This study aimed to explore the potential association between the triglyceride–glucose index (TyG) and the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP)—both considered surrogate markers for atherosclerosis—and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in patients diagnosed with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS). We conducted a retrospective analysis, encompassing 715 consecutive patients with intermediate CCS risk, who presented at the outpatient clinic between June 2020 and August 2022. MACEs included non-fatal myocardial infarction, hospitalization for heart failure, cerebrovascular events, non-cardiac mortality, and cardiac mortality. The primary outcome was the composite occurrence of MACEs during the follow-up period. For time-to-event analysis of the primary outcome, we employed Kaplan–Meier plots and Cox proportional hazard models. The median age of the overall study population was 55 years, with a median follow-up duration of 17 months. Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified age, hypertension, Coronary Artery Disease–Reporting and Data System score, and TyG index as independent predictors of the primary outcome. Notably, individuals with high TyG levels exhibited a significantly higher primary outcome rate compared to those with low TyG levels (18.7% vs. 3.8%, p < 0.001). Similarly, patients with elevated TyG values demonstrated statistically higher rates of cerebrovascular events, hospitalizations for heart failure, non-fatal myocardial infarctions, non-cardiac mortality, and cardiac mortality. These findings suggest that TyG may serve as a predictive marker for adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients with CCS.

To assess the effectiveness and safety of autologous intraparenchymal blood patch (IBP) application in reducing the frequency of pneumothorax (PTX) after percutaneous transthoracic pulmonary core needle biopsy. The records of patients who underwent the transthoracic pulmonary core needle biopsy procedure under CT guidance between January 2015 and October 2018 were screened retrospectively. Patients whose traversed pulmonary parenchymal length was ≥20 mm during biopsy were included in the study irrespective of lesion size. The IBP procedure was made a department policy in November 2017; patients who underwent biopsy after this date comprised the IBP group, while those who underwent the procedure before this date comprised the control group. IBP recipients received 2–5 mL of autologous blood injection to the needle tract. Demographic data, procedural reports, tomography images, and the follow-up records of patients were assessed. A total of 262 patients were included in the study. Of the 91 patients that received an IBP, PTX developed in 13 (14.1%), with 7 (7.7%) requiring a thoracic tube. Of the 171 patients who did not receive an IBP, PTX developed in 45 (26.3%), with 19 (11.1%) requiring a thoracic tube. Patients who received an autologous IBP showed a significantly lower rate of PTX development versus those who did not (P = 0.01). Similarly, a significantly lower number of patients who received the blood patch required chest tube placement (P = 0.015). Autologous IBP is a safe, inexpensive and easy to use method that reduces the rate of PTX development and thoracic tube application after percutaneous core needle biopsies of the lung.

Hydatid disease is caused by the larvae of Echinococcus granulosus. Domestic dogs and cats are the primary carriers of echinococcal organisms. In some particular regions of the world, this parasitic infection is still endemic. Despite the fact that hydatid disease is most frequently located in the liver (50%-70% of cases) and the lungs (20%-30% of cases), it can occur in any organ or tissue. However, intracardiac localization of hydatid cyst is very rare and it is found in less than 2% of the cases. Cardiac involvement can be caused by systemic or pulmonary circulation or direct spread from adjacent structures. After the cardiac hydatid cyst remained asymptomatic for many years, the cyst opens into the pericardium, causes cardiac tamponade, and mimics acute coronary syndrome, or it may get into the circulation and cause anaphylactic shock, which happens rarely. Because clinical signs and symptoms of cardiac hydatid cyst are not specific and varied, it may be difficult to diagnose this disease. It is critical to diagnose cardiac involvement early and perform prompt surgical intervention. Imaging findings of a patient who had a left ventricular wall cardiac hydatid disease are presented here.

Hydatid cyst is an endemically seen parasitic disease and caused by the larval form of Echinococcus parasites. The disease is mostly seen in liver and lung, and the other involvement is rarely seen. Head and neck involvement is extremely rarely seen and its frequency in the literature is reported as less than 1%. It is usually asymptomatic and the symptoms are related to the compression to the adjacent structures. In this paper, the authors report a patient of hydatid cyst localized in the posterior cervical region.