Informal caregivers in Italy: the 'phantom zone' of welfare.

Medical progress and the consequent gradual ageing of the population increase the number of people in Europe who require continuous care, as they suffer from chronic diseases or senility. This demand is disproportionate if compared to the economic resources of health systems and is, therefore, heavily supported by the activity of the so-called "informal caregivers". With our article we propose to depict the current scenario in Italy, dwelling on the safeguards, to date, aimed at informal caregivers, which are insufficient to correct the criticalities associated with the burdensome assistance provided by such figures. Such critical issues result in a real risk for the health of informal caregivers and their loved ones and require urgent action by the health system. If it is true that health welfare is not able to protect the increasing number of people who are not self-sufficient, it is necessary to invest at least on specific measures to preserve the health and skills of those who are at the forefront of this hidden welfare. (www.actabiomedica.it).

Cervical spine injury: clinical and medico-legal overview.

Spinal trauma is an important cause of disability worldwide. Injury to the cervical spine (CS) occurs frequently after major trauma. 5-10% of patients with blunt trauma have a cervical spine injury. The cervical spine accounts for ~ 50% of all spinal injuries. Determination of CS stability is a common challenge in the acute care setting of patients with trauma. Several issues, indeed, are of particular concern: who needs CS imaging; what imaging should be obtained; when should computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or flexion/extension (F/E) radiographs be obtained; and how is significant ligamentous injury excluded in the comatose patient. CT and MRI both have roles to play. This article aims to present the different imaging to frame techniques to be used with greater precision in the acute event also for the purpose of planning the next therapeutic process. An overview of the applicability of the same methods in forensic pathology is also provided highlighting possible future biomarker to ease in diagnosis of acute TBI.

Clinical Application of Ultra-High-Frequency Ultrasound.

Musculoskeletal ultrasound involves the study of many superficial targets, especially in the hands, wrists, and feet. Many of these areas are within the first 3 cm of the skin surface and are ideal targets for ultra-high-frequency ultrasound. The high spatial resolution and the superb image quality achievable allow foreseeing a wider use of this novel technique, which has the potential to bring innovation to diagnostic imaging.