Initial Computed Tomography Scan Research Articles

Use of Specific Duodenal Dose Constraints During Treatment Planning Reduces Toxicity After Definitive Paraaortic Radiation Therapy for Cervical Cancer

PurposeThis study aimed to validate the safety of paraaortic nodal (PAN) radiation therapy (RT) for patients with cervical cancer when the duodenal dose is limited to V55 < 15 cm3 and V60 < 2 cm3. Methods and MaterialsA total of 97 patients who were treated with RT for cervical cancer between 2010 and 2018 received at least 56 Gy to grossly involved PANs. Patients were treated with concurrent chemoradiation (n = 88; 91%), with 93% of patients (n = 90) receiving intensity modulated RT to the initial PAN field and 98% (n = 95) receiving intensity modulated RT to a sequential PAN boost. The V55 < 15 cm3 and V60 <2 cm3 criteria were implemented in 2014. Normal tissues were contoured on computed tomography (CT) simulation data sets, and the duodenum was contoured from the gastric outlet to the duodenojejunal flexure. Sixty-six patients (68%) had a resimulation scan after approximately 20 fractions. Composite duodenal doses were calculated using the initial CT scan for 50 patients (52%) and the resimulation CT scan for 47 patients (48%) depending on the anatomic changes throughout treatment. ResultsThe median duodenal V55 was 3.5 cm3 (interquartile range [IQR], 0.2-8.1 cm3) and the median V60 was 0.3 cm3 (IQR, 0.0-1.8). Constraints were exceeded in 18 patients, of whom 16 patients (89%) had been treated before 2014. Treatment for the 2 patients treated after 2014 was complicated by significant weight loss and reduced anterior-posterior diameter, which likely overestimated the true dose on the composite plan. Only 1 patient experienced grade 3 duodenal toxicity (stricture requiring endoscopic balloon dilation 3 months after treatment); however, the stricture was outside of the high-dose boost volume, and the patient had a history of gastritis. Six patients (6%) had a first recurrence within the PAN region. ConclusionsLimiting the duodenal dose to V55 < 15 cm3 and V60 < 2 cm3 for patients with cervical cancer and PAN involvement is feasible, and minimizes duodenal toxicity while maintaining acceptable local control rates.

Pulmonary fibrotic-like changes on follow-up chest CT exam in patients recovering from COVID-19 pneumonia.

To date, there is limited data on the long-term changes in the lungs of patients recovering from coronavirus (COVID-19) pneumonia. In order to evaluate pulmonary sequelae, it was planned to investigate fibrotic changes observed as sequelae in lung tissue in 3-6-month control thorax computerized tomography (CT) scans of moderate-to-severe COVID-19 pneumonia survivors. A total of 84 patients (mean age: 67.3 years ±15) with moderate-to-severe pneumonia on chest tomography at the time of diagnosis were included in the study, of which 51 (61%) were males and 33 (39%) were females. Initial and follow-up CT scans averaged 8.3 days ± 2.2 and 112.1 days ± 14.6 after symptom onset, respectively. Participants were recorded in two groups as those with and without fibrotic-like changes such as traction bronchiectasis, fibrotic - parenchymal bands, honeycomb appearance according to 3-6 months follow-up CT scans. Differences between the groups were evaluated with a two-sampled t-test. Logistic regression analyzes were performed to determine independent predictive factors of fibrotic-like sequelae changes. On follow-up CTs, fibrotic-like changes were observed in 29 (35%) of the 84 participants (Group 1), while the remaining 55 (65%) showed complete radiological recovery (Group 2). With logistic regression analysis, hospital stay of 22 days or longer (OR: 4.9; 95% CI: 20, 32; p< 0.05) and a CT score of 15 or more at diagnosis (OR: 2.2; 95% CI: 13.5, 18; p< 0.05) were found to be an independent predictor for sequelae fibrotic changes in lung tissue. More than one-third of patients who survived COVID-19 pneumonia had fibrotic-like sequelae changes in the lung parenchyma. These changes were found to be associated with the presence of severe pneumonia at the time of diagnosis and longer hospital stay.

Inspiratory and Expiratory Chest High-resolution CT: Small-airway Disease Evaluation in Patients with COVID-19.

An outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has occurred worldwide. However, the small-airway disease in patients with COVID-19 has not been explored. This study aimed to explore the small-airway disease in patients with COVID-19 using inspiratory and expiratory chest high-resolution computed tomography (CT). This multicenter study included 108 patients with COVID-19. The patients were classified into five stages (0-IV) based on the CT images. The clinical and imaging data were compared among CT images in different stages. Patients were divided into three groups according to the time interval from the initial CT scan, and the clinical and air trapping data were compared among these groups. The correlation between clinical parameters and CT scores was evaluated. The clinical data, including age, frequency of breath shortness and dyspnea, neutrophil percentage, lymphocyte count, PaO2, PaCO2, SaO2, and time interval between the onset of illness and initial CT, showed significant differences among CT images in different stages. A significant difference in the CT score of air trapping was observed between stage I and stage III. A low negative correlation was found between the CT score of air trapping and the time interval between the onset of symptoms and initial CT. No significant difference was noted in the frequency and CT score of air trapping among different groups. Some patients with COVID-19 developed small-airway disease. Air trapping was more distinguished in the early stage of the disease and persisted during the 2-month follow-up. Longer-term follow-up studies are needed to confirm the findings.

Isodense Acute Epidural Hematoma in an Anemic Patient – Diagnostic and Therapeutic Trap: A Case Report

Post-traumatic acute epidural and subdural hematoma is a common neurosurgical emergency. Epidural or extradural hematoma is an accumulation of blood between the skull and dura mater, mostly appears asa hyperdense biconvex shape on computed tomography (CT) scan. In our present study, weencountered a case of an eight years old malechild brought to the hospital with head trauma in aroad traffic accident. Initial CT scan revealed an epidural hematoma, which appeared isodense rather than the usual hyperdense presentation. This unusual presentation was due to low hematocrit (HCT). Thisparticular presentation poses a diagnostic dilemma and can compromise patient managementultimately leading to treatment failure. Here, we present a case report about diagnosing and managing an anemic patient with traumatic isodense acute epidural hematoma.

Machine learning for lung texture analysis on thin-section CT: Capability for assessments of disease severity and therapeutic effect for connective tissue disease patients in comparison with expert panel evaluations.

The need for quantitative assessment of interstitial lung involvement on thin-section computed tomography (CT) has arisen in interstitial lung diseases including connective tissue disease (CTD). To evaluate the capability of machine learning (ML)-based CT texture analysis for disease severity and treatment response assessments in comparison with qualitatively assessed thin-section CT for patients with CTD. A total of 149 patients with CTD-related ILD (CTD-ILD) underwent initial and follow-up CT scans (total 364 paired serial CT examinations), pulmonary function tests, and serum KL-6 level tests. Based on all follow-up examination results, all paired serial CT examinations were assessed as "Stable" (n = 188), "Worse" (n = 98) and "Improved" (n = 78). Next, quantitative index changes were determined by software, and qualitative disease severity scores were assessed by consensus of two radiologists. To evaluate differences in each quantitative index as well as in disease severity score between paired serial CT examinations, Tukey's honestly significant difference (HSD) test was performed among the three statuses. Stepwise regression analyses were performed to determine changes in each pulmonary functional parameter and all quantitative indexes between paired serial CT scans. Δ% normal lung, Δ% consolidation, Δ% ground glass opacity, Δ% reticulation, and Δdisease severity score showed significant differences among the three statuses (P < 0.05). All differences in pulmonary functional parameters were significantly affected by Δ% normal lung, Δ% reticulation, and Δ% honeycomb (0.16 ≤r2 ≤0.42; P < 0.05). ML-based CT texture analysis has better potential than qualitatively assessed thin-section CT for disease severity assessment and treatment response evaluation for CTD-ILD.

Radiological evaluation of response to treatment in hepatobiliary fascioliasis

PurposeIn this study, we aimed to evaluate the computed tomography (CT) findings of Fasciola hepatica infestations on initial and follow-up imagings after treatment, and also to describe the role of CT during diagnosis. MethodsIn this retrospective study, patients with a diagnosis of fascioliasis by clinical and laboratory examination who underwent initial and follow-up contrast-enhanced abdominal CT scans after treatment (a single oral dose of 10mg/kg Triclabendazole) were included. The CT scans were evaluated regarding liver and spleen sizes, portal and splenic vein diameters, involved hepatic segment numbers and involvement patterns, the presence of focal perihepatic hyperdensity, gallbladder wall thickening, dilatation of the intrahepatic biliary tract, periportal-right subdiaphragmatic lymphadenopathy, hepatic subcapsular and intra-abdominal bleeding, and perihepatic/intraabdominal free fluid. Initial (pre-treatment) and post-treatment CT scans (average 25 months after the treatment) were compared with for these features. ResultsA total of 36 patients with a mean age of 39.28±14.64 [15-83] years, were included in this study. After treatment, marked improvement in liver parenchymal involvement, biliary system findings, hepatomegaly-splenomegaly, periportal-peridiaphragmatic lymphadenopathy, and hepatic subcapsular hematoma were detected and focal perihepatic hyperdensity, free intraperitoneal fluid disappeared. ConclusionContrast-enhanced abdominal CT can be used in the diagnosis and post-treatment follow-up of fascioliasis. Awareness of intrahepatic/extrahepatic lesions and all the complications of fascioliasis can greatly aid the diagnosis and also evaluation of the response to treatment.

What's in an Eye?

What's in an Eye?

Diffuse Axonal Injury Grade on Early MRI is Associated with Worse Outcome in Children with Moderate-Severe Traumatic Brain Injury.

BackgroundTraumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of death and disability in children, but effective tools for predicting outcome remain elusive. Although many pediatric patients receive early magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), data on its utility in prognostication are lacking. Diffuse axonal injury (DAI) is a hallmark of TBI detected on early MRI and was shown previously to improve prognostication in adult patients with TBI. In this exploratory study, we investigated whether DAI grade correlates with functional outcome and improves prognostic accuracy when combined with core clinical variables and computed tomography (CT) biomarkers in pediatric patients with moderate-severe TBI (msTBI).MethodsPediatric patients (≤ 19 years) who were admitted to two regional level one trauma centers with a diagnosis of msTBI (Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] score < 13) between 2011 and 2019 were identified through retrospective chart review. Patients who underwent brain MRI within 30 days of injury and had documented clinical follow-up after discharge were included. Age, pupil reactivity, and initial motor GCS score were collected as part of the International Mission for Prognosis and Analysis of Clinical Trials in TBI (IMPACT) model. Imaging was reviewed to calculate the Rotterdam score (CT) and DAI grade (MRI) and to evaluate for presence of hypoxic-ischemic injury (MRI). The primary outcome measure was the Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category Scale (PCPCS) score at 6 months after TBI, with favorable outcome defined as PCPCS scores 1–3 and unfavorable outcome defined as PCPCS scores 4–6. The secondary outcome measure was discharge disposition to home versus to an inpatient rehabilitation facility.ResultOf 55 patients included in the study, 45 (82%) had severe TBI. The most common mechanism of injury was motor vehicle collision (71%). Initial head CT scans showed acute hemorrhage in 84% of patients. MRI was acquired a median of 5 days after injury, and hemorrhagic DAI lesions were detected in 87% of patients. Each 1-point increase in DAI grade increased the odds of unfavorable functional outcome by 2.4-fold. When controlling for core IMPACT clinical variables, neither the DAI grade nor the Rotterdam score was independently correlated with outcome and neither significantly improved outcome prediction over the IMPACT model alone.ConclusionsA higher DAI grade on early MRI is associated with worse 6-month functional outcome and with discharge to inpatient rehabilitation in children with acute msTBI in a univariate analysis but does not independently correlate with outcome when controlling for the GCS score. Addition of the DAI grade to the core IMPACT model does not significantly improve prediction of poor neurological outcome. Further study is needed to elucidate the utility of early MRI in children with msTBI.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12028-021-01336-8.

Posttransplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder Status Post-Solid Organ Transplant Presenting to the Emergency Department: Single Institute Experience.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical, laboratory, imaging, and pathology findings associated with emergency department presentations of posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) after solid organ transplant (SOT). Fifteen patients presenting to a single tertiary care center between 2004 and 2019 with PTLD after SOT were identified from a pathology database. Twelve patients presenting through the emergency department were included in the study. Demographic, clinical, imaging, pathology, treatment, and outcome data were reviewed. Among this 12 patient cohort (7 men; mean age, 44.2 years), transplant history included 4 combined kidney/pancreas, 4 kidney, 2 liver, 1 cardiac, and 1 lung. Mean time from transplant to diagnosis was 7.6 years. Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder was identified on initial computed tomography scans in 10 of 12 patients. The most common sites for PTLD development were the gastrointestinal tract (4/12) and liver (3/12). Outcomes included resolution of PTLD in 9 of 12 patients, with 3 patients dying within 6 months of diagnosis. Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder is a serious consequence of solid organ transplantation that can present in various locations and with varied symptomatology in the emergency setting. Other posttransplant complications may present similarly including chronic rejection and infection. Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder should be considered in SOT patients presenting with worsening abdominal pain or constitutional symptoms, even with normal laboratory workup.

Management of Severe Traumatic Brain Injury in Children by Decompressive Craniectomy: Technical Note and Therapy Concepts

The goal of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic role of decompressive craniectomy for severe brain injury in children. Between 1993 and 2020 we treated 37 children with severe brain injury (Glasgow Coma Scores lower than 8) and primary intracranial pressure of 30 mmHg or higher. In all cases follow up data could be obtained. Mean age was 6.5 years (range 2 years - 16 years). Initial computerized tomography scans of all patients demonstrated diffuse brain injury with generalized brain swelling without large mass lesion. In all patients unilateral decompressive craniectomy was performed.

The utility of a second head CT scan after a negative initial CT scan in head trauma patients on new direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs)

BackgroundNew direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are commonly used in the management of atrial fibrillation and VTE. Currently, there is no strong evidence to support the current practice of routinely repeating computed tomography (CT) head in anticoagulated patients within 24 hours after their first negative CT scan to assess for new and delayed intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). Our hypothesis is that the vast majority will not have new CT scan findings of ICH and those who do would not require any further intervention. MethodsThis is retrospective cohort study. IRB approval was obtained. Subjects included adults age ≥ 18 taking DOACs who presented to our level III trauma center with confirmed or suspected blunt head trauma between August 2013 and October 2019 and received at least one head CT scans. Results498 Patient encounters met inclusion criteria. Only 19 patients (3.8%) had positive traumatic ICH on the initial CT head. Those had a higher ISS. 420 out of 479 initial negative CT encounters received a second CT head. Only 2 (0.5%) had delayed positive second CT scan for ICH. 95%CI [0.06%, 1.7%] Patients who developed a new ICH on the second CT head after an initial negative CT scan had a lower Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) on presentation and a higher ISS. None of those patients required neurosurgical intervention ConclusionOur data suggests that the risk of developing a new or delayed traumatic ICH for patients on DOAC on a second CT head within 24 hours following an initial negative CT is very low and when present did not require neurosurgical intervention and thus does not support routinely obtaining a repeat CT head within 24 hours after a negative initial CT scan. Patients presenting with lower GCS and higher ISS had a higher chance of having a delayed ICH.

Different chest CT scoring systems in patients with COVID-19: could baseline CT be a helpful tool in predicting survival in patients with matched ages and co-morbid conditions?

BackgroundComputed tomography (CT) gives an idea about the prognosis in patients with COVID-19 lung infiltration.PurposeTo evaluate the success rates of various scoring methods utilized in order to predict survival periods, on the basis of the imaging findings of COVID-19. Another purpose, on the other hand, was to evaluate the agreements among the evaluating radiologists.Material and MethodsA total of 100 cases of known COVID-19 pneumonia, of which 50 were deceased and 50 were living, were included in the study. Pre-existing scoring systems, which were the Total Severity Score (TSS), Chest Computed Tomography Severity Score (CT-SS), and Total CT Score, were utilized, together with the Early Decision Severity Score (ED-SS), which was developed by our team, to evaluate the initial lung CT scans of the patients obtained at their initial admission to the hospital. The scans were evaluated retrospectively by two radiologists. Area under the curve (AUC) values were acquired for each scoring system, according to their performances in predicting survival times.ResultsThe mean age of the patients was 61 ± 14.85 years (age range = 18–87 years). There was no difference in co-morbidities between the living and deceased patients. The survival predicted AUC values of ED-SS, CT-SS, TSS, and Total CT Score systems were 0.876, 0.823, 0.753, and 0.744, respectively.ConclusionAlgorithms based on lung infiltration patterns of COVID-19 may be utilized for both survival prediction and therapy planning.

Dosimetric Validation of a GAN-Based Pseudo-CT Generation for MRI-Only Stereotactic Brain Radiotherapy.

Simple SummaryStereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) has become widely accepted as a treatment of choice for patients with a small number of brain metastases that are of an acceptable size. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-only workflow could shorten the planning time and reduce the risk of misalignment in this treatment. Given the absence of a calibrated electronic density in MRI, we successfully compared generative adversarial network (GAN)-generated computed tomography (CT) scans from diagnostic brain MRIs with initial CT scans for the planning of brain stereotactic radiotherapy, finding a high similarity between the planning CT and the synthetic CT for both the organs at risk and the target volumes.Purpose: Stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) has become widely accepted as a treatment of choice for patients with a small number of brain metastases that are of an acceptable size, allowing for better target dose conformity, resulting in high local control rates and better sparing of organs at risk. An MRI-only workflow could reduce the risk of misalignment between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain studies and computed tomography (CT) scanning for SRT planning, while shortening delays in planning. Given the absence of a calibrated electronic density in MRI, we aimed to assess the equivalence of synthetic CTs generated by a generative adversarial network (GAN) for planning in the brain SRT setting. Methods: All patients with available MRIs and treated with intra-cranial SRT for brain metastases from 2014 to 2018 in our institution were included. After co-registration between the diagnostic MRI and the planning CT, a synthetic CT was generated using a 2D-GAN (2D U-Net). Using the initial treatment plan (Pinnacle v9.10, Philips Healthcare), dosimetric comparison was performed using main dose-volume histogram (DVH) endpoints in respect to ICRU 91 guidelines (Dmax, Dmean, D2%, D50%, D98%) as well as local and global gamma analysis with 1%/1 mm, 2%/1 mm and 2%/2 mm criteria and a 10% threshold to the maximum dose. t-test analysis was used for comparison between the two cohorts (initial and synthetic dose maps). Results: 184 patients were included, with 290 treated brain metastases. The mean number of treated lesions per patient was 1 (range 1–6) and the median planning target volume (PTV) was 6.44 cc (range 0.12–45.41). Local and global gamma passing rates (2%/2 mm) were 99.1 CI95% (98.1–99.4) and 99.7 CI95% (99.6–99.7) respectively (CI: confidence interval). DVHs were comparable, with no significant statistical differences regarding ICRU 91′s endpoints. Conclusions: Our study is the first to compare GAN-generated CT scans from diagnostic brain MRIs with initial CT scans for the planning of brain stereotactic radiotherapy. We found high similarity between the planning CT and the synthetic CT for both the organs at risk and the target volumes. Prospective validation is under investigation at our institution.

The Effect of Antithrombotics on Hematoma Expansion in Small- to Moderate-Sized Traumatic Intraparenchymal Hemorrhages

Although pre-injury antithrombotic agents, including antiplatelets and anticoagulants, are historically associated with expansion of traumatic intraparenchymal hemorrhage (tIPH), the literature has poorly elucidated the actual risk of hematoma expansion on repeat computed tomography (CT). The objective was to determine the effect of antithrombotic agents on hematoma expansion in tIPH by comparing patients with and without pre-injury antithrombotic medication. The volume of all tIPHs over a 5-year period at an academic Level 1 trauma center was measured retrospectively. The initial tIPH was divided into 3 equally sized quantiles. The third tercile, representing the largest subset of tIPH, was then removed from the study population because these patients reflect a different pathophysiologic mechanism that may require a more acute and aggressive level of care with reversal agents and/or operative management. Per institutional policy, all patients with small- to moderate-sized hemorrhages received a 24-hour stability CT scan. Patients who received reversal agents were excluded. Of the 105 patients with a tIPH on the initial head CT scan, small- to moderate-sized hemorrhages were <5 cm3. The size of tIPH on initial imaging did not statistically significantly differ between the antithrombotic cohort (0.7 ± 0.1 cm3) and the non-antithrombotic cohort (0.5 ± 0.1 cm3) (P= 0.091). Similarly, the volume of tIPH failed to differ on 24-hour repeat imaging (1.0 ± 0.2 cm3 vs. 0.6 ± 0.1 cm3, respectively, P= 0.172). Following a multiple linear regression, only history of stroke, not antithrombotic medications, predicted increased tIPH on 24-hour repeat imaging. In small- to moderate-sized tIPH, withholding antithrombotic agents without reversal may be sufficient.

A nomogram to predict early hematoma expansion of hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage.

Early hematoma expansion of hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage is affected by various factors. This study aimed to clarify the risk factors and develop a nomogram to predict early hematoma expansion.A retrospective analysis was carried out in patients with hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage admitted to our institution between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2018; the patients were divided into 2 groups according to the presence of early hematoma expansion. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to analyze the risk factors of hematoma expansion. The nomogram was developed based on a multivariate logistic regression model, and the discriminative ability of the model was analyzed.A total of 477 patients with hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage and with a baseline hematoma volume <30 ml were included in our retrospective analysis. The hematoma expansion rate was 34.2% (163/477). After multivariate logistic regression, 9 variables (alcohol history, Glasgow coma scale score, total serum calcium, blood glucose, international normalized ratio, hematoma shape, hematoma density, volume of hematoma on initial computed tomography scan, and presence of intraventricular hemorrhage) identified as independent predictors of hematoma expansion were used to generate the nomogram. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the nomogram was 0.883 (95% confidence interval 0.851–0.914), and the cutoff score was −0.19 with sensitivity of 75.5% and specificity of 87.3%.The nomogram can accurately predict the risk of early hematoma expansion.

Utility of a pediatric fast magnetic resonance imaging protocol as surveillance scanning for traumatic brain injury.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a prevalent pediatric pathology in the modern emergency department. Computed tomography (CT) is utilized for detection of TBI and can result in cumulatively high radiation exposure. Recently, a fast brain magnetic resonance imaging (fbMRI) protocol has been employed for rapid imaging of hydrocephalus in pediatric patients. The authors investigate the utility of a modified trauma-focused fbMRI (t-fbMRI) protocol as an alternative to surveillance CT in the setting of acute TBI in pediatric patients, thus reducing radiation exposure while improving diagnostic yield. A retrospective review was performed at the authors' institution for all pediatric patients who had undergone t-fbMRI within 72 hours of an initial CT scan, using a 1.5- or 3-T MR scanner for trauma indications. Forty patients met the study inclusion criteria. The authors performed a comparison of findings on the reads of CT and fbMRI, and a board-certified neuroradiologist conducted an independent review of both modalities. T-fbMRI outperformed CT in specificity, sensitivity, and negative predictive value for all injury pathologies measured, except for skull fractures. T-fbMRI demonstrated a sensitivity of 100% in the detection of extraaxial bleed, intraventricular hemorrhage, and subarachnoid hemorrhage and had a sensitivity of 78% or greater for epidural hematoma, subdural hematoma, and intraparenchymal hemorrhage. T-fbMRI yielded a specificity of 100% for all types of intracranial hemorrhages, with a corresponding negative predictive value that exceeded that for CT. In pediatric populations, the t-fbMRI protocol provides a valid alternative to CT in the surveillance of TBI and intracranial hemorrhage. Although not as sensitive in the detection of isolated skull fractures, t-fbMRI can be used to monitor pathologies implicated in TBI patients while minimizing radiation exposure from traditional surveillance imaging.

Primary Brain Melanoma in a Pediatric Patient: A Case Report

Patient: Male, 17-year-oldFinal Diagnosis: Primary malignant melanoma of brainSymptoms: Tonic-clonic seizureMedication: —Clinical Procedure: Resection of brain tumorSpecialty: Neurosurgery • Pediatrics and Neonatology • RadiologyObjective:Rare diseaseBackground:Primary malignant melanoma of the brain is a challenging radiological diagnosis and a high index of suspicion is required about patients with the condition. In the pediatric population, only a few cases have been reported in the literature. The purpose of this report was to describe the expected imaging characteristics and the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in the diagnosis of this rare entity.Case Report:A 17-year-old Hispanic male who presented with new-onset tonic-clonic seizures had no focal neurologic deficits on physical examination. An initial computed tomography scan showed a hyperdense, right frontal, parafalcine mass. Brain magnetic resonance imaging was performed and revealed a T1 hyperintense and T2 hypointense, right-frontal-lobe, extra-axial mass with foci of susceptibility. Resection of the mass revealed a lesion that had a dark, pigmented macroscopic appearance. Histopathologic analysis confirmed that it was a primary intracranial malignant melanoma after no primary site was identified on dermatologic and ophthalmologic evaluations.Conclusions:Diagnosing a primary intracranial melanoma with imaging alone is virtually impossible if clinical data and findings from a thorough physical examination are unavailable. Intracranial primary malignant melanoma remains a complex radiological diagnosis that relies on the exclusion of other potentially more common entities and an optimal multidisciplinary approach.

Sarcopenia as a Predictor of Prognosis in Early Stage Ovarian Cancer.

BackgroundTo identify sarcopenia as a predictive prognostic factor of ovarian cancer in terms of survival outcome in patients with early-stage ovarian cancer.MethodsData of Konkuk University Medical Center from March 2002 to December 2017 were reviewed retrospectively. Eighty-two patients who underwent surgery due to early-stage (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage I/II) ovarian cancer and had computed tomography (CT) images taken at the initial diagnosis were included. The initial CT scan images were analyzed with SliceOmatic software (TomoVision). A sarcopenia cutoff value was defined as a skeletal muscle index of ≤ 38.7 cm2/m2. Overall survival (OS) times were compared according to the existence of sarcopenia, and subgroup analyses were performed.ResultsA Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a significant survival disadvantage for patients with early-stage ovarian cancer when they had sarcopenia (P < 0.001; log-rank test). Sarcopenia remained a significant prognostic factor for OS in early-stage ovarian cancer, in a Cox proportional hazards model regression analysis (HR, 21.9; 95% CI, 2.0–199.9; P = 0.006).ConclusionThis study demonstrated that sarcopenia was predictive of OS in patients with early-stage ovarian cancer. Further prospective studies with a larger number of patients are warranted to determine the extent to which sarcopenia can be used as a prognostic factor in ovarian cancer.

The Predictive Value of Initial CT Scan in Patients with COVID-19

Background: As the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Wuhan raised public health concerns, many studies were conducted to reveal the risk factors of the disease and predictive prognostic indicators to plan the treatment strategies and commence therapies earlier. Although specific parameters, including age, gender, chronic diseases, D-dimer, and neutrophil-lymphocyte-ratio play a curial role in COVID-19, the association between mortality and the extent of lung involvement in the initial computerized tomography (CT) scan of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 has not been well documented in the literature. Objectives: We compared two groups (CT-1 and CT-2) in terms of lung involvement in the initial CT of patients admitted to the emergency unit and then hospitallzed with COVID-19. Methods: Using the digital data system of İzmir Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital, Turkey, subjects diagnosed with COVID-19 in April 2020 were retrospectively screened. For each of the 90 patients, the initial CT scans on admission were evaluated for the extent of lung involvement and classified as CT-1 (≤ 5% of lung involvement, n: 45) and CT-2 (&gt; 5% of lung involvement, n: 45). Results: There was not any statistical significance between two different CT groups regarding mortality and length of stay of patients in hospital with COVID-19 (P = 0.72 and P = 0.51, respectively). Neutrophil counts were found to be statistically significant and higher in CT-2 group than the CT-1 (P = 0.02) group. The length of stay in hospital was correlated with age, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), neutrophils, lymphocyte, and only the correlation between length of stay in hospital and age was significant (P = 0.01). Conclusions: The size of involvement is not a predictive indicator for mortality and length of stay in hospital in patients with COVID-19.

The faster the better? Time to first CT scan after admission in moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury and its association with mortality

Fast acquisition of a first computed tomography (CT) scan after traumatic brain injury (TBI) is recommended. This study is aimed at investigating whether the length of the period preceding initial CT scan influences mortality in patients with leading TBI. A retrospective cohort analysis of patients registered in the TraumaRegister DGU® was conducted including adult patients with TBI, defined as Abbreviated Injury ScaleHead ≥ 3 and GCS ≤ 13 who had been treated in level 1 or 2 trauma centers from 2007–2016. Patients were grouped according to time intervals either from trauma or from admission to CT. A total of 6904 patients met the inclusion criteria. Mean time period from trauma to hospital admission was 68.8 min. From admission to first CT, a mean of 19.0 min elapsed. Trauma severity was higher in groups with a longer duration from trauma to CT as represented by a mean (± standard deviation) Injury Severity Score (ISS) of 19.8 ± 9.0, 20.7 ± 9.3, and 21.4 ± 7.5 and similar distribution of mortality of 24.9%, 29.9%, and 36.3% in the ≤ 60-min, 61–120-min, and ≥ 121-min groups, respectively. An adjusted multivariable logistic regression model showed a significant influence of the level of the trauma center (p = 0.037) but not for interval from admission to CT (p = 0.528). TBI patients with a longer time span from trauma to first CT were more severely injured and demonstrated a worse prognosis, but received a CT scan faster when duration from admission is observed. The duration until the CT scan was obtained showed no significant impact on the mortality.