Vidian canal and sphenoid sinus: an MDCT and cadaveric study of useful landmarks in skull base surgery.

PURPOSE: To present the anatomical variations of vidian canal (VC) and sphenoid sinus (SS), relative to other anatomical landmarks of skull base area, which may be helpful for safer surgical approach to this area. MATERIALS: MDCT scans (128-row MDCT system) of 90 patients (mean age 62 years) and six cadaveric heads were studied, and the following parameters were evaluated: mean length and types of VC, distance between VC and foramen rotundum (FR) and optic canal (OC), position of the VC regarding the lateral pterygoid plate (MPTG) and petrous ICA, pneumatization of SS, position of intrasinus septum regarding ICA and OC, bone dehiscence and protrusion of ICA and OC into SS. Six cadaveric heads underwent MDCT and endoscopic dissection, and the type and length of VC were evaluated. The statistical significance was assessed using Chi-square (χ2) test. Significance level was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: A statistical analysis was performed between the measurements at both sides, as well as between measurements in MDCT and dissection of the six cadaveric heads. Statistically significant difference was found between right and left sides in the horizontal and vertical distances between FR and VC, as well as between VC and OC. Also, there was a statistically positive correlation between type II of VC and lateral pneumatization on the right side. There was not statistically significant difference concerning VC type and length between MDCT and dissection measurements. CONCLUSION: Surgeons addressing skull base surgery must be familiar with the anatomical and positional variations of VC and SS in the preoperative CT images so as to avoid serious complications during surgery.

Parenting Styles and Psychosocial Factors of Mother-Child Dyads Participating in the ENDORSE Digital Weight Management Program for Children and Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Childhood obesity is a complex disease with multiple biological and psychosocial risk factors. Recently, novel digital programs were developed with growing evidence for their effectiveness in pediatric weight management studies. The ENDORSE platform consists of mobile applications, wearables, and serious games for the remote management of childhood obesity. The pilot studies included 50 mothers and their children aged 6-14 years and resulted in a clinically significant BMI z-score reduction over 4 to 5 months. This secondary analysis of the ENDORSE study focuses on parenting styles and psychosocial factors. METHODOLOGY: Semi-structured clinical interviews were conducted with all participating mothers pre-and post-intervention. The Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire (PSDQ) evaluated the mothers' parenting styles. The psychosocial functioning of the participating children was assessed with the parental version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). The relationship between parenting styles, psychosocial parameters, and weight outcomes was investigated using a linear regression analysis. RESULTS: Weight-related stigma at school (56%), body image concerns (66%), and difficulties in family relationships (48%) were the main concerns documented during the initial psychological interviews. According to the SDQ, there was a significant decrease in children's conduct problems during the study's initial phase (pre-pilot group). A decrease in maternal demandingness (i.e., strict parenting style) was associated with a decrease in BMI z-score (beta coefficient = 0.314, p-value = 0.003). CONCLUSION: Decreasing parental demandingness was associated with better weight outcomes, highlighting the importance of assessing parenting factors in pediatric weight management programs.

Bilateral hypoplasia of the internal carotid artery and ectasia of the internal jugular vein.

Hypoplasia of the internal carotid artery and internal jugular vein ectasia are rare congenital abnormalities, whose diagnosis and treatment are not uniformly described. A 32-year-old neurologically asymptomatic woman with renal failure had a carotid artery duplex ultrasound scan as part of an evaluation for renal transplantation and was found to have bilateral internal carotid artery hypoplasia. Computed tomography angiography confirmed congenital bilateral internal carotid artery stenosis and left internal jugular vein ectasia. She had no neurologic deficits. She underwent antiplatelet treatment.