Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings Corresponding to Vasculitis as Defined via [F]FDG Positron Emission Tomography or Ultrasound.

We sought to investigate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters that correspond to vasculitis observed via [F]FDG positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and ultrasound in patients with large-vessel giant cell arteritis (LV-GCA). We performed a cross-sectional analysis of patients diagnosed with LV-GCA. Patients were selected if MRI, PET/CT, and vascular ultrasound were performed at the time of LV-GCA diagnosis.

Prior polymyalgia rheumatica is associated with sonographic vasculitic changes in newly diagnosed patients with giant cell arteritis.

Objectives: To investigate the hypothesis that a history of PMR is associated with a more severe and damaging disease course in newly diagnosed GCA patients.

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of GCA patients diagnosed between December 2006 and May 2021. We compared vascular ultrasound findings (presence of vasculitis and vascular stenosis) in GCA patients with and without prior PMR.

Rapid glucocorticoid tapering regimen in patients with giant cell arteritis: a single centre cohort study.

Objectives: We evaluated the feasibility of a rapid glucocorticoid tapering regimen to reduce glucocorticoid exposure in patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) treated with glucocorticoids only.

Methods: Newly diagnosed patients with GCA treated with a planned 26-week glucocorticoid tapering regimen at the University Hospital Basel were included. Data on relapses, cumulative steroid doses (CSD) and therapy-related adverse effects were collected from patients' records.

Long delay from symptom onset to first consultation contributes to permanent vision loss in patients with giant cell arteritis: a cohort study.

Objectives: To characterise factors associated with permanent vision loss (PVL) and potential reasons for the therapeutic delay contributing to PVL in giant cell arteritis (GCA).

Methods: Retrospective analysis of GCA patients diagnosed at the University Hospital Basel between December 2006 and May 2021.

Results: Of 282 patients with GCA (64% females), 49 (17.

18F-FDG PET/CT compared with ultrasound and biopsy for detection of vasculitis of the temporal artery branches.

Aims: To describe the feasibility and diagnostic accuracy of 18F-FDG positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) of the temporal artery compared with temporal artery ultrasound and histology of the temporal artery in patients with suspicion of having giant cell arteritis (GCA).

Materials And Methods: Patients with suspected GCA were included. PET/CT standard uptake value ratios and the compression sign on ultrasound were assessed for the trunk, and parietal and frontal branches of the temporal artery.

Primary care pediatrician perceptions towards mental health within the primary care setting.

Background: Mental health (MH) conditions are highly prevalent, yet only marginal portions of children receive adequate services. Access to specialized mental healthcare is limited and, consequently, pediatricians remain the source of management and care of children with MH disorders. Despite this, research suggests that pediatricians report lack of access to training and support regarding MH care of youth, leading to discomfort with managing the population they are asked to treat.

A telemedicine communication exchange network in Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomic Oblast in collaboration with Swiss Surgical Teams.

Introduction: The purpose of this article is to report on the implementation of a telemedicine network serving as a second opinion pool for a surgeon in a remote area of a developing country.

Methods: This study involved an international collaboration between two members of Swiss Surgical Teams at a tertiary referral hospital and a surgeon in a remote area in Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomic Oblast, Tajikistan, which established a second opinion pool discussing diagnostics and therapeutic options via a messenger application. A retrospective analysis of response times was performed using a series of 50 challenging cases.

The Diagnoses and Outcomes of Emergency Patients With an Elevated D-Dimer Over the Next 90 Days.

Background: It is not known what diagnoses are associated with an elevated D-dimer in unselected patients attending emergency departments (ED), nor have their associated outcomes been determined.

Methods: This was a prospective observational study of 1612 unselected patients attending a Danish ED, with 100% follow-up for 90 days after presentation.

Results: The 765 (47%) ED patients with an elevated D-dimer level (ie, ≥ 0.

[18F]FDG positron emission tomography and ultrasound in the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis: congruent or complementary imaging methods?

Objectives: [18F]Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET/CT and US are both well established for diagnosing GCA. The present study investigates their accuracy and whether they provide overlapping or complementary information in a cohort of patients presenting with suspicion of GCA.

Methods: We selected consecutive patients from our cohort of suspected GCA cases that underwent both extended vascular US and PET/CT for diagnostic work-up between December 2006 and August 2012.

Distribution pattern of common drugs of abuse, ethyl glucuronide, and benzodiazepines in hair across the scalp.

While hair analysis is important and accepted in forensic applications, fundamental knowledge gaps still exist, exacerbated by a lack of knowledge of the incorporation mechanisms of substances into hair. The influence of the hair sampling location on the head on ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and cocaine concentrations was investigated by measuring the complete scalp hair of 14 (2 EtG, 4 cocaine, 8 both EtG and cocaine) study participants in a grid pattern for EtG, drugs of abuse, and benzodiazepines. Head skin perfusion and sweating rates were investigated to rationalize the concentration differences.

Bedside hand vein inspection for noninvasive central venous pressure assessment.

Rapid estimates of the central venous pressure (CVP) can be helpful to administer early fluid therapy or to manage cardiac preload in intensive care units, operating rooms or emergency rooms in order to start and monitor an adequate medical therapy. Invasive CVP measurements have inherent and non-negligible complication rates as well as great expenditures. Several noninvasive methods of CVP measurements, like ultrasound-guided techniques, are available, but require trained skills and special equipment which might not be at hand in all situations.

Vessel wall plasticity in large vessel giant cell arteritis: an ultrasound follow-up study.

Objectives: To assess changes of arterial vessel wall morphology in large vessel GCA patients (LV-GCA) by repeated US.

Methods: Patients with LV-GCA on US examination were followed up 6, 12 and 24 months after diagnosis by US of the temporal, vertebral, carotid (common, internal, external), subclavian, axillary, femoral (deep, superficial and common) and popliteal arteries. Clinical and laboratory data were assessed at each visit.

[18F]FDG positron emission tomography in patients presenting with suspicion of giant cell arteritis-lessons from a vasculitis clinic.

Aims: The usefulness of [18F] fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography ([18F]FDG-PET/CT) for diagnosing giant cell arteritis (GCA) has been previously reported. Yet, the interpretation of PET scans is not clear-cut. The present study aimed at determining the best method to analyse PET/CT in a large, real-life cohort of patients presenting with suspicion of GCA.

Perivascular Perfusion on Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) Is Associated with Inflammation in Patients with Acute Deep Vein Thrombosis.

 Inflammatory processes of the venous wall in acute deep vein thrombosis (DVT) play a role in thrombus formation and resolution. However, direct evaluation of the perivascular inflammation is currently not feasible.  To assess perivascular perfusion in acute proximal DVT using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) reflecting perivenous inflammation and its association with systemic inflammatory markers in a single-centre, prospective observational study.

[Endoluminal Treatment of Varicose Veins: Value of Duplex Ultrasound (Part 2)].

Part one addressed the value of duplex ultrasound in the diagnostic workup of varicosis. The present article discusses the use of preinterventional, intrainterventional and postinterventional duplex ultrasound in endoluminal methods for the treatment of varices. It is a prerequisite for the planning, implementation, and follow-up of this form of therapy.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound after endovascular aortic repair-current status and future perspectives.

An increasing number of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are undergoing endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) instead of open surgery. These patients require lifelong surveillance, and the follow-up imaging modality of choice has been traditionally computed tomography angiography (CTA). Repetitive CTA imaging is associated with cumulative radiation exposure and requires the administration of multiple doses of nephrotoxic contrast agents.

The ultrasound compression sign to diagnose temporal giant cell arteritis shows an excellent interobserver agreement.

Objectives: To compare the diagnostic performance between a vascular specialist and a rheumatologist not familiar with vascular ultrasound when applying the compression sign for the diagnosis of temporal arteritis.

Methods: Sixty consecutive patients with suspicion of giant cell arteritis were examined by both examiners. Compression of the temporal artery on both sides (stem and both branches) was performed to define whether signs of vasculitis, no vasculitis or an indefinite result were present.

Assessment of microcirculation by contrast-enhanced ultrasound: a new approach in vascular medicine.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) has emerged as a valuable imaging modality that complements and enhances standard vascular ultrasound imaging. Ultrasound contrast agents are gas-filled microbubbles that are injected intravenously and serve as intravascular tracers. Based on the properties to enhance and to quantify the macro- and microcirculation down to the capillary perfusion level in different vascular territories and organs, CEUS imaging has the potential to improve the diagnostic performance in the detection and characterisation of various vascular disorders reviewed in this article.