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INTRODUCTION: Osteopenia and osteoporosis are well-known hemophilia A comorbidities. The pathogenesis of bone turnover alteration resulting in reduced bone mass includes impaired osteoblastic differentiation and disinhibition of RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis as a result of a low FVIII level. AIM: To evaluate the bone mineral density (BMD) in adult patients with severe hemophilia A and assess a possible correlation with the bone remodeling biomarkers OPG/RANKL, CTX-1, osteocalcin, and Vit D. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 28 male subjects with severe hemophilia A and 33 age-matched controls were recruited. The biomarkers were tested with the ELISA assay and BMD with DEXA of the lumbar spine (LS) and total hip (TH). RESULTS: The patients had lower LS-BMD (-0.955±0.145 vs. 1.118±0.079, p=0.05) and TH-BMD (-0.840±0.147 vs. 0.951±0.075, p=0.05) than those of the controls. The TH T-scores were -1.41±0.91 vs. 0.4±0.49 (p=0.05) and the LS T-scores -1.16±1.046 vs. 0.14±0.72 (p=0.05). 66.6% of patients under 50 years had osteopenia and 8.3% had osteoporosis. Fifty percent of those over 50 years old had osteopenia and 20% had osteoporosis. We found significantly higher OPG levels (123.69±107.05 vs. 41.98±18.95, p=0.05) than that in controls and lower sRANKL levels (23.49±29.39 vs. 131.32±201.27, p=0.05) and sRANKL/OPG ratio (0.27±0.35 vs. 5.28±10.01, p=0.05) than those in controls. A positive correlation was found between sRANKL and the BMD T-score of lumbar spine (p=0.001) in the patient group. CONCLUSIONS: sRANKL level and ratio can be used as predictors of low BMD.

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BACKGROUND: This study aims to establish the value of apparent diffusion coefficient maps and other magnetic resonance sequences for active surveillance of prostate cancer. The study included 530 men with an average age of 66, who were under surveillance for prostate cancer. We have used multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging with subsequent transperineal biopsy (TPB) to verify the imaging findings. RESULTS: We have observed a level of agreement of 67.30% between the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps, other magnetic resonance sequences, and the biopsy results. The sensitivity of the apparent diffusion coefficient is 97.14%, and the specificity is 37.50%. According to our data, apparent diffusion coefficient is the most accurate sequence, followed by diffusion imaging in prostate cancer detection. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our findings we advocate that the apparent diffusion coefficient should be included as an essential part of magnetic resonance scanning protocols for prostate cancer in at least bi-parametric settings. The best option will be apparent diffusion coefficient combined with diffusion imaging and T2 sequences. Further large-scale prospective controlled studies are required to define the precise role of multiparametric and bi-parametric magnetic resonance in the active surveillance of prostate cancer.

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The case is of an 88-year-old female patient with an accidental finding of a large, calcified aneurysm near the cardiac apex. Differential diagnoses can be made with false aneurysms and congenital diverticulums. Imaging modalities beneficial for diagnosing LVA are ultrasound, X-rays, CT, MRI, including PET/CT for oncology patients.

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INTRODUCTION: A variety of imaging techniques exists for the diagnosis of pancreatic disorders. None of the broadly applied diagnostic methods utilizes elasticity as an indicator of tissue damage. A well-known fact is that both chronic pancreatitis (CP) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) are associated with the development of prominent fibrosis (increased tissue stiffness). PURPOSE: To prospectively assess the accuracy of point shear wave elastography (pSWE) in differentiating between benign and malignant pancreatic diseases, establish a cut-off value for the diagnosis of PDA, and evaluate the influence of certain variables on the obtained results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study included 78 patients who were admitted at the Department of Gastroenterology at the university hospital "Kaspela" between December 2017 and August 2021 for diagnosis and/or treatment of pancreatic disorders. Based on the clinical criteria, diagnostic imaging, and histological findings, patients were divided into the CP and PDA group. The ultrasound based pSWE technique was applied and shear wave velocity (SWV) was measured. The depth of region of interest (ROI) and successful measurement rate were also recorded. RESULTS: The mean ± SD SWV values established through pSWE were 1.75 ± 0.34 m/s and 2.93 ± 0.91 m/s for the CP and PDA, respectively. With a cut-off value of 2.09 m/s, we calculated the sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp), and accuracy for differentiating between CP and PDA of 89.47%, 91.20%, and 88.60%, respectively. Of the examined variables, BMI and depth of ROI in the CP group and sex in the PDA group showed a statistically significant influence on the obtained results. CONCLUSIONS: pSWE may be utilized as a differential diagnostic modality in patients with suspected CP or PDA.

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OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetic (PK) profile, safety, and efficacy of gadopiclenol, a new high-relaxivity gadolinium-based contrast agent, in children aged 2 to 17 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Children scheduled to undergo contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of the central nervous system (CNS cohort) or other organs (body cohort) were included sequentially into 3 age groups (12-17, 7-11, and 2-6 years). Gadopiclenol was administered at the dose of 0.05 mmol/kg. A sparse sampling approach was applied, with 4 blood samples per child collected up to 8 hours postinjection. Population PK modeling was used for the analysis, including the CNS cohort and adult subjects from a previous study. Adverse events were recorded, and efficacy was assessed for all children. RESULTS: Eighty children were included, 60 in the CNS cohort and 20 in the body cohort. The 2-compartment model with linear elimination from the central compartment developed in adults was also suitable for children. Pharmacokinetic parameters were very similar between adults and children. Terminal elimination half-life was 1.82 hours for adults and 1.77 to 1.29 hours for age groups 12-17 to 2-6 years. The median clearance ranged from 0.08 L/h/kg in adults and 12-17 years to 0.12 L/h/kg in 2-6 years. The median central and peripheral volumes of distribution were 0.11 to 0.12 L/kg and 0.06 L/kg, respectively, for both adults and children. Simulations of plasma concentrations showed minor differences, and median area under the curve was 590 mg·h/L for adults and 582 to 403 mg·h/L for children. Two patients (2.5%) experienced nonserious adverse events considered related to gadopiclenol: a mild QT interval prolongation and a moderate maculopapular rash. Despite the limited number of patients, this study showed that gadopiclenol improved lesion detection, visualization, and diagnostic confidence. CONCLUSIONS: The PK profile of gadopiclenol in children aged 2 to 17 years was similar to that observed in adults. Thus, there is no indication for age-based dose adaptation, and comparable plasma gadopiclenol concentrations are predicted to be achieved with body weight-based dosing in this population. Gadopiclenol at 0.05 mmol/kg seems to have a good safety profile in these patients and could improve lesion detection and visualization, therefore providing better diagnostic confidence.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetic (PK) profile, safety, and efficacy of gadopiclenol, a new high-relaxivity gadolinium-based contrast agent, in children aged 2 to 17 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Children scheduled to undergo contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of the central nervous system (CNS cohort) or other organs (body cohort) were included sequentially into 3 age groups (12­17, 7­11, and 2­6 years). Gadopiclenol was administered at the dose of 0.05 mmol/kg. A sparse sampling approach was applied, with 4 blood samples per child collected up to 8 hours postinjection. Population PK modeling was used for the analysis, including the CNS cohort and adult subjects from a previous study. Adverse events were recorded, and efficacy was assessed for all children. RESULTS: Eighty children were included, 60 in the CNS cohort and 20 in the body cohort. The 2-compartment model with linear elimination from the central compartment developed in adults was also suitable for children. Pharmacokinetic parameters were very similar between adults and children. Terminal elimination half-life was 1.82 hours for adults and 1.77 to 1.29 hours for age groups 12­17 to 2­6 years. The median clearance ranged from 0.08 L/h/kg in adults and 12­17 years to 0.12 L/h/kg in 2­6 years. The median central and peripheral volumes of distribution were 0.11 to 0.12 L/kg and 0.06 L/kg, respectively, for both adults and children. Simulations of plasma concentrations showed minor differences, and median area under the curve was 590 mg·h/L for adults and 582 to 403 mg·h/L for children. Two patients (2.5%) experienced nonserious adverse events considered related to gadopiclenol: a mild QT interval prolongation and a moderate maculopapular rash. Despite the limited number of patients, this study showed that gadopiclenol improved lesion detection, visualization, and diagnostic confidence. CONCLUSIONS: The PK profile of gadopiclenol in children aged 2 to 17 years was similar to that observed in adults. Thus, there is no indication for age-based dose adaptation, and comparable plasma gadopiclenol concentrations are predicted to be achieved with body weight­based dosing in this population. Gadopiclenol at 0.05 mmol/kg seems to have a good safety profile in these patients and could improve lesion detection and visualization, therefore providing better diagnostic confidence.

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Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the breast has been increasingly used for the detailed evaluation of breast lesions. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) gives additional information for the lesions based on tissue cellularity. The aim of our study was to evaluate the possibilities of DWI, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value and ADC ratio (the ratio between the ADC of the lesion and the ADC of normal glandular tissue) to differentiate benign from malignant breast lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-seven patients with solid breast lesions (52 malignant and 35 benign) were examined on a 1.5 T MR scanner before histopathological evaluation. ADC values and ADC ratios were calculated. RESULTS: The ADC values in the group with malignant tumors were significantly lower (mean 0.88 ± 0.15 × 10-3 mm2/s) in comparison with the group with benign lesions (mean 1.52 ± 0.23 × 10-3 mm2/s). A significantly lower ADC ratio was observed in the patients with malignant tumors (mean 0.66 ± 0.13) versus the patients with benign lesions (mean 1.12 ± 0.23). The cut-off point of the ADC value for differentiating malignant from benign breast tumors was 1.11 × 10-3 mm2/s with a sensitivity of 94.23%, specificity of 94.29%, and diagnostic accuracy of 98%, and an ADC ratio of ≤0.87 with a sensitivity of 94.23%, specificity of 91.43%, and a diagnostic accuracy of 95%. CONCLUSION: According to the results from our study DWI, ADC values and ADC ratio proved to be valuable additional techniques with high sensitivity and specificity for distinguishing benign from malignant breast lesions.

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The novel coronavirus pandemic outbreak caused extreme public fear, health concerns, and psychological distress, especially in oncology patients. The presented rare case is of a 40-year-old female with thymoma type B, with rapid progression, due to fear from the COVID-19 pandemic. Biopsy and histological verification of the tumor show a B-type thymoma with a high proliferative index. The fear of infection is causing avoidant behavior and leads to suboptimal therapy in some oncology patients that will have severe consequences. We can conclude that adequate, personalized, and most importantly, active psychological care is necessary and should be implemented for cancer patients. To be prepared for a future lockdown, it may be helpful to urge patients to seek alternative forms of social contact, such as online and mobile communications, to combat depression lockdown effects.

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Gastric lipomas are very rare benign tumors. Only around 217 cases have been reported. Most gastric lipomas are found incidentally; however, larger neoplasms can be symptomatic. The presented 64 years old male with incidental finding of pyloric lipoma adds another example to the few documented in the literature. The patient had symptoms of breath shortness and lack of energy two months after COVID 19 pneumonia. A low dose CT scan with iodine contrast enhancement of the chest and upper abdomen led to the diagnose. The diagnosis of gastric lipoma can be achieved through diagnostic imaging or the combination of endoscopic techniques. Treatment can be carried out by endoscopy, robotic or classical surgery.

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An ectopic kidney is defined as an atypically placed kidney, due to improper migration from the fetal pelvis, during embryogenesis. The presented CT scan of 72-year-old male with pain and visible hematuria reveals that the right kidney is located in the pelvis. The ectopic kidney has malrotation with a calcified artery and 2 veins. One draining in the right common iliac vein and the other connected to the left common iliac vein-near the bifurcation of vena cava inferior. Usually, pelvic ectopy is asymptomatic. However, it may lead to elevated blood pressure, increased risk of stone formation, infections, and traumatism, due to the atypical anatomical position. Variations in the anatomy of the kidney and its vascular supply are of clinical importance. It is possible to encounter a radiological, surgical, or cancer case, such as the presented.

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Aim of the study: To assess serum sclerostin in transfusion-dependent beta-thalassaemia patients versus healthy controls and to examine its associations with bone mineral density, bone metabolism markers and beta thalassaemia alterations.Material and methods: Sixty-two transfusion-dependent beta-thalassaemia (TDßT) patients and 30 healthy controls were evaluated for serum sclerostin, osteocalcin, beta-cross laps, osteoprotegerin and serum level of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand (sRANKL). Bone mineral density was measured at the lumbar spine and femoral neck. Thalassaemia characteristics were collected from the patients' medical records.Results: A significantly higher sclerostin level (median 565.50 pmol/L) was observed in the transfusion-dependent beta-thalassaemia patients vs. the healthy controls (median 48.65 pmol/L, p < .001). Sclerostin showed significant associations with the Z-scores at the lumbar spine and femoral neck, osteocalcin, beta-cross laps, osteoprotegerin, sRANKL, pretransfusion haemoglobin, liver iron concentration and female gonadal state. Significantly higher levels of sclerostin were observed in splenectomized TDßT patients and in those with fragility fractures. Age, sex, body mass index, disease severity, serum ferritin, cardiac T2* and male gonadal state did not show significant associations with sclerostin.Conclusion: Sclerostin may play a role in the bone pathophysiology of beta-thalassaemia patients and could serve as a marker of severe osteoporosis.KEY MЕSSAGESSerum sclerostin is more than 10-fold higher in adult patients with transfusion-dependent beta-thalassaemia compared to healthy controls.Serum sclerostin is negatively associated with bone mineral density and the bone synthesis markers and positively with the bone resorption indices.Serum sclerostin is significantly associated with pre-transfusion haemoglobin, liver iron concentration, splenectomy status and fragility fracture events in adult patients with transfusion-dependent beta-thalassaemia.Serum sclerostin could serve as a marker of severe osteoporosis in beta-thalassaemia patients.

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BACKGROUND: The subclinical cerebrovascular disease (SCVD) is an important public health problem with demonstrated prognostic significance for stroke, future cognitive decline, and progression to dementia. The earliest possible detection of the silent presence of SCVD in adults at age at risk with normal functioning is very important for both clinical doctors and scientists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-seven adult volunteers, recruited during the years 2005-2007, with mean age 58.7 (standard deviation 5.9) years, were assessed by four subtests from the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB)-Eclipse cognitive assessment system. We used a questionnaire survey for the presence of cerebrovascular risk factors (CVRFs) such as arterial hypertension, smoking and dyslipidemia, among others, as well as instrumental (Doppler examination) and neurological magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedures. Descriptive statistics, comparison (t-test, Chi-square) and univariate methods were used as followed by multifactor logistic regression and receiver operating characteristics analyses. RESULTS: The risk factor questionnaire revealed nonspecific symptoms in 44 (67.7%) of the subjects. In 42 (64.6%) of all 65 subjects, we found at least one of the conventional CVRFs. Abnormal findings from the extra- and trans-cranial Doppler examination were established in 38 (58.5%) of all studied volunteers. Thirty-four subjects had brain MRI (52.3%), and abnormal findings were found in 12 (35.3%) of them. Two of the four subtests of CANTAB tool appeared to be potentially promising predictors of the outcome, as found at the univariate analysis (spatial working memory 1 [SWM1] total errors; intra-extra dimensional set 1 [IED1] total errors [adjusted]; IED2 total trials [adjusted]). We established that the best accuracy of 82.5% was achieved by a multifactor interaction logistic regression model, with the role CVRF and combined CANTAB predictor "IED total ratio (errors/trials) × SWM1 total errors" (P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Our results have contributed to the hypothesis that it is possible to identify, by noninvasive methods, subjects at age at risk who have mild degree of cognitive impairment and to establish the significant relationship of this impairment with existing CVRFs, nonspecific symptoms and subclinical abnormal brain Doppler/MRI findings. We created a combined neuropsychological predictor that was able to clearly distinguish between the presence and absence of abnormal Doppler/MRI findings. This pilot prognostic model showed a relatively high accuracy of >80%; therefore, the predictors may serve as biomarkers for SCVD in subjects at age at risk (51-65 years).

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