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Objective: To determine the diagnostic performance of two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound parameters, three-dimensional (3D) power Doppler and contrast-enhanced indices in detecting residual disease in locally advanced cervical cancer patients triaged to neoadjuvant treatment followed by radical surgery.Methods: Between October 2010 and June 2014, we screened 108 women with histologically documented locally advanced cervical cancer Stage IB2-IVA, of whom 88 were included in the final analysis. 2D ultrasound parameters, 3D power Doppler and contrast-ultrasound parameters were assessed 5 weeks after the end of neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy. The pathological response was defined as complete (absence of any residual tumor after treatment) or partial (including microscopic and/or macroscopic residual tumor at pathology examination). The two response groups were compared and receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curves generated to determine the best cut-off value of sonographic tumor diameter to predict residual disease. Histology was considered as reference.Results: Complete pathological response to chemoradiation was observed in 40 (45.5%) patients and partial response in 48 (54.5%). The presence of residual disease, as confirmed at pathology examination, was detected by 2D grayscale ultrasound with a sensitivity of 64.6% and specificity of 65%. Color Doppler examination in the cases with lesions visualized on grayscale imaging detected the presence of residual disease, confirmed at pathology, with a sensitivity of 87.1% and specificity of 21.4%. The best area under the ROC curve (0.817) was for the detection of pathological residual disease of at least 6 mm in diameter, using a cut-off value of 12 mm for the largest tumor diameter assessed using 2D grayscale ultrasound (sensitivity, 95%; specificity, 70.6%). Neither 3D vascular indices nor contrast-ultrasound parameters obtained for lesions suspected at ultrasound following chemoradiation differed significantly between patients with histological complete and those with partial response.Conclusions: Our results show that grayscale and color Doppler ultrasound have a low level of diagnostic performance in detecting residual disease after neoadjuvant chemoradiation in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer. The best performance was achieved in detection of macroscopic (≥ 6 mm) residual disease. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To develop and validate magnetic resonance (MR) imaging-based radiomics models for high-risk endometrial cancer (EC) prediction preoperatively, to be able to estimate deep myometrial invasion (DMI) and lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI), and to discriminate between low-risk and other categories of risk as proposed by ESGO/ESTRO/ESP (European Society of Gynaecological Oncology-European Society for Radiotherapy & Oncology and European Society of Pathology) guidelines., Methods: This retrospective study included 96 women with EC who underwent 1.5-T MR imaging before surgical staging between April 2009 and May 2019 in two referral centers divided into training (T = 73) and validation cohorts (V = 23). Radiomics features were extracted using the MODDICOM library with manual delineation of whole-tumor volume on MR images (axial T2-weighted). Diagnostic performances of radiomic models were evaluated by area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve in training (AUCT) and validation (AUCV) cohorts by using a subset of the most relevant texture features tested individually in univariate analysis using Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney., Results: A total of 228 radiomics features were extracted and ultimately limited to 38 for DMI, 29 for LVSI, and 15 for risk-classes prediction for logistic radiomic modeling. Whole-tumor radiomic models yielded an AUCT/AUCV of 0.85/0.68 in DMI estimation, 0.92/0.81 in LVSI prediction, and 0.84/0.76 for differentiating low-risk vs other risk classes (intermediate/high-intermediate/high)., Conclusion: MRI-based radiomics has great potential in developing advanced prognostication in EC.

Purpose: To evaluate the role of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value measurement in the diagnosis of meta-static lymph nodes (LNs) in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) and to present a systematic review of the literature., Material and Methods: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exams of patients with LACC were retrospectively eva-luated. Mean ADC, relative ADC (rADC), and correct ADC (cADC) values of enlarged LNs were measured and compared between positron emission tomography (PET)-positive and PET-negative LNs. Comparisons were made using the Mann-Whitney U -test and Student's t -test. ROC curves were generated for each parameter to identify the optimal cut-off value for differentiation of the LNs. A systematic search in the literature was performed, exploring several databases, including PubMed, Scopus, the Cochrane library, and Embase., Results: A total of 105 LNs in 34 patients were analysed. The median ADC value of PET-positive LNs (0.907 × 10 -3 mm 2 /s [0.780-1.080]) was lower than that in PET-negative LNs (1.275 × 10 -3 mm 2 /s [1.063-1.525]) ( p < 0.05). rADC and cADC values were lower in PET-positive LNs (rADC: 0.120 × 10 -3 mm 2 /s [-0.060-0.270]; cADC: 1.130 [0.980-1.420]) than in PET-negative LNs (rADC: 0.435 × 10 -3 mm 2 /s [0.225-0.673]; cADC: 1.615 [1.210-1.993]) LNs ( p < 0.05). ADC showed the highest area under the curve (AUC 0.808)., Conclusions: Mean ADC, rADC, and cADC were significantly lower in the PET-positive group than in the PET-negative group. The ADC cut-off value of 1.149 × 10-3 mm 2 /s showed the highest sensitivity. These results confirm the usefulness of ADC in differentiating metastatic from non-metastatic LNs in LACC., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflict of interest., (© Pol J Radiol 2022.)

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays an essential role in the management of patients with locally advanced vulvar cancer (LAVC), who frequently benefit from a multidisciplinary approach. Accordingly, chemoradiotherapy (CRT) with radical or neoadjuvant intent seems to provide a better quality of life and less morbidity than extensive surgery alone. In this overview, we discuss the role of MRI in the post-CRT assessment of LAVC, emphasizing the evaluation of primary tumor response. In order to assess treatment response and select candidates for post-CRT local excision, the MRI findings are described according to signal intensity, restricted diffusion, enhancement, and invasion of adjacent organs. We also focus on the role of MRI in detecting vulvar cancer recurrence. It occurs in 30-50% of patients within two years after initial treatment, the majority appearing near the original resection margins or in ipsilateral inguinal or pelvic lymph nodes. Finally, we describe early and delayed complications of CRT, such as cellulitis, urethritis, vulvar edema, bone changes, myositis, and fistulization. By describing the role of MRI in assessing LAVC response to CRT and detecting recurrence, we hope to provide suitable indications for a personalized approach.

Therapeutic options and clinical management of cervical and endometrial cancers differs significantly. When clinical and histological analysis of a uterine mass are unable to differentiate between an endocervical or endometrial origin, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays a pivotal role in discriminating the anatomical origin, supporting the clinician in the treatment planning. Cervical adenocarcinomas are more likely to be centered in the cervical region and involving both cervical canal and stromal ring, with possible parametrial invasion. Endometrial adenocarcinomas usually present an elongated morphology and are centered in the endometrial cavity predominantly involving endometrium and myometrium. On contrast-enhanced sequences, cervical cancers are more frequently hypervascular compared to endometrial cancers. In cases of uncertain findings, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) can provide additional helpful information with significantly higher apparent coefficient diffusion (ADC) values in cervical adenocarcinomas compared to endometrial adenocarcinomas. However, even when MRI cannot precisely reveal the origin of the tumor, it provides valuable information on several prognostic factors that can help treatment planning., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The standard treatment for locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) is platinum-based chemotherapy in association with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and brachytherapy (BT), often also called 'interventional radiotherapy' (IRT). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most accurate imaging modality for both staging and response evaluation; therefore MRI-guided IRT has become the method of choice for planning a radiation boost after EBRT. The aim of this paper was to describe the MRI radiological workflow currently ongoing at our Institution. In addition, we provided a detailed pictorial essay of our experience, especially for radiologists, to implement MRI-based IRT spread in clinical practice., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Termedia.)

Uterine cervical cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. Patients with cervical cancer are at a high risk of pelvic recurrence or distant metastases within the first few years after primary treatment. However, no definitive agreement exists on the best post-treatment surveillance in these patients. Imaging may represent an accurate method of detecting relapse early, right when salvage treatment could be effective. In patients with recurrent cervical cancer, the correct interpretation of imaging may support the surgeon in the proper selection of patients prior to surgery to assess the feasibility of radical surgical procedure, or may help the clinician plan the most adaptive curative therapy. MRI can accurately define the extension of local recurrence and adjacent organ invasion; CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT may depict extra-pelvic distant metastases. This review illustrates different patterns of recurrent cervical cancer and how imaging, especially MRI, accurately contributes towards the diagnosis of local recurrence and the assessment of the extent of disease in patients with previous cervical cancer. Normal post-therapy pelvic appearance and possible pitfalls related to tissue changes for prior treatments will be also illustrated.

MR imaging provides excellent spatial and contrast resolution to stage locally advanced vulvar cancer (LAVC) for tumor and nodal evaluation in order to facilitate the planning of treatment. Although there are no standard indications for how to estimate the clinical stage of International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics at diagnosis, MR imaging can depict the tumor and its extension to the vulvar region and adjacent organs, such as the vagina, urethra, and anus. Optimizing the MR imaging protocol and technique is fundamental for correct staging. The aim of this overview was to focus on the role of MR imaging in LAVC staging. We define vulvar anatomy and corresponding MR imaging findings, MR imaging protocol, and technique. Moreover, we describe the MR imaging findings of LAVC with example cases stage by stage. Key imaging findings based on signal intensity, diffusion restriction, and enhancement are portrayed to correctly identify and stage vulvar cancer. A structured report for LAVC staging is reported in order to give all necessary information to the clinicians and to facilitate MR imaging comprehension.

Introduction: MRI is very accurate in selecting young women with cervical cancer for fertility-sparing surgery (FSS), in particular radical hysterectomy (RH). In order to improve obstetrical outcomes, neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) followed by cold knife conization (CKC) has been proposed as alternative technique., Objective: To investigate the role of MRI in evaluation of response to treatment after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT), followed by CKC, in patients with cervical cancer FIGO stage IB2-IIA1 with tumor size 2 - 4 cm, desiring to preserve their fertility., Methods: 13 young women (23-36 years old) with cervical cancer stage IB2-IIA1 desiring to preserve their fertility were included. Tumor diameter at baseline and after treatment was detected on 1.5 T MRI. Treatment response was assessed according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST 1.1) and then compared to histopathology result., Results: MRI correctly assessed 11 out of 13 cases, according to RECIST 1.1, compared to histopathology. Among these 7 patients with partial response (PR), 2 cases of CR, 1 SD and 1 PD with persistence or enlargement of primary tumor., Conclusion: Our pilot study supports the usefulness of MRI in assessment of treatment response after NACT, followed by CKC., Trial Registration Number: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02323841., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Purpose: The knowledge of periprostatic nerve fiber (pNF) is still incomplete by means of conventional MRI. The purpose of our study was to demonstrate if DTI imaging is able to depict anatomical features of pNF., Methods: For this retrospective study, fifty-six patients (mean age 63.5 years), who underwent 1.5-T prostate MRI, including 32 directions DTI, were enrolled between October 2014 and December 2018. ANOVA test and Student's t-test were performed between the mean values of the number, FA values, and fiber length of pNF between base and mid-gland, mid-gland and apex, base and apex, right and left side, and anterior and posterior face of the prostate. A qualitative analysis was performed to detect the main orientation of pNF through a colorimetric 3D tractographic reconstruction., Results: The number of pNF showed a decrease from the base (322) to mid-gland (248) and apex (75) (p < 0.05). The FA values were higher at base and mid-gland (0.435 and 0.456) compared to the apex (0.313) (p < 0.05). The length of pNF was higher at apex (13.4 mm) compared to base (11.5 mm) and mid-gland (11.7 mm) (p < 0.05). The number of pNF was higher on the posterior face compared to the anterior face at base (186 vs 137), (p < 0.001). The FA values were higher on the posterior face compared to the anterior face at base (0.452 vs 0.417), mid-gland (0.483 vs 0.429), and apex (0.42 vs 0.382), (p < 0.05). The length of the pNF was higher in the posterior (14.7 mm) than in the anterior face (12 mm) at apex (p < 0.001). The main orientation of pNF was longitudinal in all patients (56/56, 100%)., Conclusions: DTI imaging has been demonstrated able to depict anatomical features of pNF.

The aim of this study was to create a radiomics model for Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer (LACC) patients to predict pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT) analysing T2-weighted 1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) acquired before treatment start. Patients with LACC and an International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage from IB2 to IVA at diagnosis were retrospectively enrolled for this study. All patients underwent NACRT, followed by radical surgery; pCR-assessed on surgical specimen-was defined as absence of any residual tumour. Finally, 1889 features were extracted from MR images; features showing statistical significance in predicting pCR at the univariate analysis were selected following an iterative method, which was ad-hoc developed for this study. Based on this method, 15 different classifiers were trained considering the most significant features selected. Model selection was carried out using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) as target metrics. One hundred eighty-three patients from two institutions were analysed. The model, showing the highest performance with an AUC of 0.80, was the random forest method initialised with default parameters. Radiomics appeared to be a reliable tool in pCR prediction for LACC patients undergoing NACRT, supporting the identification of patient risk groups, which paves treatment pathways tailored according to the predicted outcome.

Objective: To evaluate computed tomography (CT) findings able to predict outcome in patients with ovarian cancer (OC) and concomitant bowel occlusion., Methods: This institutional review board-approved retrospective study included 31 patients with OC and clinical evidence of bowel occlusion who underwent CT at presentation between February 2013 and June 2015. Two radiologists recorded various qualitative CT features. Correlations between CT and survival data were made with Mann-Whitney test, Wilcoxon test, and χ 2 test, as appropriate. Receiver operating characteristic curves were generated for statistically significant CT findings using logistic regression model., Results: Two of 31 patients (6.5%) were alive at the end of this study; 29 patients (93.5%) died of disease. Median overall survival was 90 days. CT features associated with short life expectancy were bowel mural thinning ( p =0.03), mesenteric tumor deposits ( p =0.009), mesenteric infiltration ( p =0.02), and ascites ( p =0.04). Area under the curve was 0.728 ( p =0.03) for mesenteric tumor deposits in predicting malignant bowel obstruction., Conclusions: Accurate interpretation of CT features may guide decisions in care of women with OC and bowel obstruction.

The aim of this review is to illustrate normal computed tomography (CT) findings and the most common complications in patients who underwent pelvic exenteration (PE) for advanced, persistent or recurrent gynecological cancers. We review the various surgical techniques used in PE, discuss optimal CT protocols for postsurgical evaluation and describe cross-sectional imaging appearances of normal postoperative anatomic changes as well as early and late complications. The interpretation of abdominopelvic CT imaging after PE is very challenging due to remarkable modifications of normal anatomy. After this radical pelvic surgery, the familiarity with expected CT appearances is crucial for diagnosis and appropriate management of potentially life-threatening complications in patients who underwent PE.

Purpose: To compare the survival and toxicity outcomes in patients with endometrial cancer treated with either high-dose-rate (HDR) or low-dose-rate (LDR) vaginal brachytherapy (VBT) following external beam radiotherapy (EBRT)., Material and Methods: From January 2000 to December 2014, patients with endometrial cancer after radical hysterectomy with/without pelvic and/or para-aortic lymphadenectomy were treated with adjuvant EBRT (45 Gy, 1.8 Gy/day to the whole pelvis) and subsequent VBT boost (HDR dose of 7 Gy in one fraction or LDR VBT dose of 25 Gy). The dose was prescribed at 0.5 cm from the surface of the applicator and the proximal half to two-thirds of the vagina was irradiated. The outcomes of patients were evaluated in terms of local control (LC), overall survival (OS), and rates of adverse events., Results: We analyzed data of 200 patients treated with EBRT followed by HDR VBT boost in 78 patients and LDR VBT boost in 122 patients. With a median follow-up of 25 months (range, 6-163), 5-year OS was 98% and 97% in the LDR and HDR groups, respectively ( p = 0.37). The 5-year LC was similar (93% in both groups) ( p = 0.81). In multivariate analyses, none of the factors assessed (age, stage, grade) impacted OS ( p = 0.37) or LC ( p = 0.81). Patients treated with LDR VBT after EBRT had higher rates of acute gastrointestinal toxicity. No differences were found in acute genitourinary or hematological toxicities. Late toxicity such as vaginal stenosis was registered during regular follow-up visits and was similar in the two groups ( p = 0.67)., Conclusions: In our analysis, there were no differences in terms of OS and late toxicity outcomes for patients receiving LDR or HDR VBT. HDR VBT is a safe technique in comparison to LDR VBT.

Background: There are no standard approaches for follow up in advanced ovarian cancer (AOC) patients; the aim of this study is to evaluate correlation between computed tomography (CT) and CA 125 levels to assess early detection of recurrence or progression disease (PD)., Methods: We included 76 patients with AOC, who had prior debulking surgery, starting first or second line of chemotherapy and underwent follow-up CT examinations. Evaluation of tumor response to treatment by imaging was assessed using RECIST 1.1. Site of relapse was classified as: abdomen, chest and neck (observed in the upper chest scans)., Results: Change in CA 125 levels was calculated in respect previous evaluation at the end of treatment for each patient. The most suitable cut-offs could be identified in an increase in CA 125 levels >10.5% (sensitivity: 67.9%; specificity: 83.6%; LR+: 4.1; LR-: 0.4) in order to predict PD and in a change of -0.5% in order to exclude PD (sensitivity 83.0%; specificity: 69.6%; LR+: 2.7; LR-: 0.2). Site of relapse was abdomen (58.5%), abdomen and chest (33.9%), chest (3.8%), chest and neck (1.9%), and abdomen, chest and neck (1.9%)., Conclusions: Increase in CA 125 levels >10.5% could be sufficiently predictive of PD requiring CT examination. Change of -0.5% is sufficiently predictive of absence of PD. Increase <10.5% and >0.5% needs clinical correlation to establish correct timing and extension of CT examination. Attention must be played in reducing number and extent of CT examinations to reduce exposure dose.

Uterine malignancies account for the majority of gynaecologic cancers. Different treatment options are available depending on histology, disease grade and stage. Hysterectomy is the most frequent surgical procedure. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy (CRT) represents the preferred therapeutic choice for locally advanced uterine and cervical malignancies. Imaging of the female pelvis following these treatments is particularly challenging due to alteration of the normal anatomy. Radiologists should be familiar with both the expected post-treatment imaging findings and the imaging features of possible complications to make the correct interpretation and avoid possible pitfalls. The purpose of this review is to show the expected computed tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) appearances of the female pelvis following surgery and CRT for uterine and cervical cancer, to illustrate the imaging findings of early and delayed most common complications after surgery and CRT, describing the suitable imaging modalities and protocols for evaluation of patients treated for gynaecologic malignancies., (© 2017 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists.)

Purpose To investigate the associations between BRCA mutation status and computed tomography (CT) phenotypes of high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) and to evaluate CT indicators of cytoreductive outcome and survival in patients with BRCA-mutant HGSOC and those with BRCA wild-type HGSOC. Materials and Methods This HIPAA-compliant, institutional review board-approved retrospective study included 108 patients (33 with BRCA mutant and 75 with BRCA wild-type HGSOC) who underwent CT before primary debulking. Two radiologists independently reviewed the CT findings for various qualitative CT features. Associations between CT features, BRCA mutation status, cytoreductive outcome, and progression-free survival (PFS) were evaluated by using logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards regression, respectively. Results Peritoneal disease (PD) pattern, presence of PD in gastrohepatic ligament, mesenteric involvement, and supradiaphragmatic lymphadenopathy at CT were associated with BRCA mutation status (multiple regression: P < .001 for each CT feature). While clinical and CT features were not associated with cytoreductive outcome for patients with BRCA-mutant HGSOC, presence of PD in lesser sac (odds ratio [OR] = 2.40) and left upper quadrant (OR = 1.19), mesenteric involvement (OR = 7.10), and lymphadenopathy in supradiaphragmatic (OR = 2.83) and suprarenal para-aortic (OR = 4.79) regions were associated with higher odds of incomplete cytoreduction in BRCA wild-type HGSOC (multiple regression: P < .001 each CT feature). Mesenteric involvement at CT was associated with significantly shorter PFS for both patients with BRCA-mutant HGSOC (multiple regression: hazard ratio [HR] = 26.7 P < .001) and those with BRCA wild-type HGSOC (univariate analysis: reader 1, HR = 2.42, P < .001; reader 2, HR = 2.61; P < .001). Conclusion Qualitative CT features differed between patients with BRCA-mutant HGSOC and patients with BRCA wild-type HGSOC. CT indicators of cytoreductive outcome varied according to BRCA mutation status. Mesenteric involvement at CT was an indicator of significantly shorter PFS for both patients with BRCA-mutant HGSOC and those with BRCA wild-type HGSOC. © RSNA, 2017 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Endometriosis is a disease distinguished by the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity with intralesional recurrent bleeding and resulting fibrosis. The most common locations for endometriosis are the ovaries, pelvic peritoneum, uterosacral ligaments, and torus uterinus. Typical symptoms are secondary dysmenorrhea and cyclic or chronic pelvic pain. Unusual sites of endometriosis may be associated with specific symptoms depending on the localization. Atypical pelvic endometriosis localizations can occur in the cervix, vagina, round ligaments, ureter, and nerves. Moreover, rare extrapelvic endometriosis implants can be localized in the upper abdomen, subphrenic fold, or in the abdominal wall. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) represents a problem-solving tool among other imaging modalities. MRI is an advantageous technique, because of its multiplanarity, high contrast resolution, and lack of ionizing radiation. Our purpose is to remind the radiologists the possibility of atypical pelvic and extrapelvic endometriosis localizations and to illustrate the specific MRI findings. Endometriotic tissue with hemorrhagic content can be distinguished from adherences and fibrosis on MRI imaging. Radiologists should keep in mind these atypical localizations in patients with suspected endometriosis, in order to achieve the diagnosis and to help the clinicians in planning a correct and complete treatment strategy.

Purpose: We aimed to verify whether combination of specific signs improves magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) accuracy in morbidly adherent placenta (MAP)., Methods: MRI findings for MAP were retrospectively evaluated in 27 women. Histopathology was the reference standard, showing MAP in eight of 27 cases. Specificity, sensitivity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were calculated for all MRI signs. Two skilled radiologists analyzed MRI findings, resolving discrepancies by consensus, using three alternative diagnostic criteria during three consecutive sections. First criterion: at least one of reported MRI signs indicates MAP and the absence of any sign is normal; second criterion: at least one statistically significant sign indicates MAP and no sign or nonsignificant sign is normal; third criterion: at least two statistically significant signs indicate MAP and no sign, nonsignificant sign, or only one significant sign is normal., Results: Using the first criterion yielded an unacceptable rate of false positive results (78.9%). Using the second criterion there were less false positive results (31.5%), and diagnostic accuracy of the second criterion was significantly higher than the first; the third criterion correctly classified 100% of cases., Conclusion: Only specific MRI signs can correctly predict MAP at histopathology, particularly when multiple (at least two) specific signs are observed together.

Objective: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of delayed enhanced phase in addition to portal enhanced phase in MDCT imaging for depicting peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) implants in patients with ovarian cancer., Patients and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed double-phase, portal enhanced phase (PEP) and delayed enhanced phase (DEP), MDCT-examinations of 40 patients with clinical suspicion of recurrent PC from histopathologically-proven ovarian cancer, previously treated with both cytoreductive surgery and adjuvant/neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Image assessment was performed by three independent blinded readers (2 experienced and 1 less-experienced radiologists) in 3 different reading sessions: PEP (set A), DEP (set B), and PVP + DEP (set C). All CT-images were qualitatively assessed on the basis of the location of the lesion (based on Sugarbaker scheme), presence (indicating a confidence level for the diagnosis of PC), size and pattern. Reference standard both for detection and exclusion of PC was the evaluation of double-phase MDCT exams performed by two experienced readers in consensus, knowing clinical and laboratoristic parameters as well as previous and subsequent imaging (follow-up minimum of 12 months). Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and diagnostic accuracy of each reader for each reading session were calculated and compared. A subgroup analysis based on lesion pattern was also performed., Results: On a total of 507 abdominal-pelvic sites evaluated, PC was found in 182 regions (35.9%). When considering experienced radiologists, no statistically significant differences (p>0.05) were found between the different sets of images. The analysis by less-experienced radiologist showed lower statistical results, which significantly improved when both PEP and DEP were evaluated. In the subgroup analysis, DEP showed significantly higher statistical results in the case of micronodular patterns., Conclusions: Our results indicate that the CT-acquisition protocol in patients with ovarian cancer for tumor staging should be based on portal phase alone, with a significant radiation dose reduction, whereas the addition of delayed phase images is useful for less-experienced readers.

Background: Imaging findings of residual cervical tumor after chemoradiotherapy can closely resemble those of post-irradiation inflammation., Purpose: To determine the diagnostic performance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in evaluating residual disease after chemoradiotherapy in patients with locally advanced cervical carcinoma (LACC)., Material and Methods: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from 41 patients with histopathologically proven LACC (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage ≥IB2) who underwent MRI before and after chemoradiotherapy. At each examination, a qualitative and semi-quantitative analysis of primary tumor, including tumor volume and signal intensity were assessed on T2-weighted (T2W) images. All patients had surgery after post-chemoradiotherapy MRI. MRI and histopathologic results were compared., Results: All patients showed significant difference in tumor volume and signal intensity between pre- and post-chemoradiotherapy MRI (P < 0.0001). According to pathology, 27/41 (66%) patients had true negative and 2/41 (5%) had true positive post-chemoradiotherapy MRI. Eleven out of 41 (27%) patients showed inflammation with false positive post-chemoradiotherapy MRI and 1/41 (2%) had a false negative post-chemoradiotherapy MRI. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive values, and negative predictive values of post-chemoradiotherapy MRI in predicting residual disease were 69%, 71%, 71%, 15%, and 96%, respectively., Conclusion: The differentiation of residual tumor from post-irradiation inflammation with early post- chemoradiotherapy MRI (within 28-60 days) is difficult with a high risk of false positive results. Combination of qualitative and semi-quantitative analysis does not improve the accuracy. Conversely, post-chemoradiotherapy MRI has a high negative predictive value with a low risk of false negative results. The role of conventional MRI combined with functional techniques should be evaluated., (© The Foundation Acta Radiologica 2015.)

Purpose: To determine if second-opinion review of gynaecologic oncologic (GynOnc) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by sub-specialized radiologists impacts patient care., Methods: 469 second-opinion MRI interpretations rendered by GynOnc radiologists were retrospectively compared to the initial outside reports. Two gynaecologic surgeons, blinded to the reports' origins, reviewed all cases with discrepancies between initial and second-opinion MRI reports and recorded whether these discrepancies would have led to a change in patient management defined as a change in treatment approach, counselling, or referral. Histopathology or minimum 6-month imaging follow-up were used to establish the diagnosis., Results: Second-opinion review of GynOnc MRIs would theoretically have affected management in 94/469 (20 %) and 101/469 (21.5 %) patients for surgeons 1 and 2, respectively. Specifically, second-opinion review would have theoretically altered treatment approach in 71/469 (15.1 %) and 60/469 (12.8 %) patients for surgeons 1 and 2, respectively. According to surgeons 1 and 2, these treatment changes would have prevented unnecessary surgery in 35 (7.5 %) and 31 (6.6 %) patients, respectively, and changed surgical procedure type/extent in 19 (4.1 %) and 12 (2.5 %) patients, respectively. Second-opinion interpretations were correct in 103 (83 %) of 124 cases with clinically relevant discrepancies between initial and second-opinion reports., Conclusions: Expert second-opinion review of GynOnc MRI influences patient care., Key Points: • Outside gynaecologic oncologic MRI examinations are often submitted for a second-opinion review. • One-fifth of MRIs had important discrepancies between initial and second-opinion interpretations. • Second-opinion review of gynaecologic oncologic MRI is a valuable clinical service.

This paper highlights an updated anatomy of parametrial extension with emphasis on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessment of disease spread in the parametrium in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer. Pelvic landmarks were identified to assess the anterior and posterior extensions of the parametria, besides the lateral extension, as defined in a previous anatomical study. A series of schematic drawings and MRI images are shown to document the anatomical delineation of disease on MRI, which is crucial not only for correct image-based three-dimensional radiotherapy but also for the surgical oncologist, since neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by radical surgery is emerging in Europe as a valid alternative to standard chemoradiation.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic performance of computed tomography (CT) for initial staging of non-endometrioid carcinomas of the uterine corpus., Materials and Methods: Waiving informed consent, the Institutional Review Board approved this Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-compliant retrospective study of 193 women with uterine papillary serous carcinomas, clear cell carcinomas, and carcinosarcomas, who underwent surgical staging between May 1998 and December 2011 and had preoperative CT within 6 weeks before surgery. Two radiologists (R1, R2) independently reviewed all CT images. Sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), positive predictive value (PPV), and area under the curve were calculated using operative notes and surgical pathology as the reference standard., Results: The respective sensitivities and specificities achieved by R1/R2 were 0.79/0.64 and 0.87/0.75 for detecting deep myometrial invasion (MI) on CT; 0.56/0.63 and 0.93/0.79 for detecting cervical stromal invasion; 0.52/0.45 and 0.95/0.93 for detecting pelvic nodal metastases; and 0.45/0.30 and 0.98/0.98 for detecting para-aortic nodal metastases. Although CT had suboptimal sensitivity for the detection of omental disease, it had high PPV for omental seeding at surgical exploration (1.00 for R1 and 0.92 for R2). Inter-observer agreement ranged from moderate in the detection of deep MI (κ = 0.42 ± 0.06) to almost perfect in the detection of para-aortic nodal metastases (κ = 0.88 ± 0.08)., Conclusion: In patients with uterine non-endometrioid carcinomas, CT is only moderately accurate for initial staging but may provide clinically valuable information by 'ruling-in' isolated para-aortic lymph node metastases and omental dissemination.

Objective: The role of imaging in patients with suspected gynecologic malignancies is to provide an accurate diagnosis to achieve the best and most tailored treatment plan. Uncommon cancers pose a distinct challenge, because current knowledge of these diseases is still limited. Our purpose is to highlight the role of cross-sectional imaging techniques, including ultrasound, CT, MRI, and PET/CT, in the diagnosis and pretreatment stratification of patients with rare gynecologic cancers., Conclusion: This review shows the relevance of imaging findings for diagnosis, staging, and treatment planning in patients with uncommon uterine, cervical, vaginal, vulvar, and ovarian cancers.