Evidence of brain metabolism redistribution from neocortex to primitive brain structures in early acute COVID-19 respiratory syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Neuropsychiatric sequelae of COVID-19 have been widely documented in patients with severe neurological symptoms during the chronic or subacute phase of the disease. However, it remains unclear whether subclinical changes in brain metabolism can occur early in the acute phase of the disease. The aim of this study was to identify and quantify changes in brain metabolism in patients hospitalized for acute respiratory syndrome due to COVID-19 with no or mild neurological symptoms. RESULTS: Twenty-three non-intubated patients (13 women; mean age 55.5 ± 12.1 years) hospitalized with positive nasopharyngeal swab test (RT-PCR) for COVID-19, requiring supplemental oxygen and no or mild neurological symptoms were studied. Serum C-reactive protein measured at admission ranged from 6.43 to 189.0 mg/L (mean: 96.9 ± 54.2 mg/L). The mean supplemental oxygen demand was 2.9 ± 1.4 L/min. [18F]FDG PET/CT images were acquired with a median of 12 (4-20) days of symptoms. After visual interpretation of the images, semiquantitative analysis of [18F]FDG uptake in multiple brain regions was evaluated using dedicated software and the standard deviation (SD) of brain uptake in each region was automatically calculated in comparison with reference values of a normal database. Evolutionarily ancient structures showed positive SD mean values of [18F]FDG uptake. Lenticular nuclei were bilaterally hypermetabolic (> 2 SD) in 21/23 (91.3%) patients, and thalamus in 16/23 (69.6%), bilaterally in 11/23 (47.8%). About half of patients showed hypermetabolism in brainstems, 40% in hippocampi, and 30% in cerebellums. In contrast, neocortical regions (frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital lobes) presented negative SD mean values of [18F]FDG uptake and hypometabolism (< 2 SD) was observed in up to a third of patients. Associations were found between hypoxia, inflammation, coagulation markers, and [18F]FDG uptake in various brain structures. CONCLUSIONS: Brain metabolism is clearly affected during the acute phase of COVID-19 respiratory syndrome in neurologically asymptomatic or oligosymptomatic patients. The most frequent finding is marked hypermetabolism in evolutionary ancient structures such as lenticular nucleus and thalami. Neocortical metabolism was reduced in up to one third of patients, suggesting a redistribution of brain metabolism from the neocortex to evolutionary ancient brain structures in these patients.

Head-to-head comparison of ventilation/perfusion single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography and multidetector computed tomography angiography for the detection of acute pulmonary embolism in clinical practice.

INTRODUCTION: Computed tomography angiography (CTA) and ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) single photon emission computed tomography/CT (SPECT/CT) images have been widely used to detect PE, but few studies have performed a direct comparison between them. We aimed to evaluate the performance of these tests in the same group of patients, selected from the routine practice of a general hospital. METHODS: Patients with suspected acute PE were prospectively submitted to CTA and V/Q SPECT/CT. General radiologists and nuclear physicians, respectively, interpreted the images. Data regarding age, sex, time between examinations, symptoms, and Wells score were also recorded. The final diagnosis was decided through a consensus among the clinicians, taking into account clinical, laboratory, follow-up, and all imaging procedures data. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients (15 male, 13 female, and median age of 51.5 years) were studied. Median duration of the onset of symptoms was 4 (1-14) days, and the median Wells score was 3.5 (1.5-6). Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy were 84.6%, 80.0%, 78.6%, 85.7%, and 82.1% for V/Q SPECT/CT, and 46.1%, 100%, 100%, 68.2%, and 75.0% for CTA. The overall agreement between the methods was 57.1%. Of the 22 patients with negative CTA, 10 (45.4%) had positives V/Q SPECT/CT and seven of them classified as true positives. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that V/Q SPECT/CT is more sensitive and accurate than CTA when interpreted by general radiologists and nuclear medicine physicians.

Gastric Emptying and Its Correlation With Weight Loss and Body Mass Index in Patients With an Intragastric Balloon: A Prospective Study With Six Years of Follow-Up.

Background Obesity is the most well-established and prolonged pandemic in modern society. Having a better understanding of the available tools is important to improve weight loss and make the strategies more productive. This study aims to evaluate the effect of intragastric balloon (IGB) on gastric emptying time, its relationship with weight loss after IGB removal, and weight maintenance after six years. Methodology This prospective study analyzed data from patients undergoing IGB placement. A six-years follow-up was performed and data about weight maintenance were collected. We analyzed the impact of the IGB on gastrointestinal motility and its correlation with weight loss. Results Of the 20 patients included in the study, 52.4% were diagnosed with class I obesity and 47.6% with class II obesity. The mean weight of the patients was 96.5 ± 11.9 kg at baseline, 79.6 ± 11.4 kg at the time of IGB removal, 81.8 ± 9.1 kg at six months, and 93.2 ± 14.3 kg six years after IGB removal. The mean difference between the initial weight and that measured immediately after IGB removal was 16.68 ± 5.71 kg. Regarding gastric emptying time, there was a difference in retention on comparing the measurement before balloon placement to that after the balloon was in place (72.9% vs. 86.8%) after one hour of food intake. Comparing two hours after food intake, patients before IGB placement had a 30.6% food retention, while patients with IGB in place had a 69.2% retention. Conclusions In patients with class I or II obesity, the use of an IGB delayed gastric emptying of foods but showed no direct correlation with weight loss. Weight loss achieved after IGB placement was maintained in half of the patients at a six-year follow-up.

Efficacy and Safety of Stents in the Treatment of Fistula After Bariatric Surgery: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Fistula development is a serious complication after bariatric surgery. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of fistula closure and complications associated with endoscopic stent treatment of fistulas, developed after bariatric surgeries, particularly Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and gastric sleeve (GS). Studies involving patients with fistula after RYGB or GS and those who received stent treatment only were selected. The analyzed outcomes were overall success rate of fistula closure, mean number of stents per patient, mean stent dwelling time, and procedure-associated complications. Current evidence from identified studies demonstrates that, in selected patients, endoscopic stent treatment of fistulas after GS or RYGB can be safe and effective.