Can obstructive urolithiasis be safely excluded on contrast CT? A retrospective analysis of contrast-enhanced and noncontrast CT.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine if contrast-enhanced CT can safely exclude obstructive urolithiasis in patients with flank plain. We performed a retrospective cohort analysis to compare the negative predictive values of contrast-enhanced and non-contrast CTs for the detection of obstructing urolithiasis. METHODS: Through report analysis, we identified all non-contrast and contrast-enhanced CT examinations of the abdomen and pelvis performed on adult patients in the emergency department at a single, multi-site academic medical institution in 2017 with an indication of flank pain. The prevalence of obstructive urolithiasis in each group was calculated. We subsequently analyzed 200 consecutive studies from each of these groups (reported negative for obstructive urolithiasis) for negative predictive value calculation. Follow up abdominal imaging within 7 days from original presentation was used as a reference standard for analysis. RESULTS: In the noncontrast group, 1 study out of 200 was false negative (negative predictive value = 99.5%). In the contrast-enhanced group, there were no false negatives (negative predictive value = 100%). The prevalence of obstructive urolithiasis was 44.0% (351/797) in the noncontrast group and 18.7% (86/459) in the contrast-enhanced group. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that contrast-enhanced CT can safely exclude obstructing ureteral calculi in the setting of acute flank pain. This finding is of clinical relevance given the inherent benefit of IV contrast in diagnosing abdominopelvic pathology.

CT Scans Obtained for Nonpulmonary Indications: Associated Respiratory Findings of COVID-19.

Background Atypical manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are being encountered as the pandemic unfolds, leading to non-chest CT scans that may uncover unsuspected pulmonary disease. Purpose To investigate patients with primary nonrespiratory symptoms who underwent CT of the abdomen or pelvis or CT of the cervical spine or neck with unsuspected findings highly suspicious for pulmonary COVID-19. Materials and Methods This retrospective study from March 10, 2020, to April 6, 2020, involved three institutions, two in a region considered a hot spot (area of high prevalence) for COVID-19. Patients without known COVID-19 were included who presented to the emergency department (ED) with primary nonrespiratory (gastrointestinal or neurologic) symptoms, had lung parenchymal findings suspicious for COVID-19 at non-chest CT but not concurrent chest CT, and underwent COVID-19 testing in the ED. Group 1 patients had reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results obtained before CT scan reading (COVID-19 suspected on presentation); group 2 had RT-PCR results obtained after CT scans were read (COVID-19 not suspected). Presentation and imaging findings were compared, and outcomes were evaluated. Descriptive statistics and Fisher exact tests were used for analysis. Results Group 1 comprised 62 patients (31 men, 31 women; mean age, 67 years ±17 [standard deviation]), and group 2 comprised 57 patients (28 men, 29 women; mean age, 63 years ± 16). Cough and fever were more common in group 1 (37 of 62 [60%] and 29 of 62 [47%], respectively) than in group 2 (nine of 57 [16%] and 12 of 57 [21%], respectively), with no significant difference in the remaining symptoms. There were 101 CT scans of the abdomen or pelvis and 18 CT scans of the cervical spine or neck. In group 1, non-chest CT findings provided the initial evidence of COVID-19-related pneumonia in 32 of 62 (52%) patients. In group 2, the evidence was found in 44 of 57 (77%) patients. Overall, the most common CT findings were ground-glass opacity (114 of 119, 96%) and consolidation (47 of 119, 40%). Major interventions (vasopressor medication or intubation) were required for 29 of 119 (24%) patients, and 27 of 119 (23%) died. Patients who underwent CT of the cervical spine or neck had worse outcomes than those who underwent abdominal or pelvic CT (P = .01). Conclusion In a substantial percentage of patients with primary nonrespiratory symptoms who underwent non-chest CT, CT provided evidence of coronavirus disease 2019-related pneumonia. © RSNA, 2020.

Transpubic variant of congenital prepubic sinus on magnetic resonance imaging.

Congenital prepubic sinus is a very rare urogenital anomaly that manifests as a tubular structure of varying histological findings that drains to the skin overlying the pubic symphysis. This tract has been observed to course above, below or, in only a handful of cases, directly through the pubis. We report a case of congenital prepubic sinus with this unusual transpubic course in an 18-year-old man. The patient was initially taken to the operating room for excision of a presumed inclusion cyst. At the time of surgery, the collection was found to track proximally and was excised down to the level of the pubic symphysis. Subsequent magnetic resonance (MR) imaging established the diagnosis of congenital prepubic sinus. We describe the different anatomical courses of congenital prepubic sinus, hypotheses of its pathogenesis, and the use of MR imaging in both diagnosis and surgical planning.

Rapid and durable response to intravenous immunoglobulin in delayed heparin-induced thrombocytopenia: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) results in platelet consumption and a virulent thrombotic state, which generally responds to cessation of heparin and initiation of anticoagulation. Rarely, delayed HIT can occur and/or persist after heparin is discontinued. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A 47-year-old male developed delayed HIT with severe thrombocytopenia and thrombosis after cardiac surgery. Thrombocytopenia developed and persisted after heparin cessation and did not improve despite sequential use of argatroban followed by bivalirudin. Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) was well tolerated and resulted in rapid resolution of thrombocytopenia. RESULTS: There are few case reports on the management of delayed HIT with severe and prolonged thrombocytopenia. The risk for thrombosis and bleeding in the setting of an undefined time course increases uncertainty in management. CONCLUSION: This case, along with others accumulating in the literature, suggest that IVIg may be effective in treating delayed HIT with persistent thrombocytopenia.