The utilization of an absorbable mesh after ostomy reversal does not decrease incisional hernia rates.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative ostomy reversal hernias are common and can create strain on the healthcare system. There is little literature evaluating the utilization of absorbable mesh following ostomy reversal. The effect on subsequent hernia rates at our institution has not been evaluated. We examine if the addition of absorbable mesh decreases the postoperative hernia rate in our patient population. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of all ileostomy and colostomy reversals. Patients were divided into two groups based on whether an absorbable mesh was used at ostomy closure or not. RESULTS: Hernia recurrence rates were lower in the group that had mesh reinforcement (8.96%) vs the group that did not receive a mesh (14.8%) though this was not statistically significant (p = 0.233). CONCLUSION: Prophylactic use of an absorbable biosynthetic mesh did not alter the rate of incisional hernia rates following ostomy reversal in our cohort of patients.

Firearm Acoustic Detection in Hartford, Connecticut: Outcomes of a Trauma Center - Law Enforcement Collaboration.

Introduction Firearm homicide is a leading cause of violence-related death in the United States.Unfortunately, more than 80% of illegal firearm discharges are never reported to police by traditional means.ShotSpotterTM (Newark, California) is an acoustic firearm event detection system that can localize gunfire, prompting police, and subsequent emergency medical services (EMS) presence. Previously reported healthcare effects of acoustic detection are speculative in nature. We sought to investigate Hartford, Connecticut's experience with ShotSpotter​​​​​​​TM given its smaller size and broad coverage.  Methods The three trauma centers in Hartford (two for adults and one for pediatric) collaborated with the Hartford Police to review outcomes of victims with acoustically detected gunshots and compare them to those who went undetected. We performed a retrospective review of patients who presented with gunshot wounds (GSW) over a 30-month period, from January 1, 2016 to June 30, 2018. Victim location and acoustic detection were reconciled by the police department and hospital staff independently. Patients were individually matched for location, prehospital response, treatment durations, and hospital outcomes. Results Of 387 GSW, 157 (40.6%) presented via EMS and were included in the sample. Of these, 89 correlated to a detection event (56.7%) and 68 had no correlating event (43.3%). These two groups had no difference in prehospital treatment times, scene and transport duration, and injury severity. Further, the need for surgery or transfusion, lengths of stay, and disposition, including mortality, did not differ. Conclusions Despite limited previous reports demonstrating conferred benefits to acoustic detection of gunshots, Hartford's experience showed no benefit. The potential for such systems to act as early warning systems is evident but may depend on a city's resources, geography, and technology.

Ependymal enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging for the identification of high-grade gliomas.

BACKGROUND: High-grade gliomas have high infiltrative potential and spread along white matter and blood vessels. Enhancement of ependymal lining on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is considered as a marker of parenchymal spread of disease. In this study, we aimed to assess the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of ependymal enhancement (EE) for identification of high-grade glial tumors. METHODS: We reviewed preoperative MRI scans of 94 consecutive patients surgically treated for space occupying lesions of the brain for EE. Assessment for EE was blind to the final histopathological diagnosis of the patient. An enhancement of more than 2 mm was considered positive. Pathologies of these patients were reviewed and matched to the radiological findings. Percentage and proportion of EE in glial and non-glial pathology groups was then calculated and a sensitivity and specificity analysis was performed. RESULTS: The population included 94 cases (64 males and 30 females) with population mean age 45 ± 15.5 years. Sensitivity of EE in differentiating glioma from total number of cases was 82.61% specificity 35.42% (P value = 0.048). EE had a sensitivity of 67.39% and specificity of 64.58% (P value = 0.002) in identifying high-grade glioma within the glioma group with a positive predictive value of 64.58% (95% CI: 49.46% to 77.83%), negative predictive value of 67.39% (95% CI: 51.98% to 80.46%). CONCLUSION: EE has moderate sensitivity and specificity for high-grade gliomas. However, larger sample studies are required for further validation of this observations.

Intrathecal and intraventricular antibiotics for postoperative Gram-negative meningitis and ventriculitis.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative meningitis is a growing cause of concern, especially with the evolution of multidrug-resistant organism. The authors evaluate the use of intraventricular/intrathecal (IVT/IT) antibiotics for postoperative gram-negative meningitis in patients whom intravenous antibiotics were ineffective. METHODS: Medical records were retrospectively reviewed and neurosurgery patients with gram-negative postoperative infection meningitis/ventriculitis were enrolled in the study. Their demographics, hospital course, and outcomes were recorded in a pro forma and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 19. RESULTS: The review identified 21 patients with postneurosurgical gram-negative meningitis/ventriculitis who were treated with IVT or IT antibiotics. The most common organism was Acinetobacter species (n = 14; 66%). Amikacin was used in 7 patients, polymyxin B in 9 patients, and colistin in 5 patients. A combination of antibiotics was used in one patient. Cerebrospinal fluid sterility was achieved in all patients with no incidence of relapse. There was a single death, though that was not related to the infectious process as the patient had a massive pulmonary embolism. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that IVT and IT antibiotic therapy is a useful option in patients who are nonresponsive to standard intravenous therapy with little or no side effects.

Pneumoperitoneum, pneumoretroperitoneum, pneumomediastinum and extensive subcutaneous emphysema in a patient with ulcerative colitis: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Pneumo-mediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema are rare presentations of lower gastrointestinal tract perforation. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We are presenting the case of a middle aged man diagnosed with UC who presented with dyspnea and subcutaneous emphysema, attributed to multiple perforations including the stomach and colon. CASE DISCUSSION: Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) are at an increased risk of perforations due to friability of colonic mucosa given the chronic inflammation and relapsing flares. Chronic use of steroids further predisposes to stress ulcers. These pathologies sometimes coexist and identification of each is crucial for the appropriate treatment plan. CONCLUSION: The case allows for a learning opportunity focusing on coexisting pathologies which may be differentiated based on anatomical knowledge and patient presentation.

Inter-observer variability in diagnosing radiological features of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage; a preliminary single centre study comparing observers from different specialties and levels of training.

BACKGROUND: A noncontrast computed tomography (CT) scan remains the initial radiological investigation of choice for a patient with suspected aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). This initial scan may be used to derive key information about the underlying aneurysm which may aid in further management. The interpretation, however, is subject to the skill and experience of the interpreting individual. The authors here evaluate the interpretation of such CT scans by different individuals at different levels of training, and in two different specialties (Radiology and Neurosurgery). METHODS: Initial nonontrast CT scan of 35 patients with aSAH was evaluated independently by four different observers. The observers selected for the study included two from Radiology and two from Neurosurgery at different levels of training; a resident currently in mid training and a resident who had recently graduated from training of each specialty. Measured variables included interpreter's suspicion of presence of subarachnoid blood, side of the subarachnoid hemorrhage, location of the aneurysm, the aneurysm's proximity to vessel bifurcation, number of aneurysm(s), contour of aneurysm(s), presence of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), infarction, hydrocephalus and midline shift. To determine the inter-observer variability (IOV), weighted kappa values were calculated. RESULTS: There was moderate agreement on most of the CT scan findings among all observers. Substantial agreement was found amongst all observers for hydrocephalus, IVH, and ICH. Lowest agreement rates were seen in the location of aneurysm being supra or infra tentorial. There were, however, some noteworthy exceptions. There was substantial to almost perfect agreement between the radiology graduate and radiology resident on most CT findings. The lowest agreement was found between the neurosurgery graduate and the radiology graduate. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that although agreements were seen in the interpretation of some of the radiological features of aSAH, there is still considerable IOV in the interpretation of most features among physicians belonging to different levels of training and different specialties. Whether these might affect management or outcome is unclear.

Congenital anomalies of coronary arteries: Diagnosis with 64 slice multidetector CT.

OBJECTIVE: Congenital coronary artery anomalies are generally incidental, uncommon and asymptomatic. Some can cause severe potentially life threatening symptoms. The common mode of studying the coronary arteries is Conventional Coronary Angiogram. ECG-gated-multidetector CT is a non invasive modality. The objective of our study was to identify rare congenital coronary artery anomalies and discuss their clinical significance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total number of 900 MDCT coronary angiograms were carried out at our institution between the period of April 2006 and October 2010. Patients with coronary artery anomaly constituted the subject of study. RESULTS: The incidence of anomalous anatomical origin and course of the coronary arteries in our study was 1.55%. Hemodynamical significance was seen in five patients. 3 cases of single coronary artery originating from right coronary sinus were seen. 1 case of anomalous left coronary artery arising from main pulmonary artery was seen. 4 cases of anomalous RCA arising from left aortic cusp, 6 cases of absent LMCA with separate origin of LAD and LCX were seen. CONCLUSION: Multidetector row CT is a noninvasive modality in cardiac imaging. It provides superior resolution of coronary tree and its variant. No projectional vascular overlap is seen. Various postprocessing techniques outclass catheter angiography imaging. Definition of ostia and proximal course of the coronary arteries by Multidetector CT is better than catheter angiography.

Intramedullary spinal tuberculoma.

Spinal intradural intramedullary tuberculoma is extremely rare entity of tuberculosis involving the nervous system. Because of its atypical symptomatology, it must be considered in differential diagnosis of spinal cord lesions, especially where prevalence of tuberculosis is high. In this case report this atypical disease is described where good outcome was achieved by surgical excision of the intramedullary lesion followed by antituberculous therapy.