scholarly journals Ultra-high resolution 3D MRI for chondrocalcinosis detection in the knee—a prospective diagnostic accuracy study comparing 7-tesla and 3-tesla MRI with CT

Author(s):  
Christoph Germann ◽  
Julien Galley ◽  
Anna L. Falkowski ◽  
Sandro F. Fucentese ◽  
Christian W. A. Pfirrmann ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives To test the diagnostic accuracy of a 3D dual-echo steady-state (DESS) sequence at 7-T MRI regarding the detection of chondral calcific deposits of the knee in comparison to 3-T MRI, using CT as cross-sectional imaging reference standard. Methods CT and 7-T MRI (DESS) of knee joints in 42 patients with radiographically known chondrocalcinosis (13 of 42 bilateral) were prospectively acquired for all included patients (n = 55 knee joints). Additionally, 3-T MRI (DESS) was performed for 20 of these 55 knee joints. Two fellowship-trained musculoskeletal radiologists scored eight cartilage regions of each knee joint separately regarding presence of cartilage calcification, diagnostic confidence level, and sharpness of calcific deposits. In an explorative subanalysis, micro-CT of the menisci was evaluated after knee arthroplasty in one patient. Diagnostic performance metrics and nonparametric tests were used to compare between modalities. p values < 0.05 were considered to represent statistical significance. Results Sensitivity for chondrocalcinosis detection was significantly higher for 7-T MRI (100%) compared to 3-T MRI (reader 1: 95.9%, p = 0.03; reader 2: 93.2%, p = 0.002). The diagnostic confidence was significantly higher for both readers at 7 T compared to both 3-T MRI (p < 0.001) and to CT (p = 0.03). The delineation of chondral calcifications was significantly sharper for 7-T compared to both 3-T MRI and CT (p < 0.001, both readers). Micro-CT in one patient suggested that 7-T MRI may potentially outperform standard CT in diagnosing chondral calcifications. Conclusion 3D-DESS imaging at 7-T MRI offers a significantly higher sensitivity in detection of chondral calcific deposits compared to 3-T MRI. Key Points • 3D dual-echo steady-state (DESS) MRI at 7 T has a higher sensitivity in detection of chondral calcific deposits compared to 3-T MRI (p ≤ 0.03). • 3D DESS MRI at 7 T yields no false-negative cases regarding presence of chondral calcific deposits. • 3D DESS MRI at 7 T offers better delineation and higher diagnostic confidence in detection of chondral calcific deposits compared to 3-T MRI (p < 0.001).

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 240-247
Author(s):  
Lei Yang ◽  
Qingtao Zhao ◽  
Shuyu Wang

Background: Serum periostin has been proposed as a noninvasive biomarker for asthma diagnosis and management. However, its accuracy for the diagnosis of asthma in different populations is not completely clear. Methods: This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of periostin level in the clinical determination of asthma. Several medical literature data bases were searched for relevant studies through December 1, 2019. The numbers of patients with true-positive, false-positive, false-negative, and true-negative results for the periostin level were extracted from each individual study. We assessed the risk of bias by using Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2. We used the meta-analysis to produce summary estimates of accuracy. Results: In total, nine studies with 1757 subjects met the inclusion criteria. The pooled estimates of sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratios for the detection of asthma were 0.58 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.38‐0.76), 0.86 (95% CI, 0.74‐0.93), and 8.28 (95% CI, 3.67‐18.68), respectively. The area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.82 (95% CI, 0.79‐0.85). And significant publication bias was found in this meta‐analysis (p = 0.39). Conclusion: Serum periostin may be used for the diagnosis of asthma, with moderate diagnostic accuracy.


2021 ◽  
pp. emermed-2020-209607
Author(s):  
Stephanie P Jones ◽  
Janet E Bray ◽  
Josephine ME Gibson ◽  
Graham McClelland ◽  
Colette Miller ◽  
...  

BackgroundAround 25% of patients who had a stroke do not present with typical ‘face, arm, speech’ symptoms at onset, and are challenging for emergency medical services (EMS) to identify. The aim of this systematic review was to identify the characteristics of acute stroke presentations associated with inaccurate EMS identification (false negatives).MethodWe performed a systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and PubMed from 1995 to August 2020 using key terms: stroke, EMS, paramedics, identification and assessment. Studies included: patients who had a stroke or patient records; ≥18 years; any stroke type; prehospital assessment undertaken by health professionals including paramedics or technicians; data reported on prehospital diagnostic accuracy and/or presenting symptoms. Data were extracted and study quality assessed by two researchers using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies V.2 tool.ResultsOf 845 studies initially identified, 21 observational studies met the inclusion criteria. Of the 6934 stroke and Transient Ischaemic Attack patients included, there were 1774 (26%) false negative patients (range from 4 (2%) to 247 (52%)). Commonly documented symptoms in false negative cases were speech problems (n=107; 13%–28%), nausea/vomiting (n=94; 8%–38%), dizziness (n=86; 23%–27%), changes in mental status (n=51; 8%–25%) and visual disturbance/impairment (n=43; 13%–28%).ConclusionSpeech problems and posterior circulation symptoms were the most commonly documented symptoms among stroke presentations that were not correctly identified by EMS (false negatives). However, the addition of further symptoms to stroke screening tools requires valuation of subsequent sensitivity and specificity, training needs and possible overuse of high priority resources.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (7) ◽  
pp. e1396 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aladdin H. Hassanein ◽  
Reid A. Maclellan ◽  
Frederick D. Grant ◽  
Arin K. Greene

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 848
Author(s):  
Matthias Wetzl ◽  
Evelyn Wenkel ◽  
Eva Balbach ◽  
Ebba Dethlefsen ◽  
Arndt Hartmann ◽  
...  

The primary objective of the study was to compare a spiral breast computed tomography system (SBCT) to digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) for the detection of microcalcifications (MCs) in breast specimens. The secondary objective was to compare various reconstruction modes in SBCT. In total, 54 breast biopsy specimens were examined with mammography as a standard reference, with DBT, and with a dedicated SBCT containing a photon-counting detector. Three different reconstruction modes were applied for SBCT datasets (Recon1 = voxel size (0.15 mm)3, smooth kernel; Recon2 = voxel size (0.05 mm)3, smooth kernel; Recon3 = voxel size (0.05 mm)3, sharp kernel). Sensitivity and specificity of DBT and SBCT for the detection of suspicious MCs were analyzed, and the McNemar test was used for comparisons. Diagnostic confidence of the two readers (Likert Scale 1 = not confident; 5 = completely confident) was analyzed with ANOVA. Regarding detection of MCs, reader 1 had a higher sensitivity for DBT (94.3%) and Recon2 (94.9%) compared to Recon1 (88.5%; p < 0.05), while sensitivity for Recon3 was 92.4%. Respectively, reader 2 had a higher sensitivity for DBT (93.0%), Recon2 (92.4%), and Recon3 (93.0%) compared to Recon1 (86.0%; p < 0.05). Specificities ranged from 84.7–94.9% for both readers (p > 0.05). The diagnostic confidence of reader 1 was better with SBCT than with DBT (DBT 4.48 ± 0.88, Recon1 4.77 ± 0.66, Recon2 4.89 ± 0.44, and Recon3 4.75 ± 0.72; DBT vs. Recon1/2/3: p < 0.05), while reader 2 found no differences. Sensitivity and specificity for the detection of MCs in breast specimens is equal for DBT and SBCT when a small voxel size of (0.05 mm)3 is used with an equal or better diagnostic confidence for SBCT compared to DBT.


Author(s):  
Junghoon Kim ◽  
Choong Guen Chee ◽  
Jungheum Cho ◽  
Youngjune Kim ◽  
Min A Yoon

Objectives: To determine the diagnostic accuracy and complication rate of percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy (PTNB) for subsolid pulmonary nodules and sources of heterogeneity among reported results. Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane libraries (until November 7, 2020) for studies measuring the diagnostic accuracy of PTNB for subsolid pulmonary nodules. Pooled sensitivity and specificity of PTNB were calculated using a bivariate random-effects model. Bivariate meta-regression analyses were performed to identify sources of heterogeneity. Pooled overall and major complication rates were calculated. Results: We included 744 biopsies from 685 patients (12 studies). The pooled sensitivity and specificity of PTNB for subsolid nodules were 90% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 85–94%) and 99% (95% CI: 92–100%), respectively. Mean age above 65 years was the only covariate significantly associated with higher sensitivity (93% vs  85%, p = 0.04). Core needle biopsy showed marginally higher sensitivity than fine-needle aspiration (93% vs  83%, p = 0.07). Pooled overall and major complication rate of PTNB were 43% (95% CI: 25–62%) and 0.1% (95% CI: 0–0.4%), respectively. Major complication rate was not different between fine-needle aspiration and core needle biopsy groups (p = 0.25). Conclusion: PTNB had acceptable performance and a low major complication rate in diagnosing subsolid pulmonary nodules. The only significant source of heterogeneity in reported sensitivities was a mean age above 65 years. Advances in knowledge: This is the first meta-analysis attempting to systemically determine the cause of heterogeneity in the diagnostic accuracy and complication rate of PTNB for subsolid pulmonary nodules.


2019 ◽  
Vol 61 (7) ◽  
pp. 936-944
Author(s):  
Timo Alexander Auer ◽  
Hanna Münzfeld ◽  
Helena Posch ◽  
Juliane Stöckel ◽  
Anna Tietze ◽  
...  

Background Process optimization in computed tomography (CT) and telemedicine. Purpose To compare image quality and objective diagnostic accuracy of medical-grade and consumer-grade digital displays/computer terminals for detection of intracranial aneurysms. Material and Methods Four radiologists with different levels of experience retrospectively read a total of 60 patients including 30 cases of proven therapy-naïve intracranial aneurysm detectable on a medical-grade grayscale calibrated display. They had 5 min per case reading the first 20 datasets using only axial slices, the next 20 patients using axial slices and multiplanar reconstructions (MPRs), and the last 20 patients using axial slices, MPRs, and maximum intensity projections (MIPs). Three months after the first reading session on a medical-grade display, they read all datasets again under the same standardized conditions but on a consumer-grade display. Diagnostic performance, subjective diagnostic confidence, and reading speed were analyzed and compared. Readers rated image quality on a five-point Likert scale. Results Diagnostic accuracy did not differ significantly with areas under the curve of 0.717–0.809 for all readers on both display devices. Sensitivity and specificity did not increase significantly when adding MPRs and/or MIPs. Reading speed was similar with both devices. There were no significant differences in subjective image quality scores, and overall inter-reader variability of all subjective parameters correlated positively between the two devices ( P <0.001–0.011). Conclusion Diagnostic accuracy and readers’ diagnostic confidence in detecting and ruling out intracranial aneurysm were similar on commercial-grade and medical-grade displays. Additional reconstructions did not increase sensitivity/specificity or reduce the time needed for diagnosis.


1976 ◽  
Vol 22 (10) ◽  
pp. 1715-1718 ◽  
Author(s):  
R W Pain

Abstract Semi-automation of equipment and simple modifications of technique reduced the work load without loss of diagnostic accuracy for three commonly used in vitro tests of thyroid function (total thyroxine, thyrobinding index, and free thyroxine index). Major innovations were the use of serum standards for all tests and having each duplicate for tests performed by a different technician. Attention is drawn to the false-positive and false-negative errors that occur when the 95% euthyroid limits is the sole reference range used.


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