Magnetic resonance spectroscopy findings of brain olfactory areas in patients with COVID-19-related anosmia: A preliminary comparative study.

Objectives: 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection is commonly associated with olfactory dysfunctions, but the basic pathogenesis of these complications remains controversial. This study seeks to evaluate the value of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in determining the molecular neurometabolite alterations within the main brain olfactory areas in patients with COVID-19-related anosmia. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, seven patients with persistent COVID-19-related anosmia (mean age: 29.57 years) and seven healthy volunteers (mean age: 27.28 years) underwent MRS in which N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA), choline (Cho), creatine (Cr), and their ratios were measured in the anterior cingulate cortex, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), insular cortex, and ventromedial prefrontal cortex. Data were analyzed using TARQUIN software (version 4.3.10), and the results were compared with an independent sample t-test and nonparametric Mann-Whitney test based on the normality of the MRS data distribution. Results: The mean duration of anosmia before imaging was 8.5 months in COVID-19-related anosmia group. MRS analysis elucidated a significant association between MRS findings within OFC and COVID-19-related anosmia (P disease < 0.01), and NAA was among the most important neurometabolites (P interaction = 0.006). Reduced levels of NAA (P < 0.001), Cr (P < 0.001) and NAA/Cho ratio (P = 0.007) within OFC characterize COVID-19-related anosmia. Conclusions: This study emphasizes that MRS can be illuminating in COVID-19-related anosmia and indicates a possible association between central nervous system impairment and persistent COVID-19-related anosmia.

Magnetic resonance imaging features of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia: The first preliminary case series.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: There is a rising onus on understanding the common features of COVID-19 pneumonia on different imaging modalities. In this study, we aimed to review and depict the common MRI features of COVID-19 pneumonia in our laboratory confirmed case series, the first comprehensive reported cohort in the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Upon IRB approval, eight laboratory confirmed COVID-19 patients who presented to our outpatient imaging clinic underwent chest CT and, once various features of COVID-19 pneumonia were identified, a dedicated multisequence chest MRI was performed on the same day with an institutional protocol. Demographic data and the morphology, laterality and location of the lesions were recorded for each case. RESULTS: Five males and three females with the mean age of 40.63 ± 12.64 years old were present in this case series. Five cases had typical CT features with ground glass opacities and consolidations, readily visible on different MRI sequences. Three cases had indeterminate or atypical features which were also easily seen on MRI. The comprehensive review of MRI features for each case and representative images have been illustrated. CONCLUSION: Becoming familiar with typical findings of COVID-19 pneumonia in MRI is crucial for every radiologist. Although MRI is not the modality of choice for evaluation of pulmonary opacities, it has similar capabilities in detection of COVID-19 pneumonia when compared to chest CT.

Common CT Findings of Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): A Case Series.

Given the highly infectious nature of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) virus and the lack of proven specific therapeutic drugs and licensed vaccines effective against it, early diagnosis of the disease is of paramount importance. The common chest CT imaging of confirmed COVID-19 cases is discussed here, which shows ground-glass opacity, crazy paving, and consolidation.

Prevalence of hepatitis B and C seromarkers and abnormal liver function tests among hemophiliacs in Guilan (northern province of Iran).

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C viruses and abnormal liver function tests among hemophiliacs in Guilan province, Iran. MATERIAL/METHODS: Patients registered with Guilan Hemophilia Society (GHS) were enrolled in this study, and evaluated for the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis C virus antibody (HCV-Ab) and liver function tests. RESULTS: One hundred and one patients (100 males, 1 female, mean age 19.7 years, range 3-71 years) from 110 registered hemophiliacs were enrolled in this study. 29 patients (28.7%) had elevated Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), 27 (26.7%) and 72 (71.3%) were positive for HBsAg and HCV-Ab, respectively. Seropositivity for HCV-Ab correlated with the duration of treatment with clotting factor until 1997 (P=0.01). There was also an inverse correlation between factor VIII & IX activity and seropositivity for HCV-Ab (P<0.001) and HBsAg (P<0.04). HCV-Ab was more likely to be positive among those received lyophilized factor VIII and cryoprecipitate than lyophilized factor VIII alone (P<0.01). In addition HCV-Ab seropositivity was more common among those received factor IX concentrate and fresh frozen plasma (FFP) than those received only FFP (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Based upon our finding, prevalence of HBsAg positive cases in Guilan province was higher than other studies. Although frequency of HCV-Ab was similar to other studies, frequency of increased ALT was less. Upon the results emerged from this study, we recommend that all hemophiliacs should be vaccinated against HBV and should have regular program for checking HCV.