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COVID-19 survivors commonly report persistent symptoms. In this observational study, we investigated the link between osteopontin (OPN) and post-acute COVID-19 symptoms and lung functional/imaging abnormalities. We recorded symptoms and lung imaging/functional data from previously hospitalized COVID-19 patients, who were followed for 4-84 weeks (122 patients/181 visits) post-symptom onset at our outpatient clinic. Circulating OPN was determined using ELISA. Plasma OPN levels were higher in symptomatic patients (compared with the asymptomatic ones); those with dyspnea (compared with those without dyspnea);those with a combination of serious symptoms, i.e., the presence of at least one of the following: dyspnea, fatigue and muscular weakness (compared with those with none of these symptoms); and those with dyspnea and m-MRC > 1 (compared with those with m-MRC = 0-1). Plasma OPN levels were inversely correlated with EQ-VAS (visual analog scale of the EQ-5D-5L health-related quality-of-life questionnaire) values. High-resolution CT or diffusion lung capacity (DLCO) findings were not related to circulating OPN. In the multiple logistic regression, the presence of symptoms, dyspnea, or the combination of serious symptoms were linked to female gender, increased BMI and pre-existing dyspnea (before the acute disease), while increased plasma OPN levels, female gender and pre-existing dyspnea with m-MRC > 1 were independently associated with severe post-COVID-19 dyspnea (m-MRC > 1). Using a correlation matrix to investigate multiple correlations between EQ-VAS, OPN and epidemiological data, we observed an inverse correlation between the OPN and EQ-VAS values. Increased circulating OPN was linked to the persistence of severe exertional dyspnea and impaired quality of life in previously hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

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Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) represents a distinct neurological entity characterized by a range of neurological signs and symptoms (seizures, headache, visual abnormalities, altered consciousness, and/or focal neurological signs) and typical neuroimaging findings reflecting reversible subcortical vasogenic edema, usually in the setting of blood pressure fluctuations, cytotoxic drugs, autoimmune disorders, and eclampsia. Here we present a case of a 61-year-old woman, with a history of recent total thyroidectomy and postoperative hypoparathyroidism, who was admitted to the Emergency Department with generalized seizures. Although in this clinical setting, hypocalcemia is expected as the most possible underlying pathogenic factor for triggering seizures, the patient was diagnosed with iatrogenic hypercalcemia and milk-alkali syndrome. A brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated cortical swelling and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) signal abnormalities in both occipital, parietal, and right frontal lobes, consistent with PRES. The patient's encephalopathy resolved after resolution of hypercalcemia; she had no neurological deficits on discharge, while she was restarted on lower doses of calcium for hypoparathyroidism. This case illustrates the challenges imposed by postoperative hypoparathyroidism and highlights that PRES is a rare but serious complication of hypercalcemia of which endocrinologists should be aware.

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Uterine leiomyomas are very common gynaecological benign tumours. Spontaneous torsion of a uterine subserosal leiomyoma is a rare cause of acute lower abdominal pain and should be treated immediately with surgery. We report a case of an enlarged subserosal leiomyoma that was first detected by computed tomography (CT) and further confirmed by laparoscopic surgery to be a subserosal leiomyoma with torsion. LEARNING POINTS: Spontaneous torsion of a uterine subserosal leiomyoma is a rare cause of acute lower abdominal pain.Contrast-enhanced CT of the pelvis reveals changes in size, abnormal or absent enhancement of the leiomyoma, and congestion of the vascular pedicle at the site of torsion.CT imaging can help in the accurate diagnosis of leiomyoma torsion.

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Spontaneous rupture of a liver metastasis is a life-threatening complication of metastatic liver disease. Although metastatic liver lesions are much more common than primary tumours, spontaneous rupture of a liver metastasis is rare. Therapeutic decisions must take into account the extent of metastatic liver disease and the patient's performance status. Transarterial embolization may be considered in cases of ongoing haemorrhage despite initial conservative measures. We describe a case of haemoperitoneum due to spontaneous rupture of a liver metastasis in a 72-year-old patient with carcinoma of unknown origin who responded well to conservative management. LEARNING POINTS: Spontaneous rupture of a liver metastasis is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of metastatic cancer to the liver; risk factors include subcapsular location, rapid tumour growth and tumour necrosis (spontaneous or due to chemotherapy).Unexplained fever often precedes the spontaneous rupture, probably reflecting tumour necrosis or infiltration of the liver capsule, and may raise clinical suspicion for the diagnosis.Transarterial embolization may be considered in cases of ongoing haemorrhage despite initial conservative measures.

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One of the many imaging uses of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is studying a wide variety of kidney pathology, due to its ability to detect microvascular blood flow in real time without affecting renal function. CEUS enables dynamic assessment and quantification of microvascularisation up to capillary perfusion. The objective of this paper is to briefly refresh basic knowledge of ultrasound (US) contrast agents' physical properties, to study technical details of CEUS scanning in the kidneys, and to review the commonest renal indications for CEUS, with imaging examples in comparison to baseline unenhanced US and computed tomography when performed. Safety matters and limitations of CEUS of the kidneys are also discussed.

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Hemorrhagic cholecystitis with subsequent gallbladder rupture and torrential bleeding is a very rare but life-threatening complication of acute biliary tract diseases. Its clinical presentation may be dubious and therefore Computed Tomography (CT) imaging plays a crucial role in a prompt and accurate diagnosis. We present a case of a 64 year-old male who was admitted to the emergency department with clinical findings of acute cholecystitis. During the following hours the patient became hemodynamically unstable and an emergency abdominal CT scan was performed. CT revealed massive hemoperitoneum containing free gallstones. In addition, active extravasation of iv contrast material inside the gallbladder lumen was demonstrated. Based on these findings hemorrhagic cholecystitis with gallbladder rupture was suspected and the patient underwent urgent laparotomy. We describe specific CT findings of this rare condition, thus emphasizing the role of imaging in facilitating urgent surgical treatment.

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Pancreatic sarcoidosis is a rare entity, and few reports in the literature describe the CT aspects of the disease. We report the MR features of a pathologically-confirmed case of pancreatic sarcoidosis, which presented as multiple pancreatic masses with low signal intensity on T1-weighted images, mild high signal intensity on T2-weighted images, and decreased enhancement compared to the normal pancreas after administration of gadolinium. Pancreatic sarcoidosis should therefore be included in the differential diagnosis of multiple pancreatic masses with these MRI features.

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