Screening using whole-body magnetic resonance imaging scanning: who wants an incidentaloma?

OBJECTIVE: Some private health screening companies in the UK provide 'health check-ups' using whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), in spite of the lack of evidence demonstrating that such screening is worthwhile. We discuss the issues surrounding the use of an MRI scan as a screening test in 'health check-ups' and set out our concerns. CONCLUSION: Because of the five balance between the potential perils and benefits of the unselective use of brain MRI for 'health check-ups', its use should be restricted to a research setting.     

The clinical value of enhanced whole-body CT in the early treatment of severe trauma北大核心CSCD

Objective To investigate the significant effects of enhanced whole-body computed tomography (EWBCT) and non-enhanced whole-body computed tomography (N-EWBCT) on the missed diagnosis rate, renal function and prognosis of patients with severe trauma. Methods Clinical data of trauma patients admitted from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2020 were collected from the trauma database of the Trauma Center of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University. All patients included in this study were divided into the EWBCT group and N-EWBCT group according to whether they underwent enhanced whole-body computed tomography examination. The differences in baseline data, missed diagnosis rate, renal function and prognosis of the two groups of patients were compared. Results A total of 459 patients were included in this study, including 184 patients in the EWBCT group and 275 patients in the N-EWBCT group. The missed diagnosis rate of the N-EWBCT group was significantly higher than that of the EWBCT group (18% vs. 5%, P < 0.01). The risk ratio of acute kidney injury (AKI) in the EWBCT group and N-EWBCT group was 9% and 7%, respectively, and there was no statistical difference between the two groups (P >0.05). The mortality rate of patients in the N-EWBCT group was higher than that in the EWBCT group (23% vs. 12%, P=0.002). Conclusions Compared with N-EWBCT, EWBCT does not significantly increase the risk of renal damage in patients with severe trauma. For patients with severe trauma, early EWBCT can reduce the missed diagnosis rate and improve the clinical prognosis. © 2022 Chinese Medical Association. All rights reserved.     

Does whole-body vibration training in the horizontal direction have effects on motor function and balance of chronic stroke survivors? A preliminary study

[Purpose] The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of whole-body vibration (WBV) in the horizontal direction on the motor function and balance of chronic stroke survivors. [Subjects and Methods] This study was a randomized controlled trial. Twenty-one individuals with chronic stroke from an inpatient rehabilitation center participated in the study. The participants were allocated to either the WBV training group or the control group. The WBV training group (n = 12) received whole-body vibration delivered in the horizontal direction (15 min/day, 3 times/week, 6 wks) followed by conventional rehabilitation (30 min/day, 5 times/week, 6 wks); the control group (n = 9) received conventional rehabilitation only (30 min/day, 5 times/week, 6 wks). Motor function was measured by using the Fugl-Meyer assessment, and balance was measured by using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test before and after the interventions. [Results] After the interventions, all variables improved significantly compared with the baseline values in the WBV training group. In the control group, no significant improvements in any variables were noted. In addition, the BBS score in the WBV training group increased significantly compared with that in the control group. [Conclusion] WBV training with whole-body vibration delivered in the horizontal direction may be a potential intervention for improvement of motor function and balance in patients who previously experienced a stroke.Key words: Stroke, Whole-body vibration, Motor function