Artificial neural network-assisted prediction of radiobiological indices in head and neck cancer.

Background and purpose: We proposed an artificial neural network model to predict radiobiological parameters for the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients treated with radiation therapy. The model uses the tumor specification, demographics, and radiation dose distribution to predict the tumor control probability and the normal tissue complications probability. These indices are crucial for the assessment and clinical management of cancer patients during treatment planning. Methods: Two publicly available datasets of 31 and 215 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients treated with conformal radiation therapy were selected. The demographics, tumor specifications, and radiation therapy treatment parameters were extracted from the datasets used as inputs for the training of perceptron. Radiobiological indices are calculated by open-source software using dosevolume histograms from radiation therapy treatment plans. Those indices were used as output in the training of a single-layer neural network. The distribution of data used for training, validation, and testing purposes was 70, 15, and 15%, respectively. Results: The best performance of the neural network was noted at epoch number 32 with the mean squared error of 0.0465. The accuracy of the prediction of radiobiological indices by the artificial neural network in training, validation, and test phases were determined to be 0.89, 0.87, and 0.82, respectively. We also found that the percentage volume of parotid inside the planning target volume is the significant parameter for the prediction of normal tissue complications probability. Conclusion: We believe that the model has significant potential to predict radiobiological indices and help clinicians in treatment plan evaluation and treatment management of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients.

PET/CT in leukemia: utility and future directions.

2-Deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-d-glucose PET/computed tomography ([18F]FDG PET/CT) has proven to be a sensitive method for the detection and evaluation of hematologic malignancies, especially lymphoma. The increasing incidence and mortality rates of leukemia have raised significant concerns. Through the utilization of whole-body imaging, [18F]FDG PET/CT provides a thorough assessment of the entire bone marrow, complementing the limited insights provided by biopsy samples. In this regard, [18F]FDG PET/CT has the ability to assess diverse types of leukemia The utilization of [18F]FDG PET/CT has been found to be effective in evaluating leukemia spread beyond the bone marrow, tracking disease relapse, identifying Richter's transformation, and assessing the inflammatory activity associated with acute graft versus host disease. However, its role in various clinical scenarios in leukemia remains unacknowledged. Despite their less common use, some novel PET/CT radiotracers are being researched for potential use in specific scenarios in leukemia patients. Therefore, the objectives of this review are to provide a thorough assessment of the current applications of [18F]FDG PET/CT in the staging and monitoring of leukemia patients, as well as the potential for an expanding role of PET/CT in leukemia patients.

Does your unwell patient have haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis?

Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is a severe systemic hyperinflammatory syndrome characterised by dysregulation of immune cells and excessive production of cytokines, also known as a cytokine storm. It has distinctive clinical features with fever, hyperferritinaemia and falling blood counts. In adults, this usually occurs secondary to an underlying driver or trigger including infection, malignancy or rheumatic diseases. Prompt treatment with immunomodulatory therapy, including corticosteroids and the recombinant IL-1 receptor antagonist anakinra, is recommended to switch off the cytokine storm. Etoposide-based regimens are sometimes needed, and newer therapies such as emapalumab and JAK inhibitors are increasingly being used. The incidence of haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis has increased significantly over the last 20 years which may partly reflect increased awareness of the condition. Although relatively rare, haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis can be encountered by a broad range of hospital physicians, so knowing how to diagnose and treat this condition is essential. This article reviews the pathogenesis, clinical features, causes, diagnosis and treatment of haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis to improve physician recognition and management of this condition to improve future patient outcomes.

Intense prostate-specific membrane antigen receptor expression in coronary artery pypass graft scar tissue: A potential molecular imaging pitfall.

68Gallium-PSMA positron emission tomography/computer tomography has been utilized recently for the diagnosis and staging of prostate cancer. PSMA is a transmembrane protein that is expressed not only in the prostate gland but also in other tissues. While some pitfalls have been addressed, there are still uncertainties. Herein, we report a 79-year-old male with prostate cancer who underwent a PSMA scan after coronary artery bypass graft surgery, revealing disease progression and PSMA-avid foci at the surgical stitch sites. This report discusses the immunohistochemical and molecular imaging mechanisms underlying PSMA expression in surgical scar tissues, providing critical insights for optimizing radiologic reporting in such situations.

Characterization of Corneal Biomechanics Using CORVIS ST Device in Different Grades of Myopia in a Sample of Middle Eastern Ethnicity.

Purpose: To characterize corneal biomechanical properties using the CORVIS-ST device in myopic individuals. Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study included patients with myopia. Our study included 154 eyes of 154 myopic patients aged between 18 and 40 years, with stable refraction for at least 2 years. A full ophthalmological examination and corneal tomography were performed using a Pentacam HR device. Corneal biomechanical parameters were assessed using the CORVIS-ST device in mild, moderate, severe, and extreme myopia groups. Results: Statistically significant differences were observed in the DA ratio (p = 0.033), SP-A (p=0.009), CBI (p=0.041), SSI (p=0.000), and Peak distance (p = 0.032). In correlation with different Corvis ST biomechanical variables, SE was found to be correlated with DA ratio(r=-0.191, p=0.018), SP-A(r=0.199, p=0.013) and SSI(r=-0.336, p=0.000), while in multiple regression analysis, SE was found to be independently correlated with SSI and peak distance(p=0.036,0.038 respectively) while the grade of myopia was found to be independently correlated with SP-A(p=0.034). Conclusion: SSI, Peak distance, and SP-A were independently related to SE and myopia grade, confirming the hypothesis that eyes with higher myopia are more deformable and less stress resistant.

The Effect of an Education Program on School Children Oral Health in Khartoum, Sudan.

Background: Oral health education programs have long been considered an essential part of oral health policies. This is important for reducing the risk of oral diseases through health enhancement and voluntary behavioral changes due to learning opportunities. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of school-based oral health education program on oral health in school children in Sudan. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted at four governmental schools in Khartoum, Sudan, between August 2018, and March 2022. A total of 423 school children were randomly allocated into the control (n = 211) and study (n = 212) groups. An adapted questionnaire was administered to students before and after the intervention to assess their knowledge and practice of oral health. The study group participated in oral health education activities. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 21. Results: The findings revealed that the mean knowledge at the pre-educational program was 9.3066 (SD = 3.91078) and the mean knowledge after the educational program was 21.2736 (SD = 2.13982). The scores indicated that the school children had significantly higher knowledge and practice scores after the oral health education program. Conclusion: The study concluded that education program on oral health improved students' oral health knowledge and practices. Imposing theoretical and practical lessons on oral and dental health in school curricula can motivate students to maintain oral health care, and this improves oral health status.

Posterior Sinuplasty: A New Strategy for Managing Hydrocolpos in Cloaca-Case Series.

We present a simple surgical technique aiming to improve urine outflow through the common urogenital sinus in cloaca and facilitate drainage of existing hydrocolpos. The study included three cases of cloaca with associated hydrocolpos that were operated during the period 2022 through 2023. The patient is placed in the prone position for a standard posterior sagittal anorectoplasty. The distal rectal fistula is severed flush with the vagina/sinus leaving an open defect in the posterior wall of the vagina/sinus. The defect is then widened distally via a vertical incision (∼1 cm) through the posterior wall of the common urogenital sinus toward but not reaching the perineum. This vertical defect is then closed horizontally displacing the posterior vaginal wall downwards toward the perineum (posterior sinuplasty). The postoperative recovery was uneventful in the three cases. Adequate drainage of hydrocolpos was confirmed by imaging at follow-up, as well as improvement of upper urinary tract dilatation. In selected cases of cloaca, posterior sinuplasty is a simple procedure that can be applied during anorectoplasty to provide effective drainage of associated hydrocolpos.

Review of phase 2/3 trials in polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis.

INTRODUCTION: GCA (giant cell arteritis) and PMR (polymyalgia rheumatica) are two overlapping inflammatory rheumatic conditions that are seen exclusively in older adults, sharing some common features. GCA is a clinical syndrome characterized by inflammation of the medium and large arteries, with both cranial and extracranial symptoms. PMR is a clinical syndrome characterized by stiffness in the neck, shoulder, and pelvic girdle muscles. Both are associated with constitutional symptoms. AREAS COVERED: In this review, we assess the established and upcoming treatments for GCA and PMR. We review the current treatment landscape, completed trials, and upcoming trials in these conditions, to identify new and promising therapies. EXPERT OPINION: Early use of glucocorticoids (GC) remains integral to the immediate management of PMR and GCA but being aware of patient co-morbidities that may influence treatment toxicity is paramount. As such GC sparing agents are required in the treatment of PMR. Currently there are limited treatment options available for PMR and GCA, and significant unmet needs remain. Newer mechanisms of action, and hence therapeutic options being studied include CD4 T cell co-stimulation blockade, IL-17 inhibition, IL-12/23 inhibition, GM-CSF inhibition, IL-1ß inhibition, TNF-α antagonist and Jak inhibition, among others, which will be discussed in this review.

Cerebral and Muscular Metastases From Prostate Adenocarcinoma Initially Depicted by 177 Lu-PSMA SPECT/CT.

ABSTRACT: Cerebral and muscular metastases from prostatic adenocarcinoma occur rarely. Patients who develop such metastatic pattern exhibit noticeable symptoms. Herein, we present a 68-year-old man diagnosed with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer. The patient received multiple 177 Lu-PSMA cycles. After the last cycle, a posttreatment SPECT/CT suggested disease progression with uncommon metastatic pattern in the right temporal brain lobe and muscles. 68 Ga-PSMA PET/CT and brain MRI confirmed these findings. Surprisingly, the patient remained asymptomatic up until the conclusion of the follow-up, which lasted for 3 months. This case emphasizes the importance of posttreatment scintigraphic imaging when other biomarkers are inconclusive.

Similarity analysis of bioconvection of unsteady nonhomogeneous hybrid nanofluids influenced by motile microorganisms.

Motile bacteria in hybrid nanofluids cause bioconvection. Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas viscosa, Bacillus brevis, Salmonella typhimurium, and Pseudomonas fluorescens were used to evaluate their effect and dispersion in the hybrid nanofluid. Using similarity analysis, a two-phase model for mixed bioconvection magnetohydrodynamic flow was developed using hybrid nanoparticles of Al2O3 and Cu (Cu-Al2O3/water). The parametric investigation, covering the magnetic parameter, permeability coefficient, nanoparticle shape factor, temperature ratio, radiation parameter, nanoparticle fraction ratio, Brownian parameter, thermophoresis parameter, motile bacteria diffusivity, chemotaxis parameter, and Nusselt, Reynold, Prandtl, Sherwood numbers, as well as the number of motile microorganisms', showed significant outcomes. Velocity and shear stresses are sensitive to M, Pr, and [Formula: see text]. Magnetic, radiation, and chemotaxis factors impact bacterial density. The hybrid nanofluid velocity decreases when the magnetic parameter, M, Prandtl number Pr increases, while it increases with the increasing of porosity coefficient, [Formula: see text], and the hybrid nanoparticle ratio Nf. The temperature distribution decreases with the increasing of Prandtl number and Nf. Increasing temperature differential and bacterium diffusivity increases bacterial aggregation.

Efficacy and Safety of Ketamine-Dexmedetomidine Versus Ketamine-Propofol Combination for Periprocedural Sedation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The combination of ketamine with propofol and dexmedetomidine has gained popularity for sedation and general anesthesia in different populations. In our meta-nalysis, we helped the anesthesiologists to know the efficiency and the efficacy of both combinations in adult and pediatric patients. METHODS: We searched PubMed, CENTRAL, Web of Science, and Scopus from inception to August 1, 2023. Our outcome parameters for efficacy were recovery time, pain score, and physician satisfaction while for safety were the related cardiorespiratory, neurological, and gastrointestinal adverse events. RECENT FINDINGS: Twenty-two trials were included with a total of 1429 patients. We found a significantly longer recovery time in the ketadex group of 7.59 min (95% CI, 4.92, 10.26; I2 = 94%) and a significantly less pain score of - 0.72 (95% CI, - 1.10, - 0.34; I2 = 0%). Adults had a significantly better physician satisfaction score with the ketofol group, odds ratio of 0.29 (95% CI, 0.12, 0.71; I2 = 0%). Recovery agitations were higher in the ketofol group with an odds ratio of 0.48 (95% CI, 0.24, 0.98; I2 = 36%). Furthermore, we found a significant difference between the combinations with a higher incidence in the ketadex group with pooled odds ratio of 1.75 (95% CI, 1.06, 2.88; I2 = 15%). Ketadex was associated with lower pain scores, hypoxic events and airway obstruction, and emergence agitation. At the same time, ketofol had much more clinician satisfaction which might be attributed to the shorter recovery time and lower incidence of nausea and vomiting. Therefore, we suppose that ketadex is the better combination in periprocedural sedation for both adult and pediatric patients who are not at greater risk for postoperative nausea and vomiting.

Survival Trends in Pediatric Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: A Middle Eastern Perspective.

Pediatric Differentiated Thyroid Cancer (pedDTC) is a rare pediatric malignancy with an increasing incidence over time. To date, there is a paucity of literature specifically addressing pedDTC within the context of Middle Eastern ethnicity. This retrospective study aimed to assess the risk-stratifying factors for overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) in pediatric DTC patients from Iraq and Jordan. The medical records of 81 patients from two tertiary cancer institutes were retrieved. Kaplan-Meier analysis was employed to investigate OS and EFS, and the Cox proportional hazards model was employed to estimate hazard ratios. All patients underwent surgery and radioactive iodine therapy, with a median age of 14 and an interquartile range of 12-15. Lymph node involvement was observed in 55% of cases, while distant metastases were present in 13.5%. After a median follow-up period of 68 months, the 10-year survival rate was determined to be 94%, while the 10-year EFS rate was 58%. EFS was negatively impacted by cervical lymph node metastases and early age of diagnosis (p ≤ 0.01, each). Therefore, pediatrics with initial cervical lymph node metastases and those diagnosed before puberty tend to experience poorer EFS, which may justify the need for more aggressive management plans.

Unmasking Coincident Hodgkin Lymphoma and Giant Cell Tumor: Insights from [18F] FDG PET/CT.

Tenosynovial giant cell tumors represent a group of typically non-malignant tumors found within the joints and soft tissues. The occurrence of tenosynovial giant cell tumor alongside hematologic malignancies is an infrequent finding. Herein, we report a patient who presented with coinciding Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) and tenosynovial giant cell tumor before chemotherapy initiation. The case was discovered during initial assessment using [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging for HL staging. An unrelated hypermetabolic mass within the left knee joint led to the discovery of this unusual case, which led to a CT-guided biopsy and tenosynovial giant cell tumor discovery. This was clearly demonstrated in interim and end-of-therapy PET/CT studies when all lymphomatous lesions had resolved but the tenosynovial giant cell tumor remained. This case serves as a reminder of the intricate nature of oncological pathology and emphasizes the need for thorough and vigilant diagnostic evaluation for optimal management plan.

Once-weekly Insulin Icodec Versus Once-daily Long-acting Insulin for Type II Diabetes: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Insulin icodec is a novel basal insulin analog with once-weekly subcutaneous administration. We aim to estimate the efficacy and safety of insulin icodec vs long-acting insulin (insulin glargine and degludec) in type II diabetic patients. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis synthesizing randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which were retrieved by systematically searching PubMed, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and Cochrane through May 29, 2023. We used RevMan V. 5.4 to pool dichotomous data using risk ratio (RR) and continuous data using mean difference (MD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Our primary outcome was glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) change. Results: We included 7 RCTs with a total of 3183 patients. Insulin icodec was associated with significantly decreased HbA1C (MD: -0.15 with 95% CI [-0.24, -0.06], P = .002) and increased percentage of time with glucose in range (TIR) (MD: 4.06 with 95% CI [2.06, 6.06], P = .0001). However, insulin icodec was associated with increased body weight (MD: 0.57 with 95% CI [0.45, 0.70], P = .00001). Also, there was no difference regarding any serious adverse events (AEs) (RR: 0.96 with 95% CI [0.76, 1.20], P = .7) or AEs leading to withdrawal (RR: 1.54 with 95% CI [0.84, 2.82], P = .16). However, insulin icodec was associated with increased any AEs incidence (RR: 1.06 with 95% CI [1.01, 1.12], P = .02). Conclusion: Insulin icodec was associated with decreased HbA1C, increased TIR, with similar hypoglycemic and serious AEs. However, it was also associated with increased body weight and the incidence of any AEs.

Global Research Output of Lutetium-177 PSMA in Prostate Cancer: Bibliometric and Altmetric Analyses.

AIM: The integration of innovative radio-pharmaceutical agents targeting prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) within nuclear medicine has transformed prostate cancer detection and management. This study aims to investigate the present landscape of [177Lu]Lu-PSMA in prostate cancer, elucidating trends, global contributions, scholarly outlets, institutions, and thematic concentrations with an aim to inform forthcoming research endeavors. METHODS: We systematically probed the Scopus repository for relevant [177Lu]Lu-PSMA literature. An assessment of bibliometric and altmetric data was carried out. Finally, we assessed the correlation between the altmetric attention scores and the number of citations for the retrieved data. RESULTS: Spanning January 2015 to July 2023, the study encompassed 466 articles concerning [177Lu]Lu-PSMA therapy for prostate cancer. Predominant citation accolades gravitated towards metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer investigations and assessments of [177Lu]Lu-PSMA therapy's safety and efficacy. Further research encompassed adverse effects linked to [177Lu]Lu-PSMA intervention, including xerostomia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, and fatigue. Germany emerged as the primary academic contributor, with The Journal of Nuclear Medicine dominating publications (n = 55). A moderate significant correlation was detected between the number of citations and altmetric attention scores . CONCLUSION: The findings highlight the growing interest and advancements in the utilization of [177Lu]Lu-PSMA therapy in prostate cancer and offer a comprehensive global perspective on future research directions.

Experiences and Perceptions of Post-Stroke Fatigue Among Stroke Survivors in Saudi Arabia: A Qualitative Interview Study.

Purpose: Post-stroke fatigue (PSF) is a debilitating condition that negatively impacts the quality of life of stroke survivors. The rehabilitation of stroke survivors is important for their quality of life, and rehabilitation programs that cater to the needs of these patients are required. However, there is very little published information on their needs, especially in the Middle East. Therefore, this study aimed to explore stroke survivors' perceptions and experiences of PSF and its causes, its impact on their daily life, their coping strategies, and support from physicians and caregivers in the context of Saudi Arabia. Patients and Methods: This qualitative interview study was conducted with eight post-stroke survivors from two tertiary stroke centers in Saudi Arabia. Results: The responses in the interviews showed high heterogeneity. From the responses, five main themes and several subthemes were generated: (1) description of PSF as both a physical and psychological experience; (2) perceived causes of PSF (physical causes, psychological causes, and stroke-related causes); (3) impact of PSF on daily life (activities of daily living and social interactions); (4) coping strategies for PSF (pacing, self-motivation, and social participation); and (5) perspectives about support from caregivers and healthcare practitioners (lack of support, provision of information about PSF and its management, physiotherapy interventions, encouragement, and overprotectiveness). Conclusion: Stroke survivors have variable physical and psychological experiences of PSF and variable perceptions of its causes and impact. High heterogeneity was also noted in the perception of support provided by healthcare providers and families or caregivers-ranging from lack of support to overprotection. Similarly, patients' perceptions of the role of physiotherapy and their attitude towards physiotherapy were also variable. Despite this, the findings do highlight the need for more individualized understanding of PSF and the development of treatment strategies that consider biological, psychological, and social factors.

Perceptions of Post-Stroke Fatigue among Health Care Practitioners: A Qualitative Interview Study.

Background and Objectives: Post-Stroke Fatigue (PSF) is a complex, multidimensional, debilitating condition that affects almost half of all stroke survivors. This study explored the perceptions of physiatrists, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists about PSF and their experiences in managing patients with PSF in Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants from three different groups: eight physiotherapists (PTs), eight occupational therapists (OTs), and eight physiatrists (DRs). Using purposive sampling, participants with at least one year of experience in the field of PSF management were invited to take part. The data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Results: Twenty-four health care participants (eight PTs, eight OTs, eight DRs) were recruited. Five overarching themes encompassing various subthemes and sub-subthemes were generated: 'knowledge about post-stroke fatigue', 'diagnosing post-stroke fatigue', 'treatment approach', 'lack of awareness about post-stroke fatigue', and 'domains to improve'. The data indicated that participants used various strategies to manage PSF, including dietary changes, sleep hygiene, exercise, and energy conservation. Conclusions: Participants acknowledged that they lacked PSF-related management skills, despite possessing adequate knowledge about the management of stroke. Their openness to participating in activities that would improve their ability to diagnose and manage PSF was particularly striking.

Synchronous Colorectal and Prostate Cancer: Dual PET/CT Approach for Detecting and Distinguishing Metastatic Patterns.

Prostate cancer (PC) and colorectal cancer (CRC) are two of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality. The incidence of synchronous neoplasms in patients with CRC is increasing, though synchronous PC and CRC remains a rare occurrence in clinical practice. Early diagnosis, accurate staging, and characterization of tumors are essential for selecting patient-tailored therapy. The origin of metastatic disease in synchronous cases presents a challenge for conventional imaging modalities, but advances in molecular imaging have addressed this limitation. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is now the preferred modality for assessing synchronous cases. The authors present a 72-year-old male patient with the rare occurrence of two coexisting primary cancers. At first, fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET/CT detected the first colorectal primary tumor extension along with evidence of heterogeneous 18F-FDG activity within an enlarged prostate, warranting further evaluation. Subsequently, gallium-68 prostate-specific membrane antigen (68 Ga-PSMA) PET/CT imaging revealed the second prostate primary cancer with evidence of bone metastases. Adoption of a dual PET/CT approach in cases where biopsy is impractical can achieve accurate staging results during the initial diagnostic workup.

The Diagnostic and Predictive Value of 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography in Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

This retrospective study examines the diagnostic accuracy of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) and neck magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting nodal metastasis for patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) and assesses the predictive values of metabolic and structural features derived from 18F-FDG PET/CT. By involving 66 patients from 2014 to 2021, the sensitivity and specificity of both modalities were calculated. 18F-FDG PET/CT outperforms neck MRI for nodal disease detection, with 89% sensitivity, 65% specificity, and 77% accuracy for nodal metastasis (p = 0.03). On the other hand, neck MRI had 66% sensitivity, 62% specificity, and 64% accuracy. Approximately 11% of patients witnessed a change in their therapy intent when relying on 18F-FDG PET/CT nodal staging results. Analyzing the cohort for PET-derived metabolic and morphological parameters, a total of 167 lymph nodes (LN) were visualized. Parameters such as the LN maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), total lesion glycolysis (TLG), and LN size were computed. Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed. Among the 167 identified cervical LNs, 111 were histopathologically confirmed as positive. ROC analysis revealed the highest area under the curve for LN MTV (0.89; p < 0.01), followed by LN size (0.87; p < 0.01). Both MTV and LN size independently predicted LN metastasis through multivariate analysis. In addition, LN MTV can reliably predict false-positive LNs in preoperative staging, offering a promising imaging-based approach for further exploration.