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.

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.

•Pulmonary embolism remains a frequent medical problem, despite the increase in implementation of anticoagulant drugs.•The costs of diagnostics and therapy of pulmonary embolism are significant.•The orthopedic patients are one of the high-risk groups of pulmonary embolism.•Some parameters not frequently analyzed in pulmonary embolism patients, such as NT-proBNP and more, can improve the diagnostics of pulmonary embolism and generate little cost.

Upper limb disorders and injuries are a significant issue in orthopedics, traumatology, rehabilitation, and sports medicine, often involving changes in the

Background: From all the sports around the world, basketball is certainly such popular that it attracts people who loves to watch it, as well as people who loves to play it. Due to the form of this sport, it is very likely to get an injury while playing it. Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to determine the most repeated types of injuries that might occur to the basketball players, how many basketball players get injured during their professional career, what the convalescence after the injury looked like, and how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the group of professional basketball players of the EBL (Energa Basket Liga), 1LM and 2LM. Material and methods: Data collected from a survey sent to 19 basketball players in February 2021. Results: Most of the basketball players who took part in the examination at some point during their career suffered from an injury, at least one. The part of the body that was affected the most was the lower limb. As the players stated, the injuries that they had were the reason of a long absence in the game. For most of the time the convalescence process consisted of co-operation with the physiotherapist. The mental health of the players was disparately affected by the ensuing injury. As well the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the interviewees’ contracts, and most of the times, their mental health’s condition. Among the players who were tested positive with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, each one developed some kind of signs of the infection. Conclusion: Each of the examined players during their professional career at least once suffered form an injury that influenced their physical health, and sometimes also mental health condition. In general, the pandemic period affected badly not only in a sphere of mental health, but also social life elements, such as ability to work out and prepare to the season.