The aim of the present study is to report about the value of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in differentiating brain metastases, primary high-grade gliomas (HGG) and low-grade gliomas (LGG). MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and MRS were performed in 60 patients with histologically verified brain tumors: 32 patients with HGG (28 glioblastomas multiforme [GBM] and 4 anaplastic astrocytomas), 14 patients with LGG (9 astrocytomas and 5 oligodendrogliomas) and 14 patients with metastatic brain tumors. The Cho/Cr (choline-containing compounds/creatine–phosphocreatine complex), Cho/NAA (N-acetyl aspartate) and NAA/Cr ratios were assessed from spectral maps in the tumoral core and peritumoral edema. The differences in the metabolite ratios between LGG, HGG and metastases were analyzed statistically. Lipids/lactate contents were also analyzed. Significant differences were noted in the tumoral and peritumoral Cho/Cr, Cho/NAA and NAA/Cr ratios between LGG, HGG and metastases. Lipids and lactate content revealed to be useful for discriminating gliomas and metastases. The results of this study demonstrate that MRS can differentiate LGG, HGG and metastases, therefore diagnosis could be allowed even in those patients who cannot undergo biopsy.
Purpose: To analyze diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and the related apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in women with breast cancer, correlating these values with the presence at 3 years of distant metastases, and to demonstrate that DWI-Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and related ADC values may represent a prognostic value in the study of women with breast cancer. Materials and methods: Sixty women (aged 45–73 years) affected with breast cancer with a follow-up in 3 years were enrolled. On DWI, we obtained the ADC values, and these were correlated with the clinical condition of patients at 3 years. Moreover, tumour size, lymph node status, and molecular markers, including estrogens receptor, progesterone receptor, Ki-67 index, and human growth factor receptor 2 protein, were correlated with ADC values. This study was approved by the Scientific Committee of our institution. Results: We considered patients with metastasis at 3 years (12 patients – 20%) and without metastasis (48 patients – 80%). The mean ADC value in patients with no metastases at 3 years was 1.06 ± 0.38, while for patients with metastases it was 0.74 ± 0.34 (p = .011). The receiver–operator curve analysis identified a value of 0.75 (<0.75 with risk to develop metastasis) as the best predictive cutoff for ADC values, with the highest sensitivity (81.25%) and higher specificity (66.67%). After regression analysis, ADC value, positivity to estrogen–progestin receptors, and presence of lymph nodes were the only prognostic factors found to be statistically significant. Conclusions: DWI-MRI and related ADC values may represent a prognostic value in women with breast cancer.
To correlate the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of prostate cancer patients with pathological Gleason scores (GS). 40 patients with GS 2 + 3, 3 + 3, 3 + 4, or 4 + 4 were selected. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study was performed adding axial diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) sequences to the standard MRI protocol. ADC values obtained were correlated with the GS data. Statistically significant differences of ADC (p < .05) were found among GS groups with a trend of decreasing ADC values with increasing GS. The ADC values may help clinicians to delineate prostate carcinoma, recognizing its high- or low-grade compartments.
29 July 2019 in Journal of Gastrointestinal Cancer
Background: Femoral pseudoaneurysms are clinically heterogeneous, with substantial variability in anatomical features and patient-related bleeding risk. Standard treatment algorithms may be inadequate, particularly in patients receiving anticoagulation or presenting with altered coagulation profiles. A personalized, risk-adapted interventional strategy may optimize outcomes while preserving procedural safety. This study compares ultrasound-guided compression with endovascular and percutaneous therapies and evaluates the safety of minimally invasive approaches across different risk profiles to support individualized management. Methods: This single-center retrospective cohort study included 65 consecutive patients treated for femoral pseudoaneurysms between January 2019 and May 2025. Treatment modalities comprised ultrasound-guided compression, endovascular embolization (coils, covered stents, NBCA–Lipiodol), percutaneous glue injection, and hybrid approaches. Primary endpoints were technical and clinical success. Safety was assessed using pre- and post-procedural INR, platelet count, and hemoglobin levels. High-risk status was defined as ongoing anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapy, INR > 1.5, or platelet count <50 × 109/L. Results: Endovascular and percutaneous approaches achieved significantly higher technical (100% vs. 68.5%, p = 0.006) and clinical success rates (100% vs. 77.8%, p = 0.009) compared with ultrasound-guided compression. In minimally invasive cohorts, INR and platelet counts remained stable after treatment, while hemoglobin showed an expected post-procedural decrease (p < 0.001). High-risk patients demonstrated technical success rates comparable to standard-risk patients, with no significant differences in laboratory trends. Favorable outcomes were observed across different embolic materials. Conclusions: Endovascular and percutaneous therapies provide superior effectiveness compared with ultrasound-guided compression while maintaining a reassuring safety profile, even in patients at increased bleeding risk. These findings support a personalized, patient-tailored interventional approach based on individual anatomical and clinical characteristics.