scholarly journals Gadolinium Deposition in the Brain: A Systematic Review of Existing Guidelines and Policy Statement Issued by the Canadian Association of Radiologists

2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 373-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreu F. Costa ◽  
Christian B. van der Pol ◽  
Pejman Jabehdar Maralani ◽  
Matthew D.F. McInnes ◽  
Jason R. Shewchuk ◽  
...  

Emerging evidence has confirmed that, following administration of a gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA), very small amounts of gadolinium will deposit in the brain of humans with intact blood-brain barriers. The literature is evolving rapidly and the degree to which gadolinium will deposit for a particular GBCA or class of GBCAs remains undetermined. Several studies suggest that linear GBCAs deposit more gadolinium in the brain compared with macrocyclic GBCAs; however, our understanding of the molecular composition of deposited gadolinium is preliminary, and the clinical significance of gadolinium deposition remains unknown. To date, there is no conclusive evidence linking gadolinium deposition in the brain with any adverse patient outcome. A panel of radiologists representing the Canadian Association of Radiologists was assembled to assist the Canadian medical imaging community in making informed decisions regarding the issue of gadolinium deposition in the brain. The objectives of the working group were: 1) to review the evidence from animal and human studies; 2) to systematically review existing guidelines and position statements issued by other organizations and health agencies; and 3) to formulate an evidence-based position statement on behalf of the Canadian Association of Radiologists. Based on our appraisal of the evidence and systematic review of 9 guidelines issued by other organizations, the working group established the following consensus statement. GBCA administration should be considered carefully with respect to potential risks and benefits, and only used when required. Standard dosing should be used and repeat administrations should be avoided unless necessary. Gadolinium deposition is one of several issues to consider when prescribing a particular GBCA. Currently there is insufficient evidence to recommend one class of GBCA over another. The panel considered it inappropriate to withhold a linear GBCA if a macrocyclic agent is unavailable, if hepatobiliary phase imaging is required, or if there is a history of severe allergic reaction to a macrocyclic GBCA. Further study in this area is required, and the evidence should be monitored regularly with policy statements updated accordingly.

Liver Cancer ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 94-106
Author(s):  
Seung Baek Hong ◽  
Sang Hyun Choi ◽  
So Yeon Kim ◽  
Ju Hyun Shim ◽  
Seung Soo Lee ◽  
...  

<b><i>Purpose:</i></b> Microvascular invasion (MVI) is an important prognostic factor in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the reported results of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features for predicting MVI of HCC are variable and conflicting. Therefore, this meta-analysis aimed to identify the significant MRI features for MVI of HCC and to determine their diagnostic value. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Original studies reporting the diagnostic performance of MRI for predicting MVI of HCC were identified in MEDLINE and EMBASE up until January 15, 2020. Study quality was assessed using QUADAS-2. A bivariate random-effects model was used to calculate the meta-analytic pooled diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for each MRI feature for diagnosing MVI in HCC. The meta-analytic pooled sensitivity and specificity were calculated for the significant MRI features. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Among 235 screened articles, we found 36 studies including 4,274 HCCs. Of the 15 available MRI features, 7 were significantly associated with MVI: larger tumor size (&#x3e;5 cm) (DOR = 5.2, 95% CI [3.0–9.0]), rim arterial enhancement (4.2, 95% CI [1.7–10.6]), arterial peritumoral enhancement (4.4, 95% CI [2.8–6.9]), peritumoral hypointensity on hepatobiliary phase imaging (HBP) (8.2, 95% CI [4.4–15.2]), nonsmooth tumor margin (3.2, 95% CI [2.2–4.4]), multifocality (7.1, 95% CI [2.6–19.5]), and hypointensity on T1-weighted imaging (T1WI) (4.9, 95% CI [2.5–9.6]). Both peritumoral hypointensity on HBP and multifocality showed very high meta-analytic pooled specificities for diagnosing MVI (91.1% [85.4–94.8%] and 93.3% [74.5–98.5%], respectively). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Seven MRI features including larger tumor size, rim arterial enhancement, arterial peritumoral enhancement, peritumoral hypointensity on HBP, nonsmooth margin, multifocality, and hypointensity on T1WI were significant predictors for MVI of HCC. These MRI features predictive of MVI can be useful in the management of HCC.


Gerontology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Jane Xu ◽  
Ching S. Wan ◽  
Kiriakos Ktoris ◽  
Esmee M. Reijnierse ◽  
Andrea B. Maier

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Sarcopenia can predispose individuals to falls, fractures, hospitalization, and mortality. The prevalence of sarcopenia depends on the population studied and the definition used for the diagnosis. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the association between sarcopenia and mortality and if it is dependent on the population and sarcopenia definition. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane from 1 January 2010 to 6 April 2020 for articles relating to sarcopenia and mortality. Articles were included if they met the following criteria – cohorts with a mean or median age ≥18 years and either of the following sarcopenia definitions: Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS and AWGS2019), European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP and EWGSOP2), Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH), International Working Group for Sarcopenia (IWGS), or Sarcopenia Definition and Outcomes Consortium (SDOC). Hazard ratios (HR) and odds ratios (OR) were pooled separately in meta-analyses using a random-effects model, stratified by population (community-dwelling adults, outpatients, inpatients, and nursing home residents). Subgroup analyses were performed for sarcopenia definition and follow-up period. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Out of 3,025 articles, 57 articles were included in the systematic review and 56 in the meta-analysis (42,108 participants, mean age of 49.4 ± 11.7 to 86.6 ± 1.0 years, 40.3% females). Overall, sarcopenia was associated with a significantly higher risk of mortality (HR: 2.00 [95% CI: 1.71, 2.34]; OR: 2.35 [95% CI: 1.64, 3.37]), which was independent of population, sarcopenia definition, and follow-up period in subgroup analyses. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Sarcopenia is associated with a significantly higher risk of mortality, independent of population and sarcopenia definition, which highlights the need for screening and early diagnosis in all populations.


2021 ◽  
pp. 084653712110210
Author(s):  
Christopher I. Fung ◽  
David L. Bigam ◽  
Clarence K. W. Wong ◽  
Casey Hurrell ◽  
Jeffery R. Bird ◽  
...  

The Canadian Association of Radiologists Incidental Findings Working Group consists of both academic subspecialty and general radiologists and is tasked with adapting and expanding upon the American College of Radiology incidental findings white papers to more closely apply to Canadian practice patterns, particularly more comprehensively dealing with the role of ultrasound and pursuing more cost-effective approaches to the workup of incidental findings without compromising patient care. Presented here are the 2021 Canadian guidelines for the management of pancreatic incidental findings. Topics covered include anatomic variants, fatty atrophy, pancreatic calcifications, ductal ectasia, and management of incidental pancreatic cysts.


2017 ◽  
Vol 74 ◽  
pp. 149-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qu Tian ◽  
Nathalie Chastan ◽  
Woei-Nan Bair ◽  
Susan M. Resnick ◽  
Luigi Ferrucci ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (10) ◽  
pp. 1366-1372 ◽  
Author(s):  
John P. Prybylski ◽  
Erin Maxwell ◽  
Carla Coste Sanchez ◽  
Michael Jay

2021 ◽  
pp. 084653712110156
Author(s):  
Pejman Jabehdar Maralani ◽  
Anish Kapadia ◽  
Grace Liu ◽  
Felipe Moretti ◽  
Hournaz Ghandehari ◽  
...  

The use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) during pregnancy is associated with concerns among patients and health professionals with regards to fetal safety. In this work, the Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR) Working Group on MRI in Pregnancy presents recommendations for the use of MRI in pregnancy, derived from literature review as well as expert panel opinions and discussions. The working group, which consists of academic subspecialty radiologists and obstetrician-gynaecologists, aimed to provide updated, evidence-based recommendations addressing safety domains related to energy deposition, acoustic noise, and gadolinium-based contrast agent use based on magnetic field strength (1.5T and 3T) and trimester scanned, in addition to the effects of sedative use and occupational exposure.


Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Singer ◽  
Alyssa Conigliaro ◽  
Elizabeth Spina ◽  
Susan Law ◽  
Steven Levine

Background: Central Post Stroke Pain (CPSP) is reportedly due to strokes in the thalamic region (Dishinbition Theory); however, the Central Imbalance Theory states that CPSP is due to damage to the spinothalamic pathway (STP). Aims: 1) Clarify the role of thalamic strokes and STP damage in CPSP patients. 2) Gain a current understanding of anatomic substrates, brain imaging, and treatment of CPSP. Methods: Two independent reviewers systematically reviewed PUBMED, CINAHL and Web of Science for studies including original, clinical studies and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using PRISMA guidelines. Studies had to assess CPSP, using a single question or pain scale. Results: Search from January – July 2016, identifying 731 publications. We extracted data from 23 studies and categorized the articles’ aims into 4 sections: somatosensory deficits (5 studies), STP (3 studies), brain imaging (7 studies), and RCTs (8 studies). Somatosensory studies showed high rates of CPSP; however, the underlying causes of these deficits were unclear. Most studies did not refer to stroke location as playing a role in CPSP, but that pathways may. STP studies displayed consistent evidence that the STP plays a major role in CPSP, delineating that CPSP can occur even when the stroke is not in the thalamic region but in other regions (e.g. cerebellum, basal ganglia, medulla). Four of the brain imaging studies found CPSP not related and 3 found it was related to thalamic strokes. All 7 studies had major limitations including sample size, no control groups, and selection bias. RCTs were mostly negative, but brain stem and motor cortex stimulation studies showed the most promise. Conclusions: While CPSP has been linked to the thalamic region since the early 1900’s, the peer-reviewed literature showed equivocal results when examining location of stroke. Our systematic review suggests damage to the STP is associated with CPSP and this could provide insights into mechanisms and treatment. Moreover, historical connection of strokes in the thalamic region and CPSP should be reevaluated as many studies noted that strokes in other regions of the brain also produce CPSP.


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Buhagiar ◽  
Melinda Fitzgerald ◽  
Jason Bell ◽  
Fiona Allanson ◽  
Carmela Pestell

Background: Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) results from an external force to the head or body causing neurophysiological changes within the brain. The number and severity of symptoms can vary, with some individuals experiencing rapid recovery, and others having persistent symptoms for months to years, impacting their quality of life. Current rehabilitation is limited in its ability to treat persistent symptoms and novel approaches are being sought to improve outcomes following mTBI. Neuromodulation is one technique used to encourage adaptive neuroplasticity within the brain.Objective: To systematically review the literature on the efficacy of neuromodulation in the mTBI population.Method: A systematic review was conducted using Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES and EBM Review. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and the Synthesis Without Meta-analysis reporting guidelines were used and a narrative review of the selected studies was completed. Fourteen articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria which were published in English, investigating an adult sample and using a pre- and post-intervention design. Studies were excluded if they included non-mild TBI severities, pediatric or older adult populations.Results: Thirteen of fourteen studies reported positive reductions in mTBI symptomatology following neuromodulation. Specifically, improvements were reported in post-concussion symptom ratings, headaches, dizziness, depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance, general disability, cognition, return to work and quality of life. Normalization of working memory activation patterns, vestibular field potentials, hemodynamics of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and excessive delta wave activity were also seen. The studies reviewed had several methodological limitations including small, heterogenous samples and varied intervention protocols, limiting generalisability. Further research is required to understand the context in which neuromodulation may be beneficial.Conclusions: While these positive effects are observed, limitations included unequal representation of neuromodulation modalities in the literature, and lack of literature describing the efficacy of neuromodulation on the development or duration of persistent mTBI symptoms. Better clarity regarding neuromodulation efficacy could have a significant impact on mTBI patients, researchers, clinicians, and policy makers, facilitating a more productive post-mTBI population. Despite the limitations, the literature indicates that neuromodulation warrants further investigation. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020161279.


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