OBJECTIVE: To examine the potential of two magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques—dynamic contrast enhancement (DCE) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI)—for the detection of malignant cervical lymph nodes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using DCE and DWI, we evaluated 33 cervical lymph nodes. For the DCE technique, the maximum relative enhancement, relative enhancement, time to peak enhancement, wash-in rate, wash-out rate, brevity of enhancement, and area under the curve were calculated from a semi-quantitative analysis. For the DWI technique, apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) were acquired in the region of interest of each lymph node. Cystic or necrotic parts were excluded. All patients underwent neck dissection or node biopsy. Imaging results were correlated with the histopathological findings. None of the patients underwent neoadjuvant treatment before neck dissection. RESULTS: Relative enhancement, maximum relative enhancement, and the wash-in rate were significantly higher in malignant lymph nodes than in benign lymph nodes (p < 0.009; p < 0.05; and p < 0.03, respectively). The time to peak enhancement was significantly shorter in the malignant lymph nodes (p < 0.02). In the multivariate analysis, the variables identified as being the most capable of distinguishing between benign and malignant lymph nodes were time to peak enhancement (sensitivity, 73.7%; specificity, 69.2%) and relative enhancement (sensitivity, 89.2%; specificity, 69.2%). CONCLUSION: Although DCE was able to differentiate between benign and malignant lymph nodes, there is still no consensus regarding the use of a semi-quantitative analysis, which is difficult to apply in a clinical setting. Low ADCs can predict metastatic disease, although inflammatory processes might lead to false-positive results.

Keywords: Lymph nodes/diagnostic imaging; Lymphatic metastasis/diagnostic imaging; Magnetic resonance imaging/methods; Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the degree of benign bone marrow uptake of ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (¹⁸F-FDG) between Hodgkin lymphoma patients with and without B symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the medical charts of 74 Hodgkin lymphoma patients who underwent ¹⁸F-FDG positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) prior to the initiation of therapy between October 2010 and September 2013. In all of the patients, the bone marrow biopsy was negative and the ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT images did not suggest bone marrow involvement. Of the 74 patients evaluated, 54 presented inflammatory (B) symptoms and 20 did not. Regions of interest (ROIs) were drawn on the sternum, the proximal thirds of the humeri, the proximal thirds of the femora, and both iliac wings (totaling seven ROIs per patient). To compare the patients with and without B symptoms, in terms of standardized uptake values (SUVs) for the seven ROIs, we used the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: For six of the ROIs, the SUVs were higher in the patients with B symptoms than in those without, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). There was also a tendency toward a statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of the SUV for the right iliac wing ROI (p = 0.06). CONCLUSION: In our sample, the presence of B symptoms was associated with increased ¹⁸F-FDG uptake in bone marrow.

Keywords: Keywords: Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; Positron emission tomography computed tomography/methods; Hodgkin disease; Bone marrow/diagnostic imaging.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the pain expected to that effectively caused by magnetic resonance arthrography of the shoulder and, secondarily, to describe a simplified approach to the technique for articular access. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively evaluated 40 participants who used a visual analog scale and a simplified categorical scale to indicate the level of pain expected and that experienced after the procedure, comparing the two with the Wilcoxon matched-pairs test. We also determined gender-related differences in pain conditions using the Mann–Whitney U test. In addition, we described a modified technique involving radiographic localization and the use of standard puncture needles for articular access. RESULTS: Analysis of the visual analog scales showed that the pain experienced was less than had been expected, with median scores of 1.75 and 3.75, respectively (p < 0.001). The level of pain expected was higher among women than among men, with median scores of 8.0 and 3.0, respectively (p = 0.014), as was the level of pain experienced, with median scores of 3.0 and 1.5, respectively (p = 0.139). The overall categorical evaluation corroborated that difference (p = 0.03). Articular access with the modified technique was successful in all patients. CONCLUSION: Magnetic resonance arthrography of the shoulder is less painful than patients expect. In addition, digital radiographic guidance combined with the use of standard puncture needles appears to improve the efficiency of the method.

Keywords: Magnetic resonance imaging; Arthrography; Shoulder; Pain; Visual analog scale.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate suspicious amorphous calcifications diagnosed on full-field digital mammography (FFDM) and establish correlations with histopathology findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 78 suspicious amorphous calcifications (all classified as BI-RADS^® 4) detected on FFDM. Vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB) was performed. The histopathological classification of VABB core samples was as follows: pB2 (benign); pB3 (uncertain malignant potential); pB4 (suspicion of malignancy); and pB5 (malignant). Treatment was recommended for pB5 lesions. To rule out malignancy, surgical excision was recommended for pB3 and pB4 lesions. Patients not submitted to surgery were followed for at least 6 months. RESULTS: Among the 78 amorphous calcifications evaluated, the histopathological analysis indicated that 8 (10.3%) were malignant/suspicious (6 classified as pB5 and 2 classified as pB4) and 36 (46.2%) were benign (classified as pB2). The remaining 34 lesions (43.6%) were classified as pB3: 33.3% were precursor lesions (atypical ductal hyperplasia, lobular neoplasia, or flat epithelial atypia) and 10.3% were high-risk lesions. For the pB3 lesions, the underestimation rate was zero. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of precursor lesions (excluding atypical ductal hyperplasia, which can be pB4 depending on the severity and extent of the lesion) should not necessarily be considered indicative of underestimation of malignancy. Suspicious amorphous calcifications correlated more often with precursor lesions than with malignant lesions, at a ratio of 3:1.

Keywords: Breast stereotaxis biopsy; Calcification; Diagnosis; Amorphous morphology; Digital mammography; Breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To create a structured computed tomography (CT) report for the systematic evaluation of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), based on the opinions of clinicians and surgeons. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective study in which we applied a 21-item questionnaire to experts in pancreatic diseases in order to create a model of a structured abdominal CT report. The questionnaire addressed the location and size of PDACs, as well as their effects on adjacent structures and on the vasculature, together with metastases. We used a Likert scale to determine which of those parameters should be included in the model. RESULTS: A total of 18 experts (12 surgeons and 6 clinicians) from 9 institutions completed the questionnaire. All of the experts agreed that the following (if present) should be described in the CT report on a PDAC: the degree of enhancement; the diameter and location of the lesion; pancreatic duct obstruction; biliary dilatation; pancreatic atrophy; liver metastases; peritoneal nodules; ascites; lymph node enlargement; and invasion of adjacent structures. More than 80% of the experts agreed that the report should also describe the relationship between the PDAC and the surrounding vasculature. CONCLUSION: We have developed a template for a CT report on patients with PDAC, based on the opinions of experts involved in the treatment of such patients.

Keywords: Pancreatic neoplasms/diagnostic imaging; Tomography, X-ray computed; Neoplasm staging; Consensus.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the technique of injecting hemostatic matrix, as well as the experience of our interventional radiology department in its application. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a single-center study with retrospective analysis of the experience of our group in the use of hemostatic gelatin matrix in percutaneous biopsies. RESULTS: In a total of 73 biopsies in different organs, such as the liver, kidney, and spleen, hemostatic gelatin matrix was introduced into the coaxial needle. The only complication observed was migration of the hemostatic matrix to the left kidney collecting system, and that was resolved with clinical treatment. There were no cases of bleeding after the injection of hemostatic matrix. CONCLUSION: The use of hemostatic matrices in the path of percutaneous biopsies is another tool available for consideration in minimally invasive procedures.

Keywords: Hemostatic techniques; Hemostatics/administration & dosage; Biopsy, needle/methods; Hemorrhage/prevention & control.

The aim of this paper is to describe the use of a new ultrasound imaging processing technique to guide biopsies of suspicious breast calcifications. We used this technique in 13 patients with suspicious breast calcifications that could not be submitted to stereotactic biopsy. Suspicious calcifications were identified by ultrasound, and the biopsy was successfully performed in all cases. Although mammography continues to be the method of choice for the detection and characterization of microcalcifications, this new technique can be an alternative means of guiding biopsy procedures in selected patients who are not candidates for stereotactic biopsy.

Keywords: Ultrasonography, mammary/methods; Breast diseases/diagnosis; Biopsy, needle/methods.

Historically, radiology has developed in a way that has increasingly distanced the radiologist from the patient. Currently, diagnostic imaging results are predominantly communicated through written reports. Written communication is not considered sufficient, verbal communication being essential for the performance of the modern radiologist to be considered satisfactory. However, a lack of preparation on the part of the radiologist when communicating the diagnosis, especially when it is not favorable (as is often the case in a cancer hospital), makes that conversation quite challenging. Studies conducted in other countries have demonstrated that there are a variety of opinions on the part of requesting physicians and patients regarding radiologist-patient communication, which can be explained by cultural differences. Although there is no rule regarding the best way to accomplish such communication, there are definitely incorrect ways. To bridge the gap between radiologists and patients and improve radiologist-patient communication, preparation of radiologists during their medical residency is fundamental. Therefore, it is important to address this question in Brazil. The objective of this study was to identify deeper discussions about the topic in the scientific literature. This analysis could help us map those involved and plan strategies to improve the ethical behavior of radiologists toward their patients.

Keywords: Radiology; Physician-patient relations; Diagnostic imaging; Ethics.

Although ultrasound continues to be the mainstay modality for the evaluation of fetal disorders, fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has often been used as a valuable adjunct in recent years. The exponential growth of the use of fetal MRI has been facilitated by technological advancements such as ultrafast T2-weighted sequences and diffusion-weighted imaging. Fetal MRI can achieve results that are comparable to or better than those of ultrasound, particularly in cases of maternal obesity, severe oligohydramnios, or abnormal fetal position. Because of its superior soft tissue contrast, wide field of view, and multiplanar imaging, fetal MRI is able to evaluate the large fetal organs, such as the lungs, liver, bowel, and kidneys. In addition, fetal MRI allows large or complex malformations to be examined, facilitating the understanding of the malformation within the context of the body as a whole. Initial fetal MRI studies were focused on the central nervous system. With advances in software and hardware, fetal MRI gained importance in the evaluation of the fetal abdomen. The purpose of this article is to review the recent literature and developments in MRI evaluation of the fetal abdomen, with an emphasis on imaging aspects, protocols, and common clinical indications.

Keywords: Fetus; Congenital abnormalities/diagnostic imaging; Abdomen/diagnostic imaging; Magnetic resonance imaging.

The recent association between the increase in the number of neonates with microcephaly in northeastern Brazil and the outbreak of infection with the Zika virus, which has been occurring in the Americas, has been declared a public health emergency of international concern. The evidence that implicates the virus as the cause of this public health emergency has been demonstrated ever more consistently. This pictorial essay illustrates the imaging characteristics seen on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans of infants admitted to a rehabilitation hospital with a diagnosis of microcephaly and a maternal history of rash during pregnancy.

Keywords: Microcephaly; Zika virus infection; Tomography, X-ray computed; Magnetic resonance imaging.