IntroductionThe aim of this study was to clarify the effectiveness of various imaging modalities and characteristic imaging features in the screening of IgG4-related dacryoadenitis and sialadenitis (IgG4-DS), and to show the differences in the imaging features between IgG4-DS and Sjögren’s syndrome (SS).MethodsThirty-nine patients with IgG4-DS, 51 with SS and 36 with normal salivary glands were enrolled. Images of the parotid and submandibular glands obtained using sonography, 2-[18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT), computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were retrospectively analyzed. Six oral and maxillofacial radiologists randomly reviewed the arranged image sets under blinded conditions. Each observer scored the confidence rating regarding the presence of the characteristic imaging findings using a 5-grade rating system. After scoring various findings, diagnosis was made as normal, IgG4-DS or SS, considering all findings for each case.ResultsOn sonography, multiple hypoechoic areas and hyperechoic lines and/or spots in the parotid glands and obscuration of submandibular gland configuration were detected mainly in patients with SS (median scores 4, 4 and 3, respectively). Reticular and nodal patterns were observed primarily in patients with IgG4-DS (median score 5). FDG-PET/CT revealed a tendency for abnormal 18F-FDG accumulation and swelling of both the parotid and submandibular glands in patients with IgG4-DS, particularly in the submandibular glands. On MRI, SS had a high score regarding the findings of a salt-and-pepper appearance and/or multiple cystic areas in the parotid glands (median score 4.5). Sonography showed the highest values among the four imaging modalities for sensitivity, specificity and accuracy. There were significant differences between sonography and CT (p = 0.0001) and between sonography and FDG-PET/CT (p = 0.0058) concerning accuracy.ConclusionsChanges in the submandibular glands affected by IgG4-DS could be easily detected using sonography (characteristic bilateral nodal/reticular change) and FDG-PET/CT (abnormal 18F-FDG accumulation). Even inexperienced observers could detect these findings. In addition, sonography could also differentiate SS. Consequently, we recommend sonography as a modality for the screening of IgG4-DS, because it is easy to use, involves no radiation exposure and is an effective imaging modality.

It was demonstrated using cine MRI that certain tongue movements were associated with each task. Tongue protrusion in the production of higher pitch and bending in louder dynamics can be rationalized using acoustics theory and the movements of anatomical structures. These findings seem to be consistent regardless of the player's proficiency.

Background There is growing awareness of polypharmacy as a global issue. Several countries have introduced policies to optimize multidrug prescriptions. In Japan, hospital prescription fee “F100” and outpatient prescription fee “F400” have been instituted to promote the correct use of drugs, the medical treatment fee is restricted when seven or more types of drugs are prescribed. However, non-polypharmacy patients who need multiple drugs are also comprehensively evaluated within the purview of the same drug insurance claim criteria. Thus, the current state of such policies is still unclear. This study identified the age group in which drug claims have changed based on drug insurance claim criteria and elucidated the relationship between policy interventions and multidrug prescriptions. Methods We analyzed F100 and F400 cases using open data from the National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups of Japan from April 2015 to March 2017. These sources include a population of about 69 million patients. Moreover, the growth rate of the number of patients who were prescribed seven or more types of drugs was evaluated. Results F100 prescription claims decreased by − 12.7% (n = 3,239,070) in 2016 as compared to 2015 (n = 3,700,396), and the number of F400 prescription claims decreased by − 7.7% (n = 28,745,468) in 2016 as compared to 2015 (n = 31,142,484), for seven or more types of drugs. The drug insurance claim rate among people over the age of 65 was 74.2% to F100 and 77.9% to F400, and this age group represented the highest proportion among all age groups. Conclusions The rate of health insurance claims for multidrug prescriptions clearly decreased after the institution of policy interventions to optimize the use of seven or more types of drugs. The present study suggests that the prescription fee restriction could reduce the rate of multidrug prescriptions and consequent decreases the risk of adverse drug-related events in polypharmacy patients. Key messages Policy interventions related to the optimization of drug prescriptions encourage behavioral factors of healthcare providers. Polypharmacy treatment must be established through prescriptions information linkage between clinical practices and community.