Cardiac tumors (CTs), although rare, can be a significant cause of sudden cardiac death (SCD), particularly when not diagnosed early. The tumors most associated with SCD include myxomas, fibromas, rhabdomyomas, and sarcomas, which can cause fatal arrhythmias, blood flow obstruction, or embolization. Myxomas, which often develop in the left atrium, can cause valvular obstruction or cerebral emboli, while malignant tumors, such as sarcomas, can infiltrate the myocardium or conduction system, causing serious arrhythmias. Rhabdomyomas, which are common in children and associated with tuberous sclerosis, can lead to ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Early diagnosis using advanced imaging techniques such as echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging is crucial for preventing SCD. Timely diagnosis and precise characterization of lesions can help reduce the risk of SCD, thus improving the clinical management of patients, with the aim of supporting personalized treatment and improving life prospects. In this state-of-the-art review, we analyze the association between CTs and SCD, with particular attention to the histological features of benign and malignant neoplasms. Through an updated overview of the pathological aspects, we aim to improve the understanding of these tumors and promote a more effective multidisciplinary diagnostic and therapeutic approach to prevent fatal events.

Even though children’s malignant bone tumours are rare, it is crucial to understand how to identify and stage them accurately to develop an appropriate treatment plan. Ewing’s sarcoma and osteosarcoma are the two main paediatric bone malignancies and require multidisciplinary treatment involving radiologists, orthopaedists, oncologists, pathologists, and paediatricians. These neoplasms may be associated with genetic syndromes but typically occur in patients with no known germline abnormalities. With a frequency of 4.4 per million, osteosarcoma is the most common malignant bone tumour in children. Ewing’s sarcoma has an incidence of 2.5 to 3 per million, making it the second most prevalent. Clinically, these neoplasms present with pain and inflammation in the bones and joints, nocturnal pain unresponsive to drug therapy, systemic symptoms such as fever or weight loss, and persistent symptoms—all of which should prompt clinicians to initiate further diagnostic investigations. The gold standard for diagnosis includes X-ray examination and MRI, which provide an accurate assessment of tumour extension into the medullary canal and surrounding soft tissues. Fluorine-18-labelled FDG-PET scans or fluoro-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography are valuable for evaluating tumour aggressiveness and excluding metastases. A biopsy is mandatory once all other diagnostic tests have been completed. Accurate diagnosis and timely referral to an experienced clinic are essential for ensuring prompt access to treatment and improving patient outcomes.

Forensic anthropological investigations often encounter cases that are difficult to interpret, especially when dealing with skeletal remains found in a marine context. Determining the immersion time in the sea of skeletal remains is a challenge for forensic investigations and answering this would solve many cases in the shortest time possible. The physical and chemical properties of bones change during their time in water and these changes cause difficulties and delays in identifying and reconstructing the biological profile of an unknown subject. In this paper, two forensic cases found at sea were analysed, the case of a disarticulated and extensively skeletonised corpse found on the coast of Reggio Calabria (Italy) and the case of an isolated foot, intact of soft tissues, found only 9 km away, on the coast of Vibo Valentia (Italy). The resolution hypothesis of the two cases was based on three search options because the disappearance of three known individuals was being investigated simultaneously. The investigations were conducted through a multidisciplinary work applying different analyses, including anthropometric, radiological, digital and, finally, genetic analyses. The results made it possible to determine the reconstruction of two biological profiles, both of Case A, the skeletal remain, and Case B, the subject to whom the foot belonged. The almost compatible anthropometric results of the two biological profiles, the presence of two very indicative partial tattoos and a genetic correlation led to the solution of a single court case.

Primary Fallopian tube carcinomas (PFTCs) are rare malignancies that are often misclassified as ovarian cancers due to overlapping clinical and pathological features. This frequent misdiagnosis contributes to the under-recognition of PFTCs, which account for a larger proportion of pelvic malignancies than historically reported. The central aim of this literature review is to highlight the critical importance of and methods for achieving an early diagnosis of Fallopian tube cancer, to improve patient outcomes. We classify benign and malignant fallopian tube neoplasms and evaluate the essential role of clinical evaluation and advanced imaging techniques, considering especially ultrasound, MRI, and PET-CT, in achieving an accurate and timely diagnosis. While histopathology remains the gold standard, imaging is pivotal for differentiating benign from malignant tubal lesions. This review details clinical manifestations, diagnostic pitfalls, and the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach to management. We conclude that advancing early detection through refined diagnostic criteria is essential to guiding effective, patient-specific therapeutic interventions.

Brain death, defined as the irreversible cessation of all brain functions, including the brainstem, is a critical concept in modern medicine, particularly in the context of organ transplantation. The diagnosis of brain death relies primarily on a thorough clinical neurological examination, which assesses the absence of brainstem reflexes, coma, and apnoea. This paper underscores the critical role of neuroimaging-based ancillary tests in enhancing the accuracy of brain death determination and calls for harmonization of protocols to address existing disparities and improve clinical practice worldwide. The use of ancillary tests, particularly neuroimaging techniques plays a crucial role in confirming the diagnosis, especially in cases where clinical examination is inconclusive or confounded by factors such as drug intoxication or hypothermia. These tests provide objective evidence of the absence of cerebral blood, thereby supporting the clinical determination of brain death. Despite global consensus on the importance of the clinical neurological examination in diagnosing brain death, significant variations exist between countries regarding the use of ancillary tests, the number of required clinical examinations, observation periods, and the number of physicians involved in the determination process. The discrepancies among international guidelines, highlight the need for standardized to ensure consistency and reliability in brain death diagnosis, particularly in the context of organ transplantation, where timely and accurate diagnosis is essential. This literature review examines brain death in the context of organ donation, highlighting the differences in diagnostic protocols worldwide. It emphasises the importance of clinical and neuroimaging tests for accurate diagnosis and the need to standardise international guidelines to improve clinical practice and ensure timely and reliable decisions, particularly in organ transplantation.