Possibilities of Diffusion-Weighted MRI in the Differential Diagnosis of Early Recurrences of Retroperitoneal Liposarcomas and Postoperative Changes

Purpose: To evaluate contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (CE‑MRI) and diffusion-weighted (DWI) in the detection and differential diagnosis of recurrent of retroperitoneal liposarcomas with postoperative changes.Material and methods: The retrospective study included of 23 patients previously operated on for retroperitoneal inorganic liposarcomas. All patients underwent MRI of the abdominal cavity and pelvis with intravenous contrast with further assessment of the size, shape, structure and characteristics of the accumulation of contrast agent in the detected formation.Results: Morphological verification were performed in 17 patients (74 %), in 6 cases (26 %) patients were left for dynamic control for 1–3 years. Local relapses were detected in 16 patients (67 %), postoperative changes — in 7 (33 %) patients, of which in 2 cases deformation of adipose tissue and fibrotic changes in the area of surgery was determined, in 3 patients granulomas were revealed, and in two patients — volvulus of the greater omentum and lymphocele. The sensitivity of MRI with intravenous contrast enhancement was 68.7 %, specificity 71.4 % and accuracy 69.6 %. The addition of DWI to the standard MRI protocol in patients with suspected recurrence of retroperitoneal liposarcoma to increase the sensitivity of the method in the differential diagnosis of recurrent drugs from postoperative changes to 93.7 % (15 out of 16), specificity up to 100 % (7 out of 7) and accuracy up to 95.6 % (22 out of 23).Conclusion: The joint use of MRI with intravenous contrast and DW‑MRI increases the information content in the detection and differential diagnosis of small-sized recurrent tumors in dedifferentiated and myxoid types of liposarcomas with postoperative changes.

Hybrid digitally guided hemorrhoidal artery ligation with laser hemorrhoidoplasty: our experience with a new approach to hemorrhoidal disease

Background: Minimally invasive surgeries are currently advocated in hemorrhoidal disease for better patient satisfaction. The aim of our study is to assess the feasibility, efficacy and safety of a hybrid hemorrhoidal artery ligation under digital guidance with laser hemorrhoidoplasty (Hybrid HAL-LHP) in patients with grade II to III hemorrhoids.Methods: In a prospective clinical study, hybrid HAL-LHP was performed in 75 consecutive patients between May 2018 to February 2020 with grade II to III hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoidal artery ligation was done by digital palpation followed by laser hemorrhoidoplasty using a 1470 nm diode laser. Postoperative pain and bleeding, return to work, resolution of symptoms, recurrence and reoperation was assessed on a follow up upto 1 year.Results: Postoperative pain assessed on Visual analog score (VAS) was 2.82 on 3rd day, 1.28 on 7th day and till 14th day was extremely low. None of the patients had significant intraoperative or spontaneous postoperative bleeding. Most of the patients had some degree of post defecation bleeding till 7th to 14 days which resolved after 2 weeks. After a mean follow up of 16.6 months, we reported a suspected recurrence rate of 5.33%.Conclusions: Postoperative pain assessed on Visual analog score (VAS) was 2.82 on 3rd day, 1.28 on 7th day and till 14th day was extremely low. None of the patients had significant intraoperative or spontaneous postoperative bleeding. Most of the patients had some degree of post defecation bleeding till 7 to 14 days which resolved after 2 weeks. After a mean follow up of 16.6 months we reported a suspected recurrence rate of 5.33%.

Value of 18F-PSMA-PET/MRI for Assessment of Recurring Ranula

We report the case of a 6-year-old patient with suspected recurrence of a plunging ranula in clinical and ultrasonographic examination. Surgical resection of the left submandibular and sublingual glands had already been performed. Since persistent glandular tissue could not be excluded with certainty via MRI, we expanded diagnostics by performing a PET/MRI using a head and neck imaging protocol and the radiotracer 18F-PSMA-1007, which is physiologically expressed by salivary gland tissue. The 18F-PSMA-PET/MRI provided evidence of a cystically transformed, diminishing seroma in the left retro-/submandibular region. No 18F-PSMA expressing glandular tissue could be detected in the area of resection, excluding a relapse of a plunging ranula. As a consequence, we opted for a conservative treatment without further surgical intervention. We conclude that a simultaneous 18F-PSMA-PET/MRI is a comprehensive imaging modality, which can help to rule out persistent salivary tissue and recurring plunging ranula. It is a useful tool to facilitate the decision making of surgical interventions.

Late Central Airway Toxicity after High-Dose Radiotherapy: Clinical Outcomes and a Proposed Bronchoscopic Classification

The study’s purpose was to identify the bronchoscopic patterns of central airway toxicity following high-dose radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy, and to look at the consequences of these findings. Our institutional bronchoscopy database was accessed to identify main patterns of airway toxicity observed in a seven-year period. A total of 70 patients were identified with central airway toxicity, and the findings of bronchoscopy were used to derive a classification system. Patient characteristics, time from radiotherapy to toxicity, follow-up and survival were retrospectively analyzed. Results: The main bronchoscopic patterns of airway toxicity were vascular changes (telangiectasia, loss of vascularity, necrosis) and stenosis of the lumen (moderate, severe). Indications for bronchoscopy were airway symptoms (n = 28), assessment post-CRT/surgery (n = 12), (suspected) recurrence (n = 21) or assessment of radiological findings (n = 9). Stenosis was revealed by bronchoscopy at a median time of 10.0 months (IQR: 4–23.5) after radiotherapy and subsequent follow-up after identification was 23 months (IQR: 1.5–55). The corresponding findings for vascular changes were 29 months (IQR: 10.5–48.5), and follow-up after identification was nine months (IQR: 2.5–19.5). There was a statistically significant difference in survival rates between patients with necrosis and telangiectasia (p = 0.002) and loss of vascularity (p = 0.001). Eight out of 10 deceased patients with telangiectasia died of other causes and 4/8 patients with necrosis died of other causes. We identified two main patterns of central airway toxicity visualized with bronchoscopy after high-dose radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy, and propose a bronchoscopic classification system based on these findings. Preliminary analysis suggests that the pattern and severity of radiation damage might be of prognostic value. Prospective data are required to confirm our findings.