Evaluation of prostate volume in mpMRI: comparison of the recommendations of PI-RADS v2 and PI-RADS v2.1

PURPOSEWe aimed to evaluate the prostate volumes calculated as recommended in the PI-RADS v2 and PI-RADS v2.1 guidelines, intraobserver and interobserver variability, and the agreement between the two measurement methods.METHODSProstate mpMRI examinations of 114 patients were evaluated retrospectively. T2-weighted sequences in the axial and sagittal planes were used for the measurement of the prostate volume. The measurements were performed by two independent observers as recommended in the PI-RADS v2 and PI-RADS v2.1 guidelines. Both observers conducted the measurements twice and the average values were obtained. In order to prevent bias, the observers carried out measurements at one-week intervals. In order to assess intraobserver variability, observers repeated the measurements again at one-week intervals. The prostate volume was calculated using the ellipsoid formula (W×H×L×0.52).RESULTSIntraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) revealed almost perfect agreement between the first and second observers for the measurements according to both PI-RADS v2 (0.93) and PI-RADS v2.1 (0.96) guidelines. The measurements were repeated by both observers. According to the ICC values, there was excellent agreement between the first and second measurements with respect to both PI-RADS v2 and PI-RADS v2.1 for first (0.94 and 0.96, respectively) and second observer (0.94 and 0.97, respectively). For both observers, the differences had a random, homogeneous distribution, and there was no clear relationship between the differences and mean values.CONCLUSIONThe ellipsoid formula is a reliable method for rapid assessment of prostate volume, with excellent intra- and interobserver agreement and no need for expert training. For the height measurement, the recommendations of the PIRADS v2.1 guideline seem to provide more consistently reproducible results.

The prostate gland is one of the organs for which the disease incidence and prevalence in men increases with age. Prostate volume (PV) has an important role in the evaluation and management of both malignant and benign prostate diseases (1–3). In benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostate volume is used to decide upon treatment and evaluate response to medical therapy (3–5). In the diagnosis of prostate cancer, one of the important markers is prostate-specific antigen (PSA), but it has low specificity, and therefore PSA derivatives are used to increase its specificity. One example is PSA density, which is obtained by dividing the PSA value by PV. In the treatment of prostate cancer, PV is important, and the effectiveness of brachytherapy decreases in prostates with a volume greater than 50 mL (6). Furthermore, PV is used to identify appropriate patients for brachytherapy and select the number of radioactive seeds, and also determine fractionation for external beam radiation, radical prostatectomy operating planning and continence rate counseling, and focal therapy candidacy preparation (7, 8). For these reasons, it is vital to accurately calculate PV.There are many methods that can be used to calculate PV, with the ellipsoid formula being one of the most preferred since it is easy to apply and highly time-efficient (1–4, 9). Many studies have shown that this method has high accuracy due to the elliptic shape of the prostate (1, 2, 10–13). The ellipsoid formula is obtained by multiplying the height (anterior-posterior), width (medio-lateral) and length (cranio-caudal) values of the prostate by 0.52. These measurements can be performed by transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). TRUS has certain disadvantages, such as being operator-dependent and susceptible to sonographic artifacts (14). MRI, which has become increasingly popular in recent years, allows for an accurate definition of the prostate boundaries and multiplanar measurements through its high contrast resolution of soft tissues (1, 5). It also provides more accurate measurements than TRUS (4, 15, 16).In order to ensure global standardization in the reporting of prostate MRI findings, PI-RADS v2 published in 2015, which is the revised version of PI-RADS 1.0, and the last updated version PI-RADS v2.1 made available in 2019, propose different calculation methods for the measurement of height in obtaining PV (17, 18). The midaxial plane is recommended for this measurement in PI-RADS v2, while the midsagittal plane is recommended in PI-RADS v2.1. This study aimed to evaluate the interobserver and intraobserver variability of PV calculated by both measurement methods and the agreement between the two measurement methods.     

高频超声对女性肛门括约肌完整性评估的可行性研究

目的 利用高频超声对女性肛门括约肌进行显像与评价,验证高频超声运用于女性肛门括约肌完整性评估的可行性。方法 2020年1月-2021年3月期间行盆底超声检查的110例女性受检者,通过高频线阵探头分别从横断面及矢状面对其肛门括约肌进行连续性扫查,而后两位经验不同的研究人员在互盲情况下独立对肛门括约肌的影像进行完整性评价,记录肛门括约肌损伤情况并进行统计分析。结果 在全部受检者中,高频超声均可从横断面及矢状面清晰地显示各水平肛管特征性的解剖结构,从而当出现异常的超声表现时,可以实现对肛门括约肌损伤的检出。通过Kappa一致性检验可得高频超声对肛门括约肌的完整性评价在不同经验的研究人员间也具有较强的一致性(Kappa=0.888,P<0.05)。结论 高频超声通过对各水平肛管的清晰成像,可以实现对肛门括约肌的完整性评价,为肛门括约肌的评估提供一种新的影像学手段。     

EAACI guidelines on allergen immunotherapy: Prevention of allergy

Allergic diseases are common and frequently coexist. Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is a disease‐modifying treatment for IgE‐mediated allergic disease with effects beyond cessation of AIT that may include important preventive effects. The European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) has developed a clinical practice guideline to provide evidence‐based recommendations for AIT for the prevention of (i) development of allergic comorbidities in those with established allergic diseases, (ii) development of first allergic condition, and (iii) allergic sensitization. This guideline has been developed using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation (AGREE II) framework, which involved a multidisciplinary expert working group, a systematic review of the underpinning evidence, and external peer‐review of draft recommendations. Our key recommendation is that a 3‐year course of subcutaneous or sublingual AIT can be recommended for children and adolescents with moderate‐to‐severe allergic rhinitis (AR) triggered by grass/birch pollen allergy to prevent asthma for up to 2 years post‐AIT in addition to its sustained effect on AR symptoms and medication. Some trial data even suggest a preventive effect on asthma symptoms and medication more than 2 years post‐AIT. We need more evidence concerning AIT for prevention in individuals with AR triggered by house dust mites or other allergens and for the prevention of allergic sensitization, the first allergic disease, or for the prevention of allergic comorbidities in those with other allergic conditions. Evidence for the preventive potential of AIT as disease‐modifying treatment exists but there is an urgent need for more high‐quality clinical trials.     

Le vécu de l’annonce d’un cancer à l’ère du dispositif d’annonce

In 2006, a framework for cancer diagnosis disclosure was defined in the French Cancer Plan. In a study supported by the Ligue contre le cancer and the Institut national du cancer, we evaluated the impact of this measure on the quality of life of 29 cancer patients. The study was conducted in two hospitals of the South Île-de-France, between 2006 and 2010. The role of a nurse in diagnosis disclosure appears beneficial. Limiting the number of present caregivers, proposing the presence of a relative during the diagnosis disclosure or the systematic proposal of a psychological support also seems important. Developing the knowledge of doctors on communicating bad news also appears crucial.