To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of collagen-sensitive maps derived from dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) for the detection of lumbar disk pathologies in a feasibility setting.

We retrospectively reviewed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and DECT datasets acquired in patients who underwent periradicular therapy of the lumbar spine from June to December 2019. Three readers scored DECT collagen maps, conventional CT, and MRI for presence, type, and extent of disk pathology. Contingency table analyses were performed to determine diagnostic accuracy using MRI as standard of reference. Interrater agreement within and between imaging modalities was evaluated by computing intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and Cohen’s kappa. Correlation between sum scores of anteroposterior disk displacement was determined by calculation of a paired t test.

In 21 disks in 13 patients, DECT had a sensitivity of 0.87 (0.60-0.98) and specificity of 1.00 (0.54-1.00) for the detection of disk pathology. Intermodality agreement for anteroposterior disk displacement was excellent for DECT (ICC 0.963 [0.909-0.985]) and superior to CT (ICC 0.876 [0.691-0.95]). GC376 in vivo For anteroposterior disk displacement, DECT also showed greater within-modality interrater agreement (ICC 0.820 [0.666-0.916]) compared with CT (ICC 0.624 [0.39-0.808]).

Our data suggest that collagen-sensitive imaging has an added benefit, allowing more accurate evaluation of the extent of disk displacement with higher interrater reliability. Thus, DECT could provide useful diagnostic information in patients undergoing CT for other indications or with contraindications to MRI.

Our data suggest that collagen-sensitive imaging has an added benefit, allowing more accurate evaluation of the extent of disk displacement with higher interrater reliability. Thus, DECT could provide useful diagnostic information in patients undergoing CT for other indications or with contraindications to MRI.Drawing on a key issue raised in the paper by Scardigno and Mininni (2021), this commentary explores the question of historical research in psychiatry. Firstly, the importance of historical research is highlighted for both psychiatry as a medical discipline, and for descriptive psychopathology, the language of psychiatry. Of significance has been the construction of psychiatry as a hybrid discipline formed through the deep participation of both the natural and the social sciences. This in turn brings to light the fundamental difference in epistemological basis to psychiatry and medicine, with ensuing consequences for our understanding of mental disorders and for the development of further research methodology. Likewise conceptually hybrid, the special role carried by mental symptoms in psychiatry places them, as concepts, in the position of crucial research tools. Secondly, given some of the complexities raised in carrying out historical research in this area, the issue of how this should be approached is examined. The method proposed here is that of historical epistemology. This is an approach that focuses on concepts, on mapping their biographies in order to clarify their structures, their roles, their discontinuities, their relationships and interactions with other concepts and so on. Given the central role of concepts in psychiatry and descriptive psychopathology, this approach to their study is most likely to provide valid and meaningful results.Eating disorders are among the most common psychosomatic illnesses in Western societies. For some time now, the media have been blamed as one of the potential triggers of problematic eating behavior. Several studies have shown that the media convey an unrealistic ideal of beauty and that this can cause dissatisfaction with one’s own body, especially among young recipients. However, two central aspects have not yet been thoroughly considered. First, there is a lack of research that focuses on people actually affected by an eating disorder and that considers the role of the media in the development, progression, and coping phase of an eating disorder. Second, there is hardly any research on how and to what extent the disease itself is addressed in the media and how such representations influence the affected group – in communication research, this is referred to as reciprocal effects. Based on previous research in this area, it can be assumed that the perception of how one’s own illness is portrayed in the media can have consequences for the self-perception, well-being, and actions of ill persons. This article provides an overview of the complex role of the media in the context of an eating disorder and, above all, highlights gaps in communication research on the topic.

The implant constructs used in scoliosis surgery are often long with a high screw density. Therefore, it is generally believed that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) should not be carried out after scoliosis surgery, with the result that computed tomography is often preferred despite the ionizing radiation involved. The objective of this study was to evaluate the MRI compatibility of long pedicle-screw-rod constructs at 1.5 T and 3 T using standardized methods of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).

Constructs between 130 and 430 mm long were systematically examined according to the ASTM standards F2182 (radio frequency-induced heating), F2119 (susceptibility artifacts), F2213 (magnetically induced torque), and F2052 (magnetically induced displacement force).

The maximum heating in the magnetic field was 1.3 K. Heating was significantly influenced by magnetic field strength (p < 0.001), implant length (p = 0.048), and presence of cross-links (p = 0.001). The maximum artifact width fos MR conditional and especially the young patients can benefit from a non-ionizing radiation MRI examination.

• Large spinal implants are not necessarily a contraindication for MRI; MR conditional status can be examined according to the ASTM standards F2182, F2119, F2213, and F2052. • A metallic pedicle-screw-rod system could be reliably and safely examined in all combinations of length (130 to 430 mm), configuration, and material in a B0 at 1.5 T and 3 T. • According to ASTM F2503, the examined pedicle-screw-rod system is MR conditional and especially the young patients can benefit from a non-ionizing radiation MRI examination.