Accurate distinction between non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) and muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) remains the key local staging problem in bladder cancer because treatment intensity, timing of radical therapy, and suitability for bladder-preserving strategies all depend on it. Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) and the Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) now provide a standardized imaging framework for local staging and increasingly support MRI-first clinical pathways. Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as an additional decision-support layer, but the evidence base remains methodologically uneven. In this structured narrative review, we synthesized peer-reviewed literature from January 2020 to March 2026, while retaining foundational VI-RADS studies from 2018 to 2019, and prioritized guideline documents, meta-analyses, prospective cohorts, multicenter and externally validated AI studies, response-assessment studies, and papers addressing implementation and reporting quality. Current evidence shows that radiomics and deep learning models can achieve high discrimination for MIBC detection on MRI, and that the most plausible incremental value of AI lies in equivocal VI-RADS lesions, reader support outside high-volume expert settings, and multimodal risk stratification. However, most studies remain retrospective, highly selected, segmentation-dependent, and vulnerable to reference-standard bias, domain shift, and poor calibration. This review therefore emphasizes several translational issues that are often underreported: lesion-level versus patient-level inference, the distortive effect of TURBT-based labels, the need to evaluate false-negative consequences in VI-RADS 3 tumors, and the distinction between diagnostic support and broader pathway redesign. We also discuss response assessment, nacVI-RADS, segmentation automation, multicenter and federated infrastructure, workflow ownership, and the limits of imaging-only models in a biologically heterogeneous disease. The most credible near-term role of AI is not autonomous diagnosis, but augmentation of standardized mpMRI and VI-RADS within multidisciplinary care. Future progress will depend on prospective utility studies, site-held-out validation, transparent reporting, and the integration of imaging with molecular and cellular heterogeneity through radiogenomic and multi-omics approaches.

Background: Fluorescence-guided surgery based on near-infrared imaging, most often using indocyanine green (ICG), is increasingly used in colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery. This narrative review integrates current evidence across four clinically relevant domains-anastomotic perfusion, lymphatic mapping, tumor localization, and metastasis detection and emphasizes the technical and translational factors that will determine broader implementation. Methods: We performed a structured narrative review of clinical and translational studies identified through PubMed and citation tracking, with emphasis on ICG-based workflows and emerging targeted tracers. Because the literature spans heterogeneous interventions, imaging platforms, and endpoints, no de novo meta-analysis or formal risk-of-bias assessment was undertaken. Results: ICG fluorescence angiography is the most mature application and can refine transection-line selection, although its effect on anastomotic leak appears protocol dependent. In lymphatic mapping, ICG improves visualization of drainage pathways and nodal basins but does not reliably distinguish benign from metastatic nodes. For tumor localization, ICG supports lesion marking and dynamic tissue characterization, while targeted probes and contrast-free adjuncts may improve oncologic specificity. For metastatic disease, ICG is most useful for liver margin guidance and for excluding residual disease, whereas CEA-targeted and multimodal approaches appear particularly promising for peritoneal metastases. Conclusions: The added value of this review lies in linking current clinical maturity to the translational steps still required for routine adoption. In CRC surgery, fluorescence imaging is already useful in selected settings, but broader implementation will depend on standardized protocols, objective real-time quantification, and multicenter validation of targeted tracers against clinically meaningful outcomes.

Background Near-infrared fluorescence–guided surgery (FGS), predominantly using indocyanine green (ICG), is increasingly adopted to support intraoperative decision-making in colorectal cancer (CRC). This narrative review synthesizes current evidence across four major clinical applications—assessment of anastomotic perfusion, lymphatic mapping, tumor localization, and metastasis detection—and outlines translational directions (targeted probes, multimodality, quantitative analytics/AI). Methods: We conducted a narrative, non-systematic review of clinical and translational studies on intraoperative fluorescence imaging in CRC, with a primary focus on ICG-based techniques and emerging targeted agents. Representative studies were selected to illustrate benefits, technical constraints (dose, timing, optics), and methodological limitations; formal risk-of-bias assessment and meta-analysis were not performed given the heterogeneity of designs. Results: (1) Anastomotic perfusion: ICG fluorescence angiography reduces uncertainty regarding transection lines and tissue viability; impact on anastomotic leak appears protocol-dependent and is likely enhanced by standardized acquisition parameters and objective, real-time quantification. (2) Lymphatic mapping: ICG improves visualization of drainage pathways and nodal basins but does not discriminate benign from metastatic involvement; the utility is primarily anatomic/functional. (3) Tumor localization: FGS facilitates identification of lesions and margins in selected scenarios; non-contrast adjuncts (e.g., hyperspectral imaging) may complement perfusion assessment. (4) Metastases: In the liver, FGS is useful as a rule-out tool and for margin guidance; in peritoneal disease, targeted anti-CEA approaches integrated with multimodality workflows (NIR + SPECT/CT + gamma-probe) demonstrate feasibility and clinical promise. Conclusions: ICG-based FGS is sufficiently mature for selective use in CRC—most notably for anastomotic perfusion assessment and resection guidance. Broader adoption will require protocol standardization, robust real-time quantification, and multicenter validation of targeted probes with clinically meaningful endpoints.

(1) Background: The iliopsoas abscess is a rare condition with potentially severe evolution, secondary to hematogenous or lymphatic dissemination (primary) or secondary to trauma, vertebral, renal, or gastrointestinal infections. Due to its deep anatomical location and varied etiology, it represents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge, requiring a multidisciplinary approach (surgery, neurosurgery, orthopedics, urology, imaging, infectious diseases, rheumatology, physical medicine, psychology and psychiatry). The aim is to synthesize the clinical and paraclinical particularities and to update modern diagnostic and treatment methods. (2) Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted using the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, including relevant articles addressing the aspects mentioned above. Available evidence remains heterogeneous and is derived predominantly from retrospective and observational studies, limiting direct comparisons between treatment modalities. (3) Results: Elements of etiological, clinical, and paraclinical diagnosis are presented, together with complex therapeutic options, both medical and surgical. All modern drainage methods are highlighted, including interventional imaging, minimally invasive techniques, endoscopic treatment (laparoscopic and retroperitoneoscopic), direct drainage through the inferior lumbar triangle (Jean-Louis Petit), as well as open surgical treatment. Immediate and long-term postoperative management, physical and functional rehabilitation, and psychological and psychiatric support complete the multidisciplinary approach. (4) Conclusions: Ultimately, increasing awareness of this often-debilitating condition contributes to reducing morbidity and mortality.

Background/Objectives: Colon interposition, or esophagocoloplasty, remains an important reconstructive option when the native esophagus cannot be preserved or when the stomach is unsuitable for reconstruction. Malignant transformation within the interposed colon is rare but clinically relevant, because the transposed colonic mucosa retains the potential to develop adenomatous lesions and adenocarcinoma in the long term. Methods: We reviewed reported cases of malignancies arising in a colonic interposition after esophagocoloplasty. PubMed and Web of Science Core Collection were searched using the query “(Esophag*) AND ((Esophagectomy) OR (Esophagocoloplasty) OR (Interpos*) OR (Transpos*)) AND (Colon) AND (Cancer OR Adenocarcinoma) NOT (“Esophageal cancer” OR “Esophageal adenocarcinoma” OR “Gastric cancer” OR “Gastric Adenocarcinoma”)”. The search was limited to publications from 2005 to 2026. Results: After duplicate removal and eligibility screening, 20 case reports were included. We also present a 67-year-old man who underwent isoperistaltic coloesophagoplasty in 1979 after caustic ingestion during a suicide attempt and developed metastatic colon adenocarcinoma in the interposed graft approximately 44 years later. The disease was initially metastatic to the liver and subsequently progressed locoregionally in the cervical graft segment. Management included FOLFOX plus bevacizumab, de-escalation to FUFOL plus bevacizumab, FOLFIRI plus bevacizumab, cervical intensity-modulated radiotherapy with adaptive replanning, and later regorafenib. Conclusions: This case highlights the diagnostic and therapeutic complexity of adenocarcinoma arising in a cervical colonic graft and supports long-term vigilance, multidisciplinary evaluation, and individualized management in patients with prior esophagocoloplasty.