COVID-19 pneumonia imaging follow-up: when and how? A proposition from ESTI and ESR.

This document from the European Society of Thoracic Imaging (ESTI) and the European Society of Radiology (ESR) discusses the role of imaging in the long-term follow-up of COVID-19 patients, to define which patients may benefit from imaging, and what imaging modalities and protocols should be used. Insights into imaging features encountered on computed tomography (CT) scans and potential pitfalls are discussed and possible areas for future review and research are also included. KEY POINTS: • Post-COVID-19 pneumonia changes are mainly consistent with prior organizing pneumonia and are likely to disappear within 12 months of recovery from the acute infection in the majority of patients. • At present, with the longest series of follow-up examinations reported not exceeding 12 months, the development of persistent or progressive fibrosis in at least some individuals cannot yet be excluded. • Residual ground glass opacification may be associated with persisting bronchial dilatation and distortion, and might be termed "fibrotic-like changes" probably consistent with prior organizing pneumonia.

Bilateral mucoid degeneration of the posterior cruciate ligaments.

Mucoid (myxoid) degeneration of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is well documented and well known. Mucoid degeneration of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) has been reported, but is rare in comparison. The changes may be subtle and may be missed if one is not aware of the diagnosis. As in the ACL, degeneration may cause pain and discomfort. Recognition of the pathology and correct diagnosis is important for the patient and referring physician, as this may have an impact on the therapeutic strategy. We present a case of mucoid degeneration of both PCLs, which to the best of our knowledge has not been published before in the medical literature, as a probable cause of knee pain due to habitual kneeling.

Publication rate of scientific abstracts presented at ESSR 2008 and 2009.

OBJECTIVE: During the ESSR 2011 Research Committee Meeting, the duration of intellectual property of a research proposal was discussed. A duration of 2 years from idea to publication was suggested. The purpose of this study was to evaluate how many ESSR 2008 and 2009 scientific abstracts were PubMed cited in print within 2 years of the congress. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In September of 2011, two researchers independently performed a literature search using author names and title words of all ESSR 2008 and 2009 scientific abstracts published in Skeletal Radiology. In case of similarity or doubt, a senior reviewer made the final decision. Publication details were recorded and analyses were performed in Microsoft Excel (Microsoft, Redmond, WA, USA). RESULTS: Until September of 2011, 62 out of 137 ESSR 2008 and 2009 scientific abstracts (45%) were PubMed cited in print [2008: 34/73 (47%); 2009: 28/64 (44%)]. 54 out of 137 abstracts (39%) were PubMed cited in print within 2 years of the congress [2008: 30/73(41%); 2009: 23/64 (36%)] including eight out of 137 abstracts (6%), which were already published before the congress [2008: 4/73 (5%); 2009: 4/64 (6%)]. The top-ranking journal in absolute numbers of publications was Skeletal Radiology. The top publishing country was the United Kingdom. Study sample size and first author position between abstract and publication did not change in the majority. CONCLUSIONS: Thirty-nine percent of ESSR 2008 and 2009 scientific abstracts were published within 2 years of the congress including 6% that were already PubMed cited in print before the congress.

Antenatal ultrasound and postnatal autopsy findings in terminations after 12 weeks' gestation due to fetal abnormality: population-based study in Western Norway, 1988-2002.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound screening has been part of antenatal care for several decades, and warrants high expertise to meet the criteria for a worthwhile screening program. In particular, the rate of false positives should be low. PURPOSE: To examine time trends of pregnancy terminations for fetal abnormality after 12 weeks' gestation, and to assess the agreement between antenatal ultrasound and post-termination autopsy findings for the main pathologies leading to termination. MATERIAL AND METHODS: During the period 1988 to 2002, 198 pregnancies were terminated for fetal abnormality after 12 weeks' gestation. We reviewed the case notes for those 151 who were autopsied (male/female/undetermined ;= ;91/56/4). Annual rates of live births and stillbirths were retrieved from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway. RESULTS: Antenatal ultrasound provided a correct diagnosis of the major abnormality in 149/151 cases (99%), based on post-termination autopsy findings. The annual rate of terminations after 12 weeks' gestation varied between 0.6 and 3.4 (mean 1.8) per 1000 live births, with a trend toward higher rates over the study period (P=0.001, chi-square test for linear-by-linear association). CONCLUSION: The specificity of antenatal ultrasound for major abnormalities was high, as compared to postnatal autopsy findings. The mean annual rates of termination after 12 weeks' gestation tended to increase over the 14-year study period.