Benign primary bone tumors are commonly treated by surgery involving bone grafts or synthetic bone void fillers. Although synthetic bone grafts may provide early mechanical support while minimizing the risk of donor-site morbidity and disease transmission, difficult handling properties and less than optimal transformation to bone have limited their use. In a prospective series, patients with benign bone tumors were treated by minimal invasive intervention with a bi-phasic and injectable ceramic bone substitute (CERAMENT™ BONE VOID FILLER, BoneSupport, Sweden) with the hypothesis that open surgery with bone grafting might be avoided. The defects were treated by either mini-invasive surgery (solid tumors) or percutaneous injection (cysts) and followed clinically and radiologically for 12 months. CT scan was performed after 12 months to confirm bone remodeling of the bone substitute. All patients were allowed full weight bearing immediately after surgery. Fourteen patients with a median age of 13 years (range 7–75) were consecutively recruited during 11 months. Eleven lesions were bone cysts (eight unicameral and three post-traumatic) and three were solid benign tumors. The median size of the lesions was 40 mL (range 1–152). The most common location was humerus (n = 10). After 12 months the defects completely or partially filled with median 18 mL (range 5–28) of bone substitute demonstrated full resolution (Neer Classification grade I) in 11 patients, partial resolution (Neer II) in 2 patients and in 1 patient the cyst persisted (Neer III). No lesions required recurrent surgery during the observation period. No post-operative fracture or infection was recorded. Minimal invasive treatment with a bi-phasic and injectable ceramic bone substitute might offer an alternative to regular bone grafting due to convenient handling properties and rapid bone remodeling. ClinicalTrials NCT02567084 Release Date 10/01/2015

The field of computed tomography (CT), which is a basic diagnostic tool in clinical practice, has recently undergone rapid technological advances. These include the evolution of dual-energy CT (DECT) and development of photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT). DECT enables the acquisition of CT images at two different energy spectra, which allows for the differentiation of certain materials, mainly calcium and iodine. PCCT is a recent technology that enables a scanner to quantify the energy of each photon gathered by the detector. This method gives the possibility to decrease the radiation dose and increase the spatial and temporal resolutions of scans. Both of these techniques have found a wide range of applications in radiology, including vascular studies. In this narrative review, the authors present the principles of DECT and PCCT, outline their advantages and drawbacks, and briefly discuss the application of these methods in vascular radiology.

Combined pituitary hormone deficiency represents a disorder with complex etiology. For many patients, causes of the disease remain unexplained, despite usage of advanced genetic testing. Although major and common transcription factors were identified two decades ago, we still struggle with identification of rare inborn factors contributing to pituitary function. In this report, we follow up genomic screening of CPHD patient cohort that were previously tested for changes in a coding sequences of genes with the use of the whole exome. We aimed to find contribution of rare copy number variations (CNVs). As a result, we identified genomic imbalances in 7 regions among 12 CPHD patients. Five out of seven regions showed copy gains whereas two presented losses of genomic fragment. Three regions with detected gains encompassed known CPHD genes namely LHX4, HESX1, and OTX2. Among new CPHD loci, the most interesting seem to be the region covering SIX3 gene, that is abundantly expressed in developing brain, and together with HESX1 contributes to pituitary organogenesis as it was evidenced before in functional studies. In conclusion, with the use of broadened genomic approach we identified copy number imbalances for 12 CPHD patients. Although further functional studies are required in order to estimate its true impact on expression pattern during pituitary organogenesis and CPHD etiology.

The intricate development and physiological dynamics of the mammary glands, orchestrated by a delicate interplay of hormones, are crucial for reproductive function and lactation. Beginning with intrauterine clusters evolving into mature glands, hormonal fluctuations throughout puberty and the menstrual cycle finely tune mammary tissue growth. Oestrogens stimulate the proliferation of epithelial cells, while progesterone orchestrates the formation of lactiferous glands. During pregnancy, oestrogen and progesterone induces hyperplasia of lobules and ducts, preparing the breast for lactation. Prolactin is vital for lactation and stimulates milk production during pregnancy and postpartum. As shown by ultrasonography, physiological changes during lactation reflect glandular tissue transformation for milk secretion. Clinical and physiological changes, including increased blood flow, contribute to mammary growth and firmness, complicating clinical examination. Ultrasonographic findings reveal variability in women’s glandular and fat tissue distribution, suggesting that milk production is not solely determined by anatomical factors. Though not directly linked to milk production, blood flow dynamics hint at a threshold for optimal lactation. Understanding these complex hormonal and physiological mechanisms is crucial for comprehending mammary development, function, and clinical assessment.

Magnetic resonance imaging is widely used in diagnosing multiple sclerosis as a basic method for detecting and monitoring the disease. Introduction: Polish Medical Society of Radiology presents the second version of the recommendations for the routinely conducted MRI in multiple sclerosis, which include new data and practical remarks for radiographers and radiologists. The recommended protocol aims to improve the imaging procedure and, most importantly, to standardize conducting MRI scans in all MRI departments. This is crucial for monitoring the patients with MS, which directly contributes to essential clinical decisions. Aim of the guidelines Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating and degenerative disease of the central nervous system (CNS) with its etiology still unknown. The fundamental requirement of the disease is the CNS destruction process disseminated in time (DIT) and space (DIS). MR imaging detects focal lesions in white and gray matter with high sensitivity and is the best way to assess brain atrophy in MS patients. It is unquestionably the best diagnostic tool to follow-up the clinical course of the disease and treatment of MS patients. However, to achieve a diagnosis based on MRI scans, and follow-up MS patients according to the latest standards, an MRI scan has to meet certain quality criteria that are the subject of this work.