scholarly journals Pineal cysts and other pineal region malignancies: determining factors predictive of hydrocephalus and malignancy

2017 ◽  
Vol 127 (2) ◽  
pp. 249-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert M. Starke ◽  
Justin M. Cappuzzo ◽  
Nicholas J. Erickson ◽  
Jonathan H. Sherman

OBJECTIVECystic lesions of the pineal gland are most often uncomplicated benign lesions with typical MRI characteristics. The authors aimed to study pineal lesion characteristics on MRI to better distinguish benign pineal cysts from other pineal region malignancies as well as to determine which characteristics were predictive of the latter malignancies. They also aimed to study risk factors predictive of hydrocephalus or malignancy in patients harboring these lesions.METHODSThe authors performed a retrospective review of a prospectively compiled database documenting the outcomes of patients with suspected pineal cysts on MRI who had presented in the period from 1998 to 2004. Inherent patient and lesion characteristics were assessed in a univariate logistic regression analysis to predict the following dependent variables: development of hydrocephalus, biopsy-confirmed malignancy, and intervention. Possible inherent patient and lesion characteristics included age, sex, T1 and T2 MRI signal pattern, contrast enhancement pattern, presence of cyst, presence of blood, complexity of lesion, presence of calcification, and duration of follow-up. Inherent patient and lesion characteristics that were predictive in the univariate analysis (p < 0.15) were included in the multivariable logistic regression analysis.RESULTSOf the 79 patients with benign-appearing pineal cysts, 26 (33%) were male and 53 (67%) were female, with a median age of 38 years (range 9–86 years). The median cyst radius was 5 mm (range 1–20 mm). Two patients (2.5%) had evidence of calcifications, 7 (9%) had multicystic lesions, and 25 (32%) had some evidence of contrast enhancement.The median follow-up interval was 3 years (range 0.5–13 years). Seven patients (9%) had an increase in the size of their lesion over time. Eight patients (10%) had a hemorrhage, and 11 patients (14%) developed hydrocephalus. Nine (11%) received ventriculoperitoneal shunts for the development of hydrocephalus, and 12 patients (16%) were found to have malignancies following biopsy or resection. In the multivariate analysis, contrast enhancement on MRI (OR 1.6, 95% CI 2.86–74.74, p = 0.013) and hemorrhage (OR 26.9, 95% CI 3.4–212.7, p = 0.022) were predictive of hydrocephalus. Increasing lesion size and hydrocephalus were near perfect predictors of malignancy and thus were removed from multivariate analysis. In addition, contrast enhancement on MRI (OR 8.8, 95% CI 2.0–38.6, p = 0.004) and hemorrhage (OR 6.8, 95% CI 1.1–40.5, p = 0.036) were predictive of malignancy.CONCLUSIONSAlthough cystic abnormalities of the pineal gland are often benign lesions, they are frequently monitored over time, as other pineal region pathologies may appear similarly on MRI. Patients with growing lesions, contrast enhancement, and hemorrhage on MRI are more likely to develop hydrocephalus and have malignant pathology on histological examination and should therefore be followed up with serial MRI with a lower threshold for neurosurgical intervention.

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 149-150
Author(s):  
A Pandey ◽  
A Liu ◽  
M C Buresi ◽  
M Gupta ◽  
Y Nasser ◽  
...  

Abstract Background While motility disorders may evolve over time, there is scant guidance around the role of repeat high-resolution esophageal manometry (HRM). Given the invasive nature of HRM and the implications on financial cost and patient discomfort, it is obvious that the emphasis should be on minimizing unnecessary repeat examinations. However, there are no recommendations around indications or timing of repeat HRM. Aims We aimed to determine the outcomes in patients who underwent repeat manometry and look for predictors of progression to achalasia or major motility disorder. Methods Consecutive reports from HRM studies performed between Aug 2013 – May 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients with ≥ 2 HRM studies were included. Studies without a Chicago classification diagnosis were excluded. Chi-squared analysis was performed to determine if initial HRM diagnosis was associated with change in diagnosis on follow-up HRM. Initial and follow-up manometric parameters were compared with paired T-tests. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to look for predictors of progression to achalasia or major motility disorder. Results 134 patients underwent ≥ 2 HRM studies. Initial diagnoses were IEM (45 patients [33.6%], EGJOO (34 [25.4%], absent peristalsis (18 [13.4%], achalasia (11 [8.2%], DES (4 [3.0%]), and JH (3 [2.2%]; 29 (14.2%) of patients had a normal HRM. 109 (81.3%) patients underwent 2 HRM, 18 (13.4%) 3 HRM, 4 (3%) 4 HRM, and 3 (2.2%) 5 HRM. The final follow-up HRM occurred after a median 496 [80 – 1823] days. 72 (53.7%) of patients had no change from their initial diagnosis. Patients with an initial diagnosis of DES were significantly more likely to have a change in diagnosis on the final follow-up (3 normal:1 IEM) (p = .043). No other classes reached significance. Patients with IEM had a significantly higher mean DCI (395.1 [0 - 3248] vs 790.8 [0 – 10715.0], p = .006) and IRP (4.5 [-10.4 – 14.2] vs [6.6 [-6.2 – 21.0], p = .017) on their follow-up HRM. 4 patients without achalasia (3 EGJOO:1 IEM) on their index HRM had a diagnosis of achalasia on their final HRM. The median IRP in non-achalasia patients with a diagnosis of achalasia on final HRM (22.3 [8.4 – 30.7] was significantly higher than those without a diagnosis of achalasia on final HRM (6.6 [-10.4 – 39.8]) (p = .013); however no manometric criteria or initial HRM diagnoses predicted progression to achalasia or major motility disorder on binary logistic regression analysis. Conclusions In most patients, repeat manometry did not change the manometric diagnosis. Patients with DES were significantly likely to have their diagnosis change with repeat HRM, and most of these patients had normalization of their HRM. Manometric parameters in IEM appear to improve over time. This finding could reflect interval therapy, or shed some light on the natural history of this disease. Funding Agencies None


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Fernandes ◽  
Beatriz Donato ◽  
Adriana Paixão Fernandes ◽  
Luís Falcão ◽  
Mário Raimundo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background and Aims Anemia is a well-know complication of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and it seems to contribute for deterioration of kidney function. Experimental data suggest that anemia produces hypoxia of tubular cells which leads to tubulointerstitial damage resulting on CKD progression. Other mechanism described is that red blood cells have antioxidant properties that prevent the damage of tubulointerstitial cells and glomerulosclerosis from oxidative stress. There aren’t many observational studies that evaluated the association between anemia and progression of CKD. Therefore, our aim was to evaluate the association of anemia and CKD progression and its association outcomes in an outpatient ND-CKD population. Method We conduct a retrospective, patient-level, cohort analysis of all adult ND-CKD patients evaluated in an outpatient nephrology clinic over a 6 years period. The follow up time was at least 12 months. Anemia was defined according to the WHO definition (hemoglobin [hb] &lt; 13.0 g/dL in men and 12.0 g/dL in women). Progression of CKD was defined by one of the following criteria: decline in eGFR (CKD-EPI) superior to 5 ml/min/1.73 m2/year; duplication of serum creatinine or the need renal replacement therapy. Demographics and clinical data were also accessed. Results Out of 3008 patients referred to the nephrology clinic, 49.9% had anemia (mean age 71.9±15.9 years; 50.4% male; 92% white; mean follow-up time of 2.3±1.2 years). The mean Hb was 11.8 ±1.9 g/dL. Important cardiovascular comorbidities in patients with anemia were arterial hypertension (86.7%), obesity (65.5%), Diabetes Mellitus (DM) (52%) and dyslipidemia (46%). In univariate analysis, mortality was associated with anemia (36.9 vs 13.0%, p&lt;0.001), obesity (30.1 vs 21.8%, p&lt;0.001) and DM (30.1 vs 21.1%, p&lt;0.001). Of the patients with anemia, 738 met the criteria for CKD progression. In univariate analysis, CKD progression was associated with anemia (49.6 vs 43.9%, p=0.002), male gender (49.5 vs 43.6% p= 0.001); DM (49.6 vs 44.8 % p=0.009) and hypertension (47.9 vs 42.3% p=0.0018). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, anemia emerged was an independent predictor of CKD progression (OR 1.435, CI 95% 1.21-1.71, p&lt;0,001). Comparing hb values intervals (hb ≤10g/dl; hb10-12 g/dL; hb ≥12 g/dL), in the multivariate logistic regression analysis, hb ≤10g/dl was not associated with CKD progression and hb value between 10-12 g/dL was associated (OR 1,486, CI 95% 1.23-1.80, p&lt;0,001), when compared with the group with hb ≥12g/dL. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, the independent predictors of mortality were: older age (OR per 1 year increase: 1.048, 95% CI 95% 1.04-1.06, p&lt;0.001); arterial hypertension (OR 0.699 CI 95% 0.51-0.96, p=0.0029); obesity (OR 0.741, CI 95% 0.60-0.91, p=0.004) and hb value (OR per 1 g/dL decrease: 1.301, CI 95% 1.23-1.38, p&lt;0.001). Cardiovascular events were correlated with Hb levels between 10-12 g/dL (univariate analysis: OR 2.021, CI 95% 1.27-3.22, P=0.003), but not with the group with hb≤10 g/dL (univariate analysis: OR 1.837, CI 95% 0.96-3.51, P=0.066), having the group with hb ≥12g/dL was reference. Anemia was strongly associated with hospitalizations (multivariate logistic regression analysis: OR per 1 g/dL of Hb decrease: 1.256 CI 95% 1.12-1.32 p&lt;0.001), and this strong association was also observed on the groups with hb hb≤10 g/dL (multivariate logistic regression analysis: OR 3.591 CI 95% 32.67-4.84 p&lt;0.001) and between 10-12 g/dL (multivariate logistic regression analysis: OR 1.678 CI 95% 1.40-2.02, p&lt;0.001) Conclusion Our study suggests that anemia, at first consultation, increases the risk for rapid CKD progression and global mortality. This study could guide us on the development of futures studies in order to prove if anemia correction can slow the progression of CKD.


Stroke ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Masatomo Miura ◽  
Yoichiro Nagao ◽  
Makoto Nakajima ◽  
Seigo Shindo ◽  
Kuniyasu Wada ◽  
...  

Background: In acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients due to intracranial atherosclerosis-related occlusions (ICAS-O), despite successful reperfusion with mechanical thrombectomy (MT), unexpected early reocclusion sometimes occurs and worsens clinical outcome. We investigated prevalence, outcomes, and predictors of early reocclusion within 48 hours of MT in AIS due to ICAS-O. Methods: In 557 consecutive AIS patients who underwent MT from January, 2016 to March, 2019 in two stroke centers, 71 patients due to ICAS-O were retrospectively evaluated. We divided them into two groups: patients with early reocclusion and those without. Clinical and angiographical findings and outcomes were compared between the 2 groups. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to investigate predictors of early reocclusion after MT. Results: Of 71 patients (aged 72 ± 10 years; 23 women; median NIHSS score, 15), early reocclusion was observed in 11 (15%). The first procedure for recanalization was stent retriever in 25 patients (35%), Penumbra system in 25 patients (35%), and balloon angioplasty in 21 patients (30%). Of these, 63 patients (88%) received rescue therapy (balloon angioplasty, 50; intracranial stenting, 13). In the early reocclusion group, more number of intraprocedural reocclusion (median [IQR], 3 [2-3] vs. 1 [0-1], p < 0.001), a higher rate of remaining stenosis on the final angiography (67.6 ± 5.9% vs 57.3 ± 15.9%, p = 0.044), and a higher rate of procedure-related adverse events (27% vs 5%, p = 0.043) were observed compared to the other group. On logistic regression analysis, a total number of intraprocedural reocclusion was independently associated with early reocclusion (odds ratio, 31.4; 95% confidence interval, 2.6-375.2). Early reocclusion was related to a low rate of favorable outcome at 90 days (modified Rankin Scale ≤ 2, 9% vs 54%, p = 0.007). Conclusions: In AIS patients due to ICAS-O, early reocclusion within 48 hours was not rare and associated with unfavorable outcome. Patients with repeated intraprocedural reocclusion are at high risk for early reocclusion; they might need follow-up angiographical assessment and intensive antithrombotic treatment.


2002 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 595-607 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. BARKOW ◽  
W. MAIER ◽  
T. B. ÜSTÜN ◽  
M. GÄNSICKE ◽  
H.-U. WITTCHEN ◽  
...  

Background. Studies that examined community samples have reported several risk factors for the development of depressive episodes. The few studies that have been performed on primary care samples were mostly cross-sectional. Most samples had originated from highly developed industrial countries. This is the first study that prospectively investigates the risk factors of depressive episodes in an international primary care sample.Methods. A stratified primary care sample of initially non-depressed subjects (N = 2445) from 15 centres from all over the world was examined for the presence or absence of a depressive episode (ICD-10) at the 12 month follow-up assessment. The initial measures addressed sociodemographic variables, psychological/psychiatric problems and social disability. Logistic regression analysis was carried out to determine their relationship with the development of new depressive episodes.Results. At the 12-month follow-up, 4·4% of primary care patients met ICD-10 criteria for a depressive episode. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the recognition by the general practitioner as a psychiatric case, repeated suicidal thoughts, previous depressive episodes, the number of chronic organic diseases, poor general health, and a full or subthreshold ICD-10 disorder were related to the development of new depressive episodes.Conclusions. Psychological/psychiatric problems were found to play the most important role in the prediction of depressive episodes while sociodemographic variables were of lower importance. Differences compared with other studies might be due to our prospective design and possibly also to our culturally different sample. Applied stratification procedures, which resulted in a sample at high risk of developing depression, might be a limitation of our study.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chihiro Watanabe ◽  
Yusuke Konno ◽  
Masako Nagata ◽  
Ayako Hino ◽  
Seiichiro Tateishi ◽  
...  

Introduction: This study examined the association between increased alcohol consumption and telecommuting, comparing employees who expressed a preference for telecommuting and those who did not. Methods: We conducted an internet monitor survey. Responses from 20,395 of the 33,302 participants were included in the final sample. Participants were asked about their desire for and frequency of telecommuting, and about changes in alcohol consumption under the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were analyzed by logistic regression analysis. Results: Participants who telecommuted despite preferring not to do so reported significantly increased alcohol consumption, as revealed by a multivariate analysis (OR=1.62, 95% CI 1.25-2.12). Participants who expressed a preference for telecommuting showed no such increase. Conclusions: Under the COVID-19 pandemic, telecommuting that involves a mismatch with employee preference for way of working may be a new risk factor for problematic drinking.


2017 ◽  
Vol 91 (19) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Shoaib Arif ◽  
James Hunter ◽  
Ana Rachel Léda ◽  
Jean Paulo Lopes Zukurov ◽  
Sadia Samer ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT HIV-1 entry into target cells influences several aspects of HIV-1 pathogenesis, including viral tropism, HIV-1 transmission and disease progression, and response to entry inhibitors. The evolution from CCR5- to CXCR4-using strains in a given human host is still unpredictable. Here we analyzed timing and predictors for coreceptor evolution among recently HIV-1-infected individuals. Proviral DNA was longitudinally evaluated in 66 individuals using Geno2pheno[coreceptor]. Demographics, viral load, CD4+ and CD8+ T cell counts, CCR5Δ32 polymorphisms, GB virus C (GBV-C) coinfection, and HLA profiles were also evaluated. Ultradeep sequencing was performed on initial samples from 11 selected individuals. A tropism switch from CCR5- to CXCR4-using strains was identified in 9/49 (18.4%) individuals. Only a low baseline false-positive rate (FPR) was found to be a significant tropism switch predictor. No minor CXCR4-using variants were identified in initial samples of 4 of 5 R5/non-R5 switchers. Logistic regression analysis showed that patients with an FPR of >40.6% at baseline presented a stable FPR over time whereas lower FPRs tend to progressively decay, leading to emergence of CXCR4-using strains, with a mean evolution time of 27.29 months (range, 8.90 to 64.62). An FPR threshold above 40.6% determined by logistic regression analysis may make it unnecessary to further determine tropism for prediction of disease progression related to emergence of X4 strains or use of CCR5 antagonists. The detection of variants with intermediate FPRs and progressive FPR decay over time not only strengthens the power of Geno2pheno in predicting HIV tropism but also indirectly confirms a continuous evolution from earlier R5 variants toward CXCR4-using strains. IMPORTANCE The introduction of CCR5 antagonists in the antiretroviral arsenal has sparked interest in coreceptors utilized by HIV-1. Despite concentrated efforts, viral and human host features predicting tropism switch are still poorly understood. Limited longitudinal data are available to assess the influence that these factors have on predicting tropism switch and disease progression. The present study describes longitudinal tropism evolution in a group of recently HIV-infected individuals to determine the prevalence and potential correlates of tropism switch. We demonstrated here that a low baseline FPR determined by the Geno2pheno[coreceptor] algorithm can predict tropism evolution from CCR5 to CXCR4 coreceptor use.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 224-231
Author(s):  
Hiroshi Kataoka ◽  
Kazuma Sugie

The severity of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is developed by multifactorial factors. Falls can worsen disease severity. We previously found that frontal assessment battery (FAB) score was associated with a higher risk of future falls. This eight-year follow-up study aimed to verify whether factors including low FAB score can be the risk of PD progression based on the Hoehn and Yahr scale. In total, 95 patients were initially enrolled in this research and 45 were included in the final follow-up. Then, the cohort was classified into patients with and without disease progression, defined by upgrade of Hoehn-Yahr stage. Differences in clinical characteristics between patients with disease progression and those without were evaluated using the Mann–Whitney U test. Eighteen independent variables were evaluated via a univariate logistic regression analysis. Of the 45 patients enrolled, 32 had disease progression and 13 had no progression. Age (p = 0.033), BFI score (p = 0.003), Zung self-rating depression (p = 0.011), and anxiety scale (p = 0.026) were significantly increased in patients who had disease progression than those with no disease progression. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, brief fatigue inventory (BFI) score (OR = 1.048, p = 0.045, 95% CI = 1.001–1.098) was significantly related to disease progression. All BFI subscores related to general fatigue. Fatigue could predict the progression of motor dysfunction severity over a longitudinal duration in patients with PD with disease progression, having declining physical and mental fatigue.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ik Hyun Park ◽  
Jeong Hoon Yang ◽  
Woo Jin Jang ◽  
Woo Jung Chun ◽  
Ju Hyeon Oh ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Limited data are available on the clinical significance of lactate clearance (LC) in patients with cardiogenic shock (CS). This study investigated the prognostic role of LC in CS patients. Methods We analyzed data from 628 patients in the RESCUE registry, a multicenter, observational cohort enrolled between January 2014 and December 2018. Univariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the prognostic implications of 24 h LC, and then patients were divided into two groups according to the cut-off value of 24 h LC (high lactate clearance [HLC] group vs. low lactate clearance [LLC] group). The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. We also assessed all-cause mortality at 12 month follow-up and compared the prognostic performance of 24 h LC according to initial serum lactate level. Results In the univariable logistic regression analysis, 24 h LC was associated with in-hospital mortality (odds ratio 0.989, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.985–0.993, p < 0.001), and the cut-off value for the LC of the study population was 64%. The HLC group (initial 24 h LC ≥ 64%, n = 333) had a significantly lower incidence of in-hospital death than the LLC group (n = 295) (25.5% in the HLC group vs. 42.7% in the LLC group, p < 0.001). During 12 months of follow-up, the cumulative incidence of all-cause death was significantly lower in the HLC group than in the LLC group (33.0% vs. 48.8%; hazard ratio 0.55; 95% CI 0.42–0.70; p < 0.001). In subgroup analysis, 24 h LC predicted in-hospital mortality better in patients with initial serum lactate > 5 mmol/L than in those with serum lactate ≤ 5 mmol/L (c-statistics of initial serum lactate > 5 mmol/L = 0.782 vs. c-statistics of initial serum lactate ≤ 5 mmol/L = 0.660, p = 0.011). Conclusions Higher LC during the early phase of CS was associated with reduced risk of in-hospital and 12 month all-cause mortalities. Patients with LC ≥ 64% during the 24 h after CS onset could expect a favorable prognosis, especially those with an initial serum lactate > 5 mmol/L. Trial registration: RESCUE (REtrospective and prospective observational Study to investigate Clinical oUtcomes and Efficacy of left ventricular assist device for Korean patients with cardiogenic shock), NCT02985008, Registered December 5, 2016—retrospectively and prospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT02985008


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Ahmed Esmael ◽  
Mohammed Elsherief ◽  
Khaled Eltoukhy

Objectives. This study is aimed at correlating ASPECTS with mortality and morbidity in patients with acute middle cerebral artery territory infarction and at determining the cutoff value of ASPECTS that may predict the outcome. Methods. 150 patients diagnosed with acute middle cerebral artery territory infarction were involved in this study. Risk factors, initial NIHSS, and GCS were determined. An initial or follow-up noncontrast CT brain was done and assessed by ASPECTS. Outcomes were determined by mRS during the follow-up of cases after 3 months. Correlations of ASPECTS and outcome variables were done by Spearman correlation. Logistic regression analysis and ROC curve were done to detect the cutoff value of ASPECTS that predicts unfavorable outcomes. Results. The most common subtypes of ischemic strokes were lacunar stroke in 66 patients (44%), cardioembolic stroke in 39 patients (26%), and LAA stroke in 30 cases (20%). The cardioembolic stroke had a statistically significant lower ASPECT score than other types of ischemic strokes ( P < 0.05 ). Spearman correlation showed that lower ASPECTS values (worse outcome) were more in older patients and associated with lower initial GCS. ASPECTS values were inversely correlated with initial NIHSS, inpatient stay, inpatient complications, mortality, and mRS. The ASPECTS cutoff value determined for the prediction of unfavorable outcomes was equal to ≤7. The binary logistic regression analysis detected that patients with ASPECTS ≤ 7 were significantly associated with about fourfold increased risk of poor outcomes (OR 3.95, 95% CI 2.09–11.38, and P < 0.01 ). Conclusions. ASPECTS is a valuable and appropriate technique for the evaluation of the prognosis in acute ischemic stroke. Patients with high ASPECTS values are more likely to attain favorable outcomes, and the cutoff value of ASPECTS is a strong predictor for unfavorable outcomes. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04235920.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Farolfi ◽  
Elisa Maietti ◽  
Federica Piperno ◽  
Pietro Coppolino ◽  
Guido Di Dalmazi ◽  
...  

Abstract PurposeHormonal assessment (HA) and contrast-enhanced CT (ceCT) show insufficient sensitivity and specificity when staging unilateral adrenal lesions (ALs). We aimed at: 1) developing an imaging-based, i.e. ceCT and FDG-PET, diagnostic score able to discriminate adrenal tumors entailing adrenalectomy from those who need clinical monitoring, and 2) identifying a diagnostic flow-chart that allows clinicians to avoid unneeded diagnostic procedures and to address patients to the optimal management.MethodsRetrospective single-center study assessing patients with unilateral AL and the following inclusion criteria: a) a four-phase ceCT; b) FDG-PET within one month of the ceCT; c) histopathology or a clinical follow-up of at least 24 months. Firstly, multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to identify the predictors of adrenal tumors to treat surgically (AL-to-treat) and regression-based coefficients were used to develop a diagnostic score. Secondly, using cut-offs of predictor variables, a diagnostic flow-chart was defined.ResultsForty-eight patients were enrolled (mean age 61 years), of whom 21/48 (44%) had AL-to-treat. The remaining 27/48 (56%) presented with AL to follow-up only (i.e. benign). Maximum and minimum lesion diameter, Hounsfield units (HU) before contrast media injection and HU at the delayed phase (HUdelayed), relative and absolute washout, AL SUVmax, AL SUVmean, ratio SUVmax AL/SUVmax liver (adrenal-liver ratio) were associated with the presence of AL-to-treat (all p<0.05). In multiple logistic regression analysis, SUVmax and HUdelayed showed to be significant predictors of AL-to-treat and were used to create a diagnostic score. ceCT parameters’ cut-offs discriminating AL-to-treat surgically from AL-to-follow-up with 100% PPV and NPV were first identified, finding 4/48 AL-to-treat and 15/48 ALs to follow-up. Applying the adrenal-liver ratio cut-off of 1.7 to the 29/48 remaining patients with uncertain AL management, for adrenal tumors we found an overall accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of 83%, 76% and 89%, respectively, and a diagnostic flow-chart based on these results was proposed. ConclusionWe developed a two-parameter imaging-based score that may be applied to predict adrenal tumors requiring adrenalectomy. Furthermore, a diagnostic flow-chart to stratify patients on the basis of the optimal management was proposed, thus guiding undefined unilateral adrenal lesions to FDG-PET imaging.


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