Validation of the Modena bleeding score in endoscopic sinus surgery

IntroductionThe Modena bleeding score is a categorical rating scale that allows the assessment of the surgical field in relation to bleeding during endoscopic surgery. It has recently been presented and validated in the field of endoscopic ear surgery by the present authors. The Modena bleeding score provides five grades for rating the surgical field during endoscopic procedures (from grade 1 ? no bleeding to grade 5 ? bleeding that prevents every surgical procedure except those dedicated to bleeding control).ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to validate the Modena bleeding score in the setting of endoscopic sinus surgery.MethodsFifteen three-minute videos of endoscopic sinus surgery procedures (each containing three bleeding situations) were evaluated by 15 specialists, using the Modena bleeding score. Intra and inter-rater reliability were assessed, and the clinical validity of the Modena bleeding score was calculated using a referent standard.ResultsThe data analysis showed an intra-rater reliability ranging from 0.6336 to 0.861. The inter-rater reliability ranged from 0.676 to 0.844. The clinical validity was α = 0.70; confidence limits: 0.64 ? 0.75, corresponding to substantial agreement.ConclusionThe Modena bleeding score is an effective method to score bleeding during endoscopic sinus surgery. Its application in future research could facilitate the performance and efficacy assessment of surgical techniques, materials or devices aimed to bleeding control during endoscopic sinus surgery.     

Automatic segmentation of thoracic CT images using three deep learning models

PurposeDeep learning (DL) techniques are widely used in medical imaging and in particular for segmentation. Indeed, manual segmentation of organs at risk (OARs) is time-consuming and suffers from inter- and intra-observer segmentation variability. Image segmentation using DL has given very promising results. In this work, we present and compare the results of segmentation of OARs and a clinical target volume (CTV) in thoracic CT images using three DL models.Materials and methodsWe used CT images of 52 patients with breast cancer from a public dataset. Automatic segmentation of the lungs, the heart and a CTV was performed using three models based on the U-Net architecture. Three metrics were used to quantify and compare the segmentation results obtained with these models: the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), the Jaccard coefficient (J) and the Hausdorff distance (HD).ResultsThe obtained values of DSC, J and HD were presented for each segmented organ and for the three models. Examples of automatic segmentation were presented and compared to the corresponding ground truth delineations. Our values were also compared to recent results obtained by other authors.ConclusionThe performance of three DL models was evaluated for the delineation of the lungs, the heart and a CTV. This study showed clearly that these 2D models based on the U-Net architecture can be used to delineate organs in CT images with a good performance compared to other models. Generally, the three models present similar performances. Using a dataset with more CT images, the three models should give better results.     

Administration of testosterone improves the prothrombotic and antifibrinolytic parameters associated with its deficiency in an orchidectiomized rat model

This study investigated the effect of testosterone deficiency and replacement on platelets function and aggregation, coagulation, and fibrinolysis in young adult healthy male rats. Rats were classified into three groups (n = 6/group) of either “a sham-operated+ vehicle,” “an orchidectomized (ORX)+ vehicle,” and “an ORX+testosterone propionate (0.5 mg/kg, 3X/week, S.C).” All treatments were carried out for 12 weeks. Our results showed that ORX rats had induced platelets aggregation and coagulation and inhibited fibrinolysis. ORX-induced rats had increased ratios of adenosine diphosphate-induced aggregation, shorter bleeding time, clotting time, prothrombin time, and activated partial thromboplastin time and their sera showed increased levels of thromboxane B2 and fibrinogen levels. Concomitantly, their plasma showed increased TPA-1 and decreased tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) levels. At molecular levels, the aorta of ORX-induced rats showed increased aortic mRNA and protein levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), protein levels of von Willebrand Factor (vWF) and decreased mRNA and protein levels of tPA, and their liver showed increased protein levels of prothrombin and factor VII. Testosterone post-therapy to ORX-induced rats significantly reversed all these hematological and molecular changes. In conclusion, independent of any other risk factors, testosterone deficiency induces platelets aggregation and hypercoagulation and inhibits fibrinolysis, effects that can be reversed by testosterone therapy.     

Caliber-persistent labial artery: report of 3 cases

The caliber-persistent labial artery is a vascular anomaly in which a primary arterial branch penetrates into the submucosal tissue without reduction in diameter. Most lesions are benign and do not require treatment, except for complications and/or on patient demands. In this way, noninvasive diagnostic tools are preferred such as high-resolution and color Doppler ultrasonography which allow direct observation of the lesion, assessing its exact location and diameter at every axis, as well as the blood flow velocity. An excisional biopsy of these lesions or even their surgical extirpation could have a fatal outcome with profuse bleeding.     

Low-molecular-weight heparin followed by rivaroxaban for acute occlusive portomesenteric vein thrombosis in a cirrhotic patient treated with multiple endoscopic variceal procedures

Acute portomesenteric vein thrombosis is potentially lethal. In the present paper, a cirrhotic patient with a previous history of esophageal variceal bleeding presented with acute occlusive portomesenteric vein thrombosis, but achieved complete recanalization by low-molecular-weight heparin followed by rivaroxaban. Notably, no bleeding episode occurred during anticoagulation therapy. This case supported early initiation of anticoagulation in such patients.     

Comparative analysis of calcification parameters with Agatston Score approximations for ex vivo atherosclerotic lesions

BackgroundThe Agatston Calcium Score is a predictor of major adverse cardiovascular events but it is unable to identify high-risk lesions. Recent research suggests that examining calcification phenotype could be more indicative of plaque stability.ObjectiveTo examine the Agatston score's ability to determine atherosclerotic calcification phenotype.MethodsMicro-Computed Tomography was performed on 20 carotid and 20 peripheral lower limb lesions. ImageJ pixel histogram analysis quantified the non-calcified (≥30HU, <130HU) and calcified (≥130HU) tissue volumes. ImageJ ‘3D Objects Counter’ plugin determined the calcified particle count, volumes and maximum attenuation density of each particle. Image stacks were subsequently downsampled to a resolution of 0.7 × 0.7 × 3 mm and an approximation for the Extra-Coronary Calcium Scores (ECCS) were calculated. Spearman's correlation examined the relationships between ECCS approximations and calcification parameters.ResultsECCS has a strong positive correlation with the Calcified Volume Fraction (CVF) (r_s = 0.865, p < 0.0005), weak positive correlations with Calcified Particle Fraction (CPF) (r_s = 0.422, p = 0.007) and Microcalcification Fraction (micro-CF) (r_s = 0.361, p = 0.022). There is no correlation evident between ECCS and Calcified Particle Index (CPI) (r_s = −0.162, p = 0.318). It is apparent that there is a high prevalence of microcalcifications in both carotid and peripheral lower limb lesions. Additionally, an inverse relationship exists between calcified particle volume and maximum-recorded attenuation density.ConclusionThe density-weighted Agatston calcium scoring methodology needs to be reviewed. Calcium scoring which differentiates between critical calcification morphologies, rather than presenting a density-weighted score, is required to direct high-risk plaques towards tailored treatment.     

肺泡蛋白沉积症低剂量容积数据高分辨率CT影像特征分析

背景　目前肺泡蛋白沉积症（PAP）的确诊需要依据支气管肺泡灌洗和/或肺活检，属于侵入性检查，而胸部CT检查对本病的诊断具有重要提示作用，尤其是胸部低剂量容积数据高分辨率CT（VHRCT）检查能更多地显示双肺解剖细节及病变细微特点，从而为临床诊断提供帮助，但鲜有这方面的报道。目的　观察低剂量VHRCT下PAP治疗前后的影像学表现，从而探讨VHRCT在PAP诊断中的临床价值。方法　回顾性分析2015年6月-2018年6月在四川大学华西第四医院诊治的24例PAP患者的临床资料和胸部低剂量VHRCT资料、确诊情况及治疗效果。结果　治疗前，24例患者双肺均可见多发的磨玻璃样密度影，边界清，边缘模糊，其中12例磨玻璃影广泛分布，呈“地图征”表现，7例患者双肺可见局限性片状实变影；6例磨玻璃影中可见小叶间隔增厚，呈“铺路石征”表现；3例可见从肺门向外放射，呈“蝶翼状”分布的大面积阴影（磨玻璃影或/和实变影）；2例可见充气支气管征；部分患者双肺可见多发微小结节及间质纤维化表现；24例均未见纵隔及肺门淋巴结增大；同一患者中可有上述几种征象同时出现。治疗后复查及随访过程中，24例双肺磨玻璃影范围不同程度缩小、密度减低、边缘清晰，4例实变影密度减低呈磨玻璃密度影，2例见充气支气管征。16例经支气管肺泡灌洗确诊，3例经血清粒细胞-巨噬细胞集落刺激因子（GM-CSF）抗体检测确诊，5例经支气管镜肺穿刺活检确诊。确诊前根据患者胸部低剂量VHRCT的特征性表现高度提示PAP者共16例，符合率为66.7%（16/24），其余8例患者依据VHRCT的特征，5例提示细菌性肺炎、2例提示肺水肿、1例提示特发性肺间质纤维化。治疗后患者，呼吸困难、咳嗽等临床症状明显好转。治疗后总肺活量占预计值百分比（TLC%）、一氧化碳弥散量占预计值百分比（DLCO%）、肺活量占预计值百分比（VC%）、酸碱度（pH）、氧分压（PaO2）高于治疗前，治疗后二氧化碳分压（PaCO2）低于治疗前（P<0.05）。结论　PAP的低剂量VHRCT表现为广泛性或局限性分布的磨玻璃影和/或实变影，其中“地图征”和“铺路石征”具有一定的特征性，部分病例可见“蝶翼征”和充气支气管征；另外，本疾病一般无纵隔及肺门淋巴结增大；上述影像学征象有助于PAP的诊断、严重程度评价和疗效观察，可作为一种常规检查，推广应用。