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The aim of our study was to investigate iodine density (ID) and fat fraction (FF) on dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP). This retrospective study included 72 patients with clinically confirmed AP and 62 control subjects with DECT of the abdomen. Two radiologists assessed necrosis and measured attenuation values, ID, and FF in three pancreatic segments. We used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis to determine the optimal threshold for ID for the differentiation between AP groups. The ID was significantly higher in interstitial edematous AP compared to necrotizing AP and the control group (both p < 0.05). The ROC curve analysis revealed the thresholds of ID for detecting pancreatic necrosis ≤ 2.2, ≤2.3, and ≤2.4 mg/mL (AUC between 0.880 and 0.893, p > 0.05) for the head, body, and tail, respectively. The FF was significantly higher for pancreatitis groups when compared with the control group in the head and body segments (both p < 0.001). In the tail, the difference was significant in necrotizing AP (p = 0.028). The ID values were independent of attenuation values correlated with the FF values in pancreatic tissue. Iodine density values allow for differentiation between morphologic types of AP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of our study was to establish and compare the diagnostic accuracy and clinical applicability of published chest CT severity scoring systems used for COVID-19 pneumonia assessment and to propose the most efficient CT scoring system with the highest diagnostic performance and the most accurate prediction of disease severity. This retrospective study included 218 patients with PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and chest CT. Two radiologists blindly evaluated CT scans and calculated nine different CT severity scores (CT SSs). The diagnostic validity of CT SSs was tested by ROC analysis. Interobserver agreement was excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.982–0.995). The predominance of either consolidations or a combination of consolidations and ground-glass opacities (GGOs) was a predictor of more severe disease (both p < 0.005), while GGO prevalence alone was not. Correlation between all CT SSs was high, ranging from 0.848 to 0.971. CT SS 30 had the highest diagnostic accuracy (AUC = 0.805) in discriminating mild from severe COVID-19 disease compared to all the other proposed scoring systems (AUC range 0.755–0.788). In conclusion, CT SS 30 achieved the highest diagnostic accuracy in predicting the severity of COVID-19 disease while maintaining simplicity, reproducibility, and applicability in complex clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Argus® II, the first retinal prosthesis is approved for the treatment of patients with retinal pigmentosis. 2011 has received the CE (European Committee) designation and 2013 FDA (Food and Drug Administration) Approval. Retinal prosthesis provides a stable, safe and long-lasting retinal stimulation. The improvement of vision with retinal prosthesis depends on the improvement of the visual resolution, development of the correct neural form for imaging and improvement of the biological compatibility of the device to ensure durability. Once the theme of folklore and science fiction, the idea of returning sight to blind people today is approaching reality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Computerized tomography (CT) is the most accurate method for evaluating pelvic calcifications, which are of utmost importance for planning kidney transplantation (KT). The aim of our study was to evaluate the incidence and distribution of iliac artery calcifications and correlate the novel pelvic calcification score (PCS) with cardiovascular risk factors and graft and overall survival in KT patients. Methods: We retrospectively included 118 KT patients operated at our institution with pretransplant pelvic CT. Calcification morphology, circumference and length of both common and external iliac arteries were independently scored by two uroradiologists. PCS was calculated as the total score sum of all three calcification features in all vessels. PCS correlation with graft and patient survival was performed. Results: Calcification in at least one vascular segment was found in 79% of patients. PCS was significantly higher in male patients (p = 0.006), patients over 55 years (p < 0.001), and patients on haemodialysis (p = 0.016). Patients with a PCS >3 had significantly shorter graft and overall survival rates (p = 0.041 and p = 0.039, respectively). Conclusions: The extent of iliac artery calcification in KT recipients quantified by PCS on pretransplant CT correlates with graft and overall patient survival. A PCS over three was associated with worse clinical outcomes and could become a possible prognostic factor. Advances in knowledge: Our novel PCS is a robust method for quantifying iliac artery calcification burden. Since higher a PCS correlates with worse patient and graft survival, PCS has the potential to become a prognostic factor in kidney transplant patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Computerized tomography (CT) is the most accurate method for evaluating pelvic calcifications, which are of utmost importance for planning kidney transplantation (KT). The aim of our study was to evaluate the incidence and distribution of iliac artery calcifications and correlate the novel pelvic calcification score (PCS) with cardiovascular risk factors and graft and overall survival in KT patients. Methods: We retrospectively included 118 KT patients operated at our institution with pretransplant pelvic CT. Calcification morphology, circumference and length of both common and external iliac arteries were independently scored by two uroradiologists. PCS was calculated as the total score sum of all three calcification features in all vessels. PCS correlation with graft and patient survival was performed. Results: Calcification in at least one vascular segment was found in 79% of patients. PCS was significantly higher in male patients (p = 0.006), patients over 55 years (p < 0.001), and patients on haemodialysis (p = 0.016). Patients with a PCS >3 had significantly shorter graft and overall survival rates (p = 0.041 and p = 0.039, respectively). Conclusions: The extent of iliac artery calcification in KT recipients quantified by PCS on pretransplant CT correlates with graft and overall patient survival. A PCS over three was associated with worse clinical outcomes and could become a possible prognostic factor. Advances in knowledge: Our novel PCS is a robust method for quantifying iliac artery calcification burden. Since higher a PCS correlates with worse patient and graft survival, PCS has the potential to become a prognostic factor in kidney transplant patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the most important cause of central vision lost in elderly. AMD is "wet" or "dry", depending on choroidal neovascularization (CNV) presence. Currently, no treatment iz approved for geographic atrophy (GA), late form of "dry" AMD because of imposibillity to restore retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and photoreceptors. So, all earlier treatment only tried to slow down disease and spreading of GA. This review focuses on current data about potential targets for therapies evaluated in novel clinical trials. Novel diagnostic tools are available today for better monitoring of morfological changes in retina, RPE and choroid and spreading of atrophy zone. Several pathways, including oxidative stress, deposits of lipofuscin, chronic inflammation andchoroidal blood flow insufficiency, seem to play an important role in the pathogenesis of "dry" AMD and represent possible targets for new therapies. A great number of treatment for GA such as antiinflammatory agents, neuroprotective agents and stem cells are under investigation with promising results in preliminary study, and only few will enter the market. Besides them we need to mention subtreshold and micropulse laser treatment with ability to revitalize tissue. We, also, used them on our Eye clinic with "short-term" follow-up and modest but encouraging results, so we need other studies with "long-term" follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]