Pretreatment and Posttreatment Factors Associated with Shunt-Dependent Hydrocephalus After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Hydrocephalus is a common complication after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). This study aimed to evaluate novel preoperative and postoperative risk factors for shunt-dependent hydrocephalus (SDHC) after aSAH via a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted using PubMed and Embase databases for studies pertaining to aSAH and SDHC. Articles were assessed by meta-analysis if the number of risk factors for SDHC was reported by >4 studies and could be extracted separately for patients who did or did not develop SDHC. RESULTS: Thirty-seven studies were included, comprising 12,667 patients with aSAH (SDHC 2214 vs. non-SDHC 10,453). In a primary analysis of 15 novel potential risk factors, 8 were identified to be significantly associated with increased prevalence of SDHC after aSAH, including high World Federation of Neurological Surgeons grades (odds ratio [OR], 2.43), hypertension (OR, 1.33), anterior cerebral artery (OR, 1.36), middle cerebral artery (OR, 0.65), and vertebrobasilar artery (2.21) involvement, decompressive craniectomy (OR, 3.27), delayed cerebral ischemia (OR, 1.65), and intracerebral hematoma (OR, 3.91). CONCLUSIONS: Several new factors associated with increased odds of developing SDHC after aSAH were found to be significant. By providing evidence-based risk factors for shunt dependency, we describe an identifiable list of preoperative and postoperative prognosticators that may influence how surgeons recognize, treat, and manage patients with aSAH at high risk for developing SDHC.

Results of application of the ISPD guidelines to the management of peritoneal dialysis in a single center in Sudan.

The culture negative peritonitis in Sudan 2010 was 46% exceeding 20% of the recommended ISPD (International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis) guidelines. This study reports an update after applying the standard ISPD protocol. The routine method was replaced by ISPD protocol. The culture negative rate using the ISPD guidelines dropped from 46% in the year 2010, to 39% in the year 2011, to 5% in the 2012 and to zero percent in the year 2013. Bacterial and fungal species represent (86.76%) and (13.23%) of infection and most isolates showed low resistance rate to antibiotics. Touch contamination added significantly (p=0.0006) to the risk of contracting Peritonitis. The risk of contracting Peritonitis was 1.53 times higher in the group exposed by touch contamination. None of the other risk factors contributed significantly to Peritonitis. The study highlights the importance of implementing high hygiene practice.

N-acetylcysteine in Acute Organophosphorus Pesticide Poisoning: A Randomized, Clinical Trial.

Organophosphorus poisoning is a major global health problem with hundreds of thousands of deaths each year. Research interest in N-acetylcysteine has grown among increasing evidence of the role of oxidative stress in organophosphorus poisoning. We aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of N-acetylcysteine as an adjuvant treatment in patients with acute organophosphorus poisoning. This was a randomized, controlled, parallel-group trial on 30 patients suffering from acute organophosphorus poisoning, who were admitted to the Poison Control Center of Tanta University Emergency Hospital, Tanta, Egypt, between April and September 2014. Interventions included oral N-acetylcysteine (600 mg three times daily for 3 days) as an added treatment to the conventional measures versus only the conventional treatment. Outcome measures included mortality, total dose of atropine administered, duration of hospitalization and the need for ICU admission and/or mechanical ventilation. A total of 46 patients were screened and 30 were randomized. No significant difference was found between both groups regarding demographic characteristics and the nature or severity of baseline clinical manifestations. No major adverse effects to N-acetylcysteine therapy were reported. Malondialdehyde significantly decreased and reduced glutathione significantly increased only in the NAC-treated patients. The patients on NAC therapy required less atropine doses than those who received only the conventional treatment; however, the length of hospital stay showed no significant difference between both groups. The study concluded that the use of N-acetylcysteine as an added treatment was apparently safe, and it reduced atropine requirements in patients with acute organophosphorus pesticide poisoning.

Appendico-cutaneous fistula presenting clinically as right loin necrotizing fasciitis: a case report.

Acute appendicitis and its subsequent complications continue to pose a surgical challenge. One such complication, the appendico-cutaneous fistula, represents a very rare form of enterocutaneous fistula. Very few cases have been reported thus far in the literature. The clinical presentation of this case before the final diagnosis was made makes interesting reading. The report describes a unique case that presented with the onset of cellulitis around the right lumbar/loin region, spreading down the right posterior back to the posterior gluteal area, and appearing as necrotizing fasciitis. There were no abdominal signs at all. The patient was then taken to the operating room (OR) for incision and drainage through a right flank incision, which could be extended. At drainage, there was a feculent smell with discharge that immediately raised the possibility of colonic connection with the abscess cavity. Swab sent for culture and sensitivity grew E. coli and Bacteroides. The final diagnosis proved to be a perforated appendix. Therefore, perforated appendix should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of any spreading cellulitis in the right lumbar area or right lower abdominal quadrant in the presence of limited urinary symptoms and little or no abdominal signs.