Prehospital Blood Transfusion in Helicopter Emergency Medical Services: An Italian Survey.

OBJECTIVE: Hemorrhage remains the most common cause of preventable death after trauma. Prehospital blood product (PHBP) administration may improve outcomes. No data are available about PHBP use in Italian helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS). The primary aim of this survey was to establish the degree of PHBP used throughout Italy. The secondary aims were to evaluate the main indications for their use, the opinions about PHBPs, and users' experience. METHODS: The study group performed a telephone/e-mail survey of all 56 Italian HEMS bases. The questions concerned whether PHBPs were used in their HEMS bases, the frequency of transfusions, the PHBP used, and the perceived benefits. RESULTS: Four of 56 HEMS bases use PHBPs. Overall, 7% have prehospital access to packed red cells and only 1 to fresh plasma. In addition to blood product administration, 4 of 4 use tranexamic acid, and 3 of 4 also use fibrinogen. Seventy-five percent use PHBPs once a month and 25% once a week. The users' experience was that PHBPs are beneficial and lifesaving. CONCLUSION: Only 4 of 56 HEMS in Italy use PHBPs. There is an absolute consensus among providers on the benefit of PHBPs despite the lack of evidence on PHBP use.

CT imaging for occult malignancy in patients with unprovoked venous thromboembolism (VTE) in a tertiary centre: is it worthwhile?

BACKGROUND: Investigating patients with unprovoked venous thromboembolism (uVTE) for occult malignancy can prove a diagnostic dilemma and imaging is often used extensively in this patient group. AIMS: The primary objective of this study was to determine the incidence of malignancy on CT and other imaging over a 10-year period. A secondary objective was to evaluate the role of laboratory and other non-imaging tests performed. METHODS: A retrospective key word search of our hospital's imaging system was performed to identify patients with unprovoked DVT/PE over the last 10 years. All imaging, histology, endoscopy, laboratory tests, and clinical follow-up over 2 years were analysed. Patients with provoked VTE were excluded. RESULTS: 150 patients had uVTE. 9 patients were diagnosed with occult malignancy by different investigations on index hospital admission (3 patients) or subsequently on clinical follow-up (6 patients). Mean age of patients was 62 years. 116 patients had CT body imaging. The incidence of malignancy diagnosed by initial CT imaging was 1.7% with a sensitivity of 22%, specificity 87%, and PPV 12.5%. Overall incidence of malignancy identified by imaging alone during the index hospital admission was 2%. Total incidence of malignancy including index admission and follow-up was 6%. Median time to cancer diagnosis was 12 months. CONCLUSION: CT imaging had a low yield for diagnosing malignancy. Extensive imaging strategies increase cost and radiation exposure without improving mortality. Clinical follow-up, history taking, and physical examination guiding appropriate investigations remain the best tool for unmasking occult malignancy in patients with uVTE.

Appendiceal tumours - A correlation of CT features and histopathological diagnosis.

Appendiceal tumours are uncommon neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract. An understanding of the imaging appearances facilitates an accurate radiological description, which guides surgical and oncological management. In this study, a retrospective review of the CT imaging and histopathology of all cases of appendiceal tumours discussed at the oncology multidisciplinary meetings in a single centre, over an 8-year period (2012-2019) is performed. The array and incidence of both common and rare pathologies are investigated, and important characteristic imaging findings for radiologists to recognize are highlighted.