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La obstrucción nasal se caracteriza por un flujo aéreo insuficiente y una resistencia aumentada en las cavidades nasales, afectando la calidad de vida y el sueño de los pacientes. Este estudio busca comparar la eficacia del tratamiento médico y quirúrgico en pacientes con obstrucción nasal, utilizando evaluaciones subjetivas (escalas NOSE y EVA) y objetivas (rinomanometría anterior activa). El siguiente es un estudio experimental y prospectivo con corte longitudinal, realizado en el Hospital de Clínicas, Paraguay. Se incluyeron 40 pacientes con obstrucción nasal, divididos en grupos de tratamiento médico (corticoides nasales) y quirúrgico (turbinoplastia, septumplastia o ambos). Se evaluaron pre y post tratamiento con las escalas NOSE y EVA, y la rinomanometría anterior activa. La muestra incluyó 52.5% hombres y 47.5% mujeres, con una edad promedio de 32.18±11.59 años. La principal causa de obstrucción nasal fue la rinitis crónica (62.5%). Los tratamientos mostraron mejoras significativas en las evaluaciones subjetivas y objetivas. En el grupo médico, la EVA mejoró en 2.63 puntos en mujeres y 2.00 en hombres, mientras que el grupo quirúrgico mostró mejoras más pronunciadas. La NOSE también mostró reducciones significativas, especialmente en pacientes sometidos a turbinoplastia y septumplastia combinada. La rinomanometría anterior activa reflejó un aumento en el flujo nasal global en todos los grupos tratados. Tanto los tratamientos médicos como quirúrgicos son efectivos en la mejora de la obstrucción nasal, con mayores beneficios observados en los tratamientos quirúrgicos. Las evaluaciones subjetivas y objetivas son herramientas valiosas y complementarias para la evaluación del tratamiento en pacientes con obstrucción nasal. Estos resultados destacan la importancia de una evaluación integral en el manejo de la obstrucción nasal.

Nasal obstruction is characterized by insufficient airflow and increased resistance in the nasal cavities, affecting patients' quality of life and sleep. This study aims to compare the efficacy of medical and surgical treatment in patients with Nasal obstruction, using subjective evaluations (NOSE and VAS scales) and objective evaluations (active anterior rhinomanometry). This is an experimental and prospective longitudinal study conducted at the Hospital de Clínicas, Paraguay. Forty patients with Nasal obstruction were included, divided into medical treatment (nasal corticosteroids) and surgical treatment (turbinoplasty, septoplasty, or both) groups. Pre- and post-treatment evaluations were performed using the NOSE and VAS scales, and active anterior rhinomanometry. The sample included 52.5% men and 47.5% women, with an average age of 32.18±11.59 years. The main cause of Nasal obstruction was chronic rhinitis (62.5%). Treatments showed significant improvements in subjective and objective evaluations. In the medical group, VAS improved by 2.63 points in women and 2.00 in men, while the surgical group showed more pronounced improvements. The NOSE also showed significant reductions, especially in patients undergoing combined turbinoplasty and septoplasty. Active anterior rhinomanometry reflected an increase in overall nasal flow in all treated groups. Both medical and surgical treatments are effective in improving Nasal obstruction, with greater benefits observed in surgical treatments. Subjective and objective evaluations are valuable and complementary tools for assessing treatment in patients with Nasal obstruction. These results highlight the importance of a comprehensive evaluation in the management of Nasal obstruction.

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SUMMARY: Volume abnormalities in subcortical structures, including the hippocampus, amygdala, thalamus, caudate, putamen, and globus pallidus have been observed in schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar disorder (BD), not all individuals with these disorders exhibit such changes. In addition, the specific patterns and severity of volume changes may vary between individuals and at different stages of the disease. The study aims to compare the volumes of these subcortical structures between healthy subjects and individuals diagnosed with SZ or BD. Volumetric measurements of lateral ventricle, globus palllidus, caudate, putamen, hippocampus, and amygdale were made by MRI in 52 healthy subjects (HS), 33 patients with SZ, and 46 patients with BD. Automatic segmentation methods were used to analyze the MR images with VolBrain and MRICloud. Hippocampus, amygdala and lateral ventricle increased in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder patients in comparison with control subjects using MRIcloud. Globus pallidus and caudate volume increased in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder compared control subjects using Volbrain. We suggested that our results will contribute in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder patients that assessment of the sub-cortical progression, pathology, and anomalies of subcortical brain compositions. In patients with psychiatric disorders, VolBrain and MRICloud can detect subtle structural differences in the brain.

Se han observado anomalías de volumen en las estructuras subcorticales, incluidos el hipocampo, la amígdala, el tálamo, el núcleo caudado, el putamen y el globo pálido, en la esquizofrenia (SZ) y el trastorno bipolar (BD); no todos los individuos con estos trastornos presentan tales cambios. Además, los patrones específicos y la gravedad de los cambios de volumen pueden variar entre individuos y en diferentes etapas de la enfermedad. El estudio tuvo como objetivo comparar los volúmenes de estas estructuras subcorticales entre sujetos sanos e individuos diagnosticados con SZ o BD. Se realizaron mediciones volumétricas del ventrículo lateral, globo pálido, núcleo caudado, putamen, hipocampo y amígdala mediante resonancia magnética en 52 sujetos sanos (HS), 33 pacientes con SZ y 46 pacientes con BD. Se utilizaron métodos de segmentación automática para analizar las imágenes de resonancia magnética con VolBrain y MRICloud. El hipocampo, la amígdala y el ventrículo lateral aumentaron en pacientes con esquizofrenia y trastorno bipolar en comparación con sujetos de control que utilizaron MRIcloud. El globo pálido y el núcleo caudado aumentaron en pacientes con esquizofrenia y trastorno bipolar en comparación con los sujetos control que utilizaron Volbrain. Sugerimos que en pacientes con esquizofrenia y trastorno bipolar, nuestros resultados contribuirán a la evaluación de la progresión subcortical, la patología y las anomalías de las composiciones cerebrales subcorticales. En pacientes con trastornos psiquiátricos, VolBrain y MRICloud pueden detectar diferencias estructurales sutiles en el cerebro.

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The finding of a lipoma in the middle ear is much rarer than its occurrence in the external auditory canal or even the inner ear, with fewer than seven cases described in the literature and none of them in Spain or South America. Despite its benign nature, the location of the lipoma may compromise structures that play a significant role in auditory preservation or balance control, necessitating surgical removal as a curative treatment. The main objective of this article is to describe the presentation of lipomas in the middle ear as a possible, although rare, etiology to consider in patients presenting with hearing loss, instability, or both symptoms concurrently, seeking otorhinolaryngological evaluation.

El hallazgo de un lipoma en el oído medio es mucho más raro que su ocurrencia en el canal auditivo externo o incluso en el oído interno, con menos de siete casos descritos en la literatura y ninguno de ellos en España o Sudamérica. A pesar de su naturaleza benigna, la ubicación del lipoma puede comprometer estructuras que desempeñan un papel significativo en la preservación auditiva o en el control del equilibrio, lo que hace necesaria la extirpación quirúrgica como tratamiento curativo. El objetivo principal de este artículo es describir la presentación de los lipomas en el oído medio como una posible, aunque rara, etiología a considerar en pacientes que presentan pérdida de audición, inestabilidad o ambos síntomas simultáneamente, buscando evaluación otorrinolaringológica.

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When examining patients who present both fluctuating auditory symptoms and vestibular symptoms, which can be mistaken for an ear disease, it is important to consider cochlear-carotid fistula as a condition that could generate these clinical manifestations. In this case, additional imaging tests should be performed to demonstrate the lack of continuity at that level and rule out other entities. The objective is to describe the cochleo-carotid dehiscence in a 39-year-old woman and propose it as a possible etiology of a third window syndrome, in order to discuss the relationship between clinical findings, neurotologic examination, and magnetic resonance imaging.

Al examinar a pacientes que presentan síntomas auditivos fluctuantes y síntomas vestibu-lares, que pueden ser confundidos con una enfermedad del oído, es importante considerar la fístula coclear-carotídea como una condición que podría generar estas manifestaciones clínicas. En este caso, se deben realizar pruebas de imagen adicionales para demostrar la falta de continuidad en ese nivel y descartar otras entidades. El objetivo es describir la dehiscencia cocleo-carotídea en una mujer de 39 años y proponerla como una posible etiología del síndrome de la tercera ventana, con el fin de discutir la relación entre los hallazgos clínicos, el examen neurotológico y la resonancia magnética.

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INTRODUCTION@#Ultrasonography (US) is the current standard of care for imaging surveillance in patients at risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been explored as an alternative, given the higher sensitivity of MRI, although this comes at a higher cost. We performed a cost-effective analysis comparing US and dual-sequence non-contrast-enhanced MRI (NCEMRI) for HCC surveillance in the local setting.@*METHODS@#Cost-effectiveness analysis of no surveillance, US surveillance and NCEMRI surveillance was performed using Markov modelling and microsimulation. At-risk patient cohort was simulated and followed up for 40 years to estimate the patients' disease status, direct medical costs and effectiveness. Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio were calculated.@*RESULTS@#Exactly 482,000 patients with an average age of 40 years were simulated and followed up for 40 years. The average total costs and QALYs for the three scenarios - no surveillance, US surveillance and NCEMRI surveillance - were SGD 1,193/7.460 QALYs, SGD 8,099/11.195 QALYs and SGD 9,720/11.366 QALYs, respectively.@*CONCLUSION@#Despite NCEMRI having a superior diagnostic accuracy, it is a less cost-effective strategy than US for HCC surveillance in the general at-risk population. Future local cost-effectiveness analyses should include stratifying surveillance methods with a variety of imaging techniques (US, NCEMRI, contrast-enhanced MRI) based on patients' risk profiles.

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El tumor inflamatorio de Pott (PPT) es una osteomielitis del hueso frontal con un absceso subperióstico concomitante, principalmente secundario a sinusitis frontal complicada. Es infrecuente, pero puede tener consecuencias fatales debido a su alta asociación con complicaciones intracraneales. Presentamos el caso de una escolar de 7 años sin antecedentes, que consulta en el Servicio de Urgencia por un cuadro de 5 semanas de rinorrea mucopurulenta derecha y aumento de volumen frontal progresivo, habiendo recibido antibioticoterapia sin respuesta. Se realizan neuroimágenes que confirman el diagnóstico de rinosinusitis aguda fronto-etmoidal complicada con absceso subperióstico frontal compatible con PPT, asociado a un absceso epidural. Se manejó con antibiótico endovenoso prolongado y aseo quirúrgico mediante craniectomía por abordaje bi-coronal con drenaje de ambas colecciones y reconstrucción de base de cráneo con colgajo de pericráneo, evolucionando favorablemente. El diagnóstico del tumor inflamatorio de Pott es clínico y radiológico, siendo el aumento de volumen frontal el signo cardinal. La tomografía computarizada es útil para establecer el diagnóstico diferencial con otras entidades y la resonancia magnética permite con mayor sensibilidad y especificidad detectar complicaciones intracraneales. El tratamiento es médico y quirúrgico mediante antibioticoterapia endovenosa y aseo quirúrgico oportuno.

Pott's inflammatory tumor is an osteomyelitis of the frontal bone with a concomitant subperiosteal abscess, mainly secondary to complicated frontal sinusitis. It is rare entity but may have fatal consequences due to its high association with intracranial complications. We present the case of a healthy 7-year-old girl who presented to the emergency department with a 5-week history of mucopurulent right rhinorrhea and progressive forehead swelling without response to oral antibiotic therapy. Neuroimaging confirms the diagnosis of acute frontoethmoidal rhinosinusitis complicated with frontal subperiosteal abscess compatible with PPT and an epidural abscess. She received prolonged intravenous antibiotics for six weeks and surgical treatment with craniectomy by bi-coronal approach with drainage of both collections and reconstruction of the skull base with pericranial flap, progressing favorably. The diagnosis of Pott's inflammatory tumor is clinical and radiological. The increased frontal volume is the cardinal sign, and computed tomography is the image of choice, which is also helpful in establishing the differential diagnosis with other entities. Magnetic resonance imaging is practical, given its greater sensitivity and specificity to detect intracranial complications. Treatment is imperative and is based on adequate antibiotic therapy and prompt surgical debridement.

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SUMMARY: Volumetric assessment of brain structures is an important tool in neuroscience research and clinical practice. The volumetric measurement of normally functioning human brain helps detect age-related changes in some regions, which can be observed at varying degrees. This study aims to estimate the insular volume in the normally functioning human brain in both genders, different age groups, and side variations. A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted on 42 adult Sudanese participants in Al-Amal Hospital, Sudan, between May to August 2022, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and automatic brain segmentation through a software program (BrainSuite). The statistical difference in total insular volume on both sides of the cerebral hemisphere was small. The insular volume on the right side was greater in males, while the left side showed no difference between both genders. A statistically significant difference between males and females was found (p > 0.05), and no statistical difference in different age groups was found according to the one-way ANOVA test (p>0.05). Adult Sudanese males showed a larger insular volume than females. MRI can be used to morphometrically assess the insula to detect any pathological variations based on volume changes.

La evaluación volumétrica de las estructuras cerebrales es una herramienta importante en la investigación y la práctica clínica de la neurociencia. La medición volumétrica del cerebro humano, que funciona normalmente, ayuda a detectar cambios relacionados con la edad en algunas regiones, las cuales se pueden observar en diversos grados. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo estimar el volumen insular en el cerebro humano que funciona normalmente, en ambos sexos, de diferentes grupos de edad y sus variaciones laterales. Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo transversal en 42 participantes sudaneses adultos en el Hospital Al-Amal, Sudán, entre mayo y agosto de 2022, utilizando imágenes de resonancia magnética y segmentación automática del cerebro a través de un software (BrainSuite). Fue pequeña la diferencia estadística en el volumen insular total, en los hemisferios cerebrales. El volumen insular del lado derecho fue mayor en los hombres, mientras que el lado izquierdo no mostró diferencia entre ambos sexos. Se encontró una diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre hombres y mujeres (p > 0,05), y no se encontró diferencia estadística en los diferentes grupos de edad, según la prueba de ANOVA de una vía (p> 0,05). Los hombres sudaneses adultos mostraron un mayor volumen insular que las mujeres. La resonancia magnética se puede utilizar para evaluar morfométricamente la ínsula y para detectar cualquier variación patológica basada en cambios de volumen.

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La enfermedad de Castleman (EC) describe una serie de desórdenes linfoproliferativos de patrones histológicos similares, pero de etiologías, presentaciones clínicas y enfrentamientos notoriamente variables. Se presenta el caso de un paciente que consultó por masa cervical, cuyo estudio final concluyó EC unicéntrica, la cual se resolvió de forma quirúrgica. Además, se presenta una revisión actualizada del tema, con foco en la enfermedad unicéntrica.

Castleman's disease (CD) describes several lymphoproliferative disorders with similar histological patterns, but with notoriously variable etiologies, clinical presentations, and management. We present the case of a patient who consulted with cervical mass, whose final study concluded with unicentric CD, which was treated surgically. In addition, an updated review of the subject is presented, focusing on unicentric disease.

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PONTOS-CHAVE As lesões mamárias compreendem uma ampla variedade de diagnósticos que apresentam comportamentos diversos. As lesões mamárias podem ser classificadas como lesões benignas, de potencial de malignidade indeterminado (B3), carcinoma in situ e carcinoma invasor. Na era da medicina personalizada, individualizar e obter um diagnóstico preciso faz grande diferença no desfecho final da paciente, principalmente no caso do câncer de mama. Exames de imagem direcionados e de qualidade, métodos de biópsia adequadamente selecionados e análises de anatomopatologia convencional, imuno-histoquímica e até molecular são determinantes no diagnóstico e no manejo das pacientes.

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El colesteatoma congénito (CC) es una lesión benigna de epitelio escamoso queratinizado que puede afectar diferentes aéreas del hueso temporal con predominio en el oído medio. El CC es una patología poco frecuente que se presenta en pacientes pediátricos y clínicamente se manifiesta como una lesión blanquecina detrás de un tímpano indemne. La mayoría de los pacientes no presenta historia de hipoacusia, otorrea, infección, perforación o cirugía otológica previa. Se analiza el caso de un prescolar con CC que consultó con trastorno de sueño sin sintomatología otológica, pero con otoscopía alterada como hallazgo clínico. En la resonancia magnética nuclear (RMN) con secuencia de difusión, se evidenciaron hallazgos sugerentes de lesión colesteatomatosa en oído medio. Se realizó tratamiento quirúrgico endoscópico combinado con remoción completa de la lesión compatible histológicamente con CC y reconstrucción funcional con prótesis inactiva con resultado auditivo satisfactorio. El CC requiere alta sospecha diagnóstica por pediatras y otorrinolaringólogos, siendo imprescindible realizar un examen físico acucioso que incluya otoscopía de rutina, aunque el paciente no manifieste síntomas otológicos. El tratamiento es quirúrgico y debe considerar uso de endoscópico para asegurar una extracción completa de la lesión. En algunos casos es requerido realizar una reconstrucción auditiva para asegurar un óptimo resultado funcional.

Congenital cholesteatoma (CC) is a benign lesion of keratinized squamous epithelium that can affect different areas of the temporal bone, predominantly in the middle ear. CC is a rare pathology that occurs in pediatric patients and clinically manifests as a white lesion behind an intact eardrum. Most patients do not have a history of hearing loss, otorrhea, infection, perforation, or previous otologic surgery. The following, is the case of an infant with CC who consulted with a sleep disorder without otological symptoms but with altered otoscopy as a clinical finding. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) with diffusion sequence with findings compatible with a cholesteatomatous lesion in the middle ear. Endoscopic surgical treatment was performed combined with complete removal of the lesion histologically compatible with CC and functional reconstruction with inactive prosthesis with satisfactory hearing results. CC requires high diagnostic suspicion by paediatrics and otorhinolaryngologists, and it is essential to perform a thorough physical examination that includes routine otoscopy even if the patient does not show otological symptoms. Treatment is surgical and endoscopic use should be considered to ensure complete removal of the lesion. In some cases, hearing reconstruction is required to ensure optimal functional results.

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La enfermedad relacionada con inmunoglobulina (Ig) G4 es una enfermedad de reciente conocimiento que puede comprometer cualquier órgano teniendo preferencias por ciertas regiones del cuerpo, donde la región de cabeza y cuello es uno de sus principales puntos afectados, pudiendo comprometer tanto la órbita, glándulas salivales, glándulas lagrimales, glándula tiroides, cavidades paranasales, hueso temporal, faringe y laringe. Este último órgano es infrecuentemente comprometido, solo existiendo 12 casos registrados en la literatura antes de la publicación de este escrito. Presentamos un caso de una mujer de 49 años con historia de disnea frente a esfuerzo, diagnosticándose una estenosis subglótica la cual fue manejada quirúrgicamente con una reconstrucción laringotraqueal. En el estudio histopatológico se evidenció histología compatible con enfermedad relacionada con IgG4, por lo que se inició tratamiento médico con corticotera- pia oral por un lapso de 2 meses en conjunto con inmunología. Paciente luego de 4 años de seguimiento, no ha presentado recaídas, manteniendo un lumen subglótico adecuado.

Immunoglobulin (Ig) G4-related disease is a medical condition of recent knowledge that can compromise any organ, having preferences for certain regions of the body, where the head and neck region is one of the main affected points, being able to affect orbit, salivary glands, lacrimal glands, thyroid gland, paranasal cavities, temporal bone, pharynx and larynx. The latter is infrequently compromised, with only 12 cases registered in the literature before the publication of this writing. We present a case of a 49-year-old woman with a history of exertional dyspnea, diagnosed with a sub- glottic stenosis which was managed surgically with laryngotracheal reconstruction. The histopathological study revealed histology compatible with IgG4-related disease, so medical treatment with oral corticosteroid therapy was started for a period of 2 months in conjunction with immunology. After 4 years of follow-up, the patient has not presented relapses, maintaining an adequate subglottic lumen.

ABSTRACT

El tumor de Pott es una entidad rara, definida como un absceso subperióstico asociado a osteomielitis del hueso frontal. Suele presentarse como complicación de sinusitis aguda o crónica del seno frontal, y se describe con mayor incidencia en población pediátrica, siendo una complicación grave por su alta morbimortalidad. Se presenta a un paciente pediátrico con tumor de Pott y absceso cerebral posterior a una sinusitis aguda de foco odontogénico, en la que los pilares de tratamiento son drenaje quirúrgico precoz y antibioticoterapia prolongada. Se describe la clínica, manejo médico-quirúrgico y seguimiento posterior, ya que, en ausencia de antecedentes, se debe buscar dirigida- mente enfermedad periodontal y realizar un estudio de inmunodeficiencia primaria.

Pott's tumor is a rare entity, defined as a subperiosteal abscess associated with osteomyelitis of the frontal bone. It usually presents as a complication of acute or chronic sinusitis of the frontal sinus and it is described with a higher incidence in the pediatric population, being a serious complication due to its high morbidity and mortality. We present a pediatric patient with Pott's tumor and brain abscess after acute sinusitis of odontogenic focus, in which the pillars of treatment are an early surgical drainage and prolonged antibiotic therapy. The clinic, medical-surgical management and subsequent follow-up are described, since in the absence of antecedents, periodontal disease should be sought directly and a study of primary immunodeficiency performed.

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Introducción: La infiltración del nervio óptico como forma inicial de recaída de la leucemia linfoblástica aguda es rara, aunque altamente indicativa de que el sistema nervioso central está involucrado. Objetivo: Actualizar el conocimiento sobre infiltración del nervio óptico como forma inicial de recaída de la leucemia linfoblástica aguda. Métodos: Se realizó una revisión de las publicaciones más relevantes relacionadas con el tema durante los últimos años. La búsqueda y la localización de la información se apoyaron en la elección de palabras clave/descriptores que configuraron el perfil de búsqueda. Se utilizó el MeSH Database de PubMed. Se realizó una extensa revisión en Google Académico y otros megabuscadores de revisión sistemática mediante TripDatabase y Cochrane. Conclusiones: La infiltración directa de células tumorales y las alteraciones hematológicas propias de la enfermedad constituyen los mecanismos fundamentales de la fisiopatogenia. El edema del disco óptico es su signo oftalmoscópico más distintivo. La imagen por resonancia magnética de cráneo, el análisis citológico del fluido cerebroespinal y la biopsia de médula ósea negativas no deben excluir el diagnóstico. La terapia combinada que incluye la radiación localizada constituye una buena opción de tratamiento. Un número considerable de ojos recuperan su agudeza visual y muestran resolución del cuadro infiltrativo(AU)

Introduction: Optic nerve infiltration as an initial form of relapse of acute lymphoblastic leukemia is rare, although it is highly indicative of central nervous system involvement. Objective: To update the knowledge about optic nerve infiltration as an initial form of relapse of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Methods: A review of the most relevant publications related to the subject during the last years was carried out. The search and localization of information was supported by the choice of keywords/descriptors that configured the search profile. The MeSH Database of PubMed was used. An extensive review was performed in Google Scholar and other systematic review mega search engines using TripDatabase and Cochrane. Conclusions: Direct tumor cell infiltration and disease-specific hematologic alterations are the fundamental mechanisms of pathophysiology. Optic disc edema is the most distinctive ophthalmoscopic sign. Negative cranial magnetic resonance imaging, cytologic analysis of cerebrospinal fluid and bone marrow biopsy should not exclude the diagnosis. Combination therapy including localized radiation is a good treatment option. A considerable number of eyes recover visual acuity and show resolution of the infiltrative picture(AU)

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OBJECTIVES@#Currently, it is difficult to assess the expression status of hormone receptor (HR) in breast malignant tumors with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2)-positive in the early preoperative stage, and it is difficult to predict whether it is non-invasively. This study aims to explore the value of MRI on the different HR expression status (HR+/HR-) in HER-2 positive breast cancer.@*METHODS@#Thirty patients with HR+ HER-2-positive breast cancer (HR+ group) and 23 patients with HR-HER-2-positive breast cancer (HR- group) from the First Hospital of Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine between January 7, 2015 and November 26, 2021 were selected as subjects, and all the patients were examined by MRI and all were confirmed by surgery or pathological biopsy puncture. The immunohistochemical staining results were used as the gold standard to analyze the basic clinical conditions, peri-lesion conditions and MRI sign characteristics in the 2 groups.@*RESULTS@#There were all significant differences in terms of mass margins, internal reinforcement features, and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values between the HR+ group and the HR- group (all P<0.05). The logistic multivariate regression model showed that: when the lesion presented as a mass-type breast cancer on MRI, the internal enhancement features of the lesion were an independent predictor for differentiation in the 2 types of breast cancer [odds ratio (OR)=5.95, 95% CI: 1.223 to 28.951, P<0.05], and the mass margin (OR=0.386, 95% CI: 0.137 to 1.082, P>0.05) and ADC value (OR=0.234, 95% CI: 0.001 to 105.293, P>0.05) were not the independent predictors in distinguishing the 2 types of breast cancer.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Multiparametric MRI has good diagnostic value for HR expression status in HER-2-positive breast cancer. Combined logistic regression analysis to construct a predictive model may be helpful to the identical diagnosis.

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Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) have become a significant threat to an aging human society. Numerous studies have been conducted in the past decades to clarify their pathologic mechanisms and search for reliable biomarkers. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a powerful tool for investigating structural and functional brain alterations in NDs. With the advantages of being non-invasive and non-radioactive, it has been frequently used in both animal research and large-scale clinical investigations. MRI may serve as a bridge connecting micro- and macro-level analysis and promoting bench-to-bed translational research. Nevertheless, due to the abundance and complexity of MRI techniques, exploiting their potential is not always straightforward. This review aims to briefly introduce research progress in clinical imaging studies and discuss possible strategies for applying MRI in translational ND research.

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BACKGROUND@#Amygdala plays an important role in the neurobiological basis of panic disorder (PD), and the amygdala contains different subregions, which may play different roles in PD. The aim of the present study was to examine whether there are common or distinct patterns of functional connectivity of the amygdala subregions in PD using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging and to explore the relationship between the abnormal spontaneous functional connectivity patterns of the regions of interest (ROIs) and the clinical symptoms of PD patients.@*METHODS@#Fifty-three drug-naïve, non-comorbid PD patients and 70 healthy controls (HCs) were recruited. Seed-based resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) analyses were conducted using the bilateral amygdalae and its subregions as the ROI seed. Two samples t test was performed for the seed-based Fisher's z -transformed correlation maps. The relationship between the abnormal spontaneous functional connectivity patterns of the ROIs and the clinical symptoms of PD patients was investigated by Pearson correlation analysis.@*RESULTS@#PD patients showed increased rsFC of the bilateral amygdalae and almost all the amygdala subregions with the precuneus/posterior cingulate gyrus compared with the HC group (left amygdala [lAMY]: t  = 4.84, P  <0.001; right amygdala [rAMY]: t  = 4.55, P  <0.001; left centromedial amygdala [lCMA]: t  = 3.87, P  <0.001; right centromedial amygdala [rCMA]: t  = 3.82, P  = 0.002; left laterobasal amygdala [lBLA]: t  = 4.33, P  <0.001; right laterobasal amygdala [rBLA]: t  = 4.97, P  <0.001; left superficial amygdala [lSFA]: t  = 3.26, P  = 0.006). The rsFC of the lBLA with the left angular gyrus/inferior parietal lobule remarkably increased in the PD group ( t  = 3.70, P  = 0.003). And most of the altered rsFCs were located in the default mode network (DMN). A significant positive correlation was observed between the severity of anxiety and the rsFC between the lSFA and the left precuneus in PD patients ( r  = 0.285, P  = 0.039).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Our research suggested that the increased rsFC of amygdala subregions with DMN plays an important role in the pathogenesis of PD. Future studies may further explore whether the rsFC of amygdala subregions, especially with the regions in DMN, can be used as a biological marker of PD.

ABSTRACT

Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) is a novel and minimally invasive technology. Since the US Food and Drug Administration approved unilateral ventral intermediate nucleus-MRgFUS for medication-refractory essential tremor in 2016, studies on new indications, such as Parkinson's disease (PD), psychiatric diseases, and brain tumors, have been on the rise, and MRgFUS has become a promising method to treat such neurological diseases. Currently, as the second most common degenerative disease, PD is a research hotspot in the field of MRgFUS. The actions of MRgFUS on the brain range from thermoablation, blood-brain barrier (BBB) opening, to neuromodulation. Intensity is a key determinant of ultrasound actions. Generally, high intensity can be used to precisely thermoablate brain targets, whereas low intensity can be used as molecular therapies to modulate neuronal activity and open the BBB in conjunction with injected microbubbles. Here, we aimed to summarize advances in the application of MRgFUS for the treatment of PD, with a focus on thermal ablation, BBB opening, and neuromodulation, in the hope of informing clinicians of current applications.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze and compare the characteristics and causes of F wave changes in patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth1A (CMT1A) and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP).@*METHODS@#Thirty patients with CMT1A and 30 patients with CIDP were enrolled in Peking University Third Hospital from January 2012 to December 2018. Their clinical data, electrophysiological data(nerve conduction velocity, F wave and H reflex) and neurological function scores were recorded. Some patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging of brachial plexus and lumbar plexus, and the results were analyzed and compared.@*RESULTS@#The average motor conduction velocity (MCV) of median nerve was (21.10±10.60) m/s in CMT1A and (31.52±12.46) m/s in CIDP. There was a significant difference between the two groups (t=-6.75, P < 0.001). About 43.3% (13/30) of the patients with CMT1A did not elicit F wave in ulnar nerve, which was significantly higher than that of the patients with CIDP (4/30, 13.3%), χ2=6.65, P=0.010. Among the patients who could elicit F wave, the latency of F wave in CMT1A group was (52.40±17.56) ms and that in CIDP group was (42.20±12.73) ms. There was a significant difference between the two groups (t=2.96, P=0.006). The occurrence rate of F wave in CMT1A group was 34.6%±39%, and that in CIDP group was 70.7%±15.2%. There was a significant difference between the two groups (t=-5.13, P < 0.001). The MCV of median nerve in a patient with anti neurofascin 155 (NF155) was 23.22 m/s, the latency of F wave was 62.9-70.7 ms, and the occurrence rate was 85%-95%. The proportion of brachial plexus and lumbar plexus thickening in CMT1A was 83.3% (5/6) and 85.7% (6/7), respectively. The proportion of brachial plexus and lumbar plexus thickening in the CIDP patients was only 25.0% (1/4, 2/8). The nerve roots of brachial plexus and lumbar plexus were significantly thickened in a patient with anti NF155 antibody.@*CONCLUSION@#The prolonged latency of F wave in patients with CMT1A reflects the homogenous changes in both proximal and distal peripheral nerves, which can be used as a method to differentiate the CIDP patients characterized by focal demyelinating pathology. Moreover, attention should be paid to differentiate it from the peripheral neuropathy caused by anti NF155 CIDP. Although F wave is often used as an indicator of proximal nerve injury, motor neuron excitability, anterior horn cells, and motor nerve myelin sheath lesions can affect its latency and occurrence rate. F wave abnormalities need to be comprehensively analyzed in combination with the etiology, other electrophysiological results, and MRI imaging.

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to analyze the value of transrectal shear-wave elastography (SWE) in combination with multivariable tools for predicting adverse pathological features before radical prostatectomy (RP). Preoperative clinicopathological variables, multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mp-MRI) manifestations, and the maximum elastic value of the prostate (Emax) on SWE were retrospectively collected. The accuracy of SWE for predicting adverse pathological features was evaluated based on postoperative pathology, and parameters with statistical significance were selected. The diagnostic performance of various models, including preoperative clinicopathological variables (model 1), preoperative clinicopathological variables + mp-MRI (model 2), and preoperative clinicopathological variables + mp-MRI + SWE (model 3), was evaluated with area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUC) analysis. Emax was significantly higher in prostate cancer with extracapsular extension (ECE) or seminal vesicle invasion (SVI) with both P < 0.001. The optimal cutoff Emax values for ECE and SVI were 60.45 kPa and 81.55 kPa, respectively. Inclusion of mp-MRI and SWE improved discrimination by clinical models for ECE (model 2 vs model 1, P = 0.031; model 3 vs model 1, P = 0.002; model 3 vs model 2, P = 0.018) and SVI (model 2 vs model 1, P = 0.147; model 3 vs model 1, P = 0.037; model 3 vs model 2, P = 0.134). SWE is valuable for identifying patients at high risk of adverse pathology.