Reticulated platelets predict cardiovascular death in acute coronary syndrome patients. Insights from the AMI-Florence 2 Study.

Reticulated platelets (RP) are newly-formed platelets with a greater mass, a residual amount of RNA and an increased prothrombotic potential. No studies investigating the association between RP and the risk of cardiovascular death in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients are available. In the frame of the AMI-Florence 2 study, we investigated RP in 229 (154 M/ 75 F) ACS patients (125 ST-elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI]; 104 Non-STEMI/Unstable Angina). RP were measured by using the Sysmex XE-2100 haematology analyzer and were expressed as the percentage of RP out of the total optical platelet count (immature platelet fraction; IPF) and as the percentage of RP highly fluorescent (H-IPF). At one-year follow-up, 22 out of 229 patients (9.6%) died from cardiovascular causes. Higher values of IPF (p=0.05) and H-IPF (p=0.006) were detected in dead compared to alive patients. A receiver operating characteristics curve analysis identified IPF ≥3.3% and H-IPF ≥0.9% as optimal cut-off values to predict cardiovascular death. At the multivariate model adjusted for the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) risk score, the association between RP and cardiovascular death remained significant for both IPF [OR (95%CI) : 4.15 (1.24-13.91) p=0.02] and H-IPF [OR (95%CI): H-IPF 5.03 (1.38-18.38) p=0.01]. In conclusion, RP are independent predictors of cardiovascular death and may be useful in improving risk stratification for ACS patients. Future prospective studies to evaluate the role of RP in determining cardiovascular events are warranted.

Unusual cause of ureteral obstruction in transplant kidney.

Ultrasound and computed tomographic images are described in a patient who underwent renal transplantation and presented with hydronephrosis and partial ureteral obstruction secondary to herniation of the transplant ureter into a left inguinal hernia. To our knowledge, this is the first report of herniation of a transplanted ureter in the inguinal canal resulting in or exacerbating ureteral obstruction.

Importance of evaluating organ parenchyma during screening abdominal ultrasonography after blunt trauma.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the benefit of screening ultrasonography for parenchymal abnormalities as well as free fluid during screening abdominal ultrasonography in patients with blunt trauma. METHODS: A total of 2693 patients with blunt trauma who were triaged to a level 1 trauma center underwent screening abdominal ultrasonography in the resuscitation suite. Examinations were performed by experienced sonographers and included a screen for free intraperitoneal fluid and evaluation of the abdominal organ parenchyma and heart for traumatic injury. Screening ultrasonographic findings were reviewed and compared with findings from autopsy, laparotomy, diagnostic peritoneal lavage, computed tomography, repeated ultrasonography, cystography, and clinical outcome. Imaging studies of all patients with confirmed or suspected injuries were reviewed to identify those in whom parenchymal findings aided diagnosis. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-two patients were found to have evidence of abdominal injury due to blunt trauma on the basis of clinical data, imaging, laparotomy, or autopsy. Forty-four of these patients had no sonographic evidence of hemoperitoneum at the time of initial ultrasonography. Screening ultrasonographic findings were positive for injury in 19 of 44 patients on the basis of parenchymal findings or small retroperitoneal collections of fluid thought to be indicative of trauma. In the remaining 25 patients, screening ultrasonography showed no abnormalities, and injuries were detected by repeated ultrasonography, subsequent computed tomography, or diagnostic peritoneal lavage performed for suspected occult injury on the basis of clinical parameters. In addition, 47 of 126 injured patients with sonographically detected free fluid had parenchymal findings that helped localize injury. Sixteen of those patients were taken to the operating room on the basis of clinical and sonographic findings without undergoing computed tomography. CONCLUSIONS: The inability to show injuries with no hemoperitoneum or with delayed hemoperitoneum has been shown to be a limitation of ultrasonography in patients with blunt trauma. In our series, 26% of all patients with documented injuries had no free fluid visible on screening ultrasonography Attention to findings other than free fluid allowed detection in 43% of injured patients without sonographic evidence of hemoperitoneum.

Percutaneous abscess drainage: update.

During the approximately 20 years that percutaneous abscess drainage (PAD) has been an extant procedure and as the millennium begins, PAD has become, by consensus, the treatment of choice for abscesses. Indications for PAD continue to expand, and currently almost all abscesses are considered amenable. On occasion, PAD is an adjunctive procedure that provides a beneficial temporizing effect for the surgeon who eventually must operate for a coexisting problem such as a bowel leak. Simple unilocular abscesses are cured almost uniformly by PAD; more complicated abscesses, such as those with enteric fistulas (e.g., diverticular abscess) or pancreatic abscesses, have cure rates ranging from 65% to 90%. Various catheters and insertion techniques have proven effective. Ultrasonography, computed tomography, and fluoroscopy are the staple modalities that guide PAD. PAD is the prototype interventional radiology procedure, providing detection of the abscess by imaging, needling for diagnosis, and catheterization for therapy.

Patterns of fluid accumulation on screening ultrasonography for blunt abdominal trauma: comparison with site of injury.

The objectives of this study were to define where fluid accumulation is shown on screening ultrasonography after blunt abdominal trauma and to determine how fluid accumulation patterns are associated with the site of injury. From 1994 to 1998, 2,693 screening examinations for blunt abdominal trauma were performed, in which 7 regions were examined for fluid. On the basis of a preliminary analysis of patients with solitary injuries, all 194 patients with sonographically detected fluid were grouped by fluid accumulation pattern. Fluid patterns were compared with sites of injury. The patterns differed between hepatic and splenic injuries. Fluid in the left upper quadrant, in both upper quadrants, or diffusely distributed suggested splenic injury, whereas fluid in the right upper quadrant or the right upper quadrant and lower recesses suggested hepatic injury (P < .0001). Fluid accumulation was random after enteric injury. Patients with extraperitoneal injury had no fluid or had fluid focally at the injury site. The ability to predict the injury site on the basis of fluid patterns should expedite treatment of hemodynamically unstable patients with blunt abdominal trauma.

Quantification of fluid on screening ultrasonography for blunt abdominal trauma: a simple scoring system to predict severity of injury.

A simple ultrasonographic method of fluid quantification, which counted the number of fluid recesses, was developed to predict the severity of injury after blunt abdominal trauma. From 1994 to 1998, 2,693 screening ultrasonographic examinations were performed for blunt abdominal trauma. Of this group, 2,499 patients had a fluid score of 0 (no fluid), and 1.4% had injuries (0.4% requiring surgery); 110 had a score of 1 (fluid in a single examined region), and 59% had injuries (13% requiring surgery); 33 had a score of 2, and 85% had injuries (36% requiring surgery); 30 had a score of 3, and 83% had injuries (63% requiring surgery); and 21 had a score of 4, and 95% had injuries (81 % requiring surgery). Patients with scores of 3 or greater had significantly higher rates of injury (P < .002) and injury requiring surgery (P < .0001) than patients with lower scores. The ability to predict injury severity on the basis of a simple ultrasonographic scoring system should expedite treatment of patients with severe trauma.

Us of blunt abdominal trauma: importance of free pelvic fluid in women of reproductive age.

PURPOSE: To assess the importance of free fluid and to determine the accuracy of screening ultrasonography (US) in female patients of reproductive age with trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: US was performed in 1,047 patients, aged 10-60 years, to evaluate blunt trauma. Patients were retrospectively assigned to groups on the basis of presence and location of intraperitoneal free fluid. Injury and surgical injury rates were assessed by comparing US results with computed tomographic, repeat US, cystographic, peritoneal lavage, surgical, and/or autopsy findings in 144 patients and with final clinical outcome in 903. US scans were positive if fluid was outside the cul-de-sac or if suspicious parenchymal abnormalities were present. RESULTS: In 939 patients, no fluid was seen: Eight had injuries; three were surgical. In 56, anechoic fluid was isolated to the cul-de-sac: Two had injuries; one was surgical. In 26, fluid was isolated to the upper abdomen: Fifteen had injuries; five were surgical. In 22, fluid involved the pelvis and abdomen: Nineteen had injuries; 14 were surgical. In four, questionable fluid was isolated to the supravesical space. Patients with fluid in the cul-de-sac had similar injury and surgical injury rates as those with no fluid but had lower rates than those of patients with fluid elsewhere (P<.02 to P<.001). US screening had 89% sensitivity, 98% specificity, 97% accuracy, a 61% positive predictive value, and a 99% negative predictive value. CONCLUSION: In female patients of reproductive age with trauma, free fluid isolated to the cul-de-sac is likely physiologic; clinical follow-up should suffice. Patients with fluid elsewhere usually have clinically important injury and require further evaluation.

Blunt abdominal trauma: screening us in 2,693 patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy of screening abdominal ultrasonography (US) in patients with blunt abdominal trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with blunt abdominal trauma underwent US. The abdomen and pelvis were scanned for free fluid, the visceral organs were assessed for heterogeneity, and duplex US was performed if necessary. Empty bladders were filled with 200-300 mL of sterile saline through a Foley catheter. US findings were considered positive if free fluid was present or if parenchymal abnormalities that could be consistent with trauma were detected. Screening US results were compared with findings of diagnostic peritoneal lavage, repeat US, computed tomography (CT), cystography, surgery, and/or autopsy and/or the clinical course. RESULTS: Findings from 2,693 US examinations were evaluated and were positive in 145 of 172 patients with injuries (sensitivity, 84%) and 64 (89%) of 72 patients who ultimately underwent laparotomy with surgical repair of injuries. False-negative findings were retroperitoneal injury, bowel injury, and intraperitoneal solid organ injury without hemoperitoneum. No patient with false-negative findings died. Specificity of US was 96% (2,429 of 2,521 patients), and overall accuracy was 96% (2,574 of 2,693 patients). Positive predictive value was 61% (145 of 237 patients), and negative predictive value was 99% (2,429 of 2,456 patients). CONCLUSION: Abdominal US is useful in screening for injury in patients with blunt abdominal trauma, and its use represents a notable change in institutional practice. Diagnostic peritoneal lavage is rarely performed, and CT is used when screening US findings are positive, when injury is clinically suspected despite negative US findings, or when US is not available.

Significance of minimal or no intraperitoneal fluid visible on CT scan associated with blunt liver and splenic injuries: a multicenter analysis.

BACKGROUND: The use of ultrasound (U/S) for the evaluation of patients with blunt abdominal trauma is gaining increasing acceptance. Patients who would have undergone computed tomographic (CT) scan may now be evaluated solely with U/S. Solid organ injuries with minimal or no free fluid may be missed by surgeon sonographers. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe the incidence and clinical importance of liver and splenic injuries with minimal or no free intraperitoneal fluid visible on CT scan. We hypothesized that these solid organ injuries occur infrequently and are of minor clinical significance. METHODS: Patient records and CT scans were reviewed for the presence of and outcome associated with blunt liver and splenic injuries with minimal (<250 mL) or no free fluid detected by an attending radiologist. Data were collected from six major trauma centers during a 4-year period before the introduction of U/S and included demographics, grade of injury (American Association for the Surgery of Trauma scale), need for operative intervention, and outcome. RESULTS: A total of 938 patients with liver and splenic injuries were identified. In this group, 11% of liver injuries and 12% of splenic injuries had no free fluid visible on CT scan and could be missed by diagnostic peritoneal lavage or U/S. Of the 938 patients, 267 (28%) met the inclusion criteria; 161 had injury to the spleen and 125 had injury to the liver. In the 267 patients studied, 97% of the injuries were managed nonoperatively. However, 8 patients (3%) required operative intervention for bleeding. Compared with the liver, the spleen was significantly more likely to bleed (p = 0.01), but the grade of splenic injury was not related to the risk for hemorrhage (p = 0.051). CONCLUSION: Data from this study suggest that injuries to the liver or spleen with minimal or no intraperitoneal fluid visible on CT scan occur more frequently than predicted but usually are of minimal clinical significance. However, patients with splenic injuries may be missed by abdominal U/S. We found a 5% associated risk of bleeding. Therefore, abdominal U/S should not be used as the sole diagnostic modality in all stable patients at risk for blunt abdominal injury.

Intravascular gas as an incidental finding at US after blunt abdominal trauma.

PURPOSE: To describe the occurrence and importance of intravascular gas at ultrasonography (US) during the initial examination of patients after blunt abdominal trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Reports of all abdominal US examinations performed at one institution for blunt trauma from October 1995 through June 1996 were reviewed. The charts of patients with intravascular gas were examined to determine the mechanism of injury, associated findings, and clinical outcome. RESULTS: A total of 730 patients underwent abdominal US examinations during the 9 months of study; five had intravascular gas demonstrated. Two patients had portal venous gas, one had hepatic venous gas, and two had inferior vena caval gas. Four of the five patients were involved in motor vehicle accidents, and one had been assaulted. In patients in whom follow-up studies were obtained, there was no evidence of intravascular gas at US or computed tomography. No cause was found at imaging or clinical examination. CONCLUSION: Intravascular gas may occur as a transient incidental finding after blunt abdominal trauma.

Percutaneous radiologic drainage of pancreatic abscesses.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to review and report the patient selection, techniques, and results of percutaneous drainage of pancreatic abscesses by retrospective review. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-nine patients (46 men and 13 women) with a mean age of 44 years old had 80 pancreatic abscesses that were drained percutaneously under radiologic guidance (CT, n = 77; sonography, n = 2; and fluoroscopy, n = 1). Abscesses had a wide spectrum of causes, with alcoholic pancreatitis being most common, trauma second most common, and gallstones third. Ten patients had undergone surgery for pancreatic necrosis or abscess. Patients with pancreatic pseudocysts, necrosis, or acute fluid collections were excluded from this study. RESULTS: Of the 59 patients, 51 (86%) were cured with percutaneous drainage and antibiotic therapy. Of the patients who were not cured with percutaneous drainage, seven required surgery and one underwent repeat percutaneous drainage. In the 59 patients, complications included non-life-threatening bleeding in three patients. Ten of 59 patients (17%) had fistulas that spontaneously formed into the gastrointestinal tract. The duration of catheterization ranged from 4 to 119 days, with a mean duration of 33 days. The rate of mortality at 30 days after completion of percutaneous drainage was 8% (5 of 59). CONCLUSION: Percutaneous drainage was an effective therapy for this defined group of patients with pancreatic abscesses. Factors leading to the relatively high success rate described in this study likely included selection of patients; catheters of adequate size, number, and location; careful follow-up with appropriate catheter manipulations; and an integrated, cooperative approach whereby surgeons were willing to permit drainage to effect its benefits, rather than operating prematurely.

A prospective evaluation of abdominal ultrasound in blunt trauma: is it useful?

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the utility and feasibility of abdominal ultrasound (US) in blunt trauma patients. DESIGN: This prospective study examined the operational issues and the diagnostic accuracy of US in selected blunt trauma patients triaged to a Level 1 trauma center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients were evaluated by an attending trauma surgeon and our usual criteria for objective evaluation of the abdomen were applied. US was performed by US technicians and interpreted by the trauma surgeon. We prospectively evaluated the availability (time to arrival), the ease with which the US could be integrated into the resuscitation (minutes to start after arrival), and the time required to perform the study. The US results were compared to diagnostic peritoneal lavage and computed tomography findings, clinical course, operative findings, and to repeat US examinations to determine sensitivity, specificity, and usefulness. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A total of 800 US studies were performed over 15 months. In four cases (0.5%), the US was incomplete for technical reasons. The results in the remaining 796 studies were as follows: [table: see text] The average time to arrival of the US was 17.3 minutes (range 0-120) and the average minutes to start after arrival was 7.0 (range 1-49). The average time required to perform the study was 10.6 minutes (range 2-26). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that US can be obtained rapidly, integrated into the resuscitation, and completed quickly. US provides a highly accurate, noninvasive method to evaluate the abdomen in the blunt trauma patient, and has supplanted the previously used methods at this institution.

Transrectal ultrasound-guided transperineal cryoablation in the treatment of prostate carcinoma: preliminary results.

PURPOSE: We studied ultrasound-guided percutaneous cryoablation for treatment of prostate carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our series includes 83 individuals who underwent transrectal ultrasound-guided transperineal percutaneous cryoablation of the prostate. Prostate specific antigen levels, biopsy results and complications were assessed at 3 months. RESULTS: Of 61 biopsies 8 (13.1%) were positive for carcinoma (half showed stage D disease). Of patients with stages T1 to T3 cancer 92.6% were free of disease at 3 months. Prostate specific antigen levels were significantly decreased by an average of 1.90 ng./ml. (p < 0.05). Major complications were infrequent, including bladder perforation in 1 patient, urethral strictures in 3, bladder outlet obstruction in 2 and partial incontinence in 2. Impotence was frequent but transient. CONCLUSIONS: Transrectal ultrasound-guided transperineal percutaneous cryoablation of the prostate produces few major complications and appears at 3 months to be effective in eradicating local prostate tumors. Longer followup is required to test the original hypothesis.

Percutaneous abscess drainage: current applications for critically ill patients.

Radiologically guided percutaneous abscess drainage (PAD) was first reported in 1977. Since this time, technological advances in imaging, improved catheter technology, and increased experience with the procedure have resulted in a tremendous expansion of the indications for PAD. This procedure currently has applications in nearly every organ system of the body. These changes have also contributed to improved success rates, with concurrent minimization of procedure-related complications. The advantages of PAD include simple, rapid performance; feasibility of bedside intensive care unit (ICU) performance; safety; avoidance of general anesthesia; and well-documented efficacy. This procedure has now become well entrenched in clinical medicine and probably ranks with the development of effective antibiotics as the most significant improvement in the treatment of abscesses in the past century. PAD is ideally suited for the treatment of critically ill ICU patients. We discuss technical developments over the past 15 years; general principles of patient preparation and catheters are also reviewed. Current applications of PAD in each organ system are discussed.

Symptomatic hepatic cysts: percutaneous drainage and sclerosis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the authors' experience with treatment of symptomatic hepatic cysts by means of percutaneous catheterization and sclerosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients with 24 symptomatic hepatic cysts underwent percutaneous drainage and sclerosis. Ten patients had polycystic disease, and 10 had solitary cysts. Sclerosants used were alcohol, tetracycline, doxycycline, or a combination. RESULTS: Twenty-one of 24 cysts in 17 of 20 patients were treated successfully. Treatment was unsuccessful in three patients: one patient with innumerable medium-size and small cysts, one patient in whom only a needle was inserted (no catheter), and one patient with a cystic metastasis (rather than a simple cyst) that recurred. Complications included pleural effusion in two patients and secondary infection in one patient. The range of blood alcohol levels was 0-0.8 mg%. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous catheter drainage with sclerosis is an effective method of therapy for symptomatic hepatic cysts; careful patient selection is essential for proper therapy.

Splenic vein thrombosis after splenectomy: frequency and role of imaging.

PURPOSE: To assess the frequency of splenic vein thrombosis (SVT) after splenectomy and its consequences on patient treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A group of 183 consecutive patients who underwent splenectomy were evaluated. Of these patients, 119 underwent postoperative ultrasound (US) or computed tomography. RESULTS: SVT was diagnosed in 13 of 119 patients in the first 2 weeks after surgery. In these 13 patients, splenectomy had been performed for hematologic disorders (n = 12) or trauma (n = 1). Seven of the 13 patients were asymptomatic. After anticoagulant therapy, follow-up US of 12 patients showed resolution of thrombosis with no complications in 10 patients; two patients developed cavernous transformation of the portal vein. CONCLUSION: Since only 65% of patients underwent imaging, the true frequency of SVT could not be determined; however, it occurred in at least 7% of patients who underwent splenectomy. Routine Doppler US should be performed after splenectomy to allow early anticoagulant therapy in patients with SVT.

Interventional radiology in the chest.

Interventional radiologic techniques offer many options and benefits in the care of patients with thoracic disorders. Imaging-guided catheter techniques provide heretofore unsurpassed precision and accuracy in performance of these procedures. Improved efficacy, with reduced morbidity is the goal and usually the result for the patient.