The diagnostic value of magnetic resonance imaging compared to computed tomography in the evaluation of fat-containing thoracic lesions.

Intrathoracic fat-containing lesions may arise in the mediastinum, lungs, pleura, or chest wall. While CT can be helpful in the detection and diagnosis of these lesions, it can only do so if the lesions contain macroscopic fat. Furthermore, because CT cannot demonstrate microscopic or intravoxel fat, it can fail to identify and diagnose microscopic fat-containing lesions. MRI, employing spectral and chemical shift fat suppression techniques, can identify both macroscopic and microscopic fat, with resultant enhanced capability to diagnose these intrathoracic lesions non-invasively and without ionizing radiation. This paper aims to review the CT and MRI findings of fat-containing lesions of the chest and describes the fat-suppression techniques utilized in their assessment.

Prospective Clinical Trial Comparing IV Esmolol to IV Metoprolol in CT Coronary Angiography: Effect on Hemodynamic, Technical Parameters and Cost.

BACKGROUND: Intravenous [IV] esmolol, an alternative to IV metoprolol for coronary computed tomography angiography [CCTA], has shorter half-life that decreases the risk of prolonged hypotension. The primary aim was to prospectively compare IV esmolol alone to IV metoprolol alone for effectiveness in achieving heart rate [HR] of 60 beats per minute[bpm] during CCTA. The secondary aim was to compare hemodynamic response, image quality, radiation dose and cost. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Institutional Review Board approved prospective randomized study of 28 CCTA patients medicated in a 1:1 blinded match with IV esmolol or IV metoprolol to achieve HR of 60 bpm. Serial hemodynamic response was measured at 6 specified times. Two cardiac radiologists independently scored the image quality. RESULTS: Both IV esmolol and IV metoprolol achieved the target HR. IV esmolol resulted in significantly less profound and shorter duration of reduction in systolic blood pressure [BP] than IV metoprolol with a difference of -10, -14 and -9 mm Hg compared to -20, -26 and -25 mmHg at 2, 15 & 30 min respectively. No significant difference in HR at image acquisition, exposure window, radiation dose and image quality. Although IV esmolol was expensive, the overall cost of care was comparable to IV metoprolol due to shortened post CCTA observation period consequent to faster restoration of hemodynamic status. CONCLUSION: Comparison of IV esmolol and IV metoprolol demonstrate that both are effective in achieving the target HR but significantly faster recovery of HR and BP in patients who receive IV esmolol was found.

Use of fibers in childhood constipation treatment: systematic review with meta-analysis / Uso de fibras no tratamento da constipação infantil: revisão sistemática com metanálise

Abstract Objective: To gather current evidence on the use of fiber for constipation treatment in pediatric patients. Source of data: Systematic review with meta-analysis of studies identified through Pubmed, Embase, LILACS and Cochrane databases published up to 2016. Inclusion criteria: Randomized controlled trials; patients aged between 1 and 18 years and diagnosed with functional constipation receiving or not drug treatment for constipation; articles published in Portuguese, English, Spanish, French, and German in journals accessible to the researchers. Synthesis of data: A total of 2963 articles were retrieved during the search and, after adequate evaluation, nine articles were considered relevant to the study objective. A total of 680 children were included, of whom 45% were boys. No statistical significance was observed for bowel movement frequency, stool consistency, therapeutic success, fecal incontinence, and abdominal pain with fiber intake in patients with childhood constipation. These results should be interpreted with care due to the high clinical heterogeneity between the studies and the methodological limitation of the articles selected for analysis. Conclusions: There is a scarcity of qualified studies to evaluate fiber supplementation in the treatment of childhood constipation, generating a low degree of confidence in estimating the real effect of this intervention on this population. Today, according to the current literature, adequate fiber intake should only be recommended for functional constipation, and fiber supplementation should not be prescribed in the diet of constipated children and adolescents.

Resumo Objetivo: Reunir evidências atuais sobre o uso de fibras no tratamento da constipação funcional em pacientes pediátricos. Fontes dos dados: Revisão sistemática com metanálise de estudos identificados por pesquisa nas bases de dados Pubmed, Embase, LILACS e Cochrane publicados até o ano 2016. Critérios de inclusão: estudos controlados randomizados; pacientes com idade entre 1 e 18 anos com diagnóstico de constipação funcional em uso ou não de tratamento medicamentoso para constipação; artigos publicados em língua portuguesa, inglesa, espanhola, francesa e alemã em revistas acessíveis aos pesquisadores. Síntese dos dados: Foram encontrados 2.963 artigos na busca e, após avaliação adequada, nove artigos mostraram-se relevantes frente aos objetivos do estudo. Um total de 680 crianças foram incluídas, sendo 45% meninos. Não foi demonstrada significância estatística da frequência evacuatória, da consistência evacuatória, do sucesso terapêutico, da incontinência fecal e da dor abdominal com o uso de fibras nos pacientes com constipação infanto-juvenil. Esses resultados devem ser interpretados com atenção devido à alta heterogeneidade clínica entre os estudos e à limitação metodológica dos artigos analisados. Conclusões: Existe uma grande falta de estudos qualificados para avaliar a suplementação de fibras no tratamento da constipação infanto-juvenil, gerando um baixo grau de confiança para se estimar o efeito real dessa intervenção na população em questão. Até esse momento, conforme a literatura atual, deve-se apenas recomendar a ingestão adequada de fibras na constipação funcional, não se podendo prescrever a suplementação de fibras na dieta das crianças e adolescentes constipados.

Use of fibers in childhood constipation treatment: systematic review with meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To gather current evidence on the use of fiber for constipation treatment in pediatric patients. SOURCE OF DATA: Systematic review with meta-analysis of studies identified through Pubmed, Embase, LILACS and Cochrane databases published up to 2016. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials; patients aged between 1 and 18 years and diagnosed with functional constipation receiving or not drug treatment for constipation; articles published in Portuguese, English, Spanish, French, and German in journals accessible to the researchers. SYNTHESIS OF DATA: A total of 2963 articles were retrieved during the search and, after adequate evaluation, nine articles were considered relevant to the study objective. A total of 680 children were included, of whom 45% were boys. No statistical significance was observed for bowel movement frequency, stool consistency, therapeutic success, fecal incontinence, and abdominal pain with fiber intake in patients with childhood constipation. These results should be interpreted with care due to the high clinical heterogeneity between the studies and the methodological limitation of the articles selected for analysis. CONCLUSIONS: There is a scarcity of qualified studies to evaluate fiber supplementation in the treatment of childhood constipation, generating a low degree of confidence in estimating the real effect of this intervention on this population. Today, according to the current literature, adequate fiber intake should only be recommended for functional constipation, and fiber supplementation should not be prescribed in the diet of constipated children and adolescents.

Unilateral pulmonary veins atresia: evaluation by computed tomography / Atresia unilateral das veias pulmonares: avaliação por tomografia computadorizada

Unilateral pulmonary vein atresia is a rare congenital condition. In addition to cardiac malformations or pulmonary hypertension, patients may present with recurrent pulmonary infections or hemoptysis in childhood or adolescence. The authors report a case where the typical findings of such condition were observed at computed tomography in an adult patient.

Trepopnea may explain right-sided pleural effusion in patients with decompensated heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Physicians often overlook trepopnea as a symptom, and its prevalence and clinical repercussions are not usually described. We propose that trepopnea is a common symptom in heart failure (HF) and, because of patient avoidance of left lateral decubitus position, contributes to the greater prevalence of right-sided pleural effusion in patients with HF. Accordingly, this study aimed to determine trepopnea prevalence and to evaluate the association of trepopnea and the laterality of pleural effusion in decompensated HF. METHODS: Consecutive patients (n = 37) with decompensated HF and evidence of pleural effusion by chest x-ray were included. Data were collected at the emergency department by a standard clinical examination in which patients were specifically asked about the presence of trepopnea and preferred decubitus position while recumbent. Chest x-ray and echocardiographic parameters were recorded. RESULTS: Of the 37 patients, 19 (51%) reported trepopnea. Most patients presented with right-sided pleural effusion; only 2 patients (5.4%) presented with left-sided pleural effusion. Patients who reported trepopnea had predominant right-sided pleural effusion more frequently than patients without this symptom (73.7% vs 26.3%; P = .049). The participants that reported trepopnea or avoidance of left lateral decubitus position while recumbent or both had a greater probability of having predominant right-sided pleural effusion (likelihood ratio, 1.85; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-3.35). CONCLUSIONS: Trepopnea is a common symptom in patients with decompensated HF and is associated with predominant right-sided pleural effusion in this population. Our results indicate that trepopnea may be a contributory factor for pleural effusion laterality in patients with decompensated HF.