The rib index is not practically affected by the distance between the radiation source and the examined child

Background: All lateral spinal radiographs in idiopathic scoliosis (IS) show a Double Rib Contour Sign (DRCS) of the thoracic cage, a radiographic expression of the rib hump. The outline of the convex overlies the contour of the concave ribs. The rib index (RI) method was extracted from the DRCS to evaluate rib hump deformity in IS patients. The RI was calculated by the ratio of spine distances d1/d2 where d1 is the distance between the most extended point of the most extending rib contour and the posterior margin of the corresponding vertebra on the lateral scoliosis films, while d2 is the distance from the least projection rib contour and the posterior margin of the same vertebra, (Grivas et al 2002). In a symmetric thorax the "rib index" is 1. This report is the validity study of DRCS, ie how the rib index is affected by the distance between the radiation source and the irradiated child. Methods: The American College of Radiology's (2009) guidelines for obtaining radiographs for scoliosis in children recommends for the scoliotic - films distance to be 1,80 meters. Normal values used for the transverse diameter of the ribcage in children aged 6-12 years were those reported by Grivas in 1988. Results: Using the Euclidean geometry, it is shown that in a normal 12-year old child d1/d2 = 1.073 provided that the distance Z ≈ 12cm (11,84) and EA = 180cm, with transverse ribcage diameter of the child 22 cm. Conclusions: This validity study demonstrates that the DRCS is substantially true and the RI is not practically affected by the distance between the radiation source and the irradiated child. The RI is valid and may be used to evaluate the effect of surgical or conservative treatment on the rib cage deformity (hump) in children with IS. It is noted that RI is a simple method and a safe reproducible way to assess the rib hump deformity based on lateral radiographs, without the need for any other special radiographs and exposure to additional radiation. © 2015 Grivas et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd

Lung Ultrasound as First-Line Examination for the Diagnosis of Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Children

Objectives: The diagnosis of pediatric community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is based on clinical criteria. Even though chest x-ray (CXR) is only recommended in severe cases, it is often requested from physicians in mild cases, thus increasing radiation exposure. Lung ultrasound (LUS) is not included in the diagnostic workup. The Objective: of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of LUS against CXR. Methods: Children who presented to the emergency department with clinical signs suggesting CAP and had already been evaluated with a CXR were included in the study. Availability of a pediatric sonographer expert in LUS was also considered a criterion for participation. Chest x-ray and LUS were considered positive for CAP in cases of alveolar or interstitial pattern of disease. The diagnostic criterion standard was the ex post diagnosis of pneumonia, made by an independent senior expert pediatrician, after evaluation of the complete medical chart. Results: Sixty-nine children were enrolled in the study, with 66 of 69 positive for CAP. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis results for CXR were 95.5% sensitivity and 100% specificity, whereas for LUS, sensitivity was reported 92.42% and specificity 100%. Comparison of the 2 receiver operating characteristic curves revealed no difference in the diagnostic value of the 2 methods for the diagnosis of pneumonia (P = 0.658). However, LUS classified more cases as alveolar disease compared with CXR. Conclusions: Lung ultrasound plays a significant role in the detection of CAP, not inferior to CXR. The aim of this study was to encourage the use of ultrasound as a first-line examination for CAP in children. © Copyright 2016 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved

Computed tomography-guided percutaneous infiltrations for piriformis syndrome: A single-center retrospective study

Piriformis syndrome (PS), first described by Yeoman in 1928, is a general term referring to low back pain, sciatica, and instability. PS has a 6% incidence rate worldwide. In this study, we aim to retrospectively evaluate the effectiveness of computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous infiltration in a series of consecutive PS patients who have symptoms that are refractory to conservative therapies. An institutional database search identified 20 such consecutive patients who underwent infiltration with a mixture of long-acting corticosteroid and local anesthetic. Preoperational evaluation included physical examination and magnetic resonance imaging. The correct position of the 22-gauge spinal needle was verified with CT scan after contrast medium injection. Pain measured before the procedure and at 1 wk and 1, 6, and 12 mo after the procedure was compared by means of a numeric visual scale (NVS) questionnaire. The mean pain score before CT-guided percutaneous infiltration was 8.95 ± 1.432 NVS units. This score was reduced to a mean value of 0.85 ± 0.933 units at 1 wk, 0.90 ± 0.852 at 1 mo, 1.10 ± 1.165 at 6 mo, and 1.20 ± 1.399 at 12 mo follow-up (p < 0.001). Two patients of 20 (10%) underwent a second infiltration that was performed at 7 and 10 d after the first, respectively. No complications were observed. CT-guided infiltration seems to be a feasible, efficacious, and safe approach for pain reduction and mobility improvement in patients with symptomatic PS. © 2020 by Begell House, Inc. www.begellhouse.com

Safety and Efficacy of Transcatheter Arterial Chemoemboliazation in the Real-Life Management of Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background: Trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is associated with better survival in BCLC-stage B patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and Child-Pugh A whereas in Child-Pugh B there is no definite evidence of benefit. Objectives: To assess the safety and efficacy of TACE during routine clinical practice in a consecutive Greek cohort of patients with unrespectable HCC. Patients and Methods: Seventy one patients enrolled for this study (mean follow-up: 24.6 months). 100 mg cisplatin, 50 mg doxorubicin and 10 ml lipiodol as well as embolic materials were used. CT-scans and blood tests were obtained prior and post-TACE. Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazard model were used to evaluate survival and factors affecting survival. Results: Survival at 1-year, 2-years, 3-years and 5-years was 73.2%, 45.4%, 33.2% and 14.9% respectively. Procedure-related mortality was 1.4%. Multivariate analysis showed lesion diameter, Child-Pugh classification, alcohol abuse, tumor response and AFP prior TACE as independent prognostic factors of survival. Patients diagnosed during surveillance had significantly better survival rates compared to those diagnosed after development of symptoms (HR = 0.58, 95%CI: 0.33-1.01, P < 0.05). Conclusions: TACE is safe and efficient for unrespectable HCC. Alcohol abuse, tumor burden, response criteria, Child-Pugh and AFP prior to the session were identified as independent predictors of survival whereas, adherence to surveillance programs resulted in significantly better survival in these patients

Radiological and radiotherapeutic approaching of pediatric tumors in head and neck area

The most common pediatric malignancies in head and neck area consisted of lymphoma, leukemia, brain tumors, neuroblastoma, Wilms' tumor, sarcomas and primarily rhabdomyosarcoma. This review reports in brief radiological diagnosis and staging together with radiation treatment, in terms of common clinical practice. Ultrasound, computerized tomography, Magnetic resonance Imaging and lately Positron Emission Tomography are playing an important diagnostic role, which is discussed. Further, the radiation treatment represents also an important weapon against pediatric neoplasia. In general the prescribed dose is 35 (1.7Gy per fraction), 24 (1.6Gy per fraction) and 54-60Gy (1.8Gy per fraction), for lymphoma, leukemia and CNS tumors, respectively. Modern techniques such as IMRT and protons, offers a lot, although not wide spreading yet. The main aspect related to irradiation in pediatric tumors in head and neck area, is the long-term radiation induced toxicity, which is also analyzed in details

A longitudinal study of alterations of hippocampal volumes and serum BDNF levels in association to atypical antipsychotics in a sample of first-episode patients with schizophrenia

Background: Schizophrenia is associated with structural and functional abnormalities of the hippocampus, which have been suggested to play an important role in the formation and emergence of schizophrenia syndrome. Patients with schizophrenia exhibit significant bilateral hippocampal volume reduction and progressive hippocampal volume decrease in first-episode patients with schizophrenia has been shown in many neuroimaging studies. Dysfunction of the neurotrophic system has been implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. The initiation of antipsychotic medication alters the levels of serum Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) levels. However it is unclear whether treatment with antipsychotics is associated with alterations of hippocampal volume and BDNF levels. Methods: In the present longitudinal study we investigated the association between serum BDNF levels and hippocampal volumes in a sample of fourteen first-episode drug-naïve patients with schizophrenia (FEP). MRI scans, BDNF and clinical measurements were performed twice: at baseline before the initiation of antipsychotic treatment and 8 months later, while the patients were receiving monotherapy with second generation antipsychotics (SGAs). Results: We found that left hippocampal volume was decreased (corrected left HV [t = 2.977, df = 13, p = .011] at follow-up; We also found that the higher the BDNF levels change the higher were the differences of corrected left hippocampus after 8 months of treatment with atypical antipsychotics (Pearson r = 0.597, p = 0.024). Conclusions: The association of BDNF with hippocampal volume alterations in schizophrenia merits further investigation and replication in larger longitudinal studies. © 2014 Rizos et al