Sriwijaya Journal of Radiology and Imaging Research

Evaluation of the Diagnostic Accuracy of PET/MRI in the Staging of Prostate Cancer: A Retrospective Study in Barcelona, Spain

Paula Guelle, Sandra Quinn — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Introduction: Accurate staging of prostate cancer (PCa) is crucial for treatment planning and prognostication. The integration of positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) into a single hybrid system (PET/MRI) has shown promise in improving PCa staging accuracy. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of PET/MRI in the staging of PCa in a cohort of patients from Barcelona, Spain.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 120 patients with biopsy-proven PCa who underwent PET/MRI for staging between 2018 and 2023 at a tertiary care center in Barcelona. PET/MRI findings were compared with the histopathological results from radical prostatectomy or biopsy as the reference standard. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy were calculated for PET/MRI in detecting local tumor extent (T-stage), lymph node involvement (N-stage), and distant metastases (M-stage).

Results: PET/MRI demonstrated a sensitivity of 92%, specificity of 88%, PPV of 90%, NPV of 91%, and accuracy of 90% for T-staging. For N-staging, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and accuracy were 85%, 94%, 82%, 95%, and 92%, respectively. In the detection of distant metastases (M-stage), PET/MRI showed a sensitivity of 90%, specificity of 98%, PPV of 95%, NPV of 96%, and accuracy of 97%.

Conclusion: PET/MRI exhibits high diagnostic accuracy in the staging of PCa, particularly in the assessment of local tumor extent, lymph node involvement, and distant metastases. The integration of PET/MRI into clinical practice may improve the accuracy of PCa staging, leading to more personalized treatment decisions and improved patient outcomes.

Transarterial Chemoembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: An Evaluation of Long-Term Outcomes in Beijing, China

Xi Liang-Wu — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Introduction: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is a widely used treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to evaluate the long-term outcomes of TACE in a cohort of patients with HCC in Beijing, China.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent TACE for HCC at a tertiary care hospital in Beijing, China, between 2010 and 2018. Data on patient demographics, tumor characteristics, treatment details, and outcomes were collected from medical records. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were the primary endpoints. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards regression.

Results: A total of 352 patients were included in the study. The median follow-up duration was 48 months (range: 6-120 months). The median OS was 36 months, and the 5-year OS rate was 28%. The median PFS was 12 months, and the 3-year PFS rate was 15%. Tumor size, Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage, and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level were independent predictors of OS and PFS.

Conclusion: TACE can provide long-term survival benefits for patients with HCC in Beijing, China. Tumor size, BCLC stage, and AFP level are important prognostic factors for TACE outcomes.

Targeted Radionuclide Therapy for the Treatment of Metastatic Bone Disease: A Retrospective Analysis in Moscow, Russia

Poppy Filmonov, Ayesh Mahmood — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Introduction: Metastatic bone disease (MBD) is a common complication of advanced cancer, causing significant morbidity and negatively impacting patients' quality of life. Targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT) has emerged as a promising treatment modality for MBD, offering targeted delivery of therapeutic radiation to bone metastases while minimizing damage to healthy tissues.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at leading oncology centers in Moscow, Russia, between 2018 and 2023. Patients with MBD who received TRT with either Strontium-89 or Samarium-153 were included. Data on patient demographics, primary tumor type, number of bone metastases, pre-treatment pain scores, performance status, and survival outcomes were collected.

Results: A total of 150 patients were included in the study (mean age 62 years, 55% female). The most common primary tumor types were prostate (35%), breast (25%), and lung (15%). The median number of bone metastases was 5 (range 1-20). Pre-treatment pain scores were high (median 7 on a 0-10 scale). A significant reduction in pain scores was observed post-TRT (median 3, p<0.001). Overall survival at 1 year was 75%, with a median survival of 18 months. Favorable prognostic factors included a lower number of bone metastases, good performance status, and absence of visceral metastases.

Conclusion: TRT is a safe and effective treatment option for patients with MBD in Moscow, Russia, offering significant pain palliation and improved quality of life.

Functional MRI for the Assessment of Brain Connectivity in Neurodegenerative Diseases: An Observational Study in Mexico City

Maria Rodriguez, Salazar Torres — Tue, 10 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Introduction: Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by progressive brain dysfunction and structural changes. Functional MRI (fMRI), a non-invasive imaging technique, offers the potential to assess brain connectivity and identify early biomarkers of these diseases.

Methods: This observational study included patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and healthy controls in Mexico City. Resting-state fMRI data was acquired, and brain connectivity was analyzed using independent component analysis (ICA) and seed-based correlation analysis (SCA).

Results: fMRI revealed altered brain connectivity patterns in AD and PD compared to healthy controls. In AD, decreased connectivity was observed within the default mode network (DMN), while PD patients showed reduced connectivity in the motor network.

Conclusion: fMRI provides valuable insights into brain connectivity changes in neurodegenerative diseases. These findings contribute to the development of early diagnostic tools and potential therapeutic targets for AD and PD.

The Role of Ultrasound in the Diagnosis and Management of Pediatric Abdominal Emergencies in Jakarta, Indonesia

Istiqomah Putri, Ratih Dwi Astuti — Tue, 10 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Introduction: Pediatric abdominal emergencies demand swift and accurate diagnosis for optimal management. In resource-constrained settings, point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has emerged as a valuable tool. This study aimed to evaluate the utility of ultrasound in diagnosing and managing pediatric abdominal emergencies in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Methods: A retrospective review of pediatric patients (age ≤ 18 years) presenting with acute abdominal pain to a tertiary care hospital in Jakarta from 2018 to 2023 was conducted. Data collected included demographics, clinical presentation, ultrasound findings, final diagnosis, and management decisions. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of ultrasound for various abdominal emergencies were calculated.

Results: A total of 543 patients met the inclusion criteria. The most common diagnoses were appendicitis (n=187, 34.4%), intussusception (n=82, 15.1%), and gastroenteritis (n=75, 13.8%). Ultrasound demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing appendicitis (92% and 88%, respectively), intussusception (95% and 90%), and free fluid in the abdomen (98% and 94%). POCUS influenced management decisions in 68% of cases, including expediting surgery or avoiding unnecessary interventions.

Conclusion: Ultrasound is a valuable tool for the diagnosis and management of pediatric abdominal emergencies in Jakarta. Its high sensitivity and specificity, coupled with its point-of-care availability, make it particularly useful in resource-limited settings.