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Vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) affect 1.4 million patients every year, especially among the globally aging population, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. Often characterized with symptoms of sudden onset back pain, decreased vertebral height, progressive kyphosis, and limited mobility, VCFs can significantly impact a patient's quality of life and are a significant public health concern. Imaging modalities in radiology, including radiographs, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET) studies and bone scans, play crucial and evolving roles in the diagnosis, assessment, and management of VCFs. An understanding of anatomy, and the extent to which each imaging modality serves to elucidate that anatomy, is crucial in understanding and providing guidance on fracture severity, classification, associated soft tissue injuries, underlying pathologies, and bone mineral density, ultimately guiding treatment decisions, monitoring treatment response, and predicting prognosis and long-term outcomes. This article thus explores the important role of radiology in illuminating the underlying anatomy and pathophysiology, classification, diagnosis, treatment, and management of patients with VCFs. Continued research and advancements in imaging technologies will further enhance our understanding of VCFs and pave the way for personalized and effective management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: To determine the incidence of acute neuroimaging (NI) findings and comorbidities in the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID‐19)‐infected subjects in seven U.S. and four European hospitals. Methods: This is a retrospective study of COVID‐19‐positive subjects with the following inclusion criteria: age >18, lab‐confirmed COVID‐19 infection, and acute NI findings (NI+) attributed to COVID‐19 on CT or MRI brain. NI+ and comorbidities in total hospitalized COVID‐19‐positive (TN) subjects were assessed. Results: A total of 37,950 COVID‐19‐positive subjects were reviewed and 4342 underwent NI. NI+ incidence in subjects with NI was 10.1% (442/4342) including 7.9% (294/3701) in the United States and 22.8% (148/647) in Europe. NI+ incidence in TN was 1.16% (442/37,950). In NI (4342), incidence of ischemic stroke was 6.4% followed by intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) (3.8%), encephalitis (0.5%), sinus venous thrombosis (0.2%), and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) (0.2%). White matter involvement was seen in 57% of NI+. Hypertension was the most common comorbidity (54%) before cardiac disease (28.8%) and diabetes mellitus (27.7%). Cardiac disease (p <.025), diabetes (p <.014), and chronic kidney disease (p <.012) were more common in the United States. Conclusion: This multicenter, multinational study investigated the incidence and spectrum of NI+ in 37,950 hospitalized adult COVID‐19 subjects including regional differences in incidences of NI+, associated comorbidities, and other demographics. NI+ incidence in TN was 1.16% including 0.95% in the United States and 2.09% in Europe. ICH, encephalitis, and ADEM were common in Europe, while ischemic strokes were more common in the United States. In this cohort, incidence and distribution of NI+ helped characterize the neurological complications of COVID‐19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Umbilical arterial catheters (UACs) have rare but serious complications related to thrombus formation. Two specific serum markers of thrombogenesis--prothrombin fragment (F1.2) and thrombin-antithrombin (TAT)--can be assayed and correlated with abdominal ultrasound visualization of UAC thrombosis. Levels of these markers of thrombogenesis have not been studied in infants with UACs. The objective of this study was to determine F1.2 and TAT levels longitudinally and compare the levels with platelet counts and ultrasound evidence of thrombi during the first week of life in infants with UACs. Methods. This study was conducted as a prospective, nonblinded, observational study performed between June 2001 and January 2002 at Christiana Care Hospital, a level III neonatal intensive care unit. Infants with a UAC in place in the first 24 hours of life were studied. All received equal amounts of heparin in the UAC. F1.2, TAT, platelet counts, and abdominal aorta ultrasounds were examined every other day starting within 24 hours of life. Studies were not done when the UAC was removed within the 5-day study period. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for TAT and F1.2 was performed using a commercially available kit from Enzyngost. Data were analyzed with repeated measures analysis of variance evaluating TAT, F1.2, and platelet count over time. Results. Thirty-three patients were investigated (mean [+ or -] standard deviation; gestational age: 27.4 [+ or -] 3.5 weeks; birth weight: 1139 [+ or -] 729 g). A total of 66 measurements of TAT, F1.2, and platelet counts were obtained. Sixty-one abdominal ultrasounds were performed; only 1 study was positive for UAC thrombus. There was no significant difference between F1.2 and TAT over time during the study period. Platelet counts seemed to fall over the 5-day study period, although this decrease did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion. Indwelling UACs in sick infants may not carry an increased risk of thrombosis during the first 5 days of use. Pediatrics 2004;113:770-774; catheters, umbilical thrombosis, F1.2, TAT., Neonatal thrombosis is a significant source of morbidity and mortality in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). (1-7) There is likely a 21% mortality rate for all patients with arterial thromboses. [...]