Can contrast-enhanced ultrasound with second-generation contrast agents replace computed tomography angiography for distinguishing between occlusion and pseudo-occlusion of the internal carotid artery?

OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of contrast-enhanced ultrasound with a second-generation contrast agent in distinguishing between occlusion and pseudo-occlusion of the cervical internal carotid artery, comparing it with that of conventional Doppler ultrasound and the gold standard, computed tomography angiography.

METHOD:

Between June 2006 and June 2012, we screened 72 symptomatic vascular surgery outpatients at a public hospital. Among those patients, 78 cervical internal carotid arteries were previously classified as occluded by Doppler ultrasound (without contrast). The patients were examined again with Doppler ultrasound, as well as with contrast-enhanced ultrasound and computed tomography angiography. The diagnosis was based on the presence or absence of flow.

RESULTS:

Among the 78 cervical internal carotid arteries identified as occluded by Doppler ultrasound, occlusion was confirmed by computed tomography angiography in only 57 (73.1%), compared with 59 (77.5%) for which occlusion was confirmed by contrast-enhanced ultrasound (p>0.5 vs. computed tomography angiography). Comparing contrast-enhanced ultrasound with Doppler ultrasound, we found that the proportion of cervical internal carotid arteries classified as occluded was 24.4% higher when the latter was used (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS:

We conclude that, in making the differential diagnosis between occlusion and pseudo-occlusion of the cervical internal carotid artery, contrast-enhanced ultrasound with a second-generation contrast agent is significantly more effective than conventional Doppler ultrasound and is equally as effective as the gold standard (computed tomography angiography). Our findings suggest that contrast-enhanced ultrasound could replace computed tomography angiography in this regard.     

Chest computed tomography findings in severe influenza pneumonia occurring in neutropenic cancer patients

OBJECTIVE:

To describe the chest computed tomography findings for severe influenza H1N1 infection in a series of hospitalized neutropenic cancer patients.

METHODS:

We performed a retrospective systematic analysis of chest computed tomography scans for eight hospitalized patients with fever, neutropenia, and confirmed diagnoses of influenza H1N1. The clinical data had been prospectively collected.

RESULTS:

Six of eight patients (75%) developed respiratory failure and required intensive care. Prolonged H1N1 shedding was observed in the three mechanically ventilated patients, and overall hospital mortality in our series was 25%. The most frequent computed tomography findings were ground-glass opacity (all patients), consolidation (7/8 cases), and airspace nodules (6/8 cases) that were frequently moderate or severe. Other parenchymal findings were not common. Five patients had features of pneumonia, two had computed tomography findings compatible with bronchitis and/or bronchiolitis, and one had tomographic signs of chronicity.

CONCLUSION:

In this series of neutropenic patients with severe influenza H1N1 infection, chest computed tomography demonstrated mainly moderate or severe parenchymatous disease, but bronchiolitis was not a common feature. These findings associated with febrile neutropenia should elicit a diagnosis of severe viral infection.     

A multidetector tomography protocol for follow-up of endovascular aortic aneurysm repair

OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of this study was to improve the use of 64-channel multidetector computed tomography using lower doses of ionizing radiation during follow-up procedures in a series of patients with endovascular aortic aneurysm repair.

METHODS:

Thirty patients receiving 5 to 29 months of follow-up after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair were analyzed using a 64-channel multidetector computed tomography device by an exam that included pre- and post-contrast with both arterial and venous phases. Leak presence and type were classified based on the exam phase.

RESULTS:

Endoleaks were identified in 8/30 of cases; the endoleaks in 3/8 of these cases were not visible in the arterial phases of the exams.

CONCLUSION:

The authors conclude that multidetector computed tomography with pre-contrast and venous phases should be a part of the ongoing follow-up of patients undergoing endovascular aortic aneurysm repair. The arterial phase can be excluded when the aneurism is stable or regresses. These findings permit a lower radiation dose without jeopardizing the correct diagnosis of an endoleak.     

Endobronchial Ultrasound Application for Diagnosis of Tracheobronchial Tree Invasion by Esophageal Cancer

INTRODUCTION:

Esophageal cancer staging has been performed through bronchoscopy, computerized tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). Whereas CT and PET scan provide assessments of distant metastasis, bronchoscopy importantly diagnoses tracheobronchial involvement, complementing chest CT findings. EUS is the most accurate examination for T and N staging but is technically limited when tumoral stenoses cannot be traversed. Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) appears to present greater accuracy than EUS, CT, and bronchoscopy for assessing tracheobronchial wall involvement. EBUS has been recently associated with EUS for esophageal cancer staging in our unit.

OBJECTIVE:

To compare EBUS findings in esophageal cancer patients without evident signs of tracheobronchial invasion on conventional bronchoscopy with EUS and CT.

METHODS:

Fourteen patients with esophageal cancer underwent CT, conventional bronchoscopy, EUS, and EBUS for preoperative staging. All patients underwent EBUS and EUS with an Olympus® MH-908 echoendoscope at 7.5 MHz. Seven patients were eligible for the study according to the inclusion criteria.

RESULTS:

The echoendoscope could not traverse tumoral esophageal stenosis to perform EUS in two patients, and invasion was effectively diagnosed by EBUS. In 4 (57%) of 7 patients EBUS revealed additional information to staging. In the remaining 3 cases the invasion findings were the same under both EUS and EBUS.

CONCLUSION:

EBUS showed signs of tracheobronchial invasion not observed by conventional bronchoscopy, adding information to staging in most of the cases when compared with CT and EUS.     

Tomographic assessment of the spine in children with spondylocostal dysotosis syndrome

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of this study was to perform a detailed tomographic analysis of the skull base, craniocervical junction, and the entire spine in seven patients with spondylocostal dysostosis syndrome.

METHOD:

Detailed scanning images have been organized in accordance with the most prominent clinical pathology. The reasons behind plagiocephaly, torticollis, short immobile neck, scoliosis and rigid back have been detected. Radiographic documentation was insufficient modality.

RESULTS:

Detailed computed tomography scans provided excellent delineation of the osseous abnormality pattern in our patients.

CONCLUSION:

This article throws light on the most serious osseous manifestations of spondylocostal dysostosis syndrome.     

Preoperative nodal staging of non-small cell lung cancer using 99mTc-sestamibi spect/ct imaging

OBJECTIVES:

The proper nodal staging of non-small cell lung cancer is important for choosing the best treatment modality. Although computed tomography remains the first-line imaging test for the primary staging of lung cancer, its limitations for mediastinum nodal staging are well known. The aim of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of hybrid single-photon emission computed tomography and computed tomography using ^99mTc-sestamibi in the nodal staging of patients with non-small cell lung cancer and to identify potential candidates for surgical treatment.

METHODS:

Prospective data were collected for 41 patients from December 2006 to February 2009. The patients underwent chest computed tomography and single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography examinations with ^99mTc-sestamibi within a 30-day time period before surgery. Single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography was considered positive when there was focal uptake of sestamibi in the mediastinum, and computed tomography scan when there was lymph nodes larger than 10 mm in short axis. The results of single-photon emission computed tomography and computed tomography were correlated with pathology findings after surgery.

RESULTS:

Single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography correctly identified six out of 19 cases involving hilar lymph nodes and one out of seven cases involving nodal metastases in the mediastinum. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for ^99mTc-sestamibi single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography in the hilum assessment were 31.6%, 95.5%, 85.7%, and 61.8%, respectively. The same values for the mediastinum were 14.3%, 97.1%, 50%, and 84.6%, respectively. For the hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes, chest tomography showed sensitivity values of 47.4% and 57.1%, specificity values of 95.5% and 91.2%, positive predictive values of 90% and 57.1% and negative predictive values of 67.7% and 91.2%, respectively.

CONCLUSION:

Single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography with ^99mTc-sestamibi showed very low sensitivity and accuracy for the nodal staging of patients with non-small cell lung cancer, despite its high level of specificity. In addition, the performance of single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography added no relevant information compared to computed tomography that would justify its use in the routine preoperative staging of non-small cell lung carcinoma.     

Follow-up after acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by influenza a (H1N1) virus infection

BACKGROUND:

There are no reports on the long-term follow-up of patients with swine-origin influenza A virus infection that progressed to acute respiratory distress syndrome.

METHODS:

Four patients were prospectively followed up with pulmonary function tests and high-resolution computed tomography for six months after admission to an intensive care unit.

RESULTS:

Pulmonary function test results assessed two months after admission to the intensive care unit showed reduced forced vital capacity in all patients and low diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide in two patients. At six months, pulmonary function test results were available for three patients. Two patients continued to have a restrictive pattern, and none of the patients presented with abnormal diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide. All of them had a diffuse ground-glass pattern on high-resolution computed tomography that improved after six months.

CONCLUSIONS:

Despite the marked severity of lung disease at admission, patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by swine-origin influenza A virus infection presented a late but substantial recovery over six months of follow-up.     

Self-destruction by multiple methods during a single episode: a case study and review of the literature

Background

Although the prevalence of suicide in the world is not clear, however, the reported rates of suicides are consistently higher among men tan women regardless of age group.

Methods

A case employing multiple methods during a brief time of self-destructive behavior is presented. A 44-year-old postmaster who was under criminal investigation by his head office for embezzlement, leaped down a high river cliff and drowned after an initial attempt to commit suicide by hanging from the bridge over the river. The autopsy and scene investigations were both employed and very helpful.

Results

Three different methods of suicide were apparent in this instance: hanging, leaping down the cliff and drowning as was evidenced by the autopsy and positive diatom test. The complexity of this case was the planned protection against the failure of one method employed to commit suicide. The methods used were all highly lethal ones. There was neither history of previous suicide attempts nor psychiatric disorder.

Conclusion

Although the cause of death may appear clear at autopsy in cases of self-destruction by multiple highly lethal methods during a single episode, scene investigation is important for the forensic pathologist to understand the whole story of the case and determine the manner and actual cause of death. Scene investigation and autopsy is emphasized as part of the whole postmortem investigation of death in cases of unusual suicide using multiple methods of self-destruction.     

Using computed tomography colonography in patients at high risk of colorectal cancer – a prospective study in a university hospital in South America

OBJECTIVES:

The purpose of our study was to report the results of the implementation of computed tomography colonography in a university hospital setting serving a Brazilian population at high risk of colorectal cancer.

METHODS:

After creating a computed tomography colonography service in our institution, 85 patients at high risk of colorectal cancer underwent computed tomography colonography followed by a same-day optical colonoscopy from September 2010 to May 2012. The overall accuracy of computed tomography colonography in the detection of lesions ≥6 mm was compared to that of optical colonoscopy (direct comparison). All colonic segments were evaluated using quality imaging (amount of liquid and solid residual feces and luminal distension). To assess patient acceptance and preference, a questionnaire was completed before and after the computed tomography colonography and optical colonoscopy. Fisher''s exact test was used to measure the correlations between colonic distension, discomfort during the exam, exam preference and interpretation confidence.

RESULTS:

Thirteen carcinomas and twenty-two lesions ≥6 mm were characterized. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of computed tomography colonography were 100%, 98.2% and 98.6%, respectively. Computed tomography colonography was the preferred method of investigation for 85% of patients. The preparation was reported to cause only mild discomfort for 97.6% of patients. According to the questionnaires, there was no significant relationship between colonic distension and discomfort (p>0.05). Most patients (89%) achieved excellent bowel preparation. There was a statistically significant correlation between the confidence perceived in reading the computed tomography colonography and the quality of the preparation in each colonic segment (p≤0.001). The average effective radiation dose per exam was 7.8 mSv.

CONCLUSION:

It was possible to institute an efficient computed tomography colonography service at a university hospital that primarily assists patients from the public health system, with high accuracy, good acceptance and effective radiation doses. Our results seem to be comparable to other centers of excellence and fall within acceptable published guidelines, showing that a successful computed tomography colonography program can be reproduced in a South American population screened in a university hospital.     

Occlusive Dressings and the Healing of Standardized Abrasions

Context:

Acute skin trauma during sport participation, resulting in partial-thickness abrasions, is common. The limited investigations focusing on the acute wound environment and dressing techniques and the subsequent lack of evidence-based standards complicate clinical wound care decisions.

Objective:

To examine the effects of occlusive dressings on healing of standardized, partial-thickness abrasions.

Design:

Controlled, counterbalanced, repeated-measures design.

Setting:

University laboratory.

Patients or Other Participants:

Sixteen healthy women (n  =  10) and men (n  =  6).

Intervention(s):

Four standardized, partial-thickness abrasions were inflicted. Film, hydrogel, and hydrocolloid occlusive dressings and no dressing (control) were applied. Participants returned on postwound days 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, and 14 for digital imaging. Wound healing time was measured by change in wound contraction (cm²) and change in wound color (chromatic red) and luminance in red, green, and blue color values.

Main Outcome Measure(s):

Wound contraction, color (chromatic red), and luminance.

Results:

A day-by-dressing interaction was found for wound contraction, color, and luminance. Post hoc testing indicated that the film and hydrocolloid dressings produced greater wound contraction than the hydrogel and no dressing on days 7 and 10. Film, hydrogel, and hydrocolloid dressings also resulted in greater wound contraction than the control on day 14. Hydrocolloid dressings produced smaller measures of color and greater measures of luminance than no dressing on day 7. Film, hydrogel, and hydrocolloid dressings also resulted in smaller measures of color and greater measures of luminance compared with no dressing on days 10 and 14.

Conclusions:

When compared with the control (no dressing), the film, hydrogel, and hydrocolloid occlusive dressings were associated with a faster healing rate of partial-thickness abrasions across time measured by wound contraction, color, and luminance. Overall, these data indicate that occlusive dressings were more effective in healing than no dressing was.     

Frontotemporal dementia: clinical,neuropsychological, and neuroimaging description

Objective:

Describe the relationships between the clinical, neuropsychological, and imaging findings from a group of patients diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

Methods:

The clinical histories, cognitive tests, and structural and perfusion brain images of 21 patients of the Psychiatric Hospital Universitario del Valle, Cali, Colombia, were reviewed.

Results:

The average age was 59.8 years; the average time for the evolution of disease symptoms was 2.7 years; the most common variant was the behavioral variant; the most common alteration shown through nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was frontotemporal atrophy, while the most common alteration shown through single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was frontotemporal hypoperfusion. The most significant result was the normal performance of 61.9% of patients in praxis exams, which was associated with alterations in temporoparietal perfusion in the SPECT images (p <0.02). Neither the mini-mental state evaluation nor the Clock Drawing Executive Test (CLOX) served as screening tests.     

Usefulness of Preoperative Assessment of Perigastric Vascular Anatomy by Dynamic Computed Tomography for Laparoscopic Gastrectomy

Background

Laparoscopic surgery requires a more detailed understanding of local anatomy than does conventional open surgery. The aim of this study was to examine the usefulness of dynamic computed tomography (D-CT) for identification of the location of the left gastric vein (LGV) and existence of the aberrant left hepatic artery (ALHA) compared with conventional enhanced computed tomography (E-CT).

Methods

Sixty-eight patients underwent laparoscopic-assisted gastrectomy (LAG). E-CT and D-CT were performed in 32 and 36 patients, respectively, and three-dimensional computed tomographic angiography (3D-CTA) was performed in addition to D-CT. The location of the LGV and existence of the ALHA were confirmed during LAG, and these results were compared with those determined preoperatively by CT imaging.

Results

The location of the LGV as detected by preoperative E-CT and D-CT was consistent with that identified during LAG in 28 (87.5%) and 31 (88.9%) patients, respectively, with no statistical differences. The existence of the ALHA as detected by preoperative E-CT and D-CT was consistent with that identified during gastrectomy in 24 (75%) and 36 (100%) patients, respectively, with a statistical difference (P = 0.005). Furthermore, the type of ALHA could be identified in 10 of 12 patients (83.3%) by D-CT.

Conclusion

D-CT can produce excellent images of the vascular supply, and thus undoubtedly contributes to the preoperative planning of LAG. Preoperative D-CT might be an informative tool with which to help overcome the disadvantages of LAG.     

Comparison of Non-Invasive Methods for the Detection of Coronary Atherosclerosis

BACKGROUND:

Non-invasive detection of atherosclerosis is critical for its prevention.

Objective:

To correlate non-invasively detectable indicators of coronary atherosclerosis, or Coronary Artery Disease (i.e., classical risk factors, hs-CRP test results, carotid intima-media thickness, endothelial function, ankle-brachial index and calcium score by computed tomography) with the extent of coronary disease assessed by the Friesinger index from conventional coronary angiography.

METHODS:

We conducted a prospective study of 100 consecutive patients, mean age 55.1 ± 10.7 years, 55% men and 45% women. Patients with acute coronary syndrome, renal dialytic insufficiency, collagen disease and cancer were not included. All patients were subjected to clinical evaluation and laboratory tests. Endothelial function of the brachial artery and carotid artery were evaluated by high-resolution ultrasound; ankle-brachial index and computed tomography for coronary determination of calcium score were also performed, and non-HDL cholesterol and TG/HDL-c ratio were calculated. All patients were subjected to coronary angiography at the request of the assistant physician. We considered patients without an obstructive lesion (< 29% stenosis) demonstrated by coronary angiography to be normal.

RESULTS:

Univariate analysis showed that calcium score, HDL-c, TG/HDL ratio and IMT were significantly correlated with the Friesinger index. However, multivariate analysis indicated that only calcium score and low HDL-c levels correlated significantly with the extension of CAD. On the other hand, hs-CRP, LDL-c, flow-mediated dilation, and Framingham score did not correlate with the Friesinger index. ROC analysis showed that calcium score, HDL-c and TG-HDL ratio accurately predicted extensive CAD in a statistically significant manner.

CONCLUSION:

It is possible to approximately determine the presence and extent of CAD by non-invasive methods, especially by calcium score, HDL-c and TG/HDL-c ratio assays.     

Severity classification for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis by using fuzzy logic

OBJECTIVE:

To set out a severity classification for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) based on the interaction of pulmonary function parameters with high resolution computed tomography (CT) findings.

INTRODUCTION:

Despite the contribution of functional and radiological methods in the study of IPF, there are few classification proposals for the disease based on these examinations.

METHODS:

A cross-sectional study was carried out, in which 41 non-smoking patients with IPF were evaluated. The following high resolution CT findings were quantified using a semi-quantitative scoring system: reticular abnormality, honeycombing and ground-glass opacity. The functional variables were measured by spirometry, forced oscillation technique, helium dilution method, as well as the single-breath method of diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide. With the interaction between functional indexes and high resolution CT scores through fuzzy logic, a classification for IPF has been built.

RESULTS:

Out of 41 patients studied, 26 were male and 15 female, with a mean age of 70.8 years. Volume measurements were the variables which showed the best interaction with the disease extension on high resolution CT, while the forced vital capacity showed the lowest estimative errors in comparison to total lung capacity. A classification for IPF was suggested based on the 95% confidence interval of the forced vital capacity %: mild group (≥92.7); moderately mild (76.9–92.6); moderate (64.3–76.8%); moderately severe (47.1–64.2); severe (24.3–47.0); and very severe (<24.3).

CONCLUSION:

Through fuzzy logic, an IPF classification was built based on forced vital capacity measurement with a simple practical application.     

Sleep Spindle Activity Is Correlated With Reading Abilities in Developmental Dyslexia

Study Objectives:

To analyze sleep architecture of children with dyslexia, by means of conventional parameters and EEG spectral analysis and to correlate sleep parameters and EEG spectra with neuropsychological measures.

Design:

Cross-sectional study involving validated sleep questionnaires, neuropsychological scales, and polysomnographic recordings.

Setting:

Sleep laboratory in academic center.

Participants:

Sixteen subjects with developmental dyslexia (mean age 10.8 years) and 11 normally reading children (mean age 10.1 years). All the subjects underwent overnight polysomnographic recording; EEG power spectra were computed from the Cz derivation and spindle density was calculated during sleep stages N2.

Intervention:

N/A

Measurements and Results:

Dyslexic children showed an increase in power of frequency bands between 0.5–3 Hz and 11–12 Hz in stage N2 and between 0.5–1 Hz in stage N3; they also showed significantly increased spindle density during N2. The power of the sigma band in N2 was positively correlated with the Word reading and MT reading tests; similarly, spindle density was significantly correlated with the Word reading test. The increased spindle activity and EEG sigma power in dyslexic subjects were found to be correlated with the degree of dyslexic impairment.

Conclusions:

The correlation found between sleep spindle activity and reading abilities in developmental dyslexia supports the hypothesis of a role for NREM sleep and spindles in sleep-related neurocognitive processing.

Citation:

Bruni O; Ferri R; Novelli L; Terribili M; Troianiello M; Finotti E; Leuzzi V; Curatolo P. Sleep spindle activity is correlated with reading abilities in developmental dyslexia. SLEEP 2009;32(10):1333-1340.     

Comparative study of earthquake-related and non-earthquake-related head traumas using multidetector computed tomography

OBJECTIVE:

The features of earthquake-related head injuries may be different from those of injuries obtained in daily life because of differences in circumstances. We aim to compare the features of head traumas caused by the Sichuan earthquake with those of other common head traumas using multidetector computed tomography.

METHODS:

In total, 221 patients with earthquake-related head traumas (the earthquake group) and 221 patients with other common head traumas (the non-earthquake group) were enrolled in our study, and their computed tomographic findings were compared. We focused the differences between fractures and intracranial injuries and the relationships between extracranial and intracranial injuries.

RESULTS:

More earthquake-related cases had only extracranial soft tissue injuries (50.7% vs. 26.2%, RR = 1.9), and fewer cases had intracranial injuries (17.2% vs. 50.7%, RR = 0.3) compared with the non-earthquake group. For patients with fractures and intracranial injuries, there were fewer cases with craniocerebral injuries in the earthquake group (60.6% vs. 77.9%, RR = 0.8), and the earthquake-injured patients had fewer fractures and intracranial injuries overall (1.5±0.9 vs. 2.5±1.8; 1.3±0.5 vs. 2.1±1.1). Compared with the non-earthquake group, the incidences of soft tissue injuries and cranial fractures combined with intracranial injuries in the earthquake group were significantly lower (9.8% vs. 43.7%, RR = 0.2; 35.1% vs. 82.2%, RR = 0.4).

CONCLUSION:

As depicted with computed tomography, the severity of earthquake-related head traumas in survivors was milder, and isolated extracranial injuries were more common in earthquake-related head traumas than in non-earthquake-related injuries, which may have been the result of different injury causes, mechanisms and settings.     

Demographic, etiological, and histological pulmonary analysis of patients with acute respiratory failure: a study of 19 years of autopsies

INTRODUCTION:

Acute respiratory failure has been one of the most important causes of death in intensive care units, and certain aspects of its pulmonary pathology are currently unknown.

OBJECTIVES:

The objective was to describe the demographic data, etiology, and pulmonary histopathological findings of different diseases in the autopsies of patients with acute respiratory failure.

METHOD:

Autopsies of 4,710 patients with acute respiratory failure from 1990 to 2008 were reviewed, and the following data were obtained: age, sex, and major associated diseases. The pulmonary histopathology was categorized as diffuse alveolar damage, pulmonary edema, alveolar hemorrhage, and lymphoplasmacytic interstitial pneumonia. The odds ratio of the concordance between the major associated diseases and specific autopsy findings was calculated using logistic regression.

RESULTS:

Bacterial bronchopneumonia was present in 33.9% of the cases and cancer in 28.1%. The pulmonary histopathology showed diffuse alveolar damage in 40.7% (1,917) of the cases. A multivariate analysis showed a significant and powerful association between diffuse alveolar damage and bronchopneumonia, HIV/AIDS, sepsis, and septic shock, between liver cirrhosis and pulmonary embolism, between pulmonary edema and acute myocardial infarction, between dilated cardiomyopathy and cancer, between alveolar hemorrhage and bronchopneumonia and pulmonary embolism, and between lymphoplasmacytic interstitial pneumonia and HIV/AIDS and liver cirrhosis.

CONCLUSIONS:

Bronchopneumonia was the most common diagnosis in these cases. The most prevalent pulmonary histopathological pattern was diffuse alveolar damage, which was associated with different inflammatory conditions. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the complete pathophysiological mechanisms involved with each disease and the development of acute respiratory failure.     

Clinical features of Fitz-Hugh-Curtis Syndrome in the emergency department

Purpose

Fitz-Hugh-Curtis Syndrome (FHCS) is a clinical entity characterized by inflammation of the liver capsule associated with genital tract infection. The aim of this study is to provide physicians with clinical suggestions for diagnostic approaches based on a series of patients who were diagnosed with FHCS.

Materials and Methods

We conducted a retrospective study of patients who were diagnosed with FHCS after presenting to the emergency department (ED). The symptoms, physical examinations, laboratory findings, radiological findings, and progress of the patients were reviewed.

Results

During the four-year study period, a total of 82 female patients received a final diagnosis of FHCS in the ED. Chlamydia trachomatis was identified as a pathogen in 89% of the patients. Their clinical characteristics and laboratory findings were described. Fifty-two patients (63.4%) were admitted to the hospital. All of the admitted patients improved after treatment combining antibiotic therapy with conservative care.

Conclusion

FHCS should be considered as a differential diagnosis for female patients of childbearing age with right upper abdominal pain. Timely diagnosis using biphasic computed tomography (CT) with arterial and portal phases may help ensure adequate medical treatment as well as avoid invasive procedures.     

Epithelial Wound Healing after Cataract Surgery Comparing Two Different Topical Fluoroquinolones

Purpose

To compare the epithelial wound healing response of two preservative-free fluoroquinolones, moxifloxacin and levofloxacin, in patients who underwent cataract surgery.

Materials and Methods

In this prospective, evaluator-masked, randomized clinical trial, 59 eyes of 50 patients who underwent cataract surgery were enrolled. Patients were randomized to receive moxifloxacin 0.5% (n=32 eyes) or levofloxacin 0.5% (n=27 eyes). All patients instilled moxifloxacin or levofloxain four times daily for 1 week prior to surgery and 2 weeks after surgery. The epithelial wound healing status in the corneal incision site was scanned with a raster scan mode of fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT). The number of eyes showing epithelial defect images and average number of corneal epithelial defect cuts per eye were compared between groups. All patients were evaluated on postoperative days 1, 2, 3, and 10.

Results

On postoperative days 1, 2, and 3, the number of eyes showing epithelial defects in FD-OCT was not statistically different (all p>0.05). The average number of corneal epithelial defect cuts was also not statistically different between the two groups (all p>0.05). No eyes showed epithelial defects on postoperative day 10 in either group.

Conclusion

There were no differences on epithelial wound healing comparing these two different fluoroquinolones at the incision site of cataract surgery.     

Three-dimensional scanning with dual-source computed tomography in patients with acute skeletal trauma

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of this study was to compare the efficiency of multiplanar reformatted images and three‐dimensional images created after multidetector computed tomography examination in detecting acute post‐traumatic osseous pathology of the skeletal system.

METHOD:

Between October 2006 and December 2008, 105 patients with a history of acute trauma were referred to our service. Patients were evaluated with multidetector computed tomography using multiplanary reconstructed images initially (R‐I), and six months after this initial evaluation, three‐dimensional images were assessed of each patient (R‐II). Axial images were used for guiding as a reference Data obtained was recorded and graded according to importance levels of the pathologies.

RESULTS:

The R‐II score was higher in the non‐articular and highest in periartricular fractures of the extremities, and thoracic and pelvic cage injuries. For the spinal column, while R‐I data was more significant In patients referred with polytrauma, R‐II data, was more statistically significant, for short processing and adaptation time to acquiring immediate critical information. For all cases it was seen that three dimensional scans were more efficient in providing the orientation, within a short time.

CONCLUSION:

By dual source multidedector tomography systems trauma patients may be evaluated by multiplanary and three dimensionally reconstructed images. When used correctly, three dimensional imaging is advantageous and can help determine the exact nature and extension and also importance of osseous injuries.