Combined analysis of MGMT methylation and dynamic-susceptibility-contrast MRI for the distinction between early and pseudo-progression in glioblastoma patients.

Introduction: Currently, no single diagnostic modality allows the distinction between early progression (EP) and pseudo-progression (Psp) in glioblastoma patients. Herein we aimed to identify the characteristics associated with EP and Psp, and to analyze their diagnostic value alone and in combination.

Material And Methods: We reviewed the clinical, conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and molecular characteristics (MGMT promoter methylation, IDH mutation, and EGFR amplification) of glioblastoma patients who presented an EP (n=59) or a Psp (n=24) within six months after temozolomide radiochemotherapy.

3D black blood MR angiography of the carotid arteries. A simple sequence for plaque hemorrhage and stenosis evaluation.

Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of a new three-dimensional T1-weighted turbo-spin-echo sequence (3D T1-w TSE) compared to 3D contrast-enhanced angiography (CE-MRA) for stenosis measurement and compared to 2D T1-w TSE for intra-plaque hemorrhage (IPH) detection.

Methods: Eighty three patients underwent carotid MRI, using a new elliptic-centric phase encoding T1-weighted 3D TSE sequence in addition to the clinical protocol. Two observers evaluated image quality, presence of flow artifacts, and presence of intra-plaque hemorrhage, and computed the NASCET degree of stenosis for CE-MRA and for the new sequence.

Impact of anti-inflammatory drug consumption in peritonsillar abscesses: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: The experience of clinicians in charge of the in-hospital management of peritonsillar abscesses supports the association between severe forms and anti-inflammatory drug (AID) consumption. However, this observation is based on a limited number of clinical studies. Our objective was to assess the prevalence and impact of AID consumption in patients with peritonsillar abscesses.