Plain X-ray, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings of telangiectatic osteosarcoma: a case report

An 18-year-old male patient presented with chronic nonspecific pain of three months located at his left proximal tibia. The patient was admitted to our department for plain X-ray, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging examination. Plain X-ray and computed tomography revealed a geographic lytic lesion at the medial aspect of the proximal tibia. Biopsy of the lesion showed telangiectatic osteosarcoma. Image findings of all modalities are presented

Diversification and desynchronicity: An organizational portfolio perspective on corporate risk reduction

A longstanding objective of managers is to reduce risk to their businesses. The conventional strategy for risk reduction is diversification; however, evidence for the effectiveness of diversification remains inconclusive. According to Organizational Portfolio Analysis, firms are viewed as portfolios of business units, and the key to risk reduction is both diversification and synchronization compensation. This study introduces “desynchronicity”, a process that operationalizes synchronization compensation by assessing the degree of correlation between income streams of business units. Two samples of 737 and 332 firms (from COMPUSTAT) were used to empirically test the relationships between diversification and risk, and desynchronicity and risk. The results show that diversification alone will not always lead to a lower corporate risk. To reduce risk, firms also need to consider the desynchronicity of their business portfolios. Other practical implications include improved decisions on portfolio composition.</jats:p

The Role of Virtual Cystoscopy, after Multidetector Computed Tomography Imaging Reconstruction without the Use of Contrast Medium, in the Diagnosis and Evaluations of Bladder Tumors: Preliminary Study

Introduction. Although conventional cystoscopy is considered to be the gold standard for diagnosis and follow-up of bladder tumors, it remains an invasive and costly procedure. With the advent of the multidetector CT (MDCT) scanners supported by specialized software virtual cystoscopy (VC) is possible. We assess the role of VC in diagnosing and evaluating bladder lesions. Materials and Methods. Between September 2010 and October 2011, 25 consecutive patients with cystoscopically confirmed bladder tumor underwent VC. The radiologists involved in this prospective study were blinded to the exact findings. After draining any residual urine with a catheter, the bladder was retrogradely insufflated with 200–600 cc of air. No intravenous or intravesical contrast was used. MDCT scan was performed in supine and prone positions and three-dimensional reconstruction of the urinary bladder was performed. Results. The examination was well tolerated by all patients with no complications. In total, 43 lesions were detected both with conventional cystoscopy and VC. Tumor size measured by CT ranged from 3 to 80 mm in diameter. The pathological report revealed noninvasive transitional cell carcinomas in all cases. Conclusion. VC has promising results in detecting exophytic bladder lesions. In the future it could be part of the diagnostic algorithm for bladder tumors

Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients Unfit for Resection, Ablation, or Chemotherapy: A Retrospective Study

Purpose. The purpose is to evaluate the feasibility, efficacy, and the toxicity of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) in patients with advanced hepatocelluar carcinoma (HCC) and inferior vena cava tumor thrombosis (IVCTT). Methods. Between 2007 and 2012, in a retrospective way, 9 patients (median age 69 years) with advanced HCC and IVCTT unfit for surgery, radiofrequency ablation, embolization, or chemotherapy were treated with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT). The radiotherapy volume included both primary tumor and IVTT. The radiotherapy schedule was 50–52 Gy in 2 Gy fractions. Overall survival (OS), response to radiotherapy, visual analogue scale (VAS), and toxicity were assessed. Results. All patients demonstrated a response rate up to 60%. During radiotherapy, 3 patients experienced grade 1 nausea/vomit toxicity. All patients demonstrated an elevation of the liver enzymes (3 patients with grade 1 and 6 patients with grade 2). The mean VAS-score was decreased from 6.11 to 3.11, while the median overall survival was 24 months. Conclusion. 3DCRT achieves a very high local control rate and is suitable for patients with HCC and IVTT, while the documented radiation induced toxicity is moderate. It can be recommended for palliation in patients unable to undergo curative therapies

Computed tomography of the sternum and its articulations

The chest wall presents diagnostic difficulties for both the clinician and the radiologist. Because of normal variations in anatomy and ossification, analysis of the sternal region can be particularly confusing. We reviewed the normal computed tomographic (CT) appearance of the sternum in 354 patients. Important normal sternal variants included cortical unsharpness along the posterior aspect of the manubrium, lateral surfaces of the body, and at the sternal fibrocartilaginous articulations; soft tissue prominence at the junction of the sternum and costochondral cartilage; and bony sclerosis at the transitions from manubrium to body and from body to xiphoid. In seven patients with clinically significant sternal abnormality, key CT features were abnormal soft tissue mass (7/7), destruction or irregularity of the cortical contour (7/7), and abnormal increased attenuation of bone (1/7). CT should be the radiologic study of choice in patients with suspected abnormality of the sternum and its articulations.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/46774/1/256_2004_Article_BF00349494.pd

THEORIES OF MASS COMMUNICATION. JURIDICAL-SOCIAL AND CULTURAL FUNCTION IN PUBLIC SPHERE

THE DOCTORAL THESIS IS A DISCOURSE, DEBATE AND CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF MASS COMMUNICATION THEORIES ON PUBLIC SPHERE. THIS ANALYSIS PRESENTS A CONSTELLATION ABOUTTHE LIMITS, CONNECTIONS, USES AND FUNCTIONS OF BASIC COMPONENTS OF MASS COMMUNICATION WITH MEDIA SPECTACLE AND INSTITUTIONAL POWER IN PUBLIC SPHERE.Η ΔΙΑΤΡΙΒΗ ΑΦΟΡΑ ΣΤΗ ΘΕΩΡΗΤΙΚΗ ΚΑΙ ΚΡΙΤΙΚΗ ΑΝΑΛΥΣΗ ΤΗΣ ΜΑΖΙΚΗΣ ΕΠΙΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΑΣ. ΑΝΑΛΥΟΝΤΑΙ ΤΑ ΒΑΣΙΚΑ ΣΥΣΤΑΤΙΚΑ ΤΗΣ ΜΑΖΙΚΗΣ ΕΠΙΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΑΣ ΣΕ ΣΧΕΣΗ ΜΕ ΤΗ ΝΟΜΙΚΗ-ΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΚΗ ΚΑΙ ΠΟΛΙΤΙΣΤΙΚΗ ΛΕΙΤΟΥΡΓΙΑ ΤΟΥΣ ΕΠΙ ΤΗΣ ΔΗΜΟΣΙΑΣ ΣΦΑΙΡΑΣ. ΑΥΤΗ Η ΛΕΙΤΟΥΡΓΙΑ, ΜΕΣΑ ΑΠΟ ΜΙΑ ΑΠΟΤΕΛΕΣΜΑΤΙΚΗ ΑΡΧΗ ΟΠΩΣ ΕΙΝΑΙ ΤΟ ΔΗΜΟΣΙΟ ΜΗΝΥΜΑ, ΕΚΠΛΗΡΟΙ ΕΝΑΝ ΚΕΝΤΡΙΚΟ ΡΟΛΟ ΕΠΙ ΤΩΝ ΜΕΤΑΒΛΗΤΩΝ ΕΚΣΥΓΧΡΟΝΙΣΜΟΥ ΤΗΣ ΔΗΜΟΣΙΑΣ ΣΦΑΙΡΑΣ ΑΛΛΑ ΚΑΙ ΕΠΙ ΣΥΝΤΕΤΑΓΜΕΝΩΝ ΕΞΑΡΤΗΣΕΩΣ ΤΩΝ ΥΠΟ ΑΝΑΠΤΥΞΗ 'Η ΥΠΑΝΑΠΤΥΚΤΩΝ ΧΩΡΩΝ ΑΠΟ ΤΙΣ ΑΝΑΠΤΥΓΜΕΝΕΣ ΧΩΡΕΣ, ΤΟΣΟ ΣΕ ΠΟΛΙΤΙΚΟ ΟΣΟ ΚΑΙ ΣΕ ΠΟΛΙΤΙΣΤΙΚΟ ΕΠΙΠΕΔΟ