Video versus Direct Laryngoscopy for Urgent Intubation of Newborn Infants.

BACKGROUND: Repeated attempts at endotracheal intubation are associated with increased adverse events in neonates. When clinicians view the airway directly with a laryngoscope, fewer than half of first attempts are successful. The use of a video laryngoscope, which has a camera at the tip of the blade that displays a view of the airway on a screen, has been associated with a greater percentage of successful intubations on the first attempt than the use of direct laryngoscopy in adults and children. The effect of video laryngoscopy among neonates is uncertain. METHODS: In this single-center trial, we randomly assigned neonates of any gestational age who were undergoing intubation in the delivery room or neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to the video-laryngoscopy group or the direct-laryngoscopy group. Randomization was stratified according to gestational age (<32 weeks or ≥32 weeks). The primary outcome was successful intubation on the first attempt, as determined by exhaled carbon dioxide detection. RESULTS: Data were analyzed for 214 of the 226 neonates who were enrolled in the trial, 63 (29%) of whom were intubated in the delivery room and 151 (71%) in the NICU. Successful intubation on the first attempt occurred in 79 of the 107 patients (74%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 66 to 82) in the video-laryngoscopy group and in 48 of the 107 patients (45%; 95% CI, 35 to 54) in the direct-laryngoscopy group (P<0.001). The median number of attempts to achieve successful intubation was 1 (95% CI, 1 to 1) in the video-laryngoscopy group and 2 (95% CI, 1 to 2) in the direct-laryngoscopy group. The median lowest oxygen saturation during intubation was 74% (95% CI, 65 to 78) in the video-laryngoscopy group and 68% (95% CI, 62 to 74) in the direct-laryngoscopy group; the lowest heart rate was 153 beats per minute (95% CI, 148 to 158) and 148 (95% CI, 140 to 156), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Among neonates undergoing urgent endotracheal intubation, video laryngoscopy resulted in a greater number of successful intubations on the first attempt than direct laryngoscopy. (Funded by the National Maternity Hospital Foundation; VODE ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04994652.).

Comparison of outcomes and cost-effectiveness of trisacryl gelatin microspheres alone versus combined trisacryl gelatin microspheres and gelatin sponge embolization in uterine fibroid embolization.

BACKGROUND: Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) is an effective treatment for uterine leiomyomata. Optimizing the choice of embolic agents is imperative to achieve better patient outcomes with maximum resource utilization. PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of trisacryl gelatin microspheres (TAGM) versus combined TAGM and gelatin sponge (GS) embolization in the treatment of symptomatic uterine leiomyomata. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between July 2007 and December 2010, 106 consecutive patients underwent UFE with TAGM. Between January 2011 and December 2016, 123 consecutive patients underwent UFE with a combination of TAGM/GS. The primary outcomes were successful infarction rate (≥90% infarction) of the dominant leiomyoma and percentage reduction in uterine and dominant leiomyoma volume on MRI at six months. Secondary outcomes included adverse event rates, pain scores, and change in clinical symptoms at six months. The embolic agents utilized per procedure were recorded and a cost-effectiveness analysis was performed. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics of both groups were similar. Successful infarction was achieved in 93.2% of the TAGM group and 94.6% of the TAGM/GS group (P = 0.52). Reduction in uterine volume (TAGM 40.7%, TAGM/GS 44.4%, P = 0.16) and dominant leiomyoma volume (TAGM 47.6%, TAGM/GS 50.1%, P = 0.29) at six months was similar. No significant difference was observed in symptom improvement at six months (P = 0.8). The mean number of TAGM vials utilized and cost per procedure was 6.3 and $1688.40 for TAGM embolization and 3.6 and $979.50 for TAGM/GS embolization, respectively. CONCLUSION: Primary and secondary outcomes were comparable when performing UFE with TAGM versus combined TAGM/GS. The combined use of TAGM/GS reduced the mean cost of embolic agents by 42%.

Fetal ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging: a primer on how to interpret prenatal lung lesions.

Fetal lung lesions include common lesions such as congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM), bronchopulmonary sequestration (BPS) and combined CPAM-BPS hybrid lesions, as well as less common entities including congenital lobar emphysema/obstruction, bronchial atresia, bronchogenic cysts and rare malignant pulmonary lesions such as pleuropulmonary blastoma. Fetal lung lesions occur in approximately 1 in 15,000 live births and are thought to arise from a spectrum of abnormalities related to airway obstruction and malformation, with the lesion type depending on the timing of insult, level of bronchial tree involvement, and severity of obstruction. Lesions vary from small and asymptomatic to large and symptomatic with significant mass effect on surrounding structures. Accurate diagnosis and characterization of these anomalies is crucial for guiding patient counseling as well as perinatal and postnatal management. The goal of this review is to provide an overview of normal fetal lung appearance and imaging features of common and uncommon lesions on both ultrasound and MR imaging, and to discuss key aspects in reporting and evaluating the severity of these lesions.

Musculoskeletal Imaging: Current Practice and Future Directions.

Musculoskeletal (MSK) radiology plays a crucial role in the diagnosis and management of MSK disorders and has rapidly expanded in tandem with advances in technology and improved access to imaging. Although anatomical imaging remains the mainstay of MSK radiology, significant progress has been made in functional and molecular imaging as well as in hybrid imaging with an expanding armament of technologies becoming available or in development. A vast array of research is occurring in MSK imaging, and this review article highlights some of the most promising current and future clinical applications in development in each of the major imaging modalities. Identifying the clinical utility of these technologies in an era of rising health care costs is an important challenge for MSK radiologists.

Direct Common Carotid Artery Puncture for Endovascular Treatment of Acute Large Vessel Ischemic Stroke in a Patient with Aortic Coarctation.

Coarctation of the aorta is a condition that typically presents in childhood as a congenital malformation. This report describes a case of acute right middle cerebral artery ischemic stroke, which occurred in a patient with aortic coarctation that remained undiagnosed until her eighth decade. Complex anatomical variant presented a significant technical challenge in establishing endovascular access for mechanical thrombectomy using standard femoral, brachial, or radial artery approaches. Direct right common carotid puncture was performed successfully with subsequent reperfusion and full neurological recovery. Direct carotid artery puncture represents an alternative to standard transfemoral access in the event of stroke in a patient with difficult anatomy.

An unusual case of a giant fetal facial tumour and review of the literature.

We present the case of a pregnant 32-year-old woman who presented with a giant fetal facial tumour at 22 weeks. The mass, initially 4 × 3.5 × 3 cm in size, was largely cystic with a small solid component. It subsequently increased to 9 × 9 × 10 cm. Significant compression effects on the fetal orbit, temple and infratemporal fossa, with potential compression of the optic nerve, were noted on ultrasound and MRI. The cyst required drainage twice in the pregnancy: firstly to reduce the compression effects and secondly to facilitate caesarean delivery. Postnatally, the baby had significant compression and displacement of the craniofacial skeleton from the mass effect. Postnatal histology revealed a diagnosis of a teratoma. This case highlights the complexities and challenges surrounding the diagnosis and management of a giant fetal facial tumour.

Neuroimaging of central diabetes insipidus.

Central diabetes insipidus (CDI) occurs secondary to deficient synthesis or secretion of arginine vasopressin peptide from the hypothalamo-neurohypophyseal system (HNS). It is characterized by polydipsia and polyuria (urine output >30mL/kg/day in adults and >2l/m2/24h in children) of dilute urine (<250mOsm/L). It can result from any pathology affecting one or more components of the HNS including the hypothalamic osmoreceptors, supraoptic or paraventricular nuclei, and median eminence of the hypothalamus, infundibulum, stalk or the posterior pituitary gland. MRI is the imaging modality of choice for evaluation of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis (HPA), and a dedicated pituitary or sella protocol is essential. CT can provide complimentary diagnostic information and is also of value when MRI is contraindicated. The most common causes are benign or malignant neoplasia of the HPA (25%), surgery (20%), and head trauma (16%). No cause is identified in up to 30% of cases, classified as idiopathic CDI. Knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the HNS is crucial when evaluating a patient with CDI. Establishing the etiology of CDI with MRI in combination with clinical and biochemical assessment facilitates appropriate targeted treatment. This chapter illustrates the wide variety of causes and imaging correlates of CDI on neuroimaging, discusses the optimal imaging protocols, and revises the detailed neuroanatomy required to interpret these studies.

Palliative care nurses' experiences of clinical supervision: a qualitative evidence synthesis.

BACKGROUND: Clinical supervision provides support and facilitates professional and personal development. AIM: To identify and synthesise all available qualitative research on palliative care nurses' experiences of clinical supervision. METHODS: Guided by the 'enhancing transparency in reporting the synthesis of qualitative research' (ENTREQ) statement, eight databases were searched using a systematic search strategy (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PubMed, PsycINFO, Medline, Web of Science, ProQuest, Embase, Psychological and Behavioural Sciences). The findings of all included studies were analysed guided by Thomas and Harden's approach. Confidence in the review findings was determined guided by Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative research (GRADE-CERQual). FINDINGS: Nine qualitative studies were included in this synthesis and four analytic themes were identified: negative experiences and misunderstandings of clinical supervision; clinical supervision needs structure and clarity; supervisor needs to be a conductor and a producer; finding your 'inner supervisor'. CONCLUSION: The review illuminates the benefits of clinical supervision as a renewal process for palliative care (PC) nurses, but also highlights the challenges in its provision. Organisations should provide designated time and opportunities for PC nurses to attend clinical supervision sessions during working hours.

Out-of-hours exercise treadmill testing reduces length of hospital stay for chest pain admissions.

AIMS: The objective was to examine the impact of out-of-hours exercise treadmill tests (ETTs) on length of hospital stay (LOS) for patients admitted to a chest pain assessment unit with symptoms suggestive of acute coronary syndrome. METHODS: Prospective observational study with 30-day follow-up of low-to-intermediate-risk chest pain patients undergoing out-of-hours ETT. Eligible patients had a nonischemic ECG, normal 6-12-h ST-segment monitoring, a negative 12-h troponin T assay, and no contraindications to exercise. Observed LOS was compared to expected LOS in the absence of out-of-hours ETT, using Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Estimated bed day savings and major adverse events at 30 days after discharge were examined. RESULTS: Four hundred and twenty-two patients with a mean age of 52 years (SD 13 years, 25-83 years) were evaluated. Fifty-two per cent (n = 221) were men; 66% (n = 279) had one or less cardiovascular risk factors; and 79% (n = 334) of the patients presented on a Friday or Saturday. ETT was performed on a weekend day in 86% (n = 363) of the patients, facilitating same-day discharges in 71% (n =  300). The median LOS (interquartile range) was 1 day (1, 2 days) for patients assessed with out-of-hours ETT. The expected median LOS (IQR) was 3 days (2, 4 days) (P < 0.05) in the absence of out-of-hours ETT. Each out-of-hours ETT was estimated to save a mean (SD, range) of 1.6 (0.6, 1-4) bed days. Thirty-day mortality and readmission rates were 0 and 0.2% (1 of 422), respectively. CONCLUSION: The availability of out-of-hours ETT facilitates safe early discharge and reduced LOS for low-to-moderate-risk patients admitted with symptoms of acute coronary syndrome.