Early Neurodevelopmental Outcomes Following Exposure to General Anesthesia in Infancy: EGAIN, a Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: General anesthesia (GA) is known to worsen neural outcomes in animals, but human research assessing early-life GA exposure and neurodevelopment show inconsistent findings. We investigated the effects of a single GA exposure for minor surgery on the neurodevelopment of healthy children at multiple time-points, using clinical assessments along with behavioral and neurophysiological measures rarely used in human research. METHODS: GA-exposed children were a prospective cohort of 250 full-term, healthy infants who underwent GA for minor surgery before 15 months. Nonexposed children were from a separate cohort of similar age, sex, ethnicity, and maternal education. In both cohorts, clinical measures (Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-III [BSID-III] and Child Behavior Checklist [CBCL1½-5]) were assessed at 24 months, and experimental tests (memory and attentional) and neurophysiology (event-related potentials) at 6 and 18 months. RESULTS: At 24 months, there were no differences between GA-exposed and nonexposed children in the cognitive, language, motor, and socioemotional domains of the BSDI-III; however, GA-exposed children had poorer parental-reported scores in BSID-III general adaptability (94.2 vs. 99.0 [mean difference, 4.77; 97.3% confidence interval, -9.29, -0.24]; P =0.020) and poorer internalizing behavior scores on CBCL1½-5 (52.8 vs. 49.4 [mean difference, 3.35; 97.3% confidence interval, 0.15-6.55]; P =0.021). For experimental measures, GA-exposed children showed differences in 4 tests at 6 and 18 months. CONCLUSIONS: GA-exposed children did not differ from unexposed children in cognitive, language or motor outcomes at 24 months, but exhibited poorer parent-reported behavior scores. Differences in infant behavior and neurophysiology were detected at 6 and 18 months. Neurophysiological assessments may complement clinically relevant assessments to provide greater insights into neurodevelopment following early GA exposure.

Correlating Ultrasonographic Features of Lymph Nodes During Endobronchial Ultrasound With Final Outcome.

Background In clinical practice, metastatic primary lung cancer, TB, and sarcoidosis are the commonest causes of mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Differentiation of malignant from benign causes is essential. The sonographic features seem to correlate with malignancy in head and neck, breast, and cervix cancers and can be used to predict the etiology of lesions. The objective of our study was to assess the utility of different ultrasonographic features in differentiating benign and malignant lymph nodes by endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA). Methods This is a prospective study analysis of all patients above 18 years presenting with mediastinal and hilar adenopathy on computed chest tomography with contrast, undergoing EBUS-TBNA for diagnosis. Lymph node ultrasonographic characteristics such as size, shape, echogenicity, margins, central hilar structure (CHS), and coagulation necrosis sign (CNS) were recorded and compared with histopathology. Results A total of 576 patients underwent the EBUS-TBNA procedure, and a total of 810 lymph nodes were evaluated. Three hundred and forty-eight patients (468 lymph nodes) were malignant; 228 patients (342 lymph nodes) were benign. Heterogeneous echotexture was significantly higher in malignant lymph nodes (<0.001). The multivariate analysis revealed that heterogeneous echotexture was an independent predictor for malignant etiology. Conclusion Heterogeneous echotexture of the lymph node on EBUS was predictive of malignancy. If heterogenicity is observed on EBUS, subsequent sampling of that lymph node might be considered, which may yield a higher diagnostic yield and may reduce the number of lymph nodes requiring sampling and further invasive procedures.

Outcomes in congenital and childhood complete atrioventricular block: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The long-term outcomes of patients with congenital and childhood complete atrioventricular block (CCAVB/CAVB) after pacemaker implantation are unclear. METHODS: We performed a meta-analysis of all the studies of CCAVB. A systematic search of PubMed and CENTRAL databases from January 1, 1967 to January 31, 2020 was performed. The quality of studies included was critically appraised using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale, and outcome data were analyzed using the restricted maximum likelihood function. RESULTS: Twenty-nine studies were eligible for analysis, with a total of 1553 patients. The all-cause-mortality was 5.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.5%-9.9%), while pacing-induced cardiomyopathy (PICM) was seen in 3.8% (95% CI: 1.2-7.2). Diagnosis at birth (effect size [ES] [95%CI]: -2.23 [-0.36 to -0.10]; p < .001), presence of congenital heart disease (ES [95%CI]: -0.67 [0.41-0.93]; p < .001), younger age at pacemaker implantation (ES [95%CI]: -0.01 [-0.02 to -0.001]; p = .02), and duration of pacing (ES [95%CI]: -0.03 [-0.05 to -0.003]; p = .03), were associated with an higher mortality on binominal logistic regression. None of the parameters were significant on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Pooled proportional mortality in patients with CCAVB and CAVB is 5.7% with an infrequent incidence of PICM (3.8%) in the paced patients with AVB suggesting that pacing in these patients is an effective management strategy with a low incidence of long-term side effects. Registry and randomized data can throw additional light regarding the natural history and appropriate management strategy in these patients.

Association of anesthetic and surgical risk factors with outcomes of initial diagnostic biopsies in a current cohort of children with anterior mediastinal masses.

Background: Diagnostic biopsies of pediatric anterior mediastinal masses (AMMs) are high-risk procedures in which general anesthesia (GA) is traditionally avoided. However, awareness of historically recognized risk factors and corresponding perioperative management have improved over time and may now no longer strictly preclude the use of GA. Therefore, in this study, we examined the association of anesthetic and surgical risk factors and modalities with resulting procedural and survival outcomes in a current patient cohort. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed charts of 35 children with AMMs who underwent initial diagnostic biopsies between January 2001 and August 2019, and determined tracheal compression and deviation from archival CT scans and procedural and disease outcomes. Results: Twenty-three (65%) patients underwent GA while 12 (35%) received sedation. Among patients with available CT measurements, 13 of 25 (52%) had >50% anteroposterior tracheal diameter reduction. Patients with >50% anteroposterior tracheal compression received sedation more frequently (p=0.047) and were positioned upright (p=0.015) compared with patients with ≤50% compression, although 4 of 13 and 9 of 12, respectively, still received GA. Intraoperative adverse events (AEs) occurred in four (11.4%) patients: three received GA, and all were positioned supine or lateral. AEs were not associated with radiographic airway risk factors but were significantly associated with morphine and sevoflurane use (p<0.001) and with thoracoscopic biopsies (p=0.035). There were no on-table mortalities, but four delayed deaths occurred (three related to disease and one from late procedural complications). Conclusions: In a current cohort of pediatric AMM biopsies, patients with >50% anteroposterior tracheal compression were more frequently managed with a conservative perioperative management strategy, though not completely excluding GA. The corresponding reduction in frequency of procedural AEs in this traditionally high-risk group suggests that increased awareness of procedural risk factors and appropriate risk-guided perioperative management choices may obviate the procedural mortality historically associated with pediatric AMM biopsies.

Giant Ureteric Calculus in a Patient With Bladder Exstrophy.

We report a case of giant ureteric calculus in an adult male with bladder exstrophy who presented with urinary incontinence and recurrent urinary tract infection. Investigations revealed a 16-cm ureteric calculus, a vesical calculus and a left staghorn renal calculus. Ureteric stone was removed by open ureterolithotomy.

Perforated Littre's hernia diagnosed on imaging: case report and review of literature.

We report the clinical details and imaging findings of a case of perforated Littre's hernia presenting as lower abdominal wall cellulitis in a 50-year-old male. Findings included herniation of an oral contrast opacified blind-ending pouch arising from the anti-mesenteric border of the distal ileum into the right inguinal canal, with extravasation of oral contrast. There were adjacent inflammatory changes with subcutaneous emphysema extending up to the right anterior chest wall. Meckel's diverticulum is rarely diagnosed preoperatively on imaging. We highlight the importance of computed tomography in imaging Meckel's diverticulum.

Transvenous permanent pacemaker implantation in dextrocardia: technique, challenges, outcome, and a brief review of literature.

AIMS: Dextrocardia is a rare congenital anomaly. Pacemaker implantation in dextrocardia can be challenging because of the distorted anatomy and associated anomalies. The literature regarding implantation of pacemaker in dextrocardia is scarce. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study involved retrospective analysis of records of patients with dextrocardia who had undergone pacemaker implantation between January 2006 and July 2013 from a single centre. Six patients with dextrocardia (five males and one female) underwent permanent pacemaker implantation (PPI) between January 2006 and July 2013. Of them, three had situs solitus dextrocardia and three situs inversus dextrocardia. All three patients with situs solitus dextrocardia had associated corrected transposition of great arteries. The indication for pacemaker implantation was symptomatic complete atrioventricular (AV) block in four, high-grade AV block in one, and sinus node dysfunction in one patient. A favourable outcome was noted during a mean follow-up of 3.9 years (4 months to 7 years) with one patient needing a pulse generator replacement. CONCLUSION: Permanent pacemaker implantation in dextrocardia can be challenging because of the distorted anatomy. Use of a technique employing angiography to delineate chamber anatomy and relationship can assist the operator during such difficult PPIs. The medium- and long-term survival after a successful pacemaker implantation in dextrocardia is favourable.

Clinical profile and outcome of conservatively managed emphysematous pyelonephritis.

Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is a severe, necrotizing renal parenchymal infection characterized by production of intraparenchymal gas. EPN predominantly affects female diabetics and immunocompromised patients. In a three-year period 2008-2011, a total of 8 patients were admitted to our hospital. All of them were diabetics, and both males and females were equally affected. These patients showed vague symptoms at admission and frequently presented with fever, loin pain, dysuria, and pyuria necessitating urgent medical attention. EPN required radiological diagnosis. CT scan revealed bilateral EPN with urinary obstruction and hydronephrosis in 50% of patients. Escherichia coli was found to be the causative organism in all the patients. Treatment comprised of resuscitation, normalization of serum electrolytes and blood sugars, administration of parenteral antibiotics, and relieving ureteric obstruction if present. All the patients improved with conservative management without any mortality.

Lead-induced genotoxicity in lymphocytes from peripheral blood samples of humans: in vitro studies.

Lead is a known toxicant that has been implicated in encephalopathy in children and may affect the gastrointestinal and hematopoietic and other systems in adults. In fact, lead has been shown to compete with calcium for entry into the synaptosome and induce toxic effects. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of lead by using lymphocytes from human peripheral blood in vitro. The LC50 for lead nitrate as determined by Trypan blue dye exclusion technique was found to be 3.14 mM. Chromosomal aberration frequency at sublethal doses (1/10 of LC50) as determined by examining the metaphase chromosomes (karyotyping) did not show significant aberrations except for some aneuploidy and about 2-4% gaps, breaks (3-4%), and about 5% satellite associations. However, significant DNA damage was determined by SCGE (Comet assay). The comet tail length proportionately increased with increasing lead nitrate concentration. Thus, Pb can induce single-strand DNA breaks, possibly by competing with metal binding sites.

Clinicopathologic behavior of gastric adenocarcinoma in Hispanic patients: analysis of a single institution's experience over 15 years.

PURPOSE: To determine the clinicopathologic behavior of gastric adenocarcinoma in Hispanics by comparing Hispanic and non-Hispanic patients treated at a single cancer center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Medical records of patients with invasive gastric cancer treated from 1985 to 1999 were reviewed. Diagnoses were pathologically confirmed. Differences in categorical variables were assessed using the chi(2) test. Logistic regression was used for multivariate analyses. Median survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to assess the impact of covariates. RESULTS: Of 1,897 patients, 301 (15.9%) were Hispanic. Hispanics were significantly younger at diagnosis than non-Hispanic whites (53.1 +/- 14.4 years v 59.4 +/- 12.7 years, respectively; P < .005) or African Americans (57.6 +/- 15.3 years, P < .005). Hispanics were less likely to have proximal gastric cancers compared with whites (38.9% v 59.5%, respectively; P < .005). Hispanics were more likely to have mucinous/signet-ring type histology (42.5%) than whites (27.4%) and African Americans (32.5%; P < .005). Hispanics were more likely to require total gastrectomy (51%) compared with whites (38%), African Americans (38%), and Asians (36%; P = .039). Among patients with metastases at diagnosis, Hispanics were less likely to have liver metastasis than whites (30% v 44%, respectively; P = .009) but more likely to have peritoneal metastasis than whites and African Americans (54% v 41% and 47%, respectively; P = .002). In Cox analyses, Asian race, earlier stage, papillary/tubular histology, distal location, and younger age were favorable predictors of survival. CONCLUSION: Hispanic ethnicity does not impact survival in gastric adenocarcinoma. However, histology, metastasis pattern, tumor localization, and other clinical parameters differ sufficiently to warrant further investigation into the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and molecular biology of gastric cancer in this population.

Effects of sex and racial/ethnic group on the pattern of gastric cancer localization.

BACKGROUND: In Western countries, the overall incidence of gastric cancer is declining, while the incidence of proximal gastric cancer is rising. We evaluated the effect of sex, racial/ethnic group, and age on the localization of gastric cancer. METHODS: The records of all gastric cancer patients who registered at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center from January 1, 1985, to May 31, 1998, were reviewed. Tissue diagnosis and established tumor location were required. RESULTS: The case records of 1242 eligible patients, consisting of 821 non-Hispanic white, 230 Hispanic, 125 African American, 63 Asian, and 3 Native American patients, were analyzed. Among the 459 women, racial/ethnic group did not have a significant impact on gastric cancer localization (P = 0.57). However, among the 783 men, proximal cancers were significantly more frequent in the non-Hispanic white patients (57% vs 38% Hispanic, 41% African American, 17% Asian; P < 0.0001). Symptoms at diagnosis significantly varied for proximal vs non-proximal cancers. CONCLUSION: Proximal gastric cancer localization was more frequent among non-Hispanic white men, while non-Hispanic white women had a localization pattern similar to those of other racial/ethnic groups. Proximal gastric cancer represents a distinct subtype of gastric cancer that may have different biology, risk factors, and clinical behavior.