Pulmonary infarction (PI) is a possible consequence of pulmonary embolism (PE). The real incidence of PI could be underestimated considering only non-fatal PE presentation. However, following postmortem examination, the prevalence of PI is considerably higher. This evidence suggests the necessity of proper diagnostic protocol for identifying PI. Unfortunately, PI diagnosis can sometimes be challenging, due to the overlapping of symptoms with other diseases. Nowadays, the diagnosis is mainly based on radiological evaluation, although the combination with emerging imaging techniques such as ultrasound and nuclear scanning might improve the diagnostic algorithm for PI. This review aims to summarize the available data on the prevalence of PI, the main predisposing factors for the development of PI among patients with PE, to resume the possible diagnostic tools, and finally the clinical and prognostic implications.

Purpose: The most prominent risk factors for mortality after mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) have not been established. This study aimed to establish risk factors related to 90-day mortality after a traumatic event. Methods: A retrospective cohort study on adult patients entering the Emergency Department of the University Hospital of Trieste for mild TBI from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2020 was conducted. Results: The final population was 1221 patients (median age of 78 years). The 90-day mortality rate was 7% (90 patients). In the Cox regression model (likelihood ratio 110.9; p < 2 × 10⁻¹⁶), the variables that significantly correlated to 90-day mortality were age (less than 75 years old is a protective factor, HR 0.29 [95%CI 0.16–0.54]; p < 0.001); chronic liver disease (HR 4.59 [95%CI 2.56–8.24], p < 0.001); cognitive impairment (HR 2.76 [95%CI 1.78–4.27], p < 0.001); intracerebral haemorrhage (HR 15.38 [95%CI 6.13–38.63], p < 0.001); and hospitalization (HR 2.56 [95%CI 1.67–3.92], p < 0.001). Cardiovascular disease (47% vs. 11%; p < 0.001) and cognitive impairment (36% vs. 10%; p < 0.001) were more prevalent in patients over 75 years of age than the rest of the population. Conclusions: In our cohort of patients with mild TBI, 90-day mortality was low but not negligible. The risk factors associated with 90-day mortality included age, history of chronic liver disease, and cognitive impairment, as well as evidence of intracerebral hemorrhage and hospitalization. The mortality of the sub-population of older patients was likely to be linked to cardiovascular comorbidities and neurodegenerative diseases.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is characterized by a distinctive blood leucocyte pattern and B-lines on lung ultrasound (LUS) as marker of alveolar-interstitial syndrome. We aimed to evaluate the accuracy of blood leucocyte count alone or in combination with LUS for COVID-19 diagnosis. We retrospectively enrolled consecutive patients diagnosed with community acquired pneumonia (CAP) at hospital admission to derive and validate cutoff values for blood cell count that could be predictive of COVID-19 before confirmation by the nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT). Cutoff values, generated and confirmed in inception (41/115, positive/negative patients) and validation (100/180, positive/negative patients) cohorts, were ≤17 and ≤10 cells/mm³ for basophils and eosinophils, respectively. Basophils and/or eosinophils below cutoff were associated with sensitivity of 98% (95%CI, 94–100) and negative likelihood ratio of 0.04 (95%CI, 0.01–0.11). In a subgroup of 265 subjects, the sensitivity of B-line on LUS was 15% lower (p < 0.001) than that of basophils and/or eosinophils below cutoff. The combination of B-lines with basophils and eosinophils below cutoff was associated with a moderate increase of the positive likelihood ratio: 5.0 (95%CI, 3.2–7.7). In conclusion, basophil and eosinophil counts above the generated cutoff virtually rule out COVID-19 in patients with CAP. Our findings can help optimize patient triage pending the NAAT results.