Dual-Energy Computed Tomography as an Adjunct in the Evaluation of Peripheral Chronic Total Occlusions: A Feasibility Study

This study investigated the role of dual-energy computed tomography (CT) for lesion characterization in patients with peripheral arterial disease manifesting with chronic total occlusions (CTOs). Forty-one symptomatic patients with CTOs underwent dual-energy CT angiography before endovascular treatment. The lesions were subsequently analyzed in a dedicated workstation, and 2 indexes—dual-energy index (DEI) and effective Z (Z_eff)—were calculated, ranging from 0.0027 to 0.321 and from 6.89 to 13.02, respectively. Statistical analysis showed a significant correlation between the DEI and Z_eff values (P < .001). The interobserver intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.91 for the mean Z_eff values and 0.86 for the mean DEI values. This technique could potentially provide useful information regarding the composition of a CTO.     

European consensus on patient contact shielding

Patient contact shielding has been in use for many years in radiology departments in order to reduce the effects and risks of ionising radiation on certain organs. New technologies in projection imaging and CT scanning such as digital receptors and automatic exposure control (AEC) systems have reduced doses and improved image consistency. These changes and a greater understanding of both the benefits and the risks from the use of shielding have led to a review of shielding use in radiology. A number of professional bodies have already issued guidance in this regard. This paper represents the current consensus view of the main bodies involved in radiation safety and imaging in Europe: European Federation of Organisations for Medical Physics, European Federation of Radiographer Societies, European Society of Radiology, European Society of Paediatric Radiology, EuroSafe Imaging, European Radiation Dosimetry Group (EURADOS), and European Academy of DentoMaxilloFacial Radiology (EADMFR). It is based on the expert recommendations of the Gonad and Patient Shielding (GAPS) Group formed with the purpose of developing consensus in this area. The recommendations are intended to be clear and easy to use. They are intended as guidance, and they are developed using a multidisciplinary team approach. It is recognised that regulations, custom and practice vary widely on the use of patient shielding in Europe and it is hoped that these recommendations will inform a change management program that will benefit patients and staff.     

结核病与糖尿病共病的治疗管理专家共识

结核病与糖尿病均是临床上的常见病和多发病,两者可合并存在,相互影响。活动性结核病作为感染因素可加重糖尿病病情,而糖尿病患者又是发生结核病的高危人群,结核病与糖尿病双重负担将成为重大的全球公共卫生问题。因此,需重视结核病与糖尿病共病的治疗管理。本共识重点介绍了结核病与糖尿病共病的危害、发病机制、双向筛查、临床特点、诊断、治疗和管理等内容。     

女阴硬化性苔藓诊疗专家共识

【摘要】 女阴硬化性苔藓是一种反复发作的慢性炎症性疾病，几乎各年龄阶段均可发生，绝经期、围绝经期和青春期前女性更常见。典型损害为象牙白/瓷白色硬化萎缩斑，晚期可发生外阴、尿道、肛门结构畸变，造成性生活、排尿及排便困难。中国医疗保健国际交流促进会皮肤科分会组织多位专家在借鉴国内外临床研究和诊疗指南的基础上，补充了中国专家的经验和观点，制定女阴硬化性苔藓中国专家共识。     

Development of a core outcome set for venous leg ulceration (CoreVen) research evaluations (protocol)

BackgroundA venous leg ulcer is a chronic leg wound caused by poor venous blood circulation in the lower limbs. It is a recurring condition causing pain, malodour, reduced mobility, and depression. Randomised controlled trials evaluating treatments for venous leg ulcers provide important evidence to inform clinical decision-making. However, for findings to be useful, outcomes need to be clinically meaningful, consistently reported across trials, and fully reported. Research has identified the large number of outcomes reported in venous leg ulcer trials, impacting both synthesis of results, and clinical decision-making. To address this, a core outcome set will be developed. A core outcome set is an agreed standardised set of outcomes which should be, as a minimum, measured and reported in all trials which evaluate treatment effectiveness for a given indication. A core outcome set has the potential to reduce research waste, improve the utility of RCTs, reduce reporting bias, facilitate treatment comparisons across different sources of evidence and expedite the production of systematic reviews, meta-analyses and evidence-based clinical guidelines.AimThe aim of this project is to develop a core outcome set for research evaluating the effectiveness of interventions for treating venous leg ulceration.MethodsThrough a scoping review of the literature on venous leg ulceration, we will firstly identify a list of candidate outcome domains (broad categories in relation to what is being measured) from randomised controlled trials and qualitative research, and outcomes (specific methods in relation to what is being measured). In two further stages, we will use the resulting lists of outcome domains and outcomes to design two online surveys. A range of stakeholders will be invited to participate in the surveys and they will be asked to indicate which outcome domains and outcomes are most important and should be considered as core in future research reports.     

VIG-Express: Consenso de un sistema de valoración multidimensional/geriátrica rápida en Cataluña

ObjetivoConsensuar una herramienta de valoración multidimensional/geriátrica rápida (VMGR), como sistema compartido y universal de valoración multidimensional de personas con multimorbilidad, fragilidad, complejidad o situación avanzada, para todos los profesionales del sistema de salud y social de Cataluña.DiseñoConsenso de profesionales en tres fases, combinando sesiones presenciales con trabajo telemático.EmplazamientoCataluña.ParticipantesSe constituyó un grupo de 27 profesionales de carácter interdisciplinario representativo de los distintos ámbitos de atención.MétodoSe han combinado las metodologías de Design thinking para el consenso inicial de características de la herramienta de VMGR (fase 1), con la metodología Lean Start-Up para el diseño de la nueva herramienta de VMGR (fase 2), que finalmente se testeó en un grupo de pacientes (fase 3).ResultadosEn la fase 1 se consensuó que la herramienta de VMGR ideal debía permitir una valoración ad hoc de las personas, ser rápida y ágil (tiempo < 10 minutos), identificar las dimensiones alteradas mediante preguntas trigger y facilitar el diagnóstico de situación (idealmente cuantificado). En la fase 2 se elaboró el prototipo de una nueva herramienta de VMGR de 15 + dos preguntas (VIG-Express), finalmente testeada en 35 personas en la fase 3.ConclusionesEn los resultados preliminares, la herramienta VIG-Express parece facilitar una valoración multidimensional sencilla y rápida y la personalización de las intervenciones, así como una mirada única y un relato compartido entre los profesionales de los distintos ámbitos de atención. Serán necesarios más estudios para corroborar estos hallazgos.Palabras clave: Evaluación geriátrica, Consenso, Diagnóstico de la situación, Atención dirigida al paciente, Sistemas de atención de salud integrada     

Asian Thoracic Oncology Research Group Expert Consensus Statement on Optimal Management of Stage III NSCLC

Stage III NSCLC represents a heterogeneous disease for which optimal treatment continues to pose a clinical challenge. Recent changes in the American Joint Commission on Cancer staging to the eighth edition has led to a shift in TNM stage grouping and redefined the subcategories (IIIA–C) in stage III NSCLC for better prognostication. Although concurrent chemoradiotherapy has remained standard-of-care for stage III NSCLC for almost 2 decades, contemporary considerations include the impact of different molecular subsets of NSCLC, and the roles of tyrosine kinase inhibitors post-definitive therapy and of immune checkpoint inhibitors following chemoradiotherapy. With rapid evolution of diagnostic algorithms and expanding treatment options, the need for interdisciplinary input involving multiple specialists (medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pulmonologists, radiologists, pathologists and thoracic surgeons) has become increasingly important. The unique demographics of Asian NSCLC pose further challenges when applying clinical trial data into clinical practice. This includes differences in smoking rates, prevalence of oncogenic driver mutations, and access to health care resources including molecular testing, prompting the need for critical review of existing data and identification of current gaps. In this expert consensus statement by the Asian Thoracic Oncology Research Group, an interdisciplinary group of experts representing Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and Mainland China was convened. Standard clinical practices for stage III NSCLC across different Asian countries were discussed from initial diagnosis and staging through to multi-modality approaches including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapies, and immunotherapy.     

宫颈癌图像引导三维近距离后装治疗中国专家共识

近年来宫颈癌三维近距离治疗(BT)技术在中国得到快速发展。与二维技术相比,宫颈癌图像引导的三维BT技术可以提高局控率、生存率。三维BT要求用体积剂量参数评价治疗靶区及危及器官受量,探索体积剂量参数与局控率、并发症发生率之间关系。BT开始时肿瘤残留体积及形状与局控率有明确相关性,应当结合MRI、超声、妇科检查结果,综合判断残留肿瘤体积。腔内联合组织间插植技术可以改善靶区剂量分布。严格遵守靶区勾画、体积剂量原则以及质控要求。为规范其应用,中华医学会放射治疗学分会近距离治疗学组、中国医师协会放射肿瘤分会妇科肿瘤学组、中国抗癌协会近距离治疗专委会结合中国国情联合制定此专家共识。