Abnormal Neurologic Findings in Patients With Sickle Cell Disease Without a History of Major Neurologic Events.

Background and Objectives: Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) are prone to symptomatic neurologic complications. Previous studies reported accrual of neural injury starting at early age, even without having symptomatic neurologic events. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and risk factors of abnormal neurologic findings in patients with SCD with no history of major symptomatic neurologic events. Methods: Our study extracted patients diagnosed with SCD from the Cooperative Study of Sickle Cell Disease. Patients who underwent a neurologic evaluation were included in our analysis. Patients with previous documented major symptomatic neurologic events were excluded. We compared patients with SCD with abnormal neurologic findings with those without in terms of clinical and laboratory parameters using multivariate binary logistic regression. Results: A total of 3,573 patients with SCD were included (median age = 11 [IQR = 19] years, male = 1719 [48.1%]). 519 (14.5%) patients had at least one abnormal neurologic finding. The most common findings in descending order were abnormal reflexes, gait abnormalities, cerebellar dysfunction, language deficits, nystagmus, abnormal muscle tone and strength, Romberg sign, Horner syndrome, and intellectual impairment. History of eye disease (odds ratio [OR] = 2.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.63-4.68) and history of osteomyelitis (OR = 2.55, 95% CI 1.34-4.84) were the strongest predictors of abnormal neurologic findings, followed by smoking (OR = 1.59, 95% CI 1.08-2.33), aseptic necrosis (OR = 1.57, 95% CI 1.06-2.33), hand-foot syndrome (OR = 1.48, 95% CI 1.04-2.12), and male sex (OR = 1.42, 95% CI 1.01-2.02). Discussion: Neurologic deficits are relatively common in patients with SCD, even without documented major neurologic insults. They range from peripheral and ophthalmic deficits to central and cognitive disabilities. Patients with SCD should have early regular neurologic evaluations and risk factor modification, particularly actively promoting smoking cessation.

The transverse upper gracilis flap for autologous breast reconstruction: patient satisfaction outcomes from a single centre experience.

Background: The transverse upper gracilis (TUG) flap procedure is an alternative procedure for autologous breast reconstruction, that is indicated in patients with a low body mass index (BMI) and small to moderate sized breasts. We investigated patient satisfaction of all TUG flap breast reconstructions at Royal Free Hospital. Methods: A retrospective review of all patients who had undergone a TUG flap procedure was performed using Electronic Patient Records between October 2010 and October 2021 in Royal Free Hospital. We collected patient demographic data and surveyed our cohort by telephone, investigating patient satisfaction with a 31-item questionnaire. Results: From 2010 to 2021, 57 TUG procedures for autologous breast reconstruction were carried out on 36 patients. One patient died 6 years postoperatively. Patient age ranged from 29-74 with an average of 49.5 years. Also, 3/57 flaps failed, and 1 patient died 6 years postoperatively. Twenty one out of 35 patients responded to the telephone call survey. Out of the survey respondents 11/21 underwent unilateral breast reconstruction and 10/21 underwent bilateral breast reconstruction. The BODY-Q scale in appraisal of thighs reported an overall patient satisfaction mean score of 75.6±27.4 points. The BREAST-Q scale in breast satisfaction reported an overall patient satisfaction mean score of 61.5±24.1 points. Overall, 19/21 of patients were satisfied with the outcome of the TUG procedure. Conclusions: Royal Free Hospital reported excellent patient satisfaction scores. The TUG procedure is a suitable method for patient's undergoing autologous breast reconstruction. However, patient expectations regarding breast satisfaction should be managed.

Uses of Smartphone Thermal Imaging in Perforator Flaps as a Versatile Intraoperative Tool: The Microsurgeon's Third Eye.

Introduction: In this study, we evaluate the versatility of smartphone thermal imaging technology as a valuable intraoperative modality in different stages of perforator flap surgery aiming to minimize the complications and achieve the best postoperative outcome. Patients and methods: Thermography was performed in 20 perforator flaps in 20 patients at different surgical stages in three different ways to identify the most dominant perforator: first, by measuring the surface temperature of the skin; second, by using the dynamic infrared thermography technique; and third, by assessing the perfusion pattern when the flap was supplied by each perforator separately. Thermography was used to help in discarding the least perfused area of the flap. After microvascular anastomosis, the flap reheating pattern was evaluated. Results: Seventeen free and three pedicled perforator flaps were included. Intraoperatively, each of the selected perforators had a corresponding hotspot. The perforator with the hottest hotpot, best rewarming, and provision of best flap perfusion on thermography was found clinically dominant. After microvascular anastomosis in free flaps, rapid rewarming was recorded in 15 cases. In two deep inferior epigastric perforator flaps, no rapid rewarming was observed. The pedicle was kinked in one case and there was a venous insufficiency in another case that required a cephalic turndown. All flaps showed good perfusion on thermography after inset. Conclusion: Smartphone thermography has proven to be a valuable, cheap, rapidly employed, and objective tool not only for the design of perforator flaps, but also for the decision making intraoperatively to achieve the best surgical outcome.

Reverse Flow Shunt Restricted Free Venous Flap for a Ring Avulsion Injury.

Arterialized venous flaps can be an excellent option for reconstruction of digital defects. Previously, they remained unpopular owing to the high rate of venous congestion. Different techniques of restriction of the arteriovenous shunting have been described to mitigate this problem. In this article, the authors discuss a unique case whereby a reverse flow shunt restricted venous flap was used in an Urbaniak type III ring avulsion.

Morel-Lavallée Lesion of the Elbow Region in a Young Male: Case Report and Literature Review.

The Morel-Lavallée lesion is a fluid collection resulting from the traumatic separation of the subcutaneous tissue from the underlying fascia. It frequently occurs over the trochanteric region but may also occur in the flank, lumbosacral region, and buttock. Morel-Lavallée lesions in the upper limb are rarely reported in the literature. In this report, we present a case of a 42-year-old male, not known to have any medical diseases, who suffered from a post-traumatic left elbow mass that had existed for seven months before his presentation to our clinic. It is worth reporting this case to increase the awareness of this little-known pathology among orthopedic surgeons. In addition, most of the Morel-Lavallée lesions mentioned in the literature are located in the lower limb. .

Safety of Large-Volume Liposuction in Aesthetic Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Current literature clearly outlines the complication rates of liposuction in general; however, data specific to large-volume liposuction (LVL) remain unclear. OBJECTIVES: The authors aimed to synthesize the current evidence on the safety of LVL with this systematic review. METHODS: A comprehensive search in the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases was conducted for primary clinical studies reporting on safety or complications related to aesthetic LVL from 1946 to March 2020. The primary outcome measure was the incidence of surgical complication, and the secondary outcome measure was changes in metabolic profile. Meta-analyses were conducted to pool the estimated surgical complication incidence and metabolic changes. RESULTS: Twenty-three articles involving 3583 patients were included. The average aspirate volume was 7734.90 mL (95% CI = 5727.34 to 9742.45 mL). The pooled overall incidence of major surgical complications was 3.35% (95% CI = 1.07% to 6.84%). The most common major complication was blood loss requiring transfusion (2.89% [95% CI = 0.84% to 6.12%]) followed by pulmonary embolism (0.18% [95% CI = 0.06% to 0.33%]), hematoma (0.16% [95% CI = 0.05% to 0.32%]), necrotizing fasciitis (0.13% [95% CI = 0.04% to 0.29%]), and deep vein thrombosis (0.12% [95% CI = 0.03% to 0.27%]). No fat embolism or death was reported in the included studies. The pooled overall incidence of minor surgical complication was 11.62% (95% CI = 6.36% to 18.21%), with seroma being the most common minor complication (5.51% [95% CI = 2.69% to 9.27%]). Reductions in lipid profile, glucose profile, body weight, and hematocrit level were observed after LVL. CONCLUSIONS: The authors meta-analyzed and highlighted the complication rates specifically related to LVL in this study; however, the current data are limited by the lack of level 1 evidence.

Screening for obstructive sleep apnea among patients undergoing coronary catheterization in Jordan.

Aims: This study aimed to utilize a validated sleep questionnaire as a screening tool for symptoms and risk of obstructive sleep apnea in patients undergoing coronary catheterization in Jordan. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional design was used to screen adult patients undergoing coronary catheterization for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The Berlin sleep questionnaire was used to record nocturnal and daytime symptoms of OSA and to stratify patients into "low-risk" or "high-risk" for OSA. Coronary artery disease was defined as ≥50% intraluminal stenosis in at least one coronary vessel. Results: A total of 398 patients were studied, mean age was 58.7 years (SD=10.70), ranging from 21-92 years, and 68.6% were males. Based on the Berlin sleep questionnaire's definition, 176 patients (44.2%) were at high-risk for obstructive sleep apnea. Snoring was reported by 61%; loud in 42.1%, and frequent in 62%. Daytime sleepiness was reported by 36%, and 18.9% had fallen asleep while driving. Witnessed apnea during sleep was less reported (7.8%). Prevalence of symptoms and risk of OSA were not different between patients with and without coronary artery disease, P>0.05. In addition, logistic regression indicated that there was no significant association between risk of OSA and coronary artery disease, adjusted (odds ratio=0.93, 95% Confidence Interval=0.60-1.44, P=0.752). Conclusions: Symptoms and risk of obstructive sleep apnea were common among adult Jordanians undergoing coronary catheterization. There was no association between risk of obstructive sleep apnea and coronary artery disease. Larger studies are needed to assess the role of screening for obstructive sleep apnea in this patient population.

Hemichorea in a patient with diabetic ketoacidosis.

BACKGROUND: Chorea is a common presenting feature of metabolic disorders, including nonketotic hyperglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, but rarely has been reported in diabetic ketoacidosis, hypothyroidism and vitamin B12 deficiency. METHODS: Review the literature for reported cases of chorea as a presenting manifestation in metabolic disorders. RESULTS: We report a case of hemichorea in a patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated by diabetic ketoacidosis. The patient had a two day history of right sided hemichorea and decreased level of consciousness. Initial laboratory studies revealed hyperglycemia, ketosis and an anion gap metabolic acidosis consistent with diabetic ketoacidosis. Once treatment was started the choreiform movements significantly improved over three weeks. CONCLUSION: Although DKA has been rarely reported as a trigger for chorea, it should be in the differential diagnosis of a patient presenting with an acute chorea. Given the reversible nature of this disease, early recognition and treatment are imperative.