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Fibrosis is a pathological process involving the abnormal deposition of connective tissue, resulting from improper tissue repair in response to sustained injury caused by hypoxia, infection, or physical damage. It can impact any organ, leading to their dysfunction and eventual failure. Additionally, tissue fibrosis plays an important role in carcinogenesis and the progression of cancer. Early and accurate diagnosis of organ fibrosis, coupled with regular surveillance, is essential for timely disease-modifying interventions, ultimately reducing mortality and enhancing quality of life. While extensive research has already been carried out on the topics of aberrant wound healing and fibrogenesis, we lack a thorough understanding of how their relationship reveals itself through modern imaging techniques. This paper focuses on fibrosis of the genito-urinary system, detailing relevant imaging technologies used for its detection and exploring future directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fibrosis is the aberrant process of connective tissue deposition from abnormal tissue repair in response to sustained tissue injury caused by hypoxia, infection, or physical damage. It can affect almost all organs in the body causing dysfunction and ultimate organ failure. Tissue fibrosis also plays a vital role in carcinogenesis and cancer progression. The early and accurate diagnosis of organ fibrosis along with adequate surveillance are helpful to implement early disease-modifying interventions, important to reduce mortality and improve quality of life. While extensive research has already been carried out on the topic, a thorough understanding of how this relationship reveals itself using modern imaging techniques has yet to be established. This work outlines the ways in which fibrosis shows up in abdominal organs and has listed the most relevant imaging technologies employed for its detection. New imaging technologies and developments are discussed along with their promising applications in the early detection of organ fibrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustained injury from factors such as hypoxia, infection, or physical damage may provoke improper tissue repair and the anomalous deposition of connective tissue that causes fibrosis. This phenomenon may take place in any organ, ultimately leading to their dysfunction and eventual failure. Tissue fibrosis has also been found to be central in both the process of carcinogenesis and cancer progression. Thus, its prompt diagnosis and regular monitoring is necessary for implementing effective disease-modifying interventions aiming to reduce mortality and improve overall quality of life. While significant research has been conducted on these subjects, a comprehensive understanding of how their relationship manifests through modern imaging techniques remains to be established. This work intends to provide a comprehensive overview of imaging technologies relevant to the detection of fibrosis affecting thoracic organs as well as to explore potential future advancements in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One out of eight women will be affected by breast cancer during her lifetime. Imaging plays a key role in breast cancer detection and management, providing physicians with information about tumor location, heterogeneity, and dissemination. In this review, we describe the latest advances in PET/CT imaging of breast cancer, including novel applications of 18F-FDG PET/CT and the development and testing of new agents for primary and metastatic breast tumor imaging and therapy. Ultimately, these radiopharmaceuticals may guide personalized approaches to optimize treatment based on the patient's specific tumor profile, and may become a new standard of care. In addition, they may enhance the assessment of treatment efficacy and lead to improved outcomes for patients with a breast cancer diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: breast cancer; chest CT; cancer screening; breast density; mammography EN breast cancer chest CT cancer screening breast density mammography 1699 11 11/17/22 20221101 NES 221101 1. Imaging of breast cancer is not a new concept; Robert Eagan's 1963 publication showed that mammography had a 79% sensitivity for breast cancer diagnosis, which provided the foundation for mammography as a screening tool [[3]]. Breast Density The extent of breast fibroglandular tissue by visual inspection was higher on average on mammography than on CT (2.42 vs. 2.23) with I p i = 0.0004 and more people were assigned a breast density grade of 3 to 4 on mammogram ( I p i = 0.04). The idea of a breast cancer diagnosis on chest CT may be analogous to lung cancer screening with chest CT; Henschke reported that non-calcified nodules were detected in 23% of participants by CT compared with 7% by chest radiography. [Extracted from the article]

Background: New York State law mandates that women with dense breasts receive a written notification of their breast density (BD) and its implications, but data on the impact of dense breast notification (DBN) on BD awareness and knowledge in diverse populations remain limited. Methods: Between 2016 and 2018, we collected survey and mammographic data from 666 women undergoing screening mammography in New York City (ages 40-60, 80% Hispanic, 69% Spanish-speaking) to examine the impact of prior DBN on BD awareness by sociodemographic and breast cancer risk factors, and describe BD knowledge by sources of information. Results: Only 24.8% of the overall sample and 34.9% of women receiving DBN had BD awareness. In multivariable models adjusting for DBN, awareness was significantly lower in women who were Spanish-speaking [OR, 0.16; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.09-0.30 vs. English speakers], were foreign-born (OR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.16-0.58 vs. U.S.-born), and had lower educational attainment (e.g., high school degree or less; OR, 0.14; 95% CI, 0.08-0.26 vs. college or higher degree). Women receiving DBN were more likely to be aware of BD (OR, 2.61; 95% CI, 1.59-4.27) but not more knowledgeable about the impact of BD on breast cancer risk and detection. However, women reporting additional communication about their BD showed greater knowledge in these areas. Conclusions: DBN increases BD awareness disproportionately across sociodemographic groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale and Objectives: To evaluate the clinical significance of mammographically occult additional tumors identified more than 2cm away from the primary breast cancer on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Materials and Methods: An Institutional Review Board approved review of consecutive preoperative breast MRIs performed from 1/1/08 to 12/31/14, yielded 667 patients with breast cancer. These patients underwent further assessment to identify biopsy proven mammographically occult breast tumors located more than 2cm away from the edge of the primary tumor. Additional MRI characteristics of the primary and secondary tumors and pathology were reviewed. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS (v. 24).Results: Of 667 patients with breast cancer, 129 patients had 150 additional ipsilateral mammographically occult tumors that were more than 2cm away from the edge of the primary tumor. One hundred twelve of 129 (86.8%) patients had one additional tumor and 17/129 (13.2%) had two or more additional tumors. In 71/129 (55.0%), additional tumors were located in a different quadrant and in 58/129 (45.0%) additional tumors were in the same quadrant but ≥2cm away. Overall, primary tumor size was significantly larger (mean 1.87± 1.25 cm) than the additional tumors (mean 0.79 ± 0.61cm, p < 0.001). However, in 20/129 (15.5%) the additional tumor was larger and in 26/129 (20.2%) the additional tumor was ≥1cm. The primary tumor was significantly more likely to be invasive (81.4%, 105/129) compared to additional tumors (70%, 105/150, p = 0.03). In 9/129 (7.0%) patients, additional tumors yielded unsuspected invasive cancer orhigher tumor grade. The additional tumor was more likely to be nonmass lesion type (37.3% vs 24% p = 0.02) and focus lesion type (10% vs 0.08%, p < 0.001) compared to primary tumor.Conclusion: Mammographically occult additional tumors identified more than 2cm away from the primary breast tumor on MRI are unlikely to be surgically treated if undiagnosed and may be clinically significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale and Objectives: Recent changes in radiology curriculum and access to residency program information, including the introduction of various online resources and the Interventional Radiology integrated pathway, may influence the rank list order of medical student applicants. The purpose of this study is to assess factors that affect the rank lists of medical students applying to our radiology residency program in the 2016-2017 academic year.Materials and Methods: After IRB approval, an anonymous online 19 question survey was emailed to 622 applicants to our diagnostic radiology and/or interventional radiology integrated pathway. Applicants ranked 35 unique factors that may influence their residency rank list order from 1 (not important at all) to 5 (very important), listed their top five 'very important' factors, and ranked various sources of information used to learn about residency programs. General applicant demographic questions were also included.Results: Response rate was 18.8% (117/622). The 5 most important factors affecting applicant ranking of programs are perceived happiness of the residents and faculty (4.69), fellowship and job placement of recent graduates (4.34), interactions with programs' current residents (4.33), stability of the department and program (4.29), and geographic location of the program (4.27). The top 5 resources for learning about residency programs were interactions with current residents at the program (4.47), program director (3.87), and interviewing faculty (3.87). Individual program websites were ranked more highly than internet message boards and forums as an information source.Conclusion: Medical students consider a large number of factors and resources in determining their rank lists, with factors encountered during the interview day playing a significant role in shaping the applicants' view of a residency program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SAVI SCOUT Surgical Guidance System has been shown to be a reliable and safe alternative to wire localization in breast surgery. This study evaluated the feasibility of using multiple reflectors in the same breast. We performed an IRB-approved, HIPAA-compliant, single-institution retrospective review of 183 patients who underwent breast lesion localization and excision using SAVI SCOUT Surgical Guidance System (Cianna Medical) between June 2015 and January 2017. We performed a subset analysis in 42 patients in whom more than one reflector was placed. Specimen radiography, pathology, distance between reflectors, target removal, margin positivity, and complications were evaluated. Among 183 patients, 42 patients had more than one reflector placed in the same breast to localize 68 lesions. Benign (n = 6, 8.8%), high-risk (n = 23, 33.8%), and malignant (n = 39, 57.4%) lesions were included. Thirty-six patients (85.7%) had a total of 2 reflectors placed and 6 patients had a total of 3 reflectors placed (14.3%). The indications for multiple reflector placement in the same breast included multiple separate lesions (n = 23) and bracketing of large lesions (n = 19). The mean distance between the reflectors was 42 mm (22-93 mm). All lesions were successfully targeted and retrieved. Of 39 malignant lesions, 10.3% (n = 4) had positive margins and 10.3% (n = 4) had close (<1 mm) margins at surgery. All patients with positive margins underwent re-excision. No complications occurred preoperatively, intra-operatively, or postoperatively. The use of multiple SAVI SCOUT reflectors for localizing multiple lesions in the same breast or bracketing large lesions is feasible and safe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Breast cancer incidence is lower in many U.S. ethnic minority and foreign-born population groups. Investigating whether migration and acculturation patterns in risk are reflected in disease biomarkers may help to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Methods: We compared the distribution of breast cancer risk factors across U.S.-born white, African American and Hispanic women, and foreign-born Hispanic women (n = 477, ages 40-64 years, 287 born in Caribbean countries). We used linear regression models to examine the associations of migration history and linguistic acculturation with mammographic breast density (MBD), measured using computer-assisted methods as percent and area of dense breast tissue. Results: The distribution of most breast cancer risk factors varied by ethnicity, nativity, and age at migration. In age- and body mass index-adjusted models, U.S.-born women did not differ in average MBD according to ethnicity, but foreign-born Hispanic women had lower MBD [e.g., -4.50%; 95% confidence interval (CI), -7.12 to -1.89 lower percent density in foreign- vs. U.S.-born Hispanic women]. Lower linguistic acculturation and lower percent of life spent in the United States were also associated with lower MBD [e.g., monolingual Spanish and bilingual vs. monolingual English speakers, respectively, had 5.09% (95% CI, -8.33 to -1.85) and 3.34% (95% CI, -6.57 to -0.12) lower percent density]. Adjusting for risk factors (e.g., childhood body size, parity) attenuated some of these associations. Conclusions: Hispanic women predominantly born in Caribbean countries have lower MBD than U.S.-born women of diverse ethnic backgrounds, including U.S.-born Hispanic women of Caribbean heritage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diffuse optical tomography (DOT) is a noninvasive, nonionizing imaging modality that uses near-infrared light to visualize optically relevant chromophores. A recently developed dynamic DOT imaging system enables the study of hemodynamic effects in the breast during a breath-hold. Dynamic DOT imaging was performed in a total of 21 subjects (age 54 ± 10 years) including 3 healthy subjects and 18 subjects with benign (n = 8) and malignant (n = 14) masses. Three-dimensional time-series images of the percentage change in oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin concentrations ([HbO2] and [Hb]) from baseline are obtained over the course of a breath-hold. At a time point of 15 s following the end of the breath-hold, [Hb] in healthy breasts has returned to near-baseline values (1.6% ± 0.5%), while tumor-bearing breasts have increased levels of [Hb] (6.8% ± 3.6%, p < 0.01). Further, healthy subjects have a higher correlation between the breasts over the course of the breath-hold as compared with the subjects with breast cancer (healthy: 0.96 ± 0.02; benign: 0.89 ± 0.02; malignant: 0.78 ± 0.23, p < 0.05). Therefore this study shows that dynamic features extracted from DOT measurements can differentiate healthy and diseased breast tissues. These features provide a physiologic method for identifying breast cancer without the need for ionizing radiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Axillary staging in breast cancer is performed with physical exam and axillary imaging. Suspicious lymph nodes are biopsied and clipped prior to surgery to identify the previously biopsied node during surgery. Conventional mapping techniques of blue dye and radioisotope do not always accurately identify the clipped lymph node and therefore many techniques have been described to improve the identification of the clipped lymph node. Most of these techniques rely on axillary ultrasound to identify the previously biopsied lymph node or previously placed clip. A marker such as a fiducial reflector is then placed percutaneously. In this case report we describe a novel technique of Computed tomography (CT) identification of a previously clipped lymph node with CT guided placement of a fiducial reflector (SAVI SCOUT). The SAVI SCOUT was then identified and successfully excised with the previously biopsied lymph node. CT guided placement of SAVI SCOUT is a novel technique for the identification and retrieval of a previously biopsied axillary lymph node in breast cancer patients. • The technique of placing a fiducial reflector into a previously biopsied lymph node using CT guidance is novel approach. • When US is unsuccessful at identifying a previously biopsied lymph node, CT guidance can be utilized to locate the clip. • Fiducial reflectors placed using ultrasound or CT guidance can be identified and successfully excised during surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]