Wojciech Wokurka

Introduction: Pericarditis is diagnosed among 5% patients hospitalized due to chest pain. It is included in pericardial syndromes together with constrictive pericarditis, pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade. There are many documented etiological factors leading to pericarditis, most commonly divided into infectious and non-infectious ones. The disease typically presents with chest pain, ECG changes, pericardial rub and pericardial effusion. The diagnosis is made with the results of parameters found in patients’ blood and imaging tests. Treatment is usually based on pharmacological therapy, although in some cases the pericardial surgery is necessary. One of the characteristic changes in imaging diagnostics in patients with pericarditis is thickening of pericardial layers, the so-called armored heart. Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to find clear diagnostic criteria for armored heart as a unique type of constrictive pericarditis. Materials and methods: Articles available in the databases of medical publications: PubMed, Google Scholar, SCOPUS were analysed using the search phrase: armored heart* AND (pericarditis OR acute pericarditis). Results: The search phrase was included in 18 records. After the initial verification, repetitive, unavailable and foreign papers were rejected. Finally, 3 manuscripts were included in further analyses. No clear criteria were found to classify constrictive pericarditis as an armored heart. Conclusions: Armored heart is a 'subtype' of constrictive pericarditis. It seems that this term is used subjectively, based on imaging studies.

Introduction: Lumbar spine pain is a common clinical problem. Due to the multitude of causes of pain, it is important to know the most common ones in order to choose an effective method of treatment. The aim of this study: Summary of current knowledge regarding back pain caused by radiculopathy associated with lumbar stenosis. Material and method: The review includes publications published in 1995-2020. The search of the publications in the Pubmed database was carried out using the following keywords: back pain, radiculopathy, lumbar stenosis. Description of the stage of the knowledge: Lumbar radiculopathy caused by lumbar stenosis is a common clinical problem, especially in older age groups. In diagnostics, an interview with the patient, physical examination and imaging tests - especially CT and MRI - are important. In most patients, conservative treatment is sufficient - the use of analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs and physiotherapy. In justified cases, surgical treatment should be considered as the most effective causative treatment of the disease. In the last 20 years, the availability of both diagnostic methods has increased and new surgical techniques have appeared, aiming at minimally invasive treatment. Summary: Radiculopathy caused by lumbar stenosis is a contributing factor to the occurrence of pain, which can hinder the normal functioning of the patient.Proper diagnosis, identification of the impact and methods of treatment, both conservative and surgical, can help the patient and affect his quality of life. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for the effective treatment of pain associated with radiculopathy caused by lumbar stenosis.

Introduction Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The molecular characterization of solid tumors has provided significant advances in oncology, and genome profiling using circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has helped improve the quality of medical care for patients with cancer. Liquid biopsy is a diagnostic molecular test to demonstrate the presence of circulating tumor DNA or circulating tumor cells released from primary or metastatic solid tumors. In addition, the minimally invasive nature of the liquid biopsy enables quick verification of the grade of malignancy. Observation of ctDNA in blood tests is of great importance at the treatment stage, it allows to determine resistance to the applied treatment, response to therapy and to predict relapse before it occurs. Aim of the study The aim of this review is to present information on the use of circulating tumor DNA together with circulating tumor cells in oncological diagnostics. Materials and methods The work was created based on the PubMed database. Articles were searched in English using the following keywords: ctDNA, CTC, cfDNA. Results Currently, ctDNA analysis is an alternative to traditional molecular diagnostics of cancer tissue, assessment of the effectiveness of therapy, monitoring of tumor dynamics, monitoring of progression and predicting recurrence. Summary There are not many diagnostic methods for detecting ctDNA. Due to the short length of the fragments and the low content in the samples, ctDNA analysis requires more sensitive techniques to ensure its reliability compared to methods used in solid tissue biopsies. Existing techniques of ctDNA analysis focus mainly on the identification of mutations in advanced stages of cancer, less often on early diagnosis.

Introduction: Endometriosis is considered a chronic disease, which significantly worsens the quality of life of women suffering from it. So far, the pathogenesis has not been clarified, and therefore no causal treatment has been invented. A number of pharmacological substances are available, however, they are mainly classified as symptomatic treatment. Patients are looking for all kinds of therapies, including alternative ones, e.g. modification of diet and physical activity. Aim of the study: A review of current research on the pathogenesis of endometriosis, recommended forms of treatment, as well as the impact of individual nutrients and physical activity on the development and course of endometriosis. Material and method: The review covers publications published in 2018-2023. The search for publications in the Pubmed electronic database was carried out using the following keywords: endometriosis, treatment, diet, anti-inflammatory diet. Description of the state of knowledge: Most of the analyzed studies indicate the complexity of the pathogenesis of endometriosis, and therefore also the treatment. In addition, the literature has shown that substances such as vitamin D, curcumin, quercetin, resveratrol, polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamins C and E, as well as physical activity, can have a positive impact on the development, severity of symptoms, and the quality of life of patients with endometriosis. Summary: The best forms of diagnosis and pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment of endometriosis are sought. A number of medicinal substances are available, but they still do not allow patients to be cured. Studies show that modifying the diet and introducing individual nutrients can also have a positive effect on the course and treatment of endometriosis. It is necessary to conduct further studies evaluating the pathogenesis, methods of treatment of endometriosis, as well as the impact of lifestyle modifications on it.

Introduction Knee pain in the pediatric population is a very common health issue in family doctor practice and its cause is not always obvious and easy to determine. It is important to remember that knee pain can also occur as a projection of the obturator nerve conducting signals from the hip joint. During physical examination the hip joint should be also carefully examined. Diagnostic imaging such as radiographs are helpful in evaluating bone parts, whereas ultrasonography and MRI can reveal pathology in periarticular soft tissue. Laboratory tests can help to rule out a septic process and reveal other associated conditions. The aim The aim of this work was to analyze the patient’s case of transient synovitis of the hip manifested by knee pain and discuss other hip joint causes of knee pain in the pediatric population. Case report An individual case report of the five-year-old male patient suffered from non-traumatic knee pain and inability to walk with analysis of undertaken diagnostic and treatment management. Results The patient was correctly diagnosed with transient synovitis of the hip joint and successfully treated due to a thorough physical examination and right diagnostic tests carried out by the emergency physician. Conclusions In every case of non-traumatic knee pain, hip pathology should be always ruled out. Carefully performed physical examination, basic laboratory tests and imagining allow practitioners to make the right diagnosis.

Introduction and purpose: The sternum is one of the bones that build up the anterior chest wall. It consists of three parts: manubrium, body and xiphoid process. It has been observed that this bone exhibits sexual dimorphism, which can be used in many fields of science. The aim of the study was to find morphological parameters showing sexual dimorphism that allow unambiguous sex identification. Material and method: 240 patients (140 women and 100 men) underwent chest CT and the following measurements were taken: angle of the sternum, length of the manubrium, body and xiphoid process, sum of the length of the manubrium and body, total length of the sternum. The thickness of all three parts of it and the width of the manubrium and body were also measured. Statistical analyses were performed using the Mann-Whitney "U" test. Values of p < 0. 05 were considered statistically significant. Results: The results of all statistical analyses did not show statistical significance as a basis for the definitive determination of gender. However, some trends between the sexes have been observed, but these cannot be regarded as universal principles of gender identification. Conclusions: There is a need for further researches on finding metric parameters of the sternum allowing gender identification, carried out on large population groups. To achieve this goal, the results of imaging tests, which are often used in diagnostics, including post-mortem examinations - Vitropsy, may be useful.

Introduction: Obesity is a chronic, multifactorial disease that leads to many complications. Many methods of treating obesity are available, but they are often not effective enough. Due to the strong connection between psychological factors and the development of obesity, it can be useful to include mindfulness training in treatment. The aim of this study: Summarize current knowledge on the effectiveness of mindfulness training in the treatment of obesity and evaluate the effect of mindfulness on weight loss. Material and method: The review includes publications published in 2012-2022. The search of publications in the Pubmed database was carried out using the following keywords: mindful eating, mindfulness, weight loss, obesity. Description of the stage of the knowledge: The use of mindfulness techniques in the treatment of eating disorders is becoming more popular. A growing number of studies evaluating the effects of mindfulness on weight loss are emerging, but the results are inconclusive. Mindfulness training is effective in improving eating habits and promoting lifestyle changes. Mindfulness training combined with behavioral treatments for obesity has positive effects on weight loss. Summary: Research shows that mindfulness training may be a promising intervention in obesity treatment because it increases self-awareness and promotes lifestyle changes. However, more research is needed to assess the long-term effectiveness of mindfulness for weight control.

The dynamic development of trauma-orthopedic surgery and accompanying material technology has led in recent years to the need for close cooperation between researchers in these fields. In a short time, thanks to the cooperation of engineers and doctors, the general approach to the method of bone anastomosis has changed significantly. The need to optimize the effects of treatment, i.e. to quickly recovery, reduce the number of postoperative complications, reduce the number of reoperations, and reduce the costs of procedures and treatment used has resulted in the development of many new technologies that have set trends in modern traumatology. The widespread use of LCP (Locking compression plate) and locking screws, the development of polymers and biopolymers with a modified chemical structure, a significant improvement in the biocompatibility and cytocompatibility of the materials used, and the implementation of products with significant micro-roughness that improve osseointegration are the well-known and commonly used effects of this cooperation today . Materials science related to orthopedics is an extremely complex and multi-threaded field. Its continuous development requires a periodic summary of the results and development directions provided, which allows faster evaluation and interpretation by researchers. The purpose of the following work is to summarize the latest research on materials and methods used in osteosynthesis in a legible way for potential recipients of this information from various fields.

Idiopathic avascular necrosis of the femoral head, known as Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (LCPD), is one of the most common necrosis among paediatric patients. Although it was described over 110 years ago its aetiology is still not established. Neither have effective treatment methods, which main aim is to maintain the joint with a full range of motion and to reduce the risk of developing degenerative changes. According to the literature, the exact aetiology of LCPD has still not been established. Increasingly, immunological and genetic disorders are highlighted in the literature, which may be an important cause of disease development. However, the number of reliable studies on this subject is very limited. Once again, the influence of various risk factors present in fetal life has been analysed, but in a study with a significantly larger group of subjects. It has been repeatedly stressed that age, stage and radiological classification have a very important influence on the choice of treatment method and its effectiveness. Another important aspect is the need for reliable clinical trials to determine the effectiveness of bisphosphonate drugs and BMPs (bone morphogenetic proteins). In all studies, the need to perform more studies, on quantitatively larger groups of subjects, is significantly emphasized.