PURPOSE:Diagnosis with UICC stage IV colorectal cancer often indicates palliative treatment to alleviate symptoms. Data on pain in these patients are still scarce but can help improve symptom management. This study therefore aimed to describe patient-reported pain and quality of life. METHODS:147 palliatively treated stage IV colorectal cancer patients diagnosed between 2018 and 2023 completed the EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CR29 before and 12 months after treatment initiation within the EDIUM study. Descriptive results for pain and quality of life were examined and compared to reference values. A logistic regression analysis investigated the relationship between quality of life and pain and 1-year survival. RESULTS:The mean (SD) for the "overall pain" score was 26 (32) (T0) and 35 (32) (T1) for rectal cancer patients and 34 (33) (T0) and 35 (32) (T1) for colon cancer patients. This is higher than the reference value (24 (30)) and indicates high average pain levels. The "overall quality of life" score showed means below the reference value (61 (23)), indicating poorer quality of life (colon: 51 (25) (T0), 56 (22) (T1); rectum: 52 (24) (T0), 51 (22) (T1)). Higher pain levels persisted at both time points, with no patients reporting absence of pain. The logistic regression results suggest a small relationship between pain and quality of life and 1-year survival. DISCUSSION:This study reveals high levels of pain among palliatively treated colorectal cancer patients, impacting their quality of life. Effective pain management and close monitoring are necessary to improve the quality of life for these patients. TRAIL NUMBER:DRKS00008724.
Zusammenfassung Myokarditis und Perikarditis sowie das Mischbild aus beiden, IMPS (inflammatorisches myoperikardiales Syndrom) sind ein gar nicht so seltenes – und häufig unterdiagnostiziertes – Krankheitsbild. Häufig bleibt die Ätiologie ungeklärt: In den letzten Jahren gab es Fortschritte in der medikamentösen Therapie. 2025 wurde von der European Society of Cardiology (ESC) die Leitlinie für die Diagnostik und Therapie von Myokarditis und Perikarditis (IMPS) publiziert. In diesem Artikel berichten wir über die wichtigsten therapeutischen medikamentösen und interventionellen Ansätze.
Tibial plateau fractures are associated with a range of meniscal and ligamentous injuries that are relevant to the outcome. Standard diagnostics include radiographs and computed tomography (CT). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is not routinely recommended, although it visualizes meniscal and ligamentous injuries with high sensitivity and specificity. The aim of the study was to analyze tibial plateau fractures for meniscal and ligamentous injuries and to determine whether predictability could be achieved using CT. The study also examined whether the detection of meniscal and ligamentous injuries depended on the experience of the trauma surgeon. Initially, 30 CT scans and subsequently 30 MRIs were evaluated by three residents and three consultants. To prevent rater recall of MRI–CT findings for a given patient, findings were presented in a randomized order with a two-week interval between CT and MRI assessments. A standardized questionnaire was used to evaluate soft-tissue injuries, fracture classification, surgical strategy, and the treatment of associated meniscal and ligamentous injuries for each CT and MRI. The radiologists’ MRI report was defined as the reference standard. The incidence of meniscal and ligamentous injuries associated with tibial plateau fractures was 93
Primary cardiac tumors are rare, accounting for less than 0.1% of all neoplasms, whereas secondary cardiac involvement is considerably more frequent, particularly in advanced oncological disease. Although imaging modalities such as echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and positron emission tomography are routinely used for the diagnosis and characterization of cardiac masses, the role of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) has not yet been systematically evaluated. CEUS enables real-time visualization of vascularity and perfusion and offers important advantages for distinguishing tumors from thrombi, characterizing benign and malignant lesions, and detecting embolic sequelae in distant organs. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on the epidemiology, pathology, and clinical presentation of cardiac tumors and provide an overview of imaging strategies with a particular focus on CEUS. We illustrate the application of CEUS in the assessment of benign tumors such as myxomas and papillary fibroelastomas, rare benign entities, malignant cardiac tumors including sarcomas and lymphomas, and secondary cardiac involvement due to metastatic disease. The diagnostic value of CEUS is highlighted through image and video examples, demonstrating its ability to delineate perfused versus non-perfused tissue and to differentiate tumor vascularity patterns. CEUS represents a promising and underutilized imaging technique in the evaluation of cardiac tumors. It complements established imaging modalities, provides unique pathophysiological insights, and has the potential to improve diagnostic accuracy and clinical decision-making in selected patients.
