RESUMEN
An 82-year-old male was transferred for an abdominal CT scan for chronic cutaneous fistulation at the level of the right abdominal wall. Previous CT and ultrasound imaging described recurrent collections in the right abdominal wall, requiring CT guided abscess drainage. The abdominal CT scan revealed an abscess in between the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscle layers of the right flank, with significant fat stranding and loss of the intermuscular fat planes ( Figure 1 ). Inside this abscess, we notice a spontaneous hyperdense nodular lesion (Hounsfield Units 130), which doesn't enhance after contrast injection ( Figure 1 arrow). Looking back at the previous CT scans we discern the presence of this hyperdense lesion, which tends to migrate over time over a small distance along the abdominal wall ( Figure 2 A-D arrow). We can trace this back on the numerous previous scans, with different local tissue reactions over time. The first performed CT 8 years prior reveals a perforated calculous cholecystitis, containing multiple cholecystolithiases with the same density as our previously mentioned hyperdense lesion ( Figure 3 arrow). Thus, raising the suspicion of a biliary origin of this corpus alienum. TEACHING POINT: Spilled gallstones during laparoscopy may lead to late abscess.
RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 infection has resulted in thousands of critically ill patients admitted to ICUs and treated with mechanical ventilation. Percutaneous tracheostomy is a well-known technique utilised as a strategy to wean critically ill patients from mechanical ventilation. Worldwide differences exist in terms of methods, operators, and settings, and questions remain regarding timing and indications. If tracheostomy is to be performed in COVID-19 patients, a safe environment is needed for optimal care. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We present a guidewire dilating forceps tracheostomy procedure in COVID-19 patients that was optimised including apnoea-moments, protective clothing, checklists, and clear protocols. We performed a retrospective analysis of the outcome after tracheostomy in COVID-19 patients between March 2020 and May 2020. RESULTS: The follow-up of the first 16 patients, median age 62 years, revealed a median intubation time until tracheostomy of 18 days and median cannulation time of 20 days. The overall perioperative complication rate and complication rate while cannulated was 19%, mainly superficial bleeding. None of the healthcare providers involved in performing the procedure developed any symptoms of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: This COVID-19-centred strategy based on flexibility, preparation, and cooperation between healthcare providers with different backgrounds facilitated percutaneous tracheostomy in COVID-19 patients without an increase in the overall complication rate or evidence of risk to healthcare providers. Our findings provide initial evidence that tracheostomy can be performed safely as a standard of care for COVID-19 patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation as was standard practice in ICU patients prior to the COVID-19 pandemic to promote ventilator weaning and patient recovery.