Thyroid Embolization for Nonsurgical Treatment of Nodular Goiter: A Single-Center Experience in 56 Consecutive Patients

PurposeTo investigate the safety and efficacy of thyroid artery embolization (TAE) in the treatment of nodular goiter (NG).MethodsDuring a 5.5-year period, 56 consecutive patients with a NG underwent TAE. In Group A, there were 20 patients with a solitary/dominant 5–11-cm nodule, and in Group B, there were 36 patients with numerous nodules. Of the 56 patients, 47 (84%) had a retrosternal goiter and 25 had hyperthyroidism. In all patients, clinical and radiological evaluations were made at baseline and 6 months after TAE, and these parameters were statistically compared.ResultsIn 56 patients, 145 of the 146 thyroid arteries were successfully embolized. The 30-day mortality rate was 1.8%. Minor and major complications occurred in 25 and 2 patients, respectively. Six months after the TAE, the mean nodule volume was reduced from 80.2 mL to 25.0 mL, the mean thyroid volume was reduced from 147.0 mL to 62.6 mL, and the mean intrathoracic extension was reduced from 31.7 mm to 15.9 mm (P < .001). Of the 22 patients with non–Graves hyperthyroidism, 19 (86%) became euthyroid. The mean thyroid-related patient-reported outcome scores improved from 155.4 to 70.4 (P < .001). Of the 51 patients, 50 (98%) declared that they would recommend TAE to other patients with NG.ConclusionsTAE is safe and effective for the treatment of NG, with a significant volume reduction of the nodule(s) and thyroid gland.     

A Pilot First-in-Human Study of Embrace,a Polyethylene Glycol-Based Liquid Embolic Agent,in the Embolization of Malignant and Benign Hypervascular Tumors

PurposeTo investigate the safety and efficacy of an aqueous polyethylene glycol-based liquid embolic agent, Embrace Hydrogel Embolic System (HES), in the treatment of benign and malignant hypervascular tumors.Materials and MethodsA prospective, single-arm, multicenter study included 8 patients, 5 males and 3 females, with a median age of 58.5 years (30–85 years), who underwent embolization in 8 tumors between October 2019 and May 2020. Technical success was defined as successful delivery of HES to the index vessel, with disappearance of >90% of the targeted vascular enhancement or, for portal vein embolization, occlusion of the portal branches to the liver segments for future resection. The volume of HES administered, ease of use (5 point Likert scale), administration time, and adverse events (AEs) were recorded. Evaluation was performed at 7, 30, and 90 days via clinical assessment and blood testing, and follow-up imaging was performed at 30 days.ResultsEight patients were enrolled, and 10 embolizations were performed in 8 lesions. Tumors included hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 4), renal angiomyolipoma (n = 3), and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (n = 1). Technical success was 100%, and the average ease of use was 3.3 ± 1.0 SD. The HES delivery time was 1–28 minutes (median, 16.5 minutes), and the HES volume injected was 0.4–4.0 mL (median, 1.3 mL). All patients reached 30-day follow-up with imaging, and 6 patients reached 90-day follow-up. There were 3 serious AEs in 2 patients that were unrelated to the embolic agent.ConclusionHES resulted in a 100% embolization technical success rate. The product ease of use was acceptable, and no target vessel recanalization was noted on follow-up imaging at 30 days.     

不同年龄阿尔茨海默病患者脑核团ADC值与年龄的相关性

目的 探讨不同年龄阿尔茨海默病（AD）患者ADC值与年龄的相关性。方法 选取30例AD患者（AD组）和年龄与之相匹配的30名志愿者（对照组），按年龄段各分为6个亚组[55~59岁（n=3）、60~64岁（n=4）、65~70岁（n=9）、71~74岁（n=5）、75~80岁（n=6）、>80岁（n=3）]，测量双侧海马、红核、尾状核、杏仁体、壳核ADC值，并进行配对t检验、独立样本t检验、单因素方差分析及Pearson相关分析。结果 AD组红核左、右侧ADC值有统计学差异（P=0.022）。AD组不同年龄亚组右侧海马、双侧尾状核、右侧壳核ADC值差异有统计学意义（P均<0.05）；2组不同年龄亚组双侧海马、壳核、尾状核ADC值差异有统计学意义（P均<0.05）。AD组右侧海马（r=0.615，P<0.001）、右侧壳核（r=0.653，P=0.001）及双侧尾状核（左侧：r=0.397，P=0.030；右侧：r=0.429，P=0.020）ADC值与年龄呈正相关。结论 AD患者右侧海马和壳核、双侧尾状核ADC值随年龄增加而增大。ADC值可为临床预测和早期诊断AD脑内右侧海马和壳核、双侧尾状核神经退行性病变提供参考。     

Radiomics model based on preoperative gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI for predicting liver failure

BACKGROUND Postoperative liver failure is the most severe complication in cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) after major hepatectomy. Current available clinical indexes predicting postoperative residual liver function are not sufficiently accurate.AIM To determine a radiomics model based on preoperative gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging for predicting liver failure in cirrhotic patients with HCC after major hepatectomy.METHODS For this retrospective study, a radiomics-based model was developed based on preoperative hepatobiliary phase gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance images in 101 patients with HCC between June 2012 and June 2018. Sixty-one radiomic features were extracted from hepatobiliary phase images and selected by the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator method to construct a radiomics signature. A clinical prediction model, and radiomics-based model incorporating significant clinical indexes and radiomics signature were built using multivariable logistic regression analysis. The integrated radiomics-based model was presented as a radiomics nomogram. The performances of clinical prediction model, radiomics signature, and radiomics-based model for predicting post-operative liver failure were determined using receiver operating characteristics curve, calibration curve, and decision curve analyses.RESULTS Five radiomics features from hepatobiliary phase images were selected to construct the radiomics signature. The clinical prediction model, radiomics signature, and radiomics-based model incorporating indocyanine green clearance rate at 15 min and radiomics signature showed favorable performance for predicting postoperative liver failure(area under the curve: 0.809-0.894). The radiomics-based model achieved the highest performance for predicting liver failure(area under the curve: 0.894; 95%CI: 0.823-0.964). The integrated discrimination improvement analysis showed a significant improvement in the accuracy of liver failure prediction when radiomics signature was added to the clinical prediction model(integrated discrimination improvement = 0.117, P =0.002). The calibration curve and an insignificant Hosmer-Lemeshow test statistic(P = 0.841) demonstrated good calibration of the radiomics-based model. The decision curve analysis showed that patients would benefit more from a radiomics-based prediction model than from a clinical prediction model and radiomics signature alone.CONCLUSION A radiomics-based model of preoperative gadoxetic acid–enhanced MRI can be used to predict liver failure in cirrhotic patients with HCC after major hepatectomy.     

Contribution of transcranial magnetic stimulation in restless legs syndrome: pathophysiological insights and therapeutical approaches

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) may offer a reliable means to characterize significant pathophysiologic and neurochemical aspects of restless legs syndrome (RLS). Namely, TMS has revealed specific patterns of changes in cortical excitability and plasticity, in particular dysfunctional inhibitory mechanisms and sensorimotor integration, which are thought to be part of the pathophysiological mechanisms of RLS rather than reflect a non-specific consequence of sleep architecture alteration.If delivered repetitively, TMS is able to transiently modulate the neural activity of the stimulated and connected areas. Some studies have begun to therapeutically use repetitive TMS (rTMS) to improve sensory and motor disturbances in RLS. High-frequency rTMS applied over the primary motor cortex or the supplementary motor cortex, as well as low-frequency rTMS over the primary somatosensory cortex, seem to have transient beneficial effects. However, further studies with larger patient samples, repeated sessions, an optimized rTMS setup, and clinical follow-up are needed in order to corroborate preliminary results.Thus, we performed a systematic search of all the studies that have used TMS and rTMS techniques in patients with RLS.     

Improving State-Mandated Breast Density Notifications

PurposeEffective written communication directly affects health care outcomes. Since 2016, the complex language of state-mandated breast density notifications (BDNs) has been challenged, because it is perceived to be beyond the comprehension of most patients. The aim of this study was to assess whether a revised BDN written at a lower reading grade level improves understanding compared with the current state-mandated BDN.MethodsA revised notification with similar content to the current state-mandated BDN was developed. Both notifications were presented to patients for direct comparison, using a paper survey asking questions that evaluated patients’ perceptions and convictions associated with breast density. Surveys were distributed at four outpatient imaging centers to screening mammography patients.ResultsThe current BDN’s mean readability metric was 13.4, and that of the revised BDN was 6.6. Five hundred surveys were analyzed. Survey data demonstrated that 56.6% of all women perceived that dense breast tissue results indicated a “high” associated lifetime breast cancer risk from the current state-mandated BDN compared with only 2.2% with the revised notification (P < .001). Nearly all women were more likely to initiate discussions with their providers regarding their breast tissue density after reading the revised notification (96.0%) as opposed to the current state-mandated BDN (32.8%; P < .001).ConclusionsA significant portion of women misinterpret the intended messages of the current state-mandated BDN. Thus, a revised notification at a lower reading grade level may improve understanding of breast density, leading to improved individualized breast cancer screening for women with dense breasts.     

空间频域成像在皮肤病定量评估中的研究

利用空间频域成像技术搭建的成像系统检测多种皮肤病组织的光学参数和生理参数信息，并对比分析讨论不同类型的皮肤病与光学参数、生理参数之间的关系。实验结果表明，病变皮肤组织与正常皮肤组织之间在光学参数、生理参数上存在较大差异，这将为临床医生对皮肤病诊治提供一种新颖、可靠、科学的评估方法。