Real-time geophysical applications with Android GNSS raw measurements

The number of Android devices enabling access to raw GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) measurements is rapidly increasing, thanks to the dedicated Google APIs. In this study, the Xiaomi Mi8, the first GNSS dual-frequency smartphone embedded with the Broadcom BCM47755 GNSS chipset, was employed by leveraging the features of L5/E5a observations in addition to the traditional L1/E1 observations. The aim of this paper is to present two different smartphone applications in Geoscience, both based on the variometric approach and able to work in real time. In particular, tests using both VADASE (Variometric Approach for Displacement Analysis Stand-alone Engine) to retrieve the 3D velocity of a stand-alone receiver in real-time, and VARION (Variometric Approach for Real-Time Ionosphere Observations) algorithms, able to reconstruct real-time sTEC (slant total electron content) variations, were carried out. The results demonstrate the contribution that mass-market devices can offer to the geosciences. In detail, the noise level obtained with VADASE in a static scenario-few mm/s for the horizontal components and around 1 cm/s for the vertical component-underlines the possibility, confirmed from kinematic tests, of detecting fast movements such as periodic oscillations caused by earthquakes. VARION results indicate that the noise level can be brought back to that of geodetic receivers, making the Xiaomi Mi8 suitable for real-time ionosphere monitoring

Flying through congested airspaces: imaging of chronic rhinosinusitis

The complex regional anatomy of the nose and paranasal sinuses makes the interpretation of imaging studies of these structures intimidating to many radiologists. This paper aims to provide a key to interpretation by presenting a simplified approach to the functional anatomy of the paranasal sinuses and their most common (and most relevant) variants. This knowledge is basic for the full understanding of chronic rhinosinusitis and its computed tomography (CT) patterns. As fungal infections may be observed in the setting of chronic rhinosinusitis, these are also discussed. Chronic sinus inflammation produces bone changes, clearly depicted on CT images. Finally, clues to suspecting neoplastic lesions underlying inflammatory sinus conditions are provided

The Terracol and Ardouin developmental model of frontal sinus drainage pathway and surrounding spaces: a radiologic validation

The complexity of the frontal sinus drainage pathway (FSDP) can be challenging even for expert surgeons. Several classifications have been proposed to simplify the understanding of FSDP, whose anatomical variability can be simplified based on the knowledge of its developmental mechanisms

Thyroid cartilage infiltration in advanced laryngeal cancer: prognostic implications and predictive modelling

Objective: Detection of laryngeal cartilage invasion is of great importance in staging of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). The role of prognosticators in locally advanced laryngeal cancer are still widely debated. This study aimed to assess the impact of volume of thyroid cartilage infiltration, as well as other histopathologic variables, on patient survival. Materials and methods: We retrospectively analysed 74 patients affected by pT4 LSCC and treated with total laryngectomy between 2005 and 2021 at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery of the University of Brescia, Italy. We considered as potential prognosticators histological grade, perineural (PNI) and lympho-vascular invasion (LVI), thyroid cartilage infiltration, and pTN staging. Pre-operative CT or MRI were analysed to quantify the volume of cartilage infiltration using 3D Slicer software. Results: The 1-, 3-, and 5-year disease free survivals (DFS) were 76%, 66%, and 64%, respectively. Using machine learning models, we found that the volume of thyroid cartilage infiltration had high correlation with DFS. Patients with a higher volume (> 670 mm3) of infiltration had a worse prognosis compared to those with a lower volume. Conclusions: Our study confirms the essential role of LVI as prognosticator in advanced LSCC and, more innovatively, highlights the volume of thyroid cartilage infiltration as another promising prognostic factor

Magnetic resonance imaging to assess cartilage invasion in recurrent laryngeal carcinoma after transoral laser microsurgery

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of magnetic resonance (MR) with surface coils in assessing cartilage invasion in recurrent laryngeal carcinoma after carbon dioxide transoral laser microsurgery (CO2 TOLMS). Methods: Two expert head and neck radiologists assessed cartilage invasion (infiltrated or non-infiltrated) in submucosal recurrences of laryngeal carcinoma after CO2 TOLMS: results were compared with histopathological report after salvage laryngectomy. Results: Thirty patients met the inclusion criteria and 90 cartilages were assessed. Overall sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for cartilage infiltration were 76, 93, 72 and 94%, respectively; for thyroid cartilage, the values were 82, 79, 69 and 88% respectively; for cricoid cartilage, all values were 100%; and for arytenoids, the values were 33, 96, 56 and 93% respectively. Conclusions: MR with surface coils was able to detect most thyroid and cricoid infiltration in the complex setting of post-CO2 TOLMS laryngeal carcinoma recurrence. In particular, the optimal performance in assessing cricoid invasion can be valuable in choosing the most appropriate treatment among total laryngectomy, open partial horizontal laryngectomies and non-surgical strategies

The frontoethmoidal architecture: a developmental point of view

The anatomy of frontal sinus drainage pathway (FSDP) and surrounding spaces is extremely complex and variable. Its anatomical variability can be simplified based on the knowledge of the developmental mechanism of the frontal recess. The frontal sinus develops from the 13th week of intrauterine life to the age of twenty through a number of well-known steps of progressive extension within the frontal bone. Its development results from an upward epithelial migration of the anterior ethmoidal cells that penetrate the inferior aspect of the frontal bone between its two diploic plates. Even though this developmental theory is almost universally accepted, only few Authors focused on the formation of FSDP prior to the extramural pneumatization (1-2). The results of the present study conducted on 14 human heads match with the developmental model proposed by Terracol and Ardouin (2), in fact a number of significant associations are conform to the process of growing of the frontal sinus from one out of the three primordial cells (i.e. orbital, nasal, or bullar cell). In this model, renewed in view of the observation of the present study, the hierarchical order of growing among primordial cells determines the final frontoethmoidal architecture

Correction to: Magnetic resonance imaging features of the superior cervical ganglion and expected changes after radiation therapy to the head and neck in a long-term follow-up

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