The role of conventional radiography to assess the outcome of oncologic skeletal reconstructions of lower limbs aided by vascularized fibular autograft

IntroductionVascularized fibular autografts (VFA) are used in the oncologic skeletal reconstructions of long bones, alone or combined with massive bone allografts (MBA). Data regarding the role of imaging in assessing these complex skeletal reconstructions are lacking, and have mainly focused on Computed Tomography (CT). Our aim was to evaluate if early conventional radiography (CR) findings are correlated with the outcome of these skeletal reconstructions.Materials and methodsAll consecutive patients who underwent oncologic resection of lower limbs long bones followed by VFA reconstruction were included in this single-center retrospective study. We compared the CR obtained immediately after surgery with the CR at the 6-month control, as well as the CR at 6 months with the CT at 6 months when available. The following scores were assigned to the VFA: 0 (unchanged), 1 (osteopenia-cortical bone thinning), 2 (increase in bone density-cortical thickening). We then investigated whether this score correlated with the implant outcome within 12 months (optimal integration, suboptimal integration, integration requiring further surgery or lack of integration) using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses, considering the occurrence of integration and the duration time before the surgical removal of the whole bone reconstruction.ResultsForty-five patients were included (32 men [71.1%], mean age 14.6 years), 26 affected by osteosarcoma, 14 by Ewing sarcoma, 3 by adamantinoma and 2 operated for the failure of previous reconstructions for bone sarcoma. VFA changes on 6-month CR were significantly associated with optimal integration of the implants (log-rank P = 0.0137, multivariate Hazard ratio = 7.62, 95% confidence interval = 1.13–51.25). None of the other clinical and surgical features were associated with the implant outcome. The findings on 6-month CR and CT follow-up were not significantly different. CT at 6 months was available in 36 patients (80.0%).ConclusionThe assessment of VFA morphological changes on CR performed at 6 months can predict the outcome of the skeletal implant. This data should be considered for clinical decision-making, selecting patients requiring additional images (CT), and possible subsequent revision surgical procedures.     

Colonoscopy Versus Catheter Angiography for Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding After Localization on CT Angiography

PurposeThe aim of this study was to compare catheter angiography (CA) and colonoscopy outcomes after successful CT angiographic (CTA) localization for patients with overt lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB).MethodsSeventy-one consecutive patients from two institutions between 2010 and 2020 had both contrast extravasation on CTA imaging in the lower gastrointestinal tract and subsequent CA or colonoscopy. The primary outcome was confirmation of active bleeding during CA or colonoscopy (defined as confirmation yield). The secondary outcomes were to determine therapeutic yield (hemostatic therapy), time to procedure, rebleeding rate, and adverse outcome rates (defined as surgery, acute kidney injury, initiation of dialysis, and overall mortality). Univariate analyses and multivariable analyses with P < .05 were used to determine statistical significance.ResultsForty-four patients underwent CA and 27 underwent colonoscopy. CA had higher overall confirmation yield (55% vs 26%, P = .026), whereas therapeutic yields were similar (70% vs 56%, P = .214). Time to procedure was 5.1 ± 3.4 hours for CA and 15.5 ± 13.6 hours for colonoscopy (P < .001). On multivariable analysis, shorter time to procedure was the only statistically significant predictor of confirmation yield (P = .037) and therapeutic yield (P = .013), whereas procedure, hemoglobin, transfusions, and hemodynamic instability were not. Adverse events and rebleeding were not statistically different between patients who underwent CA and colonoscopy (P > .05).ConclusionsShorter time to procedure was the only statistically significant predictor of confirmation and therapeutic yield after CTA localization of LGIB. Because CA can be performed sooner than colonoscopy without increased rates of adverse outcomes or rebleeding, CA may be a reasonable first-line treatment option in patients with CTA localization of LGIB.     

血清维生素D水平对维持性血液透析患者下肢肌力减退的预测作用

目的探讨维持性血液透析(MHD)患者血清维生素D水平对下肢肌力减退的预测作用。 方法横断面研究设计，选择2018年9月至10月于战略支援部队特色医学中心血液净化中心的95例MHD患者，检测其血清25-羟维生素D₃[25(OH)D₃]水平，采用5次站立-坐下实验(5-STS)评价其下肢肌力。根据5-STS完成时间将MHD患者分为下肢肌力正常组(n＝85)与减退组(n＝10)，比较两组患者人口学特征、实验室指标。采用多因素Logistic回归分析下肢肌力减退的影响因素，绘制受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线分析上述因素预测MHD患者发生下肢肌力减退的特异度和敏感度。 结果95例MHD患者血清25(OH)D₃水平为11.00~99.50 nmol/L，中位数31.23(19.90~43.30)nmol/L；5-STS完成时间为3.55 s~18.71 s，中位数9.81(7.12，12.43)s，下肢肌力减退者10例(10.53%)。多因素Logistic回归分析显示，血清25(OH)D₃是MHD患者下肢肌力减退的保护性因素[OR＝0.761，95%CI(0.592~0.978)，P＝0.033]。进一步ROC曲线分析显示，25(OH)D₃对应的ROC曲线下面积为0.815，其预测MHD患者发生下肢肌力减退的敏感度为80.00%，特异度为80.00%。 结论MHD患者血清25(OH)D₃水平普遍较低，下肢肌力减退者更为明显；血清维生素D水平对MHD患者是否存在下肢肌力减退具有较好的预测价值。     

微创治疗方法在输尿管上段结石中应用进展

输尿管上段结石为临床中常见泌尿系结石类型之一,如不能及时诊治,可引起重度积水、泌尿系感染,甚至脓毒血症,对患者肾功能、健康造成严重影响。随着微创治疗技术在泌尿系结石中应用,微创治疗方法能降低对患者造成治疗性创伤,降低相关并发症发生率,促进患者康复,了解临床中微创治疗输尿管上段结石方法,对临床中合理治疗输尿管上段结石有重要价值。     

Post-nephrectomy pulmonary thromboembolism

The association of pulmonary thromboembolism with nephrectomy is well documented in malignant conditions. However, the data for incidence of pulmonary thromboembolism following nephrectomy in nonmalignant conditions remains scarce. We report the first case of an incidence of pulmonary thromboembolism following nephrectomy in a patient with a nonfunctional kidney due to multiple renal calculi.     

Comparison between Antegrade versus Retrograde Ureteral Stent Placement for Malignant Ureteral Obstruction

PurposeTo compare the technical success of antegrade uteral stent (AUS) and retrograde ureteral stent (RUS) placements in patients with malignant ureteral obstruction (MUO) and to determine the predictors of technical failure of RUS.Materials and MethodsThis study retrospectively included 61 AUS placements (44 patients) performed under fluoroscopic guidance and 76 RUS placements (55 patients) performed under cystoscopic guidance in patients with MUO from January 2019 to December 2020. Technical success rates of the 2 techniques were compared using inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) analysis. Logistic regression was used to identify predictive factors for technical failures.ResultsTechnical success was achieved in 98.4% of the AUS group and 47.4% of the RUS group. After stabilized IPTW, the technical success rate was higher in the AUS group than in the RUS group (adjusted risk difference, 49.4%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 35.4%–63.1%). The independent predictors for technical failure of the RUS procedure were age of ≥65 years (odds ratio [OR], 5.56; 95% CI, 1.73–21.27), ureteral orifice invasion (OR, 4.21; 95% CI, 1.46–13.46), and extrinsic cancer (OR, 15.58; 95% CI, 2.92–111.81).ConclusionsThe technical success rate of AUS placement was higher than that of RUS placement in patients with MUO. RUS failure was associated with age of ≥65 years, cancer with ureteral orifice invasion, and extrinsic ureteral obstruction.     

RPLU、FURL及PCNL治疗输尿管上段嵌顿性结石的疗效研究

目的探讨后腹腔镜切开取石术（retroperitoneal laparoscopic lithotomy，RPLU）、输尿管软镜碎石清石术（lithotripsy with flexible ureteroscope，FURL）及经皮肾镜碎石清石术（percutaneous nephrolithotomy，PCNL）种不同方法治疗输尿管上段嵌顿性结石的疗效，以明确直径大于1.5 cm的输尿管上段嵌顿性结石的最佳处理方案。 方法回顾性分析159例输尿管上段嵌顿性结石，收集其术前术中资料，按术式不同分为RPLU组56例、FURL组55例、PCNL组48例。对手术时间、术后住院时间、结石清除率、术后并发症等数据进行统计学分析。 结果FURL组手术时间和术后住院时间明显短于RPLU组和PCNL组，差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。RPLU组术后3 d和术后1个月的结石清除率（100%，100%）稍高于FURL组（90.9%，94.5%）和PCNL组（93.8%，93.8%），3组患者术后无严重并发症出现，差异均无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。 结论3种不同手术方法治疗嵌顿性输尿管上段结石均安全有效，FURL组手术时间及住院时间更短，患者术后恢复更快，更具有优势。     

张力平衡针法联合电针对脑卒中足下垂患者下肢功能及日常生活能力的影响

目的:研究张力平衡针法联合电针对脑卒中足下垂患者下肢功能及日常生活能力的影响。方法:选取我院2016年1月—2019年5月收治的脑卒中足下垂患者78例,根据随机数字表法分为两组,各39例。对照组给予电针疗法,治疗组在对照组基础上给予张力平衡针法,对比两组患者治疗前后的肌张力和CSI评分、足内翻角度和足下垂角度、Barthel指数评分和FMA评分、SF-36量表评分。结果:经治疗后,两组患者肌张力评分显著升高,CSI评分显著降低(P<0.05),且治疗组改善程度较大(P<0.05);两组患者足内翻角度和足下垂角度显著低于治疗前(P<0.05),且治疗组降低程度较大(P<0.05);两组患者FMA评分和Barthel指数评分显著升高(P<0.05),且治疗组升高程度较大(P<0.05);两组患者情感功能、生理功能和社会功能评分均显著高于治疗前(P<0.05),且治疗组升高程度较大(P<0.05)。结论:采用张力平衡针法联合电针治疗脑卒中足下垂能够改善日常生活能力及下肢功能,值得在临床上推广应用。     

Severe lumbar spinal stenosis combined with Guillain-Barré syndrome: A case report

BACKGROUNDGuillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare disorder that typically presents with ascending weakness, pain, paraesthesias, and numbness, which mimic the findings in lumbar spinal stenosis. Here, we report a case of severe lumbar spinal stenosis combined with GBS.CASE SUMMARYA 70-year-old man with a history of lumbar spinal stenosis presented to our emergency department with severe lower back pain and lower extremity numbness. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the diagnosis of severe lumbar spinal stenosis. However, his symptoms did not improve postoperatively and he developed dysphagia and upper extremity numbness. An electromyogram was performed. Based on his symptoms, physical examination, and electromyogram, he was diagnosed with GBS. After 5 d of intravenous immunoglobulin (0.4 g/kg/d for 5 d) therapy, he gained 4/5 of strength in his upper and lower extremities and denied paraesthesias. He had regained 5/5 of strength in his extremities when he was discharged and had no symptoms during follow-up.CONCLUSIONGBS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of spinal disorder, even though magnetic resonance imaging shows severe lumbar spinal stenosis. This case highlights the importance of a careful diagnosis when a patient has a history of a disease and comes to the hospital with the same or similar symptoms.