Journal Highlights

The following are highlights from current issues of RSNA’s two peer-reviewed journals.

Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors: Role of Imaging in Diagnosis and Management

Advances in imaging techniques and the extensive use of endoscopic approaches in clinical practice have led to increased detection of gastroenteropancreatric neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs), a heterogeneous and complex group of neoplasms with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations.

In a State-of-the-Art article in the January issue of Radiology (RSNA.org/Radiology), Dushyant V. Sahani, M.D., of Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, and colleagues discuss recent improvements in morphologic and functional imaging that have contributed to patient care in terms of detecting and characterizing the primary lesions and in staging and follow-up.

All neuroendocrine tumors have a malignant potential, but tumor grade and cell differentiation information at histopathologic examination is essential to accurately stratify the patient’s risk for metastases and recurrence, the authors write.

“Morphologic imaging using contrast-enhanced MDCT and MR imaging are most widely used in initial evaluation, in monitoring response to treatment and in screening high-risk individuals, while functional imaging techniques are useful both for detecting tumors and selecting patients for receptor-targeted therapy,” according to the authors.

Spectrum of Critical Imaging Findings in Complex Facial Skeletal Trauma

Multidetector CT (MDCT)—which helps accurately identify and characterize fractures and associated complications—is the modality of choice for evaluating facial trauma. In particular, MDCT clearly depicts clinically relevant fractures in the eight osseous struts or buttresses that function as an underlying scaffold for facial structures.

In an article in the January-February issue of RadioGraphics (RSNA.org/RadioGraphics), Blair A. Winegar, M.D., of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, and colleagues provide an overview of the facial skeletal anatomy and describe the system of facial buttresses— helpful in determining the type of fracture and identifying associated soft-tissue injuries that may require urgent care or surgery. The authors also:

• Describe the spectrum of fractures that may be seen in facial skeletal trauma, emphasizing the buttress most likely to be affected by each fracture pattern.
• Discuss critical features that may be seen at imaging that are likely to have a bearing on the clinical management, surgical repair and outcome of facial trauma.
• Review surgical management of fractures and their associated complications according to the specific facial buttress involved.

“Accurate classification of facial fractures and identification of related complications by the radiologist permit prompt surgical management and an improved clinical outcome of these common traumatic injuries,” the authors write. “The facial buttress concept elucidates the structurally meaningful skeletal struts that play a role in facial form and function and helps identify the regions that are likely to require surgical reconstruction.”

 

Coronary Artery Disease Focus of Radiology Select, Volume 3

The newest volume of Radiology Select, Volume 3: Coronary Artery Disease, is now available to RSNA members and non-members for purchase.

The third in the continuing series of selected Radiology articles focusing on a specific subspecialty topic, Radiology Select, Volume 3, contains 30 Radiology articles on topics including basic image formation and artifacts on cardiac MR, radiation reduction methods, advanced cardiac CT and MR imaging techniques, cardiac viability imaging, multimodality imaging and evidence-based clinical applications of diagnostic and prognostic techniques. Volume 1 focused on pulmonary nodules; Volume 2 covered stroke.

The edition is available in print, online and tablet formats. To purchase and for information on Radiology Select, visit RSNA.org/RadiologySelect.