经蝶窦入路假包膜外切除功能性垂体腺瘤

目的探讨经蝶窦入路假包膜外切除功能性垂体腺瘤疗效。方法回顾性分析28例采用经蝶窦入路假包膜外切除功能性垂体腺瘤的病例,术后随访6~24个月。结果 28例垂体腺瘤病人均在显微镜下全切肿瘤,术后病人临床症状改善,内分泌学检查激素水平恢复正常。术中发生脑脊液漏3例,术中修补后痊愈。术后发生一过性尿崩5例,使用醋酸去氨加压素治疗后得到控制,无垂体功能低下及死亡病例。结论经鼻蝶假包膜外切除功能性垂体腺瘤可提高治愈率,减少并发症发生,值得临床推广与运用。     

颅咽管瘤全切除术后血钠紊乱分析及治疗

目的总结颅咽管瘤全切除术后血钠紊乱的发生规律和治疗方法。方法回顾性分析46例颅咽管瘤病人术后血钠紊乱的情况,分析血钠紊乱与病人年龄、肿瘤位置的关系。结果术后出现血钠紊乱者42例(91.3%),其中单纯低钠型9例(19.6%),单纯高钠型6例(13.0%),混合型血钠紊乱27例(58.7%)。42例术后血钠紊乱者中,术后3个月内恢复正常40例;1例持续高钠血症者在术后1.5年恢复正常;另1例持续高钠血症者术后2个月死于肺栓塞。15例儿童病人中7例在围手术期出现癫疒间发作,31例成年病人无一例出现癫疒间发作。结论颅咽管瘤全切除后血钠紊乱的发生率显著高于术前(P<0.001);术后血钠紊乱的类型与年龄、肿瘤复发、肿瘤囊实性和肿瘤位置无关(P>0.05)。纠正血钠紊乱是儿童颅咽管瘤病人在围手术期预防癫疒间发作的关键。     

颅咽管瘤全切术后水钠平衡紊乱的治疗

目的 探讨颅咽管瘤全切术后水钠平衡紊乱的临床特点及治疗方法。方法 术前,手术当及术后每日定时检测血钠及观查尿量变化并根据其变化进行治疗。结果 ６０例颅咽管瘤手术患者中,（１）４７例术后出现尿崩症,有３８例病人术后２周恢复,７例术后４周内恢复,１例术后１年内恢复,１例病人术后７天死亡。（２）５２例术后出现血钠紊乱,其中,４８例术后４周同恢复,２３例术后２个月内恢复,１例１年后恢复。结论 颅咽管瘤全切     

颅咽管瘤全切术后抗利尿激素分泌异常综合征的治疗

目的 探讨颅咽管瘤全切术后抗利尿激素分泌异常综合征(SIADH)的临床特点及治疗方法。方法 120例颅咽管瘤切除术病人，112例肿瘤全切除，手术当日及术后每日定时检测血钠及观察尿量变化。17例病人术前、术后当日、术后3d、7d、14d检测血清抗利尿激素(ADH)水平，并进行比较观察。结果 ①72例(60％)术后出现以低血钠为主要特征的抗利尿激素分泌异常综合征。其中37例(51.4％)单纯性低血钠，29例(40.3％)尿崩症伴高血钠后转为低血钠，6例(8.3％)低血钠后转为尿崩症伴高血钠。②17例病人术前、术后当日、术后3d、7d、14d血清ADH放射免疫学测定，示术后SIADH病人血清ADH水平与术前相比有所增高，但是经统计学分析无显性差别。结论 颅咽管瘤全切术后SIADH为常见术后合并症，可能是由于颅咽管瘤术后下丘脑ADH的释放不能随着体内晶体渗透压变化而改变所致。术前和术后2周内血清ADH水平变化没有显性差异。     

颈内动脉颅外段严重迂曲病人颅内动脉瘤的血管内栓塞治疗分析

目的探讨颈内动脉颅外段严重迂曲病人颅内动脉瘤进行血管内栓塞治疗的可行性及安全性。方法回顾性分析2016年6月到2017年8月收治的11例颅内动脉瘤伴颈内动脉颅外段血管严重迂曲病人临床资料,均采用血管内栓塞治疗。结果11例术后即刻DSA示动脉瘤消失,载瘤动脉通畅,无血管夹层、支架内血栓形成、术中动脉瘤破裂或脑梗死等并发症。11例出院后随访3~12个月,均无神经功能缺失表现。5例术后6个月复查DSA未见动脉瘤复发,载瘤动脉通畅。结论伴颈内动脉颅外段严重迂曲的颅内动脉瘤,根据病人具体情况,在相关血管内技术的辅助下,进行栓塞治疗仍是一种相对可行、安全和有效的治疗手段。     

颅咽管瘤的伽玛刀放射外科治疗

目的评估伽玛刀放射外科治疗颅咽管瘤的长期疗效及安全性。方法回顾性分析25例使用Leksell伽玛刀治疗颅咽管瘤的临床资料,其中实体性肿瘤5例,囊性肿瘤9例,囊实混合性肿瘤11例;肿瘤体积0.22~16.2 cm3。行剂量分割治疗5例,边缘剂量6~8 Gy,50%等剂量曲线;行单次治疗20例,边缘剂量10~15 Gy,35%~50%等剂量曲线。视神经、视束受照剂量控制在10 Gy以下。结果所有病人随访5~139个月,临床症状获得不同程度改善。MRI检查显示:肿瘤消失5例,缩小13例,无变化3例,治疗后囊液反复出现4例,经Ommaya囊抽液治疗后好转。结论伽玛刀治疗颅咽管瘤是一种安全、有效的方法,对小的实性肿瘤,可置管抽液的囊性肿瘤及术后残余肿瘤可作为首选治疗方法。     

经鼻蝶入路神经内镜手术治疗复发性颅咽管瘤

目的 探讨经鼻蝶入路神经内镜手术治疗复发性颅咽管瘤的疗效。方法 回顾性分析2016年1月至2020年12月经鼻蝶入路神经内镜手术治疗的29例复发性颅咽管瘤的临床资料。结果 肿瘤全切除16例,次全切除11例,部分切除2例。术后多数症状改善,但垂体功能减退未改善。7例术后出现水电解质紊乱,5例术后新发尿崩症,1例术后出现脑脊液漏,1例术后发生细菌性脑膜炎。术后随访0.5~6.0年,中位时间3.0年;术后3个月,GOS评分5分22例,4分7例;随访期间,2例复发,无死亡;垂体功能低下病人垂体功能未恢复。结论 经鼻蝶入路神经内镜手术是一种治疗复发性颅咽管瘤的安全、有效的方法。     

QST分型对儿童颅咽管瘤术后血钠水平异常的影响

目的探讨不同QST分型颅咽管瘤患儿术后血钠水平异常的发生特点。方法回顾分析2016年1月至2017年6月经外科手术治疗的48例原发性颅咽管瘤患儿的临床、影像学及手术资料,分析不同QST分型对患儿术后血钠水平的影响及差异性。结果(56.25%),中至重度12例次占25%;高钠血症32例次(66.67%),中至重度16例次占33.33%。不同分型组患儿低钠血症(χ~2=11.420,P=0.003)和高钠血症(χ~2=15.702,P=0.000)发生率差异具有统计学意义,其中T型颅咽管瘤患儿术后中至重度低钠血症(Z=-3.324,P=0.001)和中至重度高钠血症(Z=-3.874,P=0.000)发生率高于Q型;单因素Logistic回归分析显示,QST分型是术后发生中至重度血钠水平异常的重要影响因素,T型为其危险因素(OR=315.422,95%CI:16.804～5920.786;P=0.000)。结论颅咽管瘤患儿术后应进行血钠水平长期监测,QST分型有助于预测血钠水平异常的发生及其严重程度,T型颅咽管瘤患儿可能为术后血钠水平异常的易感者。     

颅咽管瘤的显微手术治疗及疗效评估

目的探讨显微手术治疗颅咽管瘤的手术入路及手术疗效。方法回顾性分析43例颅咽管瘤病人的临床资料,采用经鼻蝶入路7例,翼点入路32例,额底经纵裂终板入路2例,经胼胝体前部入路2例。评估病人手术前后神经功能、垂体功能、视功能评分。结果肿瘤全切除32例(74%),次全切除9例(21%),部分切除2例(5%)。术后发生电解质紊乱31例,双侧硬脑膜下积液1例,继发颅内硬脑膜外血肿1例,死亡2例。随访4~90个月,平均28个月。肿瘤复发3例,其中再次手术治疗2例,γ-刀治疗1例。手术前后神经功能、视功能变化不明显,垂体功能障碍发生率明显增加(P<0.05)。结论颅咽管瘤应根据肿瘤部位、生长方式及术者经验选择合适的手术入路,术后垂体功能易受影响。     

显微夹闭术和血管内栓塞治疗颅内后循环动脉瘤的疗效比较

目的 比较显微夹闭术和血管内栓塞治疗颅内后循环动脉瘤的疗效。方法 回顾性分析2009年1月至2019年1月收治的40例颅内后循环动脉瘤的临床资料。显微夹闭术治疗20例（夹闭组），血管内栓塞治疗20例（栓塞组）。结果 术后6个月，预后良好33例（GOS评分4~5分），预后差6例（GOS评分2~3分），死亡1例。夹闭组预后良好17例，术后发生脑缺血3例、颅神经麻痹5例，动脉瘤瘤颈残留1例。栓塞组预后良好16例，术后发生脑缺血2例、颅神经麻痹1例，动脉瘤瘤颈残留9例。夹闭组动脉瘤瘤颈残留发生率（5.0%，1/20）明显低于栓塞组（45.0%，9/20；P<0.05），而两组预后良好率、术后脑缺血发生率、颅神经麻痹发生率均无统计学差异（P>0.05）。结论 颅内后循环动脉瘤需要显微夹闭术与血管内栓塞治疗协同，权衡每种治疗方式的优缺点，以获得期望的疗效     

Comparison of outcomes after hospitalization for deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism

Venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism are commonly viewed as different manifestations of a single disease process, venous thromboembolism. Recent evidence suggests that there may be important differences between patients who manifest these two conditions. Using linked hospital discharge records we analyzed 71,250 patients hospitalized with a principal diagnosis of venous thrombosis alone or pulmonary embolism and analyzed predictors of rehospitalization within 6 months for venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. There were 51233 patients diagnosed with venous thrombosis alone and 21,625 diagnosed with pulmonary embolism. Comparing patients initially diagnosed with venous thrombosis alone to patients with pulmonary embolism, the relative risk of being rehospitalized with venous thrombosis within 6 months for venous thrombosis was 2.7. Conversely, when patients with pulmonary embolism were compared to patients with venous thrombosis alone, the relative risk of rehospitalization within 6 months with a diagnosis of pulmonary embolism was 4.2. In multivariate models the strongest predictor of recurrent thromboembolism manifest as pulmonary embolism was an initial diagnosis of pulmonary embolism and the strongest predictor of recurrence as venous thrombosis was an initial diagnosis of venous thrombosis. We conclude that the initial clinical manifestation of thromboembolism strongly predicts the manifestation of a recurrence. Venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism appear to be distinct, albeit overlapping, clinical entities with different natural histories.     

Diagnostic strategy using a modified clinical decision rule and D-dimer test to rule out pulmonary embolism in elderly in- and outpatients

Excluding or confirming pulmonary embolism remains a diagnostic challenge. In elderly patients pulmonary embolism is associated with substantial co-morbidity and mortality, and many elderly patients with suspected pulmonary embolism are inpatients. The safety and efficacy of the combination of a clinical probability (CDR) and d-dimer test in excluding pulmonary embolism in this group is unclear. We retrospectively analysed data of two prospective studies of consecutive in-and outpatients with suspected pulmonary embolism. The patients were categorized into three age groups: <65 years, 65-75 years and >75 years. The sensitivity, negative predictive value and the proportion of patients with the combination of a non-high CDR score according to Wells (< or = 4) and a normal d-dimer result were calculated for each group. In 747 consecutive patients with suspected pulmonary embolism, sensitivity and negative predictive value of a non-high CDR and a normal d-dimer result in outpatients (n=538) of all age categories (<65 years, 65-75 years and >75 years) were both 100%. These tests were, however, less reliable for inpatients(n=209), irrespective of their age (sensitivity 91% [ CI: 79-98%], negative predictive value 88 % [CI: 74-96%]. The proportion of both in-and outpatients >75 years with a non-high CDR and a normal d-dimer concentration was only 14%, whereas this was 22% in patients 65-75 years and 41% among in-and outpatients <65 years, respectively. In elderly outpatients the combination of a non-high CDR and a normal d-dimer result is a safe strategy to rule out pulmonary embolism. However, in inpatients this algorithm is not reliable to safely exclude pulmonary embolism. In addition, the proportion of patients >65 years in which this strategy excludes pulmonary embolism is markedly lower compared to younger patients.     

Obesity and pulmonary embolism: the mounting evidence of risk and the mortality paradox

Purpose

To determine the prevalence of pulmonary embolism in obese patients according to age, gender and comorbid conditions and explore the relation of obesity to mortality.

Methods

The number of patients discharged from short-stay hospitals throughout the United States from 1998–2008 with pulmonary embolism who were obese or not obese, and in-hospital all-cause mortality were determined from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample.

Results

From 1998–2008, 203,500 of 17,979,200 (1.1%) obese patients were diagnosed with pulmonary embolism compared with 2,034,100 of 346,049,800 (0.6%) non-obese patients [relative risk (RR) = 2.03]. Relative risk for pulmonary embolism was highest among obese patients aged 11–20 years (RR = 5.80) and was higher in obese women (RR = 2.08) than in obese men (RR = 1.74). Mortality was 4.3% in obese patients with pulmonary embolism compared with 9.5% in non-obese patients (RR = 0.45). Obesity had the greatest effect on mortality in older patients and little effect in teenagers and young adults. Among stable patients who did not receive thrombolytic therapy, mortality was 3.8% in obese patients and 8.4% in non-obese patients (RR = 0.45). Among unstable patients, obesity had little effect on mortality.

Conclusions

The prevalence of pulmonary embolism in hospitalized patients was higher in obese patients than in non-obese patients. Mortality in patients with pulmonary embolism was lower in obese patients than in non-obese patients, with the greatest effects in women, older patients and stable patients.     

Influence of specific alternative diagnoses on the probability of pulmonary embolism

The presence and likelihood of an alternative diagnosis to pulmonary embolism is an important variable of the Wells' prediction rule for establishing clinical probability. We assessed whether evoking specific alternative diagnoses would reduce the probability of pulmonary embolism enough to forego further testing. We retrospectively studied a cohort of 965 consecutive patients admitted for suspicion of pulmonary embolism at three medical centers in Europe in whom the presence of an alternative diagnosis at least as likely as pulmonary embolism was recorded before diagnostic testing. We divided the patients into 15 categories of alternative diagnoses evoked. We then assessed the prevalence of pulmonary embolism in each diagnostic category and compared it to the prevalence of pulmonary embolism in a reference group (patients with no alternative diagnosis or a diagnosis less likely than pulmonary embolism). The prevalence of pulmonary embolism in the reference group was 48%. The presence of an alternative diagnosis as or more likely strongly reduced the probability of pulmonary embolism (OR 0.15, 95% CI: 0.1-0.2, p < 0.01). In almost every diagnostic category, the prevalence of pulmonary embolism was much lower than in the reference group with an odds ratio below or near 0.2. Bronchopneumonia (OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.2 to 0.7) and cancer (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.3 to 1.5) reduced the likelihood of pulmonary embolism to a lower extent. Evoking an alternative diagnosis at least as likely as pulmonary embolism reduces the probability of the disease, but this effect is never large enough to allow ruling it out without further testing, especially when bronchopneumonia or cancer are the alternative diagnoses considered.     

Pulmonary embolism-experience at a single children's hospital

INTRODUCTION: Pulmonary embolism in children is a rare, potentially life threatening condition. The clinical characteristics of pediatric pulmonary embolism have not been well studied and the exact incidence in children is not known. We report a case series of fourteen patients with pulmonary embolism and describe their clinical characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Inpatient and outpatient clinic charts of patients with proven pulmonary embolism (PE) followed at the Hemostasis and Thrombosis Center at Children's Hospital of Michigan were reviewed for relevant clinical and laboratory information. RESULTS: All patients with PE were symptomatic but accurate diagnosis of PE was often delayed in the outpatient setting. Screening testing with D-dimer was normal in 40% of patients. Acquired risk factors and lower extremity clots were more common in patients analyzed. Treatment regimens differed but most patients had resolution of pulmonary emboli on follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: A high index of suspicion is needed for the diagnosis of pediatric PE. D-Dimer may be normal in some children with PE. Pediatric multicenter trials are needed to evaluate clinical characteristics, risk factors, long-term outcome and effects of PE on pulmonary and cardiac function.     

Is the prevalence of the factor V Leiden mutation in patients with pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis really different?

INTRODUCTION: Previous investigations have suggested a lower prevalence of the factor V Leiden mutation in patients with pulmonary embolism, as compared to patients with deep leg vein thrombosis. METHODS: We studied unselected patients with pulmonary embolism, in whom we also assessed the presence of deep vein thrombosis by ultrasonography. We assessed the prevalence of heterozygosity for the factor V Leiden mutation and compared the outcome of patients with a normal ultrasound (primary pulmonary embolism) to those with an abnormal ultrasound (combined form of venous thromboembolism). Furthermore, we performed a literature search to identify all articles regarding the prevalence of heterozygous factor V Leiden mutation in patients with primary deep vein thrombosis, primary pulmonary embolism and a combined form of venous thromboembolism. We calculated a (common) odds ratio for these 3 manifestations of venous thromboembolism, including the current findings. RESULTS: In 92 patients with proven pulmonary embolism, 25 (27%) had also an abnormal ultrasound. In these patients, the prevalence of the factor V Leiden mutation was 24% (95% CI 9%-45%), whereas the mutation was present in 5 of 67 patients with primary pulmonary embolism (7%; 95% CI 2%-16%). The literature analysis indicated the common odds ratio for the presence of heterozygous factor V Leiden mutation in patients with primary deep vein thrombosis, primary pulmonary embolism and the combined form of venous thromboembolism to be 7.9 (95% CI 5-12), 3.5 (95% CI 2-6) and 6.8 (95% CI 3-14), respectively. CONCLUSION: In patients with primary pulmonary embolism the prevalence of the factor V Leiden mutation appears to be half of that reported in patients with primary deep vein thrombosis. The mechanism remains unclear.     

The use of a rapid D-dimer blood test in the diagnostic work-up for pulmonary embolism: a management study

BACKGROUND: D-dimer assays have a potential to rule out pulmonary embolism in case of a normal test result. We studied the clinical utility of incorporating the SimpliRED D-dimer test result and clinical probability in the routine diagnostic work-up of patients with suspected acute pulmonary embolism. METHODS: In a prospective management study 245 consecutive patients, hospitalised as well as outpatients, were included. A SimpliRED D-dimer test and perfusion/(ventilation) scintigraphy were obtained in all patients, whereas clinical probability was determined in the subgroup of patients with a non-diagnostic scan and normal D-dimer result. A diagnostic algorithm determined the necessity for further testing and decisions about treatment. All patients were followed up for 3 months. RESULTS: In 54 patients (22%) with a normal lung scan and 50 patients (21%) with a high probability lung scan, antithrombotic therapy was withheld or started respectively, irrespective of the D-dimer result. A non-diagnostic lung scan was found in 137 (56%) patients, of whom 70 patients had an abnormal D-dimer test, in whom further testing was ordered. Of the remaining 67 patients with a non-diagnostic lung scan and normal D-dimer test 8 patients had a high clinical probability, and the subsequent ultrasonography and pulmonary angiography yielded pulmonary emboli in 1 patient. In the remaining 66 patients, pulmonary embolism was considered to be absent and antithrombotic treatment was stopped/withheld. During follow-up of these patients only one patient experienced a possible venous thromboembolic event (failure rate 1,5%; 95% CI 0-8%). The SimpliRED D-dimer was normal in 6 of 61 patients with proven pulmonary embolism (sensitivity 90%; 95% CI 80-96%). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that it is safe to withhold anticoagulant therapy in those patients with a non-diagnostic lung scan, a normal SimpliRED D-dimer test result, and without a high clinical probability. This results in a substantial decreased need for ultrasonography and pulmonary angiography. The SimpliRED should not be used in isolation to exclude pulmonary embolism.     

Outpatient treatment of pulmonary embolism with dalteparin

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary embolism is a common complication of deep vein thrombosis. It has been established that low molecular weight heparin may be used to treat deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism and randomized studies have established that outpatient management of deep vein thrombosis with low molecular weight heparin is at least as effective as in-hospital management with unfractionated heparin. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study of eligible patients with pulmonary embolism managed as outpatients using dalteparin (200 U/kg s/c daily) for a minimum of five days and warfarin for 3 months. Outpatients included those managed exclusively out of hospital and those managed initially for 1-3 days as inpatients who then completed therapy out of hospital. Reasons for admission included hemodynamic instability; hypoxia requiring oxygen therapy; admission for another medical reason; severe pain requiring parenteral analgesia or high risk of major bleeding. Patients were followed for three months for clinically apparent recurrent venous thromboembolism and bleeding. RESULTS: Between three teaching hospitals, a total of 158 patients with pulmonary embolism were identified. Fifty patients were managed as inpatients and 108 as outpatients. Of the outpatients, 27 were managed for an average of 2.5 days as inpatients and then completed dalteparin therapy as outpatients. The remaining 81 patients were managed exclusively as outpatients with dalteparin. For all outpatients the overall symptomatic recurrence rate of venous thromboembolism was 5.6% (6/108) with only 1.9% (2/108) major bleeds. There were a total of four deaths with none due to pulmonary embolism or major bleed. CONCLUSIONS: This prospective study suggests that outpatient management of pulmonary embolism is feasible and safe for the majority of patients.     

Short term effect of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator in patients with hemodynamically stable acute pulmonary embolism: Results of a meta-analysis involving 464 patients

By considering studies where a mixing of patients with and without shock, with or without invasive procedure, treated with various thrombolytic agents through different ways of infusion, have been included, current meta-analyses on thrombolysis efficacy in Pulmonary embolism (PE) are of limited value. Modern management of PE includes the use of both non-invasive diagnostic methods and intravenous rt-PA as thrombolytic agent.

Methods

We performed a meta-analysis of all randomized trials comparing rt-PA with heparin in patients with hemodynamically stable pulmonary embolism. Only the events clearly identified as related with the venous thromboembolic disease or with the treatment were considered.

Results

Five studies involving 464 patients were included. The pooled estimate from all the trials revealed a non-statistically significant reduction in death related to PE or pulmonary recurrence for rt-PA compared with heparin (3.5% versus 4.6%; RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.38 to 2.51, P for heterogeneity among the studies = 0.73). Compared with heparin, rt-PA was not associated with a significant increase in major bleeding (4.9% versus 4.6%; RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.39 to 2.27). Similar results were found when only studies including patients with echocardiographic evidence of right ventricular dysfunction were considered.

Conclusion

Neither mortality due to pulmonary embolism nor objective pulmonary embolism recurrence are decreased by rt-PA compared with heparin in patients with hemodynamically stable pulmonary embolism. No benefit is suggested in studies including patients with right ventricular dysfunction alone.     

Acute pulmonary embolism in childhood

Pulmonary embolism is an uncommon, but potentially fatal disease in children. Most children with pulmonary embolism have underlying clinical conditions, of which the presence of a central venous catheter is the most frequent. The clinical presentation is often subtle, or masked by the underlying clinical condition. Diagnostic as well as therapeutic strategies for pulmonary embolism in children are mostly extrapolated from studies in adults. Pulmonary angiography is still the gold standard in diagnosing pulmonary embolism, but several other radiographic tests can be used to diagnose pulmonary embolism, including ventilation-perfusion lung scanning, helical computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and echocardiography. The choice of treatment depends on the clinical presentation of the patient. Anticoagulation is the mainstay of therapy for children with pulmonary embolism. However, thrombolytic therapy can be considered for patients with hemodynamic instability. The outcome of pediatric pulmonary embolism is uncertain and needs to be studied.