Flexible ureteroscopy in extreme elderly patients (80 years of age and older) is feasible and safe.

PURPOSE: To compare the safety and efficacy of RIRS in patients ≥ 80 years to a younger population. METHODS: We retrospectively compared the data from patients ≥ 80 years of age undergoing RIRS with the data of a group of patients from 18 and < 80 years. Perioperative outcomes, complications and emergency department visits were compared between two groups. RESULTS: A total of 173 patients were included in the study. Mean age was 44 (27-79) and 81 years-old (80-94), for younger and elderly group, respectively. Elderly patients had higher ASA scores (≥ 3) (28.6% vs 75.8%; p = 0.0001) and Charlson comorbidity index (1.99 vs 7.86; p = 0.0001), more diabetes (p = 0.006) and respiratory comorbidities (p = 0.002). No statistical difference was found between two groups in stone size (p = 0.614) and number (p = 0.152). Operative time (74.48 vs 102.96 min; p = 0.0001) and duration of hospitalisation (1.7 vs 2.9 days; p = 0.001) were longer for the elderly. Intraoperative complication rate did not show differences between the two groups (p = 0.166). Postoperative complications rates were similar between the cohorts (7.7% vs 9.5%; p = 0.682). The success rates were 67.5% in the younger group and 71.4% in the elderly group (p = 0.584). No difference was seen in stone recurrence (p = 0.73). A higher rate of visits to the emergency department was found in younger cohort (23.6% vs 11.6%; p = 0.046), mostly duo to stent-related symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the higher rate of comorbidity in the elderly group, RIRS was a safe procedure with similar complication rate and outcomes at an expense of higher operative time and hospital stay.

Proximal balloon-guided catheter with flow inversion vs. distal filter protection during the carotid stent placement, a seven years experience in a Colombian reference center.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The carotid stent placement as a therapeutic option for carotid stenosis has been increasing among years; therefore, studies are required to evaluate the security and efficacy of its materials. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the distal filter and the proximal balloon-guided catheter with flow inversion as protection devices during carotid angioplasty and stenting. METHODS: This is a retrospective, observational study of patients diagnosed with carotid stenosis treated with angioplasty between January 1, 2014, and June 30, 2020; we analyzed a radiology service database to compare the distal filter and the proximal balloon-guided catheter as protection devices during angioplasty. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-five angioplasties were performed, the distal filter was the most prevalent embolic protection device used (66%), patients baseline characteristics did not differ between groups with different embolic protection devices, except for history of dyslipidemia (p < 0.000). As well, we did not find any significant differences between the groups in the device related complications, intervention time (p = 0.140), unrelated complications (p = 0.693) and functional independence at 90 days (p = 0.096). CONCLUSIONS: In our study the proximal balloon-guided catheter and the distal filter protection device as protection devices during the carotid stenting didn't show significant differences regarding complications related to the system.

Endovascular Treatment of Very Large and Giant Intracranial Aneurysms: Comparison between Reconstructive and Deconstructive Techniques-A Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The safety and efficacy of reconstructive and deconstructive endovascular treatments of very large/giant intracranial aneurysms are not completely clear. PURPOSE: Our aim was to compare treatment-related outcomes between these 2 techniques. DATA SOURCES: A systematic search of 3 data bases was performed for studies published from 1990 to 2017. STUDY SELECTION: We selected series of reconstructive and deconstructive treatments with >10 patients. DATA ANALYSIS: Random-effects meta-analysis was used to analyze occlusion rates, complications, and neurologic outcomes. DATA SYNTHESIS: Thirty-nine studies evaluating 894 very large/giant aneurysms were included. Long-term occlusion of unruptured aneurysms was 71% and 93% after reconstructive and deconstructive treatments, respectively (P = .003). Among unruptured aneurysms, complications were lower after parent artery occlusion (16% versus 30%, P = .05), whereas among ruptured lesions, complications were lower after reconstructive techniques (34% versus 38%). Parent artery occlusion in the posterior circulation had higher complications compared with in the anterior circulation (36% versus 15%, P = .001). Overall, coiling yielded lower complication and occlusion rates compared with flow diverters and stent-assisted coiling. Complication rates of flow diversion were lower in the anterior circulation (17% versus 41%, P < .01). Among unruptured lesions, early aneurysm rupture (within 30 days) was slightly higher after reconstructive treatment (5% versus 0%, P = .08) and after flow diversion alone compared with flow diversion plus coiling (7% versus 0%). LIMITATIONS: Limitations were selection and publication biases. CONCLUSIONS: Parent artery occlusion allowed high rates of occlusion with an acceptable rate of complications for unruptured, anterior circulation aneurysms. Coiling should be preferred for posterior circulation and ruptured lesions, whereas flow diversion is relatively safe and effective for unruptured anterior circulation aneurysms.

Treatment of Intracranial Aneurysms with Self-Expandable Braided Stents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The safety and efficacy of treatment with self-expandable braided stents (LEO and LVIS) required further investigation. PURPOSE: Our aim was to analyze the outcomes after treatment with braided stents. DATA SOURCES: A systematic search of 3 databases was performed for studies published from 2006 to 2017. STUDY SELECTION: According to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, we included studies reporting patients treated with LEO or LVIS stents. DATA ANALYSIS: Random-effects meta-analysis was used to pool the following: aneurysm occlusion rate, complications, and neurologic outcomes. DATA SYNTHESIS: Thirty-five studies evaluating 1426 patients treated with braided stents were included in this meta-analysis. Successful stent delivery and complete aneurysm occlusion were 97% (1041/1095; 95% CI, 95%-98%) (I2 = 44%) and 88.3% (1097/1256; 95% CI, 85%-91%) (I2 = 72%), respectively. Overall, treatment-related complications were 7.4% (107/1317; 95% CI, 5%-9%) (I2 = 44%). Ischemic/thromboembolic events (48/1324 = 2.4%; 95% CI, 1.5%-3.4%) (I2 = 27%) and in-stent thrombosis (35/1324 = 1.5%; 95% CI, 0.6%-1.7%) (I2 = 0%) were the most common complications. Treatment-related morbidity was 1.5% (30/1324; 95% CI, 0.9%-2%) and was comparable between the LEO and LVIS groups. Complication rates between the anterior (29/322 = 8.8%; 95% CI, 3.4%-12%) (I2 = 41%) versus posterior circulation (10/84 = 10.5%; 95% CI, 4%-16%) (I2 = 0%) and distal (30/303 = 8%; 95% CI, 4.5%-12%) (I2 = 48%) versus proximal aneurysms (14/153 = 9%; 95% CI, 3%-13%) (I2 = 46%) were comparable (P > .05). LIMITATIONS: Limitations were selection and publication biases. CONCLUSIONS: In this analysis, treatment with the LEO and LVIS stents was relatively safe and effective. The most common complications were periprocedural thromboembolisms and in-stent thrombosis. The rate of complications was comparable among anterior and posterior circulation aneurysms, as well as for proximal and distally located lesions.

Treatment of Middle Cerebral Artery Aneurysms with Flow-Diverter Stents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The safety and efficacy of flow-diversion treatment of MCA aneurysms have not been well-established. PURPOSE: Our aim was to evaluate angiographic and clinical outcomes after flow diversions for MCA aneurysms. DATA SOURCES: A systematic search of PubMed, MEDLINE, and Embase was performed for studies published from 2008 to May 2017. STUDY SELECTION: According to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, we selected studies with >5 patients describing angiographic and clinical outcomes after flow-diversion treatment of MCA aneurysms. DATA ANALYSIS: Random-effects meta-analysis was used to pool the following outcomes: aneurysm occlusion rate, procedure-related complications, rupture rate of treated aneurysms, and occlusion of the jailed branches. DATA SYNTHESIS: Twelve studies evaluating 244 MCA aneurysms were included in this meta-analysis. Complete/near-complete occlusion was obtained in 78.7% (95% CI, 67.8%-89.7%) of aneurysms. The rupture rate of treated aneurysms during follow-up was 0.4% per aneurysm-year. The rate of treatment-related complications was 20.7% (95% CI, 14%-27.5%), and approximately 10% of complications were permanent. The mortality rate was close to 2%. Nearly 10% (95% CI, 4.7%-15.5%) of jailed arteries were occluded during follow-up, whereas 26% (95% CI, 14.4%-37.6%) had slow flow. Rates of symptoms related to occlusion and slow flow were close to 5%. LIMITATIONS: Small and retrospective series could affect the strength of the reported results. CONCLUSIONS: Given the not negligible rate of treatment-related complications, flow diversion for MCA aneurysms should be considered an alternative treatment when traditional treatment methods are not feasible. However, when performed in this select treatment group, high rates of aneurysm occlusion and protection against re-rupture can be achieved.

Carbon monoxide treatments to impart and retain muscle color in tilapia fillets.

Carbon monoxide (CO) has been used for improving the color of muscle foods. In the current study, we compared the postmortem treatment of tilapia fillets with 100% CO and euthanasia of live tilapia with CO for their ability to stabilize the color of white and red muscle of tilapia fillets. Both postmortem CO treatment and CO euthanasia were effective in increasing the redness (a* value) and lightness (L* value) of tilapia white and red muscle. Fillets obtained from CO-euthanized tilapia showed significantly higher a* and L* values during 1 mo of frozen storage at -20 degrees C and subsequent thawing and storage at 4 degrees C for 18 d. The amount of CO present in the red and white muscles decreased during the 18 d of storage at 4 degrees C. There was no significant difference in the pH, drip, or thaw loss of CO-treated tilapia fillets compared to the untreated fillets.

Neumonía y osteomielitis por burkholderia pseudomallei: reporte de un caso clínico / Pneumonía and osteomyelitis by burkholderia pseudomallei: report of a clinical case / Neumonía e osteomielitis por burkholderia pseudomallei: relatório de um caso clínico

La melioidosis, enfermedad causada por Burkholderia pseudomallei (B. pseudomallei), se ha reportado verbalmente en Colombia. En áreas como el sureste asiático se reportan focos endémicos de esta infección, asociada a la inhalación de aerosoles, o al contacto con agua contaminada por la bacteria. Clínicamente se manifiesta como una septicemia con afectación pulmonar y con formación de múltiples abscesos. Se reporta el caso de un soldado de 22 años, previamente sano, con un cuadro agudo de tos y expectoración, fiebre y escalofríos y con dolor progresivo en la pierna derecha. Se demostraron signos de respuesta inflamatoria sistémica (SIRS), neumonía multilobar, artritis de codo derecho y osteomielitis de tibia ipsilateral, con crecimiento de B. pseudomallei en los cultivos del drenaje de la colección y en los hemocultivos. Se trató con Imipenem (500 mg endovenoso cada 6 horas) y posteriormente con trimetoprim sulfametoxazol (160/800 mg vía oral cada 12 horas), obteniéndose resolución clínica. Este caso reporta oficialmente una Melioidosis en territorio colombiano y resalta la similitud clínica con los casos descritos en áreas endémicas, así como el paralelo de las características medioambientales de estas áreas con el área de la que procedía el paciente, lo que exige contemplar esta enfermedad en el diagnóstico diferencial de pacientes con sintomatología similar a la reportada en este caso...

Melioidosis, a disease caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei (B. pseudomallei), has been reported verbally in Colombia. In the Asian Southeastern there are reported endemic centers of this infection, associated to the inhalation of aerosols, or contact with water contaminated by the bacteria. It is manifested clinically like septicemia with pulmonary affectation and formation of multiple abscesses. The case of a previously healthy 22 year old soldier is reported, with an acute picture of cough and expectoration, fever and chills and with progressive pain in the right leg. Signs of systemic inflammatory reaction were demonstrated (SIRS), multilobar pneumonia, and arthritis of the right elbow and osteomyelitis of the ipsilateral tibia, with growth of B. pseudomallei in the cultures of the drainage and in the hemocultures. He was treated with Imipenem (500 mg intravenous every 6 hours) and later with trimethoprim Sulfamethoxazole (160/800 mg oral route every 12 hours), obtaining clinical resolution. This is an official report of a case of melioidosis in Colombian territory and emphasizes the clinical similarity with the cases described in endemic areas, as well as the parallel of the environmental characteristics of those areas with the area from which the patient came, which requires to consider this disease in the differential diagnosis of patients with similar symptomatology to the one reported in this case...

O melioidosis, doença causada por Pseudomallei de Burkholderia (B. pseudomallei), tem sido reportada verbalmente na Colômbia. Em áreas como o sudeste asiático são relatados focos endêmicos desta infecção, associados com a inalação dos aerossóis, ou no contato com água contaminada pela bactéria. Clinicamente se manifesta como uma septicemia com compromisso pulmonar e com a formação de múltiplos abscessos. Relata se o caso de um soldado de 22 anos, previamente saudável, com quadro agudo de tosse e expectoração, febre e calafrios e com dor progressiva no pé direito. Presenteou sinais da resposta inflamatória sistêmica (SIRS), pneumonia multilobar, artrite do cotovelo direito e osteomielite da tíbia ipsilateral, com crescimento de B. pseudomallei nas culturas da drenagem da coleção e nas hemoculturas. Foi tratado com Imipenem (endovenoso 500 cada 6 horas) e mais tarde com Trimetoprim Sulfametoxazol (160/800 via oral cada 12 horas), obtendo resolução clínica. Este caso relata um caso oficial de Melioidosis no território Colombiano e destaca a semelhança clínica com os casos descritos nas áreas endêmicas , assim como o paralelo das características ambientais destas áreas com a área de onde veio o doente, o que demanda considerar esta doença no diagnóstico diferencial dos pacientes com sintomas semelhantes aos relatados aqui...