• Low-keV VMI+ are characterized by higher contrast resulting from maximum iodine attenuation. • VMI+ provides superior image quality compared with VMI or M_0.6. • 50-keV_VMI+ provides higher accuracy for the detection of hypervascular liver lesions < 1cm.

BackgroundThe aim of this prospective study is to investigate the diagnostic performance of integrated positron emission tomography (PET) /dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) imaging in determining the thoracic nodal status of patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) or non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the resulting impact on target volume delineation for radiation therapy planning.MethodsThis is a single-center prospective study including approximately 50 patients with suspected or confirmed SCLC or NSCLC, referred for a PET study. All patients will be examined on a clinical PET/DECT system, where a dual-energy detector was recently installed. The patient will be placed in the system 70 min after the administration of 5 MBq/kg of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG). Then, DECT will be acquired after the injection of 100 mL of iodine contrast medium. A PET scan will be acquired from the top of the skull through the inguinal region. Data analysis will be performed on the PET, CT, and iodine map datasets. Information regarding tumor detection, adenopathies, and radiation therapy planning will be assessed based on all three sets of images by two experienced radiologists.ConclusionThe results will add insights into the advantages of using PET/DECT for lung cancer staging and for image-guided radiation therapy.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03146117. Registered on 9 May 2017.

Background: The radial artery is commonly accessed for arterial blood sampling, invasive blood pressure monitoring, and vascular access for cardiac catheterization. Iatrogenic radial artery injury is a rare complication with potentially devastating outcomes. The purpose of our study was to identify the timing of these injuries and define a treatment algorithm. Methods: A retrospective chart review of all patients with iatrogenic radial artery injuries were identified between the years 2008 and 2018. Patient demographics, mechanism of injury, interventions, and outcomes were recorded. Results: A total of 18 patients were identified with iatrogenic radial artery injury over a 10-year period. Fifty percent of these resulted from arterial line cannulation, and 50% occurred after transradial cardiac catheterization. Thirty-three percent resulted in radial artery pseudoaneurysm (RAP), and 66% had acute radial artery thrombosis (RAT). Eleven of the 18 patients underwent operative intervention. Of the 12 patients with RAT, 4 were treated with systemic anticoagulation for 3 months. All patients with RAP who were surgically treated had resolution of symptoms on follow-up evaluation. Of the patients with RAT, 2 had persistent sensorimotor deficits after treatment, and 1 patient had multiple necrotic fingers requiring amputation. Conclusion: Radial artery injuries are an uncommon but potentially devastating complication of common invasive procedures resulting in thrombosis, pseudoaneurysm, or overt hand ischemia. The treatment options vary depending on presenting symptoms.

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Oral contrast density is strongly influenced by kVp, supporting use of more dilute oral contrast when using lower-kVp techniques.