No abstract

BackgroundTraumatic brain injuries (TBIs), specifically concussions, affect many athletes and have dangerous immediate and long-term sequelae. Lack of awareness surrounding concussion impedes prevention, identification, and treatment. This study aims to assess parental knowledge and attitudes regarding concussions in youth baseball before and after administering an educational intervention called PitchSafe. PitchSafe is a short video that contains examples of baseball-related head injuries such as collisions, falls, and direct hits by baseballs; the signs and symptoms of a concussion; testimony from a former baseball player who sustained a TBI playing baseball; and a brochure detailing the potential signs, symptoms, and treatment plans associated with concussions. MethodologyThe Rosenbaum Concussion Knowledge and Attitudes Survey (RoCKAS) was used to assess three indices of parental understanding of concussion: Concussion Knowledge Index (CKI), Concussion Attitudes Index (CAI), and signs and symptoms of concussions (SS). The RoCKAS was administered at baseline and after the PitchSafe tool was administered. Parents were re-assessed one year following the initial distribution of survey materials utilizing the long-term follow-up (LTFU) RoCKAS. A paired sample t-test was conducted to compare the baseline, post-intervention (PI), and LTFU CKI, CAI, and SS among participants. ResultsThe mean scores for CKI were 68% ± 12%, 76% ± 4%, and 76% ± 5% for baseline, PI, and LTFU, respectively. The mean scores for SS were 46% ± 20%, 62% ± 14%, and 64% ± 16% for baseline, PI, and LTFU, respectively. The mean scores for CAI were 87% ± 6%, 91% ± 5%, and 92% ± 4% for baseline, PI, and LTFU, respectively. ConclusionsPitchSafe increased youth baseball parents' long-term knowledge of concussions, ability to identify signs and symptoms of concussions, and may promote safer attitudes toward concussions. These findings support more widespread use of educational tools through social media and in clinical settings.

Mesenchymal stem cells differentiate into a plethora of cell types. These differentiated cell types include osteoblasts, chondrocytes, myocytes, and adipocytes. Sarcomas occur secondary to malignant transformation of these mesenchymal, pluripotent stem cells. Involuntary smooth muscle is responsible for the make up of hollow organs and vasculature in our body and is regulated by our autonomic nervous system, hormones, as well as chemical and local mediators. Cancer involving smooth muscle cells is designated as leiomyosarcoma (LMS). LMS can arise from any location in the body where smooth muscle is present and is frequently reported in the abdomen and pelvis, as well as the trunk, extremities, and throughout the retroperitoneum.

We report the case of a 45-year-old woman who presented with a large palpable abdominal mass. Initial sonographic and computed tomographic studies prompted a differential diagnosis of retroperitoneal or renal sarcoma, leiomyoma, and lipid-poor angiomyolipoma. A final diagnosis of renal leiomyoma was reached based on a consensus among radiology, surgery and pathology. In addition to reviewing the features of this entity, this case demonstrates the process of developing a working diagnosis, narrowing the differential as additional testing is performed and establishing a final diagnosis with interdepartmental coordination. Despite the rarity of this condition, the ability to recognize and apply imaging features to differentiate between abdominal masses of unknown origin is important for clinicians and researchers.