Background: Effective early risk stratification in COVID-19 remains a critical challenge in emergency care, particularly due to the limitations of RT-PCR testing, including delayed processing and false negatives. There is an unmet need for imaging tools that are fast, reliable, and safe for repeated use in acute clinical settings. Methods: In this prospective, multicenter study, over 1000 patients hospitalized with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 were initially screened. A total of 555 patients with PCR-confirmed infection were ultimately included for analysis. All participants underwent low-dose chest CT (LDCT) at admission. Pulmonary involvement was assessed using the chest CT severity score (CTSS) based on a unified protocol. CTSS values were analyzed in relation to ICU admission, in-hospital mortality, demographic data, oxygen saturation, dyspnea scores, and laboratory markers (CRP, LDH, lymphocyte, and neutrophil counts). Imaging was interpreted by board-certified radiologists under harmonized reporting standards. Results: CTSS values ≥13 and ≥15 were significantly associated with ICU admission and in-hospital mortality, respectively (p < 0.01). Strong correlations were observed between the CTSS and CRP, LDH, and dyspnea scores, with negative correlations to oxygen saturation and lymphocyte count. The standardized LDCT protocol ensured consistent image quality and minimized radiation exposure. Conclusions: LDCT combined with the CTSS provides a robust, reproducible, and radiation-sparing method for emergency risk stratification in COVID-19. Its high clinical utility supports deployment in frontline triage systems and future AI-enhanced diagnostic workflows.

Since the natural course of lumbar synovial cyst (LSC) remains unclear, the optimal management of symptomatic LSC constitutes a controversial topic. While surgical removal is considered as most efficient treatment method, cases of spontaneous resolution have also been reported. The purpose of the current paper was to discuss the pathophysiology and clinical features of the spontaneous resolution of LSC based on the current evidence and present an illustrative case report. The literature search was performed across MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Scopus databases on 11th November 2024. Articles were only included if they described cases of spontaneous resolution of LSC without surgery. Descriptive statistics were used for the analysis of the data retrieved from eligible articles. Twelve articles and the current report matched eligibility criteria, reporting 16 cases of spontaneous LSC resolution cumulatively. The mean age of the patients was 55.9 ± 14.0 years. LSCs were most frequently reported in female patients (68.8%), at L4-L5 level (68.8%), and on the right side of the spinal canal (56.2%). The mean time between the symptomatic onset of LSCs and its spontaneous complete resolution was 10.7 ± 6.8 months. The current study supports a conservative management approach in selected patients with lumbar synovial cysts, highlighting the importance of follow-up before surgery is undertaken. Female gender and mild presenting symptoms might be factors predisposing to spontaneous resolution of LSC.

Background/Objectives: To assess quantitatively the correlation between the lung ultrasound severity scores (LUSSs) and chest CT severity scores (CTSSs) derived from low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) for evaluating pulmonary inflammation in COVID-19 patients. Methods: In this prospective observational study, from an initial cohort of 1000 patients, 555 adults (≥18 years) with confirmed COVID-19 were enrolled based on inclusion criteria. All underwent LDCT imaging, scored by the CTSS (0–25 points), quantifying involvement across five lung lobes. Lung ultrasound examinations using standardized semi-quantitative scales for the B-line (LUSS B) and consolidation (LUSS C) were performed in a subgroup of 170 patients; 110 had follow-up imaging after one week. Correlation analyses included Spearman’s and Pearson’s coefficients. Results: Significant positive correlations were found between the CTSS and both the LUSS B (r = 0.32; p < 0.001) and LUSS C (r = 0.24; p = 0.006), with the LUSS B showing a slightly stronger relationship. Each incremental increase in the LUSS B corresponded to an average increase of 0.18 CTSS points, whereas a one-point increase in the LUSS C corresponded to a 0.27-point CTSS increase. The mean influence of the LUSS on CTSS was 8.0%. Neither ultrasound score significantly predicted ICU admission or mortality (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Standardized lung ultrasound severity scores show a significant correlation with low-dose CT in assessing pulmonary involvement in COVID-19, particularly for the B-line artifacts. Lung ultrasound represents a valuable bedside tool, complementing—but not substituting—CT in predicting clinical severity. Integrating both imaging modalities may enable the acquisition of complementary bedside information and facilitate dynamic monitoring of disease progression.

Objectives: This study sought to assess the impact of diabetes and hypertension on wound healing and recovery in orthopedic patients, with an emphasis on laboratory correlations. Materials and Methods: This study included 67 orthopedic patients, divided into a geriatric group (n = 49, ≥65 years) and a control group (n = 18). Clinical and laboratory assessments were performed at admission and discharge. Data were analyzed statistically. Results: Geriatric patients showed a higher triglyceride glucose-body mass index (TyG-BMI), glucose, cholesterol, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and leukocytes and lower hemoglobin and platelets (PLTs), with poorer healing and well-being. Elevated CRP, IL-6, and urea and decreased protein and hemoglobin persisted in this group. Diabetes improved outcomes in older adults, while hypertension worsened them in younger patients. Favorable outcomes correlated with higher triglycerides, fibrinogen, hemoglobin, and red blood cells (RBCs), while they did not correlate with elevated CRP, IL-6, leptin, urea, creatinine, and white blood cells (WBCs). Conclusions: Key predictors of healing and well-being included CRP, hemoglobin, RBC, and hematocrit in older patients and hypertension, CRP, hemoglobin, and leptin in younger individuals. Age-specific metabolic and inflammatory profiles influence recovery trajectories and may be used to predict problems in both recovery and patients’ well-being. Further research is required to better understand the correlations between these factors.

Background: The electrodes of implantable cardiac devices (ICDs) may cause significant problems in cardiac computed tomography (CT) because they are a source of artifacts that obscure surrounding structures and possible pathology. There are a few million patients currently with ICDs, and some of these patients will require cardiac imaging due to coronary artery disease or problems with ICDs. Modern CT scanners can reduce some of the metal artifacts because of MAR software, but in some vendors, it does not work with ECG gating. Introduced in 2008, dual-energy CT scanners can generate virtual monoenergetic images (VMIs), which are much less susceptible to metal artifacts than standard CT images. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate if dual-energy CT can reduce metal artifacts caused by ICD leads by using VMIs. The second objective was to determine how the angle between the electrode and the plane of imaging affects the severity of the artifacts in three planes of imaging. Methods: A 3D-printed model was constructed to obtain a 0–90-degree field at 5-degree intervals between the electrode and each of the planes: axial, coronal, and sagittal. This electrode was scanned in dual-energy and single-energy protocols. VMIs with an energy of 40–140 keV with 10 keV intervals were reconstructed. The length of the two most extended artifacts originating from the tip of the electrode and 2 cm above it—at the point where the thick metallic defibrillating portion of the electrode begins—was measured. Results: For the sagittal plane, these observations were similar for both points of the ICDs that were used as the reference location. VMIs with an energy over 80 keV produce images with fewer artifacts than similar images obtained in the single-energy scanning mode. Conclusions: Virtual monoenergetic imaging techniques may reduce streak artifacts arising from ICD electrodes and improve the quality of the image. Increasing the angle of the electrode as well as the imaging plane can reduce artifacts. The angle between the electrode and the beam of X-rays can be increased by tilting the gantry of the scanner or lifting the upper body of the patient.