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Abstract: Objective: Obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS) represent a serious complication of vaginal delivery that can result in chronic anal incontinence and reduced quality of life. Accurate diagnosis is essential for optimal repair and prevention of long-term morbidity. This review summarizes current evidence on the advantages of elastography as a diagnostic adjunct for the detection of OASIS. Mechanism: Elastography is an advanced ultrasound (US)-based imaging technique that quantifies tissue stiffness, enabling functional assessment of the anal sphincter complex beyond anatomical visualization. By distinguishing the mechanical properties of healthy muscle, acute tears, and fibrotic tissue, elastography may improve the detection of subtle or occult sphincter defects that conventional endoanal US may miss. Findings in Brief: Shear-wave elastography (SWE) has demonstrated moderate to good intraobserver and interobserver reliability, with reported intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) that vary by measurement conditions. Preliminary studies indicate that greater sphincter stiffness may be protective against perineal tears, suggesting potential for risk stratification. Elastography is non-invasive, free of ionizing radiation, and suitable for repeated evaluation during recovery. However, its diagnostic superiority over standard US for high-grade OASIS remains unconfirmed, and correlations with functional outcomes, such as incontinence severity, are inconsistent. Key limitations include operator dependency, a steep learning curve, and a lack of standardized acquisition protocols. Integration with artificial intelligence (AI) could improve consistency and diagnostic accuracy. Conclusions: Elastography represents a promising adjunct to traditional imaging for the evaluation and management of OASIS. By providing quantitative, biomechanical insights into sphincter integrity, it holds potential to improve early diagnosis, guide rehabilitation, and support recovery monitoring. However, robust evidence demonstrating superiority over established imaging modalities for the diagnosis of OASIS remains limited. Larger, longitudinal studies are needed to validate the clinical utility of elastography and to standardize the use of this technique in obstetric practice.
Keywords: obstetric anal sphincter injury, elastography, ultrasound imaging, perineal trauma, pelvic floor
Published in DiRROS: 23.07.2026; Views: 255; Downloads: 162
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Abstract: The article reflects on the meanings of silence which was encountered in the ethnographic research of memories on the Istrian exodus and a WWII national “hero” in the Primorska (littoral) region of Slovenia. Different kinds of silence are discussed, from the one deriving from the conflict of memories and power relations, violence and fear, to Freudian ideas of repression and trauma, denial and others. From the methodological point of view the question is raised of how to detect silence when filled with words or embodied. A reflection is made on the impact of research on the silenced communities.
Keywords: silence, memory conflict, trauma, denial, fear, conspiracy of silence, Istria, exodus
Published in DiRROS: 08.07.2026; Views: 172; Downloads: 136
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Abstract: Marine debris is considered a serious threat to the survival of sharks and rays worldwide. Although entanglement with floating plastic debris has been reported in several shark species, this is the first report of this threat and the resulting mechanical trauma in the triakid shark Mustelus mustelus from the Sea of Marmara.
Keywords: Plastic, entanglement, smoothhound, trauma, Sea of Marmara
Published in DiRROS: 24.06.2026; Views: 270; Downloads: 183
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Abstract: Background: Adverse life events and other stressors were central to historical 'Freudian' models of functional neurological disorder (FND), which have been increasingly replaced by more nuanced biopsychosocial models. Studies of the aetiological relevance of stressors have been limited by small sample sizes. Methods: Retrospective cohort analyses using a large international electronic health records network (TriNetX), including ICD-10 codes, were performed. Between 2015 and 2025, 147,595 individuals were diagnosed with FND. The rates of adverse life events and psychosocial stressors were compared to matched cohorts with migraine and generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) diagnoses. We also investigated associations between FND and the presence of stressors, including the stressor type and whether it occurred in childhood or adulthood. Findings: Rates of abuse or neglect (1·33%), assault (2·42%), and psychosocial and socioeconomic difficulties (10·63%) were significantly higher in FND compared to migraine (0·42%/0·93%/3·43%, respectively) and GAD (0·75%/1·29%/7·69%, respectively) (p < ·0001 for all comparisons). A history of physical and sexual abuse was more prevalent in FND than in comparison groups. Psychological abuse was more common in FND than in migraine, but not when compared to GAD. FND cases with recorded stressors were younger, more often female, and more frequently diagnosed with functional/dissociative seizures than those without stressors. Further, these stressors were associated with an increased prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities, pain, and fatigue. Different stressor types had distinct influences on clinical presentations. Adult-onset adversity was associated with higher rates of psychiatric comorbidities, pain and fatigue. Interpretation: A record of adversities was at least 2·5 times more common in FND than in migraine, and about 1·5 times more common than in GAD, varying by stressor type. Psychosocial stressors were particularly common. The presence of stressors, as well as their type, shapes the presentation of FND. Life history should therefore be considered when assessing individuals with FND.
Keywords: conversion disorder, FND, functional neurological disorder, life events, stress, trauma
Published in DiRROS: 10.04.2026; Views: 385; Downloads: 320
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Abstract: The article explores how the collective and individual memories of major traumatic events in the area of the Slovenian-Italian border have impacted the identities, memories, and the living of the third youngest generation of the Slovenian and Italian national minorities. The article discusses the fieldwork findings collected in the Slovenian-Italian border region during two focus groups. Today’s generation wishes to break through a divisive legacy of the borderland past.
Keywords: intergenerational memories, trauma, identity, Slovenian and Italian minorities, cross-border relations
Published in DiRROS: 21.01.2026; Views: 628; Downloads: 353
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