Early Biological Therapy Within 12 Months of Diagnosis Leads to Higher Transmural Healing Rates in Crohn's Disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Transmural healing (TH) is emerging as a potential Crohn's disease (CD) treatment target. Early biological treatment seems to be associated with improved disease outcomes, but its impact on TH remains unclear. We aimed to assess the impact of early biological treatment initiation on TH and its influence on CD prognosis. METHODS: This multicenter retrospective study included adult patients with CD starting biological therapy. TH was assessed using magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) at 12 ± 6 months post-therapy initiation, with radiological examinations reviewed by blinded expert radiologists. TH was defined as complete normalization of all MRE parameters. Timing of biological therapy initiation was analyzed as a continuous variable, with optimal cutoff determined using the Youden index and clinical relevance. Logistic regression with propensity score-adjusted analysis was used to assess the association between early biological therapy initiation and TH. Long-term outcomes (bowel damage progression, CD-related surgery, CD-flare hospitalization, and therapy escalation) were evaluated. RESULTS: Among 154 patients with CD, early biological therapy initiation within 12 months of diagnosis was associated with significantly higher TH rates (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.36-7.70; P < .01), which persisted after adjusting for previous biological therapy use (aOR, 2.82; 95% CI, 1.13-7.06; P = .03). Time-to-event analysis demonstrated that TH was significantly associated with reduced risk of bowel damage progression (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.28; 95% CI, 0.10-0.79; P = .02), CD-related surgery (aHR, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.05-0.88; P = .03) and therapy escalation (aHR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.14-0.88; P = .02), independently of early biological therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Early initiation of biological therapy within 12 months of diagnosis significantly increases TH rates, leading to improved long-term outcomes in patients with CD.

Post-traumatic cyst-like lesion of cortical bone in children.

Post-traumatic cyst-like lesions are an infrequent complication of fractures in children. To our knowledge, no more than 30 cases have been reported in the English-language literature. They most commonly affect the distal radius following a greenstick or torus fracture. These cortical defects are often asymptomatic, non-expansile, and typically resolve spontaneously in 1-3 years. They appear proximal to the compression site and are usually identified 2-4 months after a minor fracture. These lesions have a distinct appearance on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with intralesional fatty marrow, which may help to differentiate it from other bone lesions. We review the literature and present 3 more cases studied with plain radiographs, computed tomography (CT), and MRI. Post-traumatic cyst-like lesions require no treatment, and therefore recognition of its typical features is crucial to prevent unnecessary invasive procedures.

Radiologic-pathologic correlation of prostatic cancer extracapsular extension (ECE).

Recent advancements on nerve-sparing robotic prostatectomy allow fewer side effects such as urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction. To perform such techniques, it is essential for the surgeon to know if the neurovascular bundle is involved. Despite being the gold-standard imaging method for Prostate Cancer (PCa) staging, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) lacks high specificity for detecting extracapsular extension (ECE). Therefore, it is essential to understand the pathologic aspects of ECE to better evaluate the MRI findings of PCa. We reviewed the normal MRI appearance of the prostate gland and the periprostatic space and correlated them to prostatectomy specimens. The different findings of ECE and neurovascular bundle invasion are exemplified with images of both MRI and histologic specimens.

Bicipital groove cross-sectional area on ultrasonography: Does a correlation to intra-articular tendon pathology exist?

BACKGROUND: The etiology and relevance of long head of biceps tendon (LHBT) pathology is debated. As it can have important therapeutic consequences and physical examination can be misleading, various morphologic parameters have been described to try to predict it. HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that bicipital groove cross-sectional area (CSA), as assessed by ultrasonography, could be related to intra-articular tendon pathology. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-eight consecutive consenting patients who underwent arthroscopic shoulder surgery at our hospital were selected. Diagnosis consisted mainly of rotator cuff tears, but also of anterior instability and subacromial impingement. Before surgery, ultrasonography was performed to measure width, depth and cross-sectional area of the bicipital groove. LHBT pathology was assessed during arthroscopy and classified as tendinopathy, partial disruption or complete tear and correlated to the ultrasonography measurements. RESULTS: Bicipital groove width was of 6.7±1.2mm in patients with a normal LHBT and 7.3±1.9mm with patients with an abnormal LHBT (p=0.234). Bicipital groove depth was of 3.5±0.5mm in patients with a normal LHBT and 3.7±1.1mm with patients with an abnormal LHBT (p=0.251). Bicipital groove CSA was of 16.6±4.5 mm2 in patients with a normal LHBT and 19.1±7.1 mm2 with patients with an abnormal LHBT (p=0.108). CONCLUSION: Our results do not support any correlation between LHBT pathology and the bicipital groove CSA, even though this measurement, as its width and depth, are somewhat higher in patients with a LHBT injury. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: I; diagnostic study.

Cordeiro em pele de lobo: um caso clínico / Sheep in wolf's clothing: a case report / Cordero con piel de lobo: un caso clínico

Introdução: Quando um utente recorre a uma consulta médica, este já tem uma ideia pré-definida do seu problema de saúde. Esta advém da sua experiência anterior, da cultura local e da sua estrutura de apoio. Apresentação do Caso: Mulher de 48 anos, ex-fumadora. Antecedentes pessoais de excisão de leiomioma uterino há 18 anos. Recorreu à médica de família por tosse há quatro meses. Fez uma tomografia computadorizada tórax, onde se individualizavam formações nodulares dispersas, sugestivas de metastização. Referenciou-se de urgência para consulta de pneumologia, onde lhe foi pedida biópsia, a qual a doente recusou. Após breve avaliação familiar, a própria utente compreendeu que o seu medo era gerado pela sua experiência prévia de vida. A utente acabou por realizar biópsia que revelou padrão de leiomioma. Admitiu-se leiomiomatose benigna metastizante secundária à excisão de miomas uterinos. Conclusão: A "dolência" compreendida pelos utentes vai influenciar o modo como vão gerir a sua doença e a sua dolência. Na consulta existe a gestão entre os medos do doente e as incertezas diagnósticas por parte do médico. Nestes casos, o médico de família não deve assumir uma posição paternalista de decisão, mas sim capacitar os utentes para uma escolha consciente e informada.

Introduction: When a patient has a medical appointment, they already have a pre-defined idea of their health problem. This idea is influenced by their previous experience, local culture and family support. Case Description: 48-year-old female, former smoker. She reveals a personal history of uterine leiomyoma excision 18 years ago. She turns to her doctor complaining of cough for the last four months. A chest computed tomography was ordered, in which nodular formations were identified, suggestive of metastasis. An urgent referral was made to a pulmonology consultation, where a biopsy was requested, which the patient refused to perform. After a family assessment, the patient realized that her previous life experience generated her fear. The patient ended up performing the biopsy that revealed a leiomyoma pattern. The diagnosis of benign metastatic leiomyomatosis secondary to uterine fibroid excision was made. Conclusion: The "illness" understood by patients will influence how they will manage their disease and their malaise. In the consultation there is a confrontation between the patient's fears and the diagnostic uncertainties of the physician. In such cases, the family doctor should not assume a paternalistic position of decision, but should empower patients to make a conscious and informed choice

Introducción: Cuando un paciente tiene una cita médica, ya tiene una idea predefinida de su problema de salud. Esta idea está influenciada por su experiencia previa, cultura local y apoyo familiar. Presentación del caso: Mujer de 48 años, exfumadora. Ella revela una historia personal de escisión de leiomioma uterino hace 18 años. Ella recurre a su médico quejándose de tos durante los últimos cuatro meses. Se ordenó una Tomografía computarizada de tórax, en la que se identificaron formaciones nodulares, sugestivas de metástasis. Se hizo una referencia urgente a una consulta de neumología, donde se solicitó una biopsia, que el paciente se negó a realizar. Después de una evaluación familiar, la paciente se dio cuenta de que su experiencia de vida anterior generaba miedo. Se realizó el diagnóstico de leiomiomatosis benigna metastatizante secundaria a escisión de fibromas uterinos. Conclusión: La "enfermedad" entendida por los pacientes influirá en cómo manejarán su enfermedad y su malestar. En la consulta existe una confrontación entre los temores del paciente y las incertidumbres diagnósticas del médico. En tales casos, el médico de familia no debe asumir una posición paternalista de decisión, sino que debe capacitar a los pacientes para que tomen una decisión consciente e informada.