RE: Regional lymphadenopathy following COVID-19 vaccination in patients with or suspicious of breast cancer: A quick summary of current key facts and recommendations

We have gained a broader perspective on the management of unilateral lymphadenopathy due to COVID-19 vaccination from the editorial entitled “Regional Lymphadenopathy Following COVID-19 Vaccination in Patients with or Suspicious of Breast Cancer: A Quick Summary of Current Key Facts and Recommendations” by Chang and Ha, recently published in the Korean Journal of Radiolog

Inferior vena cava and pulmonary artery diameters for prognosis of Coronavirus disease

Aim: In this study, we aimed to analyze the relationship between pulmonary artery (PA) and inferior vena cava (IVC) diameters in non-contrast chest computerized tomography (CT) images of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and overall survival. Material and Methods: This retrospective study consisted of 404 consecutive patients who underwent chest CT after admission to the emergency department between May 1 and June 31. 2021. CT measurements were performed by two radiologists. The prognostic value of PA and IVC diameters, the computerized tomography severity score (CT-55), quick sequential organ failure assessment (qSOFA), and confusion, urea, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and age >= years (CURB-65) score on overall survival were examined. Results: The median age of the participants was 62 years (49-72), and 196 (48.5%) were male. Of the 404 patients, 61 died after admission. While main-PA, left-PA, right-PA (p < 0.001) and NC-transverse (IVC-Tr) (p = 0.045) diameters were larger and statistically significant in the patients who died (AUC; 0.686, 0.722, 0.746, and 0.581, respectively), a statistically significant difference was not detected in terms of IVC anteroposterior diameter (IVC-AP) (p = 0.053) and the IVC-Tr/AP (p = 0.754) ratio. There was a statistical difference in mortality in ciSOFA, CURB-65, and CT-SS values (AUC; 0.727, 0.798, and 0.708 p < 0.001, respectively). Discussion: PA diameters measured from chest CT images at admission (main-PA >= 26.5 mm, right-PA >= 22.9 mm, and left-PA >= 21.6 mm) and the IVC-Tr diameter (>= 34.5 mm) can be used as mortality predictors for COVID-19, along with other prognostic scores

Evaluation of spinal-paraspinal parameters to determine segmentation of the vertebrae

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate whether lumbar vertebrae can be correctly numbered using auxiliary parameters. Material and methods: Vertebra corpus shape, O’Driscoll classification, lumbosacral axis angle, last two square vertebra dimensions, orifice of right renal artery (RRA), orifice of celiac truncus (CT), orifice of superior mesenteric artery (SMA), vena cava inferior confluence (CVC), abdominal aorta bifurcation (AB), and iliolumbar ligament were evaluated in this study. Results: Lumbosacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) were observed in 13 (9%) patients. The most common locations of the paraspinal parameters were: RRA: L1 vertebrae (45%), SMA: L1 vertebrae (66%), CT: T12 vertebrae (46%), AB: L4 vertebrae (63%), and CVC: L4 vertebrae (52%). Conclusions: According to the results of our study, no single parameter in the magnetic resonance imaging can accurately indicate the number of vertebrae without counting the levels. As a result, we believe that these parameters may be suspicious in terms of the presence of LSTV rather than the correct level

The effect of sarcopenia and metabolic PET-CT parameters on survival in locally advanced non-small cell lung carcinoma

The treatment of stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is complex. Here, we aimed to examine the prognostic utility of sarcopenia and metabolic muscle volumes and evaluate their relationship with oncological treatments in patients with locally advanced NSCLC. Patients with unresectable stage III NSCLC were evaluated retrospectively. Muscle fields were measured, and metabolic parameters of the psoas were obtained. The skeletal muscle index (SMI), sarcopenia, sarcopenic obesity, and body mass index (BMI)-associated sarcopenia were evaluated. Fifty-three (94.6%) patients were men, and three (5.4%) were women. Sarcopenia was identified in 36 (64.3%) patients. Pretreatment sarcopenia and BMI-associated sarcopenia negatively affected overall survival (p = 0.040 and 0.023, respectively). A high psoas SUVmean (Standardized Uptake Value mean) and low mean psoas HU (Hounsfield unit) were poor prognostic factors (p = 0.009 and 0.014, respectively). SMI and muscle mass decreased after oncological treatment. Advanced age, inability to complete treatment, administration of chemoradiotherapy after chemotherapy, presence of sarcopenia, and a low mean psoas HU decreased survival. In conclusion, sarcopenia and BMI-associated sarcopenia are poor prognostic factors in patients with lung cancer. Oncological treatments can adversely affect muscle mass. The metabolic parameters of the psoas muscle can predict patient prognosis

ERS international virtual congress 2021: Highlights from the Turkish thoracic society early career members

This review aimed to highlight some important points derived from the presentations of the European Respiratory Society 2021 Virtual International Congress by a committee formed by the Early Career Task Group of the Turkish Thoracic Society. We summarized a wide range of topics including current developments of respiratory diseases and provided an overview of important and striking topics of the congress. Our primary motivation was to give some up-to-date information and new developments discussed during congress especially for the pulmonologists who did not have a chance to follow the congress. This review also committed an opportunity to get an overview of the newest data in the diverse fields of respiratory medicine such as post-coronavirus disease 2019, some new interventional and technologic developments related to respiratory health, and new treatment strategies