Background: Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorders are associated with high mortality and morbidity due to postpartum hemorrhage, hysterectomy, and organ injury, and a multidisciplinary team is required for an individualized case management. In this study, we assessed the diagnostic and prognostic accuracy of the most important ultrasonographic (US) and magnetic resonance imagining (MRI) markers for PAS disorders. Material and Methods: The study included 39 adult pregnant patients with at least one previous cesarean delivery and both US and MRI investigations for placenta previa evaluated at the tertiary maternity hospital ‘Cuza Voda’, Iasi, between 2019 and 2021. The following US signs were evaluated: intra-placental lacunae, loss of the retroplacental hypoechoic zone, myometrial thinning < 1 mm, bladder wall interruption, placental bulging, bridging vessels, and the hypervascularity of the uterovesical or retroplacental space. The MRI signs that were evaluated were intra-placental dark T2 bands, placental bulging, loss of the retroplacental hypointense line on T2 images, myometrial thinning, bladder wall interruption, focal exophytic placental mass, and abnormal vascularization of the placental bed. Results: The US and MRI signs analyzed in our study presented adequate sensitivities and specificities for PAS, but no sign proved to be a useful predictor by itself. The presence of three or more US markers for accretion was associated with a sensitivity of 84.6.6% and a specificity of 92.3% (p < 0.001). The presence of three or more MRI signs supplemented these results and were associated with a sensitivity of 92.3% and a specificity of 61.5% for predicting PAS (p < 0.001). Moreover, US and MRI findings were correlated with FIGO grading and severity of PAS. Conclusions: Even though no US or MRI finding alone can predict PAS with high sensitivity and specificity, our study proves that the presence of three or more imagistic signs could significantly increase the diagnostic accuracy of this condition. Furthermore, US and MRI could be useful tools for evaluating prognostic and perinatal planning.

(1) Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the gold standard investigation for all patients who present with asymmetrical hearing loss (AHL) and a high index of suspicion for vestibular schwannoma (VS). However, pure-tone audiometry (PTA) is an investigation that can be used for the screening of these patients in order to reduce the costs. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of different PTA protocols for VS in patients with ASHL, when compared with MRI; (2) Methods: Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases were used to find relevant studies. All prospective and retrospective observational studies that evaluated the accuracy of PTA protocols for the screening of VS were assessed, according to the international guidelines; (3) Results: We analyzed seven studies (4369 patients) of poor-to-moderate quality. Their pooled sensitivity was good (0.73–0.93), but their specificity was low (0.31–0.60). All protocols were located in the right lower quadrant on the likelihood scattergram, and the post-test probabilities for positive and negative diagnosis of these protocols were extremely low; (4) Conclusions: PTA protocols cannot be used for a proper screening or diagnosis of vestibular schwannoma despite their good sensibility, and MRI remains the gold standard for this purpose.

Background and Objectives: Sarcopenia is commonly associated with liver cirrhosis and predicts clinical outcome. Our aim was to identify the changes in skeletal muscle index (SMI) on computed tomography (CT) examination, as a quantitative marker of sarcopenia, in patients with HCV-related cirrhosis after direct acting antivirals (DAAs) treatment and to assess predictive factors for the evolution of SMI. Materials and Methods: This is a single center retrospective study in patients with HCV-related compensated cirrhosis who obtained sustained virological response (SVR) after DAAs. CT examinations were performed in 52 patients before and within 5–24 months after treatment. The total muscle area (TMA) of abdominal muscle at the level of third lumbar vertebra (L3) was measured at baseline and after SVR. The L3-SMI was calculated from TMA divided by body height squared (cm²/m²). We assessed changes in L3-SMI after SVR according to baseline body mass index (BMI) and laboratory data. Predictive factors were assessed by linear regression model. Results: Patients with L3-SMI above the gender-specific cut-off value at baseline had higher values of serum creatinine (median 0.73) compared to patients with low L3-SMI (median 0.68, p = 0.031). After SVR, 14 patients showed increase of L3-SMI, and 38 patients had a decrease of L3-SMI. BMI in the decreased L3-SMI group was significantly lower (median 26.17) than those without decreased L3-SMI (median 28.84, p = 0.021). ALT values in the decreased L3-SMI group (median 66.5) were significantly lower than those without a decrease in L3-SMI (median 88, p = 0.045). Conclusions: Low creatinine serum level correlates with sarcopenia. SMI was partially influenced by the viral clearance. Lower BMI and ALT serum levels at baseline were predictive for no benefit in terms of muscle mass dynamics. Understanding all the mechanisms involved in sarcopenia and identifying the most vulnerable patients could ensure optimal adapted care strategies.

Aims: The purpose of this study was to assess the changes in hepatic morphology evaluated by computed tomography (CT) examination in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related compensated cirrhosis who achieved sustained virologic response (SVR) after direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) treatment. Methods: CT examination was performed in 56 patients with HCV-related compensated cirrhosis before and within 6–18 months after the treatment with Ombitasvir/Paritaprevir/ritonavir + Dasabuvir. The liver CT changes were assessed by measuring liver volume, caudate-right lobe ratio (C/RL), hepatic vessels diameters, periportal widening space, and right posterior notch. Portal trunk, splenic and superior mesenteric vein diameters, as well as spleen volume were assessed as part of portal hypertension. Results: Right hepatic vein diameter was significantly wider after treatment (median: 8.12 mm; IQR: 4.20) than before treatment (median: 6.36 mm; IQR: 3.94) z = −3.894; p < 0.001. The liver volume was significantly higher prior to the treatment (median: 1786.77 mm³; IQR: 879.23) than after treatment (median: 1716.44 mm³; IQR: 840.50), z = −1.970; p = 0.049. Splenic volume was considerably higher before treatment (median: 564.79 mm³; IQR: 342.54) than after (median: 474.45 mm³; IQR: 330.00), z = −2.500; p = 0.012. The other parameters, such as C/RL, periportal space widening, and right hepatic notch showed no significant changes. Conclusions: SVR in patients with HCV-related compensated cirrhosis treated with DAAs is associated with some improvements of hepatic morphology detectable by CT, the most constant being the increase of right hepatic vein diameter.

Background: Naso-orbito-ethmoido-maxillary (NOEM) fractures are usually the result of a high or moderate intensity impact to the upper midface. These types of fractures are difficult to treat and are frequently misdiagnosed. Craniometric analysis can be of real aid in the treatment of NOEM complex fractures by establishing midfacial proportions. Aim: This study aims to establish the distances between selected anthropometric points and midfacial proportions found in the adult Caucasian population and to determine if any differences exist between genders. Methodology: Measurements between anthropometric points, nasion (N), dacryon (D), infraorbital foramen (IOF), frontomalare orbitale (FMO), rhinion (Rhi) and porion (Po), were made on 3D models obtained using patients’ CT exams. Results: Significant differences were found between genders for the orbital dimensions represented by N–FMO (p = 0.000), N–IOF (p = 0.000), Rhi–FMO (p = 0.000), Rhi–IOF (p = 0.000), nose bridge width N–D (p = 0.001), Rhi–D (p = 0.016), D–D (p = 0.038) and the projection of the nose evaluated by Rhi–Po (p = 0.000), N–Po (p = 0.000), while a t-test showed that there are no significant differences between males and females for the N–Rhi (p = 0.254). Conclusions: The values of these measurements can be utilized during skeletal reconstruction after NOEM fractures, especially for bilateral comminuted fractures where no points of comparison are available.

Background and objectives: Knowledge of the interactions and influences of infectious, genetic, and environmental factors on the evolution and treatment response of malignant tumors is essential for improving the management of the disease and increasing patient survival. The objective of this study was to establish the contribution of human papillomavirus (HPV), as well as p53 and p16 tumor markers, alongside associated factors (smoking and alcohol consumption), in the progression of malignancies located in the oropharynx and at the retromolar trigone–oropharyngeal junction. Materials and Methods: We performed a prospective study including 50 patients with malignant tumors of the oropharynx and retromolar trigone–oropharyngeal junction. In all patients, the presence and type of HPV were determined, as well as the status of the tumor markers p53 and p16. The associated risk factors, biopsy results, treatment method, and post-treatment evolution were all documented. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate the correlations between the determining factors and their influence on the post-treatment evolution. An overall increased survival rate was found in HPV(+) patients. Results: Our study outlined the prevalence of different high-risk subtypes of HPV from the ones presented by other studies, suggesting a possible geographic variation. Correlations between the p53 and p16 statuses and patient survival could be established. The association of smoking and alcohol consumption strongly correlated with an unfavorable evolution. Conclusions: Awareness of the differences in the post-treatment evolution of the patients in relation to the presence of the factors determined in our study could change the future management of such cases for ensuring improved treatment outcomes.