Evidence of a Hardening in the Cosmic Ray Proton Spectrum at around 166 TeV Observed by the GRAPES-3 Experiment

We present the measurement of the cosmic ray proton spectrum from 50 TeV to 1.3 PeV using 7.81×10^{6} extensive air shower events recorded by the ground-based GRAPES-3 experiment between 1 January 2014 and 26 October 2015 with a live time of 460 day. Our measurements provide an overlap with direct observations by satellite and balloon-based experiments. The electromagnetic and muon components in the shower were measured by a dense array of plastic scintillator detectors and a tracking muon telescope, respectively. The relative composition of the proton primary from the air shower data containing all primary particles was extracted using the multiplicity distribution of muons which is a sensitive observable for mass composition. The observed proton spectrum suggests a spectral hardening at ∼166  TeV and disfavors a single power law description of the spectrum up to the Knee energy (∼3  PeV).

Unravelling the Complex Relationship Between Frontal Sinus Pneumatization and Paranasal Sinus Anatomical Variants: Insights from CT Imaging

The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between frontal sinus pneumatization and its effect on various variations of paranasal sinuses on paranasal sinus CT scan. A total number of 100 patients (51 males, 49 females) were included in this study. Patients were divided into three groups on the basis of their frontal sinus pneumatization extent on paranasal sinus CT as Type 1 pneumatization (aplasia and hypoplasia), Type 2 pneumatization (medium) and Type 3 pneumatization (hyperplasia). The prevalence of various variations like pneumatization of upper and middle turbinate, presence of agger nasi, Haller and Onodi cell, maxillary sinus hypoplasia, extent of sphenoid sinus pneumatization, pneumatization of anterior clinoid process, pterygoid process and greater wing of sphenoid sinus, dehiscence and protrusion of internal carotid artery and optic nerve types were ascertained and compared within each group. The prevalence of Onodi cell, anterior clinoid process and greater wing of sphenoid pneumatization and optic nerves type 3 and 4 were higher in Type 3 frontal sinus pneumatization group as compared with other groups. Excessive pneumatization of frontal sinus has various effects on paranasal sinus variations. Surgeons dealing with endoscopic sinus surgery, maxillofacial and skull base surgery must be vigilant of association between these variations preoperatively for avoiding complications.

Clinical profile of hospitalised moderate category COVID-19 patients: Short study from a Tertiary Care Centre in Delhi

Background

The clinical profile of hospitalized moderate-category COVID-19 patients has been understudied globally and in India.

Aim

The present study was conducted to study the clinical profile and assess the proportions of patients who progressed to severe disease and its predictors among moderate COVID-19 patients.

Materials and Methods

In this single-center observational study, 100 moderate-category COVID-19 patients as per Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) criteria of age ≥18 years of either sex, excluding pregnant females from February to November 2021, were studied by analyzing their clinical profiles and assessing Quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA), National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS-2), and chest computed-tomography severity score (CTSS) to predict progression to severe disease. Severe disease was defined as per MoHFW criteria.

Results

Out of 100 moderate-category COVID-19 patients, progression to severe disease was seen in 11 patients (11%), among which eight patients had expired, three patients were discharged, and the rest of the 89 patients (89%) who did not progress to severe disease were discharged. A higher age (62.2± 19.5 vs 54.8 ± 14.6 years), along with multivariate analysis revealing male sex (1.25 times), chronic kidney disease (2.86 times), leukocytosis (6.10 times), thrombocytopenia (1.04 times), anemia (9.3 times), a higher qSOFA score (3.6 times), and a higher NEWS-2 score on admission (1.56 times) had higher odds of progression to severe disease. A significant correlation (P < .05) of qSOFA score with serum LDH, ferritin, and hs-CRP levels; CT severity score with the serum ferritin, IL-6, and LDH levels; and NEWS-2 with serum LDH, hs-CRP, and ferritin levels were found. Moreover, the NEWS-2 score was found slightly better than qSOFA on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, with an area under the curve of 85.8% and 83.2%, respectively, predicting progression to severe disease.

Conclusion

Our study revealed male gender, chronic kidney disease, leukocytosis, anemia, thrombocytopenia, a higher qSOFA and NEWS-2 score on admission, and further, NEWS-2 score better than qSOFA on ROC curve analysis, with an area under the curve of 85.8% and 83.2%, respectively, in predicting severe disease among hospitalized moderate COVID-19 patients.

Venous Malformation in the Breast: Imaging Features to Avoid Unnecessary Biopsies or Surgery

Venous malformations are now categorised under the broad heading of slow flow vascular malformations. They comprise abnormally dilated venous channels that fail to involute. These may be superficial or deep in location. We describe two cases of venous malformation in breast. Both the patients presented with focal pain in one breast. On mammography, they appeared as equal density well circumscribed soft tissue masses. No sonographic correlate was found on initial ultrasound examination. Subsequent ultrasonography performed by an experienced radiologist with minimal probe pressure revealed dilated veins. On the basis of imaging findings, the diagnosis of venous malformation was established.

Magnetic resonance imaging of rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis: a pictorial review

Rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis is a potentially fatal disease requiring early magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for disease evaluation and timely detection of intracranial complications. Angio-invasive nature leading to necrosis and infarction is the hallmark of mucormycosis. The disease follows a fulminant course extending from the paranasal sinuses to involve the orbit, deep neck spaces, skull base, facial bones, and intracranial compartment. Loss of vision either due to direct extension into the orbit or optic nerve infarction adds to disease morbidity. Prompt MRI using dedicated sequences can help in assessing the exact disease extent including early osseous and intracranial changes, which aid in precise disease management.

Incidentally Diagnosed Extraluminal Leiomyosarcoma of Infrarenal Inferior Vena Cava: A Case Report and Literature Review from a Radiologist's Perspective

Background

Vascular leiomyosarcoma is a rare but most common vascular tumor of the inferior vena cava.

Case presentation

We present the case of an incidentally diagnosed extraluminal leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava in a 62 year old patient who presented with abdominal pain following blunt trauma. Ultrasonography showed a lobulated hypoechoic lesion in the upper abdomen. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a circumscribed lobulated near homogeneously enhancing retroperitoneal lesion in anterior relation to the infrarenal inferior vena cava, right paramedian in location with imperceptible vena caval lumen at the site of maximum contact. In positron emission tomography (PET) CT the lesion showed mild fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake with no distant metastases. CT guided biopsy with immunohistochemical analysis showed leiomyosarcoma. Patient underwent surgical resection with inferior vena cava reconstruction.

Conclusions

Leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava is a rare tumor of vascular origin. Imaging plays an imperative role in the diagnosis and preoperative evaluation. This article also provides a comprehensive literature review of the radiological features of inferior vena caval leiomyosarcoma that would aid in optimal preoperative characterization and evaluation.

Diagnostic Value of Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse Quantification in the Differentiation of Benign and Malignant Thyroid Nodules

The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of ultrasound elastography using acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) quantification in characterizing and differentiating malignant versus benign thyroid nodules. A total of 40 thyroid nodules were evaluated with conventional sonography and ultrasound elastography using ARFI quantification. The final diagnosis was obtained from histologic findings. A total of 14 malignant and 26 benign nodules were diagnosed on the basis of histologic examination. Majority of the malignant thyroid nodules demonstrated presence of intranodular vascular flow, hypoechoic echotexture, absent halo, irregular margins and microcalcifications. However, a considerable overlap was noted in the sonographic features of malignant and benign thyroid nodules. On ARFI quantification, the mean shear wave speed (SWS) values ( M ± SD) of malignant and benign thyroid nodules were 3.131 ± 0.921 m/s and 1.691 ± 0.513 m/s, respectively. A significant difference was observed between the mean SWS values of malignant thyroid nodules and benign thyroid nodules ( p < 0.0001). Applying a cutoff value of 2.53 m/s, the sensitivity, specificity, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the differentiation were 85.71%, 96.15%, and 0.922, respectively. ARFI quantification is a promising elastography technique that provides quantitative information about tissue stiffness. It provides additional information and complements sonography as an effective diagnostic tool in characterizing and differentiating benign from malignant thyroid nodules.