DR. FRANK L. CUCE, DO

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This study examined how consistently different ultrasound machines measure key distances in the shoulder joint, using 195 healthy volunteers. The researchers found that measurements for three distances (acromioclavicular, acromiohumeral, and coracohumeral) were reliable and could be trusted across different machines and operators. However, the coracoclavicular distance showed significant differences between operators and was not reliable, which limits its use. Who this helps: This information benefits doctors who rely on accurate shoulder measurements for diagnosing and treating patients.

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This study examined how ultrasound techniques could help predict kidney problems in patients with asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism (aPHPT), a condition often unnoticed until complications arise. The researchers found that patients with aPHPT had significantly higher kidney resistive index (RRI) and shear wave velocity (SWV) measurements compared to healthy individuals, indicating potential kidney damage. These findings matter because they could lead to earlier monitoring and treatment for at-risk patients, improving their health outcomes and preventing serious complications. Who this helps: This helps patients with asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism and their doctors.

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This study looked at how well a deep learning system can tell apart three conditions affecting the bones in diabetic patients: infections in the bone (osteomyelitis), a condition that weakens bones (Charcot neuropathic osteoarthropathy), and trauma. The researchers used images from 148 patients and found that their deep learning models achieved an accuracy of up to 97.1% for identifying these conditions in the images, which means they can effectively distinguish between them without needing invasive procedures. This is important because getting the right diagnosis quickly can lead to better treatment and outcomes for patients with diabetes who are at risk of foot problems. Who this helps: This benefits patients with diabetes and their doctors.

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This study looked at a new imaging technique called radiomics to help tell the difference between two serious conditions that can affect the feet of people with diabetes: Charcot neuroarthropathy (CN) and osteomyelitis (OM). Out of 41 patients with abnormal bone marrow signals seen on MRI, 24 were diagnosed with OM. The researchers found that this method accurately distinguished between CN and OM, achieving up to 90% sensitivity and 93% specificity in some cases. Who this helps: This benefits patients with diabetic foot issues by providing clearer diagnoses and more effective treatment options.

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This study looked at 112 COVID-19 patients in Ankara, Turkey, to see how the amount of the virus in their system (measured by the cycle threshold value) was linked to their health outcomes when they were first admitted to the hospital. The researchers found that having a higher viral load (cycle threshold values of 30 or more) was associated with more blood platelets dropping and higher levels of a specific protein in the blood, but it didn't show clear connections to symptoms or the need for serious care. These findings indicate that while certain laboratory results may change based on viral load, it doesn't directly predict how sick a patient will become. Who this helps: This helps doctors manage and understand COVID-19 patients better.

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This study looked at 767 hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Turkey to understand what factors predicted whether they lived or died. It found that patients over 60 years old had a much higher risk of death (7 times more likely), as well as those with cancer or who spent a long time in intensive care. On the positive side, treatment with azithromycin significantly lowered the death rate in these patients. Who this helps: This research benefits doctors and healthcare providers by identifying high-risk patients and effective treatments.

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This study examined how COVID-19 affects cancer patients by looking at data from 43 patients diagnosed with the virus at a cancer center in Turkey. Out of 1051 total COVID-19 cases, cancer patients made up about 4%, with a high death rate of 46.5%. The research found that factors such as existing heart disease and difficulty breathing at admission significantly increased the risk of death for these patients. Who this helps: This information is valuable for doctors treating cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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This study looked at 158 patients with COVID-19 to see how the amount of the virus (measured as cycle threshold values) related to lung damage from pneumonia. They found that about 40% of the patients had pneumonia, and while there was a weak link between the virus amount and the severity of lung damage on CT scans, it wasn't strong enough to predict outcomes like patient age, gender, or death. This matters because it shows that just knowing the viral load in the throat doesn’t accurately reflect how severe someone’s pneumonia is, suggesting that more research is needed on samples from deeper in the lungs. Who this helps: This helps doctors better understand COVID-19 pneumonia in patients.

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This study looked at how to better calculate the volume of brain bleeding (hematoma) in patients using a new method compared to a simpler, traditional method called sABC/2. Researchers found that their new method was more accurate, with a smaller error margin (20.62 ml) compared to sABC/2 (32.17 ml) for subdural hematomas, and similar improvements for parenchymal hematomas. This is important because accurately measuring the volume of hematomas can help doctors make better treatment decisions for patients with brain injuries. Who this helps: This helps doctors treating patients with brain bleeding conditions.

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This study focused on developing a computer program that can automatically identify and measure injured kidneys after abdominal trauma, using scans from 37 patients. The results showed that the program accurately segmented healthy kidneys with 92.3% accuracy and injured kidneys with 87.3% accuracy, making it a reliable tool for medical professionals. This is important because it can help quickly assess kidney injuries and manage bleeding in trauma patients, which can improve treatment outcomes. Who this helps: This helps doctors and trauma patients by providing faster and more accurate assessments of kidney injuries.

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This study focused on creating an automated system to identify injuries to the spleen caused by trauma using CT scans. The new technology was found to be highly effective, with an overall accuracy of 80% and a sensitivity (correctly identifying true cases) of 95%. Specifically, the system performed even better for perisplenic hematomas, achieving an accuracy of 90% and a sensitivity of 95%, which is important for quickly diagnosing and treating these injuries. Who this helps: This benefits doctors and patients with abdominal trauma by improving the speed and accuracy of diagnosis.

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This study looked at how different types of light affect the eye length of rainbow trout. Researchers found that trout exposed to blue light had the shortest eye length at 3.42 mm, while those under red light had a longer average eye length of 3.70 mm, and those in daylight were at 3.64 mm. This is important because it suggests that the type of light used in fish farming could influence eye development, which may impact fish health and growth. Who this helps: Fish farmers and aquaculture specialists.

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This study looked at the relationship between blood tests and urinary stone disease in over 3,000 patients. The researchers found that certain blood markers, such as an increase in red cell distribution width (RDW) and white blood cells, were linked to urinary stones; specifically, the odds of having urinary stones were 67 times higher in patients with microscopic blood in their urine. This means that blood test results can help doctors diagnose urinary stones more effectively, which is important for treating patients experiencing pain from these stones. Who this helps: This helps doctors and patients dealing with urinary stone disease.

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This study looked at a rare heart condition in a 7-year-old girl where an abnormal connection formed between the aorta and the right atrium, known as a fistula. Doctors successfully closed this connection using a special device, and after the procedure, the girl's heart murmur was gone and she showed no signs of problems three months later. This is important because it shows that a non-invasive technique can effectively treat a complex heart issue in children, which may lead to better outcomes and fewer complications. Who this helps: This helps pediatric patients with congenital heart defects.

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This study looked at a rare type of salivary gland cancer called basal cell adenocarcinoma, which usually doesn't spread to other parts of the body, but did in a 58-year-old woman who had a growing mass on her scalp. The research highlights that even though these tumors are often harmless, there’s a chance of them spreading, as seen in this case where the woman had a previous diagnosis of parotid adenocarcinoma two years earlier. The findings emphasize the importance of thorough imaging tests before surgery to assess the situation, especially for lesions on the scalp or skull. Who this helps: This information is valuable for doctors and patients dealing with salivary gland tumors.

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This study looked at a rare heart defect in a child where blood flows incorrectly between the right pulmonary artery and the left atrium, causing cyanosis (a bluish color due to lack of oxygen). The researchers successfully closed this defect using a special device called the Amplatzer muscular ventricular septal defect occluder. The successful procedure shows promise for treating this rare condition, which usually goes unreported. Who this helps: This helps children with congenital heart defects and their doctors.

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This study examined a 31-year-old man who experienced three months of right upper abdominal pain and difficulty breathing. Doctors discovered a large dumbbell-shaped tumor measuring 23 by 17 by 15 centimeters behind his liver, which was confirmed to be a spindle cell tumor through a biopsy. Understanding such tumors is important because it helps in diagnosing and planning treatment for patients with similar symptoms. Who this helps: This helps doctors and patients dealing with unusual tumors in the abdomen.

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This study looked at a rare condition where both sides of the neck arteries can form bulges called dissecting aneurysms, often after an injury. In a specific case, one side of the neck artery appeared normal at first but later developed problems while the other side was already identified as having an issue. This is important because it highlights the need for doctors to monitor both sides of the neck in similar patients, even if one side looks fine initially. Who this helps: This helps doctors and patients who have experienced head or neck trauma.

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This study looked at using a specific type of MRI called diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) to tell the difference between benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) breast lesions in 41 women. Out of the 45 lesions examined, 25 were cancerous and 20 were not. The DWI technique showed a very high accuracy, with a sensitivity of 95% and a specificity of 100%, meaning it was very effective at correctly identifying both types of lesions. This research is important because it shows that DWI can significantly improve the accuracy of breast cancer diagnosis. Who this helps: This benefits patients undergoing breast cancer evaluation.

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This study looked at the brain scans of 27 patients who had a type of brain infection caused by tuberculosis called intracranial tuberculomas. Researchers found a total of 64 tuberculomas, with most located in the larger areas of the brain. The results show that MRI is very useful for diagnosing these infections and identifying other related issues, such as swelling in the brain or fluid buildup. Who this helps: Patients with neurotuberculosis and their doctors.