Objective: To evaluate the imaging features of spondyloarthritis on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the sacroiliac (SI) joints in terms of topography (in thirds) and affected margin, since this aspect is rarely addressed in the literature. Methods: Cross-sectional study with MRI (1.5 T) evaluation of the SI in 16 patients with diagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis regarding the presence of acute (subchondral bone edema, enthesitis, synovitis and capsulitis) and chronic changes (erosions, subchondral bone sclerosis, bone bridging and fatty replacement), performed by two radiologists, blinded to clinical data. MRI findings were correlated with clinical data including age, disease duration, medications, HLA-B27, BASDAI, ASDAS-VHS and ASDAS-PCR, BASMI, BASFI, and mSASSS. Results: Bone edema pattern and erosions showed predominance in the upper third of SI (p = 0.050, p = 0.0014, respectively). There was a correlation between the time of disease and structural changes by affected third (p = 0.028-0.037), as well as the presence of bone bridges with BASMI (p = 0.028) and mSASSS (p = 0.014). Patients with osteitis of the lower third had higher ASDAS values (ESRV: p = 0.011 and CRP: p = 0.017). Conclusion: Chronic inflammatory changes and the pattern of bone edema predominated in the upper third of the SI, but there was also concomitant involvement of the middle or lower thirds of the joint. The localization of involvement in the upper third of the SI was insufficient to differentiate between degeneration and inflammation.
The optimized methodology and results of the new characterization in terms of dose and image quality of the X-ray system used in the main pediatric hemodynamics service in Chile are presented. In addition, scattered dose rate values at the operator’s eye level are reported for all acquisition modes available in different thicknesses of absorbent media and angiography. The characterization was performed according to the European DIMOND and SENTINEL protocols adapted to pediatric procedures. The air kerma at the entrance surface (ESAK) was measured and the image quality parameters signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and a figure of merit (FOM) were calculated. The scattered dose rate was measured in personal dose equivalent units. The ESAK for fluoroscopic modes ranged from 0.2 to 35.6 μGy/image when passing from 4 to 20 cm of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). For the cine mode, these values ranged from 2.8 to 160.1 μGy/image. The values of the image quality parameters showed a correct system configuration, although abnormal values were observed in the medium fluoroscopic mode. As for the scattered dose rate at the level of the cardiologist’s eyes, the highest value is PMMA with a thickness of 20 cm, where the cine mode reached 9.41 mSv·h-1. The differences found from previous evaluations can be explained by the deterioration of the system and the change of one of the X-ray tubes.
Introduction: the presence of anti-CCP is an important prognostic tool for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but its relationship with the activity of the disease and functional capacity is still being investigated. Objectives: to study the relationship between anti-CCP and the indices of disease activity, functional capacity and structural damage, by means of conventional radiography (CR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), in stabilized RA. Methods: cross-sectional study of RA patients with one to 10 years of disease. The participants were subjected to clinical evaluation with anti-CCP screening. Disease activity was assessed by means of the Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) and functional capacity by means of the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). CR was analyzed by the Sharp van der Heijde index (SmvH) and MRI by the Rheumatoid Arthritis Magnetic Resonance Image Scoring System (RAMRIS). Results: 56 patients were evaluated, with median (IIq) of 55 (47.5–60.0) years, 50 (89.3%) were female among whom 37 (66.1%) were positive for anti-CCP. The median (IIq) of CDAI, HAQ, SmvH and RAMRIS were 14.75 (5.42–24.97), 1.06 (0.28–1.75), 2 (0–8) and 15 (7–35), respectively. There was no association between anti-CCP and CDAI, HAQ, SmvH and RAMRIS. Conclusion: our results did not establish the association of anti-CCP with the severity of the disease. So far, we cannot corroborate the anti-CCP as a prognostic tool in RA established.
Colorectal cancer is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide and the fifth leading cause of cancer death in Colombia. Magnetic resonance imaging is the ideal modality for the evaluation of colorectal cancer, since it allows staging by determining invasion beyond the muscularis propria, extension towards adjacent organs, identification of patients who are candidates for chemotherapy or pre-surgical radiotherapy and planning of the surgical procedure. The key point is based on the differentiation between T2 and T3 stages through the use of sequences with high-resolution T2 information. In addition to this, it allows the assessment of the size and morphology of the lymph nodes, and considerably increases the specificity for the detection of lymph node involvement. MRI is a technique with high specificity and high reproducibility.
The human brain has been described as a complex system. Its study by means of neurophysiological signals has revealed the presence of linear and nonlinear interactions. In this context, entropy metrics have been used to uncover brain behavior in the presence and absence of neurological disturbances. Entropy mapping is of great interest for the study of progressive neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. The aim of this study was to characterize the dynamics of brain oscillations in such disease by means of entropy and amplitude of low frequency oscillations from Bold signals of the default network and the executive control network in Alzheimer’s patients and healthy individuals, using a database extracted from the Open Access Imaging Studies series. The results revealed higher discriminative power of entropy by permutations compared to low-frequency fluctuation amplitude and fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations. Increased entropy by permutations was obtained in regions of the default network and the executive control network in patients. The posterior cingulate cortex and the precuneus showed differential characteristics when assessing entropy by permutations in both groups. There were no findings when correlating metrics with clinical scales. The results demonstrated that entropy by permutations allows characterizing brain function in Alzheimer’s patients, and also reveals information about nonlinear interactions complementary to the characteristics obtained by calculating the amplitude of low frequency oscillations.
Introduction: In Colombia, the last oral health study showed that about 70% of the population has partial edentulism while 5.2% will have lost all their teeth between the age of 65 and 79. Rehabilitation with implants is an increasingly used option, which requires clinical and radiographic follow-up. Panoramic radiography is a low-cost option, in which it is possible to observe areas of bone loss, mesiodistal angulation of the implant, relationship with anatomical structures and lesions suggestive of peri-implantitis. Reports and analysis of relevant data on radiographic findings associated with dental implants are required to determine the risk factors for their success in patients who use them. Objective: To determine the prevalence and characterize the findings associated with osseointegration implants in panoramic radiographs. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional observational study was carried out with 10,000 digital panoramic radiographs selected by convenience from radiological centers in the city of Bogota, Colombia, of which 543 corresponded to the sample analyzed for the presence of implants. The following were evaluated for each implant: location, position, angulation and distances to adjacent structures, using the Clínicalview® program (Orthopantomograph OP200D, Instrumentarium, USA). Results: The frequency of radiographs with implants was 5.43% with a total of 1,791 implants, with an average of 3.2 per radiograph. They were found in greater proportion in the upper jaw with a supracrestal location and an angulation of 10.3 degrees. 32% had implant/tooth or implant/implant distances that were less than optimal. 40.9% were restored and 1.2% showed lesions compatible with periimplantitis. Conclusions: A high percentage of the implants reviewed have a risk factor that affects their long-term viability, either due to angulation, supracrestal or crestal position, proximity to teeth or other implants, or because they are not restorable.
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