The prevalence of threatened miscarriage in Malta.

A retrospective cohort study was conducted in Malta to assess the prevalence of threatened miscarriage. The study focuses on cases managed at a local state hospital over a 12-month period. Currently, data on pregnancies prior to 22 weeks' gestation are not publicly available, which hampers understanding of the frequency and impact of threatened miscarriage.

A qualitative exploration of Maltese couples' care experiences of prostate cancer diagnosis and radiotherapy treatment.

Introduction: Although prostate cancer is male-specific, the diagnosis and treatment also affect close family members, particularly spouses. Following diagnosis, treatment choices have to be made and this may lead to a period of stress and confusion for both patient and their family. This study investigated couples' care experiences with prostate cancer from diagnosis to radiotherapy treatment in Malta.

Assessing the predictive value of first trimester ultrasound and biochemical markers in miscarriage: A scoping review.

Introduction: Vaginal bleeding in the first trimester of pregnancy generates anxiety and uncertainty for expecting parents. The ability to determine pregnancy outcome through a first trimester ultrasound scan remains a challenge in obstetrics. Several first trimester ultrasound markers used individually or in combination, as well as ultrasound markers used in combination with biochemical markers, have been studied to determine their predictive value in pregnancy outcome.

Expansion of Typical Values for Paediatric Patients in Ireland and Comparison with Published DRLs - Experiences of a Single Institution.

Introduction: To reduce the risks involved with ionising radiation exposure, typical values (TVs) and diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) have been established to help keep radiation doses 'as low as reasonably practicable. TVs/DRLs provide standardised radiation dose metrics that can be used for comparative purposes. However, for paediatrics, such values should consider the size of the child instead of their age.

The effect of contact radiation shielding on breast dose during CT abdomen-pelvis: a phantom study.

This study aims to investigate if contact shielding reduces breast radiation dose during computed tomography (CT) abdomen-pelvis examinations using automatic tube current modulation to protect one of the four most radiosensitive organs during CT examinations. Dose measurements were taken with and without contact shielding across the anterior and lateral aspects of the breasts and with and without organ dose modulation (ODM) to quantify achievable dose reductions. Although there are no statistically significant findings, when comparing with and without shielding, the mean breast surface dose was reduced by 0.