Impact of oral administration of calcitriol to prevent symptomatic hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: One of the most common complications of total thyroidectomy is post-operative transient or persistent hypoparathyroidism that can cause symptomatic hypocalcaemia. To prevent this complication, shorten the period of hospitalization and reduce morbidity, routine supplementation of oral vitamin D and calcium has been suggested. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to critically assess the association between pre-operative calcitriol supplementation and post-operative hypocalcaemia. METHODS: Randomized controlled trial studies were identified by searching PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases up to 30 March 2023. Screening of titles, abstracts, and full texts of articles were performed, and data were extracted for a meta-analysis. RESULTS: This meta-analysis includes data from nine randomized controlled trials with a total of 1259 patients but with significant heterogeneity. The results demonstrate that calcium levels were higher in patients who had pre-operative calcitriol supplementation, with a weighted mean difference (WMD) 0.18 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.00, 0.37). Pre-operative calcitriol supplementation did not lead to significant changes in parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels, with WMD -0.49 (95% CI: -1.91, 0.94). CONCLUSION: Pre-operative calcitriol supplementation leads to higher calcium levels, but the high heterogeneity of the included studies (79% to 98.7%) could affect the results.

Post-percutaneous nephrolithotomy pseudo aneurysm formation treated by coil embolization; A study of seven cases.

Renal artery pseudoaneurysm is a rare complication of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) with symptoms of flank pain and hematuria. Endovascular coil embolization has been proposed as a safe management option. We report Seven male patients, aged 36 to 65 years, with post-PCNL pseudoaneurysms presenting as gross hematuria. They all underwent CT angiography prior to endovascular intervention. The access was from common femoral artery in 6 cases and from left brachial artery in one case. Selective angiography of affected renal artery and branches were performed by suitable catheter. Coil embolization was performed by MicroNester and MReye coils (Cook, Inc.). Size of coils was selected based on angiography results. Completion angiography revealed embolized pseudoaneurysm in all cases. Gross and microscopic hematuria disappeared in all patients in the following days. Endovascular angioembolization with coil is an effective technique for managing post-PCNL pseudoaneurysms in renal artery and its branches.

A rare case of mycotic aortic aneurysm with Clostridium perfringens culture.

Key Clinical Message: As only early diagnosis, prompt surgical intervention, and appropriate antibiotic therapy can decrease clostridial MAA mortality rate; keeping in mind a broad differential diagnosis in a patient with sepsis and unusual vascular symptoms is important. Abstract: Mycotic aortic aneurysm (MAA) is an infrequent but very consequential condition characterized by the pathological disruption of the aorta due to infection. Clostridium perfringens is a bacterium that falls under the taxonomic classification of the genus Clostridium. Although mycotic aneurysm is often not commonly linked with this infection, there are instances when it may function as a causative agent for MAA. Timely diagnosis and thorough therapeutic techniques, including surgical intervention and quick administration of appropriate antibiotics, can potentially reduce the mortality rate associated with clostridial MAA. In this study, we presented a clinical report detailing the diagnosis of a mycotic aneurysm caused by C. perfringens in the thoracic aorta in a 66-year-old male patient with a history of diabetes mellitus and a recent prostate biopsy. Furthermore, we discussed the surgical approach and overall management strategy to address this case.