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Background: The recognition of the relationship between thromboembolism in COVID-19 and poor clinical outcomes led to the use of anticoagulants in patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Aim(s): To determine the effects of anticoagulants in COVID-19 patients and to compare the effect of oral, subcutaneous, and combined anticoagulants on patient outcomes. Study design: Retrospective cohort study Place and duration: A private tertiary care hospital, in Lahore, from 1st April 2020 to 30 Sep 2020 Methodology: Data were collected from electronic and paper records of admitted patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 on PCR or with a radiological diagnosis of COVID-19. A total of 179 patients were included in the study, 172 were given anticoagulation, out of these, 74 were given oral anticoagulation, 73 were given subcutaneous and 24 were given combination of oral and subcutaneous anticoagulants. Result(s): Among 172 patients on anticoagulants, 41(23.8%) expired while 131(76.2%) recovered. Among 7(100%) patients on no anticoagulation, 1(14.3%) patient expired while 6(85.7%) recovered. 19(11%) patients on anticoagulation progressed towards the need for invasive ventilation while 152(89%) patients did not need invasive ventilation. Among patients on subcutaneous anticoagulants, 27(37%) expired while 46(63%) recovered. 8(33.3%) patients on combined anticoagulants expired while 16(66.7%) recovered. 6(8.1%) patients on oral anticoagulants expired while 68(91.9%) recovered. Conclusion(s): Anticoagulation improves the outcome of COVID-19 patients and oral anticoagulation is better than subcutaneous and combined anticoagulation.Copyright © 2023 Lahore Medical And Dental College. All rights reserved.
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Introduction: Lung cancer is third most common cancer and highest cause of cancer death in the UK. COPD and smoking are known cancer risk factors so early intervention is essential. Incidence is higher in areas of deprivation where early presentation is less likely and outcomes poorer. Middlesbrough has some of the highest areas of deprivation. Aim(s): To evaluate diagnostic value of CT screening pilot in detecting lung cancer and follow-up outcomes for patients with incidental finding of pulmonary nodules. Method(s): Between March 2019 - December 2022 17 GP practices in Middlesbrough were invited to offer non-contrast CT thorax to asymptomatic COPD patients eligible for review, aged 50-75 with 20 pack year history and QCancer risk >5%. Pulmonary nodules followed up as per BTS guidelines. This pilot was conducted in partnership and with support from the Northern Cancer Alliance. Result(s): 407 patients referred for CT, 312 met the criteria and enrolled. 5 (1.6% conversion rate) lung cancers, also 1 renal cancer diagnosed. 51 (17%) had features of pulmonary nodules or groundglass opacities and selected for follow up. 2 died from COVID infection before follow-up CT. 32 (62.8%) discharged after followup CT revealed stable appearances or resolution, follow-up CT still outstanding for 2. 4 (7.8%) selected for further follow-up of sub-solid, new or increasing nodules. 2 (3.9%) received radiological diagnosis of lung cancer and referred for radiotherapy, 1 underwent surgical resection revealing lung tumourlets and 1 referred for surgical resection of enlarging nodule. Conclusion(s): Pulmonary nodules consisted significant part of the CT screening pilot findings in COPD patients with significant further conversion rate to lung cancer diagnosis after follow-up. Therefore, CT screening of high-risk population in deprived areas has a role in detecting lung cancer and identifying pulmonary nodules, with a proportion of those later diagnosed as early lung cancer. Disclosure: No significant relationships.Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V.
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Background. After the first wave of the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection, the researchers focused on identifying potential short-and long-term complications of COVID-19, especially in high-risk patients, after prolonged hospitalization and intensive care. Objective. To study the outcomes, adverse effects of severe COVID-19 and their predictors 90 days after hospital discharge in elderly patients with asthma. Material and methods. The study included elderly patients (101 subjects, 42 males and 59 females;median age 74 (67;79) years) with asthma, discharged from the hospital after treatment of severe COVID-19. They were followed up for 90 days after discharge. In the hospital, COVID-19 was confirmed by laboratory tests (polymerase chain reaction method) and/or clinically and radiologically. All patients had a documented history of asthma according to GINA 2020 criteria. Results and discussion. During the 90-day post-hospital follow-up, 86 (85%) patients survived, and 15 (15%) died after discharge. Deaths were reported within 1 to 4 weeks after discharge: 6 subjects died during re-hospitalization, 6 at home, and 3 in a rehabilitation center. The multivariate regression analysis model, adjusted for all statistically significant indicators, and the ROC analysis showed the most significant predictors of 90-day post-hospital mortality and their threshold values. They include the Charlson comorbidity index >=4 points, lung damage according to computed tomography >=30%, the absolute number of eosinophils <=100 cells/muL, and concomitant diabetes mellitus. The analysis showed that 90-day post-hospital mortality depends on combinations of identified risk factors;a combination of two, three, and especially four risk factors statistically significantly is associated with patients' lower average survival time. Conclusion. The key risk factors for 90-day post-hospital mortality in elderly patients with asthma after severe COVID-19 include the Charlson comorbidity index, lung damage >=30% according to computed tomography, the absolute number of eosinophils <=100 cells/muL, and concomitant diabetes mellitus. The 90-day post-hospital survival rate is correlated with the number of risk factors identified in patients. The effect of asthma severity on 90-day post-hospital mortality in elderly patients was not observed.Copyright © 2023, Media Sphera Publishing Group. All rights reserved.
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Covid-19 is a viral disease that affects humans caused by a type of virus belonging to the family Coronaviridae called the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The parasitic infection associated with this disease affects the host's immune response regulation. The levels of IgG and IgM of Toxoplasma gondii in the serum of patients with COVID-19 were measured by immunoassay of the patient's sera by ELISA. Also, the level of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in a covid-19 patient with or without Toxoplasmosis was evaluated. 120 samples were collected, 60 were positive for COVID-19, confirmed by clinically and radiographic examination, and 30 were in the control group. The results showed a significant difference between the infection with Covid-19 and T. gondii during the chronic phase of Toxoplasmosis compared to the negative relationship in the acute phase. The results of INF-gamma levels among Covid-19 patients were positive for all samples included in the test (30 Covid-19 patients and 30 patients COVID-19(+)/T. gondii IgG) compared to the control group. The chronic form of Toxoplasma disease, due to change in the production of this interferon, the COVID-19 infection has changed.Copyright © 2023 by Razi Vaccine & Serum Research Institute.
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INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Patients with acute renal colic due to stones frequently visit the ED. With limited ED resources due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we developed a best practice management pathway within our electronic medical records (EMR) to provide consistent, expeditious and appropriate care for patients with nephrolithiasis. The objective of this study is to describe the development and 1 year outcomes of our EMR Care Pathway for nephrolithiasis. METHOD(S): Our hospital system is composed of many centers. To standardize best practice care, we convened a clinical consensus group, with key stakeholders in emergency medicine, urology, interventional and diagnostic radiology to develop a pathway for the initial work up and management of acute renal colic. AUA guidelines, current literature, and expert consensus across specialties were used to develop the pathway to guide work up and management. Risk assessment tools, and criteria for specific imaging modalities, lab work, and pain protocols were outlined. Criteria for routine discharge with follow-up, including pre-populated links for referrals, indications for urology consult, hospital admission and urgent decompression (stent versus nephrostomy tube) were provided. Data was gathered through the EMR analytics team and descriptive statistics were performed. RESULT(S): The Care Pathway was utilized 944 times from August 3, 2021-September 17, 2022 at 11 different hospitals or care centers (Table 1). Usage increased overtime (r2=0.77). The majority of usage was in the ED (892, 94.4%). A total of 194 providers utilized the Pathway with the majority being residents (64, 33.0%). The pathway included care of 505 unique patients, with 106 primary diagnosis key words triggering pathway use. 139 Urology referrals were placed through the pathway with 124 new 28 day prescriptions of tamsulosin. CONCLUSION(S): An EMR-integrated care pathway has been readily utilized in our system and may augment triage and best practice management of patients presenting with stone disease. Further studies are needed to understand the full impact on outcomes.
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Background: Introduction: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a global problem. The COVID-19 pandemic has infected millions of people and the number of patients who have been exposed to postcovid implications are increased. Postcovid changes are more investigated in adults, although information is scarce in pediatric patients. Method(s): The aim of the study was to evaluate the radiological changes of respiratory system in peaditric patients after acute mild and severe covid infections. Research subjects: 259 pediatric patients (age: 10 months -18 years) recovered from Covid-19 and had a negative PCR test were examined. All patients underwent X-ray examinations. Patients were divided into 3 subgroups. Patients (46%) recovered from severe or moderate covid pneumonia and had non-respiratory symptoms upon arrival at the clinic: weakness, mild fatigue, drowsiness. Patients (28%) recovered from covid infection and had respiratory symptoms: cough, shortness of breath during exercise, respiratory failure;Patients (26%) with a fever upon entry to the hospital. The statitical analysis was done using SPSS 12.0 software. Result(s): Patients, whose had (69.9% ) the severe Covid pneumonia and postcovid respiratory symptoms (cough 78.4%), which was the cause of abnormal changes in the cardiovascular system were onserved in 48.6% of patients. Unlike other types of viral infections, the changes continue in the postcovid period. Severe course of the disease does not always mean detection of postcovid syndrome and vice versa. However, in case of mild disease the possibility development of various degrees of polyorgan damage was 26.9%. Conclusion(s): The radiological changes are manifested during 4th week from recovery and may last for a longer period of time, however the radiological changes do not always indicator a severity of the disease.
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Computed tomography has become the main method of early diagnostics of COVID-19 during the pandemic of the novel coronavirus infection. Based on results of computed tomography of the chest it is possible to diagnose viral pneumonia associated with COVIS-19, to quickly assess the lung damage volume and severity of changes, to perform quick routing of patients and to start antiviral treatment. Hence, 2020 was associated with a rapid increase in the number of computed tomography examinations with corresponding changes in the structure of X-ray diagnostics. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the impact of the pandemic of the novel coronavirus infection on the structure of X-ray diagnostics and collective doses from medical exposure in the Russian Federation in 2019-2020. The study was based on the results of analysis of the federal state statistical surveillance forms 3-DOZ and 30 as well as on the data on Covid-19 morbidity in the regions of the Russian Federation. The results of the study indicate that there were no significant changes in the structure of X-ray diagnostics in 2020 compared to 2019 except for the increase in the number of computed tomography examinations. Their contribution to the total number of X-ray examinations has increased to 8,2% in 2020 compared to 4,6% in 2019. Contribution of other imaging modalities to the total number of X-ray examinations has not changed significantly. In 2020 the number of X-ray examinations decreased by 20% in average, varying from 6% for diagnostic nuclear medicine to 42% for interventional examinations. At the same time, the number of computed tomography examinations has rapidly increased by 60%. The structure of collective dose from medical exposure has significantly changed in 2020. Contribution of computed tomography to the collective dose in 2020 accounted for to 74% compared to 57% in 2019. Contribution of other imaging modalities has decreased by the factor of 1,5-2. Contribution of radiography examinations has decreased to 10,5% compared to 19% in 2019. Collective doses have correspondingly decreased by 20-30% for all imaging modalities except for computed tomography. Collective dose from computed tomography has increased by 71% compared to 2019. The number of all X-ray examinations in the Russian Federation has decreased by 12%: from 294 million in 2019 to 258 million in 2020. Collective dose from medical exposure has rapidly increased in 2020 by 30% to 115 thousand man.-Sv compared to 88 thousand man.-Sv in 2019. In average, in regions of the Russian Federation in 2020 each second computed tomography examination has been performed as a part of COVID-19 diagnostics with 2,3 computed tomography examinations per person infected with COVID.Copyright © 2022, Saint-Petersburg Research Institute of Radiation Hygiene after Professor P.V. Ramzaev. All rights reserved.
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Since the epidemic of novel coronavirus pneumonia broke out, diagnostic imaging was providing valuable radiological support for disease diagnosis and progress evaluation. Radiological staff, especially radiographers were staying at the front line of epidemic prevention and control. They were facing the patients directly with dual responsibility and pressure of infection control and radiation protection. A number of relevant professional experts established the consensus which clarified three parts of detailed implementing rules including infection control and protection of the radiological staff, disinfection of diagnostic radiology equipment and place, as well as radiological protection. The aim was to further standardize the clinical procedures of radiological staff, reduce the infection risk and the radiation risk of medical staff and patients.Copyright © 2020 by the Chinese Medical Association.
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Aim: The satisfaction of proffering radiological health care considerably contributes to the improvement and quality of health care in health care institutions, especially in the extraordinary situations, such as the viral Coronavirus disease infection where patients are being treated under special conditions. Very often, the problem regarding the understanding among the patients and the healthcare workers can occur. The primary purpose of the research is to determine the contentment of infected Covid-19 patients with the provided service of the radiological diagnostics department. Method(s): The study was conducted at the Public Health Institution Brcko District Health Center" (Dispensary for lung diseases) and TBC (ATD). The number of partic-ipants was 700. The questionnaire consisted of 19 questions. Laschinger's customised and standardized questionnaire called HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems), a questionnaire about the patient's contentment with the quality of health care, was used for the purpose of research analysis(1). The Pearson correlation coefficient and the ANOVA test were used for statistical data pro-cessing. Result(s): The given results have shown that the patients rated the quality of health care with a number 4 which indicates that they are somewhat satisfied with the provided quality. When asked about level of adequate care during their imaging, patients were less satisfied with nurses and technicians in comparison to the medical radiology en-gineers. Conclusion(s): The obtained results can contribute to a better understanding of patients as well as the improvement of health systems in the form of new health care reforms, as well as to make progress in educating health workers how to communicate with patients.Copyright © 2019 by Acta Medica Saliniana.
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The analysis of a clinical case with osteonecrosis of the maxillofacial region, which was a manifestation of a complication of a COVID-19 coronavirus infection, to show the diagnostic capabilities of computed tomography followed by multiplanar and 3D reconstructions. Materials and methods. Clinical observation of patient R. 53 years old is presented, with complaints of pain, painful swelling of the soft tissues of the right suborbital area, painfulness during chewing, which appeared in the early period after COVID-19. The patient was referred to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery where she underwent comprehensive radiological examination to determine the nature of the changes and comprehensive treatment. Results. The diagnosis of osteonecrosis with the progression to the soft tissue suppuration and upper jaw destruction was verified by CT scan and confirmed by surgical intervention. Detection and detailed diagnosis of these changes was facilitated by multispiral computed tomography and 3D reconstructions during the follow-up. Discussion. COVID-19 coronavirus infection can be complicated by necrosis of the skeletal bones, including the jaw, which can be diagnosed with radiology methods. Various radiological methods can be used to diagnose this pathology, but CT scan of the maxillofacial region is the most informative. Conclusion. CT of the skull bones and facial skeleton in patients with osteonecrosis of the maxillofacial region provides complete diagnostic information about the localization and distribution of the lesion, which determines the further tactics of patient management taking into account the detected changes. As a result, timely initiated adequate treatment helped to cope with the progressing protracted pathological process of the maxillofacial region, which was a manifestation of a complication of the recent COVID-19 coronavirus infection.Copyright © 2022 Russian Electronic Journal of Radiology. All rights reserved.
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Background: The clinical manifestations of COVID-19 infection are very heterogeneous. Rheumatic patients should be more susceptible to develop severe forms of COVID-19 pneumonia due to an unbalanced immune response and treatment immunodepressants (disease modifying anti rheumatic drugs-DMARDs). Aims and objectives: To investigate if the chronic use of biological DMARDs and small molecules may increase the susceptibility to COVID-19 and to developing severe disease. Method(s): We studied 43 consecutive patients on bDMARDs or small molecules from March 2020 to January 2022. Data collection included: rheumatic diagnosis, comorbidities, smoking history and COVID-19 clinical course according to MEWS (modifying early warning score) in 4 stages: 0=no symptoms at all;no hospitalization;1=not complicated disease with mild or non-specific symptoms;no hospitalization;2=mild pneumonia with clinical and/or radiological diagnosis, without any signs of severity;no hospitalization;3=severe pneumonia with respiratory failure with need of hospitalization;4=hospitalization in ICU or sub-ICU. Result(s): 30 patients (69.8%) got COVID infection: 26 were not hospitalized (MEWS 0=3.3%;1=70%;2=13.3%);of the four patients that required hospitalization, none was intubated. Hospitalized patients were obese and had hypertension, and 3 had a positive smoking history. Patients taking TNF-inhibitors compared to other treatment were not at major risk of COVID-19 infection (p=0.041). Conclusion(s): Rheumatic patients taking bDMARDs or small molecules appear more susceptible to contract SARSCoV-2 infection, but the development of severe forms appears to be rare.
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Purpose: To describe the trends over time from 2008 to 2021 for people who have received first-line interventions for hip and knee osteoarthritis in Sweden and adherence of the healthcare staff to the national guidelines. Method(s): Descriptive registry-based study including people with hip or knee OA who participated in first-line interventions including education and exercise. Data were extracted from the Swedish Osteoarthritis registry between January 1st, 2008, and December 31, 2021. The registry contains patient-reported outcomes and physiotherapist-reported outcomes. In this study the following physiotherapist-reported outcomes were described over time: radiological examination before first-line treatment, if the first-line treatment was given the first time the patient seek health care caused of OA, which explanation patients had been given about their disease, intake of painkillers before the start of first-line treatment and the percent who got supervised exercise >10 times according to the guidelines of OA in Sweden. The following patient-reported outcomes were described over time: mean BMI at the first visit, and mean age at the first visit. To be included in the study, participants had to meet the following criteria: i) clinical diagnosis of OA, with hip or knee OA as the most symptomatic joint, ii) provided 3-month follow-up Results: A total of 175 764 participants with hip or knee OA were included in the study. The trends from 2008-2021 showed that the proportion of people who had a radiological examination before entering the first-line treatment decreased from 97 % to 65 % in men and from 95% to 62 % in women. The proportion of people who get assess to first-line treatment the first time they seek for their symptoms increased from 4 % to 10 % both in men and women. People that get the correct information about OA increased from 15% to 40 %, and people that get the explanation that OA was a tear and wear disease decreased from 30 % to 5%. The mean BMI (28) is unchanged over time. The mean age increased from 64 years to 67 years between 2008-2020 but decreased during the covid-19 pandemic to 64 years. The percentage that was given supervised exercise more than 10 times was constant between 2012-2020 at 30 % but decreased during the covid-19 pandemic to 20%. Conclusion(s): The results implicit that the implementation of a supported osteoarthritis self-management program in Sweden has been successful and changed the care given to people with OA in Sweden. However, the national guidelines for OA, published in 2012, have still not been fully implemented. We need to keep implementing the guidelines so all patients with osteoarthritis get the first-line treatment at the right time.Copyright © 2023
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Background: Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) are common and associated with respiratory function decline, increased morbidity and mortality. It is unclear how COVID19 has impacted AECOPD phenotype and if it is associated with worse outcomes compared to other infections in COPD patients. Aim(s): To explore changes in AECOPD clinical characteristics and outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method(s): A prospective cohort study of all adults >=18y admitted to either acute care hospital in Bristol UK, Aug 20- Jul 21. Patients presenting with signs/symptoms or a clinical/radiological diagnosis of acute respiratory disease were included. Result(s): 2557 hospitalisations with AECOPD were recorded (incidence 361 per 100000);13% had SARS-CoV-2 identified, 69% had another pathogen and 18% had no infectious aetiology identified. Patient characteristics and clinical features were similar for patients with and without COVID19. ICU admissions were more common with SARS-CoV-2 than other infections (4% v 1%, P<0.001). SARS-CoV-2 associated AECOPD had greater inpatient (25% v 9%, P<0.001) and 30-day mortality (25% v 12%, P<0.001) than AECOPD associated with other infections. Among all AECOPD patients who had received >=1 dose of any COVID vaccination, ICU admission rates were lower than for unvaccinated persons (4% v 0%, P<0.01). Discussion(s): SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with worse outcomes among persons hospitalized with AECOPD. SARS-CoV-2 vaccination was effective in reducing disease severity and ICU admission. More data are needed about the effectiveness of COVID19 vaccines for modifying disease severity in COPD patients.
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Background: Acute Lower Respiratory Tract Disease (aLRTD) includes pneumonia, non-pneumonic lower respiratory tract infection (NP-LRTI), heart failure (HF) and chronic respiratory disease exacerbation (CRDE). COVID19 has affected aLRTD disease burden. Few studies estimate total aLRTD burden, and subgroup distribution may have changed. Aim(s): To describe the frequency of individual aLRTD components and determine the impact of COVID19 on aLRTD disease. Method(s): A prospective cohort study of all adults >=18y admitted to either acute care hospital in Bristol, UK, from Aug 20-Jul 21. Patients were included if presenting with signs/symptoms or a clinical/radiological diagnosis of aLRTD. Result(s): 9243 aLRTD hospitalisations occurred: 5161 pneumonia, 2636 NP-LRTI, 1990 HF, 4144 CRDE, and 198 undifferentiated aLRTD cases. Overlap was common (Fig1): 31% HF and 83% CRDE events occurred in association with pneumonia or NP-LRTI. Hospitalisation rates corresponded with COVID-19 incidence over time. 41% hospitalisations were associated with positive SARS-CoV-2 test. Non-COVID19 aLRTD hospitalisations showed less variation over time. Discussion(s): aLRTD is a complex matrix with significant overlap between CRDE, HF and pneumonia/NP-LRTI. COVID19 disease in hospitalised adults was a large component of total aLRTD during this pandemic year;however, non-COVID19 aLRTD caused considerable disease burden.
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Objective: To investigate the current status of the radiodiagnosis and radiotherapy resources and medical exposure frequencies in Huai'an City. Method(s): According to the monitoring data in the " Radiological Health Information Management Platform of Jiangsu Province" in 2020, a descriptive analysis was conducted on the personnel, equipment, and exposure frequencies in the institutes engaged in radiation-based diagnosis and treatment in Huai'an. Result(s): A total of 181 hospitals were investigated in 2020, including 7 tertiary hospitals(3.9%), 24 secondary hospitals(13.3%), 126 primary hospitals(69.6%), and 24 ungraded hospitals(13.3%). There were 1 397 radiation workers, including 948 males and 449 females, and 459 pieces of radiation equipment, including 420 for radio diagnosis, 13 for radiotherapy, 4 for nuclear medicine, and 22 for interventional radiology. The hospitals of different grades greatly differed in the number of radiation workers and equipment. There were 80.1, 20.9, 2.2, and 2.0 radiation workers and 15.7, 5.5, 1.4, and 1.6 pieces of radiation equipment in the tertiary hospitals, secondary hospitals, primary hospitals, and ungraded hospitals, respectively on average. There were 2 903 246, 27 648, 8 087, and 17 874 receiving radiodiagnosis, radiotherapy, nuclear medicine, and interventional radiology, respectively in 2020. The medical exposure frequencies in the whole city were calculated to be 599.50 per 1 000 population, including 334.59 treated with conventional X-rays, 239.82 receiving CT scan, 14.18 for breast and dentistry, 3.62 receiving interventional radiology, 5.61 treated with radiotherapy, and 1.69 receiving nuclear medicine. Conclusion(s): The radiodiagnosis and radiotherapy resources are unbalanced in the hospitals of different grades in Huai'an City. Therefore, it is necessary to pay more attention to the reasonable allocation of medical resources. Meanwhile, radiation workers in secondary hospitals may be more prone to job burnout. Facing the normalization of the prevention and control of COVID-19 epidemic, the supervision and management of radiological health should be strengthened to ensure the legitimacy of radiological diagnosis and radiotherapy and theoptimization of protection. The frequencies of medical exposure are consistent with the local economic level. To analyze the differences in medical exposure frequencies and predict the developmental trends in different regions, it is necessary to establish a more accurate prediction model.Copyright © 2021 by the Chinese Medical Association.
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Background: Critically ill COVID-19 patients have an elevated risk of experiencing hypercoagulable conditions. Currently, many COVID-19 patients have been administered anticoagulation or antiplatelet therapies to lower the risk of systematic thrombosis. Iliopsoas hematoma is a potentially fatal and rare complication of bleeding disorders or anticoagulation therapy which sometimes grows to become clinically significant. The main purpose of this case review is to emphasize the importance of diagnosing iliopsoas hematomas and the possibility of antiplatelet contribution to its development. Case Presentation: We are reporting a rare presentation of non-traumatic iliopsoas hematoma in a non-anticoagulated patient. The patient is a 59-year-old male, with known type-2 diabetes, on oral hypoglycemic medications, 3-weeks post-COVID-19. He had started aspirin 81 mg orally, once daily, to prevent thrombotic events associated with COVID 19 infection, with no anticoagulant use and no other medications. He came in through the ED, presenting with two weeks history of progressive right lower limb weakness in which an iliopsoas hematoma diagnosis was confirmed based on radiological investigation. Conclusion: The possibility of iliopsoas hematoma should be considered in non-anticoagulated patients with no inherited or acquired coagulation disorders presenting with limb weakness. The link between antiplatelet use in a COVID-19 patient and the development of soft tissue bleeding (e.g., iliopsoas hematoma) must be studied further. © 2022 [The Author/The Authors]
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Radiologic imaging in the evaluation of pregnant patients has significantly grown with the outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome related to SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Lung ultrasound is an emerging non-invasive bedside technique used to diag-nose interstitial lung syndrome through evaluation and quantitation of the number of B-lines, pleural irregularities and nodules or consolidations. In pregnant COVID-19 patients, lung ultrasound should be considered on ac-count of its various strengths, such as its being easily carried out bedside by trained sonographers for the monitoring of lung involvement in follow-ups, and its repeatability and affordability. However, pregnant patients could need chest radiography or computed tomo-graphic (CT) examinations for the diagnosis of pneumonia. Concerns and mis-conceptions about potential radiation-related risks for the embryo or fetus are still widespread among clinicians and can lead to excessive anxiety among pa-tients. Several well-recognized guidance documents were published in the last years as to the safety of a single-phase CT or an X-ray chest and related carcino-genic and teratogenic risk. This paper summarizes the safety of radiological examination for pneumonia in pregnant women affected by COVID 19, based on the estimated embryo-fetal radiation absorption per procedure (mGy).