Medicine
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Observational Study
Preoperative evaluation value of aortic arch lesions by multidetector computed tomography angiography in type A aortic dissection.
The purpose of this study was to preoperatively evaluate the value of aortic arch lesions by multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) angiography in type A aortic dissection (AD). From January 2013 to December 2015, we enrolled 42 patients with type A AD who underwent MDCT angiography in our hospital. The institutional database of patients was retrospectively reviewed to identify MDCT angiography examinations for type A AD. ⋯ Regarding the distance between the left common carotid and left subclavian arteries, compared with the control group, most cases with type A AD had a significant variation. MDCT angiography plays an important role in detecting aortic arch lesions of type A AD, especially in determining the location of the intimal entry site and change of branch blood vessels. Surgeons can formulate an appropriate operating plan, according to the preoperative MDCT diagnosis information.
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Case Reports
Cranial and lumbosacral hypertrophic pachymeningitis associated with systemic lupus erythematosus: A case report.
Hypertrophic pachymeningitis (HP) is a chronic disease characterized by inflammatory hypertrophy and fibrosis of dura mater. It can be divided into cranial and spinal forms depending on the location of the lesion. HP involving 2 separate sites simultaneously is quite uncommon. ⋯ HP is etiologically heterogeneous. Despite its rarity, SLE should be considered in the differential diagnosis of HP. Early recognition and therapy may provide an optimal outcome.
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Hypertension is a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, but it remains the main cause of death in Luxembourg. We aimed to estimate the current prevalence of hypertension, associated risk factors, and its geographic variation in Luxembourg. Cross-sectional, population-based data on 1497 randomly selected Luxembourg residents aged 25 to 64 years were collected as part of the European Health Examination Survey from 2013 to 2015. ⋯ The highest odds ratio was observed in the most industrialized region (South-West) (1.2 [0.9, 1.6]) with a positive effect at 90% credible region. In Luxembourg, the vast majority of people with hypertension are either unaware of their condition or not adequately controlled, which constitutes a major, neglected public health challenge. There are geographic variations in hypertension prevalence in Luxembourg, hence the role of individual and regional risk factors along with public health initiatives to reduce disease burden should be considered.
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Observational Study
Different mean thickness implicates involvement of the cortex in migraine.
The results of neuroimaging studies on migraines have shown that the functions and functional connectivity networks of some brain regions are altered in migraine patients, and different brain structure volumes have also been observed in recent years. However, it is still not known whether the mean thickness of the cortex is different in migraine patients. A total of 48 migraine without aura (MWoA) patients in interictal phase and 48 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. ⋯ The results showed that MWoA results from a complex interactive reaction involving many brain regions and many brain network systems together. However, it is still not clear whether the difference in the brain structure of migraine patients is the result or the cause of headache, which is a topic that must be better elucidated. Therefore, longitudinal neuroimaging studies on migraine patients with large samples sizes should be performed using more advanced neuroimaging techniques.
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Undiagnosed connective tissue diseases: High prevalence in pulmonary arterial hypertension patients.
Among different subgroups of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), those associated with connective tissue diseases (CTDs) have distinct hemodynamic and prognostic features; a correct etiologic diagnosis is thus mandatory. To estimate frequency and prognosis of previously undiagnosed CTDs in a suspect idiopathic (i) PAH cohort. Consecutive patients with PAH confirmed by right heart catheterization referred at the Cardiology Division of our Hospital without a previous rheumatological assessment or the occurrence of other conditions explaining PAH were checked for CTD by a clinical, laboratory, and instrumental evaluation. ⋯ We show a high prevalence of undiagnosed CTDs in patients with iPAH without a previous rheumatological assessment. All patients with RP were diagnosed with SSc. Our data stress the importance of a rheumatological assessment in PAH, especially because of the unfavorable prognostic impact of an associated SSc.