Xavier Tomas

Multiple myeloma (MM) remains incurable, with poor outcomes in heavily pretreated patients. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has emerged as a promising treatment; however, outcomes after such therapy in patients with soft-tissue plasmacytomas and other bone lesions remain poorly understood. This study included 63 patients with relapsed/refractory MM treated either in the CARTBCMA-HCB-01 clinical trial (ARI0002h; academic B-cell maturation antigen [BCMA]–targeted CAR T-cell therapy) or in compassionate use. The aim was to evaluate the impact of soft-tissue involvement (extramedullary [EMD] and paraskeletal [PS] plasmacytomas) in response, survival and safety. Baseline [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)–positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) from 5 participating centers were reviewed centrally. Of 63 patients, 52.4% presented plasmacytomas at the time of inclusion (21 PS, exclusively; and 12 EMD). Per responses, there were no significant differences between patients with and without plasmacytomas. A correlation was present between International Myeloma Working Group responses and those obtained by [18F]FDG-PET/CT at day 100 (Bologna criteria). No differences were observed in progression-free survival (PFS) or overall survival (OS) between patients with or without plasmacytomas. However, both PFS and OS were significantly shorter in patients with EMD. Interestingly, [18F]FDG-PET/CT response assessed on day 100, in accordance with the Bologna criteria, was predictive of survival outcomes. A metabolic tumor volume of ≥25 cm3 at baseline [18F]FDG-PET/CT was associated with earlier disease progression and shorter OS. These results highlight the importance of EMD evaluation by [18F]FDG-PET/CT before and after CAR T-cell infusion. This trial was registered at www.ClinicalTrials.gov as #NCT04309981; and EudraCT, 2019-001472-11.

Background: Protracted febrile myalgia (PFM) is a rare but severe form of myalgia mainly occurring in pediatric patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). PFM imaging and histopathological data remain scarce. Objectives: A comprehensive clinical, imaging, and histopathological characterization of PFM was performed by retrospectively analyzing a reference center cohort of adult patients with FMF and myalgia, and by a PubMed search of well-described cases with PFM. Results: Among 56 adults with FMF from our center, 32 (57.1%) experienced myalgia, which was generalized in 21 (37.5%) and affected lower limbs in 11 (19.6%) subjects. One (1.8%) patient suffered PFM, mainly affecting calves and Achilles tendons. From our patient’s detailed information and the data from 123 PFM cases reported in the literature, PFM was characterized as usually presenting with fever and severe generalized myalgia, with occasional involvement of lower legs and calves. It is mainly associated (in >90% of cases) with the pathogenic mutation M694V in the MEFV gene. Raised acute phase reactants and normal creatine kinase levels are constant. High glucocorticoid doses are useful in most patients, and sustained colchicine treatment protects from PFM recurrences. MRI may identify a variable degree of muscle inflammatory changes, especially subfascial and myofascial lesions with extension to tendinous structures. PFM histopathology is characterized by T-cell rich inflammatory infiltrates and vasculitis mainly involving the fasciae and myofascial areas, with a lower muscle extent. Conclusions: PFM can occur in children and adults and appears to be clinically manifested as fasciitis/tendinitis caused by a vasculitis of the fasciae rather than a major muscle vasculitis.

Background: Contraceptive arm implants, such as Implanon NXT^®/Nexplanon^®, are reversible methods of birth control that have gained global popularity, with over 20 million worldwide users. While palpable implants can be easily removed, deep or non-palpable implants pose complications during extraction, often requiring open surgery. This ultrasound-guided removal technique offers a minimally invasive, safe, and effective alternative, providing real-time control over the implant and neurovascular structures. Our study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and challenges of this implant removal method. Methods: In this retrospective observational study, all cases referred to our institution for ultrasound-guided removal of contraceptive implants, from June 2022 to December 2023, were reviewed. Our facility serves as a referral center for handling challenging implants. Twenty-nine women with contraceptive implants were referred for implant removal in this period of time. Thirty implants were sent for removal in total (one patient had a double implant). Data specific to the patients were collected: age and body mass index (BMI). Data specific to the implant were also collected: time since implant insertion (months), history of a previous removal attempt, type of implant (single or double rod), implant palpability, laterality of the implant, supra or subfascial location, success or failure of the ultrasound-guided removal procedure and presence of complications in the post-procedure. Statistical analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between the procedure success rate and these variables, and also between these variables and the supra or subfascial location of the implant. Results: Twenty-six of the 30 implants (86.67%) were successfully removed with this fully ultrasound-guided technique. In cases where the implant could not be removed, there was a higher rate of subfascial implant location (75%), while in cases where the removal was successful, the rate of subfascial implant location was significantly lower at 19.23% (P=0.048). Patients whose implants could be removed had a median BMI of 23.71 kg/m², which was higher than the BMI of patients whose implants could not be removed (20.82 kg/m²), with a P=0.022. No complications were registered. Conclusions: Percutaneous real-time ultrasound-guided implant removal is effective, safe and offers a minimally-invasive alternative to open surgery. The removal of subfascial implants is also feasible but more challenging, leading to a reduction of success rate in this group. These positive outcomes suggest its potential as a standard initial approach for deep contraceptive implant removal.

Historically, musculoskeletal (MSK) tumors, which include both bone and soft tissue tumors, have been managed as distinct entities. The incidence of metastases, particularly bone metastasis, in patients with MSK tumors can result in the emergence of significant complications such as pain, impairment of vital anatomical structures, or pathological fractures. Given these issues, a diverse team of experts is typically engaged in intricate treatment decision-making concerning the necessity of surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or a mix of these methodologies. Nevertheless, percutaneous image-guided minimally invasive interventional therapy for MSK tumors represent a promising approach for treating such tumors. Over the past decade, significant progress has been made in this technique, leading to its growing acceptance in ordinary clinical practice. MSK tumors can be effectively treated by the use of ablation techniques, either as standalone procedures or in conjunction with other percutaneous treatments. Various image-guided techniques have been employed to observe the ablation zone and nearby structures, such as fluoroscopy, ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, CT is the favored method due to its widespread availability and ability to visualize the tumor and its environs. The procedures employed include ethanol injection, radiofrequency ablation, microwave ablation, cryoablation, and magnetic resonance (MR)-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). The technique can be performed in combination with cementation, with or without additional metallic stabilizing devices, depending on the location of the lesion. Improved local tumor control can be attained by combining ablation with bland embolization or transarterial chemoembolization. This article provides an overview of the fundamental elements of minimally invasive interventional guided imaging therapy for MSK malignancies.

Myosteatosis has emerged as an important concept in muscle health as it is associated with an increased risk of adverse health outcomes, a higher rate of complications, and increased mortality associated with ageing, chronic systemic and neuromuscular diseases, cancer, metabolic syndromes, degenerative events, and trauma. Myosteatosis involves ectopic infiltration of fat into skeletal muscle, and it exhibits a negative correlation with muscle mass, strength, and mobility representing a contributing factor to decreased muscle quality. While myosteatosis serves as an additional biomarker for sarcopenia, cachexia, and metabolic syndromes, it is not synonymous with sarcopenia. Myosteatosis induces proinflammatory changes that contribute to decreased muscle function, compromise mitochondrial function, and increase inflammatory response in muscles. Imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT), particularly opportunistic abdominal CT scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), have been used in both clinical practice and research. And in recent years, ultrasound has emerged as a promising bedside tool for measuring changes in muscle tissue. Various techniques, including CT-based muscle attenuation (MA) and intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) quantification, MRI-based proton density fat fraction (PDFF) and T1–T2 mapping, and musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS)-based echo intensity (EI) and shear wave elastography (SWE), are accessible in clinical practice and can be used as adjunct biomarkers of myosteatosis to assess various debilitating muscle health conditions. However, a stan¬dard definition of myosteatosis with a thorough understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms, and a consensus in assessment methods and clinical outcomes has not yet been established. Recent developments in image acquisition and quantification have attempted to develop an appropriate muscle quality index for the assessment of myosteatosis. Additionally, emerging studies on artificial intelligence (AI) may provide further insights into quantification and automated assessment, including MRS analysis. In this review, we discuss the pathophysiological aspects of myosteatosis, all the current imaging techniques and recent advances in imaging assessment as potential biomarkers of myosteatosis, and the most common clinical conditions involved.

Background and Objective: Traditionally, literature on thoracic ultrasound has focused on the study of pleural and pulmonary pathology. However, given the superficial location of thoracic wall structures, ultrasound proves to be an excellent technique for their examination. This study aims to evaluate the clinical utility of thoracic ultrasound in diagnosing various thoracic wall pathologies and to illustrate the primary diagnoses that can be achieved. Methods: We performed a literature search in January 2024 in PubMed and Google Scholar for articles on thoracic ultrasound. Relevant articles were selected and synthesized in a narrative form. Key Content and Findings: Thoracic ultrasound has emerged as a powerful diagnostic tool, especially when combined with a thorough clinical history. It allows for rapid, inexpensive, and safe resolution of a wide range of common clinical uncertainties across all levels of healthcare. In emergency contexts, it excels in the detection of rib fractures, demonstrating superior capability compared to traditional chest X-rays and similar efficacy to computed tomography (CT) scans. Additionally, thoracic ultrasound is highly effective in evaluating tumors, often providing accurate diagnoses without the need for further studies. It also aids in differentiating pathologies that may require more advanced imaging such as CT or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Moreover, thoracic ultrasound plays a valuable role in the initial assessment of infectious and degenerative conditions. Conclusions: Thoracic ultrasound is a versatile and efficient diagnostic tool for examining thoracic wall structures. Its applications are particularly valuable in trauma assessment, tumor evaluation, and the differentiation of various pathologies. The rapid, cost-effective, and safe nature of this technique highlights its potential as a primary diagnostic tool in a wide variety of clinical settings.

The paleopathological literature notably lacks the description and analysis of distal humeral fractures and their associated complications. The objectives of this study were (1) to evaluate a distal humerus fracture associated with cubitus valgus observed in the articulated right elbow of an adult male buried in the Santa Caterina Friary site in Barcelona, dating back to the modern period (15th to early 16th century), and (2) to contribute to the valorization of bioarcheological heritage. Employing macroscopic and radiographic studies, the injury was assessed. The results indicated a healed antemortem fracture, probably associated with a fall. In the AO/OTA classification, it corresponds to type 13C1.1 (complete articular fracture, articular simple, metaphyseal simple, above the transcondylar axis), accompanied by a coronoid process fracture due to anterior trochlear dislocation impact (O’Driscoll type 1 classification: transverse fracture of the distal apophysis with involvement of the sublime tubercle). This fracture, resulting in a 28° cubitus valgus and significant elbow changes, infers community support in healing and highlights the socio-economic dynamics of guilds and adaptive strategies to physical adversities. This study is one of the first to describe cubitus valgus in a historical Spanish population, offering a comprehensive view of the complexities, physical adversities, and adaptive strategies employed by individuals following an elbow fracture.

Teaching Point: Costal chondroid tumors can mimic abdominal masses and, when located in the right hypochondrium, may suggest hepatic origin. Computed tomography is essential to determine their origin and nature and to guide appropriate treatment.