Indicators of a Reduced Intercarotid Artery Distance in Patients Undergoing Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Surgery

Objective To identify clinicopathologic factors associated with a reduced intercarotid distance (ICD) and subgroups at risk for internal carotid artery injury during transsphenoidal surgery. Design A retrospective case-control study. Setting This study was conducted at the McGill University Health Centre, a university-affiliated tertiary care center. Participants Patients with a sellar or parasellar tumor and nontumor controls were included in the study. Main Outcome Measures The smallest distance between the internal carotid arteries at the clival, cavernous, and paraclinoid segments on coronal magnetic resonance imaging was measured. Demographic profiles, cephalometric measurements, tumor dimensions, and sphenoid configuration were assessed as potential determinants of the ICD. Results A total of 212 cases and 34 controls were analyzed. Widening of the ICD at the three segments of the internal carotid arteries was found in patients with pituitary macroadenomas (p < 0.01). Patients with a growth hormone–secreting adenoma had a markedly reduced ICD at the clivus compared with controls (1.59 cm versus 1.77 cm; p = 0.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.03–0.32). The paraclinoid ICD was reduced in patients with an anterior fossa meningioma (1.24 cm versus 1.33 cm; p = 0.04; 95% CI, 0.01–0.45). Conclusion Identifying clinicopathologic factors affecting the ICD can help surgeons recognize constraints to endoscopic access of the skull base and avoid inadvertent arterial injury.     

Development and Assessment of an E-Learning Course on Breast Imaging for Radiographers: A Stratified Randomized Controlled Trial

Background

Mammography is considered the best imaging technique for breast cancer screening, and the radiographer plays an important role in its performance. Therefore, continuing education is critical to improving the performance of these professionals and thus providing better health care services.

Objective

Our goal was to develop an e-learning course on breast imaging for radiographers, assessing its efficacy, effectiveness, and user satisfaction.

Methods

A stratified randomized controlled trial was performed with radiographers and radiology students who already had mammography training, using pre- and post-knowledge tests, and satisfaction questionnaires. The primary outcome was the improvement in test results (percentage of correct answers), using intention-to-treat and per-protocol analysis.

Results

A total of 54 participants were assigned to the intervention (20 students plus 34 radiographers) with 53 controls (19+34). The intervention was completed by 40 participants (11+29), with 4 (2+2) discontinued interventions, and 10 (7+3) lost to follow-up. Differences in the primary outcome were found between intervention and control: 21 versus 4 percentage points (pp), P<.001. Stratified analysis showed effect in radiographers (23 pp vs 4 pp; P=.004) but was unclear in students (18 pp vs 5 pp; P=.098). Nonetheless, differences in students’ posttest results were found (88% vs 63%; P=.003), which were absent in pretest (63% vs 63%; P=.106). The per-protocol analysis showed a higher effect (26 pp vs 2 pp; P<.001), both in students (25 pp vs 3 pp; P=.004) and radiographers (27 pp vs 2 pp; P<.001). Overall, 85% were satisfied with the course, and 88% considered it successful.

Conclusions

This e-learning course is effective, especially for radiographers, which highlights the need for continuing education.     

儿童肺炎单病种质量管理前后住院费用及平均住院日的变化

目的:探讨儿童肺炎进入单病种质量管理前后住院费用及平均住院日的变化。方法:从医院信息系统提取2010年3月进入单病种质量管理前儿童肺炎全部住院患者92例及2012年3月进入单病种质量管理后儿童肺炎全部住院患者116例,对患者住院费用及平均住院日进行比较分析。结果:2012年3月人均住院费用及平均住院日较2010年3月明显降低。结论:应用单病种质量管理可以降低儿童肺炎住院费用。     

股浅动脉支架内再狭窄的再干预治疗疗效分析

目的 探讨股浅动脉支架内再狭窄患者再次干预治疗的近期疗效.方法 回顾性分析2011年12月-2013年1月20例股浅动脉支架内再狭窄患者的基本资料、病变特征及再次干预治疗后的症状改善和再狭窄发生情况.结果 20例支架内再狭窄患者就诊时的主要症状为间歇性跛行14例,急性下肢缺血3例,静息痛3例.术前踝肱指数（ankle brachial index,ABI）中位数0.43 （0～0.72）,间歇性跛行距离（238.50±76.80）m.20例患者中65％ （13/20）合并2型糖尿病,45％合并高血压（9/20）,25％合并高脂血症（5/20）.70％ （14/20）为TASCII C／D级病变.再次干预治疗的方法分别为经皮血管腔内成形术（percutaneous transluminal angioplasty,PTA）4例、经皮血管腔内成形术＋支架植入（percutaneous transluminal angioplasty＋stent,PTA＋S）9例、大隐静脉/人工血管旁路术（bypass）3例、斑块旋切治疗（SilverHawk）4例.随访患者14例,平均随访6m （2～18 m）.围手术期未出现死亡、心肌梗死、肾功能不全等并发症,无截肢发生.术后ABI中位数0.69 （0.5～0.85）,与术前ABI相比差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）.间歇性跛行距离（835.00±217.80）m,（P＜0.01）,术后6m随访时,42.86％患者（6/14）再次出现支架内再狭窄.结论 再次干预治疗可以在近期明显改善支架内再狭窄患者的下肢缺血症状,但仍存在较高的再狭窄率.     

Daily Physical Activity,Functional Capacity and Quality of Life in Patients with COPD

Introduction: In the therapy of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), it is a major goal to improve health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Patients with COPD often suffer from exertional dyspnea and adopt a sedentary lifestyle, which could be associated with poorer HRQOL. The aim of this study was to investigate the independent association of objectively measured daily physical activity and functional capacity with HRQOL in patients with COPD. Methods: In this cross-sectional study conducted at the University Hospital Basel, Switzerland, 87 stable patients (58.6% male, mean age: 67.3 ± 9.6 yrs) with COPD in GOLD grades I (n = 23), II (n = 46), III (n = 12) and IV (n = 6) were investigated. To assess HRQOL, the COPD assessment test (CAT) was completed. Patients performed spirometry and 6-min walk test. Physical activity was measured by the SenseWear Mini Armband on 7 consecutive days. By performing a multiple linear regression analysis, independent predictors of CAT score were identified. Results: Age (β = ?0.39, p = 0.001), average daily steps (β = ?0.31, p = 0.033) and 6-min walk distance (β = ?0.32, p = 0.019) were found to be independent predictors of CAT score, whereas physical activity duration above 3 METs (p = 0.498) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s in% of predicted (p = 0.364) showed no significant association. Conclusions: This study showed that average daily steps and functional capacity are independent determinants of HRQOL in patients with COPD. This emphasizes the importance to remain active and mobile, which is associated with better HRQOL.