Readjustment of abdominal computed tomography protocols in a university hospital: impact on radiation dose

AbstractObjective:To assess the reduction of estimated radiation dose in abdominal computed tomography following the implementation of new scan protocols on the basis of clinical suspicion and of adjusted images acquisition parameters.Materials and Methods:Retrospective and prospective review of reports on radiation dose from abdominal CT scans performed three months before (group A – 551 studies) and three months after (group B – 788 studies) implementation of new scan protocols proposed as a function of clinical indications. Also, the images acquisition parameters were adjusted to reduce the radiation dose at each scan phase. The groups were compared for mean number of acquisition phases, mean CTDIvol per phase, mean DLP per phase, and mean DLP per scan.Results:A significant reduction was observed for group B as regards all the analyzed aspects, as follows: 33.9%, 25.0%, 27.0% and 52.5%, respectively for number of acquisition phases, CTDIvol per phase, DLP per phase and DLP per scan (p < 0.001).Conclusion:The rational use of abdominal computed tomography scan phases based on the clinical suspicion in conjunction with the adjusted images acquisition parameters allows for a 50% reduction in the radiation dose from abdominal computed tomography scans.

Prevalence and sonographic changes compatible with fatty liver disease in patients referred for abdominal ultrasound examination in Aracaju, SE

Abstract Objective: To estimate the prevalence and evaluate sonographic findings compatible with changes consistent with hepatic steatosis in patients referred for abdominal ultrasonography at four reference centers in Aracaju, SE, Brazil. Materials and Methods: Prospective, descriptive survey, with analytical and quantitative approach, comprising abdominal ultrasonography scans performed with a convex, dynamic 3.75 MHz transducer. Liver dimensions and parenchymal echotexture were evaluated, classifying hepatic steatosis into grades (1, 2 or 3). The SPSS® 22.0 software was used for statistical analysis, adopting p < 0.05 as significance level. Results: A total of 800 individuals (561 women and 239 men) were evaluated. The prevalence of steatosis was 29.1%, and the male patients were most affected, presenting with more advanced grades of disease (p = 0.021), as follows: 119 grade 1 (51.0%); 94 grade 2 (40.4%); and 20 grade 3 (8.6%). The median age patients' was 46 years. Conclusion: In the present study sample, the prevalence of hepatic steatosis was high, particularly in the male patients. Ultrasonography is suggested as a first choice for the diagnosis of this condition, considering its wide availability, low cost and absence of side effects or risks to the patient.

The "Abdominal Circulatory Pump": An Auxiliary Heart during Exercise?

Apart from its role as a flow generator for ventilation the diaphragm has a circulatory role. The cyclical abdominal pressure variations from its contractions cause swings in venous return from the splanchnic venous circulation. During exercise the action of the abdominal muscles may enhance this circulatory function of the diaphragm. Eleven healthy subjects (25 ± 7 year, 70 ± 11 kg, 1.78 ± 0.1 m, 3 F) performed plantar flexion exercise at ~4 METs. Changes in body volume (ΔVb) and trunk volume (ΔVtr) were measured simultaneously by double body plethysmography. Volume of blood shifts between trunk and extremities (Vbs) was determined non-invasively as ΔVtr-ΔVb. Three types of breathing were studied: spontaneous (SE), rib cage (RCE, voluntary emphasized inspiratory rib cage breathing), and abdominal (ABE, voluntary active abdominal expiration breathing). During SE and RCE blood was displaced from the extremities into the trunk (on average 0.16 ± 0.33 L and 0.48 ± 0.55 L, p < 0.05 SE vs. RCE), while during ABE it was displaced from the trunk to the extremities (0.22 ± 0.20 L p < 0.001, p < 0.05 RCE and SE vs. ABE respectively). At baseline, Vbs swings (maximum to minimum amplitude) were bimodal and averaged 0.13 ± 0.08 L. During exercise, Vbs swings consistently increased (0.42 ± 0.34 L, 0.40 ± 0.26 L, 0.46 ± 0.21 L, for SE, RCE and ABE respectively, all p < 0.01 vs. baseline). It follows that during leg exercise significant bi-directional blood shifting occurs between the trunk and the extremities. The dynamics and partitioning of these blood shifts strongly depend on the relative predominance of the action of the diaphragm, the rib cage and the abdominal muscles. Depending on the partitioning between respiratory muscles for the act of breathing, the distribution of blood between trunk and extremities can vary by up to 1 L. We conclude that during exercise the abdominal muscles and the diaphragm might play a role of an "auxiliary heart."

Composição química da glândula abdominal da fêmea da mariposa Castnia licus (Drury) (Lepidoptera:Castniidae): possíveis feromônios e precursores

The hexane and methanolic extracts from pheromonal glands of Castnia licus (Drury) virgin females have been studied. Analyses by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry allowed us to determine the major constituents present in the hexane extract as n-alkanes C21 to C30, (Z)-9-hexadecenoic acid (C16), and (Z)-9-octadecenoic acid (C18) and hexadecanoic acid (C16). Aldehyds, alkenes and acetates were also detected in low concentrations in the extracts. Female pheromone glands were analysed for pheromone precursors using the methanolic extract. In addition to the compounds methyl hexadecanoate and methyl (Z)-9-octadecenoate, the glandular tissue contains a homologous series of methyl esters from C12 to C24. The hexane extract of the female abdomenal glands elicited activity from males in a behavioural bioassay.

Percutaneous access versus standard femoral exposure for endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair: a randomized, controlled trial

The treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) has shifted from the exposure of the aorta artery in an open repair technique to a small groin cut in an endovascular repair. Recently, a percutaneous access for endovascular repair has appeared. This new technique aims to minimize the complications of the common femoral artery exposure, the patient discomfort and the length of hospitalizationObjectives: To compare the proportion of discharged patients within the first 48 postoperative hours of two common femoral artery accesses for endovascular repair of AAA: the open exposure technique and the percutaneous technique. Secondary objectives include to evaluate the total procedure time, the femoral access complications, the need for extra analgesia and the patient satisfaction and groin discomfort of the two techniquesDesign: Randomized controlled trial conducted between 2014 and 2017Participants: Patients diagnosed with abdominal aortic aneurysm with elective endovascular repair indication

Quality of Abdominal Surgical Nursing Care

The study evaluates the quality of abdominal surgical nursing care. The data were collected from patients (n=1208) having undergone abdominal surgical operations on their last day of hospitalization and nurses (n=218) working in the same wards. Three instruments originally created in Finland and adapted to the Lithuanian context were used: (1) Good Nursing Care Scale for patients and nurses (GNCS-P, GNCS-N), (2) Nurse Competence Scale (NCS), and (3) Nurse Empowerment Scale (NES). Patient and nurses’ perceptions of the quality of nursing care were evaluated. In addition, nurses’ perceptions of their competence and empowerment were evaluated. The patient and nurses' perceptions of the quality of abdominal surgical nursing care were positive, with more criticism in the nurses’ perceptions. Both patients and nurses gave the lowest evaluation to the quality in the progress of nursing care and the co-operation with significant others. The nurses gave the highest evaluation to the self-assessed level of their competence and the frequency of using competences in practice, with the highest assessment given to situation management and their role at work and the lowest to teaching-coaching and ensuring quality. The nurse perceptions of their empowerment were positive in the qualities and performance of an empowered nurse and empowerment promoting factors, with the highest evaluation in moral principles and sociability and the lowest evaluation in the future-orientedness and expertise. The empowerment-impeding factors were evaluated as negative. The perceptions of the quality of nursing care of both patients and nurses had significant correlations with patient and nurse satisfaction and nurse job independence. The nurse perceptions of their competence and empowerment correlated with their education, the type of the nurse license, completed courses of development of their knowledge and skills, nurse job independence, and nurse satisfaction. The nurse perceptions of the quality of nursing care had a positive correlation with their perceptions of competence and empowerment. Generally, the quality of nursing care was evaluated as high and had correlations with the patients' demographic and satisfaction factors and with the nurse demographic, work-related, and satisfaction factors. The study produced the knowledge that the quality in co-operation with significant others and the progress of nursing process, surgical nurse competence in teaching-coaching, and future-orientedness of surgical nurse empowerment need to be improved in order to develop the quality of abdominal surgical nursing care. The knowledge may be used to offer better services for abdominal surgical patients and increase their satisfaction with nursing care, as well as to increase nurses' satisfaction with work and independence at work. The study suggests implications for clinical practice and management, nursing education, and nursing research.

A videolaparoscopia no diagnóstico e tratamento do schwannoma abdominal

The authors present two patients with solid tumours (benign Schwannoma), which were found during abdominal ultra-sonography. One of them was located adjacent to the hepatic artery, near its origin at the celiac axis. In the second case the tumor was found in the diafragm. Both of them were well limited and non-invasive (benign characteristics). The removal -for diagnosis and treatment - was done using videolaparoscopy. They emphasize the huge advantages of this new diagnostic and therapeutical modality.

Tratamento cirúrgico das distrofias da parede abdominal no adulto

Os autores apresentam um estudo retrospectivo de 79 pacientes portadores de distrofias abdominais acompanhadas ou não de hérnias, operados no período compreendido entre 01/06/94 a 31/12/96. A idade média foi de 46 anos. A hérnia incisional isoladamente e o abdome distrófico (em avental) foram o principal objetivo do estudo. Enfatizam a importância da dermolipectomia abdominal para a completa recuperação do paciente bem como demonstram facilitar o manuseio técnico das hérnias. A técnica da transposição peritônio-aponeurótica longitudinal bilateral (técnica de Lázaro da Silva) foi utilizada para as grandes hérnias incisionais. É uma técnica já consagrada, que consta de três planos de suturas sem superposição dos mesmos. Sua recidiva em cinco anos de seguimento tem sido em tomo de 5% segundo estudos do próprio autor. A grande vantagem técnica é que, usando o saco herniário (quanto maior e mais espesso, melhor) como fechamento e reforço do anel, evita-se o uso de prótese com todos os inconvenientes da mesma (fístulas, rejeições etc.) Uma variante desta técnica, para as hérnias com anel herniário de até 10cm, é proposta pelos autores, e consiste no fechamento do anel e reforço da sutura com o saco herniário, em jaquetão. A vantagem seria a facilidade de execução e diminuição do tempo operatório, além de evitar dissecções extensas das camadas aponeuróticas. Quando o anel herniário alcançar 10cm e existir ligeira tensão, deve-se realizar incisão relaxadora na aponeurose anterior dos retos e recobrir a superfície cruenta com o próprio saco herniário que deverá estar íntegro. Esta técnica ainda requer maior observação clínica. É feita a revisão dos resultados dos procedimentos realizados isoladamente e acompanhados com dermolipectomia abdominal: 63 pacientes (81,66%) evoluíram sem complicações, cinco recidivas (6,3%); um caso de hematoma extenso (1,26%); dois casos de abscesso de parede em operações sem dermolipectomia (2,5%); uma necrose de linha média+embolia pulmonar (1,26%); e um óbito por embolia pulmonar (1,26%).

Aneurisma de aorta abdominal na infância

The authors report a case of an abdominal aortic aneurism involving all visceral branches minus the Inferior Mesenteric artery in a 4-year-old girl. There was sugestive evidence that the arterial disease had an inflamatory or infectious etiologic factor. The most probable etiological factors could be salmonelas infection of the arterial wall or Takayasu's disease secondary to tuberculosis. The treatment with antibiotic to salmonelas infection during ten days, followed by tuberculostatic therapy for six months was chosen. Concerning the age, the arteries involved and the inflamatory aspect of the aneurysm, the surgical option became an alternative to the clinic treatment in case of any future evidence of the aneurysm enlargement. The patient became asymptomatic as soon as the antibiotic has been started. The control of the aneurysm evolution will be made by ecography each three months.

Traumatismo cardíaco com retenção de corpo estranho em criança de sete anos

This is a case report about a seven year-old child who arrived at Emergency Department of Hospital da Restauração with gunshot wound on precordial area and clinical signs of cardiac tamponade. The roentgenogram showed 27 retained pellets in cardiac area. Thoracotomy was performed and repaired a cardiac wound in right ventricule. The patient developed conduction disturbance and valvar defect, but was discharged on the tenth postoperative day. Diagnosis, treatment and complications of retained projectiles are discussed.

Reação peritoneal tardia ao calculo biliar humano, de colesterol, deixado na cavidade abdominal de ratos

Foram avaliados os resultados tardios da colocação de cálculos biliares humanos, de colesterol, na cavidade peritoneal de ratos. Constituíram-se cinco grupos: cinco ratos foram apenas laparotomizados com manuseio da cavidade; cinco foram laparotomizados e receberam um ponto com fio monofilamentar cinco zeros no sulco paracólico direito e mesentério; dez receberam cálculos que foram deixados livres na cavidade peritoneal; em dez, os clculos foram fixados no sulco paracólico direito e, finalmente, dez tiveram clculos fixados no mesentério. Os animais foram mortos após cinco meses de pós-operatório quando se observou a cavidade abdominal e foi coletado material para estudo histopatológico. Concluiu-se que os cálculos não foram absorvidos, desenvolveram uma reação peritoneal do tipo corpo estranho com formação de plastrão e foram envolvidos por tecido fibroso e células inflamatórias.

Tratamento cirúrgico do megacólon chagásico: retocolectomia abdominal com anastomose colorretal mecânica término-lateral

Trinta e cinco doentes portadores de megacólon chagásico foram operados pela técnica da retocolectomia abdominal com anastomose colorretal mecânica término-lateral durante o período de 1993 a 1997. Vinte (57,14%) doentes eram do sexo feminino e 15 (42,85%) do masculino. A idade variou de 27 a 76 anos, com média de 51 anos. A operação constou de ressecção do segmento dilatado, sepultamento do coto retal na altura da reflexão peritoneal com grampeador, dissecção do espaço retrorretal até o plano dos músculos elevadores e anastomose colorretal mecânica término-lateral posterior. Em quatro (11,42%) doentes a anastomose foi anterior. Em três (8,57%) doentes, o teste de escape da anastomose foi positivo, o que obrigou a complementação manual da sutura em dois (5,71 %) e sutura e ostomia derivativa em um (2,85%). Ocorreram sete (20,00%) complicações pós-operatórias precoces, sendo quatro consideradas relevantes (11,42%) e quatro (11,42%) complicações tardias. Houve um (2,85%) óbito por complicação clínica. Os doentes submetidos a colostomia foram reoperados para fechamento da mesma sem intercorrências. A totalidade dos doentes apresenta hábito intestinal normal. Não houve referências a alterações gênito-urinárias, nem a incontinência fecal. A anastomose foi tocada ou visibilizada em todos os pacientes examinados, durante o seguimento ambulatorial. Não houve casos de fecaloma no coto retal. Embora os resultados iniciais sejam bastante satisfatórios, é necessário maior tempo de observação para se avaliar a possibilidade de recidiva.

Hérnia traumática da parede abdominal

A rare case of blunt traumatic abdominal hernia is presented in which jejunal loops herniated through the abdominal wall. The patient had a serious motor vehicle accident seven years ago, while wearing the seat belt. He developed a traumatic hernia in the anterior lateral abdominal wall, which was operated, and relapsed after some months. The patient was reoperated and we observed the unattachment of the anterior lateral abdominal musculature from the ilium crest. After the hernial sac treatment, the defect was solved with the use of a polypropylene mesh. The postoperative evolution was good and four months later there were no signs of recurrence. Traumatic abdominal hernia remains a rare clinical entity, despite the increase in blunt abdominal trauma. Traumatic abdominal wall hernia falls into two general categories: small lower quadrant abdominal defects, typically the result of blunt trauma with bicycle handlebars, and larger abdominal wall defects related to motor vehicle accidents. The diagnosis may be often established by the physical examination alone. Conventional radiology and computerized tomography usefulness have been proved. In the vast majority of cases, early repair is recommended. The appropriate treatment is the reduction of the herniated bowel into the abdomen, the debridment of nonviable tissues, and a primary tension free closure of the detect.

Videolaparoscopia no trauma abdominal

A videolaparoscopia (VL) vem contribuindo de forma crescente, para diagnóstico e terapêutica de várias afecções cirúrgicas abdominais, introduzindo profundas mudanças na cirurgia contemporânea. Esse avanço incorporou-se também às urgências traumáticas, fazendo parte da avaliação diagnóstica e, às vezes, da terapêutica do trauma abdominal. Os autores apresentam uma revisão concisa da literatura sobre a VL no trauma, atualizando o tema e discutindo os aspectos mais relevantes das indicações, limitações e complicações do método.

Influência de aderências peritoneais e fio cirúrgico na tensão de ruptura da parede abdominal em ratos

O resultado de operações na cavidade abdominal pode ser influenciado por aderências. Existem muitos conceitos ainda não comprovados sobre os efeitos das aderências na resistência de suturas tanto de vísceras intracavitárias quanto da parede abdominal. O presente trabalho visa a avaliar a influência das aderências peritoneais e vários tipos de fios cirúrgicos na tensão de ruptura da parede abdominal. Em 60 ratos Wistar, realizou-se laparotomia de 5cm de comprimento. A parede muscular e o peritônio foram fechados em plano único, com pontos simples, usando aleatoriamente os fios de náilon monofilamentar, ácido poliglicólico, categute simples e categute cromado, todos 4-0. Os animais foram divididos em três grupos: 1- Controle; 2- INTRODUÇÃO de 0,3g de talco dentro da cavidade abdominal; 3- Acréscimo de carboximetilcelulose sódica (CMC) juntamente com o talco. Houve a análise dos grupos com sete e 21 dias. Avaliou-se o grau de aderências e a tensão de ruptura da ferida cirúrgica. A CMC reduziu a formação de aderências provocadas pelo talco (p<0,01). Houve diferença na tensão de ruptura quando comparados os grupos de sete e 21 dias (p<0,05). As aderências proporcionaram uma maior força tênsil à ferida (p<0,01). O tipo de fio utilizado não influenciou na tensão de ruptura a longo prazo. Portanto, as aderências aumentaram a força tênsil dos tecidos e o tipo de fio cirúrgico não influenciou nesse processo.