score >7 of 10) during the ultrasound examination. We did not identify any factors related to patients' preferred method.

CONCLUSION

Ultrasound was the imaging method preferred by most patients despite being associated with more pain during the examination in comparison with CT and WB-DWI/MRI.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT03808792.

APOLLO 11 Project, Consortium in Advanced Lung Cancer Patients Treated With Innovative Therapies: Integration of Real-World Data and Translational Research

INTRODUCTION

Despite several therapeutic efforts, lung cancer remains a highly lethal disease. Novel therapeutic approaches encompass immune-checkpoint inhibitors, targeted therapeutics and antibody-drug conjugates, with different results. Several studies have been aimed at identifying biomarkers able to predict benefit from these therapies and create a prediction model of response, despite this there is a lack of information to help clinicians in the choice of therapy for lung cancer patients with advanced disease. This is primarily due to the complexity of lung cancer biology, where a single or few biomarkers are not sufficient to provide enough predictive capability to explain biologic differences; other reasons include the paucity of data collected by single studies performed in heterogeneous unmatched cohorts and the methodology of analysis. In fact, classical statistical methods are unable to analyze and integrate the magnitude of information from multiple biological and clinical sources (eg, genomics, transcriptomics, and radiomics).

METHODS AND OBJECTIVES

APOLLO11 is an Italian multicentre, observational study involving patients with a diagnosis of advanced lung cancer (NSCLC and SCLC) treated with innovative therapies. Retrospective and prospective collection of multiomic data, such as tissue- (eg, for genomic, transcriptomic analysis) and blood-based biologic material (eg, ctDNA, PBMC), in addition to clinical and radiological data (eg, for radiomic analysis) will be collected. The overall aim of the project is to build a consortium integrating different datasets and a virtual biobank from participating Italian lung cancer centers. To face with the large amount of data provided, AI and ML techniques will be applied will be applied to manage this large dataset in an effort to build an R-Model, integrating retrospective and prospective population-based data. The ultimate goal is to create a tool able to help physicians and patients to make treatment decisions.

CONCLUSION

APOLLO11 aims to propose a breakthrough approach in lung cancer research, replacing the old, monocentric viewpoint towards a multicomprehensive, multiomic, multicenter model. Multicenter cancer datasets incorporating common virtual biobank and new methodologic approaches including artificial intelligence, machine learning up to deep learning is the road to the future in oncology launched by this project.

Long-term disease stability with bicalutamide in a man with aggressive angiomyxoma: case report and state of art

Aggressive angiomyxoma (AA) is a rare mesenchymal neoplasm, which is commonly diagnosed in females and located in the perineal and pelvic region. Tissue specimens of AA patients often show positivity for estrogen (ER) and progesterone receptors (PgR), while some cases of androgen receptor (AR) positivity have been reported in males. When feasible, surgical excision represent the most effective treatment of AA; however, when experiencing advanced or recurrent disease, local disease control could be achieved with systemic hormonal treatment. To date, evidence regarding AA management in male patients is scarce, and only a few cases have been reported in literature. Hereby, we describe the case of a 59-year-old-man suffering from perineal AA with positivity for androgen receptors (AR) showing a long-lasting disease stability during the treatment with an AR-blocking drug (bicalutamide). A literature review regarding the state of art of AA management with a particular look to male patients is also provided.

Long-term outcomes of lung cancer screening in males and females

BACKGROUND

This study explored female and male overall mortality and lung cancer (LC) survival in two LC screening (LCS) populations, focusing on the predictive value of coronary artery calcification (CAC) at baseline low-dose computed tomography (LDCT).

METHODS

This retrospective study analysed data of 6495 heavy smokers enrolled in the MILD and BioMILD LCS trials between 2005 and 2016. The primary objective of the study was to assess sex differences in all-cause mortality and LC survival. CAC scores were automatically calculated on LDCT images by a validated artificial intelligence (AI) software. Sex differences in 12-year cause-specific mortality rates were stratified by age, pack-years and CAC score.

RESULTS

The study included 2368 females and 4127 males. The 12-year all-cause mortality rates were 4.1 % in females and 7.7 % in males (p < 0.0001), and median CAC score was 8.7 vs. 41 respectively (p < 0.0001). All-cause mortality increased with rising CAC scores (log-rank test, p < 0.0001) for both sexes. Although LC incidence was not different between the two sexes, females had lower rates of 12-year LC mortality (1.0 % vs. 1.9 %, p = 0.0052), and better LC survival from diagnosis (72.3 % vs. 51.7 %; p = 0.0005), with a similar proportion of stage I (58.1 % vs. 51.2 %, p = 0.2782).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings demonstrate that female LCS participants had lower rates of all-cause mortality at 12 years and better LC survival than their male counterparts, with similar LC incidence rates and stage at diagnosis. The lower CAC burden observed in women at all ages might contribute to explain their lower rates of all-cause mortality and better LC survival.

Delayed Gastric Emptying After Multivisceral Resection for Retroperitoneal Sarcoma

INTRODUCTION

Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) is a common complication in surgery, but incidence and relevance following multivisceral resection are unknown.

METHODS

Data from 100 consecutive patients treated for primary retroperitoneal sarcoma (RPS) were analyzed from our institutional prospectively maintained database from January 2019 to April 2020. DGE severity was graded according to the International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery and classified as primary or secondary to other complications. The primary outcome was incidence and grade of clinically relevant DGE (grades B-C). Secondary outcomes were correlation with patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics, and non-DGE morbidity [Clavien-Dindo (CD) grade ≥ 3].

RESULTS

Forty-two patients developed DGE and 28 had clinically relevant DGE. DGE was primary in 10 patients and secondary in 18 patients; the most common associated complications were: infections (11/18, 61.1%), pancreatic leak (7/18, 38.9%), bleeding (6/18, 33.3%), and bowel leak (6/18, 33.3%). DGE was related to longer length of hospital stay (P < 0.001), ICU admission (P = 0.004), ICU length of stay (P = 0.001), postoperative complications (CD [Formula: see text] 3 in 14/28 in DGE patients vs 11/72 in no-DGE; P = 0.04), and re-operation (P = 0.03). With multivariate analysis, the independent risk factors for DGE were patient comorbidities (OR 1.05; 95% CI 1.01-1.1; P = 0.04) and tumor size (OR 1.05; 95% CI 1.0-1.1; P = 0.02).

DISCUSSION

Following multivisceral resection, DGE is a clinically relevant event that can be caused by an underlying complication. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of both DGE and any underlying complications led to full recovery in all cases.

Radiomic features for patients with primary soft tissue sarcomas: A prognostic study

e23532

Background: Prognosis of extremity soft tissue sarcomas (ESTS) and retroperitoneal sarcomas (RPS) is currently estimated on clinical-pathological features, as those incorporated in the Sarculator nomogram. This study investigated the added value of end-point specific radiomic signatures (RS) in patients with primary ESTS and RPS. Methods: We retrospectively analysed data from patients with a ESTS (N = 100) or a RPS (N = 116) who underwent surgery (Jan2011-Dec2015) at one sarcoma reference institute and had magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scan, respectively. Radiomic features were extracted from DICOM files of MRI and CT scan for ESTS and RPS, respectively. The study end-points were incidence of distant metastases (DM) and overall survival (OS) for ESTS and disease-free survival (DFS) and OS for RPS. A RS was established for each end-point. Models discriminative ability was measured using the Harrell c-index (C). Results: ESTS histology was undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, myxofibrosarcoma, myxoid liposarcoma, dedifferentiated/pleomorphic liposarcoma, and others in 28, 21, 18, 9, and 24 patients, respectively. At a median follow-up of 61 months, the 5-yr DM-free rate and OS were 73.6% (95%CI 64.2-82.2%) and 73.4% (95%CI 64.5-83.6), respectively. A prognostic model based on the Sarculator and a DM-RS achieved higher C (0.86, 95%CI 0.77-0.93) than the Sarculator alone (0.83, 95%CI 0.71-0.94). For OS, the RS was not able to increase the Sarculator discriminative ability (Sarculator and OS-RS: C = 0.73, 95%CI 0.62-0.82; Sarculator alone: C = 0.72, 95%CI 0.62-0.81). RPS histology was well differentiated liposarcoma, dedifferentiated liposarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, and other in 22 (19%), 60 (52%), 22 (19%), and 12 (10%) patients, respectively. At a median follow-up of 58 months, 5-yr DFS and OS were 46.7% (95%CI, 37.8-57.6%) and 68% (95% CI 59.9-79.0%), respectively. RS extracted from CT scan without contrast enhancement slightly improve the discriminative ability of the Sarculator for DFS (Sarculator and DFS-RS: C = 0.65, 95%CI 0.57-0-72; Sarculator alone: C = 0.63, 95%CI 0.55-0.70) but not for OS (0.70, 95%CI 0.60-0.80 and 0.69, 95%CI 0.59-0.79, respectively). Conclusions: RS did not improve the discriminative ability of the Sarculator for OS. The added value for RS in relapse prediction (DM incidence for ESTS and DFS for RPS) deserves further investigations.

Sclerosing angiomatoid nodular transformation (SANT) of the spleen: A case report on CT and MRI

Solid tumors of the spleen are rare, with an incidence of 0.007% in all operating and autopsy specimens. In terms of microscopic structure and function, the spleen consists of two parts: the white pulp, which plays an important role in the immune system and the red pulp, which filters the blood.Primary splenic neoplasms can be classified into lymphoid neoplasms arising from the white pulp, and vascular neoplasms which arise from the red pulp.Primary tumors arising from vascular elements include benign lesions such as hemangioma, lymphangioma and hamartoma, intermediate lesions such as hemangioendothelioma, hemangiopericytoma and littoral cell angioma as well as the frankly malignant hemangiosarcoma.It is usually difficult to distinguish a benign from a malignant lesion with preoperative imaging studies and cytological exam by fine-needle aspiration (FNA), that is not easily obtained because of the risk of bleeding.Therefore a splenectomy should be necessary for a definitive diagnosis of splenic tumors.Martel and all for the first time described the sclerosing angiomatoid nodular transformation (SANT), like a vascular lesion of the spleen, with benign clinical course consisting by altered red pulp tissue that has been entrapped by a non-neoplastic stromal proliferative process.We describe a rare case of benign splenic mass documented with FDG/PET-CT (referred as equivocal), CT and MRI.

Metastatic and non-metastatic lymph nodes: quantification and different distribution of iodine uptake assessed by dual-energy CT

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate quantification of iodine uptake in metastatic and non-metastatic lymph nodes (LNs) by dual-energy CT (DECT) and to assess if the distribution of iodine within LNs at DECT correlates with the pathological structure.

METHODS

Ninety LNs from 37 patients (23 with lung and 14 with gynaecological malignancies) were retrospectively selected. Information of LNs sent for statistical analysis included Hounsfield units (HU) at different energy levels; decomposition material densities fat-iodine, iodine-fat, iodine-water, water-iodine. Statistical analysis included evaluation of interobserver variability, material decomposition densities and spatial HU distribution within LNs.

RESULTS

Interobserver agreement was excellent. There was a significant difference in iodine-fat and iodine-water decompositions comparing metastatic and non-metastatic LNs (p < 0.001); fat-iodine and water-iodine did not show significant differences. HU distribution showed a significant gradient from centre to periphery within non-metastatic LNs that was significant up to 20-30% from the centre, whereas metastatic LNs showed a more homogeneous distribution of HU, with no significant gradient.

CONCLUSIONS

DECT demonstrated a lower iodine uptake in metastatic compared to non-metastatic LNs. Moreover, the internal iodine distribution showed an evident gradient of iodine distribution from centre to periphery in non-metastatic LNs, and a more homogeneous distribution within metastatic LNs, which corresponded to the pathological structure.

KEY POINTS

• This study demonstrated a lower iodine uptake in metastatic than non-metastatic LNs. • Internal distribution of HU was different between metastatic and non-metastatic lymph nodes. • The intranodal iodine distribution disclosed a remarkable correlation with the histological LN structure.

Successful use of rFVIIa for major breast surgery prophylaxis in congenital factor VII deficiency: a case report

INTRODUCTION

Factor VII deficiency is a rare cause of haemorrhagic syndrome. The Authors describe a case of a 46 years old patient with congenital factor VII deficiency that successfully underwent breast surgery after treatment with Novoseven® before the procedure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The AA used the schedule reported below to value the levels of PT and aPTT in the patient. Blood Collection: Venous blood from patient and control was collected in glass tubes for routine serum preparation and into plastic tubes (0.129 M sodium citrate, Becton-Dickinson Vacutainer Systems) in a ratio of blood to anticoagulant of 9:1. Platelet Poor Plasma (PPP) was obtained by centrifugation at 4.000 x g for 15 minutes at room temperature. The plasma was recentrifuged for another 10 min at 12000 g to fully eliminate platelet concentration. A normal control plasma pool was prepared by mixing equal volumes of platelet-free plasma obtained from at least 50 normal volunteers. Prothrombin time (PT) was measured with Recombiplastin (IL, Milano Italy). Activated partial thromboplastin times (APTT) was measured with APTT-SP (IL, Milano Italy). They were performed on the coagulation analyzer ACL 1000 (IL, Milano Italy).

RESULTS

The results were interpreted from the ratio of the patient times to the normal control times (Table I).

CONCLUSION

The infusion of Novoseven solved the clotting problems enabling the surgical procedure, without risks for the patient.

Successful use of rFVIIa for major breast surgery prophylaxis in congenital factor VII deficiency

INTRODUCTION

Factor VII deficiency is a rare cause of haemorrhagic syndrome. The Authors describe a case of a 46 years old patient with congenital factor VII deficiency that successfully underwent breast surgery after treatment with Novoseven® before the procedure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The AA used the schedule reported below to value the levels of PT and aPTT in the patient. Blood Collection: Venous blood from patient and control was collected in glass tubes for routine serum preparation and into plastic tubes (0.129 M sodium citrate, Becton-Dickinson Vacutainer Systems) in a ratio of blood to anticoagulant of 9:1. Platelet Poor Plasma (PPP) was obtained by centrifugation at 4.000 x g for 15 minutes at room temperature. The plasma was recentrifuged for another 10 min at 12000 g to fully eliminate platelet concentration. A normal control plasma pool was prepared by mixing equal volumes of platelet-free plasma obtained from at least 50 normal volunteers. Prothrombin time (PT) was measured with Recombiplastin (IL, Milano Italy). Activated partial thromboplastin times (APTT) was measured with APTT-SP (IL, Milano Italy). They were performed on the coagulation analyzer ACL 1000 (IL, Milano Italy).

RESULTS

The results were interpreted from the ratio of the patient times to the normal control times (Table I).

CONCLUSION

The infusion of Novoseven solved the clotting problems enabling the surgical procedure, without risks for the patient.

KEY WORDS

Breast cancer, Factor VII deficiency, Major surgery, Recombinant fVIIa.

Affinity purification and partial characterization of the zonulin/zonula occludens toxin (Zot) receptor from human brain

The intercellular tight junctions (TJs) of endothelial cells represent the limiting structure for the permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Although the BBB has been recognized as being the interface between the bloodstream and the brain, little is known about its regulation. Zonulin and its prokaryotic analogue, zonula occludens toxin (Zot) elaborated by Vibrio cholerae, both modulate intercellular TJs by binding to a specific surface receptor with subsequent activation of an intracellular signaling pathway involving phospholipase C and protein kinase C activation and actin polymerization. Affinity column purification revealed that human brain plasma membrane preparations contain two Zot binding proteins of approximately 55 and approximately 45 kDa. Structural and kinetic studies, including saturation and competitive assays, identified the 55-kDa protein as tubulin, whereas the 45-kDa protein represents the zonulin/Zot receptor. Biochemical characterization provided evidence that this receptor is a glycoprotein containing multiple sialic acid residues. Comparison of the N-terminal sequence of the zonulin/Zot receptor with other protein sequences by BLAST analysis revealed a striking similarity with MRP-8, a 14-kDa member of the S-100 family of calcium binding proteins. The discovery and characterization of this receptor from human brain may significantly contribute to our knowledge on the pathophysiological regulation of the BBB.

[Leiomyosarcoma of the mesenteric root. A case report]

Although smooth muscle tumors are the most common mesentery neoplasms, they are lesions of infrequent occurrence. The main clinical features of these malignancies are an insidious onset and an aspecific symptomatology, usually presenting themselves as quite large masses. The preoperative diagnosis is difficult, but selective angiography and CT scan may be of great value for this purpose. Since these malignancies are usually not responsive either to radiotherapy or chemotherapy, once diagnosed, the only hope of cure lies in surgical resection. The authors report case of leiomyosarcoma of the mesentery root, treated with radical surgery and still alive and disease free 12 months after resection.

[The efficacy of the hysteroscopic treatment of menorrhagia associated with uterine fibromyomas]

Objective of our study was to determine the effectiveness of hysteroscopic surgery in the treatment of menorrhagia associated with uterine myomas. 25 women with clinical and ultrasonographic diagnosis of intramural or submucous myomas were treated for menorrhagia by hysteroscopic surgery: 9 by resection and 16 by resection and endometrial ablation. In both groups there was a significant decrease of dysmenorrhea. The mean number of pads used during the heaviest day of menses decreased significantly from 19.5 to 7.4 in women undergoing resection only, and from 20.8 to 2.9 in women treated by resection and endometrial ablation. 2 women of 9 became amenorrheic and no one underwent hysterectomy. 12 of 16 became amenorrheic and 2 underwent hysterectomy. Our study show that menorrhagia can be treated by hysteroscopic surgery of uterine myomas in some selected women.

Interpretation of postmortem vaginal acid phosphatase determinations

Identification of evidence indicative of sexual assault, including elevated levels of acid phosphatase (AP) in the vagina, is an important part of the investigation of female homicidal deaths. In this study, vaginal AP levels in 43 female homicide victims, determined using sodium thymolphthalein as the substrate, were retrospectively correlated with semiquantitative assessment of spermatozoa in vaginal smears. The results were then compared with those from a prospectively studied age-matched group of controls. AP determinations ranged from 0 to 6,000 units (U)/L in the homicide group and from 1 to 726 U/L in the control group. In both groups, the majority of the AP values (homicide, 65%; and controls 85%) were < 100 U/L. Spermatozoa were identified on vaginal smears from 30% of the homicide victims and 17% of the controls. The spermatozoa-positive cases had AP levels that ranged from 2 to 6,000 U/L. In both groups, an AP value of > or = 400 U/L was always associated with the presence of spermatozoa on the vaginal smear. Intermediate AP values (100-399 U/L) were associated with the presence of spermatozoa in 60% of the control group and 22% of the homicide group; 18% of the homicide group and 3% of the control group were positive for spermatozoa despite AP values of < 100 U/L. In the absence of spermatozoa on a vaginal smear, an AP value of > 400 U/L strongly suggests the presence of semen that is either oligo- or aspermic. A low or intermediate AP determination, however, does not exclude the presence of semen and hence a careful search for spermatozoa on the vaginal smear is indicated, regardless of the AP value obtained.

Variability of human coronary artery geometry: an angiographic study of the left anterior descending arteries of 30 autopsy hearts

A computer-based system is described to measure objectively the geometric parameters of arteries from pairs of projection angiograms. This technique, which employs back-projection to define the vessel axes in 3-D space, was used to obtain selected parameters of coronary artery geometry from radiographic images of autopsy hearts. Results of the first 30 cases are presented, focussing on the distribution of the geometric parameters of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) and its first two major branches. The derived parameters include the angle between the left circumflex artery and the LAD; the angles between the LAD and its early diagonal and septal perforator branches; distances between branch points; and tortuosity. The geometric parameters vary considerably, presumably contributing to a corresponding variability in local hemodynamic and mechanical stresses. Most parameters are uncorrelated. One exception is the angle at the origin of the second diagonal branch, which is positively correlated (p < 0.01) with the distance between the ostia of the first two diagonal vessels; this correlation could reflect the existence of "target" perfusion regions. No relation between geometric parameters and age or gender was seen. In this sample, blacks had a larger angle at the left main bifurcation than whites (p < 0.05).

Angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy. Its occurrence with meningeal involvement

A case of angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy with involvement of the leptomeninges and the lumbosacral nerve roots was studied. This condition seems related to malignant lymphoma, and clinical improvement occurred with administration of systemic corticosteroids.