Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging (IVIM-DWI) and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) parameters in soft tissue tumors (STTs). Methods: This retrospective study included patients with histopathologically confirmed STTs who underwent both DCE-MRI and IVIM-DWI between March 2022 and February 2024. Patients with prior therapy and lipomatous tumors were excluded. DCE-MRI parameters (K_trans, K_ep, V_e, iAUC) were obtained from pharmacokinetic maps using manually placed regions of interest (ROIs) in the most perfused tumor areas, avoiding necrotic and cystic regions. Corresponding ROIs were applied to IVIM-DWI maps. IVIM parameters (D, D*, f) were calculated using 11 b-values. Results: Twenty-nine patients (mean age, 56 ± 18 years; 14 malignant, 15 benign) were included. Interobserver agreement was excellent for DCE-MRI parameters, whereas IVIM-DWI parameters showed moderate-to-good agreement, with D showing the lowest reproducibility. In malignant tumors, f demonstrated strong positive correlations with K_trans (r = 0.81, p < 0.001) and iAUC (r = 0.79, p < 0.001), both of which remained significant after correction for multiple comparisons. fD* was higher in malignant than in benign lesions in the unadjusted group comparison; however, diagnostic performance was not evaluated in the present study. No significant differences were observed for DCE-MRI parameters between benign and malignant tumors. Conclusions: IVIM-DWI parameters demonstrated associations with DCE-MRI metrics in malignant STTs and may provide complementary information regarding tumor perfusion. However, the findings should be interpreted cautiously because ROI analysis was limited to a single representative slice. Further validation using larger cohorts and volumetric tumor assessment is required.

Background: Multimodal breast ultrasound, including B-mode imaging, color Doppler flow imaging, and elastography, provides complementary information for lesion characterization. However, effectively integrating heterogeneous modalities remains challenging due to inconsistent feature distributions, limited cross-modal interaction, computational cost in existing methods, and sensitivity to noise and missing data. Methods: We presented an efficient Cross-Modal Interaction and Dynamic Fusion Network (CIDFNet) for multimodal breast ultrasound analysis. The framework integrates a multi-scale feature enhancement module to improve modality-specific representations, a cross-modal interaction module to enable early-stage feature exchange across modalities, and a dynamic fusion strategy to adaptively combine modality information based on feature reliability estimation. In addition, an invertible neural network is incorporated to reconstruct missing modality features during training. Results: Experiments on an internal dataset of 248 patients with 1532 images show that CIDFNet obtains an AUC of 85.69%, accuracy of 75.51%, recall of 50.00%, F1-score of 62.50%, and precision of 83.33%, while requiring 49.51 M parameters and 79.79 G FLOPs, respectively. Under a simplified Gaussian noise perturbation setting, performance degradation is observed. Conclusions: CIDFNet presents a framework for multimodal breast ultrasound analysis that reflects a trade-off between performance and computational efficiency.

Purpose: To investigate the agreement on perfusion parameters derived from two different commercially available solutions for dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) in patients with prostate cancer (PCa). Methods: A total of 50 patients (mean age, 71.6; range 56-86) who had undergone radical prostatectomy between December 2021 and September 2022 were included in this retrospective study. All patients had undergone DCE-MRI on a single 3T-MR scanner. Tumor segmentation on MR images was performed by two radiologists in consensus after radiologic-pathologic correlation using topographic maps as a reference standard. Subsequently, four perfusion parameters were calculated by dedicated commercially available solutions from two different vendors. Both solutions adopted a population-based arterial input function and an extended Tofts model as the pharmacokinetic model. The perfusion parameters were as follows; volume transfer constant (K^trans), rate constant (k_ep), volume fraction of extravascular extracellular space (v_e), and volume fraction of plasma (v_p). The differences between paired measurements were compared by Bland-Altman analyses and the reproducibility was evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: The study population consisted of Gleason score (GS) 6 (n = 12), GS 7 (n = 34), GS 8 (n = 1), and GS 9 (n = 3). Significant differences were found for all parameters (p < 0.0001). Mean differences were as follows: K^trans, -0.2102 (95% confidence interval; -0.2687 to -0.1518); k_ep, -0.7632 (-0.9005 to -0.6258); v_e, -0.1507 (-0.2422 to -0.05907); v_p, -0.02929 (-0.03383 to -0.02476). ICCs for average measures were as follows: K^trans, 0.2989 (-0.2355 to 0.6021); k_ep, 0.6883 (0.4507 to 0.8231); v_e, -0.1331 (-0.9967 to 0.3570); v_p, 0.2653 (-0.3106 to 0.5881). Conclusion: All perfusion parameters were significantly different between the two solutions. Therefore, comparison of perfusion parameters across different solutions is not recommended.

The case report describes the option of percutaneous CT-guided ablation of osteoid osteoma with a double nidus to combine minimally invasive approach and CT(O-arm)-guided technique. Following X-ray, CT and MRI examinations, osteoid osteoma was diagnosed in the body of the second sacral vertebra (S2) in a 31-year-old female patient. CT reconstructions detected a double nidus with a defective, sclerotic rim. MRI demonstrated reaction in the surrounding tissue and edema in the nerve root. In consideration of the anatomic location of the osteoid osteoma and vicinity of the irritated S2 root percutaneous CT-guided intralesional resection of a double nidus was performed. There was immediate pain relief after the surgery, and the patient was discharged on the second postoperative day. The follow-up histological examination confirmed the diagnosis. During a five-year follow-up, the patient remained symptom-free and without recurrence of the disease. CT-guided minimally invasive resection of osteoid osteoma is an option in cases of benign tumor-like lesions located in the spine, as well as in cases of a double nidus. In comparison to radiofrequency ablation, percutaneous curettage enables obtaining valid histological specimens and does not bear the risk of thermal damage to neural tissue.

Treatment of classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) can be eventually complicated by avascular necrosis of the femoral head (AVN FH). Stages 1 and 2 of AVN FH can be treated conservatively, but stages 3 and 4 are indicated for surgery. In adults, total hip replacement (THR) is the preferred method. The goal of our study was to analyze the risk factors for AVN FH and functional results after THR.

This is a single-center retrospective observational longitudinal study. Patients with AVN FH after previous cHL treatment were included. Basic epidemiological data, time to AVN FH and THR, and complications of hemato-oncological treatment and THRs were recorded. Risk ratios, derived from 2×2 tables and from univariate Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier graphs, were analyzed. Categorical data were evaluated using the Fisher exact test and quantitative data using the Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon test. Outcomes were measured using the modified Harris Hip Score (MHHS).

The mean incidence of AVN HF was 1.7 per year (95% CI 1.1-2.2). Patients with THRs tended to be older (p = 0.0424), the highest risk was ≥ 50 years. Mixed cellularity (MC) cHL had a higher risk of THR (log-rank test p = 0.0249) compared to nodular sclerosis (NS) cHL. Clinical stage IIB with massive mediastinal tumor was associated with the lowest risk of THR, p = 0.0348. The mean modified Harris Hip Score (MHHS) was higher in NS compared to MC subtype (85.1 (82.7-87.6) vs. only 75.4 (66.6-84.2), p = 0.0311). Periarticular calcification grade 1 was diagnosed in 84.6% of patients (95% CI 54.6-98.1). Revision surgery with cup and stem replantation was performed in one patient. No infections or cases of deep venous thrombosis were recorded.

THR is a causal treatment of symptomatic AVN FH following cHL treatment. Age ≥ 50 years, MC subtype cHL, and AVN FH stages 3 and 4 were associated with a higher risk of THR. The mean MHHS was fully comparable with THRs for other indications. Higher calcification rates had no impact on the clinical outcome.

Background: Upper-limb lymphedema after breast cancer treatment is associated with pain, functional limitations, and impaired quality of life. Although complex decongestive therapy (CDT) is standard conservative care, prospective evidence regarding factors associated with clinically meaningful response remains limited. We evaluated the short-term outcomes following Phase-I CDT and identified factors associated with clinically meaningful pain reduction. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in 94 women with breast cancer-related lymphedema undergoing a standardized 14-day Phase-I CDT program. Outcomes included limb circumference, pain intensity measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and quality of life assessed with LYMQOL-Arm. Clinically meaningful improvement was defined a priori as a reduction of at least 2 points on the VAS (ΔVAS ≥ 2). Analyses included paired t-tests, Cohen's d, multivariable logistic regression, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Results: Significant reductions in limb circumference were observed across all measurement levels (3.08-5.83%; all p < 0.001). Pain intensity decreased from 5.53 ± 2.15 to 2.82 ± 1.41, with a mean reduction of 2.71 points (95% CI 2.32-3.11; p < 0.001) and a very large effect size (Cohen's d = 1.40). All LYMQOL domains improved significantly. Higher baseline pain intensity was associated with a greater likelihood of achieving the predefined criterion for clinically meaningful improvement (OR 3.03; 95% CI 1.91-4.80), while older age was associated with reduced odds of response (OR 0.90; 95% CI 0.85-0.96). Baseline pain intensity demonstrated good discriminative performance (AUC 0.85). Circumference changes were not correlated with subjective improvement. Conclusions: Following the 14-day Phase-I CDT program, statistically significant reductions in total limb circumference, clinically meaningful pain reduction, and significant improvements in quality of life were observed. Exploratory analyses demonstrated an association between baseline pain intensity and the predefined responder outcome; however, this association is structurally influenced by the mathematical relationship between baseline VAS and the responder definition, baseline-dependent opportunity for improvement, and regression to the mean. Therefore, it should not be interpreted as evidence of an independent predictive effect and requires external validation before being considered for patient stratification or clinical decision-making. Because of the observational pre-post design without a control group, the observed changes cannot be attributed specifically to Phase-I CDT.

Objectives: Assessment of the impact on survival of endometrial carcinoma according to the 2009 FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) classification and the new FIGO 2023 classification highlighting the worse prognosis of the aggressive subtypes. Methods: This multicenter retrospective study included 1181 patients with endometrial cancer. Comprehensive clinical, pathological and treatment-related variables were collected. Primary outcomes included overall survival assessed through five-year follow-ups. Statistical analysis included comparative tests, Kaplan-Meier survival estimation, Cox proportional hazards models and ROC curves analysis to review prognostic accuracy. Results: Aggressive endometrial carcinoma (n = 353) showed significant worse overall survival compared with non-aggressive cases (35.7 versus 60 months). A novel classification based on FIGO 2023 was developed, integrating histological aggressiveness into a different stage and combining early non-aggressive stages in only one stage. While FIGO 2009 and 2023 classifications showed prognostic value, the new model improved risk stratification, clearly distinguishing high-risk groups. Multivariate analysis identified aggressive subtype, stage, age, diabetes, myometrial invasion and lymphovascular invasion as independent predictors. Conclusions: Aggressive histological subtype in endometrial cancer should carry greater prognostic weight in terms of survival and clinical management. Our findings support a potential shift in the current paradigm for these relatively rare but high-risk cases.

Inpatient falls are among the most common adverse events in acute-care hospitals and may result in functional decline, prolonged hospitalization, and increased healthcare costs. However, the characteristics of fall-related fractures and recurrent falls in university hospitals have not been fully investigated.

We retrospectively reviewed all inpatient fall events reported to the Department of Patient Safety at Niigata University Medical and Dental Hospital between January 2021 and December 2025. Patients younger than 20 years were excluded. Data regarding patient characteristics, mobility status, fracture occurrence, recurrent falls, medication use, and clinical departments were collected from medical records. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with fall-related fractures and recurrent falls.

A total of 2571 fall events were identified, yielding an incidence of 2.306 falls per 1000 inpatient-days. Malignant neoplasms were the most common primary diagnosis (36.9%). The incidence of falls was highest in the Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery. Fall-related fractures occurred in 54 cases (2.1%), most commonly involving the lower extremities, including 17 proximal femoral fractures. Multivariable analysis identified mobility status as the only independent factor associated with fractures (odds ratio [OR], 1.821; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.263-2.627; p = 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated a mobility cutoff value of 2.5, indicating an increased fracture risk among patients who were ambulatory with assistive devices or had higher mobility levels. Recurrent falls were observed in 439 patients (24.2%). Reduced mobility (OR, 0.837; 95% CI, 0.713-0.981; p = 0.028), polypharmacy (≥5 medications) (OR, 1.634; 95% CI, 1.254-2.016; p < 0.001), and use of central nervous system depressants (OR, 1.363; 95% CI, 1.124-1.653; p = 0.002) were independently associated with recurrent falls.

Patients with fall-related fractures tended to have relatively high mobility, whereas recurrent falls were associated with reduced mobility, polypharmacy, and central nervous system depressant use. Different characteristics of falls were observed across clinical departments. These findings may help identify patients at high risk for adverse fall-related outcomes and support the development of targeted fall-prevention strategies in university hospitals.

Background: Total neoadjuvant therapy is becoming a preferred option for locally advanced rectal cancer, particularly in patients with high-risk baseline features. However, real-world evidence comparing tumor response, MRI-defined high-risk feature clearance, surgical outcomes, and survival after total neoadjuvant therapy versus conventional long-course chemoradiotherapy remains limited. This study aimed to compare outcomes between total neoadjuvant therapy and long-course chemoradiotherapy in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer treated in routine clinical practice. Methods: This is a retrospective, single-centre cohort study focused on patients with stage II-III locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma treated with curative-intent neoadjuvant therapy using either total neoadjuvant therapy or long-course chemoradiotherapy. Tumor response was assessed using restaging MRI, clinical complete response, and pathological complete response. Surgical outcomes and overall survival were evaluated. Results: A total of 110 patients were included. Patients treated with total neoadjuvant therapy had a higher baseline disease burden reflected by a greater proportion of cT4 tumors (40.6% vs. 19.2%; p = 0.014). Radiologic tumor-length response and clearance of MRI-defined high-risk features were comparable between treatment strategies. Clinical and pathological complete response rates were numerically higher in the total neoadjuvant therapy group, but the differences were not significant (cCR: 15.6% vs. 6.4%, p = 0.151; pCR: 18.5% vs. 9.7%, p = 0.301). Conclusions: In this real-world cohort, TNT was preferentially used in patients with more advanced baseline disease and showed numerically higher complete response rates, although differences were not statistically significant. Radiologic response, surgical outcomes, and short-term survival were comparable between treatment strategies. These findings support the feasibility of TNT in routine clinical practice but should be interpreted as exploratory and hypothesis-generating rather than evidence of treatment superiority.

Background: Conventional axillary ultrasound (US) is least reliable in lymph nodes with diffusely thickened cortex. We evaluated whether contrast-enhanced ultrasound with ultra-resolution microvascular imaging (CEUS-URM) improves discrimination of metastatic nodes in this subgroup. Materials and methods: This was a prospective single-center study of patients with histologically confirmed breast cancer; one index (most suspicious) node per patient (unit of analysis = index node). Two separately recruited consecutive cohorts were analyzed: a US-only cohort (n = 181; diffuse-thickening subgroup with histology, n = 52) and a subsequent CEUS-URM cohort (n = 42; 15 metastatic). Surgical histopathology (SLNB/ALND) was the reference standard. A CEUS-URM score was built from data-driven, Youden-optimized cut-offs (URM vessel count ≥8; DV mean density ≥ 13.05) and internally validated by bootstrap with optimism correction. As the cohorts were separate, the US-versus-CEUS comparison is cross-cohort and exploratory. Results: Within the diagnostically challenging subgroup of lymph nodes with diffusely thickened cortex, conventional axillary US alone demonstrated limited discriminatory performance for metastatic involvement (AUC 0.43). CEUS-derived quantitative parameters significantly improved diagnostic accuracy, with the best individual parameter achieving an AUC of 0.68. A simple CEUS score combining hypervascular vessel count and vascular density provided the highest diagnostic performance (AUC 0.81, 95% CI 0.68-0.92). At a low threshold, the CEUS score showed high sensitivity (93%), suitable for screening and exclusion of nodal metastases, while at a higher threshold it achieved high specificity (96%), allowing reliable confirmation of metastatic disease. Conclusions: In this exploratory study, a simple CEUS-URM score improved discrimination of diffusely thickened axillary nodes and may serve as an adjunct to conventional US. The findings are preliminary-derived and tested in the same small cohort-and require external, within-patient paired validation.