Baseline Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings Research Articles

Juvenile Dermatomyositis Outcome Prediction Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging STIR Sequences

Background – Juvenile Dermatomyositis can have a unpredictable course after diagnosis, with no tools to prognosticate near-term outcomes. We explored a Short Tau Inversion Recovery (STIR) sequence Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) protocol as a non-invasive baseline investigation to assess the present outcome in a cohort of JDM patients. Objectives – To determine the difference in baseline STIR-MRI parameters between children with JDM, who are currently in remission with medication and children in sustained remission off medications. Methods – We retrospectively reviewed the baseline MRI findings of 28 consecutive patients, evaluated and followed up for at least one year, by a senior paediatric rheumatologist. A radiologist reviewed the images of each child’s MRI thigh STIR Sequences, scored on four domains - STIR hyper-intensities, fatty infiltration of muscle, presence of skin and subcutaneous tissue involvement and muscle atrophy. We compared the median (inter quartile range) scores between children in remission with and without medication. Results – Median baseline age was 7 (7.5) years. At baseline, they reported a median CMAS of 17 (21), with STIR signal intensity of 2 (2), fatty infiltration grade of 0 (1). Twelve (42.9%) and four children (14.3%) showed evidence of skin and subcutaneous involvement and muscle atrophy, respectively. After being followed up for a median of 6 (6) years, eight children (28.6%) were in remission off medication. There was evidence that fatty infiltration differed between children in remission with medication vs off medication (p = 0.043). MRI Fatty infiltration grades predicted delayed treatment initiation ([Formula: see text] 6 months since symptom onset) in children, fairly accurately (AUC 0.731 ± 0.11, p = 0.036). Conclusions – Our study indicates that fatty infiltration in baseline STIR-MRI protocol may suggest a chronic disease course. Fatty infiltration, also suggests a history of inadequate/delayed diagnosis and treatment since symptom onset. Thus, early MRI may prognosticate the disease course in children with JDM. Further research is needed to exclude potential effect modifiers and confounders in the analysis.

Defining Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis: Results From an International Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis Study Group Consensus Process

Defining Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis: Results From an International Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis Study Group Consensus Process

Pancreatic Iron Loading in Emoglobinopathies

Background.The MIOT (Myocardial Iron Overload in Thalassemia) project is a multicentric study aimed to validate the T2* Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technique as non invasive approach for the cardiac and hepatic iron overload assessment in patients with hemoglobinopathies and to correlate the T2* values with other clinical-instrumental parameters. More recently, the E-MIOT (Extension-MIOT) project has been approved, with the aim of adding the assessment of the pancreatic ironMethods. We report the baseline MRI findings at the end of the first year of recruitment in the E-MIOT study, outlying the differences among different emoglobinopathies.Results. First, we selected all transfusion-dependent (TD) patients: 7 with sickle-cell disease-SCD or thalasso-drepanocytosis (42.9% F, 32.47 ± 17.93 years), 16 with thalassemia intermedia-TI (56.3% F, 36.66 ± 13.72 years), and 232 with thalassemia major-TM (55.6% F, 36.95 ± 9.83 years). Sex, mean age, serum ferritin levels, MRI liver iron concentration (LIC) values, and global heart T2* values were comparable among the three groups of patients. Pancreatic T2* values were significantly lower in TM patients versus both SCD and TI patients (see Figure).Second, we focused our analysis on all TI patients, divided in two subgroups: transfusion dependent and no-TD. Global pancreas T2* values and the number of patients with pancreatic iron (T2*<26 ms) were comparable between the two groups (see Table).Conclusion. SCD and TI TD patients have lower pancreatic iron loading than chronically-transfused TM patients. Much of this disparity can be explained by the larger transfusional burdens and durations observed in TM patients (years of regular transfusions: 34.18 ± 10.75 in TM, 22.27 ± 18.53 in SCD and 28.33 ± 15.30 in TI, P=0.023). However, TI-TD and TI-noTD patients had comparable pancreatic T2* values. So, innate differences in iron handling and elimination among different diseases also could contribute to the differences in pancreatic iron loading. [Display omitted] DisclosuresPepe:Chiesi Farmaceutici and ApoPharma Inc.: Other: Alessia Pepe is the PI of the MIOT project, that receives no profit support from Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A. and ApoPharma Inc.

Has platelet-rich plasma any role in partial tears of the anterior cruciate ligament? Prospective comparative study.

BACKGROUNDPartial tears of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) are frequent, and there is still considerable controversy surrounding their diagnosis, natural history and treatment. AIMTo examine patient-reported outcomes, physical examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of partial ACL tears treated with an intraarticular injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) compared to a control group. METHODSFrom January 2015 to November 2017, consecutive patients from a single institution with partial ACL tears treated nonoperatively were prospectively evaluated. Partial tears were defined as a positive Lachman test with a clear end-point, a negative pivot-shift and less than 3 mm of side-to-side difference using the KT1000 arthrometer. Patients in group 1 were treated with one intraarticular injection of PRP and specific physical therapy protocol. Control group consisted of patients treated only with physical therapy. Prospective analyzed data included physical examination, Tegner activity level and Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee scores. Baseline MRI findings and at 6 mo follow-up were reviewed. Failure was defined as those patients with clinical instability at follow-up that required a subsequent ACL reconstruction. RESULTSA total of 40 patients where included, 21 treated with PRP injection with a mean follow-up of 25 mo [standard deviation (SD): 3.6] and 19 in the control group with a mean follow-up of 25 mo (SD: 5.68). Overall failure rate was 32.0% (n = 13). No significant differences were observed between groups regarding subjective outcomes, return to sport and failure rate. MRI findings revealed an improvement in the ACL signal in half of the patients of both groups. However, we did not find a significant relationship between MRI findings and clinical outcomes.CONCLUSIONOverall, 95.0% of patients returned to sports at a mean follow-up of 25 mo. Mean time to return to sports was 4 mo. Out of these patients, almost 30.0% in each group had a new episode of instability and required surgery at a median time of 5 mo in group 1 and 8 mo in group 2. The addition of PRP alone was not sufficient to enhance any of the outcome measures evaluated, including MRI images, clinical evaluation and failure rate.

Pre-operative Assessment of the Size of the Herniated Lumbar Disc on MRI as Apredictor of Surgical Outcome

Background: Lumbar intervertebral disc herniation (LDH) are the most common source of lumbar radiculopathy. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is considered the diagnostic imaging procedure of choice for LDH as it can provide exquisite morphologic detail of the disc abnormality. The aim of this study was to determine if baseline MRI findings including disc herniation size is associated with differential surgical treatment effect. Method: This study was conducted on Benha university hospitals on 36 patients who underwent lumbar discectomy to estimate the role of MRI as a predictor of surgical outcome (by comparison between Preoperative and postoperative leg and back pain scores, as well as functional status measured using the modified oswestry disability index (MODI). Results: The age of patients was (21-51) years, mean 36 and 22 patients (61.1 %) were males and 14 patients (38.9 %) were female, all patients suffered from Back and leg pain, 69.44% of them with lower extremity pain , Sciatica with 77.78% of them hypoesthesia and/or leg weakness was reported in 36.11% of cases. Conclusion: It can be concluded that MRI finding espicially disc size and disc height can predict the surgcail outcome. Patients with larger disc herniations, on average, may have a higher likelihood of experiencing superior clinical outcomes following discectomy. Additional findings seem to support that a patient’s preoperative functional score has the strongest influence on postoperative clinical outcome.

Brain MRI findings in relation to clinical characteristics and outcome of tuberculous meningitis.

Neuroradiological abnormalities in tuberculous meningitis (TBM) are common, but the exact relationship with clinical and inflammatory markers has not been well established. We performed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at baseline and after two months treatment to characterise neuroradiological patterns in a prospective cohort of adult TBM patients in Indonesia. We included 48 TBM patients (median age 30, 52% female, 8% HIV-infected), most of whom had grade II (90%), bacteriologically confirmed (71%) disease, without antituberculotic resistance. Most patients had more than one brain lesion (83%); baseline MRIs showed meningeal enhancement (89%), tuberculomas (77%), brain infarction (60%) and hydrocephalus (56%). We also performed an exploratory analysis associating MRI findings to clinical parameters, response to treatment, paradoxical reactions and survival. The presence of multiple brain lesion was associated with a lower Glasgow Coma Scale and more pronounced motor, lung, and CSF abnormalities (p-value <0.05). After two months, 33/37 patients (89%) showed worsening of MRI findings, mostly consisting of new or enlarged tuberculomas. Baseline and follow-up MRI findings and paradoxical responses showed no association with six-month mortality. Severe TBM is characterized by extensive MRI abnormalities at baseline, and frequent radiological worsening during treatment.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings Related to Stroke Risk in Japanese Patients With Fabry Disease.

Background and Purpose- Stroke is the most frequent severe clinical event in patients with Fabry disease. We aimed to evaluate the cerebral magnetic resonance imaging findings of patients with Fabry disease and assess their association with future stroke risk after enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) induction. Methods- We retrospectively reviewed the magnetic resonance imaging findings of 25 patients with Fabry disease. Of these, 12 adult patients without prior stroke or ERT were enrolled to evaluate the association between baseline magnetic resonance imaging findings and stroke occurrence after ERT initiation. We assessed white matter hyperintensities, periventricular hyperintensities, and basilar artery diameter as neuroimaging markers. Results- The mean age of participants was 38.8±16.8 years. Fourteen patients (56.0%) were women. White matter hyperintensities and periventricular hyperintensities were observed in 15 and 13 cases, respectively. The mean basilar artery diameter was 3.2±0.55 mm. Two patients demonstrated old infarct lesions. Three of 12 patients in whom ERT was initiated had symptomatic stroke after baseline magnetic resonance imaging. Of these, 2 developed stroke within 6-month post-ERT initiation. The baseline basilar artery diameter was larger in patients who developed stroke than in those who did not (4.0±0.40 versus 2.9±0.49 mm, P=0.02). Conclusions- Basilar artery diameter may be associated with stroke risk after ERT initiation among Japanese patients with Fabry disease.

Association of Obesity With Multiple Sclerosis Risk and Response to First-line Disease Modifying Drugs in Children

Obesity reportedly increases the risk of pediatric multiple sclerosis (MS), but little is known about its association with disease course. To investigate the association of obesity with pediatric MS risk and with first-line therapy response among children with MS. This single-center retrospective study used the medical records and database at the Center for MS in Childhood and Adolescence, Göttingen, Germany. The study included 453 patients with relapsing-remitting pediatric MS and body mass index (BMI) measurement taken within 6 months of diagnosis. Onset of the disease occurred between April 28, 1990, and June 26, 2016, and the mean disease duration was 38.4 months. Data were collected from July 14, 2016, to December 18, 2017. Data on BMIs were stratified by sex and age using German BMI references and compared with the BMI data of 14 747 controls from a nationwide child health survey for odds ratio (OR) estimates. Baseline magnetic resonance imaging findings, intervals between first and second MS attacks, annualized relapse rates before and during treatment with interferon beta-1a or -1b and glatiramer acetate, frequency of second-line treatment, and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores were compared between nonoverweight (BMI≤90th percentile), overweight (BMI>90th-97th percentile), and obese (BMI>97th percentile) patients. In total, 453 patients with pediatric MS were included, of whom 306 (67.5%) were female, and the mean (SD) age at diagnosis was 13.7 (2.7) years. At diagnosis, 126 patients (27.8%) were overweight or obese, with obesity associated with statistically significant twofold odds of MS in both sexes (girls OR, 2.19; 95% CI, 1.5-3.1; P < .001 vs boys OR, 2.14; 95% CI, 1.3-3.5; P = .003). Obese patients, compared with nonoverweight patients, had statistically significantly more relapses on first-line treatment with interferon beta and glatiramer acetate (ARR, 1.29 vs 0.72; P < .001) and a higher rate of second-line treatment (21 [56.8%] of 37 vs 48 [38.7%] of 124; P = .06). Baseline neuroimaging, interval between first and second MS attacks, pretreatment relapses, and EDSS progression scores were not correlated with BMI. In this study, increased pediatric MS risk appeared to be associated with obesity, and obese patients did not respond well to first-line medications; altered pharmacokinetics appeared to be most likely factors in treatment response, suggesting that achieving healthy weight or adjusting the dose according to BMI could improve therapy response.

Observational Study of Clinical and Functional Progression Based on Initial Brain MRI Characteristics in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease.

Background:Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a useful tool to predict the diagnosis and progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), especially for primary physicians. However, the correlation between baseline MRI findings and AD progression has not been fully established.Objective:To investigate the correlation between hippocampal atrophy (HA) and white matter hyperintensities (WMH) on initial brain MRI images and the degree of cognitive decline and functional changes over 1 year.Methods:In this prospective, 12-month observational study, dementia outpatients were recruited from 29 centers across South Korea. Baseline assessments of HA and WMH on baseline brain MRI were derived as well as cognitive function, dementia severity, activities of daily living, and acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (AChEI) use. Follow-up assessments were conducted at 6 and 12 months.Results:Among 899 enrolled dementia patients, 748 were diagnosed with AD of whom 654 (87%) were taking AChEIs. Baseline WMH showed significant correlations with age, current alcohol consumption, and Clinical Dementia Rating score; baseline HA was correlated with age, family history, physical exercise, and the results of cognitive assessments. Among the AChEI group, changes in the Korean version of the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (K-IADL) were correlated with the severity of HA on baseline brain MRI, but not with the baseline severity of WMH. In the no AChEI group, changes in K-IADL were correlated with the severity of WMH and HA at baseline.Conclusion:Baseline MRI findings could be a useful tool for predicting future clinical outcomes by primary physicians, especially in relation to patients’ functional status.

The associations between magnetic resonance imaging findings and low back pain: A 10-year longitudinal analysis.

PurposeTo conduct a 10-year longitudinal analysis of the relationship between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and low back pain (LBP).Materials and methodsNinety-one volunteers with a history of LBP, but without current LBP were recruited between 2005 and 2006. Participants’ baseline demographics and MRI findings were recorded. All volunteers were invited for a follow-up MRI in 2016; of these, 49 volunteers (53.8%) participated in the follow-up. We enquired whether they had LBP history during the 10 years between the baseline and follow-up examinations. Sagittal T1 and T2-weighted MRI were used to assess the intervertebral space from T12/L1 to L5/S1. We evaluated the presence of disc degeneration by Pfirrmann’s grading system, disc bulging, high intensity zone (HIZ), spondylolisthesis, and any type of Modic changes in the follow-up MRIs. We compared the follow-up MRI findings with the baseline findings; the progress of each finding over the 10 years were also compared between the groups with (n = 36) and without (n = 13) LBP.ResultsAverage age of the study participants at follow-up was 44.8 years; 25 were female and 24 were male. Average age, sex, body mass index, and smoking habits of those who did and did not participate in the follow-up study, as well as the demographic characteristics of those who did and did not have LBP history during the 10 years, were not significantly different. Compared with the group without LBP history, the group that had LBP history during the 10 years did not have a significantly increased prevalence of disc degeneration, disc bulging, and HIZ in the follow-up and baseline MRIs. Spondylolisthesis and any type of Modic changes were also not associated with LBP history during the 10 years.ConclusionsFollow-up MRI findings consistent with Pfirrmann grading ≥4, disc bulging, HIZ, spondylolisthesis, and any type of Modic changes were not associated with LBP history during the 10 years between the baseline and follow-up study. The progresses of these findings were also not associated with the LBP history. In addition, baseline MRI findings were not associated with LBP history during the 10 years; therefore, our data suggest that baseline MRI findings cannot predict future LBP.

Prevalence of spinal pathology in patients presenting for lumbar MRI as referred from general practice.

The use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as initial imaging for back pain has increased in general practice. However, few data are available on the characteristics of these referred patients. The objective of this study was to describe the baseline characteristics and MRI findings of patients presenting for a lumbar MRI examination as referred by their GP. Patients presenting for a lumbar MRI examination as referred by their GP were recruited at the MRI Center. The MRI radiology reports were scored for the presence of disc bulging, disc herniation, nerve root compression, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis and serious pathologies. Information on patients' characteristics, characteristics of the complaints and red flags were derived from questionnaires. Cross-sectional differences between patients with and without specific MRI findings were analyzed. A total of 683 low back pain (LBP) patients were included; mean age was 49.9 (range 19-80) years and 53% was male. Mean back pain severity score was 6.6 (SD 2.0) and 67% of the patients reported having chronic LBP. In total, 374 patients (55%) reported sciatica complaints for at least 6 weeks. Of all MRI reports, 69% mentioned signs of nerve root compression. Serious pathologies were reported in 3% of the patients. In total, 94% of patients had abnormal MRI findings. Almost all patients presenting for a lumbar MRI examination as referred by their GP had abnormal MRI findings. In total, 55% of the patients reported persistent sciatica in which imaging is recommended according to international guidelines.

MRI Survey In Transfusion-Dependent and Non-Transfusion-Dependent MDS Patients

IntroductionSeveral studies have shown cardiac diseases as causes of death in myelodisplastic (MDS) patients receiving transfusions. So iron overload may be considered an independent negative prognostic factor. There are few and rather contradictory studies using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in the evaluation of myelodysplastic syndromes. We report the baseline MRI findings at the end of the recruitment in the MIOMED (Myocardial Iron Overload in MyElodysplastic Diseases) study. In particular, we investigated myocardial iron overload (MIO), hepatic iron overload and biventricular functional parameters in MDS patients, outlying the differences between transfusion dependent and non transfusion dependent patients. MethodsMIOMED is an observational, MRI multicentre study in low and intermediate-1 risk MDS patients who have not received regular iron chelation therapy. Out of the 51 MDS patients enrolled, 48 underwent the baseline MRI exam. Mean age was 71.7±8.5 years and 17 patients were females. Hepatic T2* values were assessed in a homogeneous tissue area and converted into liver iron concentration (LIC). MIO was assessed using a multislice multiecho T2* approach. Biventricular function parameters were quantified by cine sequences. ResultsThe mean global heart T2* was 38.7±8.3 ms while the mean LIC was 7.6±8.8 mg/g/dw. Global heart T2* values were not significantly correlated with LIC or serum ferritin levels while a significant association between LIC and serum ferritin was detected (R=0.689; P<0.0001).Thirty-two (66.6%) patients were non-transfusion dependent while 16 patients were transfusion-dependent. The two groups were homogeneous for age, sex and hemoglobin levels but transfusion-dependent patients had significantly higher serum ferritin levels (1612±864 vs 711±430; P<0.0001). The percentage of patients with detectable hepatic iron (LIC≥3 mg/g/dw) was significantly higher in the transfusion-dependent group (Figure 1, left). Mean LIC was 14.4±11.1 mg/g/dw in the transfusion-dependent group and 4.2±4.6 mg/g/dw in the non-transfusion-dependent group (P<0.0001). A significant heart iron (global heart T2* value <20 ms) was found in two patients, in both patients an heterogeneous pattern (some segments with T2* values >20 ms and other segments with T2* values <20 ms) was detected. Out of two patients with significant heart iron one patient was not transfused and he did not show significant hepatic iron (LIC=2.12 mg/g/dw). The other one patient was regularly transfused and he received sporadically (less than two weeks/month) chelation treatment with deferoxamine in the 2 years before the MRI. The global heart T2* (Figure 1, right), the pattern of iron burden and the number of segments with T2*<20 ms were comparable between the two groups. Biventricular end-diastolic volume index, biventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular (LV) mass index were comparable between the two groups. [Display omitted] ConclusionsAs expected, regularly transfused MDS patients showed significantly higher levels of hepatic iron overload, that, however, was present in almost the 30% of non-transfusion-dependent patients, mainly due to increased intestinal iron and augmented erythropoiesis. MIO is not frequent in MDS patients and it is not correlated with LIC and serum ferritin levels. Conversely, MIO can be present also in non-transfusion dependent patients and in absence of detectable hepatic iron. These data remark the importance to check directly for heart iron with a more sensitive segmental approach avoiding to estimate heart iron burden from indirect indicators such as LIC, serum ferritin or transfusion state. Disclosures:No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

SAT0154 MRI evaluation of the knees in assessing rhuematoid arthritis patients on etanercept

BackgroundBiologics improved Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) treatment dramatically and we have abundant evidence on its high efficacy, especially on preventing joint destruction. However, we do not have enough evidence on its...

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Predictors of Surgical Outcome in Patients With Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Herniation

A retrospective cohort design. To determine whether baseline magnetic resonance imaging findings, including central/foraminal stenosis, Modic change, disc morphology, facet arthropathy, disc degeneration, nerve root impingement, and thecal sac compression, are associated with differential surgical treatment effect. Intervertebral disc herniation remains the most common source of lumbar radiculopathy treated either with discectomy or nonoperative intervention. Although magnetic resonance imaging remains the reliable "gold standard" for diagnosis, uncertainty surrounds the relationship between magnetic resonance imaging findings and treatment outcomes. Three hundred seven "complete" images from patients enrolled in a previous trial were de-identified and evaluated by 1 of 4 independent readers. Findings were compared with outcome measures including the Oswestry Disability Index. Differences in surgery and nonoperative treatment outcomes were evaluated between image characteristic subgroups and TE determined by the difference in Oswestry Disability Index scores. The cohort comprised 40% females with an average age of 41.5 (±11.6) years, 61% of whom underwent discectomy for intervertebral disc herniation. Patients undergoing surgery with Modic type I endplate changes had worse outcomes (-26.4 vs. -39.7 for none and -39.2 for type 2, P = 0.002) and smaller treatment effect (-3.5 vs. -19.3 for none and -15.7 for type 2, P = 0.003). Those with compression of ≥1/3 showed the greatest improvement within the surgical group (-41.9 for ≥1/3 vs. -31.6 for none and -38.1 for <1/3, P = 0.007) and the highest TE (-23 compared with -11.7 for none and -15.2 for <1/3, P = 0.015). Furthermore, patients with minimal nerve root impingement demonstrated worse surgical outcomes (-26.5 vs. -41.1 for "displaced" and -38.9 for "compressed," P = 0.016). Among patients with intervertebral disc herniation, those with thecal sac compression of 1/3 or more had greater surgical treatment effect than those with small disc herniations and Modic type I changes. In addition, patients with nerve root "compression" and "displacement" benefit more from surgery than those with minimal nerve root impingement. 2.

Predictors of long-term pain and disability in patients with low back pain investigated by magnetic resonance imaging: A longitudinal study

BackgroundIt is possible that clinical outcome of low back pain (LBP) differs according to the presence or absence of spinal abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), in which case there could be value in using MRI findings to refine case definition of LBP in epidemiological research. We therefore conducted a longitudinal study to explore whether spinal abnormalities on MRI for LBP predict prognosis after 18 months.MethodsA consecutive series of patients aged 20-64 years, who were investigated by MRI because of mechanical LBP (median duration of current episode 16.2 months), were identified from three radiology departments, and those who agreed completed self-administered questionnaires at baseline and after a mean follow-up period of 18.5 months (a mean of 22.2 months from MRI investigation). MRI scans were assessed blind to other clinical information, according to a standardised protocol. Associations of baseline MRI findings with pain and disability at follow-up, adjusted for treatment and for other potentially confounding variables, were assessed by Poisson regression and summarised by prevalence ratios (PRs) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs).ResultsQuestionnaires were completed by 240 (74%) of the patients who had agreed to be followed up. Among these 111 men and 129 women, 175 (73%) reported LBP in the past four weeks, 89 (37%) frequent LBP, and 72 (30%) disabling LBP. In patients with initial disc degeneration there was an increased risk of frequent (PR 1.3, 95%CI 1.0-1.9) and disabling LBP (PR 1.7, 95%CI 1.1-2.5) at follow-up. No other associations were found between MRI abnormalities and subsequent outcome.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that the MRI abnormalities examined are not major predictors of outcome in patients with LBP. They give no support to the use of MRI findings as a way of refining case definition for LBP in epidemiological research.

Role of magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis and prognosis of rheumatoid arthritis

To systematically evaluate the literature addressing the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis and prognosis of early undifferentiated inflammatory arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We performed a systematic literature review of the performance characteristics of MRI for diagnosing and prognosticating RA. We searched Ovid, supplementing this with manual searches of bibliographies, journals, meeting proceedings, and the ClinicalTrials.gov web site. To identify diagnostic studies, we included studies of any duration that prospectively examined whether MRI findings predicted RA diagnosis and reported adequate information to calculate sensitivity and specificity. To identify prognostic studies, we included prospective studies with at least a 12-month followup period that measured both baseline MRI findings and clinical and/or radiographic outcomes. For diagnostic studies (n = 11), sensitivity and specificity of MRI findings for RA diagnosis ranged from 20-100% and 0-100%, respectively, depending upon the criteria used. Diagnostic performance of MRI improved when lower-quality studies or studies with longer disease duration were excluded. For prognostic studies (n = 17), MRI findings did not predict clinical remission, and the ability to predict radiographic progression varied significantly (range 18-100% for sensitivity and 5.9-97% for specificity). Restricting the analysis to specific MRI findings or earlier disease improved MRI prognostic performance. The only prognostic study reporting 100% of a priori quality criteria found MRI bone edema to be the strongest predictor of radiographic progression. Data evaluating MRI for the diagnosis and prognosis of early RA are currently inadequate to justify widespread use of this technology for these purposes, although MRI bone edema may be predictive of progression in certain RA populations.

Refining the Definition of the Malignant Profile

To refine the definition of the malignant magnetic resonance imaging profile in acute stroke patients using baseline diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) and perfusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (PWI) findings from the pooled DEFUSE/EPITHET database. Patients presenting with acute stroke within 3 to 6 hours from symptom onset were treated with tissue plasminogen activator or placebo. Baseline and follow-up DWI and PWI images from both studies were reprocessed using the same software program. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to identify Tmax and DWI volumes that optimally predicted poor outcomes (modified Rankin Scale 5-6) at 90 days in patients who achieved reperfusion. Sixty-five patients achieved reperfusion and 46 did not reperfuse. Receiver operating characteristic analysis identified a PWI (Tmax>8 s) volume of >85 mL as the optimal definition of the malignant profile. Eighty-nine percent of malignant profile patients had poor outcome with reperfusion versus 39% of patients without reperfusion (P=0.02). Parenchymal hematomas occurred more frequently in malignant profile patients who experienced reperfusion versus no reperfusion (67% versus 11%, P<0.01). DWI analysis identified a volume of 80 mL as the best DWI threshold, but this definition was less sensitive than were PWI-based definitions. Stroke patients likely to suffer parenchymal hemorrhages and poor outcomes following reperfusion can be identified from baseline magnetic resonance imaging findings. The current analysis demonstrates that a PWI threshold (Tmax>8 s) of approximately 100 mL is appropriate for identifying these patients. Exclusion of malignant profile patients from reperfusion therapies may substantially improve the efficacy and safety of reperfusion therapies. Clinical Trial Registration Information- URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00238537.

Exploring the Association between Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness and Initial Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in Patients with Acute Optic Neuritis

Background. Recent studies have shown that OCT-measured retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) values may represent a marker for axonal damage in the anterior visual pathway of optic neuritis (ON) and multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. The goal of this study was to determine the link between RNFL values and initial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evidence of central nervous system (CNS) inflammation in patients with acute ON. Methods. Fifty patients who experienced ON as a clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) were followed for a mean period of 34 months with OCT testing. RNFL values in affected (ON) eyes and clinically unaffected (non-ON) eyes were compared between patients with MRI evidence of white matter lesions and those with normal baseline MRI findings, over a two year period. Findings. Twenty-one patients (42%) developed clinically definite MS (CDMS) during the study. After two years, temporal RNFL values were thinner (P = .07) in ON patients with MRI lesions at baseline, but the results were not significant. Conclusions. There is no association between RNFL values and baseline MRI status in ON patients at risk for future CDMS over a two year period.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer: correlation between the baseline MR imaging findings and responses to therapy

To retrospectively evaluate the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings of breast cancer before neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and to compare findings of chemosensitive breast cancer with those of chemoresistant breast cancer. The MR imaging findings before NAC in 120 women undergoing NAC were reviewed. The MR imaging findings were compared with the pathological findings and responses. A complete response (pCR) and marked response were achieved in 12 and 35% of 120 breast cancers in 120 women respectively. Breast cancers with a pCR or marked response were classified as chemosensitive breast cancer. The remaining 64 breast cancers (53%) were classified as chemoresistant breast cancer. Large tumour size, a lesion without mass effect, and very high intratumoural signal intensity on T2-weighted MR images were significantly associated with chemoresistant breast cancer. Lesions with mass effect and washout enhancement pattern were significantly associated with chemosensitive breast cancer. Areas with very high intratumoural signal intensity on T2-weighted images corresponded pathologically to areas of intratumoural necrosis. Several MR imaging features of breast cancer before NAC can help predict the efficacy of NAC.

Magnetic resonance imaging profiles predict clinical response to early reperfusion: the diffusion and perfusion imaging evaluation for understanding stroke evolution (DEFUSE) study.

To determine whether prespecified baseline magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) profiles can identify stroke patients who have a robust clinical response after early reperfusion when treated 3 to 6 hours after symptom onset. We conducted a prospective, multicenter study of 74 consecutive stroke patients admitted to academic stroke centers in North America and Europe. An MRI scan was obtained immediately before and 3 to 6 hours after treatment with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator 3 to 6 hours after symptom onset. Baseline MRI profiles were used to categorize patients into subgroups, and clinical responses were compared based on whether early reperfusion was achieved. Early reperfusion was associated with significantly increased odds of achieving a favorable clinical response in patients with a perfusion/diffusion mismatch (odds ratio, 5.4; p = 0.039) and an even more favorable response in patients with the Target Mismatch profile (odds ratio, 8.7; p = 0.011). Patients with the No Mismatch profile did not appear to benefit from early reperfusion. Early reperfusion was associated with fatal intracranial hemorrhage in patients with the Malignant profile. For stroke patients treated 3 to 6 hours after onset, baseline MRI findings can identify subgroups that are likely to benefit from reperfusion therapies and can potentially identify subgroups that are unlikely to benefit or may be harmed.