The educational game SonoQz improves diagnostic performance in ultrasound assessment of ovarian tumors.

INTRODUCTION: Our objective was to determine whether the educational game SonoQz can improve diagnostic performance in ultrasound assessment of ovarian tumors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The SonoQz mobile application was developed as an educational tool for medical doctors to practice ultrasound assessment, based on still images of ovarian tumors. The game comprises images from 324 ovarian tumors, examined by an ultrasound expert prior to surgery. A training phase, where the participants assessed at least 200 cases in the SonoQz app, was preceded by a pretraining test, and followed by a posttraining test. Two equal tests (A and B), each consisting of 20 cases, were used as pre- and posttraining tests. Half the users took test A first, B second, and the remaining took the tests in the opposite order. Users were asked to classify the tumors (1) according to International Ovarian Tumor Analysis (IOTA) Simple Rules, (2) as benign or malignant, and (3) suggest a specific histological diagnosis. Logistic mixed models with fixed effects for pre- and posttraining tests, and crossed random effects for participants and cases, were used to determine any improvement in test scores, sensitivity, and specificity. RESULTS: Fifty-eight doctors from 19 medical centers participated. Comparing the pre- and posttraining test, the median of correctly classified cases, in Simple Rules assessment increased from 72% to 83%, p < 0.001; in classifying the lesion as benign or malignant tumors from 86% to 95%, p < 0.001; and in making a specific diagnosis from 43% to 63%, p < 0.001. When classifying tumors as benign or malignant, at an unchanged level of sensitivity (98% vs. 97%, p = 0.157), the specificity increased from 70% to 89%, p < 0.001. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the educational game SonoQz is an effective tool that may improve diagnostic performance in assessing ovarian tumors, specifically by reducing the number of false positives while maintaining high sensitivity.

Impact of maxillary advancement on speech and velopharyngeal function in patients with cleft lip and palate.

Objective : Patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP) and maxillary retrognathia are usually treated with maxillary advancement (Le Fort I osteotomy). The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of maxillary advancement on the velopharyngeal function (VPF) and symptoms of velopharyngeal incompetence in patients with CLP. Design : Retrospective group study before and after treatment. Participants : All patients who had undergone Le Fort I osteotomy due to maxillary retrognathia from 2007 to 2010 at Karolinska University Hospital, Sweden (n = 13). Pre- and postoperatively standardized examinations were used. Blinded audio recordings were independently assessed by three experienced speech pathologists. Acoustical data (nasometry) and information on VPF (videoradiography and nasoendoscopy) were collected from the medical records. Two patients with additional malformations were considered outliers, and group data were based on a sample size of n = 11. Main Outcome Measures : Perceptual and acoustic symptoms of velopharyngeal incompetence and overall assessment of VPF. Results : No assessment method showed a significant deterioration of the VPF postoperatively. Individual data revealed that 6 of the 13 patients had no or only one symptom pre- and/or postoperatively. The two patients with additional malformations had most symptoms pre- and postoperatively and did not change. Three patients had an increased number of symptoms postoperatively by at least two symptoms. No associations between the outcome and possible prognostic factors were found. Conclusions : Maxillary advancement did not have a significant impact on the VPF at the group level, but three individuals had a somewhat deteriorated VPF postoperatively.

Cardiac Arrest Due to out-of-Hospital Pulmonary Embolism During Pregnancy: Successful Thrombolysis.

Introduction: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a rare, severe complication in pregnancy, in which case thrombolysis can be lifesaving but has risks. We aim to highlight actions specific to pregnant women. Case Description: A 24-week pregnant woman developed shortness of breath and experienced sudden cardiac arrest. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was begun immediately in the ambulance and a perimortem caesarean section was performed upon arrival at hospital, but the new-born died. After 55 minutes of CPR, bedside echocardiography revealed right ventricular strain and thrombolysis was given. The uterus was bandaged to minimize blood loss. After massive transfusions and correction of haemostasis, a hysterectomy was performed due to inability of the uterus to contract. After 3 weeks, the patient was discharged in good health and placed on continuous anticoagulant treatment with warfarin. Discussion: Approximately 3% of all out-of-hospital cardiac arrest cases are due to PE. Among the few patients who survive at the scene, thrombolysis can be lifesaving and should be considered in pregnant women with unstable PE. Prompt collaborative diagnostic work-up in the emergency room is necessary. In a pregnant woman with cardiac arrest, a perimortem caesarean section improves the chances of both maternal and fetal survival. Conclusion: Thrombolysis should be considered for patients with PE in pregnancy with the same indications as in a non-pregnant woman. In case of survival, there is profuse bleeding with need for massive transfusions and haemostasis correction. Despite being in very poor condition, the above patient survived and was fully restored to health. LEARNING POINTS: In a young person with a non-shockable rhythm, pulmonary embolism should be kept in mind, especially if they have risk factors for thromboembolism, and pregnant women should be thrombolysed on the same indication as non-pregnant women.In cardiac arrest, a perimortem caesarean section improves the chances of both maternal and fetal survival, but after major surgery one should be prepared for the need for massive transfusions after thrombolysis. Bandaging the uterus might minimize bleeding. Despite 1-hour cardiac arrest with CPR, the patient survived and made a complete recovery.Lifestyle advice with exercise and sun exposure might help avoid rethrombosis and depression in both the short and long term.

Patients' experience of care and treatment outcome at the Department of Clinical Oral Physiology, Dental Public Service in Stockholm.

Chronic pain conditions in the craniofacial region are common in the adult population with a prevalence of approximately 10%. They are included in the generic term temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and accompanied by restricted mouth opening capacity, chewing difficulties, headache and neck pain. These pain conditions cause psychological suffering, impaired social relations, and recurrent sick leave, subsequently leading to frequent use of health care, medication and consequently to a decreased quality of life. Approximately 25% of children have signs of TMD and girls are shown to be more affected than boys. These signs increase with age and in the adult population the prevalence is approximately 38-40%, also here with a higher frequency in women than in men. This study comprised 198 patients who answered an anonymous questionnaire after termination of their treatment. The study aimed to investigate the activity at the department of clinical oral physiology at the Folktandvården Eastman Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, regarding the patients and their cause of care-seeking, as well as the patients' subjective experiences of the specialist care and the treatment outcome. As a secondary aim the purpose was to investigate how/if the clinicians at the department of clinical oral physiology reached their intention of being "curious", "considerate" and "accessible". The results from this study show that the majority of the patients (57.1%) were referred from the dental public service in Stockholm. 71.7% of the patients were young women between the ages of 11 and 20. The main causes of care-seeking were temporomandibular joint clickings, followed by limited jaw movement, headache and orofacial pain. Further, an immense majority of the patients (89.9%) were very satisfied with their treatment as well as the treatment outcome. These results indicate that the clinicians at the department reached their intention of being "curious", "considerate"and "accessible", which also implies that the department clearly meets the three core principles of the Folktandvården in Stockholm.