Relationship between CT-derived cervical muscle mass and quality, systemic inflammation, and survival in symptomatic patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy.

Background: Sarcopenia appears to be associated with inferior outcomes in surgical conditions. Chronic systemic inflammation confers an inferior long-term prognosis in cardiovascular disease and is associated with the development of sarcopenia. The aim of this study was to describe the prognostic role of sarcopenia assessed using computed tomography (CT)-derived body composition analysis and systemic inflammation in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy for symptomatic carotid stenosis.

F-Sodium Fluoride Positron Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography in Acute Aortic Syndrome.

Background: Acute aortic syndrome is associated with aortic medial degeneration. F-sodium fluoride (F-NaF) positron emission tomography (PET) detects microscopic tissue calcification as a marker of disease activity.

Objectives: In a proof-of-concept study, this investigation aimed to establish whether F-NaF PET combined with computed tomography (CT) angiography could identify aortic medial disease activity in patients with acute aortic syndrome.

Why Clinicians Choose Their Language Intervention Approach: An International Perspective on Intervention for Children with Developmental Language Disorder.

Purpose: Considerable progress has been made in recent years in generating external evidence underpinning interventions for children with developmental language disorder (DLD), but less is known about the practitioner decision-making process underpinning such interventions and whether such decisions are context specific or are internationally generalizable.

Methods: An online survey about clinical practice was developed by members of COST Action IS1406, an EU-funded research network, which included representation from 39 countries. The participants were 2,408 practitioners who answered questions in relation to their decision making for a specific child of their choosing with DLD.

Reducing the risk of venous thromboembolism following superficial endovenous treatment: A UK and Republic of Ireland consensus study.

Objectives: Venous thromboembolism is a potentially fatal complication of superficial endovenous treatment. Proper risk assessment and thromboprophylaxis could mitigate this hazard; however, there are currently no evidence-based or consensus guidelines. This study surveyed UK and Republic of Ireland vascular consultants to determine areas of consensus.