Spinal Spot Sign.

INTRODUCTION A marker predictive of hematoma expansion in the central nervous system could aid the selection of patients for hemostatic or surgical treatment. CASE REPORT Here, we present a 83-year-old patient with acute spinal subdural hematoma with paraparesis progressing to paraplegia. A contrast extravasation within the intraspinal hematoma was visualized on spinal MR indicating active bleeding (spinal spot sign). A second acquisition of contrast-enhanced MR images showed progression of contrast extravasation helping to different active bleeding from spinal arteriovenous malformations/fistula. CONCLUSIONS A "spinal spot sign" may be important for treatment decisions, notably in patients with incomplete neurological deficits at the time of imaging.

Is a Revision a Revision? An Analysis of National Arthroplasty Registries' Definitions of Revision.

BACKGROUND The reported survival of implants depends on the definition used for the endpoint, usually revision. When screening through registry reports from different countries, it appears that revision is defined quite differently. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES The purposes of this study were to compare the definitions of revision among registry reports and to apply common clinical scenarios to these definitions. METHODS We downloaded or requested reports of all available national joint registries. Of the 23 registries we identified, 13 had published reports that were available in English and were beyond the pilot phase. We searched these registries' reports for the definitions of the endpoint, mostly revision. We then applied the following scenarios to the definition of revision and analyzed if those scenarios were regarded as a revision: (A) wound revision without any addition or removal of implant components (such as hematoma evacuation); (B) exchange of head and/or liner (like for infection); (C) isolated secondary patella resurfacing; and (D) secondary patella resurfacing with a routine liner exchange. RESULTS All registries looked separately at the characteristic of primary implantation without a revision and 11 of 13 registers reported on the characteristics of revisions. Regarding the definition of revision, there were considerable differences across the reports. In 11 of 13 reports, the primary outcome was revision of the implant. In one registry the primary endpoint was "reintervention/revision" while another registry reported separately on "failure" and "reoperations". In three registries, the definition of the outcome was not provided, however in one report a results list gave an indication for the definition of the outcome. Wound revision without any addition or removal of implant components (scenario A) was considered a revision in three of nine reports that provided a clear definition on this question, whereas two others did not provide enough information to allow this determination. Exchange of the head and/or liner (like for infection; scenario B) was considered a revision in 11 of 11; isolated secondary patella resurfacing (scenario C) in six of eight; and secondary patella resurfacing with routine liner exchange (scenario D) was considered a revision in nine of nine reports. CONCLUSIONS Revision, which is the most common main endpoint used by arthroplasty registries, is not universally defined. This implies that some reoperations that are considered a revision in one registry are not considered a revision in another registry. Therefore, comparisons of implant performance using data from different registries have to be performed with caution. We suggest that registries work to harmonize their definitions of revision to help facilitate comparisons of results across the world's arthroplasty registries.

Dissecting abdominal aortic aneurysm in Angiotensin II-infused mice: the importance of imaging

INTRODUCTION Since the initial publication in 2000, Angiotensin II-infused mice have become one of the most popular models to study abdominal aortic aneurysm in a pre-clinical setting. We recently used phase contrast X-ray based computed tomography to demonstrate that these animals develop an apparent luminal dilatation and an intramural hematoma, both related to mural ruptures in the tunica media in the vicinity of suprarenal side branches. AIMS The aim of this narrative review was to provide an extensive overview of small animal applicable techniques that have provided relevant insight into the pathogenesis and morphology of dissecting AAA in mice, and to relate findings from these techniques to each other and to our recent PCXTM-based results. Combining insights from recent and consolidated publications we aimed to enhance our understanding of dissecting AAA morphology and anatomy. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION We analyzed in vivo and ex vivo images of aortas obtained from macroscopic anatomy, histology, high-frequency ultrasound, contrast-enhanced micro-CT, micro-MRI and PCXTM. We demonstrate how in almost all publications the aorta has been subdivided into a part in which an intact lumen lies adjacent to a remodeled wall/hematoma, and a part in which elastic lamellae are ruptured and the lumen appears to be dilated. We show how the novel paradigm fits within the existing one, and how 3D images can explain and connect previously published 2D structures. We conclude that PCXTM-based findings are in line with previous results, and all evidence points towards the fact that dissecting AAAs in Angiotensin II-infused mice are actually caused by ruptures of the tunica media in the immediate vicinity of small side branches.

Smaller but denser: postmortem changes alter the CT characteristics of subdural hematomas

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to investigate if (1) the volume of subdural hematomas (SDH), midline shift, and CT density of subdural hematomas are altered by postmortem changes and (2) if these changes are dependent on the postmortem interval (PMI). MATERIALS AND METHODS Ante mortem computed tomography (AMCT) of the head was compared to corresponding postmortem CT (PMCT) in 19 adults with SDH. SDH volume, midline shift, and hematoma density were measured on both AMCT and PMCT and their differences assessed using Wilcoxon-Signed Rank Test. Spearman's Rho Test was used to assess significant correlations between the PMI and the alterations of SDH volume, midline shift, and hematoma density. RESULTS Mean time between last AMCT and PMCT was 109 h, mean PMI was 35 h. On PMCT mean midline displacement was decreased by 57% (p < 0.001); mean SDH volume was decreased by 38% (p < 0.001); and mean hematoma density was increased by 18% (p < 0.001) in comparison to AMCT. There was no correlation between the PMI and the normalization of the midline shift (p = 0.706), the reduction of SDH volume (p = 0.366), or the increase of hematoma density (p = 0.140). CONCLUSIONS This study reveals that normal postmortem changes significantly affect the extent and imaging characteristics of subdural hematoma and may therefore affect the interpretation of these findings on PMCT. Radiologists and forensic pathologists who use PMCT must be aware of these phenomena in order to correctly interpret PMCT findings in cases of subdural hemorrhages.

Effect of Decompressive Craniectomy on Perihematomal Edema in Patients with Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND Perihematomal edema contributes to secondary brain injury in the course of intracerebral hemorrhage. The effect of decompressive surgery on perihematomal edema after intracerebral hemorrhage is unknown. This study analyzed the course of PHE in patients who were or were not treated with decompressive craniectomy. METHODS More than 100 computed tomography images from our published cohort of 25 patients were evaluated retrospectively at two university hospitals in Switzerland. Computed tomography scans covered the time from admission until day 100. Eleven patients were treated by decompressive craniectomy and 14 were treated conservatively. Absolute edema and hematoma volumes were assessed using 3-dimensional volumetric measurements. Relative edema volumes were calculated based on maximal hematoma volume. RESULTS Absolute perihematomal edema increased from 42.9 ml to 125.6 ml (192.8%) after 21 days in the decompressive craniectomy group, versus 50.4 ml to 67.2 ml (33.3%) in the control group (Δ at day 21 = 58.4 ml, p = 0.031). Peak edema developed on days 25 and 35 in patients with decompressive craniectomy and controls respectively, and it took about 60 days for the edema to decline to baseline in both groups. Eight patients (73%) in the decompressive craniectomy group and 6 patients (43%) in the control group had a good outcome (modified Rankin Scale score 0 to 4) at 6 months (P = 0.23). CONCLUSIONS Decompressive craniectomy is associated with a significant increase in perihematomal edema compared to patients who have been treated conservatively. Perihematomal edema itself lasts about 60 days if it is not treated, but decompressive craniectomy ameliorates the mass effect exerted by the intracerebral hemorrhage plus the perihematomal edema, as reflected by the reduced midline shift.

Soft tissue oral wound healing in diabetic patients

This prospective observational cohort study investigated whether diabetic dental patients with poor glycemic control experience a higher risk of post-operative complications and diminished wound healing abilities after an oral surgical procedure such as implant placement. This study compared soft tissue oral wound healing complications between poorly controlled diabetic patients, well controlled diabetic patients and non-diabetic patients following surgical implant placement in the mandible with a total of 131 patients. A one week post-surgical follow-up visit involved an oral wound examination that consisted of evaluating for edema, erythema, exudate, oral pain, problems with flap closure, infection, and hematoma. Analyses were performed to determine significance differences in frequency of oral wound complications between the 3 diabetic groups. Two-by-two contingency tables using chi-square analysis were used to evaluate for significant differences in the proportion of each post-operative oral wound healing complication. This was done separately between non-diabetics and diabetics and between well-controlled and poorly controlled diabetics to calculate odds ratios. Confidence intervals were also calculated. This preliminary study showed that many of the complications were found not to be associated with diabetic status. Other complications such as edema and problems with flap closure were found to be less likely to occur in diabetics compared to non-diabetics and even in poorly controlled diabetics when compared to well-controlled diabetics. The results did not support the hypothesis that diabetic dental patients experience a higher risk than non-diabetic patients of post-operative soft tissue oral wound complications.^

Comparação entre a técnica femoral com dispositivo de hemostasia e a técnica radial em pacientes submetidos à estratégia invasiva precoce

A via de acesso arterial é um importante sítio de complicações após a realização de procedimentos coronários invasivos. Dentre as estratégias para a redução de complicações vasculares, encontra-se estabelecida a eficácia da técnica radial. Os dispositivos de oclusão vascular propiciam maior conforto ao paciente, reduzindo o tempo de hemostasia e repouso no leito. Entretanto, a inconsistência de dados comprovando sua segurança limita sua adoção rotineira como estratégia para redução de complicações vasculares, requerendo evidências de estudos randomizados com metodologia adequada. O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar a incidência de complicações no sítio de punção arterial entre a técnica radial e a técnica femoral com utilização de Angio-Seal em pacientes com síndrome coronariana aguda sem supradesnível do segmento ST submetidos à estratégia invasiva precoce. Trata-se de um ensaio clínico unicêntrico, de não inferioridade, no qual duzentos e quarenta pacientes foram randomizados para a técnica radial ou técnica femoral com utilização de Angio-Seal. O objetivo primário foi a ocorrência de complicações no sítio de punção arterial até 30 dias após o procedimento, incluindo sangramento grave, hematoma >= 5 cm, hematoma retroperitoneal, síndrome compartimental, pseudoaneurisma, fístula arteriovenosa, infecção, isquemia de membro, oclusão arterial, lesão de nervo adjacente ou necessidade de reparo vascular cirúrgico. Em relação às características demográficas e clínicas, houve diferença apenas quanto ao gênero, com presença maior de pacientes do sexo feminino no grupo radial (33,3% versus 20,0%, p=0,020). Não se observaram diferenças entre os grupos quanto ao diagnóstico de admissão, alterações isquêmicas presentes no eletrocardiograma, elevação de marcadores de necrose miocárdica ou escores de risco, bem como quanto à farmacoterapia antitrombótica adjunta e características da intervenção coronária percutânea. A hemostasia foi obtida na totalidade dos procedimentos do grupo radial com a utilização da pulseira compressora seletiva TR Band e em 95% dos procedimentos realizados pela técnica femoral com o Angio-Seal (p=0,029). Exceto pela maior incidência de oclusão arterial no grupo radial comparado ao femoral, não houve diferenças entre os demais desfechos analisados. Segundo o teste de não inferioridade para complicações na via de acesso arterial aos 30 dias, verificou-se que a utilização do Angio-Seal não produziu resultados inferiores ao acesso radial, considerando-se a margem de 15% (12,5% versus 13,3%, diferença -0,83%, IC 95% -9,31 - 7,65, p para não inferioridade <0,001). Os resultados principais deste estudo demonstram que, em uma população de pacientes com diagnóstico de síndrome coronariana aguda sem supradesnível do segmento ST, submetida à estratificação de risco invasiva, a utilização do dispositivo de oclusão vascular Angio-Seal confere ao procedimento efetivado pelo acesso femoral inferioridade na incidência de complicações no sítio de punção arterial aos 30 dias quando comparado ao acesso radial.

Paracetamol vs ibuprofeno para el dolor de la episiotomía en las 42 horas postparto

Objetivo: Evaluación de la eficacia analgésica para el dolor de la episiotomía entre el paracetamol y el Ibuprofeno, en las primeras 42 horas postparto. Método: Estudio cuasi-experimental (prospectivo y simple ciego) en mujeres que dieron a luz en el HOSPITAL UNIVERSITARIO CENTRAL DE ASTURIAS (OVIEDO), excluyendo alérgicas, patologías asociadas ó aquellas que el idioma impidiese un correcto entendimiento. Dos grupos: 1) Paracetamol 1 gr; 2) Ibuprofeno 600 mg. Tamaño de muestra: 110 por grupo para alcanzar mínimo de 80. Variable principal: grado de dolor según puntuación de escala (0 a 3). Otras variables: edad de paciente, semanas de gestación, peso neonatal, paridad, inicio del parto, anestesia epidural, tipo de parto, desgarro, inflamación y enrojecimiento, hematoma, hemorroides, necesidad de sondaje evacuador, aplicación de hielo y solicitud de analgesia. Tamaño final de la muestra: 88 grupo paracetamol y 97 grupo ibuprofeno. La escala de dolor se midió a las 2 horas postparto (previo al tratamiento) y, posteriormente, cada 8 hasta 42 horas. Se realizó análisis descriptivo y comparación entre grupos. Resultados: No encontramos diferencias significativas en la escala de dolor entre ambos fármacos, ni en los subgrupos analizados, salvo en el subgrupo de partos eutócicos, donde el ibuprofeno fue superior al paracetamol. En el global de la serie, el grupo de paracetamol solicitó hielo y otra medicación con mayor frecuencia que el grupo de ibuprofeno. Conclusiones: El ibuprofeno 600 mg y el paracetamol de 1 gr obtienen una respuesta similar en las primeras 42 horas postparto, si bien el ibuprofeno parece tener algunas ventajas adicionales.

Complicações pós-cirúrgicas em pacientes com diabetes mellitus

Dissertação para obtenção do grau de Mestre no Instituto Superior de Ciências da Saúde Egas Moniz

Using a clinical pathway and education to reduce inappropriate prescribing of enoxaparin in patients with acute coronary syndromes: a controlled study

Aims: To evaluate efficacy of a pathway-based quality improvement intervention on appropriate prescribing of the low molecular weight heparin, enoxaparin, in patients with varying risk categories of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods: Rates of enoxaparin use retrospectively evaluated before and after pathway implementation at an intervention hospital were compared to concurrent control patients at a control hospital; both were community hospitals in south-east Queensland. The study population was a group of randomly selected patients (n = 439) admitted to study hospitals with a discharge diagnosis of chest pain, angina, or myocardial infarction, and stratified into high, intermediate, low-risk ACS or non-cardiac chest pain: 146 intervention patients (September-November 2003), 147 historical controls (August-December 2001) at the intervention hospital; 146 concurrent controls (September-November 2003) at the control hospital. Interventions were active implementation of a user-modified clinical pathway coupled with an iterative education programme to medical staff versus passive distribution of a similar pathway without user modification or targeted education. Outcome measures were rates of appropriate enoxaparin use in high-risk ACS patients and rates of inappropriate use in intermediate and low-risk patients. Results: Appropriate use of enoxaparin in high-risk ACS patients was above 90% in all patient groups. Inappropriate use of enoxaparin was significantly reduced as a result of pathway use in intermediate risk (9% intervention patients vs 75% historical controls vs 45% concurrent controls) and low-risk patients (9% vs 62% vs 41%; P < 0.001 for all comparisons). Pathway use was associated with a 3.5-fold (95% CI: 1.3-9.1; P = 0.012) increase in appropriate use of enoxaparin across all patient groups. Conclusion: Active implementation of an acute chest pain pathway combined with continuous education reduced inappropriate use of enoxaparin in patients presenting with intermediate or low-risk ACS.

Papel del mecanismo de inmunoadherencia de "Leishmania" en la infección humana

La leishmaniosis es una enfermedad parasitaria causada por protozoos hemoflagelados del genero Leishmania que se transmite al hombre y a otros vertebrados a través de la picadura de un díptero de la familia Plebotominae. Cuando un flebótomo infectado pica al hospedador vertebrado, perfora la piel con su probóscide buscando las vénulas de la dermis, las lacera y provoca un pequeño hematoma donde deposita los promastigotes. Tras el contacto con la sangre tiene lugar la activación del complemento y deposición del C3 en la superficie del parásito. En primates, los promastigotes opsonizados se unen a eritrocitos y posteriormente son transferidos a las células aceptoras de la sangre: los leucocitos...

Outcomes and Predictors of Mortality in Neurosurgical Patients at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital

Background:

Knowing the scope of neurosurgical disease at Mbarara Hospital is critical for infrastructure planning, education and training. In this study, we aim to evaluate the neurosurgical outcomes and identify predictors of mortality in order to potentiate platforms for more effective interventions and inform future research efforts at Mbarara Hospital.

Methods:

This is retrospective chart review including patients of all ages with a neurosurgical disease or injury presenting to Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH) between January 2012 to September 2015. Descriptive statistics were presented. A univariate analysis was used to obtain the odds ratios of mortality and 95% confidence intervals. Predictors of mortality were determined using multivariate logistic regression model.

Results:

A total of 1876 charts were reviewed. Of these, 1854 (had complete data and were?) were included in the analysis. The overall mortality rate was 12.75%; the mortality rates among all persons who underwent a neurosurgical procedure was 9.72%, and was 13.68% among those who did not undergo a neurosurgical procedure. Over 50% of patients were between 19 and 40 years old and the majority of were males (76.10%). The overall median length of stay was 5 days. Of all neurosurgical admissions, 87% were trauma patients. In comparison to mild head injury, closed head injury and intracranial hematoma patients were 5 (95% CI: 3.77, 8.26) and 2.5 times (95% CI: 1.64,3.98) more likely to die respectively. Procedure and diagnostic imaging were independent negative predictors of mortality (P <0.05). While age, ICU admission, admission GCS were positive predictors of mortality (P <0.05).

Conclusions:

The majority of hospital admissions were TBI patients, with RTIs being the most common mechanism of injury. Age, ICU admission, admission GCS, diagnostic imaging and undergoing surgery were independent predictors of mortality. Going forward, further exploration of patient characteristics is necessary to fully describe mortality outcomes and implement resource appropriate interventions that ultimately improve morbidity and mortality.

Tratamento Endovascular de Patologia da Aorta Torácica: Experiência Institucional

Introdução: O tratamento endovascular da aorta torácica (TEVAR) é uma modalidade terapêutica emergente que tem vindo a revolucionar a abordagem de diferentes tipos de patologia da aorta na sua localização torácica. Objetivos: Avaliação da experiência institucional do serviço de angiologia e cirurgia vascular. Métodos: Análise retrospetiva da série consecutiva de todos os doentes com patologia da aorta torácica e/ou toracoabdominal submetidos a TEVAR na nossa instituição. Foram excluídos aqueles com uso concomitante de endopróteses fenestradas/ramificadas abdominais. Resultados: Desde abril de 2005 até abril de 2014, 79 doentes foram submetidos a TEVAR, com idade média de 66 ± 12,83 anos (máx: 86; mín: 14). As indicações incluíram: 46 aneurismas (58%), 17 dissecções aórticas clássicas tipo B (22%), 13 no contexto de outras síndromes aórticas agudas (16%), 2 por ateroembolismo (3%) e um por fístula aortoesofágica (1%). Na patologia aneurismática, a distribuição anatómica da doença foi a seguinte: 5 na aorta ascendente e arco aórtico (11%), 35 na aorta torácica descendente (76%) e 6 toracoabdominal (13%). O diâmetro médio das dilatações aneurimáticas foi de 69,64 mm (máx: 150 mm). A rotura foi uma apresentação da patologia em 21,5% dos doentes (n = 17); 20,9% dos doentes tinham antecedentes de cirurgia aórtica prévia. A dissecção aórtica tipo B complicada foi a segunda indicação mais comum, sendo de apresentação aguda em 13 (76%) e crónica em 4 (24%). As complicações na base da intervenção foram dilatação aneurismática em 35% (n = 6), malperfusão com isquemia de órgão alvo 47% (n = 8), desconhecida em 18% (n = 3). Foi realizada extensão distal com stent descoberto (Petticoat) em 9 casos (41,2%) e foram realizados procedimentos adjuvantes em 18% (stenting renal n = 2; stenting ilíaco n = 1). Dentro das outras síndromes aórticas agudas, o TEVAR foi realizado no contexto de úlcera aórtica penetrante (n = 4), hematoma intramural (n = 4) e os restantes por rotura/pseudoaneurisma (n = 5). As endopróteses utilizadas foram: 32 Valiant Medtronic®, 15 TAG Gore®, 25 Zenith TX2 Cook®, 2 Zenith TX1 Cook®, uma Relay Plus®, 3 Talent Medtronic® e outras em 1%. A mediana de dias de cuidados intensivos foi 2 (intervalo 0-42) e a mediana de suporte tranfusional foi de 2 UCE. A taxa de mortalidade aos 30 dias ou intra-hospital foi de 18% (n = 14). Atendendo ao timing da cirurgia, a taxa de mortalidade aferida nos casos electivos foi de 8% (4/50) e nos urgentes atinge os 35% (10/29). Intraoperatoriamente foram tratadas 7 complicações relacionadas com vaso de acesso membro, 2 casos de dissecção aórtica iatrogénica, um caso de trombose arterial inferior e um endoleak tipo IA. A taxa de reintervenções foi de 17%, com as seguintes indicações: 9 endoleaks, 2 isquemias mesentéricas e 2 fístulas aortoesofágicas. Conclusões: A série apresentada traduz uma experiência institucional favorável com resultados reprodutíveis e que o TEVAR é um procedimento seguro e eficaz para o tratamento de diferentes patologias da aorta torácica, quando comparado com o tratamento cirúrgico aberto.

A Standardized Classification for Subdural Hematomas- I

Subdural hematomas are a frequent and highly heterogeneous traumatic disorder, with significant clinical and socioeconomic consequences. In clinical and medicolegal practice, subdural hematomas are classified according to its apparent age, which significantly influences its intrinsic pathogenic behavior, forensic implications, clinical management, and outcome. Although practical, this empirical classification is somewhat arbitrary and scarcely informative, considering the remarkable heterogeneity of this entity. The current research project aims at implementing a comprehensive multifactorial classification of subdural hematomas, allowing a more standardized and coherent assessment and management of this condition. This new method of classification of subdural hematomas takes into account its intrinsic and extrinsic features, using imaging data and histopathological elements, to provide an easily apprehensible and intuitive nomenclature. The proposed classification unifies and organizes all relevant details concerning subdural hematomas, hopefully improving surgical care and forensic systematization.

Delayed and occult splenic rupture: a diagnostic puzzle

Splenic rupture is a common complaint encountered in emergency surgery. Trauma is the most common cause of splenic rupture, while non-traumatic or occult splenic rupture (OSR) is a rare condition. The differential diagnosis weighs on treatment that ranges between close monitoring, splenorrhaphy, splenic conservation and splenectomy. We report a case of an 63-year-old man presenting with acute atraumatic left upper quadrant pain. Preliminary diagnosis was subsequently determined to be a hematoma secondary to OSR. More accurate detailed history revealed a previous trauma, which occurred more than one year before and mimicked an OSR. Delayed and occult splenic rupture are as different diagnosis as different treatment. Even in emergency surgery, the key for a target therapeutic strategy should consider an accurate diagnostic time.