The effect of ablation settings on lesion characteristics with DiamondTemp ablation system: An ex vivo experiment.

Introduction: Creating large lesion in ablations using the DiamondTemp (DTA) ablation system may reduce the frequency of arrhythmia recurrence and allow the treatment of ventricular arrhythmias. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether power, application time, contact force (CF), and contact angle affect lesion formation in the ventricles. Methods: Ablations were delivered to porcine myocardial preps to evaluate the lesion characteristics. Ablations were conducted with a maximum power of 50 W, target temperature of 58°C, CF of 10, 20, or 30 g, and contact angle between the catheter tip and tissue. The ablation durations were 15, 30, 60 s, 15 s × 2, or 30 s × 2. Results: Steam pops occurred only in cases with perpendicular contact. The lesion depth was larger in all settings in the perpendicular orientation than in the parallel orientation. The temperatures were lower in all settings in the perpendicular orientation than in the parallel orientation. The lesions became larger as CF increased with perpendicular contact and duration of ≥30 s. The longer application time resulted in larger surface area, depth, and volume of the lesion. Lesion depth was greater with single application of 30 and 60 s than with 15 s × 2 and 30 s × 2, respectively. Conclusion: It is important to perform a single prolonged application as much as possible to create deeper lesions. Parallel contact with the tissue should be maintained to take advantage of the temperature sensor's capabilities to avoid pop phenomenon.

Novel simultaneous mapping technique to treat multifocal atrial tachycardia.

Although a high-resolution three-dimensional mapping system has made it possible to treat complicated atrial tachyarrhythmia (AT), there remain cases that are difficult to diagnose and treat. However, when multiple different ATs alternately appear, mapping and diagnosis of those are more difficult. Parallel mapping module is well known as a good option to simultaneously map two or more different ATs when they alternately appear. When performing parallel mapping of two different ATs, one bipolar signal of the reference catheter is used as a timing reference and a cycle length filter is used for differentiating AT1, AT2, and others, including sinus rhythm, fusion beats, or catheter-induced premature atrial complex. Therefore, it has some limitations for differentiating multifocal ATs. We present a case wherein multifocal ATs were successfully eliminated by combining parallel mapping module and dual-chamber intra-cardiac pattern matching technique that we have previously reported. Learning objective: ▪Parallel mapping is a useful tool when two or more tachycardias alternately occur; however, it has some limitations.▪Dual-chamber intra-cardiac pattern matching technique, which combines right atrial and coronary sinus potentials, provides better discrimination than coronary sinus reference alone.▪By combining parallel mapping and dual-chamber intra-cardiac pattern matching, two or more atrial tachycardias could be automatically and simultaneously mapped.

Optimal treatment of biatrial tachycardia diagnosed by one-chamber mapping within an ultrahigh-resolution mapping system.

Biatrial tachycardia (BiAT) is a rare arrhythmia, and identification of the re-entry circuit is often complicated. By creating an activation map of the right atrium, left atrium, and coronary sinus as a single chamber, the LUMIPOINT module of the Rhythmia mapping system (Boston Scientific, Marlborough, MA, USA) can be used in real time to make an accurate diagnosis. Ablation of the Bachmann bundle is a feasible way to terminate BiAT, but might cause interatrial conduction delay and electrical isolation of the left atrial appendage. Chemical ablation into the vein of Marshall might be the more beneficial treatment, avoiding any potential interatrial conduction delay.

Ultrasound-guided disc pain induction test for diagnosis of discogenic lumbar pain: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Several methods can be used to diagnose discogenic pain, but only discoblock can diagnose discogenic pain definitively. This study aimed to examine the usefulness of an ultrasound-guided disc pain induction test for a simple and accurate diagnosis of the culprit lesion. METHODS: We included 41 patients with lumbar pain in whom pain was induced by an ultrasound-guided disc pain induction test. All patients had confirmed pain at L1/2 to L5/S1 based on an ultrasound-guided disc pain induction test and underwent X-ray photography and magnetic resonance imaging. Seventeen patients who required injection due to severe pain underwent discoblock procedures for discs with the most intense pain, and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were obtained before and after the procedure for these patients. We analysed the association between painful discs and radiological findings. RESULTS: Pain induction was noted in a total of 65 discs, and the pain was induced in 23 patients in only one disc. All patients had disc degeneration of Pfirrmann classification grade 1 or higher, with more significant disc degeneration in painful discs than in painless discs. There was no significant relationship between the presence or absence of pain and Modic type. The average VAS measurements improved significantly from 9.5 (pre-procedure) to 2.5 (post-procedure). These results suggest that the most painful discs were the causes of discogenic lumbar pain. CONCLUSIONS: Our ultrasound-guided disc pain induction test may help diagnose disc degeneration and identify culprit lesions, even when multiple discs exhibit findings of degeneration.

Ligamentum Flavum Rupture by Epidural Injection Using Ultrasound with SMI Method.

The loss of resistance (LOR) method has been used exclusively to identify epidural space. It is difficult to find the epidural space without the risk of dural puncture. Various devices have been developed to improve the accuracy of the LOR method; however, no method has overcome the problems completely. Therefore, we devised a ligamentum flavum rupture method (LFRM) in which the needle tip is placed only on the ligamentum flavum during the epidural injection, and the injection pressure is used to rupture the ligamentum flavum and spread the drug into the epidural space. We confirmed the accuracy of this method using ultrasound with superb microvascular imaging (SMI) to visualize the epidural space. Here, we report two cases of 63-year-old and 90-year-old males. The 63-year-old patient presented with severe pain in his right buttock that extended to the posterior lower leg. The 90-year-old patient presented with intermittent claudication every 10 min. LFRM was performed, and SMI was used to confirm that the parenteral solution had spread into the epidural space. Our results indicate that LFRM can be used for interlaminar lumbar epidural steroid injections.

Ultrasound-Guided Cervical Intervertebral Disc Injection Without Fluoroscopy.

Cervical disc degeneration commonly results in referred neck pain, which is traditionally diagnosed via fluoroscopy-guided provocative discography. Herein, we discuss three cases of neck and shoulder pain treated with cervical intradiscal injections administered under ultrasound (US) guidance. The most painful intervertebral disc was identified using the sonopalpation technique, which involved palpation while visualizing anatomical structures using US. Injectant spread within the intervertebral disc was validated using superb microvascular imaging rather than fluoroscopy. Symptoms significantly improved following blocks at the identified sites, suggesting that US can be used to guide cervical intradiscal injections even in the examination room.

Direct Visualization of Cervical Interlaminar Epidural Injections Using Sonography.

In this case series, we describe a novel ultrasound (US)-guided cervical interlaminar epidural steroid injections (CILESIs) procedure that does not depend on the loss-of-resistance method for epidural space identification. A needle is introduced into three US-identified structures (triple bar sign), the interspinal ligament, ligamentum flavum, and dura mater. The injectants are monitored using superb microvascular imaging during injection. Here, we demonstrate the use of US-guided CILESIs in nine cases and propose the use of sonography, rather than conventional methods, for easier and safer cervical epidural injections. Sonography for direct visualization of cervical epidural injection may allow for outpatient injections.

Diagnosis of Lumbar Transverse Process Fractures in Orthopedic Clinics Using Sonography.

Sonography is conventionally used to diagnose fractures by identifying cortical discontinuity in the bone. However, its usefulness for diagnosing lumbar transverse process fractures (LTPFs) remains unknown. In this series, we describe static and stress sonography findings during manual application of compression stress on the lateral lumbar vertebrae in 17 patients with LTPFs. Features of LTPFs on static sonography included cortical discontinuity (89.3%), hematoma (71.4%), step-off deformity (67.9%), and focal reverberation echo (78.6%). All LTPFs were confirmed on stress sonography. Thus, stress sonography should be considered for the detection of LTPFs when there is at least one static sonographic fracture sign.

Sonographic Findings of Chondral Avulsion Fractures of the Lateral Ankle Ligaments in Children.

In this series, we aimed to describe the sonographic findings of chondral avulsion fractures that develop concomitant with lateral ankle ligament injury in children. We performed stress sonography during a manual anterior drawer stress procedure of the ankle in 9 skeletally immature patients who had recently had a lateral ankle sprain. Echo videos were obtained through the course of treatment, and all videos were reviewed. We elucidated the common features of chondral avulsion fractures of the lateral ankle ligaments in the children. The features of avulsion fractures on conventional sonography included absence of a fracture with hyperechoic spots (sonographic occult fracture type), cortical discontinuity with hyperechoic spots (cortical disruption fracture type), fracture line in the cortical bone (double-line fracture type), and a step-off deformity of the cortical bone with cartilage (displaced fracture type). In contrast, the features of chondral fractures on stress sonography included abnormal motion of the chondral lesions and mobility/fluidity of hyperechoic spots along the chondral fracture site. The presence of hyperechoic spots around the chondral lesion is an important sonographic sign for diagnosing chondral fractures concomitant with ankle lateral ligament injury. Hence, we believe that stress sonography should be considered for the detection of chondral fractures concomitant with radiographically negative ankle lateral ligament injuries in skeletally immature patients with lateral ankle pain and ankle sprains, if hyperechoic spots are present in the cartilage of the distal fibula.

A case of mucocutaneous leishmaniasis diagnosed by serology.

A 43-year-old Japanese Bolivian male had been suffering from a right leg ulcer after an insect bite during his residence in Bolivia. The ulcer healed after herbal medicine treatment. Ten years later, the patient had symptoms of nasal obstruction, nasal bleeding, and pharyngodynia, which were accompanied by a destructive ulcer with surrounding erythema involving the right nostril apex and columella. Papillary, irregular mucosal lesions were seen on the soft palate. Giemsa staining and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using biopsy specimens of the papillary mucosal lesions on the soft palate failed to identify Leishmania parasites. However, the IgG antibody test was positive for Leishmania (Leishmania) donovani, and the dot enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (dot-ELISA) using five Leishmania antigens L. (L.) mexicana, L. (L.) amazonensis, Leishmania (Viannia) guyanensis, L. (V.) braziliensis, and L. (V.) panamensis was positive. Combined, the findings suggested mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. Treatment with liposomal amphotericin B was started but was soon terminated because of palpitation, epigastralgia and facial flushing. It is sometimes difficult to identify the parasites in lesions of mucocutaneous leishmaniasis and serological tests are useful for such occasions.

[A case of papillary cystadenoma of the epididymis mimicking a testicular tumor].

A 68-year-old male presented with painless left scrotal enlargement of one year duration. Ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging showed a multilocular cystic mass, 10×7.5× 8.5 cm in size, in the left scrotum. The intracystic fluid was partially hemorrhagic. A solid part of the tumor, seen at the base of the scrotum, was partially calcified and was enhanced by contrast medium. The left testis could not be identified by imaging studies. Although CT imaging showed a simple cyst in the right kidney, no other lesions in the kidneys, adrenal glands, pancreas or the central nervous system were detected. Serum tumor marker values for testicular cancer were within the normal range. Under the pre-operative diagnosis of a left testicular tumor, left high orchiectomy was performed. Grossly the specimen consisted of a multilocular cystic tumor, 12.5×8.5×8.5 cm in size, with a 2.7 cm tan-colored solid component within the wall of the cyst. The left testis was atrophic, 1.3 cm in size, and demonstated no continuity with the solid part of the tumor. Histologically, the solid component of the tumor showed tubular and papillary growth of cuboidal and columnar tumor cells with clear cytoplasm. Histopathological diagnosis of papillary cystadenoma of the epididymis (PCE) was made. Von Hippel-Lidau disease was ruled out by subsequent genetic analysis. After follow up for 18 months, there was no sign of recurrence. To our knowledge, this is the 33rd and the largest case of PCE reported in Japan.

Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis caused by Exophiala jeanselmei in collagen disease patient.

Phaeohyphomycosis is a rare fungal infection that is more commonly associated with compromised patients. We present herein an 81-year-old man with collagen disease and chronic interstitial pneumonia who developed subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis caused by Exophiala jeanselmei. The main pathogen of phaeohyphomycosis had been considered to be E. jeanselmei complex. This has recently been divided into several species by using a molecular technique. The main pathogen of phaeohyphomycosis is Exophiala xenobiotica, and E. jeanselmei is rather a rare pathogen of this disease. Although p.o. itraconazole and terbinafine administration was not effective for this patient, these antifungal agents were used for preventing systemic dissemination in this immunocompromised host.

Axillary artery injury combined with delayed brachial plexus palsy due to compressive hematoma in a young patient: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Axillary artery injury in the shoulder region following blunt trauma without association with either shoulder dislocation or fracture of the humeral neck has been previously reported. Axillary artery injury might also be accompanied with brachial plexus injury. However, delayed onset of brachial plexus palsy caused by a compressive hematoma associated with axillary injury after blunt trauma in the shoulder region has been rarely reported. In previous reports, this condition only occurred in old patients with sclerotic vessels. We present a case of a young patient who suffered axillary artery injury associated with brachial plexus palsy that occurred tardily due to compressive hematoma after blunt trauma in the shoulder region without association of either shoulder dislocation or humeral neck fracture. CASE PRESENTATION: A 16-year-old male injured his right shoulder in a motorbike accident. On initial physical evaluation, the pulses on the radial and ulnar arteries in the affected arm were palpable. Paralysis developed later from 2 days after the injury. Functions in the right arm became significantly impaired. Angiography showed complete occlusion of the axillary artery. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a mass measuring 4 x 5 cm that was suspected to be a hematoma compressing the brachial plexus in a space between the subscapular muscle and the pectoralis minor muscle. Surgery was performed on the third day after injury. In intraoperative observations, the axillary artery was occluded with thrombus along 5 cm; a subscapular artery was ruptured; the brachial plexus was compressed by the hematoma. After evacuation of the hematoma, neurolysis of the brachial plexus, and revascularization of the axillary artery, the patient had an excellent functional recovery of the affected upper limb, postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Surgeons should be aware that axillary artery injuries may even occur in young people after severe blunt trauma in the shoulder region and can be associated with secondary brachial plexus injury due to a hematoma. For treatment in cases with progressive nervous deficit after trauma, not only reconstruction of the injured artery but also immediate evacuation of the hematoma, and exploration of the brachial plexus are necessary to avoid irreversible neurological damage.