The novel Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a global health concern. Vitamin D (VITD) deficiency has been suggested to alter SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and the course of disease. Thus, we aimed to investigate associations of VITD status to disease presentation within the CovILD registry. This prospective, multicenter, observational study on long-term sequelae includes patients with COVID-19 after hospitalization or outpatients with persistent symptoms. Eight weeks after PCR confirmed diagnosis, a detailed questionnaire, a clinical examination, and laboratory testing, including VITD status, were evaluated. Furthermore, available laboratory specimens close to hospital admission were used to retrospectively analyze 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels at disease onset. A total of 109 patients were included in the analysis (60% males, 40% females), aged 58 ± 14 years. Eight weeks after the onset of COVID-19, a high proportion of patients presented with impaired VITD metabolism and elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels. PTH concentrations were increased in patients who needed intensive care unit (ICU) treatment, while VITD levels were not significantly different between disease severity groups. Low VITD levels at disease onset or at eight-week follow-up were not related to persistent symptom burden, lung function impairment, ongoing inflammation, or more severe CT abnormalities. VITD deficiency is frequent among COVID-19 patients but not associated with disease outcomes. However, individuals with severe disease display a disturbed parathyroid-vitamin-D axis within their recovery phase. The proposed significance of VITD supplementation in the clinical management of COVID-19 remains elusive.

One year after the onset of COVID-19 pneumonia, chest CT demonstrated abnormalities, such as subtle subpleural reticulations, ground-glass opacities, or both, in 54% of participants. Background The long-term pulmonary sequelae of COVID-19 is not well known. Purpose To characterize patterns and rates of improvement of chest CT abnormalities 1 year after COVID-19 pneumonia. Mater...

Purpose of review With the increasing use of immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer therapy radiographic profiling of frequent and serious immune-related adverse events (irAEs) becomes more relevant. This article reviews imaging features of irAEs induced by the anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 antibodies ipilimumab, nivolumab and pembrolizumab. Recent findings Important radiological manifestations are immune-related colitis, hepatitis, pancreatitis, hypophysitis, pneumonitis, arthritis and sarcoid-like lymphadenopathy. Typical imaging features are summarized and compared with other relevant differential diagnoses. Summary Early diagnosis and appropriate therapeutic decisions are required for a successful treatment of irAEs. In addition to staging and follow-up imaging, identification and monitoring of adverse events becomes an important radiologic aspect in oncologic care.

Background Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become an essential imaging modality for the evaluation of head & neck pathologies. However, the diagnostic power of MRI is strongly related to the appropriate selection and interpretation of imaging protocols and sequences. The aim of this article is to review state-of-the-art sequences for the clinical routine in head & neck MRI and to describe the evidence for which medical question these sequences and techniques are useful. Method Literature review of state-of-the-art sequences in head & neck MRI. Results and Conclusion Basic sequences (T1w, T2w, T1wC+) and fat suppression techniques (TIRM/STIR, Dixon, Spectral Fat sat) are important tools in the diagnostic workup of inflammation, congenital lesions and tumors including staging. Additional sequences (SSFP (CISS, FIESTA), SPACE, VISTA, 3D-FLAIR) are used for pathologies of the cranial nerves, labyrinth and evaluation of endolymphatic hydrops in Menière’s disease. Vessel and perfusion sequences (3D-TOF, TWIST/TRICKS angiography, DCE) are used in vascular contact syndromes, vascular malformations and analysis of microvascular parameters of tissue perfusion. Diffusion-weighted imaging (EPI-DWI, non-EPI-DWI, RESOLVE) is helpful in cholesteatoma imaging, estimation of malignancy, and evaluation of treatment response and posttreatment recurrence in head & neck cancer. Understanding of MRI sequences and close collaboration with referring physicians improves the diagnostic confidence of MRI in the daily routine and drives further research in this fascinating image modality. Key Points: Citation Format Hintergrund Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) ist ein essentielles bildgebendes Verfahren für die Beurteilung von Kopf-Hals Erkrankungen. Die diagnostische Aussagekraft der MRI ist jedoch stark von der entsprechenden Auswahl und Interpretation der Protokolle und Sequenzen abhängig. Das Ziel dieses Beitrags ist es, State-of-the-art-Sequenzen für die klinische Routine der Kopf-Hals-MRI zusammenzufassen und die Evidenz zu beschreiben, für welche medizinische Fragestellungen diese Sequenzen nützlich sind. Methode Literaturübersicht von State-of-the-art-Sequences in der Kopf-Hals-MRI. Ergebnisse und Schlussfolgerung Basis-Sequenzen (T1w, T2w, T1wC+) und Fett-Suppressionstechniken (TIRM/STIR, Dixon, Spectral Fat sat) sind wichtige Bestandteile des diagnostischen Workup von Entzündungen, kongenitalen Läsionen und Tumoren inclusive Staging. Zusätzliche Sequenzen (SSFP (CISS, FIESTA), SPACE, VISTA, 3D-FLAIR) werden verwendet für Pathologien der Hirnnerven, des Labyrinths und zur Beurteilung des endolymphatischen Hydrops bei Menière’s Erkrankung. Gefäß- und Perfusionssequenzen (3D-TOF, TWIST/TRICKS angiography, DCE) kommen bei vaskulären Kontaktsyndrom, Gefäßmalformationen und zur Analyse von mikrovaskulären Parametern der Gewebsperfusion zum Einsatz. Diffusionsgewichtete Bildgebung (EPI-DWI, non-EPI-DWI, RESOLVE) ist hilfreich beim Cholesteatom, Abschätzung von Malignität und der Beurteilung des Behandlungsansprechens und Remissionsstatus bei Kopf-Hals-Malignomen. Das Verständnis der MRI-Sequenzen und die enge Zusammenarbeit mit den zuweisenden Klinikern verbessert die diagnostische Aussagekraft der MR-Bildgebung in der täglichen Routine und ist wegweisend für die weitere Forschung in dieser faszinierenden bildgebenden Modalität. Kernaussagen: