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Cross-sectional study.

Recently, there has been a rise in children and adolescents developing low back pain and/or sciatica. Degenerative lumbar spine MRI phenotypes can occur in this population but reports have been sporadic and the true incidence of such spine changes remains debatable. As such, the study aimed to address the epidemiology of MRI phenotypes of the lumbar spine in this young population.

597 children and adolescents with lumbar MRIs were included in the study. T1- and T2-weighted lumbar images from L1/2 to L5/S1 were analyzed in axial and sagittal planes. Global phenotype assessment was performed of each level and based on established nomenclature protocols.

The cohort consisted of 57.3% (342) boys and 42.7% (255) girls, with a mean age of 10.75 ± 5.25 years (range 0 to 18 years). The prevalence of imaging findings of lumbar disc degeneration (LDD) and lumbar disc herniation (LDH) were 2.2% (95% CI 0.93-3.43) and 5.8% (95%CI 2.58-8.99), respectively. There was significant difference between each disc segment from L1/2 to L5/S1 for both LDD and LDH. Schmorl’s nodes were noted in 16 cases (2.7%, youngest case as 15 years), with 11 boys (68.8%) and most frequent segment as L3/4. Modic changes and high-intensity zones were absent in this cohort.

LDD can emerge as early as the first decade of life with Schmorl’s nodes, without additional specific phenotypes, including Modic changes and high-intensity zones. The study provides valuable information of a unique age group that is often under-represented but equally important as adults.

LDD can emerge as early as the first decade of life with Schmorl’s nodes, without additional specific phenotypes, including Modic changes and high-intensity zones. The study provides valuable information of a unique age group that is often under-represented but equally important as adults.

To study the features of corneal confocal microscopy of eyes with Fuchs’ endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) after successful Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) versus Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK).

Thirty-two eyes affected by FECD with corneal oedema requiring a corneal graft were treated with DSAEK (15 eyes) or DMEK (17 eyes). All patients underwent in vivo corneal confocal microscopy (IVCCM) at 6 months postoperatively. We evaluated preoperative and postoperative corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) and the correlation with IVCCM characteristics.

Using IVCCM, Z-scan curve analysis showed similar subepithelial reflectivity peaks between the two groups (DSAEK 1256 SU ± 514 vs DMEK 1118 SU ± 408,

 = 0.411), while the interface reflectivity was significantly higher in the DMEK group (1511 SU ± 357) than in the DSAEK group (1029 SU ± 413,

 = 0.002).

Comparing the corneal confocal microscopic characteristics after DMEK with those after DSAEK and their correlation with visual outcome at 6 months, we hypothesized that the presence of a third reflectivity peak in the Z-scan curves of DSAEK patients could justify the poorer visual outcome with this endothelial surgery than with DMEK.

Comparing the corneal confocal microscopic characteristics after DMEK with those after DSAEK and their correlation with visual outcome at 6 months, we hypothesized that the presence of a third reflectivity peak in the Z-scan curves of DSAEK patients could justify the poorer visual outcome with this endothelial surgery than with DMEK.

Conservative treatment is the first-line approach for Müller-Weiss disease (MWD). sirpiglenastat mouse However, factors associated with the failure of conservative treatment have never been reported. Our objectives were to compare the differences in demographic and radiographic parameters between “successful” and “failure” conservative treatment in patients with MWD and identify descriptive factors associated with failure conservative treatment.

We retrospectively reviewed 68 patients with MWD divided into 29 “failure” and 39 “successful” conservative treatment groups. Demographic characteristics, Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS), visual analog scale (VAS) scores for pain and walking disability, and radiographic parameters such as calcaneal pitch, lateral Meary, anteroposterior (AP) Meary angle, and talonavicular-naviculocuneiform arthritis were compared. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify descriptive factors of failure conservative treatment. A

value <.05 was considered a statistically significant difference.

We found more severe VAS pain and walking disability scores and FAOS for the pain, activities of daily living, and quality of life subscales in the failure group (

< .05). Regression analysis demonstrated 2 significant descriptive factors associated with failure conservative treatment abducted AP Meary angle >13.0 degrees and radiographic talonavicular arthritis. No demographic characteristics were found to be associated with failure conservative treatment.

Midfoot abduction (AP Meary angle, >13 degrees) and radiographic talonavicular arthritis were factors associated with failure conservative treatment in MWD and should be determined concurrently with the clinical severity. Classification systems for MWD should include these factors.

Level III, retrospective comparative study.

Level III, retrospective comparative study.Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) is a syndrome characterized by acute and transient regional systolic myocardial dysfunction. TC often mimics myocardial infarction without obstructive coronary disease. We present a case of a 48-year-old woman who developed TC following the onset of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia in the setting of methadone intoxication.We report a case of a 56-year-old man with persistent right upper lobe cavitary mass. A chest computed tomography scan showed about 4-cm-sized mass with internal low attenuation and peripheral enhancement in right upper lobe apical segment. The lesion size increased over 1 month. Right upper lobectomy was performed with the intention to treat the lesion. Pathological examination showed primary pulmonary undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma. We describe this rare lung disease to remind that primary pulmonary undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma could be the differential diagnosis of pulmonary cavitary mass lesions.