Calcified lymph nodes in the setting of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: A predictor of HPV positivity?

Purpose: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is an important cause of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and accounts for a large majority of new cases. The purpose of this study is to determine whether there is an association between nodal calcification and HPV positivity in the setting of metastatic HNSCC.

Methods: Consecutive patients with HNSCC who underwent CT were retrospectively identified.

Radiologic Considerations in Heterotaxy: The Need for Detailed Anatomic Evaluation.

So-called "heterotaxy" is a laterality defect characterized by isomerism of the thoracic organs and random arrangement of the abdominal organs. These findings go beyond anatomic curiosity and have functional implications. It is, thus, of the utmost importance to be able to properly identify these findings.

Fetal Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Malformations Associated with Heterotaxy.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is increasingly used as an investigation during fetal life, particularly for assessment of intracranial masses, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, myelomeningocele, and abdominal masses. As the number of scans increases, so is the variety of congenital malformations being recognized. It is axiomatic that interpretation of the findings is enhanced when attention is paid to the likely findings in the setting of known syndromes, this information then dictating the need for additional acquisition of images.

Determining bronchial morphology for the purposes of segregating so-called heterotaxy.

Unlabelled: Introduction Heterotaxy is a unique clinical entity in which lateralisation of the thoraco-abdominal organs is abnormal, typically with isomerism of the bronchial tree and atrial appendages. This study was carried out to determine whether routine clinical imaging such as chest radiographs, angiographic images, and CT/MRI can determine bronchial isomerism, and how sidedness of bronchial isomerism correlates with overall features anticipated in hearts with isomeric atrial appendages. Methods and results We identified 73 patients with heterotaxy, in whom imaging clearly demonstrated the bronchial tree, seen at our institution since 1998.

Cardiothoracic ratio for prediction of left ventricular dilation: a systematic review and pooled analysis.

Increased cardiothoracic ratio noted on chest radiographs often prompts concern and further evaluation with additional imaging. This study pools available data assessing the utility of cardiothoracic ratio in predicting left ventricular dilation. A systematic review of the literature was conducted to identify studies comparing cardiothoracic ratio by chest x-ray to left ventricular dilation by echocardiography.

Role of N-Acetylcysteine to Prevent Contrast-Induced Nephropathy: A Meta-analysis.

It is unclear whether N-acetylcysteine is useful in preventing contrast-induced nephropathy in patients undergoing coronary angiography. Because of different inclusion and exclusion criteria and different definitions of studied parameters, various studies have reported different outcomes. A systematic search was done using PubMed, Ovid, and the Cochrane library, and studies were pooled after strict inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Effects of music on systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate: a meta-analysis.

There are a handful of studies that have been done investigating the effect of music on various vital signs, namely systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and heart rate (HR). Many studies have also assessed effects of music on self-reported anxiety level, attributing some degree of music-induced anxiety relief to the beneficial impacts of music on vital signs. Several randomised studies have shown varying effects of music on these vital parameters and so a meta-analysis was done to compare the effect of music on them.

Influenza vaccination and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality: analysis of 292,383 patients.

Studies have documented an association between influenza vaccination and risk reduction in myocardial infarction, all-cause mortality, and major adverse cardiac events. This meta-analysis pooled data from 5 trials with a total of 292 383 patients. Influenza vaccination was found to be associated with significant reductions in myocardial infarction, all-cause mortality, and major adverse cardiac events.

Thigh-length versus knee-length compression stockings for deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis in the inpatient setting.

Deep vein thrombosis may be a complication of extended length hospital stays. Immobilized patients, such as patients in the postoperative period, are at particularly high risk of developing a deep vein thrombosis, which can be associated with high levels of morbidity and mortality. Due to this, prevention of deep vein thrombosis is of great importance in the inpatient setting.

The developing role of fetal magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of congenital cardiac anomalies: A systematic review.

Advances in the fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) over the last few years have resulted in the exploring the use of fetal MRI to detect congenital cardiac anomalies. Early detection of congenital cardiac anomalies can help more appropriately manage the infant's delivery and neonatal management. MRI offers anatomical and functional studies and is a safe adjunct that can help more fully understand a fetus' cardiac anatomy.

Short-term outcome comparison of Norwood procedures with right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit versus modified Blalock-Taussig shunt: A meta-analysis.

A small number of nonrandomized and retrospective studies have compared outcomes of classical Norwood procedures for hypoplasticleft-heart syndrome and single ventricle lesions involving a Blalock-Taussig (BT) shunt to the modified procedure using a right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit. Some of these studies reported data for the same outcomes and a meta-analysis was done to analyze pooled outcomes comparing in-hospital mortality, interstage mortality, cardiopulmonary bypass time, systolic and diastolic blood pressures 24 h postoperatively, length of intensive care and hospital stay, and need for postoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit was associated with an insignificant reduction of in-hospital mortality (odds ratio, 0.

Association of atrial tachyarrhythmias with atrial septal defect, Ebstein's anomaly and Fontan patients.

The number of adults with congenital heart disease is increasing as medical and surgical palliation for congenital heart lesions improves. With this comes long-term complications of congenital heart disease such as the increased risk of atrial tachyarrhythmias. Atrial septal defect, Ebstein's anomaly and post-Fontan patient subsets are particularly important to focus on due to their unique characteristics and association with atrial tachyarrhythmias.

Rate of peripheral glucose change during cognitive testing predicts performance in diabetes mellitus.

Background: The reason for cognitive deterioration in diabetes mellitus (DM) remains unknown. One suggestion is that despite elevated glucose levels, patients with DM generally have difficulty utilizing glucose during cognitive tasks. This assumption was tested in the present study.