Head Lesions Research Articles

Osteochondral Lesions of the 1st Metatarsal Head: A Systematic Review

Category: Midfoot/Forefoot; Other Introduction/Purpose: The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate outcomes following surgical intervention for osteochondral lesions of the 1st metatarsal head. Methods: During February 2024, the PubMed, Embase and Cochrane library databases were systematically reviewed to identify clinical studies examining outcomes following surgical intervention for the management of osteochondral lesions of the 1st metatarsal head. Data regarding study characteristics, patient demographics, subjective clinical outcomes, radiological outcomes, complications, and failure rates were extracted and analyzed. In addition, the level of evidence and quality of evidence for each individual study was also assessed. Fifteen studies were included. Results: In total, 324 patients (367 metatarsal) underwent surgical intervention for a 1st metatarsal OCL at a weighted mean follow-up time of 32.1±9.2 months. The mean lesion size was 52.3 ± 8.4 mm2. The most common procedure was osteochondral autograft in 123 cases (19.4%). Other procedures performed included subchondral drilling, particulated juvenile cartilage allograft, osteochondral mosaicplasty, microfracture and anterograde drilling. There were statistically significant improvements in subjective clinical outcomes across all surgical techniques. The overall complication rate was 2.2%, the most common of which was persistent pain (1.5%). There were 29 failures (8.9%) all of which warranted a further surgical procedure. Conclusion: This systematic review demonstrated that osteochondral lesions of the 1st metatarsal head are an uncommon pathology with no consensus regarding the optimal treatment strategy. The most common surgical procedure (osteochondral autograft) restores the osteochondral unit, leading to excellent clinical outcomes at final follow-up. Microfracture destroys the subchondral plate and produces inferior quality fibrocartilage, thus should not be recommended.

Increased postoperative deltoid signal seen after suprapectoral biceps tenodesis: potential risk to the anterior branch of the axillary nerve

BackgroundArthroscopic suprapectoral biceps tenodesis is a common procedure for lesions of the long head of the biceps in the setting of anterior shoulder pain. However, the distal portal poses a theoretical risk to the terminal branches of the axillary nerve as the nerve travels from posterior to anterior to innervate the anterior deltoid. The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to assess for axillary nerve branch injury, identified by deltoid signal change in postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients who underwent an arthroscopic suprapectoral biceps tenodesis. MethodsPatients who underwent rotator cuff repair with a concomitant arthroscopic suprapectoral biceps tenodesis, had a postoperative MRI, and at least 1 year of follow-up were included. The incidence of increased deltoid signal consistent with injury to an anterior branch of the axillary nerve on proton density fat saturated sequences was collected. Age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) including the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Shoulder Score (ASES) score, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) pain, physical function (PF), and upper extremity (UE) scores, and Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) score were compared in patients with and without increased deltoid signal on postoperative MRI. P<0.05 was used for significance. ResultsTwenty-four patients were eligible for inclusion (9 female, average age 59.0±10.1, BMI 27.6±6.7). Edema-like signal within the anterior deltoid musculature was observed in 9 patients on postoperative MRI. Two patients had a second follow-up MRI performed which demonstrated resolution of signal, and one patient required a second surgery for release of adhesions. Patients with increased deltoid signal had higher BMI (p=0.03). There was no difference in any other demographic or postoperative PROM between patients with increased signal and those without at any follow-up time point. No patient demonstrated persistent weakness or numbness in the axillary nerve distribution at final follow-up. DiscussionOver one third of patients in our cohort had MRI evidence of axillary nerve branch injury as seen on proton density fat saturated MRI sequences postoperatively. The distal arthroscopic portal for a suprapectoral biceps tenodesis may place anterior terminal branches of the axillary nerve at risk for injury. Additional investigation and strategies for avoidance of nerve injury in this area should be pursued.

Chondroblastoma of the femoral head-surgical management, outcomes and clinical perspectives: a case report

Chondroblastoma is a rare benign tumor predominantly affecting the epiphyses of long bones, often presenting in the second decade of life. It is known for its potential to recur and cause joint complications despite its benign histology. This report details the case of a 12-year-old boy diagnosed with chondroblastoma of the femoral head, who underwent surgical treatment involving curettage and the use of synthetic hydroxyapatite (HA) bone substitutes. The patient presented with groin pain and limping, with imaging studies revealing an osteolytic lesion in the femoral head. A core needle biopsy confirmed the diagnosis. To manage the lesion, an anterolateral approach was used to perform extensive curettage, and the defect was filled with HA blocks. Postoperatively, the patient was managed with gradual weight-bearing and regular follow-ups. At five years, the patient exhibited normal hip function with no evidence of tumor recurrence, collapse of the femoral head, or osteoarthritis. This case demonstrates that the use of synthetic HA as a bone substitute in the treatment of chondroblastoma can effectively preserve joint integrity and function, providing a viable alternative to traditional grafting methods. The approach was successful in maintaining articular congruence and preventing complications, highlighting the potential benefits of synthetic materials in managing subchondral bone lesions.

Successful embolization with subsequent pancreaticoduodenectomy for intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm hemorrhage: a case report and review of literature.

Although various complications associated with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms have been reported, including acute pancreatitis, duct perforation, and fistula formation, spontaneous bleeding, especially life-threatening bleeding, is infrequent. In this case, emergency pancreatic resection might be one of the therapeutic options, which is associated with poor postoperative outcomes. An 87-year-old woman presented to our hospital with severe anemia (hemoglobin, 4.5g/dl). Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed a large cystic lesion in the pancreatic head measuring 15cm, with some solid components and an adjacent hematoma, suggestive of intra-cystic hemorrhage of the intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm. The patient was hemodynamically unstable and had hypotension. After transcatheter arterial embolization, the patient became hemodynamically stable. Subsequently, an elective pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy was successfully performed. Preoperative embolization was effective for subsequent elective pancreaticoduodenectomy in patients with severe intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm bleeding.

Automatic delineation and prognostic assessment of head and neck tumor lesion in multi-modality positron emission tomography / computed tomography images based on deep learning: A survey

Accurately segmenting and staging tumor lesions in cancer patients presents a significant challenge for radiologists, but it is essential for devising effective treatment plans including radiation therapy, personalized medicine, and surgical options. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly deep learning (DL), has become a useful tool for radiologists, enhancing their ability to understand tumor biology and deliver personalized care to patients with H&N tumors. Segmenting H&N tumor lesions using Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) images has gained significant attention. However, the diverse shapes and sizes of tumors, along with indistinct boundaries between malignant and normal tissues, present significant challenges in effectively fusing PET and CT images. To overcome these challenges, various DL-based models have been developed for segmenting tumor lesions in PET/CT images. This article reviews multimodality (PET/CT) based H&N tumor lesions segmentation methods. We firstly discuss the strengths and limitations of PET/CT imaging and the importance of DL-based models in H&N tumor lesion segmentation. Second, we examine the current state-of-the-art DL models for H&N tumor segmentation, categorizing them into UNet, VNet, Vision Transformer, and miscellaneous models based on their architectures. Third, we explore the annotation and evaluation processes, addressing challenges in segmentation annotation and discussing the metrics used to assess model performance. Finally, we discuss several open challenges and provide some avenues for future research in H&N tumor lesion segmentation.

Comprehensive management and classification of first branchial cleft anomalies: An International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group (IPOG) consensus statement

ObjectiveFirst branchial cleft anomalies are rare congenital head and neck lesions. Literature pertaining to classification, work up and surgical treatment of these lesions is limited and, in some instances, contradictory. The goal of this work is to provide refinement of the classification system of these lesions and to provide guidance for clinicians to aid in the comprehensive management of children with first branchial cleft anomalies. Materials and methodsDelphi method survey of expert opinion under the direction of the International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group (IPOG) was conducted to generate recommendations for the definition and management of first branchial cleft anomalies. The recommendations are the result of expert consensus and critical review of the literature. ResultsConsensus recommendations include evaluation and diagnostic considerations for children with first branchial cleft anomalies as well as recommendations for surgical management. The current Work classification system was reviewed, and modifications were made to it to provide a more cogent categorization of these lesions. ConclusionThe mission of the International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group (IPOG) is to develop expertise-based recommendations based on review of the literature for the management of pediatric otolaryngologic disorders. These consensus recommendations are aimed at improving care of children presenting with first branchial cleft anomalies. Here we present a revised classification system based on parotid gland involvement, with a focus on avoiding stratification based on germ layer, in addition to guidelines for management.

Cytomorphological Spectrum of Non-thyroidal Palpable Head and Neck Lesion

Cytomorphological Spectrum of Non-thyroidal Palpable Head and Neck Lesion

The periosteum provides a stromal defence against cancer invasion into the bone.

The periosteum is the layer of cells that covers nearly the entire surface of every bone. Upon infection, injury or malignancy the bone surface undergoes new growth-the periosteal reaction-but the mechanism and physiological role of this process remain unknown1,2. Here we show that the periosteal reaction protects against cancer invasion into the bone. Histological analyses of human lesions of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) show that periosteal thickening occurs in proximity to the tumour. We developed a genetically dissectible mouse model of HNSCC and demonstrate that inducible depletion of periosteal cells accelerates cancerous invasion of the bone. Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals that expression of the gene encoding the protease inhibitor TIMP1 is markedly increased in the periosteum at the pre-invasive stage. This increase is due to upregulation of HIF1α expression in the tumour microenvironment, and increased TIMP1 inactivates matrix-degrading proteases, promoting periosteal thickening to inhibit cancer invasion. Genetic deletion of Timp1 impairs periosteal expansion, exacerbating bone invasion and decreasing survival in tumour-bearing mice. Together, these data show that the periosteal reaction may act as a functional stromal barrier against tumour progression, representing a unique example of tissue immunity mediated by stromal cells.

Pattern of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology of Head and Neck Swelling in Patients Attending a Tertiary Health Care Center: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

Fine needle aspiration cytology is a simple, rapid, cost-effective method in diagnosis of head and neck swelling with minimal risk of complications. Head and neck swellings include a broad spectrum of diseases with different management for each. Fine needle aspiration cytology is a suitable and useful method for assessment of these swelling. This study was done with the objective to study the frequency and distribution of various head and neck lesions detected by fine needle aspiration cytology. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Pathology in a tertiary care center from February 1 to July 31, 2023 after obtaining ethical approval from Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: IRC-PA-191/2078-79). All the patients presenting with head and neck swelling during the study period were included in this study. Total sampling was done. Fine needle aspiration was done and cytological diagnosis was made. Descriptive analysis was done where frequency and percentage were calculated. Out of 112 cases included in the study, 43 (38.40%) were of lymph nodes, 36 (32.14%) of thyroid, 22 (19.64%) of skin and soft tissue and 11 (9.82%) of salivary glands. Among the lymph nodes cases, there were 11 (25.57%) metastases. In thyroid lesions, beingn lesions were seen in 24 (66.68%). This study found that lymph nodes were the most common site for head and neck swellings, frequently involving metastatic lesions.

Occupational Exposure to Aerosolized Human Papillomavirus: Assessing and Addressing Perceptions of and Barriers to Vaccination of at-Risk Health Care Workers.

This study aimed to assess current vaccination rates among health care workers at risk for occupational human papillomavirus (HPV) exposure and explore factors that influence decisions about HPV vaccination. Using a mixed-methods design, this study included a questionnaire and qualitative focus groups. The study took place at an academic medical center. Participants were 37 health care professionals in occupations at risk for workplace HPV exposure. The primary qualitative outcome measured was HPV vaccination status. The primary qualitative outcomes assessed were perceptions of occupational HPV exposure risk, protective measures, and HPV vaccination. Most participants were female (86.5%, n = 32) and younger than 35 years (51.4%; n = 19) and therefore would have been eligible to receive the HPV vaccine series as a teenager or young adult. Nearly two-thirds (67.6%; n = 25) of participants had received the HPV vaccine; of those, half were vaccinated as teenagers (52%; n = 13). One-third (n = 4) of those vaccinated as adults reported vaccination due to workplace HPV exposure. Focus groups revealed themes consistent with the Health Belief Model. Most participants recognized their risk of aerosolized HPV exposure in the workplace but felt uneducated about occupational exposure risk and protective measures. Many participants recognized risk of exposure through surgical smoke but perceived that risk was stratified by medical specialty, proximity to surgical field, and personal protective equipment use. Many participants had some level of concern for head and neck lesions with exposure to aerosolized HPV. Most participants recognized the need to protect themselves against workplace HPV exposure. Those who were vaccinated felt that they were better protected against HPV exposure. Almost all participants said that they had not received formal education on workplace HPV exposure risk. Many participants voiced perceived barriers to HPV vaccination. Health care workers encounter the HPV virus in a myriad of fields and procedures. Our mixed-methods study demonstrated that at-risk health care workers feel uninformed about their risk of HPV exposure in the workplace, availability of HPV vaccination, and appropriate protective equipment recommendations.

Clinicopathological Spectrum of Head and Neck Lesions By FNAC at a Tertiary Care Centre in Barpeta, Assam – A Retrospective Study

Background: Various neoplastic and non-neoplastic lesions arising from lymph nodes, salivary glands, thyroid gland, soft tissue and metastatic deposits comprises the wide spectrum of lesions in the head &amp; neck region. The Foundation of Head and Neck Cancer (FHNC) helps in differentiating non-neoplastic lesions from neoplastic and further from benign and malignant lesions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role and diagnostic accuracy of FNAC in diagnosis of palpable head and neck lesions. Materials and methods: A total of 360 cases were included in the study. Out of the 360 cases, 122 (33.89%) cases were sent for histopathological examination and the results were correlated histologically. Aspirations were done by using 10 ml syringe and 22/23-gauge needles. Smears were stained with May Grunwald Giemsa (MGG). Cytomorphological diagnosis was given. Results: Out of 360 patients of head and neck lesions studied, lymph node (40.56%) was the predominant site aspirated with reactive lymphoid hyperplasia being the commonest lesion. Soft tissue constitutes 31.11% cases followed by thyroid lesions with 19.72% cases, salivary gland 7.22% cases, and oral cavity 1.39% cases. FNAC was inconclusive in 4.17% cases. Conclusion: Head and neck lesions are common lesions located superficially that can be easily diagnosed on cytology. Although excisional biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosing head and neck malignant lesions, FNAC plays a vital role as a quick and inexpensive diagnostic procedure with high diagnostic accuracy. It distinguishes between inflammatory/infection and neoplastic lesions, avoiding needless procedures and expediting therapy. FNAC is a low-cost, accurate diagnostic method that may be used as a first-line examination.

Collision Lesions in Head and Neck Area: A Retrospective Study of 97 Reported Cases

Background: Collision (hybrid) lesions consist of two or more distinct histologic types occurring separately but within the same area. This review focuses on discussing all related and available case reports of hybrid lesions in the head and neck area. Methods: The literature was searched using several databases, including Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar. Papers published from 1990 to 2022 with full text available were considered for inclusion in the study. For a more comprehensive understanding, all lesions were categorized into cutaneous, jaw, and salivary gland groups and lesions in miscellaneous tissues. Results: In general, 97 reported collision lesions developed in the head and neck region. Among them, 31 (32%) and 34 (35%) cases were cutaneous hybrid lesions and in the jaws, respectively. In addition, 27 (27.8%) and 5 (5.1%) cases were in salivary glands and miscellaneous tissues, respectively. Conclusion: While the presence of true hybrid tumors is well-established, some reported cases have prompted researchers to categorize them as biphasic differentiations. The rarity of these cases contributes to limited knowledge regarding their clinical behavior, prognosis, and optimal treatment. It is crucial to emphasize the characteristic and potentially perplexing histological appearances.

Outcomes of Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation for Femoral Head Cartilage Lesions: Minimum 2-Year Follow-Up

BackgroundThe surgical management of large osteochondral lesions of the femoral head in young, active patients remains controversial. Fresh osteochondral allograft (OCA) transplantation can be a highly effective treatment for these lesions in some patients. This study investigated survivorship as well as clinical and radiographic outcomes after fresh OCA transplantation at a minimum 2-year follow-up (mean, 6.6 years; range, 0.6 to 13.7 years). MethodsA retrospective review of 29 patients who underwent plug OCA transplantation for focal femoral head osteochondral lesions between 2008 and 2021 was performed. Patients were assessed clinically using the modified Harris Hip score (mHHS) preoperatively and at each follow-up visit. Postoperative radiographs were evaluated for graft integrity and osteoarthritis severity. Kaplan-Meier survivorship analyses with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were performed for the endpoint of conversion to total hip arthroplasty (THA). ResultsOverall graft survivorship for included patients was 78.4% (95% CI: 62.9 to 93.9) and 62.7% (95% CI: 39.6 to 85.8) at 5 and 10 years, respectively. There were ten patients (34.5%) who underwent conversion to THA. There was a significant difference using the log-rank test between survival for patients who had a preoperative diagnosis of osteonecrosis (ON) versus those who had other diagnoses (P = .002). The ten-year survival for those who had ON was 41.8% (95% CI: 4.8 to 78.8), and the ten-year survival for diagnoses other than ON was 85.7% (95% CI: 59.8 to 100). The mean mHHS score improved significantly (P < .001) from 48.9 (19 to 84) preoperatively to 77.4 (35 to 100) at the final follow-up. There were twenty patients (69.0%) who had mHHS ≥ 70 at the latest follow-up. Arthritic progression, indicated by an increase in the Kellgren and Lawrence grade, occurred in 7 hips (26.9%). ConclusionsAn OCA transplantation is a viable treatment option for osteochondral defects of the femoral head in young, active patients who have minimal preexisting joint deformity. It may delay the progression of arthritis and the need for THA. Patients who had a preoperative diagnosis of ON had worse clinical outcomes than those who had other diagnoses.

Correlation of Narrow Band Imaging Patterns with Histopathology Reports in Head and Neck Lesions.

Head and neck malignancies are associated with poor prognosis and poor quality-of-life if detected late. Narrow-Band-Imaging(NBI) is one of the important tools, which helps in detecting these lesions earlier. By using narrow-wavelength(400-550nm) it enhances the mucosal and submucosal vascularity against the pale mucosal background which helps us detecting benign, pre-malignant and malignant lesions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of NBI in the diagnosis of various mucosal lesions of head and neck region and its correlation with the histopathology reports. This was a prospective diagnostic study conducted between June 2020 - June 2022 where 118 patients(oral cavity-28, laryngeal-87,and hypopharyngeal-3) who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria were recruited. All-118-patients underwent NBI endoscopy under local/general anaesthesia followed by biopsies from the most suspicious-areas. Type of vascular-pattern noted from NBI and their respective histopathological reports were correlated. The mean age was 53.28 ± 1.24 years ranging from 16 to 88 years. The sensitivity, specificity, Positive-Predictive-Value(PPV) and Negative-Predictive-Value(NPV) in detecting benign lesions were 100%, 90%, 74% and 100% respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV in detecting premalignant lesions were 70%, 92%, 56% and 96% respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV in detecting malignant lesions were 83%,97.5%, 98.5% and 97.5% respectively. NBI has a strong association with the histopathological reports, which is statistically significant(p-value < 0.001). NBI has high specificity and negative predictive value in detecting and classifying various mucosal lesions of head-neck region. Its findings had a strong correlation with histopathological reports.

Panoramic heat map for spatial distribution of necrotic lesions.

In this study, we aimed to visualize the spatial distribution characteristics of femoral head necrosis using a novel measurement method. We retrospectively collected CT imaging data of 108 hips with non-traumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head from 76 consecutive patients (mean age 34.3 years (SD 8.1), 56.58% male (n = 43)) in two clinical centres. The femoral head was divided into 288 standard units (based on the orientation of units within the femoral head, designated as N[Superior], S[Inferior], E[Anterior], and W[Posterior]) using a new measurement system called the longitude and latitude division system (LLDS). A computer-aided design (CAD) measurement tool was also developed to visualize the measurement of the spatial location of necrotic lesions in CT images. Two orthopaedic surgeons independently performed measurements, and the results were used to draw 2D and 3D heat maps of spatial distribution of necrotic lesions in the femoral head, and for statistical analysis. The results showed that the LLDS has high inter-rater reliability. As illustrated by the heat map, the distribution of Japanese Investigation Committee (JIC) classification type C necrotic lesions exhibited clustering characteristics, with the lesions being concentrated in the northern and eastern regions, forming a hot zone (90% probability) centred on the N4-N6E2, N3-N6E units of outer ring blocks. Statistical results showed that the distribution difference between type C2 and type C1 was most significant in the E1 and E2 units and, combined with the heat map, indicated that the spatial distribution differences at N3-N6E1 and N1-N3E2 units are crucial in understanding type C1 and C2 necrotic lesions. The LLDS can be used to accurately measure the spatial location of necrotic lesions and display their distribution characteristics.

Laparoscopic spleen-preserving total pancreatectomy for the treatment of low-grade malignant pancreatic tumors: Two case reports and review of literature

BACKGROUND Function-preserving pancreatectomy can improve the long-term quality of life of patients with benign or low-grade malignant tumors, such as intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) and mucinous cystic neoplasms. However, there is limited literature on laparoscopic spleen-preserving total pancreatectomy (L-SpTP) due to technical difficulties. CASE SUMMARY Patient 1 was a 51-year-old male diagnosed with IPMN based on preoperative imaging, showing solid nodules in the pancreatic head and diffuse dilation of the main pancreatic duct with atrophy of the distal pancreas. We performed L-SpTP with preservation of the splenic vessels, and the postoperative pathology report revealed IPMN with invasive carcinoma. Patient 2 was a 60-year-old male with multiple cystic lesions in the pancreatic head and body. L-SpTP was performed, and intraoperatively, the splenic vein was injured and required ligation. Postoperative pathology revealed a mucinous cystic tumor of the pancreas with low-grade dysplasia. Both patients were discharged on postoperative day 7, and there were no major complications during the perioperative period. CONCLUSION We believe that L-SpTP is a safe and feasible treatment for low-grade malignant pancreatic tumors, but more case studies are needed to evaluate its safety, efficacy, and long-term outcomes.

Imaging Modalities for Identifying Causes of Vocal Fold Paralysis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BackgroundVocal fold paralysis (VFP), involving one or both vocal folds, often indicates underlying pathologies. Identifying VFP causes is vital for excluding malignancies and focusing on treating the cause. While various imaging methods are used to investigate VFP causes, their detection abilities remain unclear. This study aims to assess the detection prevalence of different imaging techniques in determining the causes of VFP. MethodsIn September 2023 a comprehensive search was conducted per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines across multiple databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane CENTRAL, and EMBASE. Following the search, the retrieved studies were screened based on the predefined eligibility criteria. Data extraction from the included studies was carried out independently by two authors. Outcomes were analyzed using pooled proportions and 95% confidence intervals. ResultsOur meta-analysis encompassed 14 studies with 1492 VFP patients included. Malignant causes for VFP identification were most prevalent in F-fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography (PET)/ Computed Tomography (CT) (41.5%) followed by Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (40%), with CT being the lowest (17.1%). Conversely, benign causes had the highest prevalence in F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT (10.8%), followed by MRI (6.7%) and CT (4%). In the VFP cause identification, MRI had the highest detection prevalence (58.1%), followed by CT (30.1%), and Ultra Sound (US) had the lowest (26.8%). In chest lesion detection, CT had the highest prevalence (17.6%), followed by Chest X-ray (CXR) (6.5%). Head lesions were detected with CT at a prevalence of 15%, while neck lesion detection showed CT prevalence at 38.9% and US at 20.6%. ConclusionOur study revealed varying prevalence rates for the identification of malignant and benign causes across different imaging modalities. MRI demonstrated the highest overall detection prevalence for VFP causes, while CT was most commonly used and had the highest prevalence for specific lesions detection in various regions. These findings provide valuable insights into the diagnostic utility of different imaging techniques in the evaluation of VFP.

Effects of different tooth grinding procedures on the occurrence of tooth injuries, skin lesions, performance and behaviour of suckling piglets

BackgroundImmediately after birth, newborn piglets fight to establish a teat order. During this process, lesions appear on the piglets’ faces and on the sows’ teats, which is why tooth resection is carried out on many farms in Germany even though it is known that this procedure is frequently resulting in pulp openings. The opening of a pulp cave is suspected to cause painful tooth alterations and may be an entrance for infectious agents. The purpose of this study was to analyse the effect of tooth resection on skin lesions, development of bodyweight and behaviour in suckling piglets. Four days prepartum, 110 sows in farrow-to-finish production were assigned to one of three treatments. Litters had their teeth left intact (control group, CG), ground with a tea-cup roller head (Tea-cup head grinder group, TCG, Wilofa Diamant, D-56,133 Fachbach, Germany) or ground with a diamond rolling head (rolling head grinder group, RG, IBS/E Company Proxxon GmbH, 54,343 Föhren, Germany). The number of pulp openings in the RG and TCG was examined using a random sample. Piglet body weight and skin lesion scores were recorded within the first 24 h after birth and during each week of the suckling period. Each sow’s udder was examined before farrowing, in the second week of lactation and at weaning. The behaviour of the litters from nine sows was video-recorded throughout the suckling period. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of tooth grinding by a tea-cup head (compared to grinding by a diamond roller head and no grinding [control group]) on the behaviour and average daily gain of piglets as well as on skin lesions on sow udder.ResultsThe number of dental injuries was significantly greater in the RG than in the TCG (p < 0.01). Head lesions on piglets were significantly more common in the CG than in the RG (p = 0. 02). Compared to CG piglets, TCG piglets had a significantly greater weight at the end of the suckling period (p = 0.02). No significant difference between treatments was found in the sows’ udder (parenchyma, skin, or teat) or in the behaviour of the litters.ConclusionAs tooth grinding is frequently inducing pulp openings, the necessity of the procedure should be carefully and critically scrutinised. In case tooth resection seems inevitable until the underlying management problems have been solved, the Tea-cup grinding head should be used due to significantly fewer pulp openings.

Diagnosis and differential diagnosis of large B-cell lymphoma with IRF4 rearrangement

Objective: To analyze the clinicopathological features and differential diagnosis of large B-cell lymphoma with IRF4 rearrangement, aiming enhance its recognition and prevent misdiagnosis. Methods: The clinicopathological features, immunophenotype, and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) results of six cases diagnosed with IRF4 rearrangement-positive B-cell lymphoma at the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from 2015 to 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Additionally, a comprehensive review of the literature was conducted. Results: Six patients with IRF4 rearrangement-positive large B-cell lymphoma were included. Patients 1 to 5 included three males and two females with a median age of 19 years ranging from 11 to 34 years. Four patients presented with head and neck lesions, while the other one had a breast nodule; all were in clinical Ann Arbor stages I to Ⅱ. Morphologically, entirely diffuse pattern was present in two cases, purely follicular pattern in one case, and diffuse and follicular patterns in other two cases. The tumor cells, predominantly centroblasts mixed with some irregular centrocytes, were of medium to large size, with a starry sky appearance observed in two cases. Immunophenotyping revealed all cases were positive for bcl-6 and MUM1, with a Ki-67 index ranging from 70% to 90%, and CD10 was positive in two cases. IRF4 rearrangement was confirmed in all cases by FISH analysis, with dual IRF4/bcl-6 rearrangements identified in two cases, leading to a diagnosis of LBCL-IRF4. Case 6, a 39-year-old female with a tonsillar mass and classified as clinical Ann Arbor stage Ⅳ, displayed predominantly diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) morphology with 20% high-grade follicular lymphoma characteristics. Immunohistochemistry showed negative CD10 and positive bcl-6/MUM1, with a Ki-67 index of approximately 80%. Triple rearrangements of IRF4/bcl-2/bcl-6 were identified by FISH, leading to a diagnosis of DLBCL with 20% follicular lymphoma (FL). All six patients achieved complete remission after treatment, with no progression or relapse during a follow-up period of 31-100 months. Conclusions: Large B-cell lymphoma with IRF4 rearrangement is a rare entity with pathological features that overlap with those of FL and DLBCL. While IRF4 rearrangement is necessary for diagnosing LBCL-IRF4, it is not specific and requires differentiation from other aggressive B-cell lymphomas with IRF4 rearrangement.

Combination of total glucosides of paeony, narrow-band ultraviolet B, and oral corticosteroid mini-pulse therapy for nonsegmental vitiligo: A retrospective study.

The total glucoside of paeony (TGP) is recognized for its immunomodulatory properties and anti-inflammatory effects. This study evaluates the efficacy of TGP combined with oral mini-pulse therapy (OMP) and narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) in treating active nonsegmental vitiligo (NSV). The combination therapy was contrasted against those from a group treated solely with OMP and NB-UVB. Data from 62 patients undergoing TGP combination treatment and 55 without were analyzed over a 3-month period. After 6 months, the differences in recurrence rate were investigated by follow-up. The findings indicate that integrating TGP may yield superior outcomes compared to OMP + NB-UVB alone. Moreover, the patient's oxidative stress makers were significantly reduced after the treatment. The majority of patients in the TGP cohort exhibited enhanced skin pigmentation over the duration. Notably, no increase in side effects or recurrence was observed in this group. Especially, patients with vitiligo on their head and neck experienced pronounced improvements. The efficacy of the combination treatment group was better than that of the control group at 2 and 3 months, and there was no difference in recurrence rate and side effects, suggesting that TGP may continue to show efficacy in NSV for a longer period of time by reducing the level of oxidative stress, and is especially suitable for patients with head and neck lesions.