Publications

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although the cerebellar tonsils are parasagittal structures, the extent of tonsillar herniation (ETH) in Chiari I malformation (CMI) is currently measured in the midsagittal plane. We measured the ETH of each cerebellar tonsil in the parasagittal plane and assessed their diagnostic utility by comparing them to the midsagittal ETH measurements in predicting cough-associated headache (CAH), an indicator of clinically significant disease in CMI.

METHODS: Eighty-five CMI patients with 3D-MPRAGE images were included. Neurosurgeons determined the presence of CAH. Sagittal images were used to measure ETH in the midsagittal (MS_ETH) and parasagittal planes (by locating tonsillar tips on each side on reformatted coronal images). Given the parasagittal ETH (PS_ETH) asymmetry in the majority of cases, they were considered Smaller_PS_ETH or Larger_PS_ETH. The accuracy of ETH measurements was assessed by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

RESULTS: Of 85 patients, 46 reported CAH. ROC analysis showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.78 for Smaller_PS_ETH significantly better than 0.65 for MS-ETH in predicting CAH (p = 0.001). An AUC of 0.68 for Larger_PS_ETH was not significantly different from MS_ETH. The sensitivity and specificity of predicting CAH were 87% and 28% for MS_ETH >6 mm versus 90% and 46% for Smaller_PS_ETH >6 mm, and 52% and 67% for MS_ETH >9 mm versus 48% and 87% for Smaller_PS_ETH >9 mm. At ETH >15 mm, no differences were seen between the measurements.

CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic utility of ETH measurements in detecting clinically significant CMI can be improved by parasagittal measurements of the cerebellar tonsillar herniation.

BACKGROUND: Preclinical studies have shown that modulation of the tumor microvasculature with anti-angiogenic agents decreases tumor perfusion and may increase the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Retrospective studies suggest that sorafenib given prior to RFA promotes an increase in the ablation zone, but prospective randomized data are lacking.

AIMS: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase II trial to evaluate the efficacy of a short-course of sorafenib prior to RFA for HCC tumors sized 3.5-7 cm (NCT00813293).

METHODS: Treatment consisted of sorafenib 400 mg twice daily for 10 days or matching placebo, followed by RFA on day 10. The primary objectives were to assess if priming with sorafenib increased the volume and diameter of the RFA coagulation zone and to evaluate its impact on RFA thermal parameters. Secondary objectives included feasibility, safety and to explore the relationship between tumor blood flow on MRI and RFA effectiveness.

RESULTS: Twenty patients were randomized 1:1. Priming with sorafenib did not increase the size of ablation zone achieved with RFA and did not promote significant changes in thermal parameters, although it significantly decreased blood perfusion to the tumor by 27.9% (p = 0.01) as analyzed by DCE-MRI. No subject discontinued treatment owing to adverse events and no grade 4 toxicity was observed.

CONCLUSION: Priming of sorafenib did not enhance the effect of RFA in intermediate sized HCC. Future studies should investigate whether longer duration of treatment or a different antiangiogenic strategy in the post-procedure setting would be more effective in impairing tumor perfusion and increasing RFA efficacy.

To determine if wedge resection is equivalent to lobectomy for Stage I Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) and to evaluate the impact of radiologic and pathologic variables not available in large national databases. Records were reviewed from 2010-2016 for patients with pathologic Stage I NSCLC who underwent wedge resection or lobectomy. Propensity score matching was performed on pre-operative variables and patients with ≥1 lymph node removed. Clinical variables were compared. Kaplan-Meier curves and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models for 5-year overall survival (OS), disease-free (DFS), and locoregional-recurrence-free survival (LRFS) were created. A total of 1086 patients met inclusion criteria; 391 lobectomies and 695 wedge resections. Propensity score matching yielded 167 pairs of lobectomy and wedge resection patients. Complications were fewer for wedge resections than lobectomies, 19.2% for wedge resection patients vs 34.1% for lobectomy patients, p < 0.01. OS was equivalent between groups, 86.2% for lobectomy patients vs 83.4% for wedge resection patients p = 0.47. DFS was similar, 79.0% for lobectomy patients vs 72.5% for wedge resection patients p = 0.10. Overall LRFS was worse in wedge resection patients vs lobectomy patients, 82.0% vs 93.4% p < 0.01. However, in the matched wedge resection patients with a margin >10 mm the LRFS was equal to that of lobectomy patients, 86.4% for wedge resection patients vs 91.8% for lobectomy patients p = 0.140. Patients with Stage I NSCLC can experience similar OS, DFS, and LRFS with wedge resection as compared to lobectomy, when wedge resection margins are >10 mm and appropriate lymph node dissection is performed.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Our purpose is to understand patient preferences towards contrast-enhanced imaging such as CEM or MRI for breast cancer screening.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: An anonymous survey was offered to all patients having screening mammography at a single academic institution from December 27 th 2019 to March 6 th 2020. Survey questions related to: (1) patients' background experiences (2) patients' concern for aspects of MRI and CEM measured using a 5-point Likert scale, and (3) financial considerations.

RESULTS: 75% (1011/1349) patients completed the survey. 53.0% reported dense breasts and of those, 47.6% had additional screening. 49.6% had experienced a callback, 29.0% had a benign biopsy, and 13.7% had prior CEM/MRI. 34.7% were satisfied with mammography for screening. A majority were neutral or not concerned with radiation exposure, contrast allergy, IV line placement, claustrophobia, and false positive exams. 54.7% were willing to pay at least $250-500 for screening MRI. Those reporting dense breasts were less satisfied with mammography for screening (p<0.001) and willing to pay more for MRI (p<0.001). If patients had prior CEM/MRI, there was less concern for an allergic reaction (p<0.001), IV placement (p=0.025), and claustrophobia (p=0.006). There was less concern for false positives if they had a prior benign biopsy (p=0.029) or prior CEM/MRI (p=0.005) and less concern for IV placement if they had dense breasts (p=0.007) or a previous callback (p=0.013).

CONCLUSION: The screening population may accept CEM or MRI as a screening exam despite its risks and cost, especially patients with dense breasts and patients who have had prior CEM/MRI.

Abdominal radiology as a field has historically played an important role in the training, research, and performance of image-guided procedures. With the emphasis on increased subspecialization and the more formal and rigorous interventional radiology training programs, the question of the future of image-guided procedures within abdominal radiology is explored. A survey conducted by the Cross-Sectional Interventional Radiology Emerging Technology Commission on members of the Society of Abdominal Radiology showed that image-guided procedures are overwhelmingly being performed by abdominal radiology groups, and the vast majority of programs are training their fellows in this regard. We explore some of the challenges radiology and health care in general may face should abdominal radiologists no longer perform procedures and outline strategies departments can employ to meet the needs of both abdominal and interventional radiologists.

BACKGROUND: Preclinical studies have shown that modulation of the tumor microvasculature with anti-angiogenic agents decreases tumor perfusion and may increase the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Retrospective studies suggest that sorafenib given prior to RFA promotes an increase in the ablation zone, but prospective randomized data are lacking.

AIMS: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase II trial to evaluate the efficacy of a short-course of sorafenib prior to RFA for HCC tumors sized 3.5-7 cm (NCT00813293).

METHODS: Treatment consisted of sorafenib 400 mg twice daily for 10 days or matching placebo, followed by RFA on day 10. The primary objectives were to assess if priming with sorafenib increased the volume and diameter of the RFA coagulation zone and to evaluate its impact on RFA thermal parameters. Secondary objectives included feasibility, safety and to explore the relationship between tumor blood flow on MRI and RFA effectiveness.

RESULTS: Twenty patients were randomized 1:1. Priming with sorafenib did not increase the size of ablation zone achieved with RFA and did not promote significant changes in thermal parameters, although it significantly decreased blood perfusion to the tumor by 27.9% (p = 0.01) as analyzed by DCE-MRI. No subject discontinued treatment owing to adverse events and no grade 4 toxicity was observed.

CONCLUSION: Priming of sorafenib did not enhance the effect of RFA in intermediate sized HCC. Future studies should investigate whether longer duration of treatment or a different antiangiogenic strategy in the post-procedure setting would be more effective in impairing tumor perfusion and increasing RFA efficacy.

To determine if wedge resection is equivalent to lobectomy for Stage I Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) and to evaluate the impact of radiologic and pathologic variables not available in large national databases. Records were reviewed from 2010-2016 for patients with pathologic Stage I NSCLC who underwent wedge resection or lobectomy. Propensity score matching was performed on pre-operative variables and patients with ≥1 lymph node removed. Clinical variables were compared. Kaplan-Meier curves and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models for 5-year overall survival (OS), disease-free (DFS), and locoregional-recurrence-free survival (LRFS) were created. A total of 1086 patients met inclusion criteria; 391 lobectomies and 695 wedge resections. Propensity score matching yielded 167 pairs of lobectomy and wedge resection patients. Complications were fewer for wedge resections than lobectomies, 19.2% for wedge resection patients vs 34.1% for lobectomy patients, p < 0.01. OS was equivalent between groups, 86.2% for lobectomy patients vs 83.4% for wedge resection patients p = 0.47. DFS was similar, 79.0% for lobectomy patients vs 72.5% for wedge resection patients p = 0.10. Overall LRFS was worse in wedge resection patients vs lobectomy patients, 82.0% vs 93.4% p < 0.01. However, in the matched wedge resection patients with a margin >10 mm the LRFS was equal to that of lobectomy patients, 86.4% for wedge resection patients vs 91.8% for lobectomy patients p = 0.140. Patients with Stage I NSCLC can experience similar OS, DFS, and LRFS with wedge resection as compared to lobectomy, when wedge resection margins are >10 mm and appropriate lymph node dissection is performed.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Our purpose is to understand patient preferences towards contrast-enhanced imaging such as CEM or MRI for breast cancer screening.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: An anonymous survey was offered to all patients having screening mammography at a single academic institution from December 27 th 2019 to March 6 th 2020. Survey questions related to: (1) patients' background experiences (2) patients' concern for aspects of MRI and CEM measured using a 5-point Likert scale, and (3) financial considerations.

RESULTS: 75% (1011/1349) patients completed the survey. 53.0% reported dense breasts and of those, 47.6% had additional screening. 49.6% had experienced a callback, 29.0% had a benign biopsy, and 13.7% had prior CEM/MRI. 34.7% were satisfied with mammography for screening. A majority were neutral or not concerned with radiation exposure, contrast allergy, IV line placement, claustrophobia, and false positive exams. 54.7% were willing to pay at least $250-500 for screening MRI. Those reporting dense breasts were less satisfied with mammography for screening (p<0.001) and willing to pay more for MRI (p<0.001). If patients had prior CEM/MRI, there was less concern for an allergic reaction (p<0.001), IV placement (p=0.025), and claustrophobia (p=0.006). There was less concern for false positives if they had a prior benign biopsy (p=0.029) or prior CEM/MRI (p=0.005) and less concern for IV placement if they had dense breasts (p=0.007) or a previous callback (p=0.013).

CONCLUSION: The screening population may accept CEM or MRI as a screening exam despite its risks and cost, especially patients with dense breasts and patients who have had prior CEM/MRI.

Abdominal radiology as a field has historically played an important role in the training, research, and performance of image-guided procedures. With the emphasis on increased subspecialization and the more formal and rigorous interventional radiology training programs, the question of the future of image-guided procedures within abdominal radiology is explored. A survey conducted by the Cross-Sectional Interventional Radiology Emerging Technology Commission on members of the Society of Abdominal Radiology showed that image-guided procedures are overwhelmingly being performed by abdominal radiology groups, and the vast majority of programs are training their fellows in this regard. We explore some of the challenges radiology and health care in general may face should abdominal radiologists no longer perform procedures and outline strategies departments can employ to meet the needs of both abdominal and interventional radiologists.

To determine if wedge resection is equivalent to lobectomy for Stage I Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) and to evaluate the impact of radiologic and pathologic variables not available in large national databases. Records were reviewed from 2010-2016 for patients with pathologic Stage I NSCLC who underwent wedge resection or lobectomy. Propensity score matching was performed on pre-operative variables and patients with ≥1 lymph node removed. Clinical variables were compared. Kaplan-Meier curves and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models for 5-year overall survival (OS), disease-free (DFS), and locoregional-recurrence-free survival (LRFS) were created. A total of 1086 patients met inclusion criteria; 391 lobectomies and 695 wedge resections. Propensity score matching yielded 167 pairs of lobectomy and wedge resection patients. Complications were fewer for wedge resections than lobectomies, 19.2% for wedge resection patients vs 34.1% for lobectomy patients, p < 0.01. OS was equivalent between groups, 86.2% for lobectomy patients vs 83.4% for wedge resection patients p = 0.47. DFS was similar, 79.0% for lobectomy patients vs 72.5% for wedge resection patients p = 0.10. Overall LRFS was worse in wedge resection patients vs lobectomy patients, 82.0% vs 93.4% p < 0.01. However, in the matched wedge resection patients with a margin >10 mm the LRFS was equal to that of lobectomy patients, 86.4% for wedge resection patients vs 91.8% for lobectomy patients p = 0.140. Patients with Stage I NSCLC can experience similar OS, DFS, and LRFS with wedge resection as compared to lobectomy, when wedge resection margins are >10 mm and appropriate lymph node dissection is performed.