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Edema in the subcutaneous soft tissue of the lumbar spine is a frequent incidental finding in spinal magnetic resonance imaging, however, its exact explanation is yet to be determined. The aim of this paper is to provide a systematic literature review on posterior lumbar subcutaneous edema (LSE). The present systematic literature search was carried out in October 2023 using electronic databases: PubMed, Cochrane library, and Scopus. The current evidence suggests that lumbar edema is correlated with clinical data such as weight and age, and potentially female sex. Moreover, LSE is related to several specific conditions, including both systemic and spinal disorders, such as heart or kidney disorders, as well as low back pain and degenerative and/or inflammatory diseases. It is important to be aware that there is an association between LSE and a variety systemic and spinal disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiogenomics of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) has been developed thanks to the availability of genomic data, both gene expressions and gene mutations, obtained through the sequencing of ccRCC genome. These data are collected in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Research Network-work. Disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain-containing protein 12 (ADAM12) gene belongs to the family of genes coding for multidomain and multifunctional type I transmembrane proteins ADAMs. These proteins are fundamental for regulating cell adhesion and mediating proteolysis of a series of cell surface receptors and signal molecules extracellular domains. Recently, a correlation was detected between ADAM12 expression in ccRCC and tumor aggressiveness in terms of cell proliferation, migration, invasion, tumor progression, metastases, and poor prognosis, suggesting ADAM12 as a prognostic marker and therapeutic target in ccRCC. The computed tomography (CT) imaging phenotype of ADAM12 expression in ccRCC has never been studied. The aim of this study is to investigate the CT imaging phenotype of ADAM12 expression in ccRCC patients. In this retrospective study, we enrolled 202 ccRCC patients divided into two groups: ccRCC patients with ADAM12 expression (n = 35) and ccRCC patients without ADAM12 expression (n = 167). Different imaging features were evaluated on CT scan at first diagnosis. The statistical significance threshold was set at p < 0.05. A statistically significant correlation was found with larger primary tumor size (p = 0.020), ill-defined tumor margins (p = 0.044), tumor necrosis (p = 0.011), and collecting system invasion (p = 0.014). This study demonstrates CT imaging features associated to ADAM12 expression in ccRCC. These results could help delve into ADAM12 gene status through CT approach and to further investigate towards the development of targeted therapies in ccRCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess the efficacy of whole-body computed tomography (WB-CT) as imaging procedure to exclude cancer in patients with neurological symptoms and signs at clinical onset. A retrospective observational study was designed to identify consecutive WB-CT requested by the Neurology Unit with a suspicion of an underlying tumor potentially linked to a paraneoplastic neurological syndrome (PNS) between January 2019 and February 2022. The following data were collected: diagnosis at admission and at discharge, the presence of onconeural antibodies, the scans dose length product (DLP), the estimated effective dose (ED), the total estimated time requested; the PNS-Care-Score was retrospectively calculated only in subjects with available antibodies. The total number of patients included was 158. In 13/158 (positive group) a malignant or locally aggressive neoplasm was found while in 145/158 no malignant lesions were found on the WB-CT. Among the positive group, in 7/13 onconeural antibodies were diagnosed, resulting negative in all cases and the most frequent tumor was lung cancer (30.8%). PNS-Care-Score was of 6–7 in 2/7 (probable PNS) and in no case the PNS-Care-Score was ≥8 (definite PNS). The mean DLP for all the scans was 2798 ± 952 mGy cm (average estimated ED of 42 ± 14 mSv). The total estimated time requested for all scans was 11,060 min. If a PNS is suspected, we encourage the prescription of unenhanced chest CT and/or abdomen/testis/female pelvis ultrasound and/or mammography based on clinical picture. The WB-CT using a single portal phase would be appropriate as a second-line technique while magnetic resonance imaging might be indicated for the exclusion of nervous system diseases. Our suggestion results in saving in terms of radiation exposure, financial resources and time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass has been increasingly performed in the setting of bariatric surgery. The addition of gastric pouch banding (BOAGB) may reduce weight regain in the long term. BOAGB may rarely be complicated by MiniMizer ring-related affections. This article reports for the first time a case of bowel obstruction due to internal hernia (IH) through the ring itself, occurring 15 months after BOAGB. A 55 years-old woman presented with unspecific symptoms of sub-acute bowel obstruction 15 months after BOAGB. Work-up revealed IH through the MiniMizer ring and its erosion into the liver. Successful management included laparoscopic ring removal and adhesion-lysis. Postoperative course was uneventful. IH through MiniMizer ring is a rare complication of BOAGB and awareness of this possibility may help diagnosis and prevention. Diagnosis requires high index of suspicion and per-oral contrast CT. Successful management entails laparoscopic device removal. Prevention includes non re-absorbable suture fixation and adequate gastric pouch encirclement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is known to use the host protein angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 as a co-receptor to gain intracellular entry into different organs, including the heart. Cardiac involvement is one of the clinical manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is associated with a worse prognosis; in this setting, few cases of myo-pericarditis with complete imaging documentation have been reported. We discuss a case of a woman admitted to the emergency department with dyspnea. Nasopharyngeal swab showed positive results for SARS-CoV-2. A subsequent 12-lead electrocardiogram showed modifications of T-wave in leads V1 to V6 while blood tests revealed increased levels of troponin I. Coronary computed tomography angiography was performed, excluding hemodynamically significant coronary stenosis. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) was also performed, showing findings fulfilling Lake Louise criteria for the diagnosis of acute myo-pericarditis. To date, myocardial inflammation was recognized as connected with COVID-19 mortality. CMR is an indispensable tool for non-invasive diagnosis of this pathology; however, most clinical studies demonstrated the presence of intramyocardial edema using T1 and T2 mapping sequences. In our case, extensive intramyocardial edema was well demonstrated using TIRM sequences, with a short TI to obtain fat suppression. < Learning objective: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may cause acute myo-pericarditis. Clinicians need to be aware of cardiovascular involvement during COVID-19 due to its mortality. Cardiac magnetic resonance, used in the right clinical setting, can easily diagnose myocarditis in a non-invasive way.> [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Objective: Multilevel consequences related to gambling disorder (GD) are glaring enough to make gambling a worldwide public health issue. Dissociation has been pointed out in clinical, empirical, and theoretical contributions as a key variable accounting for the development and maintenance of GD. However, we still lack a systematization of available empirical data that may facilitate further accurate conclusions.Method: A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed with the goal to answer to open questions. We followed the PRISMA guidelines conducting a systematic search of 5 scientific databases (PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed) including grey literature.Results: A total of 843 records were screened, and 20 studies were included in the qualitative and quantitative analyses. A systematic review of selected studies outlines the high heterogeneity in the operationalization of the dissociation construct as well as the absence of studies examining the role played by the specific dimensions of the pathological dissociative feature in GD. A significant, positive, and moderate effect size (r = .37) was found linking GD to dissociation. Moreover, this effect appears to not be moderated by the quality of studies, age, and gender of participants nor measures used to evaluate dissociation.Conclusions: Despite empirical evidences supporting the theoretical assertions toward the relationship between GD and dissociation, few studies have reached an articulated understanding of this topic, mostly failing to identify specific dissociative features involved in GD. Furthermore, the existence of the current gap in the literature are discussed to delineate future lines of research. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]