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BACKGROUND: Among critically ill adults undergoing tracheal intubation, hypoxemia increases the risk of cardiac arrest and death. The effect of preoxygenation with noninvasive ventilation, as compared with preoxygenation with an oxygen mask, on the incidence of hypoxemia during tracheal intubation is uncertain. METHODS: In a multicenter, randomized trial conducted at 24 emergency departments and intensive care units in the United States, we randomly assigned critically ill adults (age, ≥18 years) undergoing tracheal intubation to receive preoxygenation with either noninvasive ventilation or an oxygen mask. The primary outcome was hypoxemia during intubation, defined by an oxygen saturation of less than 85% during the interval between induction of anesthesia and 2 minutes after tracheal intubation. RESULTS: Among the 1301 patients enrolled, hypoxemia occurred in 57 of 624 patients (9.1%) in the noninvasive-ventilation group and in 118 of 637 patients (18.5%) in the oxygen-mask group (difference, -9.4 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI], -13.2 to -5.6; P<0.001). Cardiac arrest occurred in 1 patient (0.2%) in the noninvasive-ventilation group and in 7 patients (1.1%) in the oxygen-mask group (difference, -0.9 percentage points; 95% CI, -1.8 to -0.1). Aspiration occurred in 6 patients (0.9%) in the noninvasive-ventilation group and in 9 patients (1.4%) in the oxygen-mask group (difference, -0.4 percentage points; 95% CI, -1.6 to 0.7). CONCLUSIONS: Among critically ill adults undergoing tracheal intubation, preoxygenation with noninvasive ventilation resulted in a lower incidence of hypoxemia during intubation than preoxygenation with an oxygen mask. (Funded by the U.S. Department of Defense; PREOXI ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT05267652.).
Subject(s)
Hypoxia , Intubation, Intratracheal , Noninvasive Ventilation , Oxygen Inhalation Therapy , Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Critical Illness/therapy , Heart Arrest/therapy , Hypoxia/etiology , Hypoxia/prevention & control , Intubation, Intratracheal/adverse effects , Intubation, Intratracheal/methods , Masks , Noninvasive Ventilation/methods , Oxygen/administration & dosage , Oxygen/blood , Oxygen Inhalation Therapy/methods , Oxygen SaturationABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Posterior percutaneous spinal fixation (PPSF) has evolved to address the problems associated with metastatic spinal disease (MSD). This study was designed to evaluate the feasibility and spectrum of application of PPSF in the management of MSD, highlighting its clinical advantages. METHODS: Twenty-seven consecutive patients with MSD treated with PPSF in our institution from January 2011 to June 2014 were studied. After a multidisciplinary assessment, all patients were considered for surgical intervention due to clinical presentation of either neural deficit, skeletal instability, or both. Some of these patients belonged to the poor prognostic category based on survival prognostic scoring systems. The patients were categorized into seven groups depending on the modality of PPSF used. Demographic data, operative details, and clinical outcomes were investigated for each category and compared pre- and postoperatively. RESULTS: The median age was 60 years (range 49-78 years). Generally, all patients either maintained or improved their neurological status and achieved pain alleviation. Ambulatory status and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) scores were improved using any modality of PPSF. The pure-stabilization group had the lowest amount of mean blood loss, shortest operative time, and intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stays, while the long-construct group was observed to have the greatest amount of blood loss, and longest operative time and ICU stay. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with MSD, even with predicted poor prognosis on survival prognostic scoring systems, it is possible to improve functional outcomes and quality of life with PPSF, keeping surgical morbidity to a minimum. PPSF allows patients with pure spinal instability to be addressed successfully with least morbidity.
Subject(s)
Bone Screws , Fracture Fixation/instrumentation , Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery , Spinal Neoplasms/surgery , Thoracic Vertebrae/surgery , Aged , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Fracture Fixation/methods , Humans , Lumbar Vertebrae/injuries , Male , Middle Aged , Orthopedic Procedures , Prognosis , Prospective Studies , Spinal Neoplasms/secondary , Thoracic Vertebrae/injuriesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Intraoperative cell salvage (IOCS) has not been widely adopted in oncological surgery due to the hypothetical concern of reinfusion of malignant cells. We evaluated the feasibility of IOCS in combination with leucocyte depletion filter (LDF) in metastatic spine tumour surgery (MSTS). METHODS: Patients with known primary epithelial tumour, operated for metastatic spinal disease, were recruited. Blood samples were collected at five different stages during surgery: 2 stages from patient vein during induction and at the time of maximum tumour manipulation, 3 stages from the operative blood prior to IOCS processing, after IOCS processing, and after IOCS-LDF processing. Of the samples taken at each stage, 5 ml were analyzed for tumour cells using flow cytometry. RESULTS: Of 12 patients recruited, only 11 could be finally analyzed. Flow cytometry analysis of their samples showed that 8 of 11 patients had tumour cells in the unfiltered salvaged blood. In filtered salvaged blood, the tumour cell count was zero in the majority of samples (8/11 patients), whereas three patients' samples had a few tumour cells. The mean difference between the tumour cell quantity in the samples from the patient vein and filtered salvaged blood was significant. CONCLUSIONS: IOCS-LDF was shown to be effective in removing tumour cells from the blood salvaged during MSTS. If there were any tumour cells found, the quantity was significantly less than that in the patient's circulation. The results of this study reiterates the conclusions of our previous published work where we showed that IOCS-LDF treated blood in MSTS is safe for transfusion.
Subject(s)
Flow Cytometry/methods , Intraoperative Care , Leukocyte Reduction Procedures , Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial/surgery , Operative Blood Salvage/methods , Spinal Neoplasms/surgery , Aged , Blood Transfusion, Autologous , Female , Filtration , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Staging , Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial/pathology , Pilot Projects , Prognosis , Prospective Studies , Spinal Neoplasms/secondaryABSTRACT
The volume of infarcted tissue in patients with ischemic stroke is consistently associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Initial studies of endovascular thrombectomy for large-vessel occlusion excluded patients with established large-core infarcts, even when large volumes of salvageable brain tissue were present, due to the high risk of hemorrhagic transformation and reperfusion injury. However, recent retrospective and prospective studies have shown improved outcomes with endovascular thrombectomy, and several clinical trials were recently published to evaluate the efficacy of endovascular management of patients presenting with large-core infarcts. With or without thrombectomy, patients with large-core infarcts remain at high risk of in-hospital complications such as hemorrhagic transformation, malignant cerebral edema, seizures, and others. Expert neurocritical care management is necessary to optimize blood pressure control, mitigate secondary brain injury, manage cerebral edema and elevated intracranial pressure, and implement various neuroprotective measures. Herein, we present an overview of the current and emerging evidence pertaining to endovascular treatment for large-core infarcts, recent advances in neurocritical care strategies, and their impact on optimizing patient outcomes.
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Background: Hypoxemia is a common and life-threatening complication during emergency tracheal intubation of critically ill adults. The administration of supplemental oxygen prior to the procedure ("preoxygenation") decreases the risk of hypoxemia during intubation. Research Question: Whether preoxygenation with noninvasive ventilation prevents hypoxemia during tracheal intubation of critically ill adults, compared to preoxygenation with oxygen mask, remains uncertain. Study Design and Methods: The PRagmatic trial Examining OXygenation prior to Intubation (PREOXI) is a prospective, multicenter, non-blinded randomized comparative effectiveness trial being conducted in 7 emergency departments and 17 intensive care units across the United States. The trial compares preoxygenation with noninvasive ventilation versus oxygen mask among 1300 critically ill adults undergoing emergency tracheal intubation. Eligible patients are randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either noninvasive ventilation or an oxygen mask prior to induction. The primary outcome is the incidence of hypoxemia, defined as a peripheral oxygen saturation <85% between induction and 2 minutes after intubation. The secondary outcome is the lowest oxygen saturation between induction and 2 minutes after intubation. Enrollment began on 10 March 2022 and is expected to conclude in 2023. Interpretation: The PREOXI trial will provide important data on the effectiveness of noninvasive ventilation and oxygen mask preoxygenation for the prevention of hypoxemia during emergency tracheal intubation. Specifying the protocol and statistical analysis plan prior to the conclusion of enrollment increases the rigor, reproducibility, and interpretability of the trial. Clinical trial registration number: NCT05267652.
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BACKGROUND: The impact of osmotic therapies on brain metabolism has not been extensively studied in humans. The authors examined if mannitol treatment of raised intracranial pressure will result in an improvement in brain metabolism together with the expected drop in intracranial pressure (ICP). METHODS: This is a retrospective review of prospectively collected data. Twenty episodes of raised ICP (>20 mm Hg) resistant to standard therapy that required infusions of mannitol were studied in 12 comatose patients with multimodality monitoring including ICP, PbtO(2) and microdialysis. The authors compared mean arterial blood pressure, ICP, cerebral perfusion pressure, PbtO(2), brain lactate, pyruvate and glucose using cerebral microdialysis, for 3 h preceding and 4 h after hyperosmolar therapy. Time-series data were analysed using a multivariable general linear model utilising generalised estimating equations for model estimation to account for within-subjects and between-subjects variations over time. RESULTS: 20% mannitol solution (1 g/kg) was administered at the discretion of the attending neurointensivist. ICP decreased 30 min (from 27 ± 13 to 19 ± 16 mm Hg, p<0.001) and cerebral perfusion pressure increased 45 min (from 73 ± 18 to 85 ± 22 mm Hg, p=0.002) after the start of mannitol infusions, whereas mean arterial blood pressure and PbtO(2) did not change significantly. The peak lactate-pyruvate ratio was recorded at the time of initiating osmotherapy (44 ± 20) with an 18% decrease over 2 h following mannitol therapy (35 ± 16; p=0.002). Brain glucose remained unaffected. CONCLUSIONS: Mannitol effectively reduces ICP and appeared to benefit brain metabolism as measured by the lactate-pyruvate ratio.
Subject(s)
Brain/metabolism , Intracranial Hemorrhages/drug therapy , Intracranial Hemorrhages/metabolism , Mannitol/therapeutic use , Oxygen/metabolism , Stroke/drug therapy , Stroke/metabolism , Adult , Blood Pressure/drug effects , Brain/blood supply , Brain/drug effects , Diuretics, Osmotic/therapeutic use , Female , Glasgow Coma Scale , Glucose/metabolism , Humans , Intracranial Hemorrhages/complications , Intracranial Pressure/drug effects , Lactic Acid/metabolism , Male , Microdialysis , Middle Aged , Pyruvic Acid/metabolism , Retrospective Studies , Stroke/complicationsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to determine whether intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) exerts a "decompressive" effect that limits intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) enlargement. METHODS: Retrospective review of patients with spontaneous supratentorial ICH diagnosed within 6 h of onset, who underwent follow-up head CT approximately 48 h later. Digital imaging analysis of CT scans was performed to compare hematoma volume changes between patients with and without IVH. Hemorrhage locations were classified as paraventricular (PV) or non-PV. Regression analyses were employed to identify predictors of IVH, hematoma expansion, and mortality. RESULTS: Of the 70 patients included 57% developed IVH, 85% of which occurred before initial CT. 71% of PV hemorrhages developed IVH, all before initial CT, and 48% of non-PV hemorrhages developed IVH, 29% of which occurred after initial CT. IVH was associated with PV location (P = 0.04), and among IVH patients PV location was associated with early IVH (P = 0.003). Predictors of mortality included age (P = 0.037), initial hematoma volume (P < 0.04), absolute volume change (P = 0.01), and final hematoma volume (P < 0.001). Variables predicting IVH included PV location (P < 0.0001), larger initial hematoma volume (P = 0.002), and greater absolute volume increase (P = 0.01). Hematoma expansion was greatest for non-PV with IVH (P = 0.08), and graphic inspection suggested that ICH volume tended to decrease with PV location and increase with IVH. Final hematoma volume was associated with initial volume (P < 0.0001), non-PV location (P = 0.02), and IVH (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: IVH was not associated with less hematoma volume expansion, and for non-PV hemorrhages IVH was linked to greater volume increase.
Subject(s)
Cerebral Hemorrhage/physiopathology , Cerebral Ventricles/physiopathology , Hematoma/physiopathology , Intracranial Pressure/physiology , Acute Disease , Aged , Blood Pressure/physiology , Cerebral Hemorrhage/diagnostic imaging , Cerebral Hemorrhage/mortality , Critical Care , Female , Hematoma/diagnostic imaging , Hematoma/mortality , Humans , Logistic Models , Male , Middle Aged , Predictive Value of Tests , Retrospective Studies , Tomography, X-Ray ComputedABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: As the practice of aggressive temperature control has become more commonplace, new clinical problems are arising, of which shivering is the most common. Treatment for shivering while avoiding the negative consequences of many anti-shivering therapies is often difficult. We have developed a stepwise protocol that emphasizes use of the least sedating regimen to achieve adequate shiver control. METHODS: All patients treated with temperature modulating devices in the neurological intensive care unit were prospectively entered into a database. Baseline demographic information, daily temperature goals, best daily GCS, and type and cumulative dose of anti-shivering agents were recorded. RESULTS: We collected 213 patients who underwent 1388 patient days of temperature modulation. Eighty-nine patients underwent hypothermia and 124 patients underwent induced normothermia. In 18% of patients and 33% of the total patient days only none-sedating baseline interventions were needed. The first agent used was most commonly dexmeditomidine at 50% of the time, followed by an opiate and increased doses of propofol. Younger patients, men, and decreased BSA were factors associated with increased number of anti-shivering interventions. CONCLUSIONS: A significant proportion of patients undergoing temperature modulation can be effectively treated for shivering without over-sedation and paralysis. Patients at higher risk for needing more interventions are younger men with decreased BSA.
Subject(s)
Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists/administration & dosage , Conscious Sedation/methods , Critical Care/methods , Dexmedetomidine/administration & dosage , Fever/therapy , Heart Arrest/therapy , Hypothermia, Induced/adverse effects , Intracranial Hypertension/therapy , Meperidine/administration & dosage , Narcotics/administration & dosage , Propofol/administration & dosage , Shivering/drug effects , Adult , Aged , Anticonvulsants/administration & dosage , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Female , Glasgow Coma Scale , Humans , Intensive Care Units , Magnesium Sulfate/administration & dosage , Male , Middle Aged , Monitoring, Physiologic , Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents/administration & dosage , Prospective Studies , Vecuronium Bromide/administration & dosageABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Distal tibia fractures present challenges in surgical management and when nailing is not an option, plate osteosynthesis is performed. This is usually done with a minimally invasive approach to reduce the risk of wound complications in an already fragile soft-tissue envelope. We propose that a posterolateral open approach can lead to stable fixation construct and comes with advantages of approaching fibula fractures via same approach and has a thicker soft tissue envelope over the fixation. We report a series of distal tibia fractures with posterolateral plate fixation and present the outcomes. METHODS: This is a retrospective review conducted at a single institution, where 13 patients underwent posterolateral approach for distal tibia fracture fixation. Where required, medial plating and fibular fixation was additionally performed. Patients were followed-up with primary endpoint of successful clinical and radiological union or complications required re-intervention. Operative and long-term clinical outcomes were recorded. RESULTS: Long term follow-up was available for 12 patients. There was 1 non-union requiring revision (8.3%). For the other patients, clinical union occurred by 14.5 weeks and radiological union by 20 weeks on average. There was no malunion and 2 patients (16.6%) underwent removal of implants for symptoms of hardware irritation. CONCLUSION: We found that outcomes in our cohort demonstrate posterolateral plating is safe as a primary or adjunctive method of fixation, and does not compromise other outcomes when compared with traditional fixation methods.
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OBJECTIVE: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is protean in its manifestations, affecting nearly every organ system. However, nervous system involvement and its effect on disease outcome are poorly characterized. The objective of this study was to determine whether neurologic syndromes are associated with increased risk of inpatient mortality. METHODS: A total of 581 hospitalized patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, neurologic involvement, and brain imaging were compared to hospitalized non-neurologic patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Four patterns of neurologic manifestations were identified: acute stroke, new or recrudescent seizures, altered mentation with normal imaging, and neuro-COVID-19 complex. Factors present on admission were analyzed as potential predictors of in-hospital mortality, including sociodemographic variables, preexisting comorbidities, vital signs, laboratory values, and pattern of neurologic manifestations. Significant predictors were incorporated into a disease severity score. Patients with neurologic manifestations were matched with patients of the same age and disease severity to assess the risk of death. RESULTS: A total of 4,711 patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were admitted to one medical system in New York City during a 6-week period. Of these, 581 (12%) had neurologic issues of sufficient concern to warrant neuroimaging. These patients were compared to 1,743 non-neurologic patients with COVID-19 matched for age and disease severity admitted during the same period. Patients with altered mentation (n = 258, p = 0.04, odds ratio [OR] 1.39, confidence interval [CI] 1.04-1.86) or radiologically confirmed stroke (n = 55, p = 0.001, OR 3.1, CI 1.65-5.92) had a higher risk of mortality than age- and severity-matched controls. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of altered mentation or stroke on admission predicts a modest but significantly higher risk of in-hospital mortality independent of disease severity. While other biomarker factors also predict mortality, measures to identify and treat such patients may be important in reducing overall mortality of COVID-19.
Subject(s)
COVID-19/mortality , Confusion/physiopathology , Consciousness Disorders/physiopathology , Hospital Mortality , Stroke/physiopathology , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Ageusia/epidemiology , Ageusia/physiopathology , Anosmia/epidemiology , Anosmia/physiopathology , Ataxia/epidemiology , Ataxia/physiopathology , COVID-19/physiopathology , Confusion/epidemiology , Consciousness Disorders/epidemiology , Cranial Nerve Diseases/epidemiology , Cranial Nerve Diseases/physiopathology , Delirium/epidemiology , Delirium/physiopathology , Female , Headache/epidemiology , Headache/physiopathology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Paresthesia/epidemiology , Paresthesia/physiopathology , Primary Dysautonomias/epidemiology , Primary Dysautonomias/physiopathology , Recurrence , SARS-CoV-2 , Seizures/epidemiology , Seizures/physiopathology , Stroke/epidemiology , Vertigo/epidemiology , Vertigo/physiopathologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Oral anticoagulants have been associated with greater hematoma expansion in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). The purpose of this study was to determine whether the reported use of antiplatelet agents also results in greater hematoma expansion. METHODS: Retrospective review of patients with spontaneous supratentorial ICH diagnosed within 6 h of onset, who underwent follow-up head CT approximately 48 h later. Digital imaging analysis of initial and second CT scans was performed for comparison of hematoma volume changes between patients reporting and those not reporting antecedent antiplatelet use. Statistical analyses to determine predictors of ICH volume change and in-hospital mortality were also performed via multivariate regression models. RESULTS: Of the 70 patients included, 17 were documented as taking antiplatelet agents. Groups were comparable regarding baseline demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics, and the timing of CT scans was similar. Patients reporting antiplatelet use experienced greater absolute increase (7.7 ml vs. 5.5 ml) and proportional increase (110% vs. 21%) in ICH volume than those not reporting antiplatelet use, but these differences were not statistically significant (P = 0.94 and 0.61 respectively; Wilcoxon test). Baseline hematoma volume tended to correlate with percentage volume increase (P < 0.1), whereas IVH was inversely associated with percent volume increase (P < 0.05). Age (P < 0.05), absolute volume increase (P < 0.005), and final volume (P < 0.001) were associated with in-hospital mortality, the rates of which were similar between the two study groups (18% vs. 17%). CONCLUSIONS: Patients reporting antiplatelet use experienced similar degrees of hematoma expansion compared to patients not reporting antiplatelet use.
Subject(s)
Cerebral Hemorrhage/chemically induced , Cerebral Hemorrhage/diagnostic imaging , Hematoma/chemically induced , Hematoma/diagnostic imaging , Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods , Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors/adverse effects , Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy/complications , Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy/diagnostic imaging , Disease Progression , Female , Humans , Intracranial Hemorrhage, Hypertensive/chemically induced , Intracranial Hemorrhage, Hypertensive/diagnostic imaging , Male , Middle Aged , Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Minimally invasive spinal surgery (MISS) has been gaining recognition in patients with metastatic spine disease (MSD). The advantages are reduction in blood loss, hospital stay, and postoperative morbidity. Most of the studies were case series with very few comparing the outcomes of MISS to open approaches. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the clinical and perioperative outcomes of MISS versus open approach in patients with symptomatic MSD, who underwent posterior spinal stabilization and/or decompression. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Our study included 45 MSD patients; 27 managed by MISS and 18 by open approach. All patients had MSD presenting with symptoms of neurological deficit, spinal instability, or both. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data were collected for comparison of the 2 approaches. All patients were followed up until the end of study period (maximum up to 4 years from time of surgery) or till their demise. The clinical outcome measures were pain control, neurological and functional status, whereas perioperative outcomes were blood loss, operative time, length of hospital stay, and time taken to initiate radiotherapy/chemotherapy after index surgery. RESULTS: Majority of patients in both groups showed improvement in pain, neurological status, independent ambulation, and ECOG score in the postoperative period with no significant differences between the 2 groups. There was a significant reduction in intraoperative blood loss (621 mL less, P<0.001) in the MISS group. The average time to initiate radiotherapy after surgery was 13 days (range, 12-16 d) in MISS and 24 days (range, 16-40 d) in the open group. This difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). Operative time and duration of hospital stay were also favorable in the MISS group, although the differences were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: MISS is comparable with open approach demonstrating similar improvements in clinical outcomes, that is pain control, neurological and functional status. MISS approaches have also shown promising results due to lesser intraoperative blood loss and allowing earlier radiotherapy/chemotherapy.
Subject(s)
Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures/methods , Pedicle Screws , Spinal Neoplasms/secondary , Spinal Neoplasms/surgery , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Decompression, Surgical , Demography , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Survival Analysis , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
We report a case of a 51-year-old man, presenting with non-specific symptoms of unilateral knee pain and swelling, who had experienced a 1-year period of multiple misdiagnoses. He was finally diagnosed with lipoma arborescens only after a MRI of the knee was performed, with postoperative histological confirmation after treatment with joint replacement surgery. The possible pathophysiology, diagnostic modalities and treatment of lipoma arborescens are discussed. The authors hope that our experience with this rare condition can be of learning value to fellow clinicians who frequently encounter patients with arthritis, as an accurate diagnosis and management of lipoma arborescens can give rise to a better clinical outcome for the patient.
Subject(s)
Knee Joint/diagnostic imaging , Knee Joint/surgery , Lipoma/diagnostic imaging , Lipoma/surgery , Diagnosis, Differential , Diagnostic Errors , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Middle Aged , Pain/etiology , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Black bone disease refers to the hyperpigmentation of bone secondary to prolonged usage of minocycline. We present a report of a 34-year-old man who underwent femoral shaft fracture fixation complicated by deep infection requiring debridement. The implants were removed 10 months later after long-term treatment with minocycline and fracture union. A refracture of the femoral shaft occurred 2 days after implant removal and repeat fixation was required. Intraoperatively, abundant heavily pigmented and dark brown bone callus was noted over the old fracture site. There was no evidence of other bony pathology and the appearance was consistent with minocycline-associated pigmentation. As far as we are aware, this is the first case of black bone disease affecting callus within the interval period of bone healing. We also discuss the relevant literature on black bone disease to bring light on this rare entity that is an unwelcomed surprise to operating orthopaedic surgeons.
Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents/adverse effects , Bone Diseases/chemically induced , Debridement/methods , Femoral Fractures/surgery , Fracture Fixation, Internal , Hyperpigmentation/chemically induced , Minocycline/adverse effects , Surgical Wound Infection/drug therapy , Adult , Anti-Bacterial Agents/administration & dosage , Bone Diseases/pathology , Bony Callus/drug effects , Bony Callus/pathology , Femoral Fractures/complications , Femoral Fractures/pathology , Fracture Healing , Humans , Hyperpigmentation/pathology , Male , Minocycline/administration & dosage , Reoperation , Surgical Wound Infection/pathology , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Nasopharnygeal carcinoma (NPC) is characterised by early metastases with the skeleton being the most common site of metastases. The ability to prognosticate survival is crucial in the decision whether or not to offer surgery to these patients and the choice of surgery offered. We aimed to evaluate the scoring systems namely: Bauer, Katagiri and Scandinavian Sarcoma Group (SSG) in NPC patients with skeletal metastases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 92 patients with skeletal metastases from NPC were studied. We retrospectively analysed the actual survival of these patients and compared with predicted survival according to the 3 scoring systems. The predicted survival according to each system was calculated and labelled as A scores. These were then re-scored by assigning NPC as a better prognostic tumour and labelled as B scores. The predicted survival of scores A and B were compared to actual survival. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed. The predictive values of each scoring were calculated. RESULTS: The median overall survival for the whole cohort was 13 months (range: 1 to 120 months). In multivariate analysis, general condition and visceral metastases showed significant effect on survival. There were statistically significant differences (P <0.001) between the subgroups of the SSG B as well as Katagiri B scoring systems where NPC was classified as a better prognostic tumour. SSG B provided the highest predictive value (0.67) as compared to the other 2 scoring systems. CONCLUSION: The SSG and Katagiri score could be used to prognosticate NPC with a statistically significant association with actual survival.
Subject(s)
Bone Neoplasms/mortality , Carcinoma/mortality , Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/mortality , Bone Neoplasms/secondary , Carcinoma/secondary , Humans , Multivariate Analysis , Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma , Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/pathology , Prognosis , Proportional Hazards Models , Retrospective Studies , Survival RateABSTRACT
Osteomyelitis (OM) is a common complication of diabetic foot ulcers and/or diabetic foot infections. This review article discusses the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of OM in the diabetic foot. Clinical features that point to the possibility of OM include the presence of exposed bone in the depth of a diabetic foot ulcer. Medical imaging studies include plain radiographs, magnetic resonance imaging, and bone scintigraphy. A high index of suspicion is also required to make the diagnosis of OM in the diabetic foot combined with clinical and radiological studies.
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BACKGROUND CONTEXT: The decision for operative treatment of patients with spinal metastases is dependent on the patient's predicted survival. Tokuhashi, Tomita, Bauer, and Oswestry scores have been devised for survival prediction; however, none of these systems have been evaluated in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). PURPOSE: To investigate the accuracy of these scoring systems in predicting survival and to identify prognostic factors for survival of the patients with spinal metastases from NPC. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of the patients with spinal metastases from NPC who were treated in our institution. PATIENT SAMPLE: The study included 87 patients with spinal metastases from NPC. OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was the survival time of these patients. The potential prognostic factors that are known to influence survival such as general condition, extraspinal bone metastases, vertebral bone metastases, visceral metastases, and neurologic assessment based on Frankel score were also studied. METHODS: The predicted survival according to the four scoring systems were calculated and labeled as "A" scores. These patients were then rescored by assigning NPC as a good prognostic tumor and labeled as "B" scores. The predicted survival of scores A and B were compared with actual survival. Potential prognostic factors of survival were investigated using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. For all scoring systems, Kaplan-Meier survival estimates and log-rank tests were done; the predictive values were calculated using postestimation after Cox regression analyses. RESULTS: The median overall survival for the whole cohort was 13 (range 1-120) months. In multivariate analysis, general condition (p<.01), visceral metastases (p<.01), and vertebral metastases (p<.01) showed significant association with survival. The absolute score of all scoring systems was significantly associated with actual survival, which extended to the different prognostic subgroups of each scoring systems. Log-rank test revealed significant differences in survival between the different prognostic subgroups of all scoring systems (p<.01). Predictive value of survival by modified Tokuhashi score was the highest among all four scoring systems. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with spinal metastases from NPC have relatively good survival prognosis. All four scoring systems could be used to prognosticate these patients. The modified Tokuhashi score is the best in doing so.
Subject(s)
Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/diagnosis , Severity of Illness Index , Spinal Neoplasms/diagnosis , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Carcinoma , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma , Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms/pathology , Prognosis , Spinal Neoplasms/secondaryABSTRACT
A 4-year-old girl presented with retching and abdominal colic and was initially diagnosed with gastroenteritis. However, progressive pain and epigastric distension led to a surgical review and she was discovered on CT scanning to have a gastric volvulus. She required urgent laparotomy to decompress the stomach and repair a perforation on the lesser curvature. Her recovery was complicated by sepsis and reperforation necessitating further laparotomy, at which time she also underwent gastropexy. The patient required long-term jejunal feeding in the hospital and at home before finally returning to normal diet and activity.
Subject(s)
Gastroenteritis/diagnosis , Gastrostomy/methods , Laparotomy/methods , Stomach Volvulus/diagnostic imaging , Stomach Volvulus/surgery , Abdomen, Acute/diagnosis , Abdomen, Acute/etiology , Child, Preschool , Contrast Media , Diagnosis, Differential , Emergency Service, Hospital , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Gastroenteritis/drug therapy , Humans , Length of Stay , Parenteral Nutrition/methods , Postoperative Complications/diagnosis , Postoperative Complications/surgery , Reoperation/methods , Rupture, Spontaneous/diagnostic imaging , Rupture, Spontaneous/surgery , Severity of Illness Index , Time Factors , Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methodsABSTRACT
A 52-year-old man with cervical spondylosis sustained a hyperextension injury to the neck and subsequently developed central cord syndrome after 2 weeks. The diagnosis was confirmed clinically and on MRI. During the admission he was febrile from Streptococcus anginosus bacteraemia from a gum infection and was started on penicillin. This resulted in pseudomembranous colitis with abdominal distension and bloody diarrhoea but a lack of expected abdominal complaints. Unfortunately his neurology deteriorated and a repeat MRI showed a discitis at C5-C7 which required a 2-level discectomy, debridement and instrumented fusion. Owing to his spinal cord injury, an abdominal perforation was initially missed owing to the lack of clinical features of an acute abdomen. He underwent a right hemi-colectomy for ascending colon perforation and eventually made a good recovery and was discharged to a spinal rehabilitation unit. By one year follow-up he had returned to full neurological function.