The C-FAST is a promising index derived from MRI diffusion fractional anisotropy measurements that shows successful correlation with outcome and predictor variables. A larger investigation is needed to verify the validity and stability of the correlations.

• Percutaneous forceps biopsy provides relatively high accuracy in diagnosis of malignant biliary obstructions. • The predictive factors of false-negative biopsy were biopsy site and origin of primary tumour. • The procedure-related complications were low.

ObjectiveTo compare the spinal enumeration methods that establish the first lumbar vertebra in patients with spinal variants.Materials and MethodsOf the 1446 consecutive patients who had undergone computed tomography of the spine from March 2012 to July 2016, 100 patients (62 men, 38 women; mean age, 47.9 years; age range, 19–88 years) with spinal variants were included. Two radiologists (readers 1 and 2) established the first lumbar vertebra through morphologic analysis of the thoracolumbar junction, and labeled the vertebra by counting in a cranial-to-caudal manner. Inter-observer agreement was established. Additionally, reader 1 detected the 20th vertebra under the assumption that there are 12 thoracic vertebra, and then classified it as a thoracic vertebra, lumbar vertebra, or thoracolumbar transitional vertebra (TLTV), on the basis of morphologic analysis.ResultsThe first lumbar vertebra, as established by morphologic analysis, was labeled by each reader as the 21st segment in 65.0% of the patients, as the 20th segment in 31.0%, and as the 19th segment in 4.0%. Inter-observer agreement between the two readers in determining the first lumbar vertebra, based on morphologic analysis, was nearly perfect (κ value: 1.00). The 20th vertebra was morphologically classified as a TLTV in 60.0% of the patients, as the first lumbar segment in 31.0%, as the second lumbar segment in 4.0%, and as a thoracic segment in 5.0%.ConclusionThe establishment of the first lumbar vertebra using morphologic characteristics of the thoracolumbar junction in patients with spinal variants was consistent with the morphologic traits of vertebral segmentation.

Percutaneous placement of the Y-shaped branched covered stent seems to be technically feasible and clinically effective for palliative treatment of malignant hilar biliary obstruction.

Purpose:To investigate the capability of enhanced chest computed tomography (CT) for detecting breast abnormalities and to assess the influence of breast composition on this detectability. Materials and Methods: From 2000 to 2013, 75 patients who underwent mammography, breast sonography, and enhanced chest CT within one month and had abnormalities on sonography were included. Detection rate of breast abnormality on enhanced chest CT was compared among 4 types of breast composition by the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System. Contribution of breast composition, size and enhancement of target lesions to detectability of enhanced chest CT was assessed using logistic regression and chi-square test. Results: Of the 75 target lesions, 34 (45.3%) were detected on enhanced chest CT, corresponding with those on breast sonography; there were no significantly different detection rates among the 4 types of breast composition (p = 0.078). Breast composition [odds ratio (OR) = 1.07, p = 0.206] and enhancement (OR = 21.49, p = 0.998) had no significant effect, but size (OR = 1.23, p = 0.004) was a significant contributing factor influencing the detectability of enhanced chest CT for breast lesions. Conclusion: About half of the cases (45.3%) demonstrated breast lesions on chest CT corresponding with target lesions on sonography. Breast composition defined on mammography did not affect the detectability of enhanced chest CT for breast lesions. Index termsBreast Chest Multidetector Computed Tomography Ultrasound Mammography