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Applied Bionics and Biomechanics 2022Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has a high sensitivity for differentiating between malignant and non-malignant breast lesions but is sometimes limited due to its low... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has a high sensitivity for differentiating between malignant and non-malignant breast lesions but is sometimes limited due to its low specificity. Here, we performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the diagnostic performance of mean kurtosis (MK) and mean diffusivity (MD) values in magnetic resonance diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) for benign and malignant breast lesions.
METHODS
Original articles on relevant topics, published from 2010 to 2019, in PubMed, EMBASE, and WanFang databases were systematically reviewed. According to the purpose of the study and the characteristics of DKI reported, the diagnostic performances of MK and MD were evaluated, and meta-regression was conducted to explore the source of heterogeneity.
RESULTS
Fourteen studies involving 1,099 (451 benign and 648 malignant) lesions were analyzed. The pooled sensitivity, pooled specificity, positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio for MD were 0.84 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.81-0.87), 0.83 (95% CI, 0.79-0.86), 4.44 (95% CI, 3.54-5.57), and 0.18 (95% CI, 0.13-0.26), while those for MK were 0.89 (95% CI, 0.86-0.91), 0.86 (95% CI, 0.82-0.89), 5.72 (95% CI, 4.26-7.69), and 0.13 (95% CI, 0.09-0.19), respectively. The overall area under the curve (AUC) was 0.91 for MD and 0.95 for MK.
CONCLUSIONS
Analysis of the data from 14 studies showed that MK had a higher pooled sensitivity, pooled specificity, and diagnostic performance for differentiating between breast lesions, compared with MD.
PubMed: 35721236
DOI: 10.1155/2022/2042736 -
Neuropsychology Review Mar 2023Repetitive head impacts (RHI) are commonly observed in athletes participating in contact sports such as American football, ice hockey, and soccer. RHI usually do not... (Review)
Review
Repetitive head impacts (RHI) are commonly observed in athletes participating in contact sports such as American football, ice hockey, and soccer. RHI usually do not result in acute symptoms and are therefore often referred to as subclinical or "subconcussive" head impacts. Epidemiological studies report an association between exposure to RHI and an increased risk for the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) has emerged as particularly promising for the detection of subtle alterations in brain microstructure following exposure to sport-related RHI. The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review of studies investigating the effects of exposure to RHI on brain microstructure using dMRI. We used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) to determine studies that met inclusion and exclusion criteria across three databases. Seventeen studies were identified and critically evaluated. Results from these studies suggest an association between white matter alterations and RHI exposure in youth and young adult athletes. The most consistent finding across studies was lower or decreased fractional anisotropy (FA), a measure of the directionality of the diffusion of water molecules, associated with greater exposure to sport-related RHI. Whether decreased FA is associated with functional outcome (e.g., cognition) in those exposed to RHI is yet to be determined. This review further identified areas of importance for future research to increase the diagnostic and prognostic value of dMRI in RHI and to improve our understanding of the effects of RHI on brain physiology and microstructure.
Topics: Adolescent; Humans; Young Adult; Athletes; Athletic Injuries; Brain; Brain Concussion; Cognition; Football; Soccer
PubMed: 36508043
DOI: 10.1007/s11065-022-09566-z -
Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience :... May 2017Multiple meta-analyses of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies have reported impaired white matter integrity in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). However,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Multiple meta-analyses of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies have reported impaired white matter integrity in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). However, owing to inclusion of medicated patients in these studies, it is difficult to conclude whether these reported alterations are associated with MDD or confounded by medication effects. A meta-analysis of DTI studies on medication-free (medication-naive and medication washout) patients with MDD would therefore be necessary to disentangle MDD-specific effects.
METHODS
We analyzed white matter alterations between medication-free patients with MDD and healthy controls using anisotropic effect size-signed differential mapping (AES-SDM). We used DTI query software for fibre tracking.
RESULTS
Both pooled and subgroup meta-analyses in medication washout patients showed robust fractional anisotropy (FA) reductions in white matter of the right cerebellum hemispheric lobule, body of the corpus callosum (CC) and bilateral superior longitudinal fasciculus III (SLF III), whereas FA reductions in the genu of the CC and right anterior thalamic projections were seen in only medication-naive patients. Fibre tracking showed that the main tracts with observed FA reductions included the right cerebellar tracts, body of the CC, bilateral SLF III and arcuate fascicle.
LIMITATIONS
The analytic techniques, patient characteristics and clinical variables of the included studies were heterogeneous; we could not exclude the effects of nondrug therapies owing to a lack of data.
CONCLUSION
By excluding the confounding influences of current medication status, findings from the present study may provide a better understanding of the underlying neuropathology of MDD.
Topics: Brain; Depressive Disorder, Major; Diffusion Tensor Imaging; Humans; White Matter
PubMed: 27780031
DOI: 10.1503/jpn.150341 -
Gynecologic Oncology Reports Nov 2021Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) has shown promise in predicting response to therapy in several malignancies. This systematic review and meta-analysis... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) has shown promise in predicting response to therapy in several malignancies. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate DWI in the prediction of response to treatment in patients with cervical cancer.
METHODS
A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane and Google Scholar databases Studies that evaluated DWI and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) for response evaluation before, during and after treatment with a correlation to conventional response criteria were included. The primary endpoint was the mean ADC values of cervical cancer at these timepoints. The Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2) was used to assess the quality of the studies.
RESULTS
Nine studies, comprising 270 patients, were included. Pre-treatment ADC values showed no correlation with eventual response. However, in our meta-analysis, there was a significant correlation with early treatment ADC values obtained within the first 3 weeks of therapy and response, as well as a significant correlation with the percentage change in ADC (ΔADC) and response. In addition, the pooled mean ΔADC percentage was also significantly higher in responders than in non-responders (49.7% vs 19.7%, respectively, p = 0.016).
CONCLUSION
DWI shows potential as a biomarker of early treatment response in patients with cervical carcinoma. Use of the change in ADC particularly within the first 3 weeks of therapy seems to be predictive of response and may serve as a suitable marker in the determination of early response.
PubMed: 34926764
DOI: 10.1016/j.gore.2021.100883 -
Journal of Child Neurology Aug 2022Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a group of genetic disorders that affects the adrenal glands and is the most common cause of primary adrenal insufficiency in...
BACKGROUND
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a group of genetic disorders that affects the adrenal glands and is the most common cause of primary adrenal insufficiency in children. In the past few decades, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been implemented to investigate how the brain may be affected by CAH. A systematic review was conducted to evaluate and synthesize the reported evidence of brain findings related to CAH using structural, functional, and diffusion-weighted MRI.
METHODS
We searched bibliographical databases through July 2021 for brain MRI studies in individuals with CAH.
RESULTS
Twenty-eight studies were identified, including 13 case reports or series, 10 studies that recruited and studied CAH patients vs unaffected controls, and 5 studies without a matched control group. Eleven studies used structural MRI to identify structural abnormalities or quantify brain volumes, whereas 3 studies implemented functional MRI to investigate brain activity, and 3 reported diffusion MRI findings to assess white matter microstructure. Some commonly reported findings across studies included cortical atrophy and differences in gray matter volumes, as well as white matter hyperintensities, altered white matter microstructure, and distinct patterns of emotion and reward-related brain activity.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest differences in brain structure and function in patients with CAH. Limitations of these studies highlight the need for CAH neuroimaging studies to incorporate larger sample sizes and follow best study design and MRI analytic practices, as well as clarify potential neurologic effects seen across the lifespan and in relation to clinical and behavioral CAH phenotypes.
Topics: Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital; Brain; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Emotions; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging
PubMed: 35746874
DOI: 10.1177/08830738221100886 -
Polish Journal of Radiology 2023This study aimed to assess the applicability of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) for differentiating nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) from lymphomas in the head... (Review)
Review
Differentiating nasopharyngeal carcinoma from lymphoma in the head and neck region using the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
PURPOSE
This study aimed to assess the applicability of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) for differentiating nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) from lymphomas in the head and neck region.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Four databases, including PubMed, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Web of Science, were searched systematically to find relevant literature. The search date was updated to 8 September 2022, with no starting time restriction. The methodological quality of the studies was evaluated using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool. Firstly, a random-effects model was used in a meta-analysis of continuous variables with low heterogeneity to determine the overall effect size, which was reported as the standard mean difference (SMD). Then, bivariate random effects modelling was used to calculate the combined sensitivity and specificity. The area under the curve (AUC) for each diffusion parameter was calculated after constructing summary receiver operating characteristic curves. The presence of heterogeneity was evaluated using subgroup and meta-regression analysis.
RESULTS
Twelve studies involving 181 lymphoma and 449 NPC lesions ( = 630) in the head and neck region were included, of which 5 studies provided sufficient data for pooling diagnostic test accuracy. A meta-analysis of the 12 studies using a random-effects model yielded an SMD of 1.03 (CI = 0.76-1.30; = 0.00001), implying that NPC lesions had a significantly higher ADC value than lymphoma lesions. By pooling 5 standard DWI studies, the pooled sensitivity and specificity of ADC were 0.90 (95% CI: 0.82-0.95) and 0.63 (95% CI: 0.52-0.72), respectively. The area under the curve (AUC) calculated from the SROC curve was 0.74 (95% CI: 0.70-0.78).
CONCLUSIONS
According to this systematic review and meta-analysis, nasopharyngeal carcinoma has a significantly higher ADC value than lymphomas. Furthermore, while ADC has excellent sensitivity for distinguishing these 2 types of tumours, its specificity is relatively low, yielding a moderate diagnostic performance. Further investigations with larger sample sizes are required.
PubMed: 38020498
DOI: 10.5114/pjr.2023.132172 -
Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences 2023Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic autoimmune disease, marked by an unpredictable course, high morbidity, and increased mortality risk that occurs especially in the... (Review)
Review
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic autoimmune disease, marked by an unpredictable course, high morbidity, and increased mortality risk that occurs especially in the diffuse and rapidly progressive forms of the disease, characterized by fibrosis of the skin and internal organs and endothelial dysfunction. Recent studies suggest that the identification of altered metabolic pathways may play a key role in understanding the pathophysiology of the disease. Therefore, metabolomics might be pivotal in a better understanding of these pathogenic mechanisms. Through a systematic review of the literature following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Guidelines (PRISMA), searches were done in the PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus databases from 2000 to September 2022. Three researchers independently reviewed the literature and extracted the data based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Of the screened studies, 26 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. A total of 151 metabolites were differentially distributed between SSc patients and healthy controls (HC). The main deregulated metabolites were those derived from amino acids, specifically homocysteine (Hcy), proline, alpha-N-phenylacetyl-L-glutamine, glutamine, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), citrulline and ornithine, kynurenine (Kyn), and tryptophan (Trp), as well as acylcarnitines associated with long-chain fatty acids and tricarboxylic acids such as citrate and succinate. Additionally, differences in metabolic profiling between SSc subtypes were identified. The diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc) subtype showed upregulated amino acid-related pathways involved in fibrosis, endothelial dysfunction, and gut dysbiosis. Lastly, potential biomarkers were evaluated for the diagnosis of SSc, the identification of the dcSSc subtype, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and interstitial lung disease. These potential biomarkers are within amino acids, nucleotides, carboxylic acids, and carbohydrate metabolism. The altered metabolite mechanisms identified in this study mostly point to perturbations in amino acid-related pathways, fatty acid beta-oxidation, and in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, possibly associated with inflammation, vascular damage, fibrosis, and gut dysbiosis. Further studies in targeted metabolomics are required to evaluate potential biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment response.
PubMed: 37614441
DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1215039 -
Neurosurgical Review Jun 2023Maintaining the integrity of crucial fiber tracts allows functional preservation and improved recovery in patients with glioma resection. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Maintaining the integrity of crucial fiber tracts allows functional preservation and improved recovery in patients with glioma resection. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and intraoperative subcortical mapping (ISM) are commonly required for pre- and intraoperative assessment of white matter fibers. This study investigated differences of clinical outcomes in glioma resection aided by DTI or ISM. A comprehensive literature retrieval of the PubMed and Embase databases identified several DTI or ISM studies in 2000-2022. Clinical data, including extent of resection (EOR) and postoperative neurological deficits, was collected and statistically analyzed. Heterogeneity was regressed by a random effect model and the Mann-Whitney U test was used to test statistical significance. Publication bias was assessed by Egger test. A total of 14 studies with a pooled cohort of 1837 patients were included. Patients undergoing DTI-navigated glioma surgery showed a higher rate of gross total resection (GTR) than ISM-assisted surgical resection (67.88%, [95% CI 0.55-0.79] vs. 45.73%, [95% CI 0.29-0.63], P = 0.032). The occurrence of early postoperative functional deficit (35.45%, [95% CI 0.13-0.61] vs. 35.60% [95% CI 0.20-0.53], P = 1.000), late postoperative functional deficit (6.00%, [95% CI 0.02-0.11] vs. 4.91% [95% CI 0.03-0.08], P = 1.000) and severe postoperative functional deficit (2.21%, [95% CI 0-0.08] vs. 5.93% [95% CI 0.01-0.16], P = 0.393) were similar between the DTI and ISM group, respectively. While DTI-navigation resulted in a higher rate of GTR, the occurrence of postoperative neurological deficits between DTI and ISM groups was comparable. Together, these data indicate that both techniques could safely facilitate glioma resection.
Topics: Humans; Diffusion Tensor Imaging; Databases, Factual; Glioma; Postoperative Period; White Matter
PubMed: 37380888
DOI: 10.1007/s10143-023-02058-5 -
Neurology Feb 2013We performed a systematic review to assess alterations in measures of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in parkinsonian syndromes, exploring the potential role of DTI in... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVES
We performed a systematic review to assess alterations in measures of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in parkinsonian syndromes, exploring the potential role of DTI in diagnosis and as a candidate biomarker.
METHODS
We searched EMBASE and Medline databases for DTI studies comparing parkinsonian syndromes or related dementias with controls or another defined parkinsonian syndrome. Key details for each study regarding participants, imaging methods, and results were extracted. Estimates were pooled, where appropriate, by random-effects meta-analysis.
RESULTS
Of 333 results, we identified 43 studies suitable for inclusion (958 patients, 764 controls). DTI measures detected alterations in all parkinsonian syndromes, with distribution varying differentially with disease type. Nine studies were included in a meta-analysis of the substantia nigra in Parkinson disease. A notable effect size was found for lowered fractional anisotropy in the substantia nigra for patients with Parkinson disease vs controls (-0.639, 95% confidence interval -0.860 to -0.417, p < 0.0001).
CONCLUSION
DTI may be a promising biomarker in parkinsonian syndromes and have a future role in differential diagnosis. Larger cohort studies are required to investigate some encouraging preliminary findings. Given the complexity of the parkinsonian syndromes, it is likely that any potential DTI biomarker would be used in combination with other relevant biomarkers.
Topics: Brain; Diffusion Tensor Imaging; Disease Progression; Humans; Parkinsonian Disorders; Syndrome
PubMed: 23439701
DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0b013e318284070c -
Schizophrenia Bulletin Jan 2018Sex is considered an understudied variable in health research. Schizophrenia is a brain disorder with known sex differences in epidemiology and clinical presentation. We... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Sex is considered an understudied variable in health research. Schizophrenia is a brain disorder with known sex differences in epidemiology and clinical presentation. We systematically reviewed the literature for sex-based differences of diffusion properties of white matter tracts in schizophrenia. We then conducted a meta-analysis examining sex-based differences in the genu and splenium of the corpus callosum in schizophrenia. Medline and Embase were searched to identify relevant papers. Studies fulfilling the following criteria were included: (1) included individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, (2) included a control group of healthy individuals, (3) included both sexes in the patient and the control groups, (4) used diffusion tensor imaging, and (5) involved analyzing metrics of white matter microstructural integrity. Fractional anisotropy (FA) was used as the measure of interest in the meta-analysis. Of 730 studies reviewed, 75 met the inclusion criteria. Most showed no effect of sex, however, those that did found either that females have lower FA than males, or that the effect of disease in females is larger than that in males. The findings of the meta-analysis in the corpus callosum supported this result. There is a recognized need for studies on schizophrenia with a sufficient sample of female patients. Lack of power undermines the ability to detect sex-based differences. Understanding the sex-specific impact of illness on neural circuits may help inform development of new treatments, and improvement of existing interventions.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Corpus Callosum; Diffusion Tensor Imaging; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Schizophrenia; Sex Factors; White Matter; Young Adult
PubMed: 28449132
DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbx049