Purpose: Blood Lp(a) concentration is recognized as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Population-based lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) research in Saudi Arabia is rare. Thus, the primary goal of this pilot study was to identify age- and sex-specific reference ranges for Lp(a) levels, in addition to the associations between Lp(a) levels and other atherosclerotic markers in Saudi individuals. Patients and methods: A five-year retrospective study of Lp(a) and lipid markers in Saudi patients was conducted using the Al-Borg diagnostics database (2015– 2020). The population sample consisted of 361 Saudi individuals aged 18– 93 years (162 males, 199 females). An immunoturbidimetric technique was used to determine Lp(a) concentration. Results: The mean and median Lp(a) levels in the study population were 35 nmol/L and 50 nmol/L, respectively. Sex and age did not influence Lp(a) values. Lp(a) values showed a minor correlation with other atherosclerotic markers when the Pearson correlation coefficient was used. In Saudi Arabia, the distribution of Lp(a) concentrations is skewed to the left, favoring lower values. Conclusion: Lp(a) levels in individuals residing in Saudi Arabia were comparable to those observed in other ethnic groups. Additionally, standardizing Lp(a) measurements according to sex and age may enhance broader applicability and facilitate comparisons across different populations. However, larger studies are required to provide more comprehensive data for comparison.

Objective: Accurate meniscal tear diagnosis is essential for proper knee injury management. While MRI is the gold standard, ultrasound (US) offers a cost‐effective alternative. However, its accuracy compared to arthroscopy remains uncertain. This study evaluates the diagnostic performance of US versus MRI, using arthroscopic outcomes as the benchmark for meniscal tear detection. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted on 208 patients aged 18–60 years with suspected meniscal injuries. Each patient underwent both US and MRI, with findings compared to arthroscopy, the gold standard for confirmation. Clinical, imaging and arthroscopic data were systematically recorded and analysed for sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic agreement. The McNemar test was used to assess differences in sensitivity and specificity between US and MRI, while the κ coefficient evaluated the agreement between US, MRI and arthroscopy. Results: MRI demonstrated higher diagnostic accuracy (91.83%) compared to US (84.62%) in detecting meniscal tears, using arthroscopy as the gold standard. MRI showed superior sensitivity (96.19% vs. 86.67%), specificity (87.38% vs. 82.52%) and agreement ( κ = 0.836 vs. 0.692), with a significant difference compared to arthroscopy ( p = 0.049). Conclusion: Overall, MRI demonstrated superior diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity and specificity compared to US, suggesting that it is a more reliable imaging modality for detecting meniscal tears when arthroscopy is not feasible. In addition, US limitations in detecting complex tear patterns highlight the need for further refinement of US techniques.

Background: Training in contrast-related issues and managing contrast reactions are essential skills for radiology residents from their early training years. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a national virtual contrast workshop for first-year radiology residents across the Kingdom. Methods: All first-year radiology residents from across the Kingdom attended a one-day contrast workshop as part of the new "Core Radiology Skills" rotation. The workshop was delivered via a virtual platform and included didactic lectures and simulated case scenarios. Residents were asked to complete optional pre- and post-tests (20 multiple-choice questions) and a feedback form. The learning outcomes, lectures, simulated case scenarios, and tests were based on the content of the 2021 American College of Radiology (ACR) Manual on Contrast Media. Results: A total of 139 of 177 first- and second-year radiology residents completed the workshop and answered the pre-and post-tests. Most participants were from Riyadh province (41.8%) and Makkah province (31.6%). The mean overall pre-test score was 88.13 out of 200 (SD: 29.58), which significantly increased to 148.56 out of 200 (SD: 38.38) in the post-test, with a P-value of <.001 and a 57.2% overall percent change in scores. Participants' feedback indicated a positive reception of the course. Conclusion: The national virtual contrast media workshop effectively improved participants' knowledge. Favorable feedback reflects the workshop's success in addressing essential topics and delivering clear learning points. To enhance the educational experience, virtual breakout rooms should be considered. A six-month follow-up refresher course is recommended for long-term knowledge retention.