Abstract Background Professional soccer athletes are exposed to repetitive head impacts and are at risk of developing chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Objective To evaluate regional brain glucose metabolism (rBGM) and gray matter (GM) volume in retired soccer players (RSPs). Methods Male RSPs and age and sex-matched controls prospectively enrolled between 2017 and 2019 underwent neurological and neuropsychological evaluations, brain MRI and [18F]FDG-PET in a 3.0-Tesla PET/MRI scanner. Visual analysis was performed by a blinded neuroradiologist and a blinded nuclear physician. Regional brain glucose metabolism and GM volume were assessed using SPM8 software. Groups were compared using appropriate statistical tests available at SPM8 and R. Results Nineteen RSPs (median [IQR]: 62 [50–64.5] years old) and 20 controls (60 [48–73] years old) were included. Retired soccer players performed worse on mini-mental state examination, digit span, clock drawing, phonemic and semantic verbal fluency tests, and had reduced rBGM in the left temporal pole (pFDR = 0.008) and the anterior left middle temporal gyrus (pFDR = 0.043). Semantic verbal fluency correlated with rBGM in the right hippocampus, left temporal pole, and posterior left middle temporal gyrus (p ≤ 0.042). Cray matter volume reduction was observed in similar anatomic regions but was less extensive and did not survive correction for multiple comparisons (pFDR ≥ 0.085). Individual [18F]FDG-PET visual analysis revealed seven RSPs with overt hypometabolism in the medial and lateral temporal lobes, frontal lobes, and temporoparietal regions. Retired soccer players had a higher prevalence of septum pellucidum abnormalities on MRI. Conclusion Retired soccer players had reduced rBCM and CM volume in the temporal lobes and septum pellucidum abnormalities, findings possibly related to repetitive head impacts.

Resumo Antecedentes Jogadores profissionais de futebol estão expostos a impactos cranianos repetitivos e ao risco de desenvolver encefalopatia traumática crônica. Objetivo Avaliar o metabolismo glicolítico cerebral regional (MCCr) e o volume de substância cinzenta (vSC) em jogadores de futebol aposentados (JFAs). Métodos Jogadores de futebol aposentados masculinos e controles pareados por idade e sexo foram incluídos prospectivamente entre 2017 e 2019. Foram realizadas avaliações neurológica e neuropsicológica, ressonância magnética (RM) e [18F]FDG-PET cerebrais (3.0-Tesla PET/RM). As imagens foram analisadas visualmente por um neurorradiologista e um médico nuclear cegos ao grupo de cada participante. O metabolismo glicolítico cerebral regional e o vSC foram avaliados através do programa SPM8. Os grupos foram comparados através de testes estatísticos apropriados disponíveis em SPM8 e R, de acordo com a distribuição e o tipo dos dados. Resultados Dezenove JFAs (mediana [IIQ]: 62 [50–64.5] anos) e 20 controles (60 [48–73] anos) foram incluídos. Os JFAs tiveram pior desempenho no mini-exame do estado mental e nos testes de dígitos, desenho do relógio, fluência verbal e fluência semântica e apresentaram MCCr significativamente reduzido no polo temporal e no giro temporal médio anterior esquerdos. Fluência semântica (animais) apresentou correlação positiva com MCCr no hipocampo direito, no polo temporal esquerdo e no aspecto posterior do giro temporal médio esquerdo. Menor vSC foi observado nas mesmas regiões, porém este achado não sobreviveu à correção para comparações múltiplas. Análise individual do [18F]FDG-PET cerebral revelou sete JFAs com claro hipometabolismo nas faces medial e lateral dos lobos temporais, nos lobos frontais e nas regiões temporoparietais. Os JFAs apresentaram ainda maior prevalência de anormalidades do septo pelúcido. Conclusão Os JFAs apresentam MCCr e vSC reduzidos nos lobos temporais, além de anormalidades do septo pelúcido, achados possivelmente relacionados a impactos cranianos repetitivos.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to report the first case of a patient with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis mansoni, refractory ascites and portal vein thrombosis treated with a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS), at the Instituto de Radiologia, Hospital das Clinicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Brazil. After the procedure, the patient recovered favorably and progressed with portal pressure reduction and no deterioration of the liver function. Endovascular shunt modification is a conservative medical approach that often helps in reducing symptoms significantly, making it a less invasive and a safer alternative to liver transplantation for the treatment of schistosomiasis with portal hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between lung lesion burden (LLB) found on chest computed tomography (CT) and 30-day mortality in hospitalized patients with high clinical suspicion of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), accounting for tomographic dynamic changes. METHODS: Patients hospitalized with high clinical suspicion of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in a dedicated and reference hospital for COVID-19, having undergone at least one RT-PCR test, regardless of the result, and with one CT compatible with COVID-19, were retrospectively studied. Clinical and laboratory data upon admission were assessed, and LLB found on CT was semi-quantitatively evaluated through visual analysis. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality after admission. Secondary outcomes, including the intensive care unit (ICU) admission, mechanical ventilation used, and length of stay (LOS), were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 457 patients with a mean age of 57±15 years were included. Among these, 58% presented with positive RT-PCR result for COVID-19. The median time from symptom onset to RT-PCR was 8 days [interquartile range 6-11 days]. An initial LLB of ≥50% using CT was found in 201 patients (44%), which was associated with an increased crude at 30-day mortality (31% vs. 15% in patients with LLB of <50%, p<0.001). An LLB of ≥50% was also associated with an increase in the ICU admission, the need for mechanical ventilation, and a prolonged LOS after adjusting for baseline covariates and accounting for the CT findings as a time-varying covariate; hence, patients with an LLB of ≥50% remained at a higher risk at 30-day mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 2.17, 95% confidence interval 1.47-3.18, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Even after accounting for dynamic CT changes in patients with both clinical and imaging findings consistent with COVID-19, an LLB of ≥50% might be associated with a higher risk of mortality.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether quantitative textural features, extracted from pretreatment MRI, can predict sustained complete response to radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: In this IRB-approved study, patients were selected from a maintained six-year database of consecutive patients who underwent both pretreatment MRI imaging with a probable or definitive imaging diagnosis of HCC (LI-RADS 4 or 5) and loco-regional treatment with RFA. An experienced radiologist manually segmented the hepatic nodules in MRI arterial and equilibrium phases to obtain the volume of interest (VOI) for extraction of 107 quantitative textural features, including shape and first- and second-order features. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate associations between textural features and complete response. RESULTS: The study consisted of 34 patients with 51 treated hepatic nodules. Sustained complete response was achieved by 6 patients (4 with single nodule and 2 with multiple nodules). Of the 107 features from the arterial and equilibrium phases, 20 (18%) and 25 (23%) achieved AUC >0.7, respectively. The three best performing features were found in the equilibrium phase: Dependence Non-Uniformity Normalized and Dependence Variance (both GLDM class, with AUC of 0.78 and 0.76, respectively) and Maximum Probability (GLCM class, AUC of 0.76). CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study demonstrates that a radiomic analysis of pre-treatment MRI might be useful in identifying patients with HCC who are most likely to have a sustained complete response to RFA. Second-order features (GLDM and GLCM) extracted from equilibrium phase obtained highest discriminatory performance.

Resumo O objetivo deste artigo é compartilhar a estratégia de como estruturamos o departamento de radiologia e diagnóstico por imagem de uma instituição de referência na pandemia da COVID-19, baseados nas recomendações vigentes. É fundamental a integração entre supervisores, preceptores e residentes, sempre mantendo comunicação e compartilhamento das decisões, com apoio mútuo, decidindo a melhor estratégia a ser seguida neste cenário de incertezas e de mudanças contínuas, garantindo ainda suporte emocional adequado a todos.

Abstract The objective of this article is to share the strategy we used in order to restructure the radiology and diagnostic imaging department of a referral institution during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, on the basis of the current recommendations. It is essential to integrate the work of supervisors, preceptors, and residents, maintaining communication and sharing decisions, with mutual support, as well as to determine the best strategy to be adopted in this scenario of uncertainty and constant change, while also ensuring adequate emotional support for all parties.

Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar a acurácia da ressonância magnética (RM) para o diagnóstico de hálux valgo usando radiografias com carga como padrão ouro. Materiais e Métodos: Análise retrospectiva de pacientes que realizaram RM do antepé e radiografias com carga, de janeiro a junho de 2015. O ângulo metatarsofalangiano (AMF) foi medido nas RMs e nas radiografias. O teste de Wilcoxon e regressão linear foram utilizados para comparar as mensurações. Pacientes foram divididos de acordo com os valores do AMF nas radiografias: > 15° (hálux valgo) e ≤ 15° (grupo controle). Avaliações qualitativa e quantitativa foram realizadas por RM. Para análise quantitativa, uma curva ROC foi utilizada para definir o ponto de corte com maior acurácia. Resultados: Foram incluídas 66 RMs, 22 no grupo com hálux valgo e 44 no grupo controle. O teste de Wilcoxon indicou diferença significativa entre os métodos. Avaliação de regressão demonstrou relação não linear entre as medidas e e os valores não apresentaram boa correlação. Considerando os grupos hálux valgo e controle, um valor de corte 16,4° na RM demonstrou maior acurácia (86%). A avaliação subjetiva foi inferior à avaliação objetiva. Conclusão: A medida do AMF na RM pode ser utilizada para diagnóstico de hálux valgo, com um valor de corte de 16,4°.

Abstract Objective: To assess the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the diagnosis of hallux valgus using radiography during weight bearing as the gold standard. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing MRI of the foot and radiography of the foot during weight bearing at our institution between January and June of 2015. The hallux valgus angle (HVA) was measured on MRI and radiography. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test and simple linear regression were used in order to compare measurements. Patients were divided into two groups according to the HVA determined on radiography: > 15° (hallux valgus) and ≤ 15° (control). Qualitative and quantitative assessments of MRI scans were performed. For quantitative assessment, receiver operating characteristic curves were used in order to determine the HVA cutoff with the highest accuracy. Results: A total of 66 MRI scans were included, 22 in the hallux valgus group and 44 in the control group. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests indicated a significant difference between the radiography and MRI measurements. Simple linear regression showed a nonlinear relationship between the measurements and values did not present a strong correlation. In comparison with the radiography measurements, MRI with an HVA cutoff of 16.4° exhibited the highest accuracy (86%). The accuracy of the subjective (qualitative) assessment was inferior to the objective assessment (measurement of the HVA). Conclusion: Hallux valgus can be diagnosed by measuring the HVA on MRI, satisfactory accuracy being achieved with an HVA cutoff of 16.4°.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), emerged in Wuhan city and was declared a pandemic in March 2020. Although the virus is not restricted to the lung parenchyma, the use of chest imaging in COVID-19 can be especially useful for patients with moderate to severe symptoms or comorbidities. This article aimed to demonstrate the chest imaging findings of COVID-19 on different modalities: chest radiography, computed tomography, and ultrasonography. In addition, it intended to review recommendations on imaging assessment of COVID-19 and to discuss the use of a structured chest computed tomography report. Chest radiography, despite being a low-cost and easily available method, has low sensitivity for screening patients. It can be useful in monitoring hospitalized patients, especially for the evaluation of complications such as pneumothorax and pleural effusion. Chest computed tomography, despite being highly sensitive, has a low specificity, and hence cannot replace the reference diagnostic test (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction). To facilitate the confection and reduce the variability of radiological reports, some standardizations with structured reports have been proposed. Among the available classifications, it is possible to divide the radiological findings into typical, indeterminate, atypical, and negative findings. The structured report can also contain an estimate of the extent of lung involvement (e.g., more or less than 50% of the lung parenchyma). Pulmonary ultrasonography can also be an auxiliary method, especially for monitoring hospitalized patients in intensive care units, where transfer to a tomography scanner is difficult.

ABSTRACT Objectives To evaluate the diagnostic performance and interobserver agreement of PI-RADS v2. Materials and Methods In this Institutional Review Board approved single-center retrospective study, 98 patients with clinically suspected PCa who underwent 3-T multiparametric MRI followed by MRI/TRUS fusion-guided prostate biopsy were included from June 2013 to February 2015. Two radiologists (R1 and R2) with 8 and 1 years of experience in abdominal radiology reviewed the MRI scans and assigned PI-RADS v2 scores in all prostate zones. PI-RADS v2 were compared to MRI/TRUS fusion-guided biopsy results, which were classified as negative, PCa, and significant PCa (sPCa). Results Sensitivity, specificity, NPV, PPV and accuracy for PCa was 85.7% (same for all metrics) for R1 and 81.6%, 79.6%, 81.2%, 80.0% and 80.6% for R2. For detecting sPCa, the corresponding values were 95.3%, 85.4%, 95.9%, 83.7% and 89.8% for R1 and 93.0%, 81.8%, 93.7%, 86.7% and 86.7% for R2. There was substantial interobserver agreement in assigning PI-RADS v2 score as negative (1, 2, 3) or positive (4, 5) (Kappa=0.78). On multivariate analysis, PI-RADS v2 (p <0.001) was the only independent predictor of sPCa compared with age, abnormal DRE, prostate volume, PSA and PSA density. Conclusions Our study population demonstrated that PI-RADS v2 had high diagnostic accuracy, substantial interobserver agreement, and it was the only independent predictor of sPCa.

Resumo A nova tecnologia PET/RM é o protótipo de diagnóstico por imagem híbrido e permite combinar dados moleculares obtidos da tomografia PET e informações morfofuncionais derivadas da ressonância magnética. Avanços recentes relativos a aspectos técnicos desse dispositivo, principalmente após o desenvolvimento de fotomultiplicadores de silício compatíveis com RM, permitiram uma melhora do desempenho diagnóstico da PET/RM traduzida em redução da dose e qualidade superior das imagens. Entre diversas aplicações clínicas, a PET/RM ganha espaço inicialmente no campo da oncologia, onde a RM tem papel essencial na avaliação de tumores primários (limitado no caso da PET/TC), incluindo tumores de próstata, reto e ginecológicos. Por outro lado, a avaliação dos pulmões ainda é um enigma, a despeito de novas sequências de RM que estão sendo criadas para tentar resolver essa questão. Outras indicações clínicas da PET/RM são encontradas no âmbito da neurologia, cardiologia e de processos inflamatórios, nos quais a técnica também abre perspectivas para pacientes pediátricos, já que envolve uma exposição baixíssima à radiação. Nossa revisão teve como objetivo destacar as indicações atuais da PET/RM e discutir os desafios e perspectivas da aplicação dessa técnica no Hospital das Clínicas da FMUSP.

Summary The new technology of PET/MRI is a prototype of hybrid imaging, allowing for the combination of molecular data from PET scanning and morphofunctional information derived from MRI scanning. Recent advances regarding the technical aspects of this device, especially after the development of MRI-compatible silicon photomultipliers of PET, permitted an increase in the diagnostic performance of PET/MRI translated into dose reduction and higher imaging quality. Among several clinical applications, PET/MRI gains ground initially in oncology, where MRI per se plays an essential role in the assessment of primary tumors (which is limited in the case of PET/CT), including prostate, rectal and gynecological tumors. On the other hand, the evaluation of the lungs remains an enigma although new MRI sequences are being designed to overcome this. More clinical indications of PET/MRI are seen in the fields of neurology, cardiology and inflammatory processes, and the use of PET/MRI also opens perspectives for pediatric populations as it involves very low radiation exposure. Our review aimed to highlight the current indications of PET/MRI and discuss the challenges and perspectives of PET/MRI at HC-FMUSP.

In the current context of epidemiological transition, demographic changes, changes in consumption and lifestyle habits, and pressure on care costs and organized health systems for acute conditions, the Integrated Care Model by Shortell has become a conceptual reference in the search for new methods to manage chronic conditions by focusing on the health conditions of a given population that must be addressed by a set of institutions organized into networks. Within the last 15 years, cancer has gone from the third- to the second-leading cause of death in the State of São Paulo and has shown a gradual increase in the number of new cases; it has thus become a relevant issue for public health and health management. The model adopted by the State for the organization of the cancer care network was the motivation for this study, which aimed to evaluate the evolution of the model of care for cancer patients within the Unified Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde) based on the integrated care model. Since 1993, the year that cancer was first considered highly complex in the Sistema Único de Saúde by the Ministry of Health, it has been possible to observe a progressive orientation towards the integral and integrated care of patients with cancer. In the State of São Paulo, the active participation of qualified service providers through a Technical Reference Committee showed that experts could contribute to the definition of public policies, thereby providing a technical base for decision making and contributing to the development of clinical management.

Prostate cancer imaging has become an important diagnostic modality for tumor evaluation. Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography (PET) has been extensively studied, and the results are robust and promising. The advent of the PET/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has added morphofunctional information from the standard of reference MRI to highly accurate molecular information from PET. Different PSMA ligands have been used for this purpose including 68gallium and 18fluorine-labeled PET probes, which have particular features including spatial resolution, imaging quality and tracer biodistribution. The use of PSMA PET imaging is well established for evaluating biochemical recurrence, even at low prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, but has also shown interesting applications for tumor detection, primary staging, assessment of therapeutic responses and treatment planning. This review will outline the potential role of PSMA PET/MRI for the clinical assessment of PCa.

Resumo Recentemente, um grande número de quelantes de gadolínio tem sido testado em ensaios laboratoriais. Alguns deles já foram inclusive aprovados para uso clínico nos Estados Unidos e na Europa. Com isso, novas perspectivas diagnósticas foram incorporadas nos estudos de ressonância magnética. Dentre estes quelantes de gadolínio, os contrastes hepatobiliares específicos (CHBEs) têm sido amplamente utilizados para a caracterização e detecção de lesões focais hepáticas, essencialmente pela propriedade de serem captados pelos hepatócitos e excretados na via biliar. Além disso, os CHBEs trouxeram novas informações na avaliação da árvore biliar quando comparados à colangiorressonância convencional, proporcionando uma maior resolução espacial e melhor avaliação da anatomia da árvore biliar não dilatada. A avaliação da anatomia biliar é de fundamental importância em cirurgias hepáticas, como ressecções complexas em tumores colorretais ou no transplante hepático com doador vivo, porém, o uso dos CHBEs ainda é restrito para estes propósitos. Em razão da escassa literatura sobre o tema e da pouca familiaridade dos radiologistas com as principais indicações, o presente ensaio iconográfico tem por objetivo demonstrar o uso de CHBEs na avaliação perioperatória das vias biliares, ressaltando a avaliação anatômica, as indicações e os principais achados de imagem.

Abstract A large number of gadolinium chelates have recently been tested in clinical trials. Some of those have already been approved for clinical use in the United States and Europe. Thus, new diagnostic perspectives have been incorporated into magnetic resonance imaging studies. Among such gadolinium chelates are hepatobiliary-specific contrast agents (HSCAs), which, due to their property of being selectively taken up by hepatocytes and excreted by the biliary ducts, have been widely used for the detection and characterization of focal hepatic lesions. In comparison with conventional magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC), HSCA-enhanced MRC provides additional information, with higher spatial resolution and better anatomic evaluation of a non-dilated biliary tree. A thorough anatomic assessment of the biliary tree is crucial in various hepatic surgical procedures, such as complex resection in patients with colorectal cancer and living-donor liver transplantation. However, the use of HSCA-enhanced MRC is still limited, because of a lack of data in the literature and the poor familiarity of radiologists regarding its main indications. This pictorial essay aims to demonstrate the use of HSCA-enhanced MRC, with particular emphasis on anatomical analysis of the biliary tree, clinical applications, and the most important imaging findings.

Resumo Introdução: O câncer chegou à agenda dos gestores de saúde, provocando-os a pensar em novos modelos de organização do sistema. Objetivo: Estudo da rede oncológica do Sistema Único de Saúde no estado de São Paulo por meio da análise da estrutura da rede instalada e habilitada para tratamento e suas características quanto ao perfil e à distribuição dos estabelecimentos, estrutura e serviços disponíveis e produção mínima anual para a manutenção da excelência. Método: Estudo de caso único e integrado, utilizando dados secundários do Datasus, Inca, RHC e CNES e dados primários de documentos oficiais do Comitê de Referência em Oncologia do Estado de São Paulo. Como parâmetros de referência, a Portaria SAS/MS n. 140 de 2014. Resultados: Em abril de 2013 estavam habilitados 72 estabelecimentos para atendimento de oncologia no SUS. Pelo critério populacional, o estado possuía um serviço habilitado para cada 581.961 habitantes, distribuídos de forma desigual pelas 17 RRAS. Com relação à estrutura e aos serviços disponíveis, 80% dos hospitais estavam em conformidade para cirurgias oncológicas, 31% para quimioterapia e 74% para radioterapia. Em relação à produção mínima, 13% dos hospitais estavam conformes em cirurgias oncológicas, 42% em quimioterapia e 14% em radioterapia. Conclusão: A rede instalada apresentava estrutura e tamanho suficiente para atender à demanda de casos novos de câncer, porém havia diferenças regionais e ampla variação de produção entre os serviços, o que provavelmente impactava no acesso dos pacientes, promovia a criação de filas de espera ao mesmo tempo que havia serviços com ociosidade nas instalações.

Summary Introduction: Cancer has now become part of the agenda of health managers, prompting them to consider new models of system organization. Objective: To study the cancer care network of the Brazilian public health system (SUS, in the Portuguese acronym) in the state of São Paulo by analyzing the structure of the installed and enabled network for treatment and its characteristics. Method: A single, integrated case study. We used secondary data from the following sources: Datasus, Inca, RHC and CNES, and primary data from official documents from the Reference Committee on Oncology of the State of Sao Paulo. We used the official guidelines to able services from the National Health Department to make comparison. Results: According to the CNES, in April, 2013 there were 72 cancer care services authorized by SUS in the state of Sao Paulo. Using the population criterion, the state had one service enabled for every 581,961 inhabitants, in an unequal distribution throughout the 17 health care regions. In terms of available structure and services, 80% of the hospitals were compliant for cancer surgery, 31% for chemotherapy and 74% for radiotherapy. In terms of minimum production, only 13% of hospitals were compliant with cancer surgery, 42% with chemotherapy and 14% with radiotherapy. Conclusion: The installed network proved to have sufficient size and structure to meet the demand from new cancer cases. However, there were both regional differences, as well as a wide variation in productivity between services, which probably had an impact on patient access.

ABSTRACT Paracoccidioidomycosis is a granulomatous systemic mycosis that is endemic in Latin America; it is an extremely rare infection following solid organ transplantation. In this study, we describe the first report of disseminated paracoccidioidomycosis in a 3-year-old girl who underwent liver transplantation 2 years previously. The radiologic diagnosis and patient follow-up are described. In addition, we review the clinical evolution and treatment regimens for this infection.