Recurrent Cerebral Embolic Infarcts in a Patient With a Mechanical Valve: A Rare Case of Infective Endocarditis Caused by Parvimonas micra.

We present the case of a 60-year-old man with a history of mechanical mitral valve replacement and atrial fibrillation who developed infective endocarditis (IE) caused by (), resulting in recurrent cerebral infarctions. Despite increasing the intensity of anticoagulation therapy with warfarin and adding aspirin, the patient experienced four embolic cerebral infarctions. Following a single fever spike, blood cultures identified , although no other systemic features of IE were present.

Association of smoking with abdominal adipose deposition and muscle composition in Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) participants at mid-life: A population-based cohort study.

Background: Smokers have lower risk of obesity, which some consider a "beneficial" side effect of smoking. However, some studies suggest that smoking is simultaneously associated with higher central adiposity and, more specifically, ectopic adipose deposition. Little is known about the association of smoking with intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT), an ectopic adipose depot associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and a key determinant of muscle quality and function.

Automated Characterization of Body Composition and Frailty with Clinically Acquired CT.

Quantification of fat and muscle on clinically acquired CT scans is critical for determination of body composition, a key component of health. Manual tracing has been regarded as the gold standard method of body segmentation; however, manual tracing is time-consuming. Many semi-automated/automated algorithms have been proposed to avoid the manual efforts.

Lymphedema evaluation using noninvasive 3T MR lymphangiography.

Purpose: To exploit the long 3.0T relaxation times and low flow velocity of lymphatic fluid to develop a noninvasive 3.0T lymphangiography sequence and evaluate its relevance in patients with lymphedema.

Sarcopenia Does Not Affect Survival or Outcomes in Soft-Tissue Sarcoma.

Background and Objective. Sarcopenia is associated with decreased survival and increased complications in carcinoma patients. We hypothesized that sarcopenic soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) patients would have decreased survival, increased incidence of wound complications, and increased length of postresection hospital stay (LOS).

Overutilization and Cost of Advanced Imaging for Long-Bone Cartilaginous Lesions.

Background: The prevalence and cost of unnecessary advanced imaging studies (AIS) in the evaluation of long bone cartilaginous lesions have not been studied previously.

Methods: A total of 105 enchondromas and 19 chondrosarcomas arising in long bones from July 2008 until April 2012 in 121 patients were reviewed. Advanced imaging was defined as MRI, CT, bone scan, skeletal survey, or CT biopsy.

Patient-specific imaging and missed tumors: a catastrophic outcome.

Patient-specific instrumentation (PSI) is a relatively new technology aimed at increasing the accuracy and efficiency of total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Its premise is reliant upon preoperative imaging techniques to acquire detailed measurements of a patient's distal femur and proximal tibia. Although a limited number of studies in the current literature have begun to critically evaluate this promising technology, a number of potential controversies exist.

MRI techniques: a review and update for the orthopaedic surgeon.

MRI plays a critical role in all orthopaedic practices. A basic working knowledge of the most commonly used pulse sequences in musculoskeletal imaging and the appearance of normal tissues on those sequences is critical to confident MRI interpretation. The orthopaedic surgeon should be familiar with appropriate use of intravenous and intra-articular contrast and its limitations.

Vertebral body growth after craniospinal irradiation.

Purpose: To estimate the effects of radiotherapy and clinical factors on vertebral growth in patients with medulloblastoma and supratentorial primitive neuroectodermal tumors treated with craniospinal irradiation (CSI) and chemotherapy.

Methods And Materials: The height of eight individual or grouped vertebral bodies (C3, C3-C4, T4, T4-T5, C6-T3, T4-T7, L3, L1-L5) was measured before and after CSI (23.4 or 36-39.