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Background: Extraction of mandibular third molars (M3Ms) is a routine procedure in oral and maxillofacial surgery, often associated with postoperative symptoms like pain, facial swelling, and trismus. This study aimed to introduce a standardized and automated protocol for swelling analysis following M3M surgery, presenting results regarding clinical conditions immediately and one-week after surgery. Methods: In a prospective study, 35 patients were enrolled (mean age: 24.4 ± 5.8 years) for removal of 54 M3Ms. Facial swelling was evaluated through 3D facial scans before surgery (T0), at three days (T1), and seven days (T2) post-surgery. The open-source software 3DSlicer facilitated automated analysis, including data anonymization, orientation, surface registration, qualitative comparisons, linear measurements, and volumetric quantification. Pairwise superimposition of facial models enabled qualitative, vectorial, and quantitative assessments, comparing initial conditions with swelling development at T1 and T2. Additionally, changes between T1 and T2 were also evaluated. Secondary outcomes encompassed clinical evaluations of pain, trismus (maximum mouth opening), and surgery time. Statistical analysis involved the paired Student t-test to assess longitudinal changes and analysis of variance to evaluate outcome variables concerning difficulty scores. Linear regression models correlated primary outcome variables with secondary study variables (α < 0.05). Results: Longitudinal analysis demonstrated significant but variable facial swelling, pain, and trismus at T1, followed by improvement at T2 (p < 0.001). Linear and volumetric differences correlated positively with surgery time (p < 0.05). A direct proportionality between linear and volume differences was observed, higher values at T1 correlated with higher values at T2 (p < 0.05). Conclusions: An innovative digital workflow for precise quantification of postoperative facial changes was implemented, incorporating volumetric measurements that surpass linear assessments. Clinical conditions demonstrated a direct correlation with surgery time, deteriorating immediately and improving one-week after surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance (PET/MR) imaging has gone through major hardware improvements in recent years, making it a reliable state-of-the-art hybrid modality in clinical practice. At the same time, image reconstruction, attenuation correction, and motion correction algorithms have significantly evolved to provide high-quality images. Part I of the current review discusses technical basics, pre-clinical applications, and clinical applications of PET/MR in radiation oncology and head and neck imaging. PET/MR offers a broad range of advantages in preclinical and clinical imaging. In the preclinic, small and large animal-dedicated devices were developed, making PET/MR capable of delivering new insight into animal models in diseases and facilitating the development of methods that inform clinical PET/MR. Regarding PET/MR's clinical applications in radiation medicine, PET and MR already play crucial roles in the radiotherapy process. Their combination is particularly significant as it can provide molecular and morphological characteristics that are not achievable with other modalities. In addition, the integration of PET/MR information for therapy planning with linear accelerators is expected to provide potentially unique biomarkers for treatment guidance. Furthermore, in clinical applications in the head and neck region, it has been shown that PET/MR can be an accurate modality in head and neck malignancies for staging and resectability assessment. Also, it can play a crucial role in diagnosing residual or recurrent diseases, reliably distinguishing from oedema and fibrosis. PET/MR can furthermore help with tumour characterization and patient prognostication. Lastly, in head and neck carcinoma of unknown origin, PET/MR, with its diagnostic potential, may obviate multiple imaging sessions in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Lower extremity edema is characteristic of C3 chronic venous disease. We developed a new clinical and duplex ultrasound (DUS) methodology for the detection and quantification of leg edema and prospectively evaluated its usefulness. Methods: Forty-seven venous patients (94 legs) were evaluated for ankle edema using an Edema RulerTM and DUS using a modified Suehiro grading scale. Results: Interobserver reliability for the use of the Edema RulerTM was 0.985 (p <.001) and 0.883 (p <.001) for the Modified Suehiro Grade. The Edema RulerTM had stronger significant correlations with Edema rVCSS (0.842; p <.001) compared to DUS: (0.474; p <.001) with Edema rVCSS. There were significant differences between the edema pitting depth in CEAP classification of C1 and C2 compared to C3, C4a, and C4c. DUS analysis only had significant differences between CEAP classification C2 and C4a. Conclusions: The Edema RulerTM provides a quantitative measurement of lower extremity edema with high reliability which can be easily integrated into clinical practice. While both methods had good inter-observer reliability, the Edema RulerTM had stronger correlations to Edema rVCSS and showed significant differences in pitting depths between lower CEAP scores (C1-2) compared to higher CEAP scores (C3-4c). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: A traditional monoplanar semicoronal and a biplanar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessment method were used to compare the topographical distribution of postpartum strain‐related bone marrow edema (BME) at the sacroiliac joint (SIJ). Methods: The presence and topographical location of SIJ BME were assessed independently by three readers in 71 women 12 months postpartum. A traditional monoplanar semicoronal and a biplanar BME evaluation by 8 (upper and lower) and 12 joint (upper, middle, and lower) regions, respectively, was performed with >4 weeks between the two assessments. Descriptive results were reported as mean ± SD and ranges, and interreader agreement by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: By semicoronal assessment, 38 (53.5%) women had BME with a mean ± SD SPARCC score of 2.3 ± 4.0 (range 0–22; ICC 0.93, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.92–0.94). Forty‐one (57.8%) had BME by biplanar assessment with a mean ± SD sum score of 2.9 ± 5.8 (range 0–32.7; ICC 0.89, 95% CI 0.88–0.91). By semicoronal assessment, the highest frequency and mean SPARCC scores were in the anterior upper regions of ilium (24%, mean 0.6) and sacrum (21%, mean 0.3) followed by the posterior upper sacral (20%, mean 0.4) and posterior lower iliac (20%, mean 0.3) regions. By biplanar assessment, the anterior middle joint regions had highest BME frequency and sum scores, sacral side (32%, mean 1.9) and iliac side (27%, mean 2.0), respectively; frequencies and sum scores were generally higher in the anterior compared to the posterior joint regions. Conclusion: The 12‐region biplanar assessment revealed a predominantly anterior middle location of postpartum SIJ BME whereas the 8‐region monoplanar approach did not demarcate distinct strain‐prone SIJ regions. Complementing traditional monoplanar semicoronal SIJ MRI evaluation by a semiaxial assessment may facilitate discrimination of strain‐related conditions from early axial spondyloarthritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Lymphedema is a common complication following gynecological cancer treatment, particularly affecting the lower limbs. However, self-reported data on lymphedema detection remain scarce. To address this gap, Yost developed the Lower Extremity Lymphedema Screening Questionnaire (LELSQ) specifically for women. The LELSQ is a straightforward and user-friendly tool designed for the early identification of lower extremity lymphedema (LEL). The validation of the questionnaire in Dutch was crucial for a larger trial called "The Gynolymph", since there were no validated questionnaires in Dutch for the detection of early LEL. This trial aims to enroll four hundred patients who will utilize the screening tool as part of a patient-reported assessment. By doing so, the trial seeks to detect the early development of lymphedema after cancer treatment. To ensure unbiased results, the study team translated and adapted the lymphedema questionnaire to Dutch. The cross-sectional survey conducted during this process demonstrated high internal consistency, test–retest reliability, and validity. Additionally, face and content validity were confirmed, allowing for the implementation of the questionnaire in the early detection of LEL among Dutch-speaking women. Background: Validated questionnaires of self-reported LEL are important in the assessment and diagnosis of LEL. The aim of this study was to validate and translate a Dutch version of the screening questionnaire, the LELSQ developed and validated by Yost et al. Methods: We tested the questionnaire on a group of healthy women and a group of patients diagnosed with LEL. The translation was carried out using the forward and backward method from English to Dutch. Statistical analyses: SPSS (IBM corp, Armonk, New York, NY, USA) version 28.0.1.0 (001) was used for statistical analysis in the process of validation. The internal consistency was assessed by determining Cronbach's alpha. The reliability was tested by test–retest reliability. The validity was determined by ROC analysis, and content and face validity were evaluated. Results: The internal consistency score in both groups had a strong value (0.83 to 0.90). The test–retest reliability was also strong in both groups. Face and content validity showed the LELSQ is an easy, understandable questionnaire that is not too time-consuming in the early detection of LEL. The ROC analysis showed an AUC value of 0.93, indicating strong validity. Conclusions: The validated Dutch translation showed high values for internal consistency, test–retest reliability, and validity, which allows us to implement the questionnaire in the early detection of LEL after gynecological cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few cases of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) following infective endocarditis (IE) have been reported. In this presentation, we discuss the feasibility of TAVI in a degenerated bioprosthetic valve affected by IE. We examine a rare case involving an elderly man with a degenerated bioprosthetic aortic valve complicated by IE 6 months after a COVID-19 infection. The patient was successfully treated with valve-in-valve intervention following antibiotic therapy for the acute phase of the infection. This resulted in excellent outcomes with no complications in the early postprocedural period and during follow-up visits. For patients with a destructed bioprosthetic aortic valve due to IE and residual dysfunction after healing, valve-in-valve intervention can be a safe and effective treatment option, particularly for those at high risk for surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toe and foot swelling can manifest as lymphoedema or chronic oedema but can also be a complication of the treatment of these conditions. In this article, the authors discuss the assessment and treatment options for toe and foot swelling, highlighting the importance of prevention in the first instance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We aimed to develop and validate a fully automated machine learning (ML) algorithm that predicts bone marrow edema (BME) on a quadrant level in sacroiliac (SI) joint magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods: A computer vision workflow automatically locates the SI joints, segments regions of interest (ilium and sacrum), performs objective quadrant extraction, and predicts presence of BME, suggestive of inflammatory lesions, on a quadrant level in semicoronal slices of T1/T2‐weighted MRI scans. Ground truth was determined by consensus among human readers. The inflammation classifier was trained using a ResNet18 backbone and five‐fold cross‐validated on scans of patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA) (n = 279), postpartum individuals (n = 71), and healthy subjects (n = 114). Independent SpA patient MRI scans (n = 243) served as test data set. Patient‐level predictions were derived from aggregating quadrant‐level predictions, ie, at least one positive quadrant. Results: The algorithm automatically detects the SI joints with a precision of 98.4% and segments ilium/sacrum with an intersection over union of 85.6% and 67.9%, respectively. The inflammation classifier performed well in cross‐validation: area under the curve (AUC) 94.5%, balanced accuracy (B‐ACC) 80.5%, and F1 score 64.1%. In the test data set, AUC was 88.2%, B‐ACC 72.1%, and F1 score 50.8%. On a patient level, the model achieved a B‐ACC of 81.6% and 81.4% in the cross‐validation and test data set, respectively. Conclusion: We propose a fully automated ML pipeline that enables objective and standardized evaluation of BME along the SI joints on MRI. This method has the potential to screen large numbers of patients with (suspected) SpA and is a step closer towards artificial intelligence–assisted diagnosis and follow‐up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, outpatient visits were adapted for the virtual setting, forcing laryngologists to presume certain diagnoses without the aid of laryngoscopy, solely based on history and the limited physical exam available via video visit. This study aims to examine the accuracy of presumptive diagnoses made via telemedicine, compared to subsequent in-person follow up, where endoscopic examination could confirm or refute suspected diagnoses. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted of 38 patients evaluated for voice-related issues at NYU Langone Health and the University of California-San Francisco. Presumptive diagnoses at the initial telemedicine encounter were noted, along with diagnostic cues used for clinical reasoning and recommended treatment plans. These presumptive diagnoses were compared to diagnoses and plans established following laryngoscopy at follow-up in-person visits. Results: After laryngoscopy at the first in-person visit, 38% of presumptive diagnoses changed, as did 37% of treatment plans. The accuracy varied among conditions. Muscle tension dysphonia and Reinke's edema were accurately diagnosed without laryngoscopy, but other conditions, including vocal fold paralysis and subglottic stenosis, were not initially suspected, relying on laryngoscopy for diagnosis. Conclusions: While some laryngologic conditions may be reasonably identified without in-person examination, laryngoscopy remains central to definitive diagnosis and treatment. Telemedicine can increase access to care, but it may provide more utility as a screening tool, triaging which patients should present more urgently for in-person laryngoscopy. Level of Evidence: 4 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multi-systemic disorder affecting almost all systems of the body. Involvement of the kidney in this condition is known as lupus nephritis (LN). LN is one of the important disease manifestations of SLE with considerable influence on patient outcomes in terms of morbidity and mortality. A 33-year-old female came to the OPD with complaints of abdominal pain, infrequent loose stools since 4 months. The patient also had joint pain, predominantly small joints, since 2 months. Patient was admitted and all routine investigations were done. Patient underwent an oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGD) and colonoscopy for her abdominal pain and loose stools which did not respond to routine medication. Grossly there was edema present in the oesophagus and colon which on microscopy showed eosinophilic infiltration. Urine routine of the patient showed protein 1 + and 24-hour urine protein quantification of 1427 mg/24 h. On further evaluation patient was found to have a positive ANA blot (dsDNA, AMAM2, Ro52 and Sm). The patient was planned for a renal biopsy in view of the proteinuria and positive ANA blot. The patient underwent a renal biopsy under USG guidance and was found to have Lupus nephritis Class 3 (ISN RPS staging). SLE is a multi-organ involving disease which if not diagnosed at the earliest can have serious complications and lead to end stage organ failure and even death. Atypical presentations often pose a diagnostic dilemma and may delay diagnosis and treatment. Early diagnosis and treatment can give patients of SLE a long and normal life. Diagnostic guidelines have helped in the diagnosis of such atypical presentations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary cutaneous blastomycosis is very rare in non-endemic regions like India. Only few cases have been reported from India. Herein, we are reporting a rare case of chronic cutaneous blastomycosis in a young immunocompetent male presenting as mycetoma with multiple discharging sinuses in the anterior abdominal wall with no significant travel history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Repair of posterior medial meniscus root (PMMR) tears demonstrates favorable patient outcomes and may prevent rapid progression of knee osteoarthritis, however, there is a paucity of data in literature regarding prognostic factors affecting postoperative outcomes. The medial meniscus plays an important role in the knee biomechanically by increasing tibiofemoral contact area and decreasing peak tibiofemoral contact pressures. Few studies exist that examine preoperative knee magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) following PMMR repair. Semi-quantitative MRI evaluation can offer improved detection of degenerative pathology. Identifying specific factors that may predict surgical outcomes is important when considering PMMR repair, as some patients with more advanced degenerative joint disease may benefit from consideration for knee arthroplasty instead of joint preservation with meniscus repair surgery. The purpose of this study was to identify factors on preoperative MRI that may predict postoperative outcomes following PMMR repair. We hypothesize that patients with worse knee overall quality would have worse postoperative PRO scores. Methods: Between 2012 and 2020, patients who underwent posterior medial meniscus root repair at a tertiary referral academic center by fellowship trained sports medicine surgeons were retrospectively identified, recruited, and enrolled in the study. Institutional review board approval and informed consent was obtained. Inclusion criteria included patients ages 18-70, posterior medial meniscus root repair through transtibial fixation technique, minimum two years postoperative follow-up, and a preoperative knee MRI. Exclusion criteria included prior ipsilateral knee meniscus or ligamentous injury, additional ipsilateral knee injury requiring surgery, and conversion to knee arthroplasty. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain and PRO surveys including Patient Reported Outcome Measures Information System Physical Function (PROMIS-PF) Computer Adaptive Test, Lysholm Knee Score, Knee Osteoarthritis and Injury Outcome Score (KOOS) with 5 sub-sections, were collected at minimum 2-years postoperative. Patient Acceptable State Score (PASS) values from a prior meniscus study were utilized to identify patients that met PASS for the KOOS subsections. A fellowship-trained musculoskeletal radiologist reviewed preoperative MRIs and calculated Whole Organ Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scores (WORMS) for meniscus, cartilage, bone marrow edema pattern (BMEP) in 6 knee locations as well as effusion/synovitis and meniscal extrusion. Radiographs were scored with Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) scores to assess presence and severity of osteoarthritis. Statistical analysis was performed with Stata (StataCorp) using two sample T-tests, Mann-Whitney, and Fisher's exact test for categorical variables. Significance was defined as p<0.05. Results: We evaluated 29 knees (22 female patients) with a mean age at surgery of 52.3±9.9 years, body mass index of 27.6±5.6 kg/m2, and at a mean follow-up of 59.6 months ± 26.5. median KL grade 2, and 44.8% with meniscal extrusion. Pain scores decreased significantly from before surgery to final follow-up (p<0.001), and the percentage of patients meeting PASS ranged from 44.8% for KOOS-Sport subscale to 72.4% for KOOS-Pain and KOOS-Quality of Life subscales (Table 1). There were 10 patients with medial tibial BMEP on pre-operative MRI and 19 with no medial tibial BMEP (Table 2). Patients with medial tibia BMEP had significantly lower Lysholm Knee Score (p=0.037), KOOS-Symptoms (p=0.028), and KOOS-QOL (p=0.029) (Figure 1). There were no significant differences in demographics between those with and without medial tibia BMEP. There was no significant difference in PRO scores when comparing those with medial femoral condyle BMEP, cartilage quality in any of the knee regions, or presence of meniscus extrusion. Conclusions: We observed that patients with medial tibia BMEP at baseline on their preoperative MRI had inferior PROMs for Lysholm Knee Score, KOOS Symptoms, and KOOS-QOL after PMMR repair compared to those without medial tibia BMEP. The presence of medial tibial BMEP could represent underlying damage that may not be evident in the cartilage itself, given most medial tibia cartilage was normal on MRI and cartilage quality was not a significant discriminant for outcomes. The presence of meniscus extrusion did not correlate with patient outcomes either. Limitations of this study include only VAS-Pain score as a pre-operative measure. Multivariate analysis was not possible due to the sample size available. A strength of this study is the mean follow up of approximately 5 years and preoperative MRI data on all patients. Posterior medial meniscus root tears are generally treated with surgical repair due to increased risk of progression to arthritis, however, some patients continue to have symptoms after repair. Our results show that patients with medial tibial BMEP on their preoperative MRI have worse PRO scores after posterior medial meniscus root repair, which can help surgeons better counsel patients towards optimal treatment options. In conclusion, the presence of medial tibia BMEP on preoperative MRI was a marker for inferior patient outcomes for Lysholm Knee Score, KOOS Symptoms, and QOL at minimum two years postoperative following posterior medial meniscus root repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Up to now, the pathophysiology of SpA dactylitis has not been entirely clarified. It is not clear which are the involved tissues and which is the primary lesion of the "sausage-like" digit. The aim of our study was to examine the finger structures in early-onset finger dactylitis using high-resolution microscopy MRI together with morphologic and dynamic MRI. Subjects and methods: In a 6-month period, 13 SpA patients (7 females and 6 males), mean age 54.07 years (range 37–73 years) and mean disease duration 7.07 years (range 1–44 years) with early-onset finger dactylitis (less than 3 months) were recruited. Nine patients had PsA, 3 HLA-B27-positive uSpA and 1 HLA-B27-negative uSpA. One patient had 2 dactylitis fingers. Ten healthy volunteers matched for age and sex with no personal and family history of SpA were enrolled. All dactylitis fingers and randomly selected fingers of the normal control subjects were imaged by morphologic, dynamic and high-resolution microscopy MRI. Results: We have found flexor tenosynovitis in all the 14 dactylitis fingers, joint synovitis in 5 and oedema in the finger soft tissue in 10. In 2 dactylitis fingers, there was oedema at the insertion of the joint capsule suggesting enthesitis. In 5 dactylitis fingers, there was only mild enhancement at the enthesis organ (collateral ligament, flexor and extensor tendons). Conclusions: Our MRI study on early-onset dactylitis demonstrates that flexor tenosynovitis, joint synovitis and oedema of the digit soft tissue are the predominant alterations visible in the early phase of evolution of dactylitis and that, therefore, enthesitis may not be considered the primary lesion of dactylitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have reported success of edema management with manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) or Kinesio® taping. However, there is limited evidence investigating the use of a combination of the two postoperatively and evidence is conflicting due to limitations of published trials. The purpose of this case report was to describe the utilization of MLD and Kinesio® taping in the physical therapy (PT) management of edema and ecchymosis post-arthroscopic meniscectomy. A 51 year-old male was referred to PT 10 days after meniscectomy. He presented with increased edema that was not atypical secondary to a suspected saphenous vein injury. Severe edema and ecchymosis began 24 hours after surgery, which led to pain and decreases in range of motion (ROM) and difficulty with gait. Interventions for edema management consisted of MLD, Kinesio® taping and therapeutic exercise. The patient was seen for five visits over 10 days for edema management that resulted in decreases in girth and pain and increases in ROM and the Lower Extremity Functional Scale, and Patient Specific Functional Scale. He was able to sleep, return to the gym, and squat without pain. Following MLD and Kinesio® taping in conjunction with therapeutic exercises, edema and ecchymosis were reduced allowing for improved function acutely. Early and aggressive edema management postoperatively should be considered to optimize patient outcomes. This case demonstrated early management of edema facilitated increases in ROM and ease of patient-specific activities and decreased pain in five visits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute hemorrhagic edema of infancy (AHEI) is a rare vasculitis of small dermal vessels with characteristic presentation in infants aged up to 24 months. It manifests as a sudden occurrence of palpable purpuric skin lesions, swellings in hands, feet, face and auricles, and mild fever. The children affected with AHEI are almost always in good general health and with normal laboratory parameters. Approximately 400 cases have been described in the literature so far. However, the etiology is still unknown. Most evidence suggests infections or vaccination as the principal triggers. Extra cutaneous manifestations are recorded in only about 10% of AHEI patients. The majority of the affected children undergoes recovery spontaneously and without any complications within 1-3 weeks, with or without any treatment. AHEI is usually diagnosed on the clinical grounds only and the diagnostic procedure rarely requires a skin biopsy. The current literature indicates the use of corticosteroids and/or antihistamines as a therapy, but there is still a lot of controversy about these therapeutic measures. This paper presents the case of AHEI with its typical clinical manifestations that resolved in a rapid spontaneous recovery without the use of any treatment within a week. AHEI is a rare syndrome that pediatricians should be well familiar with in order to differentiate it from other potentially severe diseases that have similar cutaneous manifestations, but also to avoid unnecessary investigations and therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fat-suppression T2-weighted imaging (FS-T2WI), one of the key sequences in MRI, can clearly distinguish edema in the tumor surrounding environment. Peritumoral edema was a predictor for triple negative breast cancer (BC) and was related to Luminal A-like BC. However, there is currently limited research on the significance between different types of edema and molecular subtypes. This study aimed to explore the relationship between focal edema (including no edema, peritumoral edema, prepectoral edema, subcutaneous edema) and molecular subtypes. Atotal of 206 women diagnosed with invasive BC were retrospectively enrolled and underwent MR scanning on a 3.0 T scanner. 34 were Luminal A-like, Luminal B-like [37 human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive and 51 HER2-negative], 53 HER2 overexpression, and 31 basal-like. Focal edema was defined on FS-T2WI. The comparison of classification variables was executed using chi-square or Fisher exact test. The rate of no edema in Luminal A-like was higher than that of Luminal B-like HER2 + and HER2 overexpression (P = 0.002, P < 0.001). The peritumoral and subcutaneous edema rates of Luminal A-like were lower than those of HER2 overexpression (P = 0.043, P = 0.021). The rate of no edema in Luminal B-like HER2 - and basal-like were higher than Luminal B HER2 + (P = 0.001, P = 0.025), as well as HER2 overexpression (P < 0.001, P < 0.001). The subcutaneous edema rate of Luminal B HER2 - was lower than that of HER2 overexpressing, P = 0.002. Luminal A-like had a higher rate of no edema, while the rates of peritumoral edema and subcutaneous edema were lower. Luminal B-like HER2 + and HER2 overexpression (both HER2 statuses were positive) exhibited lower rate of no edema, higher rates of peritumoral edema and subcutaneous edema. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes five cases of demartomyositis (DM) with bullous periorbital oedema identified at the Johns Hopkins Myositis Center, who were all positive for anti-p155/140, suggesting a novel clinical manifestation of this subgroup. Topics discussed include an overview of the case of each patient, condition which prompted concern for angioedema in two participants, and finding on bullous periorbital oedema.

Context: Delayed onset muscle soreness is one of the most common reasons for impaired muscle performance in sports and is associated with reduced muscle strength and frequently observed both in professional and recreational athletes. Objective: To emphasize the diagnostic value of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) in imaging of delayed onset muscle soreness by comparing findings with high-resolution 3T magnetic resonance imaging T2-weighted sequences. Design: Case series. Setting: Laboratory environment. Participants: Fifteen healthy students (7 females and 8 males; mean [SD]: age 24 [4] y, height 178 [10] cm, body weight 67 [12] kg). Main Outcome Measures: ARFI values, represented as shear wave velocities of the gastrocnemius muscle and soleus muscle, as well as conventional ultrasound, high-resolution 3T magnetic resonance imaging, creatine kinase activity, extension range of the ankle joint, calf circumference, and muscle soreness were assessed before (baseline) and 60 hours after (postintervention) a standardized eccentric exercise. Results: ARFI shear wave velocity values of the gastrocnemius muscle revealed a statistically significant decrease of 19.1% between baseline (2.2 [0.26] m/s) and postintervention (1.78 [0.24] m/s); P =.01. At follow-up, the magnetic resonance imaging investigations showed intramuscular edema for the gastrocnemius muscle in all participants corresponding to a significant raise in T2 signal intensity (P =.001) and in T2-time values (P =.004). Conclusions: ARFI elastography seems to be an additional sensitive diagnostic modality in the diagnostic workup of delayed onset muscle soreness. Intramuscular shear wave velocities could represent an additional imaging marker for the assessment and monitoring of ultrastructural muscle injuries and therefore be helpful for individual training composition in elite sports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Netarsudil is a relatively new medication for the treatment of primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension. It has been associated with red eyes and burning after instillation. Reticular epitheliopathy is a relatively rare complication of netarsudil that has been described in patients with preexisting corneal edema. We report the case of a healthy 76-year-old woman who developed reticular epitheliopathy after full-thickness penetrating keratoplasty that completely resolved following discontinuation of the medication. In cases where netarsudil is initiated for treatment of glaucoma or, off-label, endothelial dysfunction, reticular epithelial edema should be considered in patients complaining of a decline in vision and severe pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The cause, extent, and role of muscle edema for muscle degeneration are unknown and not considered in the current literature. In vivo experiments were designed to prove muscle edema formation in the early period in a sheep model of acute rotator cuff tears. Hypothesis: Muscle edema occurs after tendon release with or without additional stretching trauma and may be associated with muscle retraction and subsequent muscle degeneration. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: A sheep model with acute release of the infraspinatus tendon was used. An osteotomy of the greater tuberosity, including the insertion of the infraspinatus tendon, was performed in 14 sheep. To demonstrate presence of edema, magnetic resonance imaging scans were performed at 0, 2, and 4 weeks using T1-weighted, T2-weighted, proton density–weighted, and Dixon sequences. Excisional biopsy specimens were taken at 0, 3, and 4 weeks (histological results will be reported in a later publication). Two injury models were created: a nontrauma group that consisted of muscle release alone and a trauma group that included additional standardized traction to the musculotendinous unit. Evaluation of T1- and T2-weighted images included calculation of pennation angle, muscle fiber length, signal intensity (edema), and muscle volume. Muscle wet weight and volume were measured at sacrifice. Results: Edema formation was shown in all sheep and slightly more pronounced in the trauma group, where muscle intensity increased significantly between time point 0 (200 Grey Value (GV)) and weeks 2, 3, and 4 (300 GV). Edema formation started early after tendon release with a plateau between 3 and 4 weeks. Deterioration of muscle fiber bundles began also after tendon release with a peak at 4 weeks. Muscle volume decreased steadily over time. Conclusion: Muscle edema appeared early after rotator cuff tendon release, was more pronounced in the trauma group, and reached a plateau after 3 to 4 weeks. Muscle fatty content decreased within the short period of 4 weeks owing to a dilution effect. Muscle edema seems to be an essential factor in cuff tears and subsequent muscle retraction and degeneration. Clinical Relevance: This study demonstrates a new type of muscle edema of retraction and describes the characteristics of edema associated with a retracted rotator cuff tear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of an 8-year-old girl presented to pediatric emergency department with a seven-day history of progressive headache, predominantly of frontal location, headache associated with vomiting and hyporexia. Regular blood test, urgent brain computed tomography (CT) scan and , a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed. She was finally diagnosed with acute cerebellitis (AC) presenting with symptoms of intracranial hypertension without cerebellar semiology.

Objective: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) plays a pivotal role in spondyloarthritis (SpA) diagnosis. However, a detailed description of MRI findings of the sacroiliac (SI) joints and spine in healthy individuals is currently lacking. This study was undertaken to evaluate the occurrence of MRI‐detected SI joint and spinal lesions in healthy individuals in relation to age. Methods: Ninety‐five healthy subjects (ages 20–49 years) underwent MRI of the SI joints and spine. Bone marrow edema (BME) and structural lesions of the SI joints were scored using the Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada (SPARCC) method. Spinal inflammatory and structural lesions were evaluated using the SPARCC MRI spine inflammation index and the Canada‐Denmark MRI scoring system, respectively. Fulfillment of the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society definition of a positive MRI for sacroiliitis/spondylitis was reviewed. Findings were compared to MRIs of axial SpA patients from the Belgian Inflammatory Arthritis and Spondylitis cohort. Results: Of the subjects ≥30 years old, 17.2% fulfilled the definition of a positive MRI for sacroiliitis, but this occurred rarely in younger subjects. SI joint erosions (20.0%) and fat metaplasia (13.7%) were detected across all age groups. Erosions were more frequently visualized in subjects ages ≥40 years (39.3%). Spinal BME (35.7%) and fat metaplasia (28.6%) were common in subjects older than 40 years. Nonetheless, only 1 subject had ≥3 corner inflammatory lesions. SI joint and spinal SPARCC scores and total structural lesions scores increased progressively with age. Conclusion: Contrary to what is commonly believed, structural MRI‐detected SI joint lesions are frequently seen in healthy individuals. Especially in older subjects, the high occurrence of inflammatory and structural MRI‐detected lesions impacts their specificity for SpA, which has important implications for the interpretation of MRIs in patients with a clinical suspicion of SpA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine the sensitivity and specificity of dual-energy CT (DECT) virtual noncalcium images (VNCa) with bone and soft tissue reconstructions in the diagnosis of osteomyelitis. Materials & Methods: Between December 1, 2014 to December 1, 2020, 91 patients who had 99 DECT performed for a clinical indication of osteomyelitis with corresponding MRI, triphasic bone scan and/or white blood cell scintigraphy with CT/SPECT performed either 2 weeks before or 1 month after the DECT were retrospectively identified. The presence or absence of osteomyelitis was established using a second imaging test, bone biopsy or surgery. Two radiologists interpreted VNCa images alone and with bone and soft tissue reconstructions for osteomyelitis. Fleiss k statistics was used to assess inter-level agreement. Results: Osteomyelitis was present in 26 cases (26.2%), of which 4 cases (4%) had co-existing septic arthritis. DECT was performed at the following sites: ankle/foot (n = 59), calf (n = 12), knee (n = 3), thigh (n = 7), hip (n = 9), pelvis (n = 6), wrist/hand (n = 1), and shoulder (n = 2). Sensitivity with VNCa images alone was 53.8% and 73.1% and specificity was 84.9% and 71.2%. Sensitivity with VNCa images and bone and soft tissue reconstructions was 80.8% and 80.8% and specificity was 80.8% and 72.6%. Interobserver agreement was 76.7% (76 of 99 cases), for VNCa images alone (k =.487), and 66.7% (66 of 99 patients) for bone and soft tissue reconstructions with VNCa images together (k =.390). Conclusion: When VNCa images were combined with bone and soft tissue reconstructions, there is improved sensitivity in the diagnosis of osteomyelitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Objectives Subjective loss of response immediately prior to routine TNFi therapy can occur in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). We investigated clinical outcomes in patients taking the first three licenced TNFis and correlated this with recurrence of MRI bone marrow oedema (MRI-BMO). Methods Proof-of-concept study including axSpA patients established on etanercept (ETA), adalimumab (ADA) or infliximab (IFX) reporting symptom deterioration prior to next dose. MRI/clinical data were collected prior to scheduled dose (v1), 4 days post-dose (v2) and at the time of patient-reported symptom return (v3). MRI spine/sacroiliac joints utilizing 3 T were scored using the semi-quantitative Leeds MRI scoring system. Results A total of 113 clinical assessments and MRIs were performed in 38 participants (ADA = 16, ETA = 12, IFX = 10), mean age 42.1 years ± 24.4(2SD, n  = 38), 71.1% male (n  = 27/38), 69.7% HLA-B27 positive (n  = 23/33). At v1, all patients had high disease activity [ASDAS-CRP = 3 (2.7–3.7)] and 57.9% had MRI-BMO (number of MRI-BMO: ETA = 26, ADA = 59, IFX = 28). Improved clinical responses were seen at v2 [ASDAS-CRP −0.41(−0.81 − 0.30), P =0.018; BASDAI −0.58(−2.2 − 0.52), P =0.024]. Despite just a 4-day interval between v1 and v2, a numerical reduction in MRI-BMO lesions between v1/v2 was observed (ETA = −6, ADA = −10, IFX = −3). By v3, comparatively fewer new BMO lesions were detected in the ETA and ADA groups compared with IFX (ETA = −1, ADA = +3, IFX = +8), although the numbers were too small to enable testing for statistical significance. Conclusions Short-lived fluctuations in MRI-BMO were commoner with longer-acting agents and corresponded with subjective loss of clinical response before next scheduled TNFi dose. Larger studies are needed to confirm the possible pathogenic implications of this phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 10 year-old male patient initially presenting with fever, swelling, and pain in the left inguinal lymph node. It is reported that initial laboratory results indicated abnormalities, including significant left inguinal lymphadenopathy and para-aortic lymphadenopathy. It is further reported that the patient's condition did not respond to conventional treatments for TAFRO syndrome, including corticosteroids, cyclosporine A, tocilizumab, and rituximab.

TAFRO (thrombocytopenia, anasarca, fever, renal dysfunction, and organomegaly) syndrome is a subtype of Castleman's disease and has been described in recent years. In this case, a middle-aged woman was admitted to our clinic with a 2-week history of fever, weakness, cough, shortness of breath and edema all over the body. Physical examination on admission revealed pale conjunctiva, tachycardia, coarse crackles over left lower lung fields, pitting edema in the extremities, tense ascites, axillar, and bilateral inguinal lymph nodes measuring less than 2 cm. Inguinal lymph node excisional biopsy was compatible with TAFRO syndrome. We started corticosteroid treatment. The patient's general condition and physical findings improved. Laboratory values returned to normal limits. This case will help understand the clinical course and treatment strategy in TAFRO syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: COVID-19 is a new respiratory infection caused by the Coronavirus, which the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global pandemic in 2019. The clinical course of the infection in children differs from adults. With a variety of presentations, COVID-19 poses a great diagnostic challenge for physicians. Here, we present a child with COVID-19, who presented with fever and periorbital edema. Case Report: A 3-year-old boy came into the hospital with periorbital edema and fever. He had no respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms, his laboratory tests revealed only hypoalbuminemia and he had no prior history of any other diseases. His nasopharyngeal swab PCR came back positive for Covid-19. Conclusion: Fever and periorbital edema are rare manifestations of COVID-19 in infected children, further medical research is required to find the cause of this problem. Finding the scientific explanation for this complication can lead to better insight for diagnosis and even reveal possible effective treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Posterior spinal epidural space (PSES) is a fat-containing space. We noted numerous spinal MRIs demonstrating T2-hyperintense thickening of the cervical/thoracic PSES in early newborns, resembling epidural edema. Our aim is to describe the appearance/frequency of this finding and explore any associations with delivery. Methods: Retrospectively, 202 spinal/cranial MRIs, belonging to newborns within the first 2 weeks of life, were evaluated using sagittal fat-suppressed T2, T1-FLAIR, and STIR. Exclusion criteria were motion, incomplete spine imaging, lack of sagittal T2/STIR, and inadequate clinical data. Ninety-three patients were included in the final analysis. We reviewed all cases for T2 hyperintense thickened PSES and, if present, accompanying abnormal T1 signal. The spinal canal and PSES thickness were measured. Clinical and demographic data were collected. Follow-up exams were evaluated, if available. Cases with thickened PSES and without were compared. Results: T2-hyperintense thickened PSES was present in 60/93 (64.5%). Mean PSES thickness was 2.3 mm (0.7–4.6). The mean PSES thickness/spinal canal diameter ratio was 0.2 (0.1–0.5). No cord compression was identified. One had a hyperintense T1 PSES signal, compatible with epidural hemorrhage. No difference was found between those with thickened PSES and without, regarding sex, gestational age, birth weight, birth method, difficult delivery, fetal position, or neurologic status (p>0.05). Follow-up imaging was available in 10, with complete resolution of T2 hyperintense PSES thickening. Conclusion: T2 hyperintense PSES thickening is common in imaged newborns and reversible at follow-up. No significant neurologic outcomes were found related to its presence; thus, follow-up does not appear necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tonsillectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures in pediatric patients. The tonsillar retractor, which is routinely used during a tonsillectomy, applies high pressure to the patient's tongue and can lead to various complications. Aims: This study aimed to explore tongue edema induced by the pressure applied by tonsillar retractor, using ultrasonography in pediatric patients undergoing tonsillectomy surgeries. Materials and Methods: Sixty-one patients were included in the study. The tonsillectomy group included 31 patients who underwent tonsillectomy surgery, while the control group included 30 patients who underwent inguinal hernia and circumcision surgery. Submental coronal plane ultrasonography examinations of the tongue were performed twice for each patient. In the tonsillectomy group, the first examination of tongue area (TA1) was done immediately after intubation but before the placement of tonsillar retractor. The second examination (TA2) was done at the end of the tonsillectomy surgery after the removal of the tonsillar retractor but before extubation. In the control group, the first examination (TA1) was done immediately after intubation, whereas the second examination (TA2) was done at the end of the surgery before extubation. These results were compared with those for the control group. Results: Groups were similar in terms of demographics and intubation duration. Groups did not significantly differ in terms of TA1 (P =.212), but they significantly differed in terms of TA2 (P =.000). They also significantly differed in terms of tongue edema defined as TA2 − TA1 (P =.000). Conclusions and Significance: Tonsillar retractor does cause tongue edema in tonsillectomy surgeries. This tongue edema seems to be a result of the pressure applied by the tonsillar retractor. This study is the first to demonstrate the possible role of ultrasonography examination in determining the tonsillar retractor–induced tongue edema in pediatric patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (SDAVFs) are characterized byanabnormalconnection betweena spinal radicular artery and a perimedullary vein, mainly fed by a radicular artery at the nerve root sleeve. Case Presentation: Here, we describe the case of a 40-year-old woman, presenting with progressive weakness of the lower extremities and the sphincter. Thoracic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed spinal cordedemaand signal voids on the dorsal surface of the cord. Spinal angiography demonstrated a SDAVF with a nidus at the sacral level; the feeder of the arteriovenous fistula was a lateral sacral artery, as a branch of the internal iliac artery. The lateral sacral artery was subselectively catheterized, and SDAVF was embolized with 25% n-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) glue (glue: lipiodol ratio, 1:3). Conclusion: After embolization, no definite residual connection was visualized between the arterial and venous systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A clinical quiz about a female patient with systemic lupus erythematosus is presented.

Periorbital edema as a sole initial manifestation, without any evidence of other significant cutaneous or systemic involvement, is rare in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We report a 16 year-old female who presented with bilateral periorbital edema as the sole initial manifestation of SLE. As the disease progressed, a kidney biopsy was performed demonstrating lupus nephritis stage II. This report emphasizes the importance of the index of suspicion of SLE as one of the differential diagnosis of patients with periorbital edema in the relevant clinical context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Regorafenib, a receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is a routinely used targeted agent in the current treatment of patients with refractory metastatic colorectal carcinoma (mCRC). The aims of this study were to detect the presence of bowel wall edema during regorafenib treatment via computed tomography (CT) and to assess the relationship between survival and regorafenib-induced bowel wall edema in patients with mCRC receiving regorafenib. Patients and methods: We retrospectively evaluated the presence of bowel wall edema on CT of 25 mCRC patients who received regorafenib and analyzed its relationship with progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Results: Among the 25 patients, 25 had small bowel wall edema (SBWE) and 14 had large bowel wall edema (LBWE) on at least one CT examination. The median SBWE value was 4.85 milimeters (mm). Of the 25 patients, 14 had SBWE ≤4.85 mm and 11 had SBWE >4.85 mm. Regorafenib intolerance was significantly higher at SBWE >4.85 mm patients (p = 0.03). The median PFS was 4.6 months (95% CI: 2.4–6.8) and median OS was 9.3 months (95% CI: 3.1–15.4). Median PFS and OS were shorter in patients with SBWE > 4.85 mm than in those with ≤4.85 mm, but not statistically significant (median PFS: 3.9 vs 4.6 months, p: 0.523; median OS: 5.6 vs 9.3 months, p: 0.977). Conclusions: Regorafenib caused SBWE in patients with mCRC. Patients who developed more SBWE had a higher regorafenib intolerance and a shorter survival. Further studies are needed to confirm the predictor value of SBWE on the survival outcomes of patients with mCRC receiving regorafenib. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dual-energy CT (DECT) has emerged into clinical routine as an imaging technique with unique postprocessing utilities that improve the evaluation of different body areas. The virtual non-calcium (VNCa) reconstruction algorithm has shown beneficial effects on the depiction of bone marrow pathologies such as bone marrow edema. Its main advantage is the ability to substantially increase the image contrast of structures that are usually covered with calcium mineral, such as calcified vessels or bone marrow, and to depict a large number of traumatic, inflammatory, infiltrative, and degenerative disorders affecting either the spine or the appendicular skeleton. Therefore, VNCa imaging represents another step forward for DECT to image conditions and disorders that usually require the use of more expensive and time-consuming techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography/CT, or bone scintigraphy. The aim of this review article is to explain the technical background of VNCa imaging, showcase its applicability in the different body regions, and provide an updated outlook on the clinical impact of this technique, which goes beyond the sole improvement in image quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lower extremity swelling is a common condition which has a variety of etiologies and can be challenging to diagnose and manage. Swelling is usually the result of the accumulation of interstitial fluid in the subcutaneous tissues. Common etiologies include systemic, superficial, and deep venous, and lymphatic disorders. Leg swelling can occur bilaterally or unilaterally, with venous disorders being one of the most common causes of unilateral lower extremity edema. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine the non-glaucomatous causes of decreased visual acuity in glaucoma patients presenting in the eye OPD of a tertiary care hospital. Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Abbasi Shaheed Hospital from July 2019 to September 2020. Methods: Patients above 18 years of age, visual acuity of less than 6/6 and diagnosed case of glaucoma were included in this study. Patients with congenital glaucoma and patients not willing to participate in the study were excluded. Detailed history was taken and ocular examination of the patient was done. Causes of decreased visual acuity were determined. Data was collected and analyzed on SPSS version 20. Results: There were 369 glaucoma patients with a mean age of 58.2 ± 11.54 SD years. Males were 224 (60.4%), with mean duration of glaucoma as 5.4 ± 5.2 years. Primary open-angle glaucoma was seen in 209 (56.6%) and primary angle-closure glaucoma was in 96 (26%) of patients. Treatable causes were 119 (32.2%) and non-glaucomatous causes of decrease vision were 221 (59.9%). Glaucomatous optic atrophy was seen in 182 (49.3%) patients followed by cataract in 96 (26%). Patients with corneal pathologies were 38 (10.2%) and ARMD were 26 (7%). Conclusion: The commonest cause of decreased visual acuity in glaucoma patients is irreversible glaucomatous optic atrophy. Age-related macular degeneration, corneal pathologies, and amblyopia also contribute to irreversibly decreased visual acuity in glaucoma patients. Reversible causes include cataract, refractive errors, cystoid macular edema and diabetic macular edema. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare the short-term efficacy and safety of intraocular Ranibizumab and Bevacizumab in patients with treatment Naïve macular edema. Study Design: Quasi experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Amanat Eye Hospital, from August 2018 to November 2019. Methods: Patients with macular edema confirmed with optical coherence tomography (OCT) or leakage on fluorescein angiography were included. Patients with NVE, PDR without macular edema and patients who switched to alternative anti-VEGF compounds prior to the completion of three consecutive monthly injections of their respective anti-VEGF or switched to other treatment options were excluded from the study. A thorough clinical examination was conducted including best corrected visual acuity (BCVA, intraocular pressure (IOP), anterior and posterior segment examination and OCT macula. The patients were then allocated to one of the two study arms (either Bevacizumab or Ranibizumab) based on the doctor's input and patient affordability. All patients underwent three consecutive injections of the selected molecule at one month intervals. BCVA, CRT and macular volume were then recorded 04 weeks after the third injection. Results: A statistically significant mean vision gain was observed from baseline in both groups (p < 0.05). However, the change in BCVA was not significantly different between intravitreal Bevacizumab group and intravitreal Ranibizumab group (p > 0.05). Similarly, although there was improvement in CRT and macular volume in both groups but there was no statistically significant difference between the two. Conclusions: Treatment with intravitreal Bevacizumab and Ranibizumab injections cause statistically similar anatomical and functional results in cases of treatment naïve macular edema. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Awareness of the incidence of chronic oedema in the UK, and the consequences of inadequate management has grown over the last 10 years. Moffatt et al (2019) identified that over 50% of patients cared for by community nurses had an element of chronic oedema. A failure to identify and manage chronic oedema can result in the disease progressing to more advanced stages, which are more costly for patients and healthcare services to manage (Wound Care People, 2019). This article tells the story of Anne and her journey with chronic oedema. Her story exposes many inadequacies ranging from prevention to diagnosis, management, and prevention of harm. These culminated in a hospital admission and lengthy rehabilitation calculated to have cost in the region of £35,000. The use of an evidence-based care pathway is advocated and the potential impact which its use might have had for Anne at a number stages in her journey are explored. The combination of Anne's story, and the financial analysis of the outcome and other potential outcomes had a care pathway been followed, make a powerful argument for change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]