Simplifying the complicated heel—an emergency imaging approach to calcaneal fractures

Abstract The identification of gastrointestinal (GI) motility disorders requires the evaluation of regional GI transit, and the development of alternative methodologies in animals has a significant impact on translational approaches. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to validate an easy and low-cost methodology (alternate current biosusceptometry – ACB) for the assessment of regional GI transit in rats through images. Rats were fed a test meal containing magnetic tracer and phenol red, and GI segments (stomach, proximal, medial and distal small intestine, and cecum) were collected to assess tracer’s retention at distinct times after ingestion (0, 60, 120, 240, and 360 min). Images were obtained by scanning the segments, and phenol red concentration was determined by the sample’s absorbance. The temporal retention profile, geometric center, gastric emptying, and cecum arrival were evaluated. The correlation coefficient between methods was 0.802, and the temporal retention of each segment was successfully assessed. GI parameters yielded comparable results between methods, and ACB images presented advantages as the possibility to visualize intrasegmental tracer distribution and the automated scan of the segments. The imaging approach provided a reliable assessment of several parameters simultaneously and may serve as an accurate and sensitive approach for regional GI research in rats.

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Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the selection of chest imaging modalities and reporting systems: a survey of Italian radiologists

La radiologia medica ◽

10.1007/s11547-021-01385-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Andrea Borghesi ◽

Nicola Sverzellati ◽

Roberta Polverosi ◽

Maurizio Balbi ◽

Elisa Baratella ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Continuing Education ◽

Reporting System ◽

Imaging Modality ◽

Diagnostic Technique ◽

Imaging Modalities ◽

Chest Imaging ◽

Reporting Systems ◽

Imaging Approach ◽

Narrative Report ◽

Selection Of

Abstract Purpose Chest imaging modalities play a key role for the management of patient with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Unfortunately, there is no consensus on the optimal chest imaging approach in the evaluation of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, and radiology departments tend to use different approaches. Thus, the main objective of this survey was to assess how chest imaging modalities have been used during the different phases of the first COVID-19 wave in Italy, and which diagnostic technique and reporting system would have been preferred based on the experience gained during the pandemic. Material and Methods The questionnaire of the survey consisted of 26 questions. The link to participate in the survey was sent to all members of the Italian Society of Medical and Interventional Radiology (SIRM). Results The survey gathered responses from 716 SIRM members. The most notable result was that the most used and preferred chest imaging modality to assess/exclude/monitor COVID-19 pneumonia during the different phases of the first COVID-19 wave was computed tomography (51.8% to 77.1% of participants). Additionally, while the narrative report was the most used reporting system (55.6% of respondents), one-third of participants would have preferred to utilize structured reporting systems. Conclusion This survey shows that the participants’ responses did not properly align with the imaging guidelines for managing COVID-19 that have been made by several scientific, including SIRM. Therefore, there is a need for continuing education to keep radiologists up to date and aware of the advantages and limitations of the chest imaging modalities and reporting systems.

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Staged Management of Severely Displaced Calcaneal Fractures With Transarticular Pinning: A Damage Control Strategy

Foot & Ankle International ◽

10.1177/10711007211013012 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 107110072110130

Author(s):

Kyeong-Hyeon Park ◽

Chang-Wug Oh ◽

Joon-Woo Kim ◽

Hee-June Kim ◽

Dong-Hyun Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soft Tissue ◽

Internal Fixation ◽

Kirschner Wire ◽

Wound Complications ◽

Calcaneal Fractures ◽

Simple Method ◽

Wire Fixation ◽

The Mean ◽

Radiographic Union

Background: Severely displaced calcaneal fractures can result in considerable morphology derangement and may be accompanied by soft tissue compromise. Delayed operative restoration of the calcaneal morphology may result in acute retensioning of the damaged soft tissue with associated wound-related complications. In this study, we describe a staged treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures that uses temporary transarticular Kirschner wire (K-wire) fixation and staged conversion to definite fixation. Methods: We identified all of the patients who were treated at our institution for calcaneal fractures between 2015 and 2019. A total of 17 patients with 20 calcaneal fractures were selectively treated with 2-stage management. Temporary transarticular K-wire fixation was performed 24 hours after the injury to restore calcaneal morphology and the surrounding soft tissue. After the soft tissue was considered safe, delayed open reduction and internal fixation was performed. The time to definite surgery, radiographic alignment, wound complications, time to radiographic union, and hindfoot American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores were recorded. Results: The average follow-up period was 17 months (range, 12-43). The average Böhler angle increased from a mean of −22 degrees (range, −109 to 25) to 25 degrees (range, 0 to 47) after temporary transarticular K-wire fixation. The mean time from temporary pinning to conversion to definite internal fixation was 20 (range, 10-32) days. There were no immediate postoperative complications. The average time to radiographic union was 13.7 (range, 10-16) weeks. The mean AOFAS score was 87 (range, 55-100). No infections or wound complications were reported during the follow-up period. Conclusion: Temporary transarticular pinning for staged calcaneal fracture treatment is safe and effective in restoring the calcaneal morphology. This novel and relatively simple method may facilitate delayed operation and decrease wound-related complications. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.

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Mechanical defects diagnosis for gas insulated switchgear using acoustic imaging approach

Applied Acoustics ◽

10.1016/j.apacoust.2020.107784 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 174 ◽

pp. 107784

Author(s):

Qing Xiong ◽

Jinfei Zhao ◽

Ziqing Guo ◽

Xianyong Feng ◽

Hanchao Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Acoustic Imaging ◽

Gas Insulated Switchgear ◽

Imaging Approach

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Nanostructure-specific X-ray tomography reveals myelin levels, integrity and axon orientations in mouse and human nervous tissue

Nature Communications ◽

10.1038/s41467-021-22719-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Marios Georgiadis ◽

Aileen Schroeter ◽

Zirui Gao ◽

Manuel Guizar-Sicairos ◽

Marianne Liebi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mouse Brain ◽

Nervous Tissue ◽

Signal Transmission ◽

X Ray ◽

Tensor Tomography ◽

Quantitative Studies ◽

X Ray Scattering ◽

Imaging Approach ◽

Non Destructive ◽

Mri Measurements

AbstractMyelin insulates neuronal axons and enables fast signal transmission, constituting a key component of brain development, aging and disease. Yet, myelin-specific imaging of macroscopic samples remains a challenge. Here, we exploit myelin’s nanostructural periodicity, and use small-angle X-ray scattering tensor tomography (SAXS-TT) to simultaneously quantify myelin levels, nanostructural integrity and axon orientations in nervous tissue. Proof-of-principle is demonstrated in whole mouse brain, mouse spinal cord and human white and gray matter samples. Outcomes are validated by 2D/3D histology and compared to MRI measurements sensitive to myelin and axon orientations. Specificity to nanostructure is exemplified by concomitantly imaging different myelin types with distinct periodicities. Finally, we illustrate the method’s sensitivity towards myelin-related diseases by quantifying myelin alterations in dysmyelinated mouse brain. This non-destructive, stain-free molecular imaging approach enables quantitative studies of myelination within and across samples during development, aging, disease and treatment, and is applicable to other ordered biomolecules or nanostructures.

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