Comparison between different referral strategies for acute ischemic stroke patients in a hub-spoke emergency stroke network: a real-world experience in south-east Lazio.

AIM: To describe different referral strategies for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients in a Hub-Spoke emergency stroke network with their incidence, time metrics and related outcomes. METHODS: Referral paradigms were defined as follows: primary transfer to the comprehensive stroke center (CSC) from a remote region, called mothership (MS); secondary transfer to the CSC from a primary stroke center where intravenous thrombolysis was available, called drip and ship (DS); secondary transfer to the CSC from a community hospital where no reperfusion therapy was available, called ship and drip (SD); primary transfer to the CSC from its catchment area, called direct CSC (dCSC). RESULTS: Among 517 anterior circulation AIS patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy between 2015 and 2020, 16.6% of them were SD, in addition to the well-known referral paradigms of MS (21.8%) and DS (18.1%). This rate grew to 30% when only patients whose place of onset was outside the CSC catchment area were considered. In the SD group, onset to CSC and onset to groin were significantly longer (178±80 min vs. 102±60 min, p<0.001, and 277±77 min vs. 211±61 min, p<0.001, respectively), and the risk of any intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) was significantly higher (OR: 2.514; 95%CI: 1.18-5.35, p=0.017) compared to MS. CONCLUSION: In this hub-spoke stroke network, a high proportion of SD paradigm was found, which was associated with longer times to treatment and higher rates of any ICH. A closer cooperation between hospital stroke physicians, national health system staff, and paramedics is warranted to identify the most appropriate referral strategy for each patient.

Splenoportal-mesenteric axis thrombosis and splenic artery occlusion as initial presentations of COVID-19 disease.

OBJECTIVE: Although pulmonary involvement represents the primary and most characteristic presentation of Sars-Cov-2 infection, due to its innate tropism for endothelium, it is also associated with systemic pro-coagulative changes and thromboses. This paper describes a COVID-19 atypical presentation with massive thrombotic occlusion of the splenoportal-mesenteric axis and the splenic artery in the absence of clinical or radiological manifestation of pulmonary involvement. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Female patient, with no history of disease, trauma or fever in the last 30 days, was admitted to ER for persistent left subcostal pain. Laboratory exams, including inflammation, coagulation markers and Sars-CoV-2 serology, were requested. Whole-body CT with contrast media injection was performed. RESULTS: Laboratory exams showed elevated reactive C-protein, bilirubin, γ-GT and D-dimer. Whole-body CT showed: splenic artery occlusion, thrombosis of splenic, mesenteric and portal veins with portal intra-hepatic branches ectasia, juxta-hilar portal cavernomatosis of probable acute onset (absence of signs of chronic hepatopathy and of varices), a hypodense area in the spleen indicating ischemic parenchymal suffering. The patient resulted positive for Sars-CoV-2 IgG, thus in the absence of typical clinics or pulmonary parenchymal abnormality at chest CT. CONCLUSIONS: A case of acute venous thrombosis and arterial occlusion as primary manifestations of COVID-19.

Coronaric stent-graft deployment in the treatment of carotid blowout.

"Carotid blowout syndrome" is defined as a hemorrhage caused by rupture of the carotid artery and its branches, and may be a severe complication of rhinopharyngeal carcinoma. This study aimed to highlight the usefulness and versatility of endovascular stent-graft placement as a rescue treatment in life-threatening carotid blowout syndrome. We describe the unconventional use of a 6 × 5 mm balloon-expandable coronaric covered stent in a patient with a diagnosis of spinocellular rhinopharyngeal carcinoma, followed by carotid blowout syndrome. Although long-term follow-up is needed to assess the eventuality of bleeding recurrence, the immediate clinical results were satisfactory.

[Prognostic significance of epidermoid metaplasia in urothelial carcinoma of the bladder]. / Significado pronóstico de la metaplasia epidermoide en el carcinoma urotelial de la vejiga.

A retrospective review of 186 cases of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder observed between 1987 and 1990 is described. Squamous metaplasia was present in 37 cases. This histological feature was especially found in association with poorly differentiated and invasive tumors: the presence of extensive areas of squamous metaplasia (metaplastic areas = or > 50% of neoplastic surface) was always found in association with high grade neoplasms. For these reasons the authors conclude that transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder showing squamous metaplasia is more aggressive than pure transitional cell carcinoma.