The role of the three phase bone scintigraphy in the management of the patients with costochondral pain.

AIM: The bone scintigraphy is indicated in patients with costochondral pain in order to identify the organic etiology. We aimed to investigate the local and projecting pain, or incidental findings in the three phase bone scintigraphy of the patients referred for costochondral pain. METHODS: We included 50 patients (36F, 24M; mean: 41±18 years-old) referred to our department for three phase bone scintigraphy for costochondral pain between January 2009-July 2012. RESULTS: Among the 50 patients 22 had normal scintigraphy. An increased activity accumulation in the sternoclavicular joint was observed in 12 patients (right in 4, left in 4 and bilateral in 4) only in late phase and in 9 patients (right in 2, left in 1 and bilateral in 6) with increased vascularity. Among projecting pain causes, activity was present on sternum in 4 patients, on humerus in 2 patients and on the first costae in 2 patients. For the characterization of inflammatory pathology, the three phase bone scintigraphy showed sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative predictive values of 43%, 94%, 78%, 77% and 78% respectively. CONCLUSION: Bone scintigraphy is an effective diagnostic method for the identification of local or projecting pain, and additionally unexpected incidental pathologies ssociated with costochondral pain. However regarding the characterization of inflammatory process false negatives should be considered. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None declared.

Factors associated with postoperative delirium after thoracic surgery.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative delirium is an acute confusional state characterized by fluctuating consciousness and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. We analyzed the incidence and risk factors of delirium following thoracic surgery. METHODS: All patients (n = 432) who underwent thoracotomy or sternotomy from 1996 to 2003 were analyzed retrospectively. The diagnosis of postoperative delirium was based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders- IV criteria. RESULTS: Postoperative delirium developed in 23 patients (5.32%) between postoperative days 2 to 12 (mean, 4.4 +/- 2.6 days). There were 15 males and 8 females, with a mean age of 59.4 years (24 to 77 years). The delirium group was older (59.4 +/- 14.6 vs 51.3 +/- 15.5 years, p < 0.01) and had a longer operation time than the nondelirious group (5.34 +/- 1.58 vs 4.38 +/- 1.6 hours, p = 0.005). Morbidity and mortality rates were not significantly different between the two groups (56.5% vs 47.1%; 13.0% vs 3.66%, respectively). Univariate analysis showed that the older age, markedly abnormal postoperative levels of sodium, potassium, or glucose, sleep deprivation, operation time, and diabetes mellitus were risk factors (p < 0.05). According to multivariate analyses, four factors were selected as predictive risk factors: (1) markedly abnormal postoperative levels of sodium, potassium, or glucose (p = 0.038); (2) sleep deprivation (p = 0.05); (3) age (p = 0.033); and (4) operation time (p = 0.041). CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative delirium may cause higher morbidity and mortality rates after thoracic surgery. Close postoperative follow-up and early identification of predisposing factors such as older age, sleep deprivation, abnormal postoperative levels of sodium, potassium, or glucose, and longer operation time can prevent occurrence of postoperative delirium.