Selective non-operative management of penetrating liver injuries at a UK tertiary referral centre

Introduction

Selective non-operative management (SNOM) of penetrating abdominal injuries has increasingly been applied in North America in the last decade. However, there is less acceptance of SNOM among UK surgeons and there are limited data on UK practice. We aimed to review our management of penetrating liver injuries and, specifically, the application of SNOM.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed of patients presenting with penetrating liver injuries between June 2005 and November 2013.

Results

Thirty-one patients sustained liver injuries due to penetrating trauma. The vast majority (97%) were due to stab wounds. The median injury severity score was 14 and a quarter of patients had concomitant thoracic injuries. Twelve patients (39%) underwent immediate surgery owing to haemodynamic instability, evisceration, retained weapon or diffuse peritonism. Nineteen patients were stable to undergo computed tomography (CT), ten of whom were selected subsequently for SNOM. SNOM was successful in eight cases. Both patients who failed SNOM had arterial phase contrast extravasation evident on their initial CT. Angioembolisation was not employed in either case. All major complications and the only death occurred in the operatively managed group. No significant complications of SNOM were identified and there were no transfusions in the non-operated group. Those undergoing operative management had longer lengths of stay than those undergoing SNOM (median stay 6.5 vs 3.0 days, p<0.05).

Conclusions

SNOM is a safe strategy for patients with penetrating liver injuries in a UK setting. Patient selection is critical and CT is a vital triage tool. Arterial phase contrast extravasation may predict failure of SNOM and adjunctive angioembolisation should be considered for this group.     

腹腔镜在肝局灶性结节性增生诊断及切除中的应用

目的探讨腹腔镜在肝局灶性结节性增生中的诊断及手术切除的应用价值。方法11例肝占位病人均在腹腔镜下行肝肿物切除术,术中肿物送病理学检查,病理诊断为局灶性增生结节。结果本组11例患者均成功实施腹腔镜下肝切除术,标本完整取出,切缘距肿瘤2cm,无中转开腹。术后病人均恢复良好,无并发症,出院后随访均未见复发病例。结论腹腔镜手术对于肝局灶性结节性增生的诊断和治疗有很好的价值。对肝局灶性增生结节位于肝脏边缘,且肿块非巨大的患者,行腹腔镜手术切除应被视为最佳选择。     

The polymorphous light eruption–severity assessment score does not reliably predict the results of phototesting

Background Polymorphous light eruption (PLE) is a very common photodermatosis in which patient history is highly specific. Phototesting is used to confirm the diagnosis and to determine the action spectrum and the severity of this disease. In daily practice and in research studies, it would be convenient to assess disease severity by patient history only. Objectives This study aims to assess PLE disease severity via patient history and compares this with severity assessment via phototesting. Patients and methods Sixty‐one patients with PLE were asked 10 standard questions and all were phototested. The answers to the standard questions were coded with linear scores ranging from 0 to 10. The score of each question was plotted as independent variable in a multiple linear regression model against the score of the phototest (minimal number of irradiations necessary to elicit a positive skin lesion, with a maximum of 6 irradiations) as dependent variable using an enter approach. Furthermore, the scores of the separate questions were added to form a total score, the PLE–severity assessment score (PLE‐SAS). The medians of these PLE‐SASs were compared with the result scores obtained by phototesting. Phototesting was done with ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B irradiation. Results Fifty‐seven of the 61 patients had a positive test result (93%). Using the multiple linear regression model, the severity assessment by patient history (PLE‐SAS) compared with the result of phototesting showed two significant contributing questions (adjusted PLE‐SAS) (P < 0.05) but with a regression coefficient of 0.2. A significant difference in median scores with the severity assessment (PLE‐SAS and adjusted PLE‐SAS) between patients testing positive after 1–3 irradiations compared with those testing positive after 4–6 irradiations was present (P < 0.05). However, the overlap quartile range between both groups was such that the PLE‐SAS and the adjusted PLE‐SAS have little predictive value in individual patients. Conclusions We showed that in PLE, disease severity as determined using the PLE‐SAS or adjusted PLE‐SAS did not reliably predict severity as assessed by phototesting. Two significant contributing questions were not discriminating enough to be used as predicting questions to assess severity. Accurate patient history proved to be a reliable method to diagnose PLE. Phototesting is useful to determine the responsible ultraviolet action spectrum and to exclude differential diagnoses like photosensitive eczema, lupus erythematosus or chronic actinic dermatitis. PLE‐SAS cannot replace phototesting for determining the severity of PLE.     

Visual pathway glioma: an erratic tumour with therapeutic dilemmas

OBJECTIVE: Our experience in children with visual pathway glioma (VPG) was reviewed to delineate its clinical characteristics. DESIGN: The charts and imaging studies of 21 children with VPG who were followed up in our centre during the last 12 years were reviewed and summarised. RESULTS: VPG accounted for 13.1% of all brain tumours treated during this period. Sixty two per cent of the children with VPG had neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1). Among these, more than 60% were detected as part of routine work up. In some cases decreasing visual function preceded the appearance of the VPG on imaging studies. Tumour growth rate was markedly unpredictable. All treatment modalities employed led to tumour shrinkage and stabilisation for a variable period, but none was successful in totally eradicating the tumour. Complications were less severe after chemotherapy compared with radiotherapy. Three children died, none with NF-1, with a globular hypothalamic/chiasmatic tumour and accompanying electrolyte abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: NF-1 is a favourable prognostic marker for VPG. Whenever possible a period of observation is necessary before treatment is initiated, during which time tumour size and visual function should be closely followed up; an untoward change in either of these is an indication for the start of treatment, preferably chemotherapy first. The combination of a globular hypothalamic/chiasmatic glioma and electrolyte abnormalities in a child without NF-1 are related to a poor prognosis.     

Parental and professional perception of need for emergency admission to hospital: prospective questionnaire based study

AIM: To compare views of parents, consultants, and general practitioners on severity of acute illness and need for admission, and to explore views on alternative services. METHOD: Prospective questionnaire based study of 887 consecutive emergency paediatric admissions over two separate three week periods in summer and winter of five Yorkshire hospitals, combined with a further questionnaire on a subsample. OUTCOME MEASURES: Parental scores of need for admission and parent and consultant illness severity scores out of 10. Consultant judgment of need for admission. Alternatives to admission considered by consultants and, for a subsample, by parents and family GP. RESULTS: Ninety nine per cent of parents thought admission was needed. Parents scored need for admission more highly than severity of illness with no association observed between severity and presenting problem or diagnosis. High parental need score was associated with a fit, past illness, and length of stay. Consultant illness severity scores were skewed to the lower range. Consultants considered admission necessary in 71%, especially for children aged over 1 year, presentation with breathing difficulty or fit, and after a longer stay. More admissions in the evening were considered unnecessary as were admissions after longer preadmission illness, gastroenteritis, or upper respiratory tract infection. Of a subsample of parents, 81% preferred admission during the acute stage of illness even if home nursing had been available. Similar responses were obtained from GPs. Alternative services could have avoided admission for 19% of children, saving 15.6% of bed days used. CONCLUSIONS: Medical professionals and parents differ in their views about admission for acute illnesses. More information is needed on children not admitted. Alternative services should take account of patterns of illness and should be acceptable to parents and professionals; cost savings may be marginal.     

彩色多普勒检测主动脉瓣病变患者颈动脉血流变化

为探讨主动脉瓣病变对颈动脉血流动力学变化的影响，对正常组４２例，观察组４７例：其中主动脉瓣关闭不全１３例，主动脉瓣狭窄伴关闭不全３３例，主动脉瓣狭窄１例，进行了彩色多普勒血流检测。正常颈总动脉频谱形态呈三峰形，收缩期两峰Ｖｓ１＞Ｖｓ２；舒张早期可有反向频谱，△Ｔ／Ｔ比值＜１／１０。主动脉瓣狭窄伴关闭不全时，颈总动脉收缩期可出现“Ｍ”形频谱，出现率为７２．２％；１例主动脉瓣狭窄，颈动脉频谱形态呈“圆顶状”状。主动脉瓣关闭不全时，颈总动脉出现“舒张期返流”频谱，即△Ｔ／Ｔ≥１／１０。“舒张期返流”频谱的出现与瓣膜返流程度有关：轻度返流，△Ｔ／Ｔ比值正常或＜１／４，中度返流，在１／４～１／２之间，△Ｔ／Ｔ≥１／２，均为重度返流。６例瓣膜置换术后，４全颈动脉频谱形态恢复正常，２例仍有“舒张期返流”频谱，其主动脉瓣中度关闭不全。结果表明：主动脉瓣狭窄伴关闭不全时，颈总动脉收缩期可出现特征性“Ｍ”形；主动脉瓣关闭不全舒张期可见“舒张期返流”频谱。“舒张期返流”频谱是区分轻与中重度瓣膜关闭不全的简便方法，也可大致区分中与重度关闭不全。比较换瓣前后，颈动脉异常频谱形态变化，可作为间接评价主动脉人工瓣功能的方法之一