RSNA | Journals

Press releases have been sent to the medical news media for the following articles appearing in the current issue of Radiology (RSNA.org/radiology):

Diffusion-weighted Imaging in Cervical Cancer with an Endovaginal Technique: Potential Value for Improving Tumor Detection in Stage Ia and Ib1 Disease

Researchers using an endovaginal diffusion-weighted MR imaging technique have found that apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) can indicate malignancy and that adding ADC maps to T2-weighted images improves intraobserver agreement.

Obtaining diffusion-weighted images in 59 women with suspected or confirmed invasive cervical carcinoma, Elizabeth M. Charles-Edwards, F.R.C.R., of the Institute of Cancer Research in Surrey, England, and colleagues tested an MR technique that exploits the increased signal-to-noise ratio available with an endocavitary coil. ADC values were significantly lower in malignant lesions than in non-malignant cervical epithelium or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. When ADC maps were added, sensitivity and specificity improved, as did agreement between the two study observers.

On T2-weighted imaging alone, sensitivity and specificity were, respectively, 55.6 percent and 75 percent for the first observer and 66.7 percent and 41.7 percent for the second observer. Adding diffusion-weighted imaging to T2-weighted imaging yielded sensitivity and specificity of 88.9 percent and 66.7 percent for the first observer and 77.8 percent and 58.3 percent for the second observer.

Combining high spatial resolution images obtained with an endovaginal coil and diffusion-weighted MR imaging is useful "particularly when considering fertility-sparing procedures in patients with Stage Ia and Ib invasive cervical carcinoma," Dr. Charles-Edwards and colleagues write. 

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Suspicious Breast Lesions: Assessment of 3D Doppler US Indexes for Classification in a Test Population and a Fourfold Cross Validation Scheme

Vascularity measurements on quantitative ultrasound yield more complete characterization of malignant breast tissue than subjective grayscale evaluation alone, researchers have found.

Gerald L. LeCarpentier, Ph.D., of the University of Michigan Medical Center, and colleagues assessed 3D Doppler vascularity measurements in conjunction with grayscale criteria for differentiating benign from malignant breast masses in 78 women. Thirty-eight of the study scans had been partially analyzed and published previously, and 40 additional scans provided a test group to evaluate previously determined classification indices. The researchers applied a 3-variable index incorporating speed-weighted pixel density, patient age and grayscale ratings, called SWD-Age-GS, to the test group.

In analysis of all cases, the area under the receiver operating curves confirmed the results of previous analyses, the researchers found. "Speed-weighted pixel density performed the best as a diagnostic index, although statistical significance was demonstrated only with respect to the normalized power-weighted pixel density," they wrote.

Dr. LeCarpentier and colleagues noted that in both the learning and test populations SWD-Age-GS performed significantly better than any single index or in the 2-variable index (Age-GS) that could be performed without the Doppler scan. An additional fourfold cross-validation scheme confirmed overall performance in the entire study population. The researchers found that SWD-Age-GS "performed well regardless of incidental performance variations in its single variable components."

Adding 3D Doppler-based multi-variable indices to ultrasound evaluation of breast lesions enhances diagnostic performance and may eventually eliminate the need for some biopsies, the researchers concluded.

To access this Radiology article now, click here.

Media Coverage of Radiology

In September, media outlets carried 228 news stories generated by articles appearing in Radiology. These stories reached an estimated 87 million people.

A news release promoted findings from a study on the use of ultrasound to predict cardiac event risk (Radiology 2008;248:1050-1055).

Broadcast coverage included WTVF-TV (Nashville), WXIA-TV (Atlanta), WJZ-TV (Baltimore), KYW-TV, (Philadelphia), WBTV-TV (Charlotte, N.C.), KOVR-TV (West Sacramento, Calif.), KSLA-TV (Shreveport, La.), WESH-TV (Winter Park, Fla.), WPEC-TV (West Palm Beach, Fla.), WKBN-TV (Youngstown, Ohio), KOB-TV (Albuquerque, N.M.), WAKA-TV (Montgomery, Ala.), KJRH-TV (Tulsa, Okla.), KNTV-TV (San Jose, Calif.), WALB-TV (Albany, N.Y.), KGPE-TV (Fresno, Calif.) and WBBM-AM (Chicago).

Print and wire coverage included Winston-Salem Journal, Idaho Statesman, Staten Island Advance, Tuscaloosa News, The Truth (Elkhart, Ind.), Sulphur Springs News-Telegram (Texas) and The Californian.

Web placements included Yahoo! News, USNews.com, Forbes.com, docguide.com, healthcentral.com, 4women.gov and goodhealth.com.

November Public Information Activities Focus on Lung Cancer

In recognition of National Lung Cancer Awareness Month in November, RSNA will distribute public service announcements (PSAs) focusing on symptoms of lung cancer, risk factors and possible treatment options.

In addition to the PSAs, RSNA will also distribute the "60-Second Checkup" audio program to radio stations. The radio segments will focus on lung cancer screening, treatment of medically inoperable lung cancer and the patient-directed radiology information available on RadiologyInfo.org.