EVALUATION OF PELVIC FLOOR DYSFUNCTIONS WITH DEFECO-MR: AN ACCURATE MR PROTOCOL AND A RADIOLOGICAL TEMPLATE

To review MRI technique and protocol in the assessment of pelvic floor dysfunction (PDF). - To identify signs that are useful for the surgeon - To provide the key points for aradiological template - To provide the key points for a radiological template

SAFETY OF REPEATED MDCT WITH CONTRAST COMPOUND IN CASE OF PREVIOUS MILD OR MODERATE ADVERSE REACTION: A SINGLE CENTRE RETROSPECTIVE STUDY.

Adverse reactions to intravenous contrast media (CM) agents are uncommon, although relevant due to the growing number of radiologic examinations that use iodinated contrast agents. We evaluated number and prevalence of adverse contrast reaction using different contrast compound and its natural history in our population, specifically looking to cases of new contrast compound administration was considered clinically necessary

Colorectal Cancer Stage at Diagnosis Before vs During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy

IMPORTANCE Delays in screening programs and the reluctance of patients to seek medical attention because of the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 could be associated with the risk of more advanced colorectal cancers at diagnosis. OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic was associated with more advanced oncologic stage and change in clinical presentation for patients with colorectal cancer. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This retrospective, multicenter cohort study included all 17 938 adult patients who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer from March 1, 2020, to December 31, 2021 (pandemic period), and from January 1, 2018, to February 29, 2020 (prepandemic period), in 81 participating centers in Italy, including tertiary centers and community hospitals. Follow-up was 30 days from surgery. EXPOSURES Any type of surgical procedure for colorectal cancer, including explorative surgery, palliative procedures, and atypical or segmental resections. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was advanced stage of colorectal cancer at diagnosis. Secondary outcomes were distant metastasis, T4 stage, aggressive biology (defined as cancer with at least 1 of the following characteristics: signet ring cells, mucinous tumor, budding, lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, and lymphangitis), stenotic lesion, emergency surgery, and palliative surgery. The independent association between the pandemic period and the outcomes was assessed using multivariate random-effects logistic regression, with hospital as the cluster variable. RESULTS A total of 17 938 patients (10 007 men [55.8%]; mean [SD] age, 70.6 [12.2] years) underwent surgery for colorectal cancer: 7796 (43.5%) during the pandemic period and 10 142 (56.5%) during the prepandemic period. Logistic regression indicated that the pandemic period was significantly associated with an increased rate of advanced-stage colorectal cancer (odds ratio [OR], 1.07; 95%CI, 1.01-1.13; P = .03), aggressive biology (OR, 1.32; 95%CI, 1.15-1.53; P < .001), and stenotic lesions (OR, 1.15; 95%CI, 1.01-1.31; P = .03). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This cohort study suggests a significant association between the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the risk of a more advanced oncologic stage at diagnosis among patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer and might indicate a potential reduction of survival for these patients

Swallowing impairment in neurologic disorders: The role of videofluorographic swallowing study

Patients with neurologic diseases almost inevitably develop various degrees of swallowing disorders during their life. Dysphagia is one of the main negative prognostic factors in this class of patients, leading to severe morbidity (i.e. aspiration pneumonia, dehydration, malnutrition, and life quality deterioration) and to a noticeable increase in public health spending. Videofluorographic swallowing study is considered the gold standard technique for swallowing impairment assessment. It is aimed at early identification of the risk of aspiration, definition of the kind and grade of dysphagia, and an indication to suspend oral nutrition and adopt other feeding strategies, and define when the patient is able to return to physiological nutrition. Every radiologist should be familiar with the main videofluorographic swallowing features in neurological patients, not only because early diagnosis of deglutition disorders widely improves their prognosis, but also because customising feeding strategies has a great impact on patients’ quality of life

Strategies and the Language Learner

The active role of the learner in the language learning process has been thoroughly acknowledged in the past fifty years. The discussion on the centrality of the learner in the acquisi- tion of a second (L2) or foreign language (FL) is essentially based on the postulate that the charac- teristics of the learner affect the way in which the second or foreign language is acquired and that successful learners appear to have common personal features. Research on the language learner has demonstrated that every person learning a language has his or her own peculiar features and considerable personal baggage which must be taken into account throughout the learning pro- cess. Individual differences in foreign and second language learning can be identified in character- istics such as age, gender and aptitude, and in factors such as motivation, styles and strategies. This paper will first focus on the development of research on the language learner and on the main issues concerning language learner’s aptitude, motivation, and, in particular, on learner strategies. Age, styles and gender will not be considered as research on these characteristics also involves a deep analysis of sociological and psychological issues which are beyond the aim of this paper. The second part will concentrate on language learner strategies involved in language testing situations and on how the use of these strategies affects the test, its quality and, namely, its validity