The preoperative assessment of thoracic wall adhesions using four-dimensional computed tomography.

OBJECTIVE: Pleural adhesions are challenging during lung cancer surgery and may be associated with a long surgery time and excessive blood loss due to pleural adhesiolysis. We used preoperative four-dimensional computed tomography to quantitatively assess parietal pleural adhesions and determine its diagnostic accuracy. METHODS: A total of 216 patients with lung cancer underwent four-dimensional computed tomography during the study period. Pleural adhesions were subsequently confirmed by surgery in 85 of these patients, whereas 126 patients had no adhesions. The movements of the tumor or target vessels (α) was tracked. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis was used to identify the relationship between adhesions and (α). RESULTS: The movement of (α) was smaller in patients with adhesions than in those without adhesions. The greater the adhesion, the shorter the movement distance (p < 0.001). Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated an area under the curve for the moving (α) point at 0.71 (95% confidence interval: 0.62-0.80) in the upper lung field and at 0.75 (95% confidence interval: 0.64-0.85) in the lower field. To identify adhesions, a cut off of 11.3 mm (sensitivity = 43.6%, specificity = 93.2%) in the upper lung field and a cut off of 41.2 mm (sensitivity = 71.4%, specificity = 66.0%) in the lower lung field were established. CONCLUSIONS: Four-dimensional computed tomography is a novel and helpful modality for predicting the presence of parietal pleural adhesions. To obtain robust evidence, further accumulation of cases and re-examination of the analysis methods are needed.

Ultrasound Visceral Slide Assessment to Evaluate for Intra-abdominal Adhesions in Patients Undergoing Abdominal Surgery - A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Abdominal entry at the time of laparoscopy is a critical step with a risk of injury to underlying viscera owing to bowel adhesions. Ultrasound can be used as a preoperative tool to assess the slide of viscera underneath the abdominal wall to detect adhesion-free areas. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of preoperative visceral slide assessment with ultrasound to detect intra-abdominal adhesions, compared with the gold standard of intraoperative findings. DATA SOURCES: Using Cochrane, Medline PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar electronic databases, 3737 articles were screened in April 2020 using a query that included variations of "adhesions" and "ultrasound." Reference lists of relevant articles were searched for further articles. METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION: Prospective and cross-sectional studies in English that included patients at risk for intra-abdominal adhesions who underwent preoperative ultrasound visceral slide assessment and subsequent intraoperative assessment of adhesions were selected. Two reviewers independently selected 25 articles, extracted data, and assessed bias using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool. TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS: Twenty-five articles reported on 1609 patients and 5812 assessed abdominal areas, with considerable heterogeneity of described abdominal areas and degrees of adhesions. Meta-analysis was performed for 21 studies. The periumbilical area was assessed specifically for bowel adhesions in 890 patients in 12 studies, with a 12.0% bowel adhesion rate. Ultrasound assessment for periumbilical bowel adhesions had a combined sensitivity of 95.9% (95% confidence interval, 82.7%-99.1%), specificity of 93.1% (85.1%-96.9%), positive predictive value of 60.4% (44.2%-74.7%), and negative predictive value of 99.2% (97.9%-99.7%) with low heterogeneity (I2 = 16%). CONCLUSION: Visceral slide assessment with ultrasound has a high negative predictive value for the absence of periumbilical bowel adhesions in patients at risk for adhesions and can function as a useful tool to detect adhesion-free areas to allow for safe laparoscopic entry.

Assessment of the diagnostic efficacy of abdominal ultrasonography and cine magnetic resonance imaging in detecting abdominal adhesions: A double-blind research study.

PURPOSE: This cohort aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of abdominal ulrasonography and cine-MRI by a double-blind study in the diagnosis of intraabdominal organs and abdominal wall adhesions in patients with previous abdominal operations. METHODS: Between 2017 and 2019, 108 consecutive patients were prospectively included in the study. Visceral slide and induced visceral slide were measured during AU and cine-MRI. An abdominal map consisting of nine segments was created to document the location and extent of the adhesion. The degree and severity of the adhesions detected by the radiologist preoperatively and detected in surgery as the gold standard was recorded in the same abdominal zones. AU, c-MRI and intraoperative findings were correlated. RESULTS: The mean age was 53.0 ±â€¯10.3 years, body mass index was 30.4 ±â€¯3.4, male (52.8 %) and female (47.2 %). According to the total nine zones, the sensitivity of AU was 91.4 %, specificity was 100 %, positive predictive value was 90.7 %, negative predictive value was 100 % and diagnostic accuracy was 87.9 %. Considering the total zones, the sensitivity of c-MRI was 90.8 %, specificity was 100 %, PPV was 90.7 %, NPV was 100 % and diagnostic accuracy was 91.7 %. A comparison of AU and c-MRI showed no significant difference in the detection of adhesions to the abdominal wall; however, c-MRI was superior in detecting intraabdominal organs adhesion. CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated that AU and c-MRI are accurate for diagnosing adhesions in patients undergoing repeated surgery and may have a place on planning elective laparoscopic or open surgery to avoid bowel injury.

Preoperative assessment of parietal pleural invasion/adhesion of subpleural lung cancer: advantage of software-assisted analysis of 4-dimensional dynamic-ventilation computed tomography.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of four-dimensional (4D) dynamic-ventilation computed tomography (CT) scanning coupled with our novel image analysis software to diagnose parietal pleural invasion/adhesion of peripheral (subpleural) lung cancer. METHODS: Eighteen patients with subpleural lung cancer underwent both 4D dynamic-ventilation CT during free breathing and conventional (static) chest CT during preoperative assessment. The absence of parietal pleural invasion/adhesion was surgically confirmed in 13 patients, while the presence of parietal pleural invasion/adhesion was confirmed in 5 patients. Two chest radiologists, who were blinded to patient status, cooperatively evaluated the presence of pleural invasion/adhesion using two different imaging modalities: (i) conventional high-resolution CT images, reconstructed in the axial, coronal, and sagittal directions, and (ii) 4D dynamic-ventilation CT images combined with a color map created by image analysis software to visualize movement differences between the lung surface and chest wall. Parameters of diagnostic accuracy were assessed, including a receiver operating characteristic analysis. RESULTS: Software-assisted 4D dynamic-ventilation CT images achieved perfect diagnostic accuracy for pleural invasion/adhesion (sensitivity, 100%; specificity, 100%; area under the curve [AUC], 1.000) compared to conventional chest CT (sensitivity, 60%; specificity, 77%; AUC, 0.846). CONCLUSION: Software-assisted 4D dynamic-ventilation CT can be considered as a novel imaging approach for accurate preoperative analysis of pleural invasion/adhesion of peripheral lung cancer. KEY POINTS: • 4D dynamic-ventilation CT can correctly assess parietal pleural invasion/adhesion of peripheral lung cancer. • A unique color map clearly demonstrates parietal pleural invasion/adhesion. • Our technique can be expanded to diagnose "benign" pleural adhesions for safer thoracoscopic surgery.

Dynamic ultrasound imaging for the assessment of extensor tendon adhesion after fifth metacarpal intraarticular head fracture: A case report.

STUDY DESIGN: Case report. INTRODUCTION: Development of extensor tendon adhesions is a common complication after intra-articular metacarpal head fracture. Whenever these adhesions cannot be mobilized by rehabilitation, tenolysis should be considered. However, the decision for tenolysis is often delayed. When the rehabilitation program comes to a plateau and clinical examination may not be sufficient to find out the cause, dynamic ultrasound (US) can show where the gliding mechanism is disrupted and help clinicians to give an accurate decision for determining the next steps. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: To determine the role of dynamic US during hand rehabilitation. METHODS: A 22-year-old woman presented with a fifth metacarpal intra-articular head fracture. Ten days after the surgery (open reduction and internal fixation) the hand rehabilitation program was commenced. After the third week, the metacarpophalangeal (MP) joint range of motion (ROM) gradually diminished. Dynamic US near the level of fifth MP joint revealed diminished extensor tendon excursion and capsular thickening. RESULTS: Considering physical and sonographic findings, surgical tenolysis and capsular release was planned. After surgery, the DIP, PIP and MP joints reached full passive ROM. CONCLUSION(S): Ultrasound is a quick and practical way to diagnose tendon adhesions. With this report, the authors suggest that clinicians may use dynamic US, especially in times when the patient comes to plateau during hand rehabilitation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Evaluation of a water-soluble contrast protocol for nonoperative management of pediatric adhesive small bowel obstruction.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: We examined outcomes before and after implementing an enteral water-soluble contrast protocol for management of pediatric adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO). METHODS: Medical records were reviewed retrospectively for all children admitted with ASBO between November 2010 and June 2017. Those admitted between November 2010 and October 2013 received nasogastric decompression with decision for surgery determined by surgeon judgment (preprotocol). Patients admitted after October 2013 (postprotocol) received water-soluble contrast early after admission, were monitored with serial examinations and radiographs, and underwent surgery if contrast was not visualized in the cecum by 24 h. Group outcomes were compared. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients experienced 29 admissions preprotocol, and 11 patients experienced 12 admissions postprotocol. Thirteen (45%) patients admitted preprotocol underwent surgery, versus 2 (17%) postprotocol patients (p = 0.04). Contrast study diagnostic sensitivity as a predictor for ASBO resolution was 100%, with 90% specificity. Median overall hospital LOS trended shorter in the postprotocol group, though was not statistically significant (6.2 days (preprotocol) vs 3.6 days (postprotocol) p = 0.12). Pre- vs. postprotocol net operating cost per admission yielded a savings of $8885.42. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of water-soluble contrast after hospitalization for pediatric ASBO may play a dual diagnostic and therapeutic role in management with decreases in surgical intervention, LOS, and cost. TYPE OF STUDY: Retrospective comparative study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

New insertion method of transnasal ileus tube for small bowel obstruction: Anterior balloon method.

BACKGROUND: Small bowel obstruction (SBO) is usually caused by postoperative adhesions and malignant disease, and decompression is effective for SBO. Our previous case report suggested that a new transnasal ileus tube insertion method, the anterior balloon method (ABM), could achieve decompression for adhesive SBO. AIMS: The study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a new method for inserting transnasal ileus tubes in patients with SBO. METHODS: Altogether, 134 patients with small bowel obstruction treated from January 2011 to December 2017 were reviewed. The patients were categorized into two groups: those with the new method that inserts an anterior balloon (ABM group: 52 patients, 2014-2017) versus those with the ordinary insertion method (OIM group: 82 patients, 2011-2014). RESULTS: The patients' characteristics and symptoms on admission were similar in the ABM and OIM groups. Adhesions were the main cause of ileus in the two groups. The insertion time duration was significantly shorter in the ABM group than in OIM group (28.4 ± 9.1 vs. 33.5 ± 13.0 min; p = 0.01). The ABM group also had significantly longer tubes than OIM group (222.4 ± 32.2 vs. 157.4 ± 31.7 cm; p < 0.001), which resulted in a significantly shorter time until clinical symptoms were relieved in ABM group. There were no significant differences in adverse events between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The ABM group had shorter insertion duration and longer tubes than those of OIM group. The ABM might become a preferred therapeutic choice to achieve decompression in patients with SBO.

Assessment of Strangulation in Adhesive Small Bowel Obstruction on the Basis of Combined CT Findings: Implications for Clinical Care.

Purpose To determine which computed tomography (CT) findings or combinations of findings can help to accurately identify strangulation in adhesive small bowel obstruction (SBO). Materials and Methods Contrast agent-enhanced CT findings in a cohort of 256 patients consecutively admitted for adhesive SBO, with a delay of less than 24 hours between CT and surgery for the operated patients, were reviewed independently by two radiologists, with consensus by a third, to assess CT findings commonly associated with strangulation. The reference standard for strangulation was surgery. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify predictors of strangulation in the entire cohort and to identify predictors of the need for surgical resection in the subgroup of patients with strangulation. A CT score was obtained and diagnostic performances of different combined CT findings were calculated. Results In this study, 105 patients (41.0%; 105 of 256) underwent a surgical procedure, 62 of whom were found to have strangulation (59.0%; 62 of 105), whereas 151 patients (59.0%; 151 of 256) improved with medical care. Three CT findings were significantly associated with strangulation in the multivariate analysis: reduced bowel wall enhancement (odds ratio, 7.8; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.6, 23.5), diffuse mesenteric haziness (odds ratio, 6.1; 95% CI: 2.5, 15.2), and a closed-loop mechanism (odds ratio, 6.5; 95% CI: 2.8, 15.5). The model combining these three features had an area under the curve of 0.91 (95% CI: 0.86, 0.96) and a high negative predictive value (97%; 95% CI: 93%, 99%). Positive likelihood ratios were high when two or three of these CT findings were combined (positive likelihood ratios, 14.7 [95% CI: 7.1, 30.4] and 43.8 (95% CI: 14.2, 135.2], respectively). Among the strangulated cases, reduced bowel wall enhancement (odds ratio, 3.9; 95% CI: 1.3, 12) and mesenteric fluid (odds ratio, 3.6; 95% CI: 1.0, 12.8) were predictive of resection. Conclusion A score that combines three CT findings (reduced bowel wall enhancement, a closed-loop mechanism, and diffuse mesenteric haziness) can accurately predict strangulation in adhesive SBO. © RSNA, 2017 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Pleural Adhesion Assessment as a Predictor for Pneumothorax after Endobronchial Valve Treatment.

BACKGROUND: Pneumothorax after bronchoscopic lung volume reduction using one-way endobronchial valves (EBVs) in patients with advanced emphysema occurs in approximately 20% of patients. It is not well known which factors predict the development of pneumothorax. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether pleural adhesions on pretreatment high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans are associated with pneumothorax occurrence after EBV treatment. METHODS: HRCT scan analyses were performed on all patients who received EBV treatment in a randomized controlled trial. Three blinded readers scored adhesions by number and by measuring the longest axis of each pleural adhesion in the treated lung. The Pleural Adhesion Score (PAS) was calculated by adding 1 point for each small pleural lesion (<1 mm), 5 points for each medium-sized lesion (1-5 mm), and 10 points for each large lesion (>5 mm). RESULTS: The HRCT scans of 64 treated patients were assessed, of whom 14 developed pneumothorax. Patients who developed pneumothorax had a higher median number of pleural adhesions, 2.7 (IQR 1.9-4) compared to 1.7 (1-2.7) adhesions in the group without pneumothorax (p < 0.01). The PAS in the group with pneumothorax was higher compared to that in the group without: 14.3 (12.4-24.1) versus 6.7 (3.7-11.2) (p < 0.01). A threshold PAS of ≥12 was associated with a higher risk of pneumothorax (OR 13.0, 95% CI 3.1-54.9). A score <12 did not rule out the occurrence of pneumothorax. CONCLUSION: A higher number of pleural adhesions on HRCT with a subsequent higher PAS in the treated lung is associated with a higher occurrence of pneumothorax after EBV treatment.

Dynamic four-dimensional computed tomography (4D CT) imaging for re-entry risk assessment in re-do sternotomy - first experience.

BACKGROUND: Repeat cardiac surgeries are well known to have higher rates of complications, one of the important reasons being injuries associated with re-do sternotomy. Routine imaging with CT can help to minimise this risk by pre-operatively assessing the anatomical relation between the sternum and the underlying cardiovascular structures, but is limited by its inability to determine the presence and severity of functional tethering and adhesions between these structures. However, with the evolution of wide area detector MD CT scanners, it is possible to assess the presence of tethering using the dynamic four-dimensional CT (4D CT) imaging technique. METHODS: Nineteen patients undergoing re-do cardiac surgery were pre-operatively imaged using dynamic 4D CT during regulated respiration. The datasets were assessed in cine mode for presence of differential motion between sternum and underlying cardiovascular structures which indicates lack of significant tethering. RESULTS: Overall, there was excellent correlation between preoperative imaging and intraoperative findings. The technique enabled our surgeons to meticulously plan the procedures and to avoid re-entry related injuries. CONCLUSIONS: Our initial experience shows that dynamic 4D CT is useful in risk stratification prior to re-do sternotomy by determining the presence or absence of tethering between sternum and underlying structures based on assessment of differential motion. Furthermore we determined the technique to be superior to non-dynamic assessment of retrocardiac tethering.

[Diagnosis of uterine synechiae in patients with recurrent miscarriages: contribution of transvaginal hysterosonography]. / Diagnóstico de sinéquias uterinas por histerossonografia transvaginal.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of uterine synechiae in patients with recurrent miscarriages and to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of transvaginal ultrasound and of hysterosonography. METHODS: Sixty non-pregnant patients with a history of at least three previous consecutive miscarriages were evaluated by transvaginal ultrasound, hysterosonography and hysteroscopy to detect uterine synechiae. Hysteroscopy was considered the gold standard. Agreement of findings disclosed by transvaginal ultrasound and by the hysterosonography were evaluated according to the Kappa coefficient and their significance was tested. Significance was established at < 0. 05 (Alpha error = 5%). Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were determined for each method. RESULTS: Uterine synechiae were identified in 16 patients (26.7%). The accuracy of the transvaginal ultrasound and of the hysterosonography was 78.9% and 92.7%, respectively. When compared to the transvaginal ultrasound, hysterosonography had a much greater sensitivity (78. % vs. 20.0%) and a higher degree of agreement with hysteroscopy (Kappa = 80% vs. Kappa = 27%). CONCLUSION: For diagnosis of uterine synechiae, hysterosonography had a higher level of agreement with hysteroscopy than the transvaginal ultrasound. In patients with recurrent miscarriages transvaginal ultrasound is not recommended for the investigation of uterine synechiae because of its low sensitivity. Hysterosonography, on the other hand, seems to offer an important contribution especially because it is a simple, low-cost and accurate method for diagnosis of uterine synechiae.

Lung transplantation for lymphangioleiomyomatosis: role of imaging in the assessment of complications related to the underlying disease.

PURPOSE: To identify the complications and imaging findings related to lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) after lung transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed the clinical histories and imaging studies of 13 patients from five major medical centers who underwent unilateral (n = 8) or bilateral (n = 5) lung transplantation for LAM between 1991 and 1997. Complications related to LAM, both before and after transplantation, were recorded. RESULTS: The following LAM-related complications were found during and after transplantation: excessive pleural adhesions (n = 4), native lung pneumothorax (n = 3), chylous effusion (n = 1), chylous ascites (n = 3), complications from renal angiomyolipomas (n = 4), and recurrent LAM (n = 1). Diagnosis could be made or suggested with computed tomography (CT) in all cases. Four patients (31%) died; one patient died of complications of LAM. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who have undergone lung transplantation for LAM have increased morbidity and mortality due to complications related to their underlying disease. These LAM-related complications can be diagnosed or suggested with CT.

Detailed per-oral small bowel examination vs. enteroclysis. Part I: Expenditures and radiation exposure.

Time involved, patient reaction, and radiation exposure were compared for 25 patients undergoing a per-oral small bowel series and 18 having enteroclysis. For the per-oral study, mean room time was 17 minutes and fluoroscopy time was 4 minutes; for enteroclysis, mean room time was 44 minutes and fluoroscopy time was 22 minutes. Side effects were categorized as mild to moderate in two thirds of patients having enteroclysis, whereas they were minimal in 20% of those having the per-oral examination. Radiation exposure was five times greater for enteroclysis. These factors should be considered along with the age of the patient, indications for the examination, and the accuracy of the technique when planning a study of the small bowel.