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Persistent sciatic artery (PSA) is a rare vascular anomaly classified into five types according to the Pillet and Gauffre classification system. Although PSA may be detected as an incidental finding, symptomatic cases account for approximately 80% of all cases and have variable clinical presentations. Due to the frequent ischemic and aneurysmal complications, PSAs can lead to limb-threatening conditions requiring prompt identification and adequate treatment management. In this paper, we present a series of four cases of PSA with extremely different anatomical characteristics, patients' ages, medical histories and clinical presentations. All cases were diagnosed in our institution and managed after multidisciplinary discussions involving vascular surgeons and interventional radiologists. The series included three women and one man. In two cases, one of which included gluteal and back pain, pulsatile masses were found. Two patients had lower-limb chronic ischemia, one with rest pain and one with IIb claudication. Whereas selective angiography was performed only in endovascular approaches, computed tomography angiography (CTA) was performed on all patients as the decisive diagnostic modality. In our series, treatment strategies were selected on the basis of clinical and anatomical factors, and after the evaluation of the potential risks and benefits of each technique. Treatment was medical in two cases, endovascular in one case and hybrid in one case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Chest computed tomography (CT) scan is useful to evaluate the type and extent of lung lesions in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pneumonia. This study explored the association between radiological parameters and various circulating serum‐derived markers, including microRNAs, in older patients with COVID‐19 pneumonia. Methods: A retrospective analysis was designed to study geriatric patients (≥75 years) with COVID‐19 pneumonia, who underwent chest CT scan on admission, and for whom clinical data and serum samples were obtained. To quantify the extent of lung involvement, CT‐score, the percentage of healthy lung (HL%), the percentage of ground glass opacity (GGO%), and the percentage of lung consolidation were assessed using computer‐aided tools. The association of these parameters with two circulating microRNAs, miR‐483‐5p and miR‐320b, previously identified as biomarkers of mortality risk in COVID‐19 geriatric patients, was tested. Results: A total of 73 patients with COVID‐19 pneumonia were evaluable (median age 85 years; interquartile range 82–90 years). Among chest CT‐derived parameters, the percentage of lung consolidation (HR 1.08, 95% CI 1.02–1.14), CT‐score (HR 1.14, 95% CI 1.03–1.25), and HL% (HR 0.97, 95% CI 0.95–0.99) emerged as significant predictors of mortality, whereas non‐significant trends toward increased mortality were observed in patients with higher GGO%. We also found a significant positive association between serum miR‐483‐5p and GGO% (correlation coefficient 0.28; P = 0.018) and a negative association with HL% (correlation coefficient −0.27; P = 0.023). Conclusions: Overall, the extent of lung consolidation can be confirmed as a prognostic parameter of COVID‐19 pneumonia in older patients. Among various serum‐derived markers, miR‐483‐5p can help in exploring the degree of lung involvement, due to its association with higher GGO% and lower HL%. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 962–972. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Distinguishing between Charcot Neuroarthropathy (CN), osteomyelitis (OM), and CN complicated with superimposed OM in diabetic patients is crucial for the treatment choice. Given that current diagnostic methods lack specificity, advanced techniques, e.g., magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 99mTc-HMPAO–WBC Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT/CT), are needed. This study addresses the challenges in distinguishing OM and CN. Methods: We included diabetic patients with CN and soft tissue ulceration. MRI and 99mTc-HMPAO–WBC SPECT/CT were used for the diagnosis. The patients were classified into three probability levels for OM (i.e., Definite, Probable, and Unlikely) according to the Consensus Criteria for Diabetic Foot Osteomyelitis (CC-DFO). Results: Eight patients met the eligibility criteria. MRI, supported by SPECT-CT and CC-DFO, showed consistency with the OM diagnosis in three cases. The key diagnostic features included the location of signal abnormalities and secondary features such as skin ulcers, sinus tracts, and abscesses. Notably, cases with inconclusive MRI were clarified by SPECT/CT, emphasizing its efficacy in challenging scenarios. Conclusions: The primary objective of this study was to compare the results of MRI and 99mTc-HMPAO–WBC SPECT/CT with the CC-DFO score in the diabetic foot with CN and suspected OM. Advanced imaging offers a complementary approach to distinguish between CN and OM. This can help delineate the limits of the disease for presurgical planning. While MRI is valuable, 99mTc-HMPAO–WBC SPECT/CT provides additional clarity, especially in challenging cases or when metallic implants affect MRI accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging, it is now possible to diagnose prostate cancer and categorize its risk. As it can accurately determine the extracapsular extension of the tumor, invasion of seminal vesicles, involvement of lymph nodes, and the potential presence of bone metastases, multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging plays a crucial role not only in the diagnosis but also in the local staging of prostate cancer. The patients with a history of negative biopsy/increasing prostatespecific antigen and the existence of further data supporting its use in biopsy-naive patients and active surveillance are the most blatant indications for multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging in guidelines. The traditional clinical examination, prostate-specific antigen tests, and systematic biopsy are all enhanced by multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging, which will miss certain cancers due to insufficient size or changes in tissue density. The use of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging is expected to rise, and further advances in the method will be crucial for the secure adoption of targeted therapeutic ideas. Here, we give a succinct overview of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging's application to the identification and risk classification of prostate cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of endovascular treatment for vascular renal injuries (VRIs) like bleeding, pseudoaneurysm and artero-venous fistula (AVF) and to compare patients with blunt trauma (T-VRIs) with those with iatrogenic damage (I-VRIs). Methods: We retrospectively assessed 49 renal artery embolizations performed to treat T-VRIs (26.5%) and I-VRIs (73.5%). Different embolic materials were used based on the type of lesion. Technical success was defined as the complete occlusion of target arteries with no further visualization of VRIs. Clinical success was defined if no recurrence was present and if renal function (difference between creatinine after and before treatment <0.5 mg/dl) was preserved after 1 month. Results: Angiography showed bleeding in 27 patients, pseudoaneurysm in 29 and an AVF in 6. Embolic agents used were coils in 39 procedures, coils with sponge in four and others in six. Technical success was 100% while clinical success was 85.7% due to seven patients with recurrence. The group I-VRIs showed a higher rate of clinical success than the group T-VRIs (94.4% vs 61.5%; p < 0.05). Moreover, the group I-VRIs had a higher incidence of pseudoaneurysms and AVFs compared with the group T-VRIs (69.4% vs 30.8% and 16.7% vs 0%; p < 0.05). Conclusion: Endovascular treatment for VRIs showed satisfactory results and no patient had a worsening of renal function. I-VRIs had better clinical success and more frequently appeared as pseudoaneurysms compared to T-VRIs: probably iatrogenic injury is localized and pseudoaneurysm is easily identifiable and treatable with endovascular treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The investigation of the water absorbed on the inner surface of porous glass was conducted by applying the dielectric spectroscopy method. The results suggest that the confined geometry and the water molecule interactions with the inner porous surface affected the first relaxation process and the second relaxation process.

The use of quasi-Gaussian entropy (QGE) theory in treating systems of polyatomic flexible molecules, where the usual semigrid description may not be appropriate shown. The ability of the theory to describe intramolecular energy fluctuations and conformational equilibria of purely classical molecules in the ideal gas condition is also examined.