Skin color influences transcutaneous bilirubin measurements: a systematic in vitro evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: Concerns have been raised about the effect of skin color on the accuracy of transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) measurements, a widely used method for hyperbilirubinemia diagnosis in newborns. Literature is inconclusive, with both reported under- and overestimations of the TcB with increasing skin pigmentation. Therefore, the influence of skin color on TcB measurements was systematically evaluated in a controlled, in vitro setting. METHODS: A bilirubin meter (JM-105) was evaluated on layered phantoms that mimic neonatal skin with varying dermal bilirubin concentrations (0-250 µmol/L) and varying epidermal melanosome volume fractions (0-40%; light-dark skin color). RESULTS: TcB measurements were influenced by skin pigmentation. Larger mimicked melanosome volume fractions and higher bilirubin levels led to larger underestimations of the measured TcB, compared to an unpigmented epidermis. In the in vitro setting of this study, these underestimations amounted to 26-132 µmol/L at a TcB level of 250 µmol/L. CONCLUSION: This in vitro study provides insight into the effect of skin color on TcB measurements: the TcB is underestimated as skin pigmentation increases and this effect becomes more pronounced at higher bilirubin levels. Our results highlight the need for improved TcB meter design and cautious interpretation of TcB readings on newborns with dark skin. IMPACT: Key message: Skin color influences transcutaneous bilirubin measurements: the darker the skin, the larger the underestimation. What this study adds to existing literature: Existing literature is inconclusive regarding the influence of skin color on transcutaneous bilirubin measurements. This study systematically evaluates and clarifies the influence of skin color on transcutaneous bilirubin measurements in a controlled, in vitro setting. IMPACT: This study aids to better interpret the measured TcB level in patients with varying skin colors, and is particularly important when using TcB meters on patients with dark skin colors.

Image-guided point-shear-wave elastography: a valid and reliable technique for liver fibrotic staging.

PURPOSE: Despite progressive implementation of image-guided point-shear wave elastography (pSWE) in guidelines as an alternative to transient elastography for the staging of fibrotic liver disease, pSWE is not widely adopted in clinical workflow. More information on reliability and validity of pSWE systems is needed. Therefore, we performed a phantom study to evaluate the validity and reliability of pSWE with ultrasound systems. METHODS: Validity and reliability of pSWE measurements from three ultrasound systems were evaluated. Measurements were performed on an elasticity phantom with reference elasticities of 7 ± 1 (low) (median ± interquartile range (IQR)), 14 ± 2 (medium) and 26 ± 3 (high) kPa. Measurements were repeated in tenfold for each reference at 2, 3 and 4 cm depth. Results were considered valid when median elasticity ± IQR was between the uncertainty limits (IQR) for each reference elasticity value and reliable when IQR/median < 0.30. RESULTS: pSWE with the systems provided valid results for all reference elasticities and focal depths, except for overestimation of high reference elasticity at 2 and 4 cm depth for one system (41.5 ± 4.3 and 39.0 ± 1.2 kPa, respectively). Measurements were reliable with a maximum IQR/median of 0.13, well below the guideline of IQR/median < 0.30. DISCUSSION: The results support the use of pSWE as an alternative to invasive or non-image guided noninvasive techniques for liver fibrotic staging. CONCLUSIONS: pSWE with ultrasound systems from different vendors is valid and reliable and can therefore be implemented to optimize clinical workflow by performing imaging and elastography simultaneously.

Quantification of cephalocaudal progression of jaundice in preterm infants.

BACKGROUND: The cephalocaudal progression (CCP) of neonatal jaundice is a well-known phenomenon, but quantitative information on CCP in preterm infants is absent. In this study, CCP was quantified in preterm infants as a function of postnatal age and body location. METHODS: 5.693 transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) measurements were performed in 101 preterm infants from birth until postnatal day seven at five body locations (forehead, sternum, hipbone, tibia, ankle). Multi-level linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the CCP as a function of body location and postnatal age. TcB measurements at all body locations and postnatal days were compared to total serum bilirubin (TSB) levels (N = 1.113). RESULTS: The overall average change in ratio of TcB compared to forehead was for sternum +0.04 [95% CI -0.02;0.09]; hipbone +0.05 [0.00;0.01]; tibia -0.33 [-0.38;-0.27] and ankle -0.62 [-0.68;-0.57]. No effect modification of CCP by sex, gestational age, birthweight, phototherapy, and TSB was found. The TcB maximally underestimated the TSB at the ankle -79.5 µmol [-0.1;159.2]. CONCLUSIONS: CCP is present in preterm infants and is relatively stable over time. Since TcB measurements on the tibia and ankle underestimate TSB significantly, we advise to use only measurement locations cephalic from the tibia; i.e., hipbone, sternum, and forehead. IMPACT: Cephalocaudal progression (CCP) of jaundice in preterm infants, assessed by transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) measurements, is substantial and rather stable over postnatal day 0 to 7. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to investigate CCP of jaundice in preterm infants as a function of postnatal age in preterm infants. Our results demonstrate that TcB measurements at the tibia and ankle differ from the TSB beyond the clinically used TcB safety margins. We advise to perform TcB measurements only at locations cephalic from the tibia; i.e., hipbone, forehead, and sternum.

Irradiance footprint of phototherapy devices: a comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Phototherapy (PT) is the standard treatment of neonatal unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia. The irradiance footprint, i.e., the illuminated area by the PT device with sufficient spectral irradiance, is essential for PT to be effective. Irradiance footprint measurements are not performed in current clinical practice. We describe a user-friendly method to systematically evaluate the high spectral irradiance (HSI) footprint (illuminated area with spectral irradiance of ≥30 µW cm-2 nm-1) of PT devices in clinical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six commercially available LED-based overhead PT devices were evaluated in overhead configuration with an incubator. Spectral irradiance (µW cm-2 nm-1) and HSI footprint were measured with a radiospectrometer (BiliBlanket Meter II). RESULTS: The average measured spectral irradiance ranged between 27 and 52 µW cm-2 nm-1 and HSI footprint ranged between 67 and 1465 cm2, respectively. Three, two, and one PT devices out of six covered the average BSA of an infant born at 22, 26-32, and 40 weeks of gestation, respectively. CONCLUSION: Spectral irradiance of LED-based overhead PT devices is often lower than manufacturer's specifications, and HSI footprints not always cover the average BSA of a newborn infant. The proposed measurement method will contribute to awareness of the importance of irradiance level as well as footprint measurements in the management of neonatal jaundice. IMPACT: While a sufficient spectral irradiance footprint is essential for PT to be effective, some PT devices have spectral irradiance footprints that are too small to cover the entire body surface area (BSA) of a newborn infant. This study introduces a user-friendly, accessible method to systematically evaluate the spectral irradiance level and footprint of PT devices. This study supports awareness on the role of the spectral irradiance footprint in the efficacy of PT devices. Irradiance footprint can be easily measured during phototherapy with the proposed method.

Understanding the Costs of Surgery: A Bottom-Up Cost Analysis of Both a Hybrid Operating Room and Conventional Operating Room.

BACKGROUND: Over the past decade, many hospitals have adopted hybrid operating rooms (ORs). As resources are limited, these ORs have to prove themselves in adding value. Current estimations on standard OR costs show great variety, while cost analyses of hybrid ORs are lacking. Therefore, this study aims to identify the cost drivers of a conventional and hybrid OR and take a first step in evaluating the added value of the hybrid OR. METHODS: A comprehensive bottom-up cost analysis was conducted in five Dutch hospitals taking into account: construction, inventory, personnel and overhead costs by means of interviews and hospital specific data. The costs per minute for both ORs were calculated using the utilization rates of the ORs. Cost drivers were identified by sensitivity analyses. RESULTS: The costs per minute for the conventional OR and the hybrid OR were €9.45 (€8.60-€10.23) and €19.88 (€16.10- €23.07), respectively. Total personnel and total inventory costs had most impact on the conventional OR costs. For the hybrid OR the costs were mostly driven by utilization rate, total inventory and construction costs. The results were incorporated in an open access calculation model to enable adjustment of the input parameters to a specific hospital or country setting. CONCLUSION: This study estimated a cost of €9.45 (€8.60-€10.23) and €19.88 (€16.10-€23.07) for the conventional and hybrid OR, respectively. The main factors influencing the OR costs are: total inventory costs, total construction costs, utilization rate, and total personnel costs. Our analysis can be used as a basis for future research focusing on evaluating value for money of this promising innovative OR. Furthermore, our results can inform surgeons, and decision and policy-makers in hospitals on the adoption and optimal utilization of new (hybrid) ORs.

Effect of attenuation correction on the interpretation of 99mTc-sestamibi myocardial perfusion scintigraphy: the impact of 1 year's experience.

The aim of this study was to determine the yield of attenuation correction in myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI), before and after a 1-year experience period. In 48 consecutive patients referred for MPI, both non-corrected (NC) and attenuation-corrected (AC) images were analysed by three independent readers shortly after implementation of attenuation correction. The same images were re-analysed 1 year later, after having obtained experience in attenuation correction on a routine basis in >500 patients with clinical feedback. Results were compared with gold standards for ischaemia and infarction based on coronary angiography, follow-up, ultrasound and gated blood pool imaging. Sensitivity and specificity for the detection of coronary artery disease were 95% and 45% respectively for NC images and 77% and 70% respectively for AC images at first readings. After 1 year of AC experience, NC sensitivity/specificity was 100%/61%, and AC results were 89%/92%. It is concluded that attenuation correction improves the performance of MPI interpretation. With attenuation correction, specificity is increased and sensitivity is similar as compared with NC images. However, attenuation correction requires experience and is associated with a learning curve.