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Diagnostics
Special Issues
Clinical Impacts and Value of Anatomy
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Clinical Impacts and Value of Anatomy

A special issue of Diagnostics (ISSN 2075-4418). This special issue belongs to the section "Medical Imaging and Theranostics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 2884

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Maria Piagkou

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Goudi, 11 527 Athens, Greece
Interests: anatomy; anesthesia; bone; trauma; muscle; morphometrics; surgery; arteries; surgical anatomy; gross anatomy

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

I am excited to announce the launch of a new Special Issue dedicated to anatomical research and its significance in clinical and surgical practice. Recent advancements in clinical and surgical anatomy have yielded essential insights for clinicians. Therefore, this Special Issue will focus on studies exploring anatomical variations vital for daily clinical and surgical practice.

We invite various submissions to this Special Issue, including original articles and reviews concerning the musculoskeletal, vascular, and nervous systems. Research may be conducted through cadaveric dissections or advanced imaging techniques such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. We also encourage systematic reviews that include meta-analyses.

Our goal with this Special Issue is to enhance the existing anatomical knowledge, particularly for clinicians.

Prof. Dr. Maria Piagkou
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Diagnostics is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • musculoskeletal anatomy
  • clinical anatomy
  • surgical anatomy
  • vascular
  • nervous system
  • anatomical variations

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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10 pages, 2471 KiB  
Article
Early-Branched Short Renal Arteries Are False Multiple Renal Arteries
by Adelina Maria Jianu, Nawwaf Sebastian Damen, Monica Adriana Vaida, Laura Octavia Grigoriță, Marius Ioan Rusu and Mugurel Constantin Rusu
Diagnostics 2025, 15(8), 1046; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics15081046 - 20 Apr 2025
Viewed by 499
Abstract
Background/Objectives: During retroperitoneal surgery, awareness of the anatomic variants of renal arteries (RAs) is essential. We aimed to determine the prevalence of early-branched (short) Ras, the bilateral morphologies of RAs in such cases, and to check for significant correlations regarding gender or [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: During retroperitoneal surgery, awareness of the anatomic variants of renal arteries (RAs) is essential. We aimed to determine the prevalence of early-branched (short) Ras, the bilateral morphologies of RAs in such cases, and to check for significant correlations regarding gender or side. Short RAs may be regarded as false multiple RAs and should be distinguished from true RAs. Methods: For the study, 185 archived angioCT files were randomly selected and evaluated for <1.5 cm RAs (106 male and 79 female cases). Simple regression and multiple regression tests, alongside ANOVA, were used for the statistical analysis. Results: Short RAs were found in 15/185 cases, 12 males and 3 females (8.1%), with short RAs found on the right side (2.7%), left side (4.86), and bilaterally (one case, 0.54%). The mean length was 9.46 mm. Short RAs were bifurcated in most cases and trifurcated in one case. In four other cases, peculiar RA anatomical patterns were found. They included a right RA origin of the right inferior phrenic artery, variable polar RAs, malrotated and ptotic kidneys, anteriorly dehiscent renal sinuses, and multiple RAs, including five right RAs, with the three inferior ones having precaval courses. Short RAs were not significantly related to gender (p > 0.05). There was a significant correlation between gender and right short RAs (p < 0.05). Conclusions: During renal transplant surgery, distinguishing between true and false multiple RAs is essential. While true multiple RAs may cause surgical discomfort, short RAs may be used as single RAs, but they should be carefully documented before donor nephrectomies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Clinical Impacts and Value of Anatomy)
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15 pages, 13801 KiB  
Article
Upright Open MRI (MRO) Evaluation of the Anatomic Effects of Yoga Postures on the Bladder Neck and Urethra
by Andrew Macnab and Lynn Stothers
Diagnostics 2025, 15(6), 723; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics15060723 - 13 Mar 2025
Viewed by 868
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Upright open magnetic resonance imaging allows the impact of posture and gravity to be evaluated. Randomized controlled trials of yoga for treating urinary incontinence (UI) in women show significant clinical benefit, yet the anatomic impact of this therapy on the lower [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Upright open magnetic resonance imaging allows the impact of posture and gravity to be evaluated. Randomized controlled trials of yoga for treating urinary incontinence (UI) in women show significant clinical benefit, yet the anatomic impact of this therapy on the lower urinary tract remains unelucidated. This study tested the hypothesis that open MRI scans can be obtained with sufficient detail to visualize the bladder neck and urethra. Methods: We scanned a volunteer subject using a 0.5 Tesla MRO Open Evo scanner to obtain axial and sagittal T2-weighted pelvic scans during poses used in yoga therapy. To obtain images with the necessary detail, we employed variations in sequencing during scanning of each individual pose. The changes observed in the bladder neck and urethral outline in each pose were then compared to baseline supine images. Results: Images with sufficient anatomic detail were obtained in each of the four poses studied. These scans identified that the urethral outline changes anatomically based on the posture adopted and is dynamic with regional alternations evident in caliber during specific yoga poses. Conclusions: Open MRI can identify anatomical changes involving the bladder neck and urethra that occur during yoga poses used in the treatment of UI in women; these likely relate to effects of posture and gravity. Open MRI offers a way to elucidate the anatomic effects that specific yoga poses generate and to identify those with the potential to be most beneficial clinically to women as a form of therapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Clinical Impacts and Value of Anatomy)
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13 pages, 2062 KiB  
Article
The Incidence and Variants of the Reno-Hemiazygos Connection
by Nawwaf Sebastian Damen, Adelina Maria Jianu, Mihai Lazăr, Mugurel Constantin Rusu, Gabriel Piţigoi and Silviu Petrescu
Diagnostics 2025, 15(4), 441; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics15040441 - 11 Feb 2025
Viewed by 932
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Although common anomalies of the left renal vein (LRV) are pretty well documented in the literature, the drainage of the left renal blood via the hemiazygos vein lacks comprehensive support. We, therefore, aimed to study the incidence of the reno-hemiazygos connection [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Although common anomalies of the left renal vein (LRV) are pretty well documented in the literature, the drainage of the left renal blood via the hemiazygos vein lacks comprehensive support. We, therefore, aimed to study the incidence of the reno-hemiazygos connection (RHC). Methods: A total of 150 computed tomography scans (85 men and 65 women) were documented for the origin of an RHC from the LRV. Results: RHCs were found in 14/150 cases (9.34%). They were more prevalent in women (71.43%). In 11/14 cases, type 1 RHCs ascended directly along the postero-lateral left side of the aorta (direct hemiazygos flow). In 3/14 cases, type 2 RHCs (indirect hemiazygos flow) had a lumbar segment corresponding to the second lumbar vein and a pretransversary segment corresponding to an ascending lumbar vein. In 9/14 cases (64.29%), the RHC was connected to a typical LRV. In 1/14 cases (7.14%), the RHC was connected to the junction between the LRV and a left retropelvic tributary. In another case (7.14%), the RHC was connected to a retroaortic LRV and, in three cases (21.43%), to a circumaortic LRV. Triple left renal arteries were found in type 1 and, respectively, type 2 cases. The vertebral level of the inferior end of the RHC was variable, from the L1/L2 disc level to the L3 level. Conclusions: When present, the RHC serves to connect the superior and inferior caval systems. This may be physiologically of use or not, but surgically, it is a major anatomical risk factor for bleeding if its presence is not checked preoperatively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Clinical Impacts and Value of Anatomy)
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24 pages, 1511 KiB  
Systematic Review
Morphometric Assessment of Occipital Condyles and Foramen Magnum Reveals Enhanced Sexual Dimorphism Detection via 3D Imaging: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Utilizing Classification and Regression Trees
by Christos Tsiouris, George Triantafyllou, Nektaria Karangeli, George G. Botis, Panagiotis Papadopoulos-Manolarakis, Theodosis Kalamatianos, George Tsakotos and Maria Piagkou
Diagnostics 2025, 15(11), 1359; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics15111359 - 28 May 2025
Viewed by 280
Abstract
Background: The morphology of the occipital condyles (OCs) and foramen magnum (FM) is critical for neurosurgical planning and forensic identification. However, pooled reference values and the impact of study-level moderators on morphometric estimates remain underexplored. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted [...] Read more.
Background: The morphology of the occipital condyles (OCs) and foramen magnum (FM) is critical for neurosurgical planning and forensic identification. However, pooled reference values and the impact of study-level moderators on morphometric estimates remain underexplored. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to estimate pooled morphometric values of the OCs and FM. Databases were searched for studies reporting relevant data in adult human subjects. A random-effects model was used to calculate pooled means and mean differences (MDs) by sex and side (left vs. right). Risk of bias and study quality were assessed. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on study design (osteological vs. imaging) and geographical region. Meta-CART (classification and regression trees) was used to explore moderator interactions and identify data-driven subgroups contributing to heterogeneity. Results: A total of 61 studies comprising 8010 adult skulls met the inclusion criteria. Substantial heterogeneity was observed across studies; most were assessed as having low-to-moderate methodological quality and a high risk of bias. The pooled mean values were as follows: OC length (OCL): 21.51 mm, OC width (OCW): 11.23 mm, OC thickness (OCT): 9.11 mm, FM length (FML): 35.02 mm, and FM width (FMW): 28.94 mm. Morphometric values reported in imaging-based studies were consistently lower than those from osteological studies. Evident sexual dimorphism was identified, with males exhibiting larger dimensions than females. The most pronounced sex-based mean differences (MDs)—approximately 2 mm—were found in OCL, FML, and FMW. In contrast, differences in OCT and OCW were under 1 mm. No significant side-related asymmetries were observed overall. Subgroup analysis revealed that sex-related MDs were more prominent in imaging studies, particularly for the right OCL and OCW. Meta-CART analysis identified study design as the strongest moderator for OCL, OCW, and FML. Sexual dimorphism was more pronounced in imaging studies but statistically insignificant in osteological samples. Furthermore, sex emerged as a stronger predictor for OCL than OCW, while geographical region had a greater impact on OCW. For OCT, geographical region was the main influencing factor, whereas sex was the primary moderator for FMW. Conclusions: OC and FM morphometry exhibit substantial heterogeneity across studies. Imaging-based methods more effectively detect sex-related differences, underscoring their utility in forensic identification and neurosurgical planning. These findings emphasize the need for more standardized, high-quality morphometric research to support population-specific anatomical reference data. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Clinical Impacts and Value of Anatomy)
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