Cosmin Nicolescu

Dr. Cosmin Nicolescu


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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21 August 2025 in Medicina
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MBMarian Botoncea
Marian Botoncea
CMCalin Molnar
Calin Molnar
Vlad-Olimpiu ButiurcaVlad-Olimpiu Butiurca
Vlad-Olimpiu Butiurca
Cosmin NicolescuCosmin Nicolescu
Cosmin Nicolescu
MCMolnar-Varlam Claudiu
Molnar-Varlam Claudiu
Background and Objectives: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a complex condition affecting the pelvic floor, often requiring imaging for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. Artificial intelligence (AI), particularly deep learning (DL), is emerging as a powerful tool in medical imaging. This scoping review aims to synthesize current evidence on the use of AI in the imaging-based diagnosis and anatomical evaluation of POP. Materials and Methods: Following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for studies published between January 2020 and April 2025. Studies were included if they applied AI methodologies, such as convolutional neural networks (CNNs), vision transformers (ViTs), or hybrid models, to diagnostic imaging modalities such as ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to women with POP. Results: Eight studies met the inclusion criteria. In these studies, AI technologies were applied to 2D/3D ultrasound and static or stress MRI for segmentation, anatomical landmark localization, and prolapse classification. CNNs were the most commonly used models, often combined with transfer learning. Some studies used hybrid models of ViTs, demonstrating high diagnostic accuracy. However, all studies relied on internal datasets, with limited model interpretability and no external validation. Moreover, clinical deployment and outcome assessments remain underexplored. Conclusions: AI shows promise in enhancing POP diagnosis through improved image analysis, but current applications are largely exploratory. Future work should prioritize external validation, standardization, explainable AI, and real-world implementation to bridge the gap between experimental models and clinical utility.

17 September 2025 in Reports
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
BCBalta Catalin
Balta Catalin
MBMarian Botoncea
Marian Botoncea
LTLucian Toma
Lucian Toma
RVRares Voda
Rares Voda
ABAnastasia Balta
Anastasia Balta
Cosmin NicolescuCosmin Nicolescu
Cosmin Nicolescu
Background and Clinical Significance: Retroperitoneal tumors are a rare and diverse group of neoplasms, accounting for less than 1% of adult solid tumors. Retroperitoneal lipomas are particularly uncommon, with fewer than 20 cases described in the literature. Their asymptomatic growth and lack of clear anatomical boundaries can result in delayed diagnosis and substantial tumor size at clinical presentation. This case highlights a rare retroperitoneal lipoma with atypical extension into the right thigh through the muscular lacuna, mimicking a femoral hernia and compressing the femoral nerve—a presentation scarcely reported and clinically significant due to its surgical complexity and risk of recurrence. Case Presentation: We report the case of a 65-year-old woman from an urban setting who presented with progressive right thigh discomfort and lower limb pain during ambulation. The mass had been initially identified two years prior as a small, asymptomatic right inguinal formation during imaging to exclude an inguinal hernia. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed a large retroperitoneal lipomatous tumor extending to the anteromedial right thigh. Surgical excision was performed through a dual approach: midline laparotomy and thigh incision. A 30 × 30 cm encapsulated lipoma was removed without injuring adjacent nerves or vessels. Histopathological evaluation confirmed a mature lipoma without atypia but with a lipogranulomatous reaction. The patient’s postoperative course was favorable, with minimal residual paresthesia and complete wound healing. Conclusions: Although benign, retroperitoneal lipomas can mimic other pathologies and present surgical challenges when they extend beyond their typical boundaries. Early recognition and coordinated surgical management are crucial for optimal outcomes and prevention of recurrence.

27 October 2025 in Medicina
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Catalin Dumitru CosmaCatalin Dumitru Cosma
Catalin Dumitru Cosma
Vlad-Olimpiu ButiurcaVlad-Olimpiu Butiurca
Vlad-Olimpiu Butiurca
MBMarian Botoncea
Marian Botoncea
Cosmin NicolescuCosmin Nicolescu
Cosmin Nicolescu
CRCristian Russu
Cristian Russu
CMCalin Molnar
Calin Molnar
Background and Objectives: The best method for reconstructing the stomach after distal gastrectomy surgery in gastric cancer patients continues to be a subject of ongoing discussion. The most beneficial surgical option for patients is Billroth I (BI), yet surgeons may perform Billroth II and Roux-en-Y (BII/RY) procedures because they are easier to execute, although their impact on recovery complications and postoperative function remains unclear. This prospective observational cohort study compares the short- and mid-term surgical outcomes between BI and BII/RY reconstructions. Materials and Methods: We included 150 patients who received curative intent distal gastrectomy at the General Surgical Clinic of Emergency County Hospital in Târgu Mureș, Romania, between October 2021 and December 2024 (72 BI and 78 BII/RY patients), with a mean age of 61.5 ± 10.8 years (60.7% male). The outcomes included recovery parameters, postoperative complications (Clavien–Dindo), and mid-term functional results (PPI use, Los Angeles classification esophagitis, bile reflux gastritis, Sigstad dumping score). Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was applied to adjust for baseline covariates. Results: The results indicated that IPTW adjustment did not change the baseline demographics, tumor characteristics, or perioperative factors. The baseline characteristics were comparable between groups (p > 0.05). There were no significant differences in time to flatus (p = 0.12), oral diet (p = 0.70), or hospital stay (p = 0.69). Major morbidity (Clavien–Dindo ≥ III) occurred in 12.7% overall (p = 0.17), and the 90-day mortality was 5.3% (p = 1.00). At 6 months, bile reflux gastritis was more frequent after BII/RY (p = 0.16), whereas dumping syndrome occurred more often after BI (p = 0.16). Conclusions: The short-term surgical results, together with the total postoperative complications, showed no difference between the BI and BII/RY reconstruction methods. The study revealed distinct functional results between the two groups during the mid-term assessment, which demonstrates that surgeons should maintain their practice of choosing reconstruction techniques according to patient-specific requirements.

Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Catalin Dumitru CosmaCatalin Dumitru Cosma
Catalin Dumitru Cosma
Vlad-Olimpiu ButiurcaVlad-Olimpiu Butiurca
Vlad-Olimpiu Butiurca
MBMarian Botoncea
Marian Botoncea
Cosmin NicolescuCosmin Nicolescu
Cosmin Nicolescu
DMDragos Molnar
Dragos Molnar
CMCalin Molnar
Calin Molnar
Background: Gastrectomy for gastric cancer is associated with substantial metabolic, nutritional, and immunological disturbances that may significantly influence postoperative recovery. Increasing evidence suggests that perioperative immunonutritional status, particularly when assessed by the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score, represents an important predictor of surgical outcomes. However, prospective data evaluating sex-related differences in postoperative nutritional recovery after gastrectomy remain limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate sex-related differences in perioperative immunonutritional status and functional recovery after gastrectomy for gastric cancer using serial CONUT score assessment. Methods: This prospective observational cohort study included 150 consecutive patients undergoing curative-intent gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma at a tertiary referral center between 2021 and 2024. Nutritional and immune status were longitudinally assessed using the CONUT score at predefined perioperative timepoints: preoperatively (T0), early postoperatively (T1), and at 3-month follow-up (T3). Functional recovery outcomes, postoperative complications, and mid-term functional parameters were compared between male and female patients. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent predictors of delayed postoperative recovery. Results: The study population included 91 male patients (60.7%) and 59 female patients (39.3%). Significant postoperative deterioration in albumin levels, lymphocyte counts, total cholesterol, and CONUT scores were observed in the entire cohort (p-time < 0.001 for all comparisons), followed by partial recovery during follow-up. No significant sex-related differences were identified regarding longitudinal immunonutritional evolution, postoperative complications, gastrointestinal recovery, or functional outcomes (p > 0.05). Overall postoperative complications occurred in 31.3% of patients, while 90-day mortality was 2.7%. An elevated baseline CONUT score ≥ 5 (OR 2.74, 95% CI 1.48–5.09, p = 0.001), postoperative CONUT score T1 ≥ 5 (OR 3.36, 95% CI 1.82–6.19, p < 0.001), ASA class III (OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.19–3.63, p = 0.010), and anastomotic leakage (OR 4.91, 95% CI 1.74–13.88, p = 0.003) independently predicted delayed functional recovery. Male sex was not independently associated with adverse postoperative recovery (OR 1.18, 95% CI 0.74–1.89, p = 0.44). Conclusions: Gastrectomy induces significant postoperative immunonutritional deterioration irrespective of sex. Although biological sex did not independently influence postoperative recovery trajectories, impaired perioperative immunonutritional status—particularly elevated postoperative CONUT score—was strongly associated with delayed functional recovery. Serial perioperative CONUT assessment may represent a valuable tool for individualized postoperative risk stratification and nutritional management in gastric cancer patients undergoing gastrectomy.

28 May 2026 in Preprints.org
Verified
Preprint
Open access
PDF file
Cosmin NicolescuCosmin Nicolescu
Cosmin Nicolescu
Catalin Dumitru CosmaCatalin Dumitru Cosma
Catalin Dumitru Cosma
MBMarian Botoncea
Marian Botoncea
ABAdrian Bartos
Adrian Bartos
CMCalin Molnar
Calin Molnar
Background/Objectives: Intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) has become an integral component of modern hepatic oncology surgery, providing real-time imaging guidance during liver resections for hepatocellular carcinoma, colorectal liver metastases, and other primary or secondary hepatic malignancies. Despite substantial improvements in preoperative imaging modalities, occult lesions, disappearing metastases after chemotherapy, and complex vascular relationships continue to represent major in-traoperative challenges. This structured narrative review aimed to evaluate the con-temporary role of IOUS in hepatic oncology surgery, with particular emphasis on con-trast-enhanced intraoperative ultrasound (CE-IOUS), minimally invasive liver sur-gery, navigation-assisted hepatectomy, and emerging artificial intelligence-based technologies. Methods: A structured literature review was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases. Peer-reviewed studies, interna-tional guidelines, consensus statements, systematic reviews, and technological reports addressing IOUS applications in liver surgery were analyzed. Particular focus was placed on studies evaluating lesion detection, intraoperative strategy modification, disappearing colorectal liver metastases, parenchymal-sparing hepatectomy, laparo-scopic and robotic liver surgery, navigation systems, augmented reality integration, and AI-assisted imaging technologies. Results: Contemporary evidence demonstrates that IOUS continues to significantly influence intraoperative decision-making despite advances in magnetic resonance imaging and multidetector computed tomography. CE-IOUS improves the detection of occult hepatic lesions and residual disease after systemic chemotherapy, particularly in disappearing colorectal liver metastases. IOUS-guided anatomical and parenchy-mal-sparing resections contribute to preservation of functional liver parenchyma while maintaining oncologic radicality. In minimally invasive liver surgery, laparo-scopic ultrasound remains essential for lesion localization and vascular mapping. Re-cent developments integrating navigation systems, augmented reality platforms, and AI-assisted image recognition suggest a progressive transition toward digitally assisted precision liver surgery. Conclusions: IOUS remains a cornerstone of modern hepatic oncology surgery and continues to evolve from a localization tool into a comprehensive platform for preci-sion-guided liver resection. The integration of CE-IOUS, navigation technologies, and artificial intelligence may further enhance intraoperative accuracy, oncologic safety, and individualized surgical planning in the future.

2 September 2026 in Nutrients
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Catalin Dumitru CosmaCatalin Dumitru Cosma
Catalin Dumitru Cosma
Vlad-Olimpiu ButiurcaVlad-Olimpiu Butiurca
Vlad-Olimpiu Butiurca
DMDragos Molnar
Dragos Molnar
Cosmin NicolescuCosmin Nicolescu
Cosmin Nicolescu
CMCalin Molnar
Calin Molnar
MBMarian Botoncea
Marian Botoncea
Background: Nutritional deterioration is a common consequence of gastrectomy for gastric cancer and may persist despite standardized perioperative care. However, prospective longitudinal evidence describing the early course of postoperative nutritional recovery remains limited. This study aimed to characterize nutritional recovery trajectories following curative gastrectomy and to evaluate the influence of the extent of gastric resection on postoperative recovery. Methods: A prospective cohort of 239 consecutive patients undergoing curative-intent subtotal or total gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma was followed between January 2022 and December 2025. The longitudinal complete-case analysis included 217 patients with available assessments at all three predefined time points: preoperatively (T0), at hospital discharge (T1), and three months after surgery (T3). Nutritional–immune biomarker trajectories were assessed preoperatively (T0), at hospital discharge (T1), and three months after surgery (T3) using serum albumin, total cholesterol, absolute lymphocyte count, and the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score. Longitudinal changes were evaluated using linear mixed-effects models with patient-specific random intercepts. Results: All evaluated nutritional–immune biomarkers changed significantly in an adverse direction after surgery, reaching their most unfavorable values at hospital discharge (all p < 0.001), followed by partial biochemical recovery at three months. Because albumin, lymphocyte count, and CONUT are influenced by the acute inflammatory and metabolic response to surgery, the discharge changes should not be interpreted as direct evidence of acute malnutrition. Nevertheless, none of the evaluated biomarkers returned to its preoperative value. Recovery between discharge and three months represented 65.6% of the initial decline for serum albumin, 50.5% for absolute lymphocyte count, 51.7% for total cholesterol, and 60.9% for the CONUT score. After adjustment for age, sex, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, baseline body mass index, ASA status, pathological T3–T4 stage, and major postoperative morbidity, total gastrectomy was associated with a greater early decline in absolute lymphocyte count at hospital discharge (β = −165.7 cells/mm3; 95% CI, −204.9 to −126.6; p < 0.001). This difference was no longer present at three months (p = 0.955). No significant time-by-gastrectomy interactions were observed for albumin, cholesterol, or corrected CONUT. Conclusions: Nutritional recovery following gastrectomy is a dynamic and prolonged process characterized by marked early nutritional–inflammatory biomarker changes and incomplete biochemical restoration at three months. Resection extent was not independently associated with persistently less favorable albumin, cholesterol, or corrected CONUT trajectories. The findings describe early biochemical changes and should not be extrapolated to body composition, functional recovery, micronutrient status, quality of life, or long-term survivorship. These findings apply primarily to patients who survived and completed the three-month follow-up.