https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/143533 Wed, 08 Apr 2026 04:57:09 GMT 2026-04-08T04:57:09Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/143604 Title: The Synapse : the Medical Professionals' Network : volume 22 : issue 2 Authors: Friggieri, Jesmond; Ellul, Ian C. Abstract: Table of contents:; 1/ ABELA, J. E. - Vision for the ageing sector; 2/ SAID, I. - Vascular surgery and chronic limb threatening ischaemia (CLTI); 3/ BONNICI, M., VELLA BRINCAT, D., ABU SHAMALA, N., XUEREB DINGLI, M., & CARUANA, C. - Adherence to local preoperative, generic investigation guidelines for adult elective upper gastrointestinal surgery; 4/ VASSALLO, P. - Artificial intelligence for imaging breast cancer; 5/ BORG, D., CASSAR, C., & ABELA, R. - Patient and carer education in the management of constipation with a view of reducing unnecessary admissions; 6/ CAMILLERI, M. - Spondylodiscitis in people who misuse drugs by injection : a case series of Maltese patients Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/143604 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/143600 Title: Vision for the ageing sector Abstract: My political career is only a shade over 18 months old; in April of last year I was thrust as the top man at the Active Ageing Ministry. As a medical doctor, it may be reflexive to get lost in the detail of medical care for older persons. However, having this attitude as a Minister can be deleterious. If we are to excel in end-user satisfaction, which is what really matters, we need to embark on a balancing act with the promotion of the healthcare aspect of older person medicine on one side and the pursuit of social reform on the other. In keeping with this, Government has recently launched a new version of the National Strategy for Active Ageing that will take us to 2030. Aside from the important pillars of social inclusion and addressing diversity and inequalities, the third pillar is healthy ageing and I shall focus on this aspect. [excerpt] Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/143600 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/143598 Title: Vascular surgery and chronic limb threatening ischaemia (CLTI) Authors: Said, Ian Abstract: Vascular surgery is one of the youngest surgical specialities, having parted ways from the umbrella of general surgery in the 1990’s. Over the past 30 years, advances in various techniques and technologies, have allowed vascular surgery as well as endovascular therapy to treat an increasingly broad and more complex range of arterial and venous pathologies. The diagnosis and management of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) of the lower limbs causing chronic limb threatening ischaemia (CLTI - previously known as critical limb ischaemia) provides the biggest workload to most vascular units. CLTI is defined as peripheral arterial disease of the lower limbs in combination with rest pain, gangrene, or ulceration of over two weeks duration. Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/143598 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/143596 Title: Artificial intelligence for imaging breast cancer Authors: Vassallo, Pierre Abstract: The incidence of breast cancer in women is high and has been increasing over the years. However, the mortality rate is decreasing as a result of improved early detection and treatment. These findings have driven worldwide efforts to increase breast cancer awareness and to deliver early cancer detection with improved treatment possibilities. The achievements obtained for early detection would not have been possible without the massive strides in development of information technology and computational power. Where only 2D analogue images were available 20 years ago, today we consistently work with 3D imaging. These technologies however have resulted in an exponential increase in data volume that consistently challenges radiologists’ capabilities. Artificial Intelligence promises to be a potential solution for the current imbalance between the demand on radiologists’ time and the increasing volume of imaging data generated that needs to be reviewed. Artificial Intelligence has further potentials for improving future practice workflows. Ongoing studies are working towards creating patient-specific screening and diagnostic workups, improving patient scheduling and protocol selection, radiation dose reduction, automated acquisition, improved image reconstruction to increase lesion visibility, a prioritised reading list (putting highly suspicious cases first and non-suspicious cases last), decreasing reading time, and prediction of breast cancer risk. Recent studies have shown that artificial Intelligence can improve radiologists’ cancer detection rates, reduce recall rates, and reduce reading times of high data volume exams such as 3D mammograms. Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/143596 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z