A comprehensive review of vascular complications in COVID-19.

This study aims to review the available literature pertinent to vascular complications in COVID-19. A systematic search was performed using PubMed and Google Scholar to identify all relevant studies based on our study objective. Multiple studies have reported widespread systemic inflammation and procoagulant/hypercoagulable state in COVID-19, including thrombotic microangiopathy, endothelial dysfunction, bleeding disorder, and thrombosis. However, large specialised studies on vascular complications are lacking despite current evidence indicating dysfunctional coagulation pathways. Furthermore, there are no clear and definitive recommendations regarding thromboprophylaxis or full therapeutic anticoagulation in COVID-19. Several studies have reported hypercoagulability and vascular complications as important predictors of patient outcome in COVID-19. Therefore, it is important to understand the pathogenesis, epidemiology, management, and outcomes of patients who develop venous or arterial thrombosis and those with a pre-existing thrombotic disease who contract COVID-19 for risk stratification, thromboprophylaxis, optimal antithrombotic therapy during active infection and long-term anticoagulation following discharge or recovery.

Peri-procedural thromboprophylaxis in the prevention of DVT in varicose vein interventions: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to determine the role of thromboprophylaxis in the prevention of venous thromboembolism in patients undergoing varicose vein interventions. METHODS: PUBMED, EMBASE and Web of Science were searched for comparative studies of patients undergoing varicose vein interventions and received either thromboprophylaxis or no thromboprophylaxis. Data were collected on the number of thrombotic events including deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE) and endothermal heat-induced thrombosis (EHIT) as well as bleeding events. The primary outcomes for the meta-analysis were the risk of all thrombotic events, risk of DVT and risk of bleeding. Pooled risk ratios were calculated using random effects modelling. RESULTS: Eight studies (6479 participants) were included. The use of thromboprophylaxis reduces the risk of all thrombotic events (Pooled risk ratio = 0.63, 95% Confidence interval [CI], 0.04-10.43) and the risk of DVT (Pooled risk ratio = 0.59, 95% CI, 0.08-4.60) with no increased risk of bleeding (Pooled risk ratio = 0.66, 95% CI, 0.06-7.21]. Rivaroxaban has similar efficacy in the prevention of DVT compared to Fondaparinux in patients undergoing endovenous ablation of varicose veins (Pooled risk ratio = 0.68, 95% CI, 0.06-7.41). An extended course of thromboprophylaxis reduces the risk of developing DVT compared to a short course (Pooled risk ratio = 1.40, 95% CI, 0.44-4.46). However, the two studies reporting on the duration of thromboprophylaxis did not stratify patients according to their risk of developing venous thromboembolism. CONCLUSION: The use of thromboprophylaxis in patients undergoing varicose vein interventions reduces the risk of venous thromboembolism with no significant increase in the risk of bleeding. However, the included studies were underpowered with high to moderate risk of bias. Therefore, more randomised controlled trials with a large sample size are needed in order to provide high quality evidence for clinical practice.

Pulmonary nodular lymphoid hyperplasia presenting as cavitating lung mass.

Pulmonary nodular lymphoid hyperplasia (PNLH) is a rare non-neoplastic disorder, which can mimic malignancy due to its indolent yet progressive nature. Here, we report a case of surgically proven PNLH that progressed over many years from a ground glass opacity to a solid cavitating lesion mimicking a slow growing primary lung carcinoma.

Clinically guided core biopsy and cutaneous punch biopsy in the evaluation of breast lesions: a necessary test or an obsolete skill?

OBJECTIVE: The vast majority of breast cancers are diagnosed via image-guided procedures yet despite significant advances, imaging does not identify all breast malignancies. Clinically suspicious breast lesions with normal breast imaging remain a cause for concern. The aim of this study is to determine the diagnostic value of clinical core and cutaneous punch biopsies in the diagnosis of breast malignancy in clinically suspicious lesions with normal breast imaging. METHODS: All patients with suspicious clinical breast findings and normal imaging who underwent a clinical core and/or cutaneous punch biopsy from 2012 to 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. Patients with subsequent breast malignant diagnosis were analysed. RESULTS: A total of 283 biopsies (166 clinical core, 117 cutaneous punch) performed over the 7-year period were included in the analysis. A total of 263/283 (93%) yielded a benign outcome. A total of 2/283 (0.7%) yielded B3 lesions (probably benign). These lesions were benign on final surgical excision. A total of 18/283 (6.3%) yielded a malignant histopathology. Sixteen out of 18 were cutaneous punch biopsies, and 2/18 were clinical core biopsies. A total of 14/18 patients presented with nipple changes, while 4/18 had a palpable area of concern. Histopathological analysis demonstrated Paget's disease of the nipple in 8/18, invasive carcinoma in 9/18 out of which two represented a recurrence of breast malignancy. Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma was diagnosed in 1/18. CONCLUSION: Clinical core and cutaneous punch biopsies remain a valuable tool in the diagnosis of breast cancer particularly in the management of clinically suspicious radiographically occult malignancies.

Documentation of chaperone presence in breast clinic, a complete audit cycle.

OBJECTIVE: The General Medical Council (GMC) and Irish Medical Council (IMC) recommend the presence of a chaperone for all intimate examinations and that it should be clearly documented. The aim of this report is to assess doctors' compliance with obtaining a chaperone and documenting their presence, determining possible causes of non-compliance and implement interventions to increase compliance. METHODS: Prospective audit of patients seen in the breast clinic in Beaumont hospital over the week starting 8th February 2021. The medical charts were reviewed for documentation of chaperone presence. Doctors were surveyed using (SurveyMonkey) for causes of non-compliance. Interventions included a stamp in the medical notes for chaperone presence and details, an educational email with GMC and IMC guidelines, and posters put up in clinic rooms. The intervention was reassessed at 1-week and 6-week intervals. RESULTS: In the assessment phase, 126 patients were recruited. A chaperone was present 100% of the time where a male doctor examined a female patient; however, chaperone presence was not documented in any of the medical charts (0/126). A survey was sent to 22 breast surgery doctors to explore causes of non-compliance. Response rate was 95%, 50% did not know documentation was necessary, and 25% forgot to document. One week after intervention, 64 patients were recruited. Chaperone documentation increased to 80% (51/64). Reassessment at six weeks included 120 patients, and chaperone documentation rate was 74% (89/120).