X-ray-guided self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) implantation in oesophageal malignancy as an alternative treatment.

<b><br>Indroduction:</b> Significant dysphagia, aspiration pneumonia, and impossible oral nutrition in patients with unresectable or recurrent gastroesophageal malignancy or bronchial cancer invading the oesophagus with a tracheoesophageal fistula lead to cachexia. Dehiscence of the esophago-jejunal or gastroesophageal anastomosis may cause severe oesophageal haemorrhage. We believe that X-ray-guided oesophageal stent implantation (SEMS) is an alternative palliative method for microjejunostomy or full parenteral nutrition.</br> <b><br>Aim:</b> The aim of this paper was to assess the safety and efficacy of a novel X-ray-guided oesophageal stent implantation technique.</br> <b><br>Materials and methods:</b> This retrospective analysis included 54 patients (35 men and 19 women) treated for malignant dysphagia, gastroesophageal/gastrointestinal anastomotic fistula or bronchoesophageal fistula in two Surgical Units between 2010 and 2019, using a modified intravascular approach to oesophageal stent implantation.</br> <b><br>Results:</b> The presented modified intravascular method of oesophageal stent implantation was successfully performed in all described patients requiring oral nutrition restoration immediately following oesophageal stent implantation. Two patients with oesophageal anastomotic dehiscence died on postoperative days 7 and 9 due to circulatory and respiratory failure. One patient was reimplanted due to a recurrent fistula. Two patients with ruptured thoracic aneurysm and thoracic stent graft implantation due to oesophageal haemorrhage, who were implanted with an oesophageal stent, died on postoperative days 4 and 14.</br> <b><br>Conclusions:</b> The modified intravascular X-ray-guided SEMS technique may be a palliative treatment for patients with unresectable oesophageal malignancies.</br>.

Association between lung opacities and visceral fat in COVID-19 patients.

Purpose: To assess the relationship between the amount of the epigastric visceral fat area and the severity of pneumonia in the course of COVID-19 using chest computed tomography (CT) examinations. Material and methods: 177 patients (54 female), with COVID-19 infection were included. A routine chest CT was performed to assess the severity of pneumonia. The affected lung tissue as well as semi-quantitative scales such as the Chest CT Score and Total Opacity Score were calculated using SyngoVia VB30A CT Pneumonia Analysis software. The epigastric region area of visceral fat (L1) was also determined. Results: The mean value of the visceral adipose tissue area was 196.23 ± 101.36 cm2. The area of adipose tissue significantly correlated with the percentage of the affected lung tissue (r = 0.1476; p = 0.050), the Chest CT Score (r = 0.2086; p = 0.005), and the Total Opacity Score (r = 0.1744; p = 0.200). The mean area of adipose tissue in the age group ≥ 65 years was 216.13 ± 105.19 cm2, while in the group < 65 years, it was 169.18 ± 89.69 cm2. This difference was statistically significant (p = 0.002). Conclusions: The study showed a relationship between the area of visceral adipose tissue and the degree of lung inflammation in COVID-19 disease in patients under 65 years of age.

A distinct septal pattern of late gadolinium enhancement specific for COVID-induced myocarditis: A multicenter cardiovascular magnetic resonance study.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 is a great medical challenge as it provokes acute respiratory distress and has pulmonary manifestations and cardiovascular (CV) consequences. AIMS: This study compared cardiac injury in COVID-19 myocarditis patients with non-COVID-19 myocarditis patients. METHODS: Patients who recovered from COVID-19 were scheduled for cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) owing to clinical myocarditis suspicion. The retrospective non-COVID-19 myocarditis (2018-2019) group was enrolled (n = 221 patients). All patients underwent contrast-enhanced CMR, the conventional myocarditis protocol, and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). The COVID study group included 552 patients at a mean (standard deviation [SD]) age of 45.9 (12.6) years. RESULTS: CMR assessment confirmed myocarditis-like LGE in 46% of the cases (68.5% of the segments with LGE <25% transmural extent), left ventricular (LV) dilatation in 10%, and systolic dysfunction in 16% of cases. The COVID-19 myocarditis group showed a smaller median (interquartile range [IQR]) LV LGE (4.4% [2.9%-8.1%] vs. 5.9% [4.4%-11.8%]; P <0.001), lower LV end-diastolic volume (144.6 [125.5-178] ml vs. 162.8 [136.6-194] ml; P <0.001), limited functional consequence (left ventricular ejection fraction, 59% [54.1%-65%] vs. 58% [52%-63%]; P = 0.01), and a higher rate of pericarditis (13.6% vs. 6%; P = 0.03) compared to non-COVID-19 myocarditis. The COVID-19-induced injury was more frequent in septal segments (2, 3, 14), and non-COVID-19 myocarditis showed higher affinity to lateral wall segments (P <0.01). Neither obesity nor age was associated with LV injury or remodeling in subjects with COVID-19 myocarditis. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19-induced myocarditis is associated with minor LV injury with a significantly more frequent septal pattern and a higher pericarditis rate than non-COVID-19 myocarditis.

Post-tracheostomy complications: respiratory failure caused by authologic foreign body-case report.

Tracheostomy is performed frequently as a palliative treatment in patients with end-stage respiratory failure (RF). However, in patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation it may be difficult to recognize and can often lead to life-threatening RF. We present two cases of acute-on-chronic respiratory failure (ACRF) occurring in patients who had undergone tracheostomy [one with percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) and the second with surgical tracheostomy (ST)]. The first case was admitted due to ACRF several months after previous successful decannulation and the second case after failure of several attempts of weaning from tracheal cannula. In both cases, noninvasive mechanical ventilation assisted flexible bronchoscopy (NIV-FB) was able to identify and solve the tracheal stenosis secondary to stiff banana-shaped whitish foreign bodies. Histology sampling and genetic testing confirmed autologous foreign body formation-tracheal cartilage calcification. NIV-FB was found to be safe and effective in both diagnosis and treatment of the tracheal stenosis. Life-threatening RF connected with tracheal stenosis may be caused by rupture of tracheal cartilage ossification in patients with a history of ST and PDT. Bronchofiberoscopy performed with NIV will be a useful procedure to evaluate and treat the respiratory tract in patients with RF with suspected tracheal stenosis.

Aortic regurgitation and left ventricle remodeling on cardiac magnetic resonance and transthoracic echocardiography.

BACKGROUND: Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is the first imaging modality used to assess aortic regurgitation (AR). However, it is not possible to provide precise quantification in all patients. AIM: Our aim was to compare TTE and cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) measurements in grading AR and left ventricle (LV) remodeling. METHODS: A total of 51 consecutive patients with AR in TTE (New York Heart Association I/II, 55%/38%) were enrolled into the study and 49 individuals (age, 57.1 [14]; 61% males) underwent a non-contrast CMR (2 patients excluded) obtained on 1.5 T system (GE Optima MR450w). RESULTS: The comprehensive quantitative grading with AR volume (AR vol) and regurgitant fraction (RF) were measurable in TTE in 24 cases and showed an association with CMR parameters (AR vol: r = 0.75; P <0.001 and RF: r = 0.55; P <0.01). CMR revealed larger LV end-diastolic volumes (EDV) (185.5 [61] vs 158.4 [61] ml; P = 0.03) and a trend towards higher left ventricular ejection fraction (59% [8] vs 56% [8]; P = 0.08). The association of AR vol and LV EDV was stronger in CMR (r = 0.85; P <0.0001) compared to TTE (r = 0.6; P = 0.001). The inter-modality agreement (TTE-CMR) in AR grading was low (κ = 0.15), with highly concordant grading in mild AR (91%). CONCLUSIONS: CMR provides a comprehensive assessment of AR severity and LV remodeling with a weak or a moderate agreement with TTE.

Temporal changes of the diameter of the coronary sinus during the cardiac cycle.

INTRODUCTION: Currently, there are no studies that analyse the changes in the cardiac venous system that are dependent on the phase (RR interval) of reconstruction. The aim of the study was to assess the size of the coronary sinus at two measurement sites depending on the phase of the heart cycle. METHODS: Fifty patients were included. Cardiac computed tomography was performed in all of the patients due to a suspicion of coronary artery disease (typical indications) using a dual-source Siemens Somatom Force scanner. The "MM reading" presets were used to measure the coronary sinus ostium (measurement 1) and the coronary sinus trunk, which is close to the great cardiac vein (measurement 2) in millimetres. All of the calculations were performed on axial scans using 0%-100% and a 256 × 256 matrix. RESULTS: The largest CS was found at the 30%, 40% and 50% RR interval-this phenomenon occurred in 37 of the 50 cases (74%). The CS was largest in the 30% phase (9/50 cases; 18%), in the 40% phase (17/50 cases; 34%) and in the 50% phase, and it was the largest in 11 of the 50 cases (22%). There were also no gender-related differences. CONCLUSIONS: The size of the coronary sinus varies with the phase of the heart cycle. At the 40% phase, it is largest in most cases.

Adaptation of endovascular technique of self-expandable metal esophageal stent implantation in palliative treatment of malignant dysphagia in the course of esophageal and bronchial cancers: A one-center study.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal stent implantation is an alternative for microjejunostomy or total parenteral nutrition in the palliative treatment of malignant dysphagia in the course of esophageal and advanced bronchial cancers infiltrating the esophagus. The procedure of implanting an esophageal self-expanding metal stent (SEMS) is performed with gastroscopic guidance under general anesthesia. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the efficacy and safety of a simplified technique (without gastroscopic guidance in local anesthesia) of esophageal SEMS implantation in patients with malignant dysphagia in the course of esophageal and bronchial cancers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of consecutive procedures of uncovered esophageal SEMS implantation performed with a simplified adaptation of the endovascular technique (Seldinger wire) in patients with esophageal and bronchial cancers and poor performance status. The procedures were done in a single surgical center over an 8-year period in 27 patients who were referred from oncology departments with esophageal stenosis confirmed using gastroscopy and who were being treated for malignant dysphagia. The study endpoints were effectiveness (a decrease in dysphagia from grade 3 or 4 to grade 1 after the procedure) and complications related to the procedures (including restenosis and stent migration). RESULTS: In all 27 patients, the SEMS were effectively implanted, enabling enteral nutrition after the procedure. No early complications related to the procedure were observed. A single patient developed restenosis 14 days after the procedure, which required re-stenting. CONCLUSIONS: The simplified method for SEMS implantation described herein may be considered an option in the palliative treatment of patients with malignant dysphagia in the course of esophageal and bronchial cancers and poor performance status, especially in facilities with limited access to endoscopy.

BOLD fMRI signal in stroke patients and its importance for prognosis in the subacute disease period - Preliminary report.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) allows for the assessment of neuronal activity through the blood-level-dependent signal. The purpose of study was to evaluate the pattern of brain activity in fMRI in patients with ischemic stroke and to assess the potential relationship between the activity pattern and the neurological/functional status. METHODS: The fMRI was performed in patients up to 4th day of stroke. All the patients were analyzed according to NIHSS on 1st day and mRankin scale on 14th day of stroke, followed by analyzing of fMRI signal. RESULTS: The study enrolled 13 patients at a mean age of 64.3years. Eight (61.5%) showed cerebellar activation and 2 (15.38%)- insular activation. In those who scored 0-2 on mRankin scale, the most frequently observed activity was located in the regions: the M1, SMA and PMC in the stroke hemisphere and the cerebellum. In those cases, the non-stroke hemisphere was more frequently involved in the areas: the M1 and PMC. There was a tendency for a better prognosis in relation to age <65years and activation of the SMA in the stroke hemisphere. CONCLUSION: There are differences observed in the activation areas of the cerebral cortex both in the stroke and non-stroke hemispheres. More than half of the patients with hemispheric stroke but all with good outcome showed cerebellar activation. There is probable positive correlation between the BOLD-signal size, young age, activation of supplementary motor area in stroke hemisphere and good functional status of patients in the subacute period of stroke.

Tumoral calcinosis of the cervical spine in a dialysis patient. Case report and review of the literature.

The authors present a case of tumoral calcinosis (TC) in a patient with chronic renal insufficiency. The clinical course, imaging features and microscopic findings are detailed. A 60-year-old woman with a 4-year history of hemodialysis presented with a painful mass in the right posterior cervical triangle. The neuroimaging revealed polycystic mass bulging from the C3-C5 facet joints and lamina on the right. The majority of cystic mass was excised and microscopic features of the specimen were consistent with TC. Tumoral calcinosis is a rare disease characterized by calcium salt deposits in periarticular soft tissue, which enlarge to form tumor-like cystic masses containing chalky calcareous material. TC is typically seen around large joints but rarely in the spine. Review of past publications provided six cases of TC involving the spine in dialyzed patients.

Vertebral hemangioma coincident with metastasis of colon adenocarcinoma.

The authors report on colon cancer metastasis to the L-3 vertebra, which had been previously found to be involved by an asymptomatic hemangioma. A 61-year-old female patient was admitted after onset of lumbar axial pain and weakness of the right quadriceps muscle. Her medical history included colon cancer that had been diagnosed 3 years earlier and was treated via a right hemicolectomy followed by chemotherapy. Presurgical imaging revealed an asymptomatic hemangioma in the L-3 vertebral body. Computed tomography and MRI of the spine were performed after admission and revealed a hemangioma in the L-3 vertebral body as well as a soft-tissue mass protruding from the L-3 vertebral body to the spinal canal. Treatment consisted of vertebroplasty of the hemangioma, left L-3 hemilaminectomy, and removal of the pathological mass from the spinal canal and the L-3 vertebral body. Histopathological examination revealed the presence of colon cancer metastasis and a hemangioma in the same vertebra.

Cervical spine degenerative changes (narrowed intervertebral disc spaces and osteophytes) in coal miners.

A series of 685 x-ray films of the cervical spine obtained in coal miners was analyzed to explore the occurrence of narrowed disc spaces and osteophytes in this occupational group, and to examine the association of x-ray changes with age, duration of employment, and duration of occupational exposure to hand-arm vibration. All data were extracted from individual medical files of coal miners examined for suspected hand-arm vibration-related disorders in 1989-1999 at the Occupational Medicine Center in Katowice. The narrowed intervertebral disc spaces were found in 188 coal miners (26.9%) and osteophytes in 332 coal miners (47.5%). The occurrence of degenerative changes in coal miners was similar to that observed in a small group of 68 blue-collar workers (no exposure to hand-arm vibration) employed in the coal industry. Univariate comparisons showed that narrowed intervertebral disc spaces and osteophytes were more frequent among older subjects and among subjects with longer duration of employment. The prevalence of changes also showed some relationship with the number of years of exposure to hand-arm vibration. The results of logistic regression analysis confirmed statistically significant effect of age, but not of other factors included in the model. When both x-ray changes were grouped together (a combined dependent variable) age remained the only statistically significant explanatory variable. The findings do not support the view that the examined degenerative changes in the cervical spine are more prevalent in coal miners and depend on duration of physical work or local exposure to hand-arm vibration in this occupational group.