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Purpose This article demonstrates the use of a new SPECT/CT acquisition protocol in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). Methods SPECT/CT scans (FASpecT/CT) with fewer angle acquisitions were retrospectively reviewed in 30 DTC patients treated with radioiodine at University Hospital, San Antonio, Tex, from July 2017 to March 2019. This FASpecT/CT of 12 versus 60 to 64 sampled views for convention SPECT was made possible by iterative reconstruction. Results The FASpecT/CT protocol was judged to increase lesion detection in patients with low count rates. Furthermore, in patients with higher count rates, this technique reduced the acquisition time. FASpecT/CT patient images are shown as case examples in 4 of the 30 patients reviewed. Conclusions This FASpecT/CT acquisition in radioiodine-treated DTC offers the potential of higher sensitivity for metastatic lymph node detection in low count rates and a significant decrease in imaging time in high count rates. These advantages make SPECT/CT imaging more acceptable for patients who have difficulty with longer imaging times, to include the pediatric population.

Intercostal artery aneurysms are rare entities usually seen in connective tissue disorders and inflammatory conditions and syndromes like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Kawasaki’s disease, and neurofibromatosis. Spontaneous development of intercostal aneurysm is rare and the presence of multiple aneurysms/aneurysmosis is exceedingly rare. Although there have been a few case reports on aortic aneurysm, coronary artery aneurysms and many on ruptured cerebral aneurysms, we could not find a single case of spontaneous intercostal artery aneurysm secondary to chronic cocaine abuse. We report an exceedingly rare case of intercostal artery aneurysmosis presumably secondary to long-term cocaine abuse. Intercostal artery aneurysm is the least common visceral aneurysm and given the very limited literature on this subject, the pathogenesis is poorly understood.

Purpose To investigate if inflammation as a potential cause of false-positive lesions from recent UroNav magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) fusion prostate biopsy patients. Materials and methods We retrospectively identified 43 men with 61 MRI lesions noted on prostate MRI before MRI ultrasound-guided fusion prostate biopsy. Men underwent MRI with 3T Siemens TIM Trio MRI system (Siemens AG, Germany), and lesions were identified and marked in DynaCAD system (Invivo Corporation, USA) with subsequent biopsy with MRI fusion with UroNav. We obtained targeted and standard 12-core needle biopsies. We retrospectively reviewed pathology reports for inflammation. Results We noted a total of 43 (70.5%) false-positive lesions with 28 having no cancer on any cores, and 15 lesions with cancer noted on systematic biopsy but not in the target region. Of the men with cancer, 6 of the false positive lesions had inflammation in the location of the targeted region of interest (40.0%, 6/15). However, when we examine the 21/28 lesions with an identified lesion on MRI with no cancer in all cores, 54.5% had inflammation on prostate biopsy pathology (12/22, p=0.024). We noted the highest proportion of inflammation. Conclusions Inflammation can confound the interpretation of MRI by mimicking prostate cancer. We suggested focused efforts to differentiate inflammation and cancer on prostate MRI.

Sir William Osler coined the term “mycotic” to identify aneurysms secondary to an infectious cause, which may not be necessarily fungal and are caused mainly by bacteria. The literature’s reported incidence of coronary artery aneurysms (CAA) is from 1.5-5%. The right coronary artery (RCA) is mainly involved, followed by the left side coronary circulation. Mycotic aneurysms are more commonly associated with infective endocarditis. More recently, coronary artery stents, particularly drug-eluting stents, are typically causing mycotic coronary aneurysms. CT angiography (CTA) has been the forefront diagnostic modality, showing both the lumen and wall of the coronary arteries. It also aids in preoperative planning. MRI is useful in diagnosing and following children with Kawasaki’s disease. Smaller mycotic coronary aneurysms may resolve with antibiotic therapy; however, aneurysms more significant than 1-2 cm diameter needs corrective surgery. Early diagnosis and appropriate management are the critical factors in the successful treatment of infective coronary artery aneurysms.

Cystic tumors of the liver are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms with characteristic histogenesis, clinico-biological features, and pathologic findings. They include both epithelial and mesenchymal liver tumors and commonly originate from the biliary epithelium. Mucinous cystic neoplasm (MCN) and intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct (IPNB) are the most common cystic neoplasms of the liver. Cystic changes can develop in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and hepatic metastases due to cystic degeneration and necrosis. Rarely, mass-forming intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and giant cavernous hemangioma may also show cystic appearance with necrotic areas. Rare hepatic tumors such as mesenchymal hamartoma, undifferentiated embryonal carcinoma, lymphangioma, and inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors are also cystic in nature. Select cystic hepatic tumors show characteristic cross-sectional imaging findings that permit an accurate diagnosis. Imaging is also pivotal in the follow-up and long-term surveillance of cystic hepatic tumors.

A lesser-acknowledged role of Propionibacterium acnes is its effect on the development of sarcoidosis. This literature review not only further explores this association but also that of Propionibacterium acnes and other inflammatory conditions, such as ulcerative colitis and pyoderma gangrenosum, acne, ulcerative colitis syndrome (PAC syndrome). This article reviews the effect that isotretinoin, a commonly used treatment of acne, has on the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis, and the immune dysregulation and genetic susceptibility of individuals prone to developing acne, sarcoidosis, and ulcerative colitis. Literature for this article review was obtained from PubMed by utilizing both regular keywords and medical subject heading (MeSH) subheadings for data gathering. Regular keywords were: Propionibacterium acnes, sarcoidosis, ulcerative colitis, and isotretinoin. MeSH subheadings used were: Propionibacterium acnes/immunology, Propionibacterium acnes/pathogenicity, Propionibacterium acnes/genetics, sarcoidosis/immunology, and sarcoidosis/genetics. Following the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 5172 publications were obtained. A total of 5086 publications were removed due to a lack of relevancy to outcomes of interest. The remaining 86 publications from all the regular and MeSH keywords were selected due to relevancy to outcomes of interest. Following this, a refined manual search was done, with the removal of duplicates, and 33 publications from PubMed were selected for review. Following a review of these records, Propionibacterium acnes was repeatedly concluded to be a causative agent of sarcoidosis. Variable results for the association between Propionibacterium acnes and ulcerative colitis were found. Most studies showed no significant association between the use of isotretinoin and the development of ulcerative colitis. A strong overlapping role of genetic susceptibility and immune dysregulation in the pathogeneses of sarcoidosis, ulcerative colitis, and Propionibacterium acnes was found.

Coffee and its components have several neuroprotective properties that lower the risk of cognitive decline and other neurodegenerative diseases. This study reviews the mechanisms by which coffee and its respective compounds affect the brain and its pathologies. Many epidemiological studies in this literature review have shown coffee to reduce the risk of developing dementia, stroke, and Alzheimer's disease. It may also have a positive impact on the disease course of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and depression. The optimal benefits achieved from coffee in these pathologies rely on higher daily doses. Most of its effects are attributed to caffeine by the antagonism of adenosine receptors in the central nervous system; however, other coffee constituents like chlorogenic acids have also shown much promise in therapeutic value. Existing research considers coffee to have great potential, but additional studies are still needed to clarify the mechanisms and actual causal relationships in certain neuropathologies.

Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), or Willis-Ekbom disease (WED), is an irresistible urge to move the legs, predominantly while resting, sitting, or sleeping, which disrupts sleep and impairs quality of life. RLS can occur secondary to uremia in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients due to inadequate hemodialysis. Early diagnosis is essential to prevent muscular atrophy and to improve the quality of life of RLS patients, especially those with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Cardiac mortality high in uremic RLS patients due to associated discomfort and lowering the duration of hemodialysis treatment. This review focuses on and discusses the diagnosis, treatment, and associated comorbid conditions of uremic RLS. Though the exact pathophysiology is unknown, altered transferrin expression in the choroid plexus, increased glutamate levels in the thalamus, decreased opioid receptors, dopamine system dysfunction, calcium/phosphate imbalance, and single nucleotide polymorphisms in the BTBD9 and MEIS1 genes are a few nonconfirmatory pathophysiological concepts for uremic RLS. Nonpharmacological options include lowering the temperature of dialysate by 1 degree C and home-based therapies like massages, warm/cold baths, and aerobic exercises. Pharmacological therapy like dopamine agonists ropinirole and pramipexole reduces the symptoms effectively. However, surgical options like parathyroidectomy and renal transplantation are stated as the best treatment options in patients suffering from uremic RLS.

Objective The accurate knowledge of demographic, signs and symptoms, imaging characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is essential for the accurate management of these patients. However, the claims between the previous papers are not always consistent and may even contradict each other, for example, some claims the virus infects more men than women in Wuhan. In this large-scale cohort study, we aimed to update the demographic, signs and symptoms, imaging characteristics of patients with COVID-19 in the whole quarantine of Wuhan, China. Methods A cohort of 2126 patients with a diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia (confirmed by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, RT-PCR) who were admitted to one hospital in Wuhan were retrospectively enrolled. Data were collected between January 13, 2020, and April 8, 2020, the end of Wuhan quarantine. Demographic, signs and symptoms, imaging characteristics were analyzed. CT imaging characteristics associated with respiratory failure or death were identified. Results Of the 2126 patients with COVID-19, 1051 (49.44%) were men and 1075 (50.56%) were women, 1933 (90.92%) have fever and 1328 (62.46%) have dry cough. The mean age was 57.43 years of age (range 1–95). The CT imaging findings were bilateral pneumonia (1883[88.57%]), unilateral pneumonia (243[11.43%]), ground-glass opacity (GGO) or consolidation (1175[55.27%]), pleural effusion (69[3.25%]). Patients with respiratory failure or death were more likely to have pleural effusion on CT than patients without respiratory failure or death (p Conclusion Men and women have been infected by SARS-CoV-2 in roughly equal numbers. Fever and cough are the most prevalent symptoms at disease onset in patients. Other prevalent symptoms include fatigue, and sputum production. COVID-19 patients with bilateral pneumonia and pleural effusion are more likely to develop respiratory failure or death.

e20560 Background: Accurate assessment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) mediastinal involvement is key to developing treatment plans and determining prognosis. To date, there is no reliable imaging-based means to determine the presence or absence of mediastinal involvement. Current computed tomogram (CT) and fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/ computed tomogram (PET-CT) technologies provide numerous derived automated variables have not been sufficiently evaluated to determine the presence of metastasis to the mediastinum. We have developed predictive models to determine the presence or lack of metastatic NSCLC in N2 and N3 regions. Methods: Consecutive patients from 2012-2017 with biopsy-proven NSCLC who had CT and PET-CT, as well as biopsy of the mediastinum had their images reread by a team of blinded specialty radiologists and nuclear medicine specialists. Patients with no mediastinal malignancy on biopsy were followed for 6 months from the initial evaluation to confirm lack of mediastinal malignancy.278 regions (N2 and N3) from 139 patients were included. Logistic regression models were used to build a baseline model, as well as models with additional nodal station maximum standard uptake valuve (SUVm) measurements (SUVm, SUVm-SUVmeanbloodpool and SUV lymph node/tumor (LN/T)) for N2 and N3 regions, respectively. When nodal station SUVm was not measured, SUVmeanbloodpool was used. The SUVm within each region was used. Stepwise selection was used to select variables in the baseline model. Cross-validated ROC curve and area under the curve (AUC) were reported. All analyses were done in SAS 9.4 (SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC). Results: 40/139 N2 regions had malignancy, 4/139 N3 regions had malignancy. Baseline models for N2 regions selected lung laterality (OR right vs left: 4.84 (1.79, 13.05)) and nodal station short-axis diameter > 1 cm (OR yes vs no: 5.49 (1.71, 17.54)) while no variables were selected for the baseline model for N3 regions due to lack of statistical power. We used the same variables for the N3 baseline model. Conclusions: We have identified models that use a more advanced analysis of predicting the presence or absence of metastatic NSCLC in both N2 and N3 regions with respect to the primary lesion. All models perform better with SUVm related measurements. From this information, we are developing a clinical application to provide practitioners a better means of assessing the presence of mediastinal involvement of NSCLC. [Table: see text]

Idiopathic giant bullous emphysema or vanishing lung syndrome (VLS) is a rare, chronic radiological diagnosis characterised by giant emphysematous bullae located primarily in the upper lobes of the lungs. This highly morbid phenotype of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease leads to severe progressive dyspnoea and significant disability. Here, we describe a 48-year-old man with a history significant for long-term tobacco and cannabis smoking, who is found to have VLS. We present a review of recent findings on the association between VLS and the additive effect of marijuana and tobacco.