British Journal of Radiology

OBJECTIVES: We propose a deep learning (DL) multi-task learning framework using convolutional neural network (CNN) for a direct conversion of single-energy CT (SECT) to three different parametric maps of dual-energy CT (DECT): Virtual-monochromatic image (VMI), effective atomic number (EAN), and relative electron density (RED). METHODS: We propose VMI-Net for conversion of SECT to 70, 120, and 200 keV VMIs. In addition, EAN-Net and RED-Net were also developed to convert SECT to EAN and RED...

PURPOSE: To conduct a meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) during transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation. METHODS: MEDLINE and Embase databases were queried until July 2022 for comparative studies reporting procedure metrics for TIPS creation with or without IVUS guidance. Meta-analysis was performed with random-effects modeling for total procedural time, time to portal venous access, fluoroscopy time, iodinated contrast volume use, air kerma, dose area product, and number of needle passes...

OBJECTIVES: To assess the safety and efficacy of percutaneous cryoablation (CA) of soft-tissue tumors (desmoid tumors (DT), vascular malformations (VM), and abdominal wall endometriosis (AWE)). METHODS: This systematic review of studies published before January 2024 encompassed a detailed analysis of CA techniques and technical aspects for the treatment of soft-tissue tumors. Data concerning CA efficacy, complication rates, and other relevant metrics was extracted and included for analysis...

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to establish the first-ever MRI classification of uterosacral ligament (USL) involvement in deep endometriosis (DIE), based on reliable preoperative MRI features correlated with positive predictive values (PPVs) determined through histopathological analysis. METHODS: 22 women underwent surgery with histopathology due to symptoms highly suggestive of endometriosis. The 22 preoperative MRIs were analyzed retrospectively, blinded to histopathology, and a classification of preoperative aspect of USLs linked to PPVs was designed...

OBJECTIVES: Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) is a relatively less investigated neuromuscular disease, partially overlapping the phenotype of Duchenne dystrophy (DMD). Physiopathological and anatomical patterns are still not comprehensively known, despite recent effort in the search of early biomarkers. METHODS: Aim of this study was to selectively compare normal appearing muscles of BMD with healthy controls. Among a pool of 40 BMD patients and 20 healthy controls, Sartorius and gracilis muscles were selected on the basis of a blinded clinical quantitative/qualitative evaluation, if classified as normal appearing (0 or 1 on Mercuri scale) and subsequently segmented on diffusion tensor MRI scans with a tractographic approach...

Left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction (DD) is an initially asymptomatic condition that can progress to heart failure, either with preserved or reduced ejection fraction. As such, DD is a growing public health problem. Impaired relaxation, the first stage of DD, is associated with altered LV filling. With progression, reducing LV compliance leads to restrictive cardiomyopathy. While cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is the reference for LV systolic function assessment, transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) with Doppler flow measurements remains the standard for diastolic function assessment...

Small-field dosimetry used in special procedures such as gamma knife, Cyberknife, Tomotherapy, IMRT and VMAT has been in evolution after several radiation incidences with very significant (70%) errors due to poor understanding of the dosimetry. IAEA-TRS-483 and AAPM-TG-155 have provided comprehensive information on small-fields dosimetry in terms of code of practice and relative dosimetry. Data for various detectors and conditions have been elaborated. It turns out that with a suitable detectors dose measurement accuracy can be reasonably (±3%) achieved for 6 MV beams for fields > 1x1 cm2...

OBJECTIVES: To develop and validate a whole-liver radiomic model using multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for predicting early-stage liver fibrosis (LF) in rabbits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 134 rabbits (early-stage LF, n = 91; advanced-stage LF, n = 43) who underwent liver magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), hepatobiliary phase (HBP), dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE), intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM), diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) and T2* scanning were enrolled and randomly allocated to either the training or validation cohort...

OBJECTIVES: Based on enhanced MRI, a prediction model of microvascular invasion (MVI) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was developed using graph convolutional network (GCN) combined nomogram. METHODS: We retrospectively collected 182 HCC patients confirmed histopathologically, all of them performed enhanced MRI before surgery. The patients were randomly divided into training and validation groups. Radiomics features were extracted from the arterial phase (AP), portal venous phase (PVP), and delayed phase (DP), respectively...

Oesophageal fluoroscopy is a radiological procedure that uses dynamic recording of the swallowing process to evaluate morphology and function simultaneously, a characteristic not found in other clinical tests. It enables a comprehensive evaluation of the entire upper gastrointestinal tract, from the oropharynx to oesophagogastric bolus transport. The number of fluoroscopies of the oesophagus and the oropharynx has increased in recent decades, while the overall use of gastrointestinal fluoroscopic examinations has declined...

OBJECTIVES: To develop a mapping model between skin surface motion and internal tumour motion and deformation using end-of-exhalation (EOE) and end-of-inhalation (EOI) 3D CT images for tracking lung tumours during respiration. METHODS: Before treatment, skin and tumour surfaces were segmented and reconstructed from the end-of-exhalation (EOE) and the end-of-inhalation (EOI) 3D CT images. A non-rigid registration algorithm was employed to register the EOE skin and tumour surfaces to the EOI, resulting in a displacement vector field (DVF) that was then used to construct a mapping model...

PURPOSE: This study aims to confirm the diagnostic accuracy of extra-prostatic extension (EPE) grading system and to explore the predictive capabilities of the prostate MRI while considering various MRI features such as lesion location, ADC values and capsular enhancement sign (CES). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our monocentric study is based on a retrospective analysis of 99 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy from January 2021 to January 2023. The observers reviewed for each lesion, including location (transitional or peripheral zone, anterior or posterior location), capsular contact length, irregular bulging of the capsule, asymmetry of the neuro-vascular bundle, obliteration of the recto-prostatic angle, macroscopic EPE, ADC value, and CES...

Oligometastatic Non-Small Cell Lung cancer (OMD NSCLC) has been proposed to bridge the spectrum between non-metastatic to widely metastatic states and is perceived as an opportunity for potential cure if removed. Twelve clinical trials on local treatment have been reported, yet none are conclusive. These trials informed the development of a joint clinical practice guideline (CPG) by the American & European societies for radiation oncology, which endorses local treatment for OMD NSCLC. However, the heterogeneity between and prognostic factors within these trials likely influenced outcomes and can only support guidance at this time...

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to differentiate endometrial cancer (EC) between TP53mutation (P53abn) and Non-P53abn subtypes using radiological-clinical nomogram on EC body volume MR imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively recruited two hundred twenty-seven patients with pathologically proven EC from our institution. All these patients have undergone molecular pathology diagnosis based on the cancer genome atlas (TCGA). Clinical characteristics and histological diagnosis were recorded from the hospital information system...

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to present novel diagnostic ultrasonography-based classification of inflammatory granulomatous mastitis (IGM) and to assess and compare dosage responses of locoregional steroid therapy. MATERIAL & METHODS: From January 2017 through March 2023 total of 230 biopsy-proven IGM patients were reclassified (Grade I, II, and III) according to ultrasonography-based morphological features.The injection applications were grouped in Group1 [40mg/mL between 2017-2019 years] vs...

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the imaging characteristics and clinicopathological features of rim enhancement of breast masses demonstrated on contrast-enhanced mammography(CEM). METHODS: 67 cases of breast lesions confirmed by pathology and showing rim enhancement on CEM examinations were analyzed. The lesions were divided into benign and malignant groups, and the morphological and enhanced features were described. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated separately for each morphology descriptor to evaluate the diagnostic ability of each indicator...

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is a debilitating disease for which effective therapies are now available. Effective identification of candidates for therapy relies heavily on noninvasive imaging that must be interpreted accurately in a short timeframe. This review summarizes the evolution of AIS therapies and the implications for noninvasive imaging. The review concludes with consideration of longstanding assumptions about imaging of ischemic stroke and potential paradigm shifts on the horizon.

Congenital anomalies and defects of the skull base and calvarium encompass a broad and complex spectrum of pathologies. The clinical presentation is highly variable, and these anomalies may be discovered incidentally in asymptomatic individuals. Radiological assessment plays a pivotal role in precisely characterizing these abnormalities, facilitating the diagnostic process, and assisting in any preoperative preparation.

OBJECTIVE: Drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) has shown promise as a treatment modality for primary liver cancer and colorectal cancer liver metastasis. However, its role in pancreatic cancer liver metastasis (PCLM) remains uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of DEB-TACE in PCLM patients. METHODS: A retrospective study included 10 PCLM patients who underwent DEB-TACE using CalliSpheres® microspheres as the chemoembolization material...

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of daily fraction doses on late genitourinary (GU) toxicity after salvage radiotherapy (SRT) for prostate cancer. METHODS: This multi-institutional retrospective study included 212 patients who underwent SRT between 2008 and 2018. All patients received image-guided intensity-modulated SRT at a median dose of 67.2 Gy in 1.8-2.3 Gy/fraction. The cumulative rates of late grade ≥2 GU and gastrointestinal (GI) toxicities were compared using Gray's test, stratified by the ≤2...