Early-onset and uncontrolled diabetes mellitus factors correlate with complications of Peyronie's disease.

BACKGROUND: Peyronie's disease (PD) is a connective tissue disorder that affects the penis and is characterized by abnormal collagen structure in the penile tunica albuginea, resulting in plaque formation and penile deformity. PD's overall prevalence is estimated at 3.2% to 8.9%, with rates as high as 20.3% among men with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). However, the characteristics of DM associated with PD complications remain unclear. AIM: To explore clinical associations between DM characteristics and PD complications. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with DM and PD who presented at our institution between 2007 and 2022. We examined patients' clinical histories, DM- and PD-related clinical parameters, and complications. Penile deformities were assessed through physical examination, photographs, and penile Doppler ultrasound. Patients were categorized into subgroups based on age of DM onset: early (<45 years), average (45-65 years), and late (>65 years). OUTCOMES: Outcomes included effects of DM characteristics on PD development, progression, and severity. RESULTS: In total, 197 patients were included in the evaluation. Early-onset diabetes and elevated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels exhibited significant correlations with the early development of PD (ρ = 0.66, P < .001, and ρ = -0.24, P < .001, respectively). Furthermore, having DM at an early age was associated with the occurrence of penile plaque (ρ = -0.18, P = .03), and there were no significant differences in plaque dimensions (ρ = -0.29, P = .053). A rise in HbA1c levels after the initial PD diagnosis displayed positive correlations with the formation of penile plaque (ρ = 0.22, P < .006). CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: These findings emphasize the need for comprehensive assessments and personalized treatment strategies for individuals with DM and PD. Enhanced management approaches can improve outcomes for those facing both challenges. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: Limitations include the single-site retrospective design with potential selection bias, inaccuracies in medical record data, and challenges in controlling confounding variables. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights that early-onset diabetes and poor diabetes control, as indicated by a subsequent rise in HbA1c levels following PD diagnosis, are significantly correlated with the onset and severity of PD. Revealing the mechanisms behind these findings will help us develop better management strategies for individuals with DM and PD.

Surgical Specialty Consultation for Pediatric Facial Laceration Repair: An American and Canadian Survey.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to describe patterns of and indications for surgical specialty consultation for facial laceration repair in pediatric emergency departments (PEDs). METHODS: We performed a multicenter survey of PED leadership throughout the United States and Canada evaluating the practice patterns of surgical specialty consultation for patients presenting for facial lacerations requiring repair. We measured demographics of PEDs, factors influencing the decision to obtain a surgical specialty consultation, and the presence and components of consultation guidelines. Factors related to consultation were ranked on a Likert scale from 1 to 5 (1 = Not at all important, 5 = Extremely important). We evaluated relationships between reported rates of surgical specialty consultation and PED region, annual PED volume, and reported factors associated with PED consultation. RESULTS: Survey responses were received from 67/124 (54%) queried PEDs. The median self-reported rate of surgical specialty consultation for facial lacerations was 10% and ranged from 1% to 70%, with resident physicians performing the repair 71% of the time a subspecialist was consulted. There was regional variability in specialty consultation, with the highest and lowest rate in the Midwest and Canada, respectively ( P = 0.03). The top 4 influential factors prompting consultation with the highest percentage of responses of "Extremely Important" or "Very Important" were: discretion of the physician caring for the patient (95%), parental preference (39%), limited PED resources (32%), and patient requires sedation (32%). Surgical specialty consult guidelines were used in only 6% of PEDs with consensus that depth necessitating more than 2-layer repair or involvement of critical structures should prompt consultation. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical specialty usage in the management of patients who present with facial lacerations to PEDs has significant variation related to patient, provider, and department-level factors that influence the decision to consult. Lack of consult guidelines represent a potential opportunity to standardize care delivery to this common presentation.

Test Characteristics of Cardiac Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Children With Preexisting Cardiac Conditions.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to assess diagnostic performance of cardiac point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) performed by pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) physicians in children with preexisting cardiac disease. METHODS: We evaluated the use of cardiac POCUS performed by PEM physicians among a convenience sample of children with preexisting cardiac disease presenting to a tertiary care pediatric ED. We assessed patient characteristics and the indication for POCUS. The test characteristics of the sonologist interpretation for the assessment of both pericardial effusion as well as left ventricular systolic dysfunction were compared with expert POCUS review by PEM physicians with POCUS fellowship training. RESULTS: A total of 104 children with preexisting cardiac disease underwent cardiac POCUS examinations between July 2015 and December 2017. Among children with preexisting cardiac disease, structural defects were present in 72%, acquired conditions in 22%, and arrhythmias in 13% of patients. Cardiac POCUS was most frequently obtained because of chest pain (55%), dyspnea (18%), tachycardia (17%), and syncope (10%). Cardiac POCUS interpretation compared with expert review had a sensitivity of 100% (95% confidence interval [CI], 85.7-100) for pericardial effusion and 100% (95% CI, 71.5-100) for left ventricular systolic dysfunction; specificity was 97.5% (95% CI, 91.3.1-99.7) for pericardial effusion and 98.9% (95% CI, 93.8-99.8) for left ventricular systolic dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac POCUS demonstrates good sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing pericardial effusion and left ventricular systolic dysfunction in children with preexisting cardiac conditions when technically adequate studies are obtained. These findings support future studies of cardiac POCUS in children with preexisting cardiac conditions presenting to the ED.

Urethral bulking with native tissue during artificial urinary sphincter surgery.

The artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) is the "gold standard" surgical treatment for severe stress urinary incontinence.  However, a subset of patients with frail urethras may require technical adjuncts to ensure optimal cuff function.  Our objective is to provide a detailed tutorial of our institution's method for performing urethral bulking with native tissue in patients with frail urethras during AUS surgery. We have found that urethral bulking with native tissue provides a cost-efficient and durable technique for improved AUS cuff coaptation.  Our experience demonstrates adequate short and intermediate term efficacy with limited complications.  These techniques equip surgeons with an alternative surgical approach for appropriate patients receiving AUS surgery who have been previously exposed to pelvic radiation and/or significant surgical morbidity resulting in frail urethral tissue.

The pulley stitch: fixation of penile prosthetic exit tubing.

Proximal positioning of the penile prosthesis cylinder is performed during inflatable penile prosthesis surgery. We describe a technique to secure a prosthetic cylinder during inflatable penile prosthesis implantation. Urologists performing prosthetic surgeries employ a variety of surgical techniques to achieve successful outcomes. A surgical technique that secures the prosthetic device may ultimately mitigate cylinder migration and erosion. This is a simple, cost-effective technique that can be readily incorporated into conventional corporotomy closure procedures. It proves to be a feasible technique for both running and interrupted corporotomy closures. The "pulley stitch" offers an adjunctive technique for prosthesis cylinder positioning and may also help prevent migration of prosthetic devices, and it can be incorporated with corporotomy closure.

Physician Risk Perception and Testing Behaviors for Children With Fever.

OBJECTIVES: Risk tolerance and risk perceptions may impact clinicians' decisions to obtain diagnostic tests. We sought to determine whether physician risk perception was associated with the decision to obtain blood or imaging tests among children who present to the emergency department with fever. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, cross-sectional study in the Boston Children's Hospital emergency department. We included children aged 6 months to 18 years from May 1, 2014 to April 30, 2019, with fever. Our primary outcome was diagnostic testing: obtaining a blood and/or imaging test. We assessed risk perception using 3 scales: the Risk Tolerance Scale (RTS), Stress From Uncertainty Scale (SUS), and Malpractice Fear Scale (MFS). A z score was assigned to each physician for each scale. Mixed-effects logistic regression assessed the association between physician risk perception and blood or imaging testing. We also examined the relationship between each risk perception scale and several secondary outcomes: blood testing, urine testing, diagnostic imaging, specialist consultation, hospitalization, and revisit within 72 hours. RESULTS: The response rate was 55/56 (98%). We analyzed 12,527 encounters. Blood/imaging testing varied between physicians (median, 48%; interquartile range, 41%-53%; range, 30%-71%). Risk Tolerance Scale responses were not associated with blood/imaging testing (odds ratio [OR], 1.03 per SD of increased risk perception; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.95-1.13). Stress From Uncertainty Scale responses were not associated with blood/imaging testing (OR, 1.04 per SD; 95% CI, 0.95-1.14). Malpractice Fear Scale responses were not associated with blood/imaging testing (OR, 1.00 per SD; 95% CI, 0.91-1.09). There was no significant association between RTS, MFS, or SUS and any secondary outcome, except that there was a weak association between SUS and specialist consultation (OR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.00-1.24). CONCLUSIONS: Across 55 pediatric emergency physicians with variable testing practices, there was no association between risk perception and blood/imaging testing in febrile children.

Use of Cardiac Point-of-Care Ultrasound in the Pediatric Emergency Department.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to describe the test characteristics of cardiac point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) performed by pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) physicians after structured cardiac POCUS training. METHODS: We evaluated the use of clinically indicated cardiac POCUS by PEM physicians in a single tertiary care pediatric emergency department after implementation of a focused cardiac POCUS training curriculum. The test characteristics of the sonologist interpretation were compared with expert POCUS review, by PEM physicians who have completed PEM POCUS fellowship training, for the assessment of both pericardial effusion and left ventricular systolic dysfunction. RESULTS: A total of 1241 cardiac POCUS examinations were performed between July 2015 and December 2017, of which 456 were clinically indicated and underwent expert POCUS review and comprised the study sample. These examinations were performed by 33 different PEM attending sonologists. Chest pain (52%), dyspnea (20%), and tachycardia (18%) were the most common indications for cardiac POCUS. Prevalence of pericardial effusion and global systolic dysfunction based on expert POCUS review were 11% (48/443) and 4% (16/435), respectively. Real-time cardiac POCUS interpretation had a sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 99.5%, respectively, for both pericardial effusion and left ventricular systolic dysfunction when compared with expert POCUS review. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac POCUS is both sensitive and specific for identifying pericardial effusion and left ventricular systolic dysfunction when performed by PEM attendings with focused training.

Does Point-of-Care Gastric Ultrasound Correlate With Reported Fasting Time?

OBJECTIVE: Traditionally, patient-reported fasting time has been the primary objective presedation measure of aspiration risk. Recently, gastric ultrasound has been used to assess gastric volume for the determination of aspiration risk in patients undergoing anesthesia in the operative setting. We sought to determine the correlation of gastric volume estimated by point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) to reported fasting time. METHODS: We included children 4 to 18 years of age who presented with an acute traumatic injury. Enrolled children underwent POCUS to calculate gastric volume, which was calculated using a validated formula: Volume (mL) = -7.8 + (3.5 × Cross-sectional Area [CSA]) + (0.127 × Age in months). The CSA was measured (CSA = (anterior-posterior diameter × craniocaudal diameter × π)/4). We analyzed the relationship between time since last reported oral intake and measured gastric volume using Spearman rank correlation (ρ). RESULTS: A total of 103 patients with a median age of 10.5 years (interquartile range, 7.3-13.7 years) were enrolled. The gastric antrum was identified and measured in 88 (85%) patients; air obstructing the posterior surface of the gastric antrum prevented measurement in 14 of the 15 remaining patients. We observed a weak inverse correlation between fasting time (either liquid or solid) and estimated gastric volume (ρ = -0.33), with no significant difference based on type of intake (solids, ρ = 0.28; liquids, ρ = 0.22). CONCLUSION: Gastric volume can be estimated by POCUS and is not strongly correlated with fasting time in children in the emergency department setting.

Interrater reliability of pediatric point-of-care lung ultrasound findings.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to assess interrater reliability (IRR) of lung point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) findings among pediatric patients with suspected pneumonia. METHODS: A convenience sample of patients between the ages of 6 months and 18 years with a clinical suspicion of pneumonia had a lung ultrasound performed by a POCUS-credentialed emergency medicine physician with subsequent expert review. Each lung zone was assessed as either normal or abnormal, and specific ultrasound findings were recorded. IRR was assessed by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and kappa statistics. RESULTS: Seventy-one patients, with a total of 852 lung zones imaged, were included. The sonographer assessment of normal versus abnormal, across each of the zones, demonstrated moderate agreement with ICC 0.46 (95% CI: 0.41, 0.52) and kappa 0.56. Right-sided zones demonstrated moderate agreement [0.43 (CI 0.35, 0.51)] while left-sided zones, specifically left-sided anterior zones, showed only fair agreement [0.36 (0.28, 0.44)]. IRR varied between specific findings: ICC for B-lines 0.52 (95% CI: 0.46, 0.57), pleural effusion 0.40 (0.34, 0.45), consolidation 0.39 (0.33, 0.44), subpleural consolidation 0.31 (0.25, 0.37), and pleural line irregularity 0.16 (0.10, 0.23). A composite indicator of typical pneumonia findings (consolidation, B-lines, and pleural effusion) demonstrated moderate [ICC 0.52 (0.46, 0.57)] reliability. CONCLUSIONS: We found moderate interrater reliability of lung POCUS findings for the assessment of pediatric patients with suspected pneumonia. B-lines had the highest reliability. Further assessment of lung POCUS is necessary to guide proper training and optimal scanning techniques to ensure adequate reliability of ultrasound findings in the assessment of pediatric pneumonia.

Amyloidosis and acute hemorrhage of the kidney, ureter, and bladder.

Gross hematuria is a common occurrence in adults. The differential diagnosis is extensive, including: malignancy, trauma, inflammation of the urinary tract, and stones. While, urinary tract amyloidosis represents only a small percentage of causative gross hematuria, it is concerning because of its superficial resemblance to malignant processes. We report the case of an 82-year-old male with concurrent primary amyloidosis of the kidney, ureter and bladder in the setting of acute hemorrhage. Histopathological examination of several biopsied samples confirmed our diagnosis. A nephroureterectomy with bladder cuff was successfully performed without complication along with watchful waiting for the bladder amyloidosis.

The impact of critically ill children on paediatric ED medication timeliness.

OBJECTIVES: The presence of critically ill patients may impact care for other ED patients. We sought to evaluate whether the presence of a critically ill child was associated with the time to (1) receipt of the first medication among other patients, and (2) administration of diagnosis-specific medications. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of all paediatric ED visits over 3 years. Patients were exposed if they arrived during the first hour of a critically ill patient's care. The primary outcome was the time from arrival to first medication administration. Secondary outcomes were time to corticosteroids in asthma and time to antibiotics for fever/neutropenia. We modelled times to medication using median regression, adjusting for demographics, arrival time and weekday, and census (number of patients in the ED). RESULTS: We analysed 170 112 visits. Median times to first medication for those exposed to 0, 1 and >1 simultaneous critically ill patients were 90 min (IQR 54-146), 96 min (IQR 58-157) and 113 min (IQR 72-166), respectively (p<0.001). The increase in time to corticosteroids among exposed patients versus unexposed was 6 min (IQR 2-14, p=0.11) and in time to antibiotic for fever/neutropenia was -4 min (IQR -4 to -11, p=0.13). Modelled time to first medication increased 3.1 min (95% CI 0.5 to 5.7) among all exposed patients (p=0.02). Time to first medication increased 15.3 min (95% CI 14.7 to 15.9) for each 10 patient increase in census. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of critically ill patients was associated with a delay in medication administration to others. Census independently predicted medication delays.

Point-of-Care Ultrasound to Diagnose Postpericardiotomy Syndrome in a Child.

We report a case of a patient presenting with abdominal pain after cardiac surgery who was noted on point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) to have pericardial and pleural effusion, in addition to ascites. The most notable findings were pleural and pericardial effusions, which combined with symptomatology met criteria for postpericardiotomy syndrome. Point-of-care ultrasound expedited the diagnosis of a pericardial effusion with impending tamponade and transfer for pericardiocentesis and placement of pericardial drain.

Point-of-Care Ultrasonography for the Diagnosis of Pediatric Soft Tissue Infection.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the test characteristics of point-of-care ultrasonography for the identification of a drainable abscess and to compare the test characteristics of ultrasonography with physical examination. In addition, we sought to measure the extent to which ultrasonography impacts clinical management of children with skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs). STUDY DESIGN: We performed a prospective study of children with SSTIs evaluated in a pediatric emergency department. Treating physicians recorded their initial impression of whether a drainable abscess was present based on physical examination. Another physician, blinded to the treating physician's assessment, performed an ultrasound study and conveyed their interpretation and recommendations to the treating physician. Any management change was recorded. An abscess was defined as a lesion from which purulent fluid was expressed during a drainage procedure in the emergency department or during the 2- to 5-day follow-up period. We defined a change in management as correct when the ultrasound diagnosis was discordant from physical examination and matched the ultimate lesion classification. RESULTS: Of 151 SSTIs evaluated among 148 patients, the sensitivity and specificity of point-of-care ultrasonography for the presence of abscess were 96% (95% CI 90%-99%) and 87% (74%-95%), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of physical examination for the presence of abscess were 84% (75%-90%) and 60% (44%-73%), respectively. For every 4 ultrasound examinations performed, there was 1 correct change in management. CONCLUSIONS: Point-of-care ultrasonography demonstrates excellent test characteristics for the identification of skin abscess and has superior test characteristics compared with physical examination alone.

Abdominal Lymphatic Malformation Presenting as Acute Abdominal Pain: A Common Pediatric Complaint, but an Unusual Diagnosis.

We present the clinical and radiological findings involving a mesenteric lymphatic malformation causing volvulus in a toddler presenting with acute abdominal pain, as well as its treatment options.

An Educational Intervention to Improve Ultrasound Competency in Ultrasound-Guided Central Venous Access.

OBJECTIVE: Ultrasound (US) guidance for central venous catheter (CVC) placement results in improved success and overall safety, but is a new skill for pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) physicians. No study to date has used simulation-based learning to evaluate the ability of PEM providers to perform US-guided CVC placement.Our objective was to assess the competency of physicians in a rarely performed procedure, US-guided CVC placement, before and after an educational intervention using simulation-based mastery learning. METHODS: We performed a prospective cohort study evaluating change in PEM physician competency in US-guided CVC placement before and after an educational intervention. Subjects participated in a curriculum composed of 3 sessions: an intervention session, a 2-month follow-up session, and a 12-month follow-up session. At each session, subjects were observed using US to guide CVC placement on a simulation model and technical skill was scored using a validated direct-observation checklist. Competency was defined as successfully completing 7 critical items on the checklist. RESULTS: Of the 28 PEM physicians participating, competency improved from 32% at preintervention to 93% at 2-month follow-up (difference, 62%; 95% confidence interval, 36%-84%). At 12-month follow-up, competency remained high (85%; difference, 53%; 95% confidence interval, 32%-75%). CONCLUSIONS: Physician competency in US-guided CVC placement improved with a simulation-based educational intervention, and the effect was maintained over time. This study may serve as a model for outcomes-based education and certification in rarely performed procedures in pediatrics.

Advances in point-of-care ultrasound in pediatric emergency medicine.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has become an integral part of emergency medicine practice. Research evaluating POCUS in the care of pediatric patients has improved the understanding of its potential role in clinical care. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent work has investigated the ability of pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) physicians to perform a wide array of diagnostic and procedural applications in POCUS ultrasound. Studies have demonstrated that PEM providers are able to identify an array of diseases, including intussusception, pyloric stenosis and appendicitis. Novel applications of ultrasound, such as a cardiac evaluation in the acutely ill patient or identification of skull fractures in the assessment of a patient with head injury, have shown excellent promise in recent studies. These novel applications have the potential to reshape pediatric diagnostic algorithms. SUMMARY: Key applications in PEM have been investigated in the recent publications. Further exploration of the ability to integrate ultrasound into routine practice will require larger-scale studies and continued growth of education in the field. The use of ultrasound in clinical practice has the potential to improve safety and efficiency of care in the pediatric emergency department.

Intravenous dextrose for children with gastroenteritis and dehydration: a double-blind randomized controlled trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: We seek to determine whether an initial intravenous bolus of 5% dextrose in normal saline solution compared with normal saline solution will lead to a lower proportion of hospitalized patients and a greater reduction in serum ketone levels in children with gastroenteritis and dehydration. METHODS: We enrolled children aged 6 months to 6 years in a double-blind, randomized controlled trial of patients presenting to a pediatric emergency department. Subjects were randomized to receive a 20 mL/kg infusion of either 5% dextrose in normal saline solution or normal saline solution. Serum ketone levels were measured before and at 1- and 2-hour intervals after the initial study fluid bolus administration. Primary outcome was the proportion of children hospitalized. Secondary outcome was change in serum ketone levels over time. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-eight children were enrolled. The proportion of children hospitalized did not differ between groups (35% in the 5% dextrose in normal saline solution group versus 44% in the normal saline solution group; risk difference 9%; 95% confidence interval [CI] -5% to 22%). Compared with children who received normal saline solution, those who received 5% dextrose in normal saline solution had a greater reduction in mean serum ketone levels at both 1 hour (mean Δ 1.2 versus 0.1 mmol/L; mean difference 1.1 mmol/L; 95% CI 0.4 to 1.9 mmol/L) and 2 hours (mean Δ 1.9 versus 0.3 mmol/L; mean difference 1.6 mmol/L; 95% CI 0.9 to 2.3 mmol/L). CONCLUSION: Administration of a dextrose-containing bolus compared with normal saline did not lead to a lower rate of hospitalization for children with gastroenteritis and dehydration. There was, however, a greater reduction in serum ketone levels in patients who received 5% dextrose in normal saline solution.

Development and evaluation of a program for the use of ultrasound for central venous catheter placement in a pediatric emergency department.

BACKGROUND: A growing body of literature supports the use of ultrasound (US) to assist central venous catheter (CVC) placement, and in many settings, this has become the standard of care. However, this remains a relatively new and uncommonly performed procedure for pediatric emergency medicine physicians. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to describe the change over time in percentage of CVC procedures performed with US assistance per 10,000 patient visits in a pediatric emergency department. METHODS: We describe the development of an emergency US program in a pediatric emergency department and investigate how US use for CVC placement in internal jugular and femoral veins changed from July 2007, when US became available, until December 2011. Data related to CVC procedures were obtained from a procedure database maintained for quality assurance purposes. RESULTS: The percentage of CVC procedures performed with US assistance increased significantly over time (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The development of an emergency US program was associated with significantly increased physician use of US for CVC placement.

Testosterone Treatment and the Risk of Prostate Adverse Events.

Hypogonadism is a common clinical condition affecting men, with older men having an increased incidence. Clinicians (endocrinologists and urologists) who may be involved in providing testosterone therapy should be familiar with the effects of testosterone on the prostate. Before initiating testosterone therapy, physicians and patients should partake in shared decision-making, including pretreatment testing, risks and benefits of testosterone therapy relating to benign prostatic hyperplasia and lower urinary tract symptoms, a discussion on prostate cancer in those who have not been diagnosed with malignancy, and a thorough discussion with patients who may have a previous diagnosis of prostate cancer.