Utility of Urine Dipstick Testing in Pediatric Appendicitis: Assessing its Role in Identifying Complicated Cases and Retrocecal Appendicitis.

Background:  Diagnosing appendicitis in children remains a challenge, and the role of urine dipstick is controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the association between abnormal urine dipstick results and appendicitis, particularly appendicitis severity and appendix position.

Methods:  A prospective cohort study was conducted from 2017 to 2021 at a tertiary hospital in Sweden.

Associations between Th1-related cytokines and complicated pediatric appendicitis.

The pathogenesis of appendicitis is not understood fully, and the diagnosis can be challenging. Previous research has suggested an association between a T helper (Th) 1-dependent immune response and complicated appendicitis. This prospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the association between serum concentrations of the Th1-associated cytokines interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A and tumor necrosis factor beta (TNF-β) and the risk of complicated appendicitis in children.

CT doses based on clinical indications. New national DRL's in Iceland.

A diagnostic reference level (DRL) is an investigation level to use in the optimization of a medical exposure using ionizing radiation. The aim of this project was to gather dose data from computed tomography (CT) studies in Iceland with the purpose of updating existing national DRL and proposing DRLs based on clinical indications. Dose data (total dose length product (DLP) and CT dose index) were retrospectively collected from all CT scanners in Iceland for 50 patients for all common CT studies.

An Evaluation of Serum IgE and Th2-Associated Interleukins in Children With Uncomplicated and Complicated Appendicitis.

Background: The pathogenesis of appendicitis is not understood completely and establishing a correct diagnosis can be clinically challenging. Previous investigations have shown an association between a T helper cell (Th)2-mediated inflammatory response, for example immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated allergy, and a decreased risk of complicated appendicitis. The present study aimed to evaluate differences in serum concentrations of IgE and Th2-associated interleukins (IL) in children with uncomplicated and complicated appendicitis.

Paediatric diagnostic reference levels for common radiological examinations using the European guidelines.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility to determine regional diagnostic reference levels (RDRLs) for paediatric conventional and CT examinations using the European guidelines and to compare RDRLs derived from weight and age groups, respectively.

Methods: Data were collected from 31 hospitals in 4 countries, for 7 examination types for a total of 2978 patients. RDRLs were derived for each weight and age group, respectively, when the total number of patients exceeded 15.

Nationwide paediatric cohort study of a protective association between allergy and complicated appendicitis.

Background: In a nationwide cohort the potentially protective association between allergy and complicated appendicitis was analysed, and the influence of seasonal antigens, antihistamine treatment, and timing of allergy onset assessed.

Methods: Some 1 112 571 children born between 2000 and 2010 were followed from birth until the end of 2014. A cross-sectional analysis of appendicitis cases, with comparison of allergic versus non-allergic children for absolute risk and odds of complicated appendicitis was first undertaken.

Associations of hair cortisol concentrations with paediatric appendicitis.

The pathogenesis of paediatric appendicitis is still an enigma. In recent years, it has become more evident that our inherent immunological responses affect the trajectory of the disease course. Long-term stress has an impact on our immune system; however, it is practically and ethically challenging to prospectively track blood measurements of cortisol-levels in asymptomatic children should an acute appendicitis episode develop.

Establishing paediatric diagnostic reference levels using reference curves - A feasibility study including conventional and CT examinations.

Purpose: To derive Regional Diagnostic Reference Levels (RDRL) for paediatric conventional and CT examinations using weight-based DRL curves and compare the outcome with DRL derived using the weight groups.

Methods: Data from 1722 examinations performed at 29 hospitals in four countries were included. DRL was derived for four conventional x-ray (chest, abdomen, pelvis, hips/joints) and two types of CT examinations (thorax, abdomen).

Are the target exposure index and deviation index used efficiently?

Introduction: Exposure index (EI) is important to evaluate correct exposure in radiography and thus important for image quality. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the target exposure index (EI) and deviation index (DI) were used efficiently.

Methods: Radiography departments in Iceland, using <10 years old equipment, were invited to participate.

Clinical Prediction Scores for Pediatric Appendicitis.

Introduction:  The rate of misdiagnosis of appendicitis in children is a challenge and clinical prediction scores could be part of the solution. However, the pediatric appendicitis score (PAS) and the Alvarado score have shown disappointing diagnostic accuracy in pediatric validation studies, while the appendicitis inflammatory response (AIR) score and the novel pediatric appendicitis risk calculator (pARC) have not yet been validated thoroughly. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate these four prediction scores prospectively in children with suspected appendicitis.

Psychometric evaluation of the Swedish Quality of Dyadic Relationships scale - homogeneity and construct validity.

Rationale And Aims: The Quality of Dyadic Relationships is a self-assessment scale used to evaluate various aspects of relationship quality. Psychometric evaluation by the developers of the instrument has led to a nontested amended version. Further psychometric testing is thus warranted, and the aim of this study was to evaluate homogeneity, construct validity (in terms of concurrent, discriminant and known-groups validity) and any floor and ceiling effects of the Quality of Dyadic Relationships.

Somatic alterations detected in diagnostic prostate biopsies provide an inadequate representation of multifocal prostate cancer.

Background: The majority of clinical prostate cancers are multifocal with morphological and molecular heterogeneity. Adequate tissue representation is crucial for the clinical utility of multigene panel sequencing of core needle biopsies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the genomic heterogeneity in multifocal prostate cancer and to analyze how representative preoperative biopsies are of spatially separated tumor foci.

Association of IgE-Mediated Allergy With Risk of Complicated Appendicitis in a Pediatric Population.

Importance: Childhood appendicitis is commonly complicated by gangrene and perforation, yet the causes of complicated appendicitis and how to avoid it remain unknown.

Objective: To investigate whether children with IgE-mediated allergy have a lower risk of complicated appendicitis.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This retrospective cohort study included all consecutive patients younger than 15 years (hereinafter referred to as children) who underwent appendectomy for acute appendicitis at a tertiary pediatric surgery center in Sweden between January 1, 2007, through July 31, 2017.

[Effective dose from pediatric CT in Iceland].

Introduction: It is important to know the effective dose from computed tomography (CT) examinations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effective dose from pediatric CT examinations in Iceland.

Materials And Method: For all pediatric CT exams (children < 18 years) performed during one year (1.

A novel technique for biobanking of large sections of radical prostatectomy specimens.

Aims: Harvesting of unfixed tissue from radical prostatectomy specimens for research purposes is challenging. Many prostate cancers cannot be identified at gross inspection, and this tumour is notoriously multifocal and heterogeneous. We aimed to develop a technique to allow detailed topographic analysis and the sampling of a sufficient amount of tumour without jeopardising clinical reporting.

Elevated body swing test after focal cerebral ischemia in rodents: methodological considerations.

Background: The elevated body swing test (EBST) is a behavioral test used to evaluate experimental stroke in rodents. The basic idea is that when the animal is suspended vertically by the tail, it will swing its head laterally to the left or right depending on lesion side. In a previous study from our lab using the EBST after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo), rats swung contralateral to the infarct day 1 post-MCAo, but ipsilateral day 3 post-MCAo.

[Effect of coronary calcification on diagnostic accuracy of the 64 row computed tomography coronary angiography].

Introduction: Coronary artery calcium is known to complicate the evaluation of stenoses using computer tomography (CT). The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of coronary calcification on the diagnostic accuracy of CT coronary angiography in an Icelandic population.

Material And Methods: The study was a retrospective analysis of 417 consecutive subjects that underwent CT coronary angiography and subsequent conventional coronary angiography within 6 months.

Optimal use of AEC in CT: a literature review.

Background: Computed tomography (CT) examinations account for a significant portion of individuals' increasing exposure to medical radiation. Automatic exposure control (AEC) was introduced in CT scanners to decrease patient doses while maintaining appropriate image quality.

Objective: To identify areas for AEC optimization and suggest practical optimization methods.

Efficient use of automatic exposure control systems in computed tomography requires correct patient positioning.

Background: Image quality and radiation dose to the patient are important factors in computed tomography (CT). To provide constant image quality, tube current modulation (TCM) performed by automatic exposure control (AEC) adjusts the tube current to the patient's size and shape.

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of patient centering on tube current-time product (mAs) and image noise.

Diagnostic accuracy of 64-slice multidetector CT for detection of in-stent restenosis in an unselected, consecutive patient population.

Objectives: To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of 64-slice multidetector computed tomography (64-CT) for detection of in-stent restenosis (ISR) in an unselected, consecutive patient population.

Background: Detection of in-stent restenosis by cardiac CT would be a major advance for the evaluation of patients suspected of having ISR. However, the diagnostic accuracy of current generation 64-CT in this context is not fully established.

[Diagnostic accuracy of 64-slice computed tomography compared with coronary angiography].

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV)) of 64-slice multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) compared with quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) for detection of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Material And Methods: Sixty-nine patients participating in a study of coronary in-stent restenosis were investigated. After a 64-slice MDCT scan patients were evaluated by QCA.