AimThe aim of this paper was to evaluate the caliber of the following arteries in the lower extremities: the common femoral artery, superficial femoral artery, popliteal artery, posterior tibial artery and dorsalis pedis artery and to determine the relation of the calibers to age, sex and morphological parameters of the body such as weight, height and BMI of the subject.MaterialTwo hundred and twenty-eight healthy persons aged 18–81 were examined (average ±SD; 43.1±16.71): 134 women aged 19–74 (43.2±15.63) and 94 men aged 18–81 (43±18.22).MethodsThe study was conducted with the use of a linear probe of 7.5 MHz frequency. The vascular caliber was assessed after the color map (color Doppler) was placed on a B-mode image.ResultsThe average and standard deviation values for the calibers of examined vessels were determined. The calibers of all vessels examined in the group of men were statistically significantly larger than those in the group of women. No statistically significant differences between the calibers of the right and left sides were determined. The statistically significant correlations were specified between the age and the caliber of the examined vessels; positive for large femoral arteries and negative for the arteries of the crus and foot. Positive, statistically significant correlations between the caliber and the height, weight and BMI were also reported.ConclusionsThe reported calibers of the arteries in the lower extremities and their relation to age, sex and morphological parameters of the subjects enable the differentiation of the physiological remodeling of the vessels from the pathological processes in e.g. atherosclerosis or hypertension.

Aim: The aim of the study was to perform a retrospective analysis of the medical documentation of patients treated for acute mastoiditis (AM) at the Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology in Bialystok and to review the available literature on this subject so as to determine optimum AM management principles. Material and methods:A retrospective analysis of 40 patients treated for AM in 2001-2017 was performed. Patient enrollment was based on the AM diagnostic criteria established by Anthonsen et al [15]. results:The mean age of the subjects was 46 months, with 37% of children being less than 2 years old. No previous episodes of acute otitis media (AOM) had been reported in 2/3 of cases. Prior to hospital admission, antibiotics had been administered to 69% of patients. In laboratory investigations, 95% of patients presented with elevated inflammation markers (CRP, leukocytosis), with the values of these markers being higher in patients qualified for surgery. Indications for computed tomography (CT) scans included lack of improvement following 48 hours of conservative treatment or the presence of symptoms of subperiosteal abscesses. CT scans were performed in 35% of patients. Conservative treatment alone was administered to 24 patients (60%); this included myringotomy with/without ventilation tube insertion and intravenous antibiotic therapy. Ceftriaxone was the most commonly used antibiotic, being administered to 75% of patients. Mastoidectomy was required in 16 patients. The most common indication (30%) for mastoidectomy consisted in the presence of subperiosteal abscess. conclusion:In non-complicated cases of AM, there is no need for routine performance of CT scans; myringotomy with or without insertion of ventilation drains should be performed and empirical intravenous antibiotic therapy should be started.In the presence of a subperiosteal abscess, a contrast-enhanced CT scan and mastoidectomy are recommended. Deterioration of patient's condition or lack of improvement after 48 hours of conservative treatment requires a CT scan being performed and the decision on potential mastoidectomy being made on the basis of the scan. Keywords:acute mastoiditis, children, acute otitis media, treatment streszczenie: cel: Celem pracy była analiza retrospektywna dokumentacji chorych leczonych z powodu ostrego zapalenia wyrostka sutkowatego (OZWS) w Klinice Otolaryngologii Dziecięcej w Białymstoku, jak również dostępnego piśmiennictwa na ten temat, w celu określenia optymalnych zasad postępowania w OZWS. Materiał i metody:Analiza retrospektywna 40 pacjentów leczonych z powodu OZWS w latach 2001-2017. Kryteria włączenia pacjentów przyjęto za Anthonsen i wsp.[15]. wyniki: Średni wiek badanych wynosił 46 miesięcy, 37% dzieci miało mniej niż 2 lata. 2/3 przypadków nie było poprzedzonych wcześniejszymi epizodami OMA. 69% chorych otrzymywało antybiotyk przed przyjęciem do szpitala. W badaniach laboratoryjnych u 95% chorych stwierdzono podwyższone wykładniki stanu zapalnego (CRP, leukocytoza), ich wartość była wyższa wśród chorych zak...