The role of funduscopy in severe thrombocytopenia: A prospective study

PurposePlatelet transfusions for patients suffering from severe thrombocytopenia are regulated by clinical bleedings and platelet counts. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of retinal hemorrhage in patients with hematologic and oncologic malignancies and severe thrombocytopenia, and to determine the benefit of systematic funduscopic examination in this setting.Materials and methodsHospitalized patients with hematologic and oncologic malignancies having a platelet count less than 25,000 per μL underwent indirect ophthalmoscopy. The prevalence of retinal hemorrhage and its correlation with different patients’ characteristics were determined. The decision to transfuse platelets or not following bedside indirect ophthalmoscopy was left at the discretion of the treating physician.ResultsA total of 34 severe thrombocytopenic patients were included in the study. The prevalence of retinal hemorrhage was detected in 10 patients (29.4%). No significant correlation was found between the occurrence of retinal hemorrhage and age, platelet count or thrombocytopenia etiology (P > 0.05). No significant difference was found concerning the rate of transfusion between those with and without retinal hemorrhage.ConclusionAccording to our statistical results, retinal hemorrhage is a frequent finding in severely thrombocytopenic patients. Early detection may lead to an increase in the platelet transfusion threshold from to 30,000 per μL offering additional protection against spontaneous bleedings. Funduscopy is a safe and easy exam to perform systematically in patients with severe thrombocytopenia.     

Intussusception of the Meckel’s diverticulum within its own lumen: Unknown complication

IntroductionIntussusception with the Meckel’s diverticulum (MD) is a rare cause of chonic abdominal pain in the adults. We wish to present this first case of intussusception of MD within its own lumen without small bowel obstruction.Presentation of caseWe report the case of a 27-year-old man who was admitted to the emergency room due to a diffuse abdominal pain. Abdominal CT scan showed invagination of MD. The exploratory laparoscopy revealed the presence of intussusception of MD within its own lumen. Segmental resection of the small intestine was performed. The patient was discharged on the third post-operative day.DiscussionThe prevalence of MD is 1 to 4%. Diagnosis is often difficult and delayed because clinical symptoms are not specific and the diagnosis is performed mainly by imaging studies. Factors pre-disposing these patients to intussusception of MD within its own lumen include a narrow diverticulum, large diverticululm, and associated inflammation of the diverticulum. Intestinal obstruction is a more common complication in adults, whereas in children, bleeding is the more common complication. In our case, the patient had a diffuse abdominal pain without small bowel obstruction because the intussusception of MD was within its own lumen. Laparoscopy may be useful for confirming the presence of intussusception, and demonstrating the underlying organic lesion serving as the lead point.ConclusionIt is important to differentiate this rare pathological feature of MD from other entities as the treatment is surgical rather than medical. Abdominal surgeons should bear in mind this rare entity.     

体视学法在颅内血肿体积测量的应用

目的介绍改进后的体视学法测量颅内血肿体积,并验证其准确性。方法在92例颅内出血的CT图像上,同时运用体视法、CT定量法测量颅内血肿体积,以CT定量法的结果为标准验证体视法的准确性。结果按血肿体积大小分为5组,各组CT定量法、体视学法所测得体积采用配对样本的t检验分析P值皆大于0.05,即CT定量法、体视学法所测血肿体积无统计学差异。结论体视学法测量颅内血肿准确可靠,在CT工作站对颅内血肿病例行胶片打印排版时,在图像上加上合适的网格,可方便临床医生快速运用体视法准确测量颅内血肿体积。     

Endoscopy-Related Bleeding and Thromboembolic Events in Patients on Direct Oral Anticoagulants or Vitamin K Antagonists

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糖尿病对脑梗死出血转化及不同分型发生率的影响

目的：探讨糖尿病对脑梗死出血转化及各分型发生率的影响，为临床制定诊疗方案及预后评估提供有价值的资料。方法回顾性分析运城市中心医院及平陆县人民医院神经内科2011年1月—2015年6月间收治的495例临床资料完整的脑梗死住院患者，根据是否有糖尿病将所入选患者分为糖尿病组及非糖尿病组，通过查阅患者影像及临床资料，观察2组住院期间脑梗死出血转化发生率及不同分型出血转化发生率情况。结果糖尿病组153例中发生出血转化76例（49.7%），其中脑实质血肿型21例（13.8%）；非糖尿病组342例中发生出血转化113例（33.0%），其中脑实质血肿型17例（5.0%），2组比较差异具有统计学意义（P<0.01）。结论糖尿病能增加脑梗死出血转化的发生，并能增加更具临床意义的脑实质血肿型出血转化的发生。     

Anticoagulantes orales directos en cirugía dermatológica

Direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have emerged as safer, easier-to-manage alternatives to traditional vitamin K antagonists and are used increasingly because they require no monitoring, have a wider therapeutic window, and react less with other drugs. However, there is little consensus on optimal perioperative management when these drugs are used in dermatologic surgery. This article describes the characteristics of DOACs and reviews current evidence on their use in this setting.     

Maternal and procedural factors associated with estimated blood loss in second trimester surgical uterine evacuation: a retrospective cohort analysis

BackgroundPrior studies examining bleeding with uterine evacuation have focused on high-volume centers performing over 1100 procedures annually. The aim of this study was to examine associations between blood loss and patient and procedural characteristics in a center performing fewer than 50 procedures annually.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study, with institutional review board approval, utilized procedural codes to identify patients undergoing uterine evacuation procedures between 14 weeks’ and 24 weeks’ gestational age across a 50-month period. The primary outcome was estimated blood loss; secondary outcomes were hemorrhage, transfusion and hospital re-admission. Associations between blood loss and other variables were examined using linear regression models.ResultsCharts of 161 women met inclusion criteria. Median estimated blood loss was 400 mL (IQR 300 mL) with 37% of patients having blood loss of ≥500 mL. In univariate analyses, increased blood loss was associated with later gestational age (P <0.001) and pregnancy termination (P <0.001). In a multiple linear regression model, both remained significant. Each one-week increase in gestational age was associated with a 7.1% mean increase in estimated blood loss (95% CI 2.47% to 11.9%; P=0.003). Patients whose uterine evacuation was indicated for pregnancy termination had an 80.6% increase in blood loss compared with those with pre-operative fetal demise (95% CI 37.5% to 137.2%; P <0.001). Rates of peri-operative transfusion and re-admission for bleeding were <4%.ConclusionWhile blood loss may be greater in low volume centers, our transfusion and re-admission rates were low following second trimester uterine evacuation.