Biomarkers of Host Response Predict Primary End-Point Radiological Pneumonia in Tanzanian Children with Clinical Pneumonia: A Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Diagnosing pediatric pneumonia is challenging in low-resource settings. The World Health Organization (WHO) has defined primary end-point radiological pneumonia for use in epidemiological and vaccine studies. However, radiography requires expertise and is often inaccessible. We hypothesized that plasma biomarkers of inflammation and endothelial activation may be useful surrogates for end-point pneumonia, and may provide insight into its biological significance. METHODS: We studied children with WHO-defined clinical pneumonia (n = 155) within a prospective cohort of 1,005 consecutive febrile children presenting to Tanzanian outpatient clinics. Based on x-ray findings, participants were categorized as primary end-point pneumonia (n = 30), other infiltrates (n = 31), or normal chest x-ray (n = 94). Plasma levels of 7 host response biomarkers at presentation were measured by ELISA. Associations between biomarker levels and radiological findings were assessed by Kruskal-Wallis test and multivariable logistic regression. Biomarker ability to predict radiological findings was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and Classification and Regression Tree analysis. RESULTS: Compared to children with normal x-ray, children with end-point pneumonia had significantly higher C-reactive protein, procalcitonin and Chitinase 3-like-1, while those with other infiltrates had elevated procalcitonin and von Willebrand Factor and decreased soluble Tie-2 and endoglin. Clinical variables were not predictive of radiological findings. Classification and Regression Tree analysis generated multi-marker models with improved performance over single markers for discriminating between groups. A model based on C-reactive protein and Chitinase 3-like-1 discriminated between end-point pneumonia and non-end-point pneumonia with 93.3% sensitivity (95% confidence interval 76.5-98.8), 80.8% specificity (72.6-87.1), positive likelihood ratio 4.9 (3.4-7.1), negative likelihood ratio 0.083 (0.022-0.32), and misclassification rate 0.20 (standard error 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: In Tanzanian children with WHO-defined clinical pneumonia, combinations of host biomarkers distinguished between end-point pneumonia, other infiltrates, and normal chest x-ray, whereas clinical variables did not. These findings generate pathophysiological hypotheses and may have potential research and clinical utility.

Fetal laser therapy: applications in the management of fetal pathologies.

Fetoscopic coagulation of placental anastomoses is the treatment of choice for severe twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. In the present day, fetal laser therapy is also used to treat amniotic bands, chorioangiomas, sacrococcygeal teratomas, lower urinary tract obstructions and chest masses, all of which will be reviewed in this article. Amniotic band syndrome can cause limb amputation by impairing downstream blood flow. Large chorioangiomas (>4 cm), sacrococcygeal teratomas or fetal hyperechoic lung lesions can lead to fetal compromise and hydrops by vascular steal phenomenon or compression. Renal damage, bladder dysfunction and lastly death because of pulmonary hypolasia may be the result of megacystis caused by a posterior urethral valve. The prognosis of these pathologies can be dismal, and therapy options are limited, which has brought fetal laser therapy to the forefront. Management options discussed here are laser release of amniotic bands, laser coagulation of the placental or fetal tumor feeding vessels and laser therapy by fetal cystoscopy. This review, largely based on case reports, does not intend to provide a level of evidence supporting laser therapy over other treatment options. Centralized evaluation by specialists using strict selection criteria and long-term follow-up of these rare cases are now needed to prove the value of endoscopic or ultrasound-guided laser therapy.

Granulomatous Reaction to Pneumocystis jirovecii Diagnosed in a Bronchoalveolar Lavage: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Granulomatous reaction to Pneumocystis jirovecii is a rare but well-known pathological finding encountered in the setting of immunosuppression, HIV infection being the most common cause. It can also potentially complicate the treatment of hematological malignancies, typically when drugs lowering the count and function of lymphocytes are used. Lung biopsy is considered the gold standard for the diagnosis of granulomatous P. jirovecii pneumonia, whereas the diffuse alveolar form is usually detected cytologically in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). CASE: A female patient pursuing R-CHOP chemotherapy for the treatment of multiple hematological malignancies developed a rapidly progressing dyspnea. Chest CT scans revealed a worsening of a known infiltrative lung disease thought to be secondary to her chemotherapy. Alterations compatible with a drug-induced interstitial lung disease and well-formed focally necrotizing granulomas were observed on an open lung biopsy, but no microorganism was identified with special stains. Eventually, a granulomatous reaction to P. jirovecii was found in a BAL and allowed appropriate treatment with rapid improvement of the dyspnea. CONCLUSION: Because granulomas are tissue-bound structures, they are rarely described in BAL. This article describes the first reported cytological diagnosis of a granulomatous reaction to P. jirovecii and the potential diagnostic interest of such a peculiar finding.

Why and how would we implement a lung cancer screening program?

For decades, lung cancer has been the most common cancer in terms of both incidence and mortality. There has been very little improvement in the prognosis of lung cancer. Early treatment following early diagnosis is considered to have potential for development. The National Lung Screening Trial (NLST), a large, well-designed randomized controlled trial, evaluated low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) as a screening tool for lung cancer. Compared with chest X-ray, annual LDCT screening reduced death from lung cancer and overall mortality by 20 and 6.7 %, respectively, in high-risk people aged 55-74 years. Several smaller trials of LDCT screening are under way, but none are sufficiently powered to detect a 20 % reduction in lung cancer death. Thus, it is very unlikely that the NLST results will be replicated. In addition, the NLST raises several issues related to screening, such as the high false-positive rate, overdiagnosis and cost. Healthcare providers and systems are now left with the question of whether the available findings should be translated into practice. We present the main reasons for implementing lung cancer screening in high-risk adults and discuss the main issues related to lung cancer screening. We stress the importance of eligibility criteria, smoking cessation programs, primary care physicians, and informed-decision making should lung cancer screening be implemented. Seven years ago, we were waiting for the results of trials. Such evidence is now available. Similar to almost all other cancer screens, uncertainties exist and persist even after recent scientific efforts and data. We believe that by staying within the characteristics of the original trial and appropriately sharing the evidence as well as the uncertainties, it is reasonable to implement a LDCT lung cancer screening program for smokers and former smokers.

Intraosseous lipoma: radiological findings

OBJECTIVE: Intraosseous lipomas may be less rare lesions than previously suggested in the literature. They have frequently been misdiagnosed as other benign bone lesions. A combination of computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and radiography is essential for decreasing misdiagnosis rates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study presents ten cases of intraosseous lipoma. The patients' ages ranged from 25 to 80 years, and six of them were female. Six patients presented with bone pain, whereas four patients were asymptomatic with incidentally discovered lesions. The involved bones were: femur (four patients), tibia (two patients), calcaneus (one patient), sacrum (one patient), iliac bone (one patient), navicular bone (one patient). All of the patients were assessed by means of conventional radiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the affected region. RESULTS: In all of the cases, plain films revealed well-defined lytic lesions. Both computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were quite useful in demonstrating fat within the femur. The histologic pattern of all tumors was that of mature adipose tissue. CONCLUSION: Intraosseous lipoma is a well-defined entity that may develop with varying presentations. Plain radiographs alone cannot establish the diagnosis of this lesion. However, both computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are quite useful methods in these cases.

Anomalous sub aortic left brachiocephalic vein: a case report

The left brachiocephalic vein occasionally follows an aberrant course. It is usually associated with congenital cardiac anomaly. We present a case of anomalous left brachiocephalic vein which followed a sub aortic course, with no cardiac abnormality. Multi detector computed tomography is very useful in accurate diagnosis of this condition and prevents any further investigation in cases of isolated abnormalities.

Giant oesophageal liposarcoma: case report

We describe imaging findings of a oesophageal liposarcoma in a 66 year old man. The computed tomography scan was performed after a chest radiograph showed a large posterior mediastinal mass. Oesophageal liposarcomas are rare tumours. They can achieve large size before they become symptomatic. Our patient was successfully managed with complete surgical removal.

Cost-minimization analysis of three decision strategies for cardiac revascularization : results of the "suspected CAD"cohort of the european cardiovascular magnetic resonance registry.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery disease (CAD) continues to be one of the top public health burden. Perfusion cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is generally accepted to detect CAD, while data on its cost effectiveness are scarce. Therefore, the goal of the study was to compare the costs of a CMR-guided strategy vs two invasive strategies in a large CMR registry. METHODS: In 3'647 patients with suspected CAD of the EuroCMR-registry (59 centers/18 countries) costs were calculated for diagnostic examinations (CMR, X-ray coronary angiography (CXA) with/without FFR), revascularizations, and complications during a 1-year follow-up. Patients with ischemia-positive CMR underwent an invasive CXA and revascularization at the discretion of the treating physician (=CMR + CXA-strategy). In the hypothetical invasive arm, costs were calculated for an initial CXA and a FFR in vessels with ≥50 % stenoses (=CXA + FFR-strategy) and the same proportion of revascularizations and complications were applied as in the CMR + CXA-strategy. In the CXA-only strategy, costs included those for CXA and for revascularizations of all ≥50 % stenoses. To calculate the proportion of patients with ≥50 % stenoses, the stenosis-FFR relationship from the literature was used. Costs of the three strategies were determined based on a third payer perspective in 4 healthcare systems. RESULTS: Revascularizations were performed in 6.2 %, 4.5 %, and 12.9 % of all patients, patients with atypical chest pain (n = 1'786), and typical angina (n = 582), respectively; whereas complications (=all-cause death and non-fatal infarction) occurred in 1.3 %, 1.1 %, and 1.5 %, respectively. The CMR + CXA-strategy reduced costs by 14 %, 34 %, 27 %, and 24 % in the German, UK, Swiss, and US context, respectively, when compared to the CXA + FFR-strategy; and by 59 %, 52 %, 61 % and 71 %, respectively, versus the CXA-only strategy. In patients with typical angina, cost savings by CMR + CXA vs CXA + FFR were minimal in the German (2.3 %), intermediate in the US and Swiss (11.6 % and 12.8 %, respectively), and remained substantial in the UK (18.9 %) systems. Sensitivity analyses proved the robustness of results. CONCLUSIONS: A CMR + CXA-strategy for patients with suspected CAD provides substantial cost reduction compared to a hypothetical CXA + FFR-strategy in patients with low to intermediate disease prevalence. However, in the subgroup of patients with typical angina, cost savings were only minimal to moderate.

Prognostication of Mortality in Critically Ill Patients With Severe Infections.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to confirm the prognostic value of pancreatic stone protein (PSP) in patients with severe infections requiring ICU management and to develop and validate a model to enhance mortality prediction by combining severity scores with biomarkers. METHODS: We enrolled prospectively patients with severe sepsis or septic shock in mixed tertiary ICUs in Switzerland (derivation cohort) and Brazil (validation cohort). Severity scores (APACHE [Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation] II or Simplified Acute Physiology Score [SAPS] II) were combined with biomarkers obtained at the time of diagnosis of sepsis, including C-reactive-protein, procalcitonin (PCT), and PSP. Logistic regression models with the lowest prediction errors were selected to predict in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: Mortality rates of patients with septic shock enrolled in the derivation cohort (103 out of 158) and the validation cohort (53 out of 91) were 37% and 57%, respectively. APACHE II and PSP were significantly higher in dying patients. In the derivation cohort, the models combining either APACHE II, PCT, and PSP (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC], 0.721; 95% CI, 0.632-0.812) or SAPS II, PCT, and PSP (AUC, 0.710; 95% CI, 0.617-0.802) performed better than each individual biomarker (AUC PCT, 0.534; 95% CI, 0.433-0.636; AUC PSP, 0.665; 95% CI, 0.572-0.758) or severity score (AUC APACHE II, 0.638; 95% CI, 0.543-0.733; AUC SAPS II, 0.598; 95% CI, 0.499-0.698). These models were externally confirmed in the independent validation cohort. CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed the prognostic value of PSP in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock requiring ICU management. A model combining severity scores with PCT and PSP improves mortality prediction in these patients.

Estudio de los tumores óseos mediante el tratamiento de imágenes digitalizadas

Aquest informe tècnic mostra la classificació, incidència, característiques i diagnòstic dels tumors ossis primaris i secundaris metastàsics més freqüents a partir de 145 radiografies digitalitzades

Drenaje torácico cerrado. Sistema de recogida no reutilizable: Pleur-evac®

Funcionamiento del sistema desechable de recogida Pleur-evac®. Se trata de un sistema compacto de recogida de drenaje con sello de agua de manejo fácil construido sobre la base del sistema convencional de montaje de drenaje de aspiración de tres botellas. Este sistema se basa en el utilizado en 1876 por Gotthard Bülau para el tratamiento de empiemas y que ha dado nombre a los sistemas de recogida...

Verifique sus conocimientos sobre radiografía de tórax (1)

La presente entrega y la siguiente de esta serie de Nursing sobre las pruebas complementarias se dedican a la radiografía del tórax. Es una de las técnicas de imagen más habituales en todos los niveles asistenciales y, por tanto, está muy presente en la actividad enfermera. Es una exploración complementaría que basa la obtención de la imagen diagnóstica en la radiación ionizante. Se considera la técnica de primera elección para la valoración del tórax, ya que proporciona información general, de manera rápida e incruenta, del sistema cardiorrespiratorio. La lectura y la correcta interpretación de la placa de tórax son de gran importancia debido a la gran información que es capaz de aportar si se realiza e interpreta adecuadamente. En esta entrega se muestran las principales características de la imagen radiológica normal del tórax así como las herramientas necesarias para que la enfermera sea capaz de detectar los principales signos radiológicos al visualizarla, mientras que en la segunda entrega el objetivo será conocer las principales alteraciones de la normalidad y las imágenes radiológicas patológicas más usuales.

Verifique sus conocimientos sobre: radiografía de tórax (2)

Esta entrega de la serie de Nursing sobre las pruebas complementarias completa la dedicada a la radiografía de tórax. El tórax tiene estructuras anatómicas de densidad aérea y de partes blandas. Estas últimas, al ser atravesadas por la radiación X, muestran poca diferenciación de densidades, por lo que su interpretación es compleja, y la mayoría de veces su identificación se basa en signos indirectos. El objetivo de esta entrega es conocer las principales alteraciones de la normalidad y las imágenes radiológicas patológicas más usuales. Para ello es imprescindible conocer la anatomía y su traducción radiológica normal, que se presentó en la entrega anterior dedicada a la radiografía normal de tórax. La identificación de alteraciones y la detección de signos de alarma, junto con la exploración física, la anamnesia y las pruebas anteriores, proporcionan al profesional de enfermería la posibilidad de gestionar los cuidados de manera eficaz y con calidad para el paciente. En el contexto de estos artículos, y teniendo en cuenta que la imagen radiográfica del tórax es una de las más simples y a la vez más difíciles de interpretar, es útil visionar frecuentemente radiografías para mejorar la capacidad de distinguir las diferentes imágenes radiológicas presentes en la placa de tórax. Hay que tener presente que en muchos casos se visualizan diferentes alteraciones de la normalidad correspondientes a diferentes patologías presentes en un mismo paciente. Esto dificulta aún más el visionado de la imagen de tórax, ya de por sí compleja.

Verifique sus conocimientos sobre radiografía de tórax (1)

La presente entrega y la siguiente de esta serie de Nursing sobre las pruebas complementarias se dedican a la radiografía del tórax. Es una de las técnicas de imagen más habituales en todos los niveles asistenciales y, por tanto, está muy presente en la actividad enfermera. Es una exploración complementaría que basa la obtención de la imagen diagnóstica en la radiación ionizante. Se considera la técnica de primera elección para la valoración del tórax, ya que proporciona información general, de manera rápida e incruenta, del sistema cardiorrespiratorio. La lectura y la correcta interpretación de la placa de tórax son de gran importancia debido a la gran información que es capaz de aportar si se realiza e interpreta adecuadamente. En esta entrega se muestran las principales características de la imagen radiológica normal del tórax así como las herramientas necesarias para que la enfermera sea capaz de detectar los principales signos radiológicos al visualizarla, mientras que en la segunda entrega el objetivo será conocer las principales alteraciones de la normalidad y las imágenes radiológicas patológicas más usuales.

Verifique sus conocimientos sobre: radiografía de tórax (2)

Esta entrega de la serie de Nursing sobre las pruebas complementarias completa la dedicada a la radiografía de tórax. El tórax tiene estructuras anatómicas de densidad aérea y de partes blandas. Estas últimas, al ser atravesadas por la radiación X, muestran poca diferenciación de densidades, por lo que su interpretación es compleja, y la mayoría de veces su identificación se basa en signos indirectos. El objetivo de esta entrega es conocer las principales alteraciones de la normalidad y las imágenes radiológicas patológicas más usuales. Para ello es imprescindible conocer la anatomía y su traducción radiológica normal, que se presentó en la entrega anterior dedicada a la radiografía normal de tórax. La identificación de alteraciones y la detección de signos de alarma, junto con la exploración física, la anamnesia y las pruebas anteriores, proporcionan al profesional de enfermería la posibilidad de gestionar los cuidados de manera eficaz y con calidad para el paciente. En el contexto de estos artículos, y teniendo en cuenta que la imagen radiográfica del tórax es una de las más simples y a la vez más difíciles de interpretar, es útil visionar frecuentemente radiografías para mejorar la capacidad de distinguir las diferentes imágenes radiológicas presentes en la placa de tórax. Hay que tener presente que en muchos casos se visualizan diferentes alteraciones de la normalidad correspondientes a diferentes patologías presentes en un mismo paciente. Esto dificulta aún más el visionado de la imagen de tórax, ya de por sí compleja.