Background: Deep Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an urging cause of hospitalization in the gastroenterology due to different causes and an unpredictable outcome. Known causes are grouped into four main groups: metabolic, mechanical, vascular and infectious. Objective: To determine the role of certain biochemical or radiological parameters as predictors of an involvement of other organs in AP different pathological staging and the surgical outcome in the treatment of AP. Methods: Ninety-seven AP patients hospitalized in General Hospital “Prim.dr Abdulah Nakaš” Sarajevo, in a period between 2016 and 2021 for both sexes, were divided according to the etiological factors of AP into four groups: nutritional factors, biliary concernments, alcohol and morphological changes of the pancreas. Beside laboratory tests, the imaging methods of abdomen (transabdominal ultrasound, abdominal computed tomography) used in determining morphological changes in the pancreas and other organs were analyzed in relation to parameters that predict the need for surgical outcomes. Results: AP etiological factors of patients differ significantly by gender and showed the dominance of dietary factors in female subjects (51%), followed by the presence of concernments in the biliary tract in 36% of cases, and alcohol consumption in male subjects in 28% of cases. The only variable correlated with the indicator of necessity for surgery is the existence of pleural effusion (coefficient of correlation was 0.38; risk ratio was 5.5) resulting that patients with pleural effusion have a 5.5 times higher chance of surgery indication than other patients. Conclusion: The application of simple parameters such as creatinine value with the values of amylases in serum and urine and the presence of pleural effusion confirmed by radiological imaging of the lungs opens the possibility of a simple and effective selection of patients for surgical treatment with a more severe form of AP.

Introduction: Fetal central nervous system (CNS) anomalies are among the most severe and common anomalies, with an incidence of 1: 100 to 1: 500 in newborns. Depending on the type of anomaly, the diagnosis can only be made at specifi c periods of pregnancy. The prenatal ultrasound (US) is an eff ective primary imaging modality for depicting these anomalies, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a method that provides useful confi rmation and resolves any doubts regarding the diagnosis made on prenatal ultrasound. In situations where ultrasound examination is diffi cult, fetal MRI can provide superior information owing to its many advantages. The aim of this study was to determine the importance of prenatal MRI in making an accurate diagnosis and assessment of fetal CNS anomalies after neurosonographic doubt and in detecting additional anomalies that might have been overlooked on ultrasound, which infl uences clinical decision making and anomaly outcomes. Material and methods: For this research, which was designed as a systematic review of the primary scientifi c research literature, numerous articles were used, i.e.17 scientifi c research papers, published in relevant scientifi c research online databases such as PubMed, Medline, Google Scholar, and the same were published in English in the period from 2015 to 2021. Results: From the assessment of the quality of studies with a cohort design, most studies used in this systematic review are high-quality studies (11 in total) and a smaller number are medium-quality studies (6 in total). Out of 575 cases, MRI confi rmed the ultrasound diagnosis and agreed with it in 59.8% of cases, while in 20.2% of cases, it changed the diagnosis, i.e., in 16.5%, it rejected the ultrasound diagnosis. Additional anomalies detected only on MRI occurred in 236/1225 cases, which totals 19.3% of additional anomalies. Termination of pregnancy was reported in 82/317 cases, accounting for 25.9%, while in 176 cases, the pregnancy continued. A total of 11 cases of neonatal death were reported, and the number of stillbirths or deaths after birth was reported in 8 cases. Conclusion: MRI using T2W SSFSE sequences in 3 planes, T1W and DWI in the axial plane, is a complementary modality to prenatal ultrasound in making an accurate diagnosis and assessment of CNS anomalies and detecting associated anomalies previously overlooked on ultrasound. Keywords: fetal magnetic resonance imaging, fetal neurosonography, fetal central nervous system anomalies, prenatal diagnosis.

Background: The Brixia scoring system interpreted chest X-ray changes, serves as an indicator of the extent of changes in the lung parenchyma Objective: To indicate the effect of D-dimer and C-reactive protein (CRP) on Brixia score in patients with positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Methods: The research had prospective, descriptive and analytical character, and included patients (n=104) with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) diagnosis. Chest X-ray, as well as calculation of Brixia score was done on admission, in the first week of hospitalization, on discharge, and 10 days after discharge (the patient was considered a post-COVID patient. Maximum CRP and D-dimer values were taken into account, along with data about dependence of mechanical ventilation and oxygen therapy. Results: Initial Brixia score was significantly associated with the values of CRP (r = .23, p <.05). Higher level of CRP affected the higher result on the Brixia score after the initial X-ray. High CRP and D-dimer were significantly associated with oxygen use in patients, while high D-dimer was also statistically significantly associated with comorbidity. The mean value of Brixia score (during four time points) was significantly related to the values of CRP, D-dimer, the use of mechanical ventilation and oxygen therapy, but also with the existence of comorbidities. The largest statistically significant positive correlation of Brixia scora is with the values of D-dimer (r = .45, p <.000), but also with the values of CRP (r = .36, p <.000). Conclusion: Values of CRP have an impact on Brixia score. Investigation of clinical characteristics and outcomes of severe clinical presentation of COVID-19 along with CXR scoring system will contribute to early prediction, accurate diagnosis and treatment as well as to improve the prognosis of patients with severe illness.

Abstract Objectives  The aim of the study was to analyze the occurrence of stress on teeth with abfraction lesions restored with six different restorative materials, and by introducing the tensile strength parameters to calculate the safety factor of the material under the load (ratio between the strength of the material and the maximum stress). Materials and Methods  Three-dimensional models of the mandibular premolar are created from a microcomputed tomography images. An abfraction lesion is modeled on the tooth. The stress of the dental tissues and six restorative materials under functional and nonfunctional occlusal loading of 200 (N) are analyzed by finite element method. Statistical Analysis  CTAn program 1.10 and ANSYS Workbench (version 14.0) were used for analysis. Results are presented in von Mises stress. Results  Oblique loads caused ≈ four times higher stress in restorative materials than the axial ones. It is noticeable that high values of von Mises stress are measured at the bottom of the sharp lesion, even up to 240 MPa, that are significantly reduced after the restoration. The highest stresses at the restorative material are present at the lower (gingival) margin of the restoration. The highest stresses under both types of loads are measured in nanohybrid composite (Tetric EvoCeram, Ivoclar Vivadent). The lowest values of the stress are measured in the flowable composite (Tetric Flow, Ivoclar Vivadent), but at the same time, the highest value of the stress is measured in the surrounding dental tissues on the tooth restored with the flowable composite. The microhybrid composite (Herculite XR, Kerr), with the highest safety factor, is the material that best withstands the stresses it is exposed to. The obtained safety factor did not exceed the critical limit, except for the glass ionomer cement, with the safety factor lower than 1. Conclusion  The type of tooth loading has the greatest influence on the intensity of stress. The value of the obtained stresses in the restorative material and dental tissues differ due to the different mechanical properties of the materials. Restoration of noncarious lesions significantly reduces extremely high stress values at their bottom.

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an increasingly common cause of chronic liver disease and is becoming a major public health problem. NAFLD has been recognized as a hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome, associated with systemic diseases such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the role of serum LFT parameters and renal function parameters as predictors of unmanifested liver disease. Methods: In this study, the presence of possible liver disease detected by biochemical parameters and confirmed by Transient Liver Elastography (TE) in a group of patients with different stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) was investigated. Patients with various stages of CKD were divided into five subgroups regarding aetiology: nephroangiosclerosis, diabetic nephropathy, glomerulonephritis and pyelonephritis, autoimmune kidney disease, and polycystic and another morphological kidney disease. Liver stiffness was used to quantify liver fibrosis while Controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) was used to quantify liver steatosis. Functional liver tests and biochemical parameters of kidney function were measured in all patients. Results: Statistical analysis used in this study was a decision tree as a predictive model to map observed variables resulting in the conclusion about outcomes. The application of existing laboratory parameters, in combination with other parameters in presence of the defined etiological factors of kidneys diseases, indicate development of hepatic diseases. Higher values of phosphorus and low values of ferritin in patients with autoimmune kidney disease, and polycystic and another morphological kidney disease, expresses steatosis of the hepatic parenchyma. Conclusion: In contrary, low values of phosphorus and higher values of ferritin in patients with nephroangiosclerosis, diabetic nephropathy, glomerulonephritis and pyelonephritis, are in a favour steatosis of the hepatic parenchyma. Serum values of phosphorus and ferritin are valuable predictors of the liver disease in patients with end-stage kidney diseases of different aetiology.

Introduction: The knee joint has a unique anatomical structure in the human body. The localization between the two longest bones in the human body – femur, and tibia – makes it prone to injuries, trauma, and other pathologies. Clinical examination of the joint is still the primary method in evaluating the condition of the patient's knee. The study aims to determine the diagnostic accuracy of clinical examination and magnetic resonance (MR) in assessing chondral lesions of knee joint using arthroscopy as a reference standard.Patients and methods: The examination was conducted on 94 patients (58 males and 36 females) with knee injuries. Clinical examination indicated a primary chondral lesion of knee cartilage in eight patients (five men and three women), with an average age of 45.75. Besides the clinical examination, the diagnostics were performed using MR imaging by Siemens of 0.5 Tesla, and arthroscopy was performed using Storz arthroscope.Results: Our research has generated the following values of clinical and MR results for chondral lesions: Sensitivity (Se) = 12.5%, Specificity (Sp): could not be calculated, Positive Predictive Value (PPV) = 100%, Negative Predictive Value (NPV) = 0% and Accuracy (ACC) = 12.5%. The accuracy of clinical and intraoperative results for chondral lesion was: Se =100%, Sp: could not be calculated, PPV = 100%, NPV: could not be calculated, and ACC = 100%. MR imaging and arthroscopy findings of chondral lesion showed: Se = 100%, Sp = 0%, PPV = 12.5%, NPV: could not be calculated and ACC = 12.5%. In comparing the clinical sign and MRand intraoperative result, Positive Predictive Value for patients with chondral lesion was maximal (100%), while comparing MR with the intraoperative result, Positive Predictive Value was 12.5%. In comparison between clinical sign and intraoperative results, the accuracy for patients with chondral lesion was 100%, while comparing the clinical sign with MR result and MR with the intraoperative result, the accuracy was 12.5%.Conclusion: Our examinations have shown that MR examination is not currently as valid for diagnosing injury of chondral cartilage of knee as the medical community or patients have anticipated it.

Introduction: Stroke is the second leading underlying cause of death globally and the leading cause of disability in adults. Stroke diagnosis should be performed quickly and efficiently to eliminate other potential causes of neurological deficits and to assess the time since the onset of clinical symptoms. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are essential methods of detecting and evaluating stroke type and treatmentoptions. Diffusion and perfusion MR imaging is recommended for early stroke diagnosis, as well as for the selection of patients for recanalization therapy, and is considered effective in assessing treatment outcomes. The objectives of this study were to demonstrate the diagnostic value of diffusion and perfusion imaging in the diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke, analyze the role of magnetic resonance imaging in the selection of patients with acute stroke for recanalization therapy, and assess the effect of acute stroke complicity.Material and methods: The research is designed as a systematic review of the primary scientific research literature, which was published in English in relevant scientific databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, Medline) from 2014 to 2021.Results: 14 scientific research papers were singled out and the general characteristics of the study were analyzed (country, authors, year of publication, title of the study, type of study, study objectives, research methods, results and conclusion). A quality assessment of the included studies with cohort design and randomized controlled studies was performed, and most belong to the category of high-quality studies with a smaller number of medium-quality studies. The overall percentage of detected AIS cases in isolated studies using the DWI and/or PWI sequence was 90.8%. At the same time, the outcome of recanalization therapy was assessed using MRI studies (the number of patients who developed adverse events with functional data outcome 30 or 90 days after the procedure was observed). Comparison of MRI and CT imaging protocols provided data on the total percentage of detected acute stroke cases using CT imaging protocols (68.9%) and MRI imaging protocols (88.5%), which is why MRI is considered a superior method.Conclusion: Although CT is a suitable method for visualizing bleeding and also for early differentiation of hemorrhagic from ischemic stroke, if MRI imaging is available, it is recommended to use DWI, PWI, MRA sequences for a more accurate diagnosis of stroke in the acute phase.

Background: EMVI is a direct invasion of a vein by a tumor. As a predictor of hematogenous metastasis, it is a poor prognostic factor in rectal cancer and can be accurately identified on MRI prior to surgical procedure. Objective: To evaluate the role of contrast-enhanced T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (CET1WI) in addition to high-resolution T2-weighted imaging (HRT2WI) in assessing extramural venous invasion (EMVI) of rectal cancer. Methods: In all 195 patients with rectal cancer, HRT2WI and CET1WI sequences were produced within pre-operative MRI for the purpose of assessing for the presence of EMVI (mrEMVI). CET1WI sequences were produced following administration of Gadolinium contrast medium. mrEMVI assessment results were classified into two groups. Group A consisted of mrEMVI assessment results obtained using HRT2WI sequences only. Group B consisted of mrEMVI assessment results obtained using a combination of HRT2WI + CET1WI sequences. Results obtained for each group (A and B) were correlated with a histopathological finding (pEMVI) as a reference standard. Results: Out of a total of 195 rectal cancer patients, mrEMVI was positive in 41 (21%) patients in group A, and in 45 (23%) patients in group B. Histopathological finding demonstrated pEMVI in 54 (27.7%) patients. A statistical analysis of group A (HRT2WI sequences) resulted in 75.9% sensitivity to mrEMVI and 96.4% specificity, Positive Predictive Value of 89.1% and Negative Predictive Value of 91.2% (95% confidence interval (CI), p< 0.05). Statistical analysis of group B (HRT2WI + CET1WI sequences) resulted in 83.3% sensitivity to mrEMVI and 98.5% specificity, Positive Predictive Value of 89.1% and Negative Predictive Value of 91.2% (CI 95%, p< 0.05). Conclusion: T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (CET1WI) in addition to high-resolution T2-weighted imaging (HRT2WI) increased evaluation of extramural venous invasion (EMVI) of rectal cancer.

Aim To compare the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy based on taxane and/or anthracycline to the extent of an objective response in female patients with unresectable breast cancer with evaluation of the toxic profile of applied chemotherapy. Methods One hundred patients with histologically verified breast cancer, treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy were divided into two groups: a study group A (50 patients), who had received 4 to 6 cycles of taxane-based chemotherapy, and control group B (50 patients), who had received 4 to 6 cycles of anthracyclines-based chemotherapy. Pathohistological response was evaluated after tumour excision and axillary resection at the end of chemotherapy and it was defined as pathologic complete (pCR), partial (pPR), or no response (pNR). Toxic effects were evaluated and quantified by the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v4.0. Results After neoadjuvant chemotherapy, 8% of patients in the group A achieved pCR, 54% achieved pPR, while 38% of patients had no tumour response to applied chemotherapy. In the group B pCR was achieved in 6%, pPR in 42% of patients, while 51% of patients were pNR to the administered chemotherapy. Significant reduction of tumour mass was achieved in the group of patients treated with taxanes: 20.00 (7.75-30.25) vs. 13.50 (6.00-25.00) mm (p=0.024). Toxicity of chemotherapy in group A and group B was within the limits of grade 2. Conclusion The addition of taxane to anthracycline-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer resulted in a significant reduction in tumour mass compared to the group of patients treated with anthracyclines, but without increasing the overall side effects.

Introduction: Prior to the 1990s, the most common sources of HCV infections were blood transfusions, unsafe injections and I.V drug use. Screening of blood products for HCV has eradicated transfusion-transmitted hepatitis C in most countries since 1992–in Bosnia and Herzegovina, however, since 1995, due to the war. Aim: To investigate the impact of the source of HCV infection on the therapeutic response in patients treated for chronic HCV infection with dual combined therapy. Methods: We diagnosed chronic HCV infections amongst 246 patients over a period of five years and selected them according to the reported source of infection. Pegylated interferon alfa 2a or alfa 2b with ribavirin was administered during the time that was genotype-dependent. HCV RNA levels in sera were measured by real time PCR. Liver histology was evaluated in accordance with the level of necroinflammation activity and the stadium of fibrosis. Results: Regardless of the genotype of the virus and the source of infection, SVR was achieved in 67% of the patients. Therapeutic response (ETR) was not achieved in 25% of the patients who were infected with an untested blood transfusion and 6% of the patients who had had wartime surgery. Amongst the different sources of infections, patients with a war-surgery source of infection responded better to therapy than those with a blood transfusion source of infection (p = 0.023). A blood transfusion source of infection implies a larger fibrosis stage than in blood donors; (g = 1.177; s2 = 0.577). A blood transfusion source of infection implies a significantly larger necroinflammatory activity than in blood donors; (g = 1.456; s2 = 0.618). Conclusions: An untested blood transfusion was a significant risk factor for more advanced liver diseases in regards to necroinflammatory activity and the fibrosis stage. This source of infection was also a risk factor for low responses to antiviral therapy. At the same time, I.V. drug users had more progressive necroinflammatory activity, but a high therapeutic response to antiviral therapy.