Surgical Patients' Evaluation of Pain Management Quality and Surgical Nurses' Pain-Related Knowledge and Attitudes.

PURPOSE: The present study was aimed at investigating the quality of pain management evaluated by inpatients in surgical clinics, and pain-related knowledge and attitudes of nurses working in surgical clinics, surgical units, or emergency services. METHODS: The study was conducted as a descriptive and cross-sectional study. The study data were collected from inpatients in surgical clinics (N = 306), and from nurses working in surgical clinics, surgical units, or emergency services (N = 57) between January 2020 and September 2020. The Revised American Pain Society Patient Outcome Questionnaire (APS-POQ-R) and Nurses' Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain (NKASRP) were the tools used for data collection. RESULTS: The mean scores the participants obtained from the severity of worst pain, pain relief, and satisfaction with pain treatment components of the APS-POQ-R were 6.14 ± 2.59, 59.28 ± 22.26, and 8.99 ± 1.62, respectively. There were significant differences between many components of the APS-POQ-R in terms of such variables as age, sex, undergoing previous surgery, presence of pain before surgery, surgery performed, and type of anesthesia (p < .05). The mean score the participants obtained from the NKASRP was 15.35 ± 3.87. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that the patients' pain was relieved moderately, that they were very highly satisfied with pain treatment, and that the nurses' pain-related knowledge and attitude levels were below the moderate level. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Nurses should support patients whose in-bed activities were prevented due to pain, involve them in pain treatment decisions, advise them about pain treatment options, and encourage them to use nonpharmacological methods.

Prognostic Factors Affecting Survival of Patients With Single Primary Breast Cancer vs Patients With Multiple Primary Cancers in Lifetime, One of Which is Breast Cancer.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the demographic and molecular characteristics, overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and prognostic factors affecting the survival of patients with single primary breast cancer (SPBC) and patients with multiple primary cancers in their life time in which one of them is breast cancer (MPC). METHODS: Using data from SEER 17 Research Plus, patients with breast cancer diagnosed between 2010 and 2019 were included in this study. Race, marital status, laterality, tumor size, molecular subtype, grade, stage, radiotherapy-chemotherapy treatment, and surgery data were analyzed in the data obtained after excluding patients with missing values. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used for survival analysis, and Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate the prognostic factors. RESULTS: 573175 patients were included in the study. The mean age of MPC patients was significantly higher than SPBC patients (65.99 ± 12.68, 60.33 ± 13.47, P < .001, respectively). Patients with SPBC had significantly more hormone receptor (HR)-positive/Her2 positive, HR-negative/Her2-negative, and HR-negative/Her2-positive molecular subtypes; patients with MPC had more HR-positive/Her2-negative subtypes (P < .001). Grade 3 tumor status, locoregional spread, and distant metastasis were significantly higher in SPBC patients (P < .001). Overall survival and CSS rates were significantly higher in SPBC patients (P < .001). In MPC patients, overall hazard ratio was 1.631 times higher than SPBC, and the cancer-specific hazard ratio was 1.096 times higher (95% CI [1.606-1.656], 95% CI [1.071-1.121], respectively). CONCLUSION: Although patients with SPBC have worse prognostic tumor characteristics, OS and CSS rates are better than patients with MPC.

An investigation on the compliance of perioperative practices using ERAS protocols and barriers to the implementation of the ERAS protocols in colorectal surgery.

BACKGROUND: Although ERAS protocols have many benefits, there are some deficiencies in their understanding and implementation by healthcare professionals. The present study was conducted to investigate the compliance of the current perioperative practices of healthcare professional with the ERAS protocols and to assess barriers to the implementation of ERAS protocols in colorectal surgery. METHODS: This cross-sectional descriptive study conducted in the surgical clinics and operating rooms of a training and research hospital between January 2020 and September 2020 included 110 physician and nurse members of surgical teams. Data were collected using the Questionnaire for Evaluating the Use of the ERAS Protocol and Identifying Barriers to Implementation in Colorectal Surgery. RESULTS: The compliance of the current perioperative practices by healthcare professionals with the ERAS protocols ranged between 15.5% (routinely leaving nasogastric tubes in situ following colorectal resection) and 61.8% (being aware of the concept of balanced analgesia). Variables such as the healthcare professional's profession, title, years in practice and colorectal surgery experience led to a difference between them in terms of their compliance of the practices with the ERAS protocols (p < 0.05). Based on the healthcare professionals' comments about barriers to the implementation of the ERAS protocol, themes such as education, teamwork, communication and lack of resources were created. CONCLUSION: Healthcare professionals' compliance level of the current perioperative practices with the ERAS protocols was mostly low. Barriers to the implementation of the ERAS protocols had a multi-factor structure that concerns the multidisciplinary team.

Secretory Carcinoma of Breast: A Population-Based Study.

AIM: In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the characteristic features and survival of secretory carcinoma of the breast (SCB), which is one of the rare malignant tumors of the breast. METHODS: Data of patients with histopathological diagnosis of SCB between 2010 and 2019 were extracted from the SEER database. These patients were evaluated in terms of age, race, molecular subtype, grade, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), HER2 receptor, TNM stage, surgical status, chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment. Overall survival (OS) and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) of the whole population and subgroups [in terms of surgery procedure (mastectomy/breast-conserving surgery), and hormone receptor status (positive/negative)] were analyzed. RESULTS: 70 patients were included in the study. The mean age was 57 years (range 2-82). 32.9% of the patients were diagnosed under the age of 50. 97.1% of the patients were female; 2.9% were male. The vast majority of patients were white race (81.4%). Although the rates of localization were higher in the upper outer quadrant (31.4%), centrally located tumors (18.5%) were also quite common. The most frequently detected molecular subtype was hormone positive/HER2 negative. All patients were non-metastatic, 81.4% of patients did not have lymph node metastases, and most of the patients were stage IA. Median follow-up was 37 months (range 0-118 months). Considering all patients, OS was 76.3%, 5-year OS was 91.8%, and BCSS was 88%, 5-year BCSS was 97.8%. There was no statistically significant difference in OS and BCSS according to subgroups (P > .01). CONCLUSION: SCB, a rare histopathologic type, has high OS and BCSS rates.

Is There a Survival Difference Between Male and Female Breast Cancer Subtypes According to the Prognostic Staging System? A Population-Based Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: In retrospective studies investigating the difference in survival by gender, there are conflicting results. It was aimed to compare overall survival (OS) and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) in male and female breast cancer subtypes according to the prognostic staging system. METHODS: Overall survival rates and BCSS rates of patients diagnosed with breast cancer between 2010 and 2019 compared by gender for all cohorts, stages, and molecular subtypes using the SEER Database. The stage has been rearranged according to the eighth edition of the AJCC. RESULTS: 364 039 patients were included in the study. .7% (n = 2503) of all breast cancers were male breast cancer. Overall survival (male: 5-year OS 73.9%, female = 5-year OS 86%) and BCSS rates (male: 5-year BCSS 78.9%, female = 5-year BCSS 94.7%) were significantly higher in females than in males for all cohorts. OS (male: 5-year OS 66.2% vs female: 5-year OS 88.3%), and BCSS (male: 5-year BCSS 88.4% vs female: 5-year 93.6%) rates were higher in hormone receptor (HR)-positive/Her2-negative female patients. Overall survival rate is higher in females in stage I (male: 5-year OS 81.5%, female: 5-year OS 92.8%), and BCSS rate is higher in stage I (male: 5-year BCSS 94.8%, female: 5-year BCSS 97.5%). Males have 2 times (HR = 2.023) higher overall mortality risk than females, but the risk of dying from breast cancer is only 1.6 times (HR = 1.596) higher. CONCLUSIONS: Breast cancer-specific mortality is significantly higher in male breast cancers, especially in the early stage, and HR-positive subtype than females.

Should the Breast Cancer Staging System be Revised?

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether breast cancer patients at stage T2N0 with tumor size ≥4 cm and <4 cm. METHOD: Patients with T2N0 stage breast cancer diagnosed between 2010 and 2019 were analyzed in 2 groups as <4 cm (T2a) and ≥4 cm (T2b) in the study using the SEER 17 Research Plus database. The patients' clinicopathological characteristics and oncological outcomes were included. Group comparisons of prognostic factors, overall survival (OS), and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were made. RESULTS: In this study, which involved 70971 patients, the T2a group had higher 5-year OS rate (87.2 ± .2 vs 80.8 ± .5%) and 5-year CSS rate (93.7 ± .1% vs 89.4 ± .4%) than the T2b group (P < .001). Univariate analysis revealed that the overall risk of death was 1.5 times higher in T2b than T2a (HR: 1.533 [95% CI: 1.450-1.622], P < .001), whereas multivariate analysis demonstrated the risk was 1.4 times higher (HR: 1.384 [95% CI: 1.307-1.466], P < .001). The risk of cancer-specific death was 1.7 times higher in univariate analysis (HR: 1.691 [95% CI: 1.561-1.832], P < .001) and 1.4 times higher in multivariate analysis (HR: 1.420 [95% CI: 1.309-1.541], P < .001). CONCLUSION: Overall survival and BCSS rates in stage T2b breast cancer patients are significantly lower than in T2a patients. Tumor size ≥4 cm in breast cancer is a negative predictor of prognosis.

Effects of the care given to intensive care patients using an evidence model on the prevention of central line-associated bloodstream infections.

It is important to put evidence-based guidelines into practice in the prevention of central line-associated bloodstream infections in intensive care patients. In contrast to expensive and complex interventions, a care bundle that includes easy-to-implement and low-cost interventions improves clinical outcomes. The compliance of intensive care nurses with guidelines is of great importance in achieving these results. The Translating Evidence into Practice Model provides guidance in how to implement the necessary guidelines. This quasi-experimental study used a post-test control group design in nonequivalent groups and was conducted in the anesthesia intensive care unit of a tertiary-level training and research hospital. All patients who were hospitalized in the intensive care unit, who had a central line during the study, and who met the inclusion criteria were included in the sample. The care bundle comprised education, and protocols for hand hygiene and the aseptic technique, maximum sterile barrier precautions, central line insertion trolley, and management of nursing care. To analyze the data, the independent samples t-test, the Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, dependent samples t-test, rate ratio, and relative risk were used with 95% confidence intervals. The rate of central line-associated bloodstream infections was significantly lower in the intervention group (2.85/1000 central line days) than in the control group (3.35/1000 central line days) (P = 0.042). The number of accesses to the central line by the nurses decreased significantly in the intervention group compared to the control group (P < 0.001). The mean score for the nurses' evidence-based guideline post-education knowledge (70.80 ± 12.26) was significantly higher than that pre-education (48.20 ± 14.66) (P < 0.001). Compliance with the guideline recommendations in central line-related nursing interventions and in the central line insertion process was significantly better in the intervention group than in the control group in many interventions (P < 0.05). The mean score for the nurses' attitude towards evidence-based nursing increased significantly over time (59.87 ± 7.23 at the 0th month; 63.79 ± 7.24 at the 6th month) (P < 0.001). Nursing care given by implementing the central line care bundle with the Translating Evidence into Practice Model affected the measures. Thanks to the implementation of the care bundle, the rate of infections and the number of accesses to the central line decreased, while the critical care nurses' knowledge of evidence-based guidelines, compliance with the guideline recommendations in central line-related nursing interventions, and attitudes towards evidence-based nursing improved.

The Impact of CoronaVac Vaccination on 28-day Mortality Rate of Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19 in Türkiye.

Background: Vaccines against coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) have been effective in preventing symptomatic diseases, hospitalizations, and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions. However, data regarding the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in reducing mortality among critically ill patients with COVID-19 remains unclear. Aims: To determine the vaccination status and investigate the impact of the COVID-19 vaccine on the 28-day mortality in critically ill patients with COVID-19. Study Design: Multicenter prospective observational clinical study. Methods: This study was conducted in 60 hospitals with ICUs managing critically ill patients with COVID-19. Patients aged ≥ 18 years with confirmed COVID-19 who were admitted to the ICU were included. The present study had two phases. The first phase was designed as a one-day point prevalence study, and demographic and clinical findings were evaluated. In the second phase, the 28-day mortality was evaluated. Results: As of August 11, 2021, 921 patients were enrolled in the study. The mean age of the patients was 65.42 ± 16.74 years, and 48.6% (n = 448) were female. Among the critically ill patients with COVID-19, 52.6% (n = 484) were unvaccinated, 7.7% (n = 71) were incompletely vaccinated, and 39.8% (n = 366) were fully vaccinated. A subgroup analysis of 817 patients who were unvaccinated (n = 484) or who had received two doses of the CoronaVac vaccine (n = 333) was performed. The 28-day mortality rate was 56.8% (n = 275) and 57.4% (n = 191) in the unvaccinated and two-dose CoronaVac groups, respectively. The 28-day mortality was associated with age, hypertension, the number of comorbidities, type of respiratory support, and APACHE II and sequential organ failure assessment scores (p < 0.05). The odds ratio for the 28-day mortality among those who had received two doses of CoronaVac was 0.591 (95% confidence interval: 0.413-0.848) (p = 0.004). Conclusion: Vaccination with at least two doses of CoronaVac within six months significantly decreased mortality in vaccinated patients than in unvaccinated patients.

Normative reference values of major thoracic arterial vasculature in Turkiye.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine normative reference values for major thoracic arterial vasculature in Turkiye and to evaluate differences according to age and gender. METHODS: Low-dose unenhanced chest computerized tomography images acquired with pre-diagnosis of COVID-19 between March and June 2020 were evaluated retrospectively. Patients with known chronic lung parenchymal disease, pleural effusion, pneumothorax, chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and chronic heart diseases (coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, congestive heart failure, valve replacement, and arrhythmia) were excluded from the study. The ascending aorta diameter (AAD), descending aorta diameter (DAD), aortic arch diameter (ARCAD), main pulmonary artery diameter (MPAD), right pulmonary artery diameter (RPAD), and the left pulmonary artery diameter (LPAD) were measured in the same sections by standardized methods. The variability of parameters according to age (<40 years; ≥40 years) and gender (male to female) was evaluated by statistical methods. The Student's t test was used to compare the normal distribution according to the given quantitative age and gender, while the data that did not fit the normal distribution were compared with the Mann-Whitney U test. The conformity of the data to the normal distribution was tested with the Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Shapiro-Wilk test, and graphical examinations. RESULTS: Totally 777 cases between the ages of 18-96 (43.80±15.98) were included in the study. Among these, 52.8% (n=410) were male and 47.2% (n=367) were female. Mean diameters were 28.52±5.13 mm (12-48 mm in range) for AAD, 30.83±5.25 mm (12-52 mm in range) for ARCAD, DAD 21.27±3.57 mm (11-38 mm in range) for DAD; 23.27±4.03 mm (14-40 mm in range) for MPAD, 17.27±3.19 mm (10-30 mm in range) for RPAD, and 17.62±3.06 mm (10-37 mm in range) for LPAD. Statistically significantly higher values were obtained in all diameters for cases over 40 years of age. Similarly, higher values were obtained in all diameters for males compared to females. CONCLUSION: The diameters of all thoracic main vascular structures are larger in men than in women and increase with age.

Linear Regression Modeling Based Scoring System to Reduce Benign Breast Biopsies Using Multi-parametric US with Color Doppler and SWE.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To develop a simple ultrasound (US) based scoring system to reduce benign breast biopsies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Women with BI-RADS 4 or 5 breast lesions underwent shear-wave elastography (SWE) imaging before biopsy. Standard US and color Doppler US (CDUS) parameters were recorded, and the size ratio (SzR=longest/shortest diameter) was calculated. Measured/calculated SWE parameters were minimum (SWVMin) and maximum (SWVMax) shear velocity, velocity heterogeneity (SWVH=SWVMax-SWVMin), velocity ratio (SWVR=SWVMin/SWVMax), and normalized SWVR (SWVRn=(SWVMax-SWVMin)/SWVMin). Linear regression analysis was performed by converting continuous parameters into categorical corresponding equivalents using decision tree analyses. Linear regression models were fitted using stepwise regression analysis and optimal coefficients for the predictors in the models were determined. A scoring model was devised from the results and validated using a different data set from another center consisting of 187 cases with BI-RADS 3, 4, and 5 lesions. RESULTS: A total of 418 lesions (238 benign, 180 malignant) were analyzed. US and CDUS parameters exhibited poor (AUC=0.592-0.696), SWE parameters exhibited poor-good (AUC=0.607-0.816) diagnostic performance in benign/malignant discrimination. Linear regression models of US+CDUS and US+SWE parameters revealed an AUC of 0.819 and 0.882, respectively. The developed scoring system could have avoided biopsy in 37.8% of benign lesions while missing 1.1% of malignant lesions. The scoring system was validated with a 100% NPV rate with a specificity of 74.6%. CONCLUSION: The linear regression model using US+SWE parameters performed better than any single parameter alone. The developed scoring method could lead to a significant decrease in benign biopsies.

CT Findings of the Massive Air Embolism in a Case with Thoracic Gunshot Wound: A Special Case Report as if a Whole Body Pneumo- Angiography was Performed.

BACKGROUND: Massive Systemic Arterial Air Embolism (SAAE) associated with penetrating trauma is a rare condition. A few cases were reported for massive arterial air embolism in the literature. Computed tomography is a fast and easily accessible modality for detecting air in the vasculature. We report CT findings of a rare case with a thoracic gunshot wound, which demonstrate air almost in all systemic vessels like ''full body pneumoangiography''. CASE PRESENTATION: A 42-year-old male patient with a thoracic gunshot wound was admitted to the Accident and Emergency (A&E) unit in a state of cardiac arrest. Postmortem Computed Tomography (CT) was performed and extensive air was revealed in several great vessels. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the underline causes of massive air embolism in our case are two main mechanisms: firstly, massive air enters the vasculature via bronchovascular fistula as there was bilateral lung contusion and directly through cardiac truncus, secondly while CPR was being conducted, massive air was pumped to the systemic circulation.

Third-Generation Dual-Source Computed Tomography for Coronary Angiography With Individually Tailored Scan Protocols Can Achieve a Low Radiation Dose With Good Image Quality in Unselected Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the image quality and radiation exposure associated with coronary angiography obtained with a third-generation dual-source computed tomography, using body mass index (BMI)- and heart rate (HR)-adapted protocols in real-world patients. METHODS: Three scan protocols were implemented with regard to HR: prospective turbo high-pitch spiral, sequential, and retrospective spiral modes. We adapted the reference kilovoltage value according to BMI. Image quality was evaluated using a 4-point scale, and effective dose estimates were calculated using the dose-length product. RESULTS: Among the 896 patients, 417 (46.54%), 433 (48.32%), and 45 (5.02%) were imaged using prospective turbo high-pitch spiral, sequential, and retrospective spiral modes, respectively. The median BMI was 27.3 (25-30.4) kg/m2, and the effective dose was 0.65 mSv (interquartile range, 0.33-1.56 mSv). Only 32 of 896 examinations (3.5%) had poor image quality. CONCLUSIONS: Computed tomography angiography with BMI- and HR-tailored protocols offers good image quality with low radiation dose in unselected patients.

Experiences of a Group of Senior Nursing Students with End of Life Care and Death in Turkey.

Nursing students may feel unprepared to manage the care of dying individuals and may experience anxiety and fear related to death and dying. Preparing nursing students for this situation can help them provide quality care to dying patients. This study aimed to examine the end-of-life care values and behaviors and death attitudes of senior nursing students. In examining these variables, the Values and Behaviors of Intensive Care Nurses for End-of-Life Instrument and the Death Attitude Profile-Revised Scale were used. It was found that the students developed positive attitudes and behavior towards end-of-life care, and that they believed death to be a natural part of life and there is life after death. Students who felt that the information they received during their education was partially sufficient were more likely to have negative death attitudes. It can be recommended that teaching strategies in the education of the nursing students be developed.

Comparison of Olfactory Cleft Width and Volumes in Patients with COVID-19 Anosmia and COVID-19 Cases Without Anosmia.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between olfactory cleft width/volume and COVID-19-related anosmia. METHODS: This study consisted of PCR-proven COVID-19 patients. Cases with COVID-19-related anosmia constituted Group 1 and cases without any olfactory dysfunction (OD) throughout COVID-19 infection or after recovery constituted Group 2. A total of 50 patients were included in the study, comprising 24 cases in Group 1 and 26 cases in Group 2. Group 1 patients underwent a 4-item-odor identification test during active symptoms and a Sniffin' Sticks test after reconversion of PCR results to negative. All patients in Group 2 also underwent the Sniffin' Stick test to document normosmia. All cases had paranasal sinus CT performed. Olfactory cleft widths and olfactory volumes were measured. The differences in width and volume between groups and the correlation with odor test scores (threshold-discrimination-identification [TDI]) were calculated. In addition, regression analyzes analysis was performed for cleft widths, volumes, and TDI scores according to age. RESULTS: Olfactory cleft widths and olfactory volumes were significantly higher in Group 1 than those in Group 2 (p = 0.001; p < 0.01). There was a significant negative correlation between total TDI scores and olfactory cleft widths and total olfactory volumes (r = -0.665; r = -0.731, respectively). Patients younger than 40 years of age had significantly higher right olfactory cleft width, left olfactory cleft width, and olfactory cleft volume than those in patients older than 40 years of age (p = 0.004, p = 0.005, p = 0.003; p < 0,01, respectively). However, patients younger than 40 years of age had a significantly lower total TDI score and in all other values individually (t-d-i) than those in patients older than 40 years of age (p = 0.004; p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Patients with COVID-19-related OD had larger olfactory cleft width and volumes than those without OD in this study. Total TDI score was found to be inversely correlated with cleft width and volume.

Evaluation of the Effect of Age, Menopausal Status, and Parity on Breast Parenchyma Stiffness by Multiparametric Shear Wave Elastography.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relationship between quantitative breast parenchyma stiffness by using multiparametric shear wave elastography (mpSWE) and the potential risk factors of breast cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The Vmean, Vmax, Vmin, Vsd values were measured with mpSWE from each breast and each quadrant in all cases under and over the age of 40. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between breast stiffness and age, side, quadrant, menopausal status, mammographic breast density, and obstetric history. RESULTS: The study cohort included 964 breasts of 482 patients, where 342 patients were ≥40 years of age; and 140 cases were <40 years of age with a mean age of 45.07 ± 10.96. No significant difference in breast stiffness was detected between right and left breasts (p > 0.05); however, upper quadrants were found to be stiffer than the lower quadrants (p < 0.05). The effect of age on all values was found to be significant (p < 0.05), and stiffness increased with age. All mpSWE values of post-menopausal cases were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than premenopausal cases. Nulliparous cases had higher values than cases with prior parity (p < 0.05). Cases with Type C and D breast density had higher stiffness values than those with Type A and Type B breast density. CONCLUSION: Breast parenchyma shows increased stiffness in in post-menopausal, nulliparous and older patients and patients with dense breast density. Similar to the mammographic increased breast density, elastographically increased breast parenchymal stiffness may be used as a possible risk factor for breast cancer or as a predictor of breast cancer.

A Comparative Olfactory MRI, DTI and fMRI Study of COVID-19 Related Anosmia and Post Viral Olfactory Dysfunction.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate how COVID-19 anosmia imaging findings resembled and differed from postinfectious olfactory dysfunction (OD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 31 patients presenting with persistent COVID-19 related OD and 97 patients with post-infectious OD were included. Olfactory bulb MRI, DTI and olfactory fMRI findings in both groups were retrospectively assessed. RESULTS: All COVID-19 related OD cases were anosmic, 18.6% of post-infectious OD patients were hyposmic and remaining 81.4% were anosmic. Mean interval between onset of OD and imaging was 1.5 months for COVID-19 related OD and 6 months for post-infectious OD. Olfactory bulb volumes were significantly higher in COVID-19 related OD than post-infectious OD. Deformed bulb morphology and increased olfactory bulb signal intensity was seen in 58.1% and 51.6% with COVID-19 related OD; and 63.9% - 46.4% with post-infectious OD; without significant difference. Significantly higher rate of olfactory nerve clumping and higher QA values at orbitofrontal and entorhinal regions were observed in COVID-19 related OD than post-infectious OD. Absence of orbitofrontal and entorhinal activity showed no statistically significant difference between COVID-19 related OD and post-infectious OD, however trigeminosensory activity was more robust in COVID-19 related OD cases. CONCLUSION: Olfactory bulb damage may play a central role in persistent COVID-19 related anosmia. Though there is decreased olfactory bulb volume and decreased white matter tract integrity of olfactory regions in COVID-19 related anosmia, this is not as pronounced as in other post-infectious OD. Trigeminosensory activity was more robust in COVID-19 related OD. These findings may reflect better preserved central olfactory system in COVID-19 related OD compared to COVID-19 related OD.

Evaluation of Multiparametric Shear Wave Elastography Indices in Malignant and Benign Breast Lesions.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the shear wave elastography indices (multiparametric SWE) of breast lesions based on patient and lesion dependent features and assess the contribution of different elastographic parameters to radiological diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Effect of patient-dependent (age and menopausal status) and lesion-dependent (distance from the areola, quadrant location, size, depth, margin and shape) factors on SWE parameters (Vmean, Vsd, Vmax, Vmin) in benign breast lesions were assessed. Only mass lesions were included in the study. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and cut-off values for each elastography parameter was calculated. RESULTS: A total of 496 mass lesions of breast were evaluated. 467 of the lesions were benign and 29 were malignant. There was no significant relationship among SWE indices and age, menopausal status, lesion shape and distance to the areola in benign lesions (p>0.05). SWE indices were found to be associated with lesion margin, depth from the skin, and lesion size in benign lesions (p<0.05). All BI-RADS 3 lesions that underwent biopsy were benign (n:35); 23.5% of 4a lesions were malignant (n:4/17) and all 4b-4c-5 lesions were malignant (n:25/25). The cut-off values for malignant lesions were: Vmean 3.38 m/s, Vsd 0.81, Vmax 6.87 m/s, Vmin 1.53 m/s. All SWE parameters were statistically significant in predicting malignancy on ROC analysis, Vmax was the most sensitive (96.3%) and specific (94.7%) parameter. Cut-off values for Vmax was 6.87 m/s with an accuracy rate of 94.7%, and 3.37 m/s for Vmean and 0.8 for Vsd with 92.5% accuracy. CONCLUSION: The SWE parameters to predict malignancy in breast lesions can be affected by lesion dependent features, whereas no significant effect of patient's age or menopausal status on stiffness of the lesions was observed. Vmax had the highest sensitivity for predicting malignancy.

Immunocompetent Young Patient Presenting with Unilateral Lip Abscess Due to Peeling Exfoliated Lip Skin.

Lip abscess is a rare condition encountered in clinical practice. Generally, it may be due to an infective agent, such as virus, bacteria, entering through a skin wound, or it can be seen through hematogenous spread when there is a serious underlying condition such as a general condition disorder or immunodeficiency. It requires rapid diagnosis and treatment as it may cause significant complications in terms of localization and lymphovascular drainage. In this case report, an 18-year-old male patient with unilateral lip abscess that regressed rapidly with external drainage and antibiotic therapy is presented with imaging and clinical-laboratory findings.