Optimization of workflow for detection of brain metastases at 3T: is a black-blood MTC prepared 3D T1 used alone robust enough to replace the combination of conventional 3D T1 and the black-blood 3D T1 MTC?

Purpose: Sampling perfection with application-optimized contrasts by using different flip angle evolutions (SPACE) is a black-blood 3D T1-weighted (T1w) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequence that has shown robust performance for brain metastases detection. However, this could generate false positive results due to suboptimal blood signal suppression. For that reason, SPACE is used in our institution alongside a non-black-blood T1w sequence: volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination (VIBE).

Pre-trial quality assurance of diffusion-weighted MRI for radiomic analysis and the role of harmonisation.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to perform a quantitative quality assurance of diffusion-weighted MRI to assess the variability of the mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and other radiomic features across the scanners involved in the REGINA trial.

Materials And Methods: The NIST/QIBA diffusion phantom was acquired on six 3 T scanners from five centres with a rectum-specific diffusion protocol. All sequences were repeated in each scan session without moving the phantom from the table.

Radiomics software comparison using digital phantom and patient data: IBSI-compliance does not guarantee concordance of feature values.

Introduction: Radiomics is a promising imaging-based tool which could enhance clinical observation and identify representative features. To avoid different interpretations, the Image Biomarker Standardisation Initiative (IBSI) imposed conditions for harmonisation. This study evaluates IBSI-compliant radiomics applications against a known benchmark and clinical datasets for agreements.

Assessment of response to chemotherapy in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: Comparison between diffusion-weighted MR quantitative parameters and RECIST.

Purpose: To prospectively assess chemotherapy-induced changes in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) with diffusion-weighted (DW)-MR quantitative metrics, including apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and histogram-derived parameters, compared with RECIST 1.1.

Methods: 24 patients underwent DW-MR at baseline, week-2 and week-8 after chemotherapy initiation.

Total choline quantification measured by 1H MR spectroscopy as early predictor of response after neoadjuvant treatment for locally advanced breast cancer: The impact of immunohistochemical status.

Background: Validation of new biomarkers is essential for the early evaluation of neoadjuvant treatments.

Purpose: To determine whether measurements of total choline (tCho) by 1H spectroscopy could predict morphological or pathological complete response (pCR) of neoadjuvant treatment and whether breast cancer subgroups are related to prediction accuracy.

Study Type: Prospective, nonrandomized, monocentric, diagnostic study.

TumourMetrics: a comprehensive clinical solution for the standardization of DCE-MRI analysis in research and routine use.

Background: A reliable analysis methodology is needed to provide valuable imaging biomarkers for clinical trials, with particular regards to dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) application using pharmacokinetic (PK) model analysis. In order to address this scientific challenge, we provided a comprehensive analysis solution that could overcome the impediments to clinical research and routine use.

Methods: TumourMetrics has been designed to meet the Quantitative Imaging Biomarkers Alliance (QIBA) v.

Cardiac assessment of early breast cancer patients 18 years after treatment with cyclophosphamide-, methotrexate-, fluorouracil- or epirubicin-based chemotherapy.

Background: Epirubicin-based chemotherapy improves the outcome of early breast cancer (BC) patients. However, cardiotoxicity remains an important side effect.

Methods: We re-consented node-positive BC patients enrolled in a phase III trial between 1988 and 1996 which compared six cycles of oral cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, fluorouracil (CMF) versus two epirubicin-cyclophosphamide regimens differing by the anthracycline cumulative dose [standard-dose epirubicin and cyclophosphamide (SDE) (8 × 60 mg/m(2)) and higher-dose epirubicin and cyclophosphamide (HDE) (8 × 100 mg/m(2))].

Quantitative DCE-MRI for prediction of pathological complete response following neoadjuvant treatment for locally advanced breast cancer: the impact of breast cancer subtypes on the diagnostic accuracy.

Objectives: To assess whether DCE-MRI pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters obtained before and during chemotherapy can predict pathological complete response (pCR) differently for different breast cancer groups.

Methods: Eighty-four patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced breast cancer were retrospectively included. All patients underwent two DCE-MRI examinations, one before (EX1) and one during treatment (EX2).

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: correlation between histogram analysis of apparent diffusion coefficient maps and tumor grade.

Purpose: To explore the role of histogram analysis of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) MRI maps based on entire tumor volume data in determining pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (PNT) grade.

Methods And Materials: Retrospective evaluation of 22 patients with PNTs included low-grade (G1; n = 15), intermediate-grade (G2; n = 4), and high-grade (G3; n = 3) tumors. Regions of interest containing the lesion were drawn on every section of the ADC map containing the tumor and summated to obtain histograms for entire tumor volume.

Quantitative diffusion imaging in breast cancer: a clinical prospective study.

Purpose: To study the correlation between apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and pathology in patients with undefined breast lesion, to validate how accurately ADC is related to histology, and to define a threshold value of ADC to distinguish malignant from benign lesions.

Materials And Methods: Seventy-eight patients (110 lesions) were referred for positive or dubious findings. Three-dimensional fast low-angle shot (3D-FLASH) with contrast injection was applied.

Contribution of NMR spectroscopy to the differential diagnosis of a recurrent cranial mass 7 years after irradiation for a pediatric ependymoma.

Case Report: We describe the case of a 5-year-old-boy who underwent surgery and focal radiotherapy for an anaplastic ependymoma of the fourth ventricle. One year later, a spinal metastasis was treated the same way. Six years later, a 16-mm lesion was found on a control MRI in the posterior fossa.