Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children associated with SARS-CoV-2: extracardiac radiological findings

Objective: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is seen as a serious delayed complication of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. The aim of this study was to describe the most common imaging features of MIS-C associated with SARS-CoV-2. Methods: A retrospective review was made of the medical records and radiological imaging studies of 47 children (26 male, 21 female) in the age range of 25 months–15 years who were diagnosed with MIS-C between August 2020 and March 2021. Chest radiographs were available for all 47 patients, thorax ultrasound for 6, chest CT for 4, abdominal ultrasound for 42, abdomen CT for 9, neck ultrasound for 4, neck CT for 2, brain CT for 1, and brain MRI for 3. Results: The most common finding on chest radiographs was perihilar–peribronchial thickening (46%). The most common findings on abdominal ultrasonography were mesenteric inflammation (42%), and hepatosplenomegaly (38%, 28%). Lymphadenopathy was determined in four patients who underwent neck ultrasound, one of whom had deep neck infection on CT. One patient had restricted diffusion and T2 hyperintensity involving the corpus callosum splenium on brain MRI, and one patient had epididymitis related with MIS-C. Conclusion: Pulmonary manifestations are uncommon in MIS-C. In the abdominal imaging, mesenteric inflammation, hepatosplenomegaly, periportal edema, ascites and bowel wall thickening are the most common findings. Advances in knowledge: The imaging findings of MIS-C are non-specific and can mimic many other pathologies. Radiologists should be aware that these findings may indicate the correct diagnosis of MIS-C.

Application of neck ultrasound in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis

Objective To explore the significance of neck ultrasound (NUS) combined with contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. Methods 88 patients with evidence of intrathoracic lymphadenopathy and suspected sarcoidosis with enlarged cervical lymph nodes underwent NUS, CEUS, fine-needle aspiration and core needle biopsy when technically feasible were retrospectively analyzed in this study. Seven characteristics such as enhanced mode (EM), resolution time, color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI), fading time, peaking state-uniformity, strengthen the area and symmetry were considered to perform the logistic regression model. Results Of 88 patients included in this study, sarcoidosis was accounted in 20 cases, tuberculosis in 23 cases, malignancy in 22 cases and inflammatory lymph node in 23 cases. There were statistically significant differences in symmetry, lymphatic hilum, homogeneity, CDFI pattern and elasticity score between the sarcoidosis and non-sarcoidosis groups via NUS. Similarly, we also acknowledged a statistically significant differences in EM, homogeneity, presence or absence of necrosis between the sarcoidosis and non-sarcoidosis groups via CEUS to further group the non-sarcoidosis into tuberculosis, malignancy or inflammatory disorder. The percentage correction of prediction was 90% (18/20). Conclusion NUS combined with CEUS has characteristic features in sarcoidosis with cervical lymph node involvement, which is helpful for its diagnosis and differential diagnosis. The binary classification model of NUS combined with CEUS features can help differentiate sarcoidosis from non-sarcoidosis groups.

Bilateral typeIIpersistent proatlantal intersegmental artery: a rare variant of persistent carotid-vertebrobasilar anastomoses

The persistent proatlantal intersegmental artery is a rare variant of persistent carotid-vertebrobasilar anastomoses, especially their bilateral presence is rarer. We report a case of bilateral typeII persistent proatlantal intersegmental artery. The absence of bilateral vertebral arteries was incidentally noted on neck ultrasound examination. Subsequent time-of-flight MR angiography confirmed this. The bilateral typeIIpersistent proatlantal intersegmental artery arose from the cervical external carotid artery, penetrated the C1 transverse foramen, entered the skull via the foramen magnum, and joined the lower portion of the basilar artery.

Exploring the Performance of Ultrasound Risk Stratification Systems in Thyroid Nodules of Pediatric Patients

Neck ultrasound (nUS) is the cornerstone of clinical management of thyroid nodules in pediatric patients, as well as adults. The current study was carried out to explore and compare the diagnostic performance of the main US-based risk stratification systems (RSSs) (i.e., the American College of Radiology (ACR), European (EU), Korean (K) TI-RADSs and ATA US RSS criteria) for detecting malignant thyroid lesions in pediatric patients. We conducted a retrospective analysis of consecutive children and adolescents who received a diagnosis of thyroid nodule. We included subjects with age <19 years having thyroid nodules with benign cytology/histology or final histological diagnosis. We excluded subjects with (a) a previous malignancy, (b) a history of radiation exposure, (c) cancer genetic susceptibility syndromes, (d) lymph nodes suspicious for metastases of thyroid cancer at nUS, (e) a family history of thyroid cancer, or (f) cytologically indeterminate nodules without histology and nodules with inadequate cytology. We included 41 nodules in 36 patients with median age 15 years (11–17 years). Of the 41 thyroid nodules, 29 (70.7%) were benign and 12 (29.3%) were malignant. For both ACR TI-RADS and EU-TIRADS, we found a sensitivity of 41.7%. Instead, for both K-TIRADS and ATA US RSS, we found a sensitivity of 50%. The missed malignancy rate for ACR-TIRADS and EU-TIRADS was 58.3%, while that for K-TIRADS and ATA US RSS was 50%. The unnecessary FNA prevalence for ACR TI-RADS and EU-TIRADS was 58.3%, while that for K-TIRADS and ATA US RSS was 76%. Our findings suggest that the four US-based RSSs (i.e., ACR-TIRADS, EU-TIRADS, K-TIRADS, and ATA US RSS) have suboptimal performance in managing pediatric patients with thyroid nodules, with one-half of cancers without indication for FNA according to their recommendations.

Long-Term Prognostic Value of the Response to Therapy Assessed by Laboratory and Imaging Findings in Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

This study assessed the long-term predictive value of the response to therapy, evaluated by serum thyroglobulin (Tg) determination and neck ultrasound, and estimated the potential additional impact of diagnostic whole-body scan (WBS) in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) treated with surgery and radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy. We retrospectively evaluated 606 DTC patients treated with surgery and RAI. Response to 131I therapy at 12 months was assessed by serum Tg measurement, neck ultrasound, and diagnostic WBS. According to American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines, patients were classified as having a low, intermediate or high risk of recurrence and at 12 months as having an excellent response (ER) or no-ER. Follow-up was then performed every 6–12 months with serum Tg determination and imaging procedures. With a median follow-up of 105 months (range 10–384), 42 (7%) events requiring further treatments occurred. Twenty-five patients had additional RAI therapy, 11 with structural disease in the thyroid bed, eight in both thyroid bed and neck lymph nodes, four had lung metastases and two had bone metastases. The other 17 patients had additional surgery for nodal disease followed by RAI therapy. The ATA intermediate and high risk of recurrence, post-operative and pre-RAI therapy Tg ≥ 10 ng/mL, and the absence of ER at 12 months were independent predictors of events. Diagnostic WBS at 12 months permitted the identification of only five recurrences among the 219 ER patients according to serum Tg levels and ultrasound. In DTC patients, the response to therapy at 12 months after RAI therapy could rely on serum Tg measurement and neck ultrasound, while diagnostic WBS was not routinely indicated in patients considered in ER.

Focused Neck Ultrasound and Lymph Node Sampling by Respiratory Physicians in Suspected Lung Cancer

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Malignant cervical lymphadenopathy in the setting of lung cancer represents N3 disease, and neck ultrasound (NUS) with sampling is described in the Royal College of Radiologists ultrasound training curriculum for the non-radiologists. This study reviews the incorporation of NUS +/− biopsy in the routine practice of a lung cancer fast-track clinic in the UK. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We retrospectively assessed 29 months of activity of a lung cancer fast-track clinic. Systematic focused NUS was conducted in suspected thoracic malignancy, sampling nodes with a ≥5-mm short axis, under real-time US using a linear probe (5–12 Mhz). Fine-needle aspirations (FNAs) with or without 18 Ga core biopsies were taken. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Between August 2017 and December 2019, of 152 peripheral lymph nodes (LNs)/deposits sampled, 98 (64.5%) were supraclavicular fossa LNs with median [IQR] size 12 [8–18] mm. Core biopsies were performed in 54/98 (55%) patients, while all patients had FNAs. No complications occurred. The representative yield was 90/95 (94.7%) in cases with suspected cancer. No difference was seen between FNA versus core biopsy (<i>p</i> = 0.44). Of the 5 non-diagnostic samples, one was FNA only. The commonest diagnosis was lung cancer in 66/98 (67.3%). PDL-1 was sufficient in 35/36 tested (97.2%). ALK-FISH was successful in 24/25 (96%) cases. EGFR mutation analysis was successful in 28/31 (90.3%) cases. Median time from clinic to initial diagnosis was 7 [5–10] days. Computed tomography (CT) scans reported no significant lymphadenopathy in 18/96 (18.7%) cases, yet 10/18 (55.5%) cases were positive for malignancy. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Neck nodal sampling by respiratory physicians was safe, timely, with a high diagnostic yield and suitability for molecular testing. Neck US can provide a timely diagnosis in cases that may be missed by CT alone.

Application of Neck Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Sarcoidosis

Objective: To explore the significance of neck ultrasound (NUS) combined with contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis.Methods: 88 patients with evidence of intrathoracic lymphadenopathy and suspected sarcoidosis with enlarged cervical lymph nodes underwent NUS, CEUS, fine-needle aspiration (FNA) and core needle biopsy (CNB) when technically feasible were retrospectively analyzed in this study. Seven characteristics such as enhanced mode (EM), resolution time (RT), Color Doppler Flow Imaging (CDFI) , fading time (FT), peaking state-uniformity (PTSU), strengthen the area (STA) and symmetry were considered to perform the logistic regression model.Results: Of 88 patients included in this study, sarcoidosis was accounted in 20 cases, tuberculosis in 23 cases, malignancy in 22 cases and inflammatory lymph node in 23 cases. There were statistically significant differences in symmetry, lymphatic hilum, homogeneity, CDFI pattern and elasticity score between the sarcoidosis and non-sarcoidosis groups via NUS. Similarly, we also acknowledged a statistically significant differences in enhanced mode, homogeneity, presence or absence of necrosis between the sarcoidosis and non-sarcoidosis groups via CEUS to further group the non-sarcoidosis into tuberculosis, malignancy or inflammatory disorder. The percentage correction of prediction was 90% (18/20).Conclusion：NUS combined with CEUS has characteristic features in sarcoidosis with cervical lymph node involvement, which is helpful for its diagnosis and differential diagnosis. The binary classification model of NUS combined with CEUS features can help differentiate sarcoidosis from non-sarcoidosis groups.

A Case Report on Parathyroid Carcinoma - an Extremely Rare Endocrine Malignancy

Background: Parathyroid carcinoma is an extremely rare endocrine malignancy with a prevalence of &It 1%. It is associated with hyperparathyroidism-jaw tumor syndrome (HJTS), multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) type 1 or 2A syndromes, secondary hyperparathyroidism, and chronic kidney disease. Incidence is equal in both men and women. Patients may present with symptoms of hypercalcemia, and should be further worked up with neck ultrasound, Tc-99m sestamibi imaging, single-photon emission computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography combined with CT scan, and biopsy of the parathyroid mass. Parathyroid carcinoma can be treated surgically with complete resection. Patients treated with En-bloc resection with microscopically negative margins remain cancer-free for at least three years to a maximum of twenty years. Case Report: A 50-year-old female treated with laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy for morbid obesity, came for the follow-up visit. She denied any active complaint. Routine Lab work showed mild hypercalcemia, hypophosphatemia, elevated PTH, and alkaline phosphatase. Neck ultrasound showed a cystic lesion adjacent to the right thyroid lobe. Sestamibi (MIBI) parathyroid scintigraphy showed increased radiopharmaceutical uptake by the right superior parathyroid gland without any enlarged or suspicious lymph nodes. Dexa scan was positive for osteopenia. The patient underwent right superior parathyroidectomy along with en-bloc right thyroid lobectomy. Histological examination revealed anaplastic regions, giant cells with abundant cytoplasm, and polymorphous nuclei with a Ki-67 labeling index of 10% consistent with parathyroid carcinoma. Post-surgery imaging with ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging of the neck computed tomography of the chest, and abdomen, whole-body MIBI scintigraphy was negative for residuals or metastatic disease. She was started on oral calcium carbonate and was monitored regularly with routine lab work. The most recent lab work was within normal limits. Conclusion: Most of the patients with parathyroid carcinoma present in the early stage with the symptoms of hypercalcemia. Many of them do not have symptoms of mass or tumor effects. Parathyroid cancer is a rare malignancy and can be missed, therefore all patients with hypercalcemia should be further evaluated with lab work, imaging, and biopsy to rule out parathyroid carcinoma. Early diagnosis and treatment have a better outcome.

Radiofrequency Ablation: A Novel Treatment Option for Neck Recurrence in Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma

Background: Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is an aggressive cancer with cervical lymph node metastases typically found at presentation. The recurrence rate after resection is high (~ 50%)(1), and patients often need multiple surgeries. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been used in treatment of recurrent thyroid cancer when surgery is contraindicated or declined by patients in both Asia and Europe (2). We present the first case of an MTC recurrence treated successfully with RFA in North America. Clinical Case: A 43-year-old female with sporadic metastatic MTC, status post total thyroidectomy and multiple neck surgeries, presented with elevated calcitonin level of 630 pg/mL (normal: &lt; 10 pg/mL). Neck ultrasound showed left tracheoesophageal groove mass, measuring 12 mm X 12 mm X 17 mm, consistent with metastatic MTC on cytopathology with calcitonin washout of 16590 pg/mL (normal: &lt; 10 pg/mL). She had no dysphagia, shortness of breath or hoarseness of voice. Computed tomography (CT) scan of chest confirmed presence of mass, in proximity with left recurrent laryngeal nerve. Serial imaging showed rapid enlargement, with concern for impending aerodigestive tract invasion. Surgical intervention had a high risk of vocal cord paralysis due to the lesion’s location. A multidisciplinary tumor board agreed that thermal ablation aimed at shrinking the mass, as a bridge to systemic therapy, would be the best option. RFA was performed as an outpatient with conscious sedation, after informed consent and observing standard aseptic techniques. Under continuous ultrasound guidance, D5W was injected into left tracheoesophageal groove behind the mass and a continuous infusion of D5W at 15 mL/hr was maintained to protect the nerve from thermal injury. Using a trans-isthmic approach, an 18 G monopolar RFA probe with 5 mm active tip was advanced into the malignant mass and ablation was performed with 35 W power until the entire mass was hyperechoic. Vocal response was monitored throughout the procedure and voice remained normal after RFA. A neck ultrasound at her 6 months follow-up showed ablated lesion measuring 7 mm X 11 mm X 10 mm, representing a 68.6% reduction in volume. Repeat CT scan thorax showed disappearance of mass in left neck region. Conclusion: RFA is a minimally invasive and effective treatment for recurrent cervical MTC lesions, and a viable alternative to surgery, as shown in our case. Future studies should focus on long term follow-up and comparison with surgery with regards to safety and efficacy. References: 1.Skoura E. Depicting medullary thyroid cancer recurrence: the past and the future of nuclear medicine imaging. Int J Endocrinol Metab. 2013;11(4):e8156. 2.Garberoglio R, Aliberti C, Appetecchia M, Attard M, Boccuzzi G, Boraso F, et al. Radiofrequency ablation for thyroid nodules: which indications? The first Italian opinion statement. J Ultrasound. 2015;18(4):423-30.