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Ruth C Carlos

Publications and source records attributed to Ruth C Carlos.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2026

Effect of demographic characteristics on the outcome of prostate cancer salvage radiotherapy: Analysis from a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the impact of advanced molecular imaging, race, socioeconomic status, and metabolic dysregulation on the outcome of salvage radiotherapy (sRT) for prostate cancer recurrence in a clinical trial setting. METHODS: The authors randomized post-prostatectomy men with detectable prostate-specific antigen to sRT guided by conventional imaging (arm A) or 18F-fluciclovine-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (arm B) and followed them up for up to 48 months to determine failure-free survival (FFS). The authors computed socioeconomic status (SES) and allostatic load (AL) scores to quantify socioeconomic status and level of metabolic dysregulation. They stratified patients by race as African American men (AAM) versus men of other races (MOR) and compared FFS between them using the z-test. RESULTS: Eighty-one (AAM = 29, MOR = 52) and 76 (AAM = 26, MOR = 50) men completed per-protocol sRT in arms A and B, respectively. Across study arms, AAM showed a higher FFS rate than MOR (72.8% [95% CI, 53.8%-85.0%] vs. 58.7% [95% CI, 46.6%-68.9%]; p = .002). In arm A, FFS rate was better for AAM than MOR, (64.0% [95% CI, 34.4%-82.9%] vs. 45.3% [95% CI, 28.8%-60.4%]; p = .008). In arm B, FFS improved for both groups but less so for AAM, (81.5% [95% CI, 57.2%-92.7%] vs. 73.0% [95% CI, 56.3%-84.1%]; p = .131). The authors found lower SES scores and higher AL scores for AAM in both study arms than MOR. CONCLUSION: Despite lower socioeconomic status and higher burden of metabolic dysregulation, in a clinical trial setting that controls for disparities in health care access, AAM have a more favorable sRT outcome than MOR.

Humans↗
PubMed2007

Preoperative MR angiography in free fibula flap transfer for head and neck cancer: clinical application and influence on surgical decision making.

OBJECTIVE: We review the fibular free flap surgical procedure to illustrate the usefulness of preoperative lower limb MR angiography and to show how calf vascular anatomy on MR angiography affects patient surgical management. CONCLUSION: With its high positive predictive value and sensitivity, preoperative MR angiography can improve the chances of a successful outcome at the recipient mandibular site. It provides the reconstructive surgeon with a road map, revealing vascular anomalies or disease that could alter or contraindicate surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Differentiation of recurrent brain tumor versus radiation injury using diffusion tensor imaging in patients with new contrast-enhancing lesions.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the use of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in the evaluation of new contrast-enhancing lesions and perilesional edema in patients previously treated for brain neoplasm in the differentiation of recurrent neoplasm from treatment-related injury. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with new contrast-enhancing lesions and perilesional edema at the site of previously treated brain neoplasms were retrospectively reviewed. Nine directional echoplanar DTIs with b=1000 s/mm(2) were obtained using a single-shot spin-echo echoplanar imaging. Standardized regions of interest were manually drawn in several regions. Mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), fractional anisotropy (FA) and eigenvalue indices (lambda( parallel) and lambda( perpendicular)) and their ratios relative to the contralateral side were compared in patients with recurrent neoplasm versus patients with radiation injury, as established by histological examination or by clinical course, including long-term imaging studies and magnetic resonance spectroscopy. RESULTS: The ADC values in the contrast-enhancing lesions were significantly higher (P=.01) for the recurrence group (range=1.01 x 10(-3) to 1.66 x 10(-3) mm(2)/s; mean+/-S.D.=1.27+/-0.15) than for the nonrecurrence group (range=0.9 x 10(-3) to 1.31 x 10(-3) mm(2)/s; mean+/-S.D.=1.12+/-0.14). The ADC ratios in the white matter tracts in perilesional edema trended higher (P=.09) in treatment-related injury than in recurrent neoplasm (mean+/-S.D.=1.85+/-0.30 vs. 1.60+/-0.27, respectively). FA ratios were significantly higher in normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) tracts adjacent to the edema in the nonrecurrence group (mean+/-S.D.=0.89+/-0.15) than in those in the recurrence group (mean+/-S.D.=0.74+/-0.14; P=.03). Both eigenvalue indices lambda( parallel) and lambda( perpendicular) were significantly higher in contrast-enhancing lesions in the recurrence group than in those in the nonrecurrence group (P=.02). As well, both eigenvalue indices lambda( parallel) and lambda( perpendicular) were significantly higher in perilesional edema than in normal white matter (P<.01 and P<.001, respectively) in both groups. CONCLUSION: The assessment of diffusion properties, especially ADC values and ADC ratios, in contrast-enhancing lesions, perilesional edema and NAWM adjacent to the edema in the follow-up of new contrast-enhancing lesions at the site of previously treated brain neoplasms may add to the information obtained by other imaging techniques in the differentiation of radiation injury from tumor recurrence.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Multidetector row CT pulmonary angiography and indirect venography for the diagnosis of venous thromboembolic disease in intensive care unit patients.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To determine the diagnostic quality, performance characteristics and interreader reliability of computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) and venography (CTV) in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with suspected venous thromboembolism (VTE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 100 consecutive ICU patient CT examinations performed for clinically suspected VTE on a four-row CT scanner were reviewed. Three readers rated the diagnostic quality of each CTPA and CTV examination as excellent, acceptable, or nondiagnostic. Readers scored the overall determination for pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep venous thrombosis (DVT) using a 5-point scale, and scored the determination for PE by anatomic level. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed for each reader and the original clinical report, using consensus interpretation as the reference standard. Interobserver variability for PE and DVT was determined using kappa analysis, and was stratified by examination quality. RESULTS: A total of 25% of CTPA examinations were nondiagnostic, most commonly because of motion artifact and poor contrast opacification. A total of 24% of CTV examinations were nondiagnostic, most commonly because of poor contrast opacification and metallic hardware. Using receiver operating characteristic analysis, the areas under the curve (Az) for PE diagnosis were 0.875, 0.923, 0.888, and 0.674 for the three readers and clinical reading, respectively, and for DVT diagnosis were 0.842, 0.859, 0.952 and 0.669. Interobserver agreement for detection of PE was moderate at the supralobar level (kappa = 0.55), very good at the lobar level (kappa = 0.69), and moderate for segmental (kappa = 0.54) and subsegmental arteries (kappa = 0.44). Overall reader agreement was good for excellent/good quality CTPA examinations (kappa = 0.52-0.56), and poor when examination quality was poor (kappa = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: CTPA and CTV are sufficiently accurate and reliable techniques for evaluating VTE in ICU patients, particularly in light of patient complexity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

The short-term clinical outcomes after saline infusion sonohysterography in women with postmenopausal bleeding.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVE: To describe the short-term clinical outcomes of women with postmenopausal bleeding (PMB) who underwent saline-infused sonohysterography (SIS) and the impact of SIS results on clinical management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of the Radiology Information Systems database identified 786 women who underwent SIS between February 1998 and October 2002. Of this group, 144 women (mean age, 60; range, 42-83) presented with PMB. The following clinical data were extracted from the electronic medical record: date of birth, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) status, SIS results, and clinical management before and after the SIS procedure. We categorized post-SIS clinical management into three categories: additional diagnostic or therapeutic procedure performed; HRT change or addition; or no change in clinical management. Between-group comparisons were performed using a chi2 test. RESULTS: Of the 144 women with postmenopausal bleeding who underwent SIS, 119 (82.6%) successfully completed the SIS. Eighty women (67.2%) had a positive SIS exam. Abnormalities detected including polyps (n = 42); submucosal fibroids (n = 6); endometrial thickening (n = 8); a combination of 2 or more of the above (n = 7), or other abnormalities (debris, adenomyosis, or indeterminate findings, n = 17). Of the women with a positive SIS exam, 58% received subsequent diagnostic/therapeutic procedures compared to 5% of women who had a negative SIS (P < 0.001). Conversely, 59% of women with a negative SIS had no change in clinical management compared to 17.5% who had a positive SIS (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The trend in short-term clinical management is to pursue more aggressive subsequent diagnostic or treatment procedures if findings are positive on SIS. A negative SIS exam was associated with more conservative management.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Associations in breast and colon cancer screening behavior in women.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Gender-based psychosocial factors appear to influence colorectal cancer (CRC) screening adherence. Given its near-universal acceptance by the public, screening mammography represents a potential "teachable moment" for educating patients about the risk of CRC. Accordingly, to better understand screening behaviors among women, data from the Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance Survey (BRFSS) were analyzed to identify potential relationships that would allow interventions to enhance CRC screening. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Women 50 years and older who participated in the BRFSS 2001 survey were included in the analysis. Colorectal, breast, and cervical cancer screening adherence with American Cancer Society guidelines was determined. We identified the association between breast and cervical cancer screening adherence and general health and demographic characteristics with CRC screening adherence. RESULTS: After adjustment for sociodemographic factors in a multivariate analysis, women 60-69 years old (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.50; P < .01) and 70-79 years old (adjusted OR, 1.39; P < .01), having achieved at least some high school (adjusted OR, 1.62; P < .01) or college (adjusted OR, 2.11; P < .01) education, having health coverage (adjusted OR, 1.67; P < .01) or a personal physician (adjusted OR, 1.60; P < .01), and adherence to screening mammography (adjusted OR, 2.42; P < .01) and Pap smear (adjusted OR, 1.70; P < .01) were independently associated with an increased likelihood CRC screening adherence. Women in self-reported good general health were less likely to have adhered to CRC screening guidelines (adjusted OR, 0.79; P < .01). Current smokers were also less likely to have adhered to CRC screening guidelines than were women who never smoked or formerly smoked (adjusted OR, 0.76; P < .01). Participants who adhered to both mammography and Pap smear guidelines were significantly more likely to adhere to CRC screening (51.5% CRC screening adherence) compared with women who adhered to neither screening test (8.2% CRC screening adherence), with an adjusted OR of 5.67 (P < .001). Participants who adhered to both mammography and Pap smear guidelines were significantly more likely to adhere to CRC screening than were women who adhered to either screening test (38.0% CRC screening adherence) with an adjusted OR of 1.94 (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Women with up-to-date mammography and cervical cancer screening were more likely to be up-to-date with CRC screening. Regardless of the increased association between non-CRC-related cancer screening and CRC screening, rates of CRC screening utilization remained low in these otherwise compliant populations.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Behavioral associations between prostate and colon cancer screening.

BACKGROUND: Despite the controversy over the utility of routine prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening in reducing prostate cancer-specific mortality, it has gained widespread use throughout the United States. Although colorectal cancer (CRC) screening reduces CRC mortality and appears to be cost effective, CRC screening adherence is suboptimal. To better understand screening behaviors among men, the Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance Survey was used to identify potential relationships that would allow interventions to enhance CRC screening. STUDY DESIGN: We included in our analysis 22,304 men, 50 years and older, who participated in the 2002 Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance Survey. Chi-square and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the independent correlates of adherence to CRC screening. Independent variables evaluated were age, race, educational level, employment status, income, health insurance, the presence of a personal physician, self-reported general health, current smoking status, and receiving a PSA test. RESULTS: Men were more adherent with PSA screening than CRC screening (50.4% versus 47.6%;p < 0.002). In multivariate analysis, adherence to PSA screening (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3.24, p < 0.001) exerted the largest independent effect on CRC screening adherence. Other positive correlates of adherence to CRC screening were having health insurance (adjusted OR 1.39, p < 0.01) and a personal physician (adjusted OR 2.01, p < 0.01). Age predicted CRC screening with an inverse-U correlation. Failure to adhere to CRC screening was associated with self-reported good health (adjusted OR 0.87, p < 0.01) and being a current smoker (adjusted OR 0.65, p < 0.01). Even in men who were compliant with PSA testing, CRC screening remained suboptimal (65%). CONCLUSIONS: More men received PSA testing than CRC screening. Men who received PSA testing were more likely to adhere to CRC screening. Taken together, PSA testing may represent a "teachable moment" for a behavior-related intervention aimed at reducing the risk of colon cancer. Targeting men who already accept one form of cancer screening can potentially increase CRC screening adherence.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Soft-tissue lipomas: accuracy of sonography in diagnosis with pathologic correlation.

PURPOSE: To retrospectively determine the accuracy of sonography in helping to distinguish soft-tissue lipomas from other soft-tissue masses by using histologic proof as the reference standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Institutional review board approval was obtained, and informed consent was waived. Thirty-nine patients who underwent sonographic evaluation of a soft-tissue mass followed by biopsy or resection were retrospectively evaluated. Two musculoskeletal radiologists (readers 1 and 2) reviewed the sonographic images, characterized the masses, and rated the level of confidence in the diagnosis of lipoma by using a five-point scale. A level of confidence was also rated for the prospective sonographic report, which was reviewed and designated as reader 3. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, including 95% confidence intervals, were generated, and the area under the ROC curve (A(z)) was calculated for each reader. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for each reader were calculated by using a confidence rating of 4 or 5 as positive for lipoma. Weighted kappa analysis was also performed to assess for interobserver variability. RESULTS: Histologic examination yielded 25 lipomas and 14 nonlipomas. The echogenicity of lipomas ranged from hypoechoic to hyperechoic relative to muscle, although most were isoechoic or hyperechoic. A(z) values were 0.79 for reader 1, 0.56 for reader 2, and 0.77 for reader 3. There was no significant difference between the A(z) for each reader and for chance. Interobserver agreement was fair, with a kappa value of 0.35 among the three readers. Sensitivities were 52%, 40%, and 52%, and accuracies were 64%, 49%, and 64% for readers 1, 2, and 3, respectively. CONCLUSION: Sonography demonstrates low accuracy in the diagnosis of soft-tissue lipomas.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2004

Cerebral perfusion CT: technique and clinical applications.

Perfusion computed tomography (CT) is a relatively new technique that allows rapid qualitative and quantitative evaluation of cerebral perfusion by generating maps of cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral blood volume (CBV), and mean transit time (MTT). The technique is based on the central volume principle (CBF = CBV/MTT) and requires the use of commercially available software employing complex deconvolution algorithms to produce the perfusion maps. Some controversies exist regarding this technique, including which artery to use as input vessel, the accuracy of quantitative results, and the reproducibility of results. Despite these controversies, perfusion CT has been found to be useful for noninvasive diagnosis of cerebral ischemia and infarction and for evaluation of vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage. Perfusion CT has also been used for assessment of cerebrovascular reserve by using acetazolamide challenge in patients with intracranial vascular stenoses who are potential candidates for bypass surgery or neuroendovascular treatment, for the evaluation of patients undergoing temporary balloon occlusion to assess collateral flow and cerebrovascular reserve, and for the assessment of microvascular permeability in patients with intracranial neoplasms. This article is a review of the technique, clinical applications, and controversies surrounding perfusion CT.

Blood Volume↗
PubMed2004

T2-weighted MR imaging in the assessment of cirrhotic liver.

PURPOSE: To assess if T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging provides added diagnostic value in combination with dynamic gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging in the detection and characterization of nodular lesions in cirrhotic liver. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two readers retrospectively and independently analyzed 54 MR imaging studies in 52 patients with cirrhosis. In session 1, readers reviewed T1-weighted and dynamic gadolinium-enhanced images. In session 2, readers reviewed T1-weighted, dynamic gadolinium-enhanced, and respiratory-triggered T2-weighted fast spin-echo images. Readers identified and characterized all focal lesions by using a scale of 1-4 (1, definitely benign; 4, definitely malignant). Multireader correlated receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was employed to assess radiologist performance in session 2 compared with session 1. The difference in the areas under the ROC curves for the two sessions was tested. In a third session, readers assessed conspicuity of biopsy-proved lesions on T2-weighted MR images by using a scale of 1-3 (1, not seen; 3, well seen) and identified causes of reduced conspicuity. RESULTS: Two additional benign lesions were detected by each reader in session 2. Fifty-five lesions had pathologic verification, including 32 malignant, three high-grade dysplastic, and 20 benign nodules. There was no significant difference in the area under the ROC curves between the two sessions (P =.48). Thirty-two lesions were inconspicuous on T2-weighted MR images because of parenchymal heterogeneity, breathing artifacts (particularly in patients with ascites), and lesion isointensity with liver parenchyma. T2-weighted MR imaging was useful in the evaluation of cysts and lymph nodes. CONCLUSION: T2-weighted MR imaging does not provide added diagnostic value in the detection and characterization of focal lesions in cirrhotic liver.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Clinical applications of diffusion tensor imaging.

Directionally-ordered cellular structures that impede water motion, such as cell membranes and myelin, result in water mobility that is also directionally-dependent. Diffusion tensor imaging characterizes this directional nature of water motion and thereby provides structural information that cannot be obtained by standard anatomic imaging. Quantitative apparent diffusion coefficients and fractional anisotropy have emerged from being primarily research tools to methods enabling valuable clinical applications. This review describes the clinical utility of diffusion tensor imaging, including the basic principles of the technique, acquisition, data analysis, and the major clinical applications.

Anisotropy↗
PubMed2004

Completion of colorectal cancer screening in women attending screening mammography.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The American Cancer Society (ACS) and the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommend colorectal cancer (CRC) screening to begin at age 50 in individuals at average risk for CRC. To estimate rate at which women eligible for CRC screening at the time of screening mammography attendance later completed in CRC screening, we retrospectively evaluated CRC screening utilization in women who underwent screening mammography at our institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively identified 3357 women between the ages of 50 to 75 who received screening mammography in 1998 at a single academic medical center using the institution's Radiology Information System (RIS). Additional information collected from the institution's Health System Data Warehouse and the Radiology department's mammography quality assurance data included mammography results, Breast Imaging Reporting and Database System (BI-RADS) classification of mammography findings, recommendation for screening mammography follow-up, insurance status, and CRC screening utilization after screening mammography. After excluding women who were current with CRC screening at the time of mammography, we determined the proportion of eligible women who completed CRC screening after mammography. Age, insurance type, BI-RADS code, and recommendation code were evaluated as potential predictors of CRC screening completion in eligible women. RESULTS: Of the 3357 women between the ages of 50 and 75 who received screening mammography in 1998, only 414 (12.3%) were current with CRC screening at the time of screening mammography. Of the remaining 2943 women who were eligible for CRC screening at the time of screening mammography, 142 (4.8%) subsequently completed CRC screening. Average time to completion of CRC screening after screening mammography is 35.4 months (range, 0.27-64.9). Managed care insurance was the only significant predictor of CRC screening completion after screening mammography in eligible women after adjusting for other variables (adjusted OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.21-2.47, P < .0001). Neither BI-RADS classification nor postmammography recommendations were significantly associated with CRC screening completion. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence studies have demonstrated that women who were compliant with screening mammography were more compliant with CRC screening. Our data suggest that despite this increased compliance, overall incidence of CRC screening is low in the screening mammography population.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

Diagnostic imaging and vascular embolization for uterine leiomyomas.

This review article explains the relatively new therapy method of vascular embolization for leiomyomas of the uterus. The current concepts of diagnostic imaging of uterine leiomyomas with emphasis on preembolization imaging and postembolization follow-up are presented.

Diagnostic Imaging↗
PubMed2004

MRI for preoperative staging of renal cell carcinoma using the 1997 TNM classification: comparison with surgical and pathologic staging.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to determine the accuracy of MRI for preoperative staging of renal cell carcinoma using the 1997 TNM classification. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of MRI performed in 40 consecutive patients with 42 renal cell carcinomas before radical (n = 35) or partial (n = 4) nephrectomy or exploratory laparotomy (n = 3). The interval between imaging and surgery ranged from 1 to 59 days (mean, 17.9 days). Imaging was performed with T1- and T2-weighted, dynamic gadolinium-enhanced, and time-of-flight sequences. MRI and surgical-pathologic staging was performed using the 1997 TNM staging system. MRI staging was compared with surgical-pathologic staging as the gold standard. Agreement between the two staging methods was assessed using the kappa statistic. RESULTS: Agreement between MRI and surgical-pathologic staging was good for T staging (kappa = 0.72 and 0.78 for reviewers 1 and 2 respectively), poor for N staging (kappa = 0.13, both reviewers), good for M staging (kappa = 0.66, both reviewers), and excellent for the assessment of venous involvement (kappa = 0.93, both reviewers). MRI overestimated the T stage in five patients and the N stage in five and underestimated the T stage in three, the N stage in four, the M stage in one, and the extent of venous thrombosis in two patients. CONCLUSION: MRI is a reliable method for preoperative staging of renal cell carcinoma using the 1997 TNM classification, in particular for assessing venous involvement.

Adolescent↗