Added value of intravenous contrast-enhanced ultrasound for characterization of cystic pancreatic masses: a prospective study on 37 patients

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the added value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the pancreatic cystic mass (PCM) diagnosis by using a qualitative and quantitative analysis in order to make a relevant characterization. Patients and method: Between December 2008 and November 2011, 37 patients with PCM discovered at ultrasound examination were prospectively followed. A qualitative and quantitative CEUS analysis was performed in order to differentiate etiologies of the PCM. In the quantitative analysis several parameters were followed: Peak Intensity (PI), Time to Peak (TTP), maximum ascending gradient (GRAD), Time to maximum gradient (TTG) and Area Under the Curve (AUC). Normalized ratios were also calculated. In all patients a definite cytological or histological diagnosis was obtained. Results: Thirty-seven patients were studied: 12 with pancreatitis-associated pseudocyst and 25 with cystic tumors (10 serous cystic adenoma, 5 mucinous cystic adenoma, 6 cystadenocarcinomas, 2 solid pseudopapillary tumors and 2 intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms). There was a significant difference of the nAUC and nTTP between pseudocyst and cystic tumors, p=0.03 and p=0.01, respectively. A normalized TTP value above 7 sec was suggestive for the diagnosis of pseudocysts with 79.16 % accuracy. There was a significant difference of nTTP and nTTG between the benign and malignant lesions. nTTP < 9 sec and nTTG < 8.5 sec rules out malignant cysts in almost 90% of cases. Conclusion: The CEUS is useful in the diagnosis of PCM. The quantitative analysis of the enhancement of the cystic wall may discriminate the different types of the PCM

Silicone Oil Utilized in Pars Plana Vitrectomy for Patients with Advanced Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy: Physico-Chemical and Optical Properties

Rami Al-Dwairi,1 Ahmad A Ahmad,2 Abdelwahab Aleshawi,1 Areen A Bani-Salameh,2 Ihsan A Aljarrah,2 Qais M Al-Bataineh,2,3 Seren Al Beiruti,1 Ali Omar Alshami,1 Edina Rusen,4 Gabriela Toader5 1Department of Special Surgery, Division of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science & Technology, Irbid, 22110, Jordan; 2Department of Physics, Thin Films and Nanotechnology Laboratory, Faculty of Science and Art, Jordan University of Science & Technology, Irbid, 22110, Jordan; 3Leibniz Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften‐ISAS‐e.V., Dortmund, 44139, Germany; 4Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnologies, University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest, Bucharest, 011061, Romania; 5Military Technical Academy “Ferdinand I”, Bucharest, 050141, RomaniaCorrespondence: Rami Al-Dwairi, Department of Special Surgery, Division of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science & Technology, P. O. Box: 3030, Irbid, 22110, Jordan, Tel +962799273019, Fax +962 2 7201064, Email [email protected]: Silicone oils have the role in maintaining the attachment of the retina in conditions where the risk of retinal re-detachment is high. However, silicone oils have the tendency to emulsify with subsequent complications. In this work, analyses have been performed to understand changes that occurred to the optical, and physical characteristics of the oil after removal from the vitreous cavity of patients underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for fibrovascular membranes/tractional retinal detachment (FVM/TRD).Methods: Four samples of silicone oil were allocated from patients who underwent PPV for FVM/TRD. The Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, micro-viscometry, and ultraviolet-visible spectrometer analyses were utilized to determine the changes in its chemical bondings, viscosity, absorbance, transmittance, buoyance, and specific gravity.Results: The mean age of the patients was 49.0 years. The mean duration of silicone oil implantation was 18.9 months. FTIR analysis showed significant breaking in the chemical bonding that was related to the lens status during the primary PPV, the presence of significant retinal hemorrhages, the duration of silicone oil implantation, and the degree of silicone oil filling. Similarly, viscosity and contact angle analyses revealed a reduction in the viscosity with similar factors to the FTIR analysis. Moreover, absorbance and transmittance were largely affected by the aggressiveness of FVM/TRD.Conclusion: This study revealed that certain factors such as the age of the patient, duration of silicone oil implantation, lens status, and the presence of retinal hemorrhages, the degree of silicone oil filling and aggressiveness of FVM/TRD may contribute to the emulsification process.Keywords: silicone oil, tractional retinal detachment, emulsification, viscosit

A Cross-Sectional Study on the Impact of Dental Fear and Anxiety on the Quality of Life of Romanian Dental Students

Background and Objectives: Dental anxiety influences quality of life, causing emotional and physical discomfort. The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of dental anxiety among young adults and how it influences the dimensions of quality of life, especially in terms of physical and psychological health. Material and Methods: This study was conducted between March and July 2024, within the Community Dentistry Discipline at the “Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Iași, on a group of 180 students to assess dental anxiety and its impact on their quality of life. Participants completed questionnaires using scales such as the IDAF, DAS-R CORAH, and WHOQOL-BREF. Results: Most participants presented a moderate level of dental anxiety, with 59.4% without anxiety and 6.1% with severe anxiety. Significant correlations were established between dental anxiety and physical and psychological dimensions of quality of life. In contrast, there were no significant correlations between dental anxiety and social relationships or the environment. Anxiety and fear were negatively correlated with perceived physical well-being, but positive correlations were also identified between sensitivity to dental stimuli and more favorable perceptions of physical and psychological health. Discussion: Dental anxiety has a significant impact on patients’ physical and psychological health, especially on their perception of their well-being. This study confirms previous research showing that dental anxiety is related to certain dental procedures. Conclusions: Dental anxiety has a significant impact on psychological and physical perception but does not significantly affect social interactions