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European Urology Jul 2023Whether prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography (PSMA-PET) should replace conventional imaging modalities (CIM) for initial staging of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Head-to-head Comparison of the Diagnostic Accuracy of Prostate-specific Membrane Antigen Positron Emission Tomography and Conventional Imaging Modalities for Initial Staging of Intermediate- to High-risk Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
CONTEXT
Whether prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography (PSMA-PET) should replace conventional imaging modalities (CIM) for initial staging of intermediate-high risk prostate cancer (PCa) requires definitive evidence on their relative diagnostic abilities.
OBJECTIVE
To perform head-to-head comparisons of PSMA-PET and CIM including multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI), computed tomography (CT) and bone scan (BS) for upfront staging of tumour, nodal, and bone metastasis.
EVIDENCE ACQUISITION
A search of the PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and Scopus databases was conducted from inception to December 2021. Only studies in which patients underwent both PSMA-PET and CIM and imaging was referenced against histopathology or composite reference standards were included. Quality was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 (QUADAS-2) checklist and its extension for comparative reviews (QUADAS-C). Pairwise comparisons of the sensitivity and specificity of PSMA-PET versus CIM were performed by adding imaging modality as a covariate to bivariate mixed-effects meta-regression models. The likelihood ratio test was applied to determine whether statistically significant differences existed.
EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS
A total of 31 studies (2431 patients) were included. PSMA-PET/MRI was more sensitive than mpMRI for detection of extra-prostatic extension (78.7% versus 52.9%) and seminal vesicle invasion (66.7% versus 51.0%). For nodal staging, PSMA-PET was more sensitive and specific than mpMRI (73.7% versus 38.9%, 97.5% versus 82.6%) and CT (73.2% versus 38.5%, 97.8% versus 83.6%). For bone metastasis staging, PSMA-PET was more sensitive and specific than BS with or without single-photon emission computerised tomography (98.0% versus 73.0%, 96.2% versus 79.1%). A time interval between imaging modalities >1 month was identified as a source of heterogeneity across all nodal staging analyses.
CONCLUSIONS
Direct comparisons revealed that PSMA-PET significantly outperforms CIM, which suggests that PSMA-PET should be used as a first-line approach for the initial staging of PCa.
PATIENT SUMMARY
We reviewed direct comparisons of the ability of a scan method called PSMA-PET (prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography) and current imaging methods to detect the spread of prostate cancer outside the prostate gland. We found that PSMA-PET is more accurate for detection of the spread of prostate cancer to adjacent tissue, nearby lymph nodes, and bones.
Topics: Male; Humans; Prostate; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Positron-Emission Tomography; Prostatic Neoplasms; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Gallium Radioisotopes; Neoplasm Staging
PubMed: 37032189
DOI: 10.1016/j.eururo.2023.03.001 -
The American Journal of Sports Medicine Nov 2023Controversies remain regarding the diagnosis, imaging, and treatment of acute adductor injuries in athletes.
BACKGROUND
Controversies remain regarding the diagnosis, imaging, and treatment of acute adductor injuries in athletes.
PURPOSE
To investigate the diagnostic imaging, treatment, and prevention of acute adductor injuries based on the most recent and relevant scientific evidence.
STUDY DESIGN
Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4.
METHODS
The PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines to identify articles studying acute adductor injury in athletes. Inclusion criteria were original publication on acute adductor injury in amateur or professional athletes, level 1 to 4 evidence, mean patient age >15 years, and results presented as return-to-sport, pain, or functional outcomes. Quality assessment was performed with the CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) statement or the methodological index for non-randomized studies criteria. Articles were grouped as imaging, treatment, prevention focused, or mixed.
RESULTS
A total of 30 studies published between 2001 and 2021 were selected, involving 594 male patients with a mean age 26.2 years (range, 16-68 years). The most frequent sports were soccer (62%), basketball (14%), futsal (6%), American football (3%), and ice hockey and handball (2%). Risk factors for acute adductor injury were previous acute groin injury, adductor weakness compared with the uninjured side, any injury in the previous season, and reduced rotational hip range of motion. The frequency of complete adductor muscle tears on magnetic resonance imaging was 21% to 25%. For complete adductor tears, the average time to return to play was 8.9 weeks in patients treated nonoperatively and 14.2 weeks for patients treated surgically. Greater stump retraction was observed in individuals treated surgically. Partial acute adductor tears were treated nonoperatively with physical therapy in all studies in the present systematic review. The average time to return to play was 1 to 6.9 weeks depending on the injury grade. The efficacy of adductor strengthening on preventing acute adductor tears has controversial results in the literature.
CONCLUSION
Athletes with partial adductor injuries returned to play 1 to 7 weeks after injury with physical therapy treatment. Nonoperative or surgical treatment is an acceptable option for complete adductor longus tendon tear.
Topics: Humans; Male; Adult; Adolescent; Athletic Injuries; Muscle, Skeletal; Tendons; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Rupture; Groin; Soccer
PubMed: 36661128
DOI: 10.1177/03635465221140923 -
Endocrine Aug 2023To summarize the more robust evidence about the performance of tools useful for diagnosis of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) such as calcitonin (Ctn) and other... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
To summarize the more robust evidence about the performance of tools useful for diagnosis of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) such as calcitonin (Ctn) and other circulating markers, ultrasound (US), fine-needle aspiration (FNA), and other imaging procedures.
METHODS
This systematic review of systematic reviews was carried out according to a predefined protocol. A search string was created. An electronical comprehensive search of literature was performed on December 2022. Quality assessment of eligible systematic reviews was performed and main findings were described.
RESULTS
Twenty-three systematic reviews were included and several findings were achieved. Ctn is the most reliable diagnostic marker of MTC with no evidence of improvement with stimulation test. CEA doubling time is more reliable than Ctn in identifying MTC with poorer prognosis. US sensitivity is suboptimal in MTC and only just over half of cases are at high risk according to Thyroid Imaging And Reporting Data Systems. Cytology can correctly detect MTC in just over half of cases and measuring Ctn in washout fluid from FNA is necessary. PET/CT is useful for detecting recurrent MTC.
CONCLUSIONS
Future guidelines of both thyroid nodule management and MTC diagnosis should consider these evidence-based data.
Topics: Thyroid Neoplasms; Thyroid Nodule; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Diagnostic Tests, Routine; Calcitonin; Systematic Reviews as Topic; Biopsy, Fine-Needle
PubMed: 36877452
DOI: 10.1007/s12020-023-03326-6 -
Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases May 2024To update the EULAR recommendations for the use of imaging modalities in primary large vessel vasculitis (LVV).
OBJECTIVES
To update the EULAR recommendations for the use of imaging modalities in primary large vessel vasculitis (LVV).
METHODS
A systematic literature review update was performed to retrieve new evidence on ultrasound, MRI, CT and [F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) for diagnosis, monitoring and outcome prediction in LVV. The task force consisted of 24 physicians, health professionals and patients from 14 countries. The recommendations were updated based on evidence and expert opinion, iterating until voting indicated consensus. The level of agreement was determined by anonymous votes.
RESULTS
Three overarching principles and eight recommendations were agreed. Compared to the 2018 version, ultrasound is now recommended as first-line imaging test in all patients with suspected giant cell arteritis, and axillary arteries should be included in the standard examination. As an alternative to ultrasound, cranial and extracranial arteries can be examined by FDG-PET or MRI. For Takayasu arteritis, MRI is the preferred imaging modality; FDG-PET, CT or ultrasound are alternatives. Although imaging is not routinely recommended for follow-up, ultrasound, FDG-PET or MRI may be used for assessing vessel abnormalities in LVV patients with suspected relapse, particularly when laboratory markers of inflammation are unreliable. MR-angiography, CT-angiography or ultrasound may be used for long-term monitoring of structural damage, particularly at sites of preceding vascular inflammation.
CONCLUSIONS
The 2023 EULAR recommendations provide up-to-date guidance for the role of imaging in the diagnosis and assessment of patients with LVV.
Topics: Humans; Giant Cell Arteritis; Takayasu Arteritis; Ultrasonography; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; Positron-Emission Tomography; Vasculitis; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Axillary Artery
PubMed: 37550004
DOI: 10.1136/ard-2023-224543 -
RMD Open Aug 2023To update the evidence on imaging for diagnosis, monitoring and outcome prediction in large vessel vasculitis (LVV) to inform the 2023 update of the European Alliance of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Imaging in diagnosis, monitoring and outcome prediction of large vessel vasculitis: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis informing the 2023 update of the EULAR recommendations.
OBJECTIVES
To update the evidence on imaging for diagnosis, monitoring and outcome prediction in large vessel vasculitis (LVV) to inform the 2023 update of the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology recommendations on imaging in LVV.
METHODS
Systematic literature review (SLR) (2017-2022) including prospective cohort and cross-sectional studies (>20 participants) on diagnostic, monitoring, outcome prediction and technical aspects of LVV imaging. Diagnostic accuracy data were meta-analysed in combination with data from an earlier (2017) SLR.
RESULTS
The update retrieved 38 studies, giving a total of 81 studies when combined with the 2017 SLR. For giant cell arteritis (GCA), and taking clinical diagnosis as a reference standard, low risk of bias (RoB) studies yielded pooled sensitivities and specificities (95% CI) of 88% (82% to 92%) and 96% (95% CI 86% to 99%) for ultrasound (n=8 studies), 81% (95% CI 71% to 89%) and 98% (95% CI 89% to 100%) for MRI (n=3) and 76% (95% CI 67% to 83%) and 95% (95% CI 71% to 99%) for fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET, n=4), respectively. Compared with studies assessing cranial arteries only, low RoB studies with ultrasound assessing both cranial and extracranial arteries revealed a higher sensitivity (93% (95% CI 88% to 96%) vs 80% (95% CI 71% to 87%)) with comparable specificity (94% (95% CI 83% to 98%) vs 97% (95% CI 71% to 100%)). No new studies on diagnostic imaging for Takayasu arteritis (TAK) were found. Some monitoring studies in GCA or TAK reported associations of imaging with clinical signs of inflammation. No evidence was found to determine whether imaging severity might predict worse clinical outcomes.
CONCLUSION
Ultrasound, MRI and FDG-PET revealed a good performance for the diagnosis of GCA. Cranial and extracranial vascular ultrasound had a higher pooled sensitivity with similar specificity compared with limited cranial ultrasound.
Topics: Humans; Cross-Sectional Studies; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; Prospective Studies; Giant Cell Arteritis; Positron-Emission Tomography
PubMed: 37620113
DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2023-003379 -
European Respiratory Review : An... Sep 2023A proportion of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) survivors experience persistent dyspnoea without measurable impairments in lung function. We performed a systematic... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
A proportion of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) survivors experience persistent dyspnoea without measurable impairments in lung function. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine relationships between dyspnoea and imaging abnormalities over time in post-COVID-19 patients.
METHODS
Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we analysed studies published prior to 15 September 2022 and indexed by Google Scholar, PubMed and LitCOVID which assessed chest imaging in adults ≥3 months after COVID-19. Demographic, chest imaging, spirometric and post-COVID-19 symptom data were extracted. The relationships between imaging abnormalities and dyspnoea, sex and age were determined using a random effects model and meta-regression.
RESULTS
47 studies were included in the meta-analysis (n=3557). The most prevalent computed tomography (CT) imaging abnormality was ground-glass opacities (GGOs) (44.9% (95% CI 37.0-52.9%) at any follow-up time-point). Occurrence of reticulations significantly decreased between early and late follow-up (p=0.01). The prevalence of imaging abnormalities was related to the proportion of patients with dyspnoea (p=0.012). The proportion of females was negatively correlated with the presence of reticulations (p=0.001), bronchiectasis (p=0.001) and consolidations (p=0.025). Age was positively correlated with imaging abnormalities across all modalities (p=0.002) and imaging abnormalities present only on CT (p=0.001) (GGOs (p=0.004) and reticulations (p=0.001)). Spirometric values improved during follow-up but remained within the normal range at all time-points.
CONCLUSIONS
Imaging abnormalities were common 3 months after COVID-19 and their occurrence was significantly related to the presence of dyspnoea. This suggests that CT imaging is a sensitive tool for detecting pulmonary abnormalities in patients with dyspnoea, even in the presence of normal spirometric measurements.
Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Lung; Dyspnea; Lung Diseases
PubMed: 37558261
DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0253-2022 -
JACC. Cardiovascular Imaging Nov 2023Quantification of pulmonary edema and congestion is important to guide diagnosis and risk stratification, and to objectively evaluate new therapies in heart failure.... (Review)
Review
Quantification of pulmonary edema and congestion is important to guide diagnosis and risk stratification, and to objectively evaluate new therapies in heart failure. Herein, we review the validation, diagnostic performance, and clinical utility of noninvasive imaging modalities in this setting, including chest x-ray, lung ultrasound (LUS), computed tomography (CT), nuclear medicine imaging methods (positron emission tomography [PET], single photon emission CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). LUS is a clinically useful bedside modality, and fully quantitative methods (CT, MRI, PET) are likely to be important contributors to a more accurate and precise evaluation of new heart failure therapies and for clinical use in conjunction with cardiac imaging. There are only a limited number of studies evaluating pulmonary congestion during stress. Taken together, noninvasive imaging of pulmonary congestion provides utility for both clinical and research assessment, and continued refinement of methodologic accuracy, validation, and workflow has the potential to increase broader clinical adoption.
Topics: Humans; Pulmonary Edema; Predictive Value of Tests; Lung; Ultrasonography; Heart Failure
PubMed: 37632500
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmg.2023.06.023 -
Reviews in Endocrine & Metabolic... Dec 2023Knowledge of ectopic insulinomas comes from single cases. We performed a systematic review through PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, eLibrary and ScienceDirect of all...
Knowledge of ectopic insulinomas comes from single cases. We performed a systematic review through PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, eLibrary and ScienceDirect of all cases reported in the last four decades. We also describe one unreported patient. From 28 patients with ectopic insulinoma, 78.6% were female and mean age was 55.7 ± 19.2 years. Hypoglycaemia was the first symptom in 85.7% while 14.3% complained of abdominal pain or genital symptoms. Median tumour diameter was 27.5 [15-52.5] mm and it was localised by CT (73.1%), MRI (88.9%), [Ga]Ga-DOTA-exedin-4 PET/CT (100%), Ga-labelled-DOTA-conjugated somatostatin analogue PET/TC (100%), somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (40%) and endoscopic ultrasound (50%). Ectopic insulinomas were located at duodenum (n = 3), jejunum (n = 2), and one respectively at stomach, liver, appendix, rectum, mesentery, ligament of Treitz, gastrosplenic ligament, hepatoduodenal ligament and splenic hilum. Seven insulinomas were affecting the female reproductive organs: ovary (n = 5), cervix (n = 2) and remaining tumours were at retroperitoneum (n = 3), kidney (n = 2), spleen (n = 1) and pelvis (n = 1). 89.3% underwent surgery (66.7% surgery vs. 33.3% laparoscopy) and 16% underwent an ineffective pancreatectomy. 85.7% had localized disease at diagnosis and 14.3% developed distant metastasis. Median follow-up time was 14.5 [4.5-35.5] months and mortality was reported in 28.6% with median time until death of 60 [5-144] months. In conclusion, ectopic insulinomas are presented as hypoglycaemia with female preponderance. Functional imaging [Ga]Ga-DOTA-exedin-4 PET/CT and Ga-labelled-DOTA-conjugated somatostatin analogue PET/TC have very high sensitivity. Clinicians should be alert to the possibility of extra-pancreatic insulinomas when classic diagnostic tests and intraoperative pancreas exploration failed to locate the tumour.
Topics: Adult; Aged; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Gallium Radioisotopes; Hypoglycemia; Insulinoma; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Somatostatin
PubMed: 37434098
DOI: 10.1007/s11154-023-09824-2 -
Theranostics 2023Recent studies suggest that Ga-FAPI PET/CT demonstrated superiority over F-FDG PET/CT in the evaluation of various cancer types, especially in gastric cancer (GC). By... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Recent studies suggest that Ga-FAPI PET/CT demonstrated superiority over F-FDG PET/CT in the evaluation of various cancer types, especially in gastric cancer (GC). By comprehensively reviewing and analysing the differences between Ga-FAPI and F-FDG in GC, some evidence is provided to foster the broader clinical application of FAPI PET imaging. In this review, studies published up to July 3, 2023, that employed radionuclide labelled FAPI as a diagnostic radiotracer for PET in GC were analysed. These studies were sourced from both the PubMed and Web of Science databases. Our statistical analysis involved a bivariate meta-analysis of the diagnostic data and a meta-analysis of the quantitative metrics. These were performed using R language. The meta-analysis included 14 studies, with 527 patients, of which 358 were diagnosed with GC. Overall, Ga-FAPI showed higher pooled sensitivity (0.84 [95% CI 0.67-0.94] 0.46 [95% CI 0.32-0.60]), specificity (0.91 [95% CI 0.76-0.98] 0.88 [95% CI 0.74-0.96]) and area under the curve (AUC) (0.92 [95% CI 0.77-0.98] 0.52 [95% CI 0.38-0.86]) than F-FDG. The evidence showed superior pooled sensitivities of Ga-FAPI PET over F-FDG for primary tumours, local recurrence, lymph node metastases, distant metastases, and peritoneal metastases. Furthermore, Ga-FAPI PET provided higher maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and tumour-to-background ratios (TBR). For bone metastases, while Ga-FAPI PET demonstrated slightly lower patient-based pooled sensitivity (0.93 1.00), it significantly outperformed F-FDG in the lesion-based analysis (0.95 0.65). However, SUVmax (mean difference [MD] 1.79 [95% CI -3.87-7.45]) and TBR (MD 5.01 [95% CI -0.78-10.80]) of bone metastases showed no significant difference between Ga-FAPI PET/CT and F-FDG PET/CT. Compared with F-FDG, Ga-FAPI PET imaging showed improved diagnostic accuracy in the evaluation of GC. It can be effectively applied to the early diagnosis, initial staging, and detection of recurrence/metastases of GC. Ga-FAPI may have the potential of replacing F-FDG in GC in future applications.
Topics: Humans; Stomach Neoplasms; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; Gallium Radioisotopes; Positron-Emission Tomography
PubMed: 37649615
DOI: 10.7150/thno.88335 -
Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging :... Oct 2023Diffusion-weighted imaging has been applied to investigate alterations in multiple sclerosis (MS). In the last years, advanced diffusion models were used to identify... (Review)
Review
Diffusion-weighted imaging has been applied to investigate alterations in multiple sclerosis (MS). In the last years, advanced diffusion models were used to identify subtle changes and early lesions in MS. Among these models, neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) is an emerging approach, quantifying specific neurite morphology in both grey (GM) and white matter (WM) tissue and increasing the specificity of diffusion imaging. In this systematic review, we summarized the NODDI findings in MS. A search was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, and Embase, which yielded a total number of 24 eligible studies. Compared to healthy tissue, these studies identified consistent alterations in NODDI metrics involving WM (neurite density index), and GM lesions (neurite density index), or normal-appearing WM tissue (isotropic volume fraction and neurite density index). Despite some limitations, we pointed out the potential of NODDI in MS to unravel microstructural alterations. These results might pave the way to a deeper understanding of the pathophysiological mechanism of MS. EVIDENCE LEVEL: 2. TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 3.
Topics: Humans; Neurites; Diffusion Tensor Imaging; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Multiple Sclerosis; White Matter; Brain
PubMed: 37042392
DOI: 10.1002/jmri.28727