Dual-wavelength dye laser combined with betamethasone injection for treatment of keloids: protocol of a randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Keloids, benign fibroproliferative tumours characterised by excessive fibroblast proliferation and over-deposition of extracellular matrix, pose a therapeutic challenge with high recurrence rates. Betamethasone (diprospan) injection (BI) is one of the most common non-invasive therapies for keloids. Pulsed dye laser (PDL) has the function of closing microvessels, which may become one of the auxiliary treatment methods of BI and may enhance its curative effect. Some studies suggest that the combination of a dual-wavelength dye laser (DWL) and BI may offer superior efficacy. This randomised controlled trial aims to evaluate whether the combined therapy of DWL+BI outperforms BI alone in treating keloids. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This single-centre, parallel positive control, randomised trial evaluates the efficacy and safety of DWL (585 nm PDL+1064 nm neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet) combined with BI for keloid treatment. Enrolling 66 adult patients, participants are randomised into DWL+BI or BI groups in a 1:1 ratio. Over 12 weeks, each group undergoes four treatment sessions, ensuring blinding for outcome assessors. Data collection occurs at multiple time points (4, 12, 24 and 52 weeks), with primary outcomes assessing the Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) improvement rate 24 weeks after the last intervention. Secondary outcomes include VSS improvement rates, changes in keloid volume, changes in relative perfusion index measured by laser speckle contrast imaging, Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale results and patient satisfaction. Safety assessments include vital signs, laboratory tests, pregnancy tests and self-reports of adverse reactions. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The results will be presented in peer-reviewed journals and at international conferences. This study is approved by the Ethics Committee of Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Chinese Clinical Trial Register (ChiCTR2400080148).

Vulvar migration of injected polyacrylamide hydrogel following breast augmentation: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Vulvar migration is a rare complication of filler injection for breast augmentation, generally presenting as repeated pain and fever. We will report a case of woman with polyacrylamide hydrogel breast injection develops vulvar abscess. CASE PRESENTATION: A woman with a history of polyacrylamide hydrogel breast injection was noted to have vulvar abscess due to migration of filler materials. Filler removal surgery and vacuum sealing drainage was performed for this patient. The patient was discharged from the hospital with no further complications. After a review of pertinent literature, only four previous case reports are found. Local inflammatory response, infection, large volume injections, inframammary fold destruction, hematogenous or lymphatic migrate, trauma, gravity and external pressure could play essential parts in the migration of injected filler. CONCLUSION: Polyacrylamide hydrogel migration poses a worldwide challenge, necessitating personalized solutions. Our case study underscores the importance of comprehensive examinations for individuals with a history of filler breast injection when suspecting vulvar filler migration.

Ventriculoperitoneal shunt for tuberculous meningitis-associated hydrocephalus: long-term outcomes and complications.

BACKGROUND: Hydrocephalus is a frequent complication of tuberculous meningitis (TBM), and ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) has been shown to improve short-term prognosis for patients with TBM-associated hydrocephalus. However, questions remain about long-term prognosis and shunt-related complications. This study aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of both long-term prognosis and shunt-related complications in patients with TBM-induced hydrocephalus who have undergone VPS treatment. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed the clinical data of TBM patients with hydrocephalus treated with VPS at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between December 1999 and February 2023. Both short-term outcomes at discharge and long-term outcomes during follow-up were examined. Prognosis and shunt-related complications were assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and the Activity of Daily Living (ADL) score to evaluate neurological function and autonomic living ability, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 14 patients with TBM-associated hydrocephalus were included in this study. Of these, 92.9% (13/14) exhibited favorable short-term outcomes, while 57.1% (8/14) showed positive long-term outcomes. Initial results indicated 6 complete recoveries (CR), 7 partial recoveries (PR), and 1 treatment failure. No catheter-related complications were observed initially. Long-term results included 4 CRs, 4 PRs, and 6 treatment failures. A variety of shunt surgery-related complications were noted, including three instances of catheter obstruction, one of incision infection, one of catheter-related infection, one of acute cerebral infarction, and one of transient peritoneal irritation accompanied by diarrhea. CONCLUSIONS: VPS appears to be an effective and well-tolerated treatment for TBM-associated hydrocephalus, efficiently alleviating acute intracranial hypertension. Nonetheless, continuous long-term monitoring and proactive management are essential to mitigate the risk of catheter-related complications.

Is Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging Superior to Sonography in Gynecomastia Evaluation and Surgery Planning.

BACKGROUND: Data on the value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the preoperative evaluation and surgery planning of gynecomastia are limited. The purpose of this study is to reveal MRI features and categories of gynecomastia and compare surgical outcomes following MRI and sonography as well as their diagnostic accuracy. METHODS: The area of the gland and the whole breast on the transverse plane via nipple of MRI were measured to calculate the ratio between them. Areola, mass and branch patterns were categorized to represent three different gynecomastia type on MRI. 183 patients were included, with 38 in MRI group and 145 in sonography group. Diagnostic accuracy was assessed by the level of agreement between preoperative imaging findings and intraoperative observations. Surgical data, patients' satisfaction and complications were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: MRI in 75 gynecomastic breasts demonstrated the average ratio of the gland to the whole breast was 10.6%±13.3%. The most common MRI categories were branch patterns (45.3%). The diagnostic concordance rate of MRI was higher than sonography (100% vs. 86.8%, p = 0.001). Among those junior surgeons, the length of surgery was reduced in MRI group (100 min vs. 115 min, p = 0.048). There was no difference in terms of patient's satisfaction and complication rate between MRI and sonography. CONCLUSION: MRI was superior to sonography in diagnostic accuracy to assess the tissue components of gynecomastia and provided informative guidance especially for junior surgeons. Surgical outcomes were comparable regardless of the use of MRI or sonography for evaluation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: IThis journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

The PUMCH Evaluation System of Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus and Clinical Practice.

OBJECTIVE: Differentiating idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) from other neurodegenerative diseases is challenging. Only a portion of the patients clinically suspected of iNPH would respond to surgical intervention. A cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tap test is usually used to predict surgery outcomes and hence aid clinical decision-making, but the workup varies. We introduce the CSF tap test conducted at our center and examine its power by analyzing data from a series of iNPH cases that underwent shunt placement. We analyze common features in the past medical history of our patients and investigate whether they are related to the etiology of iNPH. METHODS: Data from 20 patients who were positive in the tap tests preoperatively and received ventriculoperitoneal shunting (VPS) were retrospectively analyzed. Preoperative and postoperative performance data were analyzed. History of any underlying medical conditions was taken into consideration. Patients with negative tap test results of the same period were also followed up. RESULTS: We performed VPS placement in 20 NPH patients from October 2019 to February 2022. Of these, 90% exhibited improvement in at least 1 of the clinical triad, proving the predictive power of the Peking Union Medical College Hospital test workflow. The underlying conditions like hypertension, diabetes and insufficiency in cerebral blood supply were also found to be associated with the onset of NPH. CONCLUSION: Our evaluation system is a valid tool for NPH assessment and can guide clinical decision-making. Comorbidities should be taken into consideration as they contribute to the pathogenesis and progression of NPH. Better identification of potential iNPH patients will lower the burden exerted on the family and the aging society.

Short-term and long-term outcomes in patients with cryptococcal meningitis after ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the short-term and long-term outcomes of ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) placement in patients with cryptococcal meningitis (CM). Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients with CM admitted to the Peking Union Medical College Hospital from September 1990 to January 2021. We collected related clinical features to analyze the short- and long-term outcomes of VPS at 1 month and 1 year at least the following therapy, respectively. Overall survival (OS) was compared with all patients and a subgroup of critically ill cases by the Kaplan-Meier method with the log-rank test. Univariable and multivariable analyses were also performed using the Cox proportional hazard model to identify statistically significant prognostic factors. Results: We enrolled 98 patients, fifteen of whom underwent VPS. Those who received VPS had a lower cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Cryptococcus burden (1:1 vs. 1:16; p = 0.046), lower opening pressures (173.3 mmH2 O vs. 224 mmH2O; p = 0.009) at lumbar punctures, and a lower incidence of critical cases (6.7 vs. 31.3%; p = 0.049). According to our long-term follow-up, no significant difference was shown in the Barthel Index (BI) between the two groups. Two patients in the VPS group suffered postoperative complications and had to go through another revision surgery. According to survival analysis, overall survival (OS) between the VPS and non-VPS groups was not significantly different. However, the Kaplan-Meier plots showed that critical patients with VPS had better survival in OS (p < 0.009). Multivariable analyses for critical patients showed VPS was an independent prognostic factor. Conclusion: A VPS could reduce the intracranial pressure (ICP), decrease the counts of Cryptococcus neoformans by a faster rate and reduce the number of critical cases. The VPS used in critical patients with CM has a significant impact on survival, but it showed no improvement in the long-term Barthel Index (BI) vs. the conservative treatment and could lead to postoperative complications.

Pulmonary complications and respiratory management in neurocritical care: a narrative review.

ABSTRACT: Neurocritical care (NCC) is not only generally guided by principles of general intensive care, but also directed by specific goals and methods. This review summarizes the common pulmonary diseases and pathophysiology affecting NCC patients and the progress made in strategies of respiratory support in NCC. This review highlights the possible interactions and pathways that have been revealed between neurological injuries and respiratory diseases, including the catecholamine pathway, systemic inflammatory reactions, adrenergic hypersensitivity, and dopaminergic signaling. Pulmonary complications of neurocritical patients include pneumonia, neurological pulmonary edema, and respiratory distress. Specific aspects of respiratory management include prioritizing the protection of the brain, and the goal of respiratory management is to avoid inappropriate blood gas composition levels and intracranial hypertension. Compared with the traditional mode of protective mechanical ventilation with low tidal volume (Vt), high positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), and recruitment maneuvers, low PEEP might yield a potential benefit in closing and protecting the lung tissue. Multimodal neuromonitoring can ensure the safety of respiratory maneuvers in clinical and scientific practice. Future studies are required to develop guidelines for respiratory management in NCC.

Systemic lupus erythematosus simultaneously presenting with visceral muscle dysmotility syndrome and mechanical intestinal obstruction clinically relieved by surgery: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal pseudo-obstruction (IPO) accompanied by hepatobiliary dilatation and ureterohydronephrosis is extremely rare in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This triad is also called visceral muscle dysmotility syndrome (VMDS). Only 9 cases have been reported in the literature. Here, we report a rare case of VMDS with mechanical intestinal obstruction that was clinically relieved by surgery. CASE PRESENTATION: This report refers to a 31-year-old woman with SLE and gastrointestinal symptoms presented as abdominal pain, nausea and stoppage of the passage of flatus or stool without obvious reasons. The patient suffered from severe abdominal distension because of massive flatulence. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen performed in our hospital showed localized stenosis of the bowel, ureterohydronephrosis, and biliary tract dilatation. Endoscopy showed a stenotic segment located in the sigmoid colon. The colon biopsy samples suggested that the stenosis was caused by inflammatory tissues. Biochemical investigations showed hypoalbuminemia, electrolyte disturbance and decreased C3. Antinuclear antibody was positive. After careful assessment, transverse colostomy was performed for this patient. Gastrointestinal symptoms were clinically relieved after the surgery. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, no VMDS patients have presented with mechanical ileus before. This case is the first documented occurrence of SLE with VMDS and mechanical intestinal obstruction symptoms relieved by surgery. Due to the low incidence of this condition, no standard treatment regimen has been established. However, surgical treatment offers significant benefit in specific situations.

Progression in Neuroimaging of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus.

Normal-pressure hydrocephalus is a clinical syndrome that mainly targets the elderly population. It features dementia, impaired walking, and the malfunction of sphincters. The rapid identification and large-scale screening of patients with normal-pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) are of great significance as surgical interventions can greatly improve or even reverse the symptoms. This review aims to summarize the traditional parameters used to diagnose NPH and the emerging progression in neuroimaging of the disease, hoping to provide an up-to-date overall perspective and summarize the possible direction of its future development.

Hypothalamus-Pituitary Dysfunction as an Independent Risk Factor for Postoperative Central Nervous System Infections in Patients With Sellar Region Tumors.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to verify that hypothalamus-pituitary dysfunction is one of the risk factors for postoperative central nervous system infections (PCNSIs). Method: We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients with sellar region lesions who underwent surgery between January 2016 and November 2019 at Peking Union Medical College Hospital. In total, 44 age- and sex-matched controls were enrolled. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify risk factors for PCNSIs. Result: We enrolled 88 patients, 44 of whom had PCNSIs. Surgical approach (TCS) (P<0.001), previous surgery on the same site (P=0.001), intraoperative cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) leakage (P<0.001), postoperative adrenal insufficiency (P=0.017), postoperative DI (P=0.004) and the maximum Na+ levels(<0.001) correlated significantly with PCNSIs. Multivariate analysis showed that Surgery approach (TCS)(OR: 77.588; 95%CI: 7.981-754.263; P<0.001), intraoperative CSF leakage (OR: 12.906; 95%CI: 3.499-47.602; P<0.001), postoperative DI (OR: 6.999; 95%CI:1.371-35.723; P=0.019) and postoperative adrenal insufficiency (OR: 6.115; 95%CI: 1.025-36.469; P=0.047) were independent influencing factors for PCNSIs. Conclusion: TCS, intraoperative CSF leakage, postoperative DI and postoperative adrenal insufficiency are risk factors for PCNSIs in patients with sellar region tumors.

Diagnosis and treatment of low T3 syndrome in neurocritical patients.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Low levels of serum triiodothyronine (T3) are a strong predictor of mortality and poor prognosis in critical care patients. Few reports, however, have focused on neurocritical patients. The application of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in the treatment of neurocritical patients with low T3 syndrome remains controversial. We studied the role of low T3 state as a predictor of outcomes in neurocritical patients and examined the effect of HRT on prognosis. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on the data of 32 neurocritical patients with low T3 syndrome who were admitted to the neuro-intensive care unit of Peking Union Medical College Hospital between January 2012 and October 2018. While 18/32 (56.25%) patients received HRT (HRT group; n = 18), 14/32 (43.75%) patients did not receive HRT (non-HRT group; n = 14). Patients were followed up for periods ranging from 3 months to 72 months. Baseline clinical and laboratory data were compared between the two groups using Mann-Whitney U tests or the t tests. Overall survival was assessed by Kaplan-Meier curve and compared by log-rank tests. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify the factors associated with prognosis and estimate the effect of HRT. We also assessed the influence of HRT on final neurological function, using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) scores. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The neurocritical events in our cohort included post-operative complications (n = 18), traumatic brain injury (n = 8) and spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage (n = 6). Mean GCS score in the cohort was 6.41 (6.44 ± 3.14 in HRT group vs 6.36 ± 2.06 in non-HRT group). A total of 15/32 (46.87%) deaths were recorded (7 in the HRT group, 8 in the non-HRT group). In the HRT group, 15 patients underwent repeat thyroid function tests after completion of HRT; the low T3 situation was corrected in only 5/15 (33.3%) patients. Overall survival was significantly shorter in the non-HRT group than in the HRT group (16.45 months vs 47.47 months; P = .034). In univariate regression analysis, the HRT group has the lower mortality risk than the non-HRT group (HR = 0.301, 95% Cl: 0.094-0.964; P = .043). However, multivariate regression analysis showed no significant difference in mortality risk between the two groups (HR = 0.340 95% CI: 0.099-1.172; P = .087). There was no significant difference in effects of HRT on the short- and long-term neurological function between the groups. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: Low T3 syndrome may influence the prognosis of neurocritical patients, attention should be paid to the changes in serum T3 levels during treatment. Although it is unclear to what extent HRT can improve the short or long-term outcomes of neurological function, it can significantly improve the survival rates of neurocritical patients.