Gastrointestinal Manifestations of COVID-19 Infection: Clinicopathologic Findings in Intestinal Resections Performed at Single Institution.

It is now known that COVID-19 not only involves the lungs, but other organs as well including the gastrointestinal tract. Although clinic-pathological features are well-described in lungs, the histopathologic features of gastrointestinal involvement in resection specimens are not well characterized. Herein, we describe in detail the clinicopathologic features of intestinal resection specimens in four patients with COVID-19 infection. COVID-19 viral particles by in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence studies are also demonstrated. All four patients were males, aged 28-46 years, with comorbidities. They initially presented with a severe form of pulmonary COVID-19 and showed gastrointestinal symptoms, requiring surgical intervention. Histopathologic examination of resected GI specimens, mostly right colectomies, revealed a spectrum of disease, from superficial mucosal ischemic colitis to frank transmural ischemic colitis and associated changes consistent with pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis. Three patients were African American (75%), and one was Caucasian (25%); three patients died due to complications of their COVID-19 infection (75%), while one ultimately recovered from their GI complications (25%), but experienced prolonged sequela of COVID-19 infection including erectile dysfunction. In conclusion, COVID-19 infection, directly or indirectly, can cause ischemic gastrointestinal complications, with predilection for the right colon.

Cardiac pathology in COVID-19: a single center autopsy experience.

BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is commonly associated with myocardial injury and heart failure. The pathophysiology behind this phenomenon remains unclear, with many diverse and multifaceted hypotheses. To contribute to this understanding, we describe the underlying cardiac findings in fifty patients who died with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: Included were autopsies performed on patients with a positive SARS-CoV-2 reverse-transcriptase-polymerase-chain reaction test from the index hospitalization. In the case of out-of-hospital death, patients were included if post-mortem testing was positive. Complete autopsies were performed according to a COVID-19 safety protocol, and all patients underwent both macroscopic and microscopic examination. If available, laboratory findings and echocardiograms were reported. RESULTS: The median age of the decedents was 63.5 years. The most common comorbidities included hypertension (90.0%), diabetes (56.0%) and obesity (50.0%). Lymphocytic inflammatory infiltrates in the heart were present in eight (16.0%) patients, with focal myocarditis present in two (4.0%) patients. Acute myocardial ischemia was observed in eight (16.0%) patients. The most common findings were myocardial fibrosis (80.0%), hypertrophy (72.0%), and microthrombi (66.0%). The most common causes of death were COVID-19 pneumonia in 18 (36.0%), COVID-19 pneumonia with bacterial superinfection in 12 (24.0%), and COVID-19 pneumonia with pulmonary embolism in 10 (20.0%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiovascular comorbidities were prevalent, and pathologic changes associated with hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease were the most common findings. Despite markedly elevated inflammatory markers and cardiac enzymes, few patients exhibited inflammatory infiltrates or necrosis within cardiac myocytes. A unifying pathophysiologic mechanism behind myocardial injury in COVID-19 remains elusive, and additional autopsy studies are needed.

Autologous Osteoligamentous Reconstruction of Scaphoid Proximal Pole With Metatarsal Head and Collateral Ligament: Cadaver Anatomic Description of Novel Surgical Technique.

Background: Historically, scaphoid nonunion has been surgically treated with vascularized bone graft taken from multiple different anatomic sites. However, none of these grafts fully recapitulate the unique osteoligamentous anatomy of the proximal pole of the scaphoid and the attachment of the scapholunate ligament (SLIL). We studied the anatomy of the vascularized second metatarsal head with its lateral collateral ligament as a potential novel treatment of proximal pole scaphoid nonunion with collapse. Methods: Scaphoids and second metatarsal heads were harvested from bilateral upper and lower extremities of 18 fresh frozen cadavers (10 male, 8 female) for a total of 36 scaphoids and 36 second metatarsal heads. The ipsilateral second metatarsal head was harvested with its lateral collateral ligament and its blood supply from the second dorsal metatarsal artery (SDMA). Measurements of the scaphoid, the SLIL, the second metatarsal head, and lateral collateral ligaments were compared to matched limbs from the same cadaver. Results: The anatomic dimensions of the second metatarsal head with its lateral collateral ligament are similar to the scaphoid proximal pole and the SLIL in matched cadaveric specimen. Conclusions: This anatomic cadaver study reveals that the second metatarsal head with its associated lateral collateral ligament is a well-matched donor to reconstruct the proximal pole of the scaphoid and SLIL. This anatomic similarity may be well suited to treat nonunion of the scaphoid proximal pole with or without avascular necrosis with simultaneous reconstruction of the SLIL. The authors describe a technique of vascularized reconstruction of the osteoligamentous proximal pole of the scaphoid with its attached SLIL utilizing autologous second metatarsal head with its attached lateral collateral ligament. Based on this cadaver study, this technique merits consideration.

A novel approach to cricoarytenoid joint injections: An anatomic study.

OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate a novel approach to cricoarytenoid joint (CAJ) injections. STUDY DESIGN: Anatomic feasibility study. METHODS: Five human cadaveric larynges providing 10 CAJ s were used to obtain trajectory measurements of a 27-gauge 1½-inch needle placed between the CAJ capsule and the contralateral cricothyroid membrane. Ten additional larynges providing 20 CAJ s were then used to assess the efficacy of applying the previously obtained measurements to guide 0.2-cc methylene blue injections of the CAJ using a 27-gauge 1½-inch needle. Successful injection was confirmed by direct visualization of methylene blue within the CAJ capsule. RESULTS: The tip of the needle made a 70 ± 1.87 degree (confidence interval [CI] 95%) angle relative to the plane parallel to the anterior lamella of the cricoid cartilage; the needle was within the cricothyroid membrane 5 ± 0.77 mm (CI 95%) lateral to the midsagittal plane; the needle was 4 ± 0.80 mm (CI 95%) anteroinferior from the vocal process of the arytenoid cartilage as measured within the airway; and the distance from the point of airway entry and the CAJ capsule was 17 ± 2.42 mm (CI 95%). Twenty CAJ injections were attempted using the guidelines established here with an 85% success rate. CONCLUSION: The current approach to CAJ injection utilizes microlaryngoscopy in an operative setting. This study is the first to describe the accessibility of the CAJ through percutaneous injection using reliable landmarks, potentially allowing access to the joint in an office-based setting. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA Laryngoscope, 127:199-203, 2017.

A randomized control hands-on defibrillation study-Barrier use evaluation.

INTRODUCTION: Chest compressions and defibrillation are the only therapies proven to increase survival in cardiac arrest. Historically, rescuers must remove hands to shock, thereby interrupting chest compressions. This hands-off time results in a zero blood flow state. Pauses have been associated with poorer neurological recovery. METHODS: This was a blinded randomized control cadaver study evaluating the detection of defibrillation during manual chest compressions. An active defibrillator was connected to the cadaver in the sternum-apex configuration. The sham defibrillator was not connected to the cadaver. Subjects performed chest compressions using 6 barrier types: barehand, single and double layer nitrile gloves, firefighter gloves, neoprene pad, and a manual chest compression/decompression device. Randomized defibrillations (10 per barrier type) were delivered at 30 joules (J) for bare hand and 360J for all other barriers. After each shock, the subject indicated degree of sensation on a VAS scale. RESULTS: Ten subjects participated. All subjects detected 30j shocks during barehand compressions, with only 1 undetected real shock. All barriers combined totaled 500 shocks delivered. Five (1%) active shocks were detected, 1(0.2%) single layer of Nitrile, 3(0.6%) with double layer nitrile, and 1(0.2%) with the neoprene barrier. One sham shock was reported with the single layer nitrile glove. No shocks were detected with fire gloves or compression decompression device. All shocks detected barely perceptible (0.25(±0.05)cm on 10cm VAS scale). CONCLUSIONS: Nitrile gloves and neoprene pad prevent (99%) responder's detection of defibrillation of a cadaver. Fire gloves and compression decompression device prevented detection.