Semi-quantitative DCE-MRI threshold criteria are effective for predicting ovarian malignancy. The surgical approach may be altered depending on DCE-MRI threshold criteria analysis. Borderline tumours demonstrate significant overlap with benign lesions using DCE-MRI threshold criteria.

ObjectivesTo determine the sensitivity and specificity of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) for significant prostate cancer with transperineal sector biopsy (TPSB) as the reference standard. Patients and MethodsThe study included consecutive patients who presented for TPSB between July 2012 and November 2013 after mpMRI (T2-and diffusion-weighted images, 1.5 Tesla scanner, 8-channel body coil). A specialist uro-radiologist, blinded to clinical details, assigned qualitative prostate imaging reporting and data system (PI-RADS) scores on a Likert-type scale, denoting the likelihood of significant prostate cancer as follows: 1, highly unlikely; 3, equivocal; and 5, highly likely. TPSBs sampled 24-40 cores (depending on prostate size) per patient. Significant prostate cancer was defined as the presence of Gleason pattern 4 or cancer core length ≥6 mm. ResultsA total of 201 patients were included in the analysis. Indications were: a previous negative transrectal biopsy with continued suspicion of prostate cancer (n = 103); primary biopsy (n = 83); and active surveillance (n = 15). Patients' mean (±SD) age, prostate-specific antigen and prostate volumes were 65 (±7) years, 12.8 (±12.4) ng/mL and 62 (±36) mL, respectively. Overall, biopsies were benign, clinically insignificant and clinically significant in 124 (62%), 20 (10%) and 57 (28%) patients, respectively. Two of 88 men with a PI-RADS score of 1 or 2 had significant prostate cancer, giving a sensitivity of 97% (95% confidence interval [CI] 87-99) and a specificity of 60% (95% CI 51-68) at this threshold. Receiver-operator curve analysis gave an area under the curve of 0.89 (95% CI 0.82-0.92). The negative predictive value of a PI-RADS score of ≤2 for clinically significant prostate cancer was 97.7% ConclusionWe found that PI-RADS scoring performs well as a predictor for biopsy outcome and could be used in the decision-making process for prostate biopsy.

No abstract

Worldwide, cervical cancer is the second most common malignancy in women, and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Accurate tumor staging is essential for optimal treatment planning and prognosis. Cervical cancer is staged by clinical examination according to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics staging system. However, clinical staging has inherent deficiencies in evaluating several parameters that are critical for treatment planning. It is now widely accepted that cross-sectional imaging, and in particular MRI, has an important role to play in the staging of these tumors. MRI is an excellent modality for depicting invasive cervical cancer: it can provide objective measurement of tumor size and provides a high negative predictive value for parametrial invasion and stage IVA disease. MRI and positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) play key roles in identifying recurrent disease. PET/CT is also useful in detecting nodal and distant metastases and in radiotherapy planning. Diffusion-weighted MRI is an emerging imaging technique that is currently being evaluated for the detection of primary and recurrent disease and in the assessment of treatment response.

In this article we review the ever increasing role of imaging in endometrial and cervical cancer. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has emerged as the most widely used technique in the management of women with gynaecological cancer. In endometrial cancer, MRI is reliable in identifying myometrial and cervical invasion and extra-uterine disease, thereby informing preoperative surgical planning. In cervical cancer, MRI plays a crucial role in distinguishing early from advanced disease, thereby stratifying patients for surgery and chemoradiation. MRI is also valuable in assessing proximal extension of cervical tumours in young women with early stage disease for feasibility of fertility preserving surgery. In both cancers, imaging is used for diagnosing nodal metastases, detection of recurrence, and dealing with complications of both the disease and treatment.

The finding of increased numbers of PLAs in the venous mesenteric circulation supports the hypothesis that activated vascular endothelium stimulates PLA formation in UC.

Skull base osteomyelitis is an aggressive, life-threatening infection that can be challenging to diagnose and treat. It occurs predominantly in elderly immunocompromised patients, but it has also been reported in children with normal immunological status. Typical skul base osteomyelitis arises as a complication to ear infection mainly involving the temporal bone and is usually caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Atypical or central skul base osteomyelitis originates from paranasal infections, is primarily centred on the clivus and is usually caused by Aspergillus, Pseudomonas, Salmonella or Staphylococcus species. Potential complications include retropharyngeal abscesses, cranial neuropathies, meningitis, intracranial abscesses, sinovenous thrombosis, and carotid artery involvement with or without ischemic infarcts. The purpose of this pictorial essay is to illustrate the spectrum of imaging findings and potential complications of skul base osteomyelitis.

No abstract