Minimally invasive colectomies can be performed with similar outcomes to open counterparts for colorectal cancer emergencies: a propensity score matching analysis utilizing ACS-NSQIP.

PURPOSE: The safety and feasibility of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) in the setting of colorectal cancer emergencies have been debated. We sought to compare postoperative outcomes of MIS with open techniques in the setting of colorectal cancer emergencies from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database. METHODS: We included patients undergoing colectomy for colorectal cancer emergency between 2012 and 2019 "2012-2019" from the ACS-NSQIP dataset. We compared short-term morbidity, mortality, short-term oncological outcomes, and secondary outcomes for MIS vs open colectomies using propensity score matching. We then evaluated the trends of MIS versus open colectomies using linear regression analysis. RESULTS: We examined a total of 5544 patients (open n = 4070; MIS n = 1474) and included 1352 patients for our postoperative outcome analyses after propensity score matching 1:1 (open n = 676; MIS n = 676). Within the matched cohort, mortality was significantly higher in the open group (open 6.95% vs MIS 3.99%, OR 1.8, p = 0.023). Anastomotic leak rates were comparable between the  two groups (open 4.46% vs MIS 4.02%, OR 1.12, p = 0.787). Pulmonary complications were significantly higher after open surgery (open 10.06% vs MIS 4.73%, OR 2.25, p < 0.001). Rates of ileus were significantly higher amongst open patients (open 29.08% vs MIS 19.94%, p < 0.001). Patients stayed on average 1 day longer in the hospital after open surgery (p < 0.001). Rates of MIS for early tumors (N0 and T1/T2, n = 289) did not significantly change over 7 years (p = 0.597, rate = - 0.065%/year); however, utilization of MIS for late tumors (N1 or T3/T4, n = 4359) increased by 2.06% per year (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that MIS was associated with superior postoperative outcomes compared to open surgery without compromising oncological outcomes in patients undergoing emergency colectomy for colon cancer. Within the matched cohort, MIS was associated with lower rates of mortality, pulmonary complications, ileus, and shorter postoperative length of stay.

Intra-arterial thrombus visualized on T2* gradient echo imaging in acute ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND: MR signal loss related to arterial thrombosis leading to vascular susceptibility artifacts (VSA) has recently been reported on gradient echo images. The time course and sensitivity of VSA in acute stroke patients has been scarcely investigated. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency and course of VSA in acute stroke patients, to compare its sensitivity to distinct features of arterial occlusion as detected on FLAIR images or on CT scan. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients were scanned from 45 min to 6 h after stroke onset using identical MR parameters. All had an acute ischemic lesion identified on diffusion-weighted images, 25 had an occlusion of MCA or PCA confirmed by magnetic resonance angiography. RESULTS: VSA was detected in 22/25 patients having an occluded artery at the time of MRI examination. Flair disclosed a hyperintense vessel in all of these 25 cases, but CT scan revealed a hyperdense artery in only 15 cases. Follow-up studies showed that VSA can vanish or disappear after partial recanalization. When the artery remains occluded, VSA can decrease, disappear or increase in the next hours, possibly related to structural modifications of the thrombus with time. Most occlusions were due to cardiac and arterial emboli or to intracranial extension of carotid occlusion. CONCLUSIONS: VSA are frequent in the first hours of MCA or PCA occlusion in acute stroke patients. The sensitivity of VSA appears lower than the arterial hyperintensity on FLAIR images but higher than the hyperdense artery sign on CT scan. The extent and intensity of VSA can change with recanalization or structural modifications of the thrombus.

[Rhinocerebral mucormycosis]. / Mucormycose rhinocérébrale.

We report a case of a rhinocerebral mucormycosis with extensive cavernous sinus thrombophlebitis and internal carotid artery thrombosis. This case illustrates the usual clinical and imaging features of the disease, which is a potentially devastating infection in immunocompromised patients.

The stroke syndrome of cortical vein thrombosis.

Cortical vein thrombosis without sinus involvement is rarely diagnosed, although it may commonly be overlooked. We report four cases of cerebral venous thrombosis limited to the cortical veins. The diagnosis was made on surgical intervention in one patient and by angiography in three patients. Together with a survey of the published cases, the clinical and neuroimaging patterns of our patients allow delineation of several features suggestive of cortical venous stroke. Focal or generalized seizures followed by hemiparesis, aphasia, hemianopia, or other focal neurologic dysfunction in the absence of signs of increased intracranial pressure should suggest this possibility. Neuroimaging (CT, MRI) shows an ischemic lesion that does not follow the boundary of arterial territories and often has a hemorrhagic component, without signs of venous sinus thrombosis. Conventional angiography demonstrates no arterial occlusion but may show cortical vein thrombosis corresponding to the infarct, although these may also be nonspecific findings. The role of MR angiography, which is well-established in sinus thrombosis, remains to be assessed in patients with brain ischemia due to isolated cortical vein occlusion.

[GM2-Gangliosidosis variant B1 disclosed during adolescence by an isolated multi-systemic involvement of the central and peripheral nervous systems]. / Gangliosidose à GM2 variant B1. Révélation à l'adolescence par une atteinte isolée et plurisystématisée du système nerveux central et périphérique.

The authors report on a Portuguese family with 3 adult brothers affected with GM2-gangliosidosis (B1 variant) in a sibship of 4, and more specifically on one of these brothers with neurological onset at the age of 17. Psychosis, lower motoneuron involvement and dysarthria were predominant in two of the cases; the third had a cerebellar symptomatology. Hexosaminidase A activity, studied in leukocytes, was profoundly deficient when measured using the specific sulfated substrate, but nearly normal using a conventional assay (non-sulfated substrate). These results established the diagnosis of the unusual enzymological form of GM2-gangliosidosis known as the B1 variant, which had so far not been associated with an adult phenotype. Molecular studies are in progress to study genotype/phenotype correlations in this family in comparison with known mutations in the B1 variant and in adult GM2-gangliosidosis. This report also emphasizes that a metabolic etiology, leading to genetic counselling, should be considered in some familial degenerative neurological disorders.

MR imaging of head and neck vascular malformations.

Between 1980 and 1990, 150 patients with cervicofacial vascular malformations were studied at the authors' institution with computed tomography, plain radiography, and angiography. Since 1989, 34 of these patients have also undergone magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Capillary-venous hemangiomas seem to be the best indication for the adjunctive use of MR imaging. The venous pouches, characteristic of this type of lesion, cause elevated signal intensity, well seen on the T2-weighted images. Excellent fat and muscle differentiation with MR imaging allows appreciation of the depth of extension of these lesions and their delimitation from normal tissue. Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are characterized by serpentine signal voids, indicative of the high flow rate of these lesions. Delimitation of the AVM nidus in the midst of the afferent and efferent dilated vessels is often difficult. Study of immature angiomas with MR imaging should be restricted to lesions in specific locations (eg, orbital, laryngeal). Lymphatic malformations showed either tissular or cystic signal intensity changes. MR imaging does not replace other studies but represents an important complementary study for the delineation and diagnosis of deep extensions of vascular malformations, allowing better planning of therapy.

MRI in spontaneous dissection of vertebral and carotid arteries. 15 cases studied at 0.5 tesla.

Fifteen patients were observed between 1987 and 1990: there were six with angiographically confirmed vertebral artery dissection, and 9 with carotid artery dissection. Results showed concordance of MRI and angiographic findings, in all cases but one. The dissected portion consistently showed a semilunar hyperintensity narrowing the residual eccentric signal void of the lumen when the artery was not completely occluded. In one angiographically occluded vessel, MR detected a small signal void within the hyperintensity, indicating that the artery was not completely occluded. The length of the dissected portion was clearly demonstrated by MR. Follow up MR and angiographic studies confirmed the regression of the dissection, and also allowed examination of the cerebral parenchyma.

MRI in multiple vascular lesions: identification of the ruptured malformation.

4 patients were recently admitted for subarachnoid haemorrhage with multiple vascular lesions. 3 of them presented with multiple aneurysms, and one with an aneurysm associated with an arteriovenous malformation. In these 4 cases identification of the ruptured lesion was difficult in spite of clinical examination, CT scan, and complete panangiography; on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was found a signal hyperintensity, mainly on T2 weighted views, corresponding to blood clots around the ruptured aneurysm. This signal hyperintensity was completely absent in the vicinity of the associated vascular lesion, which appeared only as a signal void corresponding to the blood flow inside the unruptured lesion. Therefore MRI can be used in such cases to identify the ruptured lesion, so permitting the choice of the best approach and strategy of treatment.

Vertebral hemangiomas: fat content as a sign of aggressiveness.

Thirty-two vertebral hemangiomas (VHs) were evaluated with nonenhanced computed tomography (CT), T1-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, CT enhanced with contrast material, and selective spinal arteriography. The stroma between the osseous trabeculae was found to correspond to either fatty tissue or soft tissue or both. All 11 asymptomatic VHs showed complete fatty stroma at CT and increased signal intensity at MR imaging. In contrast, all four compressive VHs had soft-tissue attenuation at CT. Three compressive VHs showed low signal intensity on MR images. Predominantly fatty stroma at CT and increased signal intensity at MR imaging were associated with normal or only slightly increased vascularization at selective spinal arteriography or contrast-enhanced CT, while soft-tissue stroma at CT and low signal intensity at MR imaging were associated with distinct hypervascularization. The authors' experience suggests that fatty VHs may represent inactive forms of VH, while soft-tissue content at CT and low signal intensity at MR imaging may indicate a more active vascular lesion with potential to compress the spinal cord. CT and MR imaging may be especially valuable for evaluating patients with clinical signs or symptoms of uncertain origin and findings compatible with VH at plain radiography.

Spinal dural arteriovenous malformations with perimedullary drainage. Indications and results of surgery in 30 cases.

70 patients were treated for spinal dural arteriovenous fistula in the same centre, during a period of 10 years. Conus medullaris and cauda equina syndromes were observed in all patients as the clinical stereotyped presentation. Diagnosis was based on myelography in the first instance and then on angiography. 40 patients were treated by intravascular neuroradiological embolization, whereas the other 30 were operated on. Surgery was proposed because embolization was contraindicated (7 cases of hazardous catheterisation) of inefficient (23 cases = 38%). The results of the operative series are presented, and compared with those of embolization. Improvement was observed in 50% of the 20 patients with follow up, but a complete recovery to an asymptomatic state was never obtained. For the other patients (47%) complete stabilization of the disease could be obtained, whereas in one of the patients (3%), who was operated upon because of failure of embolization, surgery was also completely ineffectual. The long-term results of patients treated surgically are comparable with those patients efficiently embolized. 5 patients of the operative series were submitted to MRI before and after surgery: the results and the place of MRI are discussed.

[Compressive vertebral hemangioma. The contribution of imaging technics to diagnosis and pretherapeutic evaluation]. / Hémangiomes vertébraux compressifs. Apport des moyens d'imagerie au diagnostic et au bilan préthérapeutique.

From a serie of ten cases of compressive vertebral hemangiomas (H.V.C.), the interest of different imaging methods was evaluated. CT scan and M.R.I. were the best imaging modalities in most cases. A CT guided biopsy was necessary in three cases to differentiate from metastasis. Angiography permitted to establish the vascular patterns and to evaluate the usefulness of embolization performed in six cases.

[An MRI study of the cervical segment of the vertebral artery]. / Etude IRM de l'artère vertébrale dans son trajet cervical.

MRI appears to be a very valuable examination to study pathology of the vertebral artery. The examination must include T1 and T2 sequences and scans in three planes. The use of oblique scans allows the planes of section to be adjusted to the course of the artery. MRI can therefore demonstrate abnormalities of flow caused by intrinsic or compressive pathology.

[Radiologic evaluation of an isolated vertebral hemangioma]. / Evaluation radiologique de l'activité des hémangiomes vertébraux isolés.

CT scan and M.R.I. features have been evaluated in case of compressive (H.V.C.) and asymptomatic (H.V.A.) vertebral hemangiomas. The main datas observed in H.V.C. are: 1) thoracic localization; 2) whole vertebral body involvement; 3) extension to the pedicles; 4) irregular trabeculation; 5) swelling of bone contours with 6) epidural and perivertebral extension. H.V.C. always exhibit at least three of these six datas while H.V.A. are associated with 2 or less. Also H.V.C. frequently present intravertebral contrast enhancement on CT and low signal intensity on T1 weighted and high signal intensity on T2 weighted M.R.I.

MR imaging of spinal cord arteriovenous malformations at 0.5 T: study of 34 cases.

Thirty-four patients with angiographically proved arteriovenous malformations of the spinal cord were studied between May 1986 and July 1987. Examinations were performed on a CGR 5000 Magniscan 0.5-T scanner with a surface coil in all cases, and multislices in both T1- and T2-weighted sequences were obtained in sagittal and axial planes. The results showed that MR can accurately diagnose all cases of intramedullary arteriovenous malformations, since transverse images were able to precisely locate the nidus within the spinal cord. Other types of spinal cord arteriovenous malformations were also studied (perimedullary fistulae and dural arteriovenous fistula), and the findings confirmed the value of MR in the characterization of these lesions as well.