Prognostic value of CT-defined coronary sclerosis in COVID-19: results of a multicenter study based on the Weston score.

Coronary calcification, as defined by computed tomography (CT), can be quantified with a score (CAC score). It is an established prognostic and predictive imaging marker of the cardiovascular risk profile. The prognostic relevance of the CAC score has been demonstrated for acute diseases, including the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in preliminary studies.

Prostate cancer detection with transrectal in-bore MRI biopsies: impact of prostate volume and lesion features.

Objectives: To systematically analyze the diagnostic outcome of transrectal in-bore MRI-guided biopsies as a function of prostate volume and lesion features.

Methods: This single-center study retrospectively included 184 consecutive patients with transrectal in-bore MRI biopsies and histological analysis after multiparametric MRI diagnostics of at least one PI-RADS ≥ 3 lesion. Diagnostic and biopsy MRI data were analyzed for a number of patient and imaging features, specifically prostate volume, lesion size, lesion location (longitudinal, sagittal and segmental) and lesion depth.

Potential diagnostic value of high b-value computed diffusion-weighted imaging in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Aim Of The Study: Over the past few years, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) has become an increasingly important diagnostic tool in the diagnosis of liver lesions. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic benefit of high b-value computed diffusion-weighted imaging (c-DWI) compared with standard DWI in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and whether there is an association with microvascular invasion (MVI).

Material And Methods: In total, 37 patients with histopathologically confirmed HCC were retrospectively ana-lyzed.

CT-Defined Pectoralis Muscle Density Predicts 30-Day Mortality in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19: A Nationwide Multicenter Study.

Rationale And Objectives: The prognostic role of computed tomography (CT)-defined skeletal muscle features in COVID-19 is still under investigation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prognostic role of CT-defined skeletal muscle area and density in patients with COVID-19 in a multicenter setting.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study is a part of the German multicenter project RACOON (Radiological Cooperative Network of the COVID-19 pandemic).

The prognostic relevance of pleural effusion in patients with COVID-19 - A German multicenter study.

Purpose: This study evaluates the prognostic significance of pleural effusion (PE) in COVID-19 patients across thirteen centers in Germany, aiming to clarify its role in predicting clinical outcomes.

Methods: In this retrospective analysis within the RACOON project (Radiological Cooperative Network of the COVID-19 pandemic), 1183 patients (29.3 % women, 70.

Pleural and pericardial effusions as prognostic factors in patients with acute pulmonary embolism: a multicenter study.

Purpose: The prognostic role of pleural and pericardial effusion in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is still unclear with a trend for worse clinical outcome. The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the prognostic role of pleural and pericardial effusion in patients with acute PE in a large multicentre setting.

Methods: The investigated patient sampled was retrospectively comprised of 1082 patients (494 female, 45.

GPT-4o’s competency in answering the simulated written European Board of Interventional Radiology exam compared to a medical student and experts in Germany and its ability to generate exam items on interventional radiology: a descriptive study.

Purpose: This study aimed to determine whether ChatGPT-4o, a generative artificial intelligence (AI) platform, was able to pass a simulated written European Board of Interventional Radiology (EBIR) exam and whether GPT-4o can be used to train medical students and interventional radiologists of different levels of expertise by generating exam items on interventional radiology.

Methods: GPT-4o was asked to answer 370 simulated exam items of the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology Society of Europe (CIRSE) for EBIR preparation (CIRSE Prep). Subsequently, GPT-4o was requested to generate exam items on interventional radiology topics at levels of difficulty suitable for medical students and the EBIR exam.

Generative Pre-trained Transformer 4 analysis of cardiovascular magnetic resonance reports in suspected myocarditis: A multicenter study.

Background: Diagnosing myocarditis relies on multimodal data, including cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), clinical symptoms, and blood values. The correct interpretation and integration of CMR findings require radiological expertise and knowledge. We aimed to investigate the performance of Generative Pre-trained Transformer 4 (GPT-4), a large language model, for report-based medical decision-making in the context of cardiac MRI for suspected myocarditis.

The Apparent Diffusion Coefficient of the Paraspinal and Psoas Muscles Are of Prognostic Relevance in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma Undergoing Transarterial Radioembolization.

Background/aim: Transarterial radioembolization (TARE) is a treatment option for early or intermediate stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Sarcopenia is defined as loss of muscle strength and quality which can be estimated by imaging modalities and has been associated with prognosis and treatment response in HCC patients. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values derived from diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) can reflect the tissue composition and might be better to determine muscle changes of sarcopenia than the standard method of computed tomography (CT).

Standardization of a CT Protocol for Imaging Patients with Suspected COVID-19-A RACOON Project.

CT protocols that diagnose COVID-19 vary in regard to the associated radiation exposure and the desired image quality (IQ). This study aims to evaluate CT protocols of hospitals participating in the RACOON (Radiological Cooperative Network) project, consolidating CT protocols to provide recommendations and strategies for future pandemics. In this retrospective study, CT acquisitions of COVID-19 patients scanned between March 2020 and October 2020 (RACOON phase 1) were included, and all non-contrast protocols were evaluated.

Myosteatosis predicts short-term mortality in patients with COVID-19: A multicenter analysis.

Objectives: Body composition on computed tomography can predict prognosis in patients with COVID-19. The reported data are based on small retrospective studies. The aim of the present study was to analyze the prognostic relevance of skeletal muscle parameter derived from chest computed tomography for prediction of 30-d mortality in patients with COVID-19 in a multicenter setting.

Pericardial Effusion Predicts Clinical Outcomes in Patients with COVID-19: A Nationwide Multicenter Study.

Rationale And Objectives: The prognostic role of pericardial effusion (PE) in Covid 19 is unclear. The aim of the present study was to estimate the prognostic role of PE in patients with Covid 19 in a large multicentre setting.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study is a part of the German multicenter project RACOON (Radiological Cooperative Network of the Covid 19 pandemic).

Analysis of Periprocedural X-ray Exposure in Transarterial Radioembolization with Glass or Resin Microspheres.

: Transarterial Radioembolization (TARE) is an effective treatment option for both primary and secondary liver malignancies. However, challenging anatomical conditions can lead to prolonged fluoroscopy times (FT), elevated doses of periprocedural X-radiation (DAP), and increased use of contrast agents (CAs). In this study, we examined the influence of our radiologists' experience and the choice of microspheres on X-ray exposure and CA doses in TARE.

Benefits of Dual-Layer Spectral CT Imaging in Staging and Preoperative Evaluation of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

Imaging of pancreatic malignancies is challenging but has a major impact on the patients therapeutic approach and outcome. In particular with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), usually a hypovascularized tumor, conventional CT imaging can be prone to errors in determining tumor extent and presence of metastatic disease. Dual-layer spectral detector CT (SDCT) is an emerging technique for acquiring spectral information without the need for prospective patient selection or specific protocols, with a detector capable of differentiating high- and low-energy photons to acquire full spectral images.

Challenges in Implementing the Local Node Infrastructure for a National Federated Machine Learning Network in Radiology.

Data-driven machine learning in medical research and diagnostics needs large-scale datasets curated by clinical experts. The generation of large datasets can be challenging in terms of resource consumption and time effort, while generalizability and validation of the developed models significantly benefit from variety in data sources. Training algorithms on smaller decentralized datasets through federated learning can reduce effort, but require the implementation of a specific and ambitious infrastructure to share data, algorithms and computing time.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Peritoneal Carcinomatosis: Evaluation of High b-Value Computed Diffusion-Weighted Imaging.

Over the last few years, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) has become increasingly relevant in the diagnostic assessment of peritoneal carcinomatosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the benefits of high-b DWI (c-DWI) compared to standard DWI in patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis. A cohort of 40 patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis were included in this retrospective study.

Diagnostic Benefit of High b-Value Computed Diffusion-Weighted Imaging in Patients with Hepatic Metastasis.

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) has rapidly become an essential tool for the detection of malignant liver lesions. The aim of this study was to investigate the usefulness of high b-value computed DWI (c-DWI) in comparison to standard DWI in patients with hepatic metastases. In total, 92 patients with histopathologic confirmed primary tumors with hepatic metastasis were retrospectively analyzed by two readers.

[Thoracolumbar back pain as the leading symptom of a marked COVID-19 pneumonia].

History:  A 49-year-old male patient visited the surgical outpatient clinic with new onset low back pain. The pain was increasing for nine days and he did not have any signs of a respiratory infection, in particular neither fever nor cough.

Investigations:  During the further examination and unclothing, mild dyspnea was apparent.

Restructuring of a Hospital Radiology Department: Subspecialization Between Man, Machine, and Multidisciplinary Board.

Background: Radiology, like almost no other discipline, is faced with a rapid increase in information and technology. This and the growing demands regarding referring medicine, quality requirements, and personnel efficiency increasingly require subspecialization in terms of content. There is already an established move towards radiological subspecialization in the Anglo-American region.