Periodontal disease (PD) is an inflammatory condition of the tissues supporting the teeth, which is widespread among the adult population. Evidence shows a relationship between PD and vitamin D levels, which is involved in the regulation of bone metabolism, mineral homeostasis, and inflammatory response. This study aimed to perform a simultaneous evaluation of inflammatory mediators and vitamin D levels in saliva in periodontopathic patients to better understand their role in periodontal disease. In this observational study, clinical periodontal parameter examination was performed for each patient. Moreover, the saliva levels of 25(OH)D3, TGFβ, IL-35, IL-17A, and MMP9 were evaluated using an ELISA assay. An increase in TGFβ, IL-35, MMP9, and IL-17A salivary levels and a reduction in 25(OH)D3 levels were observed in periodontopathic patients with respect to the healthy controls. The present study revealed significant positive correlation between cytokines and highly negative correlation between 25(OH)D3 and salivary cytokine levels. Further studies are needed to better understand if salivary cytokines and vitamin D evaluation may represent a new approach for detection and prevention of progressive diseases, such as PD.

Desmoid tumors (DTs) are a rare and biologically heterogeneous group of locally aggressive fibroblastic neoplasm: their biological behavior spectrum ranges from indolent to aggressive tumors. DTs are classified as intra-abdominal, extra-abdominal, and within the abdominal wall lesions. It is well known that abdominal and extra-abdominal DTs are associated with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and Gardner syndrome. Possible risk factors are prior trauma/surgery, pregnancy, and oral contraceptives. There was a real revolution in the management of DT: from aggressive first-line approach (surgery and radiation therapy) to a more conservative one (systemic treatment and “wait-and-see policy”). In these clinical settings, radiologists play an important role for assessing lesion resectability, evaluating recurrence, monitoring the biological behavior if an expectant management is chosen, and assessing response to systemic treatment as well as to radiation therapy. Awareness of common locations, risk factors, and imaging features is fundamental for a correct diagnosis and an adequate patient management.

KEYWORDSSonohysterography; Three-dimensional sonohysterography; Hysteroscopy; Abnormal uterine bleeding.Abstract Introduction: To compare the diagnostic values of three-dimensional sonohysterography (3DSH), transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS), and 2-dimensional sonohysterography (2DSH) in the work-up of abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), in particular the ability of each method to identify intracavitary lesions arising from the endometrium or uterine wall. Materials and methods: 24 patients referred for AUB underwent TVUS followed by 2-D and 3-D HS in the same session. Three-dimensional data were acquired with a free-hand technique during maximal distention of the uterus. Within 10 days of the sonographic session, each patient underwent hysteroscopy, which was considered the reference standard. For each of the 3 imaging methods, we calculated sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy. Results: Hysteroscopy demonstrated the presence of an intrauterine lesion in 21/24 patients (87.5%). In 3/24 patients hysteroscopy was negative. For TVUS, 2DSH, and 3DSH, sensitivity was 76% (16/21), 90% (19/21), 100% (21/21), respectively; specificity was 100% (3/3), 100% (19/19), 100% (21/21); PPV was 100%, 100%, 100%; NPV was 37%, 60%, 100%; accuracy was 76%, 90%, 100%. Conclusions: 3DSH is more sensitive that 2DSH or TVUS in the detection of intrauterine lesions. If these preliminary results are confirmed in larger studies, 3DSH could be proposed as a valuable alternative to diagnostic hysteroscopy.Sommario Introduzione: Valutare l'impatto diagnostico della Isterosonografia Tridimensionale (ISG 3D) nello studio della cavità uterina in donne con sanguinamento anomalo (SUA) rispetto all'ecografia transvaginale (ETV) e all'isterosonografia bidimensionale (ISG 2D), particolarmente per l'identificazione di neoformazioni a sviluppo endocavitario della superficie endometriale e della parete uterina. Materiali e metodi: Ventiquattro pazienti affette da SUA sono state incluse nello studio. Ciascuna di esse é stata sottoposta ad ETV, ISG e ISG 3D durante la medesima seduta. Le acquisizioni 3D sono state ottenute con tecnica free-hand in fase di massima replezione idrica della cavità. Tutte le pazienti sono state valutate con isteroscopia entro 10 giorni dall'ecografia. Considerando l'esame isteroscopico come reference standard, sono stati calcolati i valori di sensibilità, specificità, valore predittivo positivo (VPP), valore predittivo negativo (VPN) ed accuratezza delle tre metodiche. Risultati: L'isteroscopia ha dimostrato la presenza di lesioni endocavitarie in 21/24 pazienti (87,5% . L'ISG 3D ha consentito una completa identificazione dei rapporti delle lesioni con la cavità uterina e con la parete endometriale. Conclusioni: L'ISG 3D è una metodica con maggiore sensibilità nella definizione delle lesioni della cavità uterina rispetto all'ISG 2D ed all'ETV. Se questi dati preliminari saranno confermati da studi piú ampi, ISG 3D potrebbe essere proposta come alternativa all'ister...

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