#br# 体素内不相干运动扩散加权成像鉴别早期#br# 鼻咽癌与鼻咽良性增生的价值#br#

目的探讨体素内不相干运动扩散加权成像(IVIM DWI)在早期鼻咽癌(NPC)与鼻咽部良性增生鉴别中的价值。方法选取2018年5月至2019年5月在中山市中医院行MRI检查并进行IVIM DWI成像的早期NPC患者(n=46)和鼻咽部良性增生患者(n=43)作为研究对象,所有患者均经病理组织学检查证实,记录所有患者的真实扩散系数(D)、灌注分数(f)、灌注相关扩散系数(D*)、表观扩散系数(ADC),比较两组各参数之间的差异;绘制ROC曲线并计算曲线下面积(AUC),评估各参数诊断性能。结果与鼻咽良性增生组相比,早期NPC组的D、ADC0～1 000、ADC300～1 000较低[(067±005)×10-3 mm2/s vs. (090±011)×10-3 mm2/s、(065±009)×10-3 mm2/s vs. (100±015)×10-3 mm2/s、 (059±005)×10-3 mm2/s vs. (076±010)×10-3 mm2/s](P<0001),而早期NPC组的D*则高于鼻咽良性增生组[(3287±480)×10-3 mm2/s vs. (2187±521)×10-3 mm2/s](P<0001);两组之间f的差异无统计学意义(P=0216)。D和ADC300～1 000的AUC分别为0985和0988,D<075×10-3 mm2／s鉴别早期NPC与鼻咽良性增生的灵敏度、特异度和准确度最高(100％、975％和969％)。结论IVMI DWI在鉴别早期NPC和鼻咽良性增生中具有一定的价值,其中D和ADC300～1 000鉴别诊断性能最佳。     

孤立性肺结节体素内不相干运动扩散加权磁共振成像研究

目的:探讨体素内不相干运动扩散加权磁共振成像（intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion weighted imaging,IVIM-DWI）在孤立性肺结节(solitary pulmonary nodules,SPN)中的应用价值。方法:对57例有明确病理诊断的孤立性肺结节分为良性结节组（n=16）与恶性结节组（n=41）,恶性结节分为小细胞肺癌（small cell lung cancer,SCLC）组（n=10）和非小细胞肺癌（non-small cell lung cancer,NSCLC）组（n=28）。对不同组扩散加权成像（diffusion weighted imaging,DWI）和IVIM-DWI图像进行分析,测量其ADC值、D值、D*值和f值。分析不同组之间各参数的差异性,评估各衍生参数的诊断效能。结果:ADC、D和f值在良恶性结节间差异有显著性。ADC值和D值在SCLC与NSCLC之间差异有显著性。良性结节与恶性结节,ADC、D及f值受试者工作特征（receiver operating characteristic,ROC）曲线下面积分别为0.822、0.864、0.736,D值显示出最高的诊断效能。SCLC与NSCLC,ADC、D值ROC曲线下面积分别为0.843、0.814,ADC值有最高的诊断效能。结论:IVIM-DWI可以对SPN良恶性作鉴别诊断,不仅能反映组织的扩散信息,还能反映其灌注信息,对孤立性肺结节的评估有重要指导意义。     

Apparent Diffusion Coefficient and Other Preoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging Features for the Prediction of Positive Surgical Margins in Prostate Cancer Patients Undergoing Radical Prostatectomy

PurposeTo investigate the use of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values and other MRI features for predicting positive surgical margins (PSMs) in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy.Materials and MethodsWe retrospectively identified 400 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for prostate cancer between January 2015 and June 2016. ADC values of the index lesion and other preoperative magnetic resonance imaging features, including tumor site, laterality, level, Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System category, European Society of Urogenital Radiology extracapsular extension score, and prostate volume, were assessed. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression were performed. Performance in predicting the occurrence of PSMs was measured using the area under the curve (AUC). AUC differences were evaluated with the DeLong method. The Youden index was calculated to identify the ADC threshold to best discriminate patients with PSMs.ResultsOf the 400 patients, 105 (26.2%) had PSMs after radical prostatectomy. ADC values, Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System category, extracapsular extension score, tumor site, and laterality were significantly associated with PSMs (P < .001) in univariate analysis. The AUC of the predictive model based on ADC alone was 68.2% (95% confidence interval, 62.2-74.2%) and did not significantly differ from the best multivariable predictive model which combined laterality, and site with ADC to attain an AUC of 70.0% (95% confidence interval, 64.2-75.8%; DeLong P = .318). The ADC threshold that maximized the Youden index was 960.3 µm²/s.ConclusionADC values and preoperative magnetic resonance imaging features can help estimate the risk of PSMs after radical prostatectomy.     

体素内不相干运动扩散加权成像对乳腺肿块样病变的诊断价值

目的 乳腺肿块样病变的诊断及鉴别对于临床治疗方案的制定及预后判断具有重要意义.本研究旨在探索体素内不相关运动(intravoxel incoherent motion,IVIM)扩散加权成像(diffusion weighted imaging,DWI)在乳腺肿块样病变中的诊断价值.方法 选取云南省肿瘤医院2015-07-01-2015-12-30乳腺肿块患者127例,共135个病灶,其中乳腺癌75例(75个病灶)、良性肿瘤27例(32个病灶)、囊肿10例(13个病灶)、炎性病变15例(15个病灶).所有患者行常规DWI及IVIM-DWI、动态增强(dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging,DCE-MRI)检查.根据病理结果将病灶分为乳腺癌组、良性肿瘤组、囊肿组、炎性病变组,并以对侧正常腺体作为对照组.比较不同病变及正常腺体各组间ADC、D、D*和f值有无差异,评价上述各参数对乳腺肿块样良恶性病变的诊断效能.结果 在IVIM-DWI上,随b值增大,囊肿信号呈单指数线性衰减,正常腺体组织、炎性病变、良性肿瘤及乳腺癌信号呈双指数非线性衰减.单因素方差分析显示,各组ADC(F=119.35,P＜0.001)、D(F=58.31,P＜0.001)、f(F=50.961,P＜0.001)和D*值(F=2.732,P=0.032)比较差异有统计学意义;进一步两两比较,ADC值除对照组和良性肿瘤组外其余各组间差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05),囊肿组ADC值最高,乳腺癌组最低;D值各组间两两比较差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05);f值除炎性组和乳腺癌组、腺体组和良性肿瘤组外,其余各组间比较差异有统计学意义,P＜0.05;D*值仅囊肿组与其他4组比较差异有统计学意义,P＜0.05.各组D与ADC值比较,除囊肿组D值和ADC值差异无统计学意义外,余各组ADC值均高于D值,P＜0.001.D、ADC和f值诊断乳腺肿块样病变良恶性实验得到的曲线下面积(area under roc curve,AUC)分别为0.930、0.898和0.768,D值诊断效果最好,三者鉴别诊断乳腺肿块样良恶性病变的最佳临界值分别为0.89×10-3mm2/s、1.08×10-3 mm2/s和5.54％,相对应的诊断敏感性依次为95.7％、89.3％和79.2％,特异性依次为92.9％、87.5％和71.4％.结论 IVIM-DWI对于乳腺肿块样病变具有较高的诊断及鉴别诊断的价值,D值诊断效能较常规ADC值更好.     

Plasma circular RNA panel to diagnose hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma: A large-scale,multicenter study

To explore whether plasma circular RNAs (circRNAs) can diagnose hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), microarray and qPCR were used to identify plasma circRNAs that were increased in HBV-related HCC patients compared to controls (including healthy controls, chronic hepatitis B and HBV-related liver cirrhosis). A logistic regression model was constructed using a training set (n = 313) and then validated using another two independent sets (n = 306 and 526, respectively). Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to evaluate diagnostic accuracy. We identified a plasma circRNA panel (CircPanel) containing three circRNAs (hsa_circ_0000976, hsa_circ_0007750 and hsa_circ_0139897) that could detect HCC. CircPanel showed a higher accuracy than AFP (alpha-fetoprotein) to distinguish individuals with HCC from controls in all three sets (AUC, 0.863 [95% confidence interval, CI: 0.819–0.907] vs. 0.790 [0.738–0.842], p = 0.036 in training set; 0.843 [0.796–0.890] vs. 0.747 [0.691–0.804], p = 0.011 in validation set 1 and 0.864 [0.830–0.898] vs. 0.769 [0.728–0.810], p < 0.001 in validation set 2). CircPanel also performed well in detecting Small-HCC (solitary, ≤3 cm), AFP-negative HCC and AFP-negative Small-HCC.     

IVIM-DWI与DCE-MRI定量参数对宫颈鳞癌同步放化疗早期疗效预测的价值

目的 研究体素内不相干运动扩散加权成像(IVIM-DWI)与动态增强MRI (DCE-MRI)在宫颈鳞癌同步放化疗(CCRT)早期疗效预测中的应用价值。方法 纳入 50例经病理证实的宫颈鳞癌患者,于CCRT前行IVIM-DWI和DCE-MRI扫描,测量所有患者治疗前IVIM-DWI定量参数ADC、D、D^*、f及DCE-MRI定量参数K^trans、Kep、Ve、Vp的值。并于CCRT结束后1个月行MRI复查,根据肿瘤缓解情况分为治愈组和残留组。对两组治疗前IVIM-DWI和DCE-MRI各参数进行比较。并通过绘制受试者工作特性(ROC)曲线找到最佳预测参数及其预测阈值。结果 治愈组 24例,残留组 26例。治愈组治疗前的ADC、D和Ve值明显低于残留组(均 P<0.05),f值和K^trans值明显高于残留组(均 P<0.05)。其他参数均相近(均 P>0.05)。D的ROC曲线下面积(AUC=0.823)最大,其次是K^trans (AUC=0.754),D与K^trans的联合预测效能(AUC=0.867)高于D、K^trans单独预测,其敏感性分别为88.5%、85.8%、88.8%,特异性分别为70.8%、66.7%、79.2%。结论 治疗前IVIM-DWI与DCE-MRI的定量参数对宫颈鳞癌CCRT早期疗效具有一定的预测价值,其中D值的预测效能最佳,D与K^trans的联合应用可提高预测效能。     

Value of apparent diffusion coefficient measurement for discrimination of focal benign and malignant hepatic masses

The purpose of our study was to investigate the value of diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW‐MRI) to discriminate benign and malignant focal lesions of the liver using parallel imaging technique. A total of 77 patients and 65 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. DW‐MRI was performed with b‐factors of 0, 500 and 1000 s/mm², and the apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) values of the normal liver and the lesions were calculated. The mean ADC value of the focal liver lesions were as follows: simple cysts (3.16 ± 0.18 × 10^?3 mm²/s), hydatid cysts (2.58 ± 0.53 × 10^?3 mm²/s), hemangiomas (1.97 ± 0.49 × 10^?3 mm²/s), metastases (1.14 ± 0.41 × 10^?3 mm²/s) and hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) (1.15 ± 0.36 × 10^?3 mm²/s). The mean ADC values of all the disease groups were statistically significant when compared with the mean ADC value of the normal liver (1.56 ± 0.14 × 10^?3 mm²/s), (P < 0.01). There were also statistically significant differences among the ADC values of hemangiomas and HCC metastases (P < 0.01), and simple and hydatid cysts (P < 0.008). However, there was no statistically significant difference between HCC and metastases. The present study showed that ADC measurement has the potential to differentiate benign and malignant focal hepatic lesions. We propose to add DW sequence in the MR protocol for the detection and quantitative discrimination of hepatic pathologies.     

Relationships Between Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) Histogram Analysis Parameters and PD-L 1-expression in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas: A Preliminary Study

BackgroundImmunotherapy has become a cornerstone of the modern cancer treatment. It might be crucial to predict its expression non-invasively by imaging. The present study used diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) quantified by whole lesion apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values to elucidate possible associations with programmed cell death ligand 1(PD-L1) expression in head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC).Patients and methodsOverall, 29 patients with primary HNSCC of different localizations were involved in the study. DWI was obtained by using a sequence with b_-values of 0 and 800 s/mm² on a 3 T MRI. ADC values were evaluated with a whole lesion measurement and a histogram approach. PD-L1 expression was estimated on bioptic samples before any form of treatment using 3 scores, tumor positive score (TPS), immune cell score (ICS), and combined positive score (CPS).ResultsAn inverse correlation between skewness derived from ADC values and ICS was identified (r = -0.38, p = 0.04). ADC_max tended to correlate with ICS (r = -0.35, p = 0.06). Other ADC parameters did not show any association with the calculated scores.ConclusionsThere is a weak association between skewness derived from ADC values and PD-L1 expression in HNSCC, which might not be strong enough to predict PD-L1 expression in clinical routine. Presumably, ADC values are more influenced by complex histopathology compartments, comprising cellular and extracellular aspects of tumors than only of a single subset of tumor associated cells.Key words: head and neck squamous cell cancer, apparent diffusion coefficient, diffusion weighted imaging, programmed cell death ligand 1     

Diffusion-weighted imaging and loco-regional N staging of patients with colorectal liver metastases

IntroductionDiffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) contributes to N staging of rectal cancers and diagnosis of colorectal liver metastases (CLM). About 15% of CLM patients have loco-regional lymph node (LN) metastases that impact prognosis and treatment strategy. This retrospective study is the first one to evaluate quantitative ADC measurement as a tool to identify metastatic LNs in patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer.MethodsAll consecutive patients undergoing surgery for CLM between 2008 and 2015 were considered. Inclusion criteria were: intraoperative retrieval of at least one LN; LN ≥ 5 mm; DWI performed ≤2 months before surgery. The ADC and ADC_ratio (ADC_LN/ADC_CLM) were computed by two radiologists for all the LNs.ResultsAmong 555 patients operated for CLM, 32 met the inclusion criteria. Fifty-six LNs were analyzed and 28 were metastatic. ADC and ADC_ratio in metastatic LNs were lower than in benign LNs (ADC = 1.37 vs. 1.83 × 10⁻³ mm²/s, p < 0.001; ADC_ratio = 1.26 vs. 1.73, p < 0.001). The optimal cut-off value for ADC was 1.48 x 10^-3 mm²/s (AUC = 0.85, p < 0.001, sensitivity/specificity/accuracy 79%/93%/86% in per LN-analysis and 94%/86%/91% in per-patient analysis). The optimal cut-off for ADC_ratio was 1.15 (AUC = 0.80, p < 0.001, sensitivity/specificity/accuracy 69%/93%/81% and 76%,93%/84%). Excellent inter- and intra-operators’ agreements were observed.ConclusionIn patients with CLM, ADC values < 1.48 x 10^-3 mm²/s can be postulated as a cut-off to distinguish metastatic LNs.     

α-Fetoprotein mRNA in situ hybridisation is a highly specific marker of hepatocellular carcinoma: a multi-centre study

Background Pathologic diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can be challenging in differentiating from benign and non-hepatocytic malignancy lesions. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential utility of α-fetoprotein (AFP) mRNA RNAscope, a sensitive and specific method, in the diagnosis of HCC.Methods Three independent retrospective cohorts containing 2216 patients with HCC, benign liver lesions, and non-hepatocytic tumours were examined. AFP was detected using ELISA, IHC (Immunohistochemistry), and RNAscope. Glypican3 (GPC3), hepatocyte paraffin-1 (HepPar-1), and arginase-1 (Arg-1) proteins were detected using IHC.Results AFP RNAscope improved the HCC detection sensitivity by 24.7–32.7% compared with IHC. In two surgical cohorts, a panel of AFP RNAscope and GPC3 provided the best diagnostic value in differentiating HCC from benign hepatocytic lesions (AUC = 0.905 and 0.811), and a panel including AFP RNAscope, GPC3, HepPar-1, and Arg-1 yielded the best AUC (0.971 and 0.977) when distinguishing HCC from non-hepatocytic malignancies. The results from the liver biopsy cohort were similar, and additional application of AFP RNAscope improved the sensitivity by 18% when distinguishing HCC from benign hepatocytic lesions.Conclusions AFP mRNA detected by RNAscope is highly specific for hepatocytic malignancy and may serve as a novel diagnostic biomarker for HCC.Subject terms: Diagnostic markers, Tumour biomarkers, Hepatocellular carcinoma     

Correlations Between Imaging Biomarkers and Proliferation Index Ki-67 in Lymphomas: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BackgroundFew studies investigated relationships between positron emission tomography (PET) as well as diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with proliferating index Ki-67 in lymphomas. The aim of the present analysis was to review the published results and perform a meta-analysis to provide data on the associations between standardized uptake values (SUV) derived from PET as well as apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) derived from DWI with Ki-67 index in lymphomas.Materials and MethodsThe MEDLINE library was screened for relationships between PET and DWI with Ki-67 in lymphoma up to October 2018. Overall, 22 studies with 788 patients were identified. The following data were extracted from the literature: authors, year of publication, number of patients, and correlation coefficients. Associations between SUV and Ki-67 were analyzed using Spearman correlation coefficient.ResultsFifteen studies comprising 574 patients were suitable for the analysis between maximum SUV (SUV_max) derived from fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET and Ki-67. The pooled correlation coefficient was r = 0.49 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.36-0.61). Four studies were included in the analysis between SUV_max derived from fluorothymidine (FLT) PET and Ki-67 index involving 84 patients. The pooled correlation coefficient was r = 0.46 (95% CI, 0.19-0.73). Four studies comprising 130 patients were suitable for the analysis between ADC values derived from DWI and Ki-67. The pooled correlation coefficient was r = −0.25 (95% CI, −0.53 to 0.04).ConclusionSUV_max derived from FDG and FLT PET correlated moderately and approximately equally with Ki-67 index. On the contrary, ADC values only correlated weakly inversely and might not reliably predict Ki-67 index in lymphomas.     

增强CT纹理特征在鉴别肝脏局灶性结节性增生与肝细胞肝癌中的应用价值

目的 通过分析和比较肝脏局灶性结节性增生(FNH)与肝细胞肝癌(HCC)的增强CT纹理特征,探讨纹理参数在鉴别FNH与HCC中的价值.方法 回顾性分析22例FNH及28例HCC患者的资料.50例患者均行CT三期增强扫描,分别对病变动脉期、门脉期及延迟期的图像进行纹理分析,应用灰度直方图及灰度共生矩阵纹理分析方法测定灰度平均值(mean)、偏度(skewness)、峰度(kurtosis)、自相关(correlation)、能量(energy)、SD及熵值(entropy)7个纹理参数,对所得数据结果进行比较和分析.结果 FNH及HCC动脉期偏度、平均值、SD、能量及自相关间,门脉期偏度、平均值、峰度及自相关间,延迟期平均值及自相关间比较,差异均有统计学意义(P﹤0.05).ROC曲线分析,增强CT三期纹理参数均以灰度平均值诊断效能最佳,对应的AUC值分别为0.849、0.888、0.886.动脉期与延迟期的平均值参数比较,差异无统计学意义(P=0.495),门脉期与动脉期、延迟期比较,差异有统计学意义(P=0.000、0.000).以动脉期图像灰度平均值79.84为阈值,诊断的敏感度为81.8%,特异度为75.0%;以门脉期平均值101.90为阈值,诊断的敏感度为86.4%,特异度为82.1%;以延迟期81.78为阈值,诊断的敏感度为90.9%,特异度为82.1%.结论 CT纹理参数对鉴别HCC与FNH有一定帮助,其中以灰度平均值参数价值最高.     

Biomarkers for site-specific response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in epithelial ovarian cancer: relating MRI changes to tumour cell load and necrosis

Background Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) potentially interrogates site-specific response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC).Methods Participants with newly diagnosed EOC due for platinum-based chemotherapy and interval debulking surgery were recruited prospectively in a multicentre study (n = 47 participants). Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and solid tumour volume (up to 10 lesions per participant) were obtained from DW-MRI before and after NAC (including double-baseline for repeatability assessment in n = 19). Anatomically matched lesions were analysed after surgical excision (65 lesions obtained from 25 participants). A trained algorithm determined tumour cell fraction, percentage tumour and percentage necrosis on histology. Whole-lesion post-NAC ADC and pre/post-NAC ADC changes were compared with histological metrics (residual tumour/necrosis) for each tumour site (ovarian, omental, peritoneal, lymph node).Results Tumour volume reduced at all sites after NAC. ADC increased between pre- and post-NAC measurements. Post-NAC ADC correlated negatively with tumour cell fraction. Pre/post-NAC changes in ADC correlated positively with percentage necrosis. Significant correlations were driven by peritoneal lesions.Conclusions Following NAC in EOC, the ADC (measured using DW-MRI) increases differentially at disease sites despite similar tumour shrinkage, making its utility site-specific. After NAC, ADC correlates negatively with tumour cell fraction; change in ADC correlates positively with percentage necrosis.Clinical trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT01505829","term_id":"NCT01505829"}}NCT01505829.Subject terms: Ovarian cancer, Cancer imaging, Tumour biomarkers, Chemotherapy     

A novel multimodal deep learning model for preoperative prediction of microvascular invasion and outcome in hepatocellular carcinoma

BackgroundAccurate preoperative identification of the microvascular invasion (MVI) can relieve the pressure from personalized treatment adaptation and improve the poor prognosis for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to develop and validate a novel multimodal deep learning (DL) model for predicting MVI based on multi-parameter magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT).MethodsA total of 397 HCC patients underwent both CT and MRI examinations before surgery. We established the radiological models (R^CT, R^MRI) by support vector machine (SVM), DL models (DL^CT_ALL, DL^MRI_ALL, DL^CT + MRI) by ResNet18. The comprehensive model (C^ALL) involving multi-modality DL features and clinical and radiological features was constructed using SVM. Model performance was quantified by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and compared by net reclassification index (NRI) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI).ResultsThe DL^CT + MRI model exhibited superior predicted efficiency over single-modality models, especially over the DL^CT_ALL model (AUC: 0.819 vs. 0.742, NRI > 0, IDI > 0). The DL^MRI_ALL model improved the performance over the R^MRI model (AUC: 0.794 vs. 0.766, NRI > 0, IDI < 0), but no such difference was found between the DL^CT_ALL model and R^CT model (AUC: 0.742 vs. 0.710, NRI < 0, IDI < 0). Furthermore, both the DL^CT + MRI and C^ALL models revealed the prognostic power in recurrence-free survival stratification (P < 0.001).ConclusionThe proposed DL^CT + MRI model showed robust capability in predicting MVI and outcomes for HCC. Besides, the identification ability of the multi-modality DL model was better than any single modality, especially for CT.     

Diagnostic performance of apparent diffusion coefficient parameters for glioma grading

This study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) parameters derived from diffusion tensor imaging in the differentiation between grade II and III gliomas. The records of 60 patients (30 women, 30 men; mean age, 45.4 years) suspected of having gliomas who underwent an ADC image-guided stereotactic biopsy were retrospectively reviewed. The values of FA and ADC were measured, and the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and area under the curve (AUC) of those parameters were calculated based on the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. A predictive diagnostic equation was also constructed and evaluated. Significant differences in minimum ADC values were found in the quantitative analysis between the grade III and II glioma groups. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values (PPV), negative predictive values (NPV), accuracy and AUC for identifying grade III and II gliomas at the optimum cut-off value of 0.895?×?10^?3 mm²/s of minimum ADC were 81.0, 89.1, 77.3, 91.1, 86.6 and 0.87, respectively. The predictive diagnostic equation was superior to the single minimum ADC indicator with a sensitivity of 90.5%, a specificity of 84.8%, a PPV of 73.1%, an NPV of 95.1%, and an accuracy of 86.6%, respectively. The study provides evidence that minimum ADC values have a superior diagnostic performance in differentiating grade III and II gliomas, and the predictive diagnostic equation may be helpful in the differentiation.     

Optimization of apparent diffusion coefficient measured by diffusion-weighted MRI for diagnosis of breast lesions presenting as mass and non-mass-like enhancement

The purpose of this study was to investigate the diagnostic value of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), measured by diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), for the diagnosis of breast lesions presenting as mass and non-mass-like enhancement (NMLE). The breast MRI studies of 174 patients were reviewed retrospectively. A total of 188 histologically confirmed lesions were analyzed and classified into 127 mass enhancement (86 malignant and 41 benign) and 61 NMLE (42 malignant and 19 benign). The ADC values were measured using a spin-echo echo-planner-imaging (SE-EPI) sequence with b?=?1,000 s/mm². Diagnostic performance was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. The mean ADC was 0.99?±?0.22?×?10^?3?mm²/s for invasive cancer, 1.23?±?0.33?×?10^?3?mm²/s for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), and 1.52?±?0.35?×?10^?3?mm²/s for benign adenosis. The mean ADC of all NMLE lesions was 1.44?±?0.41?×?10^?3?mm²/s, which is higher than the mean ADC of all mass lesions, 1.12?±?0.33?×?10^?3?mm²/s. In the ROC analysis, the optimal cutoff ADC value for differentiating benign from malignant lesions was 1.05?×?10^?3?mm²/s for mass lesions and 1.35?×?10^?3?mm²/s for NMLE. In conclusion, ADC values can be used for the diagnosis of invasive and DCIS as well as benign tumors. The NMLE lesions tend to have higher ADC values than mass lesions; therefore, the morphological appearance of a lesion needs to be considered when using the ADC value for diagnosis.     

Diagnostic value of serum haptoglobin protein as hepatocellular carcinoma candidate marker complementary to α fetoprotein

More than 80% of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) arises in HBV based liver cirrhotic patients, suggesting that patients with cirrhosis form the main risk group of HCC. α fetoprotein (AFP) has poor sensitivity for the detection of AFP-negative and/or small tumors in HCC patients. Screening serum markers, along with HCC surveillance in patients with cirrhosis, can lead to the detection of HCC at an earlier stage, when curative therapy is likely to be more successful. Sera from 27 patients with HCC and 10 patients with HBV based liver cirrhosis (LC) were screened by comparative proteome analysis. Five significantly differential proteins (HP, Hp2, preprohaptoglobin, SP40 and SAA1) were identified using 2DE followed by MALDI-TOF-MS analysis. Haptoglobin (HP) was identified and found to be overexpressed in HCC as compared with LC. The result from Western blot analysis and turbidimetry detection showed serum levels of HP in HCC patients were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those in LC patients, which was consistent with the result of 2-DE. In addition, combining HP and AFP greatly improved the diagnostic accuracy (AUC=0.838). Additionally, serum HP also showed potential diagnostic value (AUC=0.763) for AFP-negative HCC patients. Altogether, it suggested that serum HP as a candidate marker complementary to α fetoprotein.     

Treatment-induced lesions in newly diagnosed glioblastoma patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy and heat-shock protein vaccine therapy

Objectives

Treatment-induced lesions represent a great challenge in neuro-oncology. The aims of this study were (i) to characterize treatment induced lesions in glioblastoma patients treated with chemoradiotherapy and heat-shock protein (HSP) vaccine and (ii) to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of diffusion weighted imaging for differentiation between treatment-induced lesions and tumor progression.

Methods

Twenty-seven patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma treated with HSP vaccine and chemoradiotherapy were included. Serial magnetic resonance imaging evaluation was performed to detect treatment-induced lesions and assess their growth. Quantitative analysis of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) was performed to discriminate treatment-induced lesions from tumor progression. Mann–Whitney U-test and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used for analysis.

Results

Thirty-three percent of patients developed treatment-induced lesions. Five treatment-related lesions appeared between end of radiotherapy and the first vaccine administration; 4 lesions within the first 4 months from vaccine initiation and 1 at 3.5 years. Three patients with pathology proven treatment-induced lesions showed a biphasic growth pattern progressed shortly after. ADC ratio between the peripheral enhancing rim and central necrosis showed an accuracy of 0.84 (95% CI 0.63–1) for differentiation between progression and treatment-induced lesions.

Conclusion

Our findings do not support the iRANO recommendation of a 6-month time window in which progressive disease should not be declared after immunotherapy initiation. A biphasic growth pattern of pathologically proven treatment-induced lesions was associated with a dismal prognosis. The presence of lower ADC values in the central necrotic portion of the lesions compared to the enhancing rim shows high specificity for detection of treatment-induced lesions.

     

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Features in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Comparison With Luminal and HER2-Overexpressing Tumors

BackgroundIt has been ascertained that triple-negative (TN) breast cancer is characterized by an aggressive clinical course and a poor prognosis. The purpose of our study was to compare the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of the 3 major different breast cancer subtypes (TN, luminal, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 [HER2]-overexpressing) and to suggest the criteria that might predict TN phenotype.Materials and MethodsFrom October 2007 to April 2011, we studied 77 patients with histologically confirmed TN breast cancer who underwent breast MRI. We randomly included 148 patients with non-TN breast cancer (110 luminal and 38 HER-overexpressing) as a control group. We evaluated the clinicopathologic data, the MRI morphologic and kinetic features, the signal intensity on T2-weighted images, and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC).ResultsOur results confirmed that TN tumors are more aggressive, are usually diagnosed at a younger age compared with the other study groups, and show benign morphologic features with MRI. Backward stepwise logistic regression identified some parameters as independent predictors of TN-type lesions: age, size, shape, presence of edema, and infiltrative characteristics. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, built with 4 of 5 these factors as criteria to predict TN status, showed a 0.664 area under the curve (AUC) value (sensitivity 58.4%, specificity 73.2%). The inclusion of the fifth criterion showed a 0.699 AUC value (sensitivity, 49.4%; specificity, 89.4%).ConclusionWe identified the clinicoradiologic parameters that are independent predictors of TN breast lesions, which might be helpful for earlier prediction of the TN status of a breast lesion.     

Assessing Bladder Radiotherapy Response With Quantitative Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging Analysis

AimsRadiotherapy with radiosensitisation offers opportunity for cure with organ preservation in muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Treatment response assessment and follow-up are reliant on regular endoscopic evaluation of the retained bladder. In this study we aim to determine the role of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) analysis to assess bladder radiotherapy response.Materials and methodsPatients with T2-T4aN0-3M0 MIBC suitable for radical radiotherapy were recruited prospectively to an ethics approved protocol. Following transurethral resection of the bladder tumour and prior to any treatment, magnetic resonance imaging including DWI was performed on a 1.5T system using b values of 0, 100, 150, 250, 500, 750 s/mm². DWI was repeated 3 months after completing radiotherapy. Cystoscopy and tumour site biopsy were undertaken following this. The response was dichotomised into response (<T2) or poor response (≥T2). Tumour region of interest was delineated on b750 s/mm² image and transferred to the ADC map to calculate per pixel ADC values for all b values (ADC_all) and high b values (ADC_b100). ADC mean, percentiles, skew, kurtosis and their change (ΔADC and %ΔADC) were determined. Threshold predictive of response with highest specificity was ascertained using receiver operating characteristic analysis.ResultsThirty-four patients were evaluated. Response was associated with a significant increase in ΔADC mean compared with poor response at ΔADC_all (0.57 × 10^?3 mm²/s versus –0.01 × 10^?3 mm²/s; P < 0.0001) and ΔADC_b100 (0.58 × 10^?3 mm²/s versus –0.10 x 10^?3 mm²/s; P = 0.007). A 48.50% increase in %ΔADC_all mean was seen in response compared with a 1.37% decrease in poor response (P < 0.0001). This corresponded to a %ΔADC_b100 mean increase of 50.34% in response versus a 7.36% decrease for poor response (P < 0.0001). Significant area under the curve (AUC) values predictive of radiotherapy response were identified at ΔADC and %ΔADC for ADC_all and ADC_b100 mean, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th percentiles (AUC >0.9, P < 0.01). ΔADC_all mean of 0.16 × 10^?3 mm²/s and ΔADC_b100 mean 0.12 × 10^?3 mm²/s predicted radiotherapy response with sensitivity/specificity/positive predictive value/negative predictive value of 92.9%/100.0%/100.0%/75.0% and 89.3%/100.0%/100.0%/66.7%, respectively.ConclusionsQuantitative DWI analysis can successfully provide non-invasive assessment of bladder radiotherapy response. Multicentre validation is required before prospective testing to inform MIBC radiotherapy follow-up schedules and decision making.