University of L'Aquila

Lumbar Plexus Disorders Presenting as Low Back Pain: A Narrative Review of a Practical Diagnostic Imaging Approach

Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common causes of medical consultation worldwide and is typically attributed to degenerative spinal disorders. However, a subset of patients presents with LBP related to extra-spinal conditions, including disorders of the lumbar plexus. These...

Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing in Donor-Oocyte Pregnancies: Biological Determinants, Algorithmic Limitations and Clinical Implications

Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) based on circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) has transformed prenatal screening for common aneuploidies, but its interpretation is less straightforward in pregnancies conceived with donor oocytes. In this setting, fetal chromosomal risk is large...

Bone Accrual During Puberty Suppression and Gender-Affirming Therapy in Transgender Adolescents

Importance Puberty is a critical window for bone mass acquisition, determining lifelong fracture risk. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa)–based pubertal suppression followed by gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) is increasingly used in transgender and gender-dive...